This anonymous gold coinage appears to have been initiated shortly before Rajaraja Chola invaded Lanka in 990 CE; and struck through the period when the Cholas dominated the island (1017-1070); and continued by closely similar coins struck for Vijayabahu (1055-1110) after he re-established Sinhala independence in 1070.

Like other Lankan coins from around the 11th Century no date is indicated. It is not certain whether the Kahavanu was introduced at Ruhuna; the region in the south of the island to which the Sinhala court had been obliged to move as a result of Rajaraja's conquests. Pictures From History