Important Facts One of the main factors that affected to transfer
the ancient kingdoms in Sri Lanka was changing
of the city centres. The situations arose in the
country and the transformations occurred in the
international trade too affected that situation. The process of origin of cities in the ancient
time of this country can be analyzed through
two processes named the first urbanization
and the second urbanization. There are distinct
differences in the cities which emerged from
these two processes. Those urbanizing processes and series of
activities that took place centred on the cities
should be understood through the socio-
political background on which those processes
originated. After the downfall of Polonnaruwa kingdom,
several other kingdoms namely, Dambadeniya,
Yapahuwa, Kurunegala, Gampola and Kotte
came into being. The Jaffna kingdom had started
in Jaffna. There was a great revival in educational and
literary spheres during the Kotte period.Pansiya Panas Jataka Potha into Sinhala, Dalada
Siritha, Dalda Poojavaliya, and Sinhala Bodhi
Vamsa were written during this period.
Writing Sandesha Kavya started during the
Gampola period. Mayura Sandesha and
Thisara Sandesha are considered as the oldest
Sandesha Kavyas. Pali texts such as Parami
Shathakaya, Jeenabodhavali, Balavathara and
Saddharmalankaraya too were written during
this period.
The Kotte period was the golden age of
Sinhalese literature. The period of Perakumba
VI made a great service to the literature. King
Parakramabahu VI was a great ruler as well
as a pedant. There were a number of learned
people who contributed to the advancement of
literature.
Thotagamuve Sri Rahula Thero, Keragala
Vanarathana Thero, Irugalthilaka Piriven Thero
were learned monks who nurtured the literature.
Perakumba Siritha, Kavyashekaraya,
Budugunalankaraya, Loweda Sangarava, Guttila
Kavya, Hansa, Parevi, Gira, Selalihini Sandesha
Kavayas were written by these literati.
Another important feature is that the texts
like Bhakthi Kavya, Shilo Kavya, Hatan Kavya,
Prashasthi Kavya, Upadesha Kavya, Kosha
Grantha, directed the literature to different
aspects. Sanskrit texts too were written and
Bhakthi Shathakaya is an example for that.
A number of Buddhist educational centres came
into being during this time. King Parakramabahu
VI built Pepilayane Sunethradevi Pirivena in
memory of his mother. The Buddhist centers such
as Keragala Padmavathi Pirivena, Devinuvara
Irugalkulathilaka Pirivena, Veedagama
Ghunananda Pirivena did a great service to the
advancement of literature.
Activity- Mention the reasons for the origin and
downfall of the ancient Sri Lankan cities. - Mark the places given below on a map of
Sri Lanka.
Anuradhapura Gampola Yapahuwa
Polonnaruwa Kotte
Kurunegala Dambadeniya