No. 57. — 1906.] coconut cultivation. 



53 



and bridges as then existed in repair-— Prakrama Bahu II. 

 (1240-1275 A.D.)— we find that he is said to have thought 

 within himself, saying : — 



"Great indeed his (Minister Devapatiraja's) piety, for 

 once he prayed that he might become a Buddha, and planted 

 a coconut, having earnestly prayed and resolved (that some 

 sign should be shown him that his desire would be fulfilled), 

 and lo, there opened up three buds from the three eyes 

 thereof." And the king ordered his minister (among other 

 things) — "At the Bhimatittha Vihare, where the King 

 Nissanka planted an orchard, do thou likewise, in my name, 

 lay out a large garden full of coconut and other fruit 

 trees." 



Then as the outcome of the king's thought it is recorded 

 in the same chapter (14th verse) : — 



"Thence this great minister proceeded to the port of 

 Bhimatittha. And there he built a bridge, eighty-six cubits 

 span, at the mouth of the Kalanadi* river ; one of about 100 

 yatthisf span at the village Kadalisena ;J one of 40 yatthis 

 span over the Salaggama§ river ; and one of 50 cubits span 

 over the SalapadapaJ river. Thus did he build these and 

 other bridges at divers places where it was difficult to cross 

 over ; and likewise also he made numerous gardens and halls 

 for preaching and the like, and did even give away much 

 arms and hold feasts (in connection herewith). 



"Afterwards this great minister of the king formed a 

 large coconut garden, full of fruit and fine shade, and gave 

 it the famous name Prakrama Bahu ; and it extended from 

 the Bhimatittha Vihare (Bentota) unto the ford of the 

 Kalanadi (Kalu-ganga), a space of about one yojana in 

 width. 



* The Black river, Kalu-gagg-a. 



f A yatthi is equal to seven cubits of two spans to the cube. 

 X Kehelsen, Kehel-lenawa ? 

 § Salgamu-ganga. 

 I! Salruk. 



