Prince Vijaya and the Founding of Sri Lanka
Prince Vijaya, grandson of a lion and son of King Sinhabahu, was banished from Sinhapura in India for his violent deeds. He and his 700 followers sailed to Lanka, landing at Tambapanni on the very day of the Buddha's parinibbana. There they encountered the Yakkhini queen Kuveni, who through magical threads and bravery was subdued by Vijaya. With Kuveni's help, Vijaya defeated the Yakkhas and established the Sinhala kingdom. He later abandoned Kuveni for a Pandyan princess, and the children of Vijaya and Kuveni became the ancestors of the Vedda people.