Some historical aspects of leprosy in Ceylon during the Dutch period 1658-1796.

IN 1594 nine North Netherland merchants formed a 'Company of Far Lands' for the express purpose of establishing Dutch trade in the East. Two pioneer expeditions in 1597 and 1598 proved to be financially so successful that in spite of disastrous losses ofmen and ships by today's standards, numerous commercial companies mushroomed in Amsterdam to exploit the riches of trade in the Far East. However, it was soon realized that competition between these companies led to higher purchase prices in the East and lower sale prices in Europe. So, after a series of lengthy and complicated negotiations, these companies amalgamated, largely due to the efforts of the leading Dutch statesman Johan van Oldenbarnevelt.1 Thus the Dutch East India Company or VOC (Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie) came into being on 20 March 1602. The VOC had the blessings of Prince Maurice, and its governing body of Seventeen Directors (Hereen XVII) was empowered by the States General to 'wage defensive war, build fortresses and strongholds in the East and to conclude treaties of peace and alliance'. It was predicted even at that time, that the VOC would hardly confine itself to friendly barter. In fact, until it was formally dissolved on the last day of the year 1799, the history of the VOC is one of ruthless war and conquest on both land and sea. This tiny Dutch nation had, at one stage, complete control of the seas and the trade in Europe, the Mediterranean, the West Indies and the East. When the VOC first turned its attention towards Ceylon, the Portuguese had control of the western coastal areas of the island and the Jaffna Peninsula2 in the north. However, King Rajasingha II still ruled over the central Kandyan areas3 of Ceylon, when on behalf of the VOC, van Diemen concluded a treaty in 1637 with King Rajasingha of Kandy to expel the Portuguese from the island. Although Dutch hostilities against the Portuguese were commenced in 1638 as a direct consequence of