Introduction
King Sri Veera Parakrama Narendrasinghe, also known as Sellam Nirindu or Prince Kundasale, is recorded in history as the last Sinhala king of the Sinhala royal dynasty. He ruled the Kandyan Kingdom for 32 years from 1707 to 1739 CE. He was the son of King Vimaladharmasuriya II. Ascending to the throne at the age of 17, King Narendrasinghe was known as a learned and devout ruler.
Early Life and Ascension to the Throne
Prince Sri Veera Parakrama Narendrasinghe was born as the son of King Vimaladharmasuriya II of the Kandyan Kingdom. It is stated that from a young age, he embraced Buddhism and grew up in the company of Buddhist monks. Following the demise of his father in 1707 CE, the seventeen-year-old prince ascended to the Kandyan throne under the name Sri Veera Parakrama Narendrasinghe. From then on, he successfully ruled the island of Lanka for 32 years.
Reign and Policies
King Narendrasinghe, like his predecessors, maintained peaceful relations with the Dutch invaders. He made a significant dedication, especially to the longevity of literature and religion. During his reign, he patronized many religious and literary activities, which is why he is considered a learned and devout ruler. The King’s chief queen, Queen Pramila, was a princess from the Nayakkar royal family in Madurai, South India.
Challenges Faced
The main challenge during the reign of King Sri Veera Parakrama Narendrasinghe was the excessive growth of power among the chieftain aristocracy in the Kandyan royal court. To mitigate this situation, the king granted positions in the Kandyan court to his relatives from the Nayakkar lineage. The king, who possessed deep knowledge and devotion to Buddhism, attempted to re-establish Upasampada (higher ordination) in the country from Burma, following the advice of Welivita Saranankara Thero, but this endeavor was unsuccessful.
The Story of Daskon
Daskon, considered a courtier of King Sri Veera Parakrama Narendrasinghe, is believed to have originated from the French name Pedro de Gascon. Born to a French father and a Portuguese mother, he was proficient in the Sinhala language. According to folklore, Daskon, who held the position of Maha Adikarama (Chief Minister) as a close friend of the king in 1709, had an illicit affair with Queen Pramila, one of the king’s Indian consorts. However, it is stated that he was later imprisoned and sentenced to death.
Demise and Royal Succession
Although King Sri Veera Parakrama Narendrasinghe married a South Indian princess, he passed away in 1739 CE without leaving an heir, as he had no children. Following his demise, the rule of the Sinhala royal dynasty ended, and Nayakkar lineage members ascended to the Kandyan throne. Thus, King Sri Veera Parakrama Narendrasinghe entered history as the last ruler to bear the crown of the Sinhala royal dynasty.