Laṅkā untranslated

Laṅkā, Laṅkādīpa, Laṅkātala. Pāli names for Ceylon, found in the Chronicles – e.g., Dīpavaṁsa, Mahā Vaṁsa and the Commentaries. An ancient tradition recorded in the Mahā Vaṁsa (Mhv.xv. 57ff), and in the Samantapāsādikā (Vin-a.i.86ff), gives the names of the Island in the times of the three previous Buddhas, the names of the capital cities, the different names of Mahā Meghavana, and of the kings contemporary with these Buddhas.

• Thus, in the time of Kakusandha, the Island was called Ojadīpa, the king was Abhaya, the capital Abhayapura and Mahā Meghavana, Mahā Tittha.
• In the time of Koṇāgamana, the Island was Varadīpa, the capital Vaḍḍhamāna, the king Samiddha and the park Mahānoma.
• In the time of Kassapa, the Island was Maṇḍadīpa, the king Jayanta, the capital Visālā and the park Mahā Sāgara.

Besides Mahā Meghavana, the other physical feature of Ceylon, mentioned in these accounts, is the mountain known in the present age as Sumanakūṭa, whereon Gotama Buddha placed his footprint. During the ages of the three previous Buddhas, it was known, respectively, as Devakūṭa, Sumanakūṭaka and Subhakūṭa. Gotama paid three visits to Ceylon, while the other three Buddhas came only once. During their visits they consecrated various spots by spending there a short time wrapt in meditation.

Laṅkā was once inhabited by Yakkhas. Gotama Buddha obliged them to leave the Island and seek shelter in the neighboring Giridīpa. Laṅkādīpa was later colonized by Vijaya and his three hundred companions. Two cities of the Yakkhas are mentioned: Sirīsavatthu and Laṅkāpura.