Malwana fort

Malwana fort
Malwana, Sri Lanka
Malwana fort
Coordinates	6°55′32″N 80°01′20″E / 6.925593°N 80.022208°E / 6.925593; 80.022208
Type	Defence fort
Site information
Condition	Remnants
Site history
Built	1590s
Built by	Portuguese

Malwana fort (Sinhalese: මල්වාන බලකොටුව) 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]

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

Forts of Sri Lanka
Ancient Forts	Balana fort Mapagala fortress Sigiriya Sitawaka fort Vijithapura Yapahuwa
Colonial Forts	Portuguese Forts Arandora fort Arippu fort Batticaloa fort Colombo fort Delft Island fort Fort Fredrick Fort Hammenheil Galle fort Haldummulla fort† Hanwella fort Jaffna fort Kalutara fort Kayts Island fort† Malwana fort† Mannar fort Matara fort Menikkadawara fort† Negombo fort Pooneryn fort Ratnapura Portuguese fort† Ruwanwella fort Dutch Forts Elephant Pass fort Fort Beschutter Fort Ostenburg Fort Pyl Kalpitiya fort Kankesanthurai fort Katuwana fort Koddiyar fort Mullaitivu fort Point Pedro fort Ratnapura Dutch fort Star fort Tangalle fort British Forts Fort MacDowall Martello tower
Less or no contribution/renovation works of Dutch are marked by † symbol under "Portuguese Forts", and others are considered as Dutch forts too.