No. 43. — 1892.] ETHNOLOGY OF CEYLON. 



245 



We thus see that, subject to the Tamil invasions and settle- 

 ments which are recorded in future chapters of Sinhalese, 

 the bulk of the people consisted of the original Yakkhas. 



In the Sequel to the Periplus, which is to be found in 

 Dr. Vincent's " Commerce of the Ancients," the northern part 

 of the Island is described as " civilised." The inference is 

 that by repute amongst the Greek navigators the rest of the 

 Island was not civilised, and there can be no doubt that 

 Vijaya and his followers met in the Yakkhas a more or less 

 barbarous race. 



The north of the Island appears to have been colonised 

 by Tamils from an early period, and we cannot look 

 elsewhere than to the adjoining Tamil coast for the origin 

 of the northern population. The Tamil settlements were 

 probably Orientally civilised communities, and, like Vijaya 

 and his followers, far removed above the Yakkhas, who 

 peopled the lower parts of the Island. 



To show the influence of the Tamils and the numbers in 

 which they were present in the Island, we have numerous 

 passages in the Mahdwa?isa. It is a remarkable fact that Tamil 

 armies seem to have fought all the great battles. King Siri 

 Sanghabodi, who had fled to India, came back with a large 

 army of Tamils. Jethatissa, hearing this, sends his general to 

 India to raise another army of Tamils ; and chapter XLIV. 

 of the Mahdwansd relates how a great battle was fought 

 between these two Tamil armies. We may refer to chapter 

 XLV., which relates how Mana drove away the Tamils 

 from their offices, in consequence of which they sent a 

 message to Hatha-datha, who had fled to India, inviting his 

 return. In consequence Hatha-datha seizes the capital, and 

 proclaims himself king by the name of Dathopatissa. In 

 chapter XLVI. is narrated how Pothakutha, a Tamil, seizes 

 the government. Chapter XLVII. narrates how Manavamma 

 goes to India and serves king Narasinha, who furnishes 

 him with an army. He invades the Island, is defeated, 

 returns with another army, wins a battle, and succeeds to 

 the throne. 



