List of rulers of Sri Lanka
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The following is a list of rulers of Sri Lanka (Ceylon) since 505 BC. The main source for many of these monarchs are the chronicles of the island maintained by monks, known as the Dipavamsa, Mahavamsa, and the Chulavamsa. 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.
| History of Sri Lanka series |
|---|
| Prehistory of Sri Lanka |
| Early Sri Lankan History |
| Kings of Sri Lanka |
| Colonial era |
| Sri Lankan independence movement |
| Independence of Sri Lanka |
| Sri Lankan Civil War |
[edit] Vijayan monarchs (c.544 BC–237 BC)
[edit] from Tambapanni (c. 554 BC–c. 505 BC)
[edit] from Vijitapura (Upatissanuwara) (c. 505 BC–454 BC)
- Upatissa (regent) c.505 BC-c.504 BC (period according to Mahawamsa. edited by shevon silva)
- Panduvasdeva c.504 BC-c.474 BC
- Abhaya c.474 BC-c.454 BC
- Tissa (regent) 454 BC
[edit] from Anuradhapura (c. 437 BC–237 BC)
- Pandukabhaya c.437 BC-c.367 BC
- Mutasiva c.367 BC-c.307 BC
- Devanampiya Tissa 307 BC - 267 BC
- Uttiya 267 BC-257 BC(?)
- Mahasiva 257 BC-247 BC(?)
- Suratissa 247 BC-237 BC (?)
[edit] Kings of Rajarata from Anuradhapura (237 BC–777)
[edit] The Two Chola Kings (237 BC–215 BC)
[edit] Anuradhapuran monarchs (215 BC–205 BC)
[edit] Chola invasion (205 BC–161 BC)
[edit] Ruhuna monarchs (161 BC–104 BC)
- Dutugemunu 161 BC-137 BC
- Saddha Tissa 137 BC-119 BC
- Thulatthana 119 BC
- Lanja Tissa 119 BC-109 BC
- Khallata Naga 109 BC-104 BC
- Vattagamani Abhaya 104 BC
[edit] The Pancha Dravida (the 'Five Dravidans') (104 BC–88 BC)
- Pulahatta 104 BC - 100 BC (?)
- Bahiya 100 BC - 98 BC (?)
- Panya Mara 98 BC - 91 BC
- Pilaya Mara 91 BC
- Dathika 91 BC - 88 BC
[edit] Anuradhapura monarchs (88 BC–66)
- Vattagamani Abhaya or Valagambahu I (restored)88 BC-76 BC
- Mahakuli Mahatissa 76 BC-62 BC
- Chore Naga 62 BC-50 BC
- Kuda Tissa 50 BC-47 BC
- Siva I 47 BC
- Vatuka 47 BC
- Darubhatika Tissa 47 BC
- Niliya 47 BC
- Queen Anula 47 BC-42 BC
- Kutakanna Tissa 42 BC-20 BC
- Bhatikabhaya Abhaya 20 BC-9 BC
- Mahadathika Mahanaga 9 BC-21 AD
- Amandagamani Abhaya 21- 30
- Kanirajanu Tissa 30-33
- Chulabhaya 33-35
- Queen Sivali 35
- Ilanaga 34- 44
- Chandamukha 44-52
- Yassalalaka Tissa 52-60
- Subha 60-66
[edit] Lambakanna monarchs (66–432)
- Vasabha 66-110
- Vankanasika Tissa 110-113
- Gajabâhu I 113-134
- Mahallaka Naga 134-140
- Bhatika Tissa 140-164
- Kanittha Tissa 164-183 or 164-192 (?)
- Khujjanaga 183-185 or 194-195 (?)
- Kunchanaga 185-186 or 195 (?)
- Sirinaga I 186-205 or 195-214 (?)
- Voharika Tissa 205-227 or 214-236 (?)
- Abhayanaga 227-235 or 236-244 (?)
- Sirinaga II 235-237 or 244-246 (?)
- Vijaya Kumara 237 or 246-247 (?)
- Sangha Tissa I 238-242 or 247-251 (?)
- Sirisamghabodhi 242-244 or 251-253 (?)
- Gathabhaya 244-257 or 253-266 (?)
- interregnum 257-267 (?)
- Jettha Tissa I 266-276
- Mahasena 276-303
- Sirimeghavanna 304-331
- Jettha Tissa II 331-340
- Buddhadasa 341-368
- Upatissa 368-410
- Mahanama 410-432
- Chattagahaka Jantu 432 (?)
