Younger brother of Bhātikābhaya and king of Ceylon for twelve years (67-79 A.C.). He made a courtyard of kincikkha stones on plaster round the Mahā Thūpa, and built the Ambatthala thūpa, making it firm at the risk of his own life. He placed chairs for the preachers in all the vihāras of Ceylon, and laid out the grounds round Cetiyagiri, holding a great celebration called the Giribhandapūjā (q.v.). From the Kadambanadī to Cetiyagiri he laid carpets for the comfort of pilgrims. He built the Manināgapabbata, the Kalanda, the Samudda, and the Cūlānāgapabbata Vihāras, and gave land for the use of monks in Pāsānadīpaka and Mandavāpi Vihāras in gratitude for favours shown him by novices of these monasteries. He had two sons, Amandagāmani Abhaya and Kanirajānutissa, both of whom succeeded to the throne. Mhv.xxxiv. 68ff.; xxxv.l.9; Dpv.xxi.34.
He had a queen called Damiladevī (apparently a Tamil lady) who died young. AA.i.13.