NO. 41.— 1890.] REBELION DE CEYLAN. 



511 



So ended the war with Madune, a war which, held in such 

 light esteem at the beginning, soon overflowed its banks for 

 want of proper care ; but after he had gained strength and 

 come to blows on our proud shields, he gained great esteem 

 with the rebels, placing our dominion in danger, and holding 

 the neighbouring princes in suspense. He raised the expect- 

 ations of the natives, and was the heart and soul of all their 

 success : he forced those who were faithful to remain neutral : 

 he drew the attention of the neutrals, and inspired hope into 

 the hearts of our enemies. 



Having finished the war and the building of the fort of 

 Sofragan, the General built a ne,w one at the entrance of the 

 Two Oorlas which had been so devoted to the cause of Madune, 

 and after fortifying and provisioning them against attack, he 

 marched fully equipped to lay the foundation of Gale Fort ; 

 for it was by these works he greatly secured the safety of our 

 Empire. But the natives hated him all the more for these 

 preparations of his, seeing that by them he obtained his ends, 

 especially by the erection of the Fort at Gale on the promon- 

 tory, to which the ancient inhabitants had given the name, 

 placed on the south-eastern side of the Island with the best 

 harbour in all the Corlas — the only port of them all (accord- 

 ing to the Hollanders) — and for that reason the most coveted. 



The ocean forms at its entrance a cove widening into a 

 large bay, where the General raised a Fort with outworks to 

 defend the landing, and inside the fortress on the highest 

 elevation he built a castle or citadel, which served to 

 protect from land and sea attack. It is six leagues from 

 Columbo, seven to the west from Alican, and as many 

 to the east of Beligao* Owing to the want of money and 

 materials the General was unable to make it as strong as he 

 wished, knowing as he did its great importance, on whose 

 conquest the former kings of Gandia had spent so much, and 

 which was so coveted by our European enemies. But in the 



*» Sic ; but in reality Alican (modern Alutgama, near Bentota), lies 

 slightly W. of N. from Galle, whilst Beligab (Veligama) lies rather S. of 

 E. — B., Hon. Sec, 



