Friday, June 22, 2018

KIVULEGEDARA MOHOTTALA -GREAT REBELLION 1817-1818 IN CEYLON


THE GREAT REBELLION OF 1817-1818 IN CEYLON
BY DR. DHARMADASA TENNAKOON
PART: 1 THE GREAT REBELLION OF 1817- 1818
SUMMARY
The Kandyan Kingdom of Ceylon was handed over to British rule by Sinhala  [“Ceylonese”] kandyan leaders by a treaty in 1815.   The Kandyan kingdom of Ceylon was reigned by King Sri Wickrama Rajasingha [1798 – 1815].  As a result of growing rivalry and antagonism between King Rajasingha and Ahelepola Nilame, Ahalepola Nilame invaded Kandyan kingdom with support of British military, and could caught King Rajasingha, and handed over to the British commander.  There had been several treats between Singhala [Ceylonese] nobles led by Ahalepola and the Governor of Ceylon, Robert Brownrigg, and finally agreed to hand over the rule to British by a treaty.  This convention is named as UPCOUNTRY CONVENTION OF 1815.  But, the British Government in Ceylon headed by Governor Robert Brownrigg, had introduced a British administrative system contravening to the traditional administrative powers of the nobles.
Ceylonese Rebel Leaders

The Great Rebellion of 1817-1818 was initiated in Uva and Wellassa provinces, which were among main provinces of the kandyan kingdom.  This freedom movement was also known as Uva –Wellassa Uprising of Ceylonese of 1817-1818.  This was the third war against to British colonial government by Kandyan Sinhalese since 1796.  The Kingdom of Kandy has been a territory of independent regime of Udarata [Up Country] until it fell under the control of Governor Robert Brownrigg of British administration in 1815.
After two years since handed over the rule of Upcountry kingdom under the terms of the Kandyan Convention in 1815, the British rule began to be uncared of the terms of the convention, and gradually antagonized the Upcountry chiefs who signed to the Convention. Despite to the promises, the British breached the rights of the Kandyan chief to retain their traditional privileges, they introduced British administrative system over their customary powers.  Appointment of one Malay moor, by Governor Robert Brownrigg on recommendation of John D’Oyly, named Hajji Marikkar Muhandiram [in September 1817] as Travala Madige Muhandiram of Wellassa, replacing the rights of Millawe Dissawa fired the unrest of Kandyan nobles against to the British rule. In August and September 1817, Kivulegedara Mohottala, Kohukumbure Rate Rala, Butawe Rate Rala and Millawe Disawa organized a riot against to this decision, in Badulla.  Kivulegedara Mohottala [Weera Vanni Bandara Kivulegedara Aluth Punchi Bandara Mohottala Disawa] had involved in riot with admired responsibility in organizing people at the initial stage.
The Buddhist Priests Gave Guidance at
 the Initial stage of the Rebellion
On One hand, appointment of moor as Disawa with traditional administrative and military powers was conceived by upcountry natives as a threat to their conventional legacy. On the other hand, hidden grudge and suspicion conceived by the British administration upon senior Disawas, i.e., Ahalepola, Pilimathauva Madugalla and Keppetipola were not happy for the local Buddhist priest and native leaders.  An annoyance amongst the most Sinhala nobles, Buddhist priests, and local leaders was growing since the Treaty of 1815 was signed by the By the British higher officials and by the Kandyan Nobles.  These anxieties of the future of Kandyan Sinhales [Kandyan natives] were growing even among Buddhist leaders in Kandy, Malwatta and Usgiriya sectors.  This anxiety was turning in to a phase of a rebellion since 26 September 1817, with Hajji Mohandiram’s troops’ attempt to enter Badulla.  The second attempt was made by Major. Sylvester Wilson on 16th October. And he was killed by rebels. The rebel movement was demonstrated strongest in September and October 1817. In end of October, when British sent a massive troop to UVA – WELLASSA under Kappetopola Nilame, the rebel leaders had high morale to attack them before entering to Uva. Kappetiola Nilame had several negotiations with rebel leaders, and finally decided to join to rebels and to lead the battle. The rebel leaders had prepared to plunder guns and ammunition of the enemies, but they later changed it.  Keppetipola turned back all British military which were under his command, with their all arms and ammunition.  Since then, many Kandyan nobles, Disawas ans Mohottalas began to join to rebels with their local followers.
 Generally, since March to September, the riot was well organized and was receiving confidence of the mass. By October of 1817, the uprising movement was growing in many Disavas [regions] in Matale, Uva and Wellassa, and Governor Robert Brownrigg stationed in Kandy to organize the war to suppress the rebellion.  On recommendation of D’Oyly, the Governor sent a battalion of  500 British army soldiers with 2,000 Sinhala [lascoreyns], Malay and Indian soldiers to Uva under command of Keppetipola Disawa in 26th   October, 1817, to quell the uprising, but joining of Keppetipola Disawa to the rebellion at Alupotha in Uva as the leader of the rebellion, the Governor disappointed.
The other leaders who supported this riot movement since beginning of 1817, the leaders of in charge of regional battalions, such as  Gode Gedara Adikaram, Wilbawe as assigned King (an alias of Duraisamy, a Nayakkar of Royal blood), Madulle Nilame, Megaskumbure Nilame, Kandepolla Nilame, Dunuwila Nilame, Iriyagama Nilame, Thanne Adikarama, II Pilima Talauve Adikaram, Kohu Kumbure Rate Rala, Dimbulana Disave, Kivulegedara Mohottala[Kiulegedara Mohottala was the Dissava of Walapana and a royal poet in the Court of King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe]., Madugalle Disave, Butewe Rate Rala, Galagoda Mohottala, Galagedara Mohottala, Meegahapitiya Rate Rala, Dambawinna Disave and , Kurundukumbure Mohottala reinforced their troops with directions of Keppetipola Nilame.

Keppetipola ordered his British troops to turn back, and returned all arms and ammunition of the British with them, perhaps to prove our cultural disciplinary to exotic invaders.  In April 1818, Rev. Wariyapola Sumangala of Asgiriya, with help of Madugalla Nilame, fled with the relics casket to Hanguranketa, which resulted in great confidence of the leaders of the rebellion.
