No. 54.— 1903.] KING KIRTI SRI'S EMBASSY TO SIAM. 19 
who sought his refuge in the Three-fold Gem," says the 
enthusiastic chronicler. Early in his reign he sent an 
embassy to fetch a body of priests. The expedition was 
however disastrous, all except one perishing in the sea. 
The survivor made his way to Pegu, whence he returned 
home to tell the sorrowful tale. 
But the king did not lose heart. A second embassy was 
soon ready and provided with suitable offerings. On arriving 
at Batavia the presents were left behind, while the 
ambassadors proceeded to Siam to inquire if priests were 
available ; but on their return to Batavia they learnt that 
their good king was dead. As their Dutch hosts advised 
them not to convey the priests without first ascertaining 
the wishes of the ruling king, they reluctantly set sail for 
Lanka leaving the presents behind, their object unaccom- 
plished. Their misfortunes were, however, only begun, as 
on the voyage the majority perished, but few surviving to 
reach their country. 
There King Kirti Sri Raja Sinha, the great reformer, had 
succeeded to the Crown ; he applied himself vigorously to 
sweeping away all the abuses that had crept into the 
priesthood, ably and zealously supported by his Minister 
Ehelapola and Saranankara Unnanse. His crowning work 
was the re-institution of the Upasampaddiva in Lanka. The 
romantic history of the embassy he sent to Siam to fetch the 
necessary priests will be shown in the following account, 
which, as appears from the internal evidence, must have been 
written either by Ellepola Mohottala or Aittaliyadde Rala, 
two out of the five Sinhalese ambassadors. 
The present translation, which does not pretend to literal 
accuracy, is made from a paper manuscript which has been 
generously placed at my disposal by E. R. Gooneratne 
Mudaliyar of Galle ; it was found among the papers of the 
late Valentine de Saram, Maha Mudaliyar, and was given by 
his son-in-law, the late Bandaranayaka Maha Mudaliyar, to 
his own nephew, the present owner. 
A second account, written by Wilbagedara Muhandiram, 
another of the ambassadors, is in existence ; the additional 
information contained therein will be found embodied in 
the notes. 
I have been also favoured with the comments of the Priest 
Jinawarawansa of royal blood, once known as the Prince 
Prisdang of Siam. These, too, will be found included.* I 
have further to acknowledge the great assistance I have 
received from Don Dines Dahanayaka of Galle in the pre- 
paration of this article. 
* See notes subscribed "J," 
C3 
