Introduction
King Asela was a ruler who marked an important turning point in the history of Lanka. The ninth son of King Mutasiva, he strived to protect the Sinhala kingdom by fighting against the Tamil invaders. His reign is notable for ending the first conspiracy of the Tamil invaders.
Early Life
Prince Asela was born as the ninth son of King Mutasiva of the Anuradhapura Kingdom. Not much information is available about his early life. However, he had to take on the responsibility of protecting the Sinhala kingdom amidst the political instability and threats from Tamil invaders at the time.
Reign and Achievements
King Asela ascended to the throne after defeating the Tamil invaders Sena and Guttika. After killing these invaders, he ruled Lanka for ten years (215-205 BCE). One of the main achievements of King Asela’s reign was his ability to completely end the first conspiracy launched by the Tamil invaders. This was an important step in protecting the sovereignty of the Sinhala kingdom.
End
King Asela’s reign ended in 205 BCE. At that time, King Asela, who was old, faced a threat from a new Tamil invader named Elara. Elara, who landed in the country from the Mahaweli river mouth, killed King Asela and took Rajarata under his control. Thus, King Asela’s reign ended, marking the beginning of another era of Tamil invasion in Sri Lankan history.
Legacy
During his short reign, King Asela fought fiercely against the Tamil invaders. His victories laid an important foundation for protecting the independence of the Sinhala kingdom and served as an example for later Sinhala kings to repel Tamil invaders.