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Arts & Communication Cultural exchange and decorative motifs in 12 -century
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scriptures, and ritual objects across the Indian Ocean, by the nearby ports of Trincomalee and Mannar, provided
which became a hallmark of its relationship with India. an advantageous environment for governance and
The empire’s strong adherence to Mahayana Buddhism consolidation of power.
established it as a major hub for Buddhist scholarship, The geographical positioning of the Anuradhapura
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attracting figures from across Asia, including Sri Lanka. Kingdom, situated along riverine borders, was instrumental
The religious ties between Srivijaya and Sri Lanka were in bolstering both national and international security. This
reinforced through diplomatic missions and religious location facilitated efficient irrigation and infrastructural
patronage. According to the Chulavamsa, King Vijayabahu development, which were critical for the kingdom’s
I of Sri Lanka (r. 1055 – 1110) dispatched an embassy to sustainability. In contrast, while Polonnaruwa lacked some
Srivijaya seeking Buddhist texts and relics, underscoring of these domestic advantages, it excelled in foreign affairs.
their shared commitment to preserving and promoting Recognizing its strategic value for international diplomacy,
Buddhist traditions. Such exchanges not only strengthened King Vijayabahu I, much like the Chola rulers before him,
the religious affiliations between these regions but also initiated foreign relations with Burma through the port of
facilitated the dissemination of Buddhist ideas and Trincomalee. His successor, King Maha Parakramabahu
practices across the Indian Ocean. I, further advanced these diplomatic endeavors by
Diplomatic and political engagements further launching a military campaign against southern Burma
underpinned the trade relationship between Srivijaya in 1165, an event known as the Polonnaruwa–Pagan
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and India. Srivijaya maintained a strategic alliance with War. This campaign was provoked by the Burmese king’s
the Southern Indian Chola dynasty, an arrangement imprisonment of a Sri Lankan delegation sent to Cambodia
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crucial for securing maritime dominance and protecting following a trade dispute. The inclusion of a royal princess
mutual trade interests. However, this relationship was not in this mission, as historical records indicate, underscores
without conflict. Under Rajendra Chola I’s leadership, the the formal and significant nature of the diplomatic alliance
Cholas launched naval campaigns against Srivijaya in the between Polonnaruwa and the Khmer Kingdom, reflecting
early 11 century, capturing key ports and momentarily a sophisticated understanding of statecraft and symbolic
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undermining Srivijaya’s control over critical trade routes. diplomacy. These missions were often accompanied by
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Nevertheless, historical records and inscriptions suggest cultural and social envoys, aiming to fortify the broader
that these hostilities eventually gave way to pragmatic relationship between the two polities. 28
diplomatic correspondence, as both empires sought to Although detailed records of the interactions between
maintain open trade relations. The Cholas and Srivijaya King Parakramabahu and the Khmer rulers remain
ultimately forged cordial ties, recognizing the mutual scarce, the available evidence points to a longstanding and
benefits of economic stability within the maritime trade strategically vital relationship. The meticulously planned
network. 24 naval invasion of Burma, conducted over 5 months
These power struggles also had broader ramifications and launched from the port of Trincomalee, ultimately
for the Khmer Empire, influencing the balance of culminated in a negotiated resolution facilitated by
power and facilitating the dynamic flow of goods and monastic mediation. This outcome not only restored
cultural exchange across Southeast Asia as a whole. This diplomatic relations between Burma and Sri Lanka but
interconnectedness underscores the complex interplay of also underscored the enduring significance of religious
economic, political, and cultural forces that shaped the and cultural ties in regional diplomacy.
region during this period. 25 Polonnaruwa’s relations with Cambodia extended
By 1065, the political stability of the Anuradhapura beyond military and political alliances, encompassing
Kingdom began to unravel as dissatisfaction with Chola religious and cultural dimensions as well. The diplomatic
officials intensified among the local population, leading mission to Cambodia during King Parakramabahu’s
to widespread tax resistance. In response to this growing reign coincided with the peak period of Angkor Wat’s
unrest, the Chola Emperor Veera Rajendra dispatched construction, highlighting the extent of cultural exchange
a formidable military force to Sri Lanka, landing at between the two regions. Notably, the mid-11 -century
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the port of Mannar to suppress the uprising. However, Khmer invasion of Pegu disrupted regional politics,
King Vijayabahu decisively defeated the Chola forces in yet Burma and Sri Lanka managed to maintain their
battle, reclaiming Anuradhapura, which had been under commercial and religious connections. This strategic
Chola control for nearly 5 years. Subsequently, in 1070, interplay positioned Sri Lanka as a pivotal religious center
Vijayabahu established Polonnaruwa as his administrative for Buddhist nations and shaped the diplomatic pressures
center. Polonnaruwa’s strategic location, complemented exerted on its rulers. The port of Trincomalee, crucial for

Volume 3 Issue 3 (2025) 11 doi: 10.36922/ac.4205