The selfish officers
View(s):This article is part of a continuing series on the ‘Mahavamsa,’ the recorded chronicle of Sri Lankan history
Due to the imposition of taxes and the way services were expected, the people had to undergo a lot of suffering. The officers overlooked the caste differences existing at the time and expected services. But the minor officers who were under the chief officers were selfish. They often oppressed the subjects. Due to this, there were revolts. Meanwhile, the mercenary soldiers who were selected from each district had to obey a new act. All this time, they had permission to engage in agricultural activities, when they were not involved in fighting. Hereafter, it was prohibited. The reason being that there were constant wars and the likelihood of their being away from home, for months.
Because of this regulation, descendants of those who were killed in war could not claim their ‘Praveni’ land (where ownership was theirs all this time) but if there was a brother or a son, who liked to render military services, then he could exercise the claim to that land. He could transfer the land to another person, provided that the person who claimed ownership to the land was also ready to render services to the army. These mercenary soldiers were the individuals who served under the ‘Arachchis’ and ‘Mudliyars’.
The chief mudliyar of the mercenary army or the commander of such an army, was conferred the name Wickramasinghe. This name was given only to the Sinhala people and the Portuguese who got married to Sinhala women.
The Mudliyar who held this post was powerful. They treated the mercenary soldiers in a low
manner. They were the people who often revolted against the Portuguese. They were the ones who sought refuge with the King of Kandy. Once the Portuguese claimed ownership of the low country, many of these soldiers took to other trades. Some were engaged in the sale of arecanuts. Most of them embraced Christianity. As a result more churches and schools were put up all over. This movement progressed to such a degree that the priests who were in the island were not enough to serve in these institutions.
The priests who were here, belonged to the Franciscan sect. The chief of this sect had to request for more priests to be in-charge of establishing a Higher Education Institution in Colombo and to
conduct the church services in the seven korales. The request was made to the Jesuit priests. Accordingly priests belonging to the Dominican order came to serve here. In addition, other priests belonging to four sects, were equally employed within the city of Colombo.
By Halaliye Karunathilake
Edited and translated by
Kamala Silva
Illustrated by
Saman Kalubowila
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