Veediya Bandara rose to prominence as a celebrated war hero in the 16th century during the Kotte Kingdom, earning the title Thiruwelle Bandara, meaning "The Tiger of Kotte." His valour and tactical acumen have solidified his place as a crucial figure in Sri Lankan history. Interestingly, some historians propose that Veediya Bandara may have had Tamil ancestry, which adds a fascinating dimension to his legacy.
Paul E. Peiris, a noted historian, posits that he hailed from a distinguished family in Madampe, which underscores his noble lineage. His father, Kumara Bandara, served as a local aristocrat, while his mother, Kapuru Lama Ethana, was related to the royal family as a cousin of King Bhuvanaikabahu VII. This connection to the monarchy not only highlights his noble heritage but also positions him within the intricate political landscape of his time, where familial ties often influenced power dynamics and military alliances.
Veediya Bandara was born during a tumultuous era marked by the arrival of the Portuguese in Sri Lanka in 1505. Their presence initiated a phase of military expansion and the promotion of Catholicism, which significantly impacted the local culture and society. Concurrently, the indigenous kingdoms were embroiled in their own internal conflicts, further complicating the political landscape of the time.
When the Portuguese arrived in 1505, the rulers of Sri Lanka included Vira Parakramabahu VIII of the Kingdom of Kotte, Pararajasekaram of the Kingdom of Jaffna, and Veerabahu of the Kingdom of Kandy. King Vijayabahu VII had three sons: Bhuvanaikabahu, Pararajasingha, and Mayadunne. In 1521, the brothers conspired against their father, resulting in his murder and the subsequent division of the kingdom among themselves. Bhuvanekabahu ascended to the throne of Kotte, Pararajasingha took control of Raigam, and Mayadunne became the ruler of Sitawaka.
King Bhuvanaikabahu VII, who reigned from 1521 to 1550, presided over the Kingdom of Kotte during a tumultuous era marked by political instability and the growing influence of the Portuguese in Sri Lanka. His rule was characterized by challenges that shaped the kingdom's trajectory amid external pressures. Facing constant threats from his ambitious brother Mayadunne, he made the calculated decision to align with the Portuguese. In the midst of the ongoing conflicts with Mayadunne of Sitawaka, King Bhuvanaikabahu VII identified Veediya Bandara as an ideal warrior to safeguard his kingdom.
Veediya Bandara held the prominent position of commander under King Bhuvanaikabahu VII of Kotte, a role that placed him at the center of the kingdom's military and political affairs. He possessed a deep understanding of both Sinhala martial arts and Portuguese military strategies. With remarkable skill in combat and outstanding military leadership, he emerged as a pivotal force in the unyielding conflicts against the rival King Mayadunne of Sitawaka. Additionally, he often found himself in battles against the Portuguese colonizers, showcasing his relentless commitment to both active engagement and strategic warfare.
Veediya Bandara was united in marriage to Samudra Devi, the daughter of King Bhuvanaikabahu VII, which further solidified his standing within the royal family. However, the dynamics of their union were complicated; Princess Samudra Devi was initially betrothed to Prince Jugo Bandara, a young man raised by King Bhuvanaikabahu himself. Despite this engagement, the princess's affections lay with Veediya Bandara, leading to a tragic turn of events. Historical accounts reveal that Veediya Bandara, driven by his passion for Samudra Devi, ultimately took the drastic step of murdering Jugo Bandara with a knife.
In 1538, Veediya Bandara and Princess Samudra Devi were married, and their union is said to have produced two sons, Dharmapala the elder and Vijayabahu the younger. Over the years, Dharmapala would come to rule the Kotte kingdom, though he proved to be a rather ineffective king, lacking the courage and bold spirit that his father had displayed.
During a tumultuous era marked by ongoing conflicts, Bhuvanaikabahu of Kotte found himself frequently at odds with King Mayadunne, the founder and ruler of Sitawaka from 1521 to 1581. Under Bhuvanaikabahu's rule, the Kotte kingdom enjoyed a degree of protection from both the encroaching Portuguese and the threats posed by King Mayadunne, largely due to the strategic prowess of Veediya Bandara.
