Kings of Sri Lanka (Royal Dynasty of Sri Lanka)

Rangiri Dambulu Viharaya / Dambulla Cave Temple - Cave 3 - Maha Aluth Viharaya King Kirthi Sri Rajasinghe
Cave 3 – Maha Aluth Viharaya – Statue of King Kirthi Sri Rajasinghe of Kandyan Kingdom

Sri Lankan Royal Dynasty  ( line of Kings of Sri Lanka, Ceylon Kings) is probably the longest Royal Dynasty in the world which survived since 543 BC (over 2350 years) up to 1815, until the capture of the last Kandyan King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe by the British invading forces.

The complete Royal Dynasty of Sri Lanka  is documented in number of historical documents with primary document being the Mahavamsa ( The Great Chronicle of  of Sri Lanka ). The  Mahavamsa was written by the Venerable thera Mahanama in the 6th century AD. The first version of it covered the period from the coming of King Vijaya  in 543 BC to the reign of King Mahasena.

The Chulavamsa ( ( The  lesser Chronicle of  of Sri Lanka ) starts where the Mahavamsa stops and continues  covers the period from the 4th century to 1815. The Culavamsa has been  compiled over many years by various Buddhist monks.

Rajavaliya is a 17th-century historical Narrative of Kings of Sri Lanka, covering the history of the island from its legendary beginnings in 543 BC  up to the accession of King Vimaladharmasūrya II in 1687.

Different historical documents may give the slightly different years in which each ruler reigned describing Rulers of  ancient  Sri Lanka. Therefore even today various books and publications may give different years of reigns for various rulers. The information below is compiled from the following documents

  • Mahavamsa – translation by Wilhelm Geiger,
  • Rajavaliya,
  • Pujavaliya
  • A Short history of Sri Lanka by H. W. Codrington

Chronological list of Kings of  Sri Lanka (Royal Dynasty of Sri Lanka)

RulerDetails
Period
Tambapanni  
VijayaArrived in Sri Lanka from India
543-505 BC
UpatissaA minister of Vijaya. Vijaya had no children from Pandi Queen*
??
Vijitapura  
PanduvasdevaSon of Sumitta. Vijayas own brother who came from Sagala – India. Upatissa handed the crown to him when he arrived in Sri Lanka.
504-474 BC
AbhayaEldest Son of Panduvasdeva. He had 9 brothers. The youngest was a sister called Chitta who later became to known as Unmadachitra who was prisoned in a chamber built upon a tower (Ek-tam-ge).
474-454 BC
Anuradhapura  
PandukabhayaUnmadachitra ‘s son. Fathered by Prince Deegha Gamini. Killed 8 uncles to  became the king as predicted by the Brahmins.
437-367 BC
GanatissaSon of Pandukabhaya*
(40 years)*
MutasivaSon of Ganatissa
367-307 BC
DevanampiyatissaSon of mutasiva
250-210 BC
Arrival of the Great Mahinda Thero and introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka.
250 BC
Arrival of Theri Sanghamitta with a branch of the original Sri Maha Bodhi in India
249 BC
UttiyaBrother of Devamnampiyatissa
??
MahasivaBrother of Devamnampiyatissa
??
SuratissaBrother of Devamnampiyatissa
??
Sena and GuttgakaIndian Invaders
??
AselaYoungest brother of Devanampiyatissa
??
ElaraTamil invador form Chola country in India. Killed King Asela
205-161 BC
DutugemunuSon of King Kavanthissa of Ruhuna and queen Vihara Maha Devi. Kavanthissa is a brother of Devanampiyatissa
161-137 BC
SaddhatissaBrother of Dutugemunu
137-119 BC
ThulatthanaSecond son of Saddhatissa
119 BC
LanjatissaElder son of Saddhatissa who ousted  Thulatthana
119-109 BC
Khallata Naga 
109-104 BC

Wattagamini Abhaya (Walagamba)
Youngest son of Saddhatissa
104 BC
PulahattaOne of the seven South Indian Tamil Invaders who defeated Vattagamini Abaya. Two went back and other five stayed back and killed each other for the throne.
104-101 BC
BahiyaBahiya was the commander of Pulahatta’s troops. Slew Pulahatta and took the throne
101-99 BC
PanayamaraPanayamara was the commander in chief of Bahiya’s troops. Slew Bahiya and took the throne
99-92 BC
PilayamaraPilayamara was the commander in chief of Panayamara’s troops. Slew Panayamara and took the throne

