Funday Times

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

Prince Manavamma ascends the throne
1. Prince Manavamma had organized an army and was ready to leave for Sri Lanka. King Narasinghe came to wish him good-bye. Prince Manavamma fell at his feet and sobbed saying, "like a father to me, you have taken good care of me. I now feel sad to leave you". The king too was sad to see him depart. They hugged each other and said good-bye as it was time to sail.

2. The soldiers boarded the ship. Prince Manavamma too got in and they launched the ship. King Narasinghe waved a final good-bye and watched till the ship was out of his sight. After a few days, they arrived in Sri Lanka. King Dathopatissa heard of this and became restless. He knew his army was not strong enough to fight them. He fled to the south.

3. Prince Manavamma entered the capital city and occupied the palace. He did not crown himself but carried on the administration. He had to suppress sporadic revolts set up by King Dathopatissa. The armies he had brought were not quite efficient and the people were disgusted with the Tamil army.

4. A rumour spread among the soldiers that Prince Manavamma was suffering from a serious illness. The soldiers who were frightened, deserted him. Prince Manavamma was left alone. When King Dathopatissa heard this, he came with his army to fight. There was no need to fight as by this time, Prince Manavamma had fled. He was already with King Narasinghe. The king treated the prince well but the prince was sad to have lost his chance of gaining kingship in Sri Lanka. For 23 long years, he was there with King Narasinghe. Four kings had ruled Sri Lanka during this period. But the real ruler had been the Tamil commander Potthakuttha. The people did not like him. There was unrest in the country.

5. Prince Manavamma informed King Narasinghe Varman about the political instability in Sri Lanka. Then he advised Manavamma to raise armies, and go to
Sri Lanka, along with a
commander. When certain platoon leaders were reluctant him to go to Sri Lanka because of the previous experience, the king devised a plan to attract them. He gave his robes and jewels to Manavamma and asked him to be dressed like the king. When he was about to sail the king spread the talk that he was also accompanying the soldiers. This prompted everybody to join.

6. When Prince Manavamma came to board the ship dressed like King Narasinghe, loud cheers could be heard. There was a scramble to board the ship as everybody was now keen to go. When they landed in Sri Lanka, Prince Manavamma set up camp in the north, fought and won that area. He then proceeded to Anuradhapura. The commander Potthakuttha who was ruling Anuradhapura, with the puppet king Hatthadatha, soon took the king and the royal army and advanced to fight Manavamma. As the fighting continued, a lot of soldiers were killed. King Hatthadatha fled. But he was caught and his head was cut off by some subjects. His head was brought to Prince Manavamma.

7. The royal army lost their morale. Commander Potthakuttha too fled. He sought refuge with a friend, a village leader. This leader was placed in a difficult position. He had to be a true friend. But he could not afford to be a traitor by safeguarding someone like Potthakuttha. He got some sweets prepared and added a little poison into it. This done, he shared the eats with Potthakuttha and both died as a result. This brought to a halt, all the unrest in the country. There was peace once more.

8. Prince Manavamma became the king of Sri Lanka in the year 684 AD. He treated his subjects well and tried to rule in a righteous manner. He was happy as his hopes were now bearing fruit.

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