Thammanna Nuwara
Upatissa Nuwara
Anuradhapura
Anuradhapura Chola
Ruhuna
Polonnaruwa
Dambadeniya
Yapahuwa
Kurunegala
Gampola
Kotte
Sitawaka
Kandy
Portuguese
Dutch
British
Monarch of Ceylon
182
King Mayadunne
Kingdom of Sitawaka
1551 AC - 1581 AC

Mayadunne was born in 1501 CE in the city of Kotte within the Kingdom of Kotte. Due to disputes over royal succession—particularly the attempt to grant kingship to the prince of the king’s second queen—his father, King Vijayabahu VI, was killed, and the three princes seized control of the kingdom.

As a result, the Kingdom of Kotte was divided into three parts.

Later, when King Bhuvanekabahu VII ruled Kotte, he attempted to pass the throne to his grandson instead of following traditional succession. This again led to renewed conflict, forcing King Mayadunne to fight for what he considered his rightful claim.

After the death of Bhuvanekabahu VII, Don Juan Dharmapala was crowned King of Kotte. Upon hearing this, Mayadunne marched with an army to capture Kotte, but he was repelled by the commander of the Kotte forces, Vidiye Bandara, who was also the father of Dharmapala.


Portuguese Involvement and the Sitawaka Campaigns

The Kotte administration, with the assistance of a Portuguese commander (Viceroy), launched attacks against the Kingdom of Sitawaka. These invasions caused significant destruction, and large sums of money and treasures were taken to Portugal.


Rise of Popular Support and Wars

Due to increasing injustices against Buddhists and the local population, many people began to support King Mayadunne. With this growing popular support, Mayadunne, together with his heroic son Tikiri Bandara (Prince Rajasingha), continued his military campaigns and eventually gained control over parts of the Kotte Kingdom.

One of the most significant victories was the Battle of Mulleriyawa (1562 CE), led by Prince Tikiri Bandara, where the Portuguese suffered a major defeat.


Death of Mayadunne

King Mayadunne, who spent his entire life fighting for his claim to the throne, died in 1581 CE.

Portuguese writers described him as a king who lived long with the sole purpose of resisting and avenging the Portuguese presence.

Although some versions of the Mahavamsa suggest that he was killed by his son Rajasingha, modern historians largely reject this interpretation.

Isura Wickramarachchi
Mahawansa Pradeepikawa

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