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The Line of Lanka: Myths and Memories of an Island
Sit back and let yourself be swept along in Sunela Jayewardene's intrepid journeys across Lanka's lush countryside. Join her and rediscover myth & legend, history & heritage as she adroitly describes nature's enduring beauty and oft forgotten traditions that pulse to the beat of an unseen drum. Line of Lanka is a brilliant and unusual portrayal of a country and its people that will change your perceptions of Sri Lanka.
With a poet's eye for beauty, Jayewardene explores the spiritual landscape of Sri Lanka. – John Gimlette, The Elephant Complex
A personal travelogue that defies easy bracketing – Sanjana Hattotuwa, Groundviews
A composite of many stories woven out on forgotten trails – Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne
With a poet's eye for beauty, Jayewardene explores the spiritual landscape of Sri Lanka. – John Gimlette, The Elephant Complex
A personal travelogue that defies easy bracketing – Sanjana Hattotuwa, Groundviews
A composite of many stories woven out on forgotten trails – Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne
- GenresNonfictionHistory
297 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2017
24 people are currently reading
204 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
January 22, 2022
Oh no. I feel bad about this one. The author has a poetic way about her “travel” part of the book and I normally like mythology, but the blurb description of this book is deceptive.
Missiles and landing pads for prehistoric times and ley lines. The author is an architect of modern hotels in her native Sri Lanka. Don’t know what to say.
Missiles and landing pads for prehistoric times and ley lines. The author is an architect of modern hotels in her native Sri Lanka. Don’t know what to say.
June 6, 2018
Sri Lanka has a rich history buried by time and neglected by the education system. If only Sunela's book was part of the curriculum, more young Sri Lankans would take an interest in the stories of their land. This book straddles both history, mythology, anthropology and in parts seem a poetic journal entry.
At times this is difficult to read, the sheer amount of information is hard to process but it is worth it. Perhaps a chapter at a time? Either way, she references so many texts, characters and locations, I spent much time between chapters researching further (maybe her intention?). I hope she writes more, there are an innumerable amount of stories on this island.
At times this is difficult to read, the sheer amount of information is hard to process but it is worth it. Perhaps a chapter at a time? Either way, she references so many texts, characters and locations, I spent much time between chapters researching further (maybe her intention?). I hope she writes more, there are an innumerable amount of stories on this island.
January 20, 2022
The Line of Lanka is a mixture of myth, travelogue and fiction. In a series of essays, the author takes us around Sri Lanka, using mythology as her entry point. From ancient battles using sophisticated weaponry to the mystery surrounding the wild ponies in Delft, we learn about hidden histories that are often echoed even in the present. For instance, this week a photo went viral on Twitter, showing a helicopter showering petals on the crowd below. Those commenting raged about the excess at a time when Sri Lanka is in an economic crisis.
That event took place in Kuragala to celebrate the revival of a monastery, which the president declared an archaeological site. However, readers of Line of Lanka will recall that it is also the site of a Sufi shrine - and we follow along as the author and friends attends the annual festival here and climbs down into the heart of the mountain to gaze at a mysterious pinprick of light. We learn additional context to a contemporary struggle between two religious communities (though one can hardly call it a struggle when one side has received Presidential endorsement).
There were many moments reading this book where I would draw parallels to contemporary events - gaining a new understanding, for instance, on why the Rajapaksa family is so enamoured with highways when I read about King Dutugemunu's own quest to lay roadways (the current Prime Minister has also explicitly made the comparison in campaign billboards). Or, reading about the central role elephants play in the Esala perahera - not only for ornamentation, but, in the old times, as a harbinger of rain (which might explain some of the opposition to doing away with the practice despite stampeding elephants and growing awareness of elephant cruelty). And a mysterious advertisement calling for proposals to investigate the possibilities of King Ravana's flying machines which was lampooned on Twitter now becomes clear - there are oral histories that assert that not only did King Ravana exist, but he used sophisticated flying machines long before the Wright brothers did. For those studying Sinhala Buddhist nationalism, this book helps shed a light on the myths that nationalists rally around, the source of pride which, when injured, can sometimes erupt into violence. Right at the end, I also read about how the way Kandy city was planned explicitly referenced caste - with references to streets for poets, silversmiths and those favoured by the king - and conversely, referencing the Rodiya and the king's practise of condemning nobility to live as outcast(e)s on the edge of the city. While it's hardly a secret that Sri Lankan society was also shaped by caste (and in some ways, continues to be shaped by it) my own illusion that the discrimination here was somehow softer than in India was shattered.
