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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
TTFC.O. 882/11
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- | COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
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its history to His Majesty's Chief Secretary of State for his sympathetic and careful consideration for the incorporation of that system in the proposed new Constitution for Ceylon.
2. On 2nd March, 1815, by a Treaty between the British on the one part and the Kandyan Chiefs and people on the other part, formally, brought the said State under the dominion of the British Sovereign for good Government, according to the traditional genius of the Kandyan people. The stipulations whilst permitting evolu- tionary development was sufficiently definite to prevent any sudden break away from tradition, by the introduction of laws and institutions foreign to the genius of their people or in anywise inimical to their advancement.
3. In the administration of their country these several decades, they have had invariable evidence of a genuine desire on the part of British officials to adhere to the spirit of their sacred agreement. The co-operation of the chiefs and people from the earliest times has been whole-hearted, to which the Governors and generations of Civil Servants will bear testimony.
4. The Donoughmore Report after a perfunctory inquiry has suggested the virtual abolition of the headman system, which was the first plank in the Kandyan Constitution. They appear to have been misinformed as to its history, and the part it plays in the life of the people.
(a) It is not feudal in character. The office of Chief Headman was held during the King's pleasure. The allegiance of all subjects irrespective of office was direct.
(b) The tenure of land was based on service to the landlord in lieu of what
we might today term payment in money or rent.
(c) The giving of presents was a token of respect customary among all ranks of the people. And the idea of a corrupt motive never enters the mind of the giver or the recipient. The general practice among the people in On that score there could not have been nor can this country is that.
there ever be abuse of power for illegal gain.
(d) The Chiefs are not confined to a few families of aristocratic birth. There is a constant addition of new blood from the ranks. It was so in days gone by. Apart from any political power which they may or may not wield, the whole social structure takes shape and dignity from this system; and for the stability of society the needed disciplinary power for its main- With its tenance was dependent on this time-honoured institution. abolition you will have ushered in a social revolution of a violent character which would act disastrously.
5. The Chiefs do advocate the retention of this system, with the necessary modifications the times call for, in the interest of their people. As a matter of fact it is wholly shorn of political power. The value of the office to the people is great sentimentally, and the work of chief headmen is more or less patriarchal and kindred to social service. It would be contrary to the spirit of their sacred agreement to force on the Kandyans so revolutionary and radical a change from outside. In such circum- stances reforms cease to have any beneficial results and become instead oppressive.
6. The proposal of travelling officers" in charge of two or three divisions presents a grave difficulty. It is not unlikely that a man of different social status and unconnected with the people of the village may be selected in the case of minor headman. This is a menace to the inhabitants of such a village is an undoubted fact. To foist a chief wholly unconnected with the people, of not merely the village, but of all the divisions over which he is to have jurisdiction, would make the remedy more oppressive than the disease. It is, however, possible to train future chief headmen much on the old lines of the probationary system which was discontinued as the numbers to be trained were small-one in each Kachcheri-for want of proper organisa- tion and financial provision to meet the expenses incidental to such a course. Should this system be resuscitated with proper equipment it would doubtless prove a success and obviate the necessity of appointing total strangers. The emoluments for such an office are of little consideration. The attraction is sentimental and patriotic in character.
It is possible with a few modifications to adopt the recommendations of the Donoughmore Commission (vide page 123) in respect of such training and incorporating
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it with the old probationary system. By this means the traditional link would be preserved whilst embodying progressive methods.
We beg, &c.,
P. B. NUGAWELA, Dissawa, Kandy.
J. C. RATWATTE, Dissawa, Kandy.
U. I.. B. AntWHIARE, Dissawa. Matale.
A. B. TALUODAPITIYA, Ratemalatemeya, Kandy District.
11. D' MOSERAWIlle-Kertitirola, Ratemahatemoya, Kandy District
WALTER UDUGAMA, Ratemahatemeya, Matale District.
H. NUGAWELA, Ratemahatemeya, Kandy District.
T. B. Mampitiya, Ratemahatereya, Kandy District.
W. B. MADAWELA, Ratemahatemeya, Kandy District.
T. B. RATWATTE, Ratemahatemeya, Kandy District.
H. B. RAMBUKWELLA, Ratemahaterneya, Kandy District.
R MOLAGODA, Ratemahatemeya. Kandy District.
J. G, GIRIĦAGAMA, President Village Tribunal, Kandy District.
P. B. ANDRAWEWA, Ratemahatemeya, Nuwara Eliya District.
T. B. WETTEWE, Ratemahatemeya, Nuwara Eliya District.
T. B. ELLEPOLA, Ratemahatemeya, Matale District.
T. B. NUGAWELA, Ratemahatemeya, Kandy District.
His Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Colonies through the Government Agent, Central Province, and His Excellency the Governor of Ceylon.
(No. 125.)
YOUR EXCELLENCY,
Enclosure 2 in No. 33.
Office of the Kandyan National Assembly,
Kandy, 20th October, 1928.
I HAVE the honour to submit herewith in triplicate the resolutions passed at a special Sessions of the Kandyan National Assembly held at the Dalada Maligawa, on the 30th September, 1928.
I beg that Your Excellency will be graciously pleased to forward the same to the Secretary of State for the Colonies and to His Majesty the King.
The Kandyan people look to Your Excellency for sympathy in their death struggle.
And knowing as they do Your Excellency's wide sympathies and deep sense of justice they depend on Your Excellency for a favourable recommendation.
His Excellency
Sir Herbert J. Stanley, K.C.M.G., Governor of Ceylon,
&c. &c., &c..
I remain, &c.,
M. B. GALAGODA.
Joint Honorary Secretary
RESOLUTIONS PASSED AT A SPECIAL SESSIONS OF THE KANDYAN NATIONAL ASSEMBLY HELD ON THE 30TH SEPTEMBER, 1928, at 1 p.M., AT THE Dalada MaligawA.
1
The Kandyans do not accept the opinion of the Donoughmore Commission in respect of Kandyan Treaty Rights and beg to urge His Majesty's Government to bring up this subject of the Kandyan Treaty of 1815 before His Majesty's Privy Council with due notice to the Kandyan National Assembly for adjudica- tion, so that all doubts as to its validity in the minds of the British people and the Ceylon Government may be removed.
2. That the constitution recommended by the Donoughmore Commission having failed to give effect to the Treaty of 1815, we pray that His Majesty's Govern- ment do make provision in the new Constitution to give full effect to all Treaty Rights.
3. In the event of the Donoughmore Commission's recommendations becoming law, as loyal subjects and in obedience to His Majesty's Order, Kandyans do co- operate in working the reforms, under protest, with the hope of winning the recognition of their Treaty Rights.