In a claim that blends history, heritage, and politics, a Sri Lankan YouTuber has stirred online debate by alleging that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is a descendant of the Keerawella lineage—a family historically entrusted with protecting the Sacred Tooth Relic (Dalada).
In a video gaining traction across digital platforms, the presenter asserts that the Keerawella clan played a central role in safeguarding the Dalada during periods of political instability and foreign invasions throughout Sri Lankan history. He goes on to claim that President Dissanayake, whose full name is Dissanayake Mudiyanselage Anura Kumara Dissanayake, is part of this lineage, positioning him as a modern-day custodian of a sacred legacy.
The video frames Anura Kumara not just as a head of state, but as a symbolic figure tied to a historical duty of national and religious protection. “He is not just a politician,” the presenter says. “He is a prince by heritage—a protector of what the Keerawella lineage vowed to defend.”
The claim has generated a mix of reactions online. Supporters of the President have welcomed the narrative, seeing it as a reinforcement of his cultural legitimacy and patriotic commitment. Critics, however, have questioned the verifiability of the genealogy, warning against the romanticization of feudal or dynastic ties in a modern republic.
Historians remain cautious. While the Keerawella family is documented in Kandyan-era chronicles, no official confirmation has been made regarding President Dissanayake’s connection to that lineage. The Presidential Secretariat has not responded to inquiries regarding the video.
Still, the timing of the claim is notable—surfacing just weeks ahead of major local government elections, when symbolism and identity can hold as much sway as policy and performance.
Whether fact, folklore, or political mythology, the idea of a “Dalada guardian” in high office is a powerful narrative—one that taps into Sri Lanka’s long-standing intertwining of state, faith, and ancestry.
As the video continues to circulate, it leaves a lingering question for both voters and historians: Is the President simply a reformer—or the heir to a legacy far older than his politics?
