List of Kings of Sri Lanka

Discover the royal dynasties that ruled Ceylon. Learn about the great monarchs and their legacies across the ages.

Kingdom of Tambapanni (543–505 BC)

Vijayan dynasty (543–505 BC)

Vijaya

543 BC – 505 BC

Born: ? Sinhapura. Son of King Sinhabahu and Queen Sinhasivali

Spouses: Kuveni (Children: Jivahatta and Disala), a Pandyan princess

Died: 505 BC Tambapanni

Claim: Established the Kingdom. Married Kuveni.

Kingdom of Upathissa Nuwara (505–377 BC)

Vijayan dynasty (505–377 BC)

Upatissa (Regent)

505 BC – 504 BC

(One year interregnum)

Relationship: Chief minister of Vijaya.

Panduvasdeva

504 BC – 474 BC

Relationship: Nephew of Vijaya.

Abhaya

474 BC – 454 BC

Relationship: Son of Panduvasdeva.

Tissa (Regent)

454 BC – 437 BC

(Seventeen year interregnum)

Relationship: Second son of Panduvasdeva. Younger brother of Abhaya.

Pandukabhaya

437 BC – 377 BC

Born: 474 BC

Died: 367 BC

Relationship: Grandson of Panduvasdeva. Nephew of Abhaya and Tissa.

Anuradhapura Kingdom (377 BC – 1017 AD)

Vijayan dynasty (377–237 BC)

Pandukabhaya

377 BC – 367 BC

Born: 474 BC

Died: 367 BC

Relationship: Grandson of King Panduvasdeva. Nephew of Abhaya and Tissa.

Mutasiva

367 BC – 307 BC

Relationship: Son of King Pandukabhaya.

Devanampiya Tissa

307 BC – 267 BC

Died: 267 BC

Relationship: Son of Mutasiva.

Uttiya

267 BC – 257 BC

Relationship: Son of Mutasiva.

Mahasiva

257 BC – 247 BC

Relationship: Son of Mutasiva.

Suratissa

247 BC – 237 BC

Died: 237 BC

Relationship: Son of Pandukabhaya.

Sena and Guttika (237–215 BC)

Sena and Guttika

237 BC – 215 BC

Claim: Defeated King Suratissa in battle.

Vijayan dynasty (215–205 BC)

Asela

215 BC – 205 BC

Born: ? Son of King Mutasiva.

Died: 205 BC Anuradhapura

Claim: Son of King Mutasiva.

Elara (205–161 BC)

Elara

205 BC – 161 BC

Born: 235 BC Chola Empire

Died: 161 BC Anuradhapura

Claim: Defeated King Asela in battle.

Vijayan dynasty (161–103 BC)

Maha Dutugemunu Abhaya (aka Dutugemunu)

161 BC – 137 BC

Relationship: Defeated King Elara. Eldest son of King Kavan Tissa. Was previously the ruler of Ruhuna.

Saddha Tissa

137 BC – 119 BC

Relationship: Brother of King Dutugemunu.

Thulatthana (Thulna)

119 BC – 119 BC

Relationship: Second son of Saddha Tissa.

Lanjatissa

119 BC – 109 BC

Relationship: Elder brother of King Thulatthana. Eldest son of King Saddha Tissa.

Khallata Naga (Kalunna)

109 BC – 104 BC

Relationship: Brother of King Lanjatissa. Third son of Saddha Tissa.

Vattagamani Abhaya (aka Valagambahu I / Valagamba)

104 BC – 103 BC

Relationship: Fourth son of King Saddha Tissa.

Five Dravidians (103–89 BC)

Pulahatta

103 BC – 100 BC

Relationship: A Tamil chief.

Bahiya

100 BC – 98 BC

Relationship: Chief minister of Pulahatta.

Panayamara

98 BC – 91 BC

Relationship: Prime minister of Bahiya.

Pilayamara

91 BC – 90 BC

Relationship: Chief minister of Panayamara.

Dathika

90 BC – 88 BC

Relationship: Chief minister of Pilayamara.