The author treats the myths she references seriously - in that she does not dismiss them as mere legend or folk tales. This belief and willingness to imagine Sri Lanka as a proud wealthy kingdom - in fact, perhaps even the ancient centre of the world - is refreshing to read. The author is an architect, and her knowledge of local architecture also helps make this vision of a sophisticated kingdom come alive. Her love for nature is apparent in her beautifully lyrical descriptions of her travels, particularly when hiking through forests and the lesser explored dry zone.
All the same, there were some shortcomings. Perhaps the most glaring was the author's tendency to use people she encountered to add 'colour' to her travels. There was the woman with the head made for carrying a clay pot. There was the other woman who had apparently been 'beggared due to her mental illness' or something along those lines, living in a distant cave. Neither of these women were central to the story in any way - the author does not speak to them at all, only observes or hears of them, and moves on without giving them another thought. It was jarring to read the author combating the colonial vision of Ceylon, and indeed, even time itself (at one point, she references the origin of Greenwich Mean Time as a colonial construct) and yet refer to passersby in this way - that is, in a way that would fit neatly with colonial visions of Ceylonese.
This isn't to say that all of the people encountered are given the same treatment - those who accompany the author on her hikes, who point the way, or who provide information are rendered a little more human. There are points that the author makes a real effort to humanise, with some success - such as when describing the Sufi Muslim community - and others when the same efforts come across as deeply clumsy, if well-meaning (such as when she describes Rodiyas as 'handsome' with 'swarthy' features.) There were other points of dissonance too, such as when the author wrote about the Muslim community and the real phenomenon of growing conservatism, pointing at the burqa as a tangible sign of this and adding that Muslim women used to wear sari before this trend. While the phenomenon she describes is real, I felt it was perhaps simplistic to say burqas are a sign of extremism (and also to not mention the other garments Muslim women choose to wear, such as the hijab or abaya). This is rhetoric that has been used by Sinhala Buddhist nationalist groups - and Muslim women have faced real discrimination and even violence for their choice of clothing. When reading I often found the descriptions of elephants, dogs and rushing streams more real and vivid than some of the people.
As a friend somewhat unkindly put it, "For a book called Line of Lanka, its plot is anything but linear." I have to admit that I did find the mish-mash of different genres disorienting to read at times. For me, the strongest parts were the references to myth and the beautiful descriptions of landscape and buildings - the sudden fictionalised accounts of battle didn't really do much for me and I felt took away from the stronger parts.
On a more positive note, avid hikers will also enjoy the descriptions of hiking trails and nights spent camped in dry riverbeds - the book opens in Lakegala and while reading I recalled my visit to Meemure years ago and my failed attempt to climb the peak (instead retreating to a stream not far from the base), and my more successful attempts at Sri Pada. In that sense, Line of Lanka will appeal to travellers and it does recall a way of life that is fast disappearing. It also contains many nuggets of information that really speak to the present moment. For that reason alone, it's worth reading.
That event took place in Kuragala to celebrate the revival of a monastery, which the president declared an archaeological site. However, readers of Line of Lanka will recall that it is also the site of a Sufi shrine - and we follow along as the author and friends attends the annual festival here and climbs down into the heart of the mountain to gaze at a mysterious pinprick of light. We learn additional context to a contemporary struggle between two religious communities (though one can hardly call it a struggle when one side has received Presidential endorsement).
