1. The Portuguese army was on its way to Kandy via Vellassa. On their way, they met the Vanni king of Vellassa and a prince who was ruling two Korales. They treated these
foreigners well. In a few days, this crowd reached Kandy. In the meantime, King Vickramabahu had made friends with King Buwanekabahu and had even exchanged gifts.
2. The King of Kandy was ready to honour the promise made to King Buwanekabahu. He had already sent his daughter to Kotte to be wedded to Prince Dharmapala.
Baratto got to know of these proceedings. He wasn't discouraged. He went ahead, met King Vickramabahu and offered his help.
3. The King of Kandy did not like the idea. He said that he did not need their help now.
Yet, Baratto did not want to abandon his plan. He kept on explaining things till he became a big bother to King Vickramabahu. The king finally requested Baratto to fight and win both the Jaffna and Sitawaka kingdoms. If that is accomplished, the king said he would embrace Christianity. Baratto was unable to give a reply.
4. Meanwhile, the King of Kotte was
disturbed because of the arrival of the Portuguese in Kandy. He sent an envoy with a letter to King Vickramabahu. In this
letter he said, "King Vickramabahu, if you embrace Christianity, all our relations will come to an end. The marriage of your daughter to Prince Dharmapala will not be allowed.
5. Furthermore, all relations between the two kingdoms of Kotte and Kandy, will come to a stop. If you wish to see the agreement reached being honoured, get the Portuguese out of Kandy immediately."
The King of Kandy was shocked to read this
letter. He began to
ill-treat the Portuguese and openly showed his antagonism to them.
6. Suddenly, he started to get his army organized. Baratto and his crowd got frightened. They left Kandy immediately via the Seven-Korales.
The princes of the
Seven-Korales were lying in ambush to harass them. This was done on the instructions of the King of Kandy. The foreigners had to undergo a lot of trouble, to escape from them.
After undergoing much
harassment, they arrived in Colombo.
7. As they were
returning, they lost their way and had entered the Sitawaka Kingdom,
unwittingly. King Mayadunne heard of this. He called Baratto and his people and treated them well. He spoke to them very nicely. The Portuguese were very pleased with the king. Mayadunne made full use of the opportunity and sneaked to them, against his brother Buwanekabahu.
8. He tried to
antagonise them against King Buwanekabahu. Antonio Baratto praised King Mayadunne, for the hospitality shown to him and his people. He blamed King Buwanekabahu for the double game he played. |
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