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Sri Lanka

History and heritage of Sri Lanka, spanning 16 kingdoms and 190 rulers.

Kingdoms

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Tambapanni

Earliest recorded settlement under Vijaya, also known as Thammanna Nuwara.

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Upatissa Nuwara

Interim capital after Vijaya period

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Anuradhapura Kingdom

First major kingdom; irrigation & Buddhist center

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Kelaniya Kingdom

A provincial kingdom with deep mythological and Buddhist significance. It was the capital of King Kelanitissa and the birthplace of Vihara Maha Devi.

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Ruhuna

Founded around 200 BC by Prince Mahanaga after a dispute with his brother, King Devanampiya Tissa of Anuradhapura. Located in the south of Sri Lanka, it became a crucial center for Sinhalese culture and a base of resistance against invaders. Key cities included Magama and Tissamaharama.

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Sigiriya

Fortress/palace period under Kashyapa I

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Polonnaruwa

Medieval capital; advanced irrigation

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Jaffna Kingdom

Northern Tamil kingdom

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Dambadeniya

Transitional capital after Chola conflicts

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Yapahuwa

Rock fortress capital

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Kurunegala

Short-lived capital; period of consolidation

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Gampola

Highland capital; shift inland

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Kotte

Late medieval kingdom; literature & trade

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Kandyan Kingdom

Last independent kingdom; Nayak influences

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Raigama Kingdom

Emerged after the 'Vijayabā Kollaya' in 1521 and was later annexed by the Sitawaka Kingdom.

