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 COLLAPSE OF THE KINGSHIP, 1815 KANDYAN AGREEMENT

(Fatal destiny of a proud kingdom)

The administration of old Ceylon was based on of  kingship. The king ruled whole country with the assistance of ministers and other provincial rulers. Prima facie it seems a decentralized system whereas all the powers were centralized in the hands of one person called "King". Therefore one might argue kingship as a dictatorship. But kings always acted according to advice of Buddhist monks and ministers of Raja wasala. Therefore the kingship was consisted with democratic features. 

However the traditional kingship concept was uprooted with the English administration. The whole Kandyan kingdom was conquered by English men in 1815 y signing the Kandyan agreement which contained 12 sections. Then British governor Robert Brownrigg and the Kandyan chiefs in Magul Maduwa (Royal Audience Hall) which is situated in Dalada Maligawa premises. 


The Treaty contained as follows in brief,

1)Malabari King, Sri Wickraa Ragasinghe was  forfeited all his rights over throne of Kandyan kingdom. 

2) The king is declared fallen and deposed heraditary claim over dynaty 

3)Kings all male relatives were banished from the country. 

4)The powers of whole Kandyan kingdom was take up to the hands of British emperor and traditional Sinhala chieftains were given a limited powers under the shelter of British rule.

5)All types of physical torture was abolished, "later Rajakari Kramaya " too was abolished mentioning it as a type of physical torture.

6)Buddhism is declared as inviolable. 

7)A matters related to Kandyan were administrated according to the customs.

8)Non-Kandyan were administrated under British law. 

9)The dues and revenues to be collected for the King of England

10)Governor has the power to facilitate trade and commerce. 

11)The proclamation annexing the Three and Four Korales and Sabaragamuwa is repealed.

12)Governor alone can sentence a person to death sentence.

Along with this Agreement the sovereignty of Ceylon was handed over to the British. Since then the traditional kingship, laws, traditions, priority to the Buddhism was subjected to deviated. British rulers did not act as promised. Their primary object was to obtain the maximum use out of their colonies. Against this administration in year 1818, Kandyan chieftains themselves who handed over the sovereignty of the country unto British, revolted for independence.

This new English administration  changed the whole system upside down.  And it badly affected to the simple life style of Sri Lankan. And their lives become more complex and difficult.

Following are the signatories of  Kandyn agreement in side of Ceylon,

  • Molligoda (the elder) - 1st Adigar and Dissawa of the Sath Korle
  • Pilima Talawuwe (the elder) -   Dissawa of Sabaragamuwa
  • Pilima Talawuwe (the younger) - Dissawa of Hathra Korle
  • Monarawila - Dissawa of Uva
  • Ratwatte - Dissawa of Matale
  • Molligoda (the younger) - Dissawa of Thun Korle
  • Dullewe - Dissawa of Walapane
  • Millewe - Dissawa of Wellassa and Binthenna
  • Galagama - Dissawa of Tamankaduwa
  • Galagoda - Dissawa of Nuwara Kalawiya





Photo credit- For original owners

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