As detailed in the initial chapter, after Lokeshwara, the throne was again taken by Queen Lilawathi for the third time. Since that has already been explained, it is necessary to clarify about King Parakramabandu, who ascended the throne after she was removed. According to the Mahavamsa, King Parakramabandu was a Pandya ruler, and he came here with a Pandya army, removed Queen Lilawathi from the throne, and Parakramaseneviya seized the kingdom. However, no further details about this are found in other sources. According to the Dathavamsa, the prince trained as an expert for governance is believed by Samarakoon to refer to him. Yet, there is no evidence for this. Considering that he reigned for about three years, this is significant given the circumstances of that period.

The king who overthrew Parakramabandu, gouged out his eyes, and seized the throne was Magha, a prince of Kalinga. Magha is described as a very cruel ruler in every local record. According to accounts composed close to his reign, as described in the Pujavaliya, these reports cannot be dismissed as exaggeration. No invader who came to Lanka before Magha acted with such cruelty toward the people and the religion of the country.

It is clear from sources that earlier invaders, after assuming rulership, followed a lenient policy as patrons of the traditional Buddha Dhamma. However, Kalinga King Magha evidently followed a completely different path. Moreover, he behaved extremely cruelly toward the local population. For this reason, no favorable accounts of him appear in the sources. Some historians suggest that because Magha acted against Buddhism, chroniclers tried to record him with disfavor. Yet, this is a mistaken notion, as prior invaders were recorded truthfully.

Among the sources documenting Magha’s activities, the Mahavamsa and Pujavaliya hold a special place. The Mahavamsa states:

"Quickly, committing extremely violent and intense sinful deeds against the people of Lanka, leaving the gods appointed for Lanka’s protection to their own devices, with false views settled upon, committing wicked acts in the land, he, Magha, a lawless ruler born of the Kalinga dynasty, with 3,000 warriors, seized Lanka and dominated it."

According to Sri Sumangala Nahimi (Batuwantudaawa, Pandita translation, Mahavamsa), this description clearly illustrates Magha’s cruel actions. Upon arriving in Lanka, Magha brought 3,000 soldiers, as recorded in the Rajaratnakara according to the Mahavamsa, though the Pujavaliya gives the number as 20,000. The army he brought is described in the Mahavamsa as “Malla warriors.” The Nikaya Sangraha mentions that Magha bore the prior name Kalinga Vijayabahu, showing that he belonged to the Kalinga royal lineage.

The Kalinga rulers in Lanka during the Polonnaruwa period generally acted as Buddhists, but Kalinga Magha harassed the Buddhists. Temples were provided only as residences for his soldiers. Because of this, monks devoted to Buddhist scholarship since the reign of Parakramabahu hid sacred relics like the Dalada and went to Chola and Pandya countries for safekeeping. A significant point here is that despite the internal chaos in the Polonnaruwa kingdom until Magha’s arrival, these sacred objects were preserved.

The Mahavamsa also mentions Jayabahu, an assistant to Magha. As noted above, the Nikaya Sangraha refers to Magha also by the name Kalinga Vijayabahu. It is possible that Jayabahu was a separate king, perhaps another Kalinga prince who shared in Magha’s reign. An inscription found at the ancient Gokanna temple in Trincomalee mentions a date corresponding to RA. W. 1223, which, if calculated correctly, falls between RA. W. 1215–1236, corresponding to Magha’s reign.

Upon his arrival in Lanka, Magha brought 3,000 soldiers, as per the Mahavamsa, though the Pujavaliya records 20,000. His army likely comprised Kerala warriors, as indicated by the Mahavamsa. He was of the Kalinga lineage, and both he and Vodaganga Devat were Kalinga rulers. During the 12th–13th centuries, Kalinga had come under the influence of Vishnu worship, so the royal family was likely affected by that. This may explain Magha’s hostility toward the Buddhist Sangha. His chief general, Manabharana, is mentioned in the chronicles.

Magha’s authority did not extend across the entire island. Sources provide a list of locations where his army established camps. According to the Mahavamsa, these places—Polonnaruwa, Kottasar, Gangathalak (Kantalai), Padiratt (Padaviya), Mahatittha (Matota), Sookarathittha (Kayts)—show that his power was confined to the Rajarata region. Due to his cruel oppression, he could not gain the people’s favor, and many fled to fortified areas in Ruhunu and Malayarata.

Among the events mentioned, sources also record two commanders devoted to protecting the country and religion. Subha Senaviya, based in Subha Pabbatha (Jaffna), was prominent. He established a fortress and lived in Alakamandawa, protecting the Sangha while repelling Kerala forces. Bhuwanekabahu, another leader, established a fort at Pabbatha (Goviheu Hela) and protected Rohana and the Sangha. The Mahavamsa calls him Adipada, indicating he held royal authority. Sankha Chumpati, another subordinate, established forts along rivers and mountains, protecting the country and the Sangha, ignoring enemy threats.

Shortly before Magha’s invasion, the regional power in this area under Queen Kalyanawathi was Bhaama Senapati. The two Sankha Bhama mentioned may refer to the same person. These details indicate that Magha’s authority did not extend into Maya, Malaya, and Rohana regions. Local independent rulers controlled those areas. Magha’s rule disrupted social life and the economy. Buddhist institutions were endangered. Yet the people’s resilience remained intact. While they resisted the invaders, they lacked effective leadership. They faced Magha’s forces with determination.

The Mahavamsa records Magha’s reign as 21 years, whereas the Pujavaliya mentions 22 years. This is more credible, as the Pujavaliya was composed closer to the events.

The Polonnaruwa period began facing the Chola invasion, which started the collapse of royal governance. After the first Vijayabahu expelled the Cholas, order was restored. Parakramabahu I brought unity and development across the country, resulting in cultural flourishing. After him, internal changes led to the country falling into chaos. Rulers like Nisshankamalla and Kalyanawathi achieved some governance, but these were temporary. Dynastic struggles, ambitions for the throne, court rivalries, and the ambitious activities of generals weakened the Polonnaruwa kingdom, which Kalinga Magha destroyed. The second capital of Polonnaruwa was devastated and could not be rebuilt in proper time due to Magha’s invasion.