Ceylon Chola Queen Lilavati – Dambadeniya kingdom of Polonnaruwa Copper Massa Coin

Queen Lilavati, Dambadeniya kingdom of Polonnaruwa, Copper Massa of Queen Lilavati (c.1197-1200 CE), Weight: 4.17 grms, Diameter: 20.00 mm,  Obv: Chola-style standing king. Rev: Chola-style seated king, Nagari legend Shri /Raja/Leela/vati to right, References: MNC 837, about very fine, scarce.

Queen Lilavati, also known as Leelawathi or Leelavathi, was a notable ruler of the Polonnaruwa Kingdom in Sri Lanka, reigning three separate times: 1197–1200, 1209–1210, and 1211–1212. She was the wife of the great King Parakramabahu I and came from royal lineage herself. Following her husband’s death, Sri Lanka plunged into political instability, and Lilavati was placed on the throne multiple times by powerful generals seeking legitimacy through her royal status. Despite the turbulent times, she remains remembered as one of the few female sovereigns in Sri Lankan history. Her life is mainly documented in the Culavamsa, Chapter 80.