The Dutch succeed in capturing the fort at Kalutara
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When the Portuguese in Kalutara tried to get help to strengthen their army, the Dutch put up obstacles. They guarded all the forts along the river. They fixed cannons at different intervals along the bank of the river. To create further trouble and make it difficult for the Portuguese to get any supplementary armies, the Dutch sent an army to camp at a point between Kalutara and Colombo.
In the meantime, the Portuguese Council was convened. Then it was decided that any amount of soldiers should be sent to stop the Dutch from besieging Kalutara. But as time passed, Kalutara had to face a food shortage. On August 15, 1655, Kalutara had to surrender.
The Portuguese general Sousa sent an army to help the Portuguese in Kalutara. They met up with a Dutch army in Panadura. The Dutch attacked and chased them away. The general sent another army. That too suffered the same fate.
The victorious armies then marched up to Colombo. The Portuguese Council was unaware of this situation. They sent another army to Kalutara, which was attacked by the Dutch in Panadura. The Portuguese armies retreated. Finally they fled.
The General who could not bear up this defeat, did not give up the idea of getting hold of Kalutara. For this purpose, they sent a powerful and clever commander, Pigera. They too met the Dutch forces on their way. A severe fight began and it continued for some time.
By Halaliye Karunathilake
Edited and translated by Kamala Silva
Illustrated by Saman Kalubowila