92 BC (7 months)

DathikaDathika was the commander in chief of Pilayamara’s troops. Slew Pilayamara and took the throne
91-89 BC
Wattagamini Abhaya (restored)Defeated the South Indian Tamil Invaders (Dathika) and regained his sovereignty.
89-77 BC
Documentation of Thripititaka in Pali during the reign of Vattagamini Abaya at Alu Viharya in Matale. These ola manuscripts were burnt by the British in 1848 and was lost forever for the Buddhists around the world
Mahaculi Mahathissa 
76-62 BC
CoranagaSon of Wattagamini Abhaya who was poisoned by his queen Anula
62-50 BC
TissaSon of Mahaculi Mahathissa also poisoned by Anula.
50-47 BC
SivaQueen Anula’s lover, a palace guard. Made Anula his queen and ruled for one year two months. Was poisoned by Anula for the love of Vatuka.
47 BC
VatukaA Tamil which queen Anula fell in love with. Was a city carpenter. Made Anula his queen and ruled for one year two months. Was poisoned by Anula for the love of Darubhatika Tissa.
46 BC
Darubhatika TissaA wood carrier which queen Anula fell in love with. Made Anula his queen and ruled for one year one month. Was poisoned by Anula for the love of Niliya.
45 BC
NiliyaA brahman who was the palace-priest, which queen Anula fell in love with. Made Anula his queen and ruled for six months. Was poisoned by Anula.
44 BC
Anula (Queen)Took control of the crown after poisoning all previous six rulers
43 BC
Kutakanna TissaMahaculi Mahathissa’s second son. Slayed Anula
42-20 BC
Bhatika AbhayaSon of Kutakanna Tissa
20 BC-9 AC
Mahadathika MahanagaYounger brother of Bhatika Abhaya
9-21 AC
Amanda-Gamini AbhayaSon of Mahadathika Mahanaga
22-31
Kanirajanu TissaYounger brother of Amanda-Gamini Abhaya. Killed his brother.
31-34
GulabhayaSon of Amanda-Gamini Abhaya. Ruled for 1 year.
34-35
Seevali (Queen)Younger sister of Gulabhaya. Ruled ofr 4 months
35
IlanagaA nephew of Amanda-Gamini Abhaya (sister’s son) .
Dethroned Queen Seevali
35
The Lambakanna ClanWho imprisoned the king in his first year and they administered the Government. But the king escaped to Malaya Rata (Hill Country) and came back after 3 years to battle the Lambakannas
35-38
Ilanaga (restored)Defeated the Lambakannas and took back the control
38-44
Candamukha SivaSon of Ilanaga
44-52
Yasalalaka TissaYounger brother of Candamukha Siva. Slew his brother for the throne.
52-59
SubhaThe gate watchman of the Palace. The king used to swap places with him from time to time due to close resemblance of the two. At one instance the Guard dressed as the king, ordered to slay the king (dressed as the guard) thus becoming the king.
59-65
VasabhaFrom the The Lambakanna Clan. Defeated Subha
65-109
Vankanasika TissaSon of Vasabha. Married the daughter of Suba
109-112
Gajabahu ISon of Vankanasika Tissa
112-134
Mahalla NagaFather in law of Gajabahu I
134-140
Bhathika TissaSon of Mahalla Naga
140-164
Kanittha TissaYoungest brother of Bhathika Tissa
164-192
Khujja NagaSon of Kanittha Tissa
192-194
Kuncha NagaBrother of Khujja Naga. Killed Khujja Naga.
194-195
Siri Naga Ibrother of the Kuncha Naga’s consort. Was the commander of troops. Defeated Kuncha Naga.
195-214
Voharika TissaSon of Siri Naga
214-236
Abhaya NagaYounger brother of Voharika Tissa had a affair with the queen. Slew Voharika Tissa to take power
236-244
Sirinaga IISon of Voharika Tissa
244-246
Vijaya-KumaraSon of Sirinaga
246-247
Samghatissa IOf Lambakannas clan. Three friends (Samghatissa, Samghabodhi and Gothakabhaya) killed Vijaya and Samghatissa took over.
247-251
Sirisamghabodhione of the three friends of Samghatissa. Took over after the the Samghatissa I.
251-253
GothabhayaThe third friend. Took control of the Kingdom after Sirisamghabodhi fled from the city
253-266
Jettatissa ISon of Gothabhaya
