A paradise from heaven...
That is what it could have appeared to be, in the ancient times, I think. How superlatively the land and people have been described by ancient travelers!
Even Robert Knox, a prisoner at large, had many kind words about the country and the people.An agrarian society, enriched by a Buddhist culture, influenced by the Hinduism, people lived, though under a benevolent dictatorships of kings and their lords and ladies, happy peaceful lives.
The beginnings had been ungentlemanly! Yet, like all invaders, they claimed rightful owners to the land and settled their roots down and prospered.
Unlike the invaders of the Americas, the invaders in this case, did not spend their energies exploiting the invaded land in order to enrich their home countries.
Being banished from the home country could have had something to do with this domestication.
The resources of the country did not always remain in the country, though. Frequent invaders from southern India saw to it that the country never had uninterrupted peaceful lives.
This particular trait is still visible, I am afraid. Please read this article by a respected Indian on this matter, which was originally published at the Sri Lanka Ministry of Defense site.
So, am I claiming that the Shangri La atmosphere has vanished from the country at present?
You know the answer!
I would like to argue that the turmoil started with the arrival of the Europeans: turmoil in terms of language, culture and politics, and resulting implications on international relations and brain drain and other associated migratory behaviour of people.
I have dedicated separate pages for each of these topics. Just click on a topic to visit them and see whether you agree…