Vijayan dynasty (89 BC – 66 AD)

Vattagamani Abhaya (aka Valagambahu / Valagamba)

89 BC – 76 BC

Relationship: Fourth son of King Saddha Tissa.

Mahakuli Mahatissa

76 BC – 62 BC

Relationship: Son of King Khallata Naga. Nephew and adopted son of King Valagamba.

Chora Naga (Mahanaga)

62 BC – 50 BC

Relationship: Son of King Valagamba. Cousin of Mahakuli Mahatissa.

Kuda Tissa

50 BC – 47 BC

Relationship: Son of King Mahakuli Mahatissa.

Siva I

47 BC – 47 BC

Vatuka

47 BC – 47 BC

Darubhatika Tissa

47 BC – 47 BC

Niliya

47 BC – 47 BC

Queen Anula

47 BC – 42 BC

Relationship: Widow of Chora Naga and Kuda Tissa.

Kutakanna Tissa

42 BC – 20 BC

Relationship: Brother of Kuda Tissa. Second son of King Mahakuli Mahatissa.

Bhatikabhaya Abhaya

20 BC – 9 AD

Relationship: Son of King Kutakanna Tissa.

Mahadathika Mahanaga

9 – 21

Relationship: Brother of King Bhatika Abhaya.

Amandagamani Abhaya

21 – 30

Relationship: Son of King Mahadathika Mahanaga.

Kanirajanu Tissa

30 – 33

Relationship: Brother of King Amandagamani Abhaya.

Chulabhaya

33 – 35

Relationship: Son of King Amandagamani Abhaya.

Queen Sivali

35 – 35

Relationship: Sister of King Chulabhaya.

Interregnum

35 – 38

Ilanaga (Elanna)

38 – 44

Relationship: Nephew of Queen Sivali.

Chandamukha

44 – 52

Relationship: Son of Ilanaga.

Yasalalaka

52 – 60

Relationship: Younger brother of King Chandamukhasiva.

Subharaja (aka Subha)

60 – 66

Relationship: Gatekeeper of King Yasalalakatissa.

First Lambakanna dynasty (66–436)

Vasabha

66 – 110

Relationship: Member of the Lambakanna clan.

Vankanasika Tissa

110 – 113

Relationship: Son of King Vasabha.

Gajabahu I

113 – 135

Relationship: Son of King Vankanasika Tissa.

Mahallaka Naga

135 – 141

Relationship: Father-in-law of Gajabahu I.

Bhatika Tissa

141 – 165

Relationship: Son of Mahallaka Naga.

Kanittha Tissa

165 – 193

Relationship: Younger brother of King Bhatika Tissa.

Chulanaaga (aka Khujjanaga)

193 – 195

Relationship: Son of Kanittha Tissa.

Kuda Naga (aka Kunchanaga)

195 – 196

Relationship: Brother of Chula Naga.

Sirinaga I

196 – 215

Relationship: Brother-in-law of Kuda Naga.

Voharika Tissa (aka Vira Tissa / Voharakatissa)

215 – 237

Relationship: Son of Sirinaga I.

Abhayanaga

237 – 245

Relationship: Brother of Voharakatissa.

Sirinaga II

245 – 247

Relationship: Son of Voharakatissa.

Vijaya Kumara

247 – 248

Relationship: Son of Sirinaga II.

Sangha Tissa I

248 – 252

Relationship: A member of the Lambakanna clan.

Siri Sanghabodhi I (aka Siri Sangabo)

252 – 254

Relationship: A member of the Lambakanna clan.

Gothabhaya

254 – 267

Relationship: A state minister. A member of the Lambakanna clan.

Jetthatissa I (aka Detutis I)

267 – 277

Relationship: Eldest son of Gothabhaya.

Mahasena

277 – 304

Relationship: Brother of Jetthatissa. Youngest son of Gothabhaya.

Sirimeghavanna

304 – 332

Relationship: Son of Mahasena.

Jettha Tissa II

332 – 341

Relationship: Brother of Sirimeghavanna.

Buddhadasa

341 – 370

Relationship: Son of Jettha Tissa II.

Upatissa I

370 – 412

Relationship: Eldest son of King Buddhadasa.

