University of The Visual & Performing Arts

According to literary evidence, Sri Lanka is an island nation with a distinctive history of painting and sculpture that dates to about 3rd century BC. The painting and sculpture education and practices of historical Sri Lanka were grounded on Buddhist temples and rituals. These artistic skills were taught and led by specific schools or families known as Gurukula/Siththara Parampara. The skilled craftsmen, for instance, belonged to a particular caste based on their duties of craftsmanship. The naturalistic painting of the West was introduced to Sri Lanka and India during the British colonial period through Technical Colleges. With the establishment of Ceylon Technical College, Maradana in 1893, the knowledge and use of western painting techniques and stylgradually became popular in the country. This is proven by a study of practical reports examined during this period. However, under colonial education, naturalistic painting was introduced to Sri Lanka after about five years it was introduced to India. Sri Lankan Dr. Ananda Kentish Coomaraswamy (1877-1947), a pioneering philosopher and interpreter of Indian art and culture, published his first book on Sri Lankan craft and craft schools named ‘Medieval Sinhalese Art’ in 1908. It was printed by the Kelmscott press in London. This was owned by William Morris (1834-1896), the founder of the ‘Art and Craft movement’ in England. Hence, in 1896 the same year he passed away, as a tribute to the contribution made by William Morris, craft subjects were introduced under the supervision of the colonial government educational system in the Art Course by Ceylon Technical College. These subjects were later conducted with the collaboration of the Department of Small Industries of Ceylon in 1933.