Which Sri Lankan kings had the greatest impact on Sinhalese society?
I'm really interested in learning more about the ancient kings and queens of Sri Lanka who played a huge role in shaping Sinhala society. Specifically, I’d love to hear about rulers who:
Maintained power and order – Built strong kingdoms with solid governance.
Achieved military victories – Defended the land and defeated invaders.
Preserved literature, Buddhism, and agriculture – Promoted Buddhist teachings, built advanced irrigation systems, and encouraged literary works.
Established trade and foreign relations – Made Sri Lanka a key player in global trade.
Fought toe-to-toe with invaders – Took on foreign forces directly in battle.
I'm especially curious about kings like Vijayabahu I, who rebuilt the kingdom from scratch after Magha’s invasion.