Sīhala, Sīhalā

The name given to Vijaya and his companions, founders of the Sinhalese race in Ceylon.

It is said (Mhv.vii.42; cf. Dpv.ix.1) that Sīhala was the name given to Sīhabāhu because he had killed the lion (sīham adinnavā iti), and because of their connection with him, Vijaya and his companions were also called Sīhalā.

The word, thereafter, became the name of the inhabitants of Ceylon, as opposed to the Damilas and others.

The Sīhalā had a vīnā with very fine strings. KhA.47.

Dictionary of Pali Proper Names, G P Malalasekera (1899-1973), which is available as printed version from