Historical Timeline

Complete chronological timeline of Sri Lankan monarchs spanning over 2,300 years

Ancient Period (543 BCE - 250 CE)

543–505 BCE
Tambapanni

King Vijaya

King Vijaya is the legendary first king of Sri Lanka, known for founding the Sinhalese people. According to the Mahāvaṃsa, he was the son of King Sinhabahu of Sinhapura in India. Due to his unruly behavior, he was banished with 700 followers. They landed in Lanka, at a site named Tambapanni, on the day of the Buddha's Parinirvana. There, he and his followers defeated the native Yakkhas with the help of the Yakkha princess Kuveni, whom he married. He established the Kingdom of Tambapanni, but later abandoned Kuveni and their two children to marry a princess from the Pandyan kingdom in Madurai, India, to legitimize his rule. His followers also married women from Madurai. This union is considered the origin of the Sinhalese people. He ruled for 38 years, and his reign is marked as the beginning of the recorded history of Sri Lanka. King Vijaya's arrival and the subsequent marriages of his followers with princesses from India is traditionally considered the origin of the Sinhalese people and culture in Sri Lanka. His reign marks the beginning of Sri Lanka's recorded history, chronicled in the ancient text Mahāvaṃsa.

505–504 BCE
Tambapanni

Upatissa (regent)

Upatissa was a chief minister of King Vijaya and the regent of Sri Lanka for one year after Vijaya's death. He was the foremost of the ministers and founded the city of Upatissa Nuwara, which became the second capital of the kingdom. He governed the kingdom from this city while awaiting the arrival of Vijaya's designated successor, Panduvasudeva, from India. His regency was a crucial transitional period that ensured the continuity of the monarchy.

504–474 BCE
Upatissa Nuwara

King Panduvasudeva

Panduvasudeva was the first monarch of the Kingdom of Upatissa Nuwara, reigning for 30 years. He was the nephew of his predecessor, King Vijaya, and was summoned from Sinhapura, India, to continue the royal lineage. He arrived in Sri Lanka with 32 followers and later married Princess Buddhakachchana, a relative of the Buddha, who arrived with her own retinue. Their marriage and his coronation solidified the Vijayan dynasty. Together, they had ten sons and one daughter, Unmada Chitra. His reign was foundational for the new kingdom, establishing a stable succession and strengthening ties with Indian royalty.

474–454 BCE
Upatissa Nuwara

King Abhaya

Abhaya was the eldest son of King Panduvasudeva and succeeded his father as the king of Upatissa Nuwara, ruling for 20 years. He was chosen by his brothers to be the monarch and was known as a just and benevolent ruler. His reign ended when he was deposed by his nephew, Pandukabhaya, who feared that Abhaya would not cede the throne. Despite this, Pandukabhaya later appointed him to the position of 'Nagaraguttika' or guardian of the capital city, Anuradhapura, demonstrating a level of reconciliation and respect between them.

454–437 BCE
Upatissa Nuwara

Tissa (regent)

Tissa was the younger brother of King Abhaya and became the regent of Upatissa Nuwara after Abhaya was deposed. He was one of the ten sons of King Panduvasudeva. His time as regent was defined by a prolonged power struggle with his nephew, Pandukabhaya, the son of their sister Unmada Chitra. Tissa and his other brothers waged war against Pandukabhaya for seventeen years, a conflict that ultimately ended in Tissa's defeat and death. His regency represents the final period of the Upatissa Nuwara kingdom before the capital shifted to Anuradhapura under Pandukabhaya.

437–367 BCE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Pandukabhaya

Pandukabhaya is a legendary king of Sri Lanka and the first monarch of the Anuradhapura Kingdom. His story is one of destiny and perseverance; born to Princess Unmada Chitra, he was hidden at birth to protect him from his uncles, who had been foretold that he would kill them. Raised in secrecy, he eventually waged a seventeen-year war against his uncles, defeated them, and unified the island. He established Anuradhapura as his capital, a city he meticulously planned and developed. His reign of 70 years was marked by significant achievements, including the construction of reservoirs (such as the Abhaya Wewa), the establishment of a formal administrative system, and the peaceful integration of different clans. He is considered one of the most important early kings of Sri Lanka.

367–307 BCE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Mutasiva

Mutasiva was a king of the Anuradhapura Kingdom who enjoyed a long and peaceful reign of 60 years. He was the son of the illustrious King Pandukabhaya. His most significant contribution was the creation of the Mahamevnāwa (Great Clouds) Park in Anuradhapura, a beautifully landscaped garden that he laid out with fruit and flowering trees. This park would later become a site of immense religious importance, as it was where the sacred Bodhi tree was planted during the reign of his successor. 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.

307–267 BCE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Devanampiya Tissa

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. He was the son of King Mutasiva and maintained a close friendship with the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka of India. The most significant event of his reign was the arrival of Arahat Mahinda, Ashoka's son, who converted the king and his court to Buddhism at the historic site of Mihintale. Following his conversion, Devanampiya Tissa became a great patron of the faith, establishing the Mahavihara monastery and building the Thuparama stupa, the first of its kind in Sri Lanka. His reign also saw the arrival of Sanghamitta, Ashoka's daughter, who brought a sapling of the sacred Bodhi Tree from Bodh Gaya, which was planted in Anuradhapura and is revered to this day. His actions firmly rooted Buddhism in Sri Lankan soil, shaping the island's culture and history for centuries.

267–257 BCE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Uttiya

Uttiya was a king of the Anuradhapura Kingdom who succeeded his elder brother, the renowned King Devanampiya Tissa. His ten-year reign is historically significant primarily because it marks the passing of the two central figures who introduced Buddhism to Sri Lanka: Arahant Mahinda and his sister, Sanghamitta Theri. Arahant Mahinda passed away in the eighth year of Uttiya's reign, and the king held a grand funeral for him, building a stupa on the site of his cremation at Mihintale. Sanghamitta Theri passed away the following year, and she was also honored with a stupa. These events underscore the consolidation of Buddhism as the state religion during his time.

257–247 BCE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Mahasiva

Mahasiva was a king of the Anuradhapura Kingdom who reigned for ten years. He was another son of King Mutasiva and ascended the throne after his brother Uttiya. Like his brothers who reigned before him, Mahasiva was a pious king. According to the chronicles, he was a great supporter of the monk Bhaddasala, for whom he built the Bhaddasala temple in Anuradhapura. His reign is noted for its stability and continuation of the royal family's patronage of Buddhism. He was succeeded by his younger brother, Suratissa.

247–237 BCE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Suratissa

Suratissa was a king of the Anuradhapura Kingdom who succeeded his elder brother, Mahasiva. He was a devout follower of Buddhism and is credited with building numerous viharas (monasteries) throughout his kingdom, totaling around 500 religious shrines. His reign, however, came to an abrupt and violent end. Two horse traders from South India, named Sena and Guttika, mounted an invasion, defeated King Suratissa in battle, and usurped the throne. 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.

237–215 BCE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

Sena and Guttika

Sena and Guttika were two Tamil horse traders from South India who became the first recorded foreign rulers of Anuradhapura. After arriving on the island for trade, they organized an army, defeated and killed King Suratissa, and usurped the Sinhalese throne. They ruled jointly for 22 years. The chronicles describe their reign as unrighteous and oppressive, a period during which the local populace suffered. 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.

215–205 BCE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Asela

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. He ruled from Anuradhapura for ten years. However, his reign was also brought to an end by another invasion from South India, led by a Chola prince named Elara, who defeated and killed Asela to become the next ruler.

205–161 BCE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Elara (Chola/Tamil)

Elara was a Chola prince from South India who invaded Sri Lanka and took the throne of the Anuradhapura Kingdom by defeating King Asela. Despite being an invader, Elara is renowned in Sri Lankan history for his exceptionally just and impartial rule, which lasted for 44 years. The Mahavamsa chronicle, though a Sinhalese Buddhist text, praises him for his righteousness and describes his 'Bell of Justice,' which citizens could ring to demand his personal attention for any grievance. The most famous legend tells of him ordering the execution of his own son as retribution for a calf that the son's chariot had accidentally killed. His long reign was eventually challenged by the Sinhalese prince Dutugemunu from the south. The conflict culminated in a legendary duel between the two kings on elephant-back, where the elderly Elara was finally defeated and killed. Dutugemunu, in a mark of great respect, had a monument built for Elara and ordered that all should pay respect to it.

161–137 BCE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Dutugemunu

Dutugemunu is one of the most celebrated heroes in Sri Lankan history, revered for liberating and unifying the island under a single banner. 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. After his father's death and a brief conflict with his own brother, Tissa, Dutugemunu launched his famous campaign. Aided by his loyal war elephant, Kandula, and his 'Ten Giant Warriors,' he waged a series of battles, culminating in a legendary elephant-back duel where he defeated and killed the elderly King Elara. Despite being an adversary, Dutugemunu showed great respect for Elara's bravery, building a monument in his honor. As king, Dutugemunu became a great patron of Buddhism, initiating the construction of some of the most iconic structures in Anuradhapura, including the massive Ruwanwelisaya stupa and the magnificent nine-story Lovamahapaya (Brazen Palace). His reign is considered a golden age of Sinhalese nationalism and religious devotion.

