140 



Account of the works of Irrigation constructed by King Prakrama 

 Bahoo, contained in the Sixty-eighth and Seventy-ninth chapters 

 of the Maha Wanso, with Introductory remarks, by Louis Be 

 Zoysa, Esq., Modliar. 



The following extracts from the Maha Wanso, having re- 

 ference to works of Irrigation executed in the reign of Prak- 

 rama Balm I., (A. D. 1153— 1186), may not prove altogether 

 devoid of interest, in connection with the very able and 

 interesting papers on the subject of ancient irrigation in 

 Ceylon, recently published by order of Government. The 

 Sovereign alluded to is the celebrated 'Prakrama Bahoo the 

 Great,' the constructor of the "Sea of Prakrama," the invader 

 of India and Burmah ; and whose reign Mr. Tumour charac- 

 terizes as " the most martial, enterprizing, and glorious in 

 Singhalese History." 



The first extract is the 68th chapter of the Maha Wanso, 

 and contains an account of the efforts made by Prakrama 

 Bahu to promote the cultivation of rice, on his assuming the 

 Government of the Fihiti Ratta* under the title of Mahadi 

 Pado (or sub king. ) The second extract is a part of the con- 



* " The ancient divisions of Ceylon were ; — Pihiti Ratta, bounded on the west, 

 north, and east, by the sea ; on the south by the Mahawelli Ganga, and Dedroo Oya 

 rivers j it was also sometimes called Raaja Ratta as the ancient capitals were situated 

 in it. 



Ruhunu Ratta, bounded on the west and north by the Mahawelli Ganga, and Ka- 

 looganga (or Caltura) rivers, and on the east and south by the sea. The mountainous 

 portion of it was called Malaya Ratta. 



Maya Ratta, bounded on the north by the Dedroo Oya, on the east by the Maha- 

 welliganga and the mountains, on the south by the Kalluganga, and on the west by 

 the sea." — (Tumour, Ceylon Almanac, 1834, p. 57.) 



