THE GREAT REBELLION OF 1818 IN CEYLON
LEADER KIVULEGEDERA PUNCHIBANDARA MOHOTTALA
ARTICLE COMPILED BY DR. DHARMADASA TENNAKOON
After the defeat of 1818 Uva-Wellasa
Freedom Rebel of upcountry noble community [prabhoo], including Disavas,
Mudliers, Nilames, Mohottalas, Rate Ralas, and Vidanes, the rebel militants setback for safety places in the Vanni Rata
and Madulla zones presently called Monaragala, and Athimale and Kotiayagal
jungles. Some of them were caught by
British troops, but some of them were lived safely. The information of many of leaders of the
rebel of 1818 is not complete and the information of the history of descending
persons are not clear. An one Puskola
book compiled in 1848 by one Buddhist monk called Ethanawaththe Dhammakitti on
“Vanni Bandara Vamsa Puranaya” has given much important account on the role of
Vanni bandaras [Giri Vamsa] and vanni Chora Bandaras in the different political
regimes in Sri Lanka. This book gives
valid information the 1818 rebel, including Kivulegedaraa Punchibandara
Mohottala. This book has been studied
and reviled by one Burmees monk called Mabole Thusitha Thero, in 1958, during
his stay in Mahamankankadawala Temple, in Nuwaragam Palatha. Mabole Thusitha Thero has prepared review document on this
book. This book gives sufficient
information of historical value about clan of Vanni Bandara and line of descent
of Kivulegedera Mohottala.
According
to these information, Kivulegedera Mohottala belonged to the Vannibandara clan
[Giri Wamsa clan], which was descending from Yakka line of hereditary rulers
[since 10,000 B.C], from King Kawana dynasty, through down the Sona Giri time
to Yakka empire under king Arittar Giri, and Kuweni, DevaGiri, Siva Giri and
Sonakandu during the time of Buddha in India.
In 14th century, one Senadhipathi of VanniBandara clan, named
as Sitti Bandara, was appointed as a Minister by the King 5th
Parakramabahu, who ruled in Gangasiripura [Gampola] during 1344 -1349. Next, King Parakramabahu appointed Minister Sitti
Bandara as Disawe Mnister for Uva and Wellassa region in order to secure
defense of the region from South India invasions. He was awarded with royal lands in Walapane,
Kivulegama and Medagama. He resided in lower
Uva, at Kivulegama in Viyaluva province.
Kivulegama SittiBandara Disawa minister was the first identified
ancestor of Kivulegedara Punchi Bandara Mohottala.
During
King Don Juan Dharmapala [1551-1597], there were eminent VanniBandara young
persons in the security regime of King Dharmapala, named Don Phillip, Don Juan
Konappu Bangara, and Don Juan Sungili Bandara [Konappu Bandara and Sungili
Bandara were close relatives], belonged to the fifth generation of Kivulegama
Sitti Bandara Disawa Minister who lived during Gampola regime [1335-1355]. In 1989, a Portuguese team of militants, as they
had planned, reached to Kandy with Don Phillip, Konappu Bandara and Sungili
Bandara, and declared Don Phillip as the King of Kandy, and Konappu Bandara
was appointed as Senevi, and Sungili Bandara as Assistant Senevi. In 1591, Don Juan Konnappu Bandara with help of
Don Juan Sungili Bandara catched and killed king Don Phillip, and Konnappu
Bandara declared as the King of Kandy[1591-1604], and appointed Sungili bandara
as Chief Minister and Chief Senevi. Kivulegama
Sungili Bandara Minister [Giri Wamsa] was another identified ancestor of
Kivulegama Kivulegedera Punchi Bandara Mohottala.
King
keerthi Shri Rajasinghe [1747-1782] appointed Senevi Kivulegama Sange Bandara
[grandson of kivulegama Sen-Weera bandara] as Disawe Minister for Wellassa, who
lived in Medagama. Kivulegama
Kivulegedara Punchi Bandara was second son [born in 1780] of Kivulegama Sange
Bandara Wellassa Disawa. Kivulegedara
Punchi Bandara was appointed as ‘Mohottala’ by King Shri Wickrama
Rajasinghe[1798 – 1815], and later appointed as “Walapane Dissawa”.
The
organization of the rebel against to the Britich rule in Ceylo was gradually
developing since 1816 with participation of local leaders in Uva and Wellassa. The higher rank indigenous high ranked
officials were behind the freedom
organization, such as Kivulegedara Mohottala, kohukumbure Raterala, Butawe
Mohottala, Bakinigahawela Heenappu, Humanipola Duraya, and Maddulle
Vidane. By October 1817, the rebel
organization was spread over Uva, Wellassa, Walapane and Atabage and was strong
enough to attack to the British regimes in upcountry. The Governor of Ceylon had ordered to send a
military battalion comprised of British
and Laskirinna Sihala [lowcountry] 5,000 soldiers under command of Hajji
Muhandiram to control the movement, but the rebel army commanded by
Kivulegedara Mohottala destroyed them and he, Kivulegedara killed Hajji
Mohandiram him self. This happen on 10th, October 1817. Next, Sylvester Wilson went with 8,000 army
battalion with Sinhala militants, on 18th. October, 1817, and the
rebel leaders killed Commander Wilson, -and destroyed the British army in
three days. By April 1818, the movement was so strong and confidence of the
rebels were growing. Joining of
kappetipola Disawe and other nobles such as Ahalepola, Madugalla, Peradeni
Raterala, Dunuwila Disawa, Eriagama Nilame, Allepola Nilame Kataragama Dissawa,
and Weliwita Raterala, could reinforced the power of rebellions and made the rebel
movement so strong and nearly to capture the British rulers and the army in
Kandy.
