Lankeshwara Maha RavanaNo one king has made such a mark on the minds of a people as the figure of King Ravana; whether it be love or hate. He is an enigma; Lurking in the gray boundary of being an epic mythological Icon or a grand lord of a long lost clan of forefathers of Lanka descending through the rakshas and yakkas to us.Mighty king Ravana stand almost a demi-god rising though ashes of an Epic war marking the end of the glorious Raksha empire. King Ravana becomes an alternate hero rather than the intended villain in Ramayana. A grand hero of great virtue and glory easily surpassing Rama himself when you read between the lines of the great chronicle.3 x4 ft. Acrylic on canvass
1803 Fall of the Red coatsIn 1803 The British launched an expedition against King Sri Wickrama-Rajasinghe intent on taking the Kandy city. under the command of Major-General Hay MacDowall, when they reached the city, they found it abandoned and empty with no loot or rations to supply the army. harassed by relentless guerrilla attacks withdrawing British armies were annihilated on the shores of Mahaweli river the Red coats were slaughtered and they say only 4 British men survived, others say only one. Acrylic on canvass Private colection 55TG gallery
“Death of a Conquistador ” – Battle of Randeniwela In 1630 the Portuguese Army lead by the Captain General Constantino De Sá Y Noronha Advanced on Kandy through Beragala and reached Badulla, with heavy defections of the Sinhala laskaring troops the withdrawing portuguese took a final stand at Randeniwela where De Sa was killed the Portuguese suffered carnage and defeat.several versions of the death of De Sá exists, it is said that one of his own Lascarins turned sides in the final hours of the battle and fired a fatal shot which killed De Saa. 7 x 4.75 ft Acrylic on CanvasPrivate collection – Mahesh de Alwis
1818 Killing Fields -Ceylon, The brutal suppression of the Uwa rebellion by the British troops. Scorched earth tactics and widespread Genocide of the Sinhales was used by the British to break the warrior spirit of the Sinhales,.Private collection of Bandula Weera-Wardane, London.
The Landing - Navies of King Parakramabahu the GreatThe Navies of King Parakramabahu land in India on a mission to rescue the Pandyan Prince.39.5 x 32 Inches Acrylic on canvas
Vimana In aerial combatAn Interpretation of the aerial combat between the “Dandu-monara” vimana of King Ravana and Jatayu the lord of the GurulasAcrylic on Canvas
Monarawila Keppetipola DisaweMonarawila Keppetipola Disawe stands high among the greatest of the patriots who lead the 1817-1818 rebellion; fighting bravely and giving his life for the country in the war against the tyranny of the British Empire. He was also known to be one of the most feared swordsmen of the time and an intense fighter in the battlefield.Monarawila Keppetipola Maha Nilame was captured and executed by beheading on the 26th November 1818 in Kandy.Private collection of Mr. Mahesh de Alwis.4x3’ ft Acrylic on canvas
Ministry of Defense -Colombo.4x3’ ft Acrylic on canvas
Gold Armor of King Sri Wickrama RajasingheThe Gold armor of the last king of Kandy was among the treasure looted by the British stole After the capture of the the King. many of which was auctioned in England in 1820 including the Gold armor of the king. this is an attempt to reconstruct the armor based on many references including the description in the auction catalogue.4’x3’ft. Acryiic on canvas
Battle lines- Sinhala War Elephants in ArmorWar Elephants and warriors in armor, 16-17th century. based on temple art and other references.4’x6’ft Acrylic on canvassMinistry of Defense