After a long period of instability among the royal lineages, a period of peace finally began following a power struggle. It appears that this new era commenced after Prince Manavamma, who defeated King Hunannaru Hatthadāṭha, ascended to the throne. It is clear from the Mahāvaṃsa that this prince was the son of a king who destroyed Thūpārāma, namely the second King Kaśyapa. He had a son named Māṇa, who took refuge with a princess named Sanghā, the daughter of King Malaya. In the Mahāvaṃsa copy seen by Mr. Geiger, the princess’s name is recorded as Sanghamāna. These events took place during the reign of the second King Kaśyapa, between 653–662 CE.

After King Kaśyapa’s death, the second Dāṭhōpatiṣṣa who ascended the throne became a supporter of Buddhism, though he did not consent to the succession of King Kaśyapa’s descendants.

Considering possible opposition from Dāṭhōpatiṣṣa, Prince Manavamma secretly resided in the northern region with his wife. Dāṭhōpatiṣṣa learned of this, and presumably attempted to capture the prince. On learning this, Manavamma fled to India. The Mahāvaṃsa states that Manavamma went into exile in Kaduveṭṭi country and served King Nārasiha. After forming a good relationship with this king, Manavamma returned to the island, bringing his wife and receiving support from King Nārasiha, residing in Dambadiva. The Mahāvaṃsa recounts a remarkable incident demonstrating the trust between the two.

One day, while the king was touring the city with Prince Manavamma, he was offered a coconut to drink. The king drank a little and gave the remainder to someone behind him, who turned out to be Prince Manavamma. When the prince drank it, he noticed the leftover coconut and drank it himself. The king did not consider this a wrongdoing. This act of drinking after the king, a gesture of humility and courtesy, made the two men extremely close friends.

The Mahāvaṃsa refers to King Nārasiha, and it is important to identify him. During this period, in southern India, the Pallava and Chalukya kingdoms were expanding. The Pallavas ruled Kanchipuram, the Vālukyas ruled Badami, and the Pāṇḍyas ruled Madurai, all striving to establish imperial authority. King Nārasiha is considered the first Nārasiha-varman of the Pallava lineage. The Mahāvaṃsa refers to Pallava territory as Kaduveṭṭi country, and traditional texts initially called the Pallavas Kāṭava. Later Dravidian literature refers to them as Kaduveṭṭikal, clearly identifying them as Pallavas. The Pallavas, originating from northern India, migrated southward to establish settlements. Initially, they used the Prakrit language, later becoming proficient in Sanskrit. Their first ruler was Siṃhavishṇu, who ended the Kalabhra rule and by the sixth century consolidated Pallava power with Kanchipuram as the capital.

After him, the throne passed to the first Nārasiha-varman prince. Prince Manavamma formed a friendship with this king, evident from their political cooperation. The Mahāvaṃsa records that Vallabha Rāya, a Vālukya king and second Pulakeśi, challenged King Nārasiha, and Prince Manavamma supported the Pallava king. After Nārasiha’s victory, he entered the city with Prince Manavamma and consolidated his ally. King Nārasiha arranged a force for Manavamma to help him secure the throne of Lanka. At this time, the island was ruled by Hatthadāṭha, the second Dāṭhōpatiṣṣa. As Prince Manavamma advanced with his army, King Dāṭhōpatiṣṣa fled, unable to confront him. The prince’s task was to assume the throne and defeat the enemy, but the enemy surrendered. Meanwhile, a rumor spread among the army that Manavamma suffered a severe illness. The Mahāvaṃsa’s verse on this has been interpreted differently in some accounts.

The army brought by Prince Manavamma is described as Tamil, following the Mahāvaṃsa’s convention of labeling all invaders as Tamil. The text states that the Tamil army departed after hearing of their leader’s severe illness—interpreted by some as referring to King Nārasiha, though it could also refer to Manavamma himself. Regardless, the Mahāvaṃsa makes it clear that this army was not defeated by enemies, and the throne was temporarily vacated. Having no other option, Prince Manavamma again fled to Dambadiva. His youth in India was spent during the reigns of the second Dāṭhōpatiṣṣa, fourth Aggabodhi, and Datta kings.

After Hatthadāṭha was overthrown, Prince Manavamma returned with an army, which was large. It appears that even from Dambadiva, he made alliances with some local powers and established considerable strength. Experienced in strategy, he advanced northward, gradually taking control of the country. The official in charge, Pottakuttha Senaviya, along with King Hunannaru Hatthadāṭha, confronted Manavamma, but the prince skillfully directed his forces and defeated both the army and the king. Hatthadāṭha, unable to resist, fled and died under the prince’s army. Pottakuttha fled to the Merukandara region, where his friend, a local leader, was present. This leader, loyal to Manavamma, poisoned himself along with his friend, eliminating potential threats. Consequently, Prince Manavamma secured the island and ascended the throne.

The Mahāvaṃsa provides incomplete details about Manavamma’s achievements. Some parts appear lost or missing, evident from the fact that the current Mahāvaṃsa text is preserved in four separate recensions, supporting this suspicion. Manavamma spent years overcoming foreign exile and internal strife, reestablishing a stable royal line that governed the country for several decades. His reign lasted approximately 35 years.

The Mahāvaṃsa mentions that during his reign, Manavamma engaged in pious deeds, including works at Kappagama and Seperniya, building residences at Thūpārāma for Paṃśukūlika monks, and other religious activities. Beyond these, no further details are recorded, though it is reasonable to assume that many administrative and developmental activities occurred during his long reign.

Peace was well maintained, with no internal unrest or foreign invasions recorded. The administration was well-organized, and Manavamma, having been familiar with the Pallava royal court, adapted to Pallava customs, including the use of Sanskrit, influencing Sinhala arts and architecture. It is believed that structures like Nalanda Gedige were associated with religious activities of Pallava officials. The Mahāvaṃsa also notes Pallava influences on script design, visible in Sinhala lettering and sculpture.

In summary, following about two centuries of instability, Prince Manavamma established a new royal lineage, bringing peace, stability, and administrative order. This period marked the beginning of the Anuradhapura era, a crucial epoch in the island’s history, and no inscriptions from his reign have survived. His rule lasted 35 years.