This inscription is engraved on both sides of a large slab, which stands near the ancient irrigation canal at Poḷonnaruva. The inscription consists of 65 lines in total but the portion on the second side of the slab is now illegible. The text begins with the auspicious word svasti and a Sanskrit verse. It then states that Vijaya, the eldest son of Siṁha-Bāhu of the Kāliṅga-Cakravarti dynasty came over to Ceylon, defeated the Yakṣas, and became king; that a descendant of his was Parākrama-Bāhu, who brought the Island of Laṅkā under one canopy of dominion; and that this king, desiring the continuation of his dynasty, invited his sister’s son (bǟna) over from Siṁhapura, invested him with royal dignity, and in course of time died. The nephew was thereafter duly anointed king Vijaya-Bāhu, but the day after his accession to the throne some treacherous ministers rose against him. A chieftain named Vijayāyān-tän-nāvan, however, protected the king and, quelling the rebellion, restored peace to the country. In recognition of these distinguished services, king Vijaya-Bāhu granted him heritable lands with certain privileges, the details of which were originally recorded on the second side of the slab. The inscription thus corroborates and expands upon the account of Vijaya-Bāhu’s reign in the Mahāvaṁsa. Vijaya-Bāhu only reigned for a short time, ascending to the throne in 1186 and dying one year later at the hands of Mahinda and Dīpanī.
[Lines 8-16] His Majesty king Siṁha–Bāhu was born of the Kāliṅga Cakravarti family of the illustrious and very (proud Siṁha race). His eldest son, king Vijaya, came to Laṅkā from the Kāliṅga country, destroyed the Yakṣas, and making [the Island] habitable for men ruled it under one canopy of dominion. From his lineage was descended His Majesty Parākrama–Bāhu, the Lord of the soil, who also brought the Island of Laṅkā under [his] single sovereignty.
[Lines 16-27] [This king,] desiring the continuance of his dynasty in the future, sent [emissaries] to Siṁhapura as previous kings had done, and had his bǟna brought over [to Ceylon]. (Without delay) he had the prince invested with royal rank and brought him up, making him skilful in the science of arms. [Parākrama-Bāhu] having thus made the kingdom possessed of a [future] ruler, attained to heaven in course of time. Then, in accordance with his wishes, Vijaya–Bāhu was anointed [king]. On the following day, however, certain treacherous ministers became traitors and caused (disturbances) in Laṅkā. But the chief Vijayāyān–tän–nāvan suppressed them and, restoring peace, delivered the kingdom to His Majesty.
[Lines 27-37] His Majesty having been enthroned [again], arrayed himself in his crown and [other royal] attire, and mounting the lion-throne thought that those who had rendered loyal services should become prosperous. And as Vijayāyān–tän–nāvan was engaged in guarding the person of the royalty from Ruvandam̆bu, as he subdued the country and delivered it to the Kāliṅga dynasty just as before, and as [members of] his family from the time of king Vijaya have been rendering loyal services to this same Kālinga dynasty, in recognition of these loyal services . . . . . .