938 AC - 946 AC

After the third Udaya King, the throne was ascended by his crown prince, Sena Kumara. He is the third king known by that name. Although Sinhala chronicles describe him as the brother of King Udaya, the Mahavamsa is silent on this point. According to inscriptional evidence, he was the son of Prince Mihindu, who was the brother of King Sena II. According to the Kaludiya Pokuna inscription, he is referred to as Mahasen Maharaj, as noted by Mr. Paranavitana. Accordingly, if his father is recognized in the same inscription as Udama Maharaj (King Udaya), then he would be the second Udaya King, the brother of King Sena II. It is also evident that he had a vizier named Vidura. His mother was the queen of King Sena III. The information recorded in the inscriptions differs from that found in Sinhala manuscripts. However, inscriptional evidence is considered more reliable. Nevertheless, this identification depends on correctly recognizing that Mahasen was indeed King Sena III.
The king appointed as crown prince a prince who was his ally. This prince was named Udaya.
Details of the donations and activities conducted by this king are recorded in the chronicle.
These include giving wealth to the poor on Poya days, distributing eight measures of alms, offering gifts to the monks, and so forth. It is said that he gave forty thousand Kahawanu coins to build the Salapathara Maluwa at Abhayagiri Vihara. For economic development, he repaired broken tanks and irrigation channels, although these are not listed by name. The king’s decrees were accepted throughout the island. His inscription from a place called Welmilla in the Kalutara district provides evidence of this. During this period, the Malaya region was governed by an Amatiya (official) named Agbo. He also supervised the Nagarasala. The reign of King Sena III lasted nine years.