Thammanna Nuwara
Upatissa Nuwara
Anuradhapura
Anuradhapura Chola
Ruhuna
Polonnaruwa
Dambadeniya
Yapahuwa
Kurunegala
Gampola
Kotte
Sitawaka
Kandy
Portuguese
Dutch
British
Monarch of Ceylon
86
King Mugalan II
Kingdom of Anuradhapura
535 AC - 555 AC

Prince Moggalana, victorious in this battle, ascended the throne. Because he was known by that name among his followers, he was also referred to as Chula Moggalana. However, in various texts such as Poojawaliya, Nikayasangraha, Rajaratnakara, and Rajavaliya, he is mentioned as “Dala Moggalana.” Since he was the second king to reign under this name, he is referred to as the Second Moggalana.

The Mahavamsa briefly but elegantly recounts this king. It mentions that he was a just poet, devoted to the teachings of the Buddha, and that his palace was a residence for moral virtues. He entertained people through four practices: charity, kind speech, proper conduct, and equality. The king showed great enthusiasm for promoting the Dhamma. He encouraged reading and writing of the Tripitaka with commentary, taught children the Dhamma in summarized forms, and recited Dhamma verses while touring the city at night. He treated children of the common people as carefully as those of his own household. Even though he prevented his brother from engaging the people in their conflict, it is clear that this king was public-minded and cared for the welfare of the populace.

The Mahavamsa also shows that the king personally taught children in a summarized manner. He understood that forming the minds of the young would support good governance. If society was collapsing due to a decline in moral virtues, it was important for the ruler to understand the significance of building the next generation on a sound moral foundation.

King Moggalana also took steps for agricultural and economic development in the country. He constructed the Pattapasaana reservoir across the Malwathu Oya. Subsequently, he commissioned the Dhanawapi and Girithara reservoirs. The first two mentioned reservoirs are generally identified as Natchaduwa and Padaviya. Girithara may correspond to Girithale. Later renovations expanded these reservoirs into larger tanks. The reservoir now known as Padivapi may have been referred to by earlier names such as Dhanawapi or Danawewa. The water from the Moragoda Oya, diverted to these reservoirs, irrigated vast tracts of farmland. Some suggest these irrigation works extended even to dependent areas. The areas now amounting to hundreds of thousands of acres were historically developed as agricultural and commercial lands, shaping the island’s economy.

The reign of King Moggalana was a period of peace. However, it seems that Ruhuna did not recognize his authority. As will be discussed later, the administration of Prince Mahanaga in Ruhuna operated independently. King Moggalana did not attempt to impose his power there. Although Prince Mahanaga had future ambitions, he quietly governed Ruhuna. Thus, outside Ruhuna, Moggalana’s authority was recognized across the rest of the island.

A certain official inscription, sometimes attributed to the Third Moggalana, can reasonably be assigned to this king’s reign. According to the inscription, it was made during the eighth year of the king’s reign, supporting the view that he ruled for approximately six years. The inscription was located in the Kurunegala region, near Galewela, on an ancient settlement site. It records that a few donors contributed to the construction or maintenance of the Mahavihara of Tissa Arama. In the eighth year of his reign, Dala Moggalana received these donations.

As mentioned earlier, although the Mahavamsa refers to this king as Sulu Moggalana, Sinhala texts use the name Dala Moggalana. The term “Sulu” may indicate “Dala,” i.e., the lesser or second Moggalana.

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