Following the death of King Bhuvanaikabahu in 1551 AD, his successor, Don Juan Dharmapala, the son of Veediya Bandara, ascended to the throne. At this juncture, the coastal territories of Sri Lanka had fallen under Portuguese control, who were actively devising a political strategy aimed at the complete subjugation of the island. Their plans included moulding the young king, Don Juan Dharmapala, to align with their imperial ambitions, thereby ensuring that the future of Sri Lanka would be shaped according to their interests.
Veediya Bandara was the saviour of the Kingdom of Kotte. In the year 1539 AD, the alliance formed between King Mayadunne and Raigam Bandara, with the backing of the Zamorin of Calicut, led them into conflict against King Bhuvanaikabahu. Despite Bhuvanaikabahu having the support of the Portuguese, it was Veediya Bandara's remarkable bravery that ultimately safeguarded the kingdom from enemy advances.
Tensions
existed between Veediya Bandara and his wife, Samudra Devi, likely fueled by
his feelings of sexual jealousy, which led him to accuse her of infidelity. Some
historians suggest that Samudra Devi may have had a covert relationship with a
Portuguese soldier, which reportedly sparked Veediya Bandara's intense rage. The
sudden and unexpected death of Samudra Devi sparked rumours suggesting that he
had drowned her, although there is no solid evidence to support this
allegation. Some historians propose that she may have suffered from a
psychiatric condition, which ultimately contributed to her demise.
King Mayadunne had a daughter named Tikiri, who was also
known as Surya Devi and Maha Tikiri Biso Bandara. Princess Tikiri held a deep
affection for the Veediya Bandara. Following her
death, Veediya Bandara entered into a second marriage with Surya Devi, the daughter of King
Mayadunne, who ruled the kingdom of Sitawaka.
The Portuguese harbored deep resentment towards Veediya Bandara, leading the Portuguese Captain Diogo de Melo to issue orders for his capture. Utilizing cunning tactics of a Catholic Clergyman named Pereira, Captain Diogo de Melo successfully apprehended Veediya Bandara and confined him within a cell at Colombo Fort. However, his queen, Surya Devi, orchestrated a daring rescue by bribing the guards and constructing a tunnel that facilitated his escape.
Following
his escape, Veediya Bandara sought refuge first in Atalugama and subsequently
crossed the Kalu Ganga and established a stronghold in Palindanuwara (in
Kaluthara District). From
this fortified position, he initiated a campaign against both King Mayadunne
and the Portuguese forces. Some historians indicate that Vidiya Bandara's
actions hindered the Portuguese from successfully converting the southern
coastline to Catholicism. He unleashed violence against Portuguese invaders and
Portuguese clergymen. His campaign included the destruction of churches and the
execution of Catholic priests, marking a significant shift in the religious
landscape of the area.
Despite
his prowess as a warrior, Veediya Bandara grappled with a complicated mental
landscape that hindered his effectiveness as a ruler. Initially welcomed by
Edirimaana Surya, he was granted the village of Bogoda, located near Nathagane.
However, driven by an insatiable thirst for power, Veediya Bandara killed
Edirimaana Surya, who gave him a helping hand when he was in dire straits.
After assassinating his friend, Veediya Bandara became the new leader of
Edirimaana Surya’s territory.
Veediya
Bandara had a volatile temperament, which often escalated into domestic
violence. As a result, Suriya Devi suffered as a victim of intimate partner
violence. She frequently expressed her concerns about Veediya Bandara's
treatment to her father, prompting King Mayadunne to intervene. In an effort to
address the situation, he sent a military force led by his youngest son, Tikiri
Bandara, his eldest son, Thimbiripola Kumaraya, and Udugammulla Wickramasinghe
Mudali, the commander-in-chief of the Seethawaka Maha Sena. This military
intervention resulted in a fierce battle at Diyakadawala, where Veediya Bandara
suffered a significant defeat and was compelled to retreat. The conflicts with
Veediya Bandara prompted King Mayadunne to ally with the Portuguese,
culminating in a formal agreement in 1555.
