Funday Times - Our History

The revolt of Jothipala

This article is part of a continuing series on the ‘Mahavamsa,’ the recorded chronicle of Sri Lankan history
By Halaliye Karunathilake, Edited and translated by Kamala Silva, Illustrated by Saman Kalubowila

The Portuguese marched to Udugampola to suppress the rebellion. They attacked the rebels there. They grabbed all the wealth of the leader of this rebellion. By this time, Domingo Corea knew that the revolt was becoming unsuccessful. So he marched to Kandy and met King Vimaladharma. This king met the leader very warmly and helped him to continue the fight. Both these individuals, were brought up amidst the Portuguese and so were once very good friends.

The king supported him by supplying both arms and men. After this, Domingo Corea appeared in the name – Edirille Bandara. Domingo Corea set forth towards Udunuwara, where Samarakoon Mudali lived. In the meantime, King Vimaladharma arranged to disperse the army that was marching under Don Constantine Navaratne, who happened to be a nephew of Don Juan Dharmapala.

In the year 1596, Azavedo received supplementary armies from Goa. With the help of these soldiers, he fortified Malwana. He dispersed the soldiers all over the country.

An army that came from Kandy was made to retreat. Mudali Samarakoon who was sent to capture Matara Dissawa, was residing at Udunuwara. Domingo Corea who came with the huge army to attack Udunuwara was defeated by Mudali Samarakoon.

Domingo Corea – alias – Edirille Bandara, disguised himself and retreated. Samarakoon who got to know this, offered a reward for anybody who would capture him or even give any news about his
where-abouts. A few days passed. News began to pour in. Samarakoon’s army was able to capture him. At this time, Azavedo was in Kalutara. Samarakoon sent Domingo Corea there. Azavedo was happy, because the rebel leader was captured.

Samarakoon began to receive honour and tributes. Domingo Corea was brought from Kalutara to Colombo. There he was tried. Portuguese forwarded a number of accusations against him. Some of them were going against the Portuguese king and rising up in revolt. He was pronounced guilty of all these offences. Portuguese then killed this heroic Sinhala leader. Even after this, the revolt did not stop. It took a new face as Jothipala revolt.

The Portuguese came to war again. This time it was against the new leader, who happened to be Domingo Corea’s brother. He was Simon Corea by name. He is the leader who led the revolt of Sitawaka before this. Then too, the Portuguese had to struggle to suppress that uprising. They spread their power there. Then Simon Corea, retreated and went to Kandy. He met King Vimaladharma.

The king welcomed him warmly and instructed him to carry on the struggle against Portuguese power. King Vimaladharma gave him the necessary arms and armaments and soldiers for this task. Simon Corea who was simply thrilled with all this assistance, now appeared under the name Navaratne Bandara. He went to the extent of proclaiming that the Sitawaka Kingdom belonged to him and he was the rightful king there.

Meanwhile, the Portuguese put in a lot of effort to conquer the Seven Korales and the Four Korales. Simon Corea rose up against them. King Rajasinghe and Prince Denewaka, joined to support him. Added to this group were Mayadunne of Four Korales and Jothipala of Seven Korales.

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