(2, 3) The Portuguese were also cunning in convincing the Tamil Hindu population in the north of Sri Lanka that they were merely European Brahmans (Hindu priests) from a superior caste who intended to teach them about the superiority deity that they worshipped by mimicking Hindu traditions and then exposing the locals to the Bible that they used to worship their particular "deity"
(2) Following conversion and the privileges associated with it, the Portuguese colonial missionaries encouraged Christian customs which were unfamiliar and forbidden to followers of Buddhism. Such practices included the consumption of liquor and beef, and the slaughtering of animals. (3) This meant that the Portuguese were often able to ensure large scale conversions of fishermen, as the Christian religion enabled them to have a greater sense of self-worth about fishing and escape the guilt associated with their occupation in Hinduism and Buddhism (2). .
Led by figures such as Friar Joao de Vila de Conde, the Portuguese were assigned to spread Christianity by order of the Popes who ruled during the Portuguese colonial era- Calixtus III, Nicholas V, and Alexander VI. (2) This was most clearly articulated in the Doctrine of Padroado, which stated that missionary work was in the hands of the Portuguese crown in colonial areas where Portugal was the ruling political power. (4) This is the reason why missionaries followed the Portuguese expeditionary forces wherever they went. These aforementioned Portuguese missionaries in Sri Lanka came from four different Catholic orders: Franciscan, Jesuit, Augustinian and Dominican. (2).
However, the Portuguese did not hesitate to use force during their colonial inquest of the island and even if their use of religion appeared to be far more benevolent at the outset, it certainly was not the case.