Introduction
Sri Lanka has a prestigious history of hydraulic-based civilization running back to 5th century BC. Rice cultivation began around 900 BC and has developed in an organized way since 300 BC (Cook, 1950; Vandermeersch and Deraniyagala, 1988; Senanayake, 2006). Until the Green Revolution in the mid-1960s introduced modern farming techniques, inorganic fertilizers and other agro-chemicals (Farmer, 1986; Wilson, 2000), the cultivation of paddy in Sri Lanka was entirely based on indigenous techniques. These were developed based on the extensive experience and knowledge of the local community and tested over two thousand years of implementation (Vandermeersch and Deraniyagala, 1988). The indigenous knowledge of local farmers about rice farming techniques includes land preparation and soil fertility management, seed selection and pre-planting, water management, method of rice planting, weed control and pest and disease control techniques (Senanayake, 2006). The indigenous knowledge system of local farmers is a broad area to discuss. Mee tree (Madhuca longifolia ) considered as the fertiliser tree of the nation in ancient Sri Lankan aera. According to the ancient literature available in Sri Lanka there were rules imposed of prohibiting of cutting Madhuca longifolia tree by of King Mihindu IV. The nectar in the flowers and the fruits of the Madhuca longifolia attracts the fruit bats. Bat guano is a very rich fertilizer, due to its high content of carbon and the three vital primary macronutrients: nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (N-P-K) as well as important secondary minerals such as calcium and magnesium that help control soil pH(Buliga, 2010; Shetty, Sreepada, and Bhat, 2013). When bats visit the Madhuca longifolia trees during flowing and fruit seasons it automatically provide guano in return to the ground. The ancient Sri Lankans used these natural combinations to provide fertiliser to their paddy fields. This article focuses on how ancient Sri Lankan farmers used the Mee tree (Madhuca longifolia ) and its products in paddy cultivation.