On The Chronicles Of Ceylon

This book discusses the chronological literary and historical position of the chronicles of Ceylon in Pali and Sinhalese. An attempt has been made to present a careful and exhaustive study of the chronicles of Ceylon in a spirit of scientific research. In 1908 Geiger made a critical study of this subject for the first time in his work on The D?pava?sa and Mah?va?sa and their Historical development of Ceylon. In 1928 G.P. Malalasekera published a book on the Pali Literature of Ceylon (J.R.A.S. publication, Prize Publication Fund, Vol. X) and in 1933 the author, in his History of Pali Literature, dealt with the same topic. In the present book his treatment is different from that of the previous writers. In three chapters he has discussed the chronological, literary, and historical position of the chronicles in Pali and Sinhalese. He has tried to utilize all the available materials, which may be gathered from ancient and modern literature on the subject. This work is, he believes, new in its treatment, and will remove a longfelt want. He shall consider his labour amply rewarded, if it be of some use to scholars interested in the Ceylonese chronicles.