King Manavamma [684-718 CE] | AmazingLanka.com

King Manavamma [684-718 CE] and his three sons

Predecessor		Successor
King Hatthadatha II [684 CE] -House of Moriya-	King Manavamma [684-718 CE] -House of Lambakanna-	King Aggabodhi V [718-724 CE] -House of Lambakanna-
COMPLETE LIST OF RULERS OF SRI LANKA

King Manavamma—known as Mahalepano in the Pujavaliya and Rajavaliya—ascended the throne of Anuradhapura in 684 CE after defeating King Hatthadatha II, the puppet ruler installed by the powerful Tamil minister Potthakuttha. His accession marked the end of prolonged civil strife and the beginning of two centuries of stability under the restored Lambakanna dynasty.

Early Life and Exile

Manavamma was the son of King Kassapa II (650–659 CE). Upon Kassapa’s death, his young children were entrusted to Prince Mana, a relative, while the capital was soon seized by Hatthadatha, who proclaimed himself King Dathopatissa II.

Fearing for his safety, Prince Manavamma and his wife, Samghamana, retreated to Uttaradesa (Northern Country) and led a quiet life. When Hatthadatha learned of Manavamma’s presence in Uttaradesa, the prince sought refuge in the Pallava Kingdom in South India, ruled by King Narasimhavarman I (630–668 CE).

Manavamma was welcomed by Pallava rulers and served faithfully under Narasimhavarman and distinguished himself in battle, particularly during a major Calukya invasion, where he displayed remarkable valor. Impressed, the Pallava king promised to support his return to Sri Lanka and provided him with a fully equipped expeditionary force.

First Attempt to Seize the Throne

Manavamma launched his first expedition to Anuradhapura. As his forces approached, King Dathopatissa II fled the city. Instead of consolidating power in the capital and taking control of the kingdom, Manavamma pursued the fleeing king, hoping to eliminate him for good.

This decision proved costly to Manavamma. During this campaign, King Narasimhavarman I fell critically ill, forcing the bulk of the Pallava army to return home. With only a small force left, Manavamma was unable to resist Dathopatissa’s counterattack and was forced to retreat to India.

The Second Invasion and Victory

Manavamma spent the next twenty years in exile, continuing to serve successive Pallava rulers as a seasoned, battle-hardened commander in the army and deepening their obligation to him. Eventually, a second expedition was prepared. When the Pallava soldiers refused to sail under anyone but their king, the Pallava monarch disguised Manavamma in royal attire, making it appear that the king himself was leading the campaign. The ruse worked, and the army embarked for Sri Lanka.

Landing in the north, battle-hardened Manavamma and his army subdued the Uttaradesa before marching on Anuradhapura, then ruled by Hatthadatha II, Potthakuttha’s puppet. The royal army—composed largely of Tamil mercenaries—took the field, with Hatthadatha commanding one wing and Potthakuttha the other.

As the battle turned against them, both fled. Potthakuttha, while fleeing, was found by the chief of Merukandara and, being friends, was given the means to commit suicide. Hatthadatha was captured and killed, his head presented to Manavamma. Manavamma then entered Anuradhapura unopposed and was consecrated king in 684 CE.

Reign and Legacy

King Manavamma ruled for 35 years, restoring order and beginning the revival of the Lambakanna Dynasty, which would endure for nearly four centuries. The Tamil mercenaries, who had dominated Anuradhapura politics for decades, disappear from the records, likely purged by Manavamma, who replaced them with trusted Sinhalese officials.

He initiated the rebuilding of monasteries that had fallen into disrepair and donated villages for their upkeep. His reign brought peace and prosperity after nearly a century of civil war and instability.

Unfortunately, only fragmentary details of his reign survive. Some leaves of the Culavamsa manuscript, which covered this era, were lost or damaged, depriving historians of a full account of his achievements and some acts of his predecessor.

Succession

King Manavamma had three sons—Aggabodhi, Kassapa, and Mahinda—all born during his exile in the Pallava Kingdom. They succeeded him one after the other, continuing the dynasty he restored. King Manavamma died in 718 CE, after a 35-year rule, leaving behind a stable and unified kingdom after a long period of instability.

Works of King Manavamma

Built Padhanarakkha Viharaya
Built Seppani Prasada in Sirisamghabodhi Viharaya
Built Siri Prasada
Roofed Lovamahaprasada
Built Devinuwaranuwara Viharaya (source: Rajavaliya)
Built 8 reservoirs (source : Rajavaliya)

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 Hatthadatha II [684 CE] -House of Moriya-	King Manavamma [684-718 CE] -House of Lambakanna-	King Aggabodhi V [718-724 CE] -House of Lambakanna-
COMPLETE LIST OF RULERS OF SRI LANKA