| Predecessor | Successor | |
|---|---|---|
| King Buddhadasa [340-368 CE] -House of Lambakanna I- | King Upatissa I [368-410 CE] -House of Lambakanna I- | King Mahanama [410-432 CE] -House of Lambakanna I- |
| COMPLETE LIST OF RULERS OF SRI LANKA | ||
About King Upatissa I
After the death of Buddhadasa (340-368 CE), his eldest son, King Upatissa I, ascended to the throne. Known for his piety, he followed in his father’s footsteps. Similar to King Siri Sangabodhi (251-253 CE), he secretly freed criminals condemned to death, substituting their bodies with those from the morgue to maintain the illusion that they had been executed.
After reigning for a significant period, King Upatissa I faced betrayal within his family. His queen engaged in an illicit affair with his younger brother, Prince Mahanama, who had entered the priesthood. This scandal culminated in the queen murdering King Upatissa I. Following the king’s death, Mahanama abandoned his life as a monk, returned to lay life, and ascended the throne as the next monarch.
Works of King Upatissa I
- North of Mangala Chethiya, he built a stupa, an image house and an image (of Buddha)
- Khandaraja Viharaya
- Palavathu Viharaya (Rajavaliya)
- Rajuppala Wewa Reservoir
- Gijjahakuta Wewa Reservoir
- Pokkharapasaya Wewa Reservoir
- Valahassa Wewa Reservoir
- Ambutthi Wewa Reservoir
- Gondigama Wewa Reservoir
- Thopa Wewa in Polonnaruwa (Rajavaliya)
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. (2004). History of Ceylon. Asian Educational Services. (Original work published 1933)
- Geiger, W., & Rickmers, C. M. (1929). Culavamsa: Being The More Recent Part Of The Mahavamsa: Vol. Part I–II. Pali Text Society.
- 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.
- Suraweera, A. V. (2014). රාජාවලිය. Education Publication Department of Sri Lanka. (Original work published 1976)
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