King Parakrama Pandi [1046-1048 CE]

Predecessor		Successor
Jagatpala [1043-1046 CE]	Parakrama Pandi [1046-1048 CE]	Loka [1048-1054 CE]
COMPLETE LIST OF RULERS OF SRI LANKA

Parakrama Pandi (Parakramabāhu Pandi or Parakkamapandu) was a Pandyan prince who ruled the southern principality of Ruhuna in the mid-eleventh century, at a time when the Chola Empire exercised firm control over the northern Rājarata province. His reign is generally dated to about 1046–1048 CE, although alternative chronologies extend it to 1051–1053 CE.

The Cūḷavaṃsa records his reign as lasting two years. Later chronicles present differing accounts: the Pūjāvaliya assigns him a reign of one year, while the Rājāvaliya extends it to six years. He is not mentioned in the Rājaratnākāraya. His name appears in varying forms across the sources, being rendered as Parākramapandi in the Rājāvaliya, Parākramabāhu-pandi in the same chronicle, and Parākramapāṇḍiya in the Nikāya Saṅgrahaya.

Royal Heritage and Beginnings

Parakramabāhu Pandi was of Pandya royal lineage and is identified in the sources as the son of a Pandya king. His rise occurred during what may be described as a “dark decade” for the Sinhalese monarchy. Following the death of Vikkamabāhu I (1029-1040), the legitimate Sinhalese royal line had effectively disappeared, compelling the people of Ruhuna to accept foreign princes—particularly those of Pandya or North Indian origin—who were prepared to lead resistance against the Cholas. He succeeded Jagatīpāla (1043–1046 CE), a North Indian adventurer who had been killed by Chola forces.

Consecration and Rule

In contrast to several of his immediate predecessors in Ruhuna, who ruled without formal consecration, Parakramabāhu Pandi is listed among those who attained recognized sovereignty over the southern province. In practical terms, however, his authority was limited to Ruhuna, which functioned as the principal center of resistance and the so-called “stronghold of freedom,” while the Chola viceroy administered the island from Polonnaruwa.

He was the last of five short-lived rulers who attempted to govern Ruhuna within a period of roughly ten years, a time marked by severe internal disunity and administrative breakdown. Knowledge of his reign and even his historical existence is derived mainly from the literary accounts of the Cūḷavaṃsa and later Sinhalese chronicles such as the Pūjāvaliya.

The most significant episode of his rule was his final confrontation with the Chola Empire. Like his predecessor Jagatīpāla, Parakramabāhu Pandi was ultimately defeated and killed in battle during a Chola punitive expedition into the southern province.

His death enabled the Chola Empire to further consolidate its dominance over the island by eliminating yet another leader who had sought to organize and sustain Sinhalese resistance from Ruhuna.

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. (Original work published 1815)
Geiger, W., & Rickmers, C. M. (1929). Culavamsa Being The More Recent Part Of The Mahavamsa: Vol. Part II–II. Pali Text Society. (Original work published 1815)
Gunasekara, B. (1895). A Contribution to the History of Ceylon: Translated from Pujavaliya. H.C. Cottle.
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.
Sastri, K. A. N. (1935). The Cōḷas (Madras University Historical Series—no. 9): To the accession of Kulottunga I (1st ed., Vol. 1). University of Madras.