137–119 BCE
Ruhuna

King Saddha Tissa

King Saddha Tissa (137–119 BCE) – Saddha Tissa, younger brother of Dutugemunu, inherited a newly unified Anuradhapura where monumental Buddhist projects and hydraulic expansion had accelerated. His reign focused on consolidation: safeguarding stupas (notably Ruwanwelisaya), completing ancillary monastic buildings, and standardizing maintenance of irrigation networks. Chronicles imply he preserved the ideological synthesis of kingship and Buddhist patronage without embarking on the dramatic military campaigns of his predecessor. Stability and infrastructural continuity define his legacy, providing a calm pivot between the heroic age of conquest and subsequent routine governance.

119–109 BCE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Lanja Tissa

King Lanja Tissa (119–109 BCE) – Lanja Tissa governed during a period of internal court faction balancing after rapid turnover. His decade suggests adequate consolidation of elite and monastic support. While grand architectural feats are not directly tied to him, he maintained existing stupas and irrigation works—essential for agrarian surplus. Chronic silence on controversy implies effective, moderate stewardship. His reign contributed to restoring rhythm to state administration after successive short-lived predecessors.

119 BCE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Thulatthana

King Thulatthana (119 BCE) – Thulatthana ruled so briefly that no major inscriptions or enduring public works are attributed to him. His accession—likely through established dynastic succession protocols—illustrates episodic short reigns during intervals of political recalibration. The lack of chronicler censure suggests administrative normality rather than upheaval; he functions historically as a temporal bridge between longer-reigning monarchs, reflecting the fragility of immediate succession in late 2nd century BCE Anuradhapura.

109–103 BCE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Khallata Naga

King Khallata Naga (109–103 BCE) – Khallata Naga appears in chronicles with minimal elaboration, signifying a reign categorized by continuity rather than innovation. Operating within a matured hydraulic economy, he likely oversaw routine desilting cycles of reservoirs and reaffirmed monastery grants. Absence of polemical narrative indicates neither sectarian conflict nor foreign incursion dominated his years. His historical value lies in sustaining dynastic legitimacy through uneventful governance.

109–103 BC
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Khallatanaga

Khallatanaga (Khallata Naga) was briefly mentioned in chronicles as a king during the troubled period after Lanja Tissa. His rule may have been concurrent or contested, reflecting the factional struggles of this era. Details of his reign remain sparse.

103–100 BCE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Pulahatta

King Pulahatta (103–100 BCE) – Pulahatta participated in the brief line of usurpers following Valagamba's early overthrow. Foreign-aligned or opportunistic military backing enabled his rise. His government, lacking enduring cultural or hydraulic markers, is remembered chiefly as part of the interregnum that fractured legitimate dynastic continuity. Removal by Bahiya demonstrates rapid turnover symptomatic of low internal legitimacy.

103, 89–77 BCE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Valagamba (Vattagamani Abhaya)

King Valagamba (Vattagamani Abhaya) (103, 89–77 BCE) – Valagamba first lost the throne in 103 BCE amid South Indian challenger pressure and internal instability, then reclaimed it (89–77 BCE) after prolonged exile. His restoration symbolizes resilience and strategic regional alliance building in Ruhuna. During his second reign, the Buddhist Sangha reputedly commenced transcription of portions of the Tipitaka at Aluvihara—transitioning oral canon toward written preservation (a tradition later expanded). He reinforced monastic endowments and stabilized agrarian tax flows ravaged by previous disruptions. His narrative frames themes of exile, religious textual safeguarding, and political rejuvenation.

100–98 BCE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Bahiya

King Bahiya (100–98 BCE) – Bahiya continued the transient sequence of rulers during the Valagamba interregnum. His short span underscores factional competition rather than systemic collapse—the agrarian base persisted though central authority flickered. Bahiya's inability to institutionalize support led to replacement by Panya Mara, reaffirming volatility until Valagamba's restoration consolidated rule.

98–91 BCE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Panya Mara

King Panya Mara (98–91 BCE) – Panya Mara further exemplifies the chain of ephemeral rulers preceding Valagamba's return. Chronicles emphasize duration over deeds; thus his historical interpretation revolves around absence—no major reforms, monuments, or doctrinal shifts recorded. His reign deepens the pattern of contested sovereignty that later legitimizes Valagamba's narrative of rightful reclamation.

91–90 BCE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Pilaya Mara

Pilaya Mara (91–90 BCE) held power briefly within the competitive milieu of post-overthrow Anuradhapura. Administrative machinery likely functioned in minimalist preservation mode: collecting staple grain levies, guarding central storehouses, and placating monastic communities sufficiently to avoid open revolt. Swift succession afterward signals limited coalition breadth.

90–89 BCE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Dathika

Dathika (90–89 BCE) remains a near-anonymous figure whose reign length inhibited structural imprint. His presence in lists documents continuity of contested rulership rather than personal accomplishment. The effectiveness of irrigation and temple economies during such brief tenures depended on entrenched local stewards rather than royal initiative.

89–77 BC
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Vattagamani Abhaya

Vattagamani Abhaya's turbulent 12-year reign saw him driven into exile by Tamil invaders for 14 years before reclaiming the throne. He famously founded the Abhayagiri monastery, creating a rival sect to Mahavihara. His era marks a watershed in Theravada Buddhism's institutional development.

77–63 BCE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Mahakuli Mahatissa

Mahakuli Mahatissa (77–63 BCE), succeeding the turbulence preceding Valagamba's stabilized era, presided over a phase of consolidation. He reinforced revenue normalization—reaffirming land grants and ensuring reservoir maintenance cycles resumed predictably. Though not associated with fresh monumental edifices, he helped diffuse lingering factionalism by emphasizing continuity of Buddhist patronage and administrative routine.

63–51 BCE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Chora Naga

Chora Naga (63–51 BCE) appears in sources with limited detail aside from tenure markers. His rule, falling in a less militarily tumultuous interval, implies a focus on sustaining irrigation distribution and temple provisioning. The scarcity of narrative embellishment suggests neither severe crisis nor transformative innovation—an embodiment of functional dynastic persistence.

51–48 BCE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Kuda Tissa

Kuda Tissa (51–48 BCE) held a short reign likely dominated by maintaining existing royal obligations: ritual sponsorship, adjudication of land boundary disputes, and sustaining granary logistics. Lack of inscriptions or chronicler anecdote points to minimal deviation from inherited policy frameworks. His historical significance is cumulative, preserving the chain leading into late 1st century BCE governance.

50–47 BC
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Tissa

Tissa's brief three-year reign maintained Anuradhapura's Buddhist institutions. Limited information survives about his rule, suggesting either a peaceful interlude or a minor reign overshadowed by successors. He upheld monastic patronage during his short tenure.

48–47 BCE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Siva I (first)

Siva I (48–47 BCE) – Siva I (48–47 BCE) represents a brief transitional kingship. In the absence of recorded doctrinal controversy or external invasion, he likely functioned as an interim stabilizer. The ephemeral nature of his reign underscores the adaptability of bureaucratic and monastic networks to rapid royal turnover without systemic collapse.

47 BCE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Darubhatika Tissa

Darubhatika Tissa (47 BCE) followed Vatuka within the same year, signaling unresolved contention. His reign's brevity precluded distinctive royal projects. Chronic preservation of his name serves as evidence of persistent dynastic recording practices even amidst rapid claimant cycling.

47–46 BCE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Niliya

Niliya (47–46 BCE) marginally extended stability beyond single-year transitions, yet still too short for major programmatic undertakings. Administrative survival relied on irrigation steward autonomy and monastic land management continuity. His rule contributes a temporal buffer before the dramatic sequence culminating in Queen Anula.

47 BCE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Vatuka

Vatuka (47 BCE) is noted only by name and year, exemplifying ultrashort succession anomalies. His accession and displacement highlight intense elite competition—possibly between military commanders or regional noble lineages. Such flash reigns rarely possess capacity for infrastructure or religious initiatives; continuity rested with entrenched local officials.

46–44 BCE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

Queen Anula

Queen Anula, one of the earliest documented female rulers in Sri Lankan chronicles, ascended through court intrigue after a series of short-lived male reigns. Later sources portray her with moralistic coloration—accusations of poisoning spouses—reflecting gendered narrative framing more than verifiable forensic truth. Her tenure marks a rare female assertion of sovereignty, illustrating the permeability of succession norms during volatility. She demonstrates that royal authority, while ideologically male-coded, could be appropriated amid elite fragmentation.

44 BCE–22 BCE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Kutakanna Tissa

Kutakanna Tissa (44 BCE–22 BCE) restored longer-duration kingship following rapid turnover. His extended reign enabled re-coordination of taxation, temple endowments, and reservoir maintenance cycles. He likely undertook refurbishment of earlier hydraulic structures to stabilize agrarian yield. Reign longevity suggests success in rebuilding elite consensus eroded by preceding instability and integrating monastic interests with palace governance.

