Kirti Sri Rajasinha of Kandy
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Kirti Sri Rajasinha
King of Kandy
Reign 11 August 1747 – 2 January 1782
Coronation 1750
Predecessor Sri Vijaya Rajasinha
Successor Rajadhi Rajasinha
Born 1734
Died 2 January 1782
Sri Lanka
Spouse Daughter of Nadukattu Sami Nayakkar, three other Nayakkar marriages, Yakada Doli
Issue Six daughters and two sons with Yakada Doli
House Nayaks of Kandy
Father Narenappa Nayakkar
Kirti Sri Raja Singha was the second Nayaka king of Kandy. He was a prince from the Madurai Nayak Dynasty and the brother-in-law of Sri Vijaya Raja Singha. He succeeded his brother-in-law to the throne in 1751.
The king is credited for the revival of Buddhism and literature in Sri Lanka. Under the guidance and influence of Weliwita Sri Saranankara Thero, with the Dutch assistance, king Kirti Sri Raja Singha successfully invited Bhikkus from Siam (Thailand) to revive the higher ordination of Buddhist monks in Sri Lanka.
He also built the existing inner temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and Raja Maha Vihara (Gangarama) in Kandy. During his reign the Mahavamsa chronicle was continued from the time of Parakramabahu IV of Dambadeniya. He also rebuilt the Munneswaram temple close to Chilaw.