List of Sri Lankan monarchs

King of Sri Lanka
Former Monarchy
Arms of the Dominion of Ceylon
The last native monarch, Sri Vikrama Rajasinha, King of Kandy
First monarch Vijaya
Last monarch Elizabeth II
Official residence Pulatthinagara (first),[1] Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Dambadeniya, Yapahuwa, Kurunegala, Gampola, Kotte, Kandy, Colombo
Monarchy started 543 BC
Monarchy ended 1972 AD
Historical states in
present-day Sri Lanka
History of Sri Lanka

The following is a list of Sri Lankan monarchs since 543 BC.[2] The main source for many of these monarchs are the chronicles of the island maintained by monks, known as the Dipavamsa, Mahavamsa, Chulavamsa and the Rajaveliya. This list should be used with the following factors kept in mind. Firstly the dates provided for the earliest monarchs are difficult to objectively verify; those which are particularly difficult to know have been denoted with a (?) mark. Secondly in terms of succession it is difficult to divide the monarchs into 'houses' or 'dynasties' as often the throne was passed around amongst related individuals within a particular clan; especially in medieval times there were no articulated rules of succession and whoever was in possession of the sacred Tooth Relic had a good claim to being called king, which was around the times of the Kingdom of Polonnaruwa to the Kingdom of Kandy. Thirdly the list only includes monarchs who had possession of most of the island and the power at any one time, therefore monarchs from kingdoms and sub kingdoms such as Ruhuna, Maya Rata, Dhakkinadesa and the Jaffna kingdom are not on this list. Also the island of Sri Lanka has been invaded by many foreign powers over its 2500 year history, mainly from South India, and some even seizing the throne making the island part of its empire. Most notable is the Cholas in 985 and British in 1815. The Portuguese and the Dutch however did not seize the Kandyan throne but only occupied territory within the island.

Contents

Note on Chronology

It should be borne in mind that there is controversy about the base date of the Buddhist Era, with 543 BC and 483 BC being advanced as the date of the parinibbana of the Buddha. As Wilhelm Geiger pointed out, the Dipawamsa and Mahawamsa are the primary sources for ancient South Asian chronology; they date the consecration (abhisheka) of Asoka to 218 years after the parinibbana. Chandragupta Maurya ascended the throne 56 years prior to this, or 162 years after the parinibbana. The approximate date of Chandragupta's ascension is known to be within two years of 321 BC (from Megasthenes). Hence the approximate date of the parinibbana is between 485 and 481 BC - which accords well with the Mahayana dating of 483 BC.[3]

According to Geiger, the difference between the two reckonings seems to have occurred at sometime between the reigns of Udaya III (946-954 or 1007–1015) and Pârakkama Pandya (c. 1046-1048), when there was considerable unrest in the country.[3] However, mention is made of an embassy sent to China by Cha-cha Mo-ho-nan in 428. The name may correspond to 'Raja (King) Mahanama', who (by the traditional chronology) reigned about this time.[4]

Furthermore, the traveller-monk Xuanzang, who attempted to visit Sri Lanka about 642, was told by Sri Lankan monks (possibly at Kanchipuram that there was trouble in the kingdom, so he desisted;[5] this accords with the period of struggle for the throne between Aggabodhi III Sirisanghabo, Jettha Tissa III and Dathopa Tissa I Hatthadpath in 632-643.

Recent indological research has indicated that the Parinibbana of the Buddha may be even later than previously supposed. A majority of the scholars at a symposium held in 1988 in Göttingen regarding the problem were inclined towards a date of 440-360 BCE. However, their calculations were based on the chronology of Tibetan Buddhism, preferred over that of the Dipavamsa/Mahavamasa; the modified chronology, in order to work, needs to identify the Indian ruler Kalasoka, son of Susunaga, with the Emperor Asoka, son of Bindusara.[6][7] It should be noted that the Sri Lankan chronicles are based on even earlier works and that the Buddhist canon was first put into writing in Sri Lanka. The chronology of the following list is based on the traditional Therevada/Sri Lankan system which is based on 543 BC, or 60 years earlier than the Mahayana calendar. The dates after c 1048 are synchronous.

Note on ordering

The monarchs on this page are ordered firstly according to the state in which they ruled and secondly the house or dynasty from which they came from, this is so up until the Kingdom of Dambadeniya to the Kingdom of Kandy. During the time of the Kingdom of Dambadeniya to the Kingdom of Kandy] the island of Sri Lanka was under great upheaval and house or dynasty is very hard due to lack of information and sources.