While it was on progress, Kohukumbure Rate Rala and his supported were caught by native Lieut. Anna in April, 1818.  During May –August many local leaders and followers of the rebel were caught by the British army, or surrendered themselves.  By September 1818 the British army captured few regional leaders and chief rebels, and captured Ellepola who was the Dissawa of Viyaluwa and a brother of Maha Adikaram Ehelepola and beheaded them in Bogambara on 27th October 1818. The rebellion was in progress in many districts with random setbacks until end of August 1818, led by Monarawila Keppetipola Disawe and other leading nobles, and they could have captured Matale and northern part of Kandy before Keppetipola fell ill with jungle fever.  
It was evident that the rebellion was failed due to a number of reasons.  Since the inception, it was not well planned well led by the leaders. The crossing territory controlled by some Chieftains and they helped the British allowing routes to use for military and for British supplies. There has been disagreement of the status of King Wilbawe alias Doraisami, who claimed his hereditary legacy to the Sinhalese throne, among Sinhalese nobles and common people, as he had Nayakkar origin.  Lack of weapons, ammunitions and gunpowder was the serious problem faced by rebels at the last movement in October, 1818. The rebels happened to fight in dispersed small groups.
The Great Rebellion of 1818 was launched by upcountry nobles to expel the British rule in Ceylon [Sri Lanka], The rebel movement was initiated by few nobles in August, 1816,  and,  in May, 1817 the movement was officially announced in a royal occasion that Wilbawe alias Dorasamy was crowned by upcountry nobles as the king of Kandyan  kingdom. The nobles in the kandyan region began to break with, and aggressive with the new British rule in Kandy, since the British administration began to breach the 1815 UPCOUNTRY CONVENTION, and replaced the power of feudal nobles with newly introduced British administrative and judiciary system.  Enactment of irrational taxes upon upcountry farmers was another pressing reason. 
The Sinhalese rebel army led by Kappetipola and other leaders faced a severe battle with British armies attacked in three fronts.  At last, the defeat of battle in third week of September 1818, the principal leaders of the rebellion fled back with their retinues to certain secured places in the outer periphery of UVA and Wellassa.   There has been some disappointment of the leadership of Keppetipola of the defeat.   This was caused a mental depression to Monarawila Kappetipola.   Keppetipola Nilame and his rebels happened to be fled through Bibile to Mahiyangana.  Keppetipola Nilame and Ahalepola Nilame had similar interest to become Governing Chief of the kandyan kingdom under British Empire, but that condition was not included in the Treaty [Convention] of 1815, which was signed and attested by the principal Adigars of kandy and by the Governor and the higher rank British administrators.  This hidden intrinsic antagonism, and unfair military power, rules and regulations of the British caused an uprising of people at the cost of lives and properties of the natives [Ceylonese].
1.UPCOUNTRY CONVENTION OF 1815 AND CAUSES OF THE REBELLION 1818
The King Rajasingha was losing confidence of the Sinhala leaders and Buddhist communities due to his brutal punishments to many nobles and to the Ahalepola Nilame’s family.  A coup against to the king was growing at higher level administration, especially among disawes.  The Buddhist priests, local leaders and the people were annoyed against to his savage rule and prepared to organize to expel him from the thrown and kingship by force.  The King Sri Wickrama Rajasingha was incapable to solidly face to the war of February 1815, as Kandyan kingdom was invaded by a massive troop consisted of Sinhala soldiers [upcountry Ceylonese] lead by Sinhala kandyan leaders, especially commanded by Ahalepola Adikarama, with support of  British army under a British commander.
The British introduced new administrative and judiciary systems neglecting conventional powers of the few eminent feudal nobles. The rebel movement was gradually grown up and become acute threat to the British rule until end of September,1818, but due to severe lost in main fronts in Uva-Wellassa, the rebel troops turned back and fled to secured areas, i.e., eastern Uva, eastern and northern Wellasa regions,  eastern and southern Nuwarakalaviya regions. Many rebels and leaders had permanently fled away from the battle. October, 1818 was the most acute period for rebels and leaders, as the British army had placed many troops in eastern belt of Nuwarakalaviya and in northern and eastern belt of Uva – Wellassa to catch under custody all leaders of the rebellion.  By January, 1819 the British could get under custody all leaders of the rebellion, and could declare that the rebellion was completely controlled.
The Kandyan kingdom of Ceylon [Sri Lanka] was handed over to the British rule by Ministers [traditional Lords/Disawes] of the King Sri Wickrama Rajasingha having surrendered the King to British commander,  signing a treaty on 02nd March 1815, which was named as “Convention of 1815”.  By helping to British troops to acquire Kandyan kingdom,  Ahalepola Adigar [a provincial lord and a minister to former King] expected to handle the administration of Kandy territory, behalf of the British Government.  But, the British rule planned to introduce new administrative system with appointed officers by the Crown.  The British Governor Robert Brownrigg handled the executive and judiciary power through British administrators stationed in the Districts of the kandyan kingdom.  By end of 1816, the British rule established perfectly new administrative and judiciary system in complete upcountry with leading higher level state officers under the control of the Governor appointed by the British Crown. 
As S.B. Karaliyadda explains, instead of appointing Ahalepola Nilame as the customary ruler of the Kandyan kingdom, “John De Oyly, designated as the Resident Representative, and became the ruler of our kingdom.  His second in command was James Gray and the next in line was Simon Sawers. The western area was under P.E. Woodhouse, as the Agent of the government in Colombo, overlooking the central area, who was also the acting Colonial Secretary”.
The native traditional lords [provincial lords] lost their traditional status in executing administrative and judicial powers.  On one hand, there has been hindered competition among native lords to win the will of British Administration for power and, on the other hand, performance and actions of Molligoda Nilame and Eknaligoda Nilame [ traditional Disawe/lords] created suspicion among other senior Adigars [Adigar = a minister and a lord] and it led them to work against to the British rule in Kandyan territory.  Amongst the chieftains there had been grudge between each other for power and status.  The senior Dissawas i.e., Ahalepola, Keppetipola, Madugalla, Kandepola and Pilimathalauva did not receive their due respects, status and powers from the Governor Robert Brownrigg. The mostly said reason of the Great Rebellion of 1818 was that breaching of the terms of the Convention of 1815 by the British Administration, through breaking, degrading and abasing of traditional status of the Buddhism and Buddhist priests, and enforcing unfair and unfamiliar tax burden upon native farmers in the Kandyan territory.   On this ground, the leaders [noble Lords] could easily have militarized farmers and reinforce them as rebels.  The question could have been settled by negotiations, but the few traditional lords/Disawes closely worked with the British administration should have fired to the reciprocate communications. 
