Tamil inscriptions in Sri Lanka date from the centuries BCE to the modern era. The vast majority of inscriptions date to the centuries following the 10th century AD, and were issued under the reigns of both Tamil and Sinhala rulers alike. p. xxiv-xxvii, p. xiii Out of the Tamil rulers, almost all surviving inscriptions were issued under the occupying Chola dynasty, whilst one stone inscription and coins of the Jaffna Kingdom have also been found. p. 241-243

Most inscriptions are of a Hindu or Buddhist nature, or record the exploits of merchants, soldiers, officials and kings.

The longest Tamil inscription in the island is from the Lankatilaka Vihara, for which historian K. Indrapala states the following:

Early Anurādhapura period (300 BC – 300 AD)

Anaikoddai seal, Jaffna + Anaikoddai seal (dated to centuries B.C.) BackgroundTranslation(English)Inscription(Tamil in the Brahmi script)A steatite seal from a signet ring found in an early Iron Age burial in Anaikoddai, Jaffna. The seal contains both Brahmi and megalithic graffiti symbols arranged in a way that suggests that they may be a translation of each other.Ragupathy, Ponnampalam. Early settlements in Jaffna. (1987) p. 119-204Koveta (read from right to left).

Tissamaharama coins with Tamil Brahmi legends

+ Tissamaharama coins with Tamil Brahmi legends BackgroundTranslation(English)Inscription(Tamil in the Tamil Brahmi script)Locally produced coins with Tamil Brahmi legends were found in the southern town of Tissamaharama. They are dated to between 200 BC - 200 AD. The coins are thought to have been issued by Tamil traders settled in Sri Lanka. p. 18-21

Tamil letters and words in Prakrit inscriptions + Tamil letters and words in Prakrit inscriptions BackgroundTranslation(English)Inscription(Prakrit with Tamil letters in the Brahmi script)The letters 𑀴, 𑀵, 𑀶 and 𑀷 are unique to Tamil Brahmi. They are found in multiple Tamil words in the earliest Prakrit inscriptions of Sri Lanka. p. 32-35p. 544

The Veḷ name is found several times, p. 89-94 mostly associated with the chief title Parumaka. Parumaka is the single most common lay title in the entire corpus of ancient Brahmi inscriptions, occurring over 314 times.

The Tamil kinship term Marumakaṉ which means descendant is also present.

The word Dameḻa (Tamil) is present in six early Prakrit inscriptions related to Buddhist donations and Tamil Buddhist monks. The 𑀟 letter (often reversed) is used here to represent an early form of the Tamil 𑀵 (ḻa).

The following Prakrit inscriptions are included for completion as they are related to Tamils:

Tamil house-holder inscription, Anurādhapura + Tamil house-holder inscription, Anurādhapura BackgroundTranslation(English)Inscription(Prakrit with Tamil letters in the Brahmi script)Prakrit inscription referring to a Tamil house-holder terrace made by a Tamil Buddhist monk (samaṇa).

Periya-Puliyankuḷam inscription 1, Vavuniya + Periya-Puliyankuḷam inscription 1, Vavuniya BackgroundTranslation(English)Inscription(Prakrit in the Brahmi script)Prakrit inscription recording a Buddhist donation by a Tamil merchant.

Periya-Puliyankuḷam inscription 2, Vavuniya + Periya-Puliyankuḷam inscription 2, Vavuniya BackgroundTranslation(English)Inscription(Prakrit in the Brahmi script)Prakrit inscription recording a Buddhist donation by a Tamil merchant.

Kuḍuvil inscription, Amparai + Kuḍuvil inscription, Amparai BackgroundTranslation(English)Inscription(Prakrit in the Brahmi script)Prakrit inscription recording a Buddhist donation by a family with a Tamil wife.

Seruwila inscription, Trincomalee + Seruwila inscription, Trincomalee BackgroundTranslation(English)Inscription(Prakrit in the Brahmi script)Prakrit inscription recording a Buddhist donation by a Tamil devotee.

