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JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON). [VOL. XVIII. 
to find it deserted, plundered and set fire to it. When, 
however, he attempted to retreat to Colombo he found the 
way blocked by felled trees and ambushes of archers ; Raja 
Si^ha having obtained reinforcements from the Prince of 
Matale, whilst many of the lascoreens deserted the Portuguese,, 
the latter suffered a disastrous defeat, their army being 
almost annihilated, the General himself perishing, and only 
thirty-three Portuguese surviving, to be carried captives into 
Kandy,6o 
On April 8 Coster arrived before Batticaloa, and on the 9th 
landed and set about preparing for the attack on the Portu- 
guese fort. On May 10 Admiral Wesfcerwold arrived with five 
more ships and a large force of men, landing next day, and 
on the 14th^^ Raja Sinha arrived by land with his army. An 
interview and interchange of gifts took place next day 
between the King and the Admiral,^^ and on the 18th the 
Portuguese garrison surrendered and the Dutch took posses- 
sion of the fort.^^ On the 23rd a treaty consisting of 
nineteen articles and an added one, was signed by Raja Sinha 
and Admiral Wester wold and Coster. By the terms of this 
the Dutch were to secure a practical monopoly of the export 
trade of Ceylon^^ in return for their assistance to the King 
in ships, men, and munitions of war, the expenses of which, 
however, were to be borne by the Sinhalese monarch, who 
was also to hold no further communication with the Portu- 
guese, and was to expel from. his dominions all priests, ^ 
monks, and other ecclesiastical persons, the causes of all 
disturbances and the ruin of kingdoms and countries. The 
third article provided that all Portuguese forts captured 
should be garrisoned by the Dutch, and if necessary repaired 
at the King's expense. It will be seen further on that this 
article gave rise to endless trouble, and was the cause of a 
rupture between the allies.^^ Admiral Westerwold left for 
Batavia on June 4, leaving Coster and 105 men in the fort, 
which was repaired, the defences being increased by the 
addition of cannon from the Dutch ships.^^ With the 
Admiral went two Sinhalese ambassadors, bearing a letter 
