King Parakramabahu I (1153–1186 AD) is widely regarded as one of the greatest monarchs in Sri Lankan history. His reign was a period of unprecedented prosperity, military strength, and architectural grandeur. He is best remembered for his vision of a self-sufficient nation, famously declaring, “Let not a single drop of water flow into the ocean without being used for human benefit.”
The Great Unifier
Before ascending the throne, Sri Lanka was divided into warring principalities. Parakramabahu, through a combination of diplomatic skill and military genius, unified the entire island under his rule. He didn’t stop there; his armies launched punitive expeditions against Burma and even invaded South India to support the Pandyans against the Cholas.
Master of Water
Parakramabahu’s greatest legacy is his irrigation network. He constructed or restored thousands of tanks and canals, transforming the dry zone into the “Granary of the East.” His crowning achievement was the Parakrama Samudra (Sea of Parakrama), a massive reservoir in Polonnaruwa that is so large it resembles an inland sea.
A Golden Age of Culture
Under his patronage, Polonnaruwa blossomed into a magnificent capital. He built the Gal Vihara, with its exquisite rock-cut Buddha statues, and the Lankatilaka image house. He also unified the Buddhist Sangha, purging it of corruption and establishing a code of conduct that revitalized the religion.