In the annals of Sri Lankan history, few events are as celebrated as the battle between King Dutugamunu and King Elara. This wasn’t just a clash of armies—it was a confrontation between two civilizations, two religions, and two codes of honor. The story has inspired Sri Lankans for over 2,000 years and remains one of the finest examples of chivalry in warfare.
The Divided Island
In the 2nd century BCE, Sri Lanka was split in two. The northern kingdom, centered on Anuradhapura, was ruled by Elara, a Tamil king from South India who had seized power. The southern region, Ruhuna, remained under Sinhalese control, ruled by King Kavantissa.
Elara was no tyrant. The chronicles describe him as a just ruler who administered the law fairly, regardless of ethnicity or religion. So impartial was his justice that when his own son accidentally killed a calf by driving his chariot over it, Elara had the chariot driven over his son as punishment—the same penalty any commoner would face.
The Prince’s Oath
Prince Dutugamunu, son of King Kavantissa, grew up hearing stories of Elara’s occupation of Anuradhapura, the ancient Sinhalese capital and center of Buddhism. As a young man, Dutugamunu burned with the desire to reclaim the north and unify the island under Buddhist rule.
But his father, Kavantissa, counseled patience. “The Tamils are too strong,” he said. “Wait until you are older, until our forces are greater.”
Dutugamunu, impatient for glory, openly defied his father. Kavantissa sent him a woman’s ornament, implying his son was acting like a woman, not a warrior. The insult stung, but it didn’t deter Dutugamunu. His father then sent him a different message: wait until after his death.
The Campaign Begins
When Kavantissa died, Dutugamunu (now about 25 years old) was finally free to pursue his destiny. He assembled an army unlike any Sri Lanka had seen:
The Ten Great Warriors
Dutugamunu recruited ten champions, each with extraordinary abilities:
- Nandhimithra: A giant of a man who could lift elephants
- Suranimala: Who could run like the wind
- Theraputtabhaya: A master of disguise
- Bharana: Whose voice could shake walls
- And six others, each legendary in their own right
The Legendary Elephant
Dutugamunu’s most famous companion was his war elephant, Kandula. The chronicles describe Kandula as intelligent, loyal, and fearsome in battle—capable of breaking through fortress gates and throwing enemy soldiers like toys.
The Northern March
From Ruhuna, Dutugamunu marched north, liberating town after town. At each fortress, he sent forward a message: surrender peacefully, or face destruction. Many surrendered. Those who resisted fell to Dutugamunu’s warriors and Kandula’s strength.
The campaign wasn’t without difficulty:
The Fortress of Vijithapura: The walls were so strong that Dutugamunu’s forces couldn’t breach them. Finally, Kandula the elephant was adorned in armor, and with Dutugamunu on his back, charged the gates. Kandula smashed through, and the fortress fell.
The Battle of Ambatthakola: Elara’s general tried to stop Dutugamunu’s advance. The battle was fierce, but Dutugamunu’s ten warriors proved unstoppable.
The Final Confrontation
After years of campaigning, Dutugamunu’s army reached Anuradhapura. Elara, now an old man but still a warrior, knew he couldn’t defeat Dutugamunu’s army in open battle. But he could choose how he would fall.
Elara sent a message: let the two kings settle this with single combat. Winner takes all.
Dutugamunu agreed.
The Duel of Kings
On an open field before the gates of Anuradhapura, the two kings faced each other, both mounted on elephants.
The First Charge: They lowered their lances and charged. The impact was tremendous. Elara’s lance struck Dutugamunu’s elephant, but the armor held. Dutugamunu’s lance found its mark—Elara fell.
The chronicles describe Dutugamunu’s reaction: there was no joy in the victory. He had killed a worthy opponent, a just king who had ruled fairly for forty years.
Honor in Victory
What happened next defined Dutugamunu’s character and has inspired Sri Lankans for millennia:
The Cremation
Dutugamunu ordered that Elara be cremated with full royal honors. He attended the ceremony personally, paying respects to his fallen enemy.
The Monument
At the exact spot where Elara fell, Dutugamunu erected a monument in his honor. He decreed that no one—not even the king—should pass the monument riding in a vehicle; all must dismount and walk past as a sign of respect.
This decree was observed for centuries. Even today, the area in Anuradhapura where Elara fell is considered sacred ground.
The Justification
Dutugamunu is said to have been troubled by the killing. Buddhist monks had to assure him that his war was just because it protected Buddhism. But even this assurance didn’t fully ease his conscience.
The Aftermath
With Elara’s death, Dutugamunu became sole ruler of a unified Sri Lanka. But his thoughts turned not to conquest but to construction:
- The Ruwanwelisaya: A massive stupa that would take decades to complete
- The Lohaprasada: A nine-story palace
- Countless monasteries: Supporting the Buddhist sangha
Dutugamunu’s reign ushered in a golden age of Buddhist culture and Sinhalese power.
The Legacy of Two Kings
The story of Dutugamunu and Elara teaches several lessons that resonate even today:
Worthy Adversaries
Elara and Dutugamunu were both men of honor. Elara ruled justly even as a foreign king. Dutugamunu honored his enemy even in death. They were adversaries, but they respected each other.
The Cost of Unity
Unifying Sri Lanka required a war that cost thousands of lives. Dutugamunu achieved his goal, but the chronicles suggest he carried the moral weight of that violence throughout his life.
Religious Tolerance
Despite fighting to restore Buddhist sovereignty, Dutugamunu’s honor toward Elara showed respect for a ruler of a different faith and ethnicity. His actions demonstrated that one could be devoted to one’s own religion while respecting others.
The Complexity of Heroes
Dutugamunu is celebrated as a hero, but he was complex: a warrior who killed, a Buddhist who struggled with violence, a victor who honored the defeated. This complexity makes him more, not less, inspiring.
Historical vs. Legend
Modern historians debate how much of the Dutugamunu-Elara story is historical fact versus legend embellished over centuries. The Mahavamsa, written 600 years after the events, may have dramatized some elements.
But the archaeological evidence supports the basic narrative:
- Elara’s rule in Anuradhapura is confirmed
- Dutugamunu’s massive building projects are real
- The cultural impact of his unification is undeniable
Whether every detail is accurate or not, the story’s enduring power comes from its themes: honor in warfare, respect for enemies, the burden of leadership, and the complexity of heroism.
Visiting the Sites Today
Modern visitors to Anuradhapura can still see:
- The area traditionally identified as Elara’s monument
- Dutugamunu’s Ruwanwelisaya stupa (still under active worship)
- The Lohaprasada site
- Statues depicting Dutugamunu on his elephant Kandula
Conclusion
The battle between Dutugamunu and Elara wasn’t just about military conquest—it was about values, honor, and the price of unity. Dutugamunu won the battle and unified the island, but he honored his enemy in a way that elevated both kings.
Their story reminds us that even in conflict, honor is possible; that victory can be gracious; that enemies can be worthy of respect; and that true greatness lies not just in conquest but in how one treats the defeated.
Over 2,000 years later, schoolchildren in Sri Lanka still learn about these two kings—one Tamil, one Sinhalese; one the invader, one the liberator; both honorable men who played their parts in the great drama of Sri Lankan history.