 According to historians, i.e., Prof. Tennakone Wimalananda, the reasons caused to rebellion movement of 1817 -1818 was the “culmination of the peoples anger, distrust and dissatisfaction over the new British rule, formatted by Gov. Brownrigg, breaching the Convention of March,1815 which promised to uphold and foster the Buddhist religion, securing the powers and prestige of nobles and people,  and conserve the traditions and norms that had prevailed in the Kandyan Kingdom prior to the signing of the Kandyan Convention on the  2nd  March 1815”.  A riot in near future was observed by Mr. William Tolfrey, [who was the Chief Translator of the British Resident of Kandy], and by the Commissioner in-charge of Kandyan affairs, Mr. Sutherland.  They had observed with field visits of the volatility and disinterest, and unhappy situation that prevailed in the country at the December 1816 and January 1817 with some civil incidents.  The government agents in Uva and kandy had warned Molligoda Adikaram of an impending unrest or revolt against the British administration.
2. PROGRESS OF THE REBELLION OF 1818
In the process of initial stage of the rebellion until August 1817, it was operated under few leaders as protesting movement against to the British rule. The leaders and Buddhist priests urged to proceed until end up the British rule.  the native leaders had crowned Wibawe, alias Dorasamy and declared he as King of the kandyan Territory in August 1817.  Wibawe alias Dorasamy was close relative of King Sri Wickrama Rajasingha, with Indian origin.  Dorasamy failed to win confidence of many Kandyan leaders, farmers and citizens, as he was from Tamil nationality. Actually, there had been an undeclared enthusiasm among Kandyan leaders to appear as king of the Kandyan territory.  It was widely seen, this disunity and grudge among the Kandyan leaders [including, Nilames, Dissawas, Mohottalas, and the so on], was critical during the initial and mid stages of the rebel movement. 
In August, new King of Kandyan kingdom, King Wilbawe urged to prepare for war against to exotic British rule in kandy.  On this day, king appointed his Ministers and military heads.  Madulle Weeragedera Bandara Kohukumbure Rate Rala was designated by new King as Wellassa Disawa and Commander of army in Wellassa.   Viyaluwe Weera Vanni Bandara Kivulegedara Aluth Punchi Bandara Mohottala Disawa was designated as Uva Disawa and Commander of Army in Uva.  The King advised these two commanders to study and suggest the names of competent persons in other districts such as Hanguranketha, Walapane, Haripatthuwa, Sabaragamuwa, Kegalle, Athugalpura, Matale, Mahiyanganaya, and Bibile, and to contact them to appoint them as military heads in the regions.  He promised when time comes he will declare the war against to British rule in Ceylon.   They all came to a conclusion that before declare of war; it needs to reinforce possession over limit arms, guns and ammunition, as well as people to battle.
It was evident that, at this movement the organizers had faced with the problem of buying ammunition and arms enough for the rebels.  The local Buddhist monks and priests were hurried to proceed and compelled the minds of nobles and peasants for a quick riot without letting them assessing the military power of British army, a strategic plans to face in the battle, selecting easy sites for rebels to approach to Kandy and the so on.  Even after defeat of the rebellion, some Buddhist priest had several times attempted at riots, all these had resulted in loss of lives of thousands men, women and children.
Appointment of Hajji Mohandiram as Uva Disawe [in September 1817] fired the anxiety of the people as well as leaders and Buddhist priest, as they were conceived it as a beginning treat to the rights and legacy of the Uva people.  The unrest and breaching of civil law was taken place in Badulla, and Sylvester Wilson sent Hajji Mohandiram with 50 British soldiers and 200 other soldiers on 26th September 1817 to quell the riot.   The rebels killed Hajji Mohandiram and English soldiers.  Next, Sylvester Wilson vent to Badulla with 100 British soldiers and 350 other soldiers on 16th October 1817 to suppress the riot.  The rebels killed Sylvester Wilson and his head was taken to deity temple in the jungle.  Many of his troop were dead and the operation was failed.  Now, by end of October, the riot had developed to a rebellion.
 The Governor Robert Brownrigg took special attention to suppress the rebellion with the death of Major Wilson by rebels in 18th, October, 1817.  The Governor visited to Kandy on 25th October and planned onward operations.  He sent keppetipola with a battalion to Uva on 26th October and Keppetipola joined to rebellion on 02nd November 1817.  However, the rebel movement had developed tremendously since September 1817 to August 1818, and had spread over many regions, i.e., Walapane, Badulla, Monaragala, Bibile, Dumbara, Hewahata, harispaththuwa, Athugalpura, Mathale, and Elahara.  The major setbacks of the rebels were taken place since end of August 1818 due to lack of arms and gunpowder.
On 01. 01. 1818, Governor Robert Brownrigg issued a proclamation which pronounced that all named leaders are as ‘traitors’ and issued order to confiscate their all properties and valuables.  On 21st February Governor declared martial law over kandyan territory, and pronounced public declaration to grant excuse to rebels who surrender to army before 15th March 1818.  After this proclamation, many local leaders and their partners surrendered to the British army or fled away from the battle fronts.  The operations of British army for tracing the movements of rebels were accelerated.  The power and law become brutalized by the army commanders and the war was fatal to innocents in hamlets and fields, and to their wealth and property.  Houses were burned and women and children were harasse.
While in the progress, in April and May 1818 some leading rebels and their commanders were caught by British army, and some had surrendered themselves to the British army.  In April 1818 Kohukumbura Rate Rala and his followers and other few leaders were caught by native Lieut. Annan of British army.   Lack of food and arms suppressed rebels to proceed with good morale.
The British administration used various strategies to quell up the rebellion since January, 1818.  First they increased their military power, and used brutal action against to natives those who helped rebellion movement. In January 1818, by the Governor in Ceylon during the rebellion, a Gazette Notification was issued to condemn and execute all those rebelled against British Rule in Sri Lanka[Ceylon].   The persons participated in the uprising were condemned as “traitors” and their properties confiscated by the government under the legal notification.  All those who were captured or surrendered were prosecuted and punished;  with some executed and others exiled to Mauritius.
The British followed brutal strategies to suppress the rebel by destroying lives and properties; the British massacred the male population of Uva above the age of 18 years.[9]They also confiscated or plundered the properties of the people, arrested women and children of families involved in the uprising.  They killed or acquired all cattle and other animals.   They savagely fired and burned homes, and property. Crops of home gardens and paddy fields in Wellassa and Uva were burned or harvested for their use. The indigenous irrigation and farming systems in Uva and Wellassa destroyed to control food supply to rebels,
After the defeat of 1818 Uva-Wellasa Freedom Rebel [in end of September, 1818] which was led by eminent upcountry noble community [prabhoo], including Disavas, Mudliers, Nilames, Mohottalas, Rate Ralas, and Vidanes; the rebel military in teams with leaders  was ordered to setback for safety places in the Vanni Rata and Madulla zones presently called Monaragala, and Athimale and Kotiayagala jungles.  Some of them, on the way, were caught by British troops, but some of them fled in to secured places.  But, the key leaders were still reorganizing the rebels for next battle.