After
enduring numerous confrontations, Veediya Bandara came to the sobering
realization that his forces were insufficient to confront his adversaries
effectively. In light of this, he resolved to journey northward to seek an
alliance with the king of Sankili. At
this point, King Sankili was actively participating in the resistance against
the Portuguese and agreed to collaborate with Veediya Bandara to launch a
united campaign.
Tragically,
Veediya Bandara met his demise under unforeseen circumstances. Upon his arrival
to meet the king of Sankili, who belonged to the Arya Chakravarti dynasty, he
found himself waiting outside the Nallur Kovil in Jaffna, where a large crowd
had gathered. An accidental explosion of gunpowder, resulting from a mishap,
incited widespread panic among the onlookers. The guards of King Sankili,
misinterpreting the chaos as a deliberate assault orchestrated by Veediya
Bandara, quickly surrounded him. As tensions mounted, violence erupted, leading
to a fierce confrontation in which historical accounts suggest that Veediya
Bandara managed to slay nearly sixty of the king's soldiers.
However,
in the midst of the fray, he was ambushed from behind by a guardsman,
sustaining fatal injuries. It was only later that King Sankili came to
understand the tragic misunderstanding that had unfolded. Overcome with sorrow,
the king commissioned the construction of a monument in honor of Veediya
Bandara, and a temple was also established near the Nallur temple in Jaffna,
commemorating the site of Veediya Bandara's final stand.
The
legacy of Veediya Bandara is complex and multifaceted, characterized by a blend
of heroism and moral ambiguity. On one hand, he is celebrated as a valiant
figure who stood against foreign invaders, embodying the spirit of resistance
and national pride. However, this image is complicated by his personal
shortcomings, as he often acted out of self-interest, leading some to view him
as an opportunist. His unwillingness to express gratitude towards those who
supported him, despite the questionable nature of their actions, further
damaged his reputation. Additionally, his treatment of his wives reveals a
troubling aspect of his character; he was known to be abusive and neglectful,
failing to fulfill the role of a supportive and caring husband. This duality in
his legacy prompts a reevaluation of his contributions and flaws, leaving a
lasting impression that is both admirable and deeply flawed.
Veediya
Bandara lived during a tumultuous era marked by relentless wars, widespread
death, political assassinations, betrayals, and pervasive social upheaval.
Throughout this chaotic period, he found himself embroiled in numerous armed
conflicts, each contributing to the mounting stress of battle that he
experienced. The constant exposure to violence and the harsh realities of
warfare likely led to significant transformations in his personality, as the
psychological toll of such experiences can profoundly alter an individual's
outlook and behavior. The relentless nature of his environment, filled with
uncertainty and danger, may have instilled in him a sense of mistrust and a
heightened awareness of betrayal, further complicating his interactions with
others and shaping his identity in profound ways.
Veediya
Bandara was undeniably a multifaceted individual whose character was profoundly
shaped by the traumas of war. The psychological scars he bore manifested in
various troubling behaviours, including episodes of unpredictable violence and
emotional instability. His emotional landscape was marked by frequent outbursts
of anger, a pervasive sense of emotional numbness, and a degree of paranoia
that fueled his mistrust and suspicion of those around him. These psychological
challenges not only complicated his interactions with others but also
contributed significantly to his eventual decline. The interplay of these
factors created a volatile environment that likely played a crucial role in his
downfall, illustrating how deeply the effects of trauma can permeate an
individual's life and relationships.
About the authors
Dr.
Ajith Amarasinghe, MBBS, DCH, MD, MRCP, MRCPCH, is a Consultant Pediatrician
and Clinical Allergist
Dr.
Ruwan M Jayatunge, M.D, PhD; Medical Doctor and a Clinical Psychologist
Special Thanks to
1.
Dr. Anura Manthunga - Senior Professor of the
Department of Archaeology and the Founder Director of the Centre for Heritage
Studies of the University of Kelaniya
2.
Dr. Roshan
Maddage Don
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