A peace negotiation
King Senarat sent envoys to the Portuguese inviting them for peace talks. Then, George de Almeida suggested that before any peace talks, the Portuguese prisoners in Badulla should be released. That was done. Then Almeida added that if the king wished to make peace, it should happen with the consent of the Viceroy.
He conveyed his willingness to send representatives to Goa if they wished to discuss matters of peace. As the Portuguese consented, a treaty was signed to temporarily halt all military attacks. Jayasundera Dissawe, Kuruppu Rala and two Portuguese prisoners were selected to undertake the journey.
He also suggested that the king should function as one who pays tribute to the Portuguese. The tribute that had to be paid now, should exceed the amount paid in 1617AD, said Almeida. This made King Senarat furious and he said that no tribute, whatsoever would be paid.
They went to Goa to discuss conditions to achieve peace. There the Viceroy was
adamant that tribute should be paid and Buttala should remain under Portuguese power. The envoys after some thought agreed to these conditions.
By the time they returned to Sri Lanka, Don Thiyodosiyo was under Portuguese arrest. The king showed no fear. He said it was difficult for him to agree to the conditions that the envoys had prepared. Don George Almeida could not give a reply to this.
By Halaliye Karunathilake
Edited and translated by Kamala Silva
Illustrated by Saman Kalubowila