Political Connections
Political relationships, family ties, alliances, and rivalries between Sri Lankan monarchs
π§¬Family Relations(32)
Abhaya was the eldest son of King Panduvasudeva and succeeded his father as the king of Upatissa Nuwara, ruling for 20 years
His reign ended when he was deposed by his nephew, Pandukabhaya, who feared that Abhaya would not cede the throne
Abhaya was the eldest son of King Panduvasudeva and succeeded his father as the king of Upatissa Nuwara, ruling for 20 years
He was one of the ten sons of King Panduvasudeva
Tissa was the younger brother of King Abhaya and became the regent of Upatissa Nuwara after Abhaya was deposed
His time as regent was defined by a prolonged power struggle with his nephew, Pandukabhaya, the son of their sister Unmada Chitra
Tissa was the younger brother of King Abhaya and became the regent of Upatissa Nuwara after Abhaya was deposed
Uttiya was a king of the Anuradhapura Kingdom who succeeded his elder brother, the renowned King Devanampiya Tissa
Uttiya was a king of the Anuradhapura Kingdom who succeeded his elder brother, the renowned King Devanampiya Tissa
He was another son of King Mutasiva and ascended the throne after his brother Uttiya
He was another son of King Mutasiva and ascended the throne after his brother Uttiya
He was succeeded by his younger brother, Suratissa
He was succeeded by his younger brother, Suratissa
This event marks the first recorded instance of a foreign invasion and rule over the Anuradhapura Kingdom, breaking the Vijayan dynasty for a period of 22 years
Suratissa was a king of the Anuradhapura Kingdom who succeeded his elder brother, Mahasiva
Two horse traders from South India, named Sena and Guttika, mounted an invasion, defeated King Suratissa in battle, and usurped the throne
Suratissa was a king of the Anuradhapura Kingdom who succeeded his elder brother, Mahasiva
Their rule was eventually ended by Asela, the younger brother of the slain King Suratissa, who raised an army and defeated the two invaders to restore the Vijayan dynasty
After arriving on the island for trade, they organized an army, defeated and killed King Suratissa, and usurped the Sinhalese throne
Their rule was eventually ended by Asela, the younger brother of the slain King Suratissa, who raised an army and defeated the two invaders to restore the Vijayan dynasty
After arriving on the island for trade, they organized an army, defeated and killed King Suratissa, and usurped the Sinhalese throne
As the son of King Kavan Tissa of Ruhuna, he was driven from a young age by the desire to expel the Chola king Elara, who ruled Anuradhapura
As the son of King Kavan Tissa of Ruhuna, he was driven from a young age by the desire to expel the Chola king Elara, who ruled Anuradhapura
King Saddha Tissa (137β119 BCE) β Saddha Tissa, younger brother of Dutugemunu, inherited a newly unified Anuradhapura where monumental Buddhist projects and hydraulic expansion had accelerated
King Saddha Tissa (137β119 BCE) β Saddha Tissa, younger brother of Dutugemunu, inherited a newly unified Anuradhapura where monumental Buddhist projects and hydraulic expansion had accelerated
He is most famously remembered as the father of the heroic Sinhalese king, Dutugemunu
Kavan Tissa was the king of the southern kingdom of Ruhuna during the period when the northern Anuradhapura Kingdom was under the rule of the Chola king Elara
After murdering his father Dhatusena and usurping the throne, he relocated the capital to Sigiriya, creating a defensive stronghold adorned with frescoes and hydraulic gardens
King Moggallana I (495β512 CE) β Moggallana I reclaimed the throne from his brother Kashyapa I after defeating him in battle
Jayabahu II's brief five-year reign followed his father Parakramabahu VI
Jayabahu II's brief five-year reign followed his father Parakramabahu VI
Jayabahu II's brief five-year reign followed his father Parakramabahu VI
π°Succession & Inheritance(6)
He was the son of the illustrious King Pandukabhaya
He was the son of the illustrious King Pandukabhaya
Mutasiva had ten sons and two daughters, and several of his sons, including Devanampiya Tissa, Uttiya, and Mahasiva, would go on to rule the kingdom in succession
