Ceylon Women’s Voice – The Thambapanni Manuscript

Theme:

From Kuveni to 1975: Women’s Knowledge, Wisdom, and Contributions Across Eras

Introduction:

The Thambapanni Manuscript seeks to chronicle and celebrate the diverse knowledge systems, lived experiences, and epistemic contributions of Sri Lankan women from the ancient period to the mid-20th century. Beginning with the legend of Queen Kuveni — the earliest recorded woman in Sri Lankan history — this manuscript will trace the evolution of women’s roles and knowledge in areas such as medicine, midwifery, agriculture, spiritual practices, arts, governance, and community leadership.
The study will extend through significant historical epochs including the Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, and Kandyan kingdoms, up to the post-independence era ending in 1975. It will document the often overlooked intellectual and cultural legacies of women, analyzing how they navigated and negotiated their identities within patriarchal and colonial structures.

Key Focus Areas:

Oral traditions, folklore, and women’s indigenous knowledge
Contributions to Ayurveda, agriculture, and education
Women’s roles in cultural preservation, resistance movements, and spiritual life
Documentation of early women writers, scholars, and healers
The changing nature of women’s epistemic authority through eras

Ceylon Women’s Voice – The Thambapanni Manuscript
Editorial Board

Prof. Dr. Asha Fernando, Editor-in-chief.

Editors

Prof. Sanjeevi Maithrirathna
Dr. Dilini Walisundara
Dr. H. P. K. N. Hewawasam
Dr. Eshan Imalka Wijerathna– Editor Assistant