7th September 1997

History of the Ceylon Police

The Walapane Disturbances

For sometime the Walapane district was in a disturbed state due chiefly to the activities of a Pretender. He was Kolonne Appuhamilage Don Floris de Silva Gooneratne, who was the son of K. A. Don Floris, the Police Vidane of Warakana in the Raigam Korale. When he was 9 years of age he became a Samanera donned yellow robes and went to Jaffna. From here he accompanied a Prince to Tanjore. On his return he went to Kandy and took the higher order-Upasampada at the Malwatte Temple. He then took the name Chandrajothy Seelawansa Saranankara Unnanse. This was in 1840. He then gave up his robes and became a Christian, being baptised by the Baptist Minister. But before long he again donned the yellow robes of the Monk. He was referred to as ‘Heeralurala’; Bentota Unnanse and also as ‘Kumara Deiyo’.

He was assisted by Denis, alias Jawa, alias Wahumpuraya. How he came to be referred to as Jawa is thus explained. "The sobriquet Jawa or Malay he seems to have received not from any similiarity in his appearance to a Malay but because he is well known to the Malays and was their emissary to them on all occasions. He belonged to the Wahumpura community and hence he was referred to as Wahumpuraya. He was now 25 years of age, of good physique and yellow complexion. His face was round and he had catseyes. His beard was unshaven and hair was long.

Besides, at this time there was much discontentment in the Walapane district. The common folk had lost their chena lands and grazing grounds and further discouraged because they could expect no justice due to the "rapacity of the Proctors". The Priests were dissatisfied because "their religion was fast failing, their cermonies are ill attended, the offerings are few and little attention paid to the Temples which are crumbling away the religion itself". The stage was thus set for the Pretender, Bentota Unnase to further his own designs.

By April 1842 it was known that a Pretender was going about Upper Dumbara seeking support. In May it was known that the Pretender was at Puddalgoda and Medagampitiya. But before he could establish himself, Gomagoda Aratchi seized the Pretender, Bentota Unnanse and handed him over to the authorities to be detained in the Kandy gaol. This caused a lull in treasonable activities in the area.

In January 1843 Bentota Unnanse was released from gaol without any sort of trial. He tarried in Kandy for a short time till two of his comrades were released. On their release, he set out with them to Hewaheta. Here he was given a right royal reception. People prostrated before him, gave him presents of cloth and assured him of support, in men and arms. He next went to Nuwara Eliya. There, when he was talking to the Constable, a lowcountry man in liquor accused him saying "You are the man creating disturbances in the country, calling yourself a King". Bentota Unnanse got away from Nuwara Eliya as fast as he could.

By now Loku Banda Dunuwille was Superintendent of Police having as his first great task, the rounding up of the Pretenders.

He sent men out to Walapane and began ferreting out information of what was going on in this area. Before long he learnt that Bentota Unnanse alias Kumara Deiyo was going about gaining support for a rebellion. There were in the area, in close touch with them, two Telegu-speaking persons who were said to be related to the last King. lt was also learnt that Gallegoda Dissawe and several others were supporting them. They were soon before Captain Kelson for questioning. Treasonable activities were reaching the peak and D’Day was fast approaching. On June 5 Andrawewa Korale asked for 12 men to arrest Bentota Unnanse. But on the next day Bentota Unnanse and his supporters raided his house. Andrawewa got away in time to Nuwara Eliya. Meanwhile 100 men assembled at Arukwatte, where Bentota Unnanse was residing to start the rebellion, by attacking

Nuwara Eliya. They had to give up this as they were perturbed by the inquiries which Captain Kelson was holding in Nuwara Eliya. The rebels now scattered, Bentota Unnanse going to Dumbara while Denis and others lingered in Walapane.

Captain Kelson now issued Warrants for the arrest of Bentota Unnanse and his supporters. On receipt of these Loku Banda sent a large force to execute these warrants. The rebels were kept on the run till Bentota Unnanse was arrested. He was produced before Captain Kelson, and on June 28 made a confession admitting his part in it and not implicating others. Captain Kelson recorded this confession in the presence of H. C. Selby, Deputy Queens Advocate, taking all the precautions necessary to make it admissible in evidence.

