Devanampiyathissa (307 B.C - 267 B.C)

King Devanampiyathissa is one of the most popular kings in Ceylon. It was during his time that the Buddha Sasana was set up in the country.

King Dewanampiyathissa was a lover of hunting. One day when he went hunting with his Ministers, he saw Arahat Mahinda and four other Arahats on the summit of the Mihinthale rock. Arahath Mahinda ahad been sent to Ceylone to set up Buddha Sasana. Devanampiyathissa had been a pen friend of Arahath Mahinda's father, King Asoka of India. Because of his friendship, King Asoka later known as Dharmasoka thought of sending his son to spread Buddha Sasana in the island.

Soon King Devanampiyathissa become a Buddhist and all his Ministers embraced Buddhism. this was further spread and in time, the entire population embraced Buddhism.

King Devanampiyathissa had his authority up to the Jafna peninsula and was a righteous King. He built the first Dagoba in the country, which was known as thuparamaya. One can see the ruins of this Dagoba even today. The Maha Viharaya or the Bhikku chapter in Ceylone was also set up during his reign.

It is said in the Mahawamsa, three brothers by the name of Uttiya, Mahasiva and Suratissa become kings from time to time after the death of Devanampiyathissa. But they wear later defeated by two Tamils namely Sena and Guttika.