In Ceylon, the Kotte kingdom had waged a war against the Jaffna kingdom. In this war, Alakeshvara gained military prestige. He soon came to power and ruled Kotte with a puppet king from the previous royal dynasty, eventually usurping the throne of the kingdom. During the Ming treasure voyages, a large Chinese fleet led by Admiral Zheng He arrived in local waters to establish Chinese control and stability of the maritime routes in the waters around Ceylon and southern India. Alakeshvara posed a threat to Chinese trade by committing piracy and hostilities in the local waters. Alakeshvara was hostile to the Chinese presence in Ceylon during the first Ming treasure voyage, so Admiral Zheng He decided to leave Ceylon for other destinations. During the third Ming treasure voyage, the Chinese fleet returned to the Kotte kingdom. This time the Chinese came with the intention to depose Alakeshvara by military force. states that the confrontation against Alakeshvara in Ceylon most-likely happened during the outward journey of the Chinese fleet in 1410 rather than the homeward journey in 1411, but he also notes that most authorities think that the confrontation happened during the homeward journey in 1411.
Course
On the return to Ceylon, the Chinese were overbearing and contemptuous of the Sinhalese, whom they considered rude, disrespectful, and hostile. They also resented that the Sinhalese were committing hostilities towards neighboring countries who had diplomatic relations with Ming China. Admiral Zheng He and 2,000 Chinese troops traveled overland into Kotte, because Alakeshvara had lured them into his territory. Alakeshvara soon cut off Admiral Zheng He and his 2,000 troops from the Chinese treasure fleet anchored at Colombo. Alakeshvara planned to launch a surprise attack on the fleet. In response, Admiral Zheng He and his troops invaded Kotte and conquered its capital. They took captive Alakeshvara, his family, and principal officials. The Sinhalese army hastily returned and surrounded the capital, but they were repeatedly defeated in battle against the invading Chinese troops.
Aftermath
After the third Ming treasure voyage, Admiral Zheng He returned to Nanjing on 6 July 1411 and presented the Sinhalese captives to the Yongle Emperor. The Yongle Emperor eventually decided to free Alakeshvara and return him to Ceylon. The Chinese were allied with Parakramabahu VI and dethroned Alakeshvara in favor of him. The Yongle Emperor had requested from the Ministry of Rites to recommend someone to serve as the new king of Kotte. As documented in Chinese records, Parakramabahu VI was elected by the Sinhalese present at the Ming court, nominated by the Ming emperor, and installed by Admiral Zheng He with the backing of his fleet. By the time the Chinese embassy arrived, the previous Sinhalese dynasty had re-established themselves in Kotte. With Parakramavahu VI as the ruler in Ceylon, both economic and diplomatic relations between China and Ceylon was improved. From then on, the Chinese treasure fleet would experience no hostilities during visits to Ceylon on subsequent voyages. On 13 September 1411, the emperor granted both rewards and promotions for those who participated in the Sinhalese confrontation after the joint recommendation of the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Rites.
