Elara - Chola Invader [205-161 BCE]

Predecessor		Successor
King Asela [215 – 205 BCE]	Elara [205-161 BCE]	King Dutugemunu [161-137 BCE]
COMPLETE LIST OF RULERS OF SRI LANKA

Elara, known as Ellalan in Tamil texts, was a nobleman from the Chola Kingdom in South India. In 205 BCE, he invaded the Anuradhapura Kingdom of Sri Lanka, killed King Asela, and assumed control over the Rajarata region. His rule from Anuradhapura spanned 44 years and is noted for being both effective and just, earning him respect even from the Sinhalese despite his foreign origin.

Elara’s reign came to an end in 161 BCE when he was defeated by the Sinhalese warrior King Dutugemunu, who sought to reclaim the throne and restore local rule in Anuradhapura.

Sinhalese Royal Bloodline in Exile in Rohana

During the rule of Elara in Anuradhapura, the royal family of the Anuradhapura Kingdom found sanctuary in Ruhuna, in the southern part of Sri Lanka. This region was governed by the descendants of Prince Mahanaga, the brother of King Devanampiyatissa, who had previously established a flourishing sub-kingdom there. Ruhuna developed as a stronghold, preserving Sinhalese autonomy and culture during times when the central kingdom faced foreign influence or rule, providing a foundation for resistance and continuity of the Sinhalese royal line.

The Fair and Just KingGemini said

The Mahavamsa dedicates notable passages to describe the just and fair rule of King Elara. It illustrates his commitment to justice, depicting him as a ruler who installed a bell by his bedside with a rope extending to the public for anyone seeking his judgment.

Elara had two children, a son and a daughter. In one account, when his son accidentally killed a calf by running it over with a chariot, the calf’s grieving mother rang the bell. To provide justice, Elara ordered that his son be punished in the same manner, by running the chariot over him.

In another instance, a mother bird whose chick was devoured by a snake rang the justice bell. Elara had the snake killed, returned the chick to the bird, and hung the snake on the same palm tree where the nest of the bird stood, displaying her unwavering sense of fairness.

On another occasion, while on his way to Chethiya Mountain to invite monks from a monastery, Elara’s chariot damaged a stupa. Upon hearing the news, he offered his life as punishment and requested that his neck be run over by the chariot as retribution. His ministers convinced him to restore the stupa instead, considering it an adequate recompense.

Death of Elara

Ultimately, Elara’s reign ended when the young warrior prince Gamini, who later became King Dutugemunu, launched an attack from Ruhuna. The two engaged in a one-on-one battle, each on his own war elephant, and Elara was defeated in 161 BCE.

Ancient Manuscripts Detailing the Sovereigns of Sri Lanka

Sovereigns of Sri Lanka are chronicled in several ancient manuscripts. These texts not only record the lineages of kings but also the significant events and developments of their reigns. Some of the most significant ancient sources are:

Dipavamsa: compiled between the 3rd and 4th centuries CE, and the earliest known historical chronicle
Mahavamsa: Initially compiled by Mahanama Thero in the 5th or 6th century CE, this chronicle was later expanded upon by other authors who added additional chapters. Covers events up until the reign of King Mahasena of Anuradhapura
Culavamsa: Starts where the Mahavamsa stops and records the history of Sri Lankan rulers from the 4th century to 1815. Mahavamsa and Culavamsa are often seen as one extended chronicle, commonly referred to simply as the Mahavamsa.
Pujavaliya: Written by a monk in or around 1266 during the reign of King Panditha Parakrama Bahu of Dambadeniya Kingdom
Rajavaliya: A 17th-century historical chronicle of Sri Lanka, covering the history of the island from its beginnings up to the accession of King Vimaladharmasurya II in 1687.

References

Mahanama, Geiger, W., & Bode, M. H. (1912). The Mahavamsa or the Great Chronicle of Ceylon. Translated into English by Wilhelm Geiger. For the Pali Text Society by Henry Frowde.