A Lambakanna, son of Dáthápabhuti. He fled to Jambudípa, through fear of Kassapa I., and became a monk in the Bodhimanda-vihára. There, because of a mango which he presented to the community, he came to be known as Ambasámanera.
In the time of Moggallána I., he brought the Buddha's Hair Relic to Ceylon and was greatly honoured by the king. Silákála returned to the lay life, and Moggallána appointed him sword bearer to the relic - hence his name, Asiggáhaka-Silákála.
He married the king's sister and also the daughter of Upatissa III. He then returned to the Malaya district, where he rebelled against Upatissa. He defeated the king's son, Kassapa, who committed suicide, and when Upatissa died of grief, Silákála became king under the name of Ambasámanera-Silákála, ruling for thirteen years (524-37 A.C.).
He had three sons: Moggallána, Dáthápabhuti and Upatissa. Cv.xxxix. 44, 55; xli.10ff.