Kingdom of Tambapanni (543 BC–505 BC)

Main article: Kingdom of Tambapanni

House of Vijaya (543 BC–505 BC[2])

Portrait Name Birth Death King From King Until Relationship with Predecessor(s)
Vijaya - - 543 BC 505 BC *Eldest child of Sihabahu and Sinhasivali
*Grandson of Suppadevi
*Great Grandson of the king of Vanga and daughter of the king of Kalinga
*Great Great Grandson of the king of Kalinga

Kingdom of Upatissa Nuwara (505 BC–377 BC)

Main article: Kingdom of Upatissa Nuwara

House of Vijaya (505 BC–377 BC)

Portrait Name Birth Death King From King Until Relationship with Predecessor(s)
Upatissa
(regent) (interregnum of one year)		 - - 505 BC 504 BC *Chief Minister under Vijaya
Panduvasdeva - - 504 BC 474 BC *Nephew of Vijaya
Abhaya - - 474 BC 454 BC *Son of Panduvasdeva
Tissa
(regent) (interregnum of seventeen years)		 - - 454 BC 437 BC *Second son of Panduvasudeva
*younger brother of Abhaya
Pandukabhaya 474 BC 367 BC 437 BC 377 BC *Grandson of Panduvasudeva
*Nephew of Abhaya and Tissa

Kingdom of Anuradhapura (377 BC–1017)

Main article: Kingdom of Anuradhapura

House of Vijaya (377 BC–237 BC)

Portrait Name Birth Death King From King Until Relationship with Predecessor(s)
Pandukabhaya 474 BC 367 BC 377 BC 367 BC *Grandson of Panduvasudeva
*Nephew of Abhaya and Tissa
Mutasiva - - 367 BC 307 BC *Son of Pandukabhaya
Devanampiya Tissa - 267 BC 307 BC 267 BC *Son of Mutasiva
Uttiya - - 267 BC 257 BC *Son of Mutasiva
Mahasiva - - 257 BC 247 BC *Son of Mutasiva
Suratissa - 237 BC 247 BC 237 BC *Son of Pandukabhaya

Sena and Guttika (237 BC–215 BC)

Portrait Name Birth Death King From King Until Relationship with Predecessor(s)
Sena and Guttika - - 237 BC 215 BC *Defeated Suratissa in battle.

House of Vijaya (215 BC–205 BC)

Portrait Name Birth Death King From King Until Relationship with Predecessor(s)
Asela - 205 BC 215 BC 205 BC *Youngest son of Mutasiva

Elara (205 BC–161 BC)

After the invasion of Elara Sinhala leadership fell upon the monarchs of Ruhuna. Sub monarchs also existed in Maya Rata.

Portrait Name Birth Death King From King Until Relationship with Predecessor(s)
Elara 235 BC 161 BC 205 BC 161 BC *Defeated Asela in battle

House of Vijaya (161 BC–103 BC)

Portrait Name Birth Death King From King Until Relationship with Predecessor(s)
Dutthagamani Abhaya
(aka Dutta Gamini or Dutugemunu)		 - - 161 BC 137 BC *Defeated Elara
*Eldest son of Kavan Tissa
*Originally the ruler of Ruhuna
Saddha Tissa - - 137 BC 119 BC *Brother of Dutugemunu
Thulatthana
(Tulna)		 - - 119 BC 119 BC *Second son of Saddha Tissa
Lanja Tissa - - 119 BC 109 BC *Older brother of Thullattana
*Oldest son of Saddha Tissa
Khallata Naga
(Kalunna)		 - - 109 BC 104 BC *Brother of Lanja Tissa
*Third son of Saddha Tissa
Vattagamani Abhaya
(aka Valagambahu I)
(Walagamba)		 - - 104 BC 103 BC *Fourth son of Saddha Tissa

The Five Dravidans (103 BC–89 BC)

Main article: The Five Dravidians
Portrait Name Birth Death King From King Until Relationship with Predecessor(s)
Pulahatta - - 103 BC 100 BC *Tamil Chief
Bahiya - - 100 BC 98 BC *Chief Minister of Pulahatha
Panya Mara - - 98 BC 91 BC *Prime Minister of Bahiya
Pilaya Mara - - 91 BC 90 BC *Chief Minister of Panayamara
Dathika - - 90 BC 88 BC *Chief Minister of Pilayamara

House of Vijaya (89 BC–66 AD)

Portrait Name Birth Death King From King Until Relationship with Predecessor(s)
Vattagamani Abhaya
(aka Valagambahu I)
(Walagamba)		 - - 89 BC 76 BC *Fourth son of Saddha Tissa
Mahakuli Mahatissa
(Maha Cula Maha Tissa)		 - - 76 BC 62 BC *Son of Khallatanaga
*Nephew and adopted son of Valagambahu I
Chora Naga
(Mahanaga)		 - - 62 BC 50 BC *Son of Valagambahu I
*Cousin of Mahakuli Mahatissa
Kuda Tissa - - 50 BC 47 BC *Son of Mahakuli Mahatissa
Siva I - - 47 BC 47 BC
Vatuka - - 47 BC 47 BC
Darubhatika Tissa - - 47 BC 47 BC
Niliya - - 47 BC 47 BC
Anula - - 47 BC 42 BC *Widow of Chora Naga and Kuda Tissa
Kutakanna Tissa - - 42 BC 20 BC *Brother of Kuda Tissa
*Second son of Mahakuli Mahatissa
Bhatikabhaya Abhaya - - 20 BC 9 AD *Son of Kuttakanna Tissa
Mahadathika Mahanaga - - 9 21 *Brother of Bhatika Abhaya
Amandagamani Abhaya - - 21 30 *Son of Mahadathika Mahanaga
Kanirajanu Tissa - - 30 33 *Brother of Amandagamani Abhaya
Chulabhaya - - 33 35 *Son of Amandagamani Abhaya
Queen Sivali - - 35 35 *Sister of Chulabhaya
Interregnum - - 35 38
Ilanaga
(Elunna)		 - - 38 44 *Nephew of Queen Sivali
Chandamukha - - 44 52 *Son of Ilanaga
Yassalalaka - - 52 60 *Younger brother of Candhamuka Siva
Subharaja
(aka Subha)		 - - 60 66 *The hall porter of King Yasalaka Tissa

