[1][2][3] In the chronicle History of Song (Sòng Shǐ), his name was recorded as Shih-li Tieh-hua, which may not be his complete title.
[1] He ruled shortly after Srivijaya's various territories were attacked by King Rajendra I of the Chola dynasty in 1025 CE,[2][3] in which King Sangramavijayottunggawarman of Srivijaya was defeated and captured by his opponent.
[1] Chola attack was not accompanied by the occupation of the Srivijaya territories.
[2] The Kahuripan king Airlangga supposedly married a Srivijayan princess in 1030 CE to strengthen the peace commitment.
[1][2] Mahayana Buddhism teaching was very popular in Srivijaya around the time of Sri Deva's reign,[2] as evidenced by the discovery of the Lokanatha (Lokesvara Bodhisattva) statue in Tapanuli which was made in 1024 CE,[2] and from the notes of Nepalese monk Atiśa who visited Srivijaya between 1011 and 1023 CE.