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Ravana's Lanka: The Landscape of a Lost Kingdom
The story of the kingdom that Ravana had ruled lay over the island like a fading, antique map. The edges of the story were frayed and there were lines disconnected by time, but the landscape it traced, exists.
Demonized as he was after his death, the reign of King Ravana of Lanka, and his ancestors, the powerful Mayuranga, has long been obscured and shrouded in myth. Once, their kingdom is believed to have reached beyond the shores of the island, capturing lands across the seas—a kingdom of that magnitude was never seen again on Lanka. In a bid to shed light on this lost era, Sunela Jayewardene travelled through Sri Lanka, and listened to the storytellers and poets, researched Sri Lanka’s folklore, sifted through race and religion . . . to stitch together a history of a forgotten landscape.
This remarkable, vivid book is the story Sunela learnt of King Ravana and the kingdom that he lost.
Demonized as he was after his death, the reign of King Ravana of Lanka, and his ancestors, the powerful Mayuranga, has long been obscured and shrouded in myth. Once, their kingdom is believed to have reached beyond the shores of the island, capturing lands across the seas—a kingdom of that magnitude was never seen again on Lanka. In a bid to shed light on this lost era, Sunela Jayewardene travelled through Sri Lanka, and listened to the storytellers and poets, researched Sri Lanka’s folklore, sifted through race and religion . . . to stitch together a history of a forgotten landscape.
This remarkable, vivid book is the story Sunela learnt of King Ravana and the kingdom that he lost.
370 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 31, 2024
20 people are currently reading
119 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 4, 2025
This book takes a fresh look at Ravana, showing him as more than just the villain of the Ramayana. Instead, it explores him as a scholar and ruler deeply connected to Sri Lanka’s history. Sunela Jayawardena's research and travels takes us on a journey through folklore, archaeology, and literature into the places and cultures tied to Ravana's legend. It really makes you rethink the usual stories we've always heard.
I wish we had more archaeological discoveries about King Ravana’s lost kingdom and the Mayuranga dynasty. There’s so much history still waiting to be uncovered! ☹️
Like the author says:
"What I do know, however, is that the answers to the questions about Ravana's Lanka, the last days of the great Mayuranga dynasty, still lie secret, deep in the ground of Lanka."
Overall, this book gave me a whole new perspective on history, way beyond the usual stories.
I wish we had more archaeological discoveries about King Ravana’s lost kingdom and the Mayuranga dynasty. There’s so much history still waiting to be uncovered! ☹️
Like the author says:
"What I do know, however, is that the answers to the questions about Ravana's Lanka, the last days of the great Mayuranga dynasty, still lie secret, deep in the ground of Lanka."
Overall, this book gave me a whole new perspective on history, way beyond the usual stories.
October 12, 2024
Ravana is alive and well in all his vivid majesty in this book. Sunela Jayawardene’s beautiful and lush writing takes us on a journey through Sri Lanka exploring the oral histories in the collective memories of modern day Sri Lankans.
Unlike her previous book, the author is more rational with her presumptions. Her conjectures are more solidly based in archeological and literary evidence than in her previous book.
This book is an exercise of sorts in decolonization Sri Lankan history. Pushing back at not only Eurocentric thinking and approaches to archeology but also the Vijaya’s colonization and the subsequent Sinhala-centric narrative that we were taught as children.
As with the Line of Lanka, this book has lit within me a burning desire to retrace Sunela’s footsteps and explore the oft-forgotten or ignored places in our beautiful isle.
I loved her writing which is beautifully descriptive. I hope she writes more books!
Unlike her previous book, the author is more rational with her presumptions. Her conjectures are more solidly based in archeological and literary evidence than in her previous book.
This book is an exercise of sorts in decolonization Sri Lankan history. Pushing back at not only Eurocentric thinking and approaches to archeology but also the Vijaya’s colonization and the subsequent Sinhala-centric narrative that we were taught as children.
As with the Line of Lanka, this book has lit within me a burning desire to retrace Sunela’s footsteps and explore the oft-forgotten or ignored places in our beautiful isle.
I loved her writing which is beautifully descriptive. I hope she writes more books!
October 21, 2024
Ravana's Lanka: The Landscape of a Lost Kingdom by Sunela Jayewardene pulled me into the rich and layered history of Sri Lanka. Replete with images, maps and pictures she delved into such minute details, supported by an economy of phrases that left me wanting to turn the page for more, while uncovering the legend of Ravana's kingdom from folklore, archaeological evidence, and literary sources – the perfect combination to spin a great story. It is more than just an exercise into history-it's a journey into a part of South Asian history which rarely gets talked about, making it so interesting in itself.
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The book has been divided into five distinct parts. All the related aspects, as applicable, concerning this lost kingdom are answered within them. The first part gives an interesting insight into the early geography and people of Lanka. Actually, the third part was fascinating, which was all about Ravana's reign. Jayewardene imagines Ravana not so much as a mythological figure but as a ruler whose dominance had molded the mentality in regard to culture in a thousand years of ancient Lanka. Part four, dealing with architecture and landscape, is an expression of Jayewardene as an architect perfectly. Beautiful descriptions by her of the structures and remnants of this kingdom are carried in an easy way by your imagination as to how these forgotten places once lived.
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The final part of the book that reflects the time after Ravana's death tugs all the loose ends and ties the narrative together beautifully. It gives the end of the era but also gives the lasting impression of Ravana's kingdom on Sri Lanka's history.
