The great Chronicle of Sri Lanka. The first part of the work — i.e., to the time of King Mahāsena — is attributed to Mahānāma Thera (MT.687). The continuation of the Chronicle is called the Cūḷavaṃsa. The first portion of the Cūḷavaṃsa — i.e., from Mahāsena to the reign of Parakkamabāhu II — is traditionally ascribed to a thera named Dhammarakkhita (Cv. Trs.ii.155, n.3). The next section — i.e., to the time of Kittisiri Rājasīha — was written by Tibbatuvāve Thera, Mahānāyaka of Pupphārāma, at the invitation of the king, who obtained for him copies of the Chronicle from Thailand (Cv.xcix.78 f; Cv.Trs.ii.263, n.1). From there it was continued until the time of the British occupation (1815 A.C.) by Hikkaduve Sumaṅgala Thera (P.L.C.310).

There is a Commentary on the Mahāvaṃsa called the Vaṃsatthappakāsini (q.v.)