List of Sri Lankan monarchs

None
the modern monarchy that lasted from 1948 until 1972

The monarchs of Sri Lanka, also referred to as the Sinhalese monarchy, were the heads of state and rulers of the Sinhala Kingdoms located in present day Sri Lanka, from 543 BCE (according to chronicles) until its abolition in 1815 CE. The Sinhalese monarchy began with the settlement of North Indian Indo Aryan speaking immigrants to the island of Sri Lanka. The Landing of Vijaya (as described in the traditional early chronicles of the island, the Dipavamsa and Mahavamsa) recounts the date of the establishment of the first Sinhalese Kingdom in 543 BCE when Indian prince Prince Vijaya (543–505 BCE) and 700 of his followers arrived in Sri Lanka, establishing the Kingdom of Tambapanni. In Sinhalese mythology, Prince Vijaya and followers are told to be the progenitors of the Sinhalese people. However, according to the story in the Divyavadana, the immigrants were probably not led by a scion of a royal house in India, as told in the romantic legend, but rather may have been groups of adventurous and pioneering merchants exploring new lands. On the other hand, other historians such as G. C. Mendis have suggested that the Vijaya story is a myth and has no historical basis. The Sinhala Kingdoms comprised the political states of the Sinhalese people and their ancestors; it existed as a series of successive kingdoms known by the city in which the administrative centre of the kingdom was located. These are, in chronological order: the kingdoms of Tambapanni, Upatissa Nuwara, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Dambadeniya, Gampola, Kotte, Sitawaka and Kandy. The last Sinhala Kingdom came to an end in 1815 with Sri Vikrama Rajasinha of Kandy after generations of European colonial influences and upheaval in the royal court. During the two millennia of Sinhalese kingdoms, other political entities also existed on the island, including the Jaffna Kingdom, the Vanni chieftaincies and the Portuguese and Dutch colonies. These political entities are considered separate from the Sinhala Kingdoms. A separate page lists the monarchs of the Jaffna Kingdom. During the reign of Devanampiya Tissa (307–267 BCE), Buddhism was introduced to the island by Ashoka of India. By the time of Kithsirimevan (304–332 CE), Sudatta, the subking of Kalinga and Hemamala brought the Tooth Relic of the Buddha to Sri Lanka due to unrest in the country. Kithsirimevan carried it in procession and placed the relic in a mansion named Datadhatughara. He ordered this procession to be held annually, and this is still done as a tradition in the country to this day. The Tooth Relic of the Buddha soon became one of the most sacred objects in the country and a symbol of kingship. The person who was in possession of the Tooth Relic would thereafter be considered the rightful ruler of the country. The role of the monarch was absolute. The monarch was head of state but would be aided with high level officials and a board of ministers. The monarch was later seen as the supreme ruler throughout the island, even at times when they did not have absolute control over it. However, the earliest inscriptions dating from the 3rd to 2nd century BCE suggest that the island was divided into several regional principalities and chieftaincies until the first war of unification fought by King Dutugamunu. These early kings sought to establish control over the whole island, though in reality this was more of an aspiration. However periods of effective control over the whole island did exist from time to time. The monarch also held judicial power and influence. Judicial customs, traditions and moral principles based on Buddhism were used as the bases of law. The laws and legal measures were proclaimed by the monarch, and were to be followed by the justice administration. However the monarch was the final judge in legal disputes, and all cases against members of the royal family and high dignitaries of the state were judged by them, although this power was to be exercised with care and after consulting with their advisers. This article is a list of monarchs that have reigned over the nine successive kingdoms of the Sinhalese monarchy. It is based on the traditional list of monarchs as recorded in the chronicles of the island, in particular the Mahavamsa and Rajavaliya. It is not a list of ethnically Sinhalese monarchs as it contains all rulers of the Sinhalese kingdoms, both Sinhalese and foreign. Each monarch belongs to one of nine royal houses (Vijaya, Lambakanna I, Moriya, Lambakanna II, Vijayabahu, Kalinga, Siri Sanga Bo, Dinajara and Nayaks), and follows a tradition of regnal names that span the entirety of the monarchy. For example, Vijayabahu was used 7 times over multiple kingdoms and multiple royal houses over a period of 500 years and there is no overlap of names, Vijayabahu I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII. The same is true for Aggabodhi, Bhuvanaikabahu, Kassapa, Mahinda, Parakramabahu and others.

