A journey of self-discovery in a historical and cultural setting

In his book ‘Indonesian Roots, Sri Lankan Soil -The journey of a Sri Lankan Malay from soldier to Bhoomi Putra’, the author Tony Saldin takes the readers on a journey of selfdiscovery that is set against the backdrop of Sri Lankan history and culture. The book is divided into three parts: Roots, Branching out and Flowering.

In Roots, the author talks about his family’s origins, tracing them to Enche Pantasih and Sitti Sumba Warnil from the ancient Kingdom of Sumenep, Madura, East Java around 240 years ago during Dutch rule of the East Indies (present day Indonesia). He talks about his paternal greatgreat-great grand-father,

Enche Pantasih who was recruited by the Dutch East India Company as a soldier to serve in the Free Javanese Company of the Dutch Army in the garrison town of Mullaitivu in Eastern Sri Lanka.

Saldin explores the history of the Sri Lankan Malays who are descended from exiled princes and soldiers recruited by both the Dutch and British East India Companies. The book also delves into the community’s martial traditions, achievements, cuisine and folk culture and how it became entrenched in Sri Lankan society.

In Branching Out, Saldin shares personal experiences of his working life including rare incidents in his business experiences with the Japanese.

In Flowering, the author explores various aspects of Sri Lankan history and culture that have piqued his interest - Malays in Sri Lanka, Sri Lankan Kaffirs, Saradiel and his band of robbers, the warriors of Japan, Captain Noordeen and his fateful encounter with King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe, Keppetipola Dissawa and the 1818 Rebellion and local place names in his hometown Wattala. The highlight is his account of Ananda, the one-legged tree-cutter.

The book will be launched at the National Library & Documentation Services Board Auditorium, 4, Independence Avenue, Colombo 7 on Saturday, March 2 at 10 a.m. The Chief Guest will be the Indonesian Ambassador Dewi Gustina Tobing and Guest of Honour, Malaysian High Commissioner Badli Hisham Adam. The two keynote speakers are Professor B.A. Hussainmiya and Lt. Commander (Rtd) Somasiri Devendra.

The book will be available at Rs. 1,800 (cash sales) on the day of the launch and thereafter at Expographics Bookshop Pelawatte, Havelock City Mall, Colombo City Centre and the Barefoot Bookshop.