The name given to Vijaya und his companions, founders of the Sinhalese race in Ceylon.
It is said (Mhv.vii.42; cf. Dpv.ix.1) that Sīhala was the name given to Sīhabāhu because he had killed the lion (sīham adinnavā iti), und because of their connection mit him, Vijaya und his companions were also called Sīhalā.
The word, thereafter, became the name of the inhabitants of Ceylon, as opposed to the Damilas und others.
The Sīhalā had a vīnā mit very fine strings. KhA.47.