- Mittasena 432
[edit] Shad Dravida (The 'Six Dravidians') (428–452)
[edit] Moriya monarchs (459–684)
- Dhatusena 459-477
- Kassapa I 'the Usurper' 477-495. Ruled from Sigiriya
- Moggallana I 495-512
- Kumara Dhatusena 512-520
- Kittisena 520-521
- Siva II 521
- Upatissa II 521-522
- Silakala Ambosamanera 522-535
- Dathappabhuti 535
- Moggallana II 535-555
- Kittisirimegha 555-573
- Mahanaga 573-575
- Aggabodhi I 575-608
- Aggabodhi II 608-618
- Sangha Tissa 618
- Moggallana III 618-623
- Silameghavanna 623-632
- Aggabodhi III Sirisanghabodhi 632
- Jettha Tissa III 632-633
- Aggabodhi III (restored) 633-643
- Dathopa Tissa I Hatthadpatha 643
- Aggabodhi III (restored) 643
- Dathopa Tissa I Hatthadpatha (restored) 643-650
- Kassapa II 650-659
- Dappula I 659
- Dathopa Tissa II 659-667
- Aggabodhi IV 667-683
- Datta 683-684
- Hatthadpatha II 684
[edit] Lambakanna monarchs (Pallava clients) (684–777)
- Manavanna 684-718
- Aggabodhi V 718-724
- Kassapa III 724-730
- Mahinda I 730-733
- Aggabodhi VI 733-772
- Aggabodhi VII 772-777
[edit] Kings of Rajarata from Anuradhapura and other capitals (777–c. 1007)
[edit] Lambakanna monarchs (777–c. 1007)
- Mahinda II Silamegha 777-797
- Dappula II (or Udaya I) 797-801
- Mahinda III 801-804
- Aggabodhi VIII 804-815
- Dappula III 815-831
- Aggabodhi IX 831-833
- Sena I 833-853
- Sena II 853-887
- Udaya II 887-898
- Kassapa IV 898-914
- Kassapa V 914-923
- Dappula IV 923 -924
- Dappula V 924-935
- Udaya II 935-938
- Sena III 938-946
- Udaya III 946 -954
- Sena IV 954-956
- Mahinda IV 956-972
- Sena V 972-982
- Mahinda V 982-993; king of Ruhuna only 993-c.1007.
[edit] Chola emperors (993–1054)
[edit] Titular kings of Rajarata (c. 1029–c. 1055)
- Vikkamabahu (also known as Kassapa VI) c.1029-c.1040
- Kirthi (Minister) c.1040
- Mahalana Kirthi c.1040-c.1042
- Vikkama Pandya c.1042-c.1043
- Jagathpala c.1043-c.1046
- Pârakkama Pandya c.1046-c.1048
- Lokeshwara (Minister) c.1048-c.1054
- Kassapa VII (also known as Keshadhathu Kassapa) c.1054-c.1055
[edit] Kings of Rajarata from Polonnaruwa (1055–1236)
- Vijayabâhu I 1055-1110
- Jayabâhu I 1110-1111
- Vikramabâhu I 1111-1132
- Gajabâhu II 1132-
- Parâkramabâhu I 'the Great' 1153-1186
- Vijayabâhu II 1186-1187
- Mahinda VI 1187
[edit] Kalinga monarchs (1187–1212)
- Nissanka Malla 1187-1196
- Vikramabâhu II 1196
- Chodaganga 1196
- Queen Lilavati 1197-1200
- Sahassamalla 1200-1202
- Queen Kalyanavati 1202-1208
- Dharmashoka 1208-1209
- Anikanga Mahadipada 1209
- Queen Lilavati (restored) 1209-1210
- Lokissara 1210-1211
- Queen Lilavati (restored ) 1211-1212
[edit] Pandya monarchs (1212–1215)
[edit] Kalinga monarchs (1215–1236)
[edit] Kingdom of Dambadeniya (1220–1302)
[edit] from Dambadeniya (1220–1270)
[edit] from Yapahuwa (1272–1286)
[edit] from Polonnaruwa (1287–1293)
[edit] from Kurunagala (1293–1302)
- Bhuvanaikabâhu II 1293-1302
- Parâkkamabâhu IV 1302 -1326
- Bhuvanaikabahu III 1326-1335
- Vijayabâhu V 1335-1341
- Bhuvanaikabâhu IV 1341-1353
[edit] Kingdom of Gampola (1344–1408)
[edit] from Dedigama (1344–1359)
[edit] from Gampola (1357–1408)
[edit] Kings of Raigama (1392–1423)
[edit] Kingdom of Kotte (1412–1597)
- Parakramabâhu VI 1412-1467
- Jayabâhu II 1467-1470
- Bhuvanaikabâhu VI 1470-1480
- Parâkkamabâhu VII 1480-1484
- Parâkkamabâhu VIII 1484-1489
- Dharma Parãkramabãhu IX 1489-1513
- Vijavabãhu VI 1513-1521, (November 15, 1505 a Portuguese fleet commanded by Lourenço de Almeida, son of the Portuguese viceroy in India, Francisco de Almeida, having been driven by a storm to the shores of Lanka, landed in Colombo)
- Assassination of Vijavabãhu VI, 1521, by his three sons, and tripartite partition of his kingdom; 1. Bhuvanekabãhu, Kingdom of Kotte; 2. Madduma Bandãra, Kingdom of Rayigama & the 2 Korales; 3. Mãyãdunnë, Kingdom of Sitawaka and the Four Korales.
