King Dhatusena [459-477 CE] | AmazingLanka.com

Predecessor		Successor
Chola Invaders [433-459 CE]	King Dhatusena [459-477 CE] -House of Moriya-	King Kassapa I [477-495 CE] -House of Moriya-
COMPLETE LIST OF RULERS OF SRI LANKA

King Dhatusena ascended to the throne after waging an intense war spanning over 18 years against four Dravidian rulers from the Chola dynasty who had occupied Anuradhapura. He is the first King of the house of Moriya and is celebrated as one of Sri Lanka’s most renowned kings for his role in defeating the Dravidian invaders and unifying the country under a single rule.

Dhatusena is also remembered as a visionary builder, credited with constructing the monumental Kala Wewa reservoir, a masterpiece of ancient Sri Lankan engineering. However, his legacy is equally marked by tragedy, as his life ended in a dramatic and painful manner at the hands of his own son.

Childhood of Prince Dhatusena (based on Culavamsa and other local manuscripts)

During the reign of the Dravidian ruler Pandu (433–438 CE), the first Chola king to invade and occupy Anuradhapura, he learned of a boy of royal lineage named Dhatusena, who was a Buddhist monk at Gonisada Viharaya in the capital. Concerned that Dhatusena might grow to challenge his authority, Pandu issued an order for his arrest.

However, the head priest of the temple, Dhatusena’s uncle, learned of the plan before the soldiers could arrive. Acting swiftly, he fled with Dhatusena to Rohana, crossing the Gona River to join their family, who possessed substantial landholdings in the region. This escape marked the beginning of Dhatusena’s path to eventual leadership and liberation of the kingdom.

Earlier, during the reign of King Subha (59–65 CE)—a gatekeeper who became king—an order was issued to execute all individuals with royal blood to eliminate potential rivals. As a result, many royal families scattered across the island to escape Subha’s purge. Dhatusena’s family, part of the Moriya Clan from Nandigama, was one such group that fled to Rohana.

Dhatusena’s father, Dhatanama, had two sons—Dhatusena and Silatissabodhi. Dhatanama’s brother-in-law (his wife’s brother) was a Buddhist priest at a temple established by Dighasanda, a senapathi (general) of King Devanampiya Tissa. According to the Mahavamsa, Dighasanda had constructed a pirivena in the Maha Vihara monastery at Anuradhapura. Inspired by his maternal uncle, Dhatusena also chose the path of monkhood and resided in the same temple as his uncle.

When Dhatusena fled to Rohana, the local populace, recognizing his royal lineage and leadership qualities, rallied around him and proclaimed him their king. They saw in Dhatusena a capable leader who could free the island from the oppressive rule of the Chola invaders.

After assembling an army, Dhatusena launched a campaign against the Chola rulers, defeating them one by one. The final ruler, Pithiya, was overthrown in 459 CE. Following 27 years of foreign domination, Dhatusena successfully unified the entire island under a single rule and was ceremonially crowned as the King of Sri Lanka in Anuradhapura.

Death of King Dhathusena

King Dhatusena had two sons and one daughter. Prince Moggallana, born of his queen, was his legitimate heir, while Prince Kassapa was the son of a lesser queen. Dhatusena married his daughter to his nephew, Migara, and appointed him as the Senapathi (Commander of the Army).

One day, in a fit of anger, Migara struck his wife, Dhatusena’s daughter. When the king saw her blood-stained garments, he retaliated by punishing his sister, Migara’s mother, by burning her alive while naked. Furious over this act, Migara conspired with Kassapa, the king’s son of lower birth, to overthrow Dhatusena. To secure the throne, Kassapa began eliminating those loyal to his father, eventually imprisoning Dhatusena and usurping the kingship. Prince Moggallana, fearing for his life, fled to India.

Seeking revenge on the imprisoned king, Migara falsely claimed that Dhatusena had hidden a great treasure intended for Moggallana. He encouraged Kassapa to force the king into revealing its location. After repeated demands and sensing his impending death, Dhatusena finally told them that his treasure could be found at Kala Wewa, the magnificent reservoir he had constructed for the nation.