Mahanama

412 – 434

Relationship: Brother of Upatissa I.

Soththisena

434 – 434

Relationship: Son of King Mahanama by a Tamil consort.

Chattagahaka Jantu (aka Chattagahaka)

434 – 435

Relationship: Husband of Sangha, the daughter of King Mahanama's Sinhalese queen.

Mittasena

435 – 436

Relationship: A usurper.

Six Dravidians (436–463)

Pandu

436 – 441

Relationship: A Pandyan invader.

Parinda

441 – 441

Relationship: Son of Pandu.

Khudda Parinda

441 – 447

Relationship: Younger brother of Pandu.

Tiritara

447 – 447

Relationship: The fourth Tamil ruler.

Dathiya

447 – 450

Relationship: The fifth Tamil ruler.

Pithiya

450 – 452

Relationship: The sixth Tamil ruler.

Moriyan dynasty (463–691)

Dhatusena

463 – 479

Relationship: Son of Sangha, the daughter of Mahanama. Liberated Anuradhapura from 27 years of Pandyan rule.

Kashyapa I (of Sigiriya)

479 – 497

Relationship: Son of King Dhatusena by a Pallava consort. (Usurpation)

Moggallana I

497 – 515

Relationship: Son of Dhatusena. Brother of Kashyapa.

Kumara Dhatusena

515 – 524

Relationship: Son of Moggallana.

Kittisena

524 – 524

Relationship: Son of Kumara Dhatusena.

Siva II

524 – 525

Relationship: Father-in-law of Kirti Sena.

Upatissa II

525 – 526

Relationship: Nephew of Kumara Dhatusena.

Silakala Ambosamanera

526 – 539

Relationship: A prince of the Lambakanna lineage.

Dathapabhuti

539 – 540

Relationship: Second son of Silakala.

Moggallana II

540 – 560

Relationship: Elder brother of Dathapatissa.

Kittisiri Meghavanna

560 – 561

Relationship: Son of Moggallana II.

Mahanaga

561 – 564

Relationship: War minister of King Dathapatissa.

Aggabodhi I

564 – 598

Relationship: A brother of Mahanaga. Was nephew and sub-king of King Mahanaga.

Aggabodhi II

598 – 608

Relationship: Nephew and cousin-son of Aggabodhi I.

Sangha Tissa II

608 – 608

Relationship: Was brother and sword-bearer of Aggabodhi II.

Moggallana III

608 – 614

Relationship: Was the commander-in-chief during the reign of King Aggabodhi II.

Silameghavanna

614 – 623

Relationship: Sword-bearer of King Moggallana.

Aggabodhi III

623 – 623

Relationship: Son of Silameghavanna.

Jetthatissa III

623 – 624

Relationship: Son of King Sangha Tissa.

Aggabodhi III (Restored)

624 – 640

Relationship: Son of Silameghavanna.

Dathopatissa I (Hatthadatha)

640 – 652

Relationship: A general of King Jetthatissa (Dathasiva).

Kassapa II

652 – 661

Relationship: Brother of Agbo II. A sub-king of King Dathopatissa.

Dappula I

661 – 664

Relationship: Nephew of Silameghavanna.

Dathopatissa II

664 – 673

Died: 673

Relationship: Cousin-son of King Dathopatissa I (Hatthadatha).

Aggabodhi IV

673 – 689

Relationship: Younger brother of Dathopatissa.

Unhanagara Hatthadatha

691 – 691

Relationship: A chief of royal lineage, he was placed on the throne by a wealthy Tamil official.

Second Lambakanna dynasty (691–1017)

Manavamma

691 – 726

Relationship: Son of Kassapa II. A descendant of Silameghavanna.

Aggabodhi V

726 – 732

Relationship: Son of Manavamma.

Kassapa III

732 – 738

Relationship: Brother of Aggabodhi V.

Mahinda I

738 – 741

Relationship: Younger brother of Kassapa III.

Aggabodhi VI

741 – 781

Relationship: Son of Kassapa III.

Aggabodhi VII (from Polonnaruwa)

781 – 787

Relationship: Son of Mahinda.

