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

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niking mention of the fact that they were Tamils There is,
therefore, no epigraphic evidence suggesting the existence
of Tainil or other Dravidian settlements in Ceylon in the period
before the ninth century. It is only the archaeological evidence
that points to the existence of a Dravidian settlement at Pomparippu
and possibly another at Katirav4i, between about the second
century B.C. and the third century A.D.After this there is a
long gap till we reach the seventh century, when we get some
flimsy evidence that points to possible Tamil settlements in
the island. According to the Pli chronicle, bands of Tamil
mercenaries were taken to the island at least on seven occasions
in the seventh century. It also contains vague references to
Taniils living in some parts of Rja.taha. Certain prominent
Tamils, in possession of villages and tnk, also find meution
In the contemporary Tamil works of South India, there are references
to iva temples at the ports of Gokaa and Mahtittha which
were venerated by Taniils. However, it could not be claimed that
there is any definite evidence relating to Tamil settlements in
the seventh century. It is only in the ninth and tenth centuries
that we get such evidence in the Sinhalese and Tainil inscriptions
in the archaeological sources and to an extent in the Pli
1. E. g ,, LE.P. for 189k, No. 18k of 1893.
2. Cv., 146:l92k.