Wijayaba Kollaya

Vijayaba Kollaya (Sack of Vijayabahu) in 1521, is a historic event, where the three sons of Vijayabahu VII of Kotte, King of Kotte mutinied against their father killing him and divided the Kingdom among themselves. King Vijayabahu VII had three sons by his first marriage named Bhuvanekabahu (later Bhuvanekabãhu VII of Kotte), Pararajasingha (later Raigam Bandara) and Mayadunne (later Mayadunne of Sitawaka). Queen Kiravella, whom the king married second, had a son named Deva Rajasinghe by her first marriage. The princes who came to know that the king intended to make Devaraja the heir to the throne, at the request of his second queen, became hostile to the king. The king was murdered in the palace itself by a hired foreigner. This event is known as the Wijayaba Kollaya.

Before his elevation to the throne, prince Vijayabahu used to reside with his brother Chakrayudabahu , and his wife Kirawelle Mahabiso Bandara, as an associate husband. During their stay at Menikkadawara, the princess gave birth to four princes, Maha Rayigam Bandara who died at a young age,Bhuvanekabahu, Para Rajasinghe, and Mayadunne Raja. Soon Chakrayudabahu and his wife died, leaving the three princes with Vijayabahu.

Once Vijayabahu was raised to the throne as King Vijayabahu VII, he married another princess of Kirawelle. She brought with her a boy named Deva Rajasinghe whom Vijayabahu adopted. Later King Vijayabahu VII plotted with two of his courtiers, Kandure Bandara and Ekanayake Mudali, in order to make Deva Rajasinghe his heir. The three princes came to know about the plot and with the assistance of the priests fled from the capital (Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte) and remained hidden in Borales Migomuwa (Boralesgamuwa in Salpiti Korale). From there, prince Mayadunne made his way to the Kingdom of Kandy ruled by King Jayavira whose queen was Mayadunne’s cousin. With her help, Mayadunne managed to secure the assistance of King Jayavira who provided Mayadunne the army of Four Korale.

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