විජයධරණී

  By Nimesha Thiwankara Senevipala Senakada Biso Bandara This article examines the veneration of Senakanda Biso Bandara, a figure celebrated as a deity within the Kandyan region of Sri Lanka, particularly focusing on her unconventional identity and the implications of her worship for understanding historical perspectives on gender and sexuality in ancient Sri Lankan society. Drawing upon folklore, oral traditions, and surviving iconography, the case of Senakanda Biso Bandara provides powerful evidence that pre-Victorian Sri Lankan culture embraced open and diverse views on identity, challenging the rigid traditionalism that currently inhibits tolerance toward the LGBTQIA+ community. Introduction: Diversity in the Ancient Context The spread of intolerance fueled by extreme traditionalism often obscures the diverse historical foundations of ancient Sri Lankan society. Contrary to the rigid influences of later moral codes, evidence derived from cultural practices, legends, and folklor...