After King Udaya, the throne was taken by his brother, Crown Prince Kashyapa. He was the one known by that name and was the fourth in line. From inscriptions, it is evident that his coronation name was Sirisagabo. King Kashyapa entrusted the crown princehood to Kashyapa Kumara, the son of the second Sena king, and gave him control over the southern region. The princess Tissa, the daughter of this Crown Prince Kashyapa, performed the coronation ceremony in the capacity of a chief queen. In addition, inscriptions reveal that he had another consort named Degoth.

A significant political event occurred during King Kashyapa’s reign. As seen in the previous chapter, during the time when the second King Udaya had captured Kittu Agbo and installed him as ruler of the Rohana region, Prince Mahinda had prepared to revolt against King Kashyapa. Perhaps he was dissatisfied with the governance in Ruhuna. Professor Senarath Paranavithana notes that Mahinda Kumara had his eyes on the Anuradhapura kingdom. By that time, Prince Mahinda had established good governance in Rohana, organized an army, and held power firmly. Therefore, it is not surprising that he acted with considerable confidence. He came to the battlefield with an army to take control of the Anuradhapura kingdom.

King Kashyapa sent forces to fight him, but Mahinda Kumara was victorious. This further strengthened Mahinda Kumara and increased his ambitions. However, King Kashyapa planned a strategy to undermine him. Crown Prince Kashyapa, who was the father of Prince Mahinda, intervened to rescue him from his reckless action. He persuaded Prince Mahinda to abandon his plans by explaining matters in various ways. After this, Prince Mahinda returned once again to Rohana. As a result, a major potential disaster was averted. The Mahavamsa mentions that later Prince Mahinda killed several Mandalikas, though no reason is provided. It is possible that after Mahinda Kumara went to battle against King Kashyapa, he realized he would not receive support from the king, and the Mandalikas were ready to assert independence. Otherwise, they would have sided with King Kashyapa against the war. Thus, it can be assumed that Prince Mahinda killed several Mandalikas to assert his power. Yet, because the local people had risen angrily and powerfully, his only option was to flee from Rohana.

Since he had fought against his uncle, King Kashyapa, Prince Mahinda did not have the courage to approach him directly. At this time, monks intervened to create a peaceful environment between the two sides. They brought Prince Mahinda to the king and reconciled the parties. King Kashyapa, ignoring the loss caused by Mahinda, received him, gave him his daughter in marriage, and sent him back to Rohana. Indeed, this act of King Kashyapa was exemplary, reflecting the king’s greatness, because a major conflict was resolved through wisdom.

Prince Mahinda was to go to Rohana with an army, though the Mahavamsa does not mention this. After going to Rohana, there appears to have been no further dispute.

The people of Rohana recognized his authority. An inscription found near Tissamaharama at Mailagastota mentions a person named Appa Mihindu. Mr. Wikramasinghe identifies him as the fourth King Mihindu, though Professor Senarath Paranavithana notes that Appa Mihindu in the inscription is not the fourth Mihindu. The inscription states that the mother of Appa Mihindu was Sangon Bisoragini, whereas the mother of the fourth King Mahinda was Devigon. Therefore, the Appa Mihindu mentioned here refers to Prince Mahinda, who initially went against the fourth King Kashyapa but was later reconciled by the intervention of monks, according to Professor Paranavithana.

Thus, it is evident that he governed Ruhuna under the king’s command and undertook various development activities there. The inscription mentions granting land to villages for the construction of the revered Udatisi site.

The inscription does not mention whether the gift was notified to or approved by the king. If an official acted on behalf of the king, evidence suggests the king would have been informed. This shows that the Adhipadha governing Rohana had authority over land grants within his jurisdiction. King Kashyapa carried out many religious activities, such as constructing viharas, granting land, and renovating damaged monasteries. He built hospitals in both Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa. Granting protection to all animals was also a notable act of this king.

According to the Mahavamsa, when considering the administrative activities of each king, it is clear that this king prioritized them highly. However, comparing the religious acts of the fourth King Kashyapa with his officials, it appears that his officials were ahead of the king in some respects. The royal officer Ilangaseṇa, born during the dynasty, built many viharas and granted lands, performing important religious duties, according to the Mahavamsa. He seems to have been more partial than the Dharmaruchi monks. Nevertheless, he also paid attention to other monasteries.

The Raksha Ametiya, Mahā Lekam Sēna, and Chola Raja Ametiya are recorded in the chronicles as having constructed Buddhist monasteries. The last-mentioned Ametiya seems to have been Tamil. This shows that Tamils, as Buddhists and followers of the Dhamma, were integrated into the society. These officials were powerful as wealthy elites. Several inscriptions from the period of King Kashyapa have been found across the island. One was discovered in Kantharōda, Jaffna, an ancient shrine site with various types of pious platforms. The inscription found here is a fragment, not a complete record.

The stupas and inscriptions at this location have been destroyed. In Ruhuna, the ruler Danav Malamadu granted lands to the Abhayagiri Vihara, according to the inscription. In Jaffna, much information has been lost due to damage to inscriptions. A fragment found at Kandurugoda Vihara had an inscription in Brahmi script, dating the origin of the site to the 3rd century BCE. Based on the above, the king mentioned in the inscription is identified as the fourth Kashyapa.

Another inscription was found in Horana, Kalutara region, at a place called Nuduru Welmilla, relating to a land grant. Further information about the king is included here. Another inscription was discovered at Mailagastota in Ruhuna, as previously mentioned. An important inscription was also found in Mannar, detailing grants to Nā Vihara and Raka Vihara. It mentions various state officials, identifying a special office called Mahaputuladda, who administered the Mahatiththavara there.

Although some inscriptions mention that the king was the brother of King Udaya, there is no mention of his father, Adhipadha Kashyapa, which raises questions. From the distribution of these documents, it is evident that the king’s commands were properly recognized across the island, from the far north to the south and west. During King Kashyapa’s reign, the country experienced major development. Many religious activities were performed by the king and officials due to this authority. The peaceful conditions throughout the country further confirm this. It appears that this state of affairs lasted for the entirety of the king’s reign, spanning around eleven years.