No. 60. — 1908.] coxjto : history of ceylon. 137 



Matual river 1 and a lake of such size, that it is asserted to be 

 five leagues in circumference, which lay two leagues from the 

 port of Columbo 2 . In this place (because there was no other 

 passage to Ceitavaca) Madune had built this fortress, which 

 was of wood, of two faces, with very broad fillings, and stood 

 on the north 3 side of the river ; and in the face that looked 

 towards Cota the curtain of the wall was thirty fathoms in 

 length, and in the point that lay towards the river was a fine 

 bastion with many pieces of artillery. From this bastion to 

 the lake extended a very dense bamboo forest, for the space 

 of half a league, so intricate that even the wild beasts 

 could not penetrate it. From end to end along the outer 

 face of this fort ran a fine, broad ditch, which was filled 

 with water from the lake, and which was crossed by a 

 drawbridge 4 . 



The army having arrived here, they pitched their camp at 

 some distance from the fort, and held a council as to the mode 

 of attack ; and it was resolved that it should be at the angles 

 of the wall, for which purpose they made large wooden bridges 

 on wheels, and several strong mantelets, and ladders, this 

 occupying two or three days. And when all was ready one day 

 at dawn our people attacked the fort at one part, and the 

 king at another. And running the bridges over in spite of 

 the storm of bombard and matchlock shots that rained upon 

 them, they set up the ladders against the wall, and our men 

 climbing up them leaped over it, and by force of cuts and 

 blows forced their way inside, where they had a very great 

 Rattle with the enemy, in which many were killed and wounded 

 on both sides. The king of Cota and his people, likewise 

 after several losses, entered the tranqueira, on which the 

 enemy began to be put to the rout, and abandoned it completely, 

 Dora Jorge de Crasto ordering it to be at once set fire to, by 

 which it was entirely consumed. They passed that day in 

 that place, and sent to Cota those that needed healing (who 

 were many). 



1 This is the first time the Kelani river is mentioned. Further on in 

 this chapter Couto (p. 139) gives it its proper name. The name Matual 

 (which still survives in Mutwal) was applied by the Portuguese to the 

 river under a misapprehension, arising from their hearing its mouth 

 spoken of by the Tamils as Muhatuvaram (Modara). 



2 The lake referred to is evidently that of Mulleriyava, and the site 

 of the stockade was probably near Ambatale. 



3 This must be a mistake for " south." 



4 The formation of the fortress is not very clear from this descrip- 

 tion. 



