Publications
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.
Urban agriculture and buddhist concepts for wellbeing: Anuradhapura sacred city, Sri lanka
Urban agriculture in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka's first Buddhist city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, functions as a 'performing system' that integrates people with the landscape to enhance physical and mental wellbeing. This study reveals how agricultural practices, particularly around large reservoirs (wewa) and paddy fields, create a sustainable urban environment rooted in Buddhist philosophy. By engaging in laborious agricultural tasks, residents experience spiritual dimensions tied to the city's orientation, embodying the 'four noble truths' and fostering a healthy, sustainable cityscape. The research synthesizes phenomenology, anthropology, neuroscience, and Buddhist philosophy to explore how this embodied landscape promotes wellbeing, offering insights into the intersection of agriculture, spirituality, and urban design.
Hydraulic complexities
Anuradhapura's hydraulic system, comprising perennial and seasonal tanks, played a pivotal role in its development as a significant Indian Ocean urban center. The city's layout included three distinct zones: the Citadel, the monumental Sacred City, and the hinterland. The Nuvaraveva, Tissaveva, and Basavak Kulam tanks were central to this system, with extensive restorations conducted by the British in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The study sheds light on the hydraulic complexities that sustained Anuradhapura's urban core, while also addressing historical narratives, such as the Culavamsa's account of the 11th-century Chola conquest, which depicted it as a violent event leading to widespread destruction and plundering.
Urban Agriculture and Sacred Landscape: Anuradhapura Sacred City, Sri Lanka
Urban agriculture in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka's ancient sacred city (377 BCE–1017 CE), played a pivotal role in creating a sustainable and spiritually enriching environment. Large water tanks, paddy fields, and canal systems were not merely functional but integral to the Buddhist sacred landscape, fostering human connection with nature while supporting the city's sustenance. This study reveals that these agricultural elements were central to everyday life, shaping social practices and enhancing human well-being through their integration into the urban form and cultural rituals. By synthesizing phenomenology, anthropology, landscape analysis, and historical methods, the research demonstrates how Anuradhapura's design harmonized practical needs with sacred experiences, offering a model for sustainable urban development rooted in spiritual values.
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