Funday Times - Our History

The marriage of Prince Veediya Bandara
This article is part of a continuing series on the ‘Mahavamsa,’ the recorded chronicle of Sri Lankan history

1. The Sangharaja realized that King Buwanekabahu had come to terms with all that had happened – by this time. So while advising the king, he referred to Prince Veediya Bandara too. Though the king listened to all this in complete silence, he did not utter a word. The priest wanted to emphasise the fact that, though Veediya Bandara was stubborn, he wasn't a bad sort of individual. He also made it clear that the country needed a prince of that calibre. Finally he made the request that he be pardoned.

2. King Buwanekabahu was still silent. The ministers accepted the request.Finally the king too agreed and the chief priest's sermon ended. Princess Samudradevi offered drinks to the priest and he in turn accepted it with pleasure. He then asked the princess whether she would like to enter into marriage with Veediya Bandara. "Yes, Venerable Sir," was her reply.

3. Again the chief priest asked her, whether it was a long standing attachment. "Yes Sir, it was a long standing affair," replied the princess. The priest then looked at the king and asked him what he had to say. "Nothing could be done. Let your wish come true," said the king. The chief priest called one of the envoys and asked him to go to the temple and bring Prince Veediya Bandara.

4. He left immediately and brought Prince Veediya Bandara. None of the people who were present there dared to give an angry glance to the prince. The prince too worshipped the priest and sat on a side. The chief priest spoke then. "Are you still hoping to marry this princess?" asked he. The prince said, "Yes, Venerable Sir."

5. Once again the priest asked him whether it was a long standing one. "Yes Venerable Sir, all the past events are a result of that longing," said the prince, in a sad tone. The priest turned to the king and said, "Let us grant them permission to fulfill their wish. Let us get them married now," said the priest. He sent a messenger and got a blessed thread for the purpose.

6. The priest held the fingers of the prince and the princess together and sprinkled water to solemnize this marriage and advised both of them to live righteously. He then went back to the temple. Prince Veediya Bandara, once again assumed duties as the commander-in-chief of the kingdom of Kotte.

He led a successful married life. Their eldest son Prince Dharmapala was very much like King Buwanekabahu in outward appearance and the king showered a lot of love on this prince. He gave special attention to him.

7. By this time, the second brother of King Buwanekabahu, King Raigam Bandara had passed away and his kingdom of Raigama had been annexed by King Mayadunne. Mayadunne aspired to be a king among kings. As such, he got organized to attack the Kotte kingdom, once again. He started destroying areas that belonged to the Kotte kingdom. He sent gifts to the Zamorin and sought his help.

8. The Zamorin sent an army. Thus Malabar soldiers landed in Puttalam. By that time, King Mayadunne and his army had besieged the city of Kotte. The Malabar soldiers, who were in Puttalam – made their way to Sitawaka. They set-up camp close to the Negombo coast.

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