Alagakkonara (Sinhala: අලගක්කෝනාර, lit. 'Alagakkōnāra', Tamil: அழகக்கோன், lit. 'Aḻakakkōṉ, 'beautiful king' in Tamil[1][2]'), also known as Alakeshwara,[3] were a prominent feudal family that provided powerful ministers and military rulers during the medieval period in Sri Lanka. Some historians claim that the family was of Tamil origin, possibly from Madurai or Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu, India.[4] The family arrived in Sri Lanka around the 13th century and naturalized themselves in Sri Lanka.[5]
One member of the family is noted for founding the current capital of Sri Lanka, Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte as a fort from which he waged a war against encroaching tax collectors from the Jaffna kingdom in the north. The family lost most of its influence after its leader was taken captive by the Ming Dynasty (Chinese) Admiral Zheng He in 1411.[6][7]