News
The fire that reduced history to ashes
The Government Analysts department has launched an investigation into the fire which destroyed Sri Lanka’s oldest printing machine.
The fire that broke out last Monday night at the Ruwanwella Purana Viharaya in Kathaluwa, Ahangama, completely destroyed the valuable machinery that rolled out “Lanka Lokaya”– said to be the first Sinhala paper published in Sri Lanka.
On Friday, officials of the Government Analysts Department visited the scene to carry out investigations. Police and the Archaeology Department have also launched separate investigations.
Initial reports suggest that an electrical short circuit last Monday night was the cause of the fire that destroyed the Viharaya and archaeological artefacts that were housed there.
The printing machine was a gift from the Siamese King Chlalankara in 1860 to the Vihara’s then incumbent Ven. Bulathgama Ottarama Thera.
 The scene of the fire |
This king had also gifted the thera some ancient Ola leaves and other historic items. The machine sent to the Galle Harbour was first brought to the Church Street in Galle, where the old printing house Lankopakara press had been located. The oldest paper, which was not a registered one at that time, was printed on November 20, 1869. Since the press did not prove to be much of a success, the printing machine was sent to the Galle Paramananda Viharaya.
Since the viharadhipathi was often away from the temple premises, his connections with the locals diminished resulting in the temple being robbed twice, according to residents.
The viharadhipathi was also away when the fire broke out and it was Ven. Ahangama Hemananda Thera who was present at the premises at the time of the incident. According to him, people found out about the fire after the smoke billowing out of the temple became thicker. “They wasted no time in informing the police.”
Viharadhipathi Galagama Sugathawansa Thera said that by the time he returned everything had been reduced to ashes. The Galle fire unit had come late, hence it could save little.
Despite several previous appeals, no measures had been taken by authorities for the conservation of the machinery, residents said.
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