Parakramabahu I
- In the 12th century, Polonnaruwa entered its most magnificent era under the rule of King Parakramabahu I, a visionary ruler whose dreams transformed an entire kingdom.
- He was not only a powerful king but also a brilliant planner who believed that a strong nation was built through knowledge, creativity, and harmony with nature.
- During his reign, Polonnaruwa became a breathtaking royal capital, filled with grand palaces, sacred temples, beautiful gardens, and remarkable works of art.
- Parakramabahu I understood that water was the true foundation of prosperity, and he created one of the most advanced irrigation systems of the ancient world.
- His famous vision that not even a single drop of rainwater should be wasted revealed his extraordinary respect for nature and his understanding of agriculture.
- The magnificent Parakrama Samudra, a vast reservoir often described as a "sea created by human hands," became a symbol of his genius and ambition.
- Under his leadership, Polonnaruwa became a centre where architecture, religion, science, literature, and engineering reached remarkable heights.
- The monuments from his reign are not only beautiful stone creations but also messages from a civilization that achieved extraordinary knowledge more than 800 years ago.
- The legacy of Parakramabahu I still lives in the ruins of Polonnaruwa, telling the story of a king who transformed his kingdom into one of the greatest achievements of ancient Sri Lanka.