‘A significant contribution to the history of fisheries in Sri Lanka, this book draws upon author’s painstaking research and an extensive and in depth survey of rare archival and literary sources. It portrays a vivid picture of historical, demographic and political changes that have influenced the fishing industry and its development in Sri Lanka from the ancient through medieval and colonial to modern times, with a specific focus on anthropological and biological aspects. The study covers the identification of the original inhabitants engaged in fishing activities; their origins, travel-routes, and settlement in Ceylon; their races, castes, languages and religions; and the subsequent creation, restructuring and development of fishing community in the country. It also throws light on development of fishing trade and trading facility in Sri Lanka. One of the most well-known fisheries scientists of Sri Lanka, Prof. K. Sivasubramanian has taught research at various national as well as international organisations and institutions’.