From the ancient time in Srilankan history transport has played a major role in the culture of Srilanka. With the help of transport huge cultural transformation occurred in the Srilanka. From getting the Buddhism till the foreign invasions transport had huge impact on culture. The lives of srilankans were embedded with transport hence we cannot undermine the importance of transport culture.

1. TL 2153
Social
behavior
121496B
S.D.P.P Dissanayaka
TL 2153 Social behavior
Transport culture of Sri Lanka

2. Introduction
From the ancient time in Srilankan history transport has played a major role in the culture of
Srilanka. With the help of transport huge cultural transformation occurred in the Srilanka. From
getting the Buddhism till the foreign invasions transport had huge impact on culture. The lives of
srilankans were embedded with transport hence we cannot undermine the importance of transport
culture.
Our great grandfathers used to transport goods from carts while singing folk songs. They used folk
songs as a way to reduce their tiredness and to keep them awake. These songs depict the people
traditions values at that time and acting as a song that echoes the cultural history of srilanka.
The values, stories, customs and rituals which built around transport of Srilanka are uncountable
and those are the milestones of Srilankan culture. Analyzing those factors that contributed to the
evolution will give us and inside on transport culture of srilanka. After the year 1815 with British
government our transportation took a new lead to compete with world standards. However with
this drastic changes in transportation the lives of srilankan’s changed significantly. This report is
only a glimpse of that transportation culture, from the simple cart to the huge aircrafts.
Importance of transport culture
Transportation is a non separable part of any society. It exhibits a very close relation to the style of
life, the range and location of activities and the goods and services which will be available for
consumption. Advances in transportation has made possible changes in the way of living and the
way in which societies are organized and therefore have a great influence in the development of
civilizations.
On the other hand transportation is responsible for the development of civilizations from very old
times by meeting travel requirement of people and transport requirement of goods. Such
movement has changed the way people live and travel. In developed and developing nations, a
large fraction of people travel daily for work, shopping and social reasons.

3. Objective
Objective of this study is to analyze the cultural values embedded in transport of srilanka. There are
sub categories of transport culture depending on the time and mode hence closer investigation is
needed. This report conveys an understanding of the importance of transportation culture in the
society by presenting selected characteristics of transportation systems, their use and relationships
to other human activities. The final objective of this study is to give an inside how much cultural
value in transportation culture to the society.
Methodology
The methodology of this analysis is to understand the history of transport culture and the present
conditions. The culture has been divided in to two groups’ mainly material culture and non material
culture.
Wikipedia regarding transport history, web regarding transport culture, Lecture notes and a lecture
done by professor Amal Kumarage regarding Transport development in Srilanka have been used as
the sources for this analysis.

4. Material culture of Srilanka
Introduction
Material culture refers to the physical objects, resources, and spaces that people use to define
their culture. These include homes, neighborhoods, cities, schools, churches, synagogues, temples,
mosques, offices, factories and plants, tools, means of production, goods and products, stores, and
so forth. All of these physical aspects of a culture help to define its members' behaviors and
perceptions.
Considering the material culture of transport we can see the importance of Road Network & Ports
in Ancient Lanka, The Dutch Canal Network, The Road and Rail Networks during British Period Post-
Independence Development. These resources have enabled the development of transportation
culture and its evolvement.
Ancient Srilankan ports
Mahatittha (near Mannar) ,Gokkana (Trincomalee), Urutota (Kayts) and Godavaya (Gota pabbata
pattana were the main ports in that time. The foreign traders from China, Middle east came to
these ports to get the gems, spices and minerals from Srilanka. In exchange they gave silk, horses
and gold. So these natural ancient ports made a huge impact on transportation culture. The people
who lived near these ports were the merchants who handled the distribution of goods brought by
foreigners. Salt was important merchandise at this time.
The rivers connected to ports facilitate the easy
transportation of goods in to the country. That was
the birth of “paru kavi”. Those folk songs carried the
voice of the merchants and people at that time to this
date. That is the power of transportation culture.
Civilizations were built on associating those streams,
merchants transporting goods in streams supplied the
goods people need.
Muslim merchants were handling these transporting
goods handling mainly as they were good in business.
Most of these people came from Arabic countries to
do business and they started to live in Srilanka. So we
can realize the significance of transport culture in that

