Senarat of Kandy

Senarath
Thrisinhaladheeshwara Lankeshwara Bhupathi
King of Kandy
Reign	1604–1635
Predecessor	Vimaladharmasuriya I
Successor	Rajasinghe II
Born	Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
Died	1635 Sri Lanka
Burial	Royal Cremation Yard, Asgiri Temple, Kandy, Sri Lanka
Wives	Dona Catherina Suriya Devi Sama Devi
Issue	Rajasinha II Vijayapala Kumarasinghe
Father	Virasundara Bandara
Mother	Consort of Virasundara Bandara
Religion	Theravada Buddhism

Senarath Adahasin was king of the Kingdom of Kandy from 1604 to 1635. He is said to be the successor to king Wimaladharmasuriya I of Kandy. However first-hand accounts are not available concerning what happened after the death of Vimaladharmasuriya I. According to most sources, he is said to be a cousin or brother of Vimaladharmasuriya. He was not a legitimate ruler hence he married not only the deceased king's widow Dona Katherina but also her two daughters, to legitimize his claim to the throne.

He did not possess the qualities of a king and during his time Portuguese forces laid waste to Kandyan territory in frequent invasions, which he could not effectively repulse. Several rebellions rose against him during his reign to quell those he aligned with the Portuguese. Many of his military campaigns failed except for the Battle of Randenivela, the success of which was however largely due to Prince Dewarajasinghe, his youngest son.

When the time came for him to divide his kingdom between his two stepsons & his biological son, he tricked the other two & made Rajasinghe II (his biological son) inherit the main part of his kingdom including Kandy. His two stepsons died shortly afterward - some say Senerath was responsible for this elimination of potential heirs. Rajasinghe II thus became the sole heir to his kingdom.

See also

• Mahavamsa
• List of monarchs of Sri Lanka
• History of Sri Lanka
• Kingdom of Kandy

Sources

• Kings & Rulers of Sri Lanka