(ශාලි fr. ශාල sal tree or wood), ap. of a king of India, enemy of වික්රමාදිත්ය and founder of the Saka or ශක්ය era in A. D. 78. It is said the name refers to his being carried on a cross of sal wood
this, together with his history and character, is probably derived from some knowledge of Christ's life.
Carter, Charles. A Sinhalese-English dictionary. Colombo: The "Ceylon Observer" Printing Works; London: Probsthain & Co., 1924.