1. Minister Senadhilankara belonged to the Menavara family. It is during the time of King Devanampiyatissa that the people belonging to this clan, have come to Lanka. They were those who came when the Sri Mahabodhi was brought to Lanka. A Maurya princess who had entered the sasana by ordaining herself, was made to de-robe and enter into marriage. This princess was Sunanda by name. The prince who married her was Bodhigupta. All these details are in the reports of eulogists.

2. The sources that belong to this period tell us a different story. According to them, Senadhilankara has descended from a Tamil or a Malayalam clan. To prove this theory, they say that 'Menavara' means 'Vamsadhipati' – the leader of a clan. Most of the scholars however believe that the Senadhilankara family would have had a Malayali origin.

3. Though King Buwanekabahu IV is described as the sole ruler of the whole country, the North had been a separate independent state. The ruler there was Aryachakravarti. In certain provinces, even the Sinhala leaders did not accept their king. It was not only King Buwanekabahu, but even his brother, King Parakramabahu V, was not recognized. Venerable Vilgammula Sangharaja Thera erected an inscription in Kitsirimevan Kelaniya in 1344 AD.

4. In this inscription, the years of these two kings are not carved. There is no mention of the king either. He is one, who in his youth, was patronized by King Parakramabahu IV of Kurunegala. According to certain scholars, this Thera lived away from the city, as he was loyal to the king.

5. In the inscription of Kitsirimevan Kelaniya, there is reference to the Nissanka Alagakkonara family. Accordingly they have come from 'Vanchipuram,' which was also called 'Malayalam Karuvar.' The 10th in that family was a powerful minister. With the help of this minister, Vilgammula Sangharaja Thera, was able to repair the Kelaniya temple. Now we come to realize that even if the Alagakkonaras were Malayalees, they were a power to reckon with.

6. As they lived in this island for generations, they have gradually become 'Lankans.' In the 11th year of rule of King Vijayabahu V, a minister named Alagakkonara is mentioned. He is mentioned even in another inscription written later. This Minister Alagakkonara’s sister was married to a high officer named 'Attanayaka Dalasengamu Migantharu.'

7. This officer lived in Keragala. Alagakkonara's sister was named Padmavati – according to the inscription. According to books on literature, Alagakkonara is very often referred to as Alakeshwara. They are supposed to belong to a 'Giri-Vamsa.' Their ancestral land is given as Raigama in Kalutara.

To begin with , Alagakkonaras were traders. A certain writer says that though the Alagakkonaras claim their connection to 'Giri'Vamsa,' the first and the most important member of this clan was a person who belonged to the 'Vanik Vamsa.'

8. In Portuguese writings too, Alagakkonara is referred to as a trader. Whatever that may be, during the Gampola period, this Alagakkonara enjoyed a lot of political influence. He is counted as a rival of the king.