King Vijayabahu VI [1513-1521 CE]

Predecessor		Successor
Dharma Parakramabahu IX [1489–1513 CE] -House of Siri Sangabo-	Vijayabahu VI [1513-1521 CE] -House of Siri Sangabo-	Buwanekabahu VII [1521-1551 CE] Pararajasinhe [1521-1538 CE] Mayadunne [1521-1581 CE] -House of Siri Sangabo-
COMPLETE LIST OF RULERS OF SRI LANKA

The history of the Kōṭṭe Kingdom in the early sixteenth century was shaped by the twin forces of European expansion and internal dynastic conflict, developments that ultimately led to the kingdom’s fragmentation. King Vijayabāhu VI (r. 1513–1521 CE), brother of Dharma Parākramabāhu IX, ruled during this decisive phase. Although some traditions identify him as Vijayabāhu VII, modern historical analysis confirms that he was the sixth ruler of that name. His reign was defined by mounting Portuguese pressure and ended tragically in a palace coup remembered as the “Vijayabā Kollaya.”

Royal Lineage and Early Life

Vijayabāhu VI belonged to the Savuḷu dynasty, which had consolidated authority in Kōṭṭe after the decline of Gaṁpola. He was one of the five sons of King Vīra Parākramabāhu VIII (Ambulugala Rājā). His elder brothers were King Dharma Parākramabāhu IX, Sakalakalā Vallabha of Udugampola, Taniya Vallabha of Mādampē, and Śrī Rājasinha of Mäṇikkadavara.

His early life reflected the system of shared sovereignty that prevailed at the time. Sources such as the Rājāvali state that he and his brother Śrī Rājasinha lived with the same consort, a princess of the Kirivälle royal house. From this union were born three sons who survived into adulthood: Bhuvanekabāhu, Pararājasinha (Rayigam Bandāra), and Māyādunnē. During the reign of his eldest brother, Dharma Parākramabāhu IX, Vijayabāhu ruled as a powerful sub-king, first at Mäṇikkadavara and later at Rayigama around 1509 CE.

Rise to Power

When King Dharma Parākramabāhu IX died in 1513 CE, the council and army initially wished to crown Sakalakalā Vallabha of Udugampola, considering him the most capable candidate. However, he declined the throne to prevent civil war and possible Portuguese interference. He argued that Vijayabāhu, as the uterine brother of the deceased king, had the stronger claim. Consequently, Sakalakalā Vallabha personally escorted him to Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte and presided over his coronation as Vijayabāhu VI.

Reign and Portuguese Influence

The reign of Vijayabāhu VI coincided with the aggressive expansion of Portuguese influence, which had begun with their arrival in 1505 during his father’s lifetime. Initially limited to trade, Portuguese ambitions intensified in 1518 when Lōpō Soares de Albergaria, the viceroy, arrived in Colombo with a strong fleet.

The Portuguese demanded the right to build a fort at Colombo to secure their commercial interests. This demand was opposed by Muslim (Mūrish) traders who dominated the cinnamon trade and encouraged resistance with the backing of the Samōrin of Kalikutu. Vijayabāhu VI attacked the Portuguese positions, but despite early successes, his forces were overwhelmed by superior artillery and firearms. After repeated failures, he was compelled to accept a humiliating treaty, recognizing Portuguese overlordship and agreeing to an annual tribute of cinnamon, elephants, and gem-studded rings.

Contributions to Buddhism and Literature

Epigraphic records show that the king continued to support religious institutions. He granted lands to the Mottapitiya dēvālaya and to the god Upulvan at Devundara. The Mädavala Sannasa records that estates were also given to the scholar Dharmālaṅkāra Paṇḍita for supervising the copying of religious texts at the Sunetradēvī Pirivena in Päpiliyāna. These activities demonstrate that, despite political decline, the intellectual and religious life of the kingdom remained active.

The End of the Reign: The Vijayabā Kollaya

The downfall of Vijayabāhu VI resulted not from foreign invasion but from internal conspiracy. After the death of his first queen, he married another princess from Kirivälle and adopted a young prince named Devarājasinha. Under the influence of his ministers, particularly the Ekanāyaka and Kandure Bandāra, he planned to disinherit his three natural sons in favor of the adopted heir.

The princes, discovering that their lives were in danger, fled Kōṭṭe and sought refuge with King Jayavīra of the Kandyan Kingdom. With his support, they returned in 1521 CE at the head of a Kandyan army. The capital was plundered in the episode remembered as the “Vijayabā Kollaya.” Since the Sinhala guards refused to kill their king, a foreigner named Salmā was hired to assassinate him.

After his death, the kingdom was divided among the three brothers: Bhuvanekabāhu VII ruled Kōṭṭe, Pararājasinha received Rayigama, and Māyādunnē founded the kingdom of Sitāvaka. This partition ended the last vestiges of a unified Sinhala monarchy and opened the way for complete Portuguese dominance over the coastal regions.

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

Abeyasinghe, T. B. H. (1995). Portuguese rule in Kōṭṭe, 1594-1638. In K. M. de Silva (Ed.), History of Ceylon: Volume II (pp. 123-143). University of Peradeniya.
Codrington, H. W. (1933). The Gampola period of Ceylon history. Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society (Ceylon Branch), 32(86), 260–309.
De Silva, C. R. (1977). The rise and fall of the Kingdom of Sitawaka. The Ceylon Journal of Historical and Social Studies, 7(1), 1-43.
Ferguson, D. (1909). The history of Ceylon, from the earliest times to 1600 A.D., as related by João de Barros and Diogo do Couto. Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society (Ceylon Branch), 20(60), 1-445.
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. (1900). The Rajavaliya, a Historical Narrative of Sinhalese Kings Vijaya to Vimala Dharma Suriya II. George J. A. Skeen.
Paranavitana, S. (1961). The emperor of Ceylon at the time of the arrival of the Portuguese in 1505. University of Ceylon Review, 19, 10–29.
Somaratna, G. P. V. (1969). Political history of the Kingdom of Kötte (c. A.D. 1400-1521) [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. University of London.
Valentijn, F. (1978). François Valentijn’s Description of Ceylon (S. Arasaratnam, Trans.). Hakluyt Society. (Original work published 1724)

Predecessor		Successor
Dharma Parakramabahu IX [1489–1513 CE] -House of Siri Sangabo-	Vijayabahu VI [1513-1521 CE] -House of Siri Sangabo-	Buwanekabahu VII [1521-1551 CE] Pararajasinhe [1521-1538 CE] Mayadunne [1521-1581 CE] -House of Siri Sangabo-
COMPLETE LIST OF RULERS OF SRI LANKA