Anuradhapura Kingdom

           This is a world famous kingdom because of its well designed sanitary systems, gardens, temples and this kingdom was the capital of tha country for centuries.

King Pandukabhaya - From 437 BC to 367 BC

King Pandukabhaya who was mentioned in Thammanna Kingdom is Unmada Chithra's son. He could take the throne from his uncles and got all the tribes and royalists under his throne. He built the first reservoir called "Abhayavapi" and shrines for "Chithraraja" and "Kalawela" who were his protectors. He was married to the princess "Swarnapali", his sister in low and ruled the country for great 70 years. 

Then his son King "Mutasiwa" becomes the ruler of the country and he rules the country for peaceful 60 years (367 BC - 307 BC ). Well known "Mahamewna Uyana" is an initiative of King "Mutasiwa". Next king was Mutasiwa's son "Dewanampiyatissa".

King Dewanampiyatissa - From 307 BC to 267 BC

This is the greatest time period in Sri Lanka's history because of the arrival of Buddhism. He had an early friendship with King "Ashoka" who ruled a province in India, and king Ashoka sent Buddhism to SriLanka as a gift. For this purpose he sent his son "Mahinda" thera and another five monks called "Ittiya" "Uththiya" "Sambala" "Baddhasala" and "Sumana" samanera. 

According to "Mahavansa" story, King "Dewanampiyatissa" was out for hunting and he has met Mahinda thera and others near "Mhintale". Then the king and his followers have been converted to Buddhism.

Sub Kingdom - Magama

According to the story King Dewanampiyatissa's wife has tried to kill his brother "Mahanaga" by poisoning him because she wanted her son to be the king after Dewanampiyatissa. But the plan didn't work and Mahanaga have left Anuradhapura and gone to "Magama" (Ruhunu area). That's the begining of another kingdom in the country.

Next king of Magama kingdom was Mahanaga's son "Yatalatissa". After him the throne of Magama goes to his son "Gotabaya" and then to gotabaya's son "Kavantissa".

Sub Kingdom - Kelaniya

king Yatalatissa's another son "Kelanitissa" has built another sub kingdom at Kelaniya and that's the beginning of another sub kingdom.

Kelani Viharaya, built by king Kelanitissa and it's paintings are below. 

Back to Anuradhapura Kingdom

After king Dewanampiyatissa, the rulers of Anuradhapura kingdom were his three brothers "Utthiya" (10 years), "Mahasiva" (10 years), "Suratissa" (10 years). Then two Tamil horse sellers ("Sena" and "Gutthika")who came from India have taken the throne by killing king Suratissa and have ruled Anuradhapura for 22 years. King Suratissa's brother "Asela" has then killed two Tamil rulers and ruled the kingdom for 10 years. "Elara" who is another Tamil from India has come here and taken the throne from king Asela and has been the ruler for 40 years.

    

King Dutugemunu - From 161 BC to 137 BC

Then a conversion point of Sri Lankan history occurs with the war of prince "Dutugemunu", son of king Kavantissa and Viharamaha Devi, against Tamil king Elara. Prince Dutugemunu was very motivative to defeat Tamils and to take the throne back to Sinhalese but his father Kavantissa prevented him from it wisely until he and the country get enough strength for a war. Once he flee away to Kothmale because of the unsatisfactory with his father.

After king Kavantissa's death prince Dutugemunu came back to Magama and went for the war having his mother Viharamaha Devi and some Theros at the war front. He was able to defeat the enemy king Elara and to unite the country once again. 

He is said to be a great king because not only he united the country but served country and Buddhism well. He constructed many temples including "Ruwanweli Maha Seya" and "Mirisaweriya".

C.M Tharindu bandara