Excited at the prospect of riches, Kassapa’s men escorted Dhatusena to Kala Wewa. There, the king bathed in its waters, drank deeply, and declared, “This, my friends, is my entire wealth!” Enraged upon hearing this, Kassapa ordered his father’s execution.

Seizing the moment for revenge, Migara stripped Dhatusena naked, bound him in chains, and encased him alive in a wall cavity, facing outward. He sealed the cavity with clay, killing the former king slowly and painfully. This tragic event marked the end of Dhatusena’s 18-year reign.

An Alternate History of Prince of Dhathusena

In the 1960s, Paranavitana documented the discovery of early manuscripts by Anandasthavira Thero of India and inter-linear inscriptions. These findings formed the basis for his works, including Ceylon and Malaysia (Colombo, 1966), The Greeks and the Mauryas (Colombo, 1971), and The Story of Sigiri (Colombo, 1972). However, it is important to note that the concept of inter-linear inscriptions was later disproved by other scholars.

These documents describe in detail the intercourse between the Jambudipa (India) and Sinhaladipa (Sri Lanka) during this era. According to these documents, Dhatusena’s father was King Damastrana Maharaja of Pundra Kingdom and at one time Dhatusena was the King of Pundra Kingdom as well as Sinhaladipa (Sri Lanka).

Damastrana Maharaja, also known as Balapraya, a king of the Pundra Kingdom in South India and a descendant of an Indo-Greek dynasty in its thirteenth generation, led an invasion of Sinhaladipa with his army. However, they were defeated and captured by King Mahanama (410–432 CE) of Sri Lanka. Recognizing the opportunity for a strategic political alliance with the Pundra Kingdom, King Mahanama forged a bond of friendship by giving his daughter, Princess Sanga, in marriage to Damastrana.

Damastrana Maharaja and Queen Sanga had three children: Prince Silatissabodhi, Prince Dhatusena, and Princess Sanga. When Dhatusena was around seven years old, Queen Sanga learned that her father, King Mahanama, was critically ill. She arranged to return to Sri Lanka to be by his side.

Shortly after Sanga’s arrival on the island, King Mahanama passed away. The royal court ministers appointed Sotti Sena, a son of Mahanama from a lesser queen, as the new king. However, Sanga, asserting her rightful claim as the daughter of the Mahesi (chief queen), orchestrated the assassination of Sotti Sena on the eve of his coronation. She then installed her seven-year-old son, Dhatusena, as the king of Sri Lanka. To manage the kingdom, she appointed a general named Kalabhresvara to govern on Dhatusena’s behalf, and she returned to the Pundra Kingdom, taking young Dhatusena with her.

General Kalabhresvara was defeated in battle by a prince named Purnna, who then claimed the sovereignty of the Sinhala Kingdom and ruled from Anuradhapura for seven years. Upon Purnna’s death, his younger brother Ksudra Parendra ascended to the throne. At this time, Dhatusena was 26 years old.

During this period, Dhatusena’s father’s kingdom came under attack. Damastrana Maharaja fled with his wife and children and eventually sought refuge in the Pallava Kingdom, ruled by King Simhavarman. When Dhatusena turned 27, King Simhavarman arranged for his sister, Princess Prtha, to marry Dhatusena and appointed him as a general in the Pallava army. Dhatusena’s sister, Princess Sangha, was also married to Migara, a general in the Pallava forces.

The invading forces of the Pundra Kingdom were subsequently defeated, and Damastrana Maharaja was reinstated as the ruler of the Pundra Kingdom by King Simhavarman. Simhavarman anticipated that his sister, Prtha, would one day become the queen of the Pundra Kingdom.

Seven months later, after Damastrana Maharaja passed away, Dhatusena was crowned as the king of the Pundra Kingdom and named his younger brother, Silatisyabodhi, as the Yuvaraja (heir apparent). Dhatusena now held the dual titles of King of the Pundra Kingdom and King of Sri Lanka.

