eLanka

Wednesday, 24 Sep 2025
  • Home
  • Read History
  • Articles
    • eLanka Journalists
  • Events
  • Useful links
    • Obituaries
    • Seeking to Contact
    • eLanka Newsletters
    • eLanka Testimonials
    • Sri Lanka Newspapers
    • Sri Lanka TV LIVE
    • Sri Lanka Radio
    • eLanka Recepies
  • Gallery
  • Contact
Newsletter
  • eLanka Weddings
  • Property
  • eLanka Shop
  • Business Directory
eLankaeLanka
Font ResizerAa
Search
  • Home
  • Read History
  • Articles
    • eLanka Journalists
  • Events
  • Useful links
    • Obituaries
    • Seeking to Contact
    • eLanka Newsletters
    • eLanka Testimonials
    • Sri Lanka Newspapers
    • Sri Lanka TV LIVE
    • Sri Lanka Radio
    • eLanka Recepies
  • Gallery
  • Contact
Follow US
© 2005 – 2025 eLanka Pty Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Home » Blog » Articles » “SIGIRIYA” by Desmond Kelly ‘the Star of eLanka’
ArticlesDESMOND KELLY

“SIGIRIYA” by Desmond Kelly ‘the Star of eLanka’

admin
Last updated: August 18, 2017 6:08 am
By
admin
Share
4 Min Read
SHARE

“SIGIRIYA”

by Desmond Kelly ‘the Star of eLanka’

An unforgettable experience of mine, in a bygone era, was.meeting and chatting with a rather elderly Bddhist Monk, on the rock that was called Mihintale.

I have been extremely lucky in meeting some highly intelligent people during my life, but this particular Monk, whose name unfortunately eludes.me now, was perhaps one of the most amazing, well-spoken, educated people that I was fortunate to spend some time with. He spoke perfect English, while most of the other Monks around him could only converse in Sinhala. He spoke to me about the Buddhist Religon, about the “culture” of Ceylon, as it was known then, and one of the topics we spoke about was another “rock” that rose abruptly from the Plain, the Sinhalese call “SIGIRIYA”, the Lion-Rock, because, hundreds of years ago, it’s crest was carved to look like a huge lion, at the bidding of Prince Kasyapa, son of King Dhatu-Sena (A.D.463-479).

King Dhatu-Sena was possibly too strict a father who probably “lay down the rule” to his son to the extent that, instigated by a cousin and longing for revenge, he, Kasyapa, seized the throne, imprisoned his father and finally had him cruelly killed.Then it was a case of “the King is dead, long live the King (Kasyapa), although he came to the throne under false pretences.

More Read

Down the memory lane (
Down the memory lane – By Charles Schokman
Kingswood College, Kandy-by Kalani-eLanka
Horton Plains: A Jewel of Sri Lanka’s Highlands – By Malsha – eLanka
Sri Lanka’s Floral Wonder: The 12-Year Bloom of Strobilanthes at Horton Plains – By Bhanuka – eLanka

Prince Moggallana, Kasyapa’s half-brother & the rightful heir to the throne (according to Dhatu-Sena), went into a funk and fled post-haste to Southern India where he raised a mighty army, over the next few years & marched upon Sigiriya, the rock fortress that Kasyapa had built (for himself & his concubines) , when he found out that his brother was “coming to get him”. To even climb Sigiriya, at the time, would have been nearly impossible. A huge, solid rock, large enough to house King Kasyapa, his family AND his concubines, some of whose “frescoes” adorn the walls of Sigiriya till today, at it’s crest. “K.K.” might not have been a very good man, but he was clever. He knew that, on the ground, around Sigiriya, he would have been soundly beaten by any army (his wasn’t too large), but on top of a huge rock like this, well, it was a different matter.

It was a “different matter” to Prince Moggallana, too.

Frustrated by the time already lost, he.ordered hi army to “take Sigiriya” at any cost, & “take the rock” they did.
Ultimately the “Parricide” (dad-killer) ventured outside his lair, he was killed in no uncertain manner. So ended the rule of King Kasyapa, and King oggallana took over to rule the Country from atop the “Lion-Rock”.

