946 AC - 954 AC

The throne after the third Sena King was ascended by the prince named Udaya. He served as the crown prince of King Sena and is also known by that name as the fourth king. The crown prince of this king was a prince named Sena. Although no mention is made of a vizier, the Mahavamsa notes an inner palace official named Vidura. Neither the chronicle nor any other Sinhala documents mention who the third Udaya King was. As initially observed, it seems that the Mahavamsa was not interested in clarifying the succession of several other kings who ascended the throne during this period. However, for historians, the gaps can be filled through inscriptions. According to earlier recollections, an inscription from a village called Welmilla in the Kalutara District mentions a prince named Udama Mahaya (Udaya Mahadhipa), son of a king named Sirisangabodhi Kasub. This king is identified as the fourth Kasub King. He was also the brother of King Sena II. Udama Mahaya refers to the fourth Udaya King.
It appears that King Udaya was the first crown prince to wear the robes in Anuradhapura and took control of the southern region. During that period, it is evident that the Welmilla region of Pahabunu was under his administration. A significant event during his reign was the invasion of the country by the Cholas. As described in the first paragraph, when the Cholas invaded the Pandya country, King Rajasingha, the ruler there, could not face war and brought royal goods to this island. This occurred during the reign of the fourth Dappula King. Although Rajasingha sought assistance from the king of this country to fight for his independence, he could not obtain it and left the royal goods here for the Pandya country.
Initially, the first Pandya King attacked the Pandya country. It appears that he was able to completely subjugate that land during these battles. Afterwards, he needed to establish peace in the country before receiving his coronation in the Pandya land. However, at that time, the necessary royal goods were available only in Lanka, so they had to be obtained first.
The Mahavamsa states that the fourth Udaya King was a lazy and indulgent drinker. In Sri Lankan history, this is the first recorded instance of alcohol entering the royal palace. This vice, which brings ruin to both an individual and society, had not previously existed in the royal palace. During the battle of King Dutugemunu, liquor was poured into the Kadolathu tank. Even though the rival Suranimala Rabi was present for the competition, no one else drank. Although one may doubt whether alcohol was used widely in society, evidence is scant. One story mentions a livelihood worker named Pandaranga who spent a night with a jug of Rabi and went to the lake in the morning to catch fish. Several other occasions regarding Rabi are also recorded in inscriptions. However, the entry of alcohol into the royal palace led to the ruin of the country.
As seen above, the condition of the country caused by King Udaya’s drinking was known to the Chola ruler. He planned to take advantage of the situation as a ruler. The perfect opportunity left to him was the royal goods left by Rajasingha, the Pandya king. To receive his coronation, the Pandya king sent a message to the king of this island to deliver these goods. The fourth Udaya King, intoxicated by drink, sat idly on the throne. He forgot to respond to the request of the Chola king. Taking advantage of this, the Pandya king invaded Lanka. This was the first Chola invasion of this era.
When the army sent by the Pandya arrived in Lanka, the king’s commander was away in a remote region suppressing a rebellion in the outlying province. King Udaya immediately called him and sent him forward to face the enemy. However, the commander died in the battle. There was nothing the king could do. The king fled to Ruhuna with the royal goods and valuables. Although the Chola army captured the king, they could not enter Ruhuna and returned empty-handed. However, it is evident that they subjugated the royal territory. This raises the question: if so, why did the Chola army leave without staying?
In fact, by that time, the Chola king was not in a position to invade and occupy a country. Due to political conflicts in India, the empire he had built began to collapse. A powerful invader from northern India, the third Krishna Rashtrakuta, attacked the Chola empire. In the battle of Takkolam, the Pandya crown prince also died. This required the Pandya king to employ his full strength to face the enemy. As a result, he could not allocate forces for battle in Lanka, and the army he sent retreated.
The Mahavamsa states: “In Ekanli, the Lankaendra, who was noble and strong, the leader named Viduragga was appointed commander. He brought the items destroyed by the Chola king’s outpost (Pachchantam).” It is unclear what this Pachchantam refers to—whether a location in India or a region in Lanka. Earlier, it was noted that a certain monastery had been disturbed during the Chola invasion. The commander Senaviya, who came immediately to suppress the rebellion and went to battle with the Cholas, died. In this context, it is doubtful whether the newly appointed Viduragga Senaviya had sufficient strength under a weak king to invade India. Accordingly, it can be considered that Pachchantam refers to the northern region where the invading Chola groups were stationed. It was under the Chola king but was immediately liberated by the Sinhalese.
After the royal territory was freed from the Cholas, King Udaya returned from Ruhuna once again. The Mahavamsa also records some of his religious activities. He showed consideration to the Dipavasi Pansukulika monks. A floating golden canopy was made over the image at Mahavihara. The construction of the Mani-Prasad commissioned by the Chola king was started.
Inscriptions from this king’s period are rare. Professor Senarat Paranavitana states that the Hopitigama inscription mentioned in the first paragraph belongs to his era. According to him, it was erected during the journey back to the capital after fleeing to Ruhuna in fear of the Cholas and restoring order. There is no evidence in the sources that any developmental work took place in the country during the reign of the fourth Udaya King, who opened the door to a Chola invasion. His reign lasted eight years.