718 AC - 724 AC

As indicated in the previous section, we know that King Manavamma’s reign lasted approximately thirty-five years. The Mahāvaṃsa does not provide a clear answer regarding who succeeded him on the throne. Why? Because the next chapter of the Mahāvaṃsa begins with the meritorious deeds of the succeeding ruler, not immediately with the succession itself. However, this gap can be partially filled using Rajavaliya and Pujavaliya texts. The Mahāvaṃsa mentions that King Manavamma had four sons and four daughters, but no further details are provided there.
From the aforementioned texts, it is clear that the successor to King Manavamma was his son, Prince Aggrabodhi. Accordingly, based on the reconciled information from the Mahāvaṃsa, the prince who ascended the throne after King Manavamma should be recognized as Aggrabodhi. His reign lasted from 698–704 CE. He was the fifth king to bear this name.
According to the surviving accounts in the Mahāvaṃsa, the fifth King Aggrabodhi appears to have been a very virtuous and noble ruler. The Mahāvaṃsa states that he did not commit any improper acts, misuse of the treasury, or wrongful exploitation. He administered the kingdom in a thoroughly clean and righteous manner, which is an important characterization of his virtue.
This king likely inherited some influence and cultural exposure from his time living with his father in the Pallava kingdom, which would have familiarized him with royal protocol and Pallava traditions. Based on the accounts of his meritorious deeds, it is clear that his reign was prosperous and well-managed. He commissioned the construction of the main chamber (padhanaghara) at Gokanna Vihara, which corresponds to the present-day site of Koneshwaram Hindu temple in Trincomalee in the Eastern Province.
Additionally, by establishing monasteries and providing resources for monks across various regions of the island, it is evident that the king’s administration and religious guidance were widely recognized throughout the country. Due to gaps in the Mahāvaṃsa, other potentially important details about King Aggrabodhi, who continued the virtuous tradition of King Aggabodhi, have been missed. His reign lasted six years.