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ജ്ഞ
TWENTIET
IMPRE
ITS HISTORY, PE
INDUSTRIES AJ
EDIT
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ASIAN EDUCATI
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རྗེར་བློ་ཡོད་) 2
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ED BY
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ONAL SERVICES
MADRAS 1999
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(Lmentictly (Úent
(Cey
ITS HISTORY, PEC INDUSTRIES, AN
EDITED BY ARN
LONDON, DURBAN, COLOMBO, PER
LLOYD'S GREATER BRITAIN
IC
(ELS)-
DPLE, COMMERCE, ND RESOURCES.
NOLD WRIGHT.
CH (W.A.), SINGAPORE, HONG KONG:
PUBLISHING COMPANY, LTD.
Page 10
UNWIN BR
(pe (5
WokING (SU
BY OTHERS, LIMITED, 2sbam Nte33,
RREY) AND LONDON, NGLAND.
Page 11
Page 12
W
HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR AN
WICE-ADMIRAL STR HENRY AR
W
N
D COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF CEYLON,
THUR BLAKE, G.C.M.G., F.R.C.L.
Page 13
Page 14
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Page 17
PRE
GNS=
HIS work is the outcome o and reliable information value of a fuller knowled dencies of the Crown as a parts of the King’s domini speech, and the same note House address in which Hi the Empire, from which he the case of Canada, the lo form information relative to the territory which they a enterprise in this direction has not been possible, or, at in this prolific field that the publishers are working. S in the widespread public interest taken in their operati and in the extremely cordial reception given by the Pr. Briefly, the aim which the publishers keep steadily or dependency treated. As old Stow with patient appl. survey the London of his day, so the workers employed complete in every particular, of the distant passessions treated. Responding to modern needs and tastes, the lite phase of life, bringing to the elucidation of the subject of pictorial illustration. Thus, a work is compiled whi reference and for practical business objects, but is of un of the Empire.
Following closely upon the lines of the earlier w volume, dealing with the beautiful island Colony of Cey are recognised experts in the particular subjects with ve", of the more notable sections may be briefly indicated he special prominence has been given to the historical mai the chequered and romantic course of Sinhalese power kings. Similarly, the investigator may, with the aid domintation, from the time when the Portuguese galleys Majesty King Edward VII. reigns with undisputed community.
In Ceylon the religious element has always been c. great seat of Buddhist learning, the centre in which
an enterprise designed to give in an attractive form full with reference to the outlying parts of the Empire. The ge of the “Britains beyond the Sea” and the great depenmeans of tightening the bonds which unite the component ons was insisted upon by Mr. Chamberlain in a memorable ran through the Prince of Wales's impressive Mansion S Royal Highness summed up the lessons of his tour through ; had then just returned. In some instances, notably in cal governments have done much to diffuse in a popular administer. But there are other centres in which official all events, in which action has not been taken, and it is o far they have found ample justification for their labours ons in the Colonies vehich have been the scene of their work, ess, both home and Colonial, to the completed results.
before them is to give a perfect microcosm of the Colony ication and scrupulous regard for accuracy set himself to in the production of this series endeavour to give a picture, of the Crown. But topograf hy is only one of the features rary investigators devote their attention to every important treated the powerful aid of the latest and best methods h is not only of solid and enduring value for purposes of ique interest to all who are interested in the development
orks of the series on Western Australia and Natal, this lon, embodies a great mass of information by writers who hich they deal. The pages speak for themselves, but a few re. As befits an island so rich in ancient lore as Ceylon, ter, and the reader will be able to trace through the ages o its tragic close in the squalid despotism of the Kandyan of the work, follow step by step the story of European appeared off the island until the present day, when His sway over a highly civilised and intensely progressive
osely associated with the dynastic and political. As the he doctrines of the great Teacher were first committed to
Page 18
PREE
writing, it enjoys a position of peculiar sanctity in the due regard has been given to the fact in the preparation special articles dealing with Buddhist lore, literature, an interesting monographs upon the subjects with which they
While in these and other directions due regard interesting Colony, its modern aspects have been fully tr trative, judicial, educational, municipal, and commerci illustrated, and the volume embodies a comprehensive information, in special articles and other contributions, on of the Colony, too, have been exhaustively and impartial in the domain of ordinary church work. A special note The list of subjects embraces practically every personage care has been taken to compile the notices, it may be cla On the commercial side the volume has exceptiona complete record of the manifold interests of the island. rubber industry, the widely diffused coconut interest, the dhe multifarious trade enterprises vehich centre in a thri and in the result is produced a record which may be con which desires to extend its connections in the East. A be found in the details of this section. But, on the oth attaches to the illustrative features of these pages. The or rubber estate or in the more prosaic field of retail from the commonplace, while the portraiture reveals the appreciated by all who are attracted by the East. Ind gallery of pictures of the homes of Ceylon which for li likely to be surpassed.
Generally it may be stated that in carrying through it completeness and accuracy. On the one hand the local material upon which to build the structure of the book; order to secure that no error should creep in to marth tropical climate, where many of the resources of Weste available, has been necessarily arduous. But the Editor materially lightened by the cordial goodwill which he ha, been refused, while from many quarters has come assist has been of signal value in the working out of the plans His Excellency Sir Henry Arthur Blake, G.C.M.G., th taken a deep and abiding interest in the work in its v ledge not only the goodwill which His Excellency has ma His Excellency, which, having been acted upon, have ac record of the life of the Colony. The Editor has also to ment departments and to the leading officials of public his duties by a ready compliance with his requests for in It is desirable to state in conclusion that there is inc rule observed is the phonetic one, and provided this is fa such length is this etymological laxity carried that often the spelling of their surnames,
The word “ Singalese” or “Singhalese,” as it is usu. form adopted by Government-Sinhalese.
COLOMBO, JANUARY, I907.
ACE
minds of many millions of the world's population, and of the work. The introductory historical article and the 'd customs, will be found highly instructive and deeply
deal.
has been had to the historic claims of this singularly 2ated from every point of view-topographical, adminisal. Incidentally the lighter phases of life have been record of social institutions, together with a mass of 5 sports and pastines. The modern religious institutions ly dealt with, both on the side of missionary effort and should be made of the biographical element in the book. of importance in the island, and as the most scrupulous imed for the feature that it will be of enduring value. l claims to attention as an accurate and absolutely The great tea industry, the new and rapidly developing banks and kindred financial agencies, the shipping and wing Colony like Ceylon-all have their share of space, 'sulted with advantage by every business house in Europe certain monotony, inevitable in the circumstances, may er hand, it may be pleaded that a picturesque interest commercial operations of the island, whether on the tea trade, have a distinctiveness- which redeems the views domestic side of Ceylon life in a way which must be 'eed, we may go further and say that it constitutes a ving interest has never been equalled and is not soon
he work no pains or expense have been spared to ensure resources have been taved to the uttermost to secure the on the other, all facts have been sifted and re-sifted in 'e usefulness of the pages. This work, conducted in a in countries for conducting literary enterprises are not feels it a pleasure to acknowledge that his task has been S encountered on all hands. No important request has ance, in some instances spontaneously tendered, which
e Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the island, has arious stages, and the Editor has to gratefully acknow'nifested, but also the practical suggestions tendered by ided greatly to the value of the book as an authentic express his thanks to the heads of the various Governbodies and institutions, who have materially lightened formation.
standard way of spelling names in Ceylon. The only lowed, no ground of criticism is considered to lie. To members of the same family adopt different formis in
ally incorrectly rendered, is written throughout in the
§
Page 19
CON
GNo.
HISTORY OF CEYLON. BY C. M. FERNANDC
Barrister-at-Law, Crown Counsel for the Isle
PART I. THE PRE-VIJAYAN PERIOD PART II. ANCIENT REFERENCES TO CEY. PART III. THE MAHAVANSA : 543 B.C. To PART IV. THE INTRODUCTION OF BUDDH PART V. THE MAHAVANSA: 257 B.C. To PART VI. THE SULUVANSA: 3o4 A.D. To PART VII. THE EPIC OF PARAKRAMA BAF PART VIII. THE LATER SINHALESE KINGs PART IX. THE LIFE AND TIMES OF ALA] PART X. THE DISESTABLISHMENT OF TH PART XI. THE PORTUGUESE PERIOD . PART XII. THE DUTCH OCCUPATION
CEYLON UNDER BRITISH RULE: 1796-1906.
Supreme Court of Ceylon, Member of the Ro
CONSTITUTION AND LAW. BY DON ADRIAN S
Temple), Advocate of the Supreme Court of
PART I. THE CONSTITUTION PART II. THE LAW. PART III. THE ADMINISTRATION OF ĴuSTIC! LEGAL AND JUDICIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EsT ARCHAEOLOGY, BY JOHN STILL, Assistant Archa GEOGRAPHICAL AND METEOROLOGICAL FEATURE FAUNA. BY W. A. JULIUs. . o o o BoTANY. BY J. C. WILLIs, SC.D., F.L.S., Dire IRRIGATION. BY H. T. S. WARD, Director of 1 FoRESTS w GEOLOGY AND MINERALOGY, BY DR. A. l M.R.A.S., Director of the Mineralogical Sur NATIVE ARTS AND HANDICRAFTS. BY DR. A
M.R.A.S. . o NATIVE CEREMONIAL OBSERVANCEs. RAILWAYS .
By D. J.
, INFORMATION FOR TOURISTs. BY H. B. SMITH
POST AND TELEGRAPHS
LOCAL GOVERNMENT V a. 0. FINANCIAL. THE COLONIAL TREASURY. BY H
EDUCATION . w O THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT. BY SIR ALLAN F THE PEARL FISHERY. BY JAMEs HoRNELL, La
ENTS
2CSN2)
, M.A., LL.M. (CANTAB.), M.R.A.S., J.P., ጎtd
LON .
360 B.C. .
ISM .,
3O4 A.D. .
II52 A.D. U THE GREAT
: II97 A.D. To I215 A.D.
KESWARA
E SINHALESE POWER .
BY EDWARD W. PERERA, Advocate of the yal Asiatic Society of Ceylon . T. V. JAYEwARDENE, Barrister-at-Law (Inner Ceylon
E
ABILISHIMENTS , Yological Commissioner of Ceylon
S
ctor of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya rrigation
K. CooMARASWAMY, D.Sc., F.G.S., F.L.S., vey of Ceylon . e o | K. CooMARAswAMY, D.Sc., F.G.S., F.L.S.,
SUBASINHA
ɔN, MR. H. C. NICOLLE
ERRY, M.D. . o te Marine Biologist to the Ceylon Govern tent
PAGE
I3 I3 I6
2O
22
24 28
33
4O 43 43 55
რo
85
86 88
99 I39 I54 I57 I6 [
I73
п78
I8o
I95
2O4 2O7
209
2I3
2I9 225 227
Page 20
CONT
RUBBER. BY HERBERT WRIGHT, A.R.C.S., F.L.S CACAO. BY HERBERT WRIGHT, A.R.C.S., F.L.S. THE TEA INDUSTRY. BY KELWAY BAMBER, M.R. CocoNUT CULTIVATION LABOUR ON ESTATES. BY EDGAR TURNER, Secret SPORT. BY H. WoosNAM MILLs, Co-Editor “Tim ECCLESIASTICAL . 8 KANDY AND THE KANDYANs. BY MAJOR FRANK M
LAND SURVEY . 0.
THE PRESS KI>
SPICES AND OTHER PRODUCTs . KO 够 PoPULATION. BY THE HON. MR. P. ARUNACHALA
Member of the Legislative Council of Ceylon
AGRICULTURE . w 8.
SALT THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SHIPPING, COMMERCE, AND CUSTOMs
CEYLoN HARBoURs. BY CAPTAIN J. A. LEGGE OPIUM . . s Ο 8
COLOMBO O
COLOMBO COMMERCIAL : FoRT SECTION
COLOMBO COMMERCIAL : GENERAL
CoLOMBO PROFESSIONAL AND SOCIAL PLUMBAGo. BY E. MANNHEIMER, A.M.T.I.M.E. THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT . 8
FISHERIES . s
ARRACK AND TODDY . w 哈 4. THE PROVINCIAL ADMINISTRATIONS
WESTERN PROVINCE s vi
NoRTH-WESTERN PROVINCE
SOUTHERN PROVINCE o
NORTH-CENTRAL PROVINCE
EASTERN PROVINCE NoRTHERN ProviNCE .
SABARAGAMUWA PROVINCE
CENTRAL PROVINCE
UVA PROVINCE MILITARY AND VOLUNTEERS
CONCLUSION Φ 9
TABLE OF RELATIVE CEYLON TIME . 8 o
TABLES OF CURRENCY ● TABLES OF NATIVE WEIGHTS AND MEASURES .
INDEX &
APPENDIX
ENTS
A.C., M.R.A.S., F.C.S.
ary of the Planters' Association of Ceylon . les of Ceylon ”
MoDDER, F.R.G.S.
AM, M.A. (CANTAB.); Ceylon Civil Service,
Barrister-at-Law, Lincoln's Inn .
, Master Attendant
PAGE
234
242 248 25I
254 255 268
293
299
3OI
32O
323 355 362 ვ6ვ 369 373 392
393 425 466 52I 585 628 632 635 637 ό4ο 7 Ιό 75I 776 78o 78. 79I 798 847 857 863 864 864. 864 865 869
隱
§§
Page 21
Ömentieth (Centur
(Leul
ITS HISTORY, PEOPLE, COMMERC
~~صحتسبیب
HISTORY O
By C. M. FERNANDO, M.A.,
BARRISTER-AT-LAw, CRowN
گسسسسسخه
EPAIR
THE PRE-VIJA
SHE written history of Ceylon commences from the year 543 B.C. Ceylon is rich in its chronicles, and richer still in the ancient references made to her by writers of other “There is no island in the world,'
countries. says Sir Emerson Tennent, the eminert writer on Ceylon, “Great Britain itself not excepted, that has attracted the attention of authors in so
many different countries as Ceylon. There is no nation in ancient or modern times possessed of a language and a literature, the writers of which have not at some time made it their theme. Its aspect, its religion, its antiquities and productions have been described as well by the classic Greeks as by those of the Lower Empire; by the Romans; by the writers of China, Burma, India, and Kashmir; by the geographers of Arabia and Persia; by the mediaeval voyagers of Italy
and France; by the anr Spain; by the merchar land; and by the travel of Great Britain.'
Prior to the landing the sixth century befor date the written history now conceded that the advanced races, and th a civilised country date from Vijaya's occupati the Sinhalese chronicle of a civilised communi Vijayan occupation; a authenticity of these Turnour, an able schol lator of the Mahavan Great Dynasty), has authenticated by the evidence which can c. annals of any country.' Mahavansa and the Dip the Island Dynasty) wer
g impressions of
.IIIլ :
E, INDUSTRIES, AND RESOURCES
ཅང་
F CEYLON
LL.M. (CANTAB.), M.R.A.S., J.P.,
CounSEL FOR THE ISLAND.
محمھمحسسس سے
"T* 1.
YAN
alists of Portugal and ut adventurers of Hollers and topographers
of Vijaya, however, in e Christ-from which of Ceylon begins-it is island was peopled by at its actual history as s back many centuries on. The evidence of s proves the existence ty at the time of the nd in respect of the
chronicles, George ar and the first transa (the history of the said that “they are :oncurrence of every ontribute to verify the ' True it is that the avansa (the history of 2 written less as history
says,
PERIOD.
of current events than as a glorification of the Buddhistic religion; but even in such chronicles it was found necessary to interweave incident with fact in the history of the religion; and these incidents and facts are, as Turnour authenticated in the fullest possible manner. For example, we find that where the Sinhalese records depict the glories of a king or the greatness of his court, the facts are corroborated by a Latin historian, who i describes an embassy sent by the same king to the court of Rome. Again, where the chronicle refers to the building of a stupendous structure at a certain place by a certain king, we have confirmation of the historian’s statements in the narrative of a foreign traveller; while the existence of the structure itself at the present day and the inscriptions yet to be found upon it remove any lingering doubts as to the authenticity of the ancient record. In fine, as there was a Rome more ancient than that which Romulus and Remus founded, so Vijaya, the accepted founder of the Sinhalese race, was
Page 22
14
preceded by Lanka. Tennent has hazarded the opinion that the pre-Vijayan inhabitants of the island were wild men, who, during the Vijayan occupation and for some centuries afterwards, subsisted on fruits, honey, and the products of the chase. The remains of such a race are still to be found in the Veddahs, who dwell in the solitudes of the eastern portion of Ceylon. These wild men were not, however, the Yakkus (“demons') who were described as being in possession of the country when Vijaya arrived. There seems to have been a pre-Aryan colonisation of Ceylon cotemporaneous with the original Aryan colonisation of Southern India ; and when Wijaya landed in the island he found the country ruled by a number of petty princes, as England was during the days of the Heptarchy.
The ancient books of India contain references to the history of Ceylon and incidents of warfare in the island which can safely be said to have occurred at least five centuries before the landing of Vijaya. The two great Indian epics -the Mahabharata and the Ramayana-like all epics of ancient times, contain much that is mythical and fanciful; but like other ancient epics, whether of the West or of the East, they are founded upon actual facts of history, overlaid with a considerable veneer of poetic exaggeration and invention. As a narrative of events these poems may be of little account, but they are of value in that they prove that the poet-and therefore the society in which he lived-knew of the existence of the island, while they also throw many a sidelight on the state of ancient society in the countries in which the scenes are laid. We know from Indian bistory that long prior to Vijaya the wave of Aryan conquest flowed and inundated Southern India. The long and bloody war which Rama waged against Ravana, the king of Ceylon, seems to have been on the line of this irresistible wave from Southern India into Lanka. Stripped of its gorgeous Oriental trapping, the story runs as follows: Ravana, king of Lanka, hearing of the beauty of Sita, the wife of Rama (then in exile), carried her off to Ceylon. After tedious search Rama obtained a clue as to her whereabouts, and having allied himself with the nonAryan races of Southern India, he crossed over to Ceylon, gave battle to Ravana, defeated him, and recovered Sita. The non-Aryan tribes of Southern India are described in the poem as 'monkeys' and "bears," probably because their religion must have been some form of animal worship, just as the inhabitants of Lanka are described as "Yakkus” (“demons") because they must similarly have been demon worshippers. Reminiscences of this ancient invasion are yet found in the traditions which cluster around the island of Rameswaram, while the ancient city of Sitavaka and the
TWENTIETH CENTURY
plateau of Sita Eliya sti of Sita’s captivity in C we can gather from the -and therefore an orga were known in Ceylon that weapons were us the value of other acces fare was known to the of Ceylon. This condit cilable with a people honey, and the produ quote Mr. George W. things is incompatible v tribes who live by the c proved by our experien living in that way in world. The Red Indi Bushmen of Australia, tl and the Veddahs of Cey of the wandering, unsett to such pursuits and m In none of these races settled forms of govern to the conditions prevail Vijaya arrived."
Tennent, curiously e the contrary when he much plausibility—that Galle is identical with Tarshish mentioned in t from Tarshish that the s brought to him once in anceof wealth. Refere: Old Testament are num three may be given by v
“For the king had at with the navy of Hira years came the navy of and silver, ivory, apes, a х. 22).
“For the king had s! shish with the servants three years came the sh ing gold and silver, ivo cocks” (I Chron. ix. 2I) "Silver spread into Tarshish, and gold frol the workman, and of th blue and purple is their the work of cunning mg It will be seen from that Tarshish was knoy island; that the island v and that it was rich in and peacocks. Thus subsequent investigatio lish the claim of Mala land' of Solomon, and the track between the A is recognisable in the g Ceylon. The ships in were built by Solomon shores of the Red Sea
MPRESSIONS
preserve the memory ylon. It follows that (ndian epics that kings ised state of societyenturies before Vijaya, d, forts built, and that ories of civilised warre-Vijayan inhabitants on of affairs is irrecon
subsisting on fruits, cts of the chase. To 1 : “Such a state of ith the nomadic life of hase, as is conclusively e of several races still different parts of the ians of America, the Le Hottentots of Africa, on, all afford examples led mode of life proper anner of subsistence. do we find cities and ment, or any approach ing in the island when
lough, himself proves maintains-and with the modern port of the ancient seaport of he Scriptures. It was hips of King Solomon three years an abundnces to Tarshish in the erous. The following vay of example:- sea a navy of Tarshish m; once every three Tarshish, bringing gold nd peacocks" (I Kings
lips that went to Tarpf Hiram ; once every ps of Tarshish, bringy, and apes, and pea
slates is brought from 1 Uphaz, the work of hands of the founder; clothing; they are all n' (Jer. x.9).
the above quotations in to be situated in an as governed by kings; old, silver, ivory, apes, speaks Tennent: “A has served to estabca to be the 'golden Tarshish, which lay in abian Gulf and Ophir, eat emporium of south 2nded for the voyage st Ezion-Geber, on the The rowers coursed
OF CEYLON
along the shores of Arabia and the Persian Gulf, headed by an east wind. Tarshish, the port for which they were bound, appears to have been situated in a land governed by kings and carrying on an extensive foreign trade. The voyage occupied three years in going and returning through the Red Sea, and the cargo brought home to Ezion-Geber consisted of gold and silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks. Gold could have been shipped from Galle from the vessels which brought it from Ophir : "silver spread into plates,' which is particularised by the sacred historian as an export of Tarshish, is one of the substances on which the sacred books of the Sinhalese are even now inscribed; ivory is found in Ceylon, and must have been both abundant and full-grown before the discovery of gunpowder, which led to the wanton destruction of elephants. Apes are indigenous to the island, and peafowl are found there in prodigious numbers. It is very remarkable, too, that the terms by which these articles are designated in the Hebrew Scriptures are identical with the Tamil names by which some of them are called in Ceylon to the present day; thus ' tukiyim,' which is rendered 'peacocks' in our version, may be recognised in thokai'-the modern Tamil name for these birds; and "kapi (apes) is the same in both languages; and the Hebrew for "ivory," or rather 'habbin (elephants) is identical with the vernacular. Thus, by geographical position, by indigenous productions, and by the established fact of its having been from time immemorial the resort of merchants from Egypt, Arabia, and Persia, on the one side, and India, Java, and China, on the other, Galle seems to present a combination of every particular essential to determine the problem so long undecided in Biblical dialectics, and thus to present data for inferring its identity with the Tarshish of the sacred historian-'the great Eastern mart, frequented by the ships of Tyre and Judaea.”'”
Before proceeding to review the conditions of life in Lanka at the time of the Vijayan invasion, it would be as well to state something about Vijaya himself. It is said that a king of Bengal once married a daughter of the king of Orissa. Their daughter, the Princess Suppadevi, mated with a lion, and gave birth to twins-a son and a daughter. The son, named Sinhabahu, afterwards became the powerful king of a large tract of Bengal and had many children, the eldest of whom was Vijaya. The Rajavaliya (chronicle of the kings) says of him: "Be it known that on the day of Vijaya's birth seven hundred menchildren were born in the same city; because he was destined to destroy the demons in illustrious Lanka, and assume sovereignty by the power of the merit of his birth.” On
Page 23
TWENTIETH CENTURY IM
coming of age, Prince Vijaya was created sub-king, Uvaraja; but, like Prince Hal, the roistering youth who afterwards became the wise and brave King Henry V. of England, Vijaya showed such strong symptoms of a wild and reckless disposition as to jeopardise the security of his father's government. The king, fearing on the one hand the danger of a civil war, and on the other loath to sacrifice his son to the violence of an enraged people, put Vijaya and his followers (seven hundred in number) into a fully equipped ship, ordering them to seek their fortunes in some country across the ocean. Thus he came to Lanka, and with his followers landed in this ancient isle and founded that line of monarchs, which for length of years is unequalled in history.
The Mahavansa recites how Vijaya landed in Ceylon, and how he met a Yakkini queen, named Kuveni, seated at the foot of a tree spinning thread. Vijaya, according to the narrative, consented to marry Kuveni and make her his queen, and it is said that she distributed among Vijaya and his followers “rice and a variety of other articles." She then procured a splendid bed, "curtained as with a wall and fragrant with incense,' for the repose of the king. In the night the king heard the sounds of song and music, and inquired from the queen whence they proceeded. She replied, “In the city Sirivattha, in this island, there is a Yakku sovereign, Kalasena, and in the Yakku city, Lankapura, there is another sovereign. Having conducted his daughter Pusamitta thither, her mother, Kondanamika, is now bestowing that daughter at a marriage festival on the sovereign there. From that circumstance there is a great festival in an assembly of Yakkus. That great assemblage will keep up that revel without intermission for seven days; this revel of festivity is in that quarter. Such an assemblage will not occur again, Lord this very day extirpate the Yakkus ' The king, accepting this advice, proceeded to the scene of the festival with his followers, and destroyed the Yakkus. He assumed the court dress of the Yakku chief, Kalasena, and his retinue donned the vestments of the other Yakkus. After this victory, Vijaya founded the city of Tambapanna, which he made his future home. Then the chronicle proceeds to describe how the followers of the prince formed separate establishments all over Lanka-Anuradha, Upatissa, Uruvela, and Vijita, each of them establishing a city. Afterwards, when the settlements had been formed, his followers beseeched the prince to assume the office of sovereign, which the king refused to do, alleging that he could do so only on his securing a queen consort of equal rank to himself. “All these chiefs,' says the chronicle, “incited to exertion by their anxiety for the installation of the prince,
sent to Madura a deput other presents.' They
Pandava, the king of M to him that their missi a royal maiden as queen Vijaya, the conqueror ( “To admit of his ins daughter on us." Pand his own daughter, and king seven hundred dau As dowry, King Pandav horses, chariots, and sla carded Kuveni, the Ya the royal maiden his v rated the sovereign of
proceeds: “All the nob in due form inaugur sovereignty, and solem of rejoicing. Thereafte: invested with great p King Pandava with the sort. Om his nobles he
his father-in-law he best and pearls, in value two
AN ANCEN CA
AT AMBA
(One of the earliest to
Date prior to fift
Vijaya, relinquishing his of conduct, and ruling and righteousness over reigned uninterruptedly in the city of Tambapan
Here we have a sho1
.ditions existing in Ceyl
immediately after Vij ditions which belie the among a race of wil Veddahs are now. It imagine how seven hun in an uncivilised, barba within a short time, run build gigantic tanks with posal the surplus wealth that phrase, as Mr. Gec out in a series of papers Royal Asiatic Society, c unless the country was fact, it is only in a land emerged from barbarism is available for the bu and the erection of gi is only in the civilis wealth is at . hand labour and for the in such as curtained beds. the like.
There is the further t
merly, with the early v
MPRESSIONS
ation, with gems and obtained audience of adura, and explained on was to search for to Sinhabahu, named of Lanka. Said they, tallation, bestow thy ava, then sent to Vijaya or the retinue of that ighters of his nobility. a' bestowed elephants, ves. Vijaya then disikkini princess, måde wife, and was inauguLanka. The chronicle les, having assembled. ated Wijaya into the mised a great festival r the monarch Vijaya omp the daughter of
dignity of queen-con
conferred riches; on towed annually chanks lakhs. This sovereign
VE INSCRIPTION LAKANDA,
pe found in the island. h century A.D.)
former vicious course with perfect justice the whole of Lanka, for thirty-eight years na.”
rt account of the conon at the time of and aya's conquest-contheory that he came d men such as the would be difficult to dred warriors, landing trous country, could, up gigantic cities arid out having at their disof the country; and orge Wall has pointed in the Sournal of the an have no meaning a civilised one. In in which society has that organised labour ilding of large cities gantic monuments : it ed state that surplus For the payment of dulgence of luxuries, , incense, jewels, and
est of language. Forwriters of Ceylon, the
OF CEYLON 15
belief was current that the Sinhalese language originated with Vijaya, that the language (if any) of the wild tribes who inhabited Ceylon died out on their extirpation by their conquerors, and that the language of the conquerors became the language of the country. This is no more true than to say that the English language was introduced by William the Conqueror. The language that Vijaya spoke in his home in India was a corrupt and colloquial form of Sanskrit, one of the many Prakrit dialects which are the founders of many a modern Indian language, such as Hindi and Mahrati. Vijaya brought this Prakrit into Ceylon just as the Normans brought their Norman-French into England. Later, the Buddhistic language, Pali, twin-sister of Sanskrit, came to Lanka with the Buddhist religion; and itself, like the Prakrit of Vijaya, coalesced with the common stock of the Sinhalese language. Sinhalese words are thus of a twofold character-those which can be traced to Sanskrit and Pali and those which cannot be so traced. The latter were the words spoken by the pre-Vijayan Aryan inhabitants of Ceylon, just as the Anglo-Saxon words of the English language existed before the Battle of Hastings. It is noteworthy that some of these latter words, which are not to be found in Sanskrit or Pali, are traceable to some of the other Aryan languages, including English. An example-and a very striking one-is supplied by the word “ watura,' equivalent to the English word “water,' and the word “linde,' 'well' or 'pool,' identifiable with the Anglo-Saxon "lynn.” Here we have testimony which philology attests in favour of the fact that the preVijayan inhabitants of Ceylon had a settled language apart from that of their conquerorsa language which stood the test of the Vijayan invasion, and which drew into its vocabulary an abundant supply from the tongue of their
conquerors.
