King Sena II [853-887 CE] | AmazingLanka.com

Attack on the Pandyan Kingdom during King Sena II

Predecessor		Successor
Sena I [833-853 CE] -House of Lambakanna-	Sena II [853-887 CE] -House of Lambakanna-	Udaya II [887-898 CE] -House of Lambakanna-
COMPLETE LIST OF RULERS OF SRI LANKA

King Sena II, also known by his Sinhalese name Mugayin-väsi Sen, ruled the Anuradhapura Kingdom from 853 to 887 CE and is remembered as one of the most powerful and successful monarchs of the Second Lambakanṇa Dynasty. His reign marked a decisive shift in the balance of power between Sri Lanka and the South Indian kingdoms, particularly the Pandyas.

Sena II previously served as Mahādipāda under his paternal uncle, King Sena I. As all of Sena I’s brothers had already passed away, Sena I ascended the throne in 853 CE, paving the way for Sena II’s eventual succession.

Political Background and Pandyan Threat

The political climate preceding Sena II’s reign was shaped by the aggressive expansion of the Pandyan Empire in South India. During the rule of Sena I, the Pandyan king Śrīmāra Śrīvallabha (815–862 CE) launched a major invasion of Sri Lanka. This assault resulted in the looting of Anuradhapura and the seizure of royal treasures, including a sacred golden Buddha image. Recovering these treasures and restoring national prestige may have become the central objective of Sena II’s foreign policy.

Attack on the Pandyan Kingdom

An opportunity arose in 862 CE when Varaguna II, son of the Pandyan king, fled to Sri Lanka after being mistreated by his father. Seeking military assistance to claim the Pandyan throne, he appealed to Sena II. In response, the king assembled a large expeditionary force at the port of Mahātittha and appointed his general, Kutthaka (known in inscriptions as Senevirad Kuttha), as commander. The Sinhalese forces landed on the Pandyan coast and advanced toward the capital, Madhurā, launching a decisive assault. King Śrīmāra Śrīvallabha, already weakened from an earlier defeat by the Pallavas, was wounded in battle and died while fleeing.

The campaign ended in a decisive victory. The Sinhalese recovered all the royal and religious treasures taken two decades earlier, including the famed drums of victory, a jeweled goblet, and the sacred golden Buddha image. Varaguna II was formally installed as king of the Pandyas, transforming a former enemy into a subordinate ally. For this triumph, Sena II earned the title Madhurā-dunu, meaning “Conqueror of Madhurā.”

Consolidation and Domestic Achievements

Despite his success, Sena II remained vigilant against future threats. Anticipating possible retaliation, he strengthened coastal defenses and expanded the island’s maritime security, ensuring that Sri Lanka would not again fall easily to foreign invasion.

Domestically, his reign was marked by extensive religious patronage and public works. He expanded the Minipe dam on the Mahaveli Ganga River and constructed a feeder canal to supply the Mahakaṇḍarava Wewa Reservoir near Mihintale. He also restored the golden Buddha image to the Ratanapāsāda and was renowned for his generosity, distributing clothing to women across the island and providing food to the poor on Poya days.

After a reign of thirty-five years distinguished by military success, administrative strength, and religious devotion, King Sena II passed away in 887 CE.

Works of King Sena II

Restored Lohamahaprasada of Maha Viharaya
Extended the Minipe Canal to a total length of 47 miles (75 kilometers)
Built a feeder canal to supply the Mihinthale Mahakanadarawa Wewa Reservoir
Built a water outlet for Minneriya Wewa Reservoir
Built a hospital at Mihintale Monastery

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. (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.
Upham, E. (1833). The Mahavansi, the Raja-Ratnacari, and the Raja-vali, Forming the Sacred and Historical Books of Ceylon; Also, a Collection of Tracts Illustrative of the Doctrines and Literature of Buddhism: Transl. from the Singhalese (1st ed., Vols. 2–3). Parbury, Allen, and Co.

Predecessor		Successor
Sena I [833-853 CE] -House of Lambakanna-	Sena II [853-887 CE] -House of Lambakanna-	Udaya II [887-898 CE] -House of Lambakanna-
COMPLETE LIST OF RULERS OF SRI LANKA