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Written by P. E. Pieris, a civil servant in the early decades of the 20th century, this book gives a complete view of the Portuguese occupation, and rule in Ceylon (1505 – 1868). The book has 15 chapters amongst which the reader will find notices on : the kingdom of the Pandiyans; the Mahavamsa; Parakarama Bahu; Francisco de Almeida; the arrival of the Portuguese; Affonso de Alboquerque; the Sinhalese army; polygamy and polyandry; the arrival of Miguel Ferreira; the Franciscans and Francis Xavier; Dom Joao de Castro; Antonio Moniz Barretto; misrule of the Portuguese; education; war preparations; the siege of Colombo; Portuguese abuses; revolt of Edirille Rala; death of Dharmapala; Sinhalese ideas on eating; arrival of the Jesuits; methods of warfare; campaign of 1629; Dom Jorge de Almeida; caste amongst the Sinhalese; arrival of Hulft; and, surrender. This book is a reprint of the 1920 edition. The author has written a book on the Hollanders in Ceylon, in the same manner.