3. Evolution of Political Power in Sri Lanka
Introduction
Historical sources say that this country was
ruled by many kings and a few queens in the
ancient time. Historical sources describe that
prince Vijaya who came from India was the
first king who ruled this country. He arrived in
this country in the 6th century B.C.
The archaeological evidences have
substantiated that there had been settlements
in this country even before the arrival of
prince Vijaya. The ancient burial grounds
discovered in the areas such as Beragala and
Haldummulla have proved that an agricultural
society had been in a developing state in this
country from 2400 B.C. There must have been
a certain ruling system in such a society for
it to exist without any chaos. Therefore, the
history of evolution of political power in the
society of this country belonged to the period
before the arrival of prince Vijaya.
The authority to rule a country is entrusted to
a king or a queen by the people of that country.
Whoever it is, he or she needs people’s consent
to rule a country. The history has taught us
how some rulers, who ruled the country under
people’s dislike, did not have the ability to rule
the country for a long time. As a ruler had
the consent of the majority of people to rule
a country, the word ‘Mahasmmatha – general
will’ had been used to introduce such a king
in the eastern countries in the ancient time.
The ruling land reigned by a king or a queen
on the people’s will (Jana sammathaya) and the
various officials who were engaged in ruling
and the people is called a state.
3.1 Pre-state Era
According to the interpretation given above, the
foundation of a state in the Sri Lankan history
developed at a later time. It has been described in
the next parts of this lesson. Here, the attention
has been paid to explain the nature of the ruling
system that existed in Sri Lanka before it became
a state. That period is called pre-state era.There was no one definite ruler to rule this
country during the pre-state period. Instead,
a group of wealthy chieftains dominated their
power over small areas. At the beginning of
writing inscriptions in this country these
chieftains were introduced in them by the name
of ‘Parumaka’. The word ‘Parumaka’ is derived
from the Sanskrit word ‘Pramukha’. Its meaning
is ‘main’. They were given the power to rule a
large or a small area based on the power they
possessed as a result of their wealth.There is an inscription, which assists us to show
that the Parumakas had a certain provincial
power, in Kothgalakanda in the Kandalama
area close to Dambulla. That inscription
belongs to 250 B.C. A Parumaka who offered
a cave to the bikkus has been introduced as
“Thota Bojaka”. Its meaning is “Theerthaya
Anubhava Karanna”. ‘Theerthaya’ means ‘the
port’. The word "anubhava kirima” was used
in ancient language to mean “collect taxes
and enjoy properties”. It can only be done
by a person who has a ruling power. It is
clear that the Parumaka mentioned in the
Kandalama inscription was one who ruled
that area. Therefore, he had the ability to offer
a cave to the Buddhist monks. By examining