 Even though Paranavitana's period began with the onset of the Second World War, his erudition and energy resulted in seventeen fruitful years as the Archaeological Commissioner of Ceylon.Sri Lankan history and prehistory were illuminated by his academic and popular writings which are filled with insight, profound learning and a vital sense of history.Known for his contributions to and editing of "Epigraphia Zeylanica", his most celebrated magnum opus was "Sigiri Graffiti", published in two folio volumes by Oxford University Press.