King Coranaga [62-50 BCE] | AmazingLanka.com

Predecessor		Successor
King Mahaculi Mahathissa [76-62 BCE] -House of Vijaya-	King Coranaga [62-50 BCE] -House of Vijaya-	King Tissa (Kuda Tissa) [50-47 BCE] -House of Vijaya-
COMPLETE LIST OF RULERS OF SRI LANKA

King Coranaga, (also written as Cora Naga or Chora Naga), was a ruler of Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka during 62-50 BCE. Choranaga was the son of King Vattagamini Abhaya, and Mahavamsa describes him as a rebel during the reign of King Mahaculi Mahathissa, which possibly earned his name “Naga the Rebel” (Coranaga). He was known for a turbulent rule marked by retribution and bloodshed, especially directed toward the Buddhist clergy, likely due to personal grievances and family feuds.

According to the Mahavamsa, King Coranaga’s reign was characterized by hostility toward the Buddhist clergy. His vendetta reportedly led him to order the destruction of 18 monasteries that had refused him sanctuary during his earlier rebellion against King Mahaculi Mahathissa. This rare anti-Buddhist stance within the traditionally devout Sri Lankan monarchy earned Coranaga a negative reputation among historians and chroniclers, as seen in ancient historical manuscripts.

His life ended within the palace when his queen, Anula, poisoned him. His successor was the son of King Mahaculi Mahathissa, who held the throne briefly after Coranaga’s death.

Coranaga in Rajavaliya

The Rajavaliya, a later historical manuscript, presents a distinctive narrative of King Coranaga’s reign, casting it within the context of a curse and prolonged famine. According to this account, Milindu, the king of Sagal in Jambudvipa, desired a married woman and executed her husband, a Brahmin, on false charges of theft of the Prime Minister’s bull. When the woman discovered the truth, she cursed the king and chose to die rather than break her marriage vows. This curse led to twelve years of famine in Milindu’s kingdom.

In a parallel drawn with Coranaga, his alleged destruction of eighteen temples on the island caused a severe three-year famine in Sri Lanka, known as “Bemini-Saya.” Consequently, his reign ended with his assassination by the people after twelve turbulent years, a direct contrast to other chronicles that focus on his anti-Buddhist actions and eventual poisoning by Queen Anula.

Works of King Coranaga

Destruction of 18 temples

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.
Gunasekara, B. (1900). The Rajavaliya or a Historical Narrative of Sinhalese Kings Vijaya to Vimala Dharma Suriya II. George J. A. Skeen.
Paranavitana, S. (1959). History of Ceylon (University of Ceylon): Vol. 1 (part 1)–3. Ceylon University Press.

Predecessor		Successor
King Mahaculi Mahathissa [76-62 BCE] -House of Vijaya-	King Coranaga [62-50 BCE] -House of Vijaya-	King Tissa (Kuda Tissa) [50-47 BCE] -House of Vijaya-
COMPLETE LIST OF RULERS OF SRI LANKA