previous to the Arrival oj the Portuguese. 5 
sessions which had been left them, and at last compromised 
their disputes by dividing the island between them ; to the 
one were allotted the interior parts which form the present king-- 
dom of Candy, and to the other all the low country border- 
ing on the sea-coasts. 
This division of the island gave rise to a long series of 
civil wars, and was the cause of much blood-shed. It also 
set the example of partitioning the kingdom among the 
children of the sovereign ; and owing to this cause there were 
not less than six or seven princes who reigned at the same 
time over separate divisions of Ceylon. By this means a 
spirit of dissension, and ideas of separate interest, were in- 
troduced among the natives of the several provinces ; and 
although they became afterwards united under the same mo- 
narch, yet they were rendered less zealous in the common 
cause, and more apt to be moved by the arts of their ene- 
mies who found their interest in stirring up civil commotions 
among them. After the island had long been harassed by 
the perpetual quarrels of its princes, Zinale Darma Seria 
Adaseyn at last was enabled to subdue all his competitors, 
and to establish himself firmly as its sole monarch. He mar- 
ried his cousin, who was so famed for her personal charms, 
as to acquire the name of Hoke Wandiggie, or the Beautiful 
Queen. From this union sprung the princes who ruled over 
Ceylon when it was first visited by the Portuguese. 
The earliest period at which we can look for any authentic 
or interesting information, is the arrival of the Portuguese 
under Almeyda, in the year 1505. Being accidentally forced 
by stress of weather into one of the harbours of Ceylon, he 
was hospitably received by the inhabitants. The situation of 
