Damilas
The name of a people (Tamils) whose home was in South India. The Ceylon Chronicles (Mhv., Cv., and Dpv., passim) contain records of invasions of Ceylon by the Damilas, the most noteworthy being that which was repelled by Dutthagamani. The Damila leader on that occasion was Elara. Other Damilas mentioned by name in the Mahavamsa are Sena, Gutta, Pulahattha, Vatuka and Niliya. Large numbers of Damilas settled in Ceylon, chiefly in the north and east of the Island and, in due course, gained possession of that part of the country. They were employed as mercenary soldiers by some of the Sinhalese kings and many were brought as captives (E.g., Cv.lxx.230; lxxv.20, 69; lxxviii.76, etc.). The Damila bhasa is mentioned among the eighteen non Aryan languages (E.g., VibhA.388; it was full of consonants, AA.i.409). In the Akitti Jataka (J.iv.238) the Damilarattha is spoken of as including also the region round Kavirapattana, while in the Petavatthu Commentary (p.133) it is spoken of as part of Dakkhinapatha.
