Chapter 04- Burning

Wasdhadurawa village was very tranquil in Paluwak in  Pihiti country*. But it showed that the tranquillity of the village was loosening now. Every person in the village was keeping their vigilance higher.  Everything happened due to an incident that happened in the village. The incident that happened in the village was a birth.

 The birth of a child had been a happy event in every village. But for this village, was destroyed its calm nature. It started two months ago. The village potter's wife gave birth to a son and was decided to give the name Vasambha to this child by village elders. But two weeks ago the village got some wind that the king was given an order to kill all the people with Vasambha namesake. Therefore the parents of the child decided to change the name of the child quickly. But after that everyone in the village lost their peace of mind. They were afraid about someone got news about this changing name incident. So they doubted every person who came to the village. After some time they acknowledged that they could not keep doubt every person who come to the village. So they decided to find some solution for this problem. The people that was deciding decisions in village got together in village head house and started to discuss for finding a solutions for this case.

"I don't think Kings man will follow this matter furthermore .We have changed name of child. Also this is a child who not fulfilled three months yet. So they won't make problem with that" one of elder said. "Uncle, I don't think like that. " one of young man in the room told to that elder.

"Nephew, why are you saying that? King will not be that heartless. Isn't it?" Another elder said.

"Don't you remember what happened to the kids who lived in Doramadala village in when king Abhaya ruled?"

"Yes nephew, you are indeed right .That Kings men slaughter all kids in that village. If not luck king Pandukabhaya also get killed by along with them. "village head told them. "Why are looking this problem as look like that one?" One elder asked. "Uncle , there is no change in both situations. Both prophecies tells about becoming king by killing other. So likeness to live is major than any other likeness .So king surely do all he can to live more time" young man told to that elder .

"Nephew, you are right. King surely not think theses kids as it is.He think they as threat to his life. So he surely will deal them" village head told to others. "So , what we do now? We can not abandon this child. "Mother of that told them. "Who do tell you to abandon the child? We tell you and your husband to hide in mountain area. That area is very remote. It is very hard search someone there. So hide in there year or two. After that come here again. That time no one will remember there was a child named Vasambha in here "Village head explained to mother of child.

"Yes, it is the best way. You can follow that. But be quickly. Soldiers will come to this village any time" an elder was told to mother of child. "Yes, I am going now." Mother of child told to people in room.

At that time one of villager barged into the room while running and stoppered in the middle of the room. Then he tried to keep breathing while grasping words to talk. "Hey man , why are you barging in now? Don't you know here we talking important matter now? "the village head questioned the man. "Village head….soldiers are coming. ..Soldiers are coming, "that man told with a dreadful expression. "What soldiers are coming? What are you waiting for? Go with your child…run away with your husband and child. We will take care of the rest" the Village head told to mother of the child and the mother of the child quickly ran off to her home to take her child to a safe place.

 But it was too late for them. Twenty group of soldiers who were riding on horses came quickly to the village and surrounded it. One of soldier went to the village head house and shouted "Who is the head of the village? Come out right now " "Lord, I am the head of the village. Why are you asking me?" the village head asked humbly from the soldier.

"We have received the news that there is a person named Vasambha here. Is it true?"

"No my lord, there is not a person named Vasambha in here"

" Do you this you can fool us? We have known in this village there was a child birthed Vasambha two months ago. I am asking now. Where is the child?"

"Lord, I am not going to fool you. But that child's name is not Vasambha now"

At that time another soldier came to this place and shouted "Do you think you can fool us. We know child name changed. Whether he is named Vasambha now or not a problem. Problem is he was named Vasambha. Soldiers search the village and find that child" "Yes ,chief" other soldiers replied and started to search by scattering. At that time one of elder came near to chief of soldier " Lord, we are innocent people. How could we work against his majesty? This child is not fulfilled three months yet. How could he become threaten to his majesty .His majesty never be heartless to kill small child .Isn't it?"

"Do you telling me that our majesty is heartless? His majesty has given order to us to find and kill every Vasambha namesake in country. If anyone helping to hide them it's crime against his majesty. It's royal felony. Charge for royal felony is death. " chief of soldier told to villagers near to him. At that time one soldier "Chief , we have found the child and their parents. They are trying to run away from village" told to the their chief. "You have helped to run away criminals. So you have helped them. So soldiers kill all people in village and burn it" chief told to his subordinates.

After hearing that villagers were trying escape for their life. Some were started to fight with soldiers to make time for others to escape.

"Lord, you are heartless. We are innocent poor people.  We have done nothing wrong. This is heaven shaking crime" one of elder in village shouted to soldiers.

"We have never done harm to others. We never thought to work against King. You are accusing us to saying that a small child with no ability  ,will work against King. Who give justice to us" another one shouted .

But their words were not worked with soldiers. Whole village were sounded with killing of people, wallowing of parents and child, crying of loss of loved ones and shouting of injustice. After some time these sound was ceased and only could see fire erupting in whole village. After that team of soldiers returned from village. Some moments after some people came to village and end up the fire in village. But they could only see lifeless village." Oh! No, this is a heavy crime. How could they do that? These are innocent people" one of person shouted. "Mother, father…where are you? Why are you not speaking? Your son came back…Why are not replying?" one of youngster who among people started to search his parents. " This is indeed injustice .How could king become so heartless? " one was told angrily. "Don't yell. Do you want to get killed? " another one advised. "So what? Whether he is king , he has no right to kill innocent people." Young man who was searching his parents exclaimed. "Yes, you are right. King has no right. We have to fight against this injustice" one man told. After some time several men went out of the village and went different directions.

When the next day dawn, capital had received the news of killing and burning of the whole Wasdhadurawa village and the whole capital was shocked by this crime. After hearing this news many people protested king's judgment and started showing their displeasure. Many of never expected this was a start of large storm the whole country shocked.

Pihity Country – For the governing process, ancient Sri Lanka was divided into three countries called as Ruhunu, Maya, Pihiti. Those countries are also divided into several counties to govern them. Pihiti country was ruled by King himself and it had 41 counties. Paluwak county is one of them.