Anuradhapura Kingdom was built by King Pandukabhaya, son on Princes Unmadhachitra. The city was the first of it's kind with well designed sanitary system, Gardens, Irrigation and Water supply system, Temples, cemeteries and burial grounds. The city was there became the capital city of Sri Lanka and flourished under may subsequent kings rule for countries.
King Devanampiyatissa remains on of early Sri Lanka's most significant monarchs, given that his conversion to Buddhism set the Kingdom of the island down a religious and cultural route. Great King Asoka took a keen interest in the propagation of Buddhism across the known world, and it was decided that his son Mahinda, would travel to Sri Lanka and attempt to convert the people there. Thera Mahinda's arrival and meeting with the King form one of the important legends of Sri Lanka history.
According to MAHAVAMSA King Devanampiyatissa was out enjoying a hunt with some 30,000 of his soldiers near a mountain called Missaka (Mihintale). The date for this is traditionally associated with the full moon day of the month of Poson.
The Anuradhapura Kingdom was under constant treat from South Indian Kingdoms. The King Mahinda V ascended to throne in 982 A.C. and was the last Sinhalese king to rule the country from glorious City. At this time the South Indian Chola, became very powerful under Great Rajaraja (985-1018 A.C.). After Chola attacked shifted the Capital to Polonnaruwa.
