Siyabaslakara Deepani

Authored by King Sena I the Siyabaslakara Deepani was compiled to explain core features of Sinhalese poetry. It contains a set of instructions for anyone interested in writing Sinhalese poetry. Siyabaslakara is the most ancient work found in Sinhalese classical literature. It was written towards the latter stages of the Anuradhapura kingdom. Even though there is no direct reference to an author the 407th verse of the work indicates that it is written by a king named Salabevan. The work interestingly indicates that the kings of ancient Sri Lanka were engaged in literary endeavours too. King Salabevan is also known as Sena I. Some scholars maintain that the author should be King Sena III. The work is said to be based on Kavya Darshaya a prominent Indian manual compiled by Dandin. If not for minor changes Siyabaslakara seems to be a direct translation of Kavya Darshaya. The 406th verse indicates that the book was written upon an invitation by a minister. Gunawardana offers the order of words meanings and annotation to each verse of the collection.