Far from the aborigines having been extirpated by their conquerors, everything points to their having accepted the yoke of Vijaya with cheerfulness, not to say with alacrity. One can imagine the state of Lanka when Vijaya landed -the country inhabited by a population scattered over its area; towns and cities interspersed throughout its extent, with no central government, and with chieftains ruling isolated districts. Vijaya's work was to centralise the government of Ceylon and to unite the people into one harmonious whole. Evidently, his followers did not exactly found new cities, but took the place of the chieftains who ruled over the destinies of each, Having succeeded after his first victory in peacefully substituting his followers in place of the Yakku chiefs, Vijaya sought and won a royal bride, and consolidated as one kingdom under his sovereignty what used before his day to be the petty
Page 24
16
principalities of the island. This was less a work of conquest and extermination of wild barbarians than of the consolidation and inauguration of a central government in the
TWENTIETH CENTURY
island over which h Rome was not built Sinhalese kingdom ol with one stroke of
ســــــــــ--هكـسـخلا٦
PAF
ANCIENT REFERE
HE earliest information on record respecting Ceylon which seems to have reached the Continent of Europe is contained in the writings of Nearchus and Onesicritus, the admirals of the fleet of Alexander the Great despatched from the Indus to the Persian Gulf. They wrote from hearsay, having met and conversed with travellers who had visited the island and who had magnified by many times its real size. Ceylon was described by them under the name of Taprobane, which is identical with the Tambapanna of Vijaya's followers and its Sanskrit equivalent, Tambrapanni. The Mahavansa thus accounts for the name: “At the spot where the seven hundred men with the king-at their head, exhausted by (sea) sickness and faint from weakness, had landed out of their vessel, supporting themselves on the palms of their hands pressed on the ground, they sat themselves down; hence, their palms became copper-coloured (tamba-pannayo), and from this circumstance that wilderness obtained the name of Tambapanna. From the same cause, also, this renowned land became celebrated under that name.'
The geographer Dionysius alludes to Ceylon by the same name in respect of its renown for elephants
Μητερα Τα προβανην Ασιηγενεων ελεφαντων.
The poet Ovid regards Taprobane as one of the remotest places on earth. What boots it, says he, if his fame were to reach there 2
“Quid tibi si callida prosit laudere Syena,
Aut tubi Taprobane Indica cingit acqua ?”
In “De Mundo,” a treatise generally ascribed to Aristotle, Taprobane is described as being less in size than Britain.
Seleucus Nicator, successor of Alexander the Great, deputed the historian Megasthenes to be his ambassador at the court of Chandracottus, the king of the Prasi-the Chandragupta of Indian history. It was from his realms that Vijaya and his followers sailed for Ceylon some two hundred years before, Megasthenes thus obtained some information which he embodied in his book. He described the island as being divided by a river (presumably the Mahaveli Ganga) into two parts-the one the home of wild beasts and the other rich in gold
and gems. The peop “ descendants of the l A curious incident in Christian Era brough touch with the court o Pliny relates the story, account of the island. Annius Plocanus by na Red Sea revenues of sail thither in a vessel. cane off the coast of A1 stress of weather, after the port of Hipporos (til “horse-hill") in the ist was well received by th the king, and enjoyed a stay of six months. to the king upon the g the Roman Empire, w the king despatched to Cæsar an embassy con the chief of whom t scribes as Rachia-“, principe eorum Rachia.” at that time (circa 5o Siva or Sandamuhune ( From these ambassad information which he history. Tennent seems is a Roman corruption Chetty, the erudite au Gazetteer,' suggests tha “Arachchi” (chieftain), his view that in later h despatched by King Bł ambassador to the cour view seems to be gen gathered from these m hundred cities in thei which was called “P; dence of the sovereig two hundred thousand the people had comm race called the Sereswith red hair, blue and an unintelligible l with the Seres, they sa each party depositing goods which they des barter was effected wil valent had been obtaine
MPRESSIONS
was destined to rule.
a day; nor did the inate in one moment, ijaya's magic wand.
سے سے۔ -ھے۔ حساس 2
T II.
OF CEYLON
Rather shall we regard Vijaya as the first king known to history of united Lanka; and, as such, the Sinhalese race ever revere and honour his memory.
NCES TO CEYLON.
e he called Palagoni, ali.' the first century of the Ceylon into intimate Rome. The historian und gives an interesting A freed man of Rome, me, having farmed the he Roman Empire, set Meeting with a hurriabia, he was driven by fifteen days' sailing, to te modern Kuduramala, and of Taprobane. He. Le people, conducted to his hospitality during He evidently expatiated greatness and power of with such success that the court of Claudius sisting of four persons,
ne historian Pliny de
Legatos quattuor misit ' The king of Ceylon A.D.) was Sandamukha 'the moon-faced one'). ors Pliny obtained the has recorded in his to think that “Rachia' of Rajah ; but Casie thor of the “ Ceylon by “Rachia' is meant and cites in support of story an Arachchi was uwaneka Bahu VIII, as of Lisbon. The latter rally accepted. Pliny en that there were five country, the chief of læsimundo,” the resiwith a population of inhabitants, and that rcial dealings with a 'men of a huge size, ves, and shrill voice, nguage.' Their trade d, was carried on by in a certain place the ed to barter, and the in a satisfactory equiby each. They spoke
which Pliny calls “Palaesimunda'
of the great lake which adjoined their capital (possibly Tissawewa, in the outskirts of Anuradhapura). Of natural productions they mentioned coral from the Gulf of Mannar, marble of the colour of tortoise-shell, and pearls and precious stones of many kinds. They dwelt upon the great fertility of the soil, the abundance of all kinds of fruits (excepting the vine), the excellence of the government, the happiness of the people, and the average duration of life, which they made out to be considerably longer than in Europe. The institution of slavery was umknown. “ They did not take any repose after sunrise or during the day,' says Pliny. “Their houses were of moderate height; provisions were never at an extravagant price.' " For the king they chose from among the people one who was venerable for his years and his humanity, and who was without a family; but if he had children they compelled him to resign the sovereignty, lest the kingdom should become hereditary. The sovereign had a council of thirty persons assigned to him by the people. If the king committed any outrage against his duty as a sovereign, he was condemned to suffer' (not by the hand of violence, as, for example, in the case of Charles I. of England) “by the universal detestation which he experienced. Every individual avoided his company, and he was left to perish in silence and solitude. Their festivals were devoted to the chase, and they delighted most in that of the tiger and the elephant. They had no grapes, but an abundance of apples, and it was not uncommon for them to attain the age of a hundred years.'
Here we have before us an ideal Utopiaa monarchy more democratic than a republic, with a greater measure of liberty, of regard
for popular rights, and of safeguards against
the abuse of power than exists in any modern State. There can be no doubt that the capital refers to the royal city of Anuradhapura. It is probably, as Laessen conjectures, the Roman form of the Pali word used by the ambassadorsPali-simanta, the head of the Sacred Law, the city being held in veneration as the then chief centre and stronghold of Buddhism. By the race of the Seres must have been meant
Page 25
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
the Chinese, with whom there was intercourse in Ceylon from very ancient times. Tradition has it that the southern port of Seenimodera, near Tangalle, is so called as being the port at which the Chinese anchored their vessels. Pliny further mentions the fact that the vessels which navigated the seas to the west of Taprobane had prows at either end to avoid the necessity of tacking. This description seems to point to the Ceylon canoe, with its quaint outrigger, which enables it to move with either end foremost, a kind of vessel which is probably not to be found in use anywhere else in the world.
This embassy was not the only embassy to Rome of which we have authentic historical mention. Ammianus Marcellinus speaks of another embassy which came from Ceylon in the time of the Emperor Julian (circa A.D. 375). This must have been in the reign of King Upatissa. It was about this time that the Sinhalese court most adopted the practice of sending embassies to distant places -even to China. An interval of a little over half a century intervened between the death of Pliny and the production of the great geographical work by the Egyptian writer, Ptolemy, who flourished in Alexandria in the middle of the second century of the Christian Era. During this interval the navigators of Rome and Egypt had made wonderful strides. The Indian seas were to them no longer a sealed book. The “system of geography" of Ptolemy proves that Ceylon must have been carefully circumnavigated before he wrote his work. The flourishing port of Alexander was in constant communication at this period with Lanka. Alexandrian merchants exhibited their
wares in the shops of Anuradhapura ; horses
from Alexandria found here a ready market, while ivory and pearls and gems from here were sought after in Egypt. Ptolemy must thus have had ample opportunity for obtaining information from Alexandrian merchants with regard to Ceylon, and with such success that he was enabled to lay down on his map of Ceylon the position of eight promontories on its coast, the mouths of five principal rivers, four bays and harbours, and, in the interior, he had ascertained that there were thirteen provincial divisions and nineteen towns, besides two emporiums on the coast; he also mentions five great estuaries, which he terms lakes, two bays, and two chains of mountains, one of them, which he designates as Malaea, being in curious conformity with the Mahavansa, in which the country surrounding Adam's Peak is described as the kingdom of Malaya. Of the five rivers on Ptolemy's map, four may be recognised in their modern form as the Arippoo, the Deduru-Oya, the Mahaveli Ganga and the Bentota river. Anuradhapura he describes as "Anurogramma" ("the town of
Anuro"), and the me “Maagrammum,' by have meant the once p
ဒီ ဒဲဖးနှီးနှီး: ; `,
N{rክ•u
- * it.}
known in the old da The country assignec gandani is the presen his Nagadivi is the II comalee - the Nagad The little islands wh
MPRESSIONS
tropolis, he says, was which name he must opulous city of Bintenne,
OF CEYLON 17
the “ Bassa” are the Basses. The south of the island, in and about the district of Matara, he describes as the great elephant feeding
' titiwala #####
...: sis: - ܨ܀ ܕܱ
. بررسی S همسر و
:
". ད་དུང་མ་བཀའ་ Հ
همان آقق یا مُغ باغهای ۲۰۹ :
፶፯ }
{ . . . . . . με ές f , , , it is ...; "it is
¥ !፤
* Hier K.“, ;
غیخ: 3 ج. - wwኒ స్టా" 3. ኣg & نntف 譬
ફ {
紫
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s- }} ፤ ‹} }‹.. ! ) ;` }. ፤
ii_ج እ¥ {} }ደ ; } } : .. !
ܝܪ
PTOLEMY’S MAP OF CEYLON.--
7s as “Mahayangama.”
by him to the Rhot Rayigam Korale, and eighbourhood of Trinvi of the Mahavansa. ch he has depicted as
grounds or plains. It is a striking fact that even up to the time of the Portuguese and the Dutch this was the district for the kraaling of elephants, over which the “Gajanayaka Mudaliyars' (elephant chiefs) had special
charge. Ptolemy gives the name Salike to
B
Page 26
18
the island. The generally accepted opinion is that it is al corrupt forrri af Siar. Teilment, hı Cowever, sLiggestis al II i Egyptiiiri i origiri, "", Sfel - kel," "the land of Sicla." Ptolemy makes LLLHLLLaLL LSLL La LLLLLL LLaLL LLL LLLLLaLLLL S S S LLL island work: their hair long, as they do up to the present time, which gives the in the :Lipit: I. IL C: If y '4 TIL:" :-
ாது ராபர் i ன்ா? க்ர்::
Agatheimlerius, iš LIPProsed by s III le histori:Llms LL LtCLL LLLL L LaaLLLLLLLaLHHLHLLLLLLL LL LLLLLLaS LLLLLL by others to have lived inInediately after Ptolemy, aludes to the : Il fact, : Icl clescribes lhe telhor of dressing the hair. * Met," lı: sily's, "who inhibi Ceyları allow their hair sin IIIsilimited growth, ind hind it On the Crown of their heids, illet the TılsınıIIer ul woIIleil." In this description will be recognised the corre! || k not of hir) of ile Sillillege,
LL LaLLL LLaLLCaSaa ttttttLLLSL LaLHHLSLLLL LL a very early period the Chinese had acquired iiii in LiIII:tt: knowledge: of CeyloII. For this the coil intercial instincts of the Chinese illust, L LC KLLLLLLLS aaCLL LLLL LaKCCCLCLLSS GLaLaaaaLaL itfterwards by the cIII munity of religion. which I at Lirally brought the two Italions int. closer touch. The Sinhalese all bassadors who Went to RITC in the title of Pily related that their Lincestors found their wily to Chinn through Irci IFL, over the Hii ill:y:: IL MIouillains, log before the Sea-routi: was linowi. SingShoo, in his history of the not thern Shung dynasty, records the: pour port of the address made by the then king of Ceyloli, Mahattalia, | . II. 128) të i the: :Iipëror (i Chirit, througli th: former's envoy. This address indicates LL LL S S LL S LLH S LaLa S LLLa Laaa S LLLLL LLaL Izincl Toute:5 Were kiliwm amici in L1-re. The first authetic record of a Chinese traveller's experiences and observations in the East III dies is thai of Fa Hiini. This traviller wis El Buddhist pilgrim, who, deploring the illperfect rules of discipline of the Huddhist IIluliks of his country, and their ignorance of the Buddhistical writings, set out for India, ilt dwindered about for many years in search of original copies of these writings. Un his return he wrote: an account of his exile in foreign la Tids. Hic carne here in the reign of Mahill:11:4, bout A.L.4.15, and resided in the island for two years. His observations are interesting, for they present an account of the Corldition of the island als seen through Chinese spectacles fifteen hundred years ag, His impressions will best be conveyed in his === :till הואילו 11"ייכו
'''This kimi güclüIIn of lialı is is sit Lil:L.Lel, Kı great island. Froil east to west it is fifty y Liu #za15 and from Hörth to south thirtyy ja Plaas, Ön e very sicle of it are sinall islands, perhaps amounting to one hundred in number. They are distant from one another ten to twenty
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
Il 15 ILLIch is 1 , the Ill depend on thic
leII. L'oduce Teti. Th: Fl'é : Fi gèIl is ils: El Ihhi": citig i 1 : Lirf::Luce, p kiring sentls a gu:arti tr 3. Il y geIII : :LT: EL111|| out of every ten."
Tliet '' kii igdalu III tat li hiladwipia," fron whic i li: most probably the Mit. Tili-t he cili i tij:ti: ,
THE : IIH|
in Friker, and is probat “The kiigel III hiŁr inhabitants, but only
ceili." Her
SINEATLESE I
{I:NOT: C
Nagas of the MaltiLw diffe TILL CLIII trie:5 re:sl:: thic Li IT1: off Eri, fi: le
in person, but only , crimitilitics with the Theft [He IIIt:Tựh:lfilm prices Ilirkcd, LIrcha: Ei:Ill :','','L'." Ni h this illethal by Pliny of the mode
Sinhi le-Fa: L-indil the C sequence hits: visi LH III-rchHints in the
TEC:
countries als hering acter of the place flot FÅ Tikl 3: il grie:Lt pop for Iried. This countri clinate without L 11 y el either ill winter or in E il rees iure: Llwys y
MPRESSIONS
""I hudreti II. All ri
grcial ikli inkl. Milost of is stones and pearls. I follici in che district, terhips, of ten li. The 3 protect the place. If
the king claims three
III : " is CF LIT: "Si
hi till: I i III : " Sir Illi EP ""
il- li li fis ITC f'Tri-I ii i ir: lelives. The Histor gern ill th: Siilialese vird sly the si:Lirls Linclu. i l'igit: lly 10 lıııııııii leli li bi 13 : Illi lil din:gons
: hilly the Yililis ill
M
W
AN WTH CONDE
F' HAIF).
L Elisi, " * March: miti li I'll here title, , del 1018 dici not apper 2xposed their williable
Willille liftix.id to the III. ı : Tı, ağci ilirdilı - Eramı : Hı *El Elle glichtl - L Til took Ler: thc: cơITıftirmity of with the description of tTa, dirig H:tiv,"Çeri Elle " HILE i cot8, and the 50j urn Lil СН1пту, пеп Lif ather if the delightful cliarkecil i gce:LL ILLI Lamber 5, Illa L15 community was ' en jy's LL.
հillust:.
սպLIIհlt: trilings of leimperature iuIIIIner." ":Til; I1T,
"Tı plants The Hilelis - Fre.
OF CEYLON
sown just according to Illen's inclination ; there are no fixed seasons for doing so. Buddhi callic to this country in the first illst:Lilice) from a dcsire te Cronver L L | Imalevralent dragon. By his spiritual power The Pola Inted Üle fot to the Orth of the royal city ind LLLLLL HHH C aL LLLL LLLLLLLLS La LLLLLLa between the two being sisteen yliofarias. Över the impression (on the hilly to the north of the royal city is erected a great tower, in height four Lindred incl severty feet. It is al clirined with gold III di silver, and every pTcciolis subst: Il ce ccilahi:5 tij mike: it FierLLLLLS LLOm LLL LLLLSL t a LLLL LaaaCCLS HHHCaaaCLS i: orelel il širigirirnir, which is called 'Abhayagiri' ('the mountain without fear"), Containing five thousald Priests. They have also huilt here a Hall of Buddha, which is L'"eredi With gul : il silver Il graved work cu:Iljined with all the precious substances, III the midist of this Hall is i jaspër figurë (0Ë Buddha, in height about twenty-two feet. The CIlire bindy glit ters and sparkles th substances, whilst the various characteristic IIlarks are so gloriously LaLLLaLHHLLLL LLL LLLLS LLLLLLLLtLLL aaL LltLaaLLLLLLLa LLL effect. In the right hind it holds a nearl of ine: iiiiii llg , WILILI. "
“ A fðITIT 1er king of this coat III Liry seri | LIII till:13:y to Inici-IIIdizi i proçlire ; slip of the Pei-to Bodhi or Bo ree. This they LCCLLLLL LLC LLSS S LLLLL La LLa SLL LLLL LLLLLaLLLLSSS LLLLLL LLLL LHCaL S LLLHL LLHHLHHL LLLLLL LLLL SLLLLLLS fciet high, the tree begal In Loi li:L-In towards the south-east. The king, fearing it would fall, PläLEd Eight Cir Iline props ruund the tre:L tL} s Lugpjūrt it. Just in this: place where the trec: was thus 5 Lipported it put furth a branch, Which hierod through the Praps, and descending to the earth, tuk reaat. This brathcli is Lb Lut twe:nty irches rei Lund. The propis, allhough picrcçd through the centre, still surrJuld the Lrell, which statids IIow witholl their aSLLaaLLS KLLL HHHCS SaaKLK LLL LLLLHHLHHLaLLL LaLLLLS Uilder the tree is erected a chipel, in the IIiddle of which is it figure of Buddha in a sitting posture. Both the clergy and the laity pay reverence to this figure with little interWithin the capital, Ilircover, is erected the chapel of the Tooth of Buddha, LL aaLLLLLLLLH tLLL LHHLLLLLLLS SLLL LLLL KLaaLLL precious substances have been eruployed. The kiring PLL rifies himself accordirig to the strictest Brahimanical rules, whilst those IIc within the city who reverence this relic from it. principle of belief als: Lompose their passioris 1:Lorcling til strict rule, This kingduin, from the tire when this chapel was erected, has suffered Eleither Iron want, famine, calamity, nor revolution. The treasury of this congregation of priests contains numerous gens, and Thir king once entered the treasury, and going
y'iLlı
S- VIII precipis,
Ilissio 11.
a PFA Y jewel of in estimin ble value.
Page 27
TWENTIETH CENTURY
round it for the purpose of inspection, saw within each of the there this rila pri gem. On beholding it, a Teligious II members covetous feeling sprang up in his heart, and the four classes all he desired to take it away with him. For preaching of the L. three days this thought aftlicted him, but then country say that the he caine to his right mind. He directly re- illtogether fifty or six paired to the assembly of priests and, bow- of whom live in comr ing down his head, repented of his former in common). Besides wicked purpose, and addressing them, said: five or six thousand *Would that you make a rule from this title with food. These per
AUTTAVITIN
VLAV
Lill I'll الناس سيبسس
M AMI
幌
臀 ఛీ
娜 驚 閭
ANIMA క్ష్
蠶
*
իլիկ
"üll
W
క్ష్ amMIMI །དགག་ག།། ă
ప్లొ KANG l | . ܛ li MANA W M
TEIE KANDY PERA The Iloilerii Prototype of the certially descriled by Fa H
LLLLLL LLL JLLLHHLLS LLLLL LH00 LaLHHLLL LHH LLaLHHL SLLLLLLaS Llt LLLSatrLL C the king to enter your treas LIITy to look at the pl:Lice), and according jewels, except he be a IIleinber of the fraternity bowls, fill the II and ret and of forty years of age; iLiter that time he out the Tooth of Budd may be permitted to enter," third month, Ten day SLLLLLL HLLL HHHHH HHHLLLLHCLLLLLC LLLLLL LLLLL LLaaaLaS S LLLLLLaLlLLlLLLLLLL LCLCaLtttLO holders within the city. The houses of Sa-pho commissions it illian a (Sabaean) IIlerchants are very beautifully to clothe himself in r adorned. The streets and passages are all on the elephant, to S LGLHHLLLLS LLL LlLLLLLLLLS LLL LLLL LLLL LL LLL LLGLL S LLLL SLS LLLLCLLL0SLLL principal streets there are preaching halls; irst rikya killfis Illy on the eighth, fourteenth, and fifteenth day went every kind of LL LLLLL LHGHLLLL LLLLCC LCLClmLLL LL LLL LLLlLLH S S HmSLLLL HHS LLLLLSLLLLHHH
WIPRESSIONS
buildings, and the the con munity of ngregate to hear the The III of this fire in the country * thousand priestis, Fall Inity (take their meals esc, the king supplies ersons within the city Jins when they require
W W'; լ
OF CEYLON 19
country, wife, and child; moreover, he tore olut his cycs to bestow them on anothcT; he Inangled his flesh to deliver a dove (fron a hawk) ; he sacrificed his head in alms; he gave his body to a famishing tiger; he grudged not his narrow or brain. Thus he endured every sort of agony for the sake of all flesh. Moreover, when he became perfect Buddha, he lived in the world fortynine years preaching the Law, and teaching
M
LIMITI W.
HERA PROCESSION,
LS LLLS LLSLLTLLLLLT LLLLLLLlLLLLLLL LHLLL H LLLLLL CMLT tH KS TSLLS
|d go (in the iբրոinted O the IelsLIre of the III. They alway's bring Ii iIIi the mille dui t hi c
beforehand, the king 5 : great :li:pih:Lit and eloquence and ability 'Fall apparel, Falıd, iridirig Lundi al drum and proihisatva, during three lds of years). Linderillusterity; he spired ufferings; he left his
and converting men. He gave rest to the wretched; he saved the lost. Having passed through countless births, he entered Nirvana, Since that event is 1,447 years. The eyes of the world were the put out, and all flesh deeply grieved. After ten days the Tooth of (this sarine) Huddha will be brought forth and taken to the Abhayagiri vihara. Let all ecclesiastical and lay persons who wish to lay up a store of Tierit prepare and smooth the roads, adorn the strects and highways: let them scat ter every kind of flower and offer incense in religious reverence to the relic."
Page 28
20
This proclamation being finished, the king next causes to be placed on both sides of the road representations of the five hundred bodily forms which the Bodhisatva assumed during his successive births. For example, his birth as Su-jin-ho; his appearance as a bright flash of light; his birth as the king of the elephants, and as an antelope. These figures are all painted beautifully in divers colours and have a very life-like appearance. At length the Tooth of Buddha is brought forth and conducted along the principal road. As they proceed on the way, religious offerings are
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
made to it. When t hayagiri vihara, they of Buddha, where th assemble in vast crow light lamps, and pe religious ceremony b without ceasing. After they again return it the city. This chapel chief holidays for the worship, as the Law of li to the east of the A mountain on which is
*@一港
PART
THE MAHAVANSA: 5
HE reign of Vijaya lasted uninterruptedly for thirty-eight years, his capital being the city of Tambapanna. “This great monarch," says the chronicle, “when he arrived at the last year of his existence, thus meditated: “I am advanced in years, and no son is born unto me; shall the dominion acquired by my exertions perish with my demise? For the preservation of the dynasty I ought to send for my brother Sumitta. Thereupon, consulting his ministers, he despatched a letter of invitation to him, and shortly after having sent that letter, he went to the world of the devas (gods)."
Previous to this, Sinhabahu, the father of Vijaya, had died, leaving his throne to his Second son, Sumitta, and the latter, unwilling to resign the kingship of so powerful a kingdom, sent instead his younger brother, Panduvasa, to succeed Vijaya on the throne of Lanka, On Vijaya's death, the minister Upatissa governed the kingdom for a year, until the arrival of Panduvasa. Panduvasa and thirty-two noble youths, disguised as devotees, landed at the mouth of the Mahakandara river. The regent Upatissa received him with open arms, and Panduvasa, like his predecessor, sought a consort from India, the daughter of the Sakya prince, Amitodiana. Panduvasa was then duly inaugurated king and his consort elevated to the rank of queen. The queen gave birth to ten sons and one daughter, the eldest of whom was Abhaya, and the youngest (the daughter) Citta. It is said that the soothsayers predicted that Citta's son would destroy his maternal uncles and usurp the throne. Abhaya, while refusing to carry out the wishes of his brothers that the sister should on this account be put to death, yet thought it prudent to confine her in an apartment in the palace. Her confinement did not, however, prevent her from falling in
love with a nephew of she carried on a secret becoming known to A king (474 B.C.), he ga marriage, intending t male offspring that in union. A son was born and the princess, fearing for the real child a fe prince was brought ul Brahman. When he gathered round him an stand in an almost imp the Mahaveli Ganga. four years, in spite of a him, until, hearing of th elsewhere, he suddenly defeated the army of Ab new fortress, After sc Pandukabhaya, with t Yakkus, succeeded in his uncles, dethroned ceeded Abhaya, and himself (B. c. 437). Ha seat of government t by the erection of mag tanks in and around tha provision for the sanitat ment of the country. Brahman to whose k much, he raised to the minister). Several hu classes he employed as by night and by day. for the proper interm divided the whole of th fields, and gardens. Ac vansa, this king reign was succeeded by his so constructed the delig Mahamegha, adorned fruit and flower, bearin,
MPRESSIONS
hey arrive at the Abplace it in the Hall e clergy and laity all ds and burn incense, form every kind of oth might and day ninety complete days, to the vihara within is thrown open on the purpose of religious Buddha directs. Forty Abhayagiri vihara is a built a chapel called
ぎーーー※●ヘ
IT III,
OF CEYLON
Po-ti (Bodhi); there are about two thousand priests in it. Amongst them is a very distinguished Shaman called Ta-mo-kin-ti (Dhammakoti or Dharmagupta). The people of this country greatly respect and reverence him. He resides in a cell, where he has been able to tame the serpents and mice, so that they stop together in one habitat, and are not mutually injurious one to another. Seven li to the south of the capital is a chapel called Maha vihara, in which there are three thousand priests."
43 B.C. TO 360 B.C.
Panduvasa, with whom correspondence. This bhaya, who was now ve his consent to the e destruction of any ight be born of the to her, Pandukabhaya, g for his life, substituted male child, while the p under the care of a grew up, the prince army, and took up his regnable position near Here he remained for ll attempts to dislodge he erection of a fortress abandoned his camp, bhaya, and captured the xme years of fighting, he assistance of the crushing the forces of Tissa, who had sucascended the throne e then transferred the o Anuradhapura, and gnificent buildings and at city, he made proper tion and good governÇando, son of the indness he owed so rank of Purohita (chief ndreds of the lower scavengers of the city He made arrangements ent of the dead; he he island into villages, ccording to the Maha2d seventy years, and n, Mutasiva. Mutasiva htful royal garden with all varieties of g trees, and so called
from the heavy shower of rain which fell while it was being planted. His reign was a reign of peace and lasted for sixty years. He was succeeded by his son, the great Devanampiya Tissa ('Tissa the delight of the gods"). Around this king and his eventful reign there cluster many legends and much romance. Miracles were said to have taken place on his accession; gems and precious stones rose to the surface of the earth; treasures lying at the bottom of the sea placed themselves on the shores of Lanka; and everything pointed to the beginning of an extraordinary era. During this time the great Asoka was ruling in Maghada, one of the most powerful and enlightened kingdoms of India at the time. Tissa despatched an embassy to the court of Asoka, with valuable presents of gems and pearls. His ambassadors were his maternal nephew, Maha Arita; the Brahman Talihabbata ; Malla, his minister of state; and Tissa, his chief accountant. After a voyage of seven days and a journey of seven days, they delivered their presents to Asoka. That monarch, highly appreciating the gifts, conferred ranks on the ambassadors, and, not to be outdone in generosity, sent back gifts, an enumeration of which may serve to illustrate the advanced state of civilisation in the two countries. They consisted of a chowrie (a royal fly-flapper); a diadem; a sword of state; a royal parasol; golden slippers; a head ornament; a golden vase; costly clothes that required no washing; a-chank, with whorls to the right, containing water from the Ganges river; a royal virgin of great personal charms; sundry golden vessels; a costly howdah (seat placed on an elephant's back); precious medicinal drugs; one hundred and sixty loads of hill paddy-all these being articles necessary for the inauguration of Tissa-together with a complete suite of royal
Page 29
TWENTIETH CENTURY
attendants. On the return of the ambassadors, Devanampiya Tissa was inaugurated king of
Lanka. The inauguration ceremony was known as abhiseka. The word “abhiseka ' literally means “sprinkling,' and as the
sprinkling of the sacred water of the Ganges formed the chief feature of the ancient ceremony of the royal inauguration, the ceremony itself was called abhiseka. The following description of the ceremony is contained in the Pali commentary on the Mahavansa, known as the Mahavansa Tika, in which it has been embodied from an ancient Buddhist work. Apart from its inherent interest, it affords an instructive glimpse into the constitution of ancient society in Lanka.
