The end of Portuguese rule
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After the capture of Kayts – the Dutch started firing gun shots from heavy machine guns, aiming at the fort in Jaffna. The stone slabs that were placed in cemeteries as monuments to remember the dead, were sent to Jaffna with the help of the canon.
As a result, having no protection from any quarter a lot of people had to die in desperation. Buildings were ruined. Even before the Portuguese could take their food supplies into the fort – the fort had been besieged.
About 3,000 people there had to go without food as a result. Finally, the only fort that was left to the Portuguese, had to be rescued somehow. An army was sent from Goa – to assist in the task. That army too, fell prey to the Dutch Admiral Ruthan.
The battle however, lasted for a few months. But it had to come to an unfortunate end. The Portuguese had to give in to very unfavourable conditions. It was a very disgraceful submission for the Portuguese.
The Portuguese rule that had begun in 1505 came to an end in 1658 AD. Their period of rule in Sri Lanka, could be divided into three parts. One – 1505 – 1551 – the Portuguese Treaty, Two – 1551 – 1597 – ruling Kotte Kingdom as a Protectorate, Three – 1597 – 1658 – Portuguese rule as masters of Sri Lanka.
By Halaliye Karunathilake
Edited and translated by Kamala Silva
Illustrated by Saman Kalubowila