The rock edicts of the 3rd century BCE Indian emperor Ashoka mentions the word Tamraparni (as "Tambapanni") in connection with his foreign missions. One edict states that his dhamma vijaya (victory through dhamma) prevailed in frontier kingdoms of the Choda (Cholas), Pada (Pandyas), and as far as Tambapanni. This seems to be a reference to Sri Lanka, as the Buddhist chronicles of Sri Lanka mention that a port city called Tammapanni was established there during the reign of the legendary king Vijaya.
In Ashoka's edicts from around 300 BCE, there is reference to Tamraparni (Tambapanni) in relation to his foreign missions. One edict indicates that his dhamma vijaya (victory through dharma) was successful in frontier kingdoms such as the Choda (Cholas), Pada (Pandyas), and as far as Tambapanni. This seems to correspond with Sri Lanka, where Buddhist chronicles describe a port city called Tammapanni established during King Vijaya's reign.