Funday Times

Gaveshaka in his trail along the Anuradhapura gallery
Trade and commerce at international level
Trade and commerce had flourished during the Anuradhapura period. There is mention of several ports in different parts of the country. The important ports were Mahatittha (Mantai) in the west, Jambukola in the north, Gokanna (identified as Trincomalee) in the east and Godavaya in the south.
Many traders both from the East and the West had been attracted to Sri Lanka from very early times and among the popular commodities had been pearls, gems and various spices. Sri Lanka was referred to as 'Ratnadipa' - island of gems. Ivory and elephants had been exported from Sri Lanka. So were muslin and tortoise shells.

Trading activities had led to diplomatic relations being established. King Bhatiya Abhaya (19 BC-9 AC) had sent envoys to the Roman Empire, mentioned as 'Romanukha' in the Mahavamsa. Large quantities of Roman coins had been found at various places in the country thereby confirming that there was commercial activity between the two countries. Envoys had been sent from Western countries to Sri Lanka too. Sea voyages had been undertaken for trade to the Malay Peninsula, then known as Swarnabhumi.

Among the words frequently used is 'vaanija' meaning trader. Inscriptions refer to donors of caves by that name. Chinese traveler Fa Hsein who resided in Anuradhapura in the 5th century says that merchants resided in the city. Customs duties had been collected in the main sea ports as far back as the 1st century A.C. The king's officers had been stationed at these ports to collect the taxes due to the king. By the 4th century, banking procedures had existed. Barter system where goods were exchanged was popular in internal trade.

The earliest coins were punch-marked coins called 'puraanas'. These were pieces of silver impressed with symbols of mercantile guilds issued with the permission of the king. The punch marks were on both sides of the coin. These were known as 'kahavanu'. Coin moulds have been discovered indicating the use of such devices for the production of coins. Some of the later coins in this category were circular in shape.

After the punch-marked coins, die-struck coins had been issued. These too were with symbols on both sides. Early Pandyan coins known as 'Buddhist Cakram' and the square 'Bull' type were also in use during the Anuradhapura period. The large size 'Elephant & Swastika' is a coin of Sri Lankan origin.
Roman coins have been found in abundance between the 4th and 6th centuries showing the existence of trading activities.

The strategic geographical location helped Sri Lanka to assume an important role in international commerce by the fifth century. A writer had this to say at the beginning of the 6th century: "As its position is central, the Island is a great resort of ships from all parts of India, from Persia and Ethiopia, and in like manner it dispatches many of its own to foreign ports. And from the inner countries, China and other marts in that direction, it receives silks, aloes, clove-wood, sandalwood and their other products, and these it passes again to the outer parts."

In the latter half of the Anuradhapura period, the coin type known as gold 'kahavanu' was introduced. These coins with the legend Sri Lanka Viha or Sri Lanka Vibhu were generally known as 'Lakesvara' coins. Half coins known as 'ada kavanu' were also in use. Chinese and Arabic coins found in the 9th and the 10th century were obviously introduced to Sri Lanka by merchants, royal emissaries and travellers.

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