This compendium contains English translations of the Sinhala works Rājāvaliya, an account of the kings of Sri Lanka from the earliest times up to about the end of Portuguese domination and the Alakeśvara Yuddhaya, a source of the Rajavaliya for the period beginning with the Chinese intervention to the gradual decline and fall of the Sitāvaka Kingdom following the death of King Rajasimha I. Based on the critical editions of the Sinhala texts prepared by the translator himself, these works can claim to be the most authentic translations presented to the English reader. The lengthy introductions deal with the value of these works as chronicles of Sri Lanka compiled in the Sinhala language, quite independent of the traditional Pali chronicles.                                           
Dr. A.V. Suraweera, Senior Professor of Sinhala, founder Director of the reputed Programme in Writership and Communication, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka, Guest Professor, London University, resigned from University service after thirty four years to enter into active politics and contest the General Elections 1994.
He was elected to Parliament and appointed Deputy Minister of Cultural and Religious Affairs. He has a record of over forty books in Sinhala and English published so far including several works on literature and culture, translations, four collections of short stories, five novels, critical editions of classical texts, children's stories in addition to numerous research articles published in reputed journals here and abroad. His works have been translated into English, Tamil, Russian, German, Bahasa Malaysia, Japanese etc. By way of recognition of his services to the University and scholarship, the University of Sri Jayewardenepura had conferred on him the title of Professor Emeritus and also the Degree of D.Litt. (Honoris causa).                                                                       
He died at the age of 83 in January 2014.