Buddhism in Ceylon under the Christian Powers

The book opens by placing Buddhism in Ceylon within the larger history of the Saṅgha, Buddhist missionary activity, the role of Aśoka, the coming of Mahinda, and the establishment of Buddhism as a major cultural and religious force in the island. It then turns to the colonial period, examining how Christian powers attempted to reshape religious life through education, administration, church patronage, missionary activity, and government policy. The core documentary section presents official correspondence and reports concerning religious establishments, schools, Christianity in the maritime provinces, public education, missionary proposals, the appointment of native preachers, relations with Kandy, the condition of schools, Protestant and Catholic institutions, Wesleyan missions, Bible translation, government schools, and the spread of Christian education. Through these materials, the book demonstrates how religious policy and educational policy became strategic instruments of colonial governance, while Buddhist institutions continued to represent the older moral and cultural order of Ceylon.