Leader of the Rebellion Monarawila Kappetipola Nilame
was Surrendered in November, 1818, and Presented
Before Kandy Court of Law
Source: deranatv.lk

On the leadership of Wariyapola Thero, a group of leaders such as Madugalla Nilame, Pilimathalawe, Jayasundera Nilame and Kivulegedera Mohottala, the leaders were planning to reorganize the movement under the leadership of a person identified as descending from a royal family of King Wimaladharmasuriya 1.  They planned to assemble at Alahara or Sigiriya in second week of October 1818.  This proposal for treaty to reorganize and reinforce the movement was reassessed by some leaders in different ways.   The movement for this new proposal was seemed to be in lagging behind due to lack of weapons and gunpowder.   Meanwhile, the British army was reinforced with 15,000 Sinhala, Indian and Malay soldiers with new weapons, and was stationed to trace the tracks fleeting by rebels.
The proposal for the ‘Second Movement’ of the rebellion had suggested to leaders to base their retinues of rebels and reinforce in eastern territory of Nuwarakalaviya.  But, the response to this treaty was seemed to be decelerating. 
There has been some disappointment of the leadership of Keppetipola of the defeat.   This was caused a mental depression to Monarawila Keppetipola.   Keppetipola Nilame and his rebels happened to be fled through Bibile to Mahiyangana.  Keppetipola Nilame and Ahalepola Nilame had similar interest to become Governing Chief of the kandyan kingdom under British Empire, but that condition was not included in the “Treaty of 1815”. 
Meanwhile, Molligoda Maha Adikaram, with help of John Doyle had been communicating secretly with Monerawla Keppetipola and Madugalla on the strength of the British army with new weapons and urged to surrender to Commander in Kalawewa, and they promised to secure their  families, property and status, advising not to go for second step to retrieve.  At this movement, the leaders had only three options: 1. to continue with fighting, 2. Leave fighting and Surrender themselves and 3. Fled to Vanni and hide and live in Vanni.
By the first week of October 1818, many leaders, i. e., Allepola, Madugalla, Pilimathalawa, Monarawila Keppetipola, Dunuwila Nilame, Eeriyama Nilame, Humapola Duraya, Thanne Ganithaya, Megaskumbure, Kohukumbre Rate Rala, Mahabulugammana Rate Rala, were moving to boarders of the Nuwarakalaviya.  Many leaders could rejoin to their sons and relatives at the boarders.  Kivulegedera Mohottala could rejoin with his son, brother’s son and other relatives and Weheraliyaddegedara Duraya, Eeriyagama Nilame and his relatives, relatives of Mahabulugammana Rate Rala, relatives of Madugalle, at Wilgamuwa and fleeted to Elahara.  Meanwhile, Keppetipola with his followers had travelled in another direction to kalawewa.  Madugalle and Pilimathalawe had moved earlier to Kandalama village.   The idea of reorganization had been left behind as many leaders had moved in different directions.  At Elahara, leaders decided to disperse separately to secure places and Kivulegedera reached to Ritigala with his relatives accompanied with Nilgala Dingiya and his troop,  Nannapurawe Vidane Rala and his troop and Allegedara Welathe Maha Rala and his troop.   Thanne Vidane Rala with his 90 retinue had moved from Raththota to Moragolla expecting to join to rebel retinue of  Keppetipola Nilame.
 Earlier in 02nd March 1818, British has caught and prisoned Ahalepola Nilame, his elder brother, and Millawe Nilame with some followers.  As Governor had issued a proclamation for rebels to surrender themselves before 25th of March, 1818, many leaders as well as rebels and their followers abandoned the war and surrendered, and some went remote jungles and lived hiding there.  Many Disawas and Mohottalas were fired to death by British military while they were searching rebels.  Allepola was caught in September, and Keppetipola and Pilimathalauva were caught by Lieut. O’Neil in Para wahagama in Kalawewa on 02nd October 1818.  Madugalla Nilame surrendered in Elahera on 02nd November 1818.  Keppetipola and Madugalla were executed [beheaded ] on 26th October at Bogambara Ground.
The Tooth Relic of Buddha was captured by British army on 02nd November, 1818, and this was affected to leading heads of the rebellion who escaped in the hilly terrain jungles to abandon the hope for reorganization. 
The Governor, Robert Brownrigg had issued a proclamation on 12th  December 1818 to give reward of 500 gold pagodi to one who kill or get capture under custody “Kivulegedara Mohottala”, who was the last leader to catch.  British had information since second week of September of 1818 that Kivulegedara Mohottala was hiding in steep jungle terains in Badulla, but he had fled to Nuwarakalaviya in end of September with his son and relatives, and he alone came back to Badulla in end of October 1818. The Governor had issued notificationon 12th December that Kivulegedara Mohottala still alive and ordered to trace his fleet in Bibile and Monaragala.  Again, Governor had pronounced on 23rd December that two main leaders, Kivulegedara Mohottala Disawa and Meegaskumbura Nilame, remaining to get under custody, and issued order to catch and present to court, and to declare that rebellion is successfully quelled by British Army. 
Second Leader of the Rebellion
Kivulegedara Mohottala Disawa
Source: deranatv.lk
The Rebellion of 1818 was suppressed and quelled by January 1819, as the last leader to capture was surrendered to British army on 18th January, 1819, and executed at Badulla British secretariat on 26th January 1819. The Governor was presented in Badulla at this time, and had issued proclamation that the last leader of the rebel, Weeravanni Vannibandara Kivulegedara Aluth Punchibandara Mohottala is surrendered and executed, and the rebel was completely controlled all over the Island.  The reports indicates that the rebellion was brought under control, by February, 1819 after 850 rebels were surrendered or captured, and  778 rebels were either executed, imprisoned or exiled from the country. The rebellion caused death toll about 10,000-15,000 people including family members and the supporters, including a large number of women and children below 18 years of old. The Governor had instructed to army to be ravage and frighten civil mass as a strategy to suppress riot and to trace the hiding leaders.
