Although ours is a small island, we had a great history. Kings and queens, grand heroes and heroines, noble and eminent monks all collaborated to achieve progress of the country. Epigraphs, archives, historical stories and folklore call us back to our own heritage.
You will be surprised to hear that the world’s first and the only Peace Accord inscribed on a rock can be seen at Sangamuwa Raja Maha Vihara premises.
Sangamuwa is about 20 miles away from Kurunegala. It is close to the Kurunegala-Dambulla main road, passing Gokarella village there is a junction called Dolosdaha. To the right side of the junction a road goes upto Meddeketiyawewa. There is the site of the ancient and valued Sangamuwa temple.
“The temple has earned a reputation due to this peace accord signed by King Parakramabahu the Great and King Gajabahu the Second in 1151 A.D to bring in peace and harmony between the two kingdoms when a civil war had erupted,” said Chief Incumbent of the temple Ven. Aluthgama Mangala Thera. .
The translation of the inscription beside the true inscription written in medieval Sinhala on the rock mountain. It has been translated by the Department of Archaeology
The epigraph:
“Prosperity! We are the two brothers-in-law, Gajaba and Parakramabahu, who came down in unbroken succession in the illustrious Mahasammathalineage. According to this treaty we shall not wage war against each other till the end of our lives. If it is anyone of us is first to pass away, the other who survives will be in possession of the kingdom. If there be any kings who are enemies of either of us, they are enemies of both of us. If we do anything against the agreement command of the Triple Gem.
“We shall (also) never be delivered from hell. May this writing protect the world as long as the Moon and the stars last. May this union of these two people, whose wealth is used for the benefit of others, be suffused with love.”
The Thera said, “According to the Brahmi letters of the inscriptions in the cave temple, the history of this temple goes back to third century BC. It has also been revealed that the murals of the cave temple belong to the Kandy era. There is also evidence to believe that some of the caves had been constructed by the giant Gotayimbara. It is said that Gotyimbara’s wife had lived in Gokarella village. Even today certain families use the surname “Yodage”.
The Meddeketiya tank (ancient Sangamuwewa) which is located near the temple is said to have been constructed by King Dhathusena (1455- 1473 AD)
A senior lecturer in Sinhala of the Kelaniya University, Wimal Wijerathne has conducted research on this historical place and has written a valuable book giving all the historical facts.
Treasure hunters had damaged a Buddha statue at the cave temple and the walls of the cave temple have cracks while its murals are defaced.
The Makara Thorana at the entrance to the cave temple is cracked and is on the verge of collapse.
A large number of artefacts such as moonstones, guard stones and ruins of an ancient Dagoba were found when excavations were carried out in the temple premises. The Chief Incumbent said that more treasures of this historical place still remain underground waiting to be dug up. If an extensive excavation is carried out here, more inscriptions, ancient artefacts and the lost glory of Sangamuwa could surely be unearthed.
This historical site is located about four kilometres away from the Kurunegala-Dambulla main road. According to the Chief Incumbent only a very few foreign tourists have visited this site which is full of artefacts as the publicity given to the place is not sufficient.
The Thera calls upon the Tourist Board to take action to include a description about this site in their tourist maps and brochures.