Chronological List Of Rulers Of Ancient Sri Lanka

Different historical documents may give the slightly different years in which each ruler reigned.
Therefore even today various books and publications may give different years of reigns for various
rulers. The information below is compiled from the following documents
Mahavamsa -translation by Wilhelm Geiger, Rajavaliya, A Short history of Sri Lanka by H. W.
Codrington

Ruler

Details

Period

Tambapanni
Vijaya

Arrived in Sri Lanka from India

543-505
BC

Upatissa

A minister of Vijaya. Vijaya had no children from Pandi Queen*

??

Vijitapura
Panduvasdeva

Son of Sumitta. Vijayas own brother who came from Sagala - India.
Upatissa gave the crown to him when he arrived in Sri Lanka.

Abhaya

Eldest Son of Panduvasdeva. He had 9 brothers. The youngest was

a sister called Cittia who later became to known as Ummadacitta.

504-474
BC
474-454
BC

Anuradhapura
Pandukabhaya

Abhaya's Sisters (Ummadacitta) son. Killed 8 uncles and became

the king.

Ganatissa

Son of Pandukabhaya*

437-367
BC
(40
years)*

Mutasiva

Son of Ganatissa

367-307
BC

Devamnampiyatissa

Son of mutasiva

250-210
BC

Arrival of the Great Mahinda Thero and introduction of Bhuddhism to Sri Lanka.

250 BC

Arrival of Theri Sanghamitta with a branch of the original Sri Maha Bodhi in India

249 BC

Uttiya

Brother of Devamnampiyatissa

??

Mahasiva

Brother of Devamnampiyatissa

??

Suratissa

Brother of Devamnampiyatissa

??

Sena and Gutthaka

Indian Invaders

??

Asela

Youngest brother of Devamnampiyatissa

??

Elara

Tamil invador form Chola country in India. Killed King Asela

205-161
BC

Dutugamunu

Son of King Kavanthissa of Ruhuna and queen Vihara Maha Devi.

Kavanthissa is a brother of Devamnampiyatissa

Saddhatissa

Brother of Dutugamunu

161-131
BC
137-119
BC

Thulatthana

Second son of Saddhatissa

Lanjatissa

Elder son of Saddhatissa who ousted Thulatthana

119 BC
119-109
BC

Khallata Naga

109-104
BC

Vattagamini Abaya

Youngest son of Saddhatissa

104 BC

(Walagamba)
Pulahatta

One of the seven South Indian Tamil Invaders who defeated

Vattagamini Abaya. Two went back and other five stayed back and

104-101
BC

killed each other for the throne.

Bahiya

Bahiya was the commander of Pulahatta's troops. Slew Pulahatta

and took the throne

Panayamara

Panayamara was the commander in chief of Bahiya's troops. Slew

Bahiya and took the throne

101-99
BC
99-92
BC

Pilayamara

Pilayamara was the commander in chief of Panayamara's troops.

Slew Panayamara and took the throne

92 BC
(7
months)

Dathika

Dathika was the commander in chief of Pilayamara's troops. Slew

Pilayamara and took the throne

Vattagamini Abaya

Defeated the South Indian Tamil Invaders (Dathika) and regained

(restored)

his sovereignty.

Mahaculi Mahathissa

91-89
BC
89-77
BC
76-62
BC

Coranaga

Son of Vattagamini Abaya who was poisoned by his queen Anula

62-50
BC

Tissa

Son of Mahaculi Mahathissa also poisoned by Anula.

50-47
BC

Siva

Queen Anula's lover, a palace guard. Made Anula his queen and

47 BC

ruled for one year two months. Was poisoned by Anula for the love
of Vatuka.
Vatuka

A Tamil which queen Anula fell in love with. Was a city carpenter.

