Lecture 158 - “Temple Paintings during Colonial Period”by Prof. Chandanie Wanigatunge 

The Monthly Lecture Series No: 158 of the National Trust Thursday 29th
February 2024 at 6.00 pm at the Auditorium of the College of Surgeons
of Sri Lanka, No. 6, Independence Avenue, Colombo 7.
Paintings are a fundamental way to give a message effectively. The patterns,
lines, images and colours create a visual message easily grasped by people,
especially those with little in-depth knowledge of the subject. Sri Lanka’s
temple paintings have been effectively used over centuries to propagate the
message of the Buddha, especially to the laity.
Sri Lanka has been under three colonial powers, each doing its fair share of
controlling the people following Buddhism, the majority religion of the Country.
During the 18th century, in the Kandyan kingdom, Buddhism flourished under
the King’s patronage and many temples were renovated and built. The older
traditions of temple paintings were revived but the style differed significantly
from the classical style seen during the 5th to 13th centuries. Narrative art was
the style adopted and the Kandyan School of Temple Art was thus born. When
the Country came under British rule, the power balance shifted and the
temples in the former Kandyan Kingdom struggled to survive. This lecture will
analyse the development of temple paintings during colonial rule.
Prof. Chandanie Wanigatunge is a Physician by training. She is the Senior
Professor and Chair of Pharmacology of the Faculty of Medical Sciences,
University of Sri Jayewardenepura and the Deputy Director of the
Postgraduate Institute of Medicine, University of Colombo. Her research
interests are in rational prescribing and medicines use in older adults.
Chandanie enjoys reading, wildlife, history and photography. Her hobbies and
passions have led her to study archaeology and temple paintings, and she
has delivered talks on varying topics based on her interests.