Abstract:
The Muslim settlements in Sri Lanka dates back to the 7 century A.D. Arab/Muslim
traders frequented the coast and traded with the inhabitants. By the 9th century there
were Muslim settlements along the west coast from Colombo to Matara. Muslims had
also settled along the east coast as traders from Arabia and South India resorted to the
ports of Trincomalee, Kottiyar and Batticoloa and the smaller harbours such as
Sammanthurai. However the bulk of Muslim settlement in this area took place after the
advent of the Portuguese in 1505
The Portuguese, also traders, were the rivals of the Muslims. They found that the
Muslims carried on both the import / export trade as well as the internal trade of the
Island. They introduced restrictive measure to curb the power and the influence of the
Muslims who not only carried on the trade but were also a hindrance to the spread of
their religion.
Finally in 1628 when de Saa ordered the expulsion of the Muslims from the ports they
had to resettle in areas not under Portuguese control. It was at this time that most of
them fled to India, to the hill country and to the eastern coast. The Kandyan King allowed
them to settle in his Kingdom and also encouraged them to occupy the fertile eastern
area and carry on trade from those ports.
Muslim migration to the east coast continued during Dutch times and today the eastern
province has the largest concentration of Muslims. Reliable statistics as to the number
of Muslims who migrated to the east during and after the Portuguese era are not
available. However evidence can be gathered from legends popular in the area, from the
family history of some of the prominent east coast Muslims and from the presence of old
mosques and tombs