It should be borne in mind that there is controversy about the base date of the Buddhist Era, with dates between the 6th century BCE and 4th century BCE being advanced as the date of the parinibbana of the Buddha. As Wilhelm Geiger pointed out, the Dipawamsa and Mahawansa are the primary sources for ancient South Asian chronology; they date the consecration (abhisheka) of Ashoka (268 BCE according to modern scholarship) 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 within two years of 321 BCE (from Megasthenes). Hence the approximate date according to the Mahavamsa of the parinibbana is between 485 and 481 BCE. 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. 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; 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, the Theravada Buddhist canon was first put into writing in Sri Lanka, and the chronology of the following list is based on the traditional Therevada/Sri Lankan system, which is based on a parinibbana date of 543 BCE, sixty years earlier than the Mahayana calendar. Dates after c. 1048 are synchronous. The Mahavamsa was complied nearly a millennium after the purported date of Vijaya's arrival, and the traditional chronology and relationships of the earliest kings have been called into question by some scholars. Referring to the period following Devanampiya Tissa's rule, archaeologist W. D. J. Benilie Priyanka Emmanuel states:

Portrait Name Birth Death King From King Until ClaimSena and Guttika 237 BCE215 BCEDefeated Suratissa in battle.

Portrait Name Birth Death King From King Until Relationship with Predecessor(s)align="center"align="center"|Dutugamunu the Great (a. k. a. Dutta Gamini or Dutugemunu or Duttagamini Abaya) 161 BCE137 BCE*Defeated Elara*Eldest son of Kavan Tissa*Originally the ruler of Ruhunaalign="center"align="center"|Saddha Tissa 137 BCE119 BCE*Brother of Dutugemunualign="center"align="center"|Thulatthana(Tulna) 119 BCE119 BCE*Second son of Saddha Tissaalign="center"align="center"|Lanja Tissa 119 BCE109 BCE*Older brother of Thullattana*Oldest son of Saddha Tissaalign="center"align="center"|Khallata Naga(Kalunna) 109 BCE103 BCE*Brother of Lanja Tissa*Third son of Saddha Tissaalign="center"align="center"|Vattagamani Abhaya(a. k. a. Valagambahu I)(Walagamba) 103 BCE103 BCE*Fourth son of Saddha Tissa

Portrait Name Birth Death King From King Until Relationship with Predecessor(s)align="center"align="center"|Vattagamani Abhaya(a. k. a. Valagambahu I)(Walagamba) 89 BCE77 BCE*Fourth son of Saddha Tissaalign="center"align="center"|Mahakuli Mahatissa(Maha Cula Maha Tissa) 77 BCE63 BCE*Son of Khallatanaga*Nephew and adopted son of Valagambahu Ialign="center"align="center"|Chora Naga (Mahanaga) 63 BCE51 BCE*Son of Valagambahu I*Cousin of Mahakuli Mahatissaalign="center"align="center"|Kuda Tissa 51 BCE48 BCE*Son of Mahakuli Mahatissaalign="center"align="center"|Siva I 48 BCE48 BCEalign="center"align="center"|Vatuka 48 BCE48 BCEalign="center"align="center"|Darubhatika Tissa 48 BCE48 BCEalign="center"align="center"|Niliya 48 BCE48 BCEalign="center"align="center"|Anula 48 BCE44 BCE*Widow of Chora Naga and Kuda Tissaalign="center"align="center"|Kutakanna Tissa 44 BCE22 BCE*Brother of Kuda Tissa*Second son of Mahakuli Mahatissaalign="center"align="center"|Bhatikabhaya Abhaya 22 BCE7 CE*Son of Kuttakanna Tissaalign="center"align="center"|Mahadathika Mahanaga 719*Brother of Bhatika Abhayaalign="center"align="center"|Amandagamani Abhaya 1929*Son of Mahadathika Mahanagaalign="center"align="center"|Kanirajanu Tissa 2932*Brother of Amandagamani Abhayaalign="center"align="center"|Chulabhaya 3233*Son of Amandagamani Abhayaalign="center"align="center"|Sivali 3333*Sister of Chulabhayaalign="center"align="center"|Interregnum 3333align="center"align="center"|Ilanaga(Elunna) 3343*Nephew of Queen Sivalialign="center"align="center"|Chandamukha 4352*Son of Ilanagaalign="center"align="center"|Yassalalaka 5260*Younger brother of Candhamuka Sivaalign="center"align="center"|Subharaja(a. k. a. Subha) 6067*The hall porter of King Yasalaka Tissa

