The name given to Vijaya and his companions, founders of the Sinhalese race in Ceylon.
It is said (Mhv.vii.42; cf. Dpv.ix.1) that Síhala was the name given to Síhabáhu because he had killed the lion (síham adinnavá iti), and because of their connection with him, Vijaya and his companions were also called Síhalá.
The word, thereafter, became the name of the inhabitants of Ceylon, as opposed to the Damilas and others.
The Síhalá had a víná with very fine strings. KhA.47.