The nephew of King Vijayabahu I, he attempted to seize the throne of Sri Lanka along with his two brothers in 1110 CE, but was defeated by Vickramabahu I.
High official and minister of the government also declared that Manabharana, the son of princess Mitta, Vijayabahu's sister, should be made uparaja (literally "deputy king", the recognized heir to the throne[1]).
Kitti Sri Megha, Mahabharana's brother joined them in the battle against Vickramabahu, who was at the time ruler of the principality of Ruhuna.
Eager to take advantage of the inexperienced of the new king of Rajarata, the two brothers attacked Gajabahu immediately after his accession to the throne.
There was however a dispute between the two when Parakramabahu, aged fifteen at the time, traveled to the court of Gajabahu in Polonnaruwa against the wishes of his uncle.