King Suratissa [247 – 237 BCE]

Predecessor		Successor
King Mahasiva [257 – 247 BCE] -House of Vijaya-	King Suratissa [247 – 237 BCE] -House of Vijaya-	Sena and Guttaka [237 – 215] -House of Vijaya-
COMPLETE LIST OF RULERS OF SRI LANKA

King Sūratissa (r. 247–237 BCE), the son of King Mutasiva (367–307 BCE) and the grandson of the legendary King Paṇḍukābhaya (437–367 BCE), marks the first major breach of Sinhalese sovereignty by foreign invaders. As Sūratissa inherited a stable empire but ultimately fell victim to a strategic error that introduced the first era of Tamil rule in Lanka.

Lineage and Early Life

Born in the 3rd century BCE into the Vijayan dynasty, Sūratissa was one of the ten sons of King Mutasiva (367–307 BCE). He grew up in the royal capital of Anurādhapura, a city formally established and organized by his grandfather Paṇḍukābhaya (437–367 BCE). His elder brother, King Devānampiya Tissa (307-267 BCE), was the ruler who formally introduced Buddhism to the island.

Sūratissa was the youngest among the brothers who would eventually ascend the throne. During his formative years, he witnessed the orderly and pious administrations of his elder siblings—King Devānampiya Tissa (307-267 BCE), Uttiya (267 – 257), and Mahāsīva (257-247 BCE)—whose reigns reinforced dynastic continuity and religious patronage.

Rise to Power

Prior to his coronation, certain sources identify him as Suvarnapinda Tissa. His accession represented a peaceful continuation of fraternal succession, intended to preserve the Aśokan model of kingship. This model emphasized royal duty toward the protection and expansion of the Buddhist Sāsana (Order), aligning governance with religious stewardship.

Religious Patronage and Administration

During his ten-year reign, Sūratissa is credited with constructing approximately 500 Buddhist vihāras (monasteries) across the island. These establishments were distributed widely, from the northern plains of Rajarata to the southern territories of Rohana.

Like his predecessors, he appears to have prioritized the spiritual well-being of the kingdom. However, this emphasis on religious development may have occurred at the expense of military preparedness. The population, enjoying agrarian prosperity and temple-building activities, gradually neglected the maintenance of a strong standing army.

Political Alliances and Strategic Miscalculation

The most consequential association of Sūratissa’s reign was not dynastic but foreign. Seeking to reorganize his household guard and strengthen the royal cavalry, he enlisted the services of two South Indian horse traders named Sena and Guttika.

At this time, elements of the Sinhala aristocracy were becoming increasingly autonomous, establishing separate settlements in the southern and western regions. In an effort to reinforce central authority, Sūratissa placed considerable trust in these two foreign commanders, likely influenced by their expertise in cavalry tactics and military organization.

This decision proved strategically disastrous. Entrusted with key military responsibilities, Sena and Guttika were able to assess the vulnerabilities of the kingdom’s defenses, which had been weakened by prolonged internal complacency.

The First Tamil Usurpation

The reign of Sūratissa ended violently in 237 BCE. Having consolidated authority within the capital, Sena and Guttika orchestrated a coup, assassinated the king, and seized control of Anurādhapura.

Their takeover marked the first recorded Tamil invasion and political domination in the island’s history. The two rulers governed jointly for twenty-two years, maintaining power through military cohesion and centralized control.

Works of King Suratissa

500 Temples: Built throughout the country
Nagarangana Viharaya : On the southern quarter of Anuradhapura. Not Identified.
Hatthikkhandha Viharaya : On the eastern quarter of Anuradhapura. Not Identified.
Gonnagirika Viharaya: On the eastern quarter of Anuradhapura. Not Identified.
Pacina Pabbata: On the Vanguttara Mountain. Not identified.
Kolambahalaka Viharaya: Near Raheraka. Not identified.

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

Blaze, L. E. (1900). A history of Ceylon for schools. Colombo: Christian Literature Society.Codrington, H. W. (1994). A short history of Ceylon. New Delhi: Asian Educational Services. (Original work published 1929).
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.
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.
Perera, H. R. (2008). Buddhism in Sri Lanka: A Short History (BPS Online Edition). Buddhist Publication Society – Kandy. (Original work published 1966)
Wijesekera, N. (1990). The Sinhalese. M. D. Gunasena & Co Ltd.

Predecessor		Successor
King Mahasiva [257 – 247 BCE] -House of Vijaya-	King Suratissa [247 – 237 BCE] -House of Vijaya-	Sena and Guttaka [237 – 215] -House of Vijaya-
COMPLETE LIST OF RULERS OF SRI LANKA