Evolution Through Interaction: 
              The Origins, Evolution and decline of Traditional
           Sri Lankan Watercraft 

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                                                  Somasiri Devendra

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In different parts of the Indian Ocean, people learnt to travel over water and evolved craft that fitted their specific environments and purposes. They were influenced, as time went on, by parallel developments in neighbouring countries. As watercraft became more sophisticated and overseas voyage became more extended, the maritime neighbourhood became a vaster place and technologies that originated in the different corners of the ocean met and interacted. So did those that had developed outside the ocean but had found their way here. The technology of shipbuilding, and of sailing in general, therefore evolved independently in different parts of the ocean, but subsequently came to adopt, borrow and adapt elements that had originated in other areas in the Indian Ocean. Several very specific technologies existed, of which some were limited to the islands only. The interaction between them, produced mutated forms. Some of these mutations, in time, developed into fully-fledged morphologies. Finally, with the introduction of European colonialism and the stitching together of the world's oceans by modern ships, all these traditional forms gradually decreased in importance. However they did not disappear and still play a diminished but economically significant role. How long this will continue is a matter for thought. 

The present paper describes an exercise undertaken to determine the origins,
development and virtual disappearance of ships and inland watercraft in Sri Lanka. The general comments made above are borne out by the study. Sri
Lankan watercraft show characteristics that are, in many ways, different from those of mainland India and this calls for some rational explanation. The explanation lies in the geographical location of the country and its position in relation to the major sea-routes of the ocean; in the inshore environment of the coastal regions and the biological resources of the island - all of which led to the development of a base form. It was this base form that underwent mutation through interaction. 

The hypothesis which served as a starting point and the methodology adopted
to test it are described in detail, as also the causes for the deterioration
of traditional craft. The presentation will be illustrated.