Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v2.c36.3251
Dictionary of Pāli Proper Names v2.c36.3251
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v2.c36.3251
Sīhala, Sīhalā.—The name given to Vijaya and his companions, founders of the Sinhalese race in Ceylon. It is said¹ that Sīhala was the name given to Sīhabāhu because he had killed the lion (*sīham adinnavā iti*), and because of their connection with him, Vijaya and his companions were also called Sīhalā. The word, thereafter, became the name of the inhabitants of Ceylon, as opposed to the Damiḷas and others.