Funday Times - Our History

The Viceroy with a craving for wealth

This article is part of a continuing series on the ‘Mahavamsa,’ the recorded chronicle of Sri Lankan history
By Halaliye Karunathilake, Edited and translated by Kamala Silva, Illustrated by Saman Kalubowila

1. The Viceroy who went to Kotte, met both King Dharmapala and the commander Veediya Bandara. He expressed his sympathies regarding the death of King Buwanekabahu. The people of Kotte told him that it was a Portuguese national who shot the king. He pretended to be deeply angered hearing this news. He said he would do everything to arrest the culprit and give the highest of punishments. He even announced that whoever gave any correct evidence regarding the shooting, would be well rewarded.

2. This reward was to be 2000 'Kasadas'. This was made known to the people by a public announcement. Further the Portuguese judge was advised to make a proper inquiry into the matter. He then came to Colombo. The store-keeper was arrested for not complying with the order given. A gazette notification was made in this regard. King Dharmapala and the Commander Veediya Bandara, who heard all this were disturbed.

3. A delegate was sent to inquire as to why the store-keeper who helped them, was arrested in this manner. The Viceroy's reply was for helping Dharmapala to be consecrated before he became a Christian. They questioned Thammita rala too, regarding this matter. But nothing of the evidence was taken into account as it was supposed to be a mistake made in the process of translation. So he added that it would not be taken into consideration.

4. However, all of them were of the opinion that the coronation of Prince Dharmapala was something that should have taken place. Their decision was that if that was not done, King Mayadunne would stand to benefit. A lot of land that belonged to the Kingdom of Kotte, had been annexed by Mayadunne – simply by force. The Portuguese were expected to help recover all that land. If that was done only, the wealth of the deceased king would be given, said the rulers of Kotte.

5. The rulers of Kotte further added that they would put a complete stop to the Portuguese Viceroy's grabbing of land that belonged to the Christians. The Viceroy agreed to it. They wanted to inventorise the property of King Buwanekabahu. So an officer was sent to Kotte and King Dharmapala permitted him to carry on his work.

6. After this the Viceroy Noronno, confirmed the kingship of Dharmapala, on behalf of the King of Portugal. He even promised to send an army to provide protection for King Dharmapala. He also intended to get back the land that belonged to the Kingdom of Kotte, from King Mayadunne. The Viceroy said he would go to the extent of going to battle with Mayadunne, in this connection.

7. Amidst all this, the Viceroy's craving for wealth surfaced again. He had a suspicion that the wealth of King Buwanekabahu was kept in hiding by Commander Veediya Bandara. This Portuguese leader
suddenly decided to search the residences of both Commander Veediya Bandara and Thammitarala. Soldiers were sent on this mission and they started questioning the two of them.

8. Both Sinhala leaders said that they did not know about the wealth of King Buwanekabahu. These
soldiers then questioned King Dharmapala too.They did not spare the old queen of King Buwanekabahu, and went on questioning her too. The reply that both of them gave was that "it is the government officers and not we, who are in the know of this."

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