22 BCE–7 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Bhatikabhaya Abhaya

Bhatikabhaya Abhaya (22 BCE–7 CE) governed across the BCE–CE temporal threshold, presiding over incremental infrastructural upkeep and sustained Buddhist patronage. Chronicles associate his era with continuing embellishment of religious precincts rather than large new constructions. His reign length implies effective succession legitimization and administrative harmony among regional landholding families.

c. 2nd c. BCE
Ruhuna

King Kavan Tissa

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. He is most famously remembered as the father of the heroic Sinhalese king, Dutugemunu. While his son would later wage the war to unify the island, Kavan Tissa's reign was crucial in preparing for this conflict. A shrewd and pious ruler, he focused on strengthening his kingdom from within. He built numerous temples and viharas, fostering a strong sense of national and religious unity. He also gathered the resources and manpower necessary for a future war, including recruiting the 'Ten Giant Warriors' (Dasha Maha Yodhayo) who would later become instrumental in his son's campaign. His strategic foresight laid the essential groundwork for the eventual defeat of Elara and the reunification of Sri Lanka.

7–19 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Mahadathika Mahanaga

Mahadathika Mahanaga (7–19 CE) maintained continuity into the early Common Era, a period where Anuradhapura's hydraulic base matured further. He likely authorized periodic reservoir desilting and reinforced monastic legal privileges (immunity over certain lands). His rule exemplifies evolutionary rather than revolutionary kingship—refining inherited systems.

19–29 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Amandagamani Abhaya

Amandagamani Abhaya (19–29 CE) appears in textual tradition emphasizing piety. While specific projects are sparsely detailed, he is framed as a maintainer king—upholding ritual sponsorship cycles, safeguarding relic shrines, and ensuring equitable grain levy application. His legacy lies in continuity of the religious-state symbiosis crucial for legitimacy.

29–32 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Kanirajanu Tissa

Kanirajanu Tissa (29–32 CE) ruled briefly; chronicles occasionally allude to severity in justice administration, though context is ambiguous and possibly moralizing. Structural impacts remain undocumented. His reign's abrupt end suggests contested acceptance among elites, feeding the pattern of intermittent short tenures.

32–33 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Chulabhaya

Chulabhaya (32–33 CE) had an almost token-length reign. The speed of succession indicates unresolved factional dynamics rather than systemic breakdown—agrarian and monastic institutions persisted. Historical treatment of his rule is an exercise in recognizing administrative inertia beyond royal personality.

33–43 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Ilanaga

Ilanaga (33–43 CE) governed for a decade, allowing modest infrastructural reinforcement. Chronicles note his patronage of monastic communities and continuation of irrigation upkeep. His decade provided breathing space after the volatility marked by Queens Anula and Sivali, contributing to dynastic stabilization through moderate piety and administrative routine.

33 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

Queen Sivali

Queen Sivali (33 CE) stands alongside Queen Anula as evidence that female rulership, though rare, emerged during succession turbulence. Her extremely short tenure limited capacity for policy imprint; nevertheless, her recorded sovereignty underscores fluidity in late early-era dynastic transitions and the potential elevation of royal women during crises.

43–52 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Chandamukha Siva

Chandamukha Siva (43–52 CE) reigned during a quieter mid-1st century CE interval. Textual sources imply steady maintenance of Buddhist establishments and reservoir systems without major construction bursts. His rule exemplifies the administrative baseline—taxation, adjudication, ritual sponsorship—that sustained Anuradhapura's agrarian economy.

52–60 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Yassalalaka Tissa

Yassalalaka Tissa (52–60 CE) presided over a period of hydraulic refinement. Chronicles credit him with modest temple donations and reservoir repair. His tenure represents incremental reinforcement rather than dramatic innovation, upholding the ritual-economic equilibrium between palace and Sangha.

60–67 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Subharaja

Subharaja (60–67 CE) ruled briefly without major inscriptional or architectural monuments. His reign likely focused on ensuring irrigation schedules, resolving land disputes, and honoring existing monastic endowments. Continuity over change characterizes his historical imprint.

67–111 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Vasabha

King Vasabha (67–111 CE) – Vasabha stands as a pivotal hydraulic innovator, credited with constructing eleven major reservoirs (tanks) that expanded Anuradhapura's irrigable acreage significantly. His lengthy 44-year reign enabled systemic agrarian intensification: improved water distribution, higher rice yields, and stronger revenue flows. He also sponsored numerous temples, embedding his legitimacy within both material prosperity and Buddhist merit-making. Vasabha's engineering legacy influenced subsequent kings' emphasis on tank construction as royal duty.

111–114 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Vankanasika Tissa

Vankanasika Tissa (111–114 CE) followed Vasabha's infrastructure-heavy tenure with a short reign focused on maintaining new irrigation networks. His brief rule limited grand initiatives, yet he sustained the momentum of hydraulic stewardship, ensuring desilting and repair work continued.

114–136 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Gajabahu I

King Gajabahu I (114–136 CE) – Gajabahu I is renowned in tradition for a legendary military expedition to South India—rescuing captive Sinhalese and acquiring the sacred relic of the Tooth of the Buddha (alternative traditions vary on relic acquisition timing). His reign emphasized both martial prowess and religious patronage, reinforcing monastic establishments and tank maintenance. Gajabahu's narrative blends historical kern with heroic embellishment, illustrating how kingship integrated military valor and Buddhist devotion.

136–139 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Mahallaka Naga

Mahallaka Naga (136–139 CE) had a short three-year tenure following Gajabahu I's dynamic rule. Limited textual detail suggests continuity governance: upholding irrigation cycles, temple grants, and routine administration. His reign functions as a bridging phase before Bhatika Tissa's longer consolidation.

139–167 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Bhatika Tissa

Bhatika Tissa (139–167 CE) enjoyed a lengthy 28-year reign, facilitating sustained infrastructural investment. He commissioned additional reservoirs, expanded monastery precincts, and reinforced legal protections for monastic lands. His era exemplifies mature Anuradhapura governance: hydraulic-agrarian surplus funding religious patronage, legitimizing kingship through merit accumulation.

167–186 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Kanittha Tissa

Kanittha Tissa (167–186 CE) continued the pattern of tank construction and temple sponsorship established by predecessors. His 19-year reign enabled incremental expansion of irrigation networks and maintenance of existing stupas. Chronicles note his piety and adherence to Theravāda orthodoxy, sustaining the symbiotic state-Sangha relationship.

186–191 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Cula Naga

Cula Naga (186–191 CE) presided briefly, maintaining administrative continuity. His five-year tenure focused on routine governance: ensuring reservoir maintenance, collecting agrarian levies, and sponsoring monastic rituals. Absence of chronicler criticism implies effective if unremarkable stewardship.

191–196 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Kuda Naga

Kuda Naga (191–196 CE) similarly governed for five years without major transformative projects. His rule sustained the agrarian-monastic equilibrium, ensuring water distribution equity and temple provisioning. Historical interpretation centers on continuity and administrative functionality.

196–215 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Siri Naga I

Siri Naga I (196–215 CE) enjoyed a 19-year reign enabling sustained hydraulic and religious investment. He reinforced earlier reservoirs, sponsored stupa restoration, and maintained legal frameworks protecting monastic autonomy. His tenure exemplifies the mature Anuradhapura model: kingship legitimized through Buddhist patronage and agrarian prosperity.

215–237 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Abhaya Naga

Abhaya Naga (215–237 CE) governed for 22 years, a duration permitting incremental infrastructural refinement. He authorized reservoir repairs, monastery endowments, and routine administration. Chronicles emphasize his piety and judicial fairness, sustaining the ideological synthesis of righteous kingship and Buddhist virtue.

237–245 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Siri Naga II

Siri Naga II (237–245 CE) ruled for eight years, maintaining continuity after Abhaya Naga's extended tenure. His reign focused on sustaining irrigation networks and temple provisioning. Limited textual detail implies effective routine governance without dramatic reforms or crises.

245–247 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Voharika Tissa

Voharika Tissa (245–247 CE) is noted in chronicles for measures against extremist ascetic factions—possibly Mahayana or heterodox Theravāda sects perceived as destabilizing orthodox monastic hierarchy. His brief two-year reign's doctrinal interventions reflect ongoing tension between royal authority and diverse monastic groups. His policies set context for subsequent rulers navigating religious pluralism.