266-276
MahasenaYounger brother of Jettatissa I
276-303
Sirimeghavanna (Kithsiri Mevan)Son of Mahasena
303-311
Arrival of Tooth Relic in Sri Lanka during King Sirimeghavanna’s rule 
Jettasissa IIYounger brother of Sirimeghavanna
331-340
BuddhadasaSon of Jettasissa
340-368
Upatissa ISon of Buddhadasa
368-410
Mahanama2nd son of Buddhadasa
410-432
Sotthi SonaIllegitimate son of Mahanama who rules only for one day. He became the king in the forenoon and died in the afternoon from the poison given by his queen, princess Sanga
432
Chattagahaha Janthu 
432
Mittasena 
432-433
PanduPandyan Invaders who took control
433-438
ParindaPandyan Invaders who took control
438-441
Khudda ParindaPandyan Invaders who took control
441-456
TiritaraPandyan Invaders who took control
456
DathiyaPandyan Invaders who took control
456-459
PithiyaPandyan Invaders who took control
459
DhathusenaA monk who gave up the robe to fight the tamil invaders after king Mahanama
459-477
Kassapa ISon of Dhathusena. Killed his father for the throne and built the rock fortress at Sigiriya.
477-495
MoggallanaStep brother and the rightful owner to the throne. Defeated Kassapa to gain the throne. Kassapa committed suicide.
495-512
Kumara-DhatusenaSon of Moggallana. Died by jumping in to the funeral pyre of his friend Kalidasa
512-520
KittisenaSon of Kumara-Dhatusena
520-521
SivaUncle of Kittisena. Killed Kittisena
521
Upatissa IIFrom Lamani clan. Killed Siva and ruled for 1 year ten months
521-522
Amba Samanera SilakalaKilled Upatissa. From the same clan
522-535
DathapabhutiSon of Amba Samanera Silakala. Ruled for six months
535
Moggallana II (Dalamugalan)nephew of Dathapabhuti
535-555
Kittisiri MeghavannaSon of Dalamugalan
555-573
MahanagaFrom Okkaka clan. Killed Kittisiri Meghavanna
573-575
Aggabodhi INephew of Mahanaga
575-608
Aggabodhi IINephew of Aggabodhi I
608-618
Sanghatissa IIYounger brother of Aggabodhi II. Reigned for two months
618
Moggallana IIIKilled Sanghatissa II
618-623
SilameghavannaKilled Moggallana III
623-632
Aggaboghi III (Sirisangabodhi)Son of Silameghavanna
632
Jettatissa IIIExpelled king Aggabodhi
632
Aggabodhi III (restored)Aggabodhi defeats Jettatissa
632-643
Dathopatissa Iyounger brother of Aggabodhi
643-650
Kassapa II 
650-659
Dappua I 
659
Dathopatissa II 
659-667
Aggabodhi IVNephew of Dathopatissa. A very popular king who died in Polonnaruwa
667-683
Datta (Datasiva)heir apparent (යුවරජ) of Aggabodhi IV
683-684
Hetthadatha IIDathasiva is banished by a powerful tamil general named Potthakutta who was in the army of  Dathopatissa. A puppet king Hetthadatha is crowned by Potthakutta.
684
ManavammaSon of Kassapa II
684-718
Aggabodhi VSon of Manavamma
718-724
Kassapa IIIYounger brother of Aggabodhi V
724-730
Mahinda IYounger brother of Aggabodhi V
730-733
Aggabodhi VISon of Kassapa III?
733-772
Aggabodhi VIISon of Mahinda I
772-777
Mahinda IISon of Aggabodhi VII
777-797
Udaya ISon of Mahinda II. Also known as Dappula II
797-801
Mahinda III 
801-804
Aggabodhi VIII 
804-815
Dappula IIIYounger brother of Aggabodhi VIII
815-831
Aggabodhi IX 
831-833
Sena IYounger brother of Dappula III
833-853
Sena IINephew of Sena I
853-887
Udaya IIBrother of Sena II
887-898
Kassapa IVSon of Sena II
898-914
Kassapa V (Abhaya Salamevan)Son of Sena II
914-923
Dappula IV 
923-924
Dappula VYounger brother of Dappula IV
924-935
Udaya III 
935-938
Sena IIIYounger brother of Udaya III
938-946
Udaya IV 
946-954
Sena IV 
954-956
Mahinda IVNephew of Udaya IV
956-972
Sena VSon of Mahinda IV. Became the king at age of 12
972-982
Mahinda VBrother of Sena V. Reigned from Urathota. Was captured by the cholas and deported to India
982-1029
Polnnaruwa  
“Chola” InvadersSouth Indian invaders
1017-1070

