Tissa, later
Devanampiya Tissa was one of the earliest rulers of Sri Lanka based at the ancient capital of
Anuradhapura from 307 BC to 267 BC. His reign was notable for the arrival of
Buddhism in Sri Lanka under the aegis of the
Mauryan Emperor
Ashoka. The primary source for his reign is the
Mahavamsa, which in turn is based on the more ancient
Dipavamsa.