247–249 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Abhaya Naga II

King Abhaya Naga II ruled the Anuradhapura Kingdom briefly from 247–249 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 underlying political fluidity. Primary sources such as the Mahāvaṃsa and related Pali chronicles provide only sparse details of Abhaya Naga II’s parentage and early life. He is generally placed within the broader line of rulers descending from earlier Anuradhapura dynasties that blended indigenous clans with the established Vijayan line. The paucity of inscriptional corroboration means many genealogical assumptions rely on later chronicler synthesis. The mid 3rd century CE in Anuradhapura was characterized by rapid turnover of kings and intermittent factional tension. Following reforms aimed at curbing heterodox or extreme monastic factions, the throne required careful navigation of both secular nobility and influential monastic groups. Abhaya Naga II’s short tenure suggests either limited consolidation of elite support or prevailing instability that favored swift succession. Although direct royal projects attributed to Abhaya Naga II are not securely recorded, the era continued broader trends: maintenance of existing vihāras, support for orthodox Theravāda establishments, and cautious restraint toward splinter ascetic movements. The absence of monumental works in his name likely reflects the brevity of his reign rather than deliberate cultural neglect. No surviving inscriptions explicitly document administrative reforms under Abhaya Naga II. Governance structures in this period generally relied on a triad: provincial chieftains (or rājaputas), monastic intellectual influence, and royal court stewards handling revenue from irrigation-based agrarian systems. Continuity rather than innovation appears to have defined his administration. Likely challenges included: (1) stabilizing succession legitimacy after prior doctrinal interventions; (2) balancing monastic patronage without reigniting sectarian controversy; (3) sustaining large-scale irrigation maintenance cycles initiated by earlier, longer-reigning monarchs. The short reign duration implies unresolved political pressures or emergent rival claimants. Abhaya Naga II was succeeded by Siri Naga III. His legacy is primarily that of a placeholder monarch within a compressed succession sequence—illustrating volatility before later, more stable rule phases. The lack of negative chronicler judgment (compared to clearly censured rulers) suggests his reign was administratively ordinary rather than disruptive. Information derives chiefly from the Mahāvaṃsa and later compendia; these textual sources were compiled centuries after events and mix historiography with legitimizing narrative. Absence of dedicated stone inscriptions or archaeological signatures for Abhaya Naga II necessitates cautious interpretation. Where specifics are missing, scholarly consensus defaults to broader structural patterns of Anuradhapura governance.

249–251 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Siri Naga III

Siri Naga III (249–251 CE) ruled briefly after Abhaya Naga II's short tenure. His two-year reign likely focused on administrative stabilization following rapid succession. Limited inscriptional evidence suggests continuity governance: maintaining irrigation, temple grants, and routine adjudication.

62 monarchs

Classical Period (250 CE - 1017 CE)

251–252 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Vijaya Kumara

Vijaya Kumara (251–252 CE) held an ephemeral one-year reign. The speed of succession indicates either elite contestation or health-related turnover. His rule's brevity precluded significant policy imprints; administrative continuity relied on entrenched bureaucratic and monastic networks.

252–254 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Sangha Tissa I

Sangha Tissa I (252–254 CE) governed for two years within a sequence of short reigns. His name suggests monastic patronage emphasis, though specific projects remain undocumented. The era reflects persistent dynastic fragility requiring frequent succession adjustments.

254–256 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Siri Sangha Bodhi I

Siri Sangha Bodhi I (254–256 CE) ruled briefly, his name blending royal and Buddhist honorifics. His two-year tenure likely emphasized monastic donations and ritual sponsorship to legitimize claim amid rapid turnover. Limited narrative detail underscores the challenge of leaving lasting marks during ultrashort reigns.

256–264 CE
Ruhuna

King Gothabhaya

Gothabhaya (256–264 CE) enjoyed an eight-year reign, enabling modest infrastructural consolidation. Chronicles note his support for monastic communities and continuation of irrigation maintenance. His tenure provided stability after preceding rapid succession, facilitating administrative rhythm restoration.

264–273 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Jettha Tissa II

Jettha Tissa II (264–273 CE) governed for nine years, sustaining hydraulic and religious infrastructure. His reign likely involved reservoir desilting, temple refurbishment, and routine governance. The absence of dramatic events in sources implies effective, moderate kingship.

273–301 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Mahasena

King Mahasena (273–301 CE) – Mahasena is a transformative figure whose 28-year reign combined massive hydraulic engineering with controversial religious politics. He constructed sixteen major reservoirs, including the colossal Minneriya tank, dramatically expanding irrigable land. However, his early alignment with Mahayana-leaning factions sparked conflict with orthodox Theravāda monasteries—he reportedly destroyed the Mahavihara monastery briefly before reconciliation. His reign illustrates the volatile intersection of sectarian politics, royal patronage, and infrastructural ambition. Despite controversy, his hydraulic legacy profoundly shaped Anuradhapura's agrarian base.

301–328 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Siri Meghavanna

King Siri Meghavanna (301–328 CE) – Siri Meghavanna is celebrated for hosting the sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha, brought from India and enshrined in Anuradhapura—a pivotal moment elevating the city's religious centrality. His 27-year reign emphasized monastic reconciliation after Mahasena's sectarian conflicts, restoring Mahavihara and reinforcing Theravāda orthodoxy. He also maintained hydraulic infrastructure and sponsored temple construction, embedding his legitimacy in both relic custodianship and merit-making.

328–337 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Jettha Tissa III

Jettha Tissa III (328–337 CE) ruled for nine years, sustaining the religious and hydraulic equilibrium established by Siri Meghavanna. His tenure focused on Tooth Relic veneration, monastic patronage, and irrigation upkeep. Chronicles emphasize continuity and piety, reflecting stable governance post-sectarian turbulence.

337–365 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Buddhadasa

King Buddhadasa (337–365 CE) – Buddhadasa is renowned as a physician-king, credited with establishing hospitals (teaching healing practices) and integrating Ayurvedic medicine into state welfare. His 28-year reign combined medical innovation, Buddhist patronage, and hydraulic maintenance. Tradition portrays him treating patients personally, embodying the ideal of compassionate kingship. His legacy merges statecraft with healing, illustrating the breadth of royal responsibilities in Anuradhapura.

365–406 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Upatissa I

Upatissa I (365–406 CE) enjoyed a lengthy 41-year reign, enabling sustained infrastructural investment. He commissioned reservoirs, restored temples, and reinforced monastic endowments. His era represents mature Anuradhapura stability: agrarian surplus, Tooth Relic veneration, and Theravāda orthodoxy synthesizing into a durable state model. Chronicles praise his piety and judicial fairness.

406–428 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Mahanama

Mahanama (406–428 CE) ruled during a transitional period marked by increasing South Indian incursions. His 22-year reign focused on defensive fortification, monastic patronage, and irrigation maintenance. His era witnessed early signs of external pressure that would later disrupt Anuradhapura, yet he sustained internal stability through traditional legitimization mechanisms: Buddhist merit and hydraulic stewardship.

428–430 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Siva II (second)

Siva II (428–430 CE) – Siva II (428–430 CE) had a brief two-year reign amid escalating South Indian interference. His tenure marks the onset of a tumultuous period where Tamil invasions challenged Anuradhapura sovereignty. Limited inscriptional evidence suggests his rule ended violently, initiating a sequence of Tamil usurpers.

430–432 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Pandu (Tamil)

Pandu (430–432 CE) – Pandu (430–432 CE), a Tamil invader, usurped the throne during a period of Anuradhapura fragility. His brief two-year rule lacked enduring administrative or cultural imprints; chronicles frame him as an illegitimate oppressor. His reign exemplifies external opportunism exploiting internal weaknesses, setting a pattern of Tamil intervention that recurred periodically.

432–434 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Khudda Parinda (Tamil)

Khudda Parinda (432–434 CE) – Khudda Parinda (432–434 CE) continued the Tamil interregnum for two years. His rule, lacking inscriptional corroboration, is remembered chiefly as part of the foreign occupation sequence disrupting Anuradhapura's Sinhalese dynasty. Limited administrative continuity characterized this volatile interval.

432 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Parindu (Tamil)

Parindu (432 CE) – Parindu (432 CE) ruled momentarily as part of the Tamil usurpation wave. His ultrashort tenure reflects rapid factional cycling among invaders rather than stable governance. Chronicles provide minimal detail beyond his foreign origin and swift displacement.

434–436 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Dathiya (Tamil)

Dathiya (434–436 CE) – Dathiya (434–436 CE) ruled for two years during the prolonged Tamil occupation. His tenure, like predecessors, lacked enduring cultural or infrastructural markers. Chronicles frame the entire Tamil sequence as illegitimate interregnum, awaiting restoration of rightful Sinhalese kingship.

434 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Tiritara (Tamil)

Tiritara (434 CE) – Tiritara (434 CE) held power momentarily within the Tamil usurpation chain. His reign's brevity underscores intense competition among invaders and persistent Sinhalese resistance. Chronicles emphasize foreign oppression rather than governance achievements.

436–437 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Pithiya (Tamil)

Pithiya (436–437 CE) – Pithiya (436–437 CE) concluded the Tamil usurpation period with a brief one-year rule. 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.

