Opposition of the King
The king had the following options. One was to issue a proclamation that the Sinhala people should not engage in any dealings with the Dutch. Another was that they should always oppose the Dutch and also help the people, who had been denied religious freedom by the Dutch.
By this time, The Dutch had created a lot of trouble for the Catholics. Most of them were Portuguese. The king thought of calling them over to the Kandyan Kingdom, to give them protection. Anyway, he prohibited the Sinhala people from engaging in any trade relations with the Dutch.
This call was unsuccessful. The low-country Sinhala people did not accept the king’s proclamation. The king on his part was unable to give protection to those who had accepted his request. But a lot of people who did not enjoy religious freedom under the Dutch accepted the king’s request and fled to the Kandyan Kingdom.
The King got them settled in different places in his kingdom. This led to the origin of Catholicism in places like Ratnapura, Avissawella, Galgamuwa, Kandy, Weuda and Wahakotte.
In addition to all this, the government agents of the king, roused the people against the Dutch. This resulted in the Dutch attacking three government agents in Nakalangama. There arose opposition in towns like Negombo, Kalutara, Aluthgama, Weligama and Matara too.
By Halaliye Karunathilake Edited and translated by Kamala Silva Illustrated by Saman Kalubowila