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SIR,

Enclosure 2 in No. 52,

ESALA PERAHERA,

Kandy Kachcheri, 10th July, 1915. I HAVE the honour to address you on the subject of the Esala perahera at Kandy, which the Diva Nilame of the Dilada Maligawa and the Basnayake Nilames of the four Dewalas propose to hold between 11th and 28th August.

2. A copy of the programme furnished by the Diva Nilame is annexed, with translation. The route mentioned is as usual.

3. The Diva Nilame has interviewed me on the matter, and I annex copy of a statement made to me by him.

I have subsequently seen the Basnayake Nilames, and they agreed with the views expressed by the Diva Nilame. A few of the tenants of the Maha Dewale come from the three Korales, as well as from the four and seven Korales.

4. I have consulted the Officer Commanding the Troops, Kandy, and the Super- intendent of Police, and consider that the perahera might be allowed to take place under adequate precautions for the public peace.

5. The precautions I suggest are as follows:-

6.

(1) The continuance of martial law.

(2) The presence of the military and police, reinforced by the usual extra

police.

(3) The guarding of the Maligawa (to prevent the sudden circulation of false reports that the Maligawa is being attacked).

(4) The guarding of the mosques.

(5) The closing of taverns in Kandy at 2 p.m.

(6) To have no special trains to bring visitors to Kandy for the perahera.

It would, I think, be impracticable to issue passes to persons coming in for the perahera I would, instead. suggest that the hours during which persons are prohibited from being in the streets under martial law be extended (as regards the town of Kandy) for the 16th to 21st, and 23rd to 26th August to 2 a.m., and for the 27th August for the whole night.

7. The reluctance of the temple authorities to give security is due partly, I think, to the belief that their enemies might endeavour to cause a breach of the peace with a view to the levying of a penalty on the temple authorities.

The temple authorities should be informed that the perahera would be stopped on the indication of any likelihood of there being a breach of the peace. Security should be taken as usual against damage by elephants, and the bonds must be duly stamped by the obligors.

pera-

8. I have learned from many sources that there is a general wish that the hera should be held-and if the precautions referred to are adopted I do not anticipate any disturbance.

The Honourable

The Colonial Secretary.

I am, &c.,

C. S. VAUGHAN, Government Agent. Central Province.

PROGRAMME.

Kandy Esala Perahera, 1915.

11TH AUGUST, 1915.-Within the temple premises.

Kumbal perahera. 18th August, 8 p.m.-Maligawa to Ward Street, Ward Street to the junction with Pavilion Street, Pavilion Street to the junction with King Street, King Street to Maligawa along the Temple Square, by the road between Maha Dewale and Nata Dewale.

17th August, 8 p.m.-Maligawa to Ward Street, Ward Street as far as the junc- tion with Pavilion Street, Pavilion Street as far as the junction with Colombo Street, Colombo Street as far as the junction with Trincomali Street, Trincomali Street as far as the junction with King Street, King Street to the Maligawa as above.

18th August, 8 p.m.-Maligawa to Ward Street, Ward Street as far as the junc- tion with Trincomali Street, Trincomali Street as far as the junction with Colombo Street, Colombo Street as far as the junction with Castle Hill Street, Castle Hill Street as far as the junction with King Street, King Street to Dalada Maligawa

as above.

19th August, 8 p.m.-Maligawa to Ward Street, Ward Street to the junction with Castle Hill Street, Castle Hill Street as far as the junction with King Street, King Street to Maligawa as above.

20th August, 8 p.m.-Maligawa to Ward Street, Ward Street as far as the junc- tion with Castle Hill Street, Castle Hill Street as far as the junction with Colombo Street, Colombo Street as far as the junction with Brownrigg Street, Brownrigg Street as far as the junction with King Street. King Street to Maligawa as above. 21st August, 8 p.m.--Ward Street as far as the junction with Pavilion Street, Pavilion Street as far as the junction with Colombo Street, Colombo Street as far as the junction with Brownrigg Street, Brownrigg Street as far as the junction with King Street, King Street to Maligawa as above.

23rd August, 8 p.m.-Maligawa to Ward Street, Ward Street as far as the junc- tion with Pavilion Street, Pavilion Street as far as the junction with Colombo Street, Colombo Street as far as the junction with Castle Hill Street, Castle Hill Street as far as the junction with King Street, King Street to Maligawa as above.

24th August, 8 p.m -Maligawa to Ward Street, Ward Street as far as the junc- tion with Castle Hill Street, Castle Hill Street as far as the junction with Colombo Street, Colombo Street as far as the junction with Brownrigg Street, Brownrigg Street as far as the junction with King Street, King Street as far as the junction with Castle Hill Street, Castle Hill Street as far as the junction with Cross Street, Cross Street as far as the junction with Trincomali Street, Trincomali Street as far as the junction with King Street, King Street to Maligawa as above.

25th August, 8 p.m.-Maligawa to Ward Street, Ward Street as far as the junc- tion with Brownrigg Street, Brownrigg Street as far as the junction with Cross Street, Cross Street as far as the junction with Trincomali Street, Trincomali Street as far as the junction with King Street, King Street to Maligawa as above.

26th August, 8 p.m.-Maligawa to Ward Street, Ward Street as far as the junc- tion with Brownrigg Street, Brownrigg Street as far as the junction with Colombo Street, Colombo Street as far as the junction with Castle Hill Street, Castle Hill Street as far as the junction with Hill Street, Hill Street as far as the junction with Trincomali Street, Trincomali Street as far as the junction with King Street, King Street to Maligawa as above.

27th August, 8 p.m.--Maligawa to Ward Street, Ward Street as far as the junc- tion with Brownrigg Street, Brownrigg Street as far as the junction with Cross Street, Cross Street as far as the junction with Castle Hill Street, Castle Hill Street as far as the junction with Hill Street, Hill Street as far as the junction with Trin- comali Street. Trincomali Street as far as the junction with King Street, King Street to Maligawa as above.

27th August, 12 p.m. The peraheras of the four Dewalas reassemble near the Maligawa and proceed with Maligawa perahera to Aradane Maluwa, and the Dewale peraheras go back to the respective Dewalas, and then proceed to Getambe ferry along the Katukelle Street, and then come back along the same route and halt at Ganadewikovila.

28th August. The peraheras of the four Dewalas start from the Ganadewikovila and join the Maligawa perahera at Aradana Maluwa, and then the whole perahera starts from there at 2.30 p.m. and wends its way along Trincomali Street as far as its junction with King Street. and then along it to Temple Square, where it parades round twice and then terminates.

N.B.-The time is subject to slight alteration according to circumstances.

No time could be fixed for closing each day's perahera, as it depends upon the distances.

C. B. Nugawela says: I have no objection to the taverns being closed during perahera days. I think it would be enough if they were closed at 2 p.m.

"2. It would be better to consult the Basnayake Nilames about the hour of closing each night.

3. Booths are not necessary-booths may be allowed on. the railway land, near the police station.

4. Extra police are required. I request that no one be allowed to follow or walk with the perahera except the police and the people taking part in the perahera.

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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :--

III CO. 882/10

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH--NOT TO

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