455–473 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Dhatusena

King Dhatusena (455–473 CE) – Dhatusena is a heroic restorative figure who expelled Tamil invaders and reclaimed Anuradhapura for Sinhalese rule. His 18-year reign emphasized hydraulic grandeur: he constructed the massive Kala Wewa reservoir, a monumental engineering feat supplying vast irrigation networks. He also restored monasteries damaged during occupation and reinforced Theravāda orthodoxy. However, his reign ended tragically when his son Kashyapa I, fearing disinheritance, imprisoned and killed him. Dhatusena's legacy blends liberation heroism, hydraulic innovation, and familial tragedy.

473–495 CE
Sigiriya

King Kashyapa I

King Kashyapa I (473–495 CE) – Kashyapa I is one of Sri Lanka's most enigmatic rulers, infamous for patricide and famed for constructing Sigiriya—a fortress-palace atop a monolithic rock. 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. His 22-year reign blended paranoia (fearing his exiled brother Moggallana's vengeance) with artistic brilliance. Eventually, Moggallana returned with an army; Kashyapa I died in battle. His legacy is dual: architectural genius marred by moral transgression, illustrating the tension between aesthetic achievement and ethical kingship.

495–512 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Moggallana I

King Moggallana I (495–512 CE) – Moggallana I reclaimed the throne from his brother Kashyapa I after defeating him in battle. His 17-year reign focused on restoring Anuradhapura as the capital, abandoning Sigiriya's fortress isolation. He emphasized Buddhist reconciliation, sponsoring monastic communities and reinforcing orthodox Theravāda practices. His rule sought to legitimize his succession through piety and administrative normalization, distancing his reign from Kashyapa's parricide stigma.

512–524 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Kumara Dhatusena

Kumara Dhatusena (512–524 CE) ruled for twelve years, sustaining the post-Sigiriya restoration. His reign maintained irrigation networks, temple patronage, and administrative continuity. Chronicles emphasize piety and stability, framing his tenure as consolidation after the turbulent Kashyapa-Moggallana conflict.

518–531
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Silakala

Silakala ruled Anuradhapura for 13 years after seizing the throne through political intrigue. He sponsored Buddhist monasteries and irrigation works, attempting to legitimize his reign through piety. His rule saw ongoing tensions between rival royal factions.

524 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Kittisena

Kittisena ruled momentarily, his reign lasting less than a year. The brevity indicates succession instability or health-related turnover. Limited textual evidence precludes detailed reconstruction; his historical role is primarily temporal bridging.

524–525 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Siva I

Siva I governed briefly for one year. His short tenure likely focused on administrative maintenance rather than transformative projects. The rapid succession pattern in this period reflects ongoing elite contestation or demographic volatility among royals.

525–526 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Upatissa II

Upatissa II held a one-year reign within a sequence of short tenures. His rule sustained routine governance: irrigation upkeep, temple provisioning, and adjudication. The era's rapid turnover underscores fragility in 6th-century dynastic succession.

526–539 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Silakala Ambosamanera

Silakala Ambosamanera ruled for thirteen years, enabling modest consolidation. His reign likely focused on monastic patronage (suggested by his name's Buddhist resonance) and irrigation maintenance. Limited inscriptional detail implies steady, unremarkable governance—a stabilizing phase after preceding rapid succession.

531–539
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Moggallana II

Moggallana II ruled Anuradhapura for eight years, continuing monastic patronage and temple construction. He navigated ongoing sectarian debates among Buddhist schools and maintained irrigation systems. His reign stabilized the kingdom after earlier dynastic conflicts.

564–598 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Aggabodhi I

Aggabodhi I (564–598 CE) enjoyed a lengthy 34-year reign, facilitating sustained infrastructural and religious investment. He commissioned reservoirs, restored stupas, and reinforced monastic legal privileges. His era represents mature 6th-century Anuradhapura: hydraulic-agrarian surplus funding Buddhist patronage, legitimizing kingship through merit accumulation and administrative effectiveness.

602–608 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Kassapa II

Kassapa II (602–608 CE) ruled for six years, maintaining continuity after Aggabodhi I's long tenure. His reign focused on routine governance: irrigation maintenance, temple endowments, and judicial administration. Chronicles note his piety, suggesting adherence to established Buddhist patronage norms.

608–618 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Aggabodhi II

Aggabodhi II governed for ten years, sustaining hydraulic and religious infrastructure. His tenure involved reservoir upkeep, monastery sponsorship, and administrative routine. The era's relative stability enabled continuity of Anuradhapura's agrarian-monastic equilibrium.

608–614 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Sangha Tissa II

Sangha Tissa II ruled concurrently or sequentially with overlapping dates in sources, indicating possible co-regency or regional fragmentation. His six-year association with power emphasized monastic patronage. Chronological ambiguities in texts complicate precise reconstruction.

614–623 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Dathopa Tissa I

Dathopa Tissa I governed for nine years, maintaining administrative and religious continuity. His reign focused on irrigation maintenance, temple grants, and routine adjudication. Chronicles emphasize piety and stability, reflecting effective governance in early 7th-century Anuradhapura.

614–623
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Siva II

Siva II ruled Anuradhapura for nine years during a period of complex dynastic politics. He maintained Buddhist patronage and irrigation, navigating factional disputes among rival claimants. His reign exemplifies the challenges of sustaining kingship amid frequent succession struggles.

626–636 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Aggabodhi III

Aggabodhi III ruled for ten years, sustaining the hydraulic-monastic synthesis. His tenure involved reservoir repairs, monastic endowments, and administrative routine. The era's stability enabled continuation of Anuradhapura's mature governance model.

650–658
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Dathopatissa II

Dathopatissa II ruled Anuradhapura for eight years, continuing temple patronage and irrigation maintenance. He managed factional rivalries and supported Buddhist monasticism. His reign maintained stability in a period of frequent succession changes.

658–674
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Aggabodhi IV

Aggabodhi IV ruled for 16 years, focusing on Buddhist scholarship and temple restoration. He maintained Anuradhapura's agricultural base through irrigation maintenance and navigated internal court politics. His reign represents steady governance amid the kingdom's ongoing challenges.

732–738 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Kassapa III

Kassapa III governed for six years in the 8th century. His reign maintained irrigation networks and temple patronage amid increasing regional fragmentation pressures. Limited textual detail suggests routine governance focused on sustaining inherited infrastructural and religious frameworks.

738–746 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Mahinda I

Mahinda I ruled for eight years, emphasizing Buddhist patronage and hydraulic maintenance. His reign sustained Anuradhapura's agrarian base through reservoir upkeep and monastic endowments. Chronicles note his piety, framing him within the tradition of merit-making kingship.

771–781 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Aggabodhi VI

Aggabodhi VI governed for ten years, maintaining continuity in late 8th-century Anuradhapura. His tenure focused on irrigation maintenance, temple provisioning, and administrative routine. The era reflects sustained governance patterns despite broader regional shifts.

781–797 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Mahinda II

Mahinda II ruled for sixteen years, enabling infrastructural consolidation. His reign involved reservoir repairs, monastic sponsorship, and routine administration. Chronicles emphasize stability and piety, sustaining the traditional state-Sangha synthesis.

797–801 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Siri Sangha Bodhi II

Siri Sangha Bodhi II governed briefly for four years. His reign maintained hydraulic and religious infrastructure amid late 8th-century transitions. Limited narrative detail implies effective routine governance without dramatic reforms.

801–804 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Mahinda III

Mahinda III ruled for three years, sustaining administrative and religious continuity. His brief tenure focused on irrigation upkeep and temple patronage. The era's rapid succession reflects ongoing elite dynamics in early 9th-century Anuradhapura.

804–835 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Dappula I

Dappula I enjoyed a lengthy 31-year reign, facilitating sustained infrastructural investment. He commissioned reservoirs, restored stupas, and reinforced monastic endowments. His era represents stable early 9th-century governance, sustaining Anuradhapura's agrarian-monastic equilibrium through traditional legitimization mechanisms.

833–853 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Sena I

Sena I governed for twenty years (note chronological overlap with Dappula II in sources, indicating possible co-regency or textual ambiguity). His lengthy tenure enabled hydraulic and monastic investment, sustaining irrigation networks and temple patronage. Chronicles emphasize stability and piety.

835–836 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Dappula II

Dappula II ruled for one year, his brief tenure limiting significant policy imprints. His reign likely focused on administrative maintenance and routine governance. The short duration suggests succession instability or health factors.

853–887 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Sena II

Sena II enjoyed a robust 34-year reign, one of the longest in late Anuradhapura history. His tenure facilitated sustained infrastructural consolidation: reservoir maintenance, monastic endowments, and administrative routine. His era represents mature 9th-century governance, balancing hydraulic stewardship with Buddhist patronage.

887–898 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Udaya I

Udaya I ruled for eleven years, maintaining continuity after Sena II's extended tenure. His reign focused on irrigation upkeep, temple provisioning, and routine administration. Chronicles note stability, sustaining the traditional state-Sangha synthesis.

898–914 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Kassapa IV

Kassapa IV governed for sixteen years, enabling modest infrastructural investment. His tenure involved reservoir repairs, monastic sponsorship, and administrative routine. The era's stability facilitated continuation of Anuradhapura's agrarian-monastic equilibrium.

