histoy G-10 E

a second queen of king Dhathusena. Apart from
this, there were occasions when the kingship
went to the brother of the king’s consort and
the son of the king’s sister. It happened so when
there was no real heir as described above.

Statecraft

During the time when the political power was
decentralized many of the Parumakas were
combined together and built the state. The king
acted as the head of all the Parumakas. Therefore,
the word ‘Mahaparumaka’ or ‘Mapurumuka’ was
used to name the king. We earlier mentioned
how some powerful Parumakas used the name
‘king’ before the power was centralized. But,
after the centralization of political power in the
country, the word ‘Maha Raja’ was used to name
the ruler of the country.

By referring to the most ancient inscriptions
of this country, we can fairly understand the
structure of the officials, who belonged to the
state administration which developed after the
centralization of the power in Sri Lanka.

The king – Maha Raja (Mapurumuka)

Chief Minister – Maha Emathi

(Mahamatha)

Ministers – Emathiwaru (Ametha)+

Commanders (Shenapathi)

Treasurer – Bhandagarika (Badagarika)

Officer in charge of the Dining Hall

• (Bathagu)

Officer in charge of customs

–(Kothuruge na)

Administrator of the city

-(Nagaragutika)

Architect of the city (Nagara Wudika)

Officer in charge of the horses (Asa Adeka)

Officer in charge of tuskers (Hathi Adeka)

Officer in charge of dramas (Nata Adeka)

Officer in charge of making coins (Rupa Adeka)

Officer in charge of trades (Pana Adeka)

Officer in charge of archives (Kanapedika)

This kind of official structure provided a good

assistance to the administration of the country.

Common people were ones who benefited much

from this.

3.3 Great Kings Who ruled This Country

From the facts discussed so far, you must

have understood how the development of the

political power in Sri Lanka was influenced

by a socio – economic process. Specially, the

rulers who, had understood that they needed

an efficient centralized ruling more than a

decentralized one if they wanted to gain the due

benefits from international trade affairs afoot in

the Indian Ocean during the latter part of the

1 st century B.C, took necessary steps for that.

In this part it is expected to discuss the policies

and contributions of the rulers who ruled

this country, in parallel to the development of

political power in Sri Lanka, citing several kings

as examples.

King Dutugemunu

King Dutugemunu, who is highlighted in the

historical sources, was a ruler who rendered a

great service to organize the political power in

this country properly. The king understood the

need of saving Mathota international harbour,

which earned a good income because of the

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