Anuradhapura Kingdom Reign: 137 BCE - 119 BCE

King Saddhatissa

A great Sinhala king who ruled the Anuradhapura Kingdom from 137 BCE to 119 BCE. He was the son of King Kavan Tissa and the brother of the great King Dutugemunu.

Key Achievements

Successful rule of the Anuradhapura Kingdom
Continued the family legacy of King Kavan Tissa and King Dutugemunu
Contributed four sons to the royal lineage
Mentioned in history as a great Sinhala king

Biography of King Saddhatissa

King Saddhatissa was a great Sinhala king who ruled the Anuradhapura Kingdom from 137 BCE to 119 BCE. He was the son of King Kavan Tissa, who marked an important era in Sri Lankan history, and also the brother of the great King Dutugemunu, considered a hero in the history of Lanka. King Saddhatissa ascended to the throne after his brother’s death and worked to maintain the stability and prosperity of the Anuradhapura Kingdom.

Early Life and Family

Prince Saddhatissa was born to King Kavan Tissa and Queen Viharamahadevi. He was the younger brother of Prince Dutugemunu and grew up gaining a good understanding of royal family responsibilities and governance. His family background, especially the reigns of King Kavan Tissa and King Dutugemunu, must have provided him with essential experience and examples for state administration.

King Saddhatissa had four sons. They were:

Thulatthana
Lanjatissa (also known as Laminitissa)
Khallatanaga (He married Queen Anula and had a son named Mahachulika.)
Valagamba (also known as Vattagamani Abhaya or Valagam Aba)

These four sons were directly involved in the political affairs of the Anuradhapura Kingdom later, and several of them became kings.

Reign

King Saddhatissa ascended to the throne of the Anuradhapura Kingdom in 137 BCE, following the death of his brother, King Dutugemunu. He ruled the kingdom peacefully and successfully for approximately 18 years until 119 BCE. Being referred to as “a great Sinhala king” suggests that he made significant contributions to the stability of the state, religious devotion, and public welfare during his reign. Establishing peace and development in the country after King Dutugemunu’s military victories must have been a primary role for King Saddhatissa.

Legacy and Succession

After the death of King Saddhatissa, a rivalry for the throne arose among his sons. While his son Khallatanaga (also known as Ballatanaga) was ruling, the then military chief Khammarattaka (Maharattaka) killed him and ascended to the throne. Later, another son of King Saddhatissa, Valagamba (Valagam Aba), killed Khammarattaka and became king in 103 BCE. King Valagamba had two queens named Anula Devi and Soma Devi.

King Saddhatissa’s family was a major part of the ruling history of the Anuradhapura Kingdom, and his sons became prominent kings in Sri Lankan history. He followed the heroic era of King Dutugemunu and made significant contributions to the continued existence and stability of the Anuradhapura Kingdom.