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     Follow @timesonlinelk

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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

In return for the help Pinno rendered, King Vimaladharmasuriya promised to make him the ruler of the Sitawaka Kingdom. He further assured him that men and weapons too will be supplied. A date had to be fixed to sign an agreement in this regard.

The arrangement was for Pinno to send five Portuguese delegates from Balana to meet the king and the king to send five Sinhala leaders to where the Portuguese where staying in Ganetenna. This was for the purpose of swearing in. The plot was to capture the king, as soon as the Portuguese delegates reached the promised location and for the Portuguese army to attack Kandy simultaneously.

 

To see to the success of this plan, Azavedo secretly stationed Portuguese armies close to the boundary. He also stationed armies at Menikkadawara, Ruwanwella and Attapitiya, and strengthened these points. Whilst all this was happening, a prisoner captured during the times of Lopes de Souza – was with the king.

This prisoner was Manuel Dias. In later years he became a very good friend of the king. He acted as if he was fleeing from the king and acted as a spy to the Portuguese side. General Azavedo trusted him and revealed all his plans. Hoping to make his plans more successful, the general sent him back to the king.

Manuel Dias went and met the king. On the very day that the conspiracy was to be activated, he revealed Azavedo’s plan. As a result when the five Portuguese delegates came for the swearing in, the king had made plans to capture them. As previously arranged, King Vimaladharmasuriya asked for a signal to be given him when necessary.

 




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