King of DutugemunuDutugemunu (Sinhala,duṭugämuṇu), also known as Dutthagamani (Pali, duṭṭhagāmaṇī) and Gamani Abhayagāmaṇī abhaya, "fearless Gamini") was a Sinhalese king of Sri Lanka who reigned from 161 BC to 137 BC. He is renowned for defeating and overthrowing the usurping Tamil king of Anuradhapura, Elara of India, expanding and beautifying the city, and projecting the power of his native Rajarata region across the island of Sri Lanka. (Pali,
Due to his significance as one of the most potent symbol of Sinhalese historical power, Dutugemunu's story is swathed in myth and legend. However, many aspects of the accounts of his life have been verified by contemporary inscriptions, and the basic account of his life is generally accepted as accurate.
Dutugemunu's given name was Gamini or Gamani, a traditional Buddhist name still popular in Sri Lanka today. The Mahavamsa describes how as a youth he mocked his father Kavantissa, king of Ruhuna, for refusing to wage war against the powerful invading Elara, the Solee king of Anuradhapura who usurped the throne by killing the native kings. The prince stated that 'If [his] father were a man he would not speak thus' and sent him a piece of women's jewellery. The resulting fury of the king caused many of his friends to flee to Malaya region and the prince himself being dubbed Dutthagamani, "evil Gamini". After his death, he was referred to as Dharma Gamini ("righteous Gamini"), but it is as Duttha Gamini or (in Sinhalese) Dutugemunu that he is known to posterity.