House of Lambakanna I (66–436)

Portrait Name Birth Death King From King Until Relationship with Predecessor(s)
Vasabha - - 66 110 *A member of the Lambakanna clan
Vankanasika Tissa - - 110 113 *Son of Vasabha
Gajabâhu I - - 113 135 *Son of Vankanasika Tissa
Mahallaka Naga - - 135 141 *Father-in-Law of Gajabahu I
Bhatika Tissa - - 141 165 *Son of Mahallaka Naga
Kanittha Tissa - - 165 193 *Younger brother of Bhatika Tissa
Cula Naga
(aka Khujjanaga)		 - - 193 195 *Son of Kanitta Tissa
Kuda Naga
(aka Kunchanaga)		 - - 195 196 *Brother of Cula Naga
Siri Naga I - - 196 215 *Brother-in-Law of Kuda Naga
Voharika Tissa
(aka Vira Tissa & Voharikathissa)		 - - 215 237 *Son of Siri Naga I
Abhaya Naga - - 237 245 *Brother of Voharaka Tissa
Siri Naga II - - 245 247 *Son of Voharaka Tissa
Vijaya Kumara - - 247 248 *Son of Siri Naga II
Sangha Tissa I - - 248 252 *A Lambakanna
Siri Sangha Bodhi I
(aka Siri Sangabo)		 - - 252 254 *A Lambakanna
Gothabhaya - - 254 267 *Minister of State
*A Lambakanna
Jettha Tissa I
(aka Detuthis I)		 - - 267 277 *Eldest son of Gothabhaya
Mahasena - - 277 304 *Brother of Jettha Tissa
*Younger son of Gothabhaya
Sirimeghavanna - - 304 332 *Son of Mahasena
Jettha Tissa II - - 332 341 *Brother of Sirimeghavanna
Buddhadasa - - 341 370 *Son of Jettha Tissa II
Upatissa I - - 370 412 *Eldest son of Buddhadasa
Mahanama - - 412 434 *Brother of Upatissa I
Soththisena - - 434 434 *Mahanama’s son born to a Tamil mother
Chattagahaka Jantu
(aka Chhattagahaka)		 - - 434 435 *Husband of Sangha
*Daughter of Mahanama by his Sinhala Queen
Mittasena - - 435 436 *A noted plunderer

The Six Dravidians (436–463)

Portrait Name Birth Death King From King Until Relationship with Predecessor(s)
Pandu - - 436 441 *A Tamil invader
Parindu - - 441 441 *Son of Pandu
Khudda Parinda - - 441 447 *Younger brother of Pandu
Tiritara - - 447 447 *Fourth Tamil ruler
Dathiya - - 447 450 *Fifth Tamil ruler
Pithiya - - 450 452 *Sixth Tamil ruler

House of Moriya (463–691)

Portrait Name Birth Death King From King Until Relationship with Predecessor(s)
Dhatusena - - 463 479 *Son of Sangha, the daughter of Mahanama
*Liberated Anuradhapura from 27 years of Pandyan (Tamil) Rule
Kashyapa I
(the Usurper),(of Sigiriya)		 - - 479 497 *Son of King Dhatusena by a Pallava woman
Moggallana I - - 497 515 *Son of Dhatusena
*Brother of Kasyapa
Kumara Dhatusena - - 515 524 *Son of Mogallana
Kittisena - - 524 524 *Son of Kumara Dhatusena
Siva II - - 524 525 *Uncle of Kirti Sena
Upatissa II - - 525 526 *Son-in-Law of Kumara Dhatusena
Silakala Ambosamanera - - 526 539 *A prince of Lambakanna stock
Dathappabhuti - - 539 540 *Second son of Silakala
Moggallana II - - 540 560 *Eldest brother of Dathapatissa
Kittisiri Meghavanna - - 560 561 *Son of Mogallana II
Maha Naga - - 561 564 *Minister of War under King Dathapatissa
Aggabodhi I - - 564 598 *Brother of Mahanaga
*Nephew and Sub-King of Mahanaga
Aggabodhi II - - 598 608 *Nephew and son-in-law of Aggabodhi I
Sangha Tissa II - - 608 608 *Brother and Sword-bearer of Aggabodhi II
Moggallana III - - 608 614 *Commander-in-Chief during the reign of Aggabodhi II
Silameghavanna - - 614 623 *King Mogallana’s Sword-bearer
Aggabodhi III - - 623 623 *Son of Silimeghavanna
Jettha Tissa III - - 623 624 *Son of King Sangha Tissa
Aggabodhi III
(restored)		 - - 624 640 *Son of Silimeghavanna
Dathopa Tissa I
(Hatthadpatha)		 - - 640 652 *General of Jettha Tissa (Dathasiva)
Kassapa II - - 652 661 *Brother of Agbo II
*Sub-King of Dathopa Tissa
Dappula I - - 661 664 *Son in law of Silimeghavanna
Dathopa Tissa II - 673 664 673 *Nephew of Dathopa Tissa I (Hattha Datha)
Aggabodhi IV - - 673 689 *Younger brother of Dathopa Tissa
Unhanagara Hatthadatha - - 691 691 *A chief of Royal blood who was placed on the throne by a wealthy Tamil Officer

