King Dutugemunu and Elara: The Just Rivalry
Elara (Ellalan), a Tamil Chola prince, ruled Anuradhapura with such famed justice that he earned the title Manu Needhi Cholan ('the Chola who follows justice') — he once executed his own son under a chariot wheel to give justice to a grieving cow. The young Sinhalese prince Dutugemunu, believing the island should be united under Buddhism, waged a campaign against the aging Elara. Their climactic battle took place at the south gate of Anuradhapura, where Dutugemunu killed Elara in single combat atop their war elephants (Kandula vs Maha Pabbatha). Despite victory, Dutugemunu honored his foe with