An administrative body to replace the Captain General
View(s):This article is part of a continuing series on Sri Lankan history
 
The Dutch were rejoicing over the conquest of Kalutara. They informed King Rajasinghe, that there was a chance of conquering the fort in Colombo. The Portuguese soldiers who stood guarding the fort in Kalutara, retreated and marched to Colombo. The armies that were stationed in Malwana and Anguruwatota too retreated.
 
Meanwhile, the Dutch army had conquered Anguruwatota. The Kandyan King Rajasinghe’s armies had conquered Sabaragamuwa. However, the situation in Colombo was precarious. The Portuguese
in Colombo were plotting against the Captain General.
in Colombo were plotting against the Captain General.
 
They did so, on orders from Colombo. As they marched to Colombo in a hurry, they had even left behind their stocks of food here and there. By the time they came to Colombo, three Dutch ships had been blocking the sea around Colombo. As a result, the Portuguese in Colombo faced a severe food shortage too.
 
He was termed a traitor. There were friends and relatives of the Portuguese army in Colombo, among the army personnel in the main Portuguese camp in Menikkadawara. They were instrumental in provoking the Portuguese in Colombo, to go against the Captain General. There was a nephew of the Captain General who was also working against him.
 
There arose revolts against the Captain General. Furthermore, a request was made to the Portuguese in Colombo to name him as a traitor and see that he is thrown out of power. So they arrested the Captain General and kept him in safe custody in Colombo.
An administrative council composed of 12 soldiers were appointed in place of the Captain General.
There arose revolts against the Captain General. Furthermore, a request was made to the Portuguese in Colombo to name him as a traitor and see that he is thrown out of power. So they arrested the Captain General and kept him in safe custody in Colombo.
An administrative council composed of 12 soldiers were appointed in place of the Captain General.
By Halaliye Karunathilake, Edited and translated by Kamala Silva
Illustrated by Saman Kalubowila
Illustrated by Saman Kalubowila