Mahasena of Anuradhapura

"King Mahasena" redirects here. For other uses, see Mahasena.
Mahasena
King of Anuradhapura
Reign277–304 CE
PredecessorJettha Tissa I
SuccessorSirimeghavanna
Names
Mahasena
DynastyHouse of Lambakanna I
FatherGothabhaya
ReligionMahayana Buddhism

Mahasena, also known in some records as Mahasen, was a king of Sri Lanka who ruled the country from 277 to 304 CE. He started the construction of large tanks or reservoirs in Sri Lanka,[1] and built sixteen such tanks.[2] After becoming king, Mahasena discriminated the Buddhists belonging to the Theravada-school and destroyed several of their temples including the Mahavihara (the main Theravada temple) before his chief minister led him to realise his mistakes.[3] He mended his ways and built the Jethavana stupa. Mahasena's countrymen regarded him as a god or deity (deva) after the construction of the Minneriya tank, he became known as Minneri Deviyo (God of Minneriya).

  1. ^ "Country Profile". The High Commission of Sri Lanka - Singapore. Archived from the original on 2008-06-25. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
  2. ^ Derrick Schokman (2004-03-20). "Exploring the Sigiri-bim". Daily News. Archived from the original on 2011-06-04. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference mahavamsa was invoked but never defined (see the help page).