Traitor status given to patriotic heroes who led Uva Wellassa rebelluion revoked

President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday officially declared names of 19 Kandyan leaders as patriotic war heroes who fought for the freedom of the Motherland by revoking the Gazette issued by English Governor Robert Brownrigg in January, 1818 listing 19 Kandyan leaders as traitors, a statement from the Presidential Secretariat said.

Keppetipola Disawe, Godagedara Rate Adikaram, Ketakala Mohottaale, Kataragama Maha Bethma Raterala, Kataragama Kuda Bethma Raterala, Polgolla Mohottaale, Watte Kale Mohottaale, Polgahagedara Rehenaraale, Posrewatta Vidane, Kiwlegedara Mohottale, Kalugamuwe Mohottaale, Udumadure Mohottaale, Kohukumbure Rateraale, Kohukumbure Walawwe Rateraale, Butuwe Rateraale, Baginigahawela Rateraala, Mahabadulle Gammane Rateraale, Bulupitiye Mohottaale and Palle Melheyaye Gamethiraale are the 19 Kandyan leaders who were given ‘National Hero’ status on the special order issued by President Sirisena on December 8, 2016.

The 19 Kandyan leaders were named as traitors by the British Government for leading the Uva Wellassa rebellion in 1818 by issuing a Gazette by English Governor Robert Brownrigg in January 18, 1818 listing 19 Kandyan leaders as traitors.

After 198 years, President Maithripala Sirisena signing a special declaration on December 8, 2016 in Colombo, cancelled the Gazette issued by the British Government listing 19 Kandyan leaders as traitors.