| dc.description.abstract | The human resource which evolved with the functionalities of the ancient tank culture of Sri Lanka is the research focus of this paper. According to Mahawamsa, paddy cultivation was the lifeline of the Sri Lankan economy from the ancient past. The hydroculture of the island is a legacy that is attributed to the Aryans who migrated to the country from north India in the 6th Century B.C. The initial Aryan settlements took place in the dry zone in Sri Lanka which has low rainfall and therefore, the farmers needed considerable storage of water to support agriculture. Since the Aryans possessed the expertise of hydraulic engineering and tank building, they took steps to address the demand for water by erecting the tanks in almost every part of the dry zone. These tanks were not isolated projects. They were well placed in a holistic socio-economic system that resulted in the prosperity peace and security of the Island for many centuries. In this backdrop still tank culture is an integral component of the lives of Sri Lankan farmers. The functionalities affiliated to the tank culture was one of the top employment providers for the Sri Lankan rural peasant as well. The authors argue that some of the core practices in this context could even be useful in strengthening the modern-day human resource practices of other fields. The context is analyzed by employing concepts belonged to the theories of oriental despotism and human resource management. It is empirical research conducted by using primary and secondary data. The researchers have found how ancient human resource practices tally with modern-day practices. | en_US |