Vijayabahu I 
1070-1110
Jayabahu IYounger brother of Vijayabahu I
1110-1111
Wickramabahu ISon of Vijayabahu I
1111-1132
Gajabahu II 
1132-1159
Parakramabahu IThe father of Parakramabahu , Manabharana was the son of Mitta, who was the sister of Vijayabahu. The mother of Parakramabahu was Rathnavali who was a daughter of Vijayabahu. It was during his period that queen Sugala Devi, the last monarch of the Kingdom of Ruhuna fought for its freedom which Parakramabahu brutally crushed.
1153-1186
Vijayabahu IISon of Parakramabahu’s sister
1186-1187
Nissanka MallaCame from Kalinga kingdom in India
1187-1196
VirabahuSon of Nissanka Malla. Ruled only for 1 day. Was killed by a general due to him been ‘unequal birth’ being a son of one of the many pricesses brought from foriegn lands who were not quite equal in ranks
1196
Wickramabahu IIYounger brother of Nissanka Malla. After murdering Virabahu,the throne was handed to Wickramabahu with no oppersition from the Kalinga Family. Ruled only for 3 months before been murdered by Choda Ganga
1196
Choda GangaA nephew of Nissanka Malla. Ruled only for 9 months before been killed by a General named Senevirat
1196-1197
Queen LeelavathiPrinciple wife of Parakramabahu I. She was placed at the throne by the General Senevirat (Kitti)
1197-1200
Sahasa MallaA half brother of Nissanka Malla (inscription) who came from Kalinga kingdom in India supported by General Ayasmanta (same general Senevirat?)
23rd Auguest 1200-1202
Queen KalyanavathiSecond wife of Nissanka Malla. Supported by General Ayasmanta who deposed Sahasa Malla
1202-1208
DharmashokaWas made the king at the age of three months. Supported by General Ayasmanta who deposed Queen Kalyanavathi
1208-1209
Anikanga MahadipadaCame with a Cola army and killed Dharmashoka and General Ayasmanta. Pujavaliya states Dharmashoka was Anikanga’s son. Ruled the country for 17 days
1209
Queen Leelavathi (restored) Anikanga was assassinated by the general Vikkantacamunakka of Polonnaruwa Army and placed Queen Leelavathi from Pandyan Dynasty at the throne for the 2nd time
1209-1210
LokeshwaraInvader from Kalinga Dynasty in India. He ruled only for 9 months according to Culavamsa and 5 months according to Pujavaliya
1210-1211
Queen Leelavathi (restored)Lokeshwara was dethroned by a General called Parakrama and Queen Leelavathi was placed on the throne for the 3rd time. She ruled only for 7 months this time
1211-1212
Parakramabahu PanduInvader from Pandyan kingdom in India who deposed Queen and the General Parakrama
1212-1215
MaghaInvader from Kalinga kingdom in India. Deposed Parakramabahu Pandu. His 24,000 strong army looted, plundered and sacked Rajarattha on an unprecedented scale.
1215-1236
Dambadeniya  
Vijayabahu IIIAlso called “Vijayabahu Vathimi”, “Vanni Vijayabahu” and “Kalinga Vijayabahu”. Does not belong to any Royal bloodline from Pollonnaruwa. Origin is unclear
1232-1236
Parakramabahu IIElder Son of Vijayabahu III. Also known as Panditha Parakramabahu. Defeated Indian invader Maga in Pollonnaruwa
1236 -1270