Mutasiva had ten sons and two daughters, and several of his sons, including Devanampiya Tissa, Uttiya, and Mahasiva, would go on to rule the kingdom in succession
Mutasiva had ten sons and two daughters, and several of his sons, including Devanampiya Tissa, Uttiya, and Mahasiva, would go on to rule the kingdom in succession
Mutasiva had ten sons and two daughters, and several of his sons, including Devanampiya Tissa, Uttiya, and Mahasiva, would go on to rule the kingdom in succession
βοΈConflicts & Rivalries(28)
Upatissa was a chief minister of King Vijaya and the regent of Sri Lanka for one year after Vijaya's death
He governed the kingdom from this city while awaiting the arrival of Vijaya's designated successor, Panduvasudeva, from India
Upatissa was a chief minister of King Vijaya and the regent of Sri Lanka for one year after Vijaya's death
He was the nephew of his predecessor, King Vijaya, and was summoned from Sinhapura, India, to continue the royal lineage
Panduvasudeva was the first monarch of the Kingdom of Upatissa Nuwara, reigning for 30 years
Pandukabhaya is a legendary king of Sri Lanka and the first monarch of the Anuradhapura Kingdom
Asela was a king of the Anuradhapura Kingdom who heroically restored the Vijayan dynasty after a period of foreign rule
He was the youngest of the nine sons of King Mutasiva
After the two Tamil invaders, Sena and Guttika, had ruled for 22 years, Asela raised an army, defeated them in battle, and reclaimed the throne for the Sinhalese
Elara was a Chola prince from South India who invaded Sri Lanka and took the throne of the Anuradhapura Kingdom by defeating King Asela
His long reign was eventually challenged by the Sinhalese prince Dutugemunu from the south
King Lanja Tissa (119β109 BCE) β Lanja Tissa governed during a period of internal court faction balancing after rapid turnover
King Valagamba (Vattagamani Abhaya) (103, 89β77 BCE) β Valagamba first lost the throne in 103 BCE amid South Indian challenger pressure and internal instability, then reclaimed it (89β77 BCE) after pr...
King Valagamba (Vattagamani Abhaya) (103, 89β77 BCE) β Valagamba first lost the throne in 103 BCE amid South Indian challenger pressure and internal instability, then reclaimed it (89β77 BCE) after pr...
His rule contributes a temporal buffer before the dramatic sequence culminating in Queen Anula
Vankanasika Tissa (111β114 CE) followed Vasabha's infrastructure-heavy tenure with a short reign focused on maintaining new irrigation networks
Vankanasika Tissa (111β114 CE) followed Vasabha's infrastructure-heavy tenure with a short reign focused on maintaining new irrigation networks
He is generally placed within the broader line of rulers descending from earlier Anuradhapura dynasties that blended indigenous clans with the established Vijayan line
King Abhaya Naga II ruled the Anuradhapura Kingdom briefly from 247β249 CE, during a period marked by rapid succession and doctrinal debate within Sri Lankan Buddhism
His reign sits between that of Voharika Tissa (known for measures against extremist ascetic practices) and Siri Naga III, forming part of a transitional cluster of monarchs whose short rules reflect u...
His reign sits between that of Voharika Tissa (known for measures against extremist ascetic practices) and Siri Naga III, forming part of a transitional cluster of monarchs whose short rules reflect u...
King Abhaya Naga II ruled the Anuradhapura Kingdom briefly from 247β249 CE, during a period marked by rapid succession and doctrinal debate within Sri Lankan Buddhism
His reign sits between that of Voharika Tissa (known for measures against extremist ascetic practices) and Siri Naga III, forming part of a transitional cluster of monarchs whose short rules reflect u...
His reign sits between that of Voharika Tissa (known for measures against extremist ascetic practices) and Siri Naga III, forming part of a transitional cluster of monarchs whose short rules reflect u...
His reign sits between that of Voharika Tissa (known for measures against extremist ascetic practices) and Siri Naga III, forming part of a transitional cluster of monarchs whose short rules reflect u...
