Kalinga in Sri Lankan Historiography

Abstract

Sri Lanka had foreign relations with various countries since ancient times. The Buddhist culture took root in its relations with India. The introduction of Buddhism in the BC third century was a turning point in Sri Lanka-Kalinga relations. The majority of people in Sri Lanka consider Kalinga’s Odisha as their homeland. Kalinga Magha has been portrayed in Sinhalese literature as cruel and non-Kalinga, in Sri Lankan history up to the present. However, the recent discovery of the Gomarankadawala Inscription (Trincomalee District) mentions Kalinga Magha as a native of the Kalinga country. In this case, the historical relations between Sri Lanka and Kalinga must be examined. Historical evidence is important in understanding the identity of a race or the history of a society. Archaeological evidence, rather than literary evidence, is the main source of evidence for the authenticity of contemporary documents. The purpose of this study is to find out the changes in the political, economic and religious fields caused by the Sri Lanka-Kalinga relations, on this basis. This research is according to a history basis. Archeological evidence, the Mahavamsa and the Culavamsa are prime data. Other books essays and website data are the secondary data from this research is proceed.