Mahasena of Anuradhapura
| Mahasena | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| King of Anuradhapura | |||||
| Reign | 273–301 AD | ||||
| Predecessor | Jettha Tissa I | ||||
| Successor | Sirimeghavanna | ||||
| Died | 301 AD | ||||
| |||||
| Dynasty | House of Lambakanna I | ||||
| Father | Gothabhaya | ||||
| Religion | Mahayana Buddhism (initially) Therevada Buddhism (later) | ||||
Mahasena, also known in some records as Mahasen, was a king of Sri Lanka who reigned from 273 to 301 AD. He initiated the construction of large tanks (reservoirs) in Sri Lanka, ultimately building sixteen of them. Early in his reign, Mahasena discriminated against Theravāda Buddhists and destroyed several of their temples, including the Mahavihara, the principal Theravāda monastery. However, guided by his chief minister, he eventually realized his mistakes and sought reconciliation by constructing the Jethavana stupa. He mended his ways and built the Jethavana stupa. Following the completion of the Minneriya Tank, his people came to revere him as a deity, honoring him as Minneri Deviyo (the God of Minneriya).