King Siri Meghavanna

Siri Meghavanna (Kithsiri Mevan): (304 – 332 AD) 

After the death of King Mahasen, his son Siri Meghavanna came to power. He gathered Mahavihara 

bhikkus and asked them how he could rectify the damage caused by his father. Mahavihara bhikkus 

stated that Mahavihara and magnificent Lowa Maha Paaya were destroyed during his father’s time. 

King Siri Meghavanna restored Mahavihara and Lowa Maha Paaya. He made a statue of Mahinda 

Thera and placed it in Mihintale. 

Arrival of Dhantha Dhatu (Tooth Relic):

During King Sirimegha Vanna’s time, a Brahmin Princess from the Kalinga country brought the tooth 

relic of Lord Buddha to Lanka 

(Author’s Note: Interestingly, Mahavamsa does not provide a detailed account of this important 

event. It is further interesting that Thera Dhammakitthi wrote the “Dhantha Dathu Vamasa” as well as 

this portion of Mahavamsa. Rajavaliya account of the arrival of Dhantha Dhatu is provided below.) 

Rajavaliya Account of Arrival of Dhantha Dhatu (Tooth Relic): 

King Guhasiva, the King of Kalinga country was attacked by an enemy force. King told his daughter 

Ranmali (better known as Hemamala) and her husband (Dhantha) to take away the Dhantha Dhatu to 

Lanka, if he loses the war. King Guhasiva lost the war and Princess Hemamala and Prince Dhantha 

brought the tooth relic to Lanka. The tooth relic was hidden inside Hemamala’s hair during her long 

travel from Kalinga country to Lanka.. 

King Siri Megha Vanna joyfully accepted the tooth relic and built a Vihara for it. Prince Dhantha and 

Princess Hemamala were given royal protection and residence in Kirawela (Beligal Korale) for rest of 

their lives.

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