Sri Lanka was ruled by 181 kings from the Anuradhapura to Kandy periods. After 1815 the entire nation was under British colonial rule and armed uprisings against the British took place in the 1818 Uva Rebellion and the 1848 Matale Rebellion. Independence was finally granted in 1948 but the country remained a Dominion of the British Empire. In 1972 Sri Lanka assumed the status of a Republic. A constitution was introduced in 1978 which made the Executive President the head of state. The Sri Lankan Civil War began in 1983, including an armed youth uprising in 1987–1989, with the 25 year-long civil war ending in 2009. Chronological List Of Rulers Of Ancient Sri Lanka Different historical documents may give the slightly different years in which each ruler reigned. Therefore even today various books and publications may give different years of reigns for various rulers. The information below is compiled from the following documents, Mahavamsa -translation by Wilhelm Geiger, Rajavaliya, A Short history of Sri Lanka by H. W. Codrington Ruler Details Period Tambapanni Vijaya Arrived in Sri Lanka from India 543-505 BC Upatissa A minister of Vijaya. Vijaya had no children from Pandi Queen* ?? Vijitapura Panduvasdeva Son of Sumitta. Vijayas own brother who came from Sagala - India. Upatissa gave the crown to him when he arrived in Sri Lanka. 504-474 BC Abhaya Son of Panduvasdeva 474-454 BC Anuradhapura Pandukabhaya Abhaya's Sisters son. Killed 9 uncles and became the king. 437-367 BC Ganatissa Son of Pandukabhaya* (40 years)* Mutasiva Son of Ganatissa 367-307 BC Devamnampiyatissa Son of mutasiva 250-210 BC Arrival of the Great Mahinda Thero and introduction of Bhuddhism to Sri Lanka. 250 BC Arrival of Theri Sanghamitta with a branch of the original Sri Maha Bodhi in India 249 BC Uttiya Brother of Devamnampiyatissa ?? Mahasiva Brother of Devamnampiyatissa ?? Suratissa Brother of Devamnampiyatissa ?? Sena and Guttgaka Indian Invaders ?? Asela Youngest brother of Devamnampiyatissa ?? Elara Tamil invador form Chola country in India. Killed King Asela 205-161 BC Dutugamunu Son of King Kavanthissa of Ruhuna and queen Vihara Maha Devi. Kavanthissa is a brother of Devamnampiyatissa 161-131 BC Saddhatissa Brother of Dutugamunu 137-119 BC Thulatthana Second son of Saddhatissa 119 BC Lanjatissa Elder son of Saddhatissa who ousted Thulatthana 119-109 BC Khallata Naga 109-104 BC Vattagamini Abaya Youngest son of Saddhatissa 104 BC Pulahatta One of the seven South Indian Tamil Invaders who defeated Vattagamini Abaya. Two went back and other five stayed back and killed each other for the throne. 104-101 BC Bahiya Bahiya was the commander of Pulahatta's troops. Slew Pulahatta and took the throne 101-99 BC Panayamara Panayamara was the commander in chief of Bahiya's troops. Slew Bahiya and took the throne 99-92