Sunday Times 2
Budddhist revival in Sri Lanka and India
(L to r) Prof. Sandagomi Coperahewa, Arindam Bagchi, Dr. Sarath Amunugama, Senior Prof. Lakshman Dissanayake Prof. Nayani Meelegoda. Pix by Anuradha Bandara
Anagarika Dharmapala is well known for spearheading the Budddhist revival in Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan Buddhists consider him to be one of the most eminent personalities in the long history of Buddhism in the island. One aspect of his work which isn’t given much publicity though, is his contribution to the diplomatic relations between India and Sri Lanka. The Center for Contemporary Indian Studies (CCIS), University Of Colombo, held a symposium titled ‘Anagarika Dharmapala and India Sri Lanka Relations’ in 2014 to redress this lack of knowledge. The outcome of this symposium is a book of the same title which was launched on February 11 at the Senate Hall, University of Colombo (UOC), in the presence of many eminent guests from both India and Sri Lanka.
The symposium was held to commemorate the 150th Birth Anniversary of Anagarika Dharmapala. Indian High Commisioner Y.K. Sinha was the Chief Guest at the symposium and Emeritus Professor J.B. Disanayake delivered the keynote speech, while a panel of scholars from India and Sri Lanka presented papers for the academic sessions. It is these papers which have been edited by Director of CCIS Professor Sandagomi Coperahewa and published in the book along with other relevant articles.
The book aims to look at Anagarika Dharmapala’s work for the Buddhist revival in India and Sri Lanka from a socio-religious and historical perspective. Anagarika Dharmapala’s work in India towards the latter part of his life is documented in the book in great detail.
Speaking on the occasion of the launch, Deputy Indian High Commissioner Arindam Bagchi focused on India Sri Lanka relations and the vital role the Center for Contemporary Indian Studies played in making Indian academia available in Sri Lanka.
Chief Guest Dr. Sarath Amunugama, felt that it should be noted that Anagarika Dharmapala’s visit to Bodh Gaya at the age of 27 sparked a whole series of events which have strengthened India Sri Lanka relations.
Director of CCIS, Professor Sandagomi Coperahewa, Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies (UOC) Professor Nayani Meelegoda and Vice Chancellor (UOC) Senior Professor Lakshman Dissanayake also spoke at the event.