Anagarika Dharmapala: A Leader of Cultural Revivalism in Sri Lanka

Abstract

In the context of British colonialism, there were many thinkers and leaders who stood for cultural critique and revivalism, but there were very few who could gather the kind of attention, stature and significance in the history of one's nation. In Sri Lanka, there were other leaders and monks who had attempted this Herculean task, but it was only Dharmapala who could rise to become the father of Modern Sri Lanka. This feeling resonates even to this day, as he is seen as the leader who helped the Lankans in their pursuit of freedom and independence. Some of his writings were compiled together in the form of a book, Return to Righteousness 1 published by the Government of Sri Lanka, Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs, to commemorate him as the national hero. This publication reflects a very serious attempt by the government to establish the credentials of Dharmapala as the father of modern Lanka and also as a central figure in the imagination of the nation. © 2026 selection and editorial matter, Dev Nath Pathak and Sanjeev Kumar H.M; individual chapters, the contributors.