Historical Background of Sri Lanka
Historical Background of Sri Lanka
Ancient Tamil Country
Ancient Tamilakam was traditionally divided into two regions: Senthamizh Nadu (the land where refined Tamil was spoken) and Kodunthamizh Nadu (the land where regional forms of Tamil were spoken). The countries surrounding these regions were said to number seventeen. They are mentioned in the following ancient verse:
“Singalam, Sonagam, Savagam, Seenum, Thulukkadagam, Konganam, Kannadam, Kollam, Telungam, Kalinga Vangam, Gangam, Magadam, Goudam, Kadaram, Kadungusalam — these are the seventeen lands surrounding the glorious Tamil world.”
The name Eelam (Īḻam) is understood in some Tamil grammatical commentaries as another name for Singalam (Sri Lanka).
The idea that the name Singalam originated from Vijaya, the son of Sinhabahu, who is traditionally said to have arrived in Sri Lanka, is not considered appropriate by some scholars. Vijaya’s arrival is dated approximately 2,500 years ago, whereas the name Singalam is said to have existed in India around 5,000 years ago.
A more suitable explanation is that the name came from the abundance of cinnamon (singam/singhala), which was widely produced in the region. In the Sanskrit-English dictionary written by Lakshman Ramachandra Vaidya Panditar, the term Singhala Dvipa is explained as meaning “the island of cinnamon.”
However, in Tamil literature, the island is much more commonly referred to by the names Ilankai and Eelam rather than Singalam.
This can be understood through various literary references, such as:
- “Ancient Ilankai whose fortifications were destroyed”— Silappathikaram 2.35:3
- “Great Ilankai”— 4:178:6
- “The lord of Ilankai”— 40:374:6
- “Ancient great Ilankai”— Sirupanarruppadai 119
- “The battle that arose in Ilankai”— Silappathikaram 26:38
- “Food from Eelam”— Pattinappalai 191
- “Eelam”— Muthollayiram 26:3
From these literary and historical references, it can be argued that the relationship between Sri Lanka and the Tamil people has historically been deeper than the connection between the island and the Sinhalese people.
Among the ancient regions known as Chera Mandalam, Chola Mandalam, Pandya Mandalam, and Thondai Mandalam, ancient Tamil texts also mention Eelam Mandalam as one of the Tamil regions.
According to European historians such as Bertolacci and Bennet, Sri Lanka had been inhabited by Tamil people long before the arrival of Vijaya in 543 BCE.
Many place names on the island still remain pure Tamil names. Examples include:
Amparai, Balavi, Mathottam, Mantai, Chilaw, Kusali, Udaippu, Anaimadu, Kalpitiya, Kudiraimalai, Wilpattu, Musali, Mannar, Muthur, Kantalai, Pankulam, Thirappanai, Kuchchaveli, Nilaveli, Pachilaippalli, Karaichikudiiruppu, Mulliyavalai, Kumanai, Ukanthai, Nallur, Arippu, Verugal (river), Point Pedro, Puttalam, Badulla, Kandy, Kathirkamam, Colombo (later changed to Kolamba/Colombo), Silathurai, Chunnakam, Semponpattu, Elephant Pass, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Mandaitivu, Velanai, Karaitivu, Eluvaitivu, Analaitivu, Punkudutivu, Neduntivu, Palaitivu, Mangulam, Aruviyaru, Anaimedu, Kalutara, Alambil, Vappuveli, Sengalam, Kottaimunai, Polonnaruwa, Batticaloa, Thumbancholai, Akkaraipattu, Welimada, Haputale, Wellawaya, Puththala, Karukkupanai, Munnool, Arugam Bay, Hambantota, Devundara, Panadura, and many others.
Many of these names have existed from ancient times. The Thevaram hymns mention places such as Balavi, Mathottam, Mantai, Thirukonamalai, and Thiruketheeswaram.
It is said that the fort built at Mathottam by ancient Chola and Pandya rulers who ruled parts of Sri Lanka was extremely strong and magnificent. It was also described as having a magnetic-like structure that could attract large ships approaching the Mannar Sea.