Sena II enjoyed a robust 34-year reign, one of the longest in late Anuradhapura history
Parakramabahu III attempted a final stand at Polonnaruwa, reigning for six turbulent years
Parakramabahu III attempted a final stand at Polonnaruwa, reigning for six turbulent years
π€Alliances & Partnerships(19)
He was the son of King Mutasiva and maintained a close friendship with the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka of India
Devanampiya Tissa, whose name means 'Beloved of the Gods,' was a pivotal monarch of the Anuradhapura Kingdom, best known for officially introducing Buddhism to Sri Lanka
Kanirajanu Tissa (29β32 CE) ruled briefly; chronicles occasionally allude to severity in justice administration, though context is ambiguous and possibly moralizing
King Mahasena (273β301 CE) β Mahasena is a transformative figure whose 28-year reign combined massive hydraulic engineering with controversial religious politics
However, his reign ended tragically when his son Kashyapa I, fearing disinheritance, imprisoned and killed him
King Dhatusena (455β473 CE) β Dhatusena is a heroic restorative figure who expelled Tamil invaders and reclaimed Anuradhapura for Sinhalese rule
Sangha Tissa II ruled concurrently or sequentially with overlapping dates in sources, indicating possible co-regency or regional fragmentation
Sangha Tissa II ruled concurrently or sequentially with overlapping dates in sources, indicating possible co-regency or regional fragmentation
Her reign reflects succession turbulence following Nissanka Malla's lineage collapse
Vijayabahu III established Dambadeniya as the new capital after expelling Kalinga Magha's forces from Polonnaruwa
Vijayabahu III established Dambadeniya as the new capital after expelling Kalinga Magha's forces from Polonnaruwa
Vijayabahu III established Dambadeniya as the new capital after expelling Kalinga Magha's forces from Polonnaruwa
Vijayabahu III established Dambadeniya as the new capital after expelling Kalinga Magha's forces from Polonnaruwa
Jaya Bahu Pandaram ruled Jaffna for 30 years during Parakramabahu VI's unification campaigns
Jaya Bahu Pandaram ruled Jaffna for 30 years during Parakramabahu VI's unification campaigns
Senasammata Vikramabahu is traditionally considered the founding monarch of the Kandyan kingdom, ruling for 42 years from the highland fortress
Bhuvanaikabahu VII's 30-year reign at Kotte witnessed full-scale Portuguese involvement in island politics
Bhuvanaikabahu VII's 30-year reign at Kotte witnessed full-scale Portuguese involvement in island politics
Sri Vijaya Rajasinha, the first Nayakkar king, ruled Kandy for eight years
πHistorical Mentions(127)
Khallatanaga (Khallata Naga) was briefly mentioned in chronicles as a king during the troubled period after Lanja Tissa
Khallatanaga (Khallata Naga) was briefly mentioned in chronicles as a king during the troubled period after Lanja Tissa
Khallatanaga (Khallata Naga) was briefly mentioned in chronicles as a king during the troubled period after Lanja Tissa
Removal by Bahiya demonstrates rapid turnover symptomatic of low internal legitimacy
Bahiya's inability to institutionalize support led to replacement by Panya Mara, reaffirming volatility until Valagamba's restoration consolidated rule
Vattagamani Abhaya's turbulent 12-year reign saw him driven into exile by Tamil invaders for 14 years before reclaiming the throne
Mahakuli Mahatissa (77β63 BCE), succeeding the turbulence preceding Valagamba's stabilized era, presided over a phase of consolidation
Kuda Tissa (51β48 BCE) held a short reign likely dominated by maintaining existing royal obligations: ritual sponsorship, adjudication of land boundary disputes, and sustaining granary logistics
Siva I (48β47 BCE) β Siva I (48β47 BCE) represents a brief transitional kingship
Darubhatika Tissa (47 BCE) followed Vatuka within the same year, signaling unresolved contention
Darubhatika Tissa (47 BCE) followed Vatuka within the same year, signaling unresolved contention
Darubhatika Tissa (47 BCE) followed Vatuka within the same year, signaling unresolved contention
Kutakanna Tissa (44 BCEβ22 BCE) restored longer-duration kingship following rapid turnover
Bhatikabhaya Abhaya (22 BCEβ7 CE) governed across the BCEβCE temporal threshold, presiding over incremental infrastructural upkeep and sustained Buddhist patronage
