An archive of the colonial era: documents, photos and materials.
The author introduces Robert Knox, who left for Ceylon at 14 and returned 25 years later with a detailed account of the island that became the basis for the new Y: sri lanka game project.
Open sourceThe MMCA Sri Lanka exhibition 'Three Songs of Ceylon' explores the 1934 colonial film 'Song of Ceylon' and its reinterpretation by contemporary artists through video works.
Open sourceArchival photographs of Galle Fort from the 1950s from the collection of Dutch director Michael Rogge.
Open sourceIn 1914, wildlife artist Vasily Vatagin visited India and Ceylon, where he made sketches from life that became the basis of his celebrated works.
Open sourceA note on the diplomatic relations between the Russian Empire and Ceylon, the diplomats who served there, and the connection to Vera Muromtseva and the writer Bunin.
Open sourceIn 1803, the marshy Galle Face land was used as a burial ground after a failed British campaign in Kandy; the graves were cleared in the 1920s but the history was forgotten.
Open sourceA quote from Ivan Bunin's story 'Sootechiestvennik' (1916) describes a hot port-city Colombo with rickshaws, gem shops, and coconut groves.
Open sourceA historical essay about Colombo in the 1940s — the capital of British Ceylon with trams, bustling Pettah markets, and a layered colonial identity.
Open sourceIvan Bunin's classic poem 'Ceylon' — a poetic journey along the southern coast from Matara to the Ranna lagoon.
Open sourceExcerpt from the 1875 book Letters from Ceylon: the author travels to Alut-Nuwara to find the Vedda people among ancient stupas and tropical forests.
Open sourceThe 1875 historical text explains that Perahera is not a Buddhist festival; monks rejected it, but King Kirti Sri added the Tooth Relic to reconcile the parties.
Open sourceAn 1875 historical excerpt recounts the final night of the Perahera festival in Kandy, featuring a huge peaceful crowd and the closing rite performed by priests on the Gagamba river.
Open sourceAn excerpt from an 1875 book describes a visit to the Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy and the solemn Perahera procession with decorated elephants and pilgrims.
Open sourceA short notice that the next installment of the historical 'Letters from Ceylon' was delayed due to a library scanner issue.
Open sourceExcerpt from 'Lion Island' (1875): journey from Matara to Tangalle through abandoned rice fields to the famous Muyagiri-Galle temple, worth visiting even for the non-religious.
Open sourceExcerpt from 'Lion Island' (1875): visiting Buddhist temples near Matara — monks initially demanded payment and asked him to remove shoes, but eventually let the traveller in.
Open sourceExcerpt from 'Lion Island' (1875): on how English language and customs have permeated even the Buddhist clergy — a monk left a calling card and bid farewell with 'good bye'.
Open sourceExcerpt from 'Lion Island' (1875): description of the comfortable government resthouse in Matara with a sea view, clean rooms, and European delicacies.
Open sourceExcerpt from 'Lion Island' (1875): near the fishing village of Belligam stands a giant granite figure of the 'Leper King' — a local legend about an ancient ruler.
Open sourceExcerpt from 'Lion Island' (1875): description of the daily coach from Galle to Matara and the different fares charged to Europeans and local residents.
Open sourceExcerpt from 'Lion Island' (1875): a description of food in Ceylon — local fruits, traditional sichchi (curry), and imported European goods in hotels.
Open sourceExcerpt from 'Lion Island' (1875): an early morning walk through Galle — red roads, giant coconut palms and banana trees, and the sound of waves create a theatrical tropical vision for a northerner.
Open sourceExcerpt from 'Lion Island' (1875): a detailed description of Galle's finest hotel — its spacious rooms, Sinhalese servants in national dress, and local character.
Open sourceExcerpt from 'Lion Island' (1875): as soon as a steamer docked and passengers gathered at the hotel, local traders with gems and jewellery would descend from all sides.
Open sourceExcerpt from 'Lion Island' (1875): description of a Peninsular & Oriental steamer arriving at Point-de-Galle at dawn and the traveller's first impressions of the island.
Open sourceContinuation of Chapter I of Minaev's 1875 Ceylon letters: the island's fame, Phoenician ships, Solomon's fleet, and Ceylon's ancient ties with the West.
Open sourceChapter I of Minaev's historical letters from Ceylon in 1875: the journey from Galle to Hambantota and reflections on the island's nature and wildlife.
Open sourceA biographical note on Professor Ivan Minaev — founder of Russian Indology, who visited India, Ceylon, and Burma three times in the 19th century.
Open sourceMorning digest with facts about the Danish colonial period 1620–1802: the first governor, paper money with animal imagery, and the island's sale to Britain.
Open sourceThe morning digest includes a brief history of Ceylon — from Sinhalese rule in the 6th century to British colonial rule in the 19th century.
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