Funday Times

This article is part of a continuing series on the ‘Mahavamsa’, the recorded chronicle of Sri Lankan history
The battle of Kolambalaka
1. The Brahmin Tissa had a huge army of sons of Ruhuna. They were well versed in the art of war-fare. They came as far as Mantota. As they were nearing the border, the Tamil army was awaiting them. Their army was organized under seven commanders. They were experts from South India. Their army too was clever. Both armies met face to face and severe fighting commenced.

2. As both sides were equally strong, the fighting went on for a long time. They almost lost track of time. Gradually, the unexpected was to happen. The Sinhala forces were weakened by the Tamil army. The fighting was intense. There was a lot of bloodshed. Brahmin Tissa and his brave soldiers were killed in the battle. Great was the rejoicing of the Tamil army.

3. This defeat was a great blow to the king. The entire city of Anuradhapura was disturbed. Even though the royal army was not quite fit to face the enemy, the king had to go to battle now. The king’s army was not at all organized and they were out of training for a long period. The king was placed in a very bad situation.

4. Everyone at the palace was dumbfounded. Through sheer fear, they kept silent. The king contemplated for a while and decided to go to the battle-field, prepared to face whatever fate that awaited him. By this time, the enemy army was marching towards Anuradhapura. The king hurriedly collected his soldiers and entered the road to Mantota. By then, the enemy had marched quite a distance, looting and setting fire to the villages that they passed on their way.

5. King Valagamba marched on. Both armies met at a place called Kolambalaka, where even King Dutugemunu had fought with Bhalluka previously. The fight this time was severe. From the very outset, things were unfavourable for the king. The Tamil army was bigger in numbers and much stronger than the king’s army. “When Brahmin Tissa, with his huge army, could not fight them, how could I manage, with these few soldiers at my command?”, thought the king.
Knowing for certain that he could not win, the king tried all the strategies that he knew. Yet, the enemy could not be discouraged. The king’s men were not strong enough to stop the advancing army. So they started to retreat. The king was confused. He was wondering whether to fight till the end or desert.

As the fighting went on, the king moved away from the battlefield and began to assess the situation. There wasn’t much time left. A decision had to be taken. He thought, “If I were to safeguard my self-respect, I have to fight till the end. But then death is certain. It’s only five months since I have accepted kingship. I did not have time to reorganize the army. Many of the soldiers who served in the royal army, were loyal supporters of Maharatthaka. They have not been quite loyal to me”.

8. By this time, quite a number of soldiers, who were loyal to the king, had been killed in battle. Among those who survived were many who were supporters of Maharatthaka. They would have dodged fighting and saved their lives. The king then thought, “This battle cannot be won. It is time now, for me to forget my self-respect. I shall flee”.

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

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