5. sense. We can see that cultural diversity of srilanka is mainly supported by transport culture
considering these evidences.
Road network in ancient Sri lanka.
In 1st
century Bc road network connected the then capital of Anuradhapura to the coastal ports in
the northeast, north and east of the country. The roads in the coastal belt were added after the
11th
century with the migration of people to these areas.
The highly developed Anuradhapura city had a very developed road system. Considering the
cultural significance of Anuradhapura , we can see the impact of transportation culture. The wide,
sophisticated roads enabled them to transport materials that needed to build huge stupas like
Ruwanwelisaya, Abayagiriya and Mirisawatiya. These cultural centers are main features of material
culture of transportation.
Canal system
The canal system is centered on Port of Colombo. This had been used for transport of Coconut
Products from northern part and spices from southern parts. Mainly there were 3 major rivers and
many canals in this network.
The canal system linked people around Colombo together. The canal system had a huge impact on
the lives of people around it because their jobs were based on it. Using currency to deal with
businesses was largely practiced with regard to this canal system. With Hamilton canal and
Negombo canal the network expanded resulted in migration of people to these areas. The
opportunities presented by the canal system enabled to build a community with huge diversity
around Colombo. This was the birth of business class in Srilanka as well as the birth of labor class.

6. The ease of transporting goods and people from canal system forced it to expand to areas like
Dehiwala, wellawattha and Bolgoda. These areas become highly populated with the canal system
and the subsequently economy started to develop at an alarming rate.
Hamilton Canal
Land Transport under the British
After the British invasion, they wanted to build transport systems to enable fast delivery of
commercial goods like tea, rubber, coffee and coconut. 1821 they started building Colombo Kandy
road using the labor of local people. They established a method called “rajakari kramaya” to get
work from local people. This has contributed to a massive rebellion called Uva-wellassa uprising in
1818.
The road system was expanded to 3750 km at 1867 which facilitate the shift to teas production
from coffee in 1880.With tea cultivation British acquired the lands of local people by force and
putting various regulations. These incidents contributed to the birth of national forces among local
people to get freedom.
In 1902 the first passenger car imported to srilanka making a huge impact on Srilankan culture. The
cars were limited only to British officers and the English speaking local followers of British people.
The cars were considered as a symbol of social status and power in that time. The subsequent
development of society occurred with the expansion of road network. The ease of access of roads
enabled people to move goods more efficiently and effectively. The concept of towns developed
with these road network developments and people started to live closer to linkages and strategic
points in transport network to gain commercial advantage and to get more facilities and services.
Passenger transportation started in small scale in this period with the importation of cars. However
the carts, rickshaws played the major role.
Bolgod a La ke
Borale sgam u W e wa
Diyaw anna Oya
Dehiwa la Ca nna l
Kiralupona Canal
W
ellawatte Canal
Heen Ela
Beira Lake
Kelani G an ga
Kelani Ganga
Werassa Ganga
Beira Lake
Diyawanna Oya
Dehiwala Cannal
Kirillopone Canal
Wellawatte Canal
Bolgoda Canal
Heen Ela
Kelani GangaSt. Sebestian Canal
INDIAN OCEAN

7. Rail transport
With the coffee plantations the railway started in 1830.Present day network completed with 1540
kms in 1923. The railway had a huge impact to the srilankan culture. Especially Railway linked down
south area with Colombo this enabled fast development in that region. The coconut industry was
facilitated mainly by rail network taking local people to higher living standards. The education
system also developed following the massive transport of passengers. This has resulted in the born
of new class over traditional caste system in Srilanka. Educated people were given chances in
working in offices so the power was transferred to them from traditional system. ‘ Gamperaliya ‘
novel was a classic example for that.
Post independent development.
After the independence rural roads were developed and the rural socities started to develop
parallel to city people. However due to the loss of opportunities in villages a migration of people
seeking better lives increased during this period.
The public transportation system enabled people to travel around country at low cost. This had a
huge influence on social development as people started to do more recreational activities such as
visiting places. The expansion of road network enable more and more people to access facilities
thus increasing the living standards.

