thunder and sword respectively in Sinhalese). After defeating Elara in single combat in the Battle of Vijithapura and subsequently regaining power in the country, the Kataragama deity appeared yet again before Dutugemunu while the latter was in meditation at Kiri Vehera, Kataragama. The victorious king asked the deity what should be done in return for the deity's help in winning the battle. The god replied by shooting an arrow in the direction of Wedihiti Kanda from Kiri Vehera and instructed Dutugemunu to build a shrine where the arrow lands. Death and succession King Dutugemunu did not live to see his beloved Ruwanweliseya completed, dying before the plaster work was finished. The Mahavamsa dedicates an entire chapter to his death, which contains a poignant scene where the dying king is taken by palanquin to the vicinity of the incomplete stupa. There he also encounters his old colleague Theraputtbhya, now a monk. After some discussion of the mortality of men, the aged monarch passes away and is immediately reborn in the heavenly realm of Tusita. A common folk tale surrounding the death of King Dutugemunu is that as he was dying he was told that Ruwanweliseya was completed in order to keep him happy. The well-intentioned plan went awry, however, when Dutugemunu asked to be shown the finished building. His brother Tissa had the entire building draped in white cloth to present the illusion of whitewash, and due to his failing eyesight Dutugemunu did not spot the difference, dying convinced that the building was finished. Following his death Dutugemunu was succeeded by his brother Saddhatissa, rather than his disinherited son Saliya. In popular culture 2015 film Maharaja Gemunu emphasized the life of Dutugamunu until his fight with King Elara. Uddika Premarathna stars as Dutugamunu in the film. The film was directed by Jayantha Chandrasiri. The teledrama Gemunu Maharaja was telecasted on Hiru TV. Character was portrayed by Malinda Perera. See also Gemunu Watch Mahavamsa Ten Giant Warriors List of Sri Lankan monarchs History of Sri Lanka References External links Mirisawetiya Stupa The Brazen Palace Anuradhapura Ancient monuments in Sri Lanka The Mahavamsa Online Monarchs of Anuradhapura Sinhalese kings 137 BC deaths Year of birth unknown House of Vijaya 2nd-century BC Sinhalese monarchs