3. SETTLEMENTS OF REBELS IN VANNI AND NUWARAKALAVIYA
A majority of leaders of the rebel were at age of between 40 -50, and their relatives, sons and friends were organized in groups.  With defeat of the rebellion some of them could fleet to different places in Wellassa and Nuwarakalaviya.  The fact, that the many groups of the rebels had moved to territories of eastern Vanni and western Vanni in the dry zone, and had settled on the ruined irrigable lands, is widely known.  Many of rebel groups were settled on the lands of ruined irrigation systems, specially, lands in Nuwarakalaviya and eastern Wellassa.  They settled and lived with their survived family members. They restored irrigation tanks and paddy lands and lived safely. British identified them as natives of the region during 1870, Country Land Survey.  During 1870-1940, the British government sold land that they had identified as Crown land to inhabitants, who had enough money to pay for buying of land.  Between 1870 – 1920 many nobles had migrated from kandy to Nuwarakalaviya, who had earned money from servicing to British have bought paying money for flourished land in Nuwarakalaviya.
  In end of October, 1818, Madugalla and few other leaders were captured by the British Army.  Moneawila Keppetipola was captured by a group of British army camped at Kalawewa.  He was surrendered  to British army while  he and his military were  at Parawahagama village, near Andiayagala, Kalawewa. It was said that he was surrendered on 2nd, November, 1818, when he was hiding at his sister’s house, in that village.  Since then, rebel leaders gradually became convinced themselves, that it is time for rebels to set back to safety places. many sons and relatived of rebel leaders escaped to vanni.  The rebels dispersed in groups to jungles for their survival, and later they found ruined ancient irrigation systems and small tanks, which were looked worth to be rehabilitated for shelter and producing their own food. These are the purana villges at present.
PART II: VANNI BANDARA WAMSA PARAMPARAWA AND
               KIVULEGEDARA MOHOTTALA
[WEERA VANNI BANDARA KIVULEGEDARA ALUTH PUNCHI BANDARA MOHOTTALA DISAWE]
1. THE HISTORY OF VANNI BANDARA CLAN AND KIVULEGEDARA MOHOTTALA
The information of many of leaders of the rebellion of 1818 is not complete.  The information and data in the history of descending persons of the rebels and leaders are not available and in some cases are not clear.  An one Puskola book compiled in 1848 by one Buddhist monk called Ethanawaththe Dhammakitti giving detailed account on “Vanni Bandara Vamsa Puranaya” has given much important account on the role of Vanni Bandara Clan [Giri Vamsa] and Vanni Chora Bandaras in the different political regimes in Sri Lanka.  This book gives valid information on the 1818 rebel, including Kivulegedara Punchibandara Mohottala.  This book has been studied and reviewed by one Burmese 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 in the aforesaid document, the descent of Kivulegedera Mohottala belonged to the Vanni Bandara clan [Giri Wamsa clan], which was descending from Yakka line of hereditary rulers [since 10,000 B.C]; i.e., King Kuwarna dynasty,  Rawanadhiraja dynasty [8,000 B.C.], aftermath  through down to the Sona Giri time,[900 B.C.], and  Yakka empire under king Aritta Giri [600 B.C.].  There were few local leaders at this last dynasty such as, Kuweni, DevaGiri, Siva Giri and Sonakandu to rule provincial states.  King Arritta Gri ruled Sri Lanka during the time of Buddha in India.
 In 14th century, one Senadhipathi of Vanni Bandara clan, named as Sitti Bandara, was appointed as a Minister by the King 5th Parakramabahu, who ruled in Gangasiripura [Gampola] during 1344 -1349.  In addition, King Parakramabahu 5th  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.  Since then, the many persons of Vanni Bandara clan have held key positions in the Kings’ administration.
      During King Don Juan Dharmapala [1551-1597], there were eminent young persons of Vanni Bandara clan in the security regime of King Dharmapala. These persons were named as Don Phillip, Don Juan Konappu Bangara, and Don Juan Sungili Bandara [Konappu Bandara and Sungili Bandara were close relatives], who belonged to the fifth generation of Kivulegama Sitti Bandara Disawa Minister who lived during Gampola regime [1335-1355].  In 1589, a Portuguese team of military, as they had planned, reached to Kandy with Don Phillip, Don Juan Konappu Bandara and Don Juan Sungili Bandara, and declared Don Phillip as the King of Kandy.  Portuguese  appointed  Don Juan Konappu Bandara  as  Senevi, and Don Juan 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 Don Juan 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 [Weera VanniBandara Kivulegedara Aluth PunchiBandara Mohottala].
            King Keerthi Shri Rajasinghe [1747-1782] appointed Senevi Kivulegama Paththuwe Weera Vanni Bandara [grandfather of Kivulegedera Mohottala]  as Wellassa Chief Nilame [Maha Nilame] in 1750.  Weera Vanni Bandara [grandson of kivulegama Sen-Weera Bandara], and later appointed as Disawe Minister for Wellassa and Uva, and he lived in Medagama.  His first son,  Kivulegama Paththuwe Weera Vanni Bandara Heenthanne Radale Bandara [father of Kivulegedara Mohottala] appointed by King as Walapane Rate Rala  in 1773.  Kivulegama Kivulegedara Punchi Bandara was second son [born in 1774] of Kivulegama Weera Vanni  Bandara, Wellassa Disawa.  Kivulegedara Punchi Bandara was appointed as ‘Mohottala’ in 1802 by King Shri Wickrama Rajasinghe [1798 – 1815], and later in 1804 appointed as “Walapane Dissawa”.
[WEERA VANNI BANDARA KIVULEGEDARA ALUTH PUNCHIBANDARA MOHOTTALA DISSAWA]
2. KIVULRGEDARA MOHOTTALA AS THE FIRST COMMANDER OF THE
    REBELLION OF 1818      
Kivulegedara Mohottala at the initial stage of the rebellion in 1817, devoted his energy cooperatively working with eminent Buddhist leaders to convince people to rise against to the British rule.  He himself organized the movement as acting commander and leader.   He could convince the country people the need of up rise against to exotic rulers.
