The spies who were
in the Fort of Colombo
provided all the
information to the Sinhala kings. Likewise, spies who were loyal to the Portuguese, who were there in Kotte and Sitawaka,
did their part. They
pretended to be very loyal to the Sinhala people. But without anybody’s notice, they informed the Portuguese, all the details about the Sinhala kings. In the same manner, the spies who were in the Fort of Colombo, kept Commander Veediya Bandara, informed of all the activities that were taking place in Kotte and Sitawaka. Something extraordinary also
happened. That was, that a few Portuguese too acted as spies to Veediya Bandara.
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Some Portuguese nationals of the time, were against the injustice meted out to Commander Veediya Bandara. They sympathized with him. Some even went to the extent of meeting his father, King Dharmapala. They met him and told him about the inconveniences Veediya Bandara was
suffering in his prison cell. They suggested that the king should request
De Eka, the chief of the Fort, to provide a better cell for him
King Dharmapala agreed to it. But Tammita Suriya Bandara, did not allow him to go ahead with it. He somehow prevented it. In the
meantime Veediya Bandara came to know that through fear of his son, Tikiri Bandara, King Mayadunne of Sitawaka, had
abandoned his attempts to get him released. All this
information came from the spies. He spent time engrossed in thought. Veediya Bandara began to realize that the opposition of Prince Tikiri Bandara was a great loss for him.
Veediya Bandara began to realize that the attempts made by his wife Suriyadevi, for his release, also would have failed. Yet this great man was not
disheartened. He remained firm. His only thought was, how best to work for his release. All of a sudden, he got some good news from his spies. That was to say that his uncle, King Mayadunne and his wife Suriyadevi, were very secretly
planning to get him out.
This news brought some
consolation to Veediya Bandara. But he could not be jubiliant. A few days passed. Queen Suriyadevi had come to Galgamuwa, a village close to where the prison was. In this
village, there were people who were well versed in the art of cutting tunnels. They were called, “Pallaru”, Suriyadevi met their leader, showered him with gifts and said, “In a matter of a few days, my husband Veediya Bandara will be taken to Goa.
As such, we have to save him. That could be done, only by cutting a tunnel. It should start at a place over which the Portuguese have no power. It should lead to the cell where Veediya Bandara is imprisoned. You have to help me now. You cannot neglect this task.” The
leader felt sorry for the queen. He decided to help her to save her husband. These people too were among the crowd that loved and respected Veediya Bandara.
Suriyadevi spoke again and said,” You
cannot say ‘No’ to my request now. Help me at this juncture, please.” The
leader said, “Dear Queen, do not have any fear. I have already decided to help you.” The queen was happy and she went back. After a couple of days, men who had disguised themselves, came to Kotte to commence work on the tunnel. They chose a secret place to start work. The spies kept Veediya Bandara informed of all this.
He was delighted. But entertained a fear, as to whether work could be completed before the onset of the monsoons. He
somehow placed a lot of trust on the men who were cutting the tunnel. He knew that they were clever at that art. As expected the work on the tunnel was done very secretly. Even the earth and stone that was dug out, was stacked in such a way that it would not lead to any suspicion. |
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