Vimaladharmasuriya II of Kandy

Vimaladharmasurya II (ruled 1687–1707) was a king of Kandy who succeeded his father, Rajasinghe II. He allowed Joseph Vaz to settle in his kingdom and allowed him to preach the Christian faith.

Vimaladharmasurya II
King of Kandy
Reign	1687 – 4 June 1707
Coronation	1687
Predecessor	Rajasinghe II
Successor	Vira Narendra Sinha
Born	Sri Lanka
Died	4 June 1707 Sri Lanka
Burial	Sri Lanka
Spouse	Madurai Queen Consort Muthukuda Devi (Royal Concubine - Yakada Doli) Kirawelle Devi (Royal Concubine - Yakada Doli)
Issue	Vira Narendra Sinha Prince Pattiya Bandara
House	House of Dinajara
Father	Rajasinghe II
Mother	Madurai Queen Consort of Rajasinghe II

Childhood

Brought up a bhikku for a long period in his childhood, King Vimaladharmasurya II was naturally of peaceful temperament. During his childhood though, a sufficient number of Buddhist priests were not able to conduct the higher ordination (upasampada) ceremony.

Contributions to Buddhism in Sri Lanka

He invited 33 priests from Burma and established the higher ordination that helped protect Buddhism.

The Dutch

During the reign of King Vimaladharmasurya II, many attempts made by the Dutch to capture the Kandyan Kingdom had failed. However the Dutch gained control of the Kandyan Kingdom's foreign trade.

Relations with Daud Khan Panni

In the year 1703, the Mughal commander at Coromandel, Daud Khan Panni spent 10,500 coins to purchase 30 to 50 War elephants from Ceylon.[1] These purchases were acknowledged by Vimaladharmasurya II of Kandy.

See also

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

References

1. Gommans, Jos J. L. (2002-10-18). Mughal Warfare: Indian Frontiers and Highroads to Empire, 1500-1700 - Jos J. L. Gommans - Google Books. ISBN 9780415239899. Retrieved 2012-06-02.

Sources

• Kings & Rulers of Sri Lanka