House of Lambakanna II (691–1017)

Portrait Name Birth Death King From King Until Relationship with Predecessor(s)
Manavanna - - 691 726 *Son of Kassapa I
*Descendant of Silamegahavanna
Aggabodhi V - - 726 732 *Son of Manavamma
Kassapa III - - 732 738 *Brother of Aggabodhi V
Mahinda I - - 738 741 *Younger brother of Kassapa III
Aggabodhi VI - - 741 781 *Son of Kassapa III
Aggabodhi VII
(From Polonnaruwa)		 - - 781 787 *Son of Mahinda
Mahinda II
(Silamegha)		 - - 787 807 *Son of Aggabodhi VI
Dappula II - - 807 812 *Son of Mahinda II
*The sub-king of Mahinda II
Mahinda III - - 812 816 *Son of Dappula II
Aggabodhi VIII - - 816 827 *Brother of Mahinda III
Dappula III - - 827 843 *Younger brother of Aggabodhi VIII
Aggabodhi IX - - 843 846 *Son of Dappula III
Sena I - - 846 866 *Younger brother of Aggabodhi IX
Sena II - - 866 901 *Nephew of Sena I
*Son of Kassapa
Udaya I - - 901 912 *Brother of sub-king of Sena II
Kassapa IV - - 912 929 *Son of Sena II
*Sub-king of Udaya I
Kassapa V - - 929 939 *Son of Kassapa IV
Dappula IV - - 939 940 *Son of Kassapa V
Dappula V - - 940 952 *Brother of Dappula IV
Udaya II - - 952 955 *Nephew of Sena II
*Sub-king of Dappula V
Sena III - - 955 964 *Brother of Udaya II
Udaya III - - 964 972 *Sub-king of Sena III (a great friend of the king)
Sena IV - - 972 975 *Son of Kassapa V
*Sub-king of Udaya III
Mahinda IV - - 975 991 *Brother of Sena IV
*Nephew of Udaya III
*Sub-king of Sena
Sena V - - 991 1001 *Son of Mahinda IV
Mahinda V
(Fled and ruled in Ruhuna)
(Deported c. 1017)		 - 1029 1001 1017 *Younger brother of Sena V

Chola occupied Anuradhapura (993-1077)

Main article: Chola occupation of Sri Lanka (993-1077)

Chola Dynasty (985-1120)

Portrait Name Birth Death King From King Until Relationship with Predecessor(s)
align="center" align="center"|Rajaraja Chola I - 1014 993 1014 *Chola (Tamil) Administration
Rajendra Chola I - 1044 1012 1044 *Son of Rajaraja
Rajadhiraja Chola - 1054 1018 1054 *Son of Rajendra
Rajendra Chola II - 1063 1051 1063 *Son of Rajendra
Virarajendra Chola - 1070 1063 1070 *Son of Rajendra
Athirajendra Chola - 1070 1067 1070 *Son of Virarajendra Chola
Kulothunga Chola I - 1122 1070 1077 *Son of Rajaraja Narendra

Kingdom of Polonnaruwa (1056–1236)

Main article: Kingdom of Polonnaruwa

House of Vijayabahu (1056–1187)

Portrait Name Birth Death King From King Until Relationship with Predecessor(s)
Vijayabahu I - - 1056 1111 *Member of the Sinhala Royal Family
Jayabahu I
(Polonnaruwa and Ruhuna)		 - - 1110 1111 *Brother of Vijayabahu I
*Prime Minister of Vijayabahu I
Vikramabahu I - 1132 1111 1132 *Son of Vijayabahu I
Gajabahu II - - 1131 1153 *Son of Vikramabahu I
Parakramabahu I 'the Great' 1123 1186 1153 1186 *Grandson of Vijayabahu I
Vijayabahu II - - 1186 1187 *Parakramabahu I’s nephew
Mahinda VI - - 1187 1187 *A Kalinga

House of Kalinga (1187–1197)

Portrait Name Birth Death King From King Until Relationship with Predecessor(s)
Nissanka Malla 1157 or 1158 1196 1187 1196 *Son-in-law or nephew to Parakrama Bahu I
Vira Bahu I - - 1196 1196 *Son of Nissanka Malla
Vikramabahu II - - 1196 1196 *Younger brother of Nissanka Malla
Chodaganga - - 1196 1197 *Nephew of Nissanka Malla

House of Vijayabahu, Restored (1197-1200)

Portrait Name Birth Death King From King Until Relationship with Predecessor(s)
Lilavati - - 1197 1200 *Widow of Parakramabahu I

House of Kalinga, Restored (1200–1209)

Portrait Name Birth Death King From King Until Relationship with Predecessor(s)
Sahassa Malla - - 1200 1202 *Younger brother of Nissanka Malla
Kalyanavati - - 1202 1208 *Queen of Nissanka Malla
Dharmasoka - - 1208 1209 *Deposed Kalyanavati and installed by Ayasmantha
Anikanga - - 1209 1209 *Father of Dharmasoka

House of Vijayabahu, Restored (1209-1210)

Portrait Name Birth Death King From King Until Relationship with Predecessor(s)
Lilavati
(1st Restoration)		 - - 1209 1210 *Widow of Parakramabahu I

Lokissara (1210-1211)

Portrait Name Birth Death King From King Until Relationship with Predecessor(s)
Lokissara - - 1210 1211 Leader of a Tamil army.

