10 JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON). [VOL. XVIII. 
TWO OLA GRANTS OP THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY. 
By T. B. PoHATH. 
The royal grants, which I have the honour to lay before 
the Society, are sa7inas on olas (palm leaves) granted by- 
Kings Senerat and Raja Sinha II. in the Saka years 1553 
and 1567, corresponding to 1631 and 1645 A.D. They were 
granted at the time the Kandyans were victorious over the 
Portuguese, who invaded their country. The year preceding 
the grant of the first sannasa was memorable for the defeat 
of the Portuguese under the General Don Constantino de 
Sa. This was followed eight years later by a similar disas- 
trous attack on the Portuguese by the Kandyan sovereign. 
At Kahatapitiya, or more properly at Illawatura, the 
descendants of the grantee Suluttan Kuttiya are yet in the 
enjoyment of a portion of the royal gift of their honoured 
ancestor. 
The sannas themselves are very unpretentious. They are 
written, with ample space on the margins, on two strips of 
plain double ola leaves with ill-formed though legible 
characters. They measure 10^ in. by If in., and 10^ in. 
by IJ in. ; and are much worn. Both the grants bear the 
characteristic royal sign g (Sri) in larger letters on the left 
margins. 
These sannas were evidently granted for skill in medical 
science. The Gopala Moors of Getuberiya are also members 
of this distinct body, and have received royal favour for 
similar service. 
The grantee's survivors are now living at Sakkarankotuwa, 
a portion of land dedicated to Bhawakauf said to be one 
of five celebrated saints who came from Mecca. 
Sannasa No. 1. 
Text, 
1. 053855 ^^)q^e^ e3^8c3 es^d'-^^srfg @\©C32sJ ®c3 
3. [ - - ^ r 
* The upper surface of the ola has completely gone below line 2 on that side. 
