King Aggabodhi V—referred to as Agrabodhi in the Pujavaliya and Akbo in the Rajavaliya—ascended the throne of Anuradhapura in 718 CE, following the death of his father, King Manavamma. He was the eldest of Manavamma’s three sons, all of whom were born during their father’s exile in the Pallava Kingdom of South India.
![King Manavamma [684-718 CE] and his three sons](https://i0.wp.com/amazinglanka.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/manavamma-01.jpg?fit=300%2C164&ssl=1 "Sovereigns of Sri Lanka: King Manavamma [684-718 CE] (මානවම්ම රජතුමා)")
King Manavamma—known as Mahalepano in the Pujavaliya and Rajavaliya—ascended the throne of Anuradhapura in 684 CE after defeating King Hatthadatha II, the puppet ruler installed by the powerful Tamil minister Potthakuttha. His accession marked the end of prolonged civil strife and the beginning of two centuries of stability under the restored Lambakanna dynasty.
King Hatthadatha II, also called Hunannaru Riyandala in Pujavaliya and Rajavaliya. was a puppet king of Tamil chief minister Potthakuttha, of King Aggabodhi IV who placed him on the throne after the death of previous puppet king Datta. However, his rule was short-lived when Manavamma attacked and killed him in battle just six months into his reign.
The death of King Aggabodhi IV in 683 CE, who had brought rare peace and stability to the Anuradhapura Kingdom, plunged the island once again into political turmoil. The carefully maintained equilibrium between Sinhalese royal authority and Tamil mercenary influence collapsed, and the island’s fragile unity was shattered.
Also known as Siri Sanga Bodhi in the Pujavaliya and Rajavaliya, King Aggabodhi IV ascended the throne of Anuradhapura in 667 CE, following the death of his elder brother, King Dathopatissa II (659–667 CE). His reign marked the beginning of a rare era of peace and stability after decades of incessant civil war and political strife.
Also known as Lemini Dalupa Tissa in the Pujavaliya and Rajavaliya, King Dathopatissa II ascended the throne of Anuradhapura in 659 CE, following the swift downfall of King Dappula I (659 CE)—who reigned for only seven days. He was born Prince Hatthadatha, the nephew of a former monarch, King Dathopatissa I (643-650 CE), and assumed his uncle’s royal name upon his coronation.
King Dappula I—referred to as Dapulu in the Rajavaliya—ascended the throne of Anuradhapura in 659 CE, following the death of his brother-in-law, King Kassapa II. His reign, however, was tragically brief, lasting only seven days, as he was swiftly overthrown by Hatthadatha, the nephew of King Dathopatissa I, with the backing of Tamil mercenaries..
![King Kassapa II [650-659 CE]](https://i0.wp.com/amazinglanka.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/kassapa2-01.jpg?fit=300%2C164&ssl=1 "Sovereigns of Sri Lanka: King Kassapa II [650-659 CE] (දෙවන කාශ්යප රජු)")
King Kassapa II—known in the Pujavaliya and Rajavaliya as Pesulu Kasubu—ascended the throne in 650 CE after decisively defeating King Dathopatissa I in a major battle. He was the brother of King Aggabodhi III (632–643 CE) and son of King Silameghavanna (623–632 CE). Upon Kassapa’s death, the throne passed to his brother-in-law, Dappula.
![King Dathopatissa I [643-650 CE]](https://i0.wp.com/amazinglanka.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/dathopatissa1-01.jpg?fit=300%2C164&ssl=1 "Sovereigns of Sri Lanka: King Dathopatissa I [643-650 CE] (පළමුවන දාඨෝපතිස්ස රජු)")
King Dathopatissa I—also referred to as Dalupa Tissa in the Pujavaliya and Lemini Dalupatissa in the Rajavaliya—ascended the throne in 643 CE after defeating King Aggabodhi III in battle. However, Aggabodhi fled to India, later returning to reclaim the throne.
![King Jettatissa III [632 CE]](https://i0.wp.com/amazinglanka.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/jettatissaiii-01.jpg?fit=300%2C164&ssl=1 "Sovereigns of Sri Lanka: King Jettatissa III [632 CE]")
King King Jettatissa III, also known as Katusara in the Pujavaliya and Katusara Detis in the Rajavaliya, ascended the throne in 632 CE following the defeat and flight of King Aggabodhi III to India. However, his reign was short-lived; Aggabodhi returned within the same year and overthrew Jettatissa, who ruled for only five months.
Located about 27 kilometers from Mahaoya town along the Manampitiya road, Danigala Rock stands in the Kandegama area — a mysterious and striking formation. Also known as the “Alien Mountain” and “Stargate of King Ravana,” this distinctive horseshoe-shaped inselberg was sculpted by centuries of natural erosion and geological processes.
Kuda Kebiliththa Devalaya is a lesser-known but deeply revered shrine nestled within the wilderness of the Yala forest, spiritually connected to the Maha Kebiliththa Devalaya, which is believed to be one of the most sacred abodes of Deity Kataragama. While Maha Kebiliththa is known for its intense remoteness, and an arduous journey, Kuda Kebiliththa serves as a more accessible yet spiritually significant site for devotees who seek divine blessings and guidance.
The All Saints’ Church of Agarapathana, built in 1893 on the Holbrook Estate, is a rare cross-shaped plantation church. Distinguished for its stone walls and shingle roof, it houses a historic Bible gifted from Surrey, England, in 1889, preserved amid the hills.
Tucked away in Sri Lanka’s cool hill country, the Holy Trinity Church in Nuwara Eliya is a quiet reminder of the British colonial era. With over 170 years of history, this charming Anglican church holds many fascinating stories within its stone walls. The church’s story dates back to 1837, initially planned to serve the European community in Nuwara Eliya. Locals even called it “the White Man’s Cemetery.
Christ Church Warleigh is a quaint Anglican church gifted by an Englishman, William Scot, in 1878 for the British planters of Dickoya.The stained glass windows delicately narrate the life of Christ, while an old Bible, carefully taped to preserve it from decay, is a treasured artifact. It was gifted in July 1878 by Reverend Charles Hill of Warboys Parish in Huntingdonshire, England
Some of the undocumented archaeological sites reported in Environment Impact Report for Upper Elehara Canal Project. According to studies carried out within the project area, 16 archeologically important sites have been identified
Ethugala, the iconic “Elephant Rock,” towers 325 meters over Kurunegala. Crowned by a majestic 88-foot white Buddha statue, it offers breathtaking 360-degree views of the city and lake. Whether you hike the stone steps or drive up, it is a serene sanctuary perfect for spiritual reflection and stunning sunset photography.
King Aggabodhi III, also known as King Siri Sangabo in the Pujavaliya and the Rajavaliya, ascended the throne in 632 CE following the death of his father, King Silameghavanna. However, his reign was immediately challenged by Jettatissa, the surviving son of King Sanghatissa II, who had been in exile in the Malayarata region.
King Silameghavanna, referred to as Asiggahaka (sword-bearer) in both the Pujavaliya and the Rajavaliya, came to power in 623 CE after defeating King Moggallana III in battle. He was the son of the Malayaraja, the regional ruler of the hill country, and reigned for nine years until his death.
King Moggallana III, known as Lemini Bona in the Pujavaliya and Medi Bo Mugalan in the Rajavaliya, ascended to the throne in 618 CE after defeating King Sanghatissa II in battle. His reign lasted six years before he was ultimately beheaded by Silameghavanna—the son of the very commander who had betrayed Sanghatissa II.
