Chryshane Mendis | Sri Lanka Archaeology

20th Century Historians: Rev. Fr. S G Perera

The student of the colonial history of Sri Lanka has undoubtedly come upon the name of S. G. Perera in their studies. Fr. S. G. Perera, a Catholic Priest of the Society of Jesus was an exemplary scholar of the last century and whose parallels are unheard of. Publishing over a dozen books and over 300 articles in journals, his contributions to the history of the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka and the history of the Portuguese, Dutch and […]

The Fortress of Colombo: What else remains?

My research into the remains of the Fort of Colombo led me to identify 7 locations in total which all belongs to the Dutch built fort. The previous article dealt with my identification of 3 sections of the Dutch fort lying within the Navy Headquarters; that is the entire Dan Briel bastion, the Postern gate known as the Slave port and sections of the rampart from Dan Briel bastion to Amsterdam bastion. In this article I would discuss the […]

July 24, 2017 By Chryshane Mendis Colonial Heritage Chryshane Mendis, Colombo Fort, Colonial Heritage 0 Comments

Defiling Modern Warfare: The Dutch Castle of the North

Sri Lanka is home to several Dutch forts found throughout the island in varying size; much of the Dutch forts have survived the ages and some being in the mint condition such as the massive Galle Fort which is a World Heritage Site. Another interesting fort known to many is the Jaffna fort situated in the heart of the Jaffna town bordering the lagoon. Out of the other Dutch forts, the Jaffna fort is the most geometrically perfect, being […]

July 20, 2017 By Chryshane Mendis Colonial Heritage Chryshane Mendis, Dutch Castle, Jaffnapatam 0 Comments

20th Century Historians : D.W. Ferguson

Historical researches undoubtedly require reference to original sources; at present much of the original literature on Sri Lanka both local and foreign have been reproduced and translated into the present vernacular. This tedious task has no doubt aided the modern student of history to dig through original works of literature with much ease. Contributions of Donald William Ferguson in the areas of Portuguese history are a landmark in scholarship in the country and there is scarcely a student or […]

July 12, 2017 By Chryshane Mendis Bibliography, Historian Chryshane Mendis, D.W. Ferguson, History, Sri Lanka 0 Comments

Kotte Heritage 3: The Bastions and Passes

Passes and bastions are important elements of fortifications. The Passes, large and small give access to and from a fort and at times of war would be heavily guarded. Bastions are fortified projections on the ramparts of a fort from which defenders could easily defend the rampart as well as attack enemies due to its wide angle of fire. The fortress of Kotte was equipped with both these elements.

July 11, 2017 By Chryshane Mendis Exploration, Field Archaeology, Heritage Management Bastions, Chryshane Mendis, Kotte Heritage, Passes 0 Comments

The Fortress of Colombo: What lies beneath the Navy Head Quarters

The harbour of Kolon Thota or Colombo was a prominent port in ancient Sri Lanka and from the 15th century onwards it was the principle port of the country due to its proximity to the Capital city of Kotte. With the arrival of the Portuguese in the 16th century, they made Colombo their main center establishing a large city over time. The succeeding European colonists, the Dutch and British too made Colombo their center.

July 8, 2017 By Chryshane Mendis Colonial Heritage Chryshane Mendis, Fortress of Colombo, Navy Head Quarters 26 Comments

Breaking myths: uncovering the truth behind the ‘Old Dutch Stables’ of Pettah

The Pettah, located in the heart of Colombo bordering the Colombo harbor and the commercial hub Fort was once part of the colonial Dutch city of Colombo which was the center of administration of the Dutch. The Pettah during the Dutch period was known as the Oude Stad or Old City and formed the residential quarters of the city which the bordered the Castle or the Dutch Fort of Colombo on the west.

June 26, 2017 By Chryshane Mendis Colonial Heritage British, Chryshane Mendis, Colombo, Dutch Fort, Pettah, Sri Lanka 8 Comments

Life in Sri Lankan Archaeology

Archaeology, the scientific study of the material remains of the human past is a unique field in where the participant while digging up the past is exposed to an array of diverse cultures and environments. It is a field that requires a strict discipline in conducting one’s self as the vehicle of archaeology would drive one to various places of the world, meet different people of different cultures and changing environments. For the lover of history and nature, this […]

June 5, 2017 By Chryshane Mendis Interviews 0 Comments

Martello Tower, Hambantota

The Martello Tower is a type of fortification constructed by the British in the 19th century. This was a small round fortification of about 20-25 feet in height and could garrison up to 20 – 30 men. Their round structure made it resistant to bombardment and was generally suited for coastal defense. The design originated from around fortified tower at ‘Mortella’ point in the island of Corsica in the Mediterranean Sea, which was garrisoned by the French; the British […]

June 1, 2017 By Chryshane Mendis Archaeological Survey Dhanesh Wisumperuma, Hambantota, Martello Tower 2 Comments

Kotte Heritage 2: The Ramparts and the Moat

Chryshane Mendis
Program Coordinator, archaeology.lk
The ramparts are an important feature in fortifications which serve as the defensive wall protecting the camp or city. Ramparts were used in the ancient world to protect a city, a military camp or a border. Due to the insecurity of the ancient world in comparison to the modern era almost all large urban centers or cities needed fortifications for its defence. The remains of walled cities could be found throughout the world from the ancient […]

May 30, 2017 By Chryshane Mendis Exploration, Field Archaeology, Heritage Management Angampitiya, Chryshane Mendis, HERITAGE, kabook, Kotte, Nissanka Alakesvara, Parakramabahu VI, rampart, Sri Lanka 2 Comments

Author - Chryshane Mendis

20th Century Historians: Rev. Fr. S G Perera

The Fortress of Colombo: What else remains?

Defiling Modern Warfare: The Dutch Castle of the North

20th Century Historians : D.W. Ferguson

Kotte Heritage 3: The Bastions and Passes

The Fortress of Colombo: What lies beneath the Navy Head Quarters

Breaking myths: uncovering the truth behind the ‘Old Dutch Stables’ of Pettah

Life in Sri Lankan Archaeology

Martello Tower, Hambantota

Kotte Heritage 2: The Ramparts and the Moat

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