The Rebel Movement of 1818 having
progressed tremendously, due to lack of gun powder, happen to setback
temporarily, but the power of British militants, including 15,000, Malakka and Indian army milittons, with trained low country
Sinhala laskirinna battalions who served in the British Army, were so
reinforced. The Sinhala rebel leaders
were planning to get support of that laskirinna Sinhala battalions, but it was not
successful. Sinhala rebel leaders were
agreed temporarily to setbackwords for safety places in Vanni villages and
remote places in eastern Wellassa. Kappetipola
Disawe and some other leaders of the rebel Army fled for south Vanni region via
Mahiyangana, Laggala, Raththota, Hombawa, Galewela, Moragolla, Andiyagala to
Paravahagama, where his elder sister was living, which was closed to kalawewa.
The
British Government in Ceylon had issued accusation and charge against to
Kivulegedara Mohottala for killing of identified 211 citizens of Ceylon, and
organization of people against to the King of British empire, and had ordered
to catch and take under custody of the military.
Kivulegedara
Punchi Bandara Mohottala, with his other leaders and rebel army of 600 battalion,
began to flee for Western Vanni Region, passing, Mahiyangana, Wasgamuwa,
Dimbulagal, Seegiriya, and reached to Ritigala range. Suddenly they received news that, Keppotipola
and other leaders and 350 battalion was surrendered [on 02nd
November, 1818] and captured by British Army Regiment located in Kalawewa. This was bad news for Kivulegedara Mohottala and
other leaders, and they decided to separate in to groups and to set back to
different areas in central Vanni villages.
Kivulegedara Mohottala with his 15 battalion, began to fleet through Muriyankadawala,
Thirappane, Eppawala, Mahagalkadawala, and reached to Hathgalgulkada Aranya
Senasanaya in the Kala Oya valley. He
advised his battalion where and how they could proceed to secure places, and as
he advices rebels moved for nearby villages. He had advised to his people to
live in disguised way, and not to give chance to peoples to discover about the
rebel of about their family information.
Kivulegedara Mohottala advised his elder
brother’s elder son named Kivulegedera Sanje Bandara and his three other helpers
to move to Vitikuliya and Magalla villages, and provided route information and names of key persons there to keep in their mind for anytime to get help when it
arise. He advised thoroughly not to
reveal to anyone about the personal information, because Muslim traders are
usually visiting to these villages.
Kivulegedara
Mohottal advised his elder son Kivulegedara Tikiri Bandara Seerala to move,
with his 3 assistant persons to move, from Hathgalgulkada, via Giribawa,
crossing kala Oya, via Rajanganaya, Thumbulla to Vanni Willachchi Pattu, where
there are a number of Vanni villages of very safe. They were advised as he advised to the other
team moved towards Nikaweratiya. They moved as advised and reached to a village
called Dunumandalawa, and settled there.
Kivulegedara Mohottala had advised them exactly, he should go back to
Wellassa and Uva, and he promised to come back to this Hathgalgulkada in one or
two years. But he could not come back,
he was captured by British Army at Bibile[on 26th January 1819].
Menikralage
Kaurala Mudianse had information of Kivulegedera Mohottala and his relatives, those who had fled to Vanni villages in Anuradhapura. This informant was born in 1882 in Illandagaswea
Puranagama in Madyama Nuwaragam Palatha, Batahira Nuwaragam Korale, in Nuwara
Kalaviya, Anuradhapura. He was a famous
indigenous Doctor{vedarala] and who could use supernatural powers to practice yanthra
manthra and shanthikarma. He has
given an account of Kivulegedera descent, and they are belonged to Rawanadhi
Yakka descency, and belonged to the clan of Vanni Bandara[Giri Wamsa], and he
had explained the King Wimaladharmasuriya was relative of Kivulegedara descent
paramparawa.
Illandagahawea
puranagama Menikralage Kaurala has explained that son of Kivulegedara who
settled in Dunumandalawa has secretly explained his sons about his clan and
this was secretly passed by generation to generation but not endeavored to
others. These descendants have practiced their heritage such as worship to Lord
Rawana Devi, worship to Aiyanayaka Devi and Pulleyar, Practice of Wee Malle
ceremony, Practice of Mutti Nammeme ceremony and Gambhara Deva Mangalya, and
they used to practice indigenous medicine and manthra shanthikarma, as they had
learned all these from Thabbowe Gurunnanse.