The organization of the rebel against to the British rule in Ceylon was gradually developing since May, 1816 with participation of local leaders in Uva and Wellassa.  The higher rank indigenous nobles and high ranked officials          were behind the freedom organization at the initial stage, 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[LASCOREYNS] Sihala [up country and lowcountry], 50 British soldiers  and 100 other soldiers under the  command of Hajji Muhandiram to control the movement, but the rebel army commanded by Kivulegedara Mohottala destroyed and dispersed them [26th September, 1817]. The British Government had recruited 1,000 foreign trained army soldiers from India and Malaya by, August 1817, but they were not trained enough to battle in the upcountry  hilly terain environment.  Kivulegedara killed Hajji Mohandiram, himself. This happened on 26th, September 1817.   Next, after nearly a month, Sylvester Wilson went with 100 British soldiers and 250 lascoreynes army battalion with Sinhala and Malay soldiers on 16th. October, 1817, and the rebel leaders killed Commander Wilson, and destroyed the British army in couple of days.  By April 1818, the movement was so strong and confidence of the rebels were growing.  The rebel leaders were convincing Sinhala leaders in Kandy to take part in the Rebel Movement, and it was realized with joining of Pilimathalawe, Allepola, and Madugalla.  Ahelepola had joined to rebel on 01st, November 1817.
Until Keppetipola joined to them, Kivulegedara and Kohukumbure rateRala handled the command in Wellassa and Uva.  Since early November, 1818 Joining of kappetipola Disawe and other nobles such as  Daladagama Rateral, Madugalla Nilame, Pilimathalawe Nilame,  Peradeni Raterala, Dunuwila Disawa, Eeriagama Nilame, Allepola Nilame Kataragama Dissawa, and Weliwita Raterala, could reinforced the strength of rebellions and made the rebel movement so strong enough nearly to capture the British rulers and the army in Kandy.
It is widely aware that KIVULEGEDARA PUNCHI BANDARA MOHOTTALA alias WALAPANE DISSAWA was among the initiative leaders of THE GREATE REBELLION OF 1818.  He was the Commander - in -Chief in Badulla Territory to the Rebellion of 1818.  He was the chief organizer to the rebellion during 1817 -1818.  Now, we complete almost 200 years since the date of the rebellion was defeated. This article is prepared in commemoration of great Kivulegedara Punchi bandara Mohottala and Walapane Dissawa, and all other leaders sacrified their lives, wives, sons, daughters, and their relatives, and their all properties.
3. DEFEAT OF THE REBELLION, 1818
The Governor Robert Brownrigg, with advice of the British administration in Kandy had strengthened the British army with Indian and Malay soldiers with new imported weapons   The Governor had earlier received the reports on the strength of the rebels.  The Governor had advised his military to enter hamlets by groups and to be ravage and tactful to trace their food and ammunition supply to the rebels.  The military was brutalized and fatal to civil mass.
The Rebel militarists having progressed tremendously towards Kandy during August and September, 1818, suddenly happened to face severe attacks of the British army in three war fronts.  Having faced to Serious damages to rebel fronts, the leaders of the rebel teams decided to turn back, due mainly to lack of gun powder.  The leaders assured that it happened only to setback temporarily, and planned to militarize all the teams of rebels.  But the power of British military in the Kandyan regions was assured with new weapons and adequate gunpowder.  
The British military force in upcountry consisting manned 15,000 soldiers camped and stationed in different sites was considered strongly enough to control the rebels.  Majority of the British army was made of native militia comprising upcountry and low country Sinhala “laskirinna”[lascoreynes] battalions.  And Indian and Malay soldiers were hired and settled in different camp sites in upcountry to help British soldiers. 


   The British Army, with  foreign militaries and local soldiers, began to trampled down the rebellions’ native army [rebels’ army], searching and attacking to hiding camps and other places during, September, October and  November, 1818.  Kivulegedara Mohottala and some other leaders gathered dispersed rebels, i. e. 150 rebels of Allepola Nilame [after his death, 200 rebels of Pilimathalawa and Jayasundara Nilame, and wee setting back towards Nuwarakalaviya, specially to their centre at Sigiriya, to meet Monarawila keppetipola, Madaugalle Nilame, and Pilimathalawe Nilame, as they had earlier planned, to set their plan to reinforce rebel forces and to commence second round attack to British Army. 
This was taken place during October, 1818.  But, this was not successful due to British Army had, in advance, placed their preventive camps alongside, Mahawa, Kalawewa, Dambulla, Kekirawa, and Mihintale to guard and to get under custody the leaders of the rebellion, preventing them fleeting to south and eastern parts of the Nuwarakalaviya.  The British had established earlier, their main military camps in Kurunagala,  Matale, Naula, and Wasgamuwa.  It was seen hard and certainly difficult for rebel leaders to move to  Vanni, through Laggala, Rattota and Matale.
The situation was looked good by October 1818.   The natives who served in the British Army were so reinforced to proceed in the field with Indian and Malay troops of soldiers.  Kivulegedara Mohottala had planned and adopted a system that organizing groups to attack to enemies who come in similar groups, hiding in bush paths. The Sinhala rebel leaders were planning to get support of that laskirinna [lascoreynes] Sinhala battalion, but it was not successful.  Meanwhile, it was observed that a majority of rebel soldiers and few leaders had fled away from the rebel movement. On this ground, Sinhala rebel leaders were agreed temporarily to set backwards and fleet for safety places in Vanni villages and remote places in eastern Wellassa. 
Tikiri Bandara Seerala, son of Kivulegedara
 Mohottala Disawa
[He Fled to Vanni with a Gang of Rebels]
     The leaders and rebels who decided to fleet Vanni, agreed to gather at Sigiriya, and plan to train new militarists, for a second round attack to British army again.  Madugalla, Pilimathalawa, Keppetipola and Kivulegedara planned to meet at Sigiriya before end of September, 1818.  They decided to move by groups from upper Wllassa to Sigiriya.   But, this plan was unsuccessful, because British army groups were stationed to guard and follow fleeting rebels and rebel leaders. Keppetipola came to Bibile, Medagama and advised his 200 militants to disperse in groups to safety places.  Madugalle and Pilimathalawe with their team of 120 rebels moved from Elahara to Sigiriya in end of October, 1818.  In two weeks, they were caught in a jungle village by British army.  Kappetipola Disawe and some other leaders of the rebel army planned to flee for south Vanni region via Mahiyangana, Laggala, Raththota, Aluvihare,
   The Great rebellion of 1818, was controlled by the end of December, 1818 by the British Army.  The Rebels AND THEIR LEADERS COMPRISED of the trained militants, [the militant militia  of the Sinhala natives], organized and lead by the Sinhala customary rulers, against to the British rule in the Kandian region, AND CEYLON AT ALL were operating in the fronts alongside the Walapane, Uva, and Wellassa, since January, 1817.  There had neen an internal disagreement among nobles on declaration by wilbawe [Doraysamy] as king, untill keppotipola joining to the rebellion. GRADUALLY MANY NOBLES JOINED TO THE REBELLION. The rebellion movement was growing tremendously since November, 1817 to September, 1818.  Since end of September, 1818 the rebels began to set back due mainly to recurrent defeat in the frontS in uva- wellassa, before  the organized military forces of the British, with hired trained indian and malay  soldiers, with new weapons.
