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The description of the Maldives given by V. Vitharana in his scholarly book, "Sri Lankan Maldivian Cultural Affinities" conveys his touching feelings for the people who live 400 miles away across the Indian Ocean. It reminds one of the style of Martin Wickremasinghe who had expressed similar sentiments in some of his books with his village background!

While travelling to Male, the massive coral banks of the islands can be sighted rising above the blue sea level. The monsoon rains along with strong winds dash the coastal belts giving the features and the appearance of a garland hence the name 'Male divaina'.

Recalling his nostalgic memories of childhood Vitharana describes, "We stood still as a big vessel with an unusually large sail appeared off the rocky point of our bay and glided past eastwards". "That is Maldives bagala" said the village elders, "in which they bring umbalakada, bonda haluva and riya hakuru". Vitharana, arouses our taste buds when he said, "Umbalakada makes our pol sambol so tasty. I wanted to be in Maldives to see the people over there make it and to bring a boat load of it home".

Vitharana goes on to say: "A few years later, as a schoolboy in Galle, I came close to these people and their vessels. They could be mistaken for any of our own sunburnt coast dwellers and they went about the city and the lush villages around selling 'bonda haluva' wrapped in dry plantain leaf which they wore like garlands around their necks and shoulders". The above quotations amply show the ability of Vitharana in describing the close links with Sri Lanka and Maldives. The use of words to describe people living in two countries as close friends bound by 'umbalakada', 'bondi haluva' and 'rihaa kuru' refer to vital ingredients needed to make our cuisine more palatable. In showing the close affinity the writer says, "They spoke Sinhala well (with, of course, an F for our P which made us smile at first) and called us (in their language) 'yalu mihun' which meant friends.

There are many words and expressions other than 'yalu mihun' common to their language and ours. 'Dhivehi' is the language and 'diva' means islands. The word 'dhivehi means the language of the islands.

'Sri Lankan Maldivian Cultural Affinities' is not only a study on the language spoken by the people of the Maldives but also deals with cultural relations between the two countries. The information is based on historical, language and archaeological findings which enhances the value of the book.

The scholarship of the writer is evident with his details interpreting them in a plausible manner. He has understood the pioneering research done by two scholars Wilhelm Geiger and H.C.P Bell to establish the affinity and to support his conclusions. In the fields of history, language and archaeology, Vitharana has become a researcher which is evident when leafing through the pages.

The book containing 231 pages divided into six chapters keeps the reader absorbed because of the lucid style of presenting his facts. The writing on the Dhivehi language in chapter three, prove Vitharana's analytical mind in making his own conclusions.

The other chapters: The History of the Maldive Islands, Pre - Islamic Archaeology of the Maldive Islands, Some Maldivian Cultural Features of the Islamic Period and Peopling of the Maldive Island contain valuable information to understand the past to know the present Maldivian culture better. And in addition his references ,glossaries, notes ,appendices I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII and bibliography and also index help the reader to make a critical assessment of the text. The photographs included to illustrate the subject matter in the book need quality and better reproduction. In spite of this lacuna, Vitharana's book is a must to those who are interested to know and understand the different aspects of the cultures between two countries belonging to SAARC .