Due to its strategic location at the centre of the Indian Ocean and its geographical endowment of many rivers starting from the central hills and leading to ports and estuaries around the island, Sri Lanka has a unique maritime history with shipping, trade and cultural links with the world since ancient times.In this book, experts and leading photographers discuss and illustrate many questions of legal, historical, geographical and environmental importance especially in the contemporary era of rising concerns over global climate change which will have direct impact on small islands through the warming of oceans and sea level rise, already affecting protective coral reefs. How can the treasure of bio-diversity in the small islands be protected and sustainable development practices encouraged?
Sri Lanka, at the tip of the huge South Asian landmass beyond which is only ocean, never ceases to amaze by its natural beauty and wealth of heritage assets which seems to have deposited here over the centuries, layer upon layer. Thisbook is only the beginning of the search into a small area of this heritage treasure. Some fascinating speculation on the origins and fate of the small Islands still remains to be explored. The editorial team of Somasiri Devendra, Stefan D'Silva and Sarala Fernando was accompanied in this journey by many other professionals in the hope to inspire others to take up the challenge and fill the gaps of knowledge.