His first official act as king was to notify the Pallava king of his father’s death and his own accession to the Pundra throne. He also informed him that his wife, Queen Prtha, had given birth to a son, whom they had named Kasyapa.

Dhatusena also requested to be released from the commitment made by his father, Damastrana Maharaja, to remain under the authority of Simhavarman—a pledge given when Damastrana sought refuge in the Pallava Kingdom after fleeing his own realm.

In response, Simhavarman expressed his happiness at the news of the birth of a son to his sister, Princess Prtha. However, he firmly rejected Dhatusena’s request to renounce the subjection of his kingdom to Pallava sovereignty.

King Dhatusena of the Pundra Kingdom assembled an army and embarked on a campaign to Sinhaladipa (Sri Lanka) with a fleet of 75 ships, appointing his brother Silatisyabodhi to govern Pundra in his absence. Landing in Salavata (modern-day Chilaw), Dhatusena advanced towards Anuradhapura and engaged in battle with Ksudra Parendra. Dhatusena won and captured Anuradhapura, Kudra Parendra fled to Rohana.

The Sinhala ministers in Anuradhapura welcomed Dhatusena as their new sovereign. He arrived with his queen Prtha, the daughter of King Simhavarman of the Pallava Kingdom, and their two-year-old son, Prince Kasyapa.

However, to solidify his claim to the Sinhala throne, the ministers advised Dhatusena to take a Sinhala princess as a second queen. Princess Sangha, the daughter of King Svatisena—who had been killed by Dhatusena’s mother, Queen Sangha, the daughter of King Mahanama—was deemed a suitable choice, widely acceptable to the Sinhala people. In time, Princess Sangha bore him a son, whom they named Maudgalyayana.

During this period, Dhatusena’s brother, Silatisyabodhi, who was governing the Pundra Kingdom on Dhatusena’s behalf, sought assistance to repel an invasion by the Pandya king. Dhatusena, however, was unable to provide aid. Despite this, Silatisyabodhi successfully defeated the Pandya forces, earning the loyalty of the Pundra people and undermining Dhatusena’s authority in the kingdom.

Meanwhile, in Rohana, Ksudra Parendra, who had fled after his defeat, ruled the region for seven years. Upon his death, his son Sridhara succeeded him but governed for only seven months before being defeated and killed by Dhatusena’s forces.

By this time, Dhatusena was no longer in his prime. In his youth, he had established a kingdom through his determination and skill. Now, his two sons were reaching adulthood, and his daughter had grown into a beautiful princess. Dhatusena had freed Simhaladipa from Indian invaders and elevated his kingdom to a significant power in the region.

A conflict eventually arose between Dhatusena and his brother-in-law, King Simhavarman of the Pallava Kingdom, over the prestigious title of Parvataraja. King Simhavarman dispatched General Migara, who was married to Dhatusena’s sister Sangha, to capture Dhatusena and bring him back to the Pallava Kingdom. Migara arrived in Sri Lanka with his army and family. Dhatusena responded by sending his son, Kashyapa, to confront the invading forces. Kashyapa’s army defeated Migara’s forces and captured Migara, his wife (Dhatusena’s sister), and their child, bringing them back to Anuradhapura.

By this time, Migara had fallen out of favour with the Pallava King Simhavarman due to his family’s conversion to Kraistava (Christianity). After spending some time in captivity, Migara swore allegiance to Dhatusena and was appointed as a general in the Sinhala kingdom.

After defeating Migara’s army, Prince Kashyapa requested his father, King Dhatusena, to appoint him as Yuvaraja. The king replied that the matter would need to be discussed with the state ministers. Kashyapa, however, concluded that the position had already been reserved for his younger brother, Moggallana. He also believed that his father intended for him to be killed by Simhavarman’s forces during the battle against Migara. With his mother’s support, Kashyapa eventually fled to the Pundra Kingdom, now governed by his uncle, Silatisyabodhi.