There were many moments reading this book where I would draw parallels to contemporary events - gaining a new understanding, for instance, on why the Rajapaksa family is so enamoured with highways when I read about King Dutugemunu's own quest to lay roadways (the current Prime Minister has also explicitly made the comparison in campaign billboards). Or, reading about the central role elephants play in the Esala perahera - not only for ornamentation, but, in the old times, as a harbinger of rain (which might explain some of the opposition to doing away with the practice despite stampeding elephants and growing awareness of elephant cruelty). And a mysterious advertisement calling for proposals to investigate the possibilities of King Ravana's flying machines which was lampooned on Twitter now becomes clear - there are oral histories that assert that not only did King Ravana exist, but he used sophisticated flying machines long before the Wright brothers did. For those studying Sinhala Buddhist nationalism, this book helps shed a light on the myths that nationalists rally around, the source of pride which, when injured, can sometimes erupt into violence. Right at the end, I also read about how the way Kandy city was planned explicitly referenced caste - with references to streets for poets, silversmiths and those favoured by the king - and conversely, referencing the Rodiya and the king's practise of condemning nobility to live as outcast(e)s on the edge of the city. While it's hardly a secret that Sri Lankan society was also shaped by caste (and in some ways, continues to be shaped by it) my own illusion that the discrimination here was somehow softer than in India was shattered.
The author treats the myths she references seriously - in that she does not dismiss them as mere legend or folk tales. This belief and willingness to imagine Sri Lanka as a proud wealthy kingdom - in fact, perhaps even the ancient centre of the world - is refreshing to read. The author is an architect, and her knowledge of local architecture also helps make this vision of a sophisticated kingdom come alive. Her love for nature is apparent in her beautifully lyrical descriptions of her travels, particularly when hiking through forests and the lesser explored dry zone.
All the same, there were some shortcomings. Perhaps the most glaring was the author's tendency to use people she encountered to add 'colour' to her travels. There was the woman with the head made for carrying a clay pot. There was the other woman who had apparently been 'beggared due to her mental illness' or something along those lines, living in a distant cave. Neither of these women were central to the story in any way - the author does not speak to them at all, only observes or hears of them, and moves on without giving them another thought. It was jarring to read the author combating the colonial vision of Ceylon, and indeed, even time itself (at one point, she references the origin of Greenwich Mean Time as a colonial construct) and yet refer to passersby in this way - that is, in a way that would fit neatly with colonial visions of Ceylonese.
This isn't to say that all of the people encountered are given the same treatment - those who accompany the author on her hikes, who point the way, or who provide information are rendered a little more human. There are points that the author makes a real effort to humanise, with some success - such as when describing the Sufi Muslim community - and others when the same efforts come across as deeply clumsy, if well-meaning (such as when she describes Rodiyas as 'handsome' with 'swarthy' features.) There were other points of dissonance too, such as when the author wrote about the Muslim community and the real phenomenon of growing conservatism, pointing at the burqa as a tangible sign of this and adding that Muslim women used to wear sari before this trend. While the phenomenon she describes is real, I felt it was perhaps simplistic to say burqas are a sign of extremism (and also to not mention the other garments Muslim women choose to wear, such as the hijab or abaya). This is rhetoric that has been used by Sinhala Buddhist nationalist groups - and Muslim women have faced real discrimination and even violence for their choice of clothing. When reading I often found the descriptions of elephants, dogs and rushing streams more real and vivid than some of the people.
As a friend somewhat unkindly put it, "For a book called Line of Lanka, its plot is anything but linear." I have to admit that I did find the mish-mash of different genres disorienting to read at times. For me, the strongest parts were the references to myth and the beautiful descriptions of landscape and buildings - the sudden fictionalised accounts of battle didn't really do much for me and I felt took away from the stronger parts.
On a more positive note, avid hikers will also enjoy the descriptions of hiking trails and nights spent camped in dry riverbeds - the book opens in Lakegala and while reading I recalled my visit to Meemure years ago and my failed attempt to climb the peak (instead retreating to a stream not far from the base), and my more successful attempts at Sri Pada. In that sense, Line of Lanka will appeal to travellers and it does recall a way of life that is fast disappearing. It also contains many nuggets of information that really speak to the present moment. For that reason alone, it's worth reading.
