Udayapura Pillar Inscription (Ampara)

The pillar was discovered in 1961 by the Department of Archaeology at the location where it presently stands (Ranawella, 2004). It is a rectangular stone pillar about 1 ft. wide, 1 ft. long and 5 ft. 11 inches tall and the inscription has been engraved on all four faces of the pillar (Ranawella, 2004). The first two faces have 27 lines of writing each while the third and fourth faces have 25 lines and 5 lines respectively (Ranawella, 2004). The figures of a monk's fan, a cobra, a dog, and a crow are found just below the last line of the fourth face (Ranawella, 2004).

Reign: Udaya IV (946-954 A.D.)                                                            Period: 10th century A.D.
Script: Medieval Sinhala                                                                        Language: Medieval Sinhala

Content: Established by the officers of King Udaya IV in his 5th regnal year on the 10th day of the waxing moon in the month of Il (October-November), this Attani pillar records certain privileges granted to the village Munderalagama attached to Nilgalu Vehera in Metera-Digamadulla. It further mentions that either royal officers on official duty or cattle, buffaloes, domesticated tusk-less elephants shouldn't be permitted to enter this village. Also, beating or sounding drums are prohibited within the boundaries.
Reference: The information board at the site by the Department of Archaeology and the Ministry of Housing, Construction and Cultural Affairs.

As revealed by chronicles, a temple named Nilagalla Vihara has been constructed by King Udaya I [(797-801 A.D.) Nicholas, 1963]. It is believed that this temple was near the place where the Udayapura inscription is located (Ranawella, 2004).

The Udayapura pillar inscription with archaeological evidence in the surrounding area (latitude 07º 17' 35.8'' N and longitude 081º 42' 04.5''E), rocks (with chisel holing) and the place where pieces of ancient pottery are scattered at the place called Pansalwatta belonging to Mihindupura village situated in Grama Niladhari Division No. W/89/N, Mihindupura in the Divisional Secretary’s Division Ampara are archaeological protected monuments, declared by a government gazette notification published on 10 October 2014.