24
GOLD IN CEYLON.
into 28, Pihiti Rata into 14, and Ruhunu Rata into 14 Ratas, or smaller Provinces.
In describing the various Ratas in the Province of Maya Rata, one writer mentions, among others—Sidurwwana, of
which he says, " This country is so called from the number of
streamlets, lakes, and rivers which abound in it. There are lands in it
sufficient for the maintenance of the four constituent parts of an
army. There are also in it rice villages, gem villages," &c.
&c. The Buddhist Temple Lankatilleka Vihare is situated in this
district.
From the same author the following notices are extracted :—
Kururata (Alutkuru Korle 1). A pearl bank is spoken of about 6 miles from the Coast.
Pehetigallc (Pittigal Korle''.). In this division there is a mine of precious stones called Studeya, also a Sea-port called Mahadampe.
Belltgalle (Belligal Korle ?) Gold, precious stones and pearls are found here.
Dewamerata (situated between two oyas, or rivers, in the Kurunegalle District). Silver is here found in a cave.
Mertsaru and Mahameliganga. Several mines of precious stones.
The
second author, writing in a more summary manner, declares that there
were known to exist in Ceylon, at the time he wrote "64 silver and 16
gold mines, one thousand (i. e., a very great number) of Pearl banks,
and 100 mines of precious stones."
We
have applied to one of the best native authorities as to the
possibility of identifying the Belligal alluded to by comparison with
present names and divisions, but with meagre success. Our informant
states :—
"
I am sorry to say that the M.S. in my possession does not give any such
satisfactory information about Belligal Korale as will enable us to
identify the localities alluded to.
" The only items of information contained in the work are a fanciful and absurd derivation of the word Rettigalle, from
the circumstance that gold (pearl and coral are also mentioned!) as
found there, the so-called limits of the district .(being four stone
pillars on which are engraved the figures of a shield), and the
circumstance of a village of the name of Maldeniya being there,
in which is a Buddhist temple of the same name built by King
Sirisangabo. This last fact I think will lead us to the discovery of
the 'ancient Btlligalle. Maldeniya is a well-known name. I know a Buddhist priest of the name of Maldeniya, who
lost a large number of books during the last rebellion in the
Kurunegalle district. I believe the village is either in the Four or
Seven Korles. I have no means of ascertaining it for you now, but any
Kandyan of these parts will, I believe, tell you at once.
" The copy of Kadayim Potta in
my possession is a very imperfect one I have already discovered a
palpable mistake as to the number of smaller provinces into which
Pihiti and Ruhunu Ratas are divided in the information I gave to Mr.
Skeen. I am endeavouring to get a more correct copy. Should I glean any
more information on the subject that may be interesting, I shall
communicate it to you with great pleasure; but I fear, however, any
information we may get from these sources will toe more curious than practical or useful."
Soon
after receiving this note, a gentleman from Kurunegalle entered our
office, and in answer to our enquiries, stated that the Village
Maldeniya was in the Seven Korles and not far from Kurunegalle. The
Belligal Korle, however, lies in the adjacent district of Four Korles.
He promised to make further enquiry and to favour us with the result.
Subsequently our correspondent wrote as follows:—
" Belligal Korle is one of the Four Korles composing the district called Four Korles."
" I am not prepared to say whether the limits of the ancient BelligaUx -accord with those of the present Belligal Korle. It is sometimes called in
