Sovereigns of Sri Lanka: King Udaya II [887-898 CE] (දෙවන උදය රජතුමා)

Predecessor		Successor
Sena II [853-887 CE] -House of Lambakanna-	Udaya II [887-898 CE] -House of Lambakanna-	Kassapa IV [898-914 CE] -House of Lambakanna-
COMPLETE LIST OF RULERS OF SRI LANKA

King Udaya II, referred to as Udaya I in earlier chronological traditions, was a ruler of the Second Lambakanṇa Dynasty who reigned over ancient Sri Lanka from 887 to 898 CE. He succeeded his elder brother, the renowned King Sena II, and continued a period of political stability marked by firm governance, internal consolidation, and notable religious and administrative patronage.

The Beginning

Before ascending the throne, Udaya served as Uparaja under King Sena II and was entrusted with the administration of the Southern Province (Dakkhiṇadesa). Upon Sena II’s death in 887 CE, Udaya II was formally consecrated as king. To ensure dynastic continuity, he appointed his youngest brother, Kassapa (later King Kassapa IV), as mahādipāda.

Rebellion of Prince Kittaggabodhi

The reign of Udaya II was largely peaceful, disturbed only by a rebellion involving one of his nephews. One of the king’s brothers, Adipada Mahinda, had married two princesses of Rohana—Tissa and Kitti—daughters of Kittaggabodhi, the ruler of that sub-kingdom. Princess Kitti bore a son, also named Kittaggabodhi. For reasons unknown, this younger Kittaggabodhi abandoned Anuradhapura and advanced toward Rohana with an army. At the time, Rohana was governed by one of the sons of Kittaggabodhi the elder, who was also the maternal uncle of Kittaggabodhi the younger. In a violent turn of events, the younger Kittaggabodhi killed his cousin and seized control of Rohana.

Upon learning of these events, King Udaya II resolved to act decisively. He intended to capture Kittaggabodhi and restore order by installing a loyal ruler in Rohana. The king chose young Prince Mahinda, son of Kassapa (later King Kassapa V) and grandson of Sena II, to lead this mission. Prince Mahinda also possessed a legitimate claim to Rohana, as his grandmother was another daughter (Princess Samga) of Kittaggabodhi the elder. He was dispatched with a senāpati named Vajiragga.

Prince Mahinda was warmly received by the people and officials of Rohana, who had grown resentful of the oppressive rule of Kittaggabodhi the younger. Realizing his position was untenable, Kittaggabodhi fled with his army and royal treasury to Malaya Rata (the Hill Country). He was eventually captured and brought to Anuradhapura, where he was imprisoned by order of the king. Mahinda then proceeded to Magama and assumed rulership over Rohana.

King Udaya II died in the eleventh year of his reign, in 898 CE, having successfully restored stability and upheld the authority of the Lambakanṇa dynasty. He was succeeded by his younger brother, Kassapa IV.

Works of King Udaya II

Covered Thuparamaya with golden plates
Built a dwelling house at Thuparama
Built a weir on Kadamba River (Malwathu Oya)
Enlarged the dam of Mayetti Wewa Reservoir.
Built Mabatumburuppe Viharaya in Rohana (source: Rajavaliya, Pujavaliya)

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 II [853-887 CE] -House of Lambakanna-	Udaya II [887-898 CE] -House of Lambakanna-	Kassapa IV [898-914 CE] -House of Lambakanna-
COMPLETE LIST OF RULERS OF SRI LANKA

Also See

Full list of Sovereigns of Sri Lanka

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