ශ්‍රී ලාංකේය දෘශ්‍ය කලා නිර්මාණවල භාවිත වන 'භේරුණ්ඩ පක්ෂියා' පිළිබඳ ඓතිහාසික අධ්‍යයනයක් [A Historical Study of the ‘Berunda Pakshiya’ in Sri Lankan Visual Art]

When we look back at the history of Sri Lankan old visual arts, we can find many artwork featuring imaginary animals, one of which is the Berunda Pakshiya or Double-Headed Eagle. This animal figure has been extensively depicted in various forms of art, and its image first appeared during the Gampola era in Sri Lanka. While several scholars have briefly discussed this image in their research, a deeper understanding of the double-headed eagle can be gained through a research done by Herath. We aim to expand on the ideas of scholars regarding the use of Bherunda animal creations in Sri Lankan art through a deep discussion. The aim of this research is to explore the origin of this image in Sri Lanka and its purpose in different art forms, and to confirm the historical values and qualities of this impressive form of art. Through this paper, we will analyze the concept of the Sri Lankan Bherunda Pakshiya with different visual data collected from various art forms. The visual representation of the Bherunda Pakshiya not only symbolizes power and vigilance but also holds a significant cultural resonance within Sri Lankan heritage. This study will further investigate the symbolic meanings attached to these depictions across different historical periods. By examining artworks, sculptures, and literary mentions, we intend to trace the evolution of this motif and its integration into the cultural and religious fabric of the region. This analysis aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of its enduring presence in Sri Lankan art history.