Vijayabahu III was the first King of Dambadeniya, who ruled from 1232- 1236. He was a member of the Sinhala Royal Family who began the Siri Sanga Bo dynasty, he was succeeded by his son Parakkamabahu II. Before he became the king of Dambadeniya, he was a ruler of a small province – a Vanni chieftain.^[1] Vijayabahu III brought the relic of the tooth of the Buddha to Dambadeniya – after it was hidden in Kotmale with the invasion of Kalinga Magha – and was placed in the Beligala Temple of Tooth.^[2] At that time, people of Dambadeniya considered the possession of the aforementioned relic, a clear indication that Vijayabahu III was the rightful King of Dambadeniya.

In Popular culture[edit]

In the 2013 film Siri Parakum directed by Somaratne Dissanayake, Palitha Silva played the role of Vijayabahu III.^[3]

See also[edit]

• List of Sri Lankan monarchs
• History of Sri Lanka

References[edit]

External links[edit]

• Kings & Rulers of Sri Lanka
• Codrington's Short History of Ceylon