With the death of Ethirimana Cinkam in 1617, his 3-year-old son was the proclaimed king with the late king's brother "Arasakesari" as regent. Cankili II, a usurper, and nephew of the late king killed all the princes of royal blood including "Arasakesari" and the powerful chief "Periya Pillai Arachchi". His cruel actions made him unpopular leading to a revolt by the nominal Christian Mudaliyars Dom Pedro and Dom Luis (also known as Migapulle Arachchi, the son of Periya Pillai Arachchi) and drove Cankili to hide in Kayts in August–September 1618. Unable to secure Portuguese acceptance of his kingship and to suppress the revolt, Cankili II invited military aid from the Thanjavur Nayaks who sent a troop of 5000 men under the military commander Varunakulattan.