914–923 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Kassapa V

Kassapa V ruled for nine years, sustaining hydraulic and religious infrastructure. His reign maintained irrigation networks, temple endowments, and judicial administration. Chronicles emphasize continuity and piety, reflecting effective routine governance.

923–924 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Dappula IV

Dappula IV held a brief one-year reign. His tenure's brevity limited significant policy imprints; administrative continuity relied on entrenched bureaucratic networks. The rapid succession indicates ongoing elite contestation.

924–935 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Kassapa VI

Kassapa VI governed for eleven years, maintaining administrative and religious continuity. His reign focused on irrigation maintenance, temple patronage, and routine adjudication. The era reflects sustained governance patterns in early 10th-century Anuradhapura.

936–945 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Sena III

Sena III ruled for nine years, sustaining hydraulic and monastic infrastructure. His tenure involved reservoir upkeep, monastery sponsorship, and administrative routine. Chronicles note stability, continuing the traditional state-Sangha equilibrium.

946–954 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Udaya II

Udaya II governed for eight years, maintaining continuity in mid-10th-century Anuradhapura. His reign focused on irrigation maintenance, temple provisioning, and routine administration. Limited narrative detail implies effective governance without dramatic transformations.

954–956 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Sena IV

Sena IV ruled briefly for two years. His tenure sustained administrative and religious infrastructure amid ongoing succession dynamics. The short duration reflects persistent elite volatility in late Anuradhapura.

956–972 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Mahinda IV

Mahinda IV enjoyed a sixteen-year reign, enabling sustained infrastructural consolidation. His tenure involved reservoir repairs, monastic endowments, and administrative routine. Chronicles emphasize piety and stability, sustaining Anuradhapura's traditional governance model.

972–975 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Sena V

Sena V governed briefly for three years. His reign maintained hydraulic and religious infrastructure amid late 10th-century transitions. Limited textual detail suggests routine governance focused on continuity.

982–1017 CE
Anuradhapura Kingdom

King Mahinda V

Mahinda V represents the tragic denouement of Anuradhapura's millennial reign. His 35-year nominal rule witnessed escalating Chola invasions from South India, culminating in the sacking of Anuradhapura (993 CE) and his eventual capture. Unable to defend the capital, the kingdom fragmented; the Tooth Relic and royal authority migrated southward. His reign marks the end of Anuradhapura as the primary capital, transitioning power toward Polonnaruwa. Mahinda V's legacy is one of systemic collapse—external pressure overwhelming an aging hydraulic state.

58 monarchs

Medieval Period (1017 CE - 1400 CE)

1055–1110
Ruhuna

King Vijayabahu I

Vijayabahu I is the heroic liberator who expelled Chola occupation and established Polonnaruwa as the new capital. After decades of guerrilla resistance based in Ruhuna, he unified the island and drove out foreign forces. His 55-year reign focused on restoration: rebuilding monasteries destroyed during occupation, re-ordaining the Sangha (bringing monks from Burma to revive ordination lineages), and constructing new irrigation works around Polonnaruwa. His reign symbolizes Sinhalese resilience and the adaptive relocation of state power to a more defensible inland capital.

1110–1111
Polonnaruwa

King Jayabahu I

Jayabahu I ruled briefly for one year after Vijayabahu I's lengthy tenure. His short reign limited significant policy imprints; succession dynamics likely dominated his brief rule. Administrative continuity relied on established bureaucratic networks.

1111–1132
Ruhuna

King Vikramabahu I

Vikramabahu I governed for 21 years, consolidating Polonnaruwa's infrastructure. His reign involved irrigation expansion, monastic patronage, and administrative stabilization. He navigated internal succession disputes and regional power balancing, sustaining the restored Sinhalese kingdom's fragile equilibrium.

1132–1153
Polonnaruwa

King Gajabahu II

Gajabahu II ruled for 21 years, maintaining Polonnaruwa's hydraulic and monastic infrastructure. His reign focused on reservoir maintenance, temple sponsorship, and administrative routine. Chronicles note stability, enabling the groundwork for Parakramabahu I's subsequent grandeur.

1153–1186
Polonnaruwa

King Parakramabahu I

Parakramabahu I, known as 'Parakramabahu the Great,' is Polonnaruwa's most celebrated monarch. His 33-year reign transformed the capital into a hydraulic and architectural marvel: constructing the massive Parakrama Samudra reservoir, magnificent palace complexes, and ornate Buddhist temples (Vatadage, Lankathilaka). He unified fractious regional kingdoms, conducted military campaigns into South India and Burma, and patronized literature and the arts. His famous maxim—'Not a drop of water should reach the sea without serving man'—epitomizes his hydraulic vision. His reign represents Polonnaruwa's zenith: political unity, economic prosperity, and cultural brilliance.

1187–1196
Polonnaruwa

King Nissanka Malla

Nissanka Malla ruled for nine years, sustaining Polonnaruwa's grandeur after Parakramabahu I's death. He commissioned numerous inscriptions proclaiming his piety and legitimacy (he was not of direct royal lineage, requiring extra legitimization). He built temples, sponsored festivals, and maintained irrigation works. His reign emphasized continuity through ostentatious Buddhist patronage, yet underlying succession instability began surfacing.

1197–1200, 1209–1210, 1211–1212
Polonnaruwa

Queen Lilavati

Queen Lilavati ruled in three separate intervals, an extraordinary pattern of repeated accession and displacement. Her tenures reflect intense factional struggle among Polonnaruwa elites. Despite instability, she maintained administrative continuity through strategic court alliances. Her repeated sovereignty underscores both female political agency and the dynasty's terminal fragmentation.

1200–1202
Polonnaruwa

King Sahasa Malla

Sahasa Malla ruled briefly for two years amid escalating succession conflicts. His tenure marked the onset of Polonnaruwa's rapid dynastic fragmentation. Limited administrative consolidation occurred; his reign functions as a transitional phase before the chaotic sequence involving queens and short-lived claimants.

1202–1208
Polonnaruwa

Queen Kalyanavati

Queen Kalyanavati governed for six years, one of the rare female rulers in Polonnaruwa. Her reign reflects succession turbulence following Nissanka Malla's lineage collapse. She maintained administrative continuity through court alliances, yet her tenure underscores the dynasty's fragility. Her rule illustrates female sovereignty emerging during male succession voids.

1208–1209
Polonnaruwa

King Dharmasoka

Dharmasoka ruled for one year within the chaotic late Polonnaruwa succession. His brief tenure limited policy imprints; rapid turnover characterized this volatile period. Administrative survival relied on entrenched local networks.

1209
Polonnaruwa

King Anikanga

Anikanga held power momentarily, ruling less than a year. His ultrashort tenure exemplifies the extreme instability preceding Polonnaruwa's abandonment. Succession contestation dominated political life, precluding governance effectiveness.

1210–1211
Ruhuna

King Lokissara

Lokissara ruled for one year within the chaotic late Polonnaruwa sequence. His brief tenure reflects ongoing succession contestation. Limited textual evidence precludes detailed reconstruction; his role was primarily temporal bridging amid volatility.

1212–1215
Polonnaruwa

King Parakrama Pandya II

Parakrama Pandya II ruled briefly before Kalinga Magha's devastating invasion. His three-year tenure marked Polonnaruwa's final gasp as a stable capital. Administrative effectiveness waned amid external threats and internal fragmentation, setting the stage for catastrophic foreign intervention.

1215–1255
Jaffna Kingdom

King Kalinga Magha (Jaffna)

Kalinga Magha invaded from South India and established a Tamil Hindu kingdom in Jaffna around 1215, ruling for approximately 40 years. He sponsored Hindu temples and irrigation, founding a distinct political and cultural zone in the north. His dynasty initiated Tamil Jaffna's separation from Sinhalese Buddhist polities.

1215–1236
Polonnaruwa

King Kalinga Magha (Polonnaruwa)

Kalinga Magha (1215–1236) – Kalinga Magha was an invader from Kalinga (East India) who conquered Polonnaruwa and ruled for 21 years. Chronicles describe his reign as brutal and destructive: monasteries were desecrated, irrigation systems neglected, and the Sinhalese population fled southward. His occupation forced the permanent abandonment of Polonnaruwa as the capital, fragmenting the kingdom into competing regional powers (Dambadeniya, Yapahuwa, Kurunegala). Kalinga Magha's invasion marks a watershed: ending the classical hydraulic kingdoms centered on Anuradhapura-Polonnaruwa and initiating a decentralized, mobile capital era.

1236–1270
Dambadeniya

King Vijayabahu III

Vijayabahu III established Dambadeniya as the new capital after expelling Kalinga Magha's forces from Polonnaruwa. His 34-year reign focused on reconstruction: rebuilding monasteries, restoring Buddhist ordination lineages, and fortifying the new capital. Operating from a smaller hydraulic base, he adapted kingship to a more modest scale—emphasizing religious legitimacy and regional alliance-building over grand irrigation projects. His reign symbolizes Sinhalese resilience and adaptive state reformation.

