NO. 59. — 1907.] PORTUGUESE IN CEYLON. 



385 



obligation of three hundred bares of cinnamon, and twelve ruby 

 and sapphire rings, and six elephants for the service of the dock- 

 yard at Cochim. 4 This tribute was paid for some years until it 

 ceased entirely, as we shall relate more fully in due course. 



1 The partition referred to is that between Bhuwaneka Bahu, 

 Rayigam Bandara, and Mayadunne, consequent on the death of Vijaya 

 Bahu in 1534 : it was not after, but sixteen years before, this that 

 Lopo Soares landed in Ceylon. 



2 In reality 1518 (see C 24). 



3 By " that king of Cota " is meant Bhuwaneka Bahu VII. ; 

 but Dharma Parakrama Bahu IX. was actually the reigning monarch. 



4 As stated by Bar. (III. 11. ii.). 



Mr. Habwabd, at the conclusion of the Paper, read certain 

 notes from the Appendices supporting the contentions of the 

 writer of the Paper. The Paper, he said, had been in their hands 

 for some time. They therefore thought it due to the author that 

 the Paper, which was written in time for the year 1906, the quater- 

 centenary anniversary, should not wait any longer. That was 

 the reason why it had been read that evening. 



The Hon. Mr. Aeunachalam said the Society was to be con- 

 gratulated upon having such a learned friend as Mr. Donald 

 Ferguson. He was sorry that he was not there in person to 

 receive the warm thanks that all of them felt for the very 

 interesting Paper which he had prepared with his usual great 

 care and learning. Mr. Ferguson had collected a lot of useful 

 information contained both in the Paper and in the Appen- 

 dix. It appeared to the speaker that Mr. Ferguson had clearly 

 established the fact that not Galle, as hitherto supposed, but 

 Colombo was the first port at which the Portuguese called ; but the 

 speaker was not sure that Mr. Ferguson had established that 1506 

 was the first year in which the Portuguese came to Ceylon. It 

 might have been the first official visit of the Portuguese ; but it 

 seemed to him strange that Mr. Ferguson made no reference 

 whatever to the date upon the rock. Mr. Ferguson stated that 

 the Portuguese erected at Colombo a monument. Referring to a 

 photograph of the rock sculpture hanging on the wall , the speaker 

 said he read on it, as also on a picture lying on the table, distinctly 

 the date 1501. He could not understand why no reference had 

 been made in the Paper to that carving. 



Mr. Haeward : There is a reference in the notes. 



The Hon. Mr. Arunachalam believed there were in the hall 

 those who were more competent to deal with the subject than 

 himself. He trusted they might throw some light upon the subject. 

 A prolonged, interesting, and at times very lively discussion 

 followed. 



Mr. Harwaed, referring to the question of the date, said that 

 the matter was fully discussed at a General Meeting which would 

 be within the recollection of many of those present. Very great 



