King Thulatthana, a younger son of King Saddhatissa, became ruler of Anuradhapura for a brief period following his father’s death. However, his reign was abruptly ended by his elder brother, Prince Lanjatissa who quickly marched to Anuradhapura, seized control, and dethroned Thulatthana. Consequently, Thulatthana’s rule lasted only one month and ten days,
King Saddhatissa was the younger brother of King Dutugemunu. After the death of King Dutugemunu, Saddhatissa came to the throne in 119 BCE. The primary contribution of King Saddhatissa is recorded as the completion of the Ruwanweli Seya Stupa the construction of Elephant Wall around the the stupa.
King Dutugemunu, one of Sri Lanka’s most celebrated ancient kings, reigned from 161–137 BCE. He is best known for his role in uniting the island under a single ruler by defeating the Chola king Elara, who had ruled Anuradhapura for over four decades. Named Prince Gamini, was the son of King Kavantissa ruler of the Kingdom of Ruhuna in southern Sri Lanka.
Elara, known as Ellalan in Tamil texts, was a nobleman from the Chola Kingdom in South India. In 205 BCE, he invaded the Anuradhapura Kingdom of Sri Lanka, killed King Asela, and assumed control over the Rajarata region. His rule from Anuradhapura spanned 44 years and is noted for being both effective and just, earning him respect even from the Sinhalese despite his foreign origin.
King Asela was the youngest son of King Pandukabhaya and brother to King Devanampiyatissa. Asela’s elder brother, King Suratissa, was killed by two horse traders, Sena and Guttaka, who seized the throne in 237 BCE. Asela ultimately overthrew them, reclaiming the throne and ruling the kingdom himself for ten years.
Sena and Guttika were South Indian horse traders who arrived in Sri Lanka by ship with the intent to trade. However, they ultimately assassinated King Suratissa and took control of the Anuradhapura throne. Their rule, which lasted 22 years, marked the first instance in Sri Lankan history where the throne was seized by force.
King Suratissa was a younger brother of King Mahasiva, both sons of King Pandukabhaya and reigned from 247 – 237 BCE from the Anuradhapura Kingdom. He is said the have built 500 temples during his time.
King Mahasiva was a younger brother of King Uttiya, both sons of King Pandukabhaya who reigned from 257 – 247 BCE from the Anuradhapura Kingdom. Not much is written about this king except for the building of Nagarahgana Viharaya
King Uttiya ascended the throne following the death of his brother, King Devanampiyatissa. During his reign, both Arahant Mahinda Thero and Sangamitta Theri passed away due to old age.
The reign of King Devanampiyatissa marked a transformative period in Sri Lankan history, with the introduction of Buddhism and the planting of the sacred Sri Maha Bodhi tree in Anuradhapura. This tree, brought by Theri Sanghamitta, symbolized the establishment of Buddhism on the island, which deeply influenced the country’s culture, art, and governance.
King Mutasiva, son of King Pandukabhaya and Queen Swarnapali, reigned over Anuradhapura for 40 years, a period marked by peace and prosperity in the region. He is renowned for creating the Mahameghawana Garden, a lush, expansive park filled with flowering and fruit-bearing trees.
Pandukabhaya grew up with his foster family despite multiple attempts by his uncles to kill him. As foretold, however, he ultimately killed nine of his uncles and in 437 BCE, Pandukabhaya was consecrated as king in Anuradhapura
King Abhaya [474-454 BCE] was the eldest son of King Panduwasdeva. Panduwasdeva had 10 sons and the youngest was a daughter named Citta. After the death of King Panduvasdeva, his ten sons convened and appointed their eldest sibling, Abhaya, as the new king.
Panduvasdeva, the youngest son of Sumitta, King of Sinhapura, was the nephew of King Vijaya, the first ruler of Lanka. Panduvasdeva married princess Baddhakachchana and ruled from 504 BCE to 474 BCE from Upatissagama off Anuradhapura.
Regent Upatissa reigned the country in 505 BCE from Upatissagama for a short period until the heir apparent arrived from India. Upatissagama was built by him north of Anuradhapura during his time as a minister to the King Vijaya
Vijaya, first King of Sri Lanka in the recorded history, was the prince regent of King Sinhabahu and Queen Sinhaseevali of Sinhapura. He was the eldest of the 16 pairs of twins they had. King Sinhabahu and Sinhaseevali were brother and sister born to a Lion and princess Suppadevi, a Vanga Kingdom princess.
Ancient Relic Caskets made of stone and number of metal statues were discovered in the ancient stupa of Pananwela Ganegoda Rajamaha Viharaya. These ruins indicate that the temple has a history going as far back as early to mid Anuradhapura Era.
Parker in 1909 describes an ancient amuna known as “Allekattu” in Tamil, located across the Kalaru River, which originates from the Pavatkulama Wewa reservoir and serves as one of the main tributaries to the Malwathu Oya in the Northern Province. The dam is situated approximately 2 miles (about 3 km) upstream from the Kalaru bridge on the Mannar-Medawachchiya road. Brohier refers to this weir as “Allekattu Tekkam.”
Pethanmalu Raja Maha Vihara, originally built during the Anuradhapura era, underwent renovations during the Kandyan period after a period of decline. As a result, the temple features architectural elements from both eras. Stone pillars, flights of steps, guard stones, sculpted stones, pedestals, and moonstones are among the distinctive features of Anuradhapura era.
Pitiye Deviyo is a powerful protector deity of Dumbara who had once defeated the deity Natha Deviyo who had fled in fear of him after a brief battle. The people of Dumbara fear and respect him as he is believed to protect the land, the crops, and the people who live in the area. He provides the rain on time for cultivation and dry weather for harvesting.
