Sovereigns of Sri Lanka: King Siri Naga I [195-214 CE]

Predecessor		Successor
King Kuncha Naga [194-195 CE] -House of Lambbakanna-	King Siri Naga I [195-214 CE] -House of Lambbakanna-	King Voharika Tissa [214-236 CE] -House of Lambbakanna-
COMPLETE LIST OF RULERS OF SRI LANKA

About King Siri Naga I

Siri Naga I ascended to the throne of Anuradhapura after leading a rebellion that forced King Kuncha Naga to flee the capital. He was formerly Kuncha Naga’s army commander and also his brother-in-law (brother of his queen). His reign, which lasted 22 years, is noted for its stability and relative peace.

King Siri Naga I gained widespread popularity by abolishing a tax previously levied on every family across the island, a levy that had traditionally been used for the personal benefit of the king. His reign was marked by a focus on religious activities, which endeared him to the Buddhist clergy. He carried out numerous religious works, strengthening ties between the monarchy and the Buddhist institutions.

The lineage of King Siri Naga I

According to Mahavamsa, Siri Naga was the brother of his queen. But the word used in Pujavaliya (13th century) could also mean Elder Brother. .

According to Paranavitana (1959), an inscription found at the site now identified as Vessagiriya (original Isurumuniya) refers to a grant made to the monastery by a king named Tissa, described as the son of Siri Naga and grandson of Tissa. The declaration of this grant was made by another ruler named Siri Naga, identified as Siri Naga II, who was the son of King Voharika Tissa and grandson of King Siri Naga I.

The inscription implies that the father of Siri Naga I was a king named Tissa. Based on historical records, this Tissa is believed to be King Bhathika Tissa rather than King Kanittha Tissa, as the latter would create a lineage suggesting Kuncha Naga married his sister, which is unlikely. Thus, King Bhathika Tissa is regarded as the father of Siri Naga I.

Works of King Siri Naga I

Placing a gilded parasol at Ruwanweli Maha Seya
Rebuilding the Lovamahapaya up to 5 stories
Restoring the steps at the four entrances to Sri Maha Bodhi

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.
Oldenberg, H. (2001). The Dipavamsa : An Ancient Buddhist Historical Record. Asian Educational Services. (Original work published 1879)
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.
Senaveratne, J. M. (1930). The Story of the Sinhalese : From the Most Ancient Times Up to the End of “The Mahavansa” or Great Dynasty. W. M. A. Wahid & Brothers.

Also See

Full list of Sovereigns of Sri Lanka

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