46 BC

Made Anula his queen and ruled for one year two months. Was
poisoned by Anula for the love of Darubhatika Tissa.
Darubhatika Tissa

A wood carrier which queen Anula fell in love with. Made Anula his

45 BC

queen and ruled for one year one month. Was poisoned by Anula for
the love of Niliya.
Niliya

A brahman who was the palace-priest, which queen Anula fell in

44 BC

love with. Made Anula his queen and ruled for six months. Was
poisoned by Anula.
Anula (Queen)

Took control of the crown after poisoning all previous six rulers

43 BC

Kutakanna Tissa

Mahaculi Mahathissa's second son. Slayed Anula

42-20
BC

Bhatika Abhaya

Son of Kutakanna Tissa

20 BC-9
AC

Mahadathika

Younger brother of Bhatika Abhaya

9-21 AC

Mahanaga
Amanda-Gamini

Son of Mahadathika Mahanaga

22-31

Kanirajanu Tissa

Younger brother of Amanda-Gamini Abhaya. Killed his brother.

31-34

Gulabhaya

Son of Amanda-Gamini Abhaya. Ruled for 1 year.

34-35

Seevali (Queen)

Younger sister of Gulabhaya. Ruled ofr 4 months

35

Ilanaga

A nephew of Amanda-Gamini Abhaya. Dethroned Queen Seevali

35

The Lambakanna

Who imprisoned the king in his first year and they administered the

Clan

Government. But the king escaped to Malaya Rata (Hill Country)

Abhaya

35-38

and came back after 3 years to battle the Lambakannas

Ilanaga (restored)

Defeated the Lambakannas and took back the control

38-44

Candamukha Siva

Son of Ilanaga

44-52

Yasalalaka Tissa

Younger brother of Candamukha Siva. Slew his brother for the

52-59

throne.
Subha

The gate watchman of the Palace. The king used to swap places

59-65

with him from time to time due to close resemblance of the two. At
one instance the Guard dressed as the king, ordered to slay the king
(dessed as the guard) thus becomming the king.
Vasabha

From the The Lambakanna Clan. Defeated Subha

65-109

Vankanasika Tissa

Son of Vasabha. Married the daughter of Suba

109-112

Gajabahu I

Son of Vankanasika Tissa

112-134

Mahalla Naga

Father in law of Gajabahu I

134-140

Bhathika Tissa

Son of Mahalla Naga

140-164

Kavanthissa

Younger brother of Bhathika Tissa

164-192

Kanittha Tissa

Youngest brother of Bhathika Tissa

192-194

Khujja Naga

Son of Kanittha Tissa

194-195

Kuncha Naga

Brother of Khujja Naga. Killed Khujja Naga.

195-196

Siri Naga I

brother of the Kuncha Naga's consort. Was the commander of

195-214

troops. Defeated Kuncha Naga.

Voharika Tissa

Son of Siri Naga

214-236

Abhaya Naga

Younger brother of Voharika Tissa had a affair with the queen. Slew

236-244

Voharika Tissa to take power

Sirinaga II

Son of Voharika Tissa

244-246

Vijaya-Kumara

Son of Sirinaga

246-247

Samghatissa I

Of Lambakannas clan. Three friends (Samghatissa, Samghabodhi

247-251

and Gothakabhaya) killed Vijaya and Samghatissa took over.

Sirisamghabodhi

one of the three friends of Samghatissa. Took over after the the

251-253

Samghatissa I.
Gothabhaya

The third friend. Took control of the Kingdom after Sirisamghabodhi

253-266

fled from th city

Jettatissa I

Son of Gothabhaya

266-276

Mahasena

Younger brother of Jettatissa I

276-303

Sirimeghavanna

Son of Mahasena

303-311

(Kithsiri Mevan)
Arrival of Tooth Relic in Sri Lanka during King Sirimeghavanna's rule
Jettasissa II

Younger brother of Sirimeghavanna

331-340

Buddhadasa

Son of Jettasissa

340-368

Upatissa I

Son of Buddhadasa

368-410

Mahanama

2nd son of Buddhadasa

Sotthi Sona

Illegitimate son of Mahanama who rules only for one day. He

410-432
432

became the king in the forenoon and died in the afternoon from the
poison given by his queen, princess Sanga
Chattagahaha

432

Janthu
Mittasena

432-433

Pandu

Pandyan Invders who took control

433-438

Parinda

Pandyan Invders who took control

438-441

Khudda Parinda

Pandyan Invders who took control

441-456

Tiritara

Pandyan Invders who took control

456

Dathiya

Pandyan Invders who took control

456-459

Pithiya

Pandyan Invders who took control

459

Dhathusena

A monk who gave up the robe to fight the tamil invaders after king

459-477

Mahanama
Kassapa I

Son of Dhathusena. Killed his father for the throne and built the

477-495

rock fortress at Sigiriya.

