The Gal Potha or Stone Book is just one of Sri Lanka’s historical past and is a huge stone inscription that rests alongside the Sath Mahal Prasada in Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka. This Stone Book or Gal Potha has three sections and is 26’ 10” in length and 4’ 7” in width. The Stone Book was constituted during the resign of King Nissanka Malla.
The good deeds performed by King Nissanka Malla along with the services he rendered to his people are inscribed in this Stone Book. The Gal Potha is designed with two swans who adorn the lengthy side of the Gal Potha and the other two sides depict the engraved image of Goddness Lakshmi flanked by 2 elephants. Goddess Lakshmi to date is said to bring good fortune to households who worship her. This engraved image of Goddess Lakshmi is also called Gaja Lakshmi and no doubt this must have been induced by the Hindu culture that was prevalent in Polonnaruwa at the time.
In total the Gal Potha has 72 rows and approximately 4500 characters. The lettering belongs to the 12th century Sinhalese characters. King Nissanka Malla was instrumental in the Gal Potha and made a huge contribution to develop Polonnaruwa Kingdom during his reign. However the inscriptions do not give specific dates, but it is believed that it occupies the 9th century during the reign of King Nissanka Malla.
The Gal Potha or Stone Book inscriptions outline pedigree, strategies, accountabilities and philanthropic deeds of the King at the time.
Tourists who visit Polonnaruwa town to view the Gal-Potha can also visit the Hatadage, Wata dage, Atadage, and the Sathmal Area. Alongside this is the famous Parakrama Samudra, Pothgul Vihara and tourists will no doubt be in awe of what Sri Lanka’s ancient heritage has to offer, some of which are visible even to this date.