- Bhuvanekabãhu VII 1521-1551 made himself & his heir (grandson, Dom Joao) a Portuguese client to seek protection from Mayadunne of Sitawake
- Vidiyë Bandãra, son of Bhuvanekabãhu VII and father of & regent for Dom Joaõ Dharmapala (Regent 1521-1555)
- Dom Joaõ Dharmapala 1551-1597, grandson and heir of Bhuvanekabãhu VII, submitted to baptism as a Christian in late 1556, ceded his kingdom and all rights and claims, including to 'subordinate kingdoms' of Sitawake & Kandy, etc. to the King of Portugal on his death.
- References — W.L.A. Don Peter's The Catholic Church in Sri Lanka
[edit] Kingdom of Sitawaka (1521–1593)
- Mayadunne 1521-1581
- Rajasimha I 1581-1593
- Nikapitiyë Bandãra, baptized as Dom Filipe, ordained a deacon, died in the Franciscan monastery, Coimbra
[edit] Kingdom of Kandy (1546–1815)
- Jayaweera Bandãra, accepted baptism as Dom Manoel, March 9, 1546, as part of alliance with Portugal for protection from Mayadunne of Sitawaka
- Karalliyaddë Bandãra (baptized as Dom Joao)
- Kandy conquered by King Rãjasimha I of Sitawake, 1582
- Rebellion by Kandyans regains independence from Sitawaka, 1592
- Dom Filipe Yamasimha 1592, nephew of Karalliyadde Bandara, died of suspected poisoning by his general Konnapu Bandara
- Dom João, 12-year-old son of Yamasimha, throne usurped by his general Konnapu Bandara (Dom Joao da Austria) as Vimaladharmasuriya I; later ordained a Catholic priest, lived & died at Telheiras near Lisbon, 1642 at the age of 64
- Dona Catarina, daughter of Karalliyadde Bandara, defeated and captured by Konnapu Bandara, October 9, 1594, Battle of Danturë, and forcibly made his 'queen'; she remained Catholic till her death
[edit] Konnapu Bandara Dynasty (1591–1739)
- Vimaladharmasuriya I (Konnapu Bandara) 1591-1604, son of Virasundara Bandara, a Kandyan chieftain, put to death by Rãjasimha of Sitawaka, took refuge with Portuguese & was baptized as Dom Joao da Austria in Goa
- Senarat (cousin of Konnapu Bhandara) 1605-1635 — he too 'married' Dona Catarina, the last queen of the preceding dynasty
- Râjasimha II 1635-1687
- Vimaladharmasurya II 1687-1707
- Vira Narendra Sinha 1707-1739
[edit] Kandy Nayakar Dynasty (1739–1815)
(a.k.a Madurai Nayak Dynasty)
- Vijaya Rajasinha (aka Rajasimha III) 1739-1747
- Kirtisri 1747-1781
- Rajadhirarajasinha 1781-1798
- Sri Vikrama Rajasinha (aka Rajasimha IV) 1798-1815
- Reference — The various lives of St. Jose Vas, both online (Codrington, W.L.A. Don Peter's The Catholic Church in Sri Lanka, etc) and hard copy (e.g., Fr. Cosme Jose Costa S.F.X.'s Life of Blessed Joseph Vaz, Apostle of Kanara & Sri Lanka). He lived in Kandy during Vimala Dharma Suriya II's reign, and died in 1711, in the early years of Vira Narendra Simha, who had ascended 1707, and had faced a rebellion in 1709. The Nayaggar Dynasty, which converted from Hinduism to Buddhism, expelled Vas' successors, and they took refuge in the Kingdom of Vanni until 1815, when England annexed the Kingdom of Kandy.
