Thammanna Nuwara
Upatissa Nuwara
Anuradhapura
Anuradhapura Chola
Ruhuna
Polonnaruwa
Dambadeniya
Yapahuwa
Kurunegala
Gampola
Kotte
Sitawaka
Kandy
Portuguese
Dutch
British
Monarch of Ceylon
122
King Udaya III
Kingdom of Anuradhapura
935 AC - 938 AC

After the seventh Dappula King, the throne was ascended by the crown prince Udaya (935–938). He is the third king known by that name. According to inscriptions, his father was Mihindu Adipada, the younger brother of King Sena II. His coronation name was Sirisagabo. A prince named Sena served as the crown prince during his reign.

The first report of a conflict during the reign of the third Udaya King is recorded as follows: those who feared the king fled to the Tapovana (monastic forest). The king and crown prince went there and beheaded them. As a result, the monks residing in the Tapovana were disturbed and fled to Rohana. The local people and the army also became furious and caused commotion. Those who ascended to the Ratnaprasada were recorded as beheading the guilty officials. The chronicle does not provide a clear explanation of this incident. There were some opposed to Udaya Prince’s accession to the throne. A member of the royal council, frightened by the internal conflict, sought refuge in the monastic forest. The king’s action toward this place did not follow the appropriate protocol for a ruler.

From ancient times, it was a law that anyone who had committed a crime and sought sanctuary in monastic lands could not be subjected to force within that land. However, after leaving the monastic area, apprehension was permitted. Villages that served the monasteries were also granted privileges under this law. Violation of these rules was considered a grave offense. King Udaya’s actions constituted a serious breach of this law. According to precedent, breaking the law was considered an offense whether done by the king or a citizen. The established order was that no one could be exempt from the accepted law.

Because of the king’s illegal actions, the Mahasangha, the army, and other officials became greatly disturbed. The Mahavamsa states that the people of the districts and the city were filled with wrath, like a turbulent ocean. The severity of the act against the monastery is reflected in this. Because the army threatened the king with death, he took refuge in Ratnaprasada at Abhayagiriya. The crown prince and another prince attempted to escape but were captured by the army. The princes went to the border of Rohana up to the Kalu Ganga, then returned. This incident shows that the crown prince and the Adipada could have wielded considerable influence during this struggle. Both were greatly shaken afterward. They went to the monks in Rohana, cried out, sought forgiveness, and were received and brought back to Anuradhapura. The Mahasangha mediated to calm the anger of the people and the army. What could have become a serious riot was prevented by the intervention of the Mahasangha. All monks who had gone to Rohana returned to Anuradhapura. The king went ahead to welcome them and requested their forgiveness. In this way, order was restored. The Mahavamsa notes that the king then lived peacefully. The king’s reign lasted three years.

Among the inscriptions belonging to the period of the third Udaya King, one found near Maiyangana at a place called Hopitigamu is significant. Earlier kings had traveled across the country, observing the welfare and grievances of the people. King Udaya also traveled in this manner and came to Maiyangana Vihara. Hopitigamu was a large market. Previous kings had established a regulatory framework for this market. According to the inscription mentioning “Sathalos Piriniviyan Vahanse,” it is clear that this refers to the fourth Kasup King. Complaints were brought to King Udaya by traders and employees regarding violations of regulations, such as arbitrary pricing of goods. The market superintendent and his staff are identified as the culprits. Punishment for these offenses, such as fines and collection of dues, was imposed.

The complaint was examined, and according to precedent, the king ordered that market activities should continue without violating the law. This written inscription provides an excellent description of the management and administration of a pre-modern market in Lanka. Punishments were imposed on those who committed offenses. One example was imposing fines on traders on a Poya day. The fine was in the form of oil. According to the inscription, the fine oil was to be offered during the lamp ceremony at Maiyangana Vihara. Opening shops on Poya days was prohibited. Professor Senerat Paranavitana assigns this inscription to the period of the fourth Udaya King, although some attribute it to the third Udaya King. King Udaya, who caused serious problems, ruled for three years.

Home | Era | Colony | Dynasty | Works | The Book | About | Contact
Copyright © www.mahawansaya.com All rights reserved. Copying or unauthorized use is prohibited. 2009 / 2026