King Mahasena (275 A.D-301 A.D) ruled Anuradhapura Kingdom and built 16 tanks including great Minneriya tank to full fill the irrigation needs of Anuradhapura peasantries. Another great construction of King Mahasena is Jetavana Stupa. The monstry complex was built in 3rd century by King Mahasena. Even today he is called as the Minneriya deviyo (God of minneriya) due to the service done for the Anuradhapura kingdom.

Being a king , King Mahasena was mistakenly ill treated, the Theravada Buddhism in sri lanka. In fact he destroyed the Mahavihara which was recognized as the main Theravada temple and used those materials to construct the Lovamahapaya and Jetavanaramaya. Thereby the Mahavihariyan Bhikkus had to move Ruhuna. Regarding the persuasion of King Meghavannabhaya, King Mahasen promised not to harass and ill treat Maha Vihara bhikkus and rebulit and donate the Maha Vihara.