Dharmapala of Kotte

Dharmapala
King of Kotte
Reign1551 – 27 May 1597
PredecessorBhuvanekabahu VII
SuccessorRajasinha I of Sitawaka
Born1541
Royal Palace, Kotte
Died27 May 1597 (aged 55/56)
Portuguese Fort, Colombo
Burial
St. Francis Shrine, Colombo 01. (now - President's House)
ConsortDona Isabella
Dona Margarida
Dona Catherina
IssuePrincess Alingosse queen consort of King Bayinnaung[1]
Names
Dom João Dharmapala Peria Bandara
HouseHouse of Siri Sanga Bo
DynastyKingdom of Kotte
FatherLord Veediya Bandara
MotherCrown Princess Samudra Devi
ReligionRoman Catholicism
prev. Theravada Buddhism
SignatureDharmapala's signature

Dharmapala or Dom João Dharmapala Peria Bandara (1541 – 27 May 1597) was the last king of the Kingdom of Kotte, in present-day Sri Lanka, from 1551 until 27 May 1597. He is also known as Dom João Dharmapala, the first Christian king in Sri Lankan history.[2][3] He is widely despised by the majority of Buddhist Sinhalese for having betrayed his religion of birth i.e., Buddhism and converting to the religion of the foreign conquerors, who carried a reign of terror. Dharmapala allowed Buddhist Temples in his Kingdom, including the highly venerated Temple of Kelaniya to be ransacked and burnt down by the Portuguese.

  1. ^ (Maha Yazawin Vol. 3 2006: 35): New moon of Thadingyut 934 ME = 24 September 1573
  2. ^ Fernando, Mario (2007). Spiritual Leadership in the Entrepreneurial Business: A Multifaith Study. Edward Elgar Publishing. ISBN 9781847208613. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
  3. ^ "Portuguese encounter with King of Kotte in 1517". Denis N. Fernando. Retrieved 15 October 2015.