Dutugemunu
Ancient King of Anuradhapura
- Nationality:
- Sri Lanka
- Category:
- Other
- Verified source:
- Wikipedia
Biography
Dutugemunu (161–137 BC) was an ancient Sri Lankan king of the Sinhalese kingdom of Anuradhapura. He is celebrated as one of the greatest heroes in Sri Lankan history for his defeat of the Chola king Ellalan and the unification of Sri Lanka under Sinhalese rule. His story is chronicled in the Mahavamsa, the great chronicle of Sri Lankan history. Dutugemunu is remembered for building the Ruwanwelisaya stupa, one of the most sacred Buddhist monuments in Sri Lanka. His victory over Ellalan is celebrated in Sri Lankan culture and has been the subject of numerous literary and artistic works. The annual Poson festival commemorates the arrival of Buddhism to Sri Lanka during his reign.
Awards & Honours
National Hero of Sri Lanka