Meanwhile in Sinhaladipa, following the release of Migara and his wife, Sangha, they became regular visitors to the palace. Migara had a daughter whom he intended to marry off to Prince Kashyapa, thereby strengthening ties with the royal family. Meanwhile, King Dhatusena grew increasingly concerned that his own daughter, Sangha, might develop feelings for Migara Jr., who was now a Kraistava (Christian).

As time went on, Migara and Sangha began an affair despite her father’s warnings, leaving King Dhatusena with no choice but to give his daughter in marriage to Migara Jr. The newlywed couple moved to live with Dhatusena’s sister. However, Migara’s mother, a staunch Christian, was eager to convert Princess Sangha to Christianity. Being a devout Buddhist, Sangha refused to accept the faith of her mother-in-law and husband. This refusal fueled animosity between Sangha and her new mother-in-law.

One day, Migara Jr., at his mother’s urging, struck Sangha as punishment for a perceived misdeed, causing her to bleed. Sangha, now pregnant with Migara Jr.’s child, went to the palace in her blood-soaked garments and complained to her father, Dhatusena.

Enraged by the incident, Dhatusena lodged a complaint with the Court of Justice, accusing his sister, her husband, and their son of attempting to harm the unborn child. Following the court’s orders, Dhatusena’s sister was executed by being burned alive. Migara Jr. escaped and went into hiding.

During this time, Kashyapa was assembling an army in the Pundra Kingdom with the support of his uncle Silatisyabodhi. After seven months, he departed Pundra with his forces and landed at the Salavata (modern-day Chilaw) port to invade his father’s kingdom. Upon hearing of this, King Dhatusena marched from Anuradhapura with an army and set up camp at Sripura (near Hiripitiya in the Kurunegala district), preparing to confront the invaders the following day.

However, Kashyapa’s forces launched a surprise attack, catching Dhatusena’s troops off guard and annihilating them. Overwhelmed by the defeat, Dhatusena took his own life. It was only after the battle that Kashyapa discovered the Sinhalese army had been led by his father.

Works of King Dhatusena

After liberating the capital, King Dhatusena dedicated himself to the development of the kingdom. He constructed eighteen viharas and numerous reservoirs to support agriculture through improved water management. To care for the well-being of his people, he established dansalas (charitable food halls) for bhikkhus and provided facilities for the sick and the poor.

Following the guidance of his uncle, Dhatusena undertook the monumental task of building the Kala Wewa reservoir by damming the Gona River (modern-day Kala Oya). To complement this, he constructed the Jaya Ganga, a great canal designed to transfer water from Tissa Wewa to Kala Wewa, ensuring a steady supply.

Additionally, Dhatusena engineered the Yodha Wewa in Mannar, an impressive reservoir connected to the Malwatu Oya by a 25-kilometer canal. It was during Dhatusena’s reign that the colossal Avukana Statue was built near Kala Wewa.