House of Vijayabahu, Restored (1211-1212)

Portrait Name Birth Death King From King Until Relationship with Predecessor(s)
Lilavati
(2nd Restoration)		 - - 1211 1212 *Widow of Parakramabahu I

Pandyan Dynasty (1212–1215)

Main article: Pandyan Dynasty
Portrait Name Birth Death King From King Until Relationship with Predecessor(s)
Parakrama Pandya - - 1212 1215 *Pandyan Invader

House of Kalinga (India) (1215–1236)

Main article: Kalinga (India)

After the invasion of Kalinga Magha with the intent of ruling the whole island the Kingdom of Polonnaruwa was sacked which saw the massive migration of the Sinhalese to the south and west of the island. Unable to capture the whole island Kalinga Magha establishes the Jaffna kingdom becoming its first monarch. The Jaffna kingdom is situated in modern northern Sri Lanka while the Kingdom of Dambadeniya was established by Vijayabahu III on the rest of the island in around 1220.[8]

Portrait Name Birth Death King From King Until Relationship with Predecessor(s)
Kalinga Magha - - 1215 1236 *A prince of Kalinga

Kingdom of Dambadeniya (1220–1353/1354)

Main article: Kingdom of Dambadeniya

from Dambadeniya (1220–1270)

Portrait Name Birth Death King From King Until Relationship with Predecessor(s)
Vijayabâhu III - - 1220 1224 *A patriotic Prince of Sinhala Royal blood
Parâkkamabâhu II - - 1234 1269 *Eldest son of Vijaya Bahu III
Vijayabâhu IV - - 1267/1268 1270 *Eldest son of Panditha Parakrama Bahu II

from Yapahuwa (1271–1302)

Main article: Kingdom of Dambadeniya from Yapahuwa
Portrait Name Birth Death King From King Until Relationship with Predecessor(s)
Bhuvanaikabâhu I - - 1271 1283 *Brother of Vijaya Bahu IV
Interregnum - - 1283 1302

from Polonnaruwa (1302–1310)

Main article: Kingdom of Dambadeniya from Polonnaruwa
Portrait Name Birth Death King From King Until Relationship with Predecessor(s)
Parâkkamabâhu III - - 1302 1310 *Nephew of Buvaneka Bahu I
*Son of Vijaya Bahu IV

from Kurunagala (1310–1353/1354)

Main article: Kingdom of Dambadeniya from Kurunagala
Portrait Name Birth Death King From King Until Relationship with Predecessor(s)
Bhuvanaikabâhu II - - 1310 1325/1326 *Son of Buvaneka Bahu I
*Cousin of Parakrama Bahu III
Parâkkamabâhu IV - - 1325/1326 1325/1326 *Son of Buvanekka Bahu II
Bhuvanaikabahu III - - 1325/1326 1325/1326 *Known as Vanni Buvaneka Bahu
Vijayabâhu V - - 1325/1326 1344/1345 *Second son of Chandra Banu of Jaffnapatnam
Bhuvanaikabâhu IV
(Moved capital to Gampola)		 - - 1344/1345 1353/1354 *Son of Vijaya Bahu V

Kingdom of Gampola (1344/5–1404/5 or 1406/7)

Main article: Kingdom of Gampola

from Dedigama(1344/1345–1359)

Portrait Name Birth Death King From King Until Relationship with Predecessor(s)
Parâkkamabâhu V 1311 - 1344/1345 1359 *Brother of Buvaneka Bahu IV
*Son of Vijaya Bahu V

from Gampola (1357–1408)

Portrait Name Birth Death King From King Until Relationship with Predecessor(s)
Vikramabâhu III - - 1357 1374 *Son of Buvaneka Bahu IV
Bhuvanaikabâhu V - - 1372/1373 1404/1405 or 1406/1407 *Nissanka Alakeswara’s son by the sister of Vikrama Bahu III

Kingdom of Raigama (1391/2–1412)

Main article: Kingdom of Raigama
Portrait Name Birth Death King From King Until Relationship with Predecessor(s)
Vira Bahu II - - 1391/1392 1397 *Brother in law of King Buvaneka Bahu V
Vira Alakesvara
(aka Vijaya Bahu VI)		 - - 1397 1409
Parakrama Bahu Epa - - 1409 1412 *Grandson of Senalankahikara Senevirat
minister of Bhuvanaikabâhu IV.