“Thus it is written in the Sinhalese commentary on that portion of the Majjhimanikaya known as Cullasihanadasuttavannana : " He who wishes to be duly inaugurated as king should obtain for this purpose three chanks, golden or otherwise, of water from the Ganges river, and a maiden of the Kshattriya (warrior) race. He himself must be ripe for the ceremony and be a Kshattriya of noble lineage, and must sit on a splendid udumbara (Ficus glomerata) chair, well set in the middle of the pavilion, made of udumbara branches, which is itself in the interior of a hall gaily decked for the ceremony of abhiseka.
'''First of all the Kshattriya maiden of gentle race, clothed in festival attire, taking in both her hands the right-handed sea-chank, filled with water from the Ganges, raises it aloft and pours the abhuseka water over his head, saying as follows: “Sire, by this ceremony of abhiseka all the people of the Kshattriya race make thee their maharaja (sovereign), for their protection; do thou rule over the land in uprightness and imbued with the ten royal virtues; have thou for the Kshattriya race a heart filled with paternal love and solicitude; let them (in return) protect and guard and cherish thee." Next, the royal chaplain, splendidly attired in a manner befitting his office, taking in both his hands a silver chank, filled with water from the Ganges, and raising it aloft, pours the abhiseka water over his head, and says as follows: “Sire, by this ceremony of abhiseka all the people of the Brahman race make thee their maharaja, for their protection; do thou rule over the land in uprightness and imbued with the ten royal virtues; have thou for the Brahman race a heart filled
with paternal love a return) protect and Next, he who holds in a suitable manner the golden chank fi Ganges, and raising water over his hea “ Sire, by this ceret Grahapati for their p maharaja ; do thou uprightness and im virtues ; have thou í filled with paternal them (in return) proti thee.”
“'Those who add words pronounce, as king, as if they shou thou shouldst rule the these our words ; sh thy head split in sev '' In this island of a Kshattriya princes performed the cerem head of Devanampiy handed sea-chank fill Anotata.” ”
To be “ripe for th the king should hal year of age. The ." dhanam (almsgiving the precepts), paricca (freedom from wra khanti (forbearance maddavam (mildness and a virodhana (free The royal chapla He was always a Bra domestic chaplain. a wealthy merchant, “Grahapati' was th 'Lake Anotata' was seven great lakes of It would thus appe ancient times was r of a ruling despot t sentative and leade self a Kshattriya, he noble race; to him the priestly Brahma) rest of his subjects g latter, the fact that most influential of the theory propoun and others, that an
----س-سسسسس--سجسسه)
*─米三
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
solicitude; let them (in uard and cherish thee.' e office of Setthi, attired taking in both his hands ed with water from the aloft, pours the abhiseka , and says as follows: ony of abhiseka all the otection make thee their rule over the land in ued with the ten royal }r the Grahapati a heart love and solicitude; let ct and guard and cherish
ess the above form of it were, a curse upon the d say: “It is meet that land in accordance with ould it not be so, mayst en pieces l'
Lanka, be it known that s, sent by Dharmasoka, ony of abhiseka over the a Tissa, with the righted with water from Lake
e ceremony" meant that fe passed his sixteenth ten royal virtues ” were : ), silam (observance of ga (generosity), akkodha th), avihimsa (mercy), ), ajjawam (rectitude), ), tapa (self-mortification), dom from enmity). in was called Purohita. hman and was I the king's The “Setthi,' generally was the king's treasurer; e head of a household : the name of one of the the river Ganges. ar that the king in these garded less in the light han in that of a repreof the people. Himwas the leader of that "as entrusted the care of s and the welfare of the 2nerally. As regards the heir spokesman was the :he Grahapati confirms ed by Sir Henry Maine ient Ceylon formed no
21
exception to the rule that in archaic society the unit of the State was the family and not the individual.
It would also appear from the above extract that the introduction of the abhiseka ceremony into Ceylon was cotemporaneous with the adoption of Buddhism as her State religion. But there is no reason to suppose that the ceremony was purely of Buddhistic origin. A new religion seldom adopts an entirely fresh ritual so as to suit the new circumstances; and in the abhiseka ceremony one sees but a revised edition of the Vedantic ceremony of the royal inauguration. From what can be gathered from Vedantic litera ture, the Hindu ceremony of the royal inauguration, which must have been the one performed on Vijaya, was but the parent of the Buddhist ceremony. Here is an extract from the Aitareya Brahmana, viii. 6-9 :-
“He (the priest) spreads the tiger skin on the throne in such a manner that the fur is on the outside and that part which formed the neck is turned eastward; for the tiger is the Kshattra (royal power) of the beasts in the forests. The king, when taking his seat on the throne, approaches it from behind, turning his face eastward, kneels down with crossed legs, so that his right knee touches the earth, and holding the throne with his
hands, prays over it a proper mantra. The
priest then pours the holy water over the king's head and repeats the following: “With these waters, which are happy, which cure everything, increase the royal power, the immortal Prajapati sprinkled Indra, Soma sprinkled the royal Waruna, and Yama sprinkled Manu, with the same I sprinkle thee. Be the ruler over kings in this world, &c. At the conclusion of the cere
mony the king partakes of a drink of wine
made out of soma juice, which the priest hands to him.'
Buddhism, with its hatred and abhorrence of the slaughter of animals and of the use of wine, has eliminated the tiger skin and the soma juice, while it has retained the pouring of the sacred water. In both instances was the newly inaugurated king exhorted to do his duty by his subjects. “They that wish to be rulers, then, from this day judge the strong and the weak with equal justice, resolving on doing good incessantly to the public and protecting the country from all calamities" (White, “ Yajur Veda,” x. 27).
p*
Page 30
22
TWENTIETH CENTURY
PAF
TE INTRODUCTI
SOKA, the king of Maghada, in his desire to introduce Buddhism into Ceylon, sent his son Mahinda, the prince-priest, to help Devanampiya Tissa to establish on a permanent foundation the faith of Buddha. The legends of his arrival in the island narrate that while the king was out elk hunting, taking with him a retinue of forty thousand men, he chased an elk which he had spied. The elk fled to the mountain and disappeared, and in its place the king found a Thera (Buddhist priest). The Thera accosted the king and announced himself as the minister and disciple of the Law of the True Faith. Laying aside his bow and arrow, the king conversed with the priest, and that moment the king's retinue as well as the priests who formed the retinue of the Thera arrived simultaneously. The Thera was Mahinda, the son of Asoka. For the purpose of ascertaining the intelligence of the sovereign, the Thera interrogated him, and the following quaint dialogue ensued :-
"O king,' asked Mahinda, “what is this tree ?'
“It is called the amba (mango) answered the king.
"Besides this one, is there any other amba tree ?'
"There are many amba trees,' replied the king.
"Besides this amba and those other amba trees, are there any other trees on earth ?" inquired the Thera.
"Lord, there are many trees, but there are not amba trees.”
“Besides the other amba trees and the trees that are not amba trees, is there any other tree ?'
“ Gracious lord, this amba tree !” "Ruler of men,' said the Thera, "thou art wise.'
Pursuing the conversation further, the Thera asked:
"King, have you any relations ?' "Lord, I have many,' said the king. “ King, are there any persons not thy relations ?''
“There are many who are not my relations,' replied the king.
“Besides thy relations and those who are not thy relations, is there or is there not any, other (human being in existence) p"
tree,"
“Lord," answered self ''
“Ruler of men,' s thou art wise '
Mahinda, thus sati. ordinary intelligence with him on Buddhis The Thera was then royal city and the king. All the peopl him. Even the wome numbers to listen to t convinced by the forc led by the king's sister made priestesses. Th that even the royal st elephants were kept h the people. Mahinda, request of the would-b to invite his sister, S. celebrated priestess. thereupon sent on a si for this purpose ; but ti lost his son, was unwi as well. The devotior religion, however, over Asoka reluctantly cons to Ceylon. Sanghami branch of the sacred
under which Gautama meditate. On her arri the sacred gift that she received with great h shore to Anuradhapul panied by a dense mu planted by her (circa the great Bo-tree of A used to be twenty-one of veneration and wo Buddhists of Ceylon, b the world. The queen didate for the priestho were established; dagc plied; rock temples an scattered over the whol the religious buildings e was the Thuparama dag still attest its great bea pleasure gardens were I hood. The Maha vihar of the island, was bui forty years. Says the was plenteous during delighting in the exerc
IMPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
IT IV.
ON OF BUDDHISM.
the king, “there is my
aid the Thera, “sadhu !
ified of the more than of the king, discoursed m, and converted him. invited to preach in the bleasure garden of the e congregated to hear :n-folk gathered in large he divine message, and, 2 of his eloquence, they, -in-law, demanded to be le crowd was so great ables where the king's ad to be thrown open to unable to accede to the 2 priestesses, urged them anghamitta, who was a The prime minister was econd embassy to Asoka he latter, having already lling to lose a daughter n of Sanghamitta to her came her filial love, and ented to her departure tta brought with her a Bo-tree (Ficus religiosa) Buddha was wont to |val in Ceylon, she and brought with her were onour. From the seaa they were accomltitude, and the branch 3.c. 288) still stands as nuradhapura-still, as it centuries ago, an object ship, not only by the ut by the Buddhists of herself became a canbod. Religious houses bas and viharas multid cells for priests were e island. The chief of rected during this reign oba, the ruins of which uty. The Mahamegha nade over to the priest, the first great temple lt. Tissa reigned for chronicle: “ The island his king's reign, and ise of his benevolence
during the whole of his life, he performed many acts of merit."
The mountain on which Mahinda met the king, and which subsequently became the scene of his meditation, is identical with the present Mihintale. The cell in which he lived and the stone bed on which he slept are still to be seen, and have been the objects of veneration by millions of people, as is testified to by the worn state of the one thousand two hundred stone steps of the gallery leading to the top of the mountain.
At this time Ceylon had been split up into three geographical divisions, due primarily to the fact that Vijaya permitted the formation of petty kingdoms in various districts of the island. All the country north of the Mahaveli Ganga was Pihitirata or Rajarata, so called from the circumstance that the ancient capital and residence of the emperor was situated in it. In the south was Ruhunurata, being bounded on the south and east by sea, by the Mahaveli Ganga on the north, and Kalu Ganga on the north and west. On the east was Mayarata, of which the northern boundary was the DeduruOya, and the southern the Kalu Ganga. While Anuradhapura was the chief city and the capital of Pihitirata, the ancient city of Magama was the capital of Ruhunurata, and Kelaniya was capital of Mayarata. The kings of Mayarata and Ruhunurata used regularly to pay an annual
tribute to their lord at Anuradhapura.
On the death of Devanampiya Tissa he was succeeded by his brother Uttiya (B.c. 267). His was an uneventful reign. In the eighth year of his reign the great Apostle of Ceylon, Mahinda, died at Mihintale. King Uttiya was overpowered with grief on hearing of his death, and the body, embalmed in scented oil, was deposited in a golden coffin filled with spices and perfumes, which was then placed in a second coffin of sandal wood. The body was brought to the capital in magnificent procession. The Maha vihara and the space of three-yojanas round it were ornamented with triumphal arches, banners, and flowers. Immense crowds surged through the streets of Anuradhapura. The king himself set fire to the funeral-pyre, and the ashes of the deceased missionary were enshrined in the dagoba of Mihintale. A year later, Sanghamitta, the female apostle and sister of Mahinda, died, and similar honours were paid to her. Their names are still household words among the Sinhalese.
Page 31
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Page 32
24
TWENTIETH CENTURY
PAR
TE MAHAVANSA:
TTIYA died after reigning ten years, and
was succeeded by Mahasiva, a younger brother of Uttiya, who himself reigned ten years (257 B. c. to 247 B.C.). He is described by the chronicler as the “patron of righteous men." Suratissa then came to the throne (B.C. 247). He was the younger brother of Mahasiva. He erected many beautiful viharas, and is described as “the delighter in acts of piety.' Whether it was that he feared rebellion among his own people, or whether it was that he merely intended to increase the pomp and pageantry of his court, he welcomed, if he did not invite, to his service two generals of cavalry, Sena and Guttika, with their followers. They came from the neighbouring continent, and in course of time murdered Suratissa and usurped the throne. They are described as two "demala (Tamil) youths, powerful in their cavalry and navy, who put to death this protector of the land, who righteously reigned for twenty-two years." In 215 B.c. Asela, the son of Mutasiva, fought and put to death the usurpers and restored the royal line in his person. But the Tamils had tasted the sweets of Lanka, and, loath to suffer it to pass out of their hands, banded themselves together under Elala, a powerful chieftain of Tanjore (on the Coromandel Coast) and determined to meet the vanquisher of Sena and Guttika and to recover the throne of Lanka. Landing a large force at the mouth of the Mahaveli Ganga, Elala marched straight to the city of Anuradhapura, attacked and captured it, and put to death the king Asela. He assumed the reins of government, fortified Anuradhapura, and erected thirty-two fortresses for the Tamils. His authority was acknowledged by the native chiefs in the island, except those of Ruhunirata, the southern division, which was still governed by a branch of the old royal family. It was from here that opposition came. In the time of Devanampiya Tissa, Mahamegha was king of Ruhunurata, and paid tribute to Tissa. His grandson, Kavantissa, had two sons, Gamini and Tissa. Gamini, chagrined at the dethronement of the older branch of the royal family, determined to devote his life to regaining the throne. His method of collecting an army was unique. Having selected ten warriors of the greatest prowess, each of them was required to enlist ten men; each of the latter, in like nanner, enlisted ten men, and by the repetition of the process Gannini's army grew to be a body of ten thousand men. Gamini's eagerness to fight was damped by the caution of the king, his father, who feared the results of a war with Elala. Gamini, however, enraged at his father's eowardice, despatched
a number of female or him don them as more He evaded the conse flight to Udapalata, an by his disobedience ea gamini (disobedient Ga occurring soon after, h to Magama, his fathe find that his younger himself king in the then marched against . in a sanguinary battle. which the brothers ca Tissa was convinced o. Gamini, and by the in they were reconciled. sub-king at Magama, together his great army as the chroniclers des chariots. Crossing Mal at Vijitapura, the city í in-law of Panduvasa thr
-The siege of Vijitapur
for several months, and by a general assault. ments were captured, leading to the centre o long time the efforts The most powerful elep long inured to war, was only to receive on his b lead and stones. But th then covered with buffa rushed the gate and b capture of Vijitapura, ( taking Anuradhapura, Kasagalyana and halted account of the great an ensued is from the S. Rajavaliya :—
“ King Elala, on hea gemunu (Duttagamini) galyana, and had encan Sinhalese ministers w Tamil city, and addres said, 'What think ye, Duttagemunu has reduc commencing with Ma attacked Vijitapura, has up his quarters at Kasag conduct the war 2" "Let us take the fourfo battle to-morrow. Kir a letter written in the fi Duttugemunu, what pro at Kasagalyana ? Col battle.' When the lett was brought and give read it, and in reply wrc
MPRESSIONS OF CEYION
T V.
257 B.C. TO 3o4 A.D.
laments to him, bidding befitting his character luences of his act by ong the mountains, and ned the name of Duttanini). His father's death : immediately advanced 's capital, but only to brother had proclaimed Batticaloa district. He issa, and defeated him By a second battle, in ne in personal conflict, the futility of opposing ervention of the priests Leaving Tissa as his Gamini now gathered -the “fourfold army" cribe it-infantry and laveli Ganga, he arrived ounded by the brotheree hundred years before. is said to have lasted was brought to a close The outer entrenchbut the big iron gate f the city resisted for a of the besieging army. hant in Gamini’s army, forced against the gate, ody a stream of molten le infuriated animal was lo hide and once more irst it open. After the Gamini, with a view of threw up fortresses at there. The following d decisive battle which nhalese chronicle, the
ring that King Duttuwas halting at Kasaped there, sent for the tho were then in the sing himself to them, my ministers ? King ed thirty-two fortresses, urguna, and having reduced it and taken alyana. How shall we The ministers replied, d army and go out to g Elala thereupon sent lowing terms: 'King fiteth it to you to stay he out to-morrow to er sent by King Elala to Duttugemunu, he :e, "We were coming;
come ye. Having written and sent the above answer, he called together the ten great champions and asked them, "Shall we go out to-morrow to fight with the twenty mighty champions of the great King Elala, with his army, which is like the army of Mara, or shall we forbear ?' The ten great champions answering said, " Even if the royal armies of the whole of Dambadiva were to come out, they should not gain a victory when we are present, let alone the army of one king, Elala. Fear not, O great king !'
“King Elala, attended by his fourfold army which resembled Mara's host, and by Dighajantu and the rest of his twenty great champions, set out from Anuradhapura and came to fight. King Gemunu, standing in the midst of his fortress with his pearl sata (canopy) raised over him, caused the couch and shield to be held on either side, had sixty-four drums beaten, making a mighty uproar like a thunderclap on Yughandara rock; caused Nandimitra to stand on the right side and Nirmalaya on his left; and having posted the rest of the champions for the attack, he stood his ground with his fourfold army in readiness. King Elala, mounted on the elephant called Maha Parvata, went out and examined the camp at Kasagalyana. The flag-bearing captain, Dighajantu, who was the chief among the twenty champions, saw the pearl sata in the place where King Gemunu was standing, and thinking within himself, “I will first strike down the king and then attack the army,' having sprung eighty cubits into the air, was coming down to strike the king, when the champion Nirmalaya took up the sword and shield and rushed out, saying, “Where goest thou, worthless Tamil 2' On hearing these words, Dighajantu, instead of approaching the king, ran towards Nirmalaya and cut at him with his sword. The champion Nirmalaya, when he was (about to be) struck, held out his shield, whereupon, the blow having alighted on the shield, Dighajantu hurt his hand, and his sword fell to the ground; while he was stooping to grasp it again, Nirmalaya struck him, cutting him in twain. The ten mighty champions and the army of Gemunu rushed into the midst of the Tamil army, and killed so many that the blood which flowed from them united and filled a tank.
"King Gemunu having given orders not to kill Elala, mounted on the Kodol elephant, pursued him, caused the two elephants to gore each other with their tusks, and hurled a javelin at King Elala, which pierced and killed him. In the place where he was killed he set up a stone pillar inscription to this effect:
Page 33
TWENTIETH
"Let no prince in future pass this way riding in palanquin or litter or with the beating of drums.' And after having cremated the body of Elala, he entered the city of Anuradhapura as if he had been the god-king, Sakra."
Thus felt Elala, usurper though he was, yet of royal race and of indomitable courage. For twenty-two years he ruled the country wisely and dealt justice to all without distinction. His solicitude for the welfare of his subjects was so great that their grievances were personally inquired into by him. He kept a bell near his head with a cord attached to it, that those who desired to see him at night might obtain audience by ringing it. His gallant foe, Gamini, summoning within the city the whole of the inhabitants of the district, held a festival in honour of King Elala. The chronicler of the Mahavansa, writing in the fifth century of the Christian Era, notes that "even unto this day, monarchs who succeed to the throne of Lanka, on reaching that quarter of the city in procession, paid the same honour and silenced their musical band." And in later times, in 1826, Pilimi Talawwa, a scion of an ancient Kandyan house, when escaping through Anuradhapura after the failure of the rebellion against the British Government in which he had been engaged, alighted from his palanquin, although he was in a severe state of fatigue and exhaustion, and, though unaware of the precise spot wherein was Elala's tomb, proceeded on foot until he was sure he had passed far beyond this ancient memorial.
During the siege of Vijitapura, King Elala had sent messages to his kinsfolk in India, informing them of the insecurity of his throne and of the war that was being waged by Duttagamini. In consequence of this information, his younger brother, Bhaluka, set out from the continent with an army of thirty thousand Tamils. On his arrival in Ceylon he was apprised of the death of his brother, whereupon he swore an oath that he would not return to his country without avenging his brother's death, and having written a letter in this strain to King Gamini, he awaited the attack. In the very first encounter, however, the invader was slain, and the Tamils, thus bereft of their leader, were easily routed. The success of this battle and the utter overthrow of the Tamil invaders were followed by festivals of great rejoicing and religious ceremonies, and rewards and marks of royal favour were lavishly distributed among the conquerors. “Subsequently,' says the Mahavansa, “while seated on his throne, which was covered with drapery of exquisite value and softness, in the state apartment, lighted up with aromatic oils and perfumed with every variety of incense and spread with the richest carpets, attended by musicians and
CENTURY I.
choristers, this monarc his exalted royal stat recollection the sacri he had occasioned, a denied to him.' It v the elation consequent sion was followed by was reminded of the 1 the wars for which he fearing that therebyh his own hope of mercy tion of eight priests ( king prostrated himse men, and after washing ing them with fragrant the throne, and in dee to them the cause of men answered, after 1 that he was only resp. two human beings wh the rest being heretics destruction having bee serving the religion of be no impediment to of sagga (heaven). Th therefore, to devote h would glorify and pro fulfilment of this behe remainder of his life, a resources to the buildi and houses for the pries Maha Paya, or the “ which measured two h feet square and was of apartments rested on S pillars placed in forty p; pillars each. Over th each storey containing C and the whole edifice -hence the name of ' ruins of this stupendous at the present day testi interior of the edific spacious hall, adorned and elephants, all of g. At one end was rais singular beauty, flanl emblems of the sun a built the Ruanveli Sey as it was called, wh and seventy feet in he the outside of the edifi gold-dust. Its ruins r and rise to a height C ninety feet. It origi square paved with st and surrounded by a f This huge dagoba ( complete. But his lo such that he had hi facing the dagoba, s might be gladdened after twenty-four
MPRESSIONS
1 was pondering over and calling to his ce of countless lives i peace of mind was ill thus be seen that upon Gamini's succesreaction in which he umber of lives lost in was responsible; and might have forfeited he consulted a deputaf great sanctity. The f before these saintly their feet and anointoil, made them sit upon p obeisance explained is trouble. The wise earing his confession, onsible for the lives of had been Buddhists; and sinners, and their n with a view to preBuddha, there would the king's attainment e priests advised him, imself to tasks which pagate Buddhism. In st the king spent the hd devoted his immense ng of temples, dagobas, sts. He built the Lowa Great Brazen Palace,' undred and twenty-five an equal height. The ixteen hundred granite arallel columns of forty ese were nine storeys, ine hundred apartments, was roofed with brass Brazen Palace.' The structure as they stand ty to its grandeur. The was magnificent. A with statues of lions old, occupied the centre. ld an ivory throne of ed on either side by ld the moon. He also a, or the “Mahathupa" ch was two hundred ight-so called because 'e was ornamented with ow form a conical mass nearly a hundred and hally stood in a large nes of dressed granite Isse seventy feet broad. arraini did not live to e for the structure was self carried to a spot ) that his dying eyes y its sight. And there, ears of unparalleled
OF CEYLON 25
sovereignty, his career was ended. His last remark was that, though he had overcome all his enemies, death was an antagonist he could not vanquish ; and over his life the chronicler draws this moral : “Thus, he who is ever intent on good works and does them, covers a multitude of venial sins, and enters into heaven as freely as he does into his own house. Therefore should the man of wisdom be constantly diligent in good works.'
Gamini's only son, Sali, failed to inherit the ambition or the capacity of his father. Becoming enamoured of a beautiful woman of the Gandala (scavenger) class, Sali preferred domestic happiness to royal sway, and gave up the succession to his uncle, Saddhatissa, the brother of Gamini. Saddhatissa's reign was peaceful and uneventful, except for the fact that he vigorously continued his brother's policy, constructing tanks and building dagobas. On his death (B.c. I 19) the priests declared in favour of his brother Tuluna ; but his reign was short-lived, for the rightful heir, Laminitissa, the son of Saddhatissa, defeated and slew his uncle and seized the throne. Larninitissa's reign, which lasted till B.C. II2, was uneventful, and he was succeeded by his brother Kalune, who reigned for six years, when he was assassinated by his minister, Maharattaka. But his death was avenged by his brother, Valagambahu, who thus cleared his way to the throne. He adopted as his own son Mahakula, the son of the late king, and conferred on his mother, Anula, the royal title of queen, in consequence of which the people gave him the appellation of "father-king." A Brahman youth named Tiya, in the city of Nakula, in Ruhunurata, believing the prophecy of a foolish Brahman who predicted that he would become king, raised the standard of revolt in the south and succeeded in gaining a large number of followers, during this reign. About this time also seven Tamil chieftains with an army of seven thousand men from the Choli country, in the neighbouring continent, landed in Lanka, and made common cause with Tiya. Tiya and the Tamil chieftains thereupon despatched a letter to the king demanding the surrender of the sovereignty, to which the king sent this shrewd reply ': * The kingdom is thine from this day if thou but subduest the Tamils' Tiya then attacked the Tamils, and had the misfortune to be beaten and made prisoner The Tamils then waged war against the king, defeating him in a great battle which compelled him to leave the capital and take shelter in Ruhuna. The queen Anula succeeded in escaping to the king, but the queen Somadevi fell into the hands of the Tamils. For fourteen years the Tamil chiefs governed the island, but differences having arisen amongst them, they slew each other in their struggle for
Page 34
26 TWENTIETH
precedence and supremacy, until there was one left, whom Valagambahu finally overcame and recovered his queen and crown (B.C. 89). In thanksgiving, the king built the Abhayagiri dagoba of four hundred feet in height, and the largest of the dagobas in Lanka, as also the Dambulla vihara, which exists to the present day. It was in the reign of this king that the Tripitaka (“Threefold collection")- the first religious books of Buddhism-were committed to writing. He is also the first king known to Sinhalese history who issued coined money. The coins were of an oblong shape and made of copper, bearing on their obverse the figure of a human being, and on their reverse a modification of the ancient sevastika emblem. His successor was his son Mahakula, who reigned for six years, until B.C. 62, and was in turn succeeded by his brother, Coranaga, who reigned for twelve years, when his son Kudatissa came to the throne. The latter's reign only lasted three years; he was poisoned by his mother, the queen Anula, in 47 B.C. The act was prompted by an unholy passion which the queen had conceived for an obscure Tamil, named Watuka. Her design was to raise this individual to the throne. But the fickle queen soon turned from her paramour, and ultimately his life was sacrificed in order that she might more readily carry on a new intrigue which she had entered upon with a firewood carrier who served in the palace. Anula's career throughout was marked by illicit passion, leading to deeds of villainy and murder. Within her short reign of six years she married and got rid of no less than thirty-two husbands ! Makalantissa, heř son by Kudatissa, had early in life taken to the religious habit through fear of his mother. But hearing of the cruelties perpetrated by his mother, he disrobed himself, and collecting an army, successfully besieged and captured the city of Anuradhapura. Anula, unwilling to capitulate, was burnt in the flames which consumed the palace. On every side there were grounds for dismay owing to the disorganised state of the kingdom. The fortifications of Anuradhapura demanded the king's earliest attention; and he erected a stone rampart Io feet high round the sixteen miles which formed the perimeter of the city. The rampart is said to have encompassed a space of two hundred and forty-four square miles. Seven miles from the modern city of Anuradhapura is still to be seen the west face, running north and south of this ancient structure. This king also built a stone dagoba at Mihintale, and during his peaceful and prosperous reign of twenty-two years he caused to be constructed several tanks and public buildings. He was succeeded (B.C. 20) by Bhatiyatissa, his son, known as Bhatiya the
CENTURY IN
Pious, whô reigned fo apart a portion of the of the public buildings a priests. As evidence ( marks of his knees on surrounding the Ruar shown. It is believed this king obtained s which enabled him to entrance leading to the so tlhat “he 1might wor relics of Buddha which slab 12 feet long by seen a little way from the dagoba, and is supp( entrance by which th admittance to the inter twenty-nine years, Bha year of the Christian e. The reigns of the uneventful, and may follows :-
Mahadailiya (A.D. 9-2] Addagaimunu (A.I), 2 Imurdered by his brothel
Kinihiridalla (A.D. 3oCholabhaya (A.D. 33
munu ;
Sivala (queen–A.D. murdered by her son,
Elluna (A.D. 34-4o), so Sandamuna (A.D. 4( murdered by his broth Yassa Sila ;
Yassa Sila (A.D. 49-5 muna, murdered; and
Subbho (usurper-A. I slain by Vasabbha.
