http://www.adelaide.edu.au/library/special/mss/roberts/
All enquiries on this subject should be addressed to library@adelaide.edu.au OR cheryl.hoskin@adelaide.edu.au …… Michael Roberts will NOT field inquiries
Note that such items as the DR Wijewardena scrapbook and the James Peiris material are copies because the provided by the Dept of National Archives in Colombo with the technology available in the late 1960s after I mediated the temporary loan of these documents to the Archives. Fortunately I was able to mediate the donation of other bulky sets of documents to the Archives: notably those belonging to Gilbert Perera, EAP Wijeyeratne (donated by his son, Tissa) and the enormous pile relating to the Ceylon National Congress (donated by JR Jayewardene). Most of the latter are in print form in M. Roberts (ed.) Documents of the Ceylon National Congress, 4 vols.(Colombo: Department of National Archives, 1977).
| MSS 0031Series 1 Oral History Project (Ceylon / Sri Lanka) 1965-69 300 cassette tapes plus 1720 p. of transcripts etc. Comprising tapes of 154 interviews by Michael Roberts of retired public servants who had served in Sri Lanka (mainly in the Ceylon Civil Service), politicians and other notables. Also full transcripts of 22 interviews, notes and comments on other interviews, and comments on the work Pul Eliya: a village in Ceylon, by Edmund Leach.Interview tapes and transcripts listingSeries 2 Source materials on Sri Lanka (mainly manuscripts)2.1 Manuscripts etc arranged chronologicallyPhotocopied extracts from ms reminiscences of Mrs Darby Griffith ‘Ceylon during a residence in the years 1841-42’, with Robert’s ms notes. In oversize box. Also ms transcriptions of the diary undertaken by Mr W.J.F. Labrooy, Head of History at Peradeniya University. With typescript: Essay on banyan (and the cultivation of tea) by A.P. Herbert (taken from Punch 23/2/1955) [2 leaves] Advocate Dunuwille’s fee book 1859-1864. With newspaper article: Andromeda of the Sinhalese / J.A. Will Perera from The Times of Ceylon 28/9/1947; and letter from Charles H. Dunuwille to the Ceylon Daily News [n.d.] (negative photographic copies in folder) 170 leaves. Copied from Sri Lanka Archives? Wm. Digby. MSS: The food taxes and revenue farming system of Ceylon: a statement of the evil with suggestions for its removal. 1876. Original ms, repaired, with photographic copy of authentication by James Ruthay(?) 50 leaves. With stamp of Sri Lanka Archives? Frederick Dornhurst. MSS: [A short account of my life] in notebook 34 x 11 cm. [20] p. With newspaper clippings ‘Westward bound’ 1886 and ‘Gossip from the west’ pasted in rear of notebook, plus ms travel itinerary of a journey through Europe 1900 [1 leaf]. In envelope with copies of the will of Frederick Dornhurst and correspondence re the estate and the Dornhurst Trust 1924-1938.Also photocopy of indenture between Ronald Joseph Godfrey De Mel and Kingsley Louis Victor Alagiyawanna as sponsors of the Dr G.C. Mendis Memorial Fund … 12 p. British Government correspondence on the occasion of the coronation of King Edward VII 1902, copied from the Public Record Office [letter from the Indian Mohammaden Society of Colombo 18/6/1902, letter acknowledging addresses to the King from Ceylon] Edmund Hewavitarne and Namanidewage Albert Wijesekere. Court martial charge-sheet ca 1915. Spirit duplicated typescript, with ms annotations. [1], 41 leaves. With stamp of Sri Lanka Archives? Also 2 negative photographic copies. G.L. Cooray. MSS re riot compensation for C.E.A. Dias’s car, 1915-1917 (negative photographic copies in folder) 100 leaves. Copied from Sri Lanka Archives? Plus a positive photographic copy in larger format. Minutes of the Ceylon Reform League 1917-1920. Folder includes printed and ms rules, minutes, receipts and reports. Many leaves have been damaged and repaired with tissue overlays. In oversize box 1926 Colombo street directory (photocopy) Memo on the policy of the Unionist Association of Ceylon, with signatures of founder members, August 1927 (negative photographic copy) 2 leaves. Copied from the Lionel de Fonseka MSS in the Sri Lanka Archives? With typescript transcript from The Ceylon Daily News 10/8/1927 ‘New political caucus: the Unionist Party of Ceylon. Sir Marcus Fernando: lengthy speech at the Little Hall’ Police file on the Ceylon Communist Party (ca 1953-54) Typescript (carbon copy): headed SECRET. Insurgency Summary and report by SA Dissanayaka of National Security on the activities of the J.V.P. 10/9/1973 and 4/1/1974 (photocopies of typescripts) Extracts from letter from Ceylon 20/10/1953): “Description of the AGM of the Lanka Sama Samaja Party, 1953, by a British Trotskyite” copied from file from the Hoover Institution on War, Revolution and Peace, Stanford CA (photocopy) Indo Lanka Accord: photocopies of documents concerning ‘Network events leading up to meetings at the highest level’ RESTRICTED until 2025 Donald Friend. Typed extracts from the Diaries, vol. 3 (The Ceylon Diaries cover the period 25/1/1957 to 22/7/1962) 2.2 De Silva manuscripts MSS: [Biographical information on W.A. de Silva and family 1875-1913 (negative photographic copies in folder) [9] leaves. Copied from C.P. Fonseka MSS in the Sri Lanka Archives? Rev. Simon De Silva. Selected extracts from the diaries. 1897-1939 (negative photographic copies in folder) 234 leaves. Copied from Sri Lanka Archives? W.A. De Silva: letters and manuscripts 1913-1931 (negative photographic copies in folder) 56 leaves. George E. De Silva Memoirs (unpublished typescript – carbon copy, 142 leaves) [after 1933] 2.3 Mooyaart manuscripts Letter 10/1/1813 from A.N.M. (= Anthony Noel Mooyaart, son of Gualterus Mooyaart) of Amsterdam to J.N. Mooyaart of Ceylon (Photocopy of typescript) 11 leaves. With brief biographies of the correspondents, and an undated letter from Rev. R.J. Mooyaart of Berkshire containing family information. In oversize box Revd Henry Mooyaart. MSS: ‘Reminiscences of the Reverend Henry Mooyaart, M.A. of Oxford, late of the Ceylon Civil Service.’ 1916. Typescript copy of the original held by Mooyaart’s descendants. 79, [3] leaves, with [12] leaves of photographs. 2.4 Pieris manuscripts Hannedige Jeronis Pieris MSS. Letters 1853-1856 (negative photographic copies) 40 leaves. Copied from Sri Lanka Archives? Essay by Sir James Pieris 21 June 1877 on ‘Free Trade’ (negative photographic copies) 4 leaves. Copied from Sri Lanka Archives? 2 copies. Ms letters by Sir James Pieris 6/2/1879-19/2/1886 (negative photographic copies in folder) 15 leaves. Copied from Sri Lanka Archives? 2 copies. ‘Sir James Pieris in politics 26/3/1894-19/3/1924’ negative photographic copies of “Collection of reports of meetings held in favour of Mr James Pieris’ nomination as representative of the Lowcountry Sinhalese in the Legislative Council. Printed at the Ceylon Examiner Press” [after 1895]. With associated correspondence. In folder. Copied from Sri Lanka Archives? 2 copies. ‘H.J. Pieris MSS.’ negative photographic copies of letter in Sinhalese script. 4 leaves. [n.d.] Copied from Sri Lanka Archives? B.P. Pieris. Draft of memoirs [after 1963] (unpublished typescript, 307 leaves) 2 copies, one annotated and inscribed ‘corrected 22/8/68’ 2.5 Wijewardene manuscripts Scrapbook on D.R. Wijewardene and the Ceylon National Association 1913-1950: contains newspaper clippings and photographs, including photographs of the funeral (Wijewardene was a political activist and founder of ‘The Ceylon Daily News’) D.R. Wijewardene. MSS letters 1917-1938 (negative photographic copies in folder) [148] leaves. Copied from Sri Lanka Archives? In oversize box 2.6 Social History sources Source material on life ways/styles and elite formation, including family histories, caste formation etc. With notes by Michael Roberts. ‘Assorted data: Karava’: photocopies, ms notes and draft sections in envelope, including: extracts from D.A. Kotelawele typescript; article ‘Indigenous dominance in a colonial economy, the Goa Rendas, 1600-1670 / M.N. Pearson, from Mare Luso-Indicum (Geneve, 1973) v. 2p. 61-73; extract from B.D. Chattapadhyaya typescript Genealogy of the family of Dias Bandaranayaka / R.L. Dias Bandaranayaka. [Port Colombo, after 1945] 23 p. (photocopy, with ms annotations) Photocopied articles, photographs, cartoons and drawings from newspapers and publications, including The Ceylon Observer Centenary Supplement, Amicus Annual, Ceylon Observer Annual, Times of Ceylon, Ceylon Observer, Plâté’s Ceylon Annual ca 1858-1941, in envelope. In Oversize box [Photocopies of assorted letters and memos about the burghers and aspects of Sri Lankan Social History, in part arising from interests in the book People inbetween: the Burghers and the middle class in the transformations within Sri Lanka, 1790s-1960s / Michael Roberts, Ismeth Raheem, Percy Colin-Thome. (Ratmalana, Sri Lanka: Sarvodaya Book Pub. Services, 1989): includes letter from Dr Justin Labrooy to Michael Roberts 29/5/1990; letter from Stan Sharpe to Michael Roberts 19/8/1990; letter from Pat Jansz 16/7/1990; letter from Lorenz Ludovici 30/7/1990; postcard of Galle from Vic Misso ca. 1905-7; letter from David Goodrich to Michael Roberts 2/2/1998; letter from S.J. Kadirgamar to Percy Colin-Thome re Charles Ambrose Lorenz 12/5/1986, and reply 19/5/1986; letter from Percy Colin-Thome to Dr T.B.H. Abeyasinghe 16/6/1982 re Lorenz; ‘Leopold Ludovici: a note by Percy Colin-Thome (ms, 2 leaves); transcription of obituary of J.F. Lorenz from Ceylon Examiner 3/5/1888; letter Sam Mattau to Michael Roberts 22/8/1985 re sources; article signed A.C. [C.A. Lorenz?]; cuttings re Dutch Burgher Union Journal from Sunday Observer 6/6/1932 and Ceylon Daily News 8/6/1982; article ‘Galle: something to crow about through a (reversed) telescope / Herbert Keuneman, from Remembering Evelyn F.C. Ludowyk(?) p. 18-21; A memo from the Drieberg family. [Photocopied sources on Sri Lanka social history to do with the Karava Caste families etc.: includes letter from Dr P.V.D. Fernando to Michael Roberts 3/11/1995; letter Tony Peries to Michael Roberts 28/3/1999; memo by Tony Peries 26/3/1999 [re field research for The Karāva of Ceylon: society and culture / by M.D. Raghavan (published Colombo: K.V.G. de Silva, 1961); Genealogical table of the Varnakula Additya (Varnage) de Fonseka and the Varnakula Additya Arsanillaite d’Anderado Families of Calutara and Colombo. Notes on Salagama flag and bali / Michael Roberts. On cards, in envelope. Notes on Karara elite / Michael Roberts. On cards, in envelope. Folder of notes taken from printed sources. Series 3: Source materials: Official publications of Ceylon/Sri Lanka Ceylon. Governor. Message from His Excellency the Governor (Sir High Clifford) 18/5/1927 [to the Finance Committee outlining his scheme for the extension of peasant-proprietorship. Includes Appendix: The land policy of government and the reasons for land settlement (extract from the Ceylon Legislative Council Debates of November 13, 1907) Statistics Alphabetical and numerical lists of the villages in the Eastern Province, showing the headman’s divisions in which they are situated and the courts which have jurisdiction over them / compiled and issued by the Dept of Census and Statistics. 1926. FRAGILE. In oversize box Series 4: Bibliography/resources listings re Sri Lanka Manuscripts on Ceylon held in the British Library (envelope with photocopies, card references etc) Series 5: Sources: maps re Ceylon/Sri Lanka To be listed Series 6: Writings/publications on Sri Lanka by others Jiggins, Janice. Family and caste in the politics of the Sinhalese. (PhD – History) University of Sri Lanka, Peradeniya Campus. 1973. Series 7: Michael Roberts research notes on Sri Lanka Card files
Series 8: Coded data sheets Housing project Tenement lists for Colombo 1868-69 Marriage advertisements ca 1970 (research not written up) Series 9: Writings/publications by Michael Roberts on Sri Lanka Interviews and notes on contemporary Sri Lankan politics (photocopies of ms notes) RESTRICTED UNTIL 2025 Series 10: Research material collected/writings by Michael Roberts – other subjects 10.1 Anzac Symbolism 10.2 Race/ethnicity/multiculturalism/ Australian culture and language/Australian national identity/Aborigines 10.3 Cricket 10.4 Other ALSo note another web site http://dh-web.org/place.names/posts/ |
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Last Modified 02/08/2010 Library
How could I access some of the documents cited above?
J K WIJEDASA//KANDY
you probably have to visit adelaide. however, i will ask the librarians concerned if they have a better answer.
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WRITE FORMALLY TO cheryl.hoskin@adelaide.edu.au
Cheryl Hoskin
Special Collections Librarian Ph: (08) 8313 5224
Barr Smith Library Email : cheryl.hoskin@adelaide.edu.au
University of Adelaide S.A. 5005.
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Posterity will thank you for the effort. Most of the institutions in Sri Lanka today have no archivists or institutional memories, let alone individual comments.
How many government agents have followed the tradition of Percival, Tennent, Lewis, Denham, Horsburgh, Paul E Pieris, Leonard Wolf and others.
May be Tissa Devendra’s name comes to mind. Among modern public servants, may be there are some contributions (e.g, Kelagama). But I am a bit ignorant of the literature in a field far out.
Micheal:
This is good news for future scholars on Sri Lanka. Mr. J. K. Wijedasa’s question about access is important. I very much hope that the material would be digitized sooner than later so that a visit to Adelaide is not required.
Sam Samarasinghe
Thank you for doing the research. With the knockdown on it will give me time to do some reading. I met you as a fellow guest of Herbert Perera at a wedding. He had traveled with you returning to SL.
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