Cvxbcv C

The Portuguese, after getting a foothold in the island during the reign of Dharma Parakrama Bahu 1495-1518 continued to consolidate themselves during the reign of King Vijaya Bahu 1518 – 1525. The erection of a stockade in Colombo which was allowed as requested by the Portuguese, later became a fortification to the dissatisfaction of King Vijaya Bahu.

It is during the reign of King Buwaneka Bahu VII 1525-1551 that the Portuguese involvement in the internal affairs of Kotte and Seethawaka became pronounced. The Portuguese were involved in the wars that were waged by King Buwaneka Bahu against his brother, Mayadunne, King of Seethawaka. Buwaneka Bahu began to lean on the Portuguese more and more, whilst the position of the Portuguese became secure.

Indeed, the arrival of the Portuguese in the island in the year 1505 saw the beginning of an ignoble chapter in the history of Sri Lanka, which had been written time and again and the never ending story of the foreigners in Sri Lankan politics unfolds.

Disunity among the rulers of Kotte and Seethawaka and unabated warfare between them for supremacy had a devastating effect on the economic, religious and cultural life of the nation. Moral decadence had set in through a corruption of values of people by an alien influence which had a stranglehold on the rulers. The King of Kottehimself being severely dependent on the Portuguese to safeguard his crown saw the gradual decay of Kotteinto ruins and finally to be a puppet in the hands of the Portuguese.

ESTRICTED