When we lost our freedom in 1815

By Leonard R. Mahaarachchi

Just a few weeks ago we celebrated the Golden Jubilee of our Independence, lost 183 years ago, and regained in 1948. Hence it is not inopportune to regress to that historic occasion when our forefathers signed the Kandyan Convention, thus forfeiting our freedom. That sad day was the 2nd of March 1815.

Our chronicles bear witness to the fact that we had enjoyed 2359 years of self-rule, sans foreign domination, till it was surrendered to the English invaders on that fateful day. If one were to reckon the day from our calendar it was 1036 of the Sinhala year. Commonly identified as the 'Udarata Givisuma' since it was signed in the historic city of Kandy, the party that represented the locals were the Adikarams,the Disawas and other feudal chieftains, while the other party had Lt. General Robert Brownrigg as the Distinguished Representative of His Majesty King George III of Great Britain.

From a local point of view this signing of the Udarata Givisuma was a gross betrayal of our nation, and the perpetrators go down in history as traitors. Prominent among the audience that day, were Rev. Wariyapola Sri Sumangala Thera, and Kandyan Agents, Keppetipola and Ratwatte Disawas, while the order was read out by John D'Oyly, in the presence of Governor Robert Brownrigg, at the famous Magul Maduwa in Kandy. It contained 12 sections, the first two of which said that King Sri Wickrema Rajasinghe, had forfeited the Throne with all privileges connected to it, the third section that all male relatives of the King would be deported, and that they had no right to stay in the island and anyone helping them would risk their lives. Section No: 4 stipulated that the major and minor officials of the kingdom would retain their rights, but would be coming direct under the influence of the English Governors. The following section dealt with the freedom of worship to the Buddhists of the country, and that devalegam would be spared from any harm. Their maintenance and protection had been guaranteed. The 6th section dealt with the abolition of bodily harm hitherto a type of punishment. The sole authority of passing the death penalty rested with the Governor General, vide the 7th section of the convention, while the 8th stipulated that civil and criminal cases of the up country folk could go on as before, but might on certain occasions came under the ambit of the Governor. This meant that all cases covering the rest of the country, came under the purview of the Governor General, as was ascertained by section 9. Section 10 cancelled the proclamation that the Thun Korale, Sathara Korale and the Sabaragamuwa regions were to come under British rule, while the next section dealing with finances stipulated that taxes and revenue would be collected and utilised for the Royalty in England. The last section dealt with internal and external trade, which would come under the supervision of the Governor, who was the King's representative here.

This convention was signed at the Magul Maduwa after the 12 sections were read aloud, before the Government's chief translator John D'Oyly and the Governor's representative Secretary James Sutherland. While Sir Robert Brownrigg the Governor of Ceylon signed the agreement on behalf of the British government, local Adikarams Ehelepola, and Molligoda and 11 Chief Disawas signed for the locals. The Disawe of Uva, Monarawila Keppetipola Nilame was the only person to sign the document in his native Sinhala, while the rest laid their signatures in Tamil. The Britishers took pains to show the locals that the country being taken over by them was not something to fear since it had the blessings of the up-country people who wanted it that way. They also went out of their way to tell the people that it was the King's folly in the administration, that made them take over reins of the country.

Their intention was to justify in the minds of locals, that the take over of governance was something that they would one day feel happy about.

Later it was ceremoniously told to the country, that due to pressure from up country rulers, they were taking over the rule having entered into the Udarata Rajadhaniya, and its capital. This is how history depicts the great betrayal by our people, losing the sovereignty they had enjoyed for a full 2359 years.

But it did not take much time for strained relationships to develop between the British rules and our up country folk. The agreement had its adverse effects on our economy and adminstration. The majority of the people, specially the Buddhist monks were disenchanted with the new administration.

Displeasure was there, for all to see, that everything was not normal with the handing over. But there was little else anyone could do to redress the situation. The situation continued and thus a struggle began for the country's Independence, which we ultimately gained on 4th February 1948.

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