2200 years ago there was a king by the name of king Mahasen in the kingdome of
Culture of well being for his citizens, He was traveling from village to village initiating the building of lakes.
While he was traveling there was a time when he decided to initiate a lake project near the village named “ Sigiriya”, as a usual procedure he had a castle made in “ Galkinda mountain “ during this project.
There was a cow who was especially assigned to be used when taking milk for the king,
The cow’s milk was extremely tasty & refreshing , the king was rather curious about the taste, but nobody knew the reason for this. The king assumed that the special taste was caused by the food that was taken by the cow, therefore he ordered his ministers to find out what the cow eats.
When the ministers spoke to the shepherds they got to know that this particular cow tend to wander from the herd into deep forests, the curious ministers ordered the shepherds to be on alert on such events.
The shepherds filled a sack with “ thala seeds” , tied the sack on to the cow’s back & they also did not forget to make two small holes on both sides of the sack, after doing this they allowed the cow to wander into the forests.
The cow happily wandered into the forests, while it was walking along his usual path the “ Thala seeds “ were slowly falling to the ground.
Few days passed by and then came the rainy season causing the thala seeds to slowly grow in to plants, the ministers & shepherds decided to follow this track, when they
Were following this path they reached a location by the name of “ Usgala” , while inspecting the location the huge bush of “ Wel mee “ caught their attention, in no time
The ministers figured that the “ wel mee “ is the reason for the great & extreme taste in the cow’s milk. This theory was conveyed to King Mahasen”.
The king realized that this could be a very suitable location to build a lake, therefore he went to inspect the location along with his crew, and unfortunately he realized that if the lake was built there a large percentage of the land could get drowned.
Near this land there were three “ Wedi brothers” growing meneri, the king decided to negotiate with them to take their land to build the lake, the king approached them to communicate his deal. If the wedi family that is Patha, Ramba, Randunna & their younger sister Bokuti give up their land “ Uswewa “ to build the lake, the king promised
To give his sister princess Tikiri’s hand in marriage to the wedi leader.
The youngest brother Randunna was angered by King Mahasen’s proposal, “ We will not give up our land” he said harshly and jumped towards the cave to fetch his bow & arrow
to attack the king. In his uncontrolled anger he jumped at such a speed he knocked his head on the cave & died on the spot.
However, the king kept his promise, princess Tikiri was given to the wedi leader Patha.
The king also decided to marry Patha’s younger sister Bokuti and took her to the castle with him. Poor Randunna’s burial was held in royal ritual.
Few day passed by and King Mahasen eagerly implemented the lake project with the
Permission of the wedi leader. The workers were fully occupied in this project , working very hard day and night. Irrespective of the hard work that was been contributed the king
felt that some force was delaying the completion of this project. The king was worried and anxious, therefore he ordered the ministers to get a forecaster to come to castle at once to find out the reason for this irresistible force.
The forecaster was brought in to the castle, and the mystery was unfolded. He revealed that
The project would be completed only if the life of a prince was sacrificed.
The king was not ready to give up so easily his mind ran back to all the hard work that was contributed to the implementation of the lake.
As a king who gave great preference to the wellbeing of his citizens, he finally decided to give up son’s life. When the queen found out this plan she was so worried and angry, finally she escaped from the castle taking along the prince.
The king felt so let down and helpless after this incident, but in heart he somehow wanted
To finalize the building of the lake.
The king’s elder sister Princess Bisomenika realized that her brother was going through a
Hard period, like him she was also a great soul who loved her kingdome and the citizens.
“ My dear brother please do not worry and think further, I will give a solution, I will sacrifice my son , please do not be sad.” She said.
In great pain and sadness the son’s life was sacrificed.
True to the forecaster’s prediction the building of the lake was completed in no time.
The entire kingdom was amazed by the king’s act of honesty, they praised him and named him the “ king of truth”.
Irrespective of the love and respect the king received he was deeply sorrowed by his
Sister’s son’s death, the pain was so powerful it slowly caused him death.
Yet it is believed that his great soul is overlooking the “ Minneri wewa” guiding and protecting it. As time passed by he was also known as “ Minneri God”