Talagahagoda Vihara inscription, Matale + Talagahagoda Vihara inscription, Matale BackgroundTranslation(English)Inscription(Prakrit in the Brahmi script)Prakrit inscription mentioning a Tamil Buddhist monk who donated a cave to the Maha Sangha.Sumanajothi, P. & S. S. Wijesooriya. (1984). Ancient Temples in Matale District. In Historical Matale (pp. 97-130). Matale: The Cultural Board of Matale District

Ihalagala inscription, Anurādhapura + Ihalagala inscription, Anurādhapura BackgroundTranslation(English)Inscription(Prakrit in the Brahmi script)Prakrit inscription recording a Buddhist donation by a Tamil devotee.

Late Anurādhapura period (8th–9th centuries AD)

Abhayagiriya Tamil Buddhist inscription, Anurādhapura

+ Abhayagiriya Tamil Buddhist inscription, Anurādhapura BackgroundTranslation(English) InscriptionFragment of a stone slab with Tamil letters inscribed on it found on the platform of the Abhayagiriya. It records an act of merit in the Abhayagiri premises: the construction of the floor or platform of a building occupying an area of 256 square feet and a token gift of money. The letters are dated to the 8th century AD. p. 102-107.

Ruvanvalisaya Tamil Buddhist inscription, Anurādhapura

+ Ruvanvalisaya Tamil Buddhist inscription, Anurādhapura BackgroundTranslation(English) InscriptionThree short Tamil inscriptions found in the premises of the Ruwanwelisaya, Anuradhapura. The inscriptions are found on the pedestals of Dvarapalakas (guardian images). The first inscription dates from the 8th-9th centuries AD. The second dates to the 10th century AD. p. 108-112.

Pankuḷiya Tamil Buddhist inscription, Anurādhapura

+ Pankuḷiya Tamil Buddhist inscription, Anurādhapura BackgroundTranslation(English) InscriptionA short Tamil inscription found at Pankuḷiya Vihara, Anuradhapura recording a donation. It dates to the 9th-10th century AD. p. 111.

Nānkunāṭṭār Tamil Buddhist Inscription from Anurādhapura

+ Nānkunāttār Tamil Inscription from Anurādhapura BackgroundTranslation(English) InscriptionA slab inscription of the Tamil merchant community called the Nānkunāṭṭār. It records an endowment to the Mākkotai Buddhist temple at Anuradhapura. Mākkotai was a prominent town in Kerala and suggests that this temple was started by Tamil Buddhists from Kerala.

Dharmapalan was the incumbent monk at this temple. A Sanskrit eulogy to king Sena II of Anuradhapura (866-901 AD) ends the inscription. p. 113-123.

Two slab inscriptions from Hindu ruins, Anurādhapura

+ Two slab inscriptions from Hindu ruins, Anurādhapura BackgroundTranslation(English) InscriptionTwo Tamil inscriptions found among the remains of a Hindu temple in Anuradhapura recording endowments. Sri Sanghabodhi is a popular title of medieval Sinhala kings. The text is dated to the late 9th century AD. p. 124-129.

Chola period (993–1070 AD)

Nilaveli Slab Inscription in the reign of Rajaraja I, Trincomalee

+ Nilaveli Slab Inscription, Trincomalee BackgroundTranslation(English) InscriptionAn inscription found in a Ganesh temple in Nilaveli dated to the reign of Rajaraja I before 993 AD. The name 'Tirukōṇamalai' in the inscription remains the Tamil name for Trincomalee to this day. p. 133-140.

Koneswaram inscription of Rajaraja I, Trincomalee

+ Koneswaram inscription of Rajaraja I, Trincomalee BackgroundTranslation(English) InscriptionFragmentary inscription from the Koneswaram temple in the reign of Rajaraja I. It is dated to before 993 AD as the eulogy of this king is at an earlier stage of development.

Kielekadawala Siva kovil inscription of Rajaraja I, Trincomalee

+ Kielekadawala Siva kovil inscription of Rajaraja I, Trincomalee BackgroundTranslation(English) InscriptionA rock inscription found in front of an abandoned Siva temple in an isolated corner of the Kielekadawala village, Gomarankadawala, Trincomalee.

Padaviya inscription of the reign of Rajaraja I

+ Padaviya inscription of the reign of Rajaraja I BackgroundTranslation(English) InscriptionSlab inscription of Rajaraja Chola I found near the Siva temple Ravikulamanikka-isvaram of Padaviya dated to 1005 AD. It records a eulogy to the Chola king and gifts made to the temple by donors. p. 141-145.

