Thammanna Nuwara
Upatissa Nuwara
Anuradhapura
Anuradhapura Chola
Ruhuna
Polonnaruwa
Dambadeniya
Yapahuwa
Kurunegala
Gampola
Kotte
Sitawaka
Kandy
Portuguese
Dutch
British
Monarch of Ceylon
48
King Mahallaka Naga
Kingdom of Anuradhapura
134 AC - 140 AC

After the rule of King Gajabahu Gamani, the throne was ascended by Prince Mahallakanaga. The Mahavamsatika indicates that he acted as a subordinate to King Gajabahu. In Sinhala chronicles, including the Nikaya Sangraha, he is mentioned as Mahallumana. According to the Mahavamsa, it appears that he was a relative of King Gajabahu. However, according to the Pujavaliya, he is referred to as Massina. This is a point of confusion. If King Gajabahu had married the daughter of Mahallakanaga, then, according to the Mahavamsa, it would be incorrect. If a sister of King Gajabahu had been taken by King Mahallakanaga, then, according to the Pujavaliya, it would also be incorrect. It is possible that the records of two chronicles were altered concerning just one side of this matter. The ancient term “Suhruba Badu” may have been misinterpreted as “sasu” due to a textual error, which should also be considered.

Nevertheless, it is clear from inscriptions that King Mahallakanaga was the son of the northern king’s son and the maternal uncle of King Vasabha.

During his reign, there is no evidence of any domestic or foreign conflict or other major issues. His orders were accepted uniformly throughout the country, as is evident from his inscriptions found in various regions of the island.

The Mahavamsa records that King Mahallakanaga constructed seven viharas. The names of these viharas are Pelaka, Kotapabbatha, Dakapasana, Salipabbatha, Tanaveli, Thobbalanaga Pabbatha, and Girinalika. Among these, the Salipabbatha Vihara was located in Nagadeepa. According to the Rajaratnakara, the Abhayatura Mahavihara (Abhayagiri Vihara) was also constructed by King Mahallakanaga. However, this cannot be fully accepted; perhaps he performed some other function in that vihara. According to the description in the Mahavamsa, he is regarded as a person of minor significance. Apart from the account of meritorious deeds, no other details about him are mentioned there.

Five inscriptions from King Mahallakanaga’s period have been found in different parts of the island. These inscriptions provide information regarding offerings and rituals performed at viharas. The Timmanankanda inscription states that he constructed tanks at Paplak, Palaaviya, and Manikargama for the vihara. The Thimbiriwewa inscription includes details of a ritual performed by an official on the twelfth day of the month during the king’s reign. The Ruwanmali Seiya inscription shows that he deposited forty-four stones at the site. Another important point is that the ritual was performed by a devotee nun, which is clearly stated.

According to the Habessa inscription, while King Mahallakanaga acted as a sub-king in Ruhuna, he constructed a channel at the Mahavihara. This vihara may correspond to the Tholnaga Pabbatha Vihara, which he commissioned.

The reign of King Mahallakanaga lasted six years.

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