Mahinda II (Silamegha)

787 – 807

Relationship: Son of Aggabodhi VI.

Dappula II

807 – 812

Relationship: Son of Mahinda II. Sub-king of Mahinda II.

Mahinda III

812 – 816

Relationship: Son of Dappula II.

Aggabodhi VIII

816 – 827

Relationship: Brother of Mahinda III.

Dappula III

827 – 843

Relationship: Younger brother of Aggabodhi VIII.

Aggabodhi IX

843 – 846

Relationship: Son of Dappula III.

Sena I

846 – 866

Relationship: Younger brother of Aggabodhi IX.

Sena II

866 – 901

Relationship: Nephew of Sena I. Son of Kassapa.

Udaya I

901 – 912

Relationship: Sub-king of Sena II.

Kassapa IV

912 – 929

Relationship: Son of Sena II. Sub-king of Udaya I.

Kassapa V

929 – 939

Relationship: Son of Kassapa IV.

Dappula IV

939 – 940

Relationship: Son of Kassapa V.

Dappula V

940 – 952

Relationship: Brother of Dappula IV.

Udaya II

952 – 955

Relationship: Nephew of Sena II. Sub-king of Dappula V.

Sena III

955 – 964

Relationship: Brother of Udaya II.

Udaya III

964 – 972

Relationship: Sub-king of Sena III (a close friend of the king).

Sena IV

972 – 975

Relationship: Son of Kassapa V. Sub-king of Udaya III.

Mahinda IV

975 – 991

Relationship: Brother of Sena IV. Nephew of Udaya III. Sub-king of Sena.

Sena V

991 – 1001

Relationship: Son of Mahinda IV.

Mahinda V

1001 – 1017

Died: 1029

Relationship: Younger brother of Sena V. (Fled and ruled Ruhuna; was exiled around 1017)

Anuradhapura under Chola occupation (1017–1070)

Chola dynasty (1017–1070)

Rajendra Chola I

1017 – 1044

Died: 1044

Relationship: Son of King Raja Raja Chola I. Made the conquered territories a province of the Chola Empire.

Rajadhiraja Chola

1018 – 1054

Died: 1054

Relationship: Son of Rajendra.

Rajendra Chola II

1051 – 1063

Died: 1063

Relationship: Son of Rajendra.

Virarajendra Chola

1063 – 1070

Died: 1070

Relationship: Son of Rajendra.

Athirajendra Chola

1067 – 1070

Died: 1070

Relationship: Son of Virarajendra Chola.

Kingdom of Polonnaruwa (1056–1236)

Dynasty of Vijayabahu (1056–1187)

Vijayabahu I

1056 – 1111

Relationship: A member of the Sinhalese royal family.

Jayabahu I (Polonnaruwa and Ruhuna)

1110 – 1111

Relationship: Brother of Vijayabahu I. Was also the Prime Minister of Vijayabahu I.

Vikramabahu I

1111 – 1132

Died: 1132

Relationship: Son of Vijayabahu I.

Gajabahu II

1131 – 1153

Relationship: Son of Vikramabahu I.

Parakramabahu I (Parakramabahu the Great)

1153 – 1186

Born: 1123

Died: 1186

Relationship: Grandson of Vijayabahu I.

Vijayabahu II

1186 – 1187

Died: 1187

Relationship: Nephew of Parakramabahu I.

Mahinda VI

1187 – 1187

Relationship: Of Kalinga descent.

Kalinga dynasty (1187–1197)

Nissanka Malla

1187 – 1196

Born: 1157 or 1158

Died: 1196

Relationship: Nephew or cousin-son of King Parakramabahu I.

Virabahu I

1196 – 1196

Relationship: Son of Nissanka Malla.

Vikramabahu II

1196 – 1196

Relationship: Younger brother of Nissanka Malla.

Chodaganga

1196 – 1197

Relationship: Nephew of Nissanka Malla.

Dynasty of Vijayabahu, Restored (1197–1200)

Queen Lilavati

1197 – 1200

Relationship: Widow of King Parakramabahu I.

