113992242-Dravidian-Settlements-in-Ceylon-and-the-Beginnings-of-the-Kingdom-of-Jaffna-By-Karthigesu-Indrapala-Complete-Phd-Thesis-University-of-London-1965

184
year of a ParkramabThu, who is probably the first of that
name, mentions some Tamils among the slaves attached tè that
vihira It is possible that some of them were prisoners from
South India.
In addition to the Tam1l prisoners, Tamil artisans
also seem to have been employed in the time of Parkramabhu I
for the erection of Buddhist edifices. According to the C1flavasa,
there was a dearth of stone-masons in the time pf Parkramabhu
and, as a result, members of other occupational groups were
employed for the work of stone-carving As Paranvitana has
pointed out, in this period, 'when there was a demand for their
art, it is likely that skilled workers came to Ceylon from the
neighbouring continent, where they 'ust have been quite numerous
at that time' As evidence of this, Tamil letters have been
found as mason's marks on the stones of some of the buildings
dating from the time of ParkramabThu I. These letters have
been found not only at Polonnaruva, in such constructions as
the Lotue Bath, but also in some momuments at Padaviya The
building of aiva and Vaiava temples in the Dravidian style
1. S.Paranavitana, 'Galapta Vihra Rock Inscription', E..Z., IV, p.211.
2. Cv., 68:25-26.
3. U.C.R.C.., I, pt.2 , p. 592.
i. Ibid. ; A.S.C.A.R. for 195k, p. 20.