The year 1521 AD witnessed a dramatic event known as the Vijayaba Kollaya (The Spoiling of Vijayabahu), which forever altered the political landscape of Sri Lanka. King Vijayabahu VI of Kotte was assassinated by his three sons, who then divided the kingdom among themselves.
The Vijayaba Kollaya
The revolt was triggered by the king’s plan to disinherit his sons from his first marriage in favor of a son from a second marriage. Fearing for their lives and their inheritance, the three princes—Buvanekabahu, Mayadunne, and Raigam Bandara—conspired against their father. With the help of the Kandyans, they stormed the palace and killed the king.
Three New Kingdoms
Following the assassination, the Kotte Kingdom was split into three smaller principalities:
- Kotte: Ruled by the eldest, Buvanekabahu VII.
- Sitawaka: Ruled by the ambitious Mayadunne.
- Raigama: Ruled by Raigam Bandara.
A Divided Nation
This division had disastrous consequences for the Sinhalese people. It shattered the unity of the kingdom and created rival states that were constantly at war with each other. This internal conflict made it easier for the Portuguese to expand their influence, as they often played one brother against the other.