Concise Mahavamsa Ruwan Rajapakse, P.E., Sinhalanet.com 1

Concise Mahavamsa Ruwan Rajapakse, P.E., Sinhalanet.com 115
King Parakramabahu seeing the difficulty in going to Samanta Kuta, built a road to facilitate the
pilgrims. He built bridges over rivers that could be used by elephants and chariots. He placed stepping
stones in marsh lands.
King took an image of Sumana Deva and took it to Samanta Kuta in a procession. (Procession is
known as Perahara in Sinhalese).
(Author’s Note: Complete description of the road constructed by King Parakramabahu appears
in Mahavamsa).
Coconut Plantation in Kalanadhi Tittha:
King planted coconut trees from Kalanadhi Tittha to Bhima Tittha. The plantation was nine miles in
width and twelve miles in length.
(Kalanadhi Tittha and Bhima Tittha are today known as Kalutara and Bentota).
Katina Puja:
King Parakramabahu conducted many Katina Puja for the Maha Sangha and provided them with robes
and other necessities.
(Author’s Note: It is believed that King Parakramabahu II compiled the great Sinhala poem “Kav
Silumina” which has more than seven hundred poems).
King Parakramabahu consulted Mahasangha whether to give the kingdom to his son Vijayabahu or his
sister’s son Virabahu, who defeated the Javaka army. Mahasangha picked Vijayabahu and King
Parakrmabahu made Vijayabahu the King of the country and retired from active life.
(Author’s Note: This is the only occasion where a Lankan King retired).
(Author’s Note: During this time period Bodhigaya (Place where Buddha attained Buddhahood)
in India was razed to ground by Muslim invaders. Afterwards Muslim forces completed destruction of
the great Buddhist University Nalanda. Century later people of two Buddhist countries, Gandhara and
Avkan (Today Pakistan and Afghanistan respectively) were completely converted to Islam).
Vijayabahu IV: (1267 AD – 1270 AD)
After the retirement of King Parakrmabahu, his son Vijayabahu consecrated as the ruler of the country.
Vijayabahu picked his cousin as the army commander.
King Parakramabahu Follows His Son:
When King Vijayabahu was ruling, his father King Parakramabahu had the habit of following his son
everywhere he goes. King Vijayabahu was not very happy about it. Hence King Vijayabahu requested
his father in a reverend manner not to follow him everywhere he goes. Then King Parakrmabahu
ordered that people who love his son should follow him. Due to this order many ministers, various
dignitaries and people followed the King.