Portrait Name Birth Death King From King Until Relationship with Predecessor(s)align="center"align="center"|Vasabha 67111*A member of the Lambakanna clanalign="center"align="center"|Vankanasika Tissa 111114*Son of Vasabhaalign="center"align="center"|Gajabahu I 114136*Son of Vankanasika Tissaalign="center"align="center"|Mahallaka Naga 136143*Father in Law of Gajabahu Ialign="center"align="center"|Bhatika Tissa 143167*Son of Mahallaka Nagaalign="center"align="center"|Kanittha Tissa 167186*Younger brother of Bhatika Tissaalign="center"align="center"|Cula Naga(a. k. a. Khujjanaga) 186187*Son of Kanitta Tissaalign="center"align="center"|Kuda Naga(a. k. a. Kunchanaga) 187189*Brother of Cula Nagaalign="center"align="center"|Siri Naga I 189209*Brother in Law of Kuda Nagaalign="center"align="center"|Voharika Tissa(a. k. a. Vira Tissa & Voharikathissa) 209231*Son of Siri Naga Ialign="center"align="center"|Abhaya Naga 231240*Brother of Voharaka Tissaalign="center"align="center"|Siri Naga II 240242*Son of Voharaka Tissaalign="center"align="center"|Vijaya Kumara 242243*Son of Siri Naga IIalign="center"align="center"|Sangha Tissa I 243247*A Lambakannaalign="center"align="center"|Siri Sangha Bodhi I(a. k. a. Siri Sangabo) 247249*A Lambakannaalign="center"align="center"|Gothabhaya 249262*Minister of State*A Lambakannaalign="center"align="center"|Jettha Tissa I(a. k. a. Detuthis I) 263273*Eldest son of Gothabhayaalign="center"align="center"|Mahasena 274301*Brother of Jettha Tissa*Younger son of Gothabhayaalign="center"align="center"|Sirimeghavanna 301328*Son of Mahasenaalign="center"align="center"|Jettha Tissa II 328337*Brother of Sirimeghavannaalign="center"align="center"|Buddhadasa 337365*Son of Jettha Tissa IIalign="center"align="center"|Upatissa I 365406*Eldest son of Buddhadasaalign="center"align="center"|Mahanama 406428*Brother of Upatissa Ialign="center"align="center"|Soththisena 428428*Mahanama's son born to a Tamil motheralign="center"align="center"|Chattagahaka Jantu(a. k. a. Chhattagahaka) 428428*Husband of Sangha*Daughter of Mahanama by his Sinhala Queenalign="center"align="center"|Mittasena 428429*A noted plunderer

Portrait Name Birth Death King From King Until Relationship with Predecessor(s)align="center"align="center"|Manavamma 691726*Son of Kassapa I*Descendant of Silamegahavannaalign="center"align="center"|Aggabodhi V 726732*Son of Manavammaalign="center"align="center"|Kassapa III 732738*Brother of Aggabodhi Valign="center"align="center"|Mahinda I 738741*Younger brother of Kassapa IIIalign="center"align="center"|Aggabodhi VI 741781*Son of Kassapa IIIalign="center"align="center"|Aggabodhi VII(From Polonnaruwa) 781787*Son of Mahindaalign="center"align="center"|Mahinda II(Silamegha) 787807*Son of Aggabodhi VIalign="center"align="center"|Dappula II 807812*Son of Mahinda II*The sub king of Mahinda IIalign="center"align="center"|Mahinda III 812816*Son of Dappula IIalign="center"align="center"|Aggabodhi VIII 816827*Brother of Mahinda IIIalign="center"align="center"|Dappula III 827843*Younger brother of Aggabodhi VIIIalign="center"align="center"|Aggabodhi IX 843846*Son of Dappula IIIalign="center"align="center"|Sena I 846866*Younger brother of Aggabodhi IXalign="center"align="center"|Sena II 866901*Nephew of Sena I*Son of Kassapaalign="center"align="center"|Udaya I 901912*Brother of sub king of Sena IIalign="center"align="center"|Kassapa IV 912929*Son of Sena II*Sub king of Udaya Ialign="center"align="center"|Kassapa V 929939*Son of Kassapa IValign="center"align="center"|Dappula IV 939940*Son of Kassapa Valign="center"align="center"|Dappula V 940952*Brother of Dappula IValign="center"align="center"|Udaya II 952955*Nephew of Sena II*Sub king of Dappula Valign="center"align="center"|Sena III 955964*Brother of Udaya IIalign="center"align="center"|Udaya III 964972*Sub king of Sena III (a great friend of the king)align="center"align="center"|Sena IV 972975*Son of Kassapa V*Sub king of Udaya IIIalign="center"align="center"|Mahinda IV 975991*Brother of Sena IV*Nephew of Udaya III*Sub king of Senaalign="center"align="center"|Sena V 9911001*Son of Mahinda IValign="center"align="center"|Mahinda V(Fled and ruled in Ruhuna)(Deported c. 1017) 102910011029*Younger brother of Sena V