According to the information given by Kaurala Vedarala[born in 1882],
son of Kivulegedara Punchi Bandara Mohottala [born in 1773], Kivulegedara
Tikiri Bandara Seerala[born in 1798] settled in Dunumandalawa in Willachchi Korale. He had two sons and two daughters. Elder son
was Seeralage Baddarala [born in 1824], and second son was Seeralage Ungurala[born
in 1827]. Name of elder daughter was Seeralage Bisomenike[born in 1829], and
name of other daughter was Seeralage kathirinahami[born in 1833]. Kivulegedara son Tikiri Banda Seerala learned
indigenous science from Thabbowe Vedarala, developed kumburu/paddy lands
and restored irrigation and tanks, and participated anniversary ceremonies at
Thabbowe devalaya for God Rawana, God Aiyanaka and Wediyak and Pulleyar. His
second son Ungural at his young age went to Thabbowe Gurunnase to learn Hela
Science and settled there. He had no
children[due to natural abortions- a female defect ]. Young daughter of Tikiri
Bandage Seerala, named Seeralage kathirinahami was caught by devil vision and
suffered from a mental disease and died at her young age. The other daughter married and lived in that
village. Kivulegedara Mohottala’s first
line grandsons are: 1. Seeralage Baddarala[1824] and 2. Seeralage Ungurala[1827].
Seeralage
Baddara moved to village Eeththikulama, and married there, and developed paddy
lands. Additionally he used to go on
trade by cart stocks from Puttalama with salt and dry fish supplying for Vanni
villages in Nuwaragam kalaviya. Seeralage Baddarala had two sons and one
daughter: elder son was Baddaralage Menikrala[born in 1858]; second son was
Baddaralage Dingirala[born in 1861]; and daughter was Baddaralage
Menikhami[born in 1864]. Elder son
Baddaralage Menikrala moved to village Ahatuwagama, and married there,
developed paddy lands and irrigation, and partly involved in trading food
stuffs, and he moved to Illandagaswewa and maintained a shop there. He used to lend money on signed lending notes
to village level businessmen. Second son
of Baddarala, Baddaralage Dingirala used to hunting in Willachi-wilpatthu
jungle, and faced with an attack of wild bear, and wounded, but escaped. However he died after few years of
treatment. Baddaralage Menikrala [1858]
who survived was the Kivulegedara Mohottala’s second line grandson.
Baddaralage
Menikrala had two sons: elder son was Menikralage Kaurala Mudianse[born in
1882]; and second son was Menikralage Puncirala[born in 1886]. Second son Menikralage Punchirala married
from Dunupatha Megahawewa, and he had two daughters.
Elder
son of Baddaralage Menikrala, called Menikralage kaurala lived in
Illandagaswewa and married Laparala Vedaralage Loku Ethanihami Ranmenika, and
he had one son called Kauralage Dingiri Banda[born in 1914]. After 12 years of
his son’s birth, Kaurala’s wife, Laparala Vedaralage Loku Ethanihami Ranmenika
was caught by devil effects, and was with mentally violent misconducts with
relatives, and after few years she died from a mental disorder. Kaurala did not marry again and lived with
his son Dingiri Banda. Menikralage
Kaural Mudiyanse belonged to the third line grandson of Kivulegedara Mohottala.
Kauralage
Dingiri Banda[born in 1914] married Manthriralage Girangiethana in 1940, and he
had a daughter and a son; name of daughter was Dingiri Bandage Malihami[born in
1942]; and after few years Dingiri Banda’s wife Girangiethan died from a
witchcraft[bandana-kodivina] at a time she was pregnant, in February, 1946. Kauralage Dingiri Banda again married in November, 1947. Kauralage Dingiri Banga had a son named Dingiri Bandage Dharmadasa, born on 09.11.1948. Kauralage Dingiri Banda died on 14th April, 1949 after having eaten
poisonous food given by an unknown person. Dingiri Bandage Dharmadasa still alive. Dingiri Banda’s Daughter Malihami
at her young age when she was about 30 yrs. Old, she was caught by a severe
mental effects on her behavior, and she was violent in some times, and died in
Angoda Hospital in 1971. Kauralage
Dingiri Banda was the fourth line[generation] grandson of Kivulegedara
Mohottala.
After
death of his son Dingiri Banda, and granddaughter Malihami, Menikralage Kaurala Mudianse lived alone with
help of Baiya Henemama, and Bali Redinanda and Tikiri Redinanda[friends of a dauby
family: called "radawe" ], and other relatives who helped him to manage his lands, and cattle. He gradually financially failed, as people did
not repay loans taken by sign credit notes, and recurrent drought at the time. He sold his antique properties to Muslim
traders, and after 96 years of age, Menik Ralage Kaurala Mudianse died in
1978, in Nuwara Kalaviya, Western Nuwaragam Korale, Madyama Nuwaragam Palatha, at Illandagahawewa Purana Village.
Note: This article is prepared
using the information given by Menik Ralage Kaurala Mudianse, who lived in
Illandagahawewa Puranagama in Anuradhapura; as he had expressed himself that
all these information has been securely passed by generation to generation.
By 2018 we complete almost 200
years after Great Wellassa Rebel 1818.
ARTICLE IS COMPLLED BY DR. D.
TENNAKOON
