Quick Facts
Biography
Mahanaga, was an early monarch of Sri Lanka of the Kingdom of Ruhuna in the Southern region of the island. He is the founder of the Ruhuna. The Kingdom of Ruhuna was in some periods a Sub kingdom loyal to the King of Anuradhapura and in some periods a country independent of it.
Background
The king Mutasiva had ten sons, Devanampiya Tissa, Uttiya, Mahasiva and Mahanaga. After the death of king Mutasiva, the eldest son Devanampiya Tissa became the king. According to the customs of Anuradhapura kings, Uttiya, Mahasiva and Mahanaga should have come to the throne next. Devanampiya Tissa's son's turn was next. King Devanampiya Tissa's consort didn't like that. She planned to bring her son more early to the throne, by murdering the Prince Mahanaga.
One day when Prince Mahanaga was working with his men in a field, then the Queen sent them a basket of poisoned mango. But unfortunately Devanampiya Tissa's son ate the poison apple and died.
Prince Mahanaga thought, it's not good to be in the city, and left Anuradhapura with his family and men, migrated to Ruhuna.