Vijayabahu I of Polonnaruwa

Vijayabahu I Of Polonnaruwa

Vijayabahu I (born, Prince Kitti ) (ruled 1055–1110) was a medieval king of Sri Lanka. Born to a royal bloodline, he grew up at a time when, part of the country was occupied by invaders from the Chola Kingdom of Tamilakam. He assumed rulership of the Ruhuna principality in the southern parts of the country in 1055. Following a seventeen-year long campaign, he successfully drove the Chola out of the island in 1070, reuniting the country for the first time in over a century. During his reign, he re-established Buddhism in Sri Lanka and repaired much of the damage caused to infrastructure during the wars.