When the Sinhala Kings ruled our country
Posted on August 21st, 2018
Sudath Gunasekara
20th August 2018
12th Century Royal decree prohibiting killing King Kirthi Nissanka Malla of Polonnaruwa
Ordering by the beat of the drum that no animals should be killed within a radius of seven gaus from the city, he gave security to animals. He also gave security to the fish in the twelve great tanks, and bestowing on (the region’s people) gold and cloth and whatever other kind of wealth they wished; he commanded them not to catch birds and so gave security to birds….”
This inscription, which is engraved in an upright stone slab at Ruwanweliseya, Anuradhapura, is a transcript of a decree issued in the late12th Century by King Kirthi Nissanka Malla of Polonnaruwa. It is reflective of the high moral concern that the rulers and people of Sri Lanka showed towards animal life in ancient times.
As the Mahavamsa says those days the Kings were one with the religion and the people. They never tormented the subjects by imposing unbearable taxes and going by the Dharmasokian principles of statecraft (save purisa mama paja) they considered the subjects as their own children
King Sirisangabo said Iman saraththan pisitam sareeram dharemi lokassa hitatta meva” This body of mine with blood and flesh, I bear, for the benefit of people.
Remember those days the Kings were not elected by the people, unlike today as such in fact they were not under obligation to treat the subjects like that. They were only bound by custom, tradition and religion.
Look at the way how shabbily our politicians who rise to power on our shoulders treat us even after coming to power through our vote and how stupidly our people cast their precious vote to these traitors who destroy the nation.
See the difference since then and now?
A little thought to ponder.
August 21st, 2018 at 5:24 pm
Sudath the politicians who were rejected by the voters will come through “the List” and hold Ministerial positions thereby I cannot see were the democracy in Sri Lanka politics. As our shabby politicians comes into power with the help of many supporters as soon they come into power need to give each ministerial or Chairmanship etc. Thereby big Cabinet and incompetent & useless heads in various Government institutions.
August 21st, 2018 at 9:50 pm
These instances were one-off. They were the exception and not the norm. Even this decree was restricted to a very small area and it ended with the death.
It is wrong to generalize.
The claim about taxes is also not true. King Parakramabahu the Great (considered the best) imposed very heavy taxes to finance his overseas military campaigns. Once again his son King Kirthi Nissanka Malla reduced those taxes.
Comparing post-1948 politicians with our ancient kings is an insult to the latter. Politics is such disgusting business. Although voters have been always right in choosing between two lumps of dirt, voters must think beyond obvious options.
Killing animals for religious purposes must be banned.