The Department of History and Archaeology of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura organized a field visit to Colombo Harbour and nearby Temples, Kovils and Churches, for the 3rd year History (Honours) Degree undergraduates, related to their course units on ‘South Indian Kingdoms and Culture (HIST 3202.3)’ and ‘International Relations of Sri Lanka (Since Independence)’, on the 18th of September 2023.
Under the guidance of the Head of the Department of History and Archaeology, Sen. Lect. (Ven.) Dambara Amila Thero, Sen.Lect. U.N.K. Rathnayaka and Lect. Damith Ranagala of the same department coordinated this field visit for the students. Firstly, the students visited Sri Ponnambalawaneswaram Kovil (Colombo 01) and were able to experience the live ambience of a Hindu kovil influenced by South Indian architecture and cultural rituals and traditions. Next, upon the request of the department, a special guided tour had been arranged by Sri Lanka Ports Authority to visit the Colombo harbour premises including all the terminals that are in operation as well as under construction. The students next visited Sambodhi stupa (Colombo 01) next to harbour premises and St. Anthony’s Shrine, Kochchikade (Colombo 13), experiencing the multi-religious history, iconography, architecture and practices of the country. Finally, the group visited Sri Manika Vinayagar Kovil (Colombo 04).
The Department of History and Archaeology would like to thank the Vice-Chancellor of the USJ, Sen. Prof. Padmalal M. Manage and the Dean of the FHSS, Prof. Shirantha Heenkenda, for making the necessary arrangements to realize this field visit. Furthermore, the department expresses its gratitude to the Sri Lanka Ports Authority and all the custodians of the temples, kovils and churches visited, for facilitating our students to make this field visit fruitful.