1255–1284
Jaffna Kingdom

King Kulasekhara

Kulasekhara ruled Jaffna for 29 years, consolidating the Tamil kingdom's administration. He built Hindu temples, managed trade with South India, and patronized Tamil literature. His reign strengthened Jaffna's identity as a distinct Hindu polity, setting it apart from the Buddhist kingdoms to the south.

1270–1284
Dambadeniya

King Parakramabahu II

Parakramabahu II ruled from Dambadeniya for fourteen years, sustaining the restoration initiated by Vijayabahu III. He repelled South Indian incursions, patronized Buddhist scholarship, and maintained regional irrigation networks. His reign emphasized military defense and cultural revival, adapting to the post-Polonnaruwa fragmented landscape.

1284–1291
Yapahuwa

King Bhuvanaikabahu I

Bhuvanaikabahu I relocated the capital to Yapahuwa, a fortified rock stronghold, in response to ongoing South Indian threats. His seven-year reign focused on defensive fortification and safeguarding the Tooth Relic. The capital shift reflects strategic adaptation to persistent external pressure, prioritizing security over hydraulic expansion.

1284–1323
Jaffna Kingdom

King Vira Pandya

Vira Pandya ruled Jaffna for 39 years, expanding its commercial ties with Tamil Nadu and reinforcing Hindu institutions. He oversaw temple construction and irrigation, embedding Jaffna within South Indian cultural networks. His long reign affirmed the kingdom's stability during a tumultuous century.

1287–1293
Polonnaruwa

King Parakramabahu III

Parakramabahu III attempted a final stand at Polonnaruwa, reigning for six turbulent years. He restored monastic institutions and repaired irrigation, hoping to reclaim the city's glory. Yet mounting instability soon forced his successors to retreat southward, marking Polonnaruwa's twilight.

1291–1302
Yapahuwa

King Parakramabahu IV

Parakramabahu IV continued ruling from Yapahuwa for eleven years. His reign maintained Buddhist patronage and regional irrigation, navigating the challenges of a mobile, defensive kingship model. Limited grand construction reflects the era's focus on survival over expansion.

1302–1326
Kurunegala

King Bhuvanaikabahu II

Bhuvanaikabahu II shifted the capital again, this time to Kurunegala, ruling for 24 years. His lengthy tenure enabled modest infrastructural consolidation within the new regional center. He maintained monastic patronage and irrigation upkeep, adapting traditional kingship to a decentralized territorial reality.

1323–1330
Jaffna Kingdom

King Jaya Sinha

Jaya Sinha ruled Jaffna for seven years, maintaining Hindu patronage and northern trade. His brief reign continued the dynasty's policies of temple-building and irrigation maintenance, sustaining Jaffna's maritime prosperity amid regional volatility.

1326–1335
Kurunegala

King Bhuvanaikabahu III

Bhuvanaikabahu III continued ruling from Kurunegala for nine years. He maintained temple restoration and irrigation upkeep, working within the constraints of a dispersed realm. His reign reflects steady adaptation to the ongoing fragmentation of Sinhalese political power.

1330–1371
Jaffna Kingdom

King Kulasekhara Cinkaiariyan

Kulasekhara Cinkaiariyan ruled Jaffna for 41 years, a period of administrative consolidation and cultural flourishing. He sponsored Hindu temples, expanded maritime trade, and maintained autonomy from southern kingdoms. His long reign epitomizes Jaffna's golden age as a distinct Tamil polity.

1335–1341
Kurunegala

King Vijayabahu V

Vijayabahu V ruled for six years from the Dambadeniya–Kurunegala region. His reign continued to support monastic life and maintain irrigation in the reduced heartland. Constant political fluidity limited architectural and administrative ambitions.

1341–1351
Gampola

King Bhuvanaikabahu IV

Bhuvanaikabahu IV founded the Gampola kingdom (near Kandy), ruling for ten years during the island's mid-14th-century fracture. He built new temples and irrigation in the highlands, inaugurating an era of regional courts. His reign exemplifies power's migration into defensible interior valleys.

1344–1359
Gampola

King Parakramabahu V

Parakramabahu V's fifteen-year rule at Gampola advanced highland settlement and Buddhist culture. He managed relations with rival centers and continued monastic restoration. His tenure illustrates Sinhalese kingship's capacity to thrive despite territorial contraction.

1357–1374
Gampola

King Vikramabahu III

Vikramabahu III's seventeen years at Gampola saw continued temple patronage and administrative stability. He navigated rivalry with emerging Kotte near Colombo, ensuring Gampola's cultural prominence. His reign shows how smaller kingdoms maintained Buddhist kingship ideals.

1371–1380
Jaffna Kingdom

King Alagakkonara

Alagakkonara ruled Jaffna for nine years, navigating pressures from Gampola and the emerging Kotte kingdom. He maintained Hindu institutions and coastal trade, though his reign witnessed growing political competition from southern powers seeking to curb Jaffna's autonomy.

1372–1408
Gampola

King Bhuvanaikabahu V

Bhuvanaikabahu V's remarkable 36-year reign closed Gampola's era. He witnessed Kotte's rise and protected the Tooth Relic, ensuring Buddhism's continuity. His lengthy tenure provided stability amid regional competition, sustaining Gampola as a cultural beacon until succession shifts moved the center to Kotte.

1380–1410
Jaffna Kingdom

King Vira Alakesvara

Vira Alakesvara (Jaffna) (1380–1410) – Vira Alakesvara of Jaffna ruled for 30 years, sharing his name with his Gampola contemporary. He withstood Parakramabahu VI's early military campaigns and preserved northern Tamil independence, maintaining Hindu temples and maritime trade in a fragmented island landscape.

1397–1411
Gampola

King Vira Alakesvara

Vira Alakesvara ruled Gampola and parts of the south for 14 years, famously confronting a Chinese Ming expedition in 1411. His capture by Admiral Zheng He ended Gampola's independence, shifting power decisively to Kotte. His reign marks the island's first major engagement with East Asian imperial maritime power.

34 monarchs

Late Medieval Period (1400 CE - 1600 CE)

1410–1440
Jaffna Kingdom

King Jaya Bahu Pandaram

Jaya Bahu Pandaram ruled Jaffna for 30 years during Parakramabahu VI's unification campaigns. He resisted southern annexation and maintained Jaffna's Hindu traditions. Eventually, Kotte's military pressure forced his submission, ending Jaffna's full independence.

1412–1467
Kotte

King Parakramabahu VI

Parakramabahu VI, the last king to unify nearly the entire island, ruled from Kotte for an extraordinary 55 years. He championed Theravada Buddhism, sponsored grand temple construction, and oversaw a renaissance in Sinhalese art and literature. His reign stands as the final golden age before European colonialism.

1440–1450
Jaffna Kingdom

King Gunabharnam Pandaram

Gunabharnam Pandaram's brief ten-year reign under Kotte's suzerainty maintained Jaffna's Hindu culture and local administration. He paid tribute to Parakramabahu VI while preserving northern traditions, exemplifying Jaffna's semi-autonomous status during the mid-15th century.

1450–1467
Jaffna Kingdom

King Kanakasuriya Cinkaiariyan

Kanakasuriya Cinkaiariyan ruled Jaffna for 17 years under Kotte's overlordship until Parakramabahu VI's death. He reasserted autonomy after 1467, revitalizing Hindu institutions and trade. His reign marks Jaffna's recovery of independence in the kingdom's twilight.

1467–1472
Kotte

King Jayabahu II

Jayabahu II's brief five-year reign followed his father Parakramabahu VI. He maintained Buddhist ceremonies and Kotte's administrative framework, but lacked the predecessor's unifying force. His short tenure foreshadowed the kingdom's fragmentation into rival principalities.

1467–1519
Jaffna Kingdom

King Puviraja Pandaram

Puviraja Pandaram's remarkable 52-year reign saw Jaffna regain full sovereignty after Kotte's fragmentation. He sponsored Hindu temples, expanded Tamil scholarship, and managed trade with South India and Arab merchants. His long rule represents Jaffna's last independent golden age before Portuguese intrusion.

1469–1511
Kandyan Kingdom

King Senasammata Vikramabahu

Senasammata Vikramabahu is traditionally considered the founding monarch of the Kandyan kingdom, ruling for 42 years from the highland fortress. He established secure irrigation and Buddhist institutions away from coastal turmoil, inaugurating a lineage that would preserve Sinhalese sovereignty for three more centuries.

1473–1480
Kotte

King Bhuvanaikabahu VI

Bhuvanaikabahu VI ruled Kotte for seven years amid increasing rivalry among princes. He upheld monastic patronage and faced Portuguese merchant-explorers beginning to arrive on the coasts. His reign marks the earliest stirrings of European influence in the island's politics.

1480–1484
Kotte

King Parakramabahu VII

Parakramabahu VII's four-year tenure at Kotte saw renewed temple restoration and limited diplomatic ties with neighboring kingdoms. He grappled with internal succession disputes, presaging the kingdom's later division. Portuguese traders appeared more frequently at Sri Lankan ports during his reign.

