Sri Lanka was ruled by 181 kings from the Anuradhapura to Kandy periods. After 1815 the entire nation was under British colonial rule and armed uprisings against the British took place in the 1818 Uva Rebellion and the 1848 Matale Rebellion. Independence was finally granted in 1948 but the country remained a Dominion of the British Empire.
In 1972 Sri Lanka assumed the status of a Republic. A constitution was introduced in 1978 which made the Executive President the head of state. The Sri Lankan Civil War began in 1983, including an armed youth uprising in 1987–1989, with the 25 year-long civil war ending in 2009.
Chronological List Of Rulers Of Ancient Sri Lanka
Different historical documents may give the slightly different years in which each ruler reigned. Therefore even today various books and publications may give different years of reigns for various rulers. The information below is compiled from the following documents,
Mahavamsa -translation by Wilhelm Geiger, Rajavaliya, A Short history of Sri Lanka by H. W. Codrington
Ruler Details
Period
Tambapanni
Vijaya Arrived in Sri Lanka from India
543-505 BC
Upatissa A minister of Vijaya. Vijaya had no children from Pandi Queen*
??
Vijitapura
Panduvasdeva Son of Sumitta. Vijayas own brother who came from Sagala - India. Upatissa gave the crown to him when he arrived in Sri Lanka.
504-474 BC
Abhaya Son of Panduvasdeva
474-454 BC
Anuradhapura
Pandukabhaya Abhaya's Sisters son. Killed 9 uncles and became the king.
437-367 BC
Ganatissa Son of Pandukabhaya*
(40 years)*
Mutasiva Son of Ganatissa
367-307 BC
Devamnampiyatissa Son of mutasiva
250-210 BC
Arrival of the Great Mahinda Thero and introduction of Bhuddhism to Sri Lanka.
250 BC
Arrival of Theri Sanghamitta with a branch of the original Sri Maha Bodhi in India
249 BC
Uttiya Brother of Devamnampiyatissa
??
Mahasiva Brother of Devamnampiyatissa
??
Suratissa Brother of Devamnampiyatissa
??
Sena and Guttgaka Indian Invaders
??
Asela Youngest brother of Devamnampiyatissa
??
Elara Tamil invador form Chola country in India. Killed King Asela
205-161 BC
Dutugamunu Son of King Kavanthissa of Ruhuna and queen Vihara Maha Devi. Kavanthissa is a brother of Devamnampiyatissa
161-131 BC
Saddhatissa Brother of Dutugamunu
137-119 BC
Thulatthana Second son of Saddhatissa
119 BC
Lanjatissa Elder son of Saddhatissa who ousted Thulatthana
119-109 BC
Khallata Naga
109-104 BC
Vattagamini Abaya Youngest son of Saddhatissa
104 BC
Pulahatta One of the seven South Indian Tamil Invaders who defeated Vattagamini Abaya. Two went back and other five stayed back and killed each other for the throne.
104-101 BC
Bahiya Bahiya was the commander of Pulahatta's troops. Slew Pulahatta and took the throne
101-99 BC
Panayamara Panayamara was the commander in chief of Bahiya's troops. Slew Bahiya and took the throne
99-92