Tab Article

Ratings: ★★★★☆ (4.2/5)
Genre: Agriculture / Soil Science / Environmental History / Sri Lankan Non‑Fiction

Book Review:
Hena, Weva and Purana by Dr. James Handawela – a soil science researcher since the mid‑1960s with extensive dry zone experience – examines ancient land use systems in Sri Lanka's dry zone. While institutional focus has been on irrigated paddy farming, the author argues that rain‑fed farming also holds good potential. Through field visits to remote dry zone areas, he documents water and soil conservation measures used by ancient farmers for rain‑fed farming (hena / shifting cultivation, weva / tanks, purana / traditional villages). The book contends that these sustainable systems were evolved by farmers but subsequently failed by rulers. A valuable contribution to agricultural history and sustainable land management.