Mediaeval Sinhalese Art c22.158

c22.158

On one occasion we read of the Sinhalese king sending valuable presents to an Indian prince, who had been restored to his throne by the Sinhalese general; the latter sent “a letter to Laṅkā, to the great king thereof, telling him that the prince had arrived destitute. And when the great king had heard thereof he sent unto him gifts: vessels of gold and silver meet to set food in for the king’s table, and lamps of gold and silver in great number, and raiment of great price such as kings wear, and earrings, and chains for the neck, and bracelets set with jewels. These and other gifts did the king, in his great delight, send as tokens of his good-will and pleasure” (Mahāvaṃsa, Ch. LXXVI).