King Kassapa II | AmazingLanka.com

Predecessor		Successor
King Dathopatissa I [643-650 CE] -House of Moriya-	King Kassapa II [650-659 CE] -House of Lambakanna-	King Dappula I [659 CE] -House of Lambakanna-
COMPLETE LIST OF RULERS OF SRI LANKA

King Kassapa II—known in the Pujavaliya and Rajavaliya as Pesulu Kasubu—ascended the throne in 650 CE after decisively defeating King Dathopatissa I in a major battle. He was the brother of King Aggabodhi III and son of King Silameghavanna. Upon Kassapa’s death, the throne passed to his brother-in-law, Dappula.

Background and Rise to Power

During the prolonged civil war between Aggabodhi III and Dathopatissa I (643–650 CE), Kassapa played a significant role in the plundering of religious sites. Historical records note that he participated in raiding sacred stupas such as Thuparama and Dakkhina Chethiya, looting their relic chambers to fund military campaigns.

Following the death of his brother Aggabodhi III—who died in exile in Rohana—Kassapa assembled a loyal army and launched an assault on Anuradhapura. He defeated Dathopatissa, who fled to India. However, Kassapa did not immediately consecrate himself as king, reportedly because Dathopatissa had escaped with the Royal Regalia, a symbolic obstacle to legitimate coronation.

A Time of Atonement and Preparation

Despite his earlier destructive actions, Kassapa sought to restore and repair the damage inflicted upon the Buddhist monastic order. He commissioned flower gardens, fruit orchards, and tanks, and made substantial offerings to the sacred chetiyas. These acts of piety were aimed at regaining the goodwill of the religious community and re-establishing his legitimacy.

Simultaneously, Kassapa was acutely aware that Dathopatissa could return with another invading force. As a precaution, he continued to strengthen his military while pursuing religious and civic reforms.

The Final Clash with Dathopatissa

In 650 CE, as anticipated, Dathopatissa returned to Sri Lanka with a powerful Tamil mercenary army. Kassapa, however, was well-prepared. In the fierce battle that followed, Dathopatissa was killed, ending his turbulent reign. Dathopatissa’s nephew Hatthadatha, who was present at the battle, managed to escape back to India.

Coronation and Aftermath

Following this decisive victory, Kassapa officially proclaimed himself king—King Kassapa II—and ruled for the next nine years. Though his reign brought relative stability, the rivalry between the bloodlines of Dathopatissa and Aggabodhi III was far from over. Hatthadatha‘s survival meant that future conflicts were inevitable.

Moreover, the repeated use of Tamil mercenary forces by both factions had a lasting consequence. By the time Kassapa II‘s reign ended, there was a sizable Tamil population established in Anuradhapura. This demographic shift became a significant factor in the political and cultural dynamics that later Sinhalese rulers had to navigate.

Works of King Kassapa I

Built a massive prasada in Mirisawetiya

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 or 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 Dathopatissa I [643-650 CE] -House of Moriya-	King Kassapa II [650-659 CE] -House of Lambakanna-	King Dappula I [659 CE] -House of Lambakanna-
COMPLETE LIST OF RULERS OF SRI LANKA