January 18, 2026
I think that this it is just not my type of book. I found it really boring and over poetic to the point where it felt over exaggerated. I felt like there wasn’t much structure in the way the author wrote which made it difficult for me to stay focused and interested.
As much as I love Sri Lanka, the things it talks about wasn’t what I am into. Maybe a person who is interested in things like geography and travelling would like it more
As much as I love Sri Lanka, the things it talks about wasn’t what I am into. Maybe a person who is interested in things like geography and travelling would like it more
August 12, 2020
The parallel running narratives of experience, historical fact, and author's imagination gives the reader a unique experience—it is not quite travelogue, not an historical account, and nor total fiction; but a unique blend of these.
The explorations in this book are not what you would find in a traditional account of history of Lanka. It opens your minds to what history would have been beyond the recorded history of 2500 years and leaves you with open questions—which are left to be answered by those who study them.
The explorations in this book are not what you would find in a traditional account of history of Lanka. It opens your minds to what history would have been beyond the recorded history of 2500 years and leaves you with open questions—which are left to be answered by those who study them.
October 17, 2017
An excellent piece of writing but it took me a good two weeks to read this. Was fascinated by the stories most of the time but this should be a side read. Probably a chapter/half a chapter per day :)
January 10, 2021
I bought this book in Barefoot, a shop in Colombo, Sri Lanka, at the end of a trip there in December 2019. I feel a little sad; it's the last overseas trip I took before the pandemic. I also feel so grateful to have been able to see that beautiful country.
The author is Sri Lankan, so it's not a "travel book" per se, but it is set in the context of her own travels throughout the land. These are the travels of a Sri Lankan in Sri Lanka, and there's quite of lot of arduous hiking up mountains and into jungles and even crawling on her belly in a cave tunnel. Each chapter is focused on a legend or myth, or sometimes history, for the most part tied to a specific location. The rich description is done well, but I have to confess I have a problem visualizing landscapes and other scenes no matter how well written they are. It's a particular handicap of mine as a reader. It's not that I dislike description; it's that I just can't see the images an author is trying to create for me.
Having been deeply impressed by the winding roads and dense forests and dramatic hills of Sri Lanka, I tried to place what I had seen into the context of what Jayewardene has written. Sometimes it worked. Sometimes I read the landscape descriptions a little quickly to get through them.
What I loved, though, were all the stories connected to the places. I was caught up right away in the legends of Ravana, ancient king of Lanka and enemy of Rama, the hero of the Ramayana. Jayewardene spins tales of a lost civilization and takes us to what she is certain was an ancient airfield. Was Rama's arrow actually a rocket? Other stories are more plausible, and some (like the final chapter, which describes the famous festival in which elephants parade a sacred tooth of the Buddha through the streets on the onetime capital city Kandy) are purely historic. The mixing of Buddhism and Hinduism, the role of Islam and the Muslim traders and even Sufis from Persia by way of Iraq are integral parts of the story of Sri Lanka.
The concoction is eclectic and even a little magical. Even though I laid this book aside for a few months when I was about halfway through, when I picked it up again three days ago I read straight to the end. It's a keeper. I hope someday I can visit Sri Lanka again and maybe venture father afield — in Jayewardene's footsteps.
.
The author is Sri Lankan, so it's not a "travel book" per se, but it is set in the context of her own travels throughout the land. These are the travels of a Sri Lankan in Sri Lanka, and there's quite of lot of arduous hiking up mountains and into jungles and even crawling on her belly in a cave tunnel. Each chapter is focused on a legend or myth, or sometimes history, for the most part tied to a specific location. The rich description is done well, but I have to confess I have a problem visualizing landscapes and other scenes no matter how well written they are. It's a particular handicap of mine as a reader. It's not that I dislike description; it's that I just can't see the images an author is trying to create for me.
