Panakaduwa copper plate

The main reason for this to be inscribed on the plate is the aid that was given by him to juvenile prince Kirthi (Vijayabahu I) and his family during his pre-regnal days from the Cholas.

It was found in a paddy field owned by a farmer living in Bogahadeniya called Suravirage Carolis Appohamy in February 1948.

As time went on, his family contracted disease which in turn made the man believe that the copper plate was the cause.

[2] At the time we were remaining concealed in the mountainous wilderness, having been deprived of our own kingdom in consequence to the calamity caused by the Soli Tamils, Lord Budal of Sitnaru-bim, Constable of Ruhuna, with the aid of his routine, protected the entire royal family, including our father His Majesty King Mugalan, the Great Lord; (he) brought us up in our tender age…[3]And orders that Lord Budal and his descendants be exempted from all forms of punishment.

with regard to the sons and grandsons of this (Lord) in the manner as it has come down from his lineage even if (they) were to commit an offence for which fines of imposts should be levied, beyond a reprimand administered by word (of mouth) after having settled the offence, no fines or imposts should be levied…should there even be an offence (committed by them) which cannot be expiated otherwise than by giving up life, (they) should be pardoned upon three times; (their) shares (of land holdings) and estates should not be confiscated…According to Paranavitana, “After the royal order was delivered, its contents were embodied in formal phraseology which repeats the substance of the King’s words…a full month seems to have elapsed between the delivery of the order and the grant of the documents embodying it.”[3] The indenture is inscribed in three copper plates measuring 1 ft. and 2.5 inches in length and 3 inches in breadth.