Thammanna Nuwara
Upatissa Nuwara
Anuradhapura
Anuradhapura Chola
Ruhuna
Polonnaruwa
Dambadeniya
Yapahuwa
Kurunegala
Gampola
Kotte
Sitawaka
Kandy
Portuguese
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Monarch of Ceylon
46
King Vankanasika Tissa
Kingdom of Anuradhapura
109 AC - 112 AC

After King Vasabha, who initiated large-scale irrigation works, promoted cultivation, and carried out many religious activities for the development of Buddhism, his son, Prince Vankabhadhitissa, is said to have ascended the throne according to the Mahavamsa. However, the Rajaratnakara tells a different story. As it states: "King Vahap (Vasaha) came on a full moon day and built monasteries such as Pelala Vihara and Kelapav Dehera," and so on. His name Mal Vathanæhati is mentioned there, yet it does not refer to him as a king.

The Rajavaliya does not give information about the eight kings who ruled from King Kanirajanutissa to King Vasabha, but it does mention King Vankanāsikatis̄sa. This king is named Tissa, and the epithet “Vankanāsika” (or Vakk Nāhayā) is applied—though it is unclear whether this refers to some physical characteristic of his nose. It is evident that this humorous name was not used during his lifetime. The inscriptions of King Vankanāsikatis̄sa have survived only in limited form. In all these inscriptions, he is recorded as Sīsamaṇs̄a. Generally, it seems that the kings of the Lambakarna dynasty did not use the title “Viruda.”

The Mahavamsa notes that King Vankanāsikatis̄sa’s queen was very illustrious. As described in the previous chapter, after it was announced that a person named Vasabha would become king, for the protection of a good king, his daughter was appointed as a caretaker (Iṭṭhakavakī). The caretaker brought food to the Mahavihara. On the way, she encountered the revered Thera named Nirōdha Sambhavit and gave him rice. Later, upon returning home, she again brought cooked food for the revered Thera, inquiring about the cause of his joy and continued to serve him. Seeing the prince’s excellence, she was highly honored.

When King Vasabha was young, he was advised to seek a suitable princess for his son. Upon learning of her, a message was sent to the caretaker. He revealed all the details and handed over the princess to the king. The king entrusted her to his son. This is recorded both in the Enawamsa and in its commentary.

Among the deeds of King Vankanāsikatis̄sa was the construction of a vihara named Mahasinghala on the banks of the Gonga River. “Gonandadiya” is the old name used to refer to Kala Oya, and during contemporary restoration, it was identified as near the Tawatala mountain. An inscription there states that the royal son, Tisaraja, of King Vasabha, was responsible for a vihara. Tisaraja is identified as King Vankanāsikatis̄sa. Although the inscription does not mention the vihara, the location corresponds to the description in the Ohavamsa. His queen (Mahamatta) collected funds for a vihara in that place. The Mahavamsa records that this king passed away.

During his reign, a foreign invasion occurred, as detailed in the Rajavaliya. However, this is not mentioned in the Mahavamsa. Sources like the Pujavaliya and Rajaratanakara record this event. As mentioned above, during King Vasabha’s time, South India, particularly the Chola region, was becoming powerful. Therefore, during King Vankanāsikatis̄sa’s reign, there may have been attempts at invasion.

It appears that no significant conflict occurred during his rule. His reign lasted only about three years, and he seems to have died naturally. According to chronicles, he ascended the throne at an adult age. If he was born in the first year of Vasabha’s reign, he likely became king around the 44th year. Although sources do not confirm this, inscriptions suggest that the reign of Prince Vankanāsikatis̄sa was possibly divided among several regions.

An inscription found near present-day Habessa in Rohana mentions a ruler named Uththara, son of the northern king, overseeing a domain. There is no other record identifying this Uththara. However, it is noted that a golden stupa dedicated to the northern king’s son exists, which is supported by the Samantapasadika. Since this stupa is said to have been established in the Tuladhara mountain vihara in Ruhuna, it seems plausible that Uththara was a son of King Vasabha.

Further, inscriptions from Leledorugala mention two rulers, Dobhatiya, and a local governor named Salaya performing rituals at a vihara named Hulut. Here, “two brothers” is implied. According to Dr. Senarath Paranavitana, this indicates that after King Vasabha’s death, his two sons ruled different regions in a peaceful and cooperative manner.

From the above, it appears that during King Vankanāsikatis̄sa’s reign, there was no weakness in governance. Though the Mahavamsa does not mention it, the Rajavaliya clearly records a Chola invasion, where 12,000 people were captured. Sources like Pujavaliya and Rajaratanakara also briefly mention this. This invasion may have been possible due to internal weaknesses in the kingdom, but the invaders did not remain; their activity was limited to seizing human resources. The king’s reign lasted about three years.

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