Portrait Name Birth Death King From King Until Relationship with Predecessor(s)Lokissara 12101211Leader of a Tamil army.

Portrait Name Birth Death King From King Until Relationship with Predecessor(s)Bhuvanaikabahu IV 1344/51353/4*Son of Vijaya Bahu VParakkamabahu V(from Dedigama)1311 1344/51359*Son of Vijaya Bahu V*Brother of Buvaneka Bahu IVVikramabahu III 13571374*Son of Buvaneka Bahu IVBhuvanaikabahu V 13711408*Nissanka Alakeswara's son by the sister of Vikrama Bahu IIIVira Bahu II 1391/21397*Brother in law of King Buvaneka Bahu VVira Alakesvara(a. k. a. Vijaya Bahu VI) 13971409Parakrama Bahu Epa 14091412*Grandson of Senalankahikara Seneviratminister of Bhuvanaikabâhu IV.

Portrait Name Birth Death King From King Until Relationship with Predecessor(s)align="center"align="center"|Mayadunne1501158115211581*Brother of Bhuvaneka Bahu VII*Son of Vijaya Bahu VIIalign="center"align="center"|Rajasinha I(a. k. a. Tikiri Banda)1544159315811593*Son of Mayadunnealign="center"align="center"|Rajasuriya 15931594

Portrait Name Birth Death King From King Until Relationship with Predecessor(s)align="center"align="center"|Senasammata Vikramabahu 14691511*Belongs to Kotte Royal Blood line*Leader of the Kandyan secession from Kottealign="center"align="center"|Jayavira Bandara 15111552*Son of Senasammataalign="center"align="center"|Karalliyadde Bandara 15521582*Son of Jayaweeraalign="center"align="center"|Kusumasana Devi 15811581*Daughter of Karalliyaddealign="center"align="center"| Rajasinha I(a. k. a. Tikiri Banda)1544159315811591*Deposed Kusumasana Devi

Portrait Name Birth Death King From King Until Relationship with Predecessor(s)align="center"align="center"|Vimaladharmasuriya I(a. k. a. Don João da Austria) 160415911604*Son of Vijayasundara Bandaraalign="center"align="center"|Senarat 163516041635*Cousin of Vimala Dharma Suriya Ialign="center"align="center"|Rajasinghe II16086 December 1687163525 November 1687*Son of Senarat and Dona Catherinaalign="center"align="center"|Vimaladharmasurya II 4 June 170716874 June 1707*Son of King Rajasinghe IIalign="center"align="center"|Vira Narendra Sinha(a. k. a. Sri Vira Parakrama Narendra Singha)169013 May 17394 June 170713 May 1739*Son of Vimala Dharma Suriya II

Portrait Name Birth Death King From King Until Marriages Relationship with Predecessor(s)Sri Vijaya Rajasinha?Madurai, Madurai Nayak dynastyson of Pitti Nayakkar11 August 1747Kandy13 May 173911 August 17471 Madurai SpouseBrother in law of Vira Narendra SinhaKirti Sri Rajasinha1734Madurai, Madurai Nayak dynastyson of Narenappa Nayakkar2 January 1782Kandy11 August 17472 January 17826 Madurai SpousesYakada Doli2 sons, 6 daughtersBrother in law of Sri Vijaya RajasinhaSri Rajadhi Rajasinha?Maduraison of Narenappa Nayakkar26 July 1798Kandy2 January 178226 July 1798Queen UpendrammaBrother of Kirti Sri RajasinhaSri Vikrama Rajasinha(a. k. a. Rajasinha IV; Kannasamy)1780Maduraison of Sri Venkata Perumal and Subbamma Nayaka30 January 1832Vellore Fort, Company rule in India26 July 17985 March 18154 spouses3 childrenNephew of Sri Rajadhi Rajasinha