The Tamil inscriptions, found in Sri Lanka, which
belonged to the period from the 11th century to
the 13th century A.D., mention that there were
several South Indian trade organizations afoot
in this country during the same time. Nanadesi,
Valagngniyar, and Ayinurwur are some of them.
A metal stamp, which belonged to the trade
organization named Nanadesi, was discovered
in Hambantota.
There is enough evidence to prove that there
were a considerable number of foreign traders
in this country in the early period. In an
inscription in a place named Bowaththegala in
Southern Province, there is a term “Kajoba Maha
Pugiya”. It is about a big trade organization of the
Cambodians. The Cambodians were traders
who came here from Afganistan.
From ancient time our country played a
significant role in international trade affairs.
One reason that affected for this was Sri Lanka
was located in the middle of the Indian Ocean.
The contribution that Sri Lanka made as an
exchanging center in the East-West trading in
the ancient time cannot be belittled.
One of the specific factors that contributed
Anuradhapura to develop as a city was
international trading. In the West Mathota
harbour was located where as Gokkannathiththa,
known as Trincomalee harbour today, was situated
in the East. Apart from these, the actions of small
harbours situated on the western and eastern
coasts made a direct influence on the emerging
urbanization of Anuradhapura. Bringing Sri
Maha Bodhi from the small harbour named
Jambakolapattana situated in the Northern coast
and bringing the Tooth Relic from the small
anchorage port called Lankapattana situated in
the Eastern coast by prince Dantha and princess
Hemamala to this country are examples for this.
Teachers
Teaching profession too was another occupation
existed in ancient Sri Lanka. In ancient
documents the word ‘Acharya’ has been used to
introduce teachers. Not only those who taught
crafts, but also those who excelled in education,
were named as ‘Acharya’. These Acharyas were
good at different types of crafts. The inscriptions
mention information about teachers who trained
taming tuskers (Hasthi Acharya), going on
horseback (Ashwa Acharya) and shooting with
the bow (Dunu Acharya). DoctorsTo run a society well, the citizens who belong to it
must be healthy. The service of the doctors is very
important for that. In the Anuradhapura period
medical profession held a high recognition. The
word ‘Veja’ was used to introduce doctors in
inscriptions. In the 9th century A.D. some doctors
had been named as ‘Maha Vedana’. Such a term
was used to name the chief doctor or surgeon. Lawyers (Legal Advisers /Experts)2000 years ago there lived professionals who
were conversant with law. It seems that mostly
they gave the required instruction to the king to
achieve justice. Such people who knew about law
were called by the name of ‘Vohara’. It derives
from the word ‘Wyavahara’ in Sanskrit language.
This name was given to the persons who were
proficient in the accepted practices of justice and
goodness in the contemporary society. Different ArtisansThe persons, who were engaged in different types
of industries and artistic occupations, lived in
the society of this country during ancient time.
The sources mention that there were dancers,
painters and poets among these artists. In an
inscription, found in an old temple in Medagama
in Kurunegala district, inscribed 2200 years
ago, there is a reference about a dancer named
Tissa. Introduction of the wife of this dancer as a
Parumaka is an important fact here. It gives us a