'Aḻakakkōṉ, 'beautiful king' in Tamil[1][2]'), also known as Alakeshwara,[3] were a prominent feudal family that provided powerful ministers and military rulers during the medieval period in Sri Lanka.
[4] Although they initially concentrated on mercantile activities and became wealthy, they eventually accrued political power with the local Kingdom of Gampola by the 14th century.
alakeshwara simultaneously attacked the troops that arrived by sea, routing them at Dematagoda, and destroying their ships at Panadura.
[11][12] Subsequently, local sources are clear that he began to be viewed as a credible leader and overshadowed the actual king and came to be considered as the real power.
However the humiliation suffered due to this incident, and the decades of infighting within the family, greatly diminished its political power.