![]() Book name: Return to Sri Lanka - Travels in a Paradoxical Island Author: Razeen Sally Genre: Travel Goodreads: Link Storygraph: Link Prof. Razeen Sally is mostly known as an Academic in Economics & trade and for his commentaries on economic policy, but this book shows a different side to him where he talks about hist travels in Sri Lanka the country of his birth and where he spent his childhood before subsequently returning and rediscovering Sri Lanka as an adult. His title alludes to the many paradoxes he comes across in Sri Lanka including but not limited to the long history of multiculturalism and tolerance that has prevailed since ancient times which contrasts against the racial and religious conflicts & intolerance that have plagued its recent history. The book is very approachable as it doesn't assume any prior knowledge of Sri Lankan history and where alot of the details are presented in a succinct and as small tit bits of knowledge. The book also offers insights into the socio-economic and political history of Sri Lanka which continues to evolve and shape Sri Lanka today. The book is a mix of travel log and Memoir where the author has taken care to highlight some personalities from different walks of life that he came across during his travels and which have been an inspiration to the author and the reader and which gives hope for Sri Lanka's future. Some of the interesting trivia highlighted in the book are: Mulkirigala - Temple in Tangalle where in 1826 the history minded George Turnor the government agent for Ratnapura discovered the Prose key for deciphering the Mahavamsa. Over the next decade he learnt Pali and translated the Mahavamsa first into English and then into Sinhala Hill club - Sri Lanka's version of St. James's club. Planters founded the club in 1876. Current building goes back to the 1930's. Club membership was European and men only till 1967 Kanthorodai renamed as Kathurugoda - This site in Chunnakam in the North is the centre of controversy as the Lilliputian like Stupa's which dates back to the 2nd -3rd Century B.C is used as evidence of Sinhala Buddhists in the Tamil heartlands. While it is difficult to say for certain, the consensus view is that this is evidence of Tamils who were Buddhists as well and illustrates the fluidity and mixing of different cultures & religions which was common at the time and which has given rise to the unique cultural heritage that is found in Sri Lanka Charles Austen - Jane Austen's problem brother who ran away to sea and was buried in Trinco Overall would quite recommend this book to anyone who is curious about getting a deeper understanding of Sri Lanka and its history.
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AuthorAvid reader of Historical fiction, High fantasy novels, Comics & Graphic Novels. Passionate about teaching & the future of education in general. Categories
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December 2023
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