8. Non material culture of Srilanka
Introduction
Non‐material culture refers to the nonphysical ideas that people have about their culture, including
beliefs, values, rules, norms, morals, language, organizations, and institutions. The non‐material
cultural concept of transport consists of a set of ideas and beliefs about Arts, worship, morals, and
ethics. These beliefs, then, determine how the culture responds to its transport topics, issues, and
events.
When considering non‐material culture, sociologists refer to several processes that a culture uses to
shape its members' thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Four of the most important of these are
symbols, language, values, and norms.
Symbols
Still in the modern society of Srilanka car considers as a symbol of wealth. People are using their car
to show their wealth and thus driving prestige cars like BMW, Benz and Jaguar. Using public
transport services considers as a symbol of working class. These symbols are acting as a mirror of
the social status.
The slogans in three-wheelers’ are also endemic to Srilankan transport culture. Most of these
slogans have double meaning as well as giving some idea about the mentality of drivers. Three weel
drivers have cults, these cults can also been seen with privet bus drivers. Strong resistance and the
power of unity are the main symbols of these cults. Since most rural areas and congested areas
depend on them they have high power.
The disturbing music is a symbol of privet buses in srilanka. Despite the willingness of passengers
the driver and the conductor playing what they want. When we look closer the main idea behind
some loud music is to avoid drivers from falling to sleep. However the passengers are usually be
patient to these things.
The uniforms given for bus conductors enable passengers to identify them from general crowd.
However unlike other industries conductors are not like to wear these. It is very rare seen
conductors wearing the uniform.

9. Language
The language used in transport culture in Srilanka differs from mode to mode. The train operators
and airplane staffs are highly technical and user friendly. But on the other hand public bus
operators are using harsh words and slangs with double meaning words. Considering the
monotonous nature and the pressure they are having it is no wonder their language is in such low
standards.
The slang words used by bus operators have built around the road, passengers and the police
officers. They usually do not have respect toward passengers and they use harsh words when there
is lot of passengers. Conflicts between passengers and conductors occur due to this language.
The lorry drivers also have their own language .the heavy nature of their work ahs lead them to be
extra careful and to be rough when speaking.
General vehicle users are also not much polite when driving. If something happens they tend to
blame each other with filthy words.
Values
Every vehicle as soon as the new owner acquired it from previous owner or he or she buy it in
brand new condition the first thing Srilankan’s doing is to take the vehicle to a religious place and
giving a official start. There will be a lemon under each tier and there will be a Lemmon and chili
mix in the front of the vehicle hanging. The driver drives over the four lemons as a protection. Most
drivers worship steering weel prior to start the vehicle. Some use perfumes to make the vehicle
more pleasant place.They expects protection for them and their vehicle through this.
In busses it is common to see the pictures of Lord Buddha, Sivali maharahath and other Gods in
front of the vehicle above the driver’s seat. The protection of vehicle and well being of passengers
is expected from these.
Norms
There are numerous norms in passenger bus services and railway services. Disabled perons,
pregnant mothers and clergy have designated seats in the bus. However whenever anyone belongs
to that category comes to the bus the norm is to give them a seat by a passenger.
All the vehicles are driven from left side of the road as depicted by law and generally people are
obeying to traffic lights.

10. High number of accidents passenger using motor bikes and three-wheelers are often due to their
risk taking appetite. The most common and popular transport method is bus service. The privet
buses are generally driving slowly to collect more passengers so general crowd prefer CTB buses.
However due to their unavailability passengers has to use privet buses.
Artistic nature
Lorry’s, privet buses and three-wheelers have various artistic features. In lorry’s the slogan “Fully
insured “ can be seen and in privet buses various adds or colored styles can be seen in the body of
the bus.
The Lorry’s are having various colorful designs with different fonts. The company name phone
numbers can be seen in these.
Laws
Seat belt low is a main low in Srilankan transport culture. Police officers are trying to catch
whenever they see someone doing a wrong. Usually if you captured you can bribe the police officer
and get rid if you are lucky. But there are police officers who act according to the law.
Drivers in Srilanka, the majority doesn’t consider about road rules. However there is habit among
drivers signaling that police officer is near by switching on the head lights.

11. Conclusion
It can be seen that the transport culture has influenced so many areas of the srilanka. It has been
continuously evolved with the time and it has given huge contribution to the development of Sri
lanka.
The stories values and the stories regarding transport carries a huge value and on the other hand
the transport culture can be considered as another source of history. With this analysis we can
understand the importance of transport culture and it’s our duty to secure it while carrying forward
good cultural values.