The Disapati and other officers
According to the division done by the Dutch, it is the Matara division that was named Galle district. The area included in this division was the land from the Bentota River up to Walawe Ganga. From the land side, it was the area from Pitigala, Beralapanatara, Mapalagama and Katuwana.
This article is part of a continuing series on Sri Lankan history
The Commander of Colombo functioned as the Governor of these lands plus the lands of the whole island. He was appointed by the Governor of Batavia. But that appointment was approved by the Director of the Dutch Company.
This article is part of a continuing series on Sri Lankan history
The Dutch Governor was their highest officer in Sri Lanka. He had a Council of Advisors to assist him. A Dissawa was appointed to each district to develop trade, cultivation of land, collect taxes and carry on the administration of the district.
To assist the Disapati, two officers named ‘Overseers’, were appointed for each district. The Mudliyar of Jaffna functioned as an assistant to the Disapati. Officers were also appointed to see to work relating to trade.
The officers appointed to see to trade matters were named as ‘Upper Merchant’, ‘Merchant’ and ‘Under Merchant’. It’s the Disapati who controlled the army. He was assisted by Major, Captain, Lieutenant and Ensign, who were all Mudliyars. The mercenary armies were under Mudliyar and Arachchi.
By Halaliye Karunathilaka
Edited and translated by Kamala Silva
Illustrated by Saman Kalubowila