Mahadathika Mahanaga (7β19 CE) maintained continuity into the early Common Era, a period where Anuradhapura's hydraulic base matured further
Amandagamani Abhaya (19β29 CE) appears in textual tradition emphasizing piety
Chulabhaya (32β33 CE) had an almost token-length reign
His decade provided breathing space after the volatility marked by Queens Anula and Sivali, contributing to dynastic stabilization through moderate piety and administrative routine
His decade provided breathing space after the volatility marked by Queens Anula and Sivali, contributing to dynastic stabilization through moderate piety and administrative routine
Queen Sivali (33 CE) stands alongside Queen Anula as evidence that female rulership, though rare, emerged during succession turbulence
Yassalalaka Tissa (52β60 CE) presided over a period of hydraulic refinement
His reign functions as a bridging phase before Bhatika Tissa's longer consolidation
Mahallaka Naga (136β139 CE) had a short three-year tenure following Gajabahu I's dynamic rule
His reign functions as a bridging phase before Bhatika Tissa's longer consolidation
Bhatika Tissa (139β167 CE) enjoyed a lengthy 28-year reign, facilitating sustained infrastructural investment
Kanittha Tissa (167β186 CE) continued the pattern of tank construction and temple sponsorship established by predecessors
Abhaya Naga (215β237 CE) governed for 22 years, a duration permitting incremental infrastructural refinement
Siri Naga II (237β245 CE) ruled for eight years, maintaining continuity after Abhaya Naga's extended tenure
Siri Naga II (237β245 CE) ruled for eight years, maintaining continuity after Abhaya Naga's extended tenure
Siri Naga II (237β245 CE) ruled for eight years, maintaining continuity after Abhaya Naga's extended tenure
Voharika Tissa (245β247 CE) is noted in chronicles for measures against extremist ascetic factionsβpossibly Mahayana or heterodox TheravΔda sects perceived as destabilizing orthodox monastic hierarchy
Siri Naga III (249β251 CE) ruled briefly after Abhaya Naga II's short tenure
Siri Naga III (249β251 CE) ruled briefly after Abhaya Naga II's short tenure
Siri Naga III (249β251 CE) ruled briefly after Abhaya Naga II's short tenure
Siri Naga III (249β251 CE) ruled briefly after Abhaya Naga II's short tenure
Siri Naga III (249β251 CE) ruled briefly after Abhaya Naga II's short tenure
Vijaya Kumara (251β252 CE) held an ephemeral one-year reign
Sangha Tissa I (252β254 CE) governed for two years within a sequence of short reigns
Gothabhaya (256β264 CE) enjoyed an eight-year reign, enabling modest infrastructural consolidation
Jettha Tissa II (264β273 CE) governed for nine years, sustaining hydraulic and religious infrastructure
His 27-year reign emphasized monastic reconciliation after Mahasena's sectarian conflicts, restoring Mahavihara and reinforcing TheravΔda orthodoxy
Jettha Tissa III (328β337 CE) ruled for nine years, sustaining the religious and hydraulic equilibrium established by Siri Meghavanna
Jettha Tissa III (328β337 CE) ruled for nine years, sustaining the religious and hydraulic equilibrium established by Siri Meghavanna
Jettha Tissa III (328β337 CE) ruled for nine years, sustaining the religious and hydraulic equilibrium established by Siri Meghavanna
Upatissa I (365β406 CE) enjoyed a lengthy 41-year reign, enabling sustained infrastructural investment
Siva II (428β430 CE) β Siva II (428β430 CE) had a brief two-year reign amid escalating South Indian interference
Siva II (428β430 CE) β Siva II (428β430 CE) had a brief two-year reign amid escalating South Indian interference
His displacement marked the end of nearly a decade of foreign control, setting the stage for Dhatusena's restorative campaign and the re-establishment of Sinhalese sovereignty
Kumara Dhatusena (512β524 CE) ruled for twelve years, sustaining the post-Sigiriya restoration
Upatissa II held a one-year reign within a sequence of short tenures
About Political Connections
This page maps the complex web of political relationships between Sri Lankan monarchs. These connections include family lineages, succession disputes, military conflicts, strategic alliances, and historical interactions that shaped the island's political landscape over 2,300 years.