Abstract:
The use of firearms was established as a significant type of weapon in the Sri Lankan society
only a few centuries after introducing firearms. The fire lance was born in China in the tenth
century. It has been manufactured by adding the essential characteristics a firearm should have.
After that, the firearm spreaded worldwide, passing through different eras and facing several
technological ages. The Portuguese arrived in Sri Lanka in the early 16th century. They
introduced firearms to the island during their colonization efforts, which began in the 16th
century. The Portuguese used firearms as part of their military technology and tactics. Before
the introduction of firearms by European colonial powers, Sri Lanka had indigenous weapons
and warfare techniques. The main types of weapons Sri Lankan forces owned were bows,
swords, and spears. In the face of the imperialist invasions, the rulers of Sri Lanka started using
firearms to increase their army and military power. Since then, as a foreign weapon, the firearm
has been used as a primary weapon in Sri Lankan society. This study's main problem is" What
characteristics unique to the Sri Lankan society were used when producing firearms during the
colonial period in Sri Lanka?”. This study aims to identify the types of firearms regarding the
technology they used in Sri Lanka through literary and archaeological sources. Field and nonfield
surveys have been conducted to collect data. In the non-field poll, the information required
for the study has been obtained through primary and secondary sources of information through
library references. The field survey has done a formal type of archaeological data acquisition
as many domestic and foreign firearms used during the imperialist period. Furthermore,
interviews, photography, drawing plans, measurements, and comparative observation were
done. In conclusion, firearms have been created using unique features for engravings, symbols,
shapes, and designs. The evolution of firearms used in Sri Lanka includes several stages. In the
production of firearms such as Ginithuwakkuwa (ගිණිතුවක්කුව), Kodithuwakkuwa
(කොඩිතුවක්කුව) and Mahathuwakkuwa (මහතුවක්කුව), were not limited to war. Still, they have
been changing by the usage over time. They are using characteristics unique to the Sri Lankan
society. It can be suggested to put all these weapons in a proper archaeological classification
and to display and preserve them in one place.
