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often reflected Eurocentric worldviews, emphasizing rationalism, written records, and

monumental architecture as the only valid sources of historical knowledge.

Textual Analysis
Alongside this, the study conducts a textual analysis of traditional Sri Lankan

chronicles, particularly the Mahāvaṃsa and Cūḷavaṃsa . These texts, written in Pali

by Buddhist monks, serve as vital sources for understanding how Sri Lankans
historically viewed their own cultural identity, religious values, and historical

continuity.The analysis involves close reading of passages that describe major
archaeological sites such as Anuradhapura, Sigiriya, and Ritigala. Attention is given

to the symbolic and religious meanings assigned to these places, meanings that are

often missing in colonial texts. For example, while colonial writers focused on
physical structures and origins, local texts link these places with acts of merit,

Buddhist rituals, and royal duty.

Together, these two methods reveal not only differences in facts but also differences

in worldviews. The historical analysis uncovers external, colonial ways of seeing the
past, while the textual analysis recovers indigenous voices and interpretations. This

combination offers a more balanced and decolonized understanding of Sri Lanka’s
archaeological heritage, highlighting the importance of local knowledge in shaping

historical narratives.

3. Results

The findings of this study reveal major differences between the colonial and local

understandings of important archaeological sites in Sri Lanka. Colonial writings
mostly focus on physical features, such as buildings and statues, and try to connect

them to outside civilizations. In contrast, the local texts describe these places as part

of a living culture, full of spiritual meaning and linked to the everyday lives of people.

These results show that colonial writers often ignored how these places were part of a

living tradition. Local perspectives highlight connections between history, religion,
and the natural environment. The colonial view often separates history from the

present, while the local view sees these sites as still meaningful today.

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