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JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CBYLON). [Vol. XVIII. 
under his immediate control, and giving a great impetus to 
learning, he achieved little else. Perhaps the shortness of his 
reign or want of material resources prevented him from re- 
establishing his dominion over the maritime districts and 
breaking the power of the Tamil monarch. After him two 
shadows flit across the Sinhalese throne, Wanni Bhuvaneka 
Bahu and Wijaya Bahu," and then we read that the capital 
has been removed once again from Kurunegala to the more 
secluded heights of Gampola. Bhuvaneka Bahu IV. was the 
first monarch who reigned at Gampola. It is very probable 
that he had founded the city, set up an independent autho- 
rity, and was ruling while the capital was yet Kurunegala, as 
he dates his reign from 1344 A.D.j Both he and his successor 
Parakrama Bahu V. were peaceful monarchs, who passed 
their time hunting in the woods round Gampola,^ directing 
the cultivation of fields, or building vihdras^ for the Bud- 
dhist priesthood, without striking a blow to win back any 
portion of their lost inheritance. 
When Wikkrama Bahu III., surnamed the Pandit, came to 
the throne in 1356 the authority of the Tamil King was at its 
height, and rivalled the power of the Sovereign who claimed 
to be " Lord of the three-fold Lanka." Although history is 
silent on this point, probably his power was felt in the Seven 
Korales, and the Tamil princes of the Wanni on the Sinhalese 
frontiers bowed to his overlordship. Backed by a powerful 
alliance with the mighty Sovereign of the Pandiyas on the 
neighbouring continent, Arya Chakkrawarti became not only 
master of the Northern Provinces and possessor of a powerful 
fleet of sailing vessels, but aimed at extending his authority 
over the Sinhalese districts on the western seaboard. 
In Wikkrama Bahu's reign we first read of the remarkable 
man, warrior, and statesman, who was the foremost figure in 
Ceylon History for nearly the next half century. By his 
* Jaya Bahu, MaUdwansa, 
t Vide inscriptions and BeU's Kegalla Report, p. 92. 
X Ceylon Litei'ary Register^ vol. III., p. 276. 
§ Ben's Kegalla Report, pp. 78, 79. 
