Concise Mahavamsa Ruwan Rajapakse, P.E., Sinhalanet.com 1

Concise Mahavamsa Ruwan Rajapakse, P.E., Sinhalanet.com 75
After Silakala, his second son Dhathopabuti captured power. Silakala’s first son Moggallana rebelled
against Dhathopabhuti and defeated him.
Moggallana II: (547 AD – 567 AD)
After capturing power from Dhathopabhuti, Moggallana built a dam across the Kadamba river
(Malwathu Oya) and built three reservoirs. (Passapathanavapi, Dhanavapi and Garithara).
(Author’s Note: Passapathanavapi is identified to be Nachchaduwa reservoir just outside of the
city of Anuradhapura. This is a relatively large reservoir. As for the tradition of the locals of the
region, this reservoir was built by King Mahasen 300 years earlier. Probably Moggallana increased the
size of the reservoir).
King Moggallana ruled the country for twenty years. Moggallana was poisoned by his queen. She
then made her son, ruler of the country. At this time there were two cousins, Agghabodhi and
Mahanaga (Lambakannas) living in the country.
Mahanaga lived as a robber in the forest. He built a rebellious army and captured power.
Mahanaga: (586 AD – 589 AD)
Mahanaga after consecrating as King of the country made his cousin, Agghabodhi as Yuvaraja. (Next
in line to the throne). After Mahanaga, Agghabodhi became the King.
~Agghabodhi 1~
(589 AD – 623 AD)
King Agghabodhi conducted many meritorious deeds. He repaired the Lowa Maha Paaya and built
many Viharas. He built an oil pit near Sri Maha Bodhi to be used for lighting candles.
King Agghabodhi built the Nagapokuna in Chetiya Pabbatha. (Mihintale).
(Author’s Note: Naga Pokuna still exits in Mihintale).
He constructed the Mahindata reservoir. (Still exist near Mihintale).
King granted the village of Ratana to Unnavalli Vihara.
(Author’s Note: Here Mahavamsa mentions Ratnapura for the first time. Ratnapura was granted
to a Vihara known as Unnavalli. This vihara not yet identified).
King Agghabodhi constructed the Manimekhala dam.
(Author’s Note: Manimekhala dam today known as Minipe dam across Mahavali Ganga is one
of the greatest achievements of the ancient Engineers. It is no secret that river Mahavali would be
violent as any large river during monsoons and taming it would be a remarkable feat of Engineering
even for today’s Engineers. Huge stone slabs were cast to build a dam across Mahavali River. A
channel was constructed to transport water to numerous paddy fields in the region. According to the
famous Minipe slab inscription, the dam was constructed by a minister named Me Kit Na (or Megha