What Did the Dutch Do to Sri Lanka?

The Dutch established a significant colonial presence in Sri Lanka, creating a governorate known as Dutch Ceylon. They primarily focused on controlling the island's coastal regions, while the interior Kingdom of Kandy remained independent.

The Establishment of Dutch Ceylon

During their period of influence, the Dutch East India Company (Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie, or VOC) played a pivotal role in shaping Sri Lanka's history. They:

• Established a Governorate: The VOC founded "Dutch Ceylon" (Sinhala: ලන්දේසි ලංකාව; Tamil: ஒல்லாந்த இலங்கை) as a colonial administration in present-day Sri Lanka. This marked a new era of European colonial rule on the island, succeeding the Portuguese.

Territorial Control and Limitations

The Dutch strategically focused on gaining control over the most economically and militarily valuable parts of Sri Lanka:

• Coastal Dominance: The Dutch managed to capture and control most of the coastal areas of Sri Lanka. These regions were crucial for trade routes and maritime power, allowing them to exert significant influence over the island's external commerce.
• Inland Independence: Despite their extensive coastal reach, the Dutch were never able to control the Kingdom of Kandy. This powerful indigenous kingdom, located in the island's interior, successfully maintained its independence throughout the period of Dutch rule. This geographical and political division often led to complex relations and occasional conflicts between the Dutch and the Kandyan monarchs.

Here's a summary of their impact:

For further historical context on this period, you can refer to the Dutch Ceylon Wikipedia page.