Spatializing Nationalism and Religion: The Production of Sinhala-Buddhist Imagination and the Centrality of Anuradhapura

Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka's ancient and revered Buddhist city, emerged as the focal point of Sinhala-Buddhist identity at the turn of the 20th century. This transformation was driven by local leaders who resisted colonial attempts to archeologize and museumize the site while asserting its centrality in religious and nationalist discourse. They sought to eliminate non-Buddhist activities and challenge the dominance of the Kandy-based Buddhist order, reshaping the spatiality of Sinhala-Buddhist imagination. The study analyzes this complex interplay through a lens of nationalism, religion, and colonialism, highlighting local agency's role in redefining Anuradhapura's significance amid shifting political power dynamics.

Sangapala, P., & Perera, N. (2023). Spatializing Nationalism and Religion: The Production of Sinhala-Buddhist Imagination and the Centrality of Anuradhapura. Space and Culture, 28(4), 465–479. https://doi.org/10.1177/12063312231210152