Ancient Sri Lanka
Early trances of civilization in ancient Sri Lanka display the ingenuity and vigor
of the island’s inhabitants. The complex irrigation networks, large reservoirs,
primitive hospitals, ancient cities, monasteries and palaces all bear testament
to the skill of these prehistoric civilisations that were far ahead of their time.
Sri Lanka prides itself in being pioneers of many accomplishments through the ages.
The oldest recorded tree in the world
The Sri Maha Bodhi tree (Sacred Bo-Tree) is the oldest tree ever recorded. The tree
Is believed to be planted by a sapling of the Sacred Bo tree under which Prince
Siddhartha Gauthama attained supreme enlightenment and became the venerated Buddha.
Emperor Asoka of India, who was a great patron of the Buddhist faith, sent the sapling
through his daughter to the island in the 3rd century BC. Written evidence attests
to the fact that this tree is the oldest tree ever recorded. The Scared Bo tree
has been safe guarded by monks for centuries and is now visited by pilgrims annually.
Ancient Irrigation Networks
Sri Lanka has some of the finest ancient reservoirs in the world. This can be attributed
to the invention of the Bisokotuwa. This Bisokotua is the equivalent of the sluice
gates of the modern world. The invention of the Bisokotuwa was able to moderate
the water flow out of reservoirs, and therefore able to provide a steady stream
of water for irrigation purposes, to all parts of the island. Due to this invention,
Sinhalese engineers were able to boldly proceed on and build many reservoirs and
tanks, which still remain some of the finest in existence.
First recorded hospital in the world
The first signs of ancient medical care begin as far back as the 4th century BC
to King Pandukabaya, who constructed an Ayurvedic hospital in the effort of sanitising
the entire town. Visitors to Mihintale will witness the ruins of an ancient hospital
built in the 9th century AD. Here one will find the remnants of an Ayurvedic Medicinal
trough that was used to treat patients. King Buddhadasa was a renowned physician
himself and was a great patron of Ayurvedic treatment. King Buddhadasa went on to
employ one physician to every ten villages in the aim to improve the quality of
life of his kingdom. He also set up sanctuaries for the sick in every village and
even went as far as to appoint physicians to look after the animals of each village.
The ancient ruins of Anuradhapura reveal that hospitals were built centuries ago,
highlighting the fact that the ancient Sinhalese were resourceful and clever enough
to understand the importance of a healthy lifestyle.
The world’s first wildlife reserve
Sri Lanka was the first country in the world to initiate a wildlife and nature reserve.
King Devanampiya Tissa, of the 3rd century BC, a devout Buddhist convert, ordered
that the town of Mihintale be protected from hunting. Further evidence of the conservation
of wildlife is found in Anuradhapura where ancient inscriptions indicate that King
Nissankamalla of Polonnaruwa forbade the capture and slaughter of animals within
a 4 mile radius of the town. All data suggests that the conservation of wildlife
was an integral part of ancient Sri Lanka. Even today Sri Lanka boasts of 15 national
parks with a large proportion of land declared as wildlife sanctuaries.
