No. 38.— 1889.] THE DUTCH IN CEYLON, 1602-1757. 79 



—that fortress and Nigombo being considered the two 

 principal avenues of Colombo, and the best and most 

 important of the cinnamon lands. 



Meanwhile Ragia Singa's state of health caused great 

 anxiety, as, upon the King's demise, great changes and 

 revolutions might be expected. 



At the commencement of the following year, 1686, the 

 High Priest or Gannebandaar of Candia arrived on a 

 visit to the Governor, and was received with great honour 

 and ceremony, being by his own people treated with royal 

 respect. 



The Governor had several conferences with him about 

 the King's health, his feeling towards the Company, the 

 release of the prisoners, and as to who will succeed him, &c. 

 The Gannebandaar was at first very reticent, even as to 

 whether the King was dead or alive, but became more 

 communicative later, and departed on the eighth day with 

 great pomp and ceremony, promising his good will towards a 

 satisfactory settlement. Shortly afterwards information was 

 received that preparations were being made at the Court for 

 the release of the prisoners. This did not take place, how- 

 ever, as the King and his courtiers were instigated by 

 French and Portuguese persons. 



The attempt was made to propitiate the King by presents 

 of dogs, large cocks, and many other things, but the peelers 

 were driven away from the desolate Pittigal Corle, where they 

 had hitherto remained unmolested. This was attributed to 

 the machinations of some evil disposed people, and was so 

 reported to the Court. In August of the same year it was 

 .stated that the King had decapitated some of the highland 

 chiefs and Dessaves, on account of their tyrannical rule. 

 This prevented the flight of many other subjects, who 

 would otherwise have come down to place themselves under 

 the Company's jurisdiction. 



In November disturbances took place amongst some of 

 the King's people on the borders of the Matara district, but 

 were suppressed by native soldiers sent against them. 



