The officers who served under the Dutch
View(s):This article is part of a continuing series on Sri Lankan history
There were ‘Mohottalas’ appointed to serve the ‘Adikaram.’ The ‘Radala’ class too assisted them. According to the records maintained by the Mohottalas, the Dutch duly declared the amount of taxes to be levied. Accordingly, work was also taken, based on the ‘Rajakariya’ system, where land is granted in exchange for services rendered.
The Dutch obtained much service from the people of this caste. Because of this, they were given special privileges.
Land and money were given to them for their subsistence. The Dutch demarcated a special district for the collection of elephants. That came to be known as ‘Bethma.’
Furthermore, these records declared the extent of land given to each individual. Going by the traditions respected for long, there were specific ‘rajakariya’ – to be performed by them. The caste they belonged to and even their personal names were written in these records. The peeling and collection of cinnamon, was vested with one particular caste only.
The people who were entrusted with the collection of elephants had to give
34 elephants, including four tuskers, annually. In later years they had handed over
70 elephants from the Matara Dissawani.
The officers took steps to see that these duties were performed well. They had to see that these people who were working for them were prevented from going to the king.
The Dutch saw to it that all the chief officers, who were involved in these duties, were conferred honorary titles and they were always given special privileges too.
By Halaliye Karunathilake
Edited and translated by Kamala Silva
Illustrated by Saman Kalubowila