 Before long, Captain Azavedo was able to conquer places like Rakgahawatta, Navagamuwa and Gurubavula, which belonged to the Sitawaka Kingdom. He appointed Don Juan Dharmapala to rule Sitawaka. Domingo Corea was appointed as the Government Agent of the seven Korales and was sent there. Don Fernando Samarakoon was appointed as the Government Agent of Matara. Armies were stationed in Malwana, Gurubavula, Ruwanwella and Menikkadawara.
Arrangements were made to protect cities like Matara, Kalutara, Galle, Negombo and Chilaw, from enemy attacks. Meanwhile Domingo Corea rose up in revolt against the Portuguese. He was the son of a translator of Don Juan Dharmapala. He was a proud character, who was after fame and glory. Once before he had been arrested by King Rajasinghe.
 He managed to escape death on that occasion. This Sinhala youth, who was born and bred among the Portuguese, married a Portuguese lady. Because of this, he had developed a lot of connections. He was also the commander of the mercenary army. Though Domingo Corea was a sturdy, Sinhala youth, he oppressed the Sinhala people and plundered their property.
In short, Domingo Corea was a worse enemy than the Portuguese. He was very unpopular. However, he chose the correct path later. When he was planning to rise up against the Portuguese,
he requested his brother-in-law, Don Juan Fernandes to join him. He also tried to persuade Samarakoon Mudali of Matara to join him, but was unsuccessful. Samarakoon Mudali befriended the Portuguese very much.
When Captain Azavedo heard about this revolt, he got thoroughly upset. He thought that Sitawaka would soon be conquered. He recalled the armies stationed at Menikkadawara and Sitawaka. At this time, Azavedo was spending his days with a noble family in Sitawaka. Rebellion was spreading even around the area. He marched to Colombo accompanied by three small platoons of soldiers. On the way, he had to face a lot of obstacles. He somehow managed to go as far as Gurubavula.
 The rebels were staying along the road to Colombo. So Azavedo thought it better to retreat along the Horana road. Rebels got to know of Azavedo’s retreat. So they chased them with the idea of attacking. By this time, rebels had conquered Horana too. Suffering many odds, Azavedo’s armies reached Horana. Here they found it difficult to meet the enemy.
The armies of the rebels were stronger, but it was a good time for Azavedo. Supplementary armies came from Colombo. They were able to defeat the rebels in Horana and save Azavedo and his men. Many provinces that were under the Portuguese had been over-run by the rebels. This proved a great loss and a shame for the Portuguese. Yet, Azavedo was not shaken. He had a sense of firm determination. He was a brave commander.
Azavedo got into action. First of all he captured Rakgahawatta, which belonged to them and stabilized their power there. From there, he marched to Gurubavula. The rebel leader was Simon Corea, a brother of Domingo Corea. The Portuguese had to exercise a great effort to suppress the rebellion. The rebel leaders had to retreat. |
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