FOR TWO CENTURIES KEY TO PORTUGUESE SURVIVAL

Western colonial powers, starting with the Portuguese, ruled the coastal regions of Sri Lanka from the early 16th century AD to the early 19th century, when the British extended their rule over the entire country in 1815.

- By Gamini Akmeemana

There were repeated attempts by the Sinhalese rulers of Sitawaka and Kandy to oust the colonial powers. These wars were directed mainly against the Portuguese. As the Dutch followed a more conciliatory policy, there were fewer wars during Dutch rule.

Although Kandyan kings nearly succeeded in annihilating Portuguese power several times, these attempts ultimately failed, and the Portuguese were always able to regain their power and control of the coastal regions.

The reason - their formidable, stonewalled, canon-equipped fortresses. Seapower was a factor, but the fortresses had to hold out till help arrived, and they did. The first Portuguese fortress on the island was a simple stockade made of earth and wood, built in 1517. This was made bigger and strengthened later, and included the present Main Street and Pettah area within its walls.

The first major siege of Colombo was carried out by King Rajasinghe I of Kandy. The second followed the destruction of Portuguese Captain General Constantino de Sá de Noronha and his army at Randeniwela in August 1630. Seeing a golden opportunity to end Portuguese rule in the island, King Senarat sent his forces to besiege Colombo during September-October 1630.

Lack of artillery

Both these sieges failed because the Sinhalese forces did not have enough artillery to bombard and break down fortress walls. We may note that even the final and successful siege of Colombo by combined Dutch-Kandyan forces in 1656 was long and difficult, even with regular bombardment by Dutch artillery as well as a complete Dutch naval blockade. It took seven months before the Portuguese garrison surrendered.