1505 - Portuguese Arrival

1505

Portuguese captain Lorenzo De Alameda came to Galle Port in 1505 accidentally. He was the son of ruler of Goa, India who was fighting with Muslim traders in Indian Ocean. He obtained permission to build a fort from a false King shown by Muslims.

1518 - 1658
After hearing about the resources of Sri Lanka Portuguese captain Loposorus De Ulbergeria sent a Fleet of Ships with men to Colomtota (Colombo). The Kotte King Dharma Parakramabahu IX allowed Portuguese to build a fort and do trade in the Island and to assist the king to fight invaders.

How ever King Dharma Parakramabahu on the advise of Muslims sent an Army to fight Lopo De Brito who was building the Fort in Colombo. Portuguese defeated the Kings Army and started their cruel activities to loot, torture and kill Singhalese. They started fighting with Kotte kingdom and captured & ruled the low country seaside in this period.

Their aim was to obtain as much as resources from Sri Lanka. This include gems, perl, cinamon etc. The Kings Army fought with Portuguese but was not able to defeat them fully, not mainly due to their firepower but lack of unity among Sinhala local rulers in Kotte, Seethawaka and Kandy, Uva.

Many times Sinhala Kings surrounded the fort and were not fully able to defeat them as they received supplies and support from Kochin, India.

Source: www.manthree.co