One of the three main provinces of early Sri Lanka comprising the south eastern part of the island, the Mahāvāḷukagaṅgā forming its northern boundary. It was probably colonized by Rohaṇa (3). The capital of the province was Mahāgāma. When the northern parts of the island were in the hands of foreigners or usurpers, the Singhalese court, its nobles and loyalists, often sought refuge in Rohaṇa. It seems, for the most part, to have been very little controlled from the capital, and many rebellions against the ruler of the capital originated in Rohana. See Duṭṭhagāmaṇī and Vijayabāhu; also, e.g., Mhv.xxiii.13; xxxiii.37; xxxv.27 f., 67, 125; Cv.xxxviii.12, 39; xli.89 ff; xliv.54; xlviii.59, etc.

In times of persecution and scarcity the Buddhist monks found patronage and shelter among the inhabitants of Rohaṇa (e.g., Mhv.xxxvii.6). Even until about 600 A.C., Rohaṇa was regarded as a separate kingdom, holding, or at least claiming to hold, an independent position beside Anurādhapura (See, e.g., Cv.xlv.41).