King Vickrama Pandita [1042-1043 CE]

Predecessor		Successor
Mahale Kitti [1040-1042 CE]	Vikkama-Pandu [1042-1043 CE]	Jagatpala [1043-1046 CE]
COMPLETE LIST OF RULERS OF SRI LANKA

King Vikkama-Pandu (Vikkamapandu or Vikrama Pandita) was the son of Mahale Kitti, a ruler of the southern principality of Ruhuna (Rohana), and reigned during a period of Cola occupation in Rajarata. His rule is generally dated to 1042–1043 CE.

Royal Heritage and Beginnings

Vikkama-Pandu was a Pandya prince and is identified as the only son of Mahale Kitti, who had previously ruled Ruhuna. Owing to the aggressive expansion of the Colas and the resulting insecurity created by their occupation of northern Rajarata, he spent much of his early life in exile on the Indian mainland, in a region referred to in the sources as the Dulu country. Upon learning of his father’s death and the unfolding situation in Lanka, he returned to the island to press his claim to authority.

Instead of establishing his seat of power at the traditional capital of Magama, Vikkama-Pandu chose Kalutara, situated at the western edge of the Ruhuna principality. This decision appears to have been motivated more by considerations of personal security than by administrative effectiveness, as Kalutara lay farther from the principal Cola centers of power.

The Culavamsa records that he “carried on the government there for a year,” whereas the Rajavaliya attributes to him a reign of three years.

Political Context and Decline

Vikkama-Pandu’s reign formed part of what may be described as a “dark decade” in Ruhuna, characterized by internal disorder and fragmentation. Following the death of Vikkamabāhu I, the legitimate Sinhalese royal line had effectively come to an end, compelling the people of Ruhuna to accept any claimant—whether of Pandya or North Indian origin—who was willing to lead resistance against Cola domination.

His rule came to a violent conclusion when he was killed in battle by Jagatipala, a prince from Ayodhya (present-day Oudh) in North India. Jagatipala subsequently seized control of Ruhuna, bringing Vikkama-Pandu’s brief and troubled reign to an end.

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.