Kuveni: The Yakshini Queen
Kuveni (also known as Sesapati or Kuvanna) was a Yakshini queen ruling in Lanka when Prince Vijaya arrived. Described as a shape-shifting demoness who could assume the form of a beautiful sixteen-year-old maiden, she initially imprisoned Vijaya's men in a chasm. After Vijaya overpowered her, she swore loyalty and helped him conquer the Yakkha city of Sirisavatthu. She bore him two children, Jivahatta and Disala. Vijaya later repudiated her saying 'men fear superhuman beings' and sent her away. When Kuveni returned to her own people, they killed her as a traitor. The Vedda people venerate her a