Tags: Monarch.
Queen Anula (reigned 47 BC – 42 BC) was the first queen in Sri Lankan history to have wielded meaningful power and authority. As well as the first female head of state in Asia. Anula initially rose to power as consort of king Chore Naga (also known as ‘Coranaga’ and ‘Mahanaga’) son of king Valagambahu of Anuradhapura; however in her five-year reign she poisoned her way through at least four other husbands and consorts and eventually governed Rajarata on her own.