Sovereigns of Sri Lanka: King Sena III [938-946 CE] (තුන්වන සේන රජතුමා)

Predecessor		Successor
Udaya III [935-938 CE] -House of Lambakanna-	Sena III [938-946 CE] -House of Lambakanna-	Udaya IV [946-954 CE] -House of Lambakanna-
COMPLETE LIST OF RULERS OF SRI LANKA

King Sena III, referred to as Sen in Sinhalese sources, ruled the Anuradhapura Kingdom for nine years, from 938 to 946 CE. His reign followed a period of acute internal instability during the rule of his predecessor, Udaya III. Historical records portray his kingship as a time marked by religious devotion and substantial investment in the restoration and maintenance of the island’s hydraulic systems.

Royal Heritage and Rise to Power

The Culavamsa does not clearly define the genealogical relationships of the rulers between Dappula IV and Sena IV, leaving their precise links to the main royal lineage uncertain. However, the Pūjāvalīya and Rājāvalīya describe Sena III as the mal (younger brother) of his predecessor, Udaya III. In contrast, epigraphic evidence from the Kaludiyapokuṇa inscriptions points to a different lineage, indicating that he was likely a son of King Udaya II and Queen Vidura-rājñā. This would place his relationship to Udaya III as that of a cousin rather than a brother. Upon his consecration, Sena III appointed his close associate Udaya (later known as Udaya IV) as yuvarāja (heir apparent).

Death and Succession

King Sena III died in the ninth year of his reign, bringing to an end a comparatively stable and prosperous phase of the tenth century. He was succeeded by his trusted companion and yuvarāja, Udaya IV, who inherited a kingdom that Sena III had partially restored to order and religious prominence.

Royal Dynasty from Kassapa V to King Dappula III to Vickramabahu I

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
Udaya III [935-938 CE] -House of Lambakanna-	Sena III [938-946 CE] -House of Lambakanna-	Udaya IV [946-954 CE] -House of Lambakanna-
COMPLETE LIST OF RULERS OF SRI LANKA

Also See

Full list of Sovereigns of Sri Lanka

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