<p data-end="497" data-start="126"> After King Bhathiyatissa, his brother, Prince Kanitthiss, ascended the throne. He is referred to in texts such as the <em data-end="256" data-start="244">Pujawaliya</em>, <em data-end="273" data-start="258">Rajaratnakara</em>, <em data-end="292" data-start="275">Sulu Rajawaliya</em>, and <em data-end="318" data-start="298">Saddharmaratnakara</em> as Chulathissa. In inscriptions, his name appears as Malitisa, Malutisa, Malatis, and similar forms. The <em data-end="435" data-start="424">Mahavamsa</em> records his religious activities in a set of eleven verses.</p> <p data-end="858" data-start="499"> The first task mentioned is the construction of the Ratnaprasada at Abhayagiri for the Mahānāga Theras of Bhutharama. This structure served both as the residence of the chief Therana at Abhayagiri and as the uposathaghara (uposatha hall) of the Abhayagiri monks. This building was later further developed. It is located to the west of the Abhayagiri Vihara.</p> <p data-end="1269" data-start="860"> The construction of enclosures at Manisoma, Ambasthala, and Nagadeepa, the building of uposathagara at Kelaniya, Mandalagiriya, and Duratisse Vapi, and the construction of several other sacred monasteries, including seven other important religious sites, are all recorded in the chronicles. This king also allocated land within the Mahavihara precinct in Anuradhapura, called Madakukkutigiri, to the Sangha.</p> <p data-end="1844" data-start="1271"> King Kanitthiss forcibly carried out three activities at the Mahavihara without approval. These were: constructing the Madakukkutigiri enclosure, extending the Mahameghavana boundary and building a dhanalaya (storehouse) at the Dakshina Vihara, and creating a pathway through the Mahavihara compound to the Dakshina Vihara. The <em data-end="1617" data-start="1599">Mahavamsa Tikawa</em> states that the king carried out these works using his authority. However, there is no record of opposition from the Mahavihara monks or the public. Both Abhayagiri and Jetavana received significant attention from this king.</p> <p data-end="2384" data-start="1846"> The inscriptions allow us to know much about King Kanitthiss&rsquo;s activities. About fifteen inscriptions from various parts of the country have been found. Even though these inscriptions mainly describe religious rituals, the details contained in them are useful to historians. The <em data-end="2136" data-start="2125">Mahavamsa</em> records events in brief lines, so the inscriptions provide confirmation and elaboration. Among these inscriptions, the Situlpawa inscription mentions the construction of the Dakshina Tissa tank, which was an important undertaking of that period.</p> <p data-end="2955" data-start="2386"> The Meenvila inscription provides information on revenue collected from three ferries on the Mahaweli River. Meenvila corresponds to the present-day area near the Somawathi Vihara. The Mahaweli River in this area had several ferry points, the most notable being Katchaka or Kasthota. These ferries connected Ruhuna and the neighboring regions, transporting passengers and goods to Egoda and Megoda, generating income for the king. The Meenvila inscription also refers to the area between the Mahaweli River and Maduru Oya as Antaraganga, reflecting historical naming.</p> <p data-end="3580" data-start="2957"> Significant details regarding the administration of the Rohana region are revealed in an inscription from the Pothuvil area in the northeastern province. During King Kanitthiss&rsquo;s reign, his authority was well-recognized in Rohana. The Lainmale inscription mentions a sub-division of Rohana, not recorded in other chronicles, called Huchhaka, corresponding to the present-day Uva region. During Kanitthiss&rsquo;s reign, the provincial official Nakamula governed Huwahaka, and offerings were made to the Devi Vihara, as recorded in the inscription. Another inscription indicates that the king constructed an uposathaghara there.</p> <p data-end="3854" data-start="3582"> A Malitisa Maharaja inscription records that on a particular day, offerings were made to the Pajjinanaka Pawa (ancient Nagapabbata) Vihara. The Ochchappukkallu inscription, referring to the Magana city, is useful for studying the administration of the western provinces.</p> <p data-end="4363" data-start="3856"> The renovation of the Digvapi in Rohana was carried out by King Kanitthiss, during which he established a treasure repository. This is confirmed by a gold plate inscription found during the recent excavation of the Digvapi. Two short inscriptions were found near the southern gate of Abhayagiri. One mentions the king&rsquo;s mother, Soralaya. The other provides information about the queen, Mithabi. These important details, not revealed in the chronicles, are clarified through King Kanitthiss&rsquo;s inscriptions.</p> <p data-end="4833" data-start="4365"> From all the evidence presented, it is clear that King Kanitthiss&rsquo;s rule was accepted throughout the island. The people lived peacefully, engaging in religious activities during the reign of Bhathiyatissa as well. This period of peace began during King Vasabha&rsquo;s reign (65&ndash;109 CE). During the combined reigns of Vasabha, Vankanasikathissa, Gajabahu, Mahalluna, Bhathiyatissa, and Kanitthiss&mdash;a total of 127 years&mdash;the country enjoyed a stable and prosperous condition.</p> <p data-end="5339" data-start="4835"> The only notable disruption during this period, not recorded in the chronicles, was the southern Indian invasion during the reign of Vankanasikathissa, which did not last long. The large-scale irrigation systems established by King Vasabha gradually made the country self-sufficient. The subsequent kings continued to contribute to the construction of tanks and mounds in monasteries, further developing irrigation, ensuring prosperity, and establishing a stable and favorable condition in the country.</p> <p data-end="5973" data-start="5341"> Furthermore, during the reign of the first Bhathikabahu, foreign trade with countries such as Greece, Rome, and China began, as recorded in foreign reports. The Greek geographer Claudius Ptolemy (2nd century CE) created a map of Lanka during this period, noting that the island was divided into thirteen administrative districts. The trading city mentioned by him corresponds to the Magana city mentioned in King Kanitthiss&rsquo;s Ochchappukkallu inscription. It was a port city facilitating international trade. Natural harbors around the island enabled import and export activities, showing commercial development during this period.</p> <p data-end="6258" data-is-only-node="" data-start="5975"> With economic development and the king&rsquo;s benevolent governance, the people were guided by the Buddhist religion and lived happily while engaging in religious activities. This state of affairs began to change in the subsequent period. King Kanitthiss reigned for twenty-eight years.</p>