The Anuradhapura Kingdom named for its capital city, was the first established kingdom in ancient Sri Lanka. Nonetheless, the king of Anuradhapura was seen as the supreme ruler of the country throughout the Anuradhapura period. Buddhism played a strong role in the Anuradhapura period, influencing its culture, laws, and methods of governance. Society and culture were revolutionized when the faith was introduced during the reign of King Devanampiya Tissa; this cultural change was further strengthened by the arrival of the Tooth Relic of the Buddha in Sri Lanka and the patronage extended by her rulers. Founded by King Pandukabhaya in the kingdom's authority extended throughout the country, although several independent areas emergedfrom time to time, which grew more numerous towards the end of the kingdom. Because the kingdom was largely based on agriculture, the construction of irrigation works was a major achievement of the Anuradhapura Kingdom, ensuring ...