War declared against the king
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In 1644, the Dutch got organized for the herding of elephants. For this purpose, they obtained four tame elephants from the Portuguese on a loan basis. They were able to catch the elephants but half of them were given to the Portuguese with the intention of catching elephants in the following year too.
He forcibly took the tame elephants of the king. King Rajasinghe was also looking for an opportunity to start a war. He sent a strong letter to the Dutch leader. He organized his army and marched towards the Dutch camp in the village of Pannare, in the Seven Korales.
They thought this will enable them to get all the elephants that will be caught the next year. On these grounds, they were contemplating starting a quarrel with the Portuguese. It is at this time that Jan Thyszoon, named as the Governor of Victory, declared war against the King of Kandy.
The Dutch leaders in Batavia were not at all happy about this declaration of war. They then appointed a new governor to Sri Lanka. He was Jan Maetsuyker by name. Immediately on his arrival, he sent a letter to King Rajasinghe.
He begged pardon for the wrongs committed by the Dutch. He further informed the king that these faults resulted in the recalling of
Jan Thyszoon.
He further stated in the letter that the elephants seized from the king would be returned. Though he said so in his letter, nothing of the sort happened. Jan Thyszoon was not removed from his post nor were the elephants caught by force returned to the king. The Dutch took action to leave the camp in Pannare.
By Halaliye Karunathilake
Edited and translated by Kamala Silva
Illustrated by Saman Kalubowila