Built 18 large viharayas throughout the island
1. Kalavapi Viharaya: perhaps the Avukana Viharaya today
2. Kotipassava Viharaya
3. Dakkhinagiri Viharaya
4. Vaddha Viharaya
5. Pannavallakabhuta Viharaya
6. Bhallataka Viharaya
7. Dhatusenapabbata; in the district of Pa-auasinna
8. Mangana Viharaya
9. Thupavitthi Viharaya
10. Dhatusena Viharaya: in the north
11. Pacinakambavitthi Viharaya:
12. Antaramegiri
13. Attahidhatusena Viharaya
14. Kassipitthika Dhatusena Viharaya
15. Dayagama Viharaya: in Rohana
16. Salavana Viharaya: in Rohana
17. Vibhisana Viharaya: in Rohana
18. Bhilliva Viharaya: in Rohana
Built another 18 smaller viharayas
Built 18 major irrigation reservoirs throughout the island. Sixteen of these reservoirs are mentioned in the Pujavaliya (පූජාවලිය) as below
1. Kala Wewa Reservoir
2. Balalu Wewa Reservoir
3. Kalawasa Wewa Reservoir
4. Badulu Wewa Reservoir
5. Kalannaru Wewa Reservoir
6. Danawella Wewa Reservoir
7. Udanmiti Wewa Reservoir
8. Panagamu Wewa Reservoir
9. Manamathu Wewa Reservoir
10. Kithvini Wewa Reservoir
11. Mahabadara Wewa Reservoir
12. Sangamu Wewa Reservoir
13. Surulu Wewa Reservoir
14. Malasu Wewa Reservoir
15. mahamidala Wewa Reservoir
16. Maheli Wewa Reservoir
17. Padulaka Wewa Reservoir: mentioned only in Culavamsa
18. Hambatthi Wewa Reservoir: mentioned only in Culavamsa
Many other small reservoirs
Removed the Mayura Pirivena building and built a new Prasada
Renovation of Lovamahaprasada
Setup sixteen bath maidens of bronze around Sri Maha Bodhi
Asylums for cripples and those suffering from diseases
Yodha Wewa Reservoir in Mannar.
For the stone image at Abhayagiri Viharaya (believed to be the Samadhi Buddha Statue), built a shrine room with a mandapa, placed new jewels to eyes if the statue which had been lost and dressed him in gold and gems.
Bodhisattva Image and an image house at Bahumangala Chethiya (possibly Mangala Chethiya)
Restoration of Thuparama Stupa.
Built a relic casket decorated with precious stones for the Tooth Relic

Ancient Manuscripts Detailing the Sovereigns of Sri Lanka

Sovereigns of Sri Lanka are chronicled in several ancient manuscripts. These texts not only record the lineages of kings but also the significant events and developments of their reigns. Some of the most significant ancient sources are:

Dipavamsa: compiled between the 3rd and 4th centuries CE, and the earliest known historical chronicle
Mahavamsa: Initially compiled by Mahanama Thero in the 5th or 6th century CE, this chronicle was later expanded upon by other authors who added additional chapters. Covers events up until the reign of King Mahasena of Anuradhapura
Culavamsa: Starts where the Mahavamsa stops and records the history of Sri Lankan rulers from the 4th century to 1815. Mahavamsa and Culavamsa are often seen as one extended chronicle, commonly referred to simply as the Mahavamsa.
Pujavaliya: Written by a monk in or around 1266 during the reign of King Panditha Parakrama Bahu of Dambadeniya Kingdom
Rajavaliya: A 17th-century historical chronicle of Sri Lanka, covering the history of the island from its beginnings up to the accession of King Vimaladharmasurya II in 1687.

References

Blaze, L. E. (2004). History of Ceylon. Asian Educational Services. (Original work published 1933)
Geiger, W., & Rickmers, C. M. (1929). Culavamsa: Being The More Recent Part Of The Mahavamsa: Vol. Part I–II. Pali Text Society.
Gnanawimala Thero, K. (1960). මයුරපාද පරිවේණාධිපති බුද්ධ පුත්‍රයන් විසින් රචිත පූජාවලිය.
Nicholas, C. W., & Paranavitana, S. (1961). A Concise History of Ceylon : From the Earliest Times to the Arrival of the Portuguese in 1505. University of Ceylon.
Paranavitana, S. (1959). History of Ceylon (University of Ceylon): Vol. 1 (part 1)–3. Ceylon University Press.
Suraweera, A. V. (2014). රාජාවලිය. Education Publication Department of Sri Lanka. (Original book published in 1976 from the original documents from the 17th century)
De Alwis Gunawardane, V. O. (1980). King Dhatusena and His Two Sons. M. D. Gunasena & Co Ltd.

Predecessor		Successor
Chola Invaders [433-459 CE]	King Dhatusena [459-477 CE] -House of Moriya-	King Kassapa I [477-495 CE] -House of Moriya-
COMPLETE LIST OF RULERS OF SRI LANKA