A Discourse Analysis of the Historical Socio-environmental perspectives of the Batticaloa region is presented in the work of F.X.C. Nadarajah.

Abstract

Batticaloa, unlike any region in Sri Lanka, is considered unique as its socio-environmental system is characterized by the complex and sensitive interface which the society has evolved with the coastal water bodies such as the Batticaloa Lagoon. Any attempt to develop this region will need careful planning and foresight towards sustaining the critical relationships between the water-based natural resources and the society of Batticaloa. In this context, a review of relevant literature pertaining to this issue becomes of paramount importance. However, it needs to be pointed out that the interfaces between the natural environment and the society of Batticaloa has been an issue that has received very poor focus by scholars so far, bar a few. Of particular mention in these regards is the work of F. X. C. Nadarajah, a Tamil scholar and historian, in the past century. His work called Mattakkalappu Manniyam (in Tamil, meaning ‘the history and evolution of Batticaloa’) is by-and-large considered to be the most comprehensive chronicle on Batticaloa in recent times. Nadarajah has used information from various sources to present his thoughts, ideas and perspectives on the socio-environmental history of Batticaloa using a very uniquely signature writing style which is considered to be a novel effort in Sri Lankan Tamil literature. To-date, no efforts have been made to analyze the writing of Nadarajah.