Kalinga dynasty, Restored (1200–1209)

Sahassamalla

1200 – 1202

Relationship: Younger brother of King Nissanka Malla.

Queen Kalyanavati

1202 – 1208

Relationship: Chief consort of King Nissanka Malla

Dharmasoka

1208 – 1209

Relationship: Placed on the throne by Ayasmanta after deposing Queen Kalyanavati.

Anikanga

1209 – 1209

Relationship: Father of Dharmasoka.

Dynasty of Vijayabahu, Restored (1209–1210)

Lilavati (1st Restoration)

1209 – 1210

Relationship: Widow of King Parakramabahu I.

Lokissara (1210–1211)

Lokissara

1210 – 1211

Relationship: A Tamil military commander.

Dynasty of Vijayabahu, Restored (1211–1212)

Lilavati (2nd Restoration)

1211 – 1212

Relationship: Widow of King Parakramabahu I.

Pandyan dynasty (1212–1215)

Parakrama Pandya II

1212 – 1215

Relationship: A Pandyan king.

Eastern Ganga dynasty (1215–1236)

Kalinga Magha

1215 – 1236

Relationship: A prince from Kalinga.

Kingdom of Dambadeniya (1220–1345)

Dynasty of Siri Sanga Bo (1220–1345)

Vijayabahu III

1220 – 1224

Relationship: A patriotic prince of Sinhalese royal bloodline.

Parakramabahu II

1234 – 1269

Relationship: Eldest son of Vijayabahu III.

Vijayabahu IV

1267/8 – October 1270

Died: October 1270

Relationship: Eldest son of Panditha Parakramabahu II.

Bhuvanekabahu I (from Yapahuwa)

1271 – 1283

Relationship: Brother of Vijayabahu IV.

Interregnum

1283 – 1302

Parakramabahu III (from Polonnaruwa)

1302 – 1310

Relationship: Nephew of Bhuvanekabahu I. Son of Vijayabahu IV.

Bhuvanekabahu II (from Kurunegala)

1310 – 1325/6

Relationship: Son of Bhuvanekabahu I. Cousin of Parakramabahu III.

Parakramabahu IV (from Kurunegala)

1325/6 – 1325/6

Relationship: Son of Bhuvanekabahu II.

Bhuvanekabahu III (from Kurunegala)

1325/6 – 1325/6

Relationship: Also known as Vanni Bhuvanekabahu.

Vijayabahu V (from Kurunegala)

1325/6 – 1344/5

Relationship: Second son of Chandra Banu of Yapapatuna.

Kingdom of Gampola (1345–1412)

Dynasty of Siri Sanga Bo (1345–1412)

Bhuvanekabahu IV

1344/5 – 1353/4

Relationship: Son of Vijayabahu V.

Parakramabahu V (from Dedigama)

1344/5 – 1359

Born: 1311

Relationship: Son of Vijayabahu V. Brother of Bhuvanekabahu IV.

Vikramabahu III

1357 – 1374

Relationship: Son of Bhuvanekabahu IV.

Bhuvanekabahu V

1372/3 – 1391/2

Relationship: Son of Vikramabahu III's sister by Nissanka Alakeshwara.

Virabahu II

1391/2 – 1397

Relationship: Brother-in-law of King Bhuvanekabahu V.

A son of Virabahu II

1397 – 1397

A son of Virabahu II

1397 – 1397

Vira Alakeshwara (aka Vijayabahu VI)

1397 – 1409

Parakramabahu Epa

1409 – 1412

Relationship: Grandson of Senalankadhikara Senevirat, a minister of King Bhuvanekabahu IV.

Kingdom of Kotte (1412–1597)

Dynasty of Siri Sanga Bo (1412–1597)

Parakramabahu VI

1412 – 1467

Relationship: Son of King Vijayabahu VI and Queen Sunethra Devi. Alternatively, could be the third son of Chandra Banu of Yapapatuna.

Jayabahu II (Vira Parakramabahu VII)

1467 – 1472

Relationship: Son of Ulakudaya Devi, the true daughter of King Parakramabahu VI.