Vasabbha came to and reigned for forty-f dedicated his life to t and the erection of rel rampart round Anuradl height of eighteen cub twelve large tanks in island. He built a circ Thuparama dagoba, a peaceful reign left Tissa, to the tranquil p During the reign of til the Soli country lande the island, ravaged tha and coming up within retired with an immen and twelve thousand Si insult was not avenged of three years, and it w bahu, who succeeded h measures for the remov the young prince did, Solians severely punis committed by them in housand of their numl
IPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
r ten years. He set revenue for the repair ld daily fed a thousand f his great piety, the the granite pavement veli dagoba are still by the Buddhists that 1pernatural assistance open the underground interior of the dagoba, ship the many sacred it contained. A stone 3 feet broad is to be the outer enclosure of }sed to cover the secret e pious king gained ior. After a reign of tiya died in the ninth
a. ext nine kings were be summarised as
), son of Bhatiyatissa ; 3o), son of Mahadailiya, , Kinihiridalla ;
33), son of Mahadailiya ; -34), son of Addagai
34), sister of Chola, Elluna; n of Kinihiridalla; )-49), son of Elluna, her, Yatalaka Tissa or
56), brother of Sanda
). 56-62), defeated and
the throne in 66 A.D. our years. This king he service of religion igious buildings. The hapura he raised to the its, and he constructed
various parts of the ular relic house at the nd after a long and nis son, Vankanasika ossession of the throne. his prince the king of in the north-west of t part of the country, right of Anuradhapura, se quantity of plunder inhalese captives. This during this short reign as left to his son Gajaim in I 13 A.D., to take al of the stigma. This and not only were the hed for the outrages
the island, but twelve er were taken captives
and brought to Ceylon as prisoners-of-war, most of them being interned in the northwestern portion of the island.
The successor of Gajabahu was his maternal cousin, Mahalu Naga-so called from the great age at which he ascended the throne. He reigned for six years and constructed seven viharas. In I4I A.D. he was succeeded by his son, Bhatiyatissa II. This prince, too, added to the number of viharas and tanks in his kingdom. It was in his reign that one of the chieftains named Nala Mudaliyar created a rebellion. To suppress him the king sent to India for mercenaries, who, consisting of cavalry, infantry, and artillery, with nine distinguished generals in command, arrived from Ayodhapatnam, and Janded at Kuduramala (the Hipporos of Pliny). The Ayodha here referred to is not the modern Oudh, but a seaport of the same name in the west of India. These regiments were successful in defeating Nala Mudaliyar and quelling the rebellion, and the king, in gratitude, granted them the whole of the territory lying between the Kala-Oya and the Maha-Oya. These facts are recorded in the Wanni Rajavaliya chronicle, and it is noteworthy that this is the first historical mention of artillery in Sinhalese warfare The long reign of Bhatiyatissa II. was followed by the longer reign of his brother, Kanittha Tissa. This king reigned for twenty-eight
years, and, following the example of his pre
decessors, improved the Abhayagiri vihara and enclosed it with a wall. He constructed a covering for the Thupa atthe Dakkhina vihara, and levelling the buildings within the Mahamegha garden, built a huge refreshment hall. His son, Chula Naga, only reigned two years, and was succeeded (A.D. I95) by his younger brother, Kuda Naga. The brother of his queen, named Siri Naga, who was the cọmmander-inchief, turned traitor to fim, and at the head of a very powerful army defeated and killed the king, and as Siri Naga I. reigned for nineteen years. On his death, in 215 A.D., his son, Abhaya Tissa, succeeded to the throne. He is deseribed as having been thoroughly conversant with the principles of justice and equity, and ruled for twenty-two years. He abolished the practice of inflicting torture which up to this time had been in vogue, thus acquiring the appellation of Woharaka Tissaraja. It was in the reign of this king that the Wytulian heresy made an effort to engraft itself on the Buddhist Church in Ceylon. By the instrumentality of the minister, Kapila, he suppressed the heresy and punished the impious members. Ultimately he fell a victim to the passion of his younger brother, Abhaya Tissa, who had conceived an affection for his queen, and who, advancing at the head of a large army on the capital, seized it and captured the king and queen at Malaya. He put the former to death, and with the queen returned to the capital
Page 35
TWENTIETH CENTURY IM
二ー。
W
ག། །། ག
TEE THITTIPARAMI DAG
and reigned for eight years (A.L. 237-245). His riigih wil s Lutheventiful, and so was that of his successor, his nephew, Siri Naga II. Then Wijaya II. caille to the throne (247 A.L.), He was, however, soon put to death by Sanga Tissa, the coinrılar der of his ATI Iny, This king is said to have placed a glass pillicle in the spiric of the RuaLIveli dagoba, to serve as a protection against lightning-a fact which speaks well for the advanced state of Sinhalese science at this early period. Sa Inga Tissil wall:4 5 Lucceeded in 252 A.I. by Sri Sanghi. Bodhi, who is regarded by Buddhists as a saintly king. In his reign failine and pestilence ravaged the coli Intry and thin rhed the populalici II, a Ilici Ilıc: III is fortune was attributed to the wrath of it demon “ with red eyes," to placate which a dance-thic origin of the Illodern dicvil-dancewas introducccl, A IIiiiiııister of this kiing, Illi:Liried Gttablaya, having conspiretl ta rerT1{ve him from the throne, the king left the city in solitude abhorring the ide:1 of a civil var, taking with hill only his water strainer. His end is thus described by the Mahava Ilsa chronicle : "The Ilan who was travelling along with him
oTi the road, carrying hi: with hill, over and over ; riia to partake of the ch:aracter havi ug strali11e drink and made his in II light cx") i fer L. Te Ward the repast, thus Liddresse S:LHugh: Bodhi; Hellowed seInt it to (Gitabı:Ly: ;" | wealth on thce.' The sû ; but the monarch, sur irrig tlıat ikdividu:Ll, beų hiııl by dicta chilag it froi without rising on the s take his meal. The head to Gotahhayi, and, III erit madec by the Treas:L w:Lltlı II. iii T1 i Tri TeT Cliffic:s a mJ TIL Tclı cu Bodhi's reign his bes which clusters many a oi Lille later period ind who claimod des as their proudest title Lšndhi."
PRESSIONS
OF
CEYLON 27
OBA ANURAIDEHAPURA,
. Tıcıl sufi dressed rice again entrelled of the ice. This benevolent :l th c: ",MJL te" 11 e Li Hel 1 ill, in order that he On hill who presented i him : "I am the raja
taking III y lle:Lid, pre|e will bestow great cias:Amt do ili Iliel to'o Iloj Lhe purpose of henefitLeathing his he:Lcd Llo his shoulder, expired it in which he hill easant presented the åstonished at the stilleut, he conferred great Itogi Fi TTT1 L 1 the kjl tl bestow," Sangha ı a subject':t :: round
tradition, anal kings h- rulecl in Koltz, -11t frLIn him, ware that of "Sri Sangha
During the reign of Golzbhaya the Wytulian heresy again reared its head and called forth a good number of the priesthood, including Sanghamitta, the tutor of the king's stils, The elder son, Makilantissa, refused to be influenced by the new doctrine, and on succccding Lo the throne, whereon he ruled for ten years up to 277 A.D., protected the established religion by every II means in his power. But his goud work was set at naught by his younger brother, Mahl Sel, who succeeded him, and who dupled the LLLLLL LLLLLlLaLaLLS LSLLL CLL LaaLLLLLLLaL LLLL LLLLLL sect as the State Church, and forbade the bestowal of offerings on the priests who refused to col1fJI II to his views. Thus deprived of food, the latter in their distress look refuge in Ruhunuriata, Inflained with inger at their obstilicy in adhering to their old cloctrines, Maha Sen de Incolished their templics, akıldl houses. The Brazen Palace was raised to the groLind, its site ploughed up and sowil with rice; LLLLLL HLLL LL LLLLL L LLLS LLL LLLL LL aL hur Idred and sixty other ecclesiastical buildings he built tellples for the service of the Lew sect. He recalled the priests in exile who in his
Page 36
28
father had banished, and gave them Mihintale, and employed every device to establish the heresy on a permanent footing. But things were becoming very serious, and a rebellion of his subjects seemed imminent in consequence of the iconoclastic acts he had perpetrated. A powerful minister who had been in his service resolved on an appeal to arms, and concentrated
TWENTIETH CENTURY
his camp in the mo Adam's Peak. Maha S the loss of his crown religion. He though and recalled the rebe beheaded his tutor Sa the old religion. He restore the old religio
ca
PAR
THE SULUVANSA: ;
HE next king, Kitsiri Nivana, the successor of Maha Sen, is known to history as the first sovereign of the Suluvansa, or “Lower Dynasty.' The distinction here sought to be drawn is of the chronicler's own making, and does not arise out of the internal supersession of the reigning line or as a result of foreign usurpation or conquest. The break in the annals does not affect the continuity of the narrative, and is a change only in name; while the dynasty itself, though differentiated from the Mahavansa as "Lower," has, in point of fact, greater claims to remembrance in respect of the valour and exploits of Sinhalese power in its era and of the zenith to which that power attained.
Kitsiri Nivana continued the work of restoration zealously. In the ninth year of his reign a Brahman princess brought to Ceylon the famous Tooth Relic of Buddha frolin Kalingarata in India. The monarch received charge of it himself, and with great reverence and the highest honours deposited it in a precious casket and lodged it in a building erected by. King Devanampiya Tissa, known as the Dhama Chakka. His son, Jettha Tissa II., succeeded him, and the new king rebuilt the Brazen Palace. He was possessed of considerable skill in painting and sculpture. A statue of Buddha of exquisite workmanship is said to have been the work of his hands. His successor was his son, Buddhadasa (24 I A.D.), who was a celebrated student of surgery and rural economy. He is described in the chronicle as a “mine of virtues and an ocean of riches.' He is said to have effected astonishing cures. A treatise by him on the art of heading, written in Sanskrit, is still extant. To every district of ten villages he appointed a medical man, an astrologer, a priest, and a devil-dancer. He built hospitals and asylums for the maimed and deformed and povertystricken. Intense love for humanity and administrative capacity of a high order were the characteristic features of this great king. His
son, Upatissa II., suc He was a devout pri to the advancement C fare of the priesthood. temple at Attanagalla vince, the history of lated into English James de Alwis. The ascribed to him. He who murdered him to had formed for her bro who, mounting the tht for eighteen years. It the celebrated Fa H has been made prev Another illustrious vi Buddhaghosa, came f was a learned Buddh some scholarly comme scriptures. On Maha Sothi Sena, the lawful assassinated by his si accession in order to band, Laminitissa. Th a short one, and he v Sena, who had no soo than the island was i Malabar chiefs, who him to death. A ma chieftains, however, allegiance to their kir nurata, maintained th Dhatusena. For twe struggle ensued, but Dhatusena overcame covered for himself the He extirpated every T. cated the lands of their bestowed them on the round him in his exile restored and the old its sway once more. icle, from the date the death of Maha his reign, the writer
MPRESSIONS
ntainous district round n had to choose between and the change of his , the latter preferable, ious minister to favour, nghamitta, and restored now became as eager to as he had once been to
مسمحسسحسسحتمسح محتصم
Tr. VI,
OF CEYLON
destroy it. He rebuilt all the temples he had pulled down, recalled the priests from exile, and reconstructed their houses. He also built sixteen tanks, and a large canal which served to irrigate twenty thousand fields. He is known in Sinhalese history as the last of the Mahavansa or “Great Dynasty' of the island.
o4 A.D. TO II52 A.D.
ceeded him in 370 A.D. ce, and devoted himself f religion and the welHe built the splendid , in the Western Prowhich has been transby țhe late Hon. Mr. Topawewa tank is also fell a victim to his wife, satisfy the affection she other-in-law, Mahanama, one in 42 A.D., reigned was in this reign that ian-allusion to whom iously-visited Ceylon, sitor, in the person of rom India. This latter ist priest and author of ntaries on the Buddhist nama's death, his son, heir to the throne, was ster on the day of his make room for her huse latter's reign was also as succeeded by Mitha her ascended the throne nvaded by a number of dethroned him and put jority of the Sinhalese roved faithful in their g, and, fleeing to Ruhueir independence under nty-six long years the ut the end of that time all opposition and rethrone of his ancestors. mil in the island, confisSinhalese followers, and nobles who had rallied at Ruhuna. Peace was rder of things resumed The Mahavansa chronof Vijaya's arrival till ien, was composed in eing Maha Sen’s uncle
and tutor, office.
Mahanama, a priest in high
Dhatusena had two sons and a daughter, who was married to the Adigar, his sister's son. Being enraged at some ill-treatment which his daughter had suffered at the hands of her husband, the Adigar, King Dhatusena retaliated by putting to death his sister, the Adigar's mother. This created a breach in their relations, and the king's eldest son, Kasyapa, took sides with the Adigar, and avenged the death of his aunt by heading a force against his father, with the assistance of which he dethroned him and finally slew him.
Kasyapa, the parricide king, was not, however, long left in peaceable possession of the throne which he had wrested from his father, for his younger brother, Moggalana, determined to avenge his father's death, and departed to the continent with the idea of collecting an army. Kasyapa, fearing a general outbreak and apprehensive of public sympathy with his brother, left his capital of Anuradhapura and established himself on the rock of Sigiri, which he fortified and converted into a city. Being shaped like a lion, it was called Sigiri, or the “lion rock." It was surrounded by a rock rampart with galleries built into it. Here he lodged his treasures and his regalia. The ruins of Sigiri have recently been almost entirely restored, and afford striking examples of ancient art. In a cave leading out of one of the galleries is to be found to-day, in a fair state of preservation, a number of mural paintings which indicate the high style of art practised in the early days of Sinhalese rule. These paintings are unique in style, and are absolutely unlike the more recent frescoes to be found in Buddhist viharas of Ceylon. Strange to say, however, there are to be found in the caves of Ajanta, in the Deccan (India), similar paintings which school of art. These latter are cotemporaneous, with the paintings of Sigiri, and a number of them depict incidents in Sinhalese
indicate the same
Page 37
TWENTIETH
history, such as the peaching of the that Saint Mahinda and the bringing of the Tooth Relic to Ceylon. This cuirlicitlence suggests that the two sets of paintings were done, if not by the si IIle Irtist, at least hi " the sının school of artists, and that it was wery probably Si ha lege Lt.
For eighteen years Kasyapa succeeded in evading the vengeance of his brother, but in g7 A.D. Moggalana landed in Ceylon with a
CENTURY I
and the Adigar, who father's death, and ILO his a dhe tents were pu was na de faL III Luis il Lil by the arrival in Ceyl Relic of Buddhā, whi young merchant froTTı hy the king with grea Moggalana was succes son, KuIII:ırıldısa, 3 pri
THE SIGIRI (OR LION ROCE (GENERAL WIEW (I Lihli for Ericss Kasyapı, Eh EP:Lrticide kiing. ::
large army from India, and a pitched battle ensued hetween the brothers, in the course of which Kasyapa, finding that the battle was going against him, committed suicide by cutting his throat. It would appear that the caTTırnission of suicide: by kings :: Il til princes in despair after defeat or at the prospect of deficiat in the field of battle, was collinol at this period, and was regarded its an ict of chivalry. On the accession of Moggalana to the throne, his first thought was of revenge
literature, especially to Indial barril T: T1 el K. his court, and havin language, gained the fi poet, the king, Hrid v highest estecm. Önıt: dasa was in the hollise he was very fond, he: water-lily", "Which, OT1 The king, dicerning he tiori in regard to the COL
MPRESSIONS
was responsible for his
Ehi ths o it to death. This reign he Linnals of the island
on of the sacred Hair ch was hrought hy
Ben Arcs, in Ildirecci wedi it pinp and ceremony. 2ded in 575 A.D. by his Ilice who was devoted to
OF CEY LON 29
ing lines on the wall of her house, together with an in tirilation that any one who should finish the verse, directly interpreting the riddle would be granted any request he might make :-
S LOLke LL LLLLMMLL LL LLLLLL LLLLLLLLLHL
Mali deidaria prinagliva girl sevelli" Kalidasa was once spending a day in the same house when he saw the king's lines, and complicted the verse by prefixing the following Cuplict :-
LLL00L L LLLLL LLL LLLLHLLLSLKLLLLSS SL LLLLLLLLS LLLLLL S LLLLLLLLS tablished himself after the Illurder of his father
poetry. The celebrated alid:lisa was attracted to g learnt the Sinhalese iendship of his brotheras by him held in the: : night, when Kuriharaof a courtesan of whorn
saw a ble light Oil all closing, held it captive. was in a similar pusrtesan, wrote the follow
"Siya tambara siyalambara siya seveni! Siya sapura nidi nalaba un seveni!"
The king's lines, being translated, would run thus -
"If all night |long the latus keeps the bee,
The Torn beholds hinn gay", Inlı Litt, Anh til frec !"
while Kalidasa's couplet solves the riddle in Lhis III:LIIIIer:-
"By hea Luty's grasp in turi Thail Lunca filoscd.
He's kept a prisoner with eyes unclosed"
Page 38
30 TWENTIETH CENTURY
The courtesan, covetous of the prize offered died of grief. Silakala by the king for the competition in verse, A.D. 52, and after a murdered the poet, buried him beneath her was succeeded by his house, and alleged herself to be the author Dapula's reign was te of the lines. The king, however, feeling sure in the following year, that no other than Kalidasa could have solved Moggalana II, then the riddle so successfully, ordered a search reigned for twenty to be made for hirin, which led to the dis- Megha warna. He rei LLLLLL LL Ca LLLLLLS S LLLLa LaLaCC HLLL HLtlHHaLCLL S LLL LLLLLLa aaaaL LLLLL LLLLLS and cellated in gricit state in the presence Mahanama, who wa of the king and the whole court. The king branch of the royal was 50 districted with grief that he threw Iluralia. In 534 A.D., himself into the funeral-pyre and was burrit place to his imaternal to death, his example heing followed by his This king restored ord five queens, who all perished in the flames. the Kurunduwewa an Kumaradasa's immediat: šLect55ir Was Kiri- Luta great canal to th LLLHaS aaL LLLLL CLHHLttt LL0LL0LLLLLLL LLCL LLLLL LHHCLCLGH S aL HLHtCC CLLLaLLLL LLLLLL 1Incle, Siva, who seized the throne, but was in patron of learning, and turn i Ilurdered by his brother-in-law, who of thirty-four years, ti aLaLLLLL LL LLLLL S LLLL SS LC OOO S LLLL S S LLOL S LLLLL LL LLLCLCLL LLLLLLCLLL patissa III. He was a blind prince, and succeeded in 598 A. wwas reimarkable for his melancholy tenimperil - Agrah-odhi III., who iri ment. His son-in-law, Silakal, aimed at sub- after which Sanga Tis: LLLLLL LL LLLLLLLaaLLL LLLL LLLL LLmaS aLL aaaaLLLLL S CCCL LL HtHCL LLC aLLLL
A
VV. 。 M||
བྱེད་་ * . ܬܐ
\ని "
A
t M NWA W
|ll WWWWWWWW
\
THE SIGIRI ROGE WIEW FROM TIBE
MPRESSIONS
| CATC to the throri e il reign of thirteen years 50m, Dapula (53.g A.D.), Iminated by his suicide and his elder brother, ame to t le thironc and Fears, giving place to gned only for one year, Ath by his s Liccessor, is dL:SC: I dC TO III a. amily Scttled in Rulluby his death, he gave nephew, Agrabodhi I. ler in the country built d several uther tanks, : tank at Minneriya, and ifices. He was a great during his long reign welve great poets are in his court. He was L. by his son-in-law, 2igned for ten years, sia came to the throne, CLIt off hy Agrabidhi's
OF CEYLON
general Bihi Moggalli, who was killed in battle the samc year.
The next few reigns are steeped in civil war, And it is difficult to say who really wielded the royal power Lintil 534 A.D. wheri Agrab+Cxdhi III. recovered the kingdom and ascended the throne. After his reign of sixteen years cline ath potissa to the throle. This us LII per began his reign by plundering the telples and dagobas and by other acts of devastation. Kasyapa, brother of Agrabodhi III., III la richel against him from Ruhuna, and gave him battle and the usurper was slain; after a reign of Ilirie years Kasyapa left the sovereignty to his son, Dapula. Dapula, fearing the intrigues of the Tamils deterrihirled to drive every one of then from the capital city; but they resisted, and invited to Ceylon Hatha Dattha, a prince of the Lamini family, who was an exile in India. That prince laided on the southern coast and marched against Dapula, who now, tireatened buih within and without, alba Indoneri L aCCL CCL LL CCHH LHHLLLLCLaaLLTS S LCLL established Hii Ilself in Ruh Lulla. The VictCiTiiiL15
Y AUHAN AWALA
。 :്ട്ട |ll M W A Ti
AAN A 獸
TTTTTTT W
W
屁
腈
紫
W M M AW
^
W
SOUTH-EAST, SHOWING FRESCOES),
Page 39
TWENTIETH CENTURY IN
¬
獸
THE SIGIRI ROCE (WIEWF LOOEING
prince was know I 5 D'athp?tissa II. a Ilıcl is described as a righteous ruler. He gave place to his brother, Agrabudhi II W., in ố73 A.I. This prince performed many acts of charity and Crected a number of sacred buildings. In the latter part of his reign he abandoned AnuradhCCCC LLLL LSLLLLLLLL LLLCCLL LL LLLLLLLaaCCLLCHLS His successor, Mahirida II., however, brought back the capital to Anuradhap Lirik. His 50m, Dapula II., succeedeel hirm, and was, in tLIITTI, succeeded by Mahinda III, his cousin, ind Agribodhi WIII. The two following reigns of Dapula III. Lind Agrabodhi IX. are: not of Luch interest. Sena I. came to the throle in 846 A.I. In this reign the Tanils, the inveterate foes of Ceylon, again invaded the island, and taking advaritage of the title lost by the King in concentrating his force:5. In de themselves III asters of the northern districts. They attacked the king's army and his entrenchments at Mapilagil IIla, but failed to dislodge him. The king soughl. refuge in Hight, and raised a fresh arly Eu Inarch against the invaders, with equally disastrous results. The capital, Polon
naruwa, Was hesieged an and the sacred ornam including th: 8:İcted culp to the Pandian country. permanent retention of
be the object of the inv; was given back to Sena In this reign was built The next king was Sena, Lindl his prolonguld reig was, on the whole, a pi reigl the son of the k rebelled against his f Ceylon, Sena took up h to India a láirge army, Iriarched izugainst Madu Paidian kingdan, whi some resistance. The
alıdı thlı e. 5 Con was placed
5on, Udaya, tlen ciIT reigned for cleven yea spicuous by the further and Works of irrigatio Lihle Diss:WiL of Ruhul
IPRESSIONS
OF CEYLON 31
A AWA
MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
W
W
EAST, SHOWING THE TERRACES).
di taken by the Tamils, :Its of the te Toles, of Buddha, were sent Plunder, rather than he country, seemed to sion, for the kingdom fr :I sluitiahl: Ti Tišicom, the Topawcwa tırık. Igral Irldson of Seria I.
of thirty-five years sperous one. In this ing of Paridia, hawing ther took refuge in cause and despatched which, diser Inbarking, a, the capital of the h was carried after ing was put to death, Il the throne. Sena's to the throne, and 5. His reign is conce of Ilational Works A rebellion led by I was easily quelled.
Kasyapa W. succeeded Udaya, and in his reign the guvernment of Ruhuma again revoltad i but the issue of the battle that was fought in consequence was decisive in favour if the king. Kilsyapa, with strange clemency, pardoned the Tehel chici ind gave him one of his daughters in Irarriage. The king's son-in-law, Kasyapa W., ther came to the throne (929 A.D.). He devoted himself to the protection and purificiltion of the church, and enforced religious discipline by royal act. He created his som, Serin pıti, general-in-chief, and semt him with a large any to the assistance of the king of Pandii, who was then at war with the king of Choli; but the expedition provedl a failure for two reasons-the cowardice of the king of Pandia, and disease, which devastated Ene Sinhalese army.
The next king was Dapula IV., son of Kasyapa W., who, after a brief reign, was succeeded, in 40 A.D., by his brother, Dapula W. The king of Pandia, who had been so long struggling against his more powerful anlagonist, the king of Choli, found himself at
Page 40
32 TWENTIETH
the end of his resources, and being unable to continue the conflict, betook himself to Ceylon. He landed at Mantotta, and was received by Dapula with the honours due to a sovereign. A palace near Anuradhapura was placed at his disposal, where he was entertained as the guest of the king. It is said that while the king of Lanka was preparing for war with a view to restore the king of Pandia to his throne, a plot was discovered between the exiled king and certain of the Sinhalese nobility against Dapula himself. Before Dapula's vengeance could reach the king of Pandia, the latter precipitately removed himself from Ceylon, leaving behind him his crown and regalia. Dapula died after a reign of twelve years, and was succeeded by a prince of the name of Udaya. He is described as a tyrannical prince, against whom a conspiracy was formed by the nobles and the people at the very outset of his reign. The charge of tyranny, however, seems to be based only on the fact that he pursued, and put to death, the rebel chieftains who plotted against his predecessor. "The holy ascetics," says the Mahavansa, “were sorely disgusted with this deed, and they left the country and went to Ruhuna, whereupon the people of the country, the dwellers of the city and all the men of war, were roused to anger, like the sea raging in a fierce storm, and they ascended the Ratanapasada at the Abhayagiri vihara, and after they had terrified the king and overawed him greatly, they cut off the heads of the ministers who had taken part in the crime at the Tapodana, and threw them out of the window,'
Eventually, the king and his followers betook themselves to Ruhuna, and when the fury of the army was appeased and the ascetics had been prevailed upon to forgive the wrongdoers, the king came back from Ruhuna, and meeting the priesthood on the way, obtained their pardon. The people, having obtained from the king certain concessions, were at length appeased, and the old order of things was restored. Udaya died in the third year of his reign. Sena II., his successor, proved in character the very reverse of his predecessor. Sena was as remarkable for his charity and amiability as Udaya had been for his cruelty and bad temper. He appointed a friend of the name of Udaya as his sub-king, and nominated him to the succession, which he obtained in 972 A.D. In this reign ambassadors came to Ceylon from the king of Choli to demand the regalia of the dethroned king of Pandia-a demand which Udaya declined to comply with. The king of Choli, elated by his victories over his Pandian rival, was disinclined to temporise. A powerful army arrived from 1ndia, and meeting the forces collected by Udaya, defeated the latter and obliged the prince to retire to Ruhuna. Udaya, however,
CENTURY
was not long inactive a fresh army from
decisive success aga expelled them from
of his successors, Ser no means remarkab Mahinda was Sena W years of age when the chief Adigar of the
ANCIENT SINHAL. AT PA (Tenth to elev
regent during his mi good deal of internal jealousy of the regent patched up by a reco, monarch, who had b. to Ruhuna, and the r to Polonnaruwa, his c in the tenth year of h Mahinda V., followed He transferred the sea Polonnaruwa to Anurad
MPRESSIONS
Taking the field with Ruhuna, he obtained a inst the invaders, and the island. The reigns La and Mahinda, are by ble. The successor of ., who was only twelve he came to the throne; late king was appointed
ESE INSCRIPTION ERAEPE. nth century.)
hority. There was a trouble, due to the which was at length ciliation between the en compelled to flee gent. Sena returned pital, where he died s reign. His brother, him on the throne. of government from
lapura, and had hardly
OF CEYLON
taken up the reins of government when troubles commenced to harass him. The foreign residents of the island had increased in alarming numbers during the late reigns, which inay well be called the dark ages of Ceylon. They were now so powerful that they menaced the very throne by their seditious conduct. The king's palace was surrounded by a mob bent on his destruction, and the king was obliged to flee in disguise to Ruhuna, where he fortified the place he had taken refuge in, and lived for twenty-six years; here a son, named Kasyapa, was born to him. During all that time the island was at the mercy of the anarchists. An army of Cholians landed, plundered the country, and revenged themselves on the unfortunate Sinhalese. Anuradhapura was taken, and even the fastnesses of Ruhuna were invaded, and Mahinda and his "queen made captives. The king and queen, together with an immense quantity of gold, precious stones, images, &c., were sent to Choli, where they died in imprisonment. Their son, Kasyapa, however, succeeded in concealing himself in Ruhuna, and waited for an opportunity to assert his hereditary right to the throne. The Cholian governor who ruled at Polonnaruwa was apprehensive of the influence of this prince, and with a view to secure his person despatched a large army into Ruhunurata. This army was met by the army of Kasyapa's adherents, and after a deal of guerrilla warfare the Cholians withdrew themselves. The young prince now made a vigorous effort to recover his throne, but whilst taking energetic measures for this purpose, in the very midst of his preparations, he was seized with a fit and expired.
Ceylon now consisted of two separate provinces--the northern, which was the larger and the wealthier, was occupied by the Cholians, while the southern, uncultivated and rugged, was still in the possession of the native princes. Strife and dissension prevailed in both provinces for over twelve years, till, in Io52, the Sinhalese people crowned the infant son of Vikrama Bahu king of Ceylon. Ambassadors were despatched to the court of Siam, and, as a nation professing the same faith, the Buddhists were implored to provide assistance against the Tamil enemy. The embassy was successful, and the ambassadors returned with a large quantity of money and treasure. The country was, however, soon disturbed by the rebellion of a prince of the royal lineage, named Kasyapa, against the crowned king, now known as Vijaya Bahu. The rival forces met, and the young king was successful in his first venture in defeating Kasyapa. Flushed with victory, he now turned his armies against the Cholians. After much desultory warfare, owing to the rugged nature of the country, Vijaya Bahu brought
Page 41
TWENTIETH
matters to an issue by besieging Polonnaruwa. The battle that followed was fought within the very walls of this city. The Cholians were defeated and driven within it, and after a blockade of six weeks the fortress was carried by storm. The Cholians, apprised of this victory, speedily betook themselves to their country. Vijaya Bahu, now firmly established on the throne, was soon recognised over the whole of the island, and his renown extended even over India. The Tamils having been driven away, time was now found for the king to devote himself to the administration of the country. The degenerate condition of the church first attracted his attention. He made a state entry into Anuradhapura, and made this city once more the capital of the island, and there he was formally crowned king of Lanka. He ordered the repair of temples, reinstated neglected ceremonies, and brought about the ordination of a large number of priests, some of whom were obtained from foreign countries. The din of war was,
TE EPIC
FTER the death of Vijaya Bahu, his brother, Jaya Bahu, came to the throne, but did not possess it for long, as almost immediately on his accession his right was contested by Vikrama Bahu, the son of Vijaya Bahu I. The country was again divided into two factions, each supporting one of the claimants to the throne. Jaya Bahu was unable to resist the advance of his nephew, and finally Vikrama Bahu was declared king in
III2I A.D. The son-in-law of Vijaya Bahu, .
