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

Queen Sugala

By Halaliye Karunathilake
Edited and translated by Kamala Silva
Illustrated by Saman Kalubowila

1. The inscription was an added point to make Parakramabahu, the ruler of Polonnaruwa. No one could oppose it. Now Parakramabahu was the leader of a large area including the South and Rajarata as well. Yet, his cousin Manabharana, was ruling Ruhuna. Manabharana was spending his days in grief, after what happened to King Gajabahu.

2. He was so upset, that he fell ill and before long, he succumbed to his illness. His ministers did not favour Parakramabahu. They somehow wanted to prevent Parakramabahu being the ruler of Ruhuna. So they made Queen Sugala, the mother of Manabharana, the ruler of Ruhuna.

3. These ministers put up a strong force against Parakramabahu. Queen Sugala too, however, had a claim to the throne of the entire country. Her mother was a daughter of King Vijayabahu and was Yasodhara by name. Yasodhara's mother was Queen Leelawathie. Queen Sugala's father was Prince Nandaniya Weerawamha of Merukkanda. Sugala was married to the Yuvaraja Sirivalla.

4. This Yuvaraja was a son of Princess Mitta, who was a daughter of King Vijayabahu, All this shows, that by heredity, Sugala had a good claim to the throne. The people of Ruhuna were fond of her. They were prepared to accept her leadership. Ruhuna was a province that was prosperous at this time. News of this campaign of the people of Ruhuna, who were rallying round Queen Sugala as their leader, reached Parakramabahu.

5. He was greatly angered and thought it should be nipped in the bud. He summoned one of his clever commanders, Raksha by name. He was asked to march to Ruhuna, with an army. He was ordered to quell this force in Ruhuna. He selected a few powerful commanders and with troops under them, marched from Polonnaruwa. On his way, he threatened all the villages.

6. These powerful forces went as far as Barabbala and set up camp there. The people of Ruhuna, opposed their arrival saying they could not allow any one to enter their territory by force. They blocked the roads with huge stones and trunks of trees. Trenches were cut to obstruct anybody passing that way. But Commander Raksha was not scared of any of these threats. He was not one bit shaken by the opposition put up by the people.

7. He too adopted war strategies and was able to overcome all obstacles and march forwards. Before he could proceed far, the troops of Ruhuna came to fight. Commander Raksha faced them bravely. The army of Polonnaruwa displayed their skill. As a result, the forces of Ruhuna were defeated. They fled. Raksha commanded his army to march forwards.

8. These armies stopped at Katuwana and camped there. Gradually this camp was developed to be a fortress. This action was viewed with hostility by the forces of Ruhuna. They went on attacking and continued fighting. A great loss was caused to men and property.