The Javaka Colony

By Halaliye Karunathilake
Edited and translated by Niluka De Silva
Illustrated by Saman Kalubowila

~This article is part of a continuing series on the ‘Mahavamsa,’ the recorded chronicle of Sri Lankan history~

1. Prince Veerabahu, who was returning after a great victory was received with full honour. The people had lined on either side of the road to cheer. There were shouts of joy. Even carnivals had been held to rejoice. In the palace itself, there was a grand reception held to welcome the army. The king too joined in these celebrations. Later on, the warriors were conferred various titles and gifts were given. In the meantime, Chandrabhanu, who fled after his defeat, came back through the northern coast and he established a Javaka colony there in the north.

2. There is a lot of evidence to prove that the Javaka power was there, in the northern part of our country. Certain inscriptions have been found in South India, in the Pandya country, to prove this fact. Those were the days, when the Sri Lankan kings and the Pandyan kings maintained friendly relations. Then they have been exchanging even military assistance. According to our chronicles, there had been two battles between the Sinhala and the Javaka people. In these battles, the Sinhala forces have been victorious. Furthermore, there are place names in the north, which have a Javaka origin, which also proves these connections. One such place is 'Chavakachcheri', which means the land of the Javakas.

3. There is another place named 'Chavankotteyi', which means the fort of the Javakas. That may have been the place where the Javakas had their fort then. This is what the scholars believe. To the south of Jaffna Peninsula, there are other places with similar names. However, the honour of driving away the Javakas, goes to King Parakramabahu II. He is really responsible for chasing them from the North-Western coast. In this attempt, the most noteworthy character is Prince Veerabahu.

4. As there was Pandya influence in Sri Lanka during this period, there are Pandya records about these battles. There were hostilities between the Pandyas and Kalingas when the Cholas helped the Kalingas. Therefore we can come to the conclusion that Magha got Chola help. When Magha invaded Sri Lanka, Cholas were powerful in South India. But after sometime, Pandyas defeated the Cholas and came to power in South India.

5. There is reference to one Prince Parakramabahu of Sri Lanka, who was involved in South Indian affairs. He had supported the party of Kopparunjiye' of 'Kadawa' origin and had fought on his side. In the midst of this, a 'Hoysala' king had intervened to arrest the decline of Chola power. Prince Parakramabahu had been murdered in 1230 AD. This Prince Parakramabahu who was murdered is said to be one Parakramabahu Nissankamalla.

6. All these details are according to the inscriptions. They point out, that this Parakramabahu was the King of the southern part of Sri Lanka and was an enemy of Magha, who ruled in the northern part of the island. However, the princes of Dambadeniya claim that they belonged to the Pandya line of kings. They were ruling only the southern part of Sri Lanka. When the Pandayas seized the areas where the Cholas were powerful, the Cholas turned furious.

7. Some argue that it is nothing but fair for them to take the side of Magha. This is further strengthened by the fact that the ancient Sinhala kings had sought Pandya help from time to time. So it may be that King Parakramabahu II also sought Pandya assistance to chase away the friend of the Cholas. It can also be that Pandyas who became powerful in South India, had their eyes on Sri Lanka too.

8. The victorious Pandya king, 'Jatavarman Sundara Pandya' who ascended the throne in 1251 AD had got the Sri Lankan kings to pay him tribute. This tribute had been in the form of precious gems and elephants. In a number of inscriptions that were written during the seventh year of his rule, there is reference to Sri Lanka.