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Sri Lanka Navy Journal 8
So did Vijayabahu I (1055-1110). A succession of kings of pure Kalinga descent followed,
starting with Nissanka Malla, (1187-1196). The Sri Vijaya kingdom, consisted of Java,
Sumatra and a section of the Malay peninsula. It dated from the 5th Century. It possessed
immense sea power, having formidable naval strength. It dominated the Straits of Malacca
and policed these waters against piracy. Sri Vijaya’s only competitor in the Indian Ocean
was the Cholas. Since South India was under Chola control, the Sinhala kings would have
considered it advisable to establish links with Sri Vijaya.

36. Sri Lanka, Burma and Cambodia were engaged in trade in the Bay of Bengal area
by the 7th Century. Burma and Cambodia were rivals in trade. Sri Lanka had trade and
diplomatic relations with both countries. Vijayabahu I (1055-1110) initiated the link
with Burma. This was continued by Parakramabahu I and Vijayabahu II. Sri Lanka and
Burma maintained envoys in each other’s countries. There is some evidence of diplomatic
contact with Cambodia too. A Sinhalese princess was sent to Cambodia during the time
of Parakramabahu I and an inscription of Nissankamalla shows that he was friendly with
Cambodia.

37. The Sinhala king was aware of the rise of Islam. Aggabodhi III (628-639) had sent a
goodwill mission to Prophet Mohammed at Medina. The Prophet had died by the time the
mission got there. On the way back, the king’s messenger also died. It was left to the servant
to convey information to the king. This information is contained in the writings of the 10th
Century Iranian navigator, Ibn Shahryer . The Muslim writer Al-Biladuri stated that in
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the 8th Century the Sinhala king had sent to the Caliph the orphaned daughters of Arab
merchants who had died in the island . 9

38. Sri Lanka fought several wars. Sri Vallabha, the Pandya king, invaded Sri Lanka
during the time of Sena I (833-853). He sacked parts of it, looted its valuables and went
back. Sri Vallabha’s son, rebelled against the father, and sought the assistance of Sena II
(853-887) . The Sinhala army entered South India, captured Madhura, placed the son on
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the throne as Varaguna II and returned with the valuables taken by the father, as well as
some of the Pandya valuables . 11
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39. On an appeal from Parakrama Pandya, Parakramabahu I (1153-1186) sent an army
under commander Lankapura to fight King Kulasekera. The army took Madhura, and
got ready to crown Vira Pandya, the son of Parakrama Pandya. After a protracted battle
Kulasekera defeated Lankapura and beheaded him. Undeterred, Parakramabahu got ready
to invade again. An inscription says that Parakramabahu was building ships and assembling
troops at various ports to make a fresh invasion of South India. The Chola king stopped
this by sending an expedition which destroyed the preparations, set fire to the land, killed
some Sinhalese chieftains and took others prisoner. The letters Parakramabahu sent to King
Kulasekera were intercepted.

8 . www.island.lk/2008/05/31/satmag5.html
9 . www.srilankaguardian.org/2008_03_18_archive.html
10.www.island.lk/2006/03/18/satmag1.html
11 .University of Ceylon History of Ceylon p. 487-506