34 
JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON). [VoL. XXII. 
of a century before it ultimately crumbled to pieces under 
the impact of disintegrating forces ; still, whatever of native 
institutions, manners, and dignities that have survived to this 
day in the maritime lowlands may be traced to his age. The 
peace and tranquillity and the greatness of his reign were such 
that in the dark days of Portuguese tyranny and religious 
persecution men looked back to his time as to a golden age, 
and awaited a national deliverer in a successor of his line 
who would continue his victorious tradition, build anew the 
walls of his capital, and revive the glory and the ancient faith 
of the Sinhalese monarchy. 
APPENDIX A. 
It is strange that there should be so much misconception about 
the identity of Sri Parakrama Bahu VI. 's parents, considering 
that there is direct contemporary evidence on the point. 
The Kudumirisa sannasa of this king refer to a grant by the 
"late king my father," which proves that Sri Parakrama Bahu VI. 
was the son, not of a mere prince, but of a reigning sovereign 
(C.A.S. Jour., VII., 25-82). 
The Pepiliyana inscription records the erection of a shrine in 
memory of the Queen-mother Sunetra Maha Devi of the Girivansa 
(C.A.S. Jour., X., 34). 
The Perakumbd Sirita, after describing the founder of the royal 
house, Prince Sumitra " of Asoka's lineage," created Jaya Maha 
Lena, and the achievements of the other great monarchs of this 
line, explicitly mentions the parents of the king. I subjoin a 
literal translation by Mr. W. P. Ranesinghe. He adds, that 
"it is probable that Lemeni Jayamahala was crowned Vijaya 
Bahu," and suggests that *' there must have been many Jaya- 
mahalenas from the time of Devenipetissa to that of Parakrama 
Bahu VI." 
' ' In the unblemished line of such illustrious sovereigns of power 
and great sway was the son of Vijaya Bahu of the Sevulu race 
and grandson of King Parakrama, a prince who was an embryo 
