| Nissanka Malla නිස්සංක මල්ල | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| King of Sri Lanka | |||||
 Statue of Nissanka Malla in the Dambulla cave temple | |||||
| Reign | 1187–1196 | ||||
| Predecessor | Mahinda VI | ||||
| Successor | Vira Bahu I | ||||
| Born | 1157 or 1158 Sinhapura, Kalinga | ||||
| Died | 1196 (aged 38–39) | ||||
| Consort | Kalinga Subadradevi Gangavamsa Kalyanamahadevi | ||||
| Wife | |||||
| Issue | Vira Bahu I | ||||
| |||||
| Dynasty | House of Kalinga | ||||
| Father | Jayagopa | ||||
| Mother | Parvati | ||||
| Religion | Theravada Buddhism | ||||
Nissanka Malla (Sinhala: නිස්සංක මල්ල), also known as Keerti Nissanka and Kalinga Lokesvara was a king of Polonnaruwa (Sri Lanka) who ruled the country from 1187 to 1196.[1] He is known for his architectural constructions such as the Nissanka Lata Mandapaya, Hatadage and Rankot Vihara, as well as for the refurbishment of old temples and irrigation tanks.
Nissanka Malla declared that only a Buddhist had the right to rule the country, thereby securing his position and justifying his claim for kingship. He spent large sums for various constructions and refurbishments, and also gave money to the public in an attempt to put down crimes. He maintained cordial relationships with several countries, and also invaded the states of the Pandyan and Chola dynasties in South India but the invasion failed.
- ^ "The largest dagoba in Polonnaruwa". Sunday Observer. 2005-05-08. Archived from the original on 2011-06-05. Retrieved 2009-04-11.