A Monumental Ledger in Stone
On a low gneiss rock outcrop in Anamaduwa, two of the largest ancient inscriptions in Sri Lanka record a series of donations to a Buddhist monastery. The site, known as Thonigala or "Boat Rock," holds two parallel inscriptions, each stretching approximately 30 meters (100 feet) long. The letters themselves are monumental, measuring about 30 centimeters (one foot) in height and carved one inch deep into the stone.
Dated to the reign of King Mahaculi Mahatissa (c. 76–62 BCE), the inscriptions are written in the Early Brahmi script, an adaptation of the ancient Indian writing system used for the Elu (proto-Sinhala) language. The text documents a grant to the nearby Acagirika Tissa Pabbata monastery, which is believed to be the modern Paramakanda Raja Maha Vihara, located about five kilometers away. The donation, initiated by a local chief named Tissa, son of chief Abhaya, included a water tank. The grant was then expanded by King Gamini Abhaya (also known as Valagamba), who dedicated two villages, Acanagaraka and Tavirikiya-nagaraka, to support the monastery's monks, both present and future.
This public record, etched permanently into the rock, demonstrates an established system of royal and noble patronage of Buddhist institutions during the Anuradhapura period. The sheer scale of the letters suggests an intent to make the proclamation clear and enduring to all who passed by.
The Evolution of a Script
The Thonigala inscriptions are a primary source for understanding the development of the Brahmi script in Sri Lanka. While Brahmi originated in India, archaeological finds of inscribed pottery at Anuradhapura suggest the script was in use on the island as early as the 4th or 5th century BCE. The script at Thonigala, classified as Early Brahmi, already shows distinct local characteristics and angular forms adapted for the specific task of carving into rock.
These differences support the idea that after its introduction, the script underwent a period of independent development in Sri Lanka, evolving to suit the phonetics of the local language. This particular inscription is not a religious text, but an administrative record. It records a significant moment in cultural history: the use of a formal writing system to codify economic and social contracts that previously relied on oral agreements.
The language is an early form of Sinhala, influenced by Prakrit. The inscription's formulaic phrasing, "to the sangha of the four quarters, present and future," was a standard feature in donative records across the island for centuries. This detailed and large-scale written decree provides direct evidence of organized monastic land ownership and the advanced administrative practices that supported it over 2,000 years ago.