Vira Parakramabahu VIII, also known as Ambulagala Kumara, was King of Kotte in the fifteenth century, who ruled from 1484 to 1518. He succeeded Parakramabahu VII and was succeeded by his son Dharma Parakramabahu IX. Another son Vijayabahu VII also became king.[1]

Vira Parakramabahu VIII
King of Kotte
Reign1484–1518
PredecessorParakramabahu VII
SuccessorDharma Parakramabahu IX
SpouseTwo Keerawalle Princesses (sisters)
IssueKing Dharma Parakramabahu IX

King Vijayabahu VII

King Sri Rajasinghe

King Sakalakala Wallabha

King Thaniya Wallabha
Names
Ambulagala Kumara
HouseHouse of Siri Sanga Bo
FatherKing Parakramabahu VI- adoptive father

Lord Panikal Prathiraja - father
MotherQueen Consort Swarnamanikya Keerawalle - adoptive mother

Princess Swarnawathi Kirawelle - mother
ReligionTheravāda Buddhism

An adopted son of Parakramabahu VI, he overthrew Panditha Parakramabahu VII, the son of Sirisangabo Bhuvanaikabahu VI (another adopted son of Parakramabahu VI) and claimed the throne of Kotte.

The Portuguese led-by Lourenço de Almeida arrived at Sri Lanka in 1505 during his reign, and diplomatic ties with the Portuguese Empire were initiated. The Portuguese who met the king, made an agreement that they would protect the coastal region of the country, and as payback the king should pay a tribute of 80 tons of Cinnamon to them.[2]

During the end of Parakramabahu VIII's lifetime, he divided his kingdom among his sons, and made the eldest son Dharma Parakramabahu as the next heir to the throne.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Portuguese encounter with King of Kotte in 1517". Denis N. Fernando. Archived from the original on 20 November 2015. Retrieved 15 October 2015.
  2. ^ Nishantha Joseph, Sujeewa. Sinhalese Kings (in Sinhala). Jayasinghe Book Publishers. p. 69. ISBN 978-955-0642-32-8.
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Parakramabahu VIII
Born: ? ? Died: ? ?
Regnal titles
Preceded by King of Kotte
1484–1518
Succeeded by