Moggallana

Step brother and the rightful owner to the throne. Defeated Kassapa

495-512

to gain the throne. Kassapa committed suicide.

Kumara-Dhatusena

Son of Moggallana. Died by juming in to the funeral pyre of his

512-520

friend Kalidasa
Kittisena

Son of Kumara-Dhatusena

520-521

Siva

Uncle of Kittisena. Killed Kittisena

Upatissa II

From Lamani clan. Killed Siva and ruled for 1 year ten months

521-522

Amba Samanera

Killed Upatissa. From the same clan

522-535

521

Silakala
Dathapabhuti

Son of Amba Samanera Silakala. Ruled for six months

535

Moggallana II

nephew of Dathapabhuti

535-555

Kittisiri Meghavanna

Son of Dalamugalan

555-573

Mahanaga

From Okkaka clan. Killed Kittisiri Meghavanna

573-575

Aggabodhi I

Nephew of Mahanaga

575-608

Aggabodhi II

Nephew of Aggabodhi I

608-618

Sanghatissa II

Younger brother of Aggabodhi II. Reigned for two months

Moggallana III

Killed Sanghatissa II

618-623

Silameghavanna

Killed Moggallana III

623-632

Aggaboghi III

Son of Silameghavanna

632

Jettatissa III

Expelled king Aggabodhi

632

Aggabodhi III

Aggabodhi defeats Jettatissa

632-643

younger brother of Aggabodhi

643-650

(Dalamugalan)

618

(Sirisangabodhi)

(restored)
Dathopatissa I
Kassapa II

650-659

Dappua I

659

Dathopatissa II
Aggabodhi IV

659-667
Nephew of Dathopatissa

Datta

683-684

Hetthadatha II
Manavamma

667-683

684
Son of Kassapa II

684-718

Aggabodhi V

Son of Manavamma

718-724

Kassapa III

Younger brother of Aggabodhi V

724-730

Mahinda I

Younger brother of Aggabodhi V

730-733

Aggabodhi VI

Son of Kassapa III?

733-772

Aggabodhi VII

Son of Mahinda I

772-777

Mahinda II

Son of Aggabodhi VII

777-797

Udaya I

Son of Mahinda II. Also known as Dappula II

797-801

Mahinda III

801-804

Aggabodhi VIII

804-815

Dappula III

Younger brother of Aggabodhi VIII

Aggabodhi IX

815-831
831-833

Sena I

Younger brother of Dappula III

833-853

Sena II

Nephew of Sena I

853-887

Udaya II

Brother of Sena II

887-898

Kassapa IV

Son of Sena II

898-914

Kassapa V

Son of Sena II

914-923

Dappula IV
Dappula V

923-924
Younger brother of Dappula IV

Udaya III
Sena III

924-935
935-938

Younger brother of Udaya III

938-946

Udaya IV

946-954

Sena IV

954-956

Mahinda IV

Nephew of Udaya IV

956-972

Sena V

Son of Mahinda IV. Became the king at age of 12

972-982

Mahinda V

Brother of Sena V. Reigned from Urathota. Was captured by the

982-

cholas and deported to India

1029

Polnnaruwa
Chola Invaders

South Indian invaders

10171070

Vijayabahu I

10701110

Jayabahu I

Younger brother of Vijayabahu I

11101111

Wickramabahu I

Son of Vijayabahu I

11111132

Gajabahu II

11321159

Parakramabahu I

The father of Parakramabahu , Manabharana was the son of Mitta,

who was the sister of Vijayabahu I

11531186

The mother of Parakramabahu was Rathnavali who was a daughter

of Vijayabahu
Vijayabahu II

Son of Parakramabahus sister

11861187

Nissanka Malla

Came from Kalinga kingdom in India

11871196

Wickramabahu II

Son of Nissanka Malla

Choda Ganga

A nephew of Nissanka Malla

1196
11961197

Queen Leelavathi

Wife of Parakramabahu I

11971200

Sahasa Malla

A relation of Nissanka Malla who came from Kalinga kingdom in

India

Queen Kalyanavathi

Second wife of Nissanka Malla

12001202
12021208

Dharmashoka

Was made the king at the age of three months

12081209

Anikanga

Ruled the country for 17 days

1209

Mahadipada
Queen Leelavathi

1209-

(restored)
Lokeshwara

1210
Invader from Kalinga kingdom in India

12101211

Queen Leelavathi

1211-

(restored)
Parakramabahu

1212
Invader from pandya kingdom in India

Pandu
Magha

12121215

Invader from Kalinga kingdom in India

12151236

Dambadeniya
Vijayabahu III

Also called "Vijayabahu Vathimi" and "Kalinga Vijayabahu". Does not

belong to any Royal bloodline from Pollonnaruwa. Origin is unclear

Parakramabahu II

Elder Son of Vijayabahu III. Defeated Indian invader Maga in

Pollonnaruwa

Vijayabahu IV

Son of Parakramabahu II

12321236
1244 1279(?)
12701272

Yapahuwa
Buwanekabahu I

Brother of Vijayabahu IV. After living in Dambadeniya for some

1272-

Parakramabahu III

years, Shifted his rule to Yapahuwa

1284

Son of Vijayabahu IV

??? 1293

Kurunegala
Buwanekabahu II

Son of Buwanekabahu I. Defeated Parakramabahu III and shifted

the Kingdom to Kurunegala

Parakramabahu IV

Son of Buwanekabahu II. After Parakramabahu IV's death the

Kingdom was weakened and his sons split it into two.

1293 1302
1325 or
1311/12
- 1325
or
1317/18

Buwanekabahu III

Ruled Kurunegala North

Vijayabahu V

Ruled Kurunegala South

??

Gampola
Buwanekabahu IV

Made Gampola the capital of the Kingdom

13411351

Vicramabahu III

Ruled in Peradeniya at during the time of Buwanekabahu IV. Shifted

to Gampola after Buwanekabahu IV

Parakramabahu V

Ruled the Dedigama Kingdom in Kegalle District during the time of

Buwanekabahu IV

Buwanekabahu V

Last ruler in Gampola. Escaped to Kotte in fear of Jaffna Kingdom.

13571374
13441359
1371-

Spent the last years in Kotte

1408

Ruled after Buwanekabahu V

(20

Kotte
Weerabahu

years)
Parakramabahu VI

Attacked Jaffna (led by one of his adopted sons - Sapumal

Kumaraya) and took it under the Sri Lankan Kingdom.

14111463(?)

Jaya Weera

Grandson of Parakramabahu II

Parakramabahu

ruled
for 2
years

Buwanekabahu VI

Was Prince Sapumal who successfully attacked Jafna and took under

ruled

the Sri Lankan Kingdom during Parakramabahu. Later

for 6

killed Jayaweerato capture the Kotte Kingdom

years
14711477

Panditha

Adopted son of Buvaneka Bahu VI

1477

Parakramabahu VII

Weera

Adopted son of Parakramabahu VI and brother of Buwanekabahu VI

Parakramabahu VIII

(Sapumal Kumaraya) . Was called "Ambulugala Raja". Killed

1477 1489

Panditha Parakramabahu VII

Dharma

Eldest son of Weera Parakramabahu VIII

1489-

Parakramabahu IX

1513

Arrival of the Portuguese

1505

Vijayabahu VI

Brother of Parakramabahu VIX

15131521

Buwanekabahu VII

Vijayabahu VI was killed by the 3 sons Buwanekabahu, Pararajasinhe and Mayadunne. Split the country

15211551

into two
and Buwanekabahutook Kotte, Pararajasinhe took Raigama Kingdom
and Mayadunne the Seethawaka Kingdom.
Dharmapala

Was baptised at young age by the Portuguese Missionaries.