Vijayabahu IVSon of Parakramabahu II
1270-1272
Yapahuwa  
Buwanekabahu IBrother of Vijayabahu IV. After living in Dambadeniya for some years, Shifted his rule to Yapahuwa
1272-1284
Parakramabahu IIISon of Vijayabahu IV
??? – 1293
Kurunegala  
Buwanekabahu IISon of Buwanekabahu I. Defeated Parakramabahu III and shifted the Kingdom to Kurunegala
1293 – 1302
Parakramabahu IVSon of Buwanekabahu II. After Parakramabahu IV’s death the Kingdom was weakened and his sons split it into two.
1325 or 1311/12 – 1325 or 1317/18
1302-1326
Buwanekabahu IIIRuled Kurunegala North
1226 – 1335
Vijayabahu VRuled Kurunegala South
1335 – 1341
Gampola  
Buwanekabahu IVMade Gampola the capital of the Kingdom
1341-1351
Wicramabahu IIIRuled in Peradeniya at during the time of Buwanekabahu IV. Shifted to Gampola after Buwanekabahu IV
1357-1374
Parakramabahu VRuled the Dedigama Kingdom in Kegalle District during the time of Buwanekabahu IV
1344-1359
Buwanekabahu VLast ruler in Gampola. Escaped to Kotte in fear of Jaffna Kingdom. Spent the last years in Kotte
1372-1408
Kotte  
WeerabahuRuled after Buwanekabahu V
(20 years)
Parakramabahu VIAlso known as Rukule Parakramabahu. Attacked Jaffna (led by one of his adopted sons – Sapumal Kumaraya) and took it under the Sri Lankan Kingdom.
1412-1467
Jayaweera Parakramabahu (Jayababahu II)Grandson of Parakramabahu II
1467 – 1469
Buwanekabahu VIWas Prince Sapumal who successfully attacked Jafna and took under the Sri Lankan Kingdom during Parakramabahu. Later killed Jayaweera to capture the Kotte Kingdom. ruled for 6 years
 1471-1477
Panditha Parakramabahu VIIAdopted son of Buvanekabahu VI
1478 – 1484
Weera Parakramabahu VIIIAdopted son of Parakramabahu VI and brother of Buwanekabahu VI (Sapumal Kumaraya). Was called “Ambulugala Raja”. Killed Panditha Parakramabahu VII.
 1484 – 1508
Dharma Parakramabahu IXEldest son of Weera Parakramabahu VIII
1509 –  1528
Arrival of the Portuguese
1505
Vijayabahu VIBrother of Parakramabahu VIX. According to Rajavaliya he came to the throne in 1513 A.D
1513-1521
Buwanekabahu VIIVijayabahu VI was killed by the 3 sons – Buwanekabahu, Pararajasinhe and Mayadunne. Split the country into two and Buwanekabahu took Kotte, Pararajasinhe took Raigama Kingdom and Mayadunne the Seethawaka Kingdom.
1521-1551
DharmapalaWas baptised at young age by the Portuguese Missionaries. Converted to Christianity in 1555. Kelaniya Temple and the Kotte Dalada Maligawa was taken from the Buddhists and given to the missionaries.
1551-1597
End of the the Kotte Kingdom. Dharmapala presented the Kingdom to the Portuguese by a deed after his death
1597
Fall of the Portuguese rule in coastal areas to the Dutch
1655-1656
End of Portugese Rule in Sri Lanka
1658
Fall of Dutch Rule and Capture of Costal areas by the English
by 1796
Offical Handing over the Dutch Controlled areas to the Brithsh by “Amion Peace Accord”
1892
Raigama  
PararajasinheOne son of Vijayabahu VI of Kotte.
1521-1538
Seethawaka  
MayadunneOne son of Vijayabahu VI of Kotte. Pararajasinhe (his brother) voluntarily gave the control of his kingdom to Mayadunne during his last years. Mayadunne attached Raigama Kingdom after the death of Pararajasinhe in 1538
1521-1581
Rajasinghe ISon of Mayadunne. Warrior prince who led his fist battle at the age of 12. Was known as Prince Tikiri. Took over the Kandyan Kingdom after disposing Dona Catherina, a Portuguese appointed queen in Kandy
1581 – 1592
RajasuriyaElder Son of Rajasinghe I . The kingdom was run by a person called “Manamperuma”, an Indian who advised Rajasinghe I. Also instumental in turning Rajasinghe I aginst Buddhist establishment.
1593
Queen Maha Biso BandaraDaugher of Mayadunne and younger sister of Rajasinghe I.
1593-1594
Nikapitiye BandaraManamperuma removed both sons of Rajasinghe I and gave the crown to “Nikapitiye Bandara” who was a grandson of the sister of Rajasinghe I . Was only 5 years old at that time.
1594
Fall of the Seethawaka Kingdom to Portuguese
1594
Kandy  
Sena Sammatha WickramabahuBelongs to Kotte Royal Blood line (Ruled Kandy as a semi-indipendent kingdom under the Kotte Kingdom)
1473-1511
Jayaweera AstanaSon of Sena Sammatha Wickramabahu. Became a Christian in 1546
1511-1551
Karaliyadde BandaraSon of Jayaweera. Captured the throne from Jayaweera. Became a Christian to get protection from the Portuguese
1551-1581

