King Ilanga rose to power by dethroning Queen Sivali and taking the throne of Anuradhapura. He was the son of the sister of King Amanda-Gamini Abhaya, making him a member of the royal lineage. However, before he could fully establish his authority, he faced significant challenges from the influential Lambakanna Clan.

After the death of Chulabhaya, his younger sister and the daughter of Amanda Gamini Abhaya, Queen Sivali (also known as Revathi) reigned Anuradhapura for a short period of 4 months. She was dethroned by Ilanga, a nephew of Amanda-Gamini Abhaya (sister’s son).

King Chulabhaya was the son of King Amanda Gamini Abhaya. After the death of King Kanirajanu Tissa, Chulabhaya was consecrated as the king of Anuradhapura kingdom. He was succeeded by Queen Sivali who ruled for just 4 months.

During King Kanirajanu Tissa’s reign, a dispute emerged among the monks of the Mihintale Monastery. The king was called upon to mediate and listen to both parties before delivering his verdict. However, a faction of monks who felt the decision was unjust became enraged. As the king was about to leave, around 60 monks rushed at him with the intent to kill.

King Amanda Gamini Abhaya of Anuradhapura was the son of King Mahadathika Mahanaga and came to power upon the death of his father. During the 73-year period under the last four sovereigns, the country experienced a time of relative peace, free from external invasions or internal power struggles.

King Mahadathika Mahanaga of Anuradhapura was the son of King Kutakanna Tissa and brother of King Bhathika Abhaya. He came to power upon the death of his brother King Bhatika Abhaya. Mahadathika Mahanaga’s reign was relatively peaceful, with no significant internal or external threats to the kingdom.

King Bhatika Abhaya of Anuradhapura was the son of King King Kutakanna Tissa who was also known among the people as Bhatikaraja (Bhatika Raja). Known for his dedication to Buddhist principles, Manahavansa describes his contributions to Maha Viharaya, especially Ruwanweli Maha Seya.

Prince Kutakanna Tissa is the son of King Mahaculi Mahathissa who had fled the Anuradhapura kingdom for fear of Queen Anula during the period of terror running the palace by poisoning five men each placing in the throne for a short period of time.

Queen Anula of Anuradhapura, was Sri Lanka’s first recorded female ruler and one of its most controversial figures. Her path to power included poisoning six husbands and lovers including King Coranaga, King Tissa, the palace guard Siva, the carpenter Vatuka, the woodcutter Darubhatika Tissa, and the palace Brahmin Niliya.

Niliya, the palace Brahmin priest of Anuradhapura, became another in the series of Anula’s ill-fated kings. Within just a year and a month of King Darubhatika Tissa’s rule, Anula poisoned Tissa to elevate Niliya, her latest love interest, to the throne. He made Anula his queen and ruled for only six months before falling victim to her once again; she poisoned him and took the throne to herself.

About a year after the city carpenter Vatuka became the king, Queen Anula saw a wood carrier named Darubhatika who had come to the palace and fell in love with him and poisoned her 4th victim, King Vatuaka. Queen Anula placed Darubhatika Tissa as the king and became his queen.

King Vatuka, of Tamil origin and by trade, a carpenter, was the next figure entangled in Queen Anula’s ambitious and ruthless succession manoeuvres in ancient Anuradhapura. After poisoning of King Tissa, the son of Mahaculi Mahatissa, Queen Anula installed Siva, a palace gatekeeper, as king.

King Siva, formerly a palace gate keeper, ascended to the throne of Anuradhapura through the influence of Queen Anula, who orchestrated a series of poisons and political manoeuvres to consolidate her power. Initially, Queen Anula had poisoned her husband, King Coranaga, and installed Prince Tissa, the son of King Mahaculi Mahatissa, as king. However, her affections shifted, and a year later, she poisoned King Tissa to make her lover, Siva, the ruler.

King Tissa, also known as Kuda Tissa, succeeded King Coranaga after Coranaga was poisoned by his queen, Anula. The son of King Mahaculi Mahatissa, Tissa’s rule was brief, lasting approximately three years. However, like his predecessor, Tissa’s fate was sealed by palace intrigue; Queen Anula, who had developed an affection for a palace guard, poisoned Tissa to remove him from power.

King Coranaga, also known as Coranaga or Koraṇḍañña, was a ruler of Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka during 62-50 BCE. He was known for a turbulent rule marked by retribution and bloodshed, especially directed toward the Buddhist clergy and other ruling family members, likely due to personal grievances and family feuds.

King Mahaculi Mahathissa [76-62 BCE], also known as Mahasilu Maha Tissa or Chulodara Tissa, was the adopted son of King Vattagamani Abhaya (Valagamba) and the biological son of King Khallata Naga, Vattagamani’s brother. His reign is significant as it continued the stability restored by his adoptive father after the expulsion of the Tamil invaders from Anuradhapura.

Seven Tamils who landed in Mahatitta an dethroned King Walagamba. 5 of the Tamils ruled Anuradhapura for next 14 years each leader being killed by his commander in chief and taking the throne. The last one, Dathika was killed by King Walagamba.

Vattagamini Abhaya, better known as King Walagamba is one of the most known kings in the Sri Lankan history. Other than Abhayagiri Monastery, almost every cave temple in Sri Lanka credits him as the builder, each having their local tradition. After reclaiming the throne in 89 BCE he ruled till 76 BCE

King Khallata Naga, also known as Kalunna was a younger brother of King Lanjatissa and son of King Saddhatissa, and became ruler of Anuradhapura after the death of his brother. He is the Builder of Kurundi Viharaya which had stirred many emotions of the Buddhists recently

King Lanjatissa, also called Leminitissa the elderest son of King Saddhatissa, became ruler of Anuradhapura after killing his younger brother King Thulatthana just only one month and ten days after his ascension.