Abstract:
Dambadeniya is the third kingdom of ancient Ceylon. It was situated in the Udukaha
Western Korale of the Dambadeni Hatpattu in the Kurunegala district. As a result of the
invasion of Rajarata by the Indian invader Kalinga Magha, the natives of the country were
confronted with an unstable political atmosphere. Under the political upheaval in the regional
administration there sprang up a novel political hegemony centralizing at Dambadeniya
in the Mayarata. At first this place was chosen as a centre to establish his hegemony by
Vijayabahu Ill in 1232 A.D. Parakramabahu ll, Vijayabahu IV and Buwanekabahu I were
the successors of Vijayabahu Ill who ruled from Dambadeniya All these rulers belonged to
the Dambadeni dynasty.
Though Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa kingdoms survived for a long period of
time, Dambadeniya was held as a kingdom only for about forty years from 1232 to 1272
A.D. Even within this short epoch Dambadeniya acquired a prominent place as a centre of
royalty. Dambadeni rulers were able to confront successfully all three foreign invasions
carried out respectively by Kalinga Magha from South India, Chandrabanu from East
Asia and Pandya from South India. As a kingdom assoeiated with a number of important
occurrences of the country's history, it is important to study the historical significance of
the Dambadeniya Kingdom.
This inquiry was based on primary and secondary sources as well as on archaeological
surveys. The facts explored from the primary and secondary sources could be established
through the survey. All these facts and figures clearly testify that Dambadeniya kingdom
acquired an important place in Sri Lankan history.
