Sri Lanka had marital relations with
neighbouring countries. This reflects another
way that Sri Lanka maintained its foreign
relations. Specially, there is information in the
Wamsakatha about marital relations that our
rulers had with powerful Indian states such
as Kalinga, and Pandya. King Vijayabahu I
(1070-1110) married a Kalinga princess named
Thilokasundari and the king’s sister princess
Miththa married a Pandyan prince. It seems
that the fundamental purpose of these marital
relations was to maintain the political power
with stability through relationships.
Though there were differences in languages and
religions, acting with trust with the neighbouring
countries were one of the prominent features of
the foreign policy of our rulers. The best example
for this is that King Vijayabahu I appointed the
Veleikkara army for defense of the Polonnaruwa
Temple Tooth. Veleikkara force was a mercenary
army which came from Southern India and
served in Sri Lanka for payments.
After the 10th century A.D., our kings had a
mutual relationship with Arabian countries.
The purpose of that must have been giving Sri
Lankan contribution stably for the trade affairs
done by the Arabian traders in the Indian Ocean.
As it is mentioned by the Arabian historian Al –
Balasuri, who lived in the 9th century A.D., the
king of ‘Ruby Island’ (Sri Lanka was called by this
name) had exchanged gifts with the Islamic king.
If it is summarized, the main purposes of the
ruling in this country were creating a peaceful
co-existence among the countrymen, providing
their welfare and protecting the territorial
integrity for preserving the motherland
and future longevity of the countrymen. In
parallel to them, it seems that they have acted
with a farsighted vision to work in a mutual
understanding with the neighbouring countries.
4.2 Economy
The majority of the people lived in villages. In
comparison to the present condition, those
villagers’ lives were shaped up in a very simple way.
Most of their occupation was agriculture. Some
were engaged in Chena cultivation whereas the
others were engaged in paddy cultivation. They
reared animals for living. Apart from these, some,
who were engaged in different occupations, lived
in villages completely separated for themselves.4.2.1 Farming/ AgricultureThe main livelihood of the villagers who lived
in the ancient Sri Lanka was farming. Animal
husbandry or rearing animals was also done in
line with the agricultural activities. Agriculture
was done in two ways; one was muddy agriculture
alias paddy cultivation; second was Chena
cultivation. The historical and archaeological
sources substantiate that the Chena cultivation
was the oldest out of these two. The term
‘Hena’ (Chena) used in ancient time has been
mentioned as ‘Sehen’ in Buthsarana, the literary
text, ‘Sen’ in Ummagga Jathaka, and ‘Pitibim’ in
inscriptions.Chena Cultivation – ‘Hena’ or Chena cultivation
is an inland cultivation. A suitable land for
‘Hena or Chena’ is prepared for growing grains
and vegetables after choosing a plot of land
from a jungle area, clearing it by cutting small,
trees, undergrowth and thorny bushes in it and
burning them after they dried. In this process the
farmers would not cut big trees. Before setting
fire to the cleared jungle area, the owner of the
Chena shouts out in order to chase away animals
from that area.