(Reference: “Tamil Sangam and Eelam Country” — article — Senthamizh journal, Volume 8, Part 10.)
Records from the period when the Romans conducted trade with Sri Lanka mention that Tamils ruled from Mathottam as their capital.
(Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society — Ceylon Branch, 1848, p.73.)
Furthermore, historians believe that ancient Nagas had a significant connection with Sri Lanka. The Nagas were ancient Dravidian people. Some traditions state that Ravana belonged to the Naga lineage.
There are historical references suggesting that the Nagas once ruled territories extending from Sri Lanka to the Himalayas. It is also said that before Vijaya’s rule, rulers of Sri Lanka used the title Nagarayar.
(Sketches of Ceylon History.)
Even today, places with names such as Nagapuram, Nagarkoil, and Nagapattinam exist in both Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu.
At one time, Jaffna was known by Sinhalese as Nagadeepa. Later, after losing political power, some Nagas are said to have retreated and settled in areas such as Vindhanai and Nainativu in Jaffna.
Many scholars also believe that ancient Tamil poets such as Mudhinagarayar, Eelathu Poothan Thevanar, and Ilanagar, who studied the Iraiyanar Akapporul commentary, may have been poets from Eelam. His student Neelakandanar is also considered by some scholars to have had connections with Eelam.
Jaffna also had the ancient name Manattri. The victories of the Pandyas in battles fought at Mantai and Manattri are mentioned in the Iraiyanar Akapporul Kovai.
Mantai is a place near Mathottam. Manattri appears to have referred to an area of sand dunes or sandy terrain. At one time, this region served as a battlefield where Sri Lankan rulers fought against the Pandyas and Cholas.
The Mahavamsa records that a great battle took place in the Mantai and Manattri regions around 103 BCE, in which the Pandyas defeated King Baku, captured his wife and the Buddhist relic vessel, and brought parts of Eelam under their control.
The commentator Adiyarkku Nallar, known for his commentary on the Silappathikaram, is also described as being from Eelam. He is said to have served as a minister to King Gunapoosana Singari and established charitable institutions and educational centres in Eelam.
One such institution became known as Adiyarkku Nallar Kulam, located near the Sannathi Street of the Vannai Shiva Temple. A nearby pond built in the name of his king is still known as Ariyakulam. The land where he lived also bears his name.
During his period, Tamils were present in large numbers in Jaffna. He is also credited with establishing the temple and worship arrangements for the 63 Nayanmars. The location of that temple is still known as Nayanmar Kattu.
Adiyarkku Nallar was born in a place called Nirampai.
(Reference: “Tamil Sangam and Eelam Country” — Senthamizh journal, Volume 8, Part 10.)
Furthermore, place names in Jaffna such as Semponpattu, Pallavarayan Kattu, Thondaimanaru, and Pandiyan Thazhvu suggest historical connections between Tamil kings and Jaffna.
The region of Kudiraimalai, south of Mathottam, has great antiquity and was famous even among foreign nations. It was once ruled by minor kings such as Ezhini and Pittan Korran, who are mentioned in the Purananuru.
(Reference: the same article.)
From these literary and historical references, it is argued that:
- The ancestors of Tamil people ruled Sri Lanka in its early periods.
- Around the 5th or 6th century BCE, people identified as Aryan-origin Sinhalese arrived from northern India, settled in the island, fought with Tamil rulers, and gained political control.
- After this period, Sri Lanka repeatedly changed hands between Tamil and Sinhalese rulers.
- By 1070 CE, the entire island came under the rule of Rajendra Chola.
- Later, the Portuguese captured and ruled the island.
Many historians therefore state that Sri Lanka and South India have had close artistic, cultural, religious, social, and human connections throughout history.
Evidence for these relationships can be found widely in Sanskrit, Pali, and Tamil literature.
— To be continued —
Tamil Eelam
Pavalareru Perunchithiranar
Compilation: Tamilarasan Abdul Kadar
Translation by Hari
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