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Translation - Sinhala (Sinhalese) It is mentioned in Mahavamsa that the natives of Sri Lanka, or the “Vedda community” originated from the offsprings of Kuweni’s son and daughter, who fled to Samanthakuta rock (Adam’s Peak) and lived as husband and wife. This shows that the origins of the Vedda people can be traced back to pre - Anuradhapura period in 5 BCE. (Mahavamsaya 2006: paragraph 07, pages 41, lines 67-68).
When examining the history of each ancient kingdom in Sri Lanka, the fact that the Vedda people were given special consideration and attention, is made evident. Mahavamsa mentions that King Pandukabhaya the sixth was assisted by the “Yaksha” clansmen in his war against his uncles, and as an act of gratitude, they were deified, and a temple was built in honor of the “Wyada” God (Mahavamsaya 2006; paragraph 10, lines 4-87). In the legend of King Dutugemunu (161-137 BCE) and his venture of building the Maha Stupa, reference to Vedda people can be identified as per the Mahavamsa (Mahavamsaya 2006; paragraph 28, lines 4-87). During the Polonnaruwa kingdom period, King Parakramabahu the Great’s army consisted soldiers of Vedda origin and King Parakum (King Parakramabahu) the second, is also said to have had a special army consisting Vedda people dubbed as “Atapeliye Veddan” in his forces.
Following the above information, a question arises as to what was the contemporary political and socio-economical context for the creation of an origin story of the Vedda people called “Kohomba Kamkariya”, which includes creeds and beliefs that are not disclosed in the historical record written prior to the Kotte Kingdom period.
King Parakramabahu the sixth rose to power amidst various disputes regarding the royal lineage and perils posed by adversaries. With the intention of defeating Parakramabahu Aepa, he occupied a region under his generational heritage in the Hill country along with his followers (Lanka Vishvavidyalaye Lanka Ithihasaya, 1972, 633 - 639). It is my opinion that in this instance, it may have been the native Vedda people, who assisted King Parakramabahu the Sixth.
It can be hypothesized that King Parakramabahu the Sixth may have initiated a ritual as a blessing to the country and himself, and that ritual may well have been the Kohoma Kamkariya in question.
It is also my opinion that the statement regarding the characteristics of a ritual done in the honor of King Parakramabahu the Sixth demonstrated in “Kuweni Asna”, written by Uthurumula Thero (Sinhala Sahithya Wanshaya 1964, 249) to bless the king, justifies the above hypothesis. It can also be hypothesized that perhaps that ritual was done with the spearheading of the Vedda people as well. Then, it is also worth enquiring as to why the king was motivated to introduce the concept of “Kohomba Yak Kamkariya” included in the ritual to society, with the intention of giving an immortalized value to the beliefs of the Vedda people.
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Years of experience: 3. Registered at ProZ.com: Mar 2024.
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