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 rock edicts from around 300 BCE, there is mention of Tamraparni (Tambapanni) in connection with his foreign missions. One edict suggests that his dhamma vijaya (victory through dharma) was successful in frontier kingdoms including the Choda (Cholas), Pada (Pandyas), and as far as Tambapanni. This likely refers to Sri Lanka, where Buddhist chronicles recount a port city called Tammapanni established during the reign of King Vijaya.