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Sīhala, Sīhalā

The name given to Vijaya and his companions, founders of the Sinhalese race in Sri Lanka.

It is said (Mhv.vii.42; cf. Dpv.ix.1) that Sīhala was the name given to Sīhabāhu because he had killed the lion (sīhaṃ adinnavā iti), and because of their connection with him, Vijaya and his companions were also called Sīhalā.

The word, thereafter, became the name of the inhabitants of Sri Lanka, as opposed to the Damiḷā and others.

The Sīhalā had a lute (vīnā) with very fine strings. KhA.47.