Sri Deva was a king of Srivijaya Kingdom of Sailendra dynasty, who in 1028 CE sent an envoy to the Chinese Northern Song dynasty.[1][2][3] In the chronicle History of Song (Sòng Shǐ), his name was recorded as Shih-li Tieh-hua, which may not be his complete title.[1] He ruled shortly after Srivijaya's various territories were attacked by King Rajendra I of the Chola dynasty in 1025 CE,[2][3] in which King Sangramavijayottunggawarman of Srivijaya was defeated and captured by his opponent.[1] Chola attack was not accompanied by the occupation of the Srivijaya territories.[4][5]
After the attack, Srivijaya's power in Sumatra seemed to be restored, however it made peace with the Kahuripan Kingdom, which claimed power over the whole of Java.[2] The Kahuripan king Airlangga supposedly married a Srivijayan princess in 1030 CE to strengthen the peace commitment.[1][2]
Mahayana Buddhism teaching was very popular in Srivijaya around the time of Sri Deva's reign,[2] as evidenced by the discovery of the Lokanatha (Lokesvara Bodhisattva) statue in Tapanuli which was made in 1024 CE,[2] and from the notes of Nepalese monk Atiśa who visited Srivijaya between 1011-23 CE.[1]