Hombawa, Galewela, Moragolla to Kalawewa.  Later, they changed the root, and walked from Laggala through Elahara, Kandalama,  Andiyagala to Paravahagama, where his elder sister was living.  He did not know that there was a British army camp in kalawewa.  This village is very closed to kalawewa. Keppetipola and his team of rebels were caught by British army on 02nd November, 1818 at Parawahagama village near Kalawewa.
On the leadership of Wariyapola Thero, a group of leaders such as Madugalla Nilame, Pilimathalawe, Jayasundera Nilame and Kivulegedera Mohottala, the leaders were planning to reorganize the movement under the leadership of a person identified as descending from a royal family of King Wimaladharmasuriya 1.  They planned to assemble at Alahara or Sigiriya in second week of October 1818.  This proposal for treaty to reorganize and reinforce the movement was reassessed by some leaders in different ways.   The movement for this new proposal was seemed to be in lagging behind due to lack of weapons and gunpowder.   Meanwhile, the British army was reinforced with 15,000 Sinhala, Indian and Malay soldiers with new weapons, and was stationed to trace the tracks fleeting by rebels. 
    According to written evidence, Kivulegedara Mohottala and few leaders with 600 [350 joined at Wasgamuwa] rebels were travelling towards Sigiriya, and stationed at Elahara.   In few days they received message that several teams of British military were moving from Minipe to Elahara and Sigiriya.   Kivulegedara Mohottala advised to others to fleet to safe jungle village areas in groups and to settle there.  He explained, his plan was to move to western part of Vanni with a group of 20 rebels.   End of October, 1818 he could reach to Ritigala, which was the most safety site for his group.  At this time rebel leaders who reached to southern Vanni areas were communicating with each other.
  In end of October, 1818, Madugalla and few other leaders were captured by the British Army.  Moneawila Keppetipola was captured by a group of British army camped at Kalawewa.  He was surrendered  to British army while  he and his military were  at Parawahagama village, near Andiayagala, Kalawewa. It was said that he was surrendered on 2nd, November, 1818, when he was hiding at his sister’s house, in that village.  Since then, rebel leaders gradually became convinced themselves, that it is time for rebels to set back to safety places.  The rebels dispersed in groups to jungles for their survival, and later they found ruined ancient irrigation systems and small tanks, which were looked worth to be rehabilitated for shelter and producing their own food. These are the purana villges at present.
The British Government in Ceylon had issued accusation and charge against to Kivulegedara Mohottala for killing of identified 211 citizens of Ceylon and British military persons, and organization of people against to the King of the British Empire.   The Governor had issued an order to the British military to catch and take under custody.
4. KIVULEGEDARA MOHOTTALA FLEETED TO VANNI WITH HIS SON       
According to customary written documents, Kivulegedara PunchiBandara Mohottala, son of Iriyagama Nilame, and Madugallewith his other leaders and rebel army of 600 battalion, as 50 in one groups, began to flee for Western Vanni Region, passing, Mahiyangana, Wasgamuwa, and Elahara.   In Elahara, rebels adviced to move in groups to suitable places. Kivulegedara and some other rebels moved to Seegiriya, and reached to Ritigala range.  Suddenly they received news that, Keppotipola and other leaders, and their 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 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 located by the side of the Kala Oya valley.  He advised his battalion where and how they could proceed to secure places, and as he advised 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 and suspect them as the rebels, and to keep all personal information very secret.  They strongly advised not to leak their family information and any matter about Uva –Wellassa.  They were asked to live escaped from some nobles living in eastern and southern hamlets in the Nuwarakalaviya, as they were supporters of the British rule, and helpers of Eknaligoda Nilame and Molligoda Nilame. 
             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, 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 from other districts are usually visiting to these villages.  The British used to pay money to these traders to get information about rebels.
            Kivulegedara Mohottal advised his elder son Kivulegedara Tikiri Bandara Seerala to move, with his 3 assistant persons, from Hathgalgulkada, via Giribawa, crossing kala Oya, via Rajanganaya, Thumbulla to Vanni Willachchi Pattu,  where there are a number of Vanni villages which are very safe for them.  Kivulegedara Mohottala advised to his son as he had 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, and he informed them that he should go back to  Uva.  And he promised them to come back to this Hathgalgulkada in one or two years.  He, on 12th November 1818, started his journey to Uva.
The Governor, Robert Brownrigg had issued a proclamation on 12th  December 1818 to give reward of 500 gold pagodi to one who kill or get capture under custody “Kivulegedara Mohottala”, who was the last leader to catch.  British had information since second week of September of 1818 that Kivulegedara Mohottala was hiding in steep jungle terains in Badulla, but he had fled to Nuwarakalaviya in end of September with his son and relatives, and he alone came back to Badulla in end of October 1818. The Governor had issued notificationon 12th December that Kivulegedara Mohottala still alive and ordered to trace his fleet in Bibile and Monaragala.  Again, Governor had pronounced on 23rd December that two main leaders, Kivulegedara Mohottala Disawa and Meegaskumbura Nilame, remaining to get under custody, and issued order to catch and present to court, and to declare that rebellion is successfully quelled by British Army. 
But he could not go back to Nuwarakalaviya, as he was captured by British Army at Madagama, Bibile [on 26th January 1819].   King crowned as Kandyan King, Sooryawansa Wilbawe, had respected Kivulegedara pronouncing his full name: “Weera Vanni Banhara Kivulegedara Aluth Punchi bandaa Mohottala Disawe”.  Kivulegedara had went back to Uva by 30th November 1818.  As he promised he had been on the way coming back to Nuwarakalaviya, he was traced, and followed by British army and he happened to surrender to them on 18th, January 1818, Bibile Medagama..
 WEERA VANNI BANDARA KIVULEGEDARA ALUTH PUNCHI BANDARA MOHOTTALA DISAWE HAD RETURNED TO UVA BY  30TH NOVEMBER.  AS HE PROMISED WHILE HE WAS BACK TO NUWARAKALAVIYA, HE WAS SURRENDERED TO BRITISH ARMY AT MEDAGAMA ON 18TH JANUARY 1819.