Dona Catherina (Kusumasana Devi)
Daughter of Karaliyedde Bandara. Converted to Catholicism by the Portuguese and appointed the queen of the Kandyan Kingdom by them
1581
Rajasinghe IDisposed Dona Catherina. Ruled from Sitawaka Kingdom
1581-1591
Yamasinghe Bandara (Don Phillip)A nephew of Karaliyadde Bandara. Took control of
Kandy with the help of the Portuguese
 
Wimaladharmasuriya IName was Konappu Bandara and then Don Juan. Ousted Yamasinghe Bandara‘s son Don João who was 12 years old and assented to the throne as Wimaladharmasuriya. Became a Buddhist again and married Dona Catherina to establish the Royal Bloodline. Fought the Portuguese and freed Kandy from them. Famous battle of Danture was fought by him.
1592 – 1604
SenaratA cousin brother of king Wimaladharmasuriya I. Was a Buddhist monk and a devoted Buddhist. Didn’t have the strength of a king. Married Dona Catherina again to establish a Royal Bloodline
1604 – 1635
Rajasinghe IIA warrior king who build up the Kandy again and faced two major battles with the Portuguese and two with the Dutch.
1635 – 1687
Wimaladharmasuriya IISon of Rajasinghe II. Maintained a harmony with the Dutch.
1687 – 1707
Weeraparakrama NarendrasinhaSon of Wimaladharmasuriya II. Last Singhalese King of the Country
1707 – 1739
Sri Vijaya RajasingheBrother of the Viraparakrama Narendrasinha‘s queen who was of south Indian Nayakkar origin. Became a Buddhist
1739 -1747
Kirti Sri RajasingheBrother of the Sri Vijaya Rajasinghe’s queen
1747 – 1781
Rajadhi RajasingheBrother of Kirti Sri Rajasinghe
1781 – 1798
Sri Wickrama RajasingheLast Sri Lankan King. Captured by the British and imprisoned in Vellore, India
1798 – 1815
Fall of Kandyan Kingdom to the British
1815 Feb 15
Capture of Last king in Sri Lanka Thus ending probably the longest Royal Dynasty in the world which survived in Sri Lanka since 543 BC (over 2350 years) .
1815 Feb 18

* Rajavaliya

Referances

  1. MAHAVAMSA OR THE GREAT CHRONICAL OF CEYLON by Mahanama. Translated by Wilhelm Geiger (1912)
  2. මහාවංශය (සිංහල) . Buddhist Cultural Center (2010)
  3. RAJAVALIYA OR HISTORICAL NARRATION OF SINHALESE KINGS. Translated by By B. Gunasekara (1900)
  4. MEMOIRS OF THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CEYLON – VOLUME X – PART II : THUPA, THUPAGHARA AND THUPA PRASADA. Roland Silva (2004)
  5. Liyanagamage, A., 1963. The Decline of Polonnaruwa Kingdom and the Rise of Dambadeniya (circa 1180 – 1270 AD). Doctor of Philosophy. •University of London.
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