Funday Times - Mahavamsa

By Halaliye Karunathilake
Edited and translated by Kamala Silva
Illustrated by Saman Kalubowila

1. Prince Mihindu organized the new army the way he wanted and gave it a good military training. Then he went and met King Udaya to take permission to go to the South. The king then said, "Son, you are an intelligent youth. You know all the strategies of warfare. You are quite clever. I know you can go and avenge the killing of your uncle. You are sure to succeed." After listening to all this, the prince bowed his head and respected the king. Accompanied by the army, he then marched to fight.

2. King Udaya ordered the Commander-in-Chief, Viduranga, to accompany the prince, along with the Royal Army, as a safety measure. Like a great warrior, Prince Mahinda went to Guttila. By the time he arrived there, the provincial rulers had got disgusted with Prince Kitu-Agbo. Prince Kitu-Agbo had been too harsh and carried on his rule, in a way that was not beneficial to the people.

3. As a result, the provincial rulers were happy to see Prince Mihindu arriving at Guttila. They came to see him. A lot of people too joined him. The place named Guttila then, was modern Buttala. At this time, Kitu-Agbo was residing in a place called Giri-Madulla. Today this area is named Kande-Palle Korale.

4. When the provincial leaders and the people joined Prince Mihindu, Kitu-Agbo got scared. He took whatever wealth he had plundered all this time and climbed the mountain. He had a few people too with him. Prince Mihindu, with his soldiers, was looking for Kitu-Agbo. His soldiers climbed the mountain and killed Kitu-Agbo's supporters. Kitu-Agbo soon buried the wealth in different places up the mountain side.

5. He climbed to the top of the mountain all by himself and hid in a cave. Prince Mihindu's soldiers climbed up to the top, caught Prince Kitu-Agbo and brought him to Prince Mihindu. Prince Mihindu, looked at his face, and asked jokingly, whether he has finished 'eating' the Ruhuna. Kitu-Agbo remained quiet. Prince Mihindu entrusted him to the Commander Viduranga.

6. This Commander took him to Anuradahpura. King Udaya 11 got so angry, on seeing him that he ordered him to be imprisoned. Prince Mihindu led his army and went as far as Magama. He had to reconstruct and repair the places destroyed by Kitu-Agbo. Prince Mihindu became the master of the South and tried his best to develop the area. Parks were opened up. Trees bearing flowers and fruits were grown to add beauty to the place. He also used an irrigation system for the maintenance of these places.

7. Prince Mihindu's one aim was to make the South rich, in the production of rice. His next concern was to build a good society. King Udaya, in the meantime had gifted a lot of wealth to the Sasana. He had made the Thuparama look golden in colour. He had got the bund of Kolom-Oya extended. This king passed away in 898 AD.

8. King Udaya 11 was succeeded by Prince Kashyapa. The relationship of this prince to the late king, is not clearly stated. It is thought that he was the son of King Sena 11. If we were to accept this theory, then he would be King Udaya's elder brother's son. Whatever that may be, he was crowned as King Kashyapa 1V.