Five Tamil Invaders who Ruled Sri Lanka [104-89 BCE]

Predecessor		Successor
King Vattagamini Abhaya (Walagamba) [104 BCE] -House of Vijaya-	Five Tamil Invaders [104-89 BCE]	King Vattagamini Abhaya (Walagamba) [89-76 BCE] -House of Vijaya-
COMPLETE LIST OF RULERS OF SRI LANKA

Reigns of the Five Tamil Invaders

Pulahatta	104-101 BCE
Bahiya	101-99 BCE
Panayamara	99-92 BCE
Pilayamara	92 BCE (7 months)
Dathika	91-89 BCE

In 103 BCE, only five months into his reign, King Vattagamini Abhaya (also known as Walagamba) faced a coordinated attack from a formidable Tamil force of seven chieftains who had arrived at the Mahatitta port (modern-day Mannar). Their numbers and strength overwhelmed Vattagamini’s defenses, forcing him to flee Anuradhapura to avoid capture. During this hasty escape, his wife, Queen Somadevi, stayed behind willingly to reduce the weight of the royal carriage, allowing the king to move faster with the rest of the royal entourage.

In the aftermath of Vattagamini’s retreat, the Tamil invaders took control of Anuradhapura. Accounts indicate that one of the chieftains, captivated by Queen Somadevi, abducted her and subsequently left Sri Lanka. Another seized the revered Buddha bowl relic, fleeing the island with it. Of the original seven leaders, only five remained to govern Anuradhapura, each eventually taking turns to rule until Vattagamini returned years later to reclaim his throne.

The Five Tamil Rulers (The Seven-Year Transition)

The cycle of power among the remaining invaders was marked by internal assassinations:

Pulahatta: Ruled for three years; assassinated by his commander, Bahiya.
Bahiya: Ruled for two years; assassinated by his commander, Panayamara.
Panayamara: Ruled for seven years; assassinated by his commander, Pilayamara.
Pilayamara: Ruled for seven months; assassinated by his commander, Dathika.
Dathika: Ruled for two years until King Vattagamini Abhaya ultimately defeated him, restoring local sovereignty.

The Rebellion of Brahmin Tissa

As Tamil forces were landing at Mahatitta, a Brahmin named Tissa (also referred to as Tiya in early chronicles) was stirred by a prophecy from another Brahmin who foretold his rule over Sri Lanka. Convinced of his destiny, Tissa raised an army and marched towards Anuradhapura, presenting a two-front threat to King Vattagamini Abhaya.

In response, Vattagamini crafted a strategy to neutralize one of the dangers by signaling his willingness to yield the throne but persuading Tissa to confront the Tamil invaders first. Falling for this tactic, Tissa engaged the Tamil forces, but his campaign ended in defeat.

The Famine of Beminitiya Seya

Pali commentaries written prior to the Mahavamsa present an alternate and grimmer account of this period. According to these sources, Tissa (or Tiya) ruled for fourteen years. His reign is described as a “dark period” for Sri Lanka, characterized by a catastrophic event known as the Beminitiya Seya (The Famine of the Brahmin Tiya).

This prolonged famine had a severe impact on the Buddhist Sangha and associated religious institutions.

Courtyards that had once hosted thousands of devotees during religious celebrations fell into decay, becoming overgrown with weeds and castor plants. The lack of patronage and support left these sacred spaces abandoned and desolate

Many bhikkhus, unable to obtain even minimal sustenance, were compelled to migrate in search of refuge. Large numbers relocated to India or to the mountainous regions of southern Sri Lanka, where living conditions were comparatively more sustainable.

The combined effects of famine and the apparent hostility of Tissa toward Buddhism led to the neglect of major sacred sites, including the Thuparama and the Maha Thupa, which fell into a state of significant disrepair. (Paranavitana, 1959).

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

Mahanama, Geiger, W., & Bode, M. H. (1912). The Mahavamsa or the Great Chronicle of Ceylon. Translated into English by Wilhelm Geiger. For the Pali Text Society by Henry Frowde.
Paranavitana, S. (1959). History of Ceylon (University of Ceylon): Vol. 1 (part 1)–3. Ceylon University Press.

Predecessor		Successor
King Vattagamini Abhaya (Walagamba) [104 BCE] -House of Vijaya-	Five Tamil Invaders [104-89 BCE]	King Vattagamini Abhaya (Walagamba) [89-76 BCE] -House of Vijaya-
COMPLETE LIST OF RULERS OF SRI LANKA