the M. S, ' Belligal Rajjaya'
or ' Kingdom of Belligala.' It is therefore probable that it was one of
those small principalities into which Ceylon was divided in ancient
times, and was more extensive than the modern Beligal Korale. Perhaps
it included part of the Seven Korales as Maldeniya, (which I believe, situated in the Kurunegala district) is mentioned as one of its villages.
" If the information given in the Kadayim Polta can be relied upon, it is more likely that gold may be found in Siduruwane, which is said to have contained several gold mines—Siduruwane is supposed to be the modern district of yattnuwara and Udunuwara. The temple Lankatilcha is
situated there." On turning to Tumour's Translation of the Mahawanso,
we find gold mentioned in connection with the name of the celebrated
Sinhalese monarch, Dutugemunu, who flourished B. c. 158, and who
planned the great Ruwanweli IRuwamwelle,—Gold Plain,] Dagoba or
Thupo at Anuradhapura. The people were suffering from the recent war,
and compulsory labour" was a bad resort, so he took to meditation; and
" the tutelar deity who guarded the canopy of dominion " and the "
Dewos" took the matter in hand and supplied the materials miraculously.
We are told that:—
"
In a village nam?d Acharawattigomo, situated three yojanas to the
northeast of the capital, on a space of ground sixteen karissa in
extent, golden sprouts of various descriptions sprung up, in height one
span, (with a root) one inch under ground. The villagers discovering
this ground covered with gold, taking a cupful of this gold and
repairing to the King, reported (the circumstance.)
"At
the distance of seven yojanas, in the south-east direction from the
capital, on the bank of the river (Mahaweliganga) in the Tambapitto
division, a brazen metal rose to the surface. The villagers taking a
cupful of these brazen sprouts and repairing to the Raja, reported the
circumstances.
"
In the south-east direction the capital, at the village Sumanawappi,
distant four yojanas, a quantity of gems rose to the surface: among
which there were intermingled the cinnamon stone and sapphire. The
villagers taking the same in a cup, and repairing to the Raja, reported
the circumstance.
"Eight yojanas to the southward of the town, in a cave called Ambalat-tikolo, silver was produced."
Under
this disguise of fable the historical student will be at no loss to
discover the germ of a fact. Either the discovery, at this particular
period, of native gold, or its renewed application to the purposes of
architectural adornment, gold coins were current in ancient days and
the metal itself must have abounded in Ceylon, if we may judge from a
description of the city of Anuradhapura in its glory, as quoted by
Forbes from a native record:— " The magnificient city of Anuradhapura
is refulgent from the numerous temples and palaces, whose golden
pinnacles glitter in the sky. The sides of its streets are strewed with
black sand, and the middle is sprinkled with white sand; they are
spanned by arches bearing flags of gold and silver; on either side are
vessels of the same precious metals, containing flowers; and in niches
are statues holding lamps of great value." Sir John Mande-ville, who
wrote in the Fourteenth Century, stated in regard to Ceylon, am ongst
other great marvels, that " There dwellen gode folk and reasonable, and
manye Cristen men amongest hem, that ben so riche, that thy wyte not what to done with their gods." Perhaps
this may have to be recorded of "reasonable folk" in Ceylon yet.
Cordiner, whose work was published at the beginning of this century,
states.:—
"
Crystallized pyrites, which contain a little copper, is manufactured
into buttons. Quicksilver has been discovered in small quantities. The
Can-dian territories are said to contain gold, but the working of the
mines, or gathering of the dust, is prohibited by the prudent policy of
the King."
Percival,
who wrote about the same perisd, mentioned the discovery by Colonel
Robertsbn'of a quicksilver mine at Cotta which had been previously 4