Kingdom of Kotte (1412–1597)

Main article: Kingdom of Kotte
Portrait Name Birth Death King From King Until Relationship with Predecessor(s)
Parakramabahu VI - - 1412 1467 *Son of Vijaya Bahu VI and his Queen Sunetra Devi
*Or the third son of Chandra Banu of Yapa Patuna (Jaffnapatnam)
Jayabahu II
(Vira Parakrama Bahu VII)		 - - 1467 1472/1473 *Son of Parakrama Bahu II’s natural daughter, Ulakudaya Devi
Bhuvanekabahu VI
(aka Sapumal Kumara)		 - - 1472/1473 1480/1481 *Son of Parakrama Bahu VI
Parakramabahu VII - - 1480/1481 1484
Parakramabahu VIII - - 1484 1518 *Ambulagala Kumara
*Son of Parakrama Bahu VI

from Kelaniya (1509-1528)

Main article: Kingdom of Kotte from Kelaniya
Portrait Name Birth Death King From King Until Relationship with Predecessor(s)
Dharma Parakramabahu IX
(of Kelaniya)		 - - 1508/09 1528 *Son of Vira Parakrama Bahu VIII

from Kotte (1509-1597)

Portrait Name Birth Death King From King Until Relationship with Predecessor(s)
Vijayabahu VII - 1521 1509 1521 *Brother of Dharma Parakrama Bahu IX
*Rajah of Menik Kadavara
Bhuvanekabahu VII - 1551 1521 1551 *Eldest son of Vijaya Bahu
Dharmapala
(aka Dom Joaõ Dharmapala)		 - May 27, 1597 1551 May 27, 1597 *Grandson and heir of Bhuvanekabãhu VII

Kingdom of Sitawaka (1521–1593)

Main article: Kingdom of Sitawaka
Portrait Name Birth Death King From King Until Relationship with Predecessor(s)
Mayadunne 1501 1581 1521 1581 *Brother of Bhuvaneka Bahu VII
*Son of Vijaya Bahu VII
Rajasinha I
(aka Tikiri Banda)		 1544 1593 1581 1593 *Son of Mayadunne

Kingdom of Kandy (1590–1815)

Main articles: List of Kandyan monarchs and Kingdom of Kandy

House of Dinajara (1590–1739)

Portrait Name Birth Death King From King Until Relationship with Predecessor(s)
Vimaladharmasuriya I
(aka Don João da Austria)		 - 1604 1590 1604 *Son of Vijayasundara Bandara
Senarat - 1635 1604 1635 *Cousin of Vimala Dharma Suriya I
Rajasinghe II 1608 6 December 1687 1635 November 25, 1687 *Son of Senarat and Dona Catherina
Vimaladharmasurya II - June 4, 1707 1687 June 4, 1707 *Son of King Rajasinghe II
Vira Narendra Sinha
(aka Sri Vira Parakrama Narendra Singha)		 1690 13 May 1739 June 4, 1707 13 May 1739 *Son of Vimala Dharma Suriya II

House of Kandy Nayakar (1739–1815)

Main article: Nayaks of Kandy
Portrait Name Birth Death King From King Until Relationship with Predecessor(s)
Sri Vijaya Rajasinha of Kandy
 - August 11, 1747 May 13, 1739 August 11, 1747 *Brother-in-law of Vira Narendra Sinha
Kirti Sri Rajasinha 1734 January 2, 1782 August 11, 1747 January 2, 1782 *Sri Vijaya Raja Singha’s wife’s eldest brother from Madura
Rajadhi Rajasinha - July 26, 1798 January 2, 1782 July 26, 1798 *Brother of Kirthi Sri Raja Singha
Vikrama Rajasinha
(aka Rajasimha IV)		 1780 Jan 30, 1832 July 26, 1798 5 March 1815 *Nephew of Sri Rajadhi Raja Singha

British Ceylon (1815–1948)

Main article: British Ceylon

In 1796 British gained control of the coastal areas from the Dutch and in 1815 the entire island. The Kandyan Convention of 1815 recognized the King of England as the King of Kandy, hence the British Monarchs from 1796 to 1948 was the Monarchs of Ceylon.

House of Hanover (1815–1901)

Main article: House of Hanover
Portrait Name Birth Death King From King Until Relationship with Predecessor(s)
George III 4 June 1738 29 January 1820 18 March 1815 29 January 1820 *Son of Frederick, Prince of Wales
and Princess Augusta of Saxe-Gotha
George IV 12 August 1762 26 June 1830 29 January 1820 26 June 1830 *Son of George III
William IV 21 August 1765 20 June 1837 26 June 1830 20 June 1837 *Son of George III
Queen Victoria 24 May 1819 22 January 1901 20 June 1837 22 January 1901 *Daughter of Prince Edward Augustus,
Duke of Kent and Strathearn
and Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld

House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha (1901-1910)

Main article: House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha
Portrait Name Birth Death King From King Until Relationship with Predecessor(s)
Edward VII 9 November 1841 6 May 1910 22 January 1901 6 May 1910 *Son of Victoria

House of Windsor (1910-1948)

Main article: House of Windsor
Portrait Name Birth Death King From King Until Relationship with Predecessor(s)
George V 3 June 1865 20 January 1936 6 May 1910 20 January 1936 *Son of Edward VII
Edward VIII 23 June 1894 28 May 1972 20 January 1936 11 December 1936 *Son of George V
George VI 14 December 1895 6 February 1952 11 December 1936 4 February 1948 *Son of George V

Monarch of Ceylon (Post independence) (1948-1972)

Main article: Dominion of Ceylon

House of Windsor (1948-1972)