Bhuvanekabahu VI (aka Sapumal Kumara)

1472 – 1480

Relationship: Son of Parakramabahu VI.

Parakramabahu VII

1480 – 1484

Parakramabahu VIII

1484 – 1518

Relationship: Prince of Ambulugala. A son of Parakramabahu VI.

Dharma Parakramabahu IX (of Kelaniya)

1509 – 1528

Relationship: Son of Vira Parakramabahu VIII.

Vijayabahu VII

1509 – 1521

Died: 1521

Relationship: Brother of Dharma Parakramabahu IX. Was king of Menikkadawara.

Bhuvanekabahu VII

1521 – 1551

Died: 1551

Relationship: Eldest son of Vijayabahu.

Dharmapala (aka Dom João Dharmapala)

1551 – May 27, 1597

Died: May 27, 1597

Relationship: Grandson and heir of Bhuvanekabahu VII.

Kingdom of Sitawaka (1521–1593)

Dynasty of Siri Sangabo (1521–1593)

Mayadunne

1521 – 1581

Born: 1501

Died: 1581

Relationship: Brother of Bhuvanekabahu VII. Son of Vijayabahu VII.

Rajasinha I (aka Tikiri Banda)

1581 – 1593

Born: 1544

Died: 1593

Relationship: Son of Mayadunne.

Kingdom of Kandy (1590–1815)

Dinajara dynasty (1590–1739)

Vimaladharmasuriya I (aka Dom João of Austria)

1590 – 1604

Died: 1604

Relationship: Son of Wijesundara Bandara.

Senarat

1604 – 1635

Died: 1635

Relationship: Cousin of King Vimaladharmasuriya I.

Rajasinha II

1635 – November 25, 1687

Born: 1608

Died: December 6, 1687

Relationship: Son of King Senarat and Queen Dona Catarina.

Vimaladharmasuriya II

1687 – June 4, 1707

Died: June 4, 1707

Relationship: Son of King Rajasinha II.

Sri Vira Parakrama Narendrasinha

June 4, 1707 – May 13, 1739

Born: 1690

Died: May 13, 1739

Relationship: Son of King Vimaladharmasuriya II.

Kandy Nayakkar dynasty (1739–1815)

Sri Vijaya Rajasinha

May 13, 1739 – August 11, 1747

Born: ? Madurai, Madurai Nayak dynasty. Son of Pitti Nayakkar.

Spouse: 1 Madurai wife

Died: August 11, 1747 Kandy

Claim: Brother-in-law of King Vira Parakrama Narendrasinha.

Kirti Sri Rajasinha

August 11, 1747 – January 2, 1782

Born: 1734 Madurai, Madurai Nayak dynasty. Son of Narenappa Nayakkar.

Spouses: 6 Madurai consorts, Yakada Doli (2 sons, 6 daughters)

Died: January 2, 1782 Kandy

Claim: Brother-in-law of King Sri Vijaya Rajasinha.

Sri Rajadhi Rajasinha

January 2, 1782 – July 26, 1798

Born: ? Madurai. Son of Narenappa Nayakkar.

Spouse: Queen Upendramma

Died: July 26, 1798 Kandy

Claim: Brother of Kirti Sri Rajasinha.

Sri Vikrama Rajasinha (aka Rajasinha IV; Kannasamy)

July 26, 1798 – March 5, 1815

Born: 1780 Madurai. Son of Sri Venkata Perumal and Subbamma Nayaka.

Spouses: 4 wives (3 children)

Died: January 30, 1832 Vellore Fort, India

Claim: Nephew of Sri Rajadhi Rajasinha.

Colonization of the entire island

British rule (from 1815)

King George III

From 1815

After the signing of the Kandyan Convention in 1815, King George III of Great Britain was accepted as the head of state of the island.

Thus ended the monarchy that had existed for over 2350 years.

Re-establishment of the Kingdom

Dominion of Ceylon (1948–1972)

Ceylon

1948 – 1972

Ending over 133 years of British rule, independence was gained on February 4, 1948, and the kingdom was re-established under the name Ceylon.

The kingdom was abolished on May 22, 1972, with the establishment of the Republic of Sri Lanka.