The History of the Kingdom of Seethawaka

The Kingdom of Seethawaka is one of the most significant yet least recognized kingdoms in the history of Sri Lanka. Although much of its history has remained hidden over time, its remarkable legacy and heroic achievements have never lost their importance.

Following the Vijayabahu Kollaya (the Spoiling of Vijayabahu) in 1521, the youngest prince of the royal family, Prince Mayadunne, emerged as one of the greatest warriors in Sri Lankan history and established the Kingdom of Seethawaka. His two elder brothers were Bhuvanekabahu and Raigam Bandara. After the division of the kingdom, Mayadunne became the ruler of Seethawaka.

Mayadunne was a courageous and patriotic ruler with a strong military spirit. Determined to protect his country from foreign domination, he gradually expanded his kingdom and strengthened its power throughout his reign.

Meanwhile, King Bhuvanekabahu ruled from Kotte and maintained close relations with the Portuguese, receiving their military and political support. As a result, he became an ally of the Portuguese. In contrast, Mayadunne strongly opposed Portuguese influence and remained committed to protecting the independence of the country. Because of these opposing views, conflicts frequently arose between the two brothers.

Prince Tikiri Bandara, the son of King Mayadunne, later ascended the throne as King Seethawaka Rajasinghe. Following his father’s death, he became the ruler of the Kingdom of Seethawaka. Like his father—and perhaps even surpassing him—Rajasinghe became one of the most powerful military leaders in Sri Lankan history.

King Seethawaka Rajasinghe mastered various traditional martial arts, including Angampora, Ilangampora, and Maya Angam, as well as armed combat techniques, traditional medicine, military strategy, and the knowledge of mystical practices that were associated with warfare during that era. His exceptional military skills earned him a reputation as one of the finest warrior kings of his time.

He fought relentlessly against the Portuguese, inflicting heavy defeats upon them and preventing them from gaining control over much of the island. His military strength became so formidable that Portuguese commanders regarded him with great fear and respect.

Despite these achievements, several historical accounts portray King Seethawaka Rajasinghe as a tyrant. He has been described as a patricide, a ruler responsible for the execution of Buddhist monks, an opponent of Buddhism, and a king who neglected Buddhist temples and monasteries. However, when one examines the archaeological remains, historical sites, and surviving monuments of the Seethawaka Kingdom, many of these accusations appear questionable and are not fully supported by physical evidence.

One example is the Medagoda Pattini Devalaya, which is believed to have been established during the reign of King Seethawaka Rajasinghe. According to one tradition, the shrine was built as a memorial to one of the king’s queens after her death. Another tradition states that while the king was travelling by royal barge toward Ruwanwella, his vessel unexpectedly came to a halt. Nearby stood an abandoned shrine, and after offering prayers there, the vessel was able to continue its journey. In remembrance of this event, the shrine was restored and became known as the Medagoda Pattini Devalaya.

These traditions suggest that King Seethawaka Rajasinghe was not hostile toward religion. On the contrary, evidence indicates that he respected religious institutions and supported the construction and restoration of several shrines dedicated to deities such as Pattini and Saman. These surviving monuments challenge the common belief that he was entirely opposed to Buddhism or religious worship.