King Ellalan (Elara), a Chola prince from South India, ruled the Anuradhapura Kingdom for 44 years (205–161 BC). While he arrived as an invader, defeating King Asela, he is remembered in the chronicles not as a tyrant, but as a paragon of justice. His reign is a unique chapter in Sri Lankan history where a foreign ruler earned the profound respect of his subjects and even his enemies.
The Just King
The Mahavamsa, the great chronicle of Sinhalese history, bestows upon him the title “Elara the Pious” and states that he ruled “with even justice toward friend and foe.” This is remarkable given that the chronicle was written by Buddhist monks who generally favored Sinhalese kings. Ellalan, a Hindu, was known for his tolerance and protection of Buddhist institutions, ensuring that the traditions of the land were respected.
The Bell of Justice
The most enduring legend of his reign is the “Bell of Justice.” It is said that Ellalan hung a bell at the head of his bed, with a long rope extending to the outside of the palace. Any citizen who felt wronged could ring the bell to seek immediate redress from the king himself.
In the most famous (and perhaps apocryphal) story, a cow rang the bell after the king’s own son had accidentally run over her calf with his chariot. Upholding the law that a life must be paid for with a life, Ellalan ordered his son to be executed under the same chariot wheels—a testament to his uncompromising commitment to impartial justice, even at the cost of his own blood.
The Final Duel
Ellalan’s reign ended with the rise of the Sinhalese hero, King Dutugemunu. When Dutugemunu’s forces besieged Anuradhapura, the two kings met in a legendary single combat. Despite being in his seventies, Ellalan mounted his elephant, Mahapabbata, to face the young challenger. He fell in battle, struck down by Dutugemunu’s spear.
In a final act of honor, Dutugemunu ordered that Ellalan be cremated with full royal rites. He built a monument at the site and decreed that all music must be silenced when passing it—a mark of respect that was observed for centuries.