More Read

Asian elephant with Sri Lanka junglefowl and butterfly in tropical forest
From Birds to Butterflies: Showcasing Sri Lanka’s Rich Natural Heritage – By Nadeeka – eLanka
Asia Cup 2025: ‘There was a difference of two boundaries’ – Dasun Shanaka rues missed chances after Bangladesh defeat By rathnam_nayak
Sri Lanka’s new wildlife guide: A passport to eco-tourism growth – By Ifham Nizam
Sri Lanka Sets $2.5 Billion Tea Export Target by 2030 with Boost in Production

Nowadays, it is much easier to climb this beautiful masterpiece of mother nature. The scenic view from it’s apex is stunning. Superb “Shades of green”, all around, safe stairways keep you from falling off, but visitors must always beware of bees. Not the large ones that frequented the area in the olden days, but the little ones who swarm around to collect nectar for their queen. Also, a somewhat belated “thank you” to the man who first told me the story of SIGIRIYA. As I said earlier I have forgotten his first name.but I think his surname was “Thero”.

Desmond Kelly
Star of eLanka.

TAGGED:SIGIRIYA
Share This Article
Email Copy Link Print
Previous Article THE FIRST PUNCH by Desmond Kelly
Next Article A Heritage of Song Book 2 released in Sri Lanka
FacebookLike
YoutubeSubscribe
LinkedInFollow
Most Read
10 Pictures With Fascinating Stories Behind Them!

“A PICTURE SPEAKS A 1000 WORDS” – By Des Kelly

Look past your thoughts so you may drink the pure nectar of this moment

A Life Hack for when we’re Burnt Out & Broken Down – By Uma Panch

Narration of the History of our Proud Ancestral (Orang Jawa) Heritage. by Noor R. Rahim

eLanka Weddings

eLanka Marriage Proposals

Noel News

Noel News

Noel News

Noel News- By Noel Whittaker

EILEEN MARY SIBELLE DE SILVA (nee DISSANAYAKE) – 29 September 1922 – 6 April 2018 – A Woman of Value an Appreciation written by Mohini Gunasekera

K.K.S. Cement Factory

Dr.Harold Gunatillake’s 90th Birthday party

Sri Lanka's women's cricket squad in Melbourne

Cricket: Sri Lanka’s women’s squad in Melbourne

- Advertisement -
Ad image
Related News
Sri Lanka hosts the Asia Pacific Motorsport Championship 2025! 01
Articles

Sri Lanka hosts the Asia Pacific Motorsport Championship 2025!

Elanka newsletter
Articles eLanka Newsletters

eLanka Newsletter -21st September 2025 – 3rd Edition – Sri Lankans In Australia

Articles

Foods that can naturally support better sleep

Articles Photos

Fabulous Sri Lankan fare and great music makes the Springvale RSL the place to be. By Trevine Rodrigo in Melbourne.

Articles Cricket News

Watch Asia Cup 2025 (T20) Sri Lanka Cricket Match Highlights

  • Quick Links:
  • Articles
  • DESMOND KELLY
  • Dr Harold Gunatillake
  • English Videos
  • Sri Lanka
  • Sinhala Videos
  • eLanka Newsletters
  • Obituaries
  • Tamil Videos
  • Dr. Harold Gunatillake
  • Sunil Thenabadu
  • Sinhala Movies
  • Trevine Rodrigo
  • Michael Roberts
  • Photos

eLanka

Your Trusted Source for News & Community Stories: Stay connected with reliable updates, inspiring features, and breaking news. From politics and technology to culture, lifestyle, and events, eLanka brings you stories that matter — keeping you informed, engaged, and connected 24/7.
Kerrie road, Oatlands , NSW 2117 , Australia.
Email : info@eLanka.com.au / rasangivjes@gmail.com.
WhatsApp : +61402905275 / +94775882546

(c) 2005 – 2025 eLanka Pty Ltd. All Rights Reserved.