When the Portuguese took possession of Ceylon in the year 1506, it was governed by _Abonnega Bopandar_, king of _Cotta_, a province entirely different from Candia. This prince was married to a daughter of _Tribul Pandar_, who bore him a son named _Parca Pandar_. The latter was involved in a war with another raja or king of the island, who defeated him in the year 1579. As he could no longer defend his possessions, he fled to a place of safety, and transferred his right to the Portuguese, who then gave themselves out as his successors. He died the same year at Colombo, after he had been baptised by the name of _Don Joan Parca Pandar_. It is asserted by others, and in particular Arthus, that the Portuguese first visited Ceylon under the reign of _Mara Ràga_ (properly _Maha Ragia_, that is, the great king), and this was undoubtedly the prince by whom _Parca Pandar_ was defeated. _Mahà Rágia_ had four sons, one of whom, named _Darma_, or rather _Dherma_, was illegitimate. This prince found means to put to death his legitimate brothers, and to get possession of the crown alone; but he died by poison, and was succeeded by _Vimala Dherma Suryada_, who was afterwards baptised at Goa under the name of _Don Joan di Austria_. As this prince had adopted the Christian religion, the Portuguese imagined that he would readily permit them to carry as much cinnamon and as many precious stones from the island as they might think proper; but they were disappointed in their expectation, for _Vimala Dherma Sùryada_ expelled them all from his states, and was absolutely determined that they should not gain the superiority at _Cotta_ or _Candia_. A daughter of _Parca Pandar_, who had also embraced Christianity, and had at baptism been named Catharina, was still in life, but detained a prisoner in the fortress of _Mannar_. A certain Portuguese gentleman, named Don Pietro Lopez de Sousa, married this princess; caused himself afterward to be proclaimed king of Candia, and declared war against the lawful sovereign, _Vimala Dherma Suryada_, or _Don Joan di Austria_. The latter, however, being a brave and enterprising man, pursued such prudent measures that his antagonist Don Lopez was so completely defeated in a decisive battle that he was obliged to give up the contest. After his death he married Catharina the widow, by whom he had two sons. This sovereign extended his dominion over the whole of Ceylon, and caused a great many churches, which still remain, to be built in the interior parts of the country. His object in erecting them, no doubt, was to conciliate the affection of the Christians; to give employment to his subjects, and to have a decent pretence for laying them under contribution. That his attachment to religion was not very sincere, appears, in particular, from this circumstance, that he never completely finished or endowed any of these churches, so that they have remained poor to this day.