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

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Concise Mahavamsa Ruwan Rajapakse, P.E., Sinhalanet.com 136 Back to Mahavamsa: ~KING WIMALA DHARMASURIYA~ (1590 AD – 1604 AD) Konappu Bandara, was living in Kolamba during the time of King Rajasiha. He acquainted himself with the Portuguese and went to Goa. While in Goa, Konappu Bandara had a dual with a mighty officer, Gajabahu and killed him. (Author’s Note: For the first time Mahavamsa mentions Colombo. Mahavamsa account of this era is extremely brief). After arriving, he built an army and became the ruler of the Kandy kingdom under the name Wimala Dharmasuriya and ruled from the famous city, Siriwarddhana. King built a huge wall around the city and placed guards to protect it from enemy attack. Construction of Dhaladha Maligawa: King Wimala Dharmasuriya brought the Dhantha Dhathu from Labujagama Vihara (Today Delgamuwa near Kuruvita) and placed in a two story magnificent building near his royal palace. Bringing Bhikkus From Rakkanga (Burma): Since there were no bhikkus in the country at the time, King Wimala Dharmasuriya sent officials to Rakkanga. Group of bhikkus lead by Mahathera Nandhichakka came to the island on the invitation of the King to restore the order of bhikkus in Lanka. (Author’s Note: There were no bhikkkus in the country due to the murder spree of bhikkus by Seethawaka Rajasiha) Establishment of the Bhikku Order: King Wimala Dharmasuriya constructed a fine building for the occasion and held a great ceremony to admit new young men to the order of the Lord Buddha. After conducting many meritorious deeds, King Wimaladharma Suriya handed the kingdom to his cousin Senaratne and passed away. King Wimala Dharmasuriya: (From Portuguese sources) Mighty events that occurred during King Wimala Dharmasuriya’s time were never mentioned in Mahavamsa. Here I have summarized the life of King Wimala Dharmasuriya based on Rajavaliya, Queyroz and Ribeiro.
Concise Mahavamsa Ruwan Rajapakse, P.E., Sinhalanet.com 137 Konappu Bandara: Konappu Bandara was his original name. His father, Virasundara Bandara was killed by King Rajasiha. Young Konappu Bandara joined Portuguese, went to Goa, and became a Christian. There he was given a Portuguese name, Don John of Austria. In Goa, he had a dual with a mighty swordsman, named Gajabahu and killed him. Portuguese sent him to Lanka and asked him to start a rebellion in the hill country, which was under King Seethawaka Rajasiha at the time. King Wimala Dharmasuriya’s Physique: “He was a fairly tall man, well apportioned, dark in color and long bearded.” Ref: Queyroz – (1617 –1680 AD) Portuguese Plan to Marry Dona Catherina to a Portuguese: Dona Catherina was the daughter of previous King of Kandy. When Seethawaka Rajasiha captured Kandy, this King joined the Portuguese. His daughter, Dona Catherina (Sinhalese name – Kusumasana Devi) grew up with the Portuguese. The plan was to marry her to a Portuguese named Francisco Silva and claim the kingdom of Kandy. Rebellion in Kandy: As asked by Portuguese, Konappu Bandara started the rebellion and but he left out one minor detail from the Portuguese. After wrestling out Kandy from Seethawaka Rajasiha, instead of giving it to the Portuguese, he turned against the Portuguese. The battle between Konappu Bandara and Portuguese at Gannoruwa was won by Konappu Bandara. After this, Portuguese started to call him “Apostate of Candea” or traitor of Kandy. After defeating Portuguese, Konappu Bandara consecrated as King Wimala Dharmasuriya of Kandy and married Kusumasana Devi. (Dona Catherina). Portuguese Capture Seethawaka: Portuguese who were confined to the barracks in Colombo could move freely after the death of Rajasiha. In no time they were able to capture Kotte and Seethawaka. Now they were the masters of low country, while King Wimala Dharmasuriya was the ruler of Kandy. Arrival of Jeranimo De Azavedu: During King Wimala Dharmasuriya’s time period, Portuguese General Jeranimo De Azavedu arrived. He resorted to cruelties unheard of in the history of Lanka. This general’s name, still in the collective memory of the Sinhalese. Unlike Sinhalese Kings who tortured men, Azavedu directed his anger on children.
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