Having been deeply impressed by the winding roads and dense forests and dramatic hills of Sri Lanka, I tried to place what I had seen into the context of what Jayewardene has written. Sometimes it worked. Sometimes I read the landscape descriptions a little quickly to get through them.
What I loved, though, were all the stories connected to the places. I was caught up right away in the legends of Ravana, ancient king of Lanka and enemy of Rama, the hero of the Ramayana. Jayewardene spins tales of a lost civilization and takes us to what she is certain was an ancient airfield. Was Rama's arrow actually a rocket? Other stories are more plausible, and some (like the final chapter, which describes the famous festival in which elephants parade a sacred tooth of the Buddha through the streets on the onetime capital city Kandy) are purely historic. The mixing of Buddhism and Hinduism, the role of Islam and the Muslim traders and even Sufis from Persia by way of Iraq are integral parts of the story of Sri Lanka.
The concoction is eclectic and even a little magical. Even though I laid this book aside for a few months when I was about halfway through, when I picked it up again three days ago I read straight to the end. It's a keeper. I hope someday I can visit Sri Lanka again and maybe venture father afield — in Jayewardene's footsteps.
.
December 8, 2023
You'll be compelled to read more about Sri Lankan history after reading this book. This island was once blessed with an advanced civilisation, a dynasty ruled by King Ravana, and he ruled Lanka for several hundred years as the most powerful ruler of Ten Kingdoms. According to Sri Lankan legend, Lanka made great advances in science, medicine and weaponry during his regime, the pushpaka vimana, that he flew, is regarded as an example of great scientific achievement at the time. His Kingdom was largely centred in the country's eastern and southern corners and was believed to have been lost to the sea over time. Perhaps evidence of his kingdom is buried beneath the sea in the mysterious line alignment that extends from Lanka to the Maldives' Fu Mulaku island, just as there are many places throughout the country with clues associated with his legend. Throughout each chapter, the author takes you on a journey to discover Lanka's forgotten heritage through uncharted footpaths and undiscovered roads to preserve traces of lost cultures. Apart from that the lore of Nittaewo Lankan hobbits who use to hunt the farthest villages. Delft's wild ponies, whose ancestors may be traced back to Persia. And the mystic Sufi's heavenly ceremonies were amazing stores.
December 31, 2025
This book was a Christmas present, which I eagerly devoured in a few short sittings. Part nature-writing/travelogue, part history of Sri Lankan spirituality and mythology, this genre-bending book is full of vivid scenic descriptions and interesting historical details.
This is not an academic text, and many of the author's musings on history are highly subjective and conjectural, but she acknowledges this herself, and her arguments make for engaging and wondrous speculation.
As nature writing, Jayawardena’s prose beautifully evokes the sights, sounds, and smells of the island's diverse natural environments. I really enjoyed travelling through obscure corners of my home country via these pages.
I especially enjoyed the chapters that deal with King Ravana, and I look forward to reading her book that features him as primary subject; I received a copy as part of the same Christmas present, so I'll probably get to it soon.
This is not an academic text, and many of the author's musings on history are highly subjective and conjectural, but she acknowledges this herself, and her arguments make for engaging and wondrous speculation.
As nature writing, Jayawardena’s prose beautifully evokes the sights, sounds, and smells of the island's diverse natural environments. I really enjoyed travelling through obscure corners of my home country via these pages.
I especially enjoyed the chapters that deal with King Ravana, and I look forward to reading her book that features him as primary subject; I received a copy as part of the same Christmas present, so I'll probably get to it soon.
August 7, 2018
Really wanted to love this in it's entirety but unfortunately I could not. I struggled through it because there is so much information, from the historical content/theories (which was my favourite part), to descriptive locales (lots of knowledge to be gained from these) to the author's own imaginations (which I think did a disservice to the core content of the book, not because her imagination is lagging but because the historical content is that much more grander). I am forever grateful to have read this as it introduced me to so much about my country, for this reason I loved it.
