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

Concise Mahavamsa Ruwan Rajapakse, P.E., Sinhalanet.com 124
Vidiya Bandara:
Vidiya Bandara was married to the daughter of King Buwanekabahu. His son, Don Juan Dharmapala
was the puppet King of Kotte. Vidiya Bandara stood up against the Portuguese, who were pursuing a
vicious campaign to destroy the culture of Sinhalese and Buddhism.
Queyroz account of Vidiya Bandara’s physique:
“Vidiya was a man of great height, in color inclined to black, eyes exceedingly large and
fearful, given to evil, proud, bold and wicked”
Ref: Queyroz – (1617 –1680 AD)
Portuguese decided to arrest Vidiya Bandara, since he was not approval of their actions. After
obtaining approval from Goa, Portuguese arrested Vidiya Bandara and locked him in an underground
cell. Vidiya Bandara’s followers built a very long tunnel and rescued him.
Vidiya Bandara Escapes Prison and Joins Mayadunne:
After escaping the Portuguese prison, Vidiya Bandara joined Mayadunne. King Mayadunne proposes
his daughter to Vidiya Bandara for marriage. (Vidiya Bandara’s first wife was dead at this time).
Vidiya Bandara accepted the offer and married Mayadunne’s daughter. By, now he had married
daughters of two Kings.
Vidiya Bandara Attacks Portuguese:
Vidiya Bandara was a very powerful man with a great following. He gathered an army and started to
march towards Kotte. On his way, he destroyed many churches that were erected by Portuguese on
previous temple lands. In one occasion, according to Portuguese accounts, he beheaded eighteen
Portuguese with his own hands. Further, many converts were also killed by Vidiya Bandara.
Kotte Siege by Vidiya Bandara:
After destroying all defenses, Vidiya Bandara marched to Kotte. There he placed a siege on the city of
Kotte. Portuguese were confined to the city of Kotte.
Portuguese Negotiate with Mayadunne:
While the siege was on Kotte by Vidiya Bandara, Portuguese sent messengers to Mayadunne asking
for his help. Mayadunne was concerned of rising power of Vidiya Bandara and took the side of the
weaker power, that was Portuguese. It was clear to Mayadunne that if Vidiya Bandara was able to
crush the Portuguese, he would be the indisputable King of Lanka. Mayadunne for his own selfish
reasons decided to support the Portuguese against Vidiya Bandara and sent his teenage son Tikiri
Bandara (or Rajasinha Bandara) with an army to help the Portuguese.