According to traditional Sri Lankan chronicles (such as the Dipavamsa), Buddhism was introduced into Sri Lanka in the 4th century BCE by Venerable Mahinda, the son of Indian Emperor Ashoka, during the reign of Sri Lanka's King Devanampiya Tissa.
Mahinda grew up at Vidisha, the residence of his mother and became a monk at the age of 20 with Moggaliputta-Tissa, his father's spiritual teacher, guiding him and was well-versed with the Tripitaka.
It is believed by Sri Lankans to be the site of a meeting between the Buddhist monk Mahinda and King Devanampiyatissa which inaugurated the presence of Buddhism in Sri Lanka.
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According to Dipavamsa and Mahavamsa, Thera Mahinda came to Sri Lanka from India on the full moon day of the month of Poson (June) and met King Devanampiyatissa and the people, and preached the doctrine.
It is of special significance in Sri Lanka because the arahant Mahinda, King Asoka's son, officially introduced Buddhism to Sri Lanka on this day in the 3rd century B.C.
Professor Mahinda Wijeratne is a Senior Professor of Agriculture at the University of Ruhuna Sri Lanka.
Minister of Ports and Highways(Cabinet)— His Excellency the President of the Democratic Socialist republic of Sri Lanka, Hon.Mr.Mahinda Rajapaksha.
The family re-emerged as the dominant political force in Hambantota district when Mahinda and his brother Chamal Rajapaksa were elected in 1989 Parliamentary election to represent Hambantota Electoral District.
In Mahavamsa the site is referred to as Chetiyagiri, which was visited by Mahinda and his mother Devi.