20 JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON). [Vol. XXII. 
Parakrama Bahu in the government of the Hatara Korale, 
the Four Korales, with the dignity of Yuva-raja. He held 
court with great pomp at Mayadunu Nuvara, later Sitavaka, 
as described in the Paravi Sandesa. 
The king had no male issue by his queen, but he had a 
daughter, Ulakundali or Ulakuda Devi, a princess who was 
educated in all the learning and accomplishments of the time. 
She was married circa 1449-1450 to a prince of the old Sinhalese 
royal line called Cholca Raya.i Having no male offspring 
of his own, the king was anxious to obtain a grandson of the 
true line to succeed him on the throne. The king's wish is 
reflected in the poetical message contained in Sri Rahula's 
Selalihini Sandesa, invoking the god-king Vibhisana at 
Kelaniya, for the blessing of a son for the princess Ulakuda 
Devi. The prayer was granted, and the birth of the 
crown prince was celebrated in the capital with all the 
manifestations of public rejoicing. We catch an echo of the 
prevalent note of joy in the stanzas of §ri Rahula recording 
the event : — 
In the 36th year (of King Parakrama Bahu, i.e., 1451), in the 
ninth month of the bright moon, when the full moon was seen in 
the heaven in conjunction with the star (asterism) Aslisa, was 
born the royal babe wondrously fair, to be a constant source of 
prosperity to the Solar race. 
With the noise of the thunder of hoofs of steeds galloping 
(to the tune of) chiming bells hung to them, with the sound of the 
flapping of chowry-tied ears of lordly tuskers, with the loud blare 
of pealing, crashing musical instrimients (music) and trumpet- 
shells of victory, like another ocean rose the city's ceaseless 
roar.2 
No Sinhalese prince for the last three centuries had been 
born with fairer hopes or under brighter auspices , and few met 
with so untimely and tragic an end. 
^ It is difficult to identify the Sinhalese i\ame in the Portuguese 
disguise of De Couto, obviously a corruption. Accorduig to tradition 
the hvisband of Ulakuda Devi was Nallurutun, Sannas Minister, at 
whose request the Selalihini Sandesa^ invoking an heir to the princess, 
was composed. 
^ Sdalihini Sandesa, vv. 109, 111. 
