Mediaeval Sinhalese Art c6.11

c6.11

Wars with the Tamils began in 237 B.C., when the throne was seized by Tamil mercenaries. Twenty-two years later it was recovered by Asela, but retaken by the Tamils under Elāḷa in 205 B.C. Elāḷa was the greatest of the Tamil rulers. He “ruled the kingdom for forty-four years, administering justice with impartiality to friends and foes” (Mahāvaṃsa Ch. XXI).* The dethroned dynasty took refuge at Māgampattu on the south coast, the great tank and dāgaba remaining at Tissamahārāma still. At last one of the princes, named Duṭṭha Gāmaṇi (Gāmaṇi the disobedient—because he would not be held back from war at his father’s wish) engaged in a long and finally successful war, recovering Anurādhapura and killing Elāḷa in single combat, both being mounted upon elephants.† Elāḷa was buried with every honour. His tomb was so honoured that it was the custom for even kings, when nearing it, to silence all music and pass on foot; this homage was paid as late as A.D. 1818 when, on the suppression of the rebellion, the defeated aspirant to the throne approaching the place in his escape, “although weary and almost incapable of exertion, not knowing the exact spot,” dismounted and continued on foot till assured that he had passed far beyond the ancient memorial (Forbes I. 233).