[edit] Portuguese Colonial rule (1580–1658)
{{main|Portuguese Ceylon} The Portugal Colonial rule of Ceylon lasted from 1580 to 1658, during which the Portuguese ruled several parts of the costal areas of the island.
[edit] Kings of Portugal (1580–1658)
- Portuguese House of Habsburg (Philippine Dynasty)
- House of Braganza (Brigantine Dynasty)
[edit] General Captains
- Pedro Lopos de Sousa 1594
- D. Jeronimo de Azevedo 1594-1613
- D. Francisco de Meneses 1613-1614
- Manuel Mascarenhas Homem 1614-1616
- Nuno Alvares Pereira 1616-1618
- Constantino de Sa e Noronha 1618-1622
- Philippe III 1621-1640
- Jorge do Albuquerque 1622-1623
- Constantino de Sa e Noronha 1623-1630
- D. Philippe Mascarenhas 1630-1631
- D. Jorge de Almeida 1631-1633
- Diego de Mello de Castro 1633-1635
- D. Jorge de Almeida 1635-1636
- Diogo de Mello de Castro 1636-1638
- D. Antonio Mascarenhas 1638-1640
- John IV of Braganza 1640-1645
- D. Philippe Mascarenhas 1640-1645
- Manuel Mascarenhas Homem 1645-1653
- Francisco de Mello de Castro 1653-1655
- Antonio de Sousa Coutinho 1655-1656
- Antonio de Amaral de Menezes 1656-1658, Jaffna
[edit] Dutch Colonial rule
The Dutch Colonial rule of Ceylon lasted from 1640 to 1796. This began with the capture of Portuguese areas, during the Dutch rule the enter coast of the Island was occupied by the Dutch, leaving only the Kingdom of Kandy.
[edit] Dutch governors of Zeylan (1640–1796)
- Willem Jacobsz Coster 1640
- Jan Thijssens Payart 1640-1646
- Joan Maetsuyker 1646-1650
- Jacob van Kittensteyn 1650-1653
- Adriaan van der Meijden 1653-1660 and 1661-1663
- Rijcklof van Goens 1660-1661 and 1663
- Jacob Hustaert 1663-1664
- Rijcklof van Goens 1664-1675
- Rijcklof van Goens Jr 1675-1679
- Laurens Pijl 1679-1692
- Thomas van Ree 1692-1697
- Gerrit de Heere 1697-1702
- Cornelis Jan Simonsz 1702-1706
- Hendrik Bekker 1706-1716
- Isaac Augustijn Rumph 1716-1723
- Johannes Hertenberg 1723-1726
- Pieter Vuyst 1726-1729
- Stephanus Versluys 1729-1732
- Jacob Christian Pielat 1732-1734
- Diederik van Domburch 1734-1736
- Gustaaf Willem baron van Imhoff 1736-1739
- Willem Maurits Bruininck 1739-1742
- Daniel Overbeek 1742-1743
- Julius V.S. van Gollonesse 1743-1751
- Gerard Joan Vreeland 1751-1752
- Johan Gideon Loten 1752-1757
- Jan Schreuder 1757-1762
- L.J. Baron van Eck 1762-1765
- Iman Willem Falck 1765-1785
- Willem J. van de Graaff 1785-1794
- J.G. van Angelbeek 1794-1796
[edit] British Colonial rule
[edit] British Monarchs (1796–1948)
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
- George III of the United Kingdom 1796–1820
- George IV of the United Kingdom 1820–1830
- William IV of the United Kingdom 1830–1837
- Victoria of the United Kingdom 1837–1901
- House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha
- House of Windsor
- George V of the United Kingdom 1910–1936
- Edward VIII of the United Kingdom 1936
- George VI of the United Kingdom 1936-1948
[edit] British Governors of Ceylon (1796–1948)
Between 1796 and 1948, Ceylon was a British crown colony. Although the British monarch was the head of state, in practice his or her functions were exercised in the colony by the colonial Governor, who acted on instructions from the British government in London.
[edit] Post independence Heads of State (1948- )
[edit] Monarch of Ceylon
- George VI, King of Ceylon (1948-1952)
- Elizabeth II, Queen of Ceylon (1952-1972)
[edit] Governor-Generals of Ceylon (1948–1972)
In 1948, Sri Lanka achieved independence from the United Kingdom as a Dominon within the Commonwealth, and the British monarch remained the head of state. The Governor was replaced with a Governor-General, responsible not to London, but the local parliament.
[edit] Presidents of Sri Lanka (1972—)
In 1972 Sri Lanka became a republic, and the Governor-General was replaced with that of the President. Originally ceremonial, the office now has significant powers as commander-in-chief of the armed forces, and head of the cabinet.