Manabharana, who was with the defeated party, betook himself to the southern districts of the island, and there reigned as king. The reign of Vikrama Bahu was continually disturbed by a war between himself and Manabharana, as also by an invasion from India, under Vira Deva. Vikrama Bahu, incurring a defeat at the hands of Vira Deva, immediately took refuge in his mountain fastnesses; and having collected a large army, again took the field and gave battle to Vira Deva, when the latter was defeated and killed. Vikrama Bahu then seems to have become reconciled to Manabharana and his two brothers, and each of them ruled his own territory. These kings did not pay that respect to religion and the nobles which their predecessors were wont to pay. Says the Mahavansa : "Nor were these four lords of the land able to bring the country under one
CENTURY I
however, once more h king of Choli was en Vijaya Bahu gave prec the Siamese envoy. T sidering the power al country which was rep ties which bound the t Believing this to be a the Cholian king orde of the Sinhalese amba be cut off. Hearing
declared war against t while he was prepar Mantotta, the fleet of
sight. Their army lan suffering a defeat, rel The Cholians attacked
naruwa fell into the h the king's palace being Vijaya Bahu, however, i raised a second army,
to Prince Vira Bahu. l more besieged, and on
港爱爱韶
ਟਟzਟ
PART
OF PARAKRA
canopy, even though th And because they w degraded the nobles an in their places, such foolish men gave no h cared they aught for th king Vijaya Bahu hac ways. The possession also they took away t there was no fault to f their avarice and coveto their subjects and lev them, yea, even as the r the sugar cane.
“ Thus lived these lo gressing all the establ country. Like greedy they were always crue wholly bent on evil. T of kings, and although 1 trust, wherein they mig and the good of other noble ambition.'
We now come to the king that ever ruled Ce the Great. The story the Mahavansa in a n pelled the poem to be the narrative of Parak larly excels, not merely in literary charm. Dr
IPRESSIONS
ard in Ceylon. The ged at hearing that dence in his court to is was natural, conimportance of the esented and the close vo countries together. slight on his dignity, ed the nose and ears sador at his court to if this, Vijaya Bahu e king of Choli, and ng to embark from he Cholians hove in ed, and Vijaya Bahu, red to Polonnaruwa. he capital, and Polonands of the invaders,
rased to the ground. lid not lose hope, and giving command of it 'olonnaruwa was once ce more was it taken.
و سمجھ
4S243242 怠急
“ VIII.
MA
2y strove hard thereto. ere imprudent, they d appointed base men is they chose. These eed to religion, neither eir subjects, whom the | prospered in divers s of honourable men y force, even though nd in them. And for usness, they oppressed led grievous taxes on ill extracts juice from
rds of the land, transshed customs of the owners of the land, . Their hearts were ley felt not the dignity laced in high offices of ut seek their own good yet lacked they even
period of the greatest vlom-Parakrama Bahu of his life is related in inner which has come regarded as a classic;
ima the Great particu
in historical value, but
Copleston, the Metro
OF CEYLON 33
The Cholians retired to the coast in hot haste. Soon after this Vijaya Bahu invaded the Cholian country, and revenged himself upon its inhabitants for the injuries which had been inflicted on the Sinhalese. But again the appearance of disease among the troops, and the shortness of provisions, compelled the Sinhalese forces to return to the island, and Vijaya Bahu resumed the improvement of the internal administration of the country, which had been so rudely interrupted. After a long reign of fifty-five years, Vijaya Bahu died in II2O A.D., having brought Lanka under the canopy of one dominion. Says the Mahavansa : “Thus did Vijaya Bahu, the ruler of men, hold the reins of government without any fear in his hands for fifty and five years more, and when he had improved the religion of the land and the country, which was sore distressed by the wicked Tamils, he ascended up to heaven, as if to behold the great reward arising out of his good deeds on earth.'
BAHU THE GREAT.
politan of India, has contributed to the 5ournal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Ceylon an article on this king, entitled the “Epic of Parakrama.' ' Parakrama the Great,' says he, “was the most prominent figure in Ceylon history and the hero, par excellence, of Sinhalese history." He holds that the vivid narrative of this period was written by an eye-witness of the splendid exploits of the king. The writer describes him under various conditions and with different characteristics-as a monarch, as a popular hero, as a lover of fun and sport, as a man of great charity, and as a soldier of reckless daring. “I fancy I perceive in these chapters,' says Dr. Copleston, “in spite of the conventional turns of phrase, the feeling which in a modern might have prompted the exclamation :
'Oh, was there ever such a knight, in friendship
or 1n war, As our sovereign lord, King Henry, the hero of
Navarre ?''
For these reasons one cannot do bettef in describing the romantic and adventurous history of this king than to quote largely from the words of the poet himself. A whole chapter is devoted, as in most epic poems, to the marvellous incidents connected with his birth, which are thus described :-
“And it came to pass that King Jaya Bähiu and his queen, Mitta, died while they yet
Yr
Page 42
34 TWENTIETH
dwelt at Ruhuna ; and Sugala, the wife of Sri Vallabha, gave birth to two children, namely a son, Manabharana, and a daughter, Lilavati. Likewise, the queen Ratanaveli, the consort of Manabharana, had two daughters, Mitta and Pabhavati. And the chief governor, Vira Bahu (Manabharana), seeing that he had only two daughters (and no sons), thought in this wise: 'We, who are descended from the pure race of the Moon, which is considered by the whole world as the head of the generation of all kings, are indeed placed in a very enviable position, being full of all power and might, expert in various wars, and skilful in the management of horses and elephants. Nevertheless, we three (brothers) have been again and again defeated by Vikrama Bahu, even by him singly; and yet, there seemeth not any likelihood of the coming to us of a son who would be able to wipe off this stain. Alas how grievous is our lack of fortune What doth it profit me a kingship, stained with the reproach of the world Now, therefore, it seemeth good that I should give up my attachment to the pleasures of state, and spend my days diligently in the performance of good deeds.' Having thus communed with himself, he gave up all the business of the kingdom to his ministers, and lived there (in quietness) for seven or eight months. And one day, wrapt in serene thought, after keeping the holy precepts, he lay down to sleep in the temple of the king of the gods. And, lo! in the early hours of the morning the king saw in a dream an angel of great majesty, arrayed in gorgeous apparel, adorned with scents and flowers, of exceeding great size, like unto the sun that has ascended up to the sky, making every side radiant with the glory of his body. And he spake unto the king, saying : " Hail, lord of the land, who art favoured by fortune Rejoice and be exceeding glad, for ere long there shall be born unto you a noble son, endued with marks of greatness, able to accomplish all his desires, refined in mind, whose glory and dominion will be spread throughout the vault of heaven, resplendent with power and fame and glory, a mine of virtue, and one who shall raise up his people and the religion of the land. Now, therefore, arise and go quickly into the city where thy wife and thy children dwell." Thereupon the chief of men awoke with a feeling of great joy, and when the dawn succeeded the night, he returned to Punkhagama. And the king told the pleasant dream just as he had seen it to the queen and to his ministers, and he lived with his queen, expecting a son of great renown, and heaped up good deeds of divers kinds by bestowing alms and observing the precepts of religion.
"And, again, it came to pass that while it was yet dawn, he saw in a dream a lovely young elephant, tame and wholly white, and
CENTURY
endued with every in seemed to him as if he into the bedchamber seen this, he awoke a bed, and with a heart entered the queen's instant and told her th seen it. Thereupon t and said, "I also have elephant like unto it, and I caught him by h up to my bed and Having told each oth seen, they remained a day. And in the morni Brahman came to mini also, they (the king a them (the meaning of they heard the dream interpreted them, sayi will be born unto you endued with marks o when the king and his zens heard this interp1 in a great festival of joy the king looked for th caused many prayerfu nounced on him by the he daily gave away in poor at the gate of ch great value, such as ge He also caused Brahr versed in the Vedas an the religious rites, such that were regarded as a on men. Moreover, h workmen to repair t chambers that had be the tanks that had beer the king was spendin formance of good dec conceived in the womb king, having been info and was exceedingly g of her during the pe And when the full tin come, she brought fort when the stars were fa way every region of with gladness, and s cooling winds blew courts of the palace trumpeting of elephar horses, and were fillec And whe beheld the various n manifested unto him, when it was told him of his son, he was fill even as if he had been immortality. He then captives who were shu free, and caused alms
confusion.
PRESSIONS
k of beauty. And it vere leading it fondly his queen. Having rose from his stately ill of pleasure and joy edroom at that very dream just as he had e queen spake to him en in a dream a young talking round my bed, s trunk and drew him ondly embraced him." r all which they had take until the break of g, when the household ter and the soothsayers nd queen) inquired of the dream), and when s they were glad, and g, ' Of a surety there ere long a son richly good fortune. And ministers and the citietation, they all joined From that time forth e promised favour, and l blessings to be proorder of monks. And divers ways unto the arity gifts of exceeding ms, pearls, and the like. man priests who were d Vedangas to perform n as Homa and others, cts that bring blessings e appointed the king's he viharas and relicen much decayed and ruined, and thus, while g his days in the perds, a noble child was of the queen. And the rmed thereof, rejoiced ad, and took great care iod of her pregnancy. e of her delivery had n a son at a lucky hour ourable. And straighthe country was filled weet and gentle and verywhere; and the resounded with the S and the neighing of with great noise and King Manabharana
arvels that had been
e stood amazed. But soon after of the birth with a fulness of joy, |nointed with the oil of ordered a great many up in prison to be set to be given in great
OF CEYLON
plenty to monks and Brahmans. And the inhabitants of the city, led by the king's ministers, adorned the whole capital with arches of plantains, and in divers other ways, and, attired in their best robes and ornaments, they kept up a great and joyous feast for many days. Moreover, the king, having observed all the ceremonies regarding the prince that were connected with the birth of children in the manner set forth in the Vedas, sent unto the household Brahmans and others who were skilled in divination by signs. And when he had treated them with much kindness and respect, he commanded them to examine the signs on the body of the prince: And they examined all the signs on the hands and the feet and other parts of the prince's body with great care, and then, in the presence of the ministers that were assembled together, with great joy, they declared thus unto the king and queen: “This prince hath power to subdue not only the island of Lanka but even the whole of India under the dominion of one canopy, and to enjoy it withal.' Then, when he had again gratified them with presents and shown them kindness, the king questioned them further whether there appeared any evil whatsoever that might happen to the child. And they answered and said: 'The prince will have a long life; but there is a conjunction of stars that of a certainty meaneth evil to the father.' Thereupon the king gave the child the name of Parakrama Bahu, which signified that he would have an arm endued with strength to humble his enemies. And as he had a knowledge of rites and ceremonies, he caused the due performance of the feast of boring the ear and the feast of feeding the child with rice to be held according to the customs, and sent his messengers unto the king Vikrama Bahu at Pulatthi (Polonnaruwa), to convey unto him the tidings of the birth of his son. And Vikrama Bahu, having heard from them about the great good fortune that was foretold concerning the son of his fair sister and the evil that was in store for the father of the child, spake these words : " He hath begotten unto me a fortunate nephew, who will be like a sparkling central gem in the chain of kings, beginning with Vijaya. Let the prince, therefore, grow up here, even with me, so that no evil befall him. For this my son, Gaja Bahu, is nowise able to acquire that which he has not gotten, or to retain that which he has got; and Mahinda, my other son, although he possesses valour and other virtues, is not meet to succeed me in the kingdom, being inferior in rank on his mother's side. Therefore, of a surety, shall my nephew become the heir to my kingdom, which teemeth with riches that have been heaped up by me.' And with his mind full of such thoughts, he sent messengers with presents of
Page 43
TWENTIETH
princely ornaments and other valuable gifts to ietch the young prince. And the king Vira Bahu Manabharana), having heard everything froon the mouths of the messengers, said unto himself: "The words that he hath spoken are the words of truth and wisdom, intended to profit me; nevertheless, it doth not behove me to part with a son begotten of my body that so I may turn aside the evil that impendeth on ne. Moreover, if the prince be removed thither (Pulatthi), the part of Vikrama Bahu will, like a fire that bureth stronger before a fierce gust of wind, shine forth with an exceeding great blaze of glory, and our house will of a surety suffer in every wise a great loss.' Having pondered thus within himself, he withheld his son from the messengers that came to fetch him, and dismissed them after that he had gladdened their hearts with gifts of great value.
"And that lord of men (Manabharana), while he dwelt there in peace and harmony with his wife and children, was smitten with a severe disease, and quitted his body and kingdom together.'
On the death of Manabharana, Kirti Sri Megha took possession of his elder brother's country, and to his brother Sri Vallabha he assigned the rest of the island over which he himself had been ruling, so that during Parakrama's youth, in addition to these two kings, Gaja Bahu was in possession of the country the capital of which was Polon
2W2.
Much care was bestowed on the education of Parakrama. The young prince was first placed under the care and tutelage of an accomplished and learned prince, by whom he was taught.the literature and the religion of the Buddhist faith. He was further instructed in logic, grammar, poetry and music. This course of mental instruction was accompanied by bodily exercises, gymnastics, horsemanship, archery, and the guidance of elephants. After the prince had imbibed these numerous accomplishments, his education was crowned by a course of foreign travel, in which he was attended by a retinue of Sinhalese nobles. On his return he felt much discontented at the disrupted state of the ancient kingdom of Ceylon, and embarked on that great aim of his life which he did not fail to fulfil, namely, the bringing together of the disunited parts under the canopy of one dominion. The king had been considering how men of high rank and valour valued glory more than life itself. Recalling the exploits recorded in the Ummagga, the Mahabharata and the Ramayana, he cried : "All these great deeds, though the doers are here no longer, are famous in the world to this very day. Life is worth living to those who have the capacity to achieve a rare and
CENTURY IM
surpassing career like t of Kshattriya race, if worthy of Kshattriya my life be. They wer with times far more wisdom and all other g be better than me?'
The first step to th ambition would natural naruwa and the rest of h kingdom. Looked at fr of the time, this would more than an Herculean was content to set abo make the attempt only soldiers and captains an have been, at all times, c of war. To do this success, he felt that the a knowledge of the ex strength and the degr attachment towards him people. visit his uncle with th of spying out the north doing so to train a bo would have full confider his prowess. The real forth was that of his ul had his capital in Buttal near the modern village at Badulla, which was eertain general named to Sankha some of his This general, cautious r not encourage the yol ceeded to steer a mi entertaining the nephe with the uncle. Parakr of this duplicity, put th an act which, while it : of the prince, savoured of a rebellion. The res little while he lived th during which he surpri their hearts by many The following is an ins “And while he (Par for some days, the pe joined together, saying the prince'; and so village. And being c the fight, they ceased shower of arrows with Thereupon, the soldiers the prince, saying, “ Ou sacrifice if it profit us au save the prince's own : his sword and umbrell thither even in sight of prince, seeing his sol and said, 'Now is ther to show an act of grea
Parakrama acc
PRESSIONS
heirs. For me, born
do not something eroism, in vain will 2 blessed, it is true, favourable; but in fts, why should they
e fulfilment of his y be to gain Polonis uncle Gaja Bahu's om the point of view appear to have been task, but. Parakrama ut it patiently and to when he had trained i had collected what onsidered the sinews with any chance of first requirement was tent of Gaja Bahu's ee of affection and of his ministers and ordingly set forth to e deliberate purpose hern kingdom, and in dy of followers who ce in his fortune and m from which he set incle Sri Megha, who a district, somewhere of Velassa. Arriving under the care of a Sankha, he disclosed plans and ambitions. man that he was, did ung prince, and proddle course. While w, he communicated ama, becoming aware e general to deathshowed the resolution much of the character ult was that for some e life of an outlaw, sed his men and won a display of courage. tance :- akrama) dwelt there ople of that country "We shall capture they surrounded that esirous to commence not to pour forth a great determination. who had come with r lives even will we ght,' were sore afraid, ttendants who carried a, and ran hither and the prince. And the liers fleeing, laughed 2 an occasion for me courage, for I shall
35
OF CEYLON
terrify them and put them to flight with, my single weapon." So the prince gave a fierce cry, saying, 'Give me my sword ' and he had hardly uttered the words in a deep tone of voice that resounded on all sides like the blast of a conch of victory, which was heard by the soldiers that were fleeing, when they saw the heads fall of the bravest leaders of the enemy, who were being cut down (by the prince). Thereupon the soldiers at first rallied and fought with the enemy, who numbered several thousands, and having put them to flight, they surrounded the prince and praised his great valour, and gave him alone all the praise of their victory.'
While the prince was staying at Bodhigama, he was bold enough to send for one of Gaja Bahu's generals, Gokanna by name, who was dwelling at Kalvapi, and despatched one of his men with a letter to him. Gokanna on receiving the letter was afraid to disobey the prince's command, and heedless of his duty to Gaja Bahu, promptly proceeded to Bodhigama, but not without providing himself with a considerable bodyguard, being mindful of the fate of the Badulla general. Parakrama received him with all honours. “It is known to you," said he, “how I have come away from the presence of my father, the king, and how I have dared to cause his powerful general to be slain, Hearing these things, you have come before me without even giving a thought to learn the wishes of your king, and without any knowledge beforehand of me, but simply on seeing the messenger and the letter that I sent you. In doing thus you have done well.' He then bestowed on him many presents, and to his chief soldiers he gave ornaments and ear-rings of value, and provided them with food and lodging. But in the night Gokanna dreamed a dream. He thought he saw his bed surrounded by armed men who had come to kill him. With a cry of terror he leapt out of his bed, and leaving behind him his retinue, his sword, and his standard, he ran out into the jungle, and after wandering the night long, at dawn he ran away to his own village. His soldiers, seeing that their master had fled, followed in equal panic, and found themselves the next day in their master's village. When Parakrama heard the tidings of the general's flight, he smiled thereat and tarried in the same place a few days. After this incident, whenever fatigue overcame him this pleasant story was told him, and as it was in itself a pleasant thing, it removed the weariness of the prince, for he had a great love for pleasantry. After these preliminary adventures, Parakrama proceeded northwards-not without contests, in which he was invariably successfull-and finally entered his cousin's kingdom, a fact which the poet has emphasised. “He entered it with a bound," says
Page 44
36 TWENTIETH
Dr. Copleston, “as Cæsar put spurs to his horse and leapt over the Rubicon.' King Gaja Bahu, who had been much disturbed by the manner of Parakrama's coming, took counsel with his ministers and determined to put a good face on the matter. He sent to Parakrama presents of garments and jewellery, with a message of welcome, animadverting on a "father who maketh not a jewel of a son like unto you,' and hailing his arrival as his own good fortune, because, if they were both united no enemy would dare to make war against them. On receiving this message, the prince, deeming it hard to fathom the wiles of princes, sent in advance a crafty oficer, Nimmala by name, and having learned from him the true disposition of the king, proceeded to the neighbourhood of Polonnaruwa. Gaja Bahu came forth to meet him, surrounded by his army, and Parakrama was received with great respect. Gaja Bahu made the young prince mount the elephant on which he himself rode, and took him in state through the city, entering the royal palace. "Parakrama's life at his cousin's court was a triumph of dissimulation, but it is a remarkably picturesque scene; not only did he ingratiate himself with the king, for whom he obtained his own sister's hand, and with all his nobles, but went about continually among the common people, entering with sympathy into all their needs and, without appearing to do so, fostering all their grievances. A device which he used for gain. ing access, without appearing to seek it, to their houses, is too curious to be left unnoticed. He kept an elephant which he trained to run at him, and when hé was near the house of any one whom he wished to win over, he would pretend to be charged by the elephant and would run for shelter into the house." He kept a perfect army of spies-men who were clever in many devices and skilled in various languages. Such as were learned in poisons went about as snake charmers ; some acted as fortune-tellers; others as harp-players, dancers and singers, and puppet-showmen; some would equip themselves with umbrella and staff and pretend to be asceties, visit the shrines of the neighbouring villages, and go about everywhere, bringing to Parakrama accurate reports of the state of feeling in the country and of the grievances. of the people. As a result of these inquities, the time came when Parakrama knew the mind of every courtier" and almost of every commoner in the kingdom he desired to win over. He had friends in every part of the state, and every path in the jungles was familiar to him. When he had acquired all the necessary information, he returned to his uncle's court at Sankhatthali. He was not there long when Kirti Sri Megha died, and Gaja Bahu was pleased to see his young cousin established on the neighbouring throne. Cunscious of the
CENTURY I
smallness and poverty rama's first duty was and to extendits fronti ments from Adam's
drained the marshes and built a causeway
. The high conception o
as observed by Parakra in these words: "All that belongs to me,' h “besides the many cor by the water of the rai tained in dependence waters fail not and ol few ; and the kingdo rocky mountains and far-stretching marshes. not even the least dro rain supplies should g bringing help to man; mines are, of gems a precious things, in ev be made for maintain for the people's good, good things that have c a life is utterly unfit for stand in my realm in a the space of one small not of use.'
In the meantime, h parations for the grea mind. By the sale of lating money, and as hi lay in the training of lished military school. kingdom. He brought the sons and brothers : nobles, so that they with the management and with fencing, with dancing. "In this w proved his resources ar self at the head of a gr money and grain, "No dificult for me to su India, much less the isl Then began the war needless to go throu, victories which chara Gaja Bahu was ultimat Parakrama found himr Polonnaruwa. As far cerned, the war was ( tion, but he was not ab feelings of his soldier Bahu having invited th arana, the king of Ru that this was his opport all Lanka. He came f the first instance to as Parakrama, and in til wrest the throne from Joining his forces wit
MPRESSIONS
of his kingdom, Parako develop its resources rs. He placed encampPeak to the sea. He of the Pasdun Korale across the Deduru-Oya. the duties of kingship ma are set forth by him throughout this realm e said to his ministers, lands that are ripened clouds, the fields mainon the rivers whose mighty reservoirs are m includes very many thick forests and great In such a land as this p of the water that the o to the ocean without except places where the nd silver and such-like :ry spot provision must ing fields. Not to live but merely to enjoy the ‘one to our hand-such me!' "Let there not iny spot whatever even plot of ground that is
e kept on making pret object he had in his gems he was accumuis hope of national unity native troops, he estabs in many parts of his
up in his own palace and grandsons of many might become familiar of horses and elephants,
languages, music, and ay, when he had imld when he found himeat army with plenty of v, thought he, "it is not bdue the continent of and of Sihala (Ceylon).'" with Gaja Bahu. It is gh the tedious list of xterised this campaign. ely taken prisoner, and self in the capital of as Parakrama was cononducted with moderale to altogether curb the
for vengeance. Gaja e assistance of Manabhnuna, the latter thought unity to become king of rward with his army in ist Gaja Bahu to repel e second ihstance to Gaja Bahu for himself. | those of Gaja Bahu,
OF CEYLON
Manabharana inflicted a severe defeat on Parakrama, and treacherously seizing Gaja Bahu, proposed to put him to death. Parakrama soon repelled Manabharana and had Gaja Bahu at his mercy. But he exercised a splendid generosity in giving back his freedom to Gaja Bahu. The defeated king, crushed as much by the defeat as by the generosity of his enemy, entreated the Buddhist monks of Polonnaruwa to intercede for him. Parakrama capped his heroic generosity by giving back to his vanquished opponent the kingdom which he had wrested from him. Touched by this act, Gaja Bahu, by solemn gift, gave back the kingdom to his cousin. The inscription recording this act is still to be seen on a stone tablet in the vihara of Polonnaruwa, “ I have given the royal country to Parakrama.” Gaja Bahu did not long survive this event, and Parakrama took possession of Polonnaruwa. There was still much fighting to be done before Manabharana was finally subdued, and with his subjection we come to the termination of the first part of Parakrama's reign, which was the unification of Lanka. “It was given to him," says Dr. Copleston, 'to unite the careers of a Julius and an Augustus. We have followed him to the point at which the greater Roman's course was cut short, and leave our hero prepared to inaugurate the Augustan Age of Laríka.”
Now that tranquillity was restored, Parakrama resolved upon being publicly crowned emperor of Lanka. On a day fixed by the astrologers, the king, mounted on his state elephant and attended by his nobles, marched in magnificent procession and saluted the multitudes who crowded the line of march. A canopy emblazoned with the royal arms was held over his head; musical instruments resounded on all sides; delicate perfumes were sprinkled, and banners gaily floated all along the streets. Following the king and queen there came on foot the leaders of the late rebellion; at the close of the procession he was publicly crowned king, and the chief nobles swore to him fealty. He next devoted his attention to the purification of religion. He ordered a great assembly of the monks who belonged to the three fraternities, and enunciated rules for their guidance and discipline. He founded a large establishment for the distribution of alms in his capital city at Polonnaruwa, and built a large hospital for the sick. It is thus described: "This ruler of men built further a large hall that could contain many hundreds of sick persons, and provided it also with all things that were needful; to every sick person he allowed a male and female servant that they might minister to him by day and by night and furnish him with the physic that was necessary and with divers kinds of food. And many storehouses did he build therein, filled with grain and other things, and with all things that
Page 45
TWENTIETH
were needful for medicine. And he also made provision for the maintenance of wise and learned physicians who were versed in all knowledge and skilled in searching out the nature of diseases. It was his custom on the four sabbaths of every month to cast off his king's robes, and after that he had solemnly undertaken to observe the precepts, to purify himself and put him on a clean garment, and visit that hall together with his ministers; and being endued with a heart full of kindness, he would look at the sick with an eye of pity; and being eminent in wisdom and skilled in the art of healing, he would call before him the physicians that were employed there and inquire fully of the manner of their treatment. And in this manner, indeed, did this merciful king, free from disease himself, cure the sick of their divers diseases from year to year.'
A curious incident is also related of the king's kindness to animals. “But there yet remaineth another marvel to relate, the like of which had neither been seen nor heard of before. A certain raven that was afflicted with a canker on his face, and was in great pain, entered the hospital of the king, whose store of great goodness was distributed to all alike. And the raven, as if he had been bound by the spell of the king's great love for suffering creatures, quitted not the hospital, but remained there as if its wings were broken, cawing very piteously, Therefore the physicians, after they had found out what its true disease was, took him in by the king's command and treated him. And when he was healed of his disease, the king caused him to be carried on the back of an elephant round the whole city, and then set free. Verily, kindness such as this, even when shown unto beasts, is exceeding great. Who hath seen such a king, or where or when hath it been heard before ?'
He spent much money in improving the fortifications of Polonnaruwa. He caused a chain of ramparts to be built round the town, and covered them with plaster work, 'so that it was white like a cloud in autumn." He built a palace of great splendour called “Vijayanta." It consisted of seven storeys, and contained one thousand chambers supported by thousands of beautiful pillars. It was surmounted by hundreds of pinnacles, adorned with beautifully designed scroll work. Its gates and doors and windows were made of gold. The splendour of the king’s, bedchamber is thus described: "Full of perfume of flowers and incense, it was made beautiful with rows of large lamps of gold, and made exceedingly lovely by reason of the garlands of pearls of great size which were hung at the four
CENTURY I
corners thereof-pearl the moon, and which fro, seemed to smile w ripples of the river of work of tinkling bells and there in the palac like unto fine instrum to proclaim the unlimi of the king.' He bui for the sole use of th a public theatre, “S that he might listen dious voices of great their delightful dances. with frescoes descripti own life. He caused hall of recreation; h park and planted it wi creepers of jessamine. did he construct for t the city of Polonnaruw and seven leagues broa great and small. Havi ing of his capital city, to the restoration of Anuradhapura.
