Isurumuniya : One Of The Greatest Love Stories Ever Told Stock Image

The village of Isurumuniya stretches along the Kurunegala road from the ancient city of Anuradhapura. Here in this once agrarian community is told the greatest love story in Sri Lankan literature. It is said that Prince Saliya son of king Dutugamunu and heir to the throne was walking in the gardens when he first set his eyes on a beautiful maiden. Maybe she was feeding the birds or picking flowers. The prince came the next day and again the next day till he thought he could not wait without seeing her. The prince fell in love with the beautiful maiden. And romance blossomed like the flowers in the garden which became their secret meeting place. However a marriage to a low borne maiden was not in accordance to the royal family. The prince was faced with a costly choice. If he wished to love the maiden of his heart he had to give up his right to the royal throne. A preference that possibly caused a controversy amongst the royals of that day. Maybe even a turning point in Sri Lanka’s history. Somewhere in the village a stone artist was inspired. A bold decision, a statement of sacrificial love that was worthy to be carved into all time. And so he chiseled tirelessly and engraved the love lost couple in a solid slab of granite, as a love poem forever.