Gothabhaya of Anuradhapura
| Gothabhaya | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| King of Anuradhapura | |||||
| Reign | 249–262 AD | ||||
| Predecessor | Siri Sangha Bodhi I | ||||
| Successor | Jettha Tissa I | ||||
| Died | 262 AD | ||||
| Issue | Jettha Tissa I Mahasena | ||||
| |||||
| House | House of Lambakanna I | ||||
| Religion | Therevada Buddhism | ||||
Gothabhaya, also known as Meghavannabhaya, Gothakabhaya and Goluaba, was a king of the Anuradhapura Kingdom of Sri Lanka whose reign lasted from 249 to 262 AD. During his reign, Gothabhaya renovated several temples and monasteries and also built a new temple. He is the last of three princes who seized the throne from King Vijaya Kumara and ruled the country. He is known for banishing 60 Buddhist monks who followed teaching contradictory to Theravada, and also for rebelling against his friend Samghabodhi to seize the throne himself.