ENTRY DESCRIPTION
British Invasion in 1815 marks the end for 2357-year-old Sinhala monarchy in Modern-day Sri Lanka that is with the falling of Kindom of Kandy (Upcountry Kingdom), The Last Kingdom of Sri Lanka. Until then Kandyans (Up country people) choose not to surrender to any foreign invader since the formation of the Kingdom of Kandy in 1595, sacrificing at least more than 30,000 lives to ensure the territorial integrity of the Kingdom. Modern day history defines Kandyans as “Traitors” who sacrificed their lives, souls and blood for their motherland. Every year in the month of July so many people from different parts of the world visit Kandy by passing Kadugannwa to witness Sri Dalada Esela Perahera (Esela procession of Kandy) which is considered as the most sacred and colorful procession offered to Lord Buddha from the Buddhist world. Intention of this processing is to paying homage to Gauthama Buddha (Lord Buddha) using the traditional art, culture and Sri Dalada Karanduwa (Casket contains secret tooth relic of Buddha) belongs to King and Kingdom. Here I offer you the art and culture which Kandyans have protected with utmost sacrifice. I don’t know what kandyans have done to be such “Traitors”.

AUTHOR
Sadun Bandara Rathnayake, a specialist in Portrait, Contemporary Art and Architectural Photography is recognized for capturing architectural shapes in nature, spirituality, conflict between human emotions as well as varied aspects of society and culture.

Among his achievements and awards include being awarded for two submissions out of the three he submitted, at IPA 2015, where he emerged first winner of IPA portrait & cultural division. He is the youngest Sri Lankan to do so, at the age of 24, with his first image collection.

Having grown up in the hill country of Sri Lanka, Kandy and he is now loving in its capital city, Colombo.

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