The Yapahuwa Kingdom, despite its impressive fortifications, could not withstand the might of the Pandyan Empire. Following the death of King Buvanekabahu I, a Pandyan army led by the general Aryacakravarti invaded the island, bringing an end to Yapahuwa’s brief period of glory.
The Fall of the Rock Fortress
The invasion was swift and decisive. The Pandyans breached the defenses of Yapahuwa, capturing the citadel that had been designed to be impregnable. The fall of the fortress was a major blow to the Sinhalese kingdom, forcing the abandonment of the capital.
The Loss of the Relic
The most devastating consequence of the invasion was the capture of the Sacred Tooth Relic. The Pandyans seized the relic and carried it off to Madurai in South India. For the Sinhalese people, this was a catastrophe, as the possession of the Tooth Relic was seen as essential for the legitimacy of the king.
The Aftermath
The loss of the relic led to a period of political instability. It would take several years of diplomatic negotiations by the next king, Parakramabahu III, to recover the sacred object and restore it to the island, marking the beginning of the Kurunegala period.