Malwana fort

Malwana fort (Sinhala: මල්වාන බලකොටුව Malwana Balakothuwa) was located in Malwana, Gampaha, on the banks of the Kelani River. It was built by Portuguese in 1590s. The small fort served as a residence for the Portuguese Governor or Captain-Generals.[1] Records indicate that a company of 70 soldiers were stationed at the fort. The fort was attacked by Kandyan forces in the 1630s. The Portuguese subsequently abandoned it and focused their forces on Colombo fort and its defence.[2]

Malwana fort
Malwana, Sri Lanka
Malwana fort
Coordinates6.925593°N 80.022208°E / 6.925593; 80.022208
TypeDefence fort
Site information
ConditionRemnants
Site history
Built1590s
Built byPortuguese

There are records that indicate that the fort was also used by Dutch, with approx. 20–80 Dutch soldiers stationed there. It is likely that they would have reconstructed the fort during that time, although they later abandoned it as well.[2]

There are also stories that allege that Bhuvanaikabahu VII was assassinated by the Portuguese when he visited the Malwana fort.[3]

References
  1. Rajpal Kumar De Silva, R. (1988). Illustrations and Views of Dutch Ceylon 1602–1796. Brill Archive. p. 216. ISBN 9789004089792.
  2. "Forgotten fort of Malwana". The Nation. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  3. "Sri Dalada Perahera of Kotte". The Island. Retrieved 22 November 2014.
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