1484–1508
Kotte

King Parakramabahu VIII

Parakramabahu VIII ruled Kotte for 24 years, a reign marked by Buddhist piety and growing Portuguese commercial influence. He promoted Theravada scholarship and maintained the Tooth Relic, yet could not prevent emerging European entanglements. His death ushered in a period of partition and intensified foreign pressure.

1511–1552
Kandyan Kingdom

King Jayavira Bandara

Jayavira Bandara ruled Kandy for 41 years during the Portuguese conquest of the lowlands. He maintained highland independence and harbored the Tooth Relic, preserving Buddhist legitimacy. His reign secured Kandy as the last bastion of Sinhalese kingship against colonial encroachment.

1513–1521
Kotte

King Vijayabahu VI

Vijayabahu VI ruled a partitioned Kotte for eight years, competing with rival princes. He allowed Portuguese traders limited coastal footholds, a fateful concession. His reign saw the kingdom's influence wane as European interests grew and internal succession struggles intensified.

1519–1561
Jaffna Kingdom

King Cinkaiariyan

Cinkaiariyan ruled Jaffna for 42 years amid increasing Portuguese presence on the island. He maintained Hindu traditions and resisted early Portuguese demands, preserving northern autonomy. His reign witnessed the onset of European colonial pressure that would ultimately end the Jaffna kingdom.

1521–1551
Kotte

King Bhuvanaikabahu VII

Bhuvanaikabahu VII's 30-year reign at Kotte witnessed full-scale Portuguese involvement in island politics. He cultivated alliances with the Portuguese, granting them commercial privileges and a strategic fort at Colombo. His pragmatic diplomacy sought to balance power, but ultimately accelerated European colonization.

1521–1581
Sitawaka

King Mayadunne

Mayadunne founded the independent Sitawaka kingdom, resisting Portuguese expansion for 60 years. He waged continuous guerrilla warfare against both Kotte's Portuguese-backed rulers and colonial garrisons. His fierce anti-colonial stance preserved Sinhalese sovereignty in the interior, laying the foundation for his son Rajasinha's campaigns.

1551–1597
Kotte

King Dharmapala

Dharmapala, the last king of Kotte, ruled for 46 years under Portuguese suzerainty. Converted to Catholicism and renamed Dom João, he officially bequeathed the kingdom to Portugal before his death. His reign symbolizes the twilight of indigenous kingship on the western littoral, ushering in the colonial era.

1552–1581
Kandyan Kingdom

King Karaliyadde Bandara

Karaliyadde Bandara's 29-year reign witnessed increasing Portuguese pressure on Kandy and the rise of Sitawaka. He preserved the Tooth Relic and Buddhist traditions amid regional warfare. Factional intrigue ended his reign, though the kingdom's independence survived.

1561–1565
Jaffna Kingdom

King Puviraja Pandaram II

Puviraja Pandaram II's brief four-year reign saw escalating Portuguese military intervention. He attempted to defend Jaffna's sovereignty, but Portuguese forces captured and deposed him in 1565, installing his rival. His overthrow marked the beginning of Portuguese domination in the north.

1565–1570
Jaffna Kingdom

King Kasi Nayinar Cinkaiariyan

Kasi Nayinar Cinkaiariyan was installed by the Portuguese after his predecessor's overthrow, ruling Jaffna as a client for five years. He maintained Hindu ceremonies under Portuguese supervision, but his reign represented a sharp loss of autonomy for the northern kingdom.

1570–1582
Jaffna Kingdom

King Periyapillai

Periyapillai ruled Jaffna for 12 years under Portuguese suzerainty, managing a precarious autonomy. He paid tribute and allowed Portuguese garrisons, yet preserved Hindu worship and local Tamil administration. His reign exemplifies the northern kingdom's struggle to retain identity under colonial pressure.

1581–1593
Sitawaka

King Rajasinha I

Rajasinha I of Sitawaka waged relentless war against the Portuguese for 12 years, nearly driving them from the island. He besieged Colombo and forced Kotte into submission, but internal strife and Portuguese naval superiority prevented total victory. His death ended Sitawaka's brief but fierce challenge to colonialism.

1581–1591
Kandyan Kingdom

King Rajasinha I (Kandyan)

Rajasinha I briefly ruled Kandy for ten years during the height of Sitawaka's campaigns. He collaborated with Sitawaka's Rajasinha against Portuguese forces, though tensions with his namesake led to instability. His death marked a turbulent transition for the highland kingdom.

1582–1591
Jaffna Kingdom

King Puviraja Pandaram III

Puviraja Pandaram III ruled Jaffna for nine years under tight Portuguese control. He navigated growing colonial demands while attempting to preserve Hindu religious institutions. His reign saw increasing Portuguese interference in local succession and administration.

1591–1617
Jaffna Kingdom

King Ethirimana Cinkam

Ethirimana Cinkam ruled Jaffna for 26 years amid intensifying Portuguese demands. He attempted to balance loyalty to the Portuguese with the preservation of Tamil Hindu culture. His reign saw shrinking autonomy and foreshadowed the kingdom's eventual annexation.

1591–1604
Kandyan Kingdom

King Vimaladharmasuriya I

Vimaladharmasuriya I established a stable dynasty at Kandy after Sitawaka's collapse, ruling for 13 years. He repulsed Portuguese invasions, restored Buddhist monasticism, and invited Siamese monks to revitalize higher ordination. His reign inaugurated Kandy's enduring resistance to European colonialism.

25 monarchs

Colonial Era (1600 CE - 1815 CE)

1604–1635
Kandyan Kingdom

King Senarat

Senarat's 31-year rule consolidated Kandy's defenses and Buddhist institutions. He resisted Portuguese encirclement, cultivated alliances with Jaffna and regional powers, and enshrined the Tooth Relic. His policies laid the groundwork for Kandy's survival through centuries of colonial warfare.

1617–1619
Jaffna Kingdom

King Cankili II

Cankili II, the last independent king of Jaffna, resisted Portuguese conquest for just two years before being captured and executed in 1619. His defiant stand against colonial annexation ended over four centuries of Tamil Hindu kingship in northern Sri Lanka, marking the kingdom's absorption into Portuguese Ceylon.

1635–1687
Kandyan Kingdom

King Rajasinha II

Rajasinha II's monumental 52-year reign expelled the Portuguese from the island with Dutch help, though he inadvertently exchanged one colonial overlord for another. He patronized Buddhist art, built the Temple of the Tooth, and defended highland sovereignty. His era defines Kandy's golden age of resistance.

1687–1707
Kandyan Kingdom

King Vimaladharmasuriya II

Vimaladharmasuriya II ruled Kandy for 20 years after Rajasinha II. He navigated increasingly strained relations with the Dutch East India Company, preserved Buddhist traditions, and continued monastic patronage. His reign sustained Kandy's independence despite mounting European economic pressure.

1707–1739
Kandyan Kingdom

King Vira Narendra Sinha

Vira Narendra Sinha's 32-year reign saw intensified Dutch encroachment on Kandy's sovereignty. He patronized Buddhist arts, maintained the Tooth Relic's prestige, and managed court factionalism. His death ended the old Sinhalese dynasty, leading to the accession of a Nayakkar line from South India.

1739–1747
Kandyan Kingdom

King Sri Vijaya Rajasinha

Sri Vijaya Rajasinha, the first Nayakkar king, ruled Kandy for eight years. He continued Buddhist patronage and faced Dutch territorial ambitions. His South Indian lineage initially raised concerns, yet he embraced Theravada Buddhism and secured the dynasty's legitimacy through temple building and ritual sponsorship.

1747–1782
Kandyan Kingdom

King Kirti Sri Rajasinha

Kirti Sri Rajasinha's 35-year reign witnessed a Buddhist renaissance; he invited Siamese monks to re-establish higher ordination and sponsored extensive temple construction. Despite Dutch coastal dominance, he preserved Kandy's cultural vibrancy and independence, making his era one of remarkable religious and artistic flourishing.

1782–1798
Kandyan Kingdom

King Rajadhi Rajasinha

Rajadhi Rajasinha ruled Kandy for 16 years during the transition from Dutch to British colonial power. He maintained Buddhist rituals, faced internal court intrigue, and witnessed the British annexation of the Dutch territories. His reign marks the final generation before British conquest.

1798–1815
Kandyan Kingdom

King Sri Vikrama Rajasinha

Sri Vikrama Rajasinha, the last king of Kandy, ruled for 17 years before British annexation in 1815. His autocratic style alienated the nobility, who collaborated with the British to depose him. His capture and exile to India closed over two millennia of continuous Sinhalese monarchy.

9 monarchs

About This Timeline

This timeline presents 188 monarchs who ruled various kingdoms across Sri Lanka, from the legendary arrival of Prince Vijaya in 543 BCE to the last Kandyan king in 1815 CE. The timeline reflects the island's rich history of shifting capitals, regional kingdoms, and cultural evolution spanning over two millennia.