My favourite chapters in this book include the ones on Ravana, the Naga, the Nittaewo, the Sufis, and the last chapter on Lanka's last King.
In general, the book ignited a desire to know more about Ravana and the time before Vijaya, and the kings and queens that followed after Vijay.
My favourite chapters in this book include the ones on Ravana, the Naga, the Nittaewo, the Sufis, and the last chapter on Lanka's last King.
In general, the book ignited a desire to know more about Ravana and the time before Vijaya, and the kings and queens that followed after Vijay.
December 20, 2020
Loved all the chapters. An eye opener to an unwritten history of my island. Folklore apart, there is proof to many stories, and Sunela Jayewardene has seeing most and documented to make such stories to be true. Sufism was a total eye opener to me.
Additionally I loved the way she describes the scenery and events encountered during her trips to the untrodden spaces. It transports the reader to the world of mystery and beauty gifted by nature, now less appreciated.
Would recommend to anyone interested in reading an undocumented aspect of Sri Lanka's history, not taught in school.
Additionally I loved the way she describes the scenery and events encountered during her trips to the untrodden spaces. It transports the reader to the world of mystery and beauty gifted by nature, now less appreciated.
Would recommend to anyone interested in reading an undocumented aspect of Sri Lanka's history, not taught in school.
March 5, 2020
A series of reflections about Sri Lanka’s mythological, oral and recorded history, using travel notes and personal experiences, to create an historical review - an analysis of legends intertwined with a travelogue to provide an understanding of Sri Lanka, its past and its people.
Not an easy read but worth pursuing. Often poetic, but helpful for readers interested in the less explored ideas about Sri Lanka, its myths and legends, kingdoms, religions, and earlier eras.
Not an easy read but worth pursuing. Often poetic, but helpful for readers interested in the less explored ideas about Sri Lanka, its myths and legends, kingdoms, religions, and earlier eras.
March 3, 2020
Sunela is the perfect guide for armchair travellers. Read her book to rediscover Lanka through myths & legends, obscure backroads and byways, and traditional but forgotten customs. Available from www.pererahussein.com
October 20, 2024
Brilliantly written. Made me feel like I was physically experiencing what she was seeing and feeling and smelling.
Her dissection of our myths made me wish there were more people who did research into our myths and legends because we all know that all myth and legend is born from fact!
Her dissection of our myths made me wish there were more people who did research into our myths and legends because we all know that all myth and legend is born from fact!
March 19, 2021
This book makes you love and appreciate Sri Lanka more and more
June 10, 2024
A genre-bending essay collection that intertwines history and fable. Got lost in this one for awhile
July 22, 2024
If your mad auntie who is an anti-vaxxer, strong believer of the supernatural and occasional dabbler in all woo woo stuff ( feng shui, astrology, tarot etc) this is the book she’d write about Sri Lanka if she was also a gifted writer. The book ( if you ignore conjecture and hearsay put forward as gospel truth) is beautifully written. I absolutely love her writing style. So if you find yourself wondering about nuclear missiles 5000 years ago, remember your mad auntie and just let it go. Because, in the lush poetic prose the author ( despite her ardent affection of the illogical) manages to capture the spiritual underbelly of our mad island. Her approach to many folk stories as a true believer actually helps you to understand how people in bygone eras would’ve also thought and felt. I love the descriptions of the shrines, the places and the rituals. I wish she’d written it more as a historian but then again perhaps that is not who she is. Sometimes delusions are more true than facts as much as I hate to admit it. Read this book to understand Sri Lanka through its folk tales told by someone steeped enough in superstition to pour her passion in to this actually interesting book.
Despite not sharing the author’s credulity, her adventures have taught me a lot of things I didn’t know about my own country and her beautiful writing has inspired me to explore it myself through a more rational lens.
Despite not sharing the author’s credulity, her adventures have taught me a lot of things I didn’t know about my own country and her beautiful writing has inspired me to explore it myself through a more rational lens.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews