Religious and National Revival of Sri Lanka

Question 1

What are Missionary Organizations?

Answer 1

During the rule of the British, members of number of volunteer organization arrived in SL for the purpose of spreading Christianity. These volunteer organizations were engaged in the mission of spreading their religion and therefore, were called missionary organizations.

Question 2

Name 5 missionary organizations that arrived to Sri Lanka in the early 19th century.

Answer 2

1. London Missionary Society
2. Baptist Missionary Society.
3. Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society
4. American Ceylon Mission
5. Church Missionary Society.

Question 3

What is called the Missionary Movement?

Answer 3

These missionary organizations while receiving state patronage, implemented various measures to spread their religion throughout Ceylon, this is called the Missionary movement.

Question 4

What are some various programmes that the missionary organizations implemented in order to spread their religion?

Answer 4

Provision of education, distribution of writings, giving lectures and implementing social service activities etc.

Question 5

What were the strategies of the Missionary organizations to spread Christianity through education?

Answer 5

The missionaries who studied Sinhala and Tamil languages managed the education in rural schools in the local language mediums while others managed the education in the urban schools in the English medium.

Question 6

What was the aim of the education given by the missionary organizations?

Answer 6

Spreading their religion in Sri Lanka and inculcating the Western culture in the Lankan society.

Question 7

Why was the knowledge of English language a prerequisite during the rule of the British?

Answer 7

It was essential for obtaining government employment.

Question 8

What was the result of this requirement?

Answer 8

Youths from Sinhala and Tamil families that belonged to higher social classes who had received education in English medium, abandoned their traditional religions, surnames and names and embraced Christianity and got high positions in the government.

Question 9

Which missionary organizations established the Richmond College in Galle and when?

Answer 9

The Wesleyan Missionaries in 1814.

Question 10

Give one positive impact of the missionary movement on this country.

Answer 10

Establishment of a number of schools throughout the country and as a result a considerable development took place in the education of Lankans.

Question 11

How did the missionaries make use of the publications they made?

Answer 11

To inculcate in the minds of the Lankans the ideas that those who followed Buddhism and Hinduism were heathens that worshipped images, and their religious practices and rituals were futile acts.

Question 12

Give 3 publications printed by the missionaries to spread their religion.

Answer 12

Masika Thegga
Uragala
Lanka Nidhanaya

Question 13

How did the missionaries attempt to get closer to the local people?

Answer 13

By engaging in social work such as offering gifts to the poor and helpless and caring for the sick.

Question 14

What are the reasons that led to the success of the activities implemented by the missionaries?

Answer 14

1. receiving state patronage
2. using education to spread religion.
3. establishment of presses.
4. having finances necessary for making various publications such as books, newspapers and periodicals.
5. the organizational power the missionaries possessed.

Question 15

When did a religions revival spark in this country?

Answer 15

By the end of 19th century

Question 16

What are some several reasons that resulted in a religious revival in this manner?

Answer 16

1. spread of Christianity by the missionaries had and unfavorable impact on the local religions that existed in Lanka.
2. not directing sufficient attention by the government towards developing education in Sinhala and Tamil mediums in vernacular schools.
3. the fear the people had developed that their culture would be destroyed under the rule of the British.