Ruhuna
Ruhuna, also Ruhunu, is a historical and cultural region in the southern part of Sri Lanka. The name appears in ancient chronicles such as the Mahavamsa and Culavamsa to designate a southern political and geographic zone that at various times acted as a rival or partner to the central kingdoms based in Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa. The region is described as having its own dynasties and as a focal point of resistance and alliance in early Sri Lankan history. Ruhuna is also associated with Buddhist scholarship and monastic life, contributing to the island’s religious and cultural development.
Geography and boundaries of Ruhuna have varied across sources. Traditionally, the term encompassed the southern coastal
In modern times, Ruhuna remains a significant historical and cultural reference. It is used to denote the
See also: Mahavamsa, Culavamsa, Sri Lankan history, University of Ruhuna.