A meticulously researched introduction by the two authors of this comprehensive collection provides the ideal groundwork from which to view the four hundred years of interaction between the Dutch and Sri Lanka, beginning with the historic first visit of Joris Van Spillbergen in 1602, the subsequent capture of the maritime provinces in 1658 and the Dutch rule lasting till 1796.

History has recorded the lingering influence of this interaction, first as traders and then as conquerors, on the many aspects of Sri Lankan life, the vestiges of which remain even today. This collection of essays delves deep into these, recording the Dutch presence as seen in monuments, mansions, canals and more importantly, in the living legacy of Roman Dutch law. The introduction highlights some of the important events and their impact and provides a revealing picture on the subject, from historical beginnings through the cultural interplay, Dutch artifacts, monuments and coming down to current relations between the two countries.