Mahasena of Anuradhapura

Mahasena, also known in some records as Mahasen, was a king of Sri Lanka who reigned from 273 to 301 AD. He initiated the construction of large tanks (reservoirs) in Sri Lanka, ultimately building sixteen of them. Early in his reign, Mahasena discriminated against Theravāda Buddhists and destroyed several of their temples, including the Mahavihara, the principal Theravāda monastery. However, guided by his chief minister, he sought reconciliation by constructing the Jethavana stupa. The tank has a circumference of , and its high bund is long. The Minneriya tank provides water for a large area, and its water supply is maintained by the Elahara canal. Henry Ward, a governor of Sri Lanka when it was a British crown colony, had stated; Some of these tanks have been identified, and the present names of the ones that have been identified are given in brackets. Manihira (Minneriya) Mahagama Challura Khanu Mahamani Kokavata Dhammarama Kumbalaka Vahana Ratmalakandaka (Padawiya) Tissavadamanaka (Kawudulla) Velangavitthi Mahagallaka Cira Mahadaragallaka (Nachchaduwa) Kalapasana

In addition to these, Mahasena also built the canal Pabbathantha ela, and also completed the canal Elahara ela, which was started by King Vasabha.

Relations with the countrymen During Mahasena's anti-Theravada campaign, his countrymen turned against him and this opposition even led to rebellions against him. Even the Commander of his army Meghavarnabaya turned against him. These led to the killing of several royal officials, including the monk Sanghamitta, the teacher of the king who led him to this campaign. After his death, a shrine was built for him near the Minneriya reservoir, the remains of which can be seen to this day.

Mahasena died in 301, and with his death, the Mahavamsa written by the Buddhist Monk Mahanama also ends.