King Vijayabahu V [1335–1341 CE]

Predecessor		Successor
Buvanekabahu III [1226–1335 CE] -House of Siri Sangabo-	Vijayabahu V [1335–1341 CE] -House of Siri Sangabo-	Buwanekabahu IV [1341-1351 CE] -House of Siri Sangabo-
COMPLETE LIST OF RULERS OF SRI LANKA

The reign of King Vijayabahu V (r. 1335–1341 CE), commonly known as Savuḷu Vijayabahu, marks a decisive transition in the history of the medieval Sinhalese monarchy. As the founder of the Savuḷu dynasty, he brought the direct succession of the Dambadeniya kings to an end and restored a measure of political stability during a time of acute internal division and widespread rebellion.

Royal Lineage and the Savuḷu Identity

The origins of Vijayabahu V are closely intertwined with the intricate dynastic rivalries of the 14th century. Some later historians sought to enhance his legitimacy by associating him with the Lambakanna (Lämäṇi) family and the ancient Solar dynasty. However, contemporary evidence presents a more complex picture.

Vijayabahu V is praised in literary sources as a descendant of the lineage of Parakramabahu I. Yet modern scholarship, particularly the work of S. Paranavitana, identifies the Savuḷu line as being of Jāvaka (Malay) or Kalinga origin. The designation Savuḷu is generally regarded as a Sinhalese adaptation of the term Jāvaka. From an etymological perspective, Java was rendered in Tamil as Cava or Sãva, and with the addition of the suffix āḷ (indicating a person), this evolved into Sãvãḷ or Savulu, meaning an individual of Jāvaka descent. This interpretation implies that Vijayabahu V belonged to the Kalinga–Jāvaka group, historically connected to the Srivijaya empire, which had long been established in the northern regions of the island.

Rise to Power and the Kurunegala Transition

Vijayabahu V assumed the throne around 1335 CE amid a period of extreme political instability following the reign of King Parakramabahu IV. The authority of the Kurunegala court had been severely weakened by the rebellion of Bōdā-māpāṇan-da, an uprising so destructive that it compelled the Buddhist clergy to abandon the capital. It was from this period of uncertainty that Vijayabahu V appeared, consolidating power in the vacuum created by the collapse of the Dambadeniya line and the brief, limited rule of Bhuvanekabahu III.

Reign

Ruling from the Kurunegala Kingdom (Hatthigiripura), Vijayabahu V governed for at least eleven years. His administration was primarily concerned with safeguarding the core of the Sinhalese state against the growing naval and military influence of the Arya Cakravarti of Jaffna.

Fall and Legacy

King Vijayabahu V died around 1341 CE, and his death marked the end of Kurunegala as the principal national capital. He was succeeded by his sons, Bhuvanekabahu IV and Parakramabahu V. During their reigns, the political center shifted from the plains of Kurunegala to the more defensible central highlands at Gampola (Ganga-siripura) and Dädigama.

Although his reign was relatively short, Vijayabahu V left a lasting legacy through the foundation of the Savuḷu dynasty, which would later produce Parakramabahu VI, the final great unifier of the island. He is often remembered as a representative figure of the Kurunegala Twilight, a ruler who re-established dynastic continuity at a moment when the Rajarata civilization was entering its final phase of decline.

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

Codrington, H. W. (1960). The decline of the medieval Sinhalese kingdom. Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society (Ceylon Branch), 7(1), 93–103.
Geiger, W., & Rickmers, C. M. (1929). Culavamsa: Being The More Recent Part Of The Mahavamsa: Vol. Part II–II. Pali Text Society. (Original work published 1815)
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.
Sirisena, W. M. (1971). Was Parākramabāhu VI of Ceylon a Jāvaka? The Ceylon Journal of the Humanities, 2(1), 1–13.
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. (1961). The Arya Kingdom in North Ceylon. Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society (Ceylon Branch), 7(2), 174–224. [121–144]

Predecessor		Successor
Buvanekabahu III [1226–1335 CE] -House of Siri Sangabo-	Vijayabahu V [1335–1341 CE] -House of Siri Sangabo-	Buwanekabahu IV [1341-1351 CE] -House of Siri Sangabo-
COMPLETE LIST OF RULERS OF SRI LANKA