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I must say the way Jayewardene attempts to reclaim this history, unfurls stories long submerged. This is a good richly formed book that has convinced me to explore more of these untold parts of history and mostly these often non-victorious figures.
.
.
The book has been divided into five distinct parts. All the related aspects, as applicable, concerning this lost kingdom are answered within them. The first part gives an interesting insight into the early geography and people of Lanka. Actually, the third part was fascinating, which was all about Ravana's reign. Jayewardene imagines Ravana not so much as a mythological figure but as a ruler whose dominance had molded the mentality in regard to culture in a thousand years of ancient Lanka. Part four, dealing with architecture and landscape, is an expression of Jayewardene as an architect perfectly. Beautiful descriptions by her of the structures and remnants of this kingdom are carried in an easy way by your imagination as to how these forgotten places once lived.
.
The final part of the book that reflects the time after Ravana's death tugs all the loose ends and ties the narrative together beautifully. It gives the end of the era but also gives the lasting impression of Ravana's kingdom on Sri Lanka's history.
.
I must say the way Jayewardene attempts to reclaim this history, unfurls stories long submerged. This is a good richly formed book that has convinced me to explore more of these untold parts of history and mostly these often non-victorious figures.
.
October 17, 2024
Lanka, Srilanka has held a special place in our mind since childhood, maybe because of the stories we kept listening of lord Rama and the king of Ravana or maybe the television adaptations of Ramayana. Anyway, the interest never fizzled out about the grand stories around the opulence of Lanka and the enigma around its king.
I always wanted to know what happened after the battle and found almost nothing except a mysterious shroud around the history of Srilanka.
But, when I came to know that the earliest fossils of humans of South Asia come from Srilanka, my outlook about this tiny island nation changed and I wanted to read about it for a long time.
The book started off around 2500 years back when the teardrop shaped island was an attraction to the hungry, greedy foreigners. Moreover it was almost impossible for the sailors to miss it as the Southern drag kept pulling the ships.
The fascinating tale of the arrival of Buddhism after the ill fated war between Rama and Ravana, is truly amazing. The descriptions of Siri Pada and its surroundings can take anyone there for a guided virtual tour among the pages.
Ravana's Lanka by Sunela Jayewardene who is a leading environmental architect from Srilanka, is an amazing account of Lanka. The book not only talks about the lost kingdom of Srilanka and its rich heritage but it makes a ground work of Indian history as well. The details are fascinating and the writing is truly interesting.
I always wanted to know what happened after the battle and found almost nothing except a mysterious shroud around the history of Srilanka.
But, when I came to know that the earliest fossils of humans of South Asia come from Srilanka, my outlook about this tiny island nation changed and I wanted to read about it for a long time.
The book started off around 2500 years back when the teardrop shaped island was an attraction to the hungry, greedy foreigners. Moreover it was almost impossible for the sailors to miss it as the Southern drag kept pulling the ships.
The fascinating tale of the arrival of Buddhism after the ill fated war between Rama and Ravana, is truly amazing. The descriptions of Siri Pada and its surroundings can take anyone there for a guided virtual tour among the pages.
Ravana's Lanka by Sunela Jayewardene who is a leading environmental architect from Srilanka, is an amazing account of Lanka. The book not only talks about the lost kingdom of Srilanka and its rich heritage but it makes a ground work of Indian history as well. The details are fascinating and the writing is truly interesting.
Read
November 25, 2024Sunela Jayewardene’s Ravana's Lanka is a captivating exploration of the enigmatic King Ravana and his once-mighty kingdom of Lanka. The book challenges the demonized portrayal of Ravana, offering a fresh perspective on this controversial figure in Sri Lankan history. Jayewardene’s meticulous research and vivid storytelling bring Ravana’s kingdom to life.
Through folklore, historical accounts, and personal anecdotes, she paints a picture of a thriving and influential civilization that extended far beyond the shores of Sri Lanka. The book contributes to our understanding of Sri Lanka’s past, shedding light on an often-overlooked period of history.
Jayewardene’s passion for the subject is evident in her writing, making this book a fascinating and informative read for anyone interested in Sri Lankan history and culture. While the book may not offer definitive answers to all the questions surrounding Ravana’s kingdom, it provides a compelling narrative and sparks curiosity about this intriguing historical figure. Ravana's Lanka is a must-read for anyone seeking to delve deeper into Sri Lanka’s rich and complex past.
Through folklore, historical accounts, and personal anecdotes, she paints a picture of a thriving and influential civilization that extended far beyond the shores of Sri Lanka. The book contributes to our understanding of Sri Lanka’s past, shedding light on an often-overlooked period of history.
Jayewardene’s passion for the subject is evident in her writing, making this book a fascinating and informative read for anyone interested in Sri Lankan history and culture. While the book may not offer definitive answers to all the questions surrounding Ravana’s kingdom, it provides a compelling narrative and sparks curiosity about this intriguing historical figure. Ravana's Lanka is a must-read for anyone seeking to delve deeper into Sri Lanka’s rich and complex past.
February 8, 2026
A great follow up to her previous book, "Line of Lanka" the author paints a vivid picture of not just her surroundings, but also of a kingdom past, allowing the reader to reimagine those times and walk amongst those streets.
January 1, 2026
Sunela reminded me of things I had heard about our country's past from a bygone time in my life and fanned my curiosity to visit some of the places that were included in the book.
April 30, 2025
i wanted more of ravana and less of lanka, but this book was 10% ravana and 90% lanka.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews