This article is part of a continuing series on Sri Lankan history

In the copy of the old agreement sent by the Dutch to King Rajasinghe, the King’s name had been mentioned without his permission. The king wanted this to be corrected. He also wanted the Dutch to remove the statements which said that certain lands belonged to the Dutch East India Company.

The lands that belonged to the Portuguese were taken over by the Dutch. The king made it clear to the Dutch that those lands belonged to the king and the Portuguese had no claim whatsoever. The lands involved were, Katugampola Puttalam, Kalpitiya, Bulathgama, the Four Korales, Handapanduna, Kinigoda, Paranakuru and Galboda. The lands to the north of Puwakpitiya also belonged to the king.

Furthermore, the king said that it should include the king’s lawful ownership of the lands. He made it clear to the Dutch, that till such time as the monies due to the Dutch were paid by the king, they could only get the income from that land but had no right to claim ownership to such lands.

The king pointed out that it was wrong to mention that these lands belonged to the Portuguese. The Company accepted the king’s explanation as correct. They said that the agreement regarding these lands was one made with the Portuguese and requested the king not to accept it.

The Dutch accepted the mistakes in the agreement and informed the king that they would correct those in the agreement. Furthermore, they informed the king that they would hold onto the lands in Negombo and Galle until their expenses were paid by the king.
By Halaliye Karunathilake
Edited and translated by Kamala Silva
Illustrated by Saman Kalubowila

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