Fig. 8.2. A rare photograph which displays the Kandyan pageant and the nature of the streets of the Kandy city in the 19th
century.
King Rajasinghe II, who made a great
contribution to the expansion of power of the
Kandyan kingdom, ruled more than 50 years and
passed away in 1687.
King Vimaladharmasooriya II (1687-1707A.D)
After king Rajasinghe II, his son
Vimaladharmasooriya II became the king.
He was not as clever as his father. Therefore, it
seemed that the Kandyan chieftains strengthened
their power during this king’s time.
He acted peacefully with Dutch after he became
the king. Though he was not a clever ruler, he
was able to protect the areas where the power
had been expanded in the Kandyan kingdom.
By the time of King Vimaladharmasooriya II, the
higher ordinance (Upasampada) of the Kandyan
kingdom was in a state of decline once again.
Therefore, the king took measures to bring the
higher ordinance from Burma into this country
once again. There is information to state that
the Dutch assisted the king for that purpose. It
is recorded that he had renovated the Temple of
Tooth. King Vimaladharamasooriya II passed
away in 1707 A.D.King Sri Veera Parakrama Narendrasinghe
(1707 – 1739 A.D.)Sri Veera Parakarama Narendrasinghe, who was
the son of Vimaladharmasooriya II, acceded to
the throne of the Kandyan kingdom in 1707.