The second of the five sons of Parakkamabāhu II. He was entrusted (by Vijayabāhu IV) with the defence of the north of Sri Lanka with his headquarters at Sundarapabbata. He later built a town there where he settled. When Vijayabāhu died and Mitta usurped the throne, Bhuvanekabāhu fled from the capital (Jambuddoni) and narrowly escaped death on the way. However, soon after, the Ariya soldiers revolted against Mitta and restored Bhuvanekabāhu to the throne, where he ruled for eleven years (1237-84 A.C.) as Bhuvanekabāhu I.

Among other acts of piety, he appointed scribes to copy the whole of the Tipiṭaka, and gave copies to the chief vihāras of Sri Lanka. Cv.lxxxvii.16; lxxxviii.24, 79; xc.4, 28 ff.