Dutugamunu the Great, also known as Duṭṭhagāmaṇī Abhaya, was a king of the Anuradhapura Kingdom who reigned from 161 BC to 137 BC. He is renowned for first uniting the whole island of Sri Lanka by defeating and overthrowing Elara, a Tamil trader from the Chola Kingdom, who had invaded the Anuradhapura kingdom in 205 BC. Dutugamunu also expanded and beautified the city of Anuradhapura and projected the power of the Rajarata kingdom across the island of Sri Lanka.
Statue of King Dutugamunu beside Ruwanwelisaya Stupa
KING DUTUGEMUNU (161 BC – 137 BC)
Ruwanveliseya, King Dutugamunu's most famous construction; it currently stands at over 90 metres in height and 91 diameter
Anuradhapura Kingdom, named for its capital city, was the second established kingdom in ancient Sri Lanka related to the Sinhalese people. According to the Mahāvaṃsa, it was founded by King Pandukabhaya in 437 BC, whose authority extended throughout the country.
The Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi today, to which the Kingdom was offered by Devanampiya Tissa.
Ambassador from Sri Lanka (獅子國 Shiziguo) to China (Liang dynasty), Wanghuitu (王会图), circa 650 CE
Ancient coins belonging to the Anuradhapura period on display at the museum of Anuradhapura.
Bronze imitation of a Roman coin, Sri Lanka, 4th-8th century
