A new book tells the story of Sri Lanka with myths and folklore about demon-king Ravana

Approaching Lanka through the ages, tired of their days at sea, sailors would have stood on deck to gaze longingly at the emerging land. As their ships sailed closer, the pastel-hued ranges broke the horizon, misted and layered. As they drew nearer, they would have seen that before the mountains that rose through the cloud beds, the lush land flattened to the shoreline they sought. Closer still, the gaudy scents of a tropical island would have assailed their salt-soaked senses; fragrant and curious spices, strange blooms, the cloying sweet scent of overripe fruit and the heavy odour of wet, tropical foliage would have gusted across decks, with every land breeze.

These mariners would have sailed to Lanka through her primary western, eastern and southern ports of Mahatittha, Gokanna and Godawaya, as well as myriad lesser-known harbours. As though the mouths of over a hundred rivers were not quite enough, there were ports at several secluded coves, in addition to the anchorage at the islets that lay off the main island of Lanka. From these harbours, sailors learnt her stories and carried them to the world. Today, they tell the world of a tired nation. A country beset by woes of recovery...

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