About this time, Sin carrying on trade wit manna, which is the c and Siam, and a numb dered by the king of addition, insulted the at his court, and de vessels on board of whi ladies of rank. Parak wrongs, determined to obtain redress. All th the coast seemed like busied with the const Five hundred vessels force, commanded by named Aditya, were ( of operations. The for for twelve months. T of Kakkha, encounte they routed, and capt. the island with a larg Operations were then bodia itself. Disemb Kusumi, they found a posted with entrench galling discharge of troops advanced swo the enemy's camp, in bodia was found amc halese general then and occupied it, and tributary to Parakram and returned to Ceyl qof victory,
MPRESSIONS
white like the rays of as they waved to and in scorn at the beautiful heaven. And the netf gold that hung here and sent forth sounds ints of music 'seemed 2d glory of the merits a house of worship Brahmans, and also rasvati Mandapa,” so the sweet and melosingers and witness Its walls were painted. 'e gof the events of his o be erected an open : opened out a royal h trees entwined with Many ponds and baths le people. In his time a was four leagues long l, traversed with streets ng perfected the buildhe turned his attention he ancient capital of
halese merchants were h the kingdom of RaDuntry between Arakan er of them were plun
that country, who, in
Sinhalese ambassador tained some Sinhalese ch were some Sinhalese rama, hearing of these
send an expedition to |e country round about one great workshop ant. building of ships.
and a large military general of high rank, espatched to the scene ce was fully provisioned ey landed on the island ed the enemy, whom red the greater part of e number of prisoners,
directed against Camirking at the port of arge body of the enemy ments. Heedless of a missiles, the 'Sinhalese l in hand, and carried which the king of Camng the slain. The Sinarched on the capital ving made the country
he appointed a viceroy n laden with the fruits
OF CEYLON 37
During this reign, also, the king of Pandia, who lived in his capital city of Madura, in the south of India, was besieged by Kulasekera, and being in dire distress, entreated Parakrama for succour. Parakrama despatched an expeditionary force to his aid under the command of a general named Lankapura. In the meantime, Kulasekera had put the king of Pandia. to death and taken the city of Madura. Lankapura, landing on the Indian coast, made many Tamils captives, and despatched them to Lanka to work at the Ruanveli vihara. Ultimately, the fortress of Rejina was captured, and Kulasekera took refuge in flight. Thereupon he was dethroned from the sovereignty, and his son, Vira. Pandu, was placed as king of the Pandian country which was now made a tributary under Parakrama. Lankapura then led his
army into the Choli kingdom and devastated
the country ; and on his return to Madura, after a successful campaign, he caused coins to be struck in the name of Parakrama Bahu, and a village called Pandi-Vijayaka was established in commemoration of the conquest of the Pandian kingdom. Finally, Lankapura returned to Ceylon with great booty and received an extensive grant of land from the king for his services.
His foreign wars being thus brought to a successful termination, Parakrama again directed his attention to religion. A golden spire was erected on the Ruanveli dagoba and costly offerings were made to the various temples. He planted large forests of fruit trees, diverted the courses of rivers in order to replenish the tanks already formed, and constructed numerous canals to bear off the water of the tanks to great distances. By means of the Godaveri canal, the waters of the Kalu Ganga were conducted to the lake called the “Sea of Parakrama," from which again ran twenty-four channels, conveying water into all the neighbouring fields. By the Kalinda canal he conducted the waters of the lake of Minneriya to the north, and by the Jaya Ganga canal he furnished the city of Anuradhapura with water from the Kala river tank,
At length, in the thirty-third year of his reign, Parakrama, who has deservedly been designated 'The Great' as much for his civil as his military qualities, expired, leaving to his mephew, Vijaya Bahu II., the heritage of his great empire. Says the chronicle: "Thus did this lord of men, Parakrama Bahu, reign three and thirty years. He was endued with excellent wisdom and might; his delight was always in the religion of the master; and he enjoyed in an exceeding great degree the reward of the many and divers acts of merit that he had wrought."
Page 46
38 TWENTIETH
CENTURY
PAR''
THE LATER SINHALESE KI
I JAYA BAHU, who succeeded Parakrama Bahu the Great, was the son of the latter's sister, and is known to history as Vijaya Bahu II. He was a man of great learning and a poet of great renown, well versed in all princely accomplishments. The Raja Ratnacari gives a list of the various branches of study which formed the education of a Sinhalese prince. They were oratory, general knowledge, grammar, poetry, philology, astronomy, the art of affording wise counsel, religion, archery, knowledge of elephants, the discernment of thoughts, the occult sciences, history, jurisprudence, rhetoric, and medicine. This king was of a gentle disposition, timid and hesitating. His
bear that title. The s throne is to be seen a The monuments raise him as a wise and able was due the remar country during his rei styled “the lamp by
was illumined,' 'pr “fountain of renown," titles. He gave up a and distributed the
and reduced taxation repaired the ancient judges for every distri aries were converted
at d& the
1ة يت لائمة :
ë bevANAGALAG
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بنده ایالات اگر p به 35 || 5 دهه أن نة "ناتالانحي و 0 رد على وجه بجهد 6 نوع راني
ANCIENT SINBALESE INSCRIPTION.
(Twelfth century. Cut on the face of a rock at Devanagala, in Kegalla district. " warlike events in the reign of Parakrama Bahu I., the most famous of S
first act was to set at liberty those inhabitants whom Parakrama had caused to be thrown into prison, and to all of them he restored their lands and possessions. He is said to have written a letter in the Pali tongue to the king of Ramanna, “a letter of great merit,' soliciting him to send to Lanka his most erudite priests to decide on some controverted points of doctrine. His was a reign of peace until its abrupt termination by his assassination at the instance of Mahinda, a prince of Kalinga. The assassination was procured by the help of an accomplice, a cowherdess named Dipani. Mahinda usurped the throne, and only ruled the kingdom for five days, for the chiefs of the army, enraged by the unlawful act, killed the usurper, and placed Kirti Nissanka, a sub-king of Vijaya, upon the throne. Nissanka was a prince of the Kalinga family from India, now known as the Northern Circars. He is known to history as Kalinga Lankesvara, and his coins
different professors ta' science. The Damb ornamented by him, at Rangiri Dambulla. ( son, Vira Bahu, was p Adigar because he V assume the kingly offic Vikrama Bahu, was pla
This was the begin Lanka, of a period of in by hostile invasions an great institutions of the declined from this da power. Wikrama Bah months, at the end o. death by his cousin for nine months, and mutilated by the grea married the widow C Great, Queen Lilavati years with his queen
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
r VIII.
NGS:
one lion which was his
the Colombo Museum. to his honour describe : administrator, to whom table prosperity of the gn of nine years. He is which the whole world otector of the earth," and such other extolling art of the royal revenues sum among the poor,
for their benefit. He
tanks and appointed ct. The religious semininto universities, where
R 諡 fՀ 莺 نة 3 بسU 3} o کہا UU 'tog()?ાં ઈ ክu] 6öኣ $ 2{tfiዑ &mథ4భht
శ్రీug&
The inscription refers to inhalese kings.)
1ght various branches of
illa vihara was greatly ld obtained the name of Dn his death his eldest ut to death by the first was considered unfit to e, and the younger son, ced on the throne. ing of the downfall of ernecine strife, followed d the destruction of the country. Ceylon greatly te in opulence and in 1 only reigned for three which he was put to Dhodaganga, who ruled vas in turn deposed and Adigar Kitti, who had f Parakrama Bahu the Kitti ruled for three consort, when he was
II97 A.D. TO 25 A.D.
driven away by Sahasa Malla (I2Oo A.D.), a prince of the royal lineage. The copper coin of Sahasa Malla is found in great abundance in Lanka. History does not record the end of Sahasa Malla. It is stated that he reigned for two years and was succeeded by Ayasmanta, the chief of the army, who had married the chief queen of Kirti Nissanka. They reigned together for six years in peace, and nothing of importance is recorded except the erection by her of , a temple, which she richly endowed. On her death, Dharmasoka, an infant of a few months, succeeded to the throne, and the kingdom was administered by a council of regency.
The Solians on the continent, perceiving the unsettled state of affairs in Ceylon, then invaded the country, but were obliged to retreat by Queen Lilavati, who was thus restored to the throne in 1209 A.D., to hold it for one year and to be dethroned again by the Tamil king, Lokissara, who came up from the opposite coast with a great army of Tamils, and taking possession of the island, reigned for nine months at Polonnaruwa, at the end of which time Queen Lilavati was again restored, to be again dethroned by Parakrama, the famous king of Pandia, who, landing with a great army of Pandians, deposed the queen and reigned for three years at Polonnaruwa.
The chroniclers thus describe the state of the island about this time :-
Says the Rajavaliya, “And now, as there was no more virtue to be found in the land, and wickedness had become greatly increased, and the tutelary deities had withdrawn their protection, an age of impiety followed, in which the doctrines of Buddha were no longer observed." The Ratnagari says, “With the death of the Sinhalese kings the inhabitants became so exceedingly wicked that the gods no longer protected it, and the impiety of the people became so outrageous that, as a mark of Divine wrath, the Malabar king, Magha, came from Kalinga with an army of twentyfour thousand men, which laid waste the country, destroyed the Buddhist religion, and dethroned Pandu Parakrama Bahu II. The beautiful Mahasaya of Ruanveli and many other dagobas were by these men mutilated or destroyed, and the holy abodes of the priests and the sacred depositories of the images of Buddha were converted into barracks for the Tamil soldiers, the treasures being carried off which were found in the interior of the sanctum. Virgins and honourable women were dishonoured, and the most elevated by birth and rank were reduced to the most menial
Page 47
TWENTIETH CENTURY
and servile labour. Thus Magha and his army pursued a course of devastation, seducing to infidelity the captive inhabitants, plundering the rich of all their treasures, and cutting off the hands and legs of many. Thus, like a house filled with fire or thieves, was the island of Ceylon at this period."
The Mahavansa is even more explicit: "And it came to pass that, because of some wicked and cruel and grievous deeds that the inhabitants of Lanka had done, the gods who had been placed in different parts thereof to watch over them and to protect, cared no longer for the country, and looked not any more after their safety. Thereupon a certain wicked prince of the Kalinga race, Magha by name, invaded the country at the head of twenty thousand strong men from Kalinga, and took possession of the island of Lanka. And he was a follower of false faiths, and had a mind only to do mischief. Like unto a wild fire that consumeth the tender plants of the forests of charity, and like unto the sun when he closeth up the petals of the sacred lily of justice, and the moon when she obscureth the splendour of the lotus pond of patient endurement-even so was his mind wholly enslaved by ignorance. And this Magha, who was like unto a fierce drought, commanded an army of strong men to ransack the kingdom of Lanka, even as a wild fire doth a forest. Thereupon these mighty men, wicked disturbers of the peace of mankind, stalked about the land hither and thither, crying out boastfully, "Lo! we are the giants of Kerala.' And they robbed the inhabitants of their garments and their jewels, and everything that they had, and violated even the chastity of families that had long been preserved inviolate. They cut off also the hands and feet of the people, and despoiled their dwellings. Their oxen and buffaloes also, and other beasts, they bound up, and carried them away forcibly. The rich men they tied up with cords and tortured, and took possession of all their wealth, and brought them to poverty. They broke down the image-houses and destroyed many Qetiyas. They took up their dwellings in the viharas and beat the pious laymen therein. They flogged children, and sorely distressed the five ranks of the religious orders. They compelled the people to carry burdens, and made them labour heavily. Many books also of great excellence did they loose from the cords that bound them, and cast them away in divers places. Even the great and lofty Qetiyas, such as the Ratanaveli, which stood like the embodiment of the glory of all the pious kings of old, they spared not, but utterly destroyed them, and caused a great many bodily relics to disappear thereby, which were unto them as their lives. Alas ! alas !
“Even so did those Tamil giants, like the
giants of Mara, destro religion of the land. Ai the city of Pulatthi (F side, and took Parakra plucked out his eyes treasures that were the and precious stones. T and the chief of the Kalinga Magha king ov of Lanka. And when l country into subjectio in the city of Pulatthi. people to follow after f: to mingle the four casti mingled themselves. T fields and pastures, hous and oxen and buffaloe: pertained to the Sinha parivenas and many sa give as dwelling-places despoiled the possessio cated to Buddha and th that so he might heap a down to hell. Even th act like a tyrant, and ) over the kingdom of I “And so did one kin thereto by the lust murder his predecesso this crime none enjoye sovereignty of the kin attained unto it. Let t fore, abstain from takin desire for wealth and p The reign of Magha years. The Sinhalese, pletely lose their inde time. A number of sought the mountain fortresses for themselve of the Tamil usurper. Bahu, a prince of the li established himself i occupied himself wit sufficient men and res country. When he w prise, he “appeared lik of darkness,” and at til men turned the tide of the usurper. In the l sions of the island th expelled, while in th continued to occupy t they do up to the pres deeming it politic to 1 was content with thei ment of tribute.
The Tooth Relic, w times had been hidde Kotmale, was deposite which the king built fo! of government was ti naruwa, which had b
MPRESSIONS
the kingdom and the d then they surrounded olonnaruwa) on every ma Pandu captive, and and robbed all the ein, with all the pearls nereafter, Manabharana strong men anointed 1r the glorious kingdom e had thus brought the under him, he dwelt This king caused the lse faiths, and contrived 's that had hitherto not o the Keralites he gave es and gardens, servants ; yes, everything that ese. The viharas and red places also did he to his strong men, and hs that had been dedie Dhamma and Sangha, ! multitude of sins to go us did Magha the king eign twenty-one years anka. g after another, moved of wealth and power, r, though by reason of d long life, or even the gdom after they had he prudent man, thereg life, and renounce the ovver.'
lasted for twenty-one however, did not compendence during this chieftains and princes districts, and building s, lived in open defiance One of them, Vijaya le of Sri Sangha Bodhi, Dambadeniya and gathering together urces to win back the is ready for the entere a flame bursting out e head of his countryDrtune and drove away (aya and Ruhuna diviTamils were entirely Pihiti division they e northern portion, as nt time. Vijaya Bahu, ave them undisturbed, submission and pay
ich in these troublous
in the fastnesses of in the Beligala vihara, its reception. The seat nsferred from Polonen the capital for five
OF CEYLON 39
hundred years, to Dambadeniya. Buddhism was restored, copies of religious works which had been destroyed were brought from India and re-written, and ecclesiastical seminaries were re-established.
In this wise Vijaya reigned for four years, when he was succeeded by his son, Parakrama FBahu II., better known to history as Kalikala Pandita Parakrama Bahu. The learning of this king gave him an important position in the ranks of Eastern monarchs. He was sought after by princes of other countries as arbitrator in matters of difference amongst them, and his alliance was generally courted. He completed the reduction of the Pihiti division of the country. Says the Rajavaliya: "He harassed not the inhabitants of Lanka; recovered taxes, as his royal father had done, without oppression; imprisoned for offences worthy of death, and reigned without giving cause for sorrow to sentient beings."
In the eleventh year of his reign the island was invaded by an army of Malays, led by the Malay commander, Prince Chandra Banu. Vira Bahu, the king's nephew, met Chandra Banu and inflicted on him a severe defeat, and drove the Malays away. The remainder of this king's reign was spent in the improvement of the island and in the education of his sons. A celebrated priest, Dharmakirti, was invited from the continent, and to him was entrusted the education of the princes and the purification of the national religion. Parakrama was conspicuous as a road-maker. A road to Adam's Peak was placed under the superintendence of the first Adigar. Two bridges were erected, one over a ravine 636 feet long, the other över the Kelani Ganga, between Adam's Peak and Bentota. Polonnaruwa, Yapahu, and Kurunegala were greatly embellished. The foundations of Siriwardhanapura (the modern Kandy) were laid, and thither the Tooth Relic was removed.
While thus busy in the improvement of his country, Parakrama was again aroused by a second invasion of Malays under Chandra Banu, reinforced by large contingents of Tamils from the Pandian and Solian countries. But the valour of Parakrama once again proved too much for the invaders, and they fled in confusion from the island. During this reign the Mahavansa was continued from the reign of Maha Sen to this period, the author being the priest Dharmakirti. The king in the thirty-fifth year of his reign (I275 A.D.), foreseeing his approaching end, called together his six sons, and apportioned to each of the younger sons the government of a province under the eldest, named Vijaya, and having besought them to live in fraternal union, expired in peace.
His successor, --Vijaya Bahu IV., was distinguished for his piety, and was thus known.
Page 48
40 TWENTIETH
as Bosat Vijaya Bahu. In the second year of his reign he fell a victim to a plot laid by one of his generals named Mitta. “As this wicked man," says the Mahavansa, 'lusted for the king's power, he gained over a servant in the king's household, and by means of this servant, whose heart he had deceived by bribes, he caused the king to be put to death one night.' His brother, Bhuvaneka Bahu, on being apprised of the tidings of his assassination, fled from the
city of Dambadeniya the city of Yapahu. however, unsuccessful gain over the Aryan whose loyalty to the
and took refuge in
The traitors were, in their attempt to army, the story of
royal house is thus described :-
"Then Mitta, the general, entered the palace of the great king at Jambuddoni; and there, with wicked intent, he sat on the beautiful throne and showed himself to all the people, arrayed ig the king's robes and ornaments. After that all the ministers who had espoused his cause gathered themselves together and supported each other, saying, "The allegiance of the whole army, both of them that are born in the country and of the stranger, shall we secure altogether by a liberal payment of their wages.' And when they had resolved thus, they began first to give wages to the strong men of the Aryan warriors, at whose head was Thakuraka. But they refused to accept thereof, saying, "We have always been regarded worthy of trust; and it is indeed the soldiers of the Sinhalese whose allegiance should first be bought with their pay, and whom you should satisfy by every means in your power." Thereupon the ministers answered and said, 'Be it so'; and when they had caused all the soldiers of the Sinhalese to be paid, they asked them (the strange soldiers) to accept their wages also. But they all refused a second time, saying,' Let our wages be given to us afterwards; we shall not take it now.' Nevertheless, the ministers continued to press them hard in every way with reasons why they should accept their wages. Whereupon all the seven hundred Aryan warriors rose up in a body, saying, 'We shall speak (all the words that we wish) in
CEN'TURY
the presence of the up to the king's pala Mitta, the general, there, they stood befo to him for a mome! brave warrior, gave and straightway drev and cut off the hea instant and cast it o “Thereupon there v city; and all the Sinh powerful gathered t asked the Aryan war done this unlawful t saying, "We have di the command of B. now at Subha-pabba warriors, both Aryar themselves together, s they brought the cl Bahu, from the city of Jambuddoni, and ano kingdom with greath
Bhuvaneka Bahu sovereign, and matte ordinary course. Bh much time to the ceremonies, and taki Yapahu, made that the eleventh year of Pandians, under Ary through the country, ing wherever they w country on every sic Yapahu, took possess and all the wealth th returned to the Pandia On the death of B succeeded by Parakrar and son of Bosat Vijay ascending the throneh the Tooth Relic to th that force was unavai adopted the wiser pol tended by a number of to the Pandian country before the king of address and courteous the king of Pandia,
4.
محسسسسسس2كسسضسسسس-؟خلا٦
PAR
THE LIFE AND TIM
Y THE reigns of this king and of his two
successors, Bhuvaneka Bahu V. and the ill-fated Vira Bahu II., comprise in themselves the history of the rise and progress of the prime minister Alakesvara-one of the most striking historical characters, and correspond
ing in a way to Guy "King-maker" of En the time of the king V Mahavansa, “there w great wisdom, Alagak Giriwansa, and he d'
IMPRESSIONS
king,' and so they went ce. But when they saw seated on the throne re him and did reverence ht. Then Thakuraka, a a sign to his comrades, N out his sharp sword d of the general in an in the ground. was a great uproar in the talese soldiers who were hemselves together, and riors wherefore they had hing. And they replied, one this in obedience to huvaneka Bahu, who is ta...' Thereupon all the is and Sinhalese, joined aying, "Be it so." Then hief prince, Bhuvaneka Subhacala to the city of inted him king over the onour.” was then proclaimed rs again resumed their uvaneka Bahu devoted celebration of religious ng the Tooth Relic to place his capital. In his reign an army of ra Chakravati, marched plundering and devastatent. He laid waste the le, entered the city of ion of the Tooth Relic at he found there, and in country, huvaneka Bahu, he. was ma Bahu II., his nephew, ra Bahu (I288 A.D.). Oın Le resolved to bring back e island, and perceiving ling for this purpose, he licy of conciliation. Atreliable nobles, he went y and presented himself Pandia. His agreeable 3 demeanour so pleased that Parakrama Bahu
سےضس--عہسلاظ
T IX.
OF CEYLON
obtained the Tooth Relic from the king's hands, and bringing it back to Lanka, placed it in the old temple of the Tooth Relic at Polonnaruwa. On his death (1293 A.D.) he was succeeded..by his cousin, Bhuvaneka Bahu II., son of Bhuvaneka Bahu II. He established himself at Hasti Sailapura-"The city of the elephant-rock'-the modern Kurunegala. His short reign of two years was only eventful in respect of the change of capital. He was succeeded by Parakrama Bahu IV. in I295 A.D., known also as Pandita Parakrama Bahuthe “Beauclerc' of Ceylon history. He was a learned and pious prince. He built a temple for the Tooth Relic and composed a ritual for the same. He had the Jatakas, or Birth-stories of Buddha, translated into Sinhalese. He improved a number of temples, including the Dondra, Welligama, and Totagamuwa viharas. He was a poet of no mean repute, and a poem by him, the “Kausilumina' (the “Crest Jewel of Poetry"), is to this day regarded as a classic. It is descriptive of one of the lives of Buddha and is written in choice Sinhalese verse, which has been looked upon as a model by succeeding poets. In his reign was written the famous "Sidat Sangarawa," which is regarded as the standard authority on Sinhalese grammar. It was translated into English by the late Hon. Mr. James de Alwis. The chronicles do not state the length of the reign of the scholar king. He was succeeded by Bhuvaneka Bahu III. Says the Mahavansa : “After his (Parakrama Bahu I.’s) death there was a king named Wanni Bhuvaneka Bahu, and after him Jaya Bahu, a very powerful king; and after the death of these two kings there reigned a fourth ruler of men, bearing the name of Bhuvaneka Bahu, who was a man of great wisdom and faith and a mine of excellent virtues. And he dwelt in the delightful city of Ganga Siripura, near the Mahavaluka river (Gampola, near the Mahaveli Ganga)." Thus it will be seen that the capital was removed from Kurunegala to Gampola, where Bhuvaneka Bahu reigned for four years. He was succeeded by Parakrama Bahu V., who, in turn, was succeeded, in 1352 A.D., by Vikrama Bahu III. - -
ES OF ALAKESVARA.
Earl of Warwick, the glish history. “Now, in "ikrama Bahu,” says the as a mighty prince of onara by name, of the welt as viceroy in the
beautiful and famous city of Peradoni (Peradeniya), which is on the banks of the river Mahoru Ganga (Mahaveli Ganga); and he was endued with majesty and faith and such-like virtues, and desired greatly to promote the welfare of the church and the kingdom. It
Page 49
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
was told by them of old time, saying, “There is a city, Kalyani by name, that shineth with its temples and Bodhis and excellent walks; its ramparts, walls, image-houses, and Çetiyas ; its fine market-places and its superior gates and arches.' And the great sage, moreover, visited this city of Kalyani that was so greatly praised. On the southern side thereof and nigh unto the village Darurugama, which contained a large pond and was a goodly place, wherein dwelt men of great wisdom and virtue, he built the famous city of Jayavaddhana-Kotta, and adorned it with rows of great ramparts and gates and towers. And this great man dwelt in that city, and being desirous of acquiring merit, he did much good, such as the advancement of religion and the like.” This is all the meagre mention made in the Mahavansa of this remarkable man-illustrious equally as a warrior and as a statesman-a fact which perhaps is due to his final overthrow and assassination at the instance of a powerful Buddhist monk. It will be remembered that shortly before this time Arya Chakravati, the king of Jaffna, had devastated the country. This king, having allied himself with the Pandian ruler, made his power felt not only in the northern provinces, but even over the Tamil princes of the Wanni. The owner of a powerful fleet and the commander of a large standing army, he aimed at nothing less than being the ruler of the whole of Lanka. Vikrama Bahu, a man of peace, reigning quietly in the city of Gampola, was yet wise enough to select a man who could be a match for the king of the north. A contemporary historian has, in the Sinhalese chronicle known as the Nikaya Sangraha, made up for the silence of the Mahavansa, and from it and other contemporary works have been gathered the following facts.
Alakesvara was not a native of this island. He was a member of the princely house of the Giriwansa, a Kshattriya family from the north of India, which had established itself in the city of Kanchipura, the modern Conjeevaram. Senevirat, the minister of Parakrama Bahu V, had gone to that city for the purpose of building there shrines of Buddha. He married the sister of Alakesvara, and begot two sons, Wira Alakesvara-called after his uncle-and Vira Bahu Epa. The next we hear of Alakesvara is the information given by the Mahavansa of his appointment to the office of viceroy, or Prabhu-raja. On receiving this appointment, Alakesvara hastened to Rayigam to take measures to drive off the Tamils. It would appear that at this time the Sinhalese king of Ceylon was actually paying tribute in some parts of his kingdom to the king of Jaffna. Alakesvara's first care was to fortify the town of Rayigam. He then
deemed it necessary t the harbour of Colo importance, would be t ing fleet. And Alakesv and garrisoning in tha a fortress he erected which, in its Sinhales pura (“ victory-promoti to be the future Ca Nikaya Sangraha thus of this fortress : " through the obedient his service, and nigh Colombo he caused a ditch to be dug, drea sides of a steep rock, of Darurugama, whic midst of a lake and by a never-failing str caused to be adorned like a creation of Visv spaces on the summ: wall, which for the sa built entirely out of the ditch up to the co he built a famous Jayavaddhana and we to be built on the su of the city, for the pr four separate holy pl of the four great god four quarters of Lank that the temple servi be maintained without description of music, the drun and pipe, all Having filled it with he peopled the city
Meantime Arya Ch down from Jaffna, anc Sinhalese ports, had ir inhabitants. Alakesv at Rayigam, which he provisions, and also a villages called Kotta, a drawn round it. Th vided with troops anc constructed dykes ro to flood the country invasion. He built in as reservoirs, and laid coconuts and paddy, longed siege. Havin turned to Rayigan, w his operations. The destruction of the n Alakesvara quite tv Bahu III. had died, a a man of the same te cessor, was reigning i now feeling the time initiated proceeding: collectors whom Arya
MPRESSIONS
o build a fortress near mbo, which, from its he centre of an attackrara decided on building at neighbourhood; such in the town of Kotta, e name of Jayavaddhang city”), was destined pital of Ceylon. The describes the building He issued commands and faithful chiefs in unto the haven called mighty deep and broad dful to behold, like the right round the village h was situated in the protected on all sides eam of water ; and he with different devices, akarma, the intervening it of the great rampart ke of stability had been stone, from the base of oping on the wall. Thus fortress called Abhina
ll fortified. He caused mmit of the great wall otection of its four sides, laces dedicated to each |-kings who protect the a. And he commanded ces and festivals should intermission with every such as the music of hd dancing and singing. all manner of riches, with a great multitude." had marched having seized the seven mposed a large tax on the ara built a walled town equipped with men and nother between the five und a moat and wall there ese places, too, he proi quantities of arms, and und the fortresses, so as around in the event of an
loats and tanks to serve in large supplies of salt, in anticipation of a prong fortified Kotta, he rehich he made the base of se preparations for the orthern power occupied venty years. Vikrama nd Bhuvaneka Bahu V., emperament as his predein Gampola. Alakesvara, had come for the crisis, s: by hanging the taxChakravati had stationed
nakravati
OF CEYLON 41
in the different districts. Enraged at this act, the latter determined on a complete overthrow of the Sinhalese king by a simultaneous attack on the two great strongholds, Gampola and Kotta. A large army, whose object was the capture of Gampola, marched overland. Bhuvaneka Bahu V., hearing of its arrival at Matale, heedless of the courage of his army, fled in panic to seek the protection of his minister at Rayigan. The cowardice of the king disgusted the army of a nation which had been invariably led by their monarch in person in times of battle. Realising that defeat meant certain bondage to the Tamils, the Sinhalese forces cunningly laid their plans. Having assembled with the greatest secrecy, they made a night attack on the Tamil camp. The Tamils were surprised, and large numbers of them were speared to death, the few survivors perishing in the mountains. The force which was destined for the siege of Kotta came by sea in two divisions, one of which landed at Colombo and the other at Panadura. Alakesvara awaited the arrival of the enemy at Kotta, having with him a Sinhalese army and a force of mercenaries. When he heard of the landing of the enemy, he mounted on his elephant and led his forces to Gorakande, where, meeting with a force of five thousand Tamils, he conpletely routed them and cut off the retreat of the fugitives by destroying their shipping at Colombo. He then marched rapidly to Panadura, where he routed the remainder of Chakravati's forces and destroyed all the enemy's shipping in that port. He then returned in triumph to Rayigam, and was received with acclamation by the people and raised into the ranks of the five highest orders of the realm, namely, Dipadhiraja (supreme ruler of the island), Mandalikaraja (provincial ruler), Pradesaraja (ruler over a district), Antaraboghiraja (ruler of a sub-district), and Anusasakaraja (supreme counsellor). The Sinhalese bards chanted the hero's praises, some of which are still sung by the people. Chakravati's power was completely broken by the signal victories of the Sinhalese, so much so that in two reigns later Jaffna became a Sinhalese province. Bhuvaneka Bahu now returned to Gampola, but the welcome he received there was so cold by reason of his cowardice that he was compelled to return to Kotta, where he lived under the protection of his great minister, the king de facto of Ceylon. Having established
peace, Alakesvara devoted himself to the en
dowment of viharas, the building of temples, and the encouragement of learning. Having established his reputation as a warrior and a statesman, he now proceeded to show himself as a man of culture and a patron of learning. On the death of Bhuvaneka Bahu V., about the year I4oI A.D., the title to the throne was disputed between the two sons of Senevirat
-
Page 50
42 TWENTIETH
whose names have already been mentioned. The younger brother, Vira Bahu Epa, placed himself on the throne of Kotta with the tacit, though not the direct, encouragement of his uncle Alakesvara, whose object seems to have been to see a weak sovereign on the throne. The elder brother, Vira Alakesvara, having been defeated by the younger, fled the country. About this time Colombo was besieged by a Chinese fleet, whose admiral demanded from the king of Ceylon the payment of an annual tribute. Alakesvara, resenting the insult, defeated the Chinese in an engagement and drove them back to their ships. In the meantime, Vira Alakesvara returned from India with an army given him by the king of Chola, and defeating his brother, mounted the throne at Kotta under the title of Vira Vijaya Bahu VI., whom the Mahavansa mentions as Vira Bahu II. It seems abundantly clear that Alakesvara's ambition was the throne itself, but he was only connected with the royal line by marriage; and the loyalty of the people to the royal line of Sri Sangha Bodhi was so strong and rooted that he did not think the opportunity was ripe for him to dare to assume the throne he so coveted. A few years later the emperor of China despatched his admiral, Ching Ho, to avenge the insult to the Chinese flag. Vira Bahu was at this time reigning in Kotta, and Alakesvara, settled in his native Rayigam, was meditating a coup, for which the arrival of the Chinese fleet afforded him opportunity. Brave as he had proved himself to be, he knew his object in this instance could only be achieved by stratagem. The king, falling a victim to a 'device'-to use the word of the Sinhalese historian-was lulled into such complete
security that he allowed the Chinese forces to
enter his city as ambassadors bearing gifts. After their entrance they showed themselves as enemies, when it was too late to effectually resist them. The king fought with desperation, but was taken captive with a number of his nobles, and many of the princes and the nobility were slain. The Sinhalese monarch and other captives were deported to China, and the Chinese, having placed Alakesvara on the throne, acknowledged him as their tributary. After the departure of the Chinese fleet, Alakesvara assumed the sovereignty at the chief city of Kotta, and was quietly working round his people to acknowledge him as king and to assent to his coronation, when Vira Bahu II., released by the Chinese, returned with the rest of the captives to Ceylon. This was about I43 A.D. Alakesvara received him with professions of loyalty and welcome, and bringing him into his capital, on the night of his arrival, procured his assassination, and once more resumed the government of the country. The young son of Vira Bahu, named Parakrama, was living under the protection of Vida
CENTURY I
gama, the high priest O. he lived Alakesvara cou reignty, and he therefore priest. The latter, perc of Alakesvara, decided Parakrama on the thro obtained the sympathy who naturally resented dynasty into the hands ( sympathy in favour of persuaded him to holl coronation. Alakesvara for three years, conside of Kotta, and built sto spacious streets and be view to the performal “On the seventh day of the month Wesak (Apri old warrior, clad in all sovereignty, sat on his to him owed its existen« which had been his sup turned his face from t young prince (Parakra high priest the sword seconds the head of Al receive the crown, rolle and Parakrama was hai
of Sri Parakrama Bahu “Thus perished Ala figure in history, a victi The manner of his deat a stormy career. Witl age of Tamil conques left the kingdom stron in a measure the forg dhapura and Polonnal possible for his succe into the country of Al fact, to be crowned k Once again under Sri the Sinhalese armies : of Alakesvara to conq of the Deccan, as the of the great Parakram But the greatness wa It was but the sunshine of internecine warfare, and of Dutch oppressic to follow.