Main article: House of Windsor
Portrait Name Birth Death King From King Until Relationship with Predecessor(s)
George VI 14 December 1895 6 February 1952 4 February 1948 6 February 1952 *Son of George V
Elizabeth II 21 April 1926 6 February 1952 May 22, 1972 *Daughter of George VI

See also

References

  1. ^ http://www.palikanon.com/english/pali_names/ay/anuraadhapura.htm
  2. ^ a b The Mahavamsa - The Great Chronicle of Sri Lanka
  3. ^ a b Geiger (Tr), Wilhelm (1912). The Mahawamsa or Great Chronicle of Ceylon. Oxford: Oxford University Press (for the Pali Text Society). p. 300. http://lakdiva.org/culavamsa/vol_0.html. 
  4. ^ S G M Weerasinghe, A history of the cultural relations between Sri Lanka and China: an aspect of the Silk Route, Colombo: Central Cultural Fund, 1995, ISBN 955-613-055-1, p.40)
  5. ^ Stephen Spencer Gosch, Peter N. Stearns, Premodern Travel in World History, Routledge, 2008; ISBN 0415229405, p.93
  6. ^ L. S. Cousins, 'The Dating of the Historical Buddha: A Review Article', Indology: Resources for Indological Scholarship
  7. ^ Charles S. Prebish, 'Cooking the Buddhist Books: The Implications of the New Dating of the Buddha for the History of Early Indian Buddhism', Journal of Buddhist Ethics
  8. ^ http://lakdiva.org/codrington/chap05.html

External links

Monarchs of Sri Lanka
House of Vijaya
(543 BC-237 BC, 215 BC–205 BC)
Vijaya (543 BC–505 BC) • Upatissa (505 BC-504 BC) • Panduvasdeva (504 BC-474 BC) • Abhaya (474 BC-454 BC) • Tissa (454 BC-437 BC) • Pandukabhaya (437 BC-367 BC) • Mutasiva (367 BC-307 BC) • Devanampiya Tissa (307 BC-267 BC) • Uttiya (267 BC-257 BC) • Mahasiva (257 BC-247 BC) • Suratissa (247 BC-237 BC) • Asela (215 BC-205 BC)
Chola invaders
(237 BC–215 BC, 205 BC–161 BC)
Sena and Guttika (237 BC-215 BC) • Elara (205 BC-161 BC)
House of Vijaya
(161 BC–103 BC)
Dutthagamani Abhaya (161 BC-137 BC) • Saddha Tissa (137 BC-119 BC) • Thulatthana (119 BC-119 BC) • Lanja Tissa (119 BC-109 BC) • Khallata Naga (109 BC-104 BC) • Valagamba (104 BC-103 BC)
The Five Dravidians
(103 BC–89 BC)
Pulahatta (103 BC-100 BC) • Bahiya (100 BC-98 BC) • Panya Mara (98 BC-91 BC) • Pilaya Mara (91 BC-90 BC) • Dathika (90 BC-88 BC)
House of Vijaya
(89 BC–66 AD)
Valagamba (104 BC-103 BC) • Mahakuli Mahatissa (76 BC-62 BC) • Chora Naga (62 BC-50 BC) • Kuda Tissa (50 BC-47 BC) • Siva I (47 BC-47 BC) • Vatuka (47 BC-47 BC) • Darubhatika Tissa (47 BC-47 BC) • Niliya (47 BC-47 BC) • Anula (47 BC-42 BC) • Kutakanna Tissa (42 BC-20 BC) • Bhatikabhaya Abhaya (20 BC-9 AD) • Mahadathika Mahanaga (9-21) • Amandagamani Abhaya (21-30) • Kanirajanu Tissa (30-33) • Chulabhaya (33-35) • Sivali (35-35) • Interregnum (35-38) • Ilanaga (38-44) • Chandamukha (44-52) • Yassalalaka (52-60) • Subharaja (60-66)
House of Lambakanna I
(66–436)
Vasabha (66-110) • Vankanasika Tissa (110-113) • Gajabahu I (113-135) • Mahallaka Naga (135-141) • Bhatika Tissa (141-165) • Kanittha Tissa (165-193) • Cula Naga (193-195) • Kuda Naga (195-196) • Siri Naga I (196-215) • Voharika Tissa (215-237) • Abhaya Naga (237-245) • Siri Naga II (245-247) • Vijaya Kumara (247-248) • Sangha Tissa I (248-252) • Siri Sangha Bodhi I (252-254) • Gothabhaya (254-267) • Jettha Tissa I (267-277) • Mahasena (277-304) • Sirimeghavanna (304-332) • Jettha Tissa II (332-341) • Buddhadasa (341-370) • Upatissa I (370-412) • |Mahanama (412-434) • Soththisena (434-434) • Chattagahaka Jantu (434-435) • Mittasena (435-436)
The Six Dravidians
(436–463)
Pandu (436-441) • Parindu (441-441) • Khudda Parinda (441-447) • Tiritara (447-447) • Dathiya (447-450) • Pithiya (450-452)
House of Moriya
(463–691)
Dhatusena (463-479) • Kashyapa I (479-497) • Moggallana I (497-515) • Kumara Dhatusena (515-524) • Kittisena (524-524) • Siva II (524-525) • Upatissa II (525-526) • Silakala Ambosamanera (526-539) • Dathappabhuti (539-540) • Moggallana II (540-560) • Kittisiri Meghavanna (560-561) • Maha Naga (561-564) • Aggabodhi I (564-598) • Aggabodhi II (598-608) • Sangha Tissa II (608-608) • Moggallana III (608-614) • Silameghavanna (614-623) • Aggabodhi III (623-623) • Jettha Tissa III (623-624) • Aggabodhi III (624-640) • Dathopa Tissa I (640-652) • Kassapa II (652-661) • Dappula I (661-664) • Dathopa Tissa II (664-673) • Aggabodhi IV (673-689) • Unhanagara Hatthadatha (691-691)
House of Lambakanna II
(691-1017)
Manavanna (691-726) • Aggabodhi V (726-732) • Kassapa III (732-738) • Mahinda I (738-741) • Aggabodhi VI (741-781) • Aggabodhi VII (781-787) • Mahinda II (787-807) • Dappula II (807-812) • Mahinda III (812-816) • Aggabodhi VIII (816-827) • Dappula III (827-843) • Aggabodhi IX (843-846) • Sena I (846-866) • Sena II (866-901) • Udaya I (901-912) • Kassapa IV (912-929) • Kassapa V (929-939) • Dappula IV (939-940) • Dappula V (940-952) • Udaya II (952-955) • Sena III (955-964) • Udaya III (964-972) • Sena IV (972-975) • Mahinda IV (975-991) • Sena V (991-1001) • Mahinda V (1001-1017)
Chola Dynasty
(985-1120)
Rajaraja Chola I (993-1014) • Rajendra Chola I (1012-1044) • Rajadhiraja Chola (1018-1054) • Rajendra Chola II (1051-1063) • Virarajendra Chola (1063-1070) • Athirajendra Chola (1067-1070) • Kulothunga Chola I (1070-1120)
House of Vijayabahu
(1056–1187, 1197-1200,
1209-1210, 1211-1212)
Vijayabahu I (1056–1111) · Jayabahu I (1108–1145/1146) · Vikramabahu I (1111–1132) · Gajabahu II (1131–1153) · Parakramabahu I (1153–1186) · Vijayabahu II (1186–1187) · Mahinda VI (1187–1187) · Lilavati (1197-1200, 1209-1210, 1211-1212)
House of Kalinga
(1187–1197, 1200–1209)
Nissanka Malla (1187–1196) · Vira Bahu I (1196–1196) · Vikramabâhu II (1196–1196) · Chodaganga (1196–1197) · Sahassa Malla (1200–1202) · Kalyanavati (1202–1208) · Dharmasoka Deva (1208–1209) · Anikanga Mahadipada (1209–1209)
Lokissara,
Pandyan Dynasty and Kalinga (India)
(1210-1211, 1212–1236)
Lokissara (1210-1211) · Parakrama Pandya (1212–1215) · Kalinga Magha (1215–1236)
Kingdom of Dambadeniya
to Kingdom of Kotte
(1220–1597)
Vijayabâhu III (1220-1224) • Parâkkamabâhu II (1234-1269) • Vijayabâhu IV (1267/68-1270) • Bhuvanaikabâhu I (1271-1283) • Interregnum (1283-1302) • Parâkkamabâhu III (1302-1310) • Bhuvanaikabâhu II (1310-1325/26) • Parâkkamabâhu IV (1325/26-1325/26) • Bhuvanaikabahu III (1325/26-1325/26) • Vijayabâhu V (1325/26-1344/45) • Bhuvanaikabâhu IV (1344/45-1353/54) • Parâkkamabâhu V (1344/45-1359) • Vikramabâhu III (1357-1374) • Bhuvanaikabâhu V (1372/73-1404/05/06/07) • Vira Bahu II (1391/92-1397) • Vira Alakesvara (1397-1409) • Parakrama Bahu Epa (1409-1412) • Parâkramabâhu VI (1412-1467) • Jayabâhu II (1467-1472/73) • Bhuvanekabahu VI (1472/73-1480/81) • Parâkkamabâhu VII (1480/81-1484) • Parâkkamabâhu VIII (1484-1518) • Dharma Parãkramabãhu IX (1508/09-1528) • Vijayabahu VII (1509-1521) • Bhuvanekabãhu VII (1521-1551) • Dharmapala (1551-1597) • Mayadunne (1521-1581) • Rajasinha I (1581-1593)
House of Dinajara
(1590–1739)
Vimaladharmasuriya I (1590-1604) • Senarat (1604-1635) • Rajasinghe II (1635-1687) • Vimaladharmasurya II (1687-1707) • Vira Narendra Sinha (1707-1739)
Nayaks of Kandy
(1739–1815)
Vijaya Rajasinha (1739-1747) • Kirti Sri Rajasinha (1747-1782) • Rajadhi Rajasinha (1782-1798) • Vikrama Rajasinha (1798-1815)
House of Hanover
(1815–1901)
George III (1815-1820) • George IV (1820-1830) • William IV (1830-1837) • Victoria (1837-1901)
House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha
(1901-1910)
Edward VII (1910-1910)
House of Windsor
(1910-1972)
George V (1910-1936) • Edward VIII (1936-1936) • George VI (1936-1952) • Elizabeth II (1952-1972)
Italics indicate regent.