Loku Banda was satisfied that Bentota Unnanse was the Pretender and was the person mentioned in the warrant. But Buller was aware that there was another Pretender. "1 have, however reason to believe that the real Pretender is at the moment in the country and the Superintendent of Police is now prepared to seize him". lt did not take long for Loku Banda’s men to seize Denis, and the others concerned in this. Lohu Banda and his men by their persevering inquiries and their vigilance thwarted the efforts of the rebels. "And the vigilant watch kept over all their proceedings through the instrumentality of Dunuwllle, Superintendent of Police to whose exertions the greatest credit is due".

Inspite of these arrests and the vigilance exercised, the possibility of an outbreak of disturbance could not be completely ruled out. Loku Banda’s inquiries revealed the possibility of an outbreak during the Kandy Perahera "that should the evil disposed Kandyans of the interior even wish to make an attempt of disturbing the Town, such designs are only to be accomplished while the Perahera festival is going on here, owing to the opportunity which would then afford them: the concourse of almost all the residents of several districts in Town". He

asked for permission to employ extra peons and added. "That the proposed arrangement does not proceed from fear of any disturbances which 1 see no reason to believe but merely to secure a force beforehand for the safety of the Town on the occasion and assistance in case of emergency". The Government, however, decided to send Police from Colombo to assist. The plan to create trouble during the Perahera, in this way, was averted. The rebels, kept away from the Perahera. "That the Perahera was ill-attended and, that because it was generally known the Government, was in possession of the intention of the disaffected." Besides"infiltrating into Kandy was difficult "there being Police Peons from Colombo at each of the ferries". The special police strength returned to Colombo, costing the Government £22-18-lld as batta. The Colonial Secretary-Anstruther had issued a letter of instruction regarding the nature of evidence to be recorded, and the manner in which it should be recorded. Besides he appears to have directed Major Rogers to report to him direct and not through his immediate superior, the Government Agent (Buller). Buller naturally protested and wanted to be allowed discretion to record hearsay evidence. He added, "the evils of rejecting such information is shown in my letter of 13th instant and as it tends to keep me in the dark respecting the intentions of the disaffected. I am desirous of being relieved from it - should also Major Rogers, commission be considered to have terminated. I would beg to request that he be instructed to report to me any circumstances which comes to his notice respecting any appearance of rising that may evince itself in that part of the Province, as 1 am led to imagine from not having received any communication from him regarding these matters for some time that he is of opinion that he is expected to report to Government direct on any point connected with this subject and not through me as my assistant".

The Queen vs. Chandrajothy Seelawansa, Saranankara Unnanse and others.

Bentota Unnanse and 1l others were charged for Treason in the Supreme Court, Badulla. The Trial took place on the 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 11th, 12th and 13th September 1843. On these dates several witnesses were examined and the Confession of Bentota was led in evidence. The evidence showed conspiracy but did not disclose a plan. There was evidence of gathering of people, preparation of powder and ammunition and collection of guns. The first accused was convicted on his own confession and the rest were discharged. The sentence on the first accused was "That the Ist Prisoner be drawn to the place of execution on Wednesday the 15th November next and hanged by the neck till dead". The sentence was commuted to life imprisonment.

In the indictment Bentota Unnanse headed the list with his full name Chandrajothy Seelawansa Saranankara Unnanse and the 12th accused was Denis. An Asterisk describes him as the "Present Pretender." In his confession Bentota Unnanse described the Kandyans as rebels and stated that the rebellion will end when the two Princes are seized. Interest in them seemed to have suddenly ceased. Though one of them was said to be in the Kataragama Devale Kandy.

In evidence it transpired that Denis collected men but slipped away when the Messengers came looking for them. He became again active after the case. "After this Denis and David and Dingirala went about the country and collected money on the pretence of collecting an army to wage war against the British Government. They were seized several times but were let off with a reprimand. Since then Denis has always been actively engaged in preparing the people for war". But of Bentota Unnanse no more was heard. Loku Banda was convinced that banishment was the only way of checking them. Buller agreed. "I fully concur in the opinion of the Superintendent that until they are sent out of the country these annual disturbances will take plase to the great and serious injury of the country".

For the arrest of Bentota Unnanse a sum of £31-lOs was given by the Government to reward the officers who did good work. Nugaliadde Korale and Sergeant Mahat received £5 each while the others received smaller sums. When Denis was arrested the Government gave only £15 for distribution as rewards. Loku Banda’s work was appreciated and it was minuted "I think Loku Banda should be commended and hopes of an increased salary held out to him".

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