Rathnadeepa Janma Bhumi

Land of gems, land of my birth, Lanka the land of victory
This is our noble motherland
Our motherland

Land of gems, land of my birth, Lanka the land of victory
This is our noble motherland
Our motherland

From the ancient Sinhalese, from the brave blood of our ancestors
Was born this sacred, noble motherland
Our motherland

Like gems buried deep beneath the earth
There lie the fearless sons and daughters
In the name of the nation, upon battlefields
They gave their lives – rivers of blood were shed

Land of gems, land of my birth, Lanka the land of victory
This is our noble motherland
Our motherland

Flowing down from the Sindhu-like fertile plains
Fragrant with lotus pollen
With golden shoulders bowed and hearts awakened
They come – the very breath of our heroic past

Land of gems, land of my birth, Lanka the land of victory
This is our noble motherland
Our motherland

From the rippling rivers and silver forests
Where blossoms bloom and noble clans rise
Songs rise high into the skies
They are the glory songs of our heroes

Land of gems, land of my birth, Lanka the land of victory
This is our noble motherland
Our motherland

From the ancient Sinhalese, from the brave blood of our ancestors
Was born this sacred, noble motherland
Our motherland

“Rathna Deepa Janma Bhumi,” written by Mahagamasekara and sung by Pandit W. D. Amaradeva, is more than a patriotic song – it is a lyrical tribute to the soul of Sri Lanka. From the very first phrase, calling the island the land of gems, the song establishes both a geographical beauty and a spiritual richness. It praises Sri Lanka not just as a place of origin, but as a sacred legacy shaped by courage, sacrifice, and timeless heritage.

The song stands out for its powerful imagery. It draws from history, landscape, and emotion to build a portrait of a nation formed by ancient bloodlines and sustained by valor. The reference to “Lanka Deepa Vijaya Bhumi” calls to mind the island’s historical link to Prince Vijaya and the early chronicles of Sinhalese civilization. This isn’t just a romanticized origin story – it is a reminder of the deep cultural and ancestral roots from which Sri Lanka’s identity springs.

Mahagamasekara’s verses go beyond nationalism. They speak of a people who have fought, bled, and endured – whose names may be buried like gems beneath the earth but whose sacrifices live on in the land itself. The lines about lotus pollen and golden shoulders evoke not only natural beauty but also humility and spiritual awakening. There’s an almost meditative tone when describing how the spirit of the ancestors returns in the air – as prana vayuvai, the breath of life. It suggests that patriotism isn’t just an emotion, but a lived energy passed down through time.

Amaradeva’s voice gives this song a sacred weight. His delivery doesn’t demand attention – it commands reverence. When he sings about the rivers and forests, the listener sees them; when he describes the bloodshed of warriors, the silence between the lines honors them more than words ever could.

The line “Jeevithe puda helu le kandai” – they gave their lives, rivers of blood were shed – strikes like a quiet thunder. It doesn’t glorify war but marks it as a truth of the nation’s journey. It reminds every Sri Lankan that their freedom, culture, and identity were not inherited freely – they were earned through deep sacrifice.

In modern times, where identity is often contested and history debated, this song remains relevant. It doesn’t fuel division. Instead, it invites all Sri Lankans to remember their shared legacy – to look at the rivers, the forests, the songs, and the soil, and know that all of it was shaped by generations who came before.

“Rathna Deepa Janma Bhumi” is not just a patriotic Sinhala song with English meaning – it is a poetic anthem of belonging. It carries with it pride without arrogance, reverence without rigidity, and love without borders. For Sri Lankans at home or abroad, this song is a call to remember – and to cherish – the land that gave them their first breath.