An Investigative Study of the Sannas of the Polonnaruwa Age

Abstract

Polonnaruwa is the second period of the Sri Lankan historical chapter, and according to the differentiation of linguists, it belongs to the medieval period; The first period of Sinhala Sannas literature. According to H.C.P. Bell, Sannas is a royal document issued only by the king using materials such as gold, silver, copper, or palm leaves. Although the facts about the development of Sannas in Sri Lanka extend to Abhayagiriya Copper Sannasa, and Vallipuram Gold Sannasa of the Anuradhapura period, a Sannas sheet having the formative characteristics that a Sannasa should have was first created in the Polonnaruwa era. Panakaduwa Sannasa is the first Sannasa of this era and Allai Sannasa, Doratiyava Sannasa, and Bamunagala Sannasa, can be pointed out as Sannasa made after that. Accordingly, the research problem is to investigate the political, economic, religious, and social factors of the Polonnaruwa period, as well as in what way the many language peculiarities, including the medieval language characteristics reflected in the Sannas of the Polonnaruwa period. Among the objectives of this research are to identify the origin of Sinhala Sannas, to find out the Sannas belonging to the Polonnaruwa period, to facilitate modern studies on Sannas, to outline the accurate subject matter to alleviate misconceptions about Sannas literature, and to fill the gap as information about the Sannas of the Polonnaruwa period is scarce in the contemporary society. Subject to the qualitative research method field study was used as primary sources, while books and research work were used as secondary sources. Magazines, newspapers, and websites were used as secondary sources. By collecting and analysing data through the above methods, historical facts not mentioned in works such as the Mahavamsya were revealed and many language peculiarities, including the medieval language characteristics, as well as the political, religious, economic, and social factors of the Tat era, could be identified.