The fortress in Kalutara comes under the Dutch
View(s):This article is part of a continuing series on Sri Lankan history
In 1652 AD, the Captain and the Ambassador, who were in Negombo and Galle were sent to Colombo. The Portuguese expected that Captain Manuel Mascarenhas Homem, would be happy to see the fighting resuming once more. But Homem did not like to fight. He was rather reluctant.
He remained inactive and behaved in a very indifferent manner. By this time, the discipline in the army had weakened. The building and maintaining the fort too had been neglected. Many who observed the attitude of the General, thought that he was supportive of the Dutch.
They thought that it was the intention of the General to surrender the city. They were unhappy about it. Furthermore, it was noted that he had not made any attempt to strengthen Kalutara which would have been the first to be captured by the enemy. A number of officers in Colombo had requested him to at least send a supplementary army to Kalutara.
An army was sent there, with instructions to abandon the city and return if the Dutch were to attack. Some regarded this as an act of betrayal, as Kalutara was almost the doorway to Colombo.
Meanwhile, the Dutch were organized and waiting in Bentota, playing for time. They soon crossed the river and captured a number of villages around and attacked the fort in Kalutara. They strengthened the fort. The people in Colombo thought that their long awaited conquest of the fort in Colombo was now imminent.
By Halaliye Karunathilake, Edited and translated by Kamala Silva Illustrated by Saman Kalubowila