Vijayabā Kollaya

Before his elevation to the throne, prince Vijayabahu used to reside with his brother Chakrayudabahu [note 1], and his wife Kirawelle Mahabiso Bandara, as an associate husband.

[2] During their stay at Menikkadawara, the princess gave birth to four princes, Maha Rayigam Bandara who died at a young age,[2] Bhuvanekabahu, Para Rajasinghe, and Mayadunne Raja.

[2] Later King Vijayabahu VII plotted with two of his courtiers, Kandure Bandara and Ekanayake Mudali, in order to make Deva Rajasinghe his heir.

[3] The three princes discover the plot and with the assistance of the priests,[1] fled from the capital (Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte) and remained hidden in Borales Migomuwa (Boralesgamuwa in Salpiti Korale).

[4] Marching down, Mayadunne ravaged Pitigal Korale and camped closed to Kelaniya in the vicinity of Sri Jarawardenapura Kotte.

[5] As a result, the King was forced to sue for peace[4] and the princes insisted that, the two ministers who were involved with the plot were to be handed over for punishment.

Unknown to them, King Vijayabahu had a detachment of sixty chosen soldiers lying in concealment at Rahas Kunda Watta [note 2] in order to bar the palace gates and to assassinate the princes.

[7] The succession was challenged by the King Vijayabahu’s sisters’ son, Pilesse Widiye Bandara (also known as Vira Surya).

With the assistance of Mannamperiya the Aswela Arachchila (the late king’s equerry[6]) he left Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte with a considerable number of followers.