Converted to Christianity in 1555.Kelaniya Temple and the Kotte

15511597

Dalada Maligawawas taken from the Buddhists and given to the

missionaries.
End of the the Kotte Kingdom. Presented the Kingdom to the Portuguese by a deed after is
death

1597

Fall of the Portuguese rule in coastal areas to the Dutch

16551656

End of Portugese Rule in Sri Lanka

Fall of Dutch Rule and Capture of Costal areas by the English
Offical Handing over the Dutch Controlled areas to the Brithsh by "Amion Peace Accord"

1658
by 1796
1892

Raigama
Pararajasinhe

One son of Vijayabahu VI of Kotte.

15211538

Seethawaka
Mayadunne

One son of Vijayabahu VI of Kotte. Pararajasinhe (his brother)

voluntarily gave the control of his kingdom to Mayadunne during his

15211581

last years. Mayadunne attached RaigamaKingdom after the death

of Pararajasinhe in 1538
Rajasinghe I

Son of Mayadunne. Took over the Kandyan Kingdom after disposing

Dona Catherina, a Portuguese appointed queen in Kandy

Rajasuriya

Elder Son of Rajasinghe I . The kingdom was run by a person called

1581 1591(?)
??

"Manamperuma".
Nikapitiye Bandara

Manamperuma removed both sons ofRajasinghe I and gave the

??

crown to "Nikapitiye Bandara" who was a grandson of the sister

ofRajasinghe I . Was only 5 years old at that time.
Fall of the Seethawaka Kingdom to Portuguese

1594

Kandy
Sena Sammatha

Belongs to Kotte Royal Blood line (Ruled Kandy as a semi-

Wickramabahu

indipendent kingdom under the KotteKingdom)

Jayaweera Astana

Son of Sena Sammatha Wickramabahu. Became a Christian in 1546

14731511
15111551

Karaliyadde Bandara

Son of Jayaweera. Captured the throne fromJayaweera. Became a

1551-

Christian to get protection from the Portuguese

1581

Dona Catherina

Daughter of Karaliyedde Bandara. Converted to Catholicism by the

1581

(Kusumasana Devi)

Portuguese and appointed the queen of the Kandyan Kingdom by

the Portuguese

Rajasinghe I

Disposed Dona Catherina. Ruled from SitawakaKingdom

15811591

Yamasinghe Bandara

A nephew of Karaliyadde Bandara. Took control of Kandy with the

(Don Phillip)

help of the Portuguese

Wimaladharmasuriya

Name was Konappu Bandara and then Don Juan.

Ousted Yamasinghe Bandara's son Don Joo who was 12 years old

1592 1604

and assented to the throne as Wimaladharmasuriya. Became a

Buddhist again and married Dona Catherina to establish the Royal
Bloodline. Fought the Portuguese and freed Kandy from them.
Famous battle of Danture was fought by him.
Senarat

A cousin brother of king Wimaladharmasuriya I. Was a Buddhist

monk and a devoted Buddhist. Didn't have the strength of a king.

1604 1635

Married Dona Catherina again to establish a Royal Bloodline

Rajasinghe II

A warrior king who build up the Kandy again and faced two major
battles with the Portuguese and two with the Dutch.

Wimaladharmasuriya

Son of Rajasinghe II. Maintained a harmony with the Dutch.

II
Viraparakrama

Son of Wimaladharmasuriya II. Last Singhalese King of the Country

1687 -

1707 1739

Brother of the Viraparakrama Narendrasinha's queen who was of

south Indian Nayakkar origin. Became a Buddhist

Kirti Sri Rajasinhe

1687

1707

Narendrasinha
Sri Vijaya Rajasinhe

1635 -

Brother of the Sri Vijaya Rajasinhe's queen

1739 1747
1747 1781

Rajadhi Rajasinhe

Brother of Kirti Sri Rajasinhe

1781 1798

Sri Wikrama

Last Sri Lankan King. Captured by the British and imprisoned

Rajasinhe

in Vellore, India

Fall of Kandan Kingdom to the British

1798 1815
1815
Feb 15

Capture of Last king in Sri Lanka Thus ending probably the longest Royal Dynasty in the
world which survived in Sri Lanka since 543 BC (over 2350 years) .