Tirukketisvaram inscription in the reign of Rajaraja I, Mannar

+ Tirukketisvaram inscription in the reign of Rajaraja I, Mannar BackgroundTranslation(English) InscriptionAn inscription found at Tirukketisvaram in Mannar, Sri Lanka dated to the reign of Rajaraja I (985-1014 AD). It records an endowment to a Hindu temple. p. 146-165.

Tirukketisvaram inscriptions in the reign of Rajendra Chola I, Mannar

+ Tirukketisvaram inscriptions in the reign of Rajendra Chola I, Mannar BackgroundTranslation(English) InscriptionTwo fragmentary inscriptions found on a pillar at Tirukketisvaram in Mannar, Sri Lanka dated to the reign of Rajendra Chola I (1014-1044 AD). One inscription contains the initial portion of a eulogy to the king celebrating his conquests. The other records an endowment to a Hindu temple. p. 166-177.

Pathirakali Amman temple inscription of Rajendra Chola I, Trincomalee

+ Pathirakali Amman temple inscription of Rajendra Chola I, Trincomalee BackgroundTranslation(English) InscriptionFragmentary inscription from the Pathirakali Amman Temple, Trincomalee recording a eulogy of Rajendra Chola I.

Slab inscription of Rajendra Chola I from Trincomalee Fort

+ Slab inscription of Rajendra Chola I from Trincomalee Fort BackgroundTranslation(English) InscriptionSlab inscription from Fort Fredrick recording a eulogy of Rajendra Chola I.

Two fragmentary Chola Inscriptions from Kayts Fort, Jaffna

+ Two fragmentary Chola Inscriptions from Kayts Fort, Jaffna BackgroundTranslation(English) InscriptionTwo fragmentary Chola inscriptions from Kayts fort, Jaffna recording a eulogy to a viceroy of Rajendra Chola I celebrating his conquests. p. 178-185.

Siva Devale No. 2 inscription, Polonnaruwa

+ Siva Devale No. 2 inscription, Polonnaruwa BackgroundTranslation(English) InscriptionA record of an endowment made to the Siva temple in Pulanari (Tamilised form of Polonnaruwa). p. 186-189.

Three fragmentary Chola inscriptions from Polonnaruwa

+ Three fragmentary Chola inscriptions from Polonnaruwa BackgroundTranslation(English) InscriptionFragmentary Polonnaruwa inscriptions from the reign of Rajendra Chola I (1014-1044 AD) recording endowments to a temple. p. 190-194.

Three fragmentary Chola inscriptions from Siva Devale No. 2, Polonnaruwa

+ Three fragmentary Chola inscriptions from Siva Devale No. 2, Polonnaruwa BackgroundTranslation(English) InscriptionFragmentary inscriptions from Polonnaruwa that initially recorded an endowment to the temple 'Vānavanmātēvi - isvaram'. A eulogy to Rajendra Chola I (1014-1044 AD) is also present. p. 195-198.

Four short inscriptions from Siva Devale No. 1, Padaviya

+ Four short inscriptions from Siva Devale No. 1, Padaviya BackgroundTranslation(English) InscriptionInscriptions engraved on stones built into the walls at the temple recording endowments. They are dated to the early 11th century in the reign of Raja Raja Chola I (985-1014 AD). p. 199-203.

Kantaḷāy Chola Lankeswaran inscription, Trincomalee

+ Kantaḷāy Chola Lankeswaran inscription, Trincomalee BackgroundTranslation(English) InscriptionTamil inscription found in Kantaḷāy, Trincomalee District in the reign of Rajendra Chola I (1014-1044 AD). It records a meeting in the Brahmadeya (Brahmin village) when a Chola viceroy Lankeswaran was ruling. p. 204-217.

Mānānkēni Chola Lankeswaran inscription, Trincomalee

+ Mānānkēni Chola Lankeswaran inscription, Trincomalee BackgroundTranslation(English) InscriptionTamil inscription found in Mānānkēni, Trincomalee District in the reign of Rajendra Chola I (1014-1044 AD) when a Chola viceroy Lankeswaran was ruling. It refers to constructional activity at the Koneswaram Temple. p. 1-22

Sangilikanadarawa Chola inscription, Anuradhapura