272 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA. 
stupendous effects gradually arising from such a movement 
could hardly fail to find recognition again and again in 
early writings unless the movement was extremely local. 
All the evidence goes to show that the more recent oscilla- 
tions of Ceylon have been of a widespread character. The 
distribution of the sandstone, already briefly discussed, is a 
case in point. A depression of 10 feet, if at all general, would 
submerge hundreds of thousands of acres; while a drop of 
20 feet would make an enormous difference to the country. 
Since, however, such depression has occurred within the 
human period, one may safely conclude that the event belonged 
to pre-historic days, nor can its protracted nature be reasonably 
questioned. At any rate, it is certain, from geological evidence, 
that the sinking of the ancient coastal flat was far from 
cataclysmic, and the present writer ventures to think that 
the few thousand years which have elapsed since civilization 
first found its way to this Island are insufficient for the com- 
pletion of a movement—or series of movements—which the 
geology of the coast records. 
But there is time enough and to spare for these happenings 
within the “ human period ” of Ceylon, for it can be shown 
that early man existed in the country more or less contem- 
poraneously with the Paleolithic people of Europe, and 
there is nothing extravagant in the statement that man 
was probably living in Ceylon a hundred thousand years ago. 


taken his repast with the théra, on the king’s leaving the apartment in 
attendance (on the théra), this disguised messenger catching (at last) 
the eye of the queen, let the letter drop on the ground. By the noise 
(ofits fall) the king’s (attention) was arrested. Opening it and discover- 
ing the object of the communication, the monarch misled (into the 
belief of the chief priest’s participation in the intrigue), became enraged 
with the théra ; and in his fury putting both the théra and the messenger 
to death, cast their bodies into the sea. The dévatas, *to eapiate (this 
impiety), submerged that province by the overflow of the ocean. This 
ruler of the land (to appease the dévatas of the ocean) quickly placing 
this own lovely daughter Suddhadevi in a golden vessel, and inscribing 
on it “* a royal maiden,” at that very place launched her forth into the 
ocean. The king (of Mahégama) Kakavanna raised to the dignity of 
his queen-consort her who was thus cast on shore ton his dominions. 
Hence (from the circumstance of her being cast on shore near a vihara), 
her appellation of Vihéra Dévi. 
2** incensed at.” 
*“ his daughter Devi, a princess of great beauty and purity.” 
*** near the Lanka. vihara.”’ 