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Sitawaka

Resistance against Portuguese expansion

Rulers

King Vijaya
543–505 BCE
Tambapanni
Upatissa (regent)
505–504 BCE
Tambapanni
King Panduvasudeva
504–474 BCE
Upatissa Nuwara
King Abhaya
474–454 BCE
Upatissa Nuwara
Tissa (regent)
454–437 BCE
Upatissa Nuwara
King Pandukabhaya
437–367 BCE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Mutasiva
367–307 BCE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Devanampiya Tissa
307–267 BCE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Uttiya
267–257 BCE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Mahasiva
257–247 BCE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Suratissa
247–237 BCE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
Sena and Guttika
237–215 BCE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Asela
215–205 BCE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Elara (Chola/Tamil)
205–161 BCE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Kelanitissa
c. 2nd Century BCE
Kelaniya Kingdom
King Kavan Tissa
c. 2nd c. BCE
Ruhuna
King Dutugemunu
161–137 BCE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Saddha Tissa
137–119 BCE
Ruhuna
King Lanja Tissa
119–109 BCE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Thulatthana
119 BCE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Khallata Naga
109–103 BCE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Khallatanaga
109–103 BC
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Pulahatta
103–100 BCE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Valagamba (Vattagamani Abhaya)
103, 89–77 BCE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Bahiya
100–98 BCE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Panya Mara
98–91 BCE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Pilaya Mara
91–90 BCE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Dathika
90–89 BCE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Vattagamani Abhaya
89–77 BC
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Mahakuli Mahatissa
77–63 BCE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Chora Naga
63–51 BCE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Kuda Tissa
51–48 BCE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Tissa
50–47 BC
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Siva I (first)
48–47 BCE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Darubhatika Tissa
47 BCE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Niliya
47–46 BCE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Vatuka
47 BCE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
Queen Anula
46–44 BCE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Kutakanna Tissa
44 BCE–22 BCE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Bhatikabhaya Abhaya
22 BCE–7 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Mahadathika Mahanaga
7–19 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Amandagamani Abhaya
19–29 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Kanirajanu Tissa
29–32 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Chulabhaya
32–33 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Ilanaga
33–43 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
Queen Sivali
33 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Chandamukha Siva
43–52 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Yassalalaka Tissa
52–60 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Subharaja
60–67 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Vasabha
67–111 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Vankanasika Tissa
111–114 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Gajabahu I
114–136 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Mahallaka Naga
136–139 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Bhatika Tissa
139–167 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Kanittha Tissa
167–186 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Cula Naga
186–191 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Kuda Naga
191–196 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Siri Naga I
196–215 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Abhaya Naga
215–237 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Siri Naga II
237–245 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Voharika Tissa
245–247 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Abhaya Naga II
247–249 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Siri Naga III
249–251 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Vijaya Kumara
251–252 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Sangha Tissa I
252–254 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Siri Sangha Bodhi I
254–256 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Gothabhaya
256–264 CE
Ruhuna
King Jettha Tissa II
264–273 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Mahasena
273–301 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Siri Meghavanna
301–328 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Jettha Tissa III
328–337 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Buddhadasa
337–365 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Upatissa I
365–406 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Mahanama
406–428 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Siva II (second)
428–430 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Pandu (Tamil)
430–432 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Khudda Parinda (Tamil)
432–434 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Parindu (Tamil)
432 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Dathiya (Tamil)
434–436 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Tiritara (Tamil)
434 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Pithiya (Tamil)
436–437 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Dhatusena
455–473 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Kashyapa I
473–495 CE
Sigiriya
King Moggallana I
495–512 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Kumara Dhatusena
512–524 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Silakala
518–531 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Kittisena
524 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Siva I
524–525 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Upatissa II
525–526 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Silakala Ambosamanera
526–539 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Moggallana II
531–539 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Aggabodhi I
564–598 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Kassapa II
602–608 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Aggabodhi II
608–618 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Sangha Tissa II
608–614 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Dathopa Tissa I
614–623 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Siva II
614–623 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Aggabodhi III
626–636 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Dathopatissa II
650–658 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Aggabodhi IV
658–674 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Kassapa III
732–738 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Mahinda I
738–746 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Aggabodhi VI
771–781 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Mahinda II
781–797 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Siri Sangha Bodhi II
797–801 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Mahinda III
801–804 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Dappula I
804–835 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Sena I
833–853 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Dappula II
835–836 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Sena II
853–887 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Udaya I
887–898 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Kassapa IV
898–914 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Kassapa V
914–923 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Dappula IV
923–924 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Kassapa VI
924–935 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Sena III
936–945 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Udaya II
946–954 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Sena IV
954–956 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Mahinda IV
956–972 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Sena V
972–975 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Mahinda V
982–1017 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom
King Vijayabahu I
1055–1110 CE
Ruhuna
King Jayabahu I
1110–1111 CE
Polonnaruwa
King Vikramabahu I
1111–1132 CE
Ruhuna
King Gajabahu II
1132–1153 CE
Polonnaruwa
King Parakramabahu I
1153–1186 CE
Polonnaruwa
King Nissanka Malla
1187–1196 CE
Polonnaruwa
Queen Lilavati
1197–1200, 1209–1210, 1211–1212 CE
Polonnaruwa
King Sahasa Malla
1200–1202 CE
Polonnaruwa
Queen Kalyanavati
1202–1208 CE
Polonnaruwa
King Dharmasoka
1208–1209 CE
Polonnaruwa
King Anikanga
1209 CE
Polonnaruwa
King Lokissara
1210–1211 CE
Ruhuna
King Parakrama Pandya II
1212–1215 CE
Polonnaruwa
King Kalinga Magha (Jaffna)
1215–1255 CE
Jaffna Kingdom
King Kalinga Magha (Polonnaruwa)
1215–1236 CE
Polonnaruwa
King Vijayabahu III
1236–1270 CE
Dambadeniya
King Kulasekhara
1255–1284 CE
Jaffna Kingdom
King Parakramabahu II
1270–1284 CE
Dambadeniya
King Bhuvanaikabahu I
1284–1291 CE
Yapahuwa
King Vira Pandya
1284–1323 CE
Jaffna Kingdom
King Parakramabahu III
1287–1293 CE
Polonnaruwa
King Parakramabahu IV
1291–1302 CE
Yapahuwa
King Bhuvanaikabahu II
1302–1326 CE
Kurunegala
King Jaya Sinha
1323–1330 CE
Jaffna Kingdom
King Bhuvanaikabahu III
1326–1335 CE
Kurunegala
King Kulasekhara Cinkaiariyan
1330–1371 CE
Jaffna Kingdom
King Vijayabahu V
1335–1341 CE
Kurunegala
King Bhuvanaikabahu IV
1341–1351 CE
Gampola
King Parakramabahu V
1344–1359 CE
Gampola
King Vikramabahu III
1357–1374 CE
Gampola
King Alagakkonara
1371–1380 CE
Jaffna Kingdom
King Bhuvanaikabahu V
1372–1408 CE
Gampola
King Vira Alakesvara
1380–1410 CE
Jaffna Kingdom
King Vira Alakesvara
1397–1411 CE
Gampola
King Jaya Bahu Pandaram
1410–1440 CE
Jaffna Kingdom
King Parakramabahu VI
1412–1467 CE
Kotte
King Gunabharnam Pandaram
1440–1450 CE
Jaffna Kingdom
King Kanakasuriya Cinkaiariyan
1450–1467 CE
Jaffna Kingdom
King Jayabahu II
1467–1472 CE
Kotte
King Puviraja Pandaram
1467–1519 CE
Jaffna Kingdom
King Senasammata Vikramabahu
1469–1511 CE
Kandyan Kingdom
King Bhuvanaikabahu VI
1473–1480 CE
Kotte
King Parakramabahu VII
1480–1484 CE
Kotte
King Parakramabahu VIII
1484–1508 CE
Kotte
King Jayavira Bandara
1511–1552 CE
Kandyan Kingdom
King Vijayabahu VI
1513–1521 CE
Kotte
King Cinkaiariyan
1519–1561 CE
Jaffna Kingdom
King Bhuvanaikabahu VII
1521–1551 CE
Kotte
King Mayadunne
1521–1581 CE
Sitawaka
King Raigam Bandara
1521–1538 CE
Raigama Kingdom
King Dharmapala
1551–1597 CE
Kotte
King Karaliyadde Bandara
1552–1581 CE
Kandyan Kingdom
King Puviraja Pandaram II
1561–1565 CE
Jaffna Kingdom
King Kasi Nayinar Cinkaiariyan
1565–1570 CE
Jaffna Kingdom
King Periyapillai
1570–1582 CE
Jaffna Kingdom
King Rajasinha I
1581–1593 CE
Sitawaka
King Rajasinha I (Kandyan)
1581–1591 CE
Kandyan Kingdom
King Puviraja Pandaram III
1582–1591 CE
Jaffna Kingdom
King Ethirimana Cinkam
1591–1617 CE
Jaffna Kingdom
King Vimaladharmasuriya I
1591–1604 CE
Kandyan Kingdom
King Senarat
1604–1635 CE
Kandyan Kingdom
King Cankili II
1617–1619 CE
Jaffna Kingdom
King Rajasinha II
1635–1687 CE
Kandyan Kingdom
King Vimaladharmasuriya II
1687–1707 CE
Kandyan Kingdom
King Vira Narendra Sinha
1707–1739 CE
Kandyan Kingdom
King Sri Vijaya Rajasinha
1739–1747 CE
Kandyan Kingdom
King Kirti Sri Rajasinha
1747–1782 CE
Kandyan Kingdom
King Rajadhi Rajasinha
1782–1798 CE
Kandyan Kingdom
King Sri Vikrama Rajasinha
1798–1815 CE
Kandyan Kingdom