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A historical conundrum: Was the Kandyan convention signed today?
View(s):By L. B. Senaratne
Today, March 2, is said to mark the 210th anniversary of the signing of the Kandyan Convention, though questions remain as to whether it was actually signed on this day or was only finalised later.
According to some historical sources, the signing of the Act of Settlement of the Kandyan Kingdom, better known as the Kandyan Convention or Treaty, was not signed on March 2, 1815, as is widely believed, but only read for the benefit of the Mahanayake of Malwatta the Venerable Kobbekaduwa Sri Nivasa Thera.
The Asgiri Maha Vihare did not participate in the proceedings as shown in a report published by the Correspondent of “London Times ” on 18th November 1815, though it was filed on 3rd March 1815 from Kandy.
Sketches from the past: D'Oyly in conversation with the adigars
After the Treaty was read in English by the Deputy Secretary to the Governor Sir Robert Brownrigg at the audience hall it was read in Cingalese (Sinhalese) by Gate Mudaliyar Abrham de Saram for the benefit of the ‘inhabitants’ present.
The report of the London Times correspondent on the signing of the Convention states: “After the treaty was read in Cingalese, the Adigar Molligoda and other Chiefs proceeded to the great door of the Hall, where Mohottalas, Coraals, Vidaans, and other subordinate Headmen from the different Provinces were attending with a great concourse of inhabitants and the Headmen being called on by the Adigar to range themselves in order according to their respective Districts, the treaty was again read out by the Modeliyar in Cingalese – at the conclusion of which the British Flag was hoisted for the first time and a Royal Salute from the Cannon of the City announced His Majesty George the Third Sovereign of the whole island of Ceylon.”
The signing of the convention
The Treaty for the signatures of the Chiefs was with John D’Oyly till the18th of March.
It is alleged that the signature of Ehelepola was forged by D’Oyly, the man who masterminded the signing of the convention, as Ehelepola’s signature on the document differs from the signature in a document later sent by him from Mauritius to the Government Agent in Kandy to give his lands to his sister. This document is now in the National Archives.
Hence doubts linger about when the document was actually signed. It can be assumed that the Treaty was not signed on March 2, 1815, but only read out.
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