King Hatthadatha II [684 CE] | AmazingLanka.com

King Hetthadatha II — King Hatthadatha II

Predecessor		Successor
King Datta [683-684 CE] -House of Moriya-	King Hatthadatha II [684 CE] -House of Moriya-	King Manavamma [684-718 CE] -House of Lambakanna-
COMPLETE LIST OF RULERS OF SRI LANKA

King Hatthadatha II, also called Hunannaru Riyandala in Pujavaliya and Rajavaliya, was a puppet king of Tamil chief minister Potthakuttha, of King Aggabodhi IV, who placed him on the throne after the death of previous puppet king Datta. However, his rule was short-lived when Manavamma attacked and killed him in battle just six months into his reign.

The Puppet Reigns After Aggabodhi IV

The death of King Aggabodhi IV in 683 CE, who had restored peace and prosperity after decades of warfare, once again plunged Anuradhapura into a state of chaos. The power vacuum was swiftly exploited by Potthakuttha, the Tamil chief minister who had amassed considerable influence during Aggabodhi’s reign. With the monarch gone, Potthakuttha moved quickly to consolidate power for himself and his Tamil allies.

From Datta to Hatthadatha II

Potthakuttha‘s first move was to imprison the rightful heir, Dathasiva, the Uparaja (Deputy King) under Aggabodhi IV. He then placed a pliable minor noble, Datta, on the throne, ruling through him as a puppet. However, Datta died after just two years on the throne, prompting Potthakuttha to repeat his strategy.

This time, he selected a young nobleman named Hatthadatha, who hailed from Unhanagara. Possessing distant royal lineage but no real power base of his own, Hatthadatha was installed as King Hatthadatha II.

The Short-Lived Reign of Hatthadatha II

Hatthadatha II’s reign, like that of his predecessor, was effectively administered by Potthakuttha, who continued to control the royal court. The real power remained with the Tamil officers, and dissatisfaction grew rapidly among the Sinhalese nobility and monastic order. This instability and the blatant usurpation of royal authority prepared the ground for rebellion.

Just six months into Hatthadatha’s reign, the long-awaited resistance arrived: Prince Manavamma, a Sinhalese royal exiled in South India and a descendant of the Lambakanna dynasty, launched an invasion of the island. Having received military support from the Pallava court in Kanchipuram, he returned with a seasoned army, determined to reclaim the throne and restore legitimate Sinhalese rule.

In the ensuing battle, Hatthadatha II was defeated and killed, bringing an end to Potthakuttha’s puppet regime. With this decisive victory, the long-exiled Manavamma was finally poised to ascend the throne of Anuradhapura.

Legacy of the Puppet Kings

The reigns of Datta and Hatthadatha II represent one of the lowest points in Anuradhapura’s royal lineage—an era dominated by foreign mercenary power, palace intrigue, and illegitimate rule. Potthakuttha’s manipulation of the throne, while never assuming the crown himself, underscored the deep fractures in the kingdom brought about by decades of warfare and unchecked Tamil military influence.

The rise of Manavamma marked a pivotal moment of restoration for the Sinhalese monarchy for the Anuradhapura Kingdom after a long time.

Works of King Hatthadatha II

Built a practicing house (mahapadhanaghara) of Kaladighavika

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

Geiger, W., & Rickmers, C. M. (1929). Culavamsa: Being The More Recent Part of The Mahavamsa: Vol. Part I–II. Pali Text Society.
Gunasekara, B. (1900). The Rajavaliya, a Historical Narrative of Sinhalese Kings Vijaya to Vimala Dharma Suriya II. George J. A. Skeen.
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.

Predecessor		Successor
King Datta [683-684 CE] -House of Moriya-	King Hatthadatha II [684 CE] -House of Moriya-	King Manavamma [684-718 CE] -House of Lambakanna-
COMPLETE LIST OF RULERS OF SRI LANKA