1604 AC - 1635 AC

After the death of King Vimaladharmasuriya I, it is recorded that two of his four sons had already died, while the remaining children were still very young. Because of this situation, the king arranged for his successor to be chosen from within the extended royal family.
He brought in his maternal uncle’s son, who had at that time taken monastic robes, and had him leave the Buddhist order. He was then given all the education and training required for kingship.
After the death of Vimaladharmasuriya I due to a severe fever, this prince ascended the throne as King Senarat (Senerat).
He married Queen Kusumasana Devi, the widow of his predecessor, and also took responsibility for raising her two sons and daughter.
During his reign, he effectively resisted repeated Portuguese invasions of the Kandyan Kingdom. One of the most significant victories attributed to this period is the Battle of Randeniwela (1630 CE), where the Portuguese forces suffered a major defeat.
Fearing future conflicts between his own sons and the sons of his relatives over succession, King Senarat decided to divide administrative authority among them during his lifetime:
This division was intended to maintain balance and prevent internal conflict within the royal family.
Isura Wickramarachchi
Mahawansa Pradeepikawa