5.  MENIKRALAGE KAVURALA- THIRD GRANDSON GENERATION OF
     KIVULEGEDARA MOHOTTALA    
Menikralage Kaurala Mudianse had descendants information of Kivulegedera Mohottala.  This informant, Kaurala, 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.  He has explained that they are belonged to Rawanadhi Yakka descency in Lanka, and belonged to the clan of Vanni Bandara [Giri Wamsa]. Further, he had explained that the King Wimaladharmasuriya was close relative [blood relations] 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 or leaked out 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, pray and sacrifies to wedi yakka [wadi yakun pideema] 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], the name of the son of Kivulegedara Punchi Bandara Mohottala [born in 1774], was Kivulegedara Tikiri Bandara Seerala [born in 1798], who migrated and  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’s  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 [Seerala’s] second son Ungurala 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].
By 1800 A.C., there were no many settlements of Srilankan natives in Nuwarakalaviya, except a few jungle villages dispersed in remote jungle areas, where native inhabitants lived by chena and paddy farming and hunting.  After 1818 great rebellion was defeated, many rebels migrated to jungle areas in the Nuwarakalaviya, rehabilitated and restored ancient small tank irrigations, and settled there.  They lived hiding in these jungle villages dending on agriculture for fifty years, until the British rule implemented land regulations, land surveys and mapping  out of land, which was implemented since 1865, and onwards.  The Most of the main tanks and irrigation systems in Nuwarakalaviya, Anuradhapura district were rehabilitated since 1890, and on wards.  Ancient seven villages of the Guardians [came from India in 3rd century B.C.] to attend to service to the Shri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura, began to rehabilitate since 1890, and many of them were resettled from Kandy customary villages. Thisa Wewa and Nuwara Wewa were restored by british government in 1870 -1890, and sold crown lands to native community who could afford to buy lands. poor natives could not buy lands.  The native leaders commenced rahabilitation of temples and budhist shrines in Anuradhapura and Mihinthale since 1900s.  British allowed temples to declare to rheir lands.
            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 later 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, called 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 [generation].
            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, called “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 generation 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 evil [bandana-kodivina] at the time she was pregnant, in 1946.  Kavuralage Dingiri banda had a son from his second marriage with Malhamy Wedaralage Muthumenike, named Dingiri Bandage Dharmadasa, alias Dingiri Bandage Dharmadasa Tennakoon [born in November,1948], who is still alive.  Kauralage Dingiri Banda died on 14th April, 1949  after having eaten poisonous food given by an unknown person.   Dingiri Banda’s Daughter  Malihami at her young age, when she was about 30 yrs. Old, she was caught by  severe devil vision and evils.   According to medical reports, she was caught by a severe mental effects which affected on her behavior.  She was violent in some times, and become calm in other times, but was under medical care.  She died in Angoda Hospital in 1971.  Kauralage Dingiri Banda was the fourth line[generation] grandson of Kivulegedara Mohottala.  Dingiri Bandage Dharmadasa alias Dingiri Bandage Dharmadasa Tennakoon [still alive] is the fifth line [generation] grand son of Kivulegedara Punchi Bandara Mohottala.
After death of his son Dingiri Banda, and granddaughter Malihami, Menikralage Kaurala Mudianse lived alone with help of some peasants.  Baiya Henemama, Bali Redinanda and her sons, and Tikiri Redinanda [friends of a dauby family], with other relatives  helped him to manage his lands, and cattle. He gradually financially failed, as people did not repay loans taken by sign credit notes, and due to prevailed recurrent drought at the time.  He sold his antique properties to visiting traders, and jewelries to the visiting Muslim traders to earn his cost of living.  After completion of 96 years of age, Menik Ralage Kaurala Mudianse died in 1978, in Illandagahawewa Puranagama, in Madyama Nuwaragam Palatha, in Nuwarakalaviya [Anuradhapura].
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.
6. ILLUSTRATION OF DECENDANTS OF KIVULEGEDARA MOHOTTALA
We can illustrate the information of Kivulegedara Punchibanda Mohottala’s descendants and consanguinity relations in Nuwarakalaviya in new settlements afer the defeat of the Great rebellion of 1818.  This illustration was based on the information provided by late Manikralage Kavurala Midianse, who lived in Illandagahawewa puranagama, in Madyama Nuwaragam Palatha, Nuwarakalaviya [Anuradhapura].
1.       Kivulegedara Punchibandara Mohottala, Walapane Dissawa: born in 1774 in Badulla, Died in January, 1819, in Bibile, Madagama.    Wife of Kivulegedara Mohottala was “Heenthanne Kumari Ethanahamy”, alias  “Menike Kumarihamy Ethanahamy” born in 1778 in Walapane.  Caught by British army in September 1818.  House was burned by British army.

2.       Elder son of Kivulegedara Mohottala, named as Tikiribandara Seerala; born in 1798 in Badulla.  Daughter, Muthumenike Ethanahamy, alias Menike Ethanahamy, born in 1800, safely escaped from the British army, but no information about where they lived.    Younger son, Chullabandara, born in 1803, in Badulla, safely escaped form British army, but no information about where he lived.
3.       Tikiribandara Seeala[born in 1798]:
1. Son, Seeralage Baddarala [born in 1824].
2. Son, Seeralage Ungurala [born in 1827]
[this is first line grandsons of Kivulegedara]
4.       Seeralage Baddarala [born in 1824]:
 1. Baddaralage Menikrala [born in 1858].
 2. Baddaralage Dingirala [1861].
[this is second line grandsons  of Kivulegedara]
5.       Baddaralage Menikrala [born in 1858]:
  1.Menikralage Kaurala [born in 1882].
                                                                  2. Menikralage Punchirala[born in 1886]
                                                                [this is third line grandsons  of Kivulegedara].
6.       Menikralage Kavurala [born in 1882]:
1.       Son, Kavuralage Dingiribanda[bornin 1914].
[this is fourth line grandsons of Kivulegedara].

7.       Kauralage Dingiribanda [born in 1914]:
1.       Dingiribandage Malihamy [born in 1943].
[died in angoda Mental Hospital in 1871]
2.       Dingiribandage Dharmadasa alias Dingiri Bandage Dharmadasa Tennakoon [born in 1949].[still alive].
[this is fifth line grandsons of Kivulegedara].

By 2018 we complete 200 years after Great Wellassa Rebel 1818.
ARTICLE IS Compiled BY DR. D. TENNAKOON
EX. SENIOR RESEARCH FELLOW AT HARTI, COLOMBO.
Edited on 12.05.2018 
This Article was published in website: <vanniculture.blogspot.com>


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