Parakrama Bahu thus the year I4I5 A.D., at and Kotta became th
Thither the Tooth Ré for its reception he beautiful three-storied described by the Mah: wisdom and courage." cause of Buddhism d fifty-two years, and p. write commentaries on He brought into a Malabars of the nort
MPRESSIONS
f Rayigam. So long as ld not assume the sovea sought to win over the :eiving the great power on placing the youthful ne, and having secretly of the chief nobles, the passing away of the Df a stranger, pretended Alakesvara himself, and d a ceremony for his who had been dictator rably improved the city ine baths and cisterns, :autiful edifices, with a nce of this ceremony. the bright fortnight of l-May), I415 A.D., the che pomp and wealth of throne in the city which ce, to receive the crown reme ambition. As he he auspicious rite, the ma) received from the of State, and in a few akesvara, which was to ed into the tank below, led king under the title VI. kesvara, like a greater m to his own ambition. th was a fitting close to h him passed away the t and oppression. He g and united, to revive otten glories of Anurauwa. He rendered it ssor to carry his arms ya Chakravati, and, in ing of a united Lanka. i Parakrama Bahu VI. marched from the city Ller powerful kingdoms y had done in the days a.' is not to be long-lived. that heralded the clouds of Portuguese conquest, n, which were destined
came to the throne in the early age of sixteen, e seat of government. clic was conveyed, and caused to be built a temple. The king is avansa as a “temple of He did much for the uring his long reign of rocured learned men to the Buddhist scriptures. state of subjection the thern districts, and the
OF CEYLON
kingdom was restored to its former condition by means of an increased revenue. He loved to gather learned men around him, one of whom, the priest Sri Rahula Totagamuwa, his foster-brother, is considered to be the most celebrated of Sinhalese poets. His works were many, but he is chiefly remembered by his “Selalihini Sandesa” (“The Message of the bird Sela”) and by his “ Kavisekera” (“The Garland of Flowers on the Crown of Poetry"), which has not been surpassed in the whole realm of Sinhalese poesy in respect of originality, elegance, and correctness of expression. Totagamuwa was much attached to the king, and his gratitude to the royal household is manifest in his writings. The “Kavisekera' was written at the request of, and was dedicated to, the princess royal, Ulakodadevi. The following opening lines from the “Selalihini Sandesa' may be regarded, subject to the frailties of the translation, as a specimen of his poetry:-
“Hail, wondrous bird, whose wisdom pow'r elate
Yields not to that of ministers of state Bird of the sweet and richly varied lay, Long mayst thou flourish 'midst thy fellows
gay How does thy ruddy bill enchanting glow Not fairer blossoms can the champak show ! And what can match thy wing's superior hue, Which wave wide-spreading like the lotus blue, When beauteous as a vegetable gem, Which winds have sever'd from its parent stem, Thou soar'st exultant thro' the balmy air? Have not young goddesses made thee their care, And fixed thee fluttering in their jetty hair? And have not bees who take their nightly rest Within the water-lily's fragrant breast, Around thee circled in their swift career, In search of honey through the fields of air? And have not Dryads, bright in charms divine, Taught thee as pendants in their ears to shine?- Friend of my soul ! Say, hast thou e'er been prest With pangs so fierce as those that wound my
breast?
No! Happier in thy love, thy life is peace, And rolling years but bring thy bliss increaseSuch bliss as, searching the wide world around, Save in thy presence, friend, is nowhere found!"
This poem is the message. sent by a bird to Vibisana, presiding deity of the Kelaniya temple, invoking the blessing of a son to the princess royal, who was longing for a child.
During this reign flourished the poet Wettewa, a pupil of the celebrated Totagamuwa, best known as the author of the poem “Guttifa,” descriptive of one of the lives of Buddha. The hero was a musician, a player on the lute, whose pupil, ungrateful of the kindness of his master, tries to vie with him, though unsuccessfully in the end, in the practice of his art. The hero soliloquises in this wise upon the ingratitude of his pupil, who, after being educated by him, challenges him to a public competition: “He has indeed proved the truth of the old adage, “Even if you should render assistance to a stick which is borne down by the current, render not assistance to
Page 51
TWENTIETH
the wicked." As a piece of charcoal will not be white however much you may wash it in milk, so, likewise, however much benefit you may confer on the wicked, grateful they will never prove themselves to be. Without shame and fearless of sin, he has exhibited the pride of the wicked; the knowledge which I have imparted to him has proved to be not otherwise than the milk with which the deadly venomous serpent has been fed."
On the death of Parakrama Bahu in the
في نه
CENTURY I)
year I.467 A.D., he was si son, Jaya Bahu. He on for two years, when he Bhuvaneka Bahu VI.,
describes as a son of
He reigned for seven y was succeeded by Parak of great learning. Dur insurrection broke out king's brother quelled captured the leaders c
--కా
PAR.'
TE DISESTABLISHMENT Ol
ARAKRAMA BAHU VIII. was succeeded by a prince of the name of Vijaya Bahu V., who in turn was succeeded by Bhuvaneka Bahu VII. The Mahavansa is very meagre in respect of these sovereigns. “These kings,' says the chronicle, “advanced the prosperity of the church and the kingdom according to their faith and ability and went the way of their deeds.'
While Bhuvaneka Bahu was reigning in Kotta the kingdom seems to have been subdivided into three territories, the capitals of the other two kingdoms being Kandy and Sitavaka. Vira Vikrama, a cousin of Bhu
vaneka Bahu (better ! history as Jaya Vira), w while Mayadunna held
(Avisawella). It was i
three kings that the
themselves at Colombo ward and until nearly Portuguese power asser and the history of Cey what may be known as
The gradual decline an empire in the maritime modified independence
hill country under the
ܐ نتیجسختی ه سحسحیحس حسحس حس-سیحی -سامامع
。一つ
EPAERT
དེས་ན་《་ THE PORTUGU
N the earlier pages mention has been made of the references by ancient writers to Ceylon. At this stage, before entering upon the narrative of the Portuguese occupation, it would be of interest to collate the information possessed by the geographers and travellers of the Middle Ages respecting the island. The writings of St. Ambrose, who flourished in the fourth century of the Christian era, contain references to Ceylon as described to the saint by a Theban of the name of Scholasticus, who appears to have visited the island. He describes the mode of life of the inhabitants, and he represents the king as being the chief of the kings of India. He was detained for six years by one of the Malabar sovereigns, and regained his liberty when his tributary sovereign, having rebelled against the king of Taprobane, was removed from office,
In the ninth centl Ceylon with the Wes. in the hands of the Ara Renaudot in I7I8 pub an Arabian work of th gave a beautiful acco people and products. as an island, and mer and Adam's Peak, and wealth of the country amethysts. “The kin the narrative, "makes foundation of the reli ment of the country, and assemblies of lear the Hadithis among th repair to these assen the narratives of th various expositions of same island there is
IPRESSIONS
cceeded by his grandoccupied the throne
was put to death by whom the Rajavaliya Parakrama Bahu VI. :ars, and on his death ama Bahu VII., a man ng his reign a serious in the island. The the insurrection and f the revolt. On the
OF CEYLON 43
death of Bhuvaneka Bahu, this brother, fearing the superior claims of an adopted son of the late king, advanced to Kotta, where he found the young king had already assumed the governmentas Parakrama Bahu VIII. Having defeated this king, he obtained the sovereignty and ruled under the name of Vira Parakrama Bahu VIII. He occupied the throne in peace for twenty years. Two of his sons afterwards became kings of Ceylon, and the third was the grandfather of the celebrated Rajasinha.
R THE SINHALESE POWER.
nown in Portuguese as reigning in Kandy, he fortress of Sitavaka the period of these Portuguese established From this time forr a century later the ted itself in the island, ilon divides itself into the Portuguese Period. di fall of the Sinhalese provinces until only a was maintained in the rule of the Kandyan
XI.
kings, and the slow but steady acquisition of territory and colonisation by various European Powers that from time to time invaded and established themselves in Ceylon, will appear from a review of the history of the island from this stage onwards. The Portuguese were soon followed by the Dutch, and the Dutch in their turn were superseded by the English, and before three centuries had well passed, what through all the ages had been an exclusive Sinhalese sovereignty was transformed into the premier Crown Colony of the British Empire.
JESE PERIOD.
try the commerce of seems to have been bian merchants. Abbé lished a translation of e ninth century, which int of Ceylon and its He describes Ceylon tions the pearl fishery alludes to the great in rubies, pearls, and g of the island,' says laws which are the gion and the governand there are doctors ned men, like those of e Arabs. The Indians blies and write down ir prophets and the their Lord. In this a great multitude of
Jews as well as of many other sects-even Tanouis or Manichees-the king permitting the free exercise of every religion. Games are the usual diversion of the inhabitants. They play at draughts, and their principal pastime is cock-fighting. Cocks are very large in this country, and better provided with spurs than cocks usually are.'
The famous traveller Marco Polo visited the island about I284 A.D. He describes the men and women of the time. “The men,” he says, “were unfit for war, and mercenaries in consequence were employed as soldiers in place of native troops. The only grains were rice and sesame, of which they made oil. Their food was milk, rice and flesh, and for drink they used wine drawn from trees (toddy). The island produced more beautiful and valuable rubies than are to be found in any other part of the world, as also sapphires,
Page 52
44
garnets, topaz, amethysts, and other precious stones. The king is said to have the finest ruby that was ever seen, as long as one's hand and as big as a man's arm, without spot, shining like fire, and not to be bought for money. Kublai Khan offered the value of a city for it, to which the king replied that he would not exchange it for the treasure of the whole world, as it had come down to him from his ancestors. There is a very high mountain in the island-the ascent to the top is only practicable by the help of iron chains -where there is to be found the tomb of Adam.'
About fifty years later, Sir John Maundeville describes his visit to Ceylon. Although it is now generally believed that this writer's account of his travels is mythical and not to be relied upon, yet he seems to have hit upon a correct description of the island, especially in respect of its dimensions. He mentions particularly Adam's Peak and the trade in elephants.
The friar - Odoricus visited Ceylon at the close of the thirteenth century. His account is full of the marvellous, and contains only one interesting item of information, namely, that the divers after precious stones anointed themselves with lemon-juice to keep off horseleeches.
In 134o A.D., the city of Venice, having obtained an authoritative Bull from the Pope, entered into a treaty of commerce with the Sultan of Egypt, and for over a century had the monopoly of the Western trade with Ceylon, until the discovery of the Cape route to India by Vasco de Gama. That the Venetians conducted their trade with Ceylon with vigour and success is proved by the number of Venetian coins found in modern times as Sinhalese treasure-trove. These
coins bear on the obverse the figure of the
Blessed Virgin Mary, and on the reverse that of the Pope blessing the Doge of Venice, with name and year. They are of the purest gold, being of 24 carats, and their name, “veneziano,' has been corrupted and adopted into the Sinhalese language as “vilisiano,' and now means pure, unalloyed gold.
The accounts of Ceylon from the fourteenth to the sixteenth century are numerous, and the information contained in them is necessarily much alike, About the end of the fourteenth century, Ludovico Barthema, citizen of Bologna, visited Ceylon. He mentions that the inhabitants were depending on the southern provinces of India for rice, the island itself not yielding sufficient for their consumption. Shortly afterwards Ceylon was visited by the Venetian Nicolo di Conte. He gives a minute description of the tallipot-tree, the leaf of which, he says, was used for writing, and, when extended, as a protection against rain.
TWENTIETH CENTURY
He also describes th in pearls and precio the cinnamon-tree ar paring the cinnamo Stephano, who was ir a similar description Florentine Corsalie mi letters written in 1515 the trade in elephan have been highly lu later the first Portu established in Colomb history of Ceylon ha: tailed by European w. Before proceeding to of the Portuguese oc would be well to say the causes which led the rôle of a coloni indeed, is due the cri East to the beneficent civilisation. Portugal, enfeebled and decrepi privilege of being the and Western civilisatic constant conflicts whic obliged to wage in c Moors from the Per them into a race of succession of internal t their constant occupati of internal peace and famous dynasty under pant for victories outsi and this at a time w rest of Europe were w in internal warfare. adventurous Moor, wh from the Peninsula, to and their history from t in which they played one continual struggle medans. King Alphon John I., carried on th vigour that he obtainec “African.' The Moor, rich and influential, T the trade with the In which civilisation had Europe were the moi commerce. Venice ha the Mahomedan merc ships sailed to Alexan to Europe the rich sp Portugal, envying her solved to obtain for h this Eastern trade.
Prince Henry the Na the Great, devoted his a sea route to the con untiring energy he sent to sail round the contin arrive at India, but he
MPRESSIONS
wealth of the country stones, and mentions the method of preJerome di Santo Ceylon in I499, gives of the island. The 2ntions Ceylon in two and 1517. He talks of s, which he states to rative. A few years guese settlement was ). Thenceforward the
been laboriously de
iters. detail the circumstances upation of Ceylon, it a word or two about to Portugal adopting sing Power. To her, dit of opening up the influences of Western though at present an nation, can claim the pioneer of Christianity )n in the Orient. The h the Portuguese were rder to keep off the insula had converted robust soldiers, and a roubles had made war on. With the advent the foundation of the John I., they began to ile their own kingdom, then the States of the asting their resources So they pursued the om they i had driven his home in Morocco, he time of the Crusades, un important part, was with the militant Mahoso V., the grandson of is struggle with such the surname of the , however, were still hey held in their hands lies; and the luxuries rendered popular in opoly of Mahomedan the foresight to meet hant half way. Her tria and brought back ces of the East, and great prosperity, rerself some portion of
vigator, a son of John ife to the discovery of inent of India. Withsuccessive expeditions int of Africa and thus did not live to see the
OF CEYLON
fruition of his labours. It was left to King John II., surnamed the Perfect, to complete the work of his great-uncle, Prince Henry. Absorbed with the same ambition of discovering the sea route to India, he gathered round himself the most eminent mathematicians of his day, and did much to improve the art and practice of navigation.
In I497, Vasco de Gama rounded the Cape of Good Hope, and striking the south-east coast of Africa, after many adventures, reached the port of Melinda-a place two hundred miles north of Zanzibar-in April, I498. After a short stay there, where he was fortunate enough to obtain experienced pilots, he arrived off Calicut, on the south-west coast of India, in June, I498. Calicut was then ruled by a powerful Hindu king who was called the Xamorin. At this period the Mahonnedan power in India had not yet reached its zenith. In the north of India and the Deccan were Mahomedan States, but the south had not yet fallen under the crushing arms of Islam. The Hindu raja of Vijiyanagar was the most powerful ruler in the south, and the potentates whom the Portuguese first met were all Hindus. But the commerce of these Hindu kings was completely in the hands of Moplas, or Moorish merchants, who were therefore most inimical to the Portuguese. The Moplas objected to their monopoly of commerce falling into the hands of any European race, and the Portuguese, in turn, were only too ready to satiate their rooted hatred of the Mahomedan in the continent of. India.
De Gama, having found the long-searched-for sea route, returned home in triumph in I499, and was received with great pomp and acclamation by his king and countrymen. King John had died in the meantime, and his successor, King Emmanuel, having realised the dreams of Prince Henry the Navigator, took unto himself the title of “ Lord of the Conquest, Navigation, and Commerce of Ethiopia, Arabia, Persia, and India," a title which, in I5O2, was confirmed to him by a Bull of Pope Alexander VI.
It is not necessary to further follow the fortunes of the Portuguese in India. No nation that ever came to the East has been so well served by contemporary historians. The pages of De Couto, De Barros, Gaspar Corea, Ribeiro, and many others, are full of the details of the rise and downfall of a colonial empire whose greatness has only been excelled by that of Great Britain three centuries later. Suffice it to say that in the interests of their trade the Portuguese were obliged to establish and maintain factories at the chief ports of South India, as they subsequently did at Colombo, The machinations of their rivals, the Mopla merchants, compelled them to station military garrisons for the protection of these factories. As a result of the strife that gathered round
Page 53
TWENTIETH
their commercial operations and of the presence in India of large numbers of their nation, the Portuguese gradually transformed themselves into a colonising Power.
The missionary was not slow to follow the soldier into regions which the latter had practically made his home. First the devout Franciscan and the austere Capuchin, and then the ardent Jesuit, under the standard of the great Francis Xavier, preached that second propaganda of Christianity in the East, the results of which endure in Ceylon to the present day in spite of a century and a half of bitter persecution. To quote the words of the historian of the great Albuquerque: "At a time when the political interest in the career of the Portuguese in Asia diminishes, the religious interest increases. The new heroes of Portugal are not her soldiers or sailors, but her missionaries. These were the men who made their way into the interior of India and who penetrated the furthest East. China, Japan, and even Thibet witnessed their presence and heard their preaching. The great Emperor Akbar gave them not an unkindly welcome at his court at Agra, and they laboured among the savages of the Spice Islands as well as among the learned men of China and of India.'
Don Lourenço de Almeida, son of the Viceroy of Cochin, was despatched in 1505 on a voyage to the Maldive Islands. Don Lourenço, although only eighteen years of age, was a gallant soldier, and held the appointment of chief captain of the Indian seas, and had earned for himself a great reputation at the bombardment of Quilon, in the south of India. Driven by stress of weather, he was forced to seek shelter in the harbour of Point de Galle. It is said that the king received him with great pomp and recognised the suzerainty of Don Emmanuel, King of Portugal. The truth, however, is that a chieftain of the south deceived Don Lourenço, and by personating the king of Ceylon and making promises of tribute, obtained for himself rare and costly presents from the Portuguese. This was the first visit of the Portuguese to Ceylon. The Abbé le Grand, the French editor of Ribeiro's “History of Ceylon,' narrates the incident as follows: “In the same manner, Lourenço de Almeida, wishing to go to the Maldive Islands, where his father had sent him, and not knowing the right course for these islands, fell in at Point de Galle in 1505. He was made to believe that the king of Ceylon was then there, that he had heard much of the power of the Portuguese, and that from the fame of their valour and riches he was ardently desirous to know them, and to form a strict alliance with them. This assertion was too flattering not take in Lourenço de Almeida. He selected Payo de Sousa to compliment
CENTURY I
the king in his nar friendship of the Po if possible, to form a with him. Payo de S informed that the king his country seats rathé conducted thither throu was detained a long tim
audience, had the morti
go through all the wea moniousness, and was officer in some authol who counterfeited the only discovered on his 1 his patience had been been deceived by the na is due the honour of ha the Portuguese sover great as was his work, the jealousies of many and was in consequenc His immediate successC Albergaria, a powerful chancellor of Portug having failed disastrous the Red Sea, himself in of the authorities at hom his reputation, he tur Ceylon, and having arri latter part of the year Is on negotiations with Bahu VII., who then re: wardhanapura as the ci Colombo was at this tir from Arabia, Bengal, Pe crowded the harbour i pearls, and Albergaria for Portugal too a po these articles, which wa the Mopla merchants. nature of the king, anc which the Portuguese h the neighbouring contin materially to help hin
factory was soon establ
a fortress was built to was situated at the en harbour, and occupied : position. Albergaria pl two hundred men under de Silva, with a facto. chaplain-the first Chr set foot on the shores o of several centuries. A for Cochin, leaving beh to protect the garrison fort was, however, a te I52o Loupo de Britto, de Silva, by a special Emmanuel, laid the four fort in Colombo.
It may not be withou the Sinhalese account
MPRESSIONS
e, to offer him the tuguese nation, and, h advantageous treaty ousa landed, and was was then at one of r far inland. He was gh many by-ways, and 2 before he received an ication to be obliged to iness of Oriental ceretfter all deluded by an ity at Point de Galle king of Ceylon. Payo eturn to the ship, after ong tried, that he had ives." To Albuquerque ving established firmly ignty in India. But he was the victim of of his own colleagues, e recalled to Portugal. r was Lopez Suaris de nobleman, son of the ul. This functionary, ly in an expedition to curred the displeasure le. In order to retrieve ned his attention to ved at Colombo in the I7, successfully carried the king, Parakrama igned at Kotta, or Jayaty was officially called. me a busy port. Ships rsia, and the Red Sea n search of ivory and was anxious to secure rtion of the trade in is then in the hands of The gentle and pacific the great reputation iad already acquired in int of India, contributed in his negotiations. A shed in Colombo, and protect it. The latter rance to the Colombo in almost impregnable aced in it a garrison of the command of Juan , a secretary, and a stian missionary who Ceylon after the lapse lbergaria then set sail nd him four gunboats In case of need. This mporary structure. In the successor of Juan order of King Don dations of a permanent
interest to reproduce of the arrival of the
OF CEYLON 45
Portuguese, as given in the Sinhalese chronicle of the Rajavaliya. The record says:-
“At that time, in the year 1522 of our Lord Jesus Christ, there came a ship to the harbour of Colombo from the Portuguese settlement of Jambudwipa, having by the power of God escaped the perils of the deep. The men who saw it while lying in the harbour came and thus reported to Parakrama Bahu : “There is in our harbour of Colombo a race of people fair of skin and comely withal. They don jackets of iron and hats of iron; they rest not a minute in one place. They walk here and there.' And with reference to their use of bread, raisins, and arrack, the informants said: "They eat hunks of stone and drink blood; they give two or three pieces of gold and silver for one fish. or one lime. The report of their guns is louder than thunder when it bursts upon the rock Yughandara. Their cannon-balls fly many a gawwa (league) and shatter fortresses of granite." These and countless other details were brought to the hearing of the king. On learning this news, the king, Dharma Parakrama Bahu, summoned his four brothers to the city, and having informed them and other leading persons and wise ministers, inquired, “Shall we live on friendly terms with them, or shall we fight?' Thcreupon Prince Chakkrayuddha said: "I will myself go, and after seeing with my own eyes what manner of men they be, advise one of the two courses.' Having so said, he disguised himself and went to Colombo harbour, watched the actions of the Portuguese, and having formed his opinion, returned to the city and addressed the king: 'To fight with these men is useless; it will be well to give them audience.' The king accordingly gave audience to one or two of the Portuguese, made them presents, and in return received presents and curiosities from them; and likewise sending many tokens of respect to the great King of Portugal, lived on very friendly terms with him. Let it be noted that from that day the Portuguese gained a footing in Colombo." The welcome given to the Portuguese by the king of Kotta did not, however, last very long. The Moorish traders at Colombo, regarding their European rivals with jealous eyes, lost no time in misrepresenting the objects of the Portuguese to the king. Themselves a powerful political faction in the island, they approached the king and pointed out to him that his so, called allies would soon procure reinforcements from India and obtain for their own king the sovereignty of the island. Convinced at length of what he thought to be the ulterior motive of the new settlers, the king gave way to their persuasion, and with his connivance a raid, headed by the Moors, was made on the new Portuguese settlement, with the result that a few of the
Page 54
46 TWENTIETH
Portuguese were killed and wounded. The Portuguese commandant behaved with exemplary tact, and shrewdly suspecting the Moorish traders of instigating the attack, sent an embassy to the king at Kotta, which was so far successful that peace was once more established.
In the meantime the disappointed Moors invited to their assistance the powerful Moor of Calicut, whom the Portuguese historians name Baléacé. He is evidently the same as Paichi Marikar of Sinhalese history. This man set out for Colombo with four ships and an army of five hundred men, and arriving at the port of Colombo, commenced hostile operations by destroying all the shipping that lay there. He then landed in great state, and represented to the king that the Portuguese governor of India had been defeated in war by his master, the king of Calicut, and that all their men had fallen prisoners into their hands. In the name of his royal master he now demanded the surrender of the Colombo garrison, which had taken refuge within the king's citadel of Kotta. This garrison only numbered about seventy men. The king, fearing for his own kingdom, and having no reason to doubt the words of the Moorish chieftain, called the Portuguese refugees before him, and told them that he was, much against his own will, compelled, in order to maintain the safety of his own kingdom, to deliver them into the hands of the Moors. The seventy Portuguese thereupon left the city of Kotta, and fighting with the desperation caused by the prospect of certain death, succeeded eventually in driving the Moors away from Colombo and regaining their fort. We have seen that after the death of Vijaya Bahu the kingdom was divided into three principalities, ruled over by his three sons, namely, Bhuvaneka Bahu at Kotta, Mayadunna at Sitawaka, and Rayigam Bandara at Rayigam. Peace did not prevail among them for long, owing to the intention of Bhuvaneka Bahu II. to adopt his grandson by his daughter, Dharmapala, as his successor. Mayadunna was the first to resist. In order to withstand successfully the opposition of his brothers, Bhuvaneka Bahu sought the aid of the Portuguese, and contracted an alliance, offensive and defensive, with them. In I536, while matters were in this state and Mayadunna was making preparations for war, seven ships belonging to the Xamorin of Calicut arrived off Colombo, and sent an imperious demand for the immediate surrender of all Portuguese. With the aid of Salappu Arachchi, who led 6oo men, the enemy were driven away, although a party of them managed to make their way to Sitavaka. There they persuaded Mayadunna to send a message to the Xamorin for help. The message was accordingly sent, with the
CENTURY
result that the Xanor a fleet of forty-five s of Ali Ibrahin Marik as “a bold pirate bul arrived in Colombc October, and being Mayadunna, the two king of Kotta thereup and Cochin, begging siege. On arriving at was glad to find Alp fleet. De Sousa, real situation, set sail for being apprised of th siege and withdrew Mayadunna made pea brother. When De S tranquility had been hearty welcome from assured of the good allies. No sooner had his capital, however, destroy his brother. covered to poison ti spirators were put to then sent another em Calicut, backed up witl The Xamorin thereup fleet of fifty-one ships, under the command Moors–Paichi Marik Marikar, and. Ali Ibra muskets, bows, and la pieces of artillery, in provided. This fleet tined to reach Colom the Portuguese and t those who encamped were killed, two hun and the camp was plu! De Sousa, who comr fleet. This signal def stop Mayadunna from The king of Rayigam this time, and May kingdom, took possessi on the treasures of his which he sentas prese a request for further a simultaneously made defence, and sent to message was received in June, 1538. The go for Miguel Fereira, wh acquainted with Ceylo charge of the proposé parations were comple the following year, Fereira made its way learnt that Paichi M strongly established h river. The enemy's s ashore and secured by
IMPRESSIONS OF CEYION
n despatched to Colombo hips under the command ar, described by Ribeiro a gallant cavalier." He at the beginning of immediately joined by aid siege to Kotta. The On sent an envoy to Goa for help to withstand the Cochin the king's envoy honso de Sousa vith a ising the gravity of the Colombo. The Marikar, is fact, abandoned the with his fleet, while ce with his too-confiding ousa arrived in Colombo estored. He received a the king, who was thus faith of his Portuguese Mayadunna got back to than he sought afresh to A conspiracy was disne king, and the conhe torture. Mayadunna bassy to the Xamorin of h presents of great value. »on despatched a fresh with 8,000 men-at-arms, of three distinguished ur, his brother Kundali him. The men carried nces, and four hundred hostly of bronze, were was, however, not desbo. It was pursued by otally defeated, and of on land a great number ired guns were taken, ndered and captured by nanded the Portuguese eat of his ally did not making further plans. happened to die about adunna, entering that on of it, and laid hands brother, a good deal of nts to the Xamorin, with id. The king of Kotta preparations for his Goa for aid. This by the governor of Goa fernor immediately sent o was particularly well n, and placed him in d expedition. All preed by the beginning of when the fleet under to Mannar, where he rikar had landed and mself at the Puttalam hips had been drawn hains. Fereira fell on
them unexpectedly, seized their boats, and after heavy fighting, the fortifications were abandoned and the Marikar's ships and artillery were all captured by the Portuguese. Fereira then sailed to Colombo with all his plunder and was warmly welcomed by the king of Kotta. Fereira now joined the king of Kotta in an expedition against Sitavaka. The allied forces entered the kingdom of Sitavaka and caused considerable damage. Fereira sent a Mudaliyar informing Mayadunna that he was determined to establish peace in the kingdom of Kotta, and demanded the unconditional surrender of the Moorish generals and their followers who had taken refuge in this court. In great alarm Mayadunna sent a humble message begging for peace, but refusing to surrender men who had sought his shelter. The king of Kotta, as usual, was inclined to make terms, but the Portuguese general insisted on the surrender of the Moors, and Mayadunna, pressed to the utmost, arranged for their surrender by means of strategy. Paichi Marikar and Kundali Marikar with their followers were advised to make their escape by night into the forests, where they were told to wait until Fereira should leave the country. While they were taking refuge in the forests they were surrounded by a force of Paduas, described by Ribeiro as the cruellest caste among the Sinhalese, were shot down, their heads cut off, and sent to Fereira. Peace was immediately made, and the king of Kotta, in great delight, distributed money and presents freely among the Portuguese, and sent 30,000 crusados to Goa, as payment for the services of the fleet.
The king of Kotta despatched ambassadors to Portugal, one of whom was Salappu Arachchi, in order to request the king, Don John of Portugal, to recognise Dharmapala, the son of Tribuli Banda by Bhuvaneka’s daughter, as heir to the kingdom. The ambassadors took with them an image of the prince, as well as a golden crown set with divers precious stones. The King of Portugal received the ambassadors with great ceremony, and placed the crown upon the head of the image. An official confirmation of the event was drawn up, and the ambassadors returned to the island, together with a party of priests of the Order of St. Francis, who were welcomed by the king of Kotta and allowed full liberty to preach Christianity throughout his dominions. One of these priests, Father Pascal, with two companions, went to the kingdom of Kandy, where they were well received by Jaya Vira. They built there a church and several houses, and gained such an influence over the king that he was only prevented from becoming a Christian through the fear of displeasing his subjects. Jaya Vira thereupon sent to the governor of Goa for a captain and some soldiers for his
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TWENTIETH CENTURY I
protection. The governor, delighted with the news, promised to send a force of 20o men under the command of Antonio Barreto. Mayadunna, becoming aware of Jaya Vira’s intentions, sent messengers and urged him to abandon them, pointing out that they could only result in one of two disasters--either the Portuguese would seize on his kingdom or his subjects would put him to death. Jaya Vira was so impressed with his cousin's message that he promised to kill all the Portuguese who should come into his kingdom. Barreto, unaware of the changed intentions of Jaya Vira, landed at Batticaloa, coming by way of Mannar and Galle, with I2O men and a few guns, and marched overland to Kandy. On approaching the capital city he received information, evidently from one of the priests, of the conspiracy which had been formed against him. Addressing his soldiers, he pointed out that the only course open to them was to beat a retreat; So, burning all the baggage which he had taken and reserving only a small supply of biscuits, he made for Trincomalee. The king, apprised of Barreto's retreat, sent a large force of men to attack the Portuguese in the rear. When they came up with the Portuguese, the latter continued their retreat, all the time keeping up a continuous fight, which was only interrupted by nightfall. The morning, however, found the enemy's forces increased to about 8,000 men. The Portuguese captured one of the enemy's Mudaliyars, from whom it was ascertained that the enemy's intention was to press and surround the Portuguese at a narrow bridge. Arriving at the bridge, as a last resort, Barreto hamstrung the Mudaliyar, thus compelling the enemy to attend to the Mudaliyar, and with the delay thus obtained he was enabled to seize the bridge and cross over it in safety. He then destroyed the bridge, which prevented them from following him, and thus escaped to Trincomalee, thence making his way to Sitavaka. Says Ribeiro : " The retreat was a most magnificent piece of generalship, and can only be compared to that of Decius from before the Samnites--an incident which has been immortalised by Titus Livius.” Although the retreat lasted three consecutive days, not one of the I2O men was lost. Mayadunna persuaded Barreto that all this treachery was due to the instigation of the king of Kotta, but a few days after he reached Colombo ambassadors arrived from Kandy to convey an expression of the king's great regret for what had taken place. He cast the whole blame upon Mayadunna, and as proof of his repentance he returned the guns which had been left behind, and sent Io,OOO pardaos to be distributed among the soldiers.
About this time the inhabitants of the island of Mannar, hearing of the illustrious missionary, Francis Xavier, and of his preaching
in India, invited him them. Xavier, unable time, sent to Mannar whose preaching resu of the whole island to was then a part of which was ruled by
OLD
(Dug up near the site of th of Colombo nearly thi water works were b{ inscription: “Here lie Fernando Roiz, whot (Beruwala). Died on 1565").-Reproduced of the Royal Asiatic S.
PORTUGU
Hearing that his s embraced Christianit force to the island asked to renounce pain of death. On they were all put to children, to the n Francis Xavier thu in a letter written t
MPRESSIONS
) come and preach to to leave India at the one of his assistants, ted in the conversion Christianity. Mannar he kingdom of Jaffna,
king called Sanghili.
s
segre
--
품
출Në
量
韋
தி
륭
ESE TOMBSTONE.
Battenberg battery in the fort ty years ago, when the Breakum. It bears the following Helena Roiz, who was wife of they murdered at Berberim the 23rd of June in the year I permission from the 3ournal iety (Ceylon), xviii. 2, 375.
bjects at Mannar had , the king sent an armed and the people were eir new religion under heir refusing to do so eath-men, women, and mber of six hundred. alludes to the incident his Society, dated from
OF CEY LON 47
Cochin, January 27, 1545: “The island of Mannar is about I5o miles from this place. Its inhabitants sent me some of their people to beg me to go there and baptize them, as they. had determined to become Christians. I was occupied on affairs of the greatest importance relating to the interests of religion, and so could not go myself, but I persuaded a certain priest to go instead of me and baptize as many as possible. He had already baptized a great number, when the Raja of Jaffnapatam, under whose dominion the island lies, most cruelly put to death a large number of the converts simply because they had become Christians. Let us give thanks to our Lord Jesus Christ that even in our time. He does not let us lack martyrs, and that while He sees so few souls availing themselves of His divine mercy and indulgence to work out their salvation, He permits in the mystery of His providence that human barbarity should fill up the destined ranks and number of the blessed.'
In I548 Francis Xavier went to Kandy unattended by an escort. His name had preceded him, so that the king, Jaya Vira, received him with great respect, and allowed him liberty to preach. After having received many into Christianity, Xavier went to Goa with an ambassador of the king. Xavier subsequently got the governor of Goa to send a punitive expedition to the king of Jaffna, who finally submitted to the Portuguese and made reparation for the cruelties he practised at Mannar. In I549 the king of Kotta was again pressed by Mayadunna, who sent ambassadors to the governor, Jorge Cabral, craving assistance against his brother and promising to pay Io,000 crusados in cash and large quantities of pepper and cinnamon. Don Jorge de Castro was selected to command this expedition, and he was put at the head of 6oo men. He started at the beginning of January, 1550. On reaching Colombo, he promptly marched to Kotta, which Mayadunna was besieging. The latter retired in haste to Sitavaka, but not without leaving behind a strong garrison to oppose the Portuguese. A joint movement was arranged with the king of Kotta, and Don Jorge and the king met Mayadunna's forces somewhere in the vicinity of Mutwal. The enemy lay entrenched, but were captured in a midnight attack. The allied forces then marched until they came to a second fortified position of the enemy at Malvana, which too was carried after a sharp engagement. But the decisive battle was not fought until they got to the village of Gurubabila, which had been fortified with stout walls and bastions. There they met Mayadunna himself, and after a desperate battle, in which he was defeated, Mayadunna betook himself to the mountains,
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48
and left his capital in the hands of the allied forces, who plundered and sacked the place. Mayadunna, finding that resistance was unavailing, once more sought a policy of conciliation. He sent ambassadors to the king of Kotta expressing his repentance and his intention to make all possible amends for his conduct. Once more was the king of Kotta deceived by his brother's protestations. Being compassionate as well as brave, he yielded to Mayadunna's request and sent him an invitation to the city for the purpose of arranging the conditions of peace. Mayadunna attended the city accompanied by his chief Mudaliyars and the king received him affectionately. Peace was made on the condition that Mayadunna should never in future make war against his brother, and that he would restore to him all the districts he had seized. He was also to pay Don Jorge de Castro looooo pagodas, and further to furnish all necessary supplies for the intended expedition to Kandy. Don Jorge immediately began his preparations for the expedition, though warned by the king of Kotta against the deceitfulness and treachery of the king of Kandy. The latter had in the meantime gdit together an army of 4oooo men, and strongly fortified his capital. On the Portuguese forces arriving within a league of Kandy, a French captain, who had been a prisoner in the city, managed to escape, and arriving at the Portuguese camp, warned De Castro of the king's intended treachery. De Castro then summoned a council, which decided that the best course would be to sound a retreat at once.
Accordingly, they began to retreat as fast as they could. The king, on realising this fact, hurriedly seized upon the defiles on the road and worried the Portuguese with shots and arrows. The Portuguese, however, struggled through, though not without the loss of 7oo men, including 4oo Portuguese. They then entered the territories of Mayadunna, and a Mudaliyar with 5oo men met the Portuguese, and invited them on behalf of Mayadunna to Sitavaka, where all assistance would be provided. Don Jorge, suspecting the intentions of Mayadunna, suddenly withdrew by a by-road, leaving through necessity thirty wounded men in the camp, who were taken before Mayadunna and beheaded. The king of Kotta met the Portuguese forces on their retreat, and conducted them to his capital, providing them with all necessary assistance. Don Jorge then withdrew to Colombo, and left for Cochin. This was in September, I55o. In October of the following year Don Affonso de Noronha was appointed viceroy of India. On his way to Goa he was miscarried to Colombo. The king of Kotta proceeded to Colombo to welcome him, and the viceroy landed with all his nobles,
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
and met the king at Antonio. The king against Mayadunna, an that this would be his Goa, asked for 200,000 king pointed out that tion of Don Jorge had c already, and begged viceroy, showing gre; refusal, went on boar to appease him, the ki through the Brahman valuable jewellery, incl eyes, to be sent to th Mayadunna's promises were not kept. He war upon his brother, sent to oppose him a f law, Tribuli Banda. A the enemy found then side of the Kelani river was encamped this sid The king of Kotta was while he was looking was unexpectedly shot t fell down dead. For som whether this was an a pure accident, until som guese soldier confessed it was he who had fired killed the king, though i and happened when he The death of the king n confusion at this critical better known as Vidiy withdrew his army in after the obsequies we son, Prince Dharmapala, himself and all the ch nobles swore allegianc Mayadunna, apprised of advanced upon Kotta, a calling upon the nobles to him. They answere sworn allegiance to the were prepared to defe! Mayadunna thereupon a the citadel of Kotta, was I and after a short engag and forced to retire.
Now follows a piece O which tarnishes the fair rule and is stoutly conde guese historians themsel 155I, the new viceroy : The new king and all him with all demonstr Much to their surprise, son with 5oo men, who leading from Kotta an the palace itself. The v person to Kotta, arrested and proceeded to search
MPRESSIONS
the monastery of St. asked for assistance il the viceroy promising first care on reaching pardaos at once. The he unfortunate expedi0st him 70,000 pardaos to be excused. The ut annoyance at this l his ship. In order ng sent I5,ooo pardaos pundit, and some very lding rubies and cat's- e Queen of Portugal. of good behaviour again began to make and the king of Kotta orce under his son-inster a few skirmishes hselves on the other , while Tribuli Banda e, and facing them. with his forces, and out of the window, hrough the head, and he time it was doubted ct of treachery or a e years later a Portuon his death-bed that i the shot which had t was a pure accident, was aiming at a dove. aturally created much time. Tribuli Banda, a Raja, immediately to the capital, and tre over, placed his on the throne. He lief magistrates and to the new king. his brother's death, nd sent a message to swear allegiance d they had already ir king, whom they hd with their lives. ivanced right up to met by Tribuli Banda, ement was defeated
f Portuguese history fame of Portuguese mned by the Portuves. In September, irrived at Colombo. his nobles received ations of welcome. he viceroy sent his seized all the roads forcibly occupied ceroy then went in he chief Mudaliyars, for the treasures of
OF CEYLON
the ancient kings. Failing to find them, he ordered some of the chief Mudaliyars to be tortured in order to gather information. The people were scandalised and stricken with horror, and within a few days 6oo Sinhalese had deserted to Mayadunna. All the gold, silver, jewels, and precious stones in the palace were seized by the viceroy. The young king was forced to enter into an agreement to pay 200,000 pardaos to the viceroy for the destruction of Mayadunna's power. Of this amount 8o,ooo pardaos was paid at once by the sale of the royal jewels.
The viceroy now took the field with an army of 3,000 Portuguese and 4,Ooo Sinhalese under Tribuli Banda. Sitavaka was once more attacked, and after a desperate battle was once more taken. Mayadunna fled to Deraniyagala. The viceroy occupied the palace himself. The city was plundered and even the foundations of the palace were dug up in search of treasure. On learning that Mayadunna was at Deraniyagala, Dharmapala prayed to the viceroy to send his father, Tribuli Banda, to seize Mayadunna.- The viceroy demanded 20,000 pardaos as payment for this service. The king being unable to pay this money, the viceroy pleaded want of time and at once returned to Colombo, leaving Don Joao Henriques with 4oo men as a garrison for the city of Kotta. The viceroy took with him to Goa a cousin of the king of Kotta, who was there baptized with great solemnity under the name of Don Joao. This prince was subsequently sent to Portugal, where he remained for some time, receiving an allowance of 6oo,ooo reis. It is said that he was there treated with great respect and was allowed a chair in the royal presencea privilege only accorded to the Princes of Conde. After some time he returned to India, where he was known as the prince of Ceylon, and married a Portuguese lady, the daughter of a noble cavalier. On his death he was buried in the church of St. Francis in Goa.
The viceroy had intended to take with him Tribuli Banda, the father of the king, but the latter, suspecting his intentions, sought concealment in the forests adjoining Kotta. On leaving for Goa, the viceroy left strict instructions with Captain Henriques to arrest Tribuli. The king pointed out that this would be a most unwise step, in that his father's assistance would be of the utmost importance in the approaching campaign against Mayadunna. Tribuli returned to Kotta under a safe-conduct and made arrangements with the captain for the proposed campaign. Before they could embark upon it the captain fell ill and died on May 1, 1552, and was succeeded by Diego de Mello Coutinho, who,
Page 57
TWENTIETH CENTURY
lacking the captain's caution, was determined to carry out the viceroy's instructions. Tribuli, relying upon the safe-conduct given by Henriques, came into Kotta, was arrested in the king's palace itself, and was taken to Colombo and kept in chains. This arrest caused considerable excitement. Tribuli's wife fled to Rayigam to arrange for her husband's release. While in prison he was influenced by some
Franciscan Fathers to become a Christian,
and was instructed and secretly baptized by them. The then captain of Colombo, Don Duarte Daca, hearing of this, was enraged, and forbade the priests to approach the prisoner, and made his imprisonment more rigorous. Tribuli's wife, however, was successful by means of bribery in effecting his escape; and, getting together the men whom his wife had brought with her, Tribuli took the road to Galle, destroying and burning all the Portuguese buildings on the way, and went to Rayigam and stationed himself at Pelenda. Dharmapala was dismayed at all this. He begged the captain as well as his father to forget their private quarrels and to make common cause against Mayadunna. The captain acceded to this request, but demanded I,ooo crusados to cover the expenditure of fifty Portuguese soldiers. The king had no money to spare, and his own great chamberlain sent his girdle of gold, valued at 500 crusados, to pay for the men, but only succeeded in obtaining twenty Portuguese. Having obtained the assistance of the prince of the Seven Korales, the expedition advanced, the king's forces by one road, the prince's by another, and Tribuli Banda's by a third. The conduct of the Portuguese captain, Daca, seeming to be somewhat suspicious, the king ordered his men to retire. Tribuli Banda then determined to punish the captain for his ruthless conduct. He entered into a treaty with Mayadunna by which he was to marry Mayadunna's daughter, a widow, and her daughter to marry Dharmapala's younger brother. This, however, was prevented by the shrewdness of the aged grandmother of the king, who sought and interviewed Tribuli and persuaded him to break off the arrangement he had made. Daca was happily now succeeded by Fernao Carvalho. A new treaty was then entered into between the king and Tribuli and the prince of the Seven Korales, and the allies invaded the territories of Mayadunna so effectually that he was obliged to sue for peace. In 1553 the King of Portugal wrote to the authorities at Goa reprimanding the viceroy for his conduct towards the king of Kotta and ordering immediate restitution of all the property of the king which yet remained unsold. As a matter of fact, the king only received 20,000 pardaos, the rest being set off as arrears of
tribute and as volunt officials.
A few years later, Mayadunna again too with Tribuli Banda, chroniclers call Vidiya his fourth son, Raja Portuguese historians) fortress of Pelenda. carrying the place, escape to the Seven K by a prince of one o turned on his benefa captured the city, an of the district. This of the prince that he Jaffnapatam, where h some say by treache The aged queen, he grandson, and all th Banda, fell into the Jafna.
In I559, Don Con began to prepare a fl. Jaffna. The following Portuguese, led by the in that kingdom, and prince of Jaffna, with short engagement th and was compelled ti then took possession entered in state. The entrenched himself in viceroy's advancing or it, and the fort was thereupon sent in pu guides who accompal them into going the were unable to effec king of Jaffna, seeing for peace, which was terms: the king of Jaf as the vassal of the PC tribute; that he should of Tribuli Banda, as of that prince and t Kotta; and finally, th the prince of Jaffna, hostage. All this wa with. After the so-ca it was found that a steadily been hatchi The Portuguese arm and were compelled t the prince with hir Mannar and raised Parawas from South settled in that island. to the king of Kott and the other prin surrendered to him, prince of Jaffna.
In the meantime,
MPRESSIONS
y gifts to Portuguese
about the year I555, : the field. Enraged whom the Sinhalese Raja, Mayadunna sent nha (the * Raju ” of to take Tribuli at his Rajasinha succeeded in nd Tribuli made his prales. Received there the Korales, he soon tor, put him to death, made himself master o enraged the subjects was forced to flee to 2 met with his death, 'y, others by accident.
daughter-in-law and e treasures of Tribuli hands of the king of
stantino de Bragança set for the invasion of year a large force of viceroy himself, landed were opposed by the 2,ooo men. After a e prince was defeated o retire. The viceroy of Jaffna, which he king in the meantime the fort, but upon the the fort, he abandoned captured. A force was rsuit of the king. The lied the force deceived wrong way, and they t their purpose. The hat all was lost, begged ranted on the following na to continue in power rtuguese, paying a fixed give up all the treasures also the nother-in-law he wife of the king of at he should surrender heir to the throne, as s immediately complied led conclusion of peace, general conspiracy had ng among the natives. were taken unawares beat a retreat. Taking , the viceroy went to a fortress there, and I ndia were sent for and From Mannar he sent his aged grandmother esses who had been nd to Goa he sent the
by the death of Maya
OF CEYLON 49
dunna, the succession to the throne of Sitavaka passed to his son Rajasinha, who proved to be even a more implacable enemy of the Portuguese than his father. His object was to capture both Kotta and Colombo. The lay of the country favouring stratagem, he collected a large army, well equipped with artillery, and pretending that his object was Kotta, he proceeded thither on the 5th of October, 1564. The result of this campaign, was a decisive battle in the village of Mulleriyawa. Says the Rajavaliya : " King Rajasinha mounted on his horse, galloped throughout the host, and urged on the fight. The battle was like a show of fireworks, and the smoke from the discharge of the muskets resembled mists in Durutu. Blood flowed like water in the field of Mulleriyawa. The Portuguese were attacked in such wise that no chance was left them to retire on
foot. There fell of the Portuguese army I,6oo, besides several of the Kotta men and officers.'
This signal victory of Rajasinha caused much alarm among the Portuguese in respect of the territory they still retained in the island. Help was eagerly looked for from Goa, and until such help came they confined themselves within the walls of Colombo. On the arrival of reinforcements they again advanced into the interior and erected batteries on the Kelani river, and lined both banks of the river with troops as they proceeded on their way. Rajasinha quietly awaited their advance, and on reaching a place where they had posted a detachment the Sinhalese attacked them, and the Portuguese once more found themselves back in Colombo, after the loss of a great number of men. Rajasinha now adopted the offensive, and captured Kotta and destroyed it, and while advancing with the intention of besieging the fort of Colombo, was compelled to abandon this purpose in consequence of an insurrection in the Kandyan province. His usual success followed him in the quelling of the insurrection. He seized upon Kandy, and the king fled to Jaffnapatam. Rajasinha had now placed under his dominion the whole of the Kandyan country, but suspecting that a young prince of the royal family who had settled at Peradeniya, named Wijeyesundera Banda, was intending a rebellion, sent for him under the pretext of offering him the viceroyship of that province. On his arrival he was cast into a pit and beaten to death. Konappu Bandara, a son of the prince, fled to Colombo, and sought the protection of the Portuguese. He was baptized at Goa under the title of Don John, after the Duke of Austria, brother of Philip, King of Portugal. After this nefarious act, finding that the whole of the royal family opposed his claims to the throne, Rajasimha put to death all he could lay hands on, and
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50
once more attempted to seize upon Colombo, which was the goal of his ambition. But Rajasinha's former treachery now recoiled upon him, and while he was sitting down before the fortress of Colombo in full expectation of capturing it, Don John succeeded in making his way to Kandy, and putting himself at the head of the discontented Kandyan nobles, he slowly advanced, increasing his army at every step, and found himself master of the greater part of the Kandyan kingdom. This compelled Rajasinha to abandon the sicge of Colombo, and to make an advance with the whole of his army on Don John. On the approach of Rajasinha, Don John slowly retreated to the south, and then for many years followed a desultory warfare between the two forces. This was the opportunity of the Portuguese. They were again successful in seizing Sitavaka itself, and a great portion of the Seven Korales. Kandy was occupied by the Portuguese, and the new prince, Don Philip, from whom was exacted a promise that he would marry a Portuguese lady, and who was himself a convert to Christianity, was elevated to the throne of Kandy. This proceeding Don John very naturally considered to be a slight upon himself, and in his chagrin he marched to Kandy, and having succeeded in removing his rival, Don Philip, by poison, made himself master of the situation, and throwing off the mask of friendship, drove the Portuguese out of his kingdom. Rajasinha, now enraged at his new rival, once more fincး against him. A battle took place at the base of Kadugannawa. The troops of Rajasinha were unable to resist the fury of Don John's attack. The sight of his disabled force and the many dead around them seems to have unmanned the aged Rajasinha. He lingered but for a few days, his end being hastened, according to the Rajavaliya, by the treachery of his attendants. He left his young rival, Don John, to renew that contest with the Portuguese to which he had devoted the whole of his life.
The character of Rajasinha has been well summarised by Pridham : “In the character of Rajasinha I. courage and ability were strongly blended with ferocity and cunning. At the advanced age of one hundred years he maintained much of the elasticity and energy of youth. The lesson acquired under his father's reign, that Europeans were only to be repelled by an altered system of native warfare, was duly put in force, and resulted in the success it deserved. Rajasinha's merit as a ruler was, however, confined to his military virtues. His first essays in war, though rude and irregular, were successful, and it was not until he encountered the Portuguese that he learnt its varying fortune. Unable to oppose them in the open field, he engaged in petty
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
skirmishes. Nurtured u influences, Rajasinha, V the liberties of his coun a portion of his energie the wounds gaping fro1 and political being. T a monster of iniquity b they are not able to col taste for literature and genius. By religion was not the prince to tolerate, the religion sacred books he destr he degraded or extirpat of his own community Buddhist and Christia equal reason to hate h in his character as a p his career as their suc combined to traduce a loathing him for his cr European cannot fail and impulses in gen origin to sources sup) the bracing temperatur Rajasuriya Kumaray, on the throne of Sita dissatisfied with his Konappu Bandara, and away from Sitavaka. at the instance of the assisted by Manamper Raja's grandson, a ch nominally chosen sover while Manamperuma Don Juan Dharmapala and gave him the title A mixed army of Por under his command a Sitavaka, which then of Dharmapala. Vidiy were transported to Go Says Mr. Bell, the sioner: 'So fell Sitava principality gradually and wide, bringing u neighbouring province guese some of the ha the course of their int Sinhalese. In its ra Sitavaka kingdom pro point of resemblance by the foresight and en the government of his its arms and dominic original narrow limits when still breathing v. on his enemies, fell a pi and inevitable decay.' Perceiving that his by the death of his Rajasinha, Konappu l who had acquired con
MPRESSIONS
der other and different hile equally protecting ry, might have devoted and genius to healing every part of its social hough characterised as the priestly historians, ceal that he had some patronised all men of , Brahman, Rajasinha brotect, and scarcely to of Buddhism, whose yed and whose priests :d, while exalting those Hence it is that the In historians, who had s memory-the former ersecutor, the latter in ressful opponent-have monarch whom, while 1elty and treachery, the to respect for qualities 'ral confined in their bosed to exist only in e of a northern clime.' a succeeded Rajasinha vaka, but his subjects, régime, declared for i the four Korales fell He was put to death queen of Vidiya Raja, uma Mohotiya. Vidiya ild of five years, was eign, but within a short Mohotiya deserted to l, who welcomed him of Jayasuriya Bandara. tuguese and Sinhalese dvanced and occupied passed into the hands a Raja's queen and son
а. Archaeological Commis(a, which from a minor made its power felt far nder subjection all the , and dealing the Portudest blows received in rnecine wars with the bid rise and fall the sents more than one o Macedon. Built up rgy of one ruler, under warlike son it carried ls far beyond its own and upon his death, Ingeance and slaughter y to internal dissension
pportunity had arrived only formidable rival, andara, or Don John, iderable influence over
OF CEYLON
the natives, proclaimed his independence alld assumed the sovereignty of the island under the name of Vimala Dharma. The Portuguese, of course, refused to recognise his usurpation. During the temporary stay of Pedro Lopez de Sousa in Colombo, on his passage from Malacca to Goa, the Portuguese position in Ceylon was so well explained to that general that on lhis arrival in Goa he did not hesitate to represent to the viceroy the necessity for active measures for the subjugation of the Kandyan territory. The viceroy and council thereupon determined to equip an expedition with this object, and selected De Sousa himself as its leader. After some hesitation, De Sousa accepted the command on condition that Donna Catherina, the daughter of Don Philip Jaya Vira, the lineal heiress to the throne of Kandy, who was then in the hands of the Portuguese, should be given in marriage to his nephew, who, with his wife, should be placed on the throne of Kandy as tributary sovereigns of the King of Portugal. This request was conceded, and it was agreed that the marriage should not take place till the expedition had achieved its purpose. De Sousa immediately set out for Mannar. There meeting with Donna Catherina, he placed her, with great ceremony, at the head of the army, and by her presence acquired considerable influence over the natives. At Negombo his army was reinforced by the adhesion of the powerful chief called by the Sinhalese Jayasuriya Bandara, with the title Maha Mudaliyar, who joined him with 20,000 native troops. De Sousa advanced against Don John of Kandy with such impetuosity that Don John was defeated and compelled to take refuge in the woods, while Donna Catherina entered Kandy in triumph. A reward of Io,000 pagodas was offered for the head of Don John, but according to the Dutch historian Valentyn, Don John was so little alarmed by this information that he is said to have entered Kandy in the disguise of a beggar, to have set fire to the town in different parts, and to have escaped in the confusion.
Don John now thought of using stratagem to destroy the alliance of the Sinhalese chief, Jayasuriya, with the Portuguese. With this purpose he indited a letter which feigned to be a reply by Jayasuriya to one from Don John himself, promising to deliver all the Portuguese into the hands of the Sinhalese on condition that Jayasuriya should be made king of the low-country as tributary to Don John. This letter was entrusted to a confidential servant, whose instructions were to fall into the hands of the Portuguese, so that the incriminating letter, of the contents of which Jayasuriya was absolutely innocent, should be intercepted by the Portuguese. The ruse succeeded. De Sousa, on reading the letