SRI LANKAN-DUTCH ARCHEOLOGICAL CO-OPERATION

By A. van Schaik

Sri Lankan archaeologists have enjoyed Dutch academic hospitality for a
long time. Gamini Wijesuriya who is working on his Ph.D. in Leiden and
Delft is part of that tradition.
In the recent past Sri Lanka has achieved more than most other Asian
countries in the field of archaeology. A good example is the Unesco
'Cultural Triangle' project, in which an enormous amount of work has been
carried out and a large quantity of material culture has been unearthed.
This will bring to light many unknown facets of the culture of the Asian
region, dating back to the third century BC. 

STUPA'S IN CEYLON AND FOREST MONASTRIES IN SRI LANKA
In the field of archaeology in Srilanka The Netherlands has a special
place. It is a long-standing tradition for  archaeologists from Sri Lanka
to come to The Netherlands for higher degrees. Therefore it is no
coincidence that Gamini Wijesuriya has come to work in Leiden and Delft on
his Ph.D., writing a thesis on the subject 'Forest Monasteries in Sri
Lanka', a subject that covers architectural history as well as aspects of
conservation.
Wijesuriya studied architecture in Sri Lanka and archaeology in United
States and Great Britain. In the Kern Institute in Leiden on a cold Dutch
winter day he explained: 'In 1937 the first Sri Lankan archaeologist, Prof.
S. Paranavitana worked in The Netherlands. He was the first Sri Lankan to
head the national Department of Archeology, from 1940 to 1956; he did a
tremendous lot of work.' Paranavitana is considered to be the pioneer and
guru of Sri Lankan archaeology. The British colonial adminstration founded
the Archaeological Department in 1890, and untill 1940 it was headed by
foreigners.
Paranavitana worked with Professor Vogel at the Kern Institute. The subject
of his thesis was 'Stupa's in Ceylon'. Wijsuriya: 'It is interesting that
the late Dr Paranavitana first read his country's history to his colleagues
in the West here in Leiden. Later he was followed by Professor Seneke
Bandaranayake, one of the most famous Sri Lankan archaeologists, who worked
with the late Professor Van Lohuizen on `Singhalese monastic architecture'.
Dr Roland Silva, who was Commissioner of the Department of Archaeology from
1983 to 1992, also worked on his PH.D. in Holland with Professor De
Casparis, again at Leiden University. He also presented a thesis on
religious architecture of Sri Lanka.
Sri Lankan scholars have a high regard for the work  done by people like
the late Van Lohuizen and De Casparis. They have worked closely with Sri
Lanka on many subjects, including Buddha images and foreign relations. That
work has been continued by Dutch scholars today, like Dr Karel van Kooij,
Dr Nandana Chutiwongs and others.

VOC PERIOD MONUMENTS
All studies mentioned above are related to the ancient past of Sri Lanka.
However in his own country Gamini Wijsuriya is the Head of the
Architectural Conservation Branch of the Department of Archaeology and
responsible for the conservation of VOC (Dutch East Indian) period
monuments. Launching into the topic of the VOC period, he brims over with
enthusiasm. The historical ties with The Netherlands, which commenced at
the beginning of the 17th century and have continued up to the present day,
have left their traces in cultural resources in the form of monuments such
as fortifications, garrisons, hospitals, artefacts such as implements of
war, coins, porcelain, textiles, garments, furniture and other items.
Wijsuriya: 'Is is an area with a great potential for academic work.'

CALL FOR SRI LANKAN-DUTCH ACADEMIC CO-OPERATION
Until recently there was little or no interest among the Dutch academics in
the VOC-period in Sri Lanka. It is interesting to see that for many years
Sri Lanka has already considered the buildings from the colonial period as
part of its heritage. In 1940 they were declared a National Monument by an
Act of Parliament. Wijsyriya; 'We see them as a child of dual parentage.'
Sri Lanka even asked Unesco to put the city of Galle, a fortress built
during the Dutch period, on the World Monument List. Is is probably the
only monument on it belonging to a colonial period. Wijsuriya: 'We have had
no colaboration in the academic field, although there is such a rich
history'. There were only individual studies like that of the historian
Lodewijk Wagenaar, who recently got his Ph.D. in Leiden on a study about
Galle.
Wijsuriya hopes that the Sri Lankan-Dutch academic relations in future
shall be extended to the VOC period. Delft Technical University has already
shown interest in carrying out research on the VOC period.