Concise Mahavamsa Ruwan Rajapakse, P.E., Sinhalanet.com 1

Concise Mahavamsa Ruwan Rajapakse, P.E., Sinhalanet.com 121
Veera Parakramabahu: (1484 AD – 1518 AD)
Kandha Udarata kingdom Separates from Kotte:
Until now Kandha Udarata kingdom (Kandy) was under the rule of the Kotte kingdom. The ruler of
the Kandy kingdom Viravikrama announced with an “Anabera” (Drummer walking in the street) that
Kandy kingdom will not pay tribute to Kotte.
(Author’s Note: After separating out from Kotte, Kandy kingdom was able to hold its
independence from Kotte until Seethawaka Rajasinha captured it half a century later).
Arrival of Portuguese: (Rajavaliya Account)
Unfortunately Mahavamsa leaves out this important event. We have to rely on Rajavaliya and
Portuguese accounts for this most significant event of fifteenth century that changed the course of the
country forever. A Portuguese ship came to Colombo harbor and Sinhalese gave the news to the King
in following manner: (From Rajavaliya)
“A group of fair skinned people had arrived to the Colombo fort. They eat Thiruwana stones and
drink blood. (Portuguese bread was exaggerated to be Thiruwana stones and their whine was
misidentified as blood). They do not stay at one place. They wear iron hats and jackets. They walk
back and forth. They give a piece of gold for one fish or lime. Their canons are louder than thunder”.
King sent his own son to investigate and found out that the visitors had powerful canons. After
consultation with his ministers, King decided not to attack them but to trade with them.
“Parangiya Kotte Giya Wage” - Circuitous Road: (Not Mentioned in Mahavamsa)
According to the tradition, King asked his people to bring the Portuguese from a circuitous road, so
that they would think that he is a ruler of a large kingdom. Sinhala messengers took days to come
from Colombo to Kotte. But when arrived at Kotte, Portuguese could hear the noise of their own
canons. Portuguese knew that they were not far away from Colombo.
Going to Kotte from Colombo was recorded by sixteenth century Portuguese historians as well.
Historical Account by a Portuguese Priest - Fernao De Queyroz:
“The Portuguese envoys set out, though the way was very short, through the industry of the
Chingalez to spend three days on the journey going up hill and down dale and crossing the
same river several times. But as everything was foreseen and it had been agreed that a gun
would be fired every hour. We knew very well that the distance was very short”.
Ref: Fernao De Queyroz, Temporal and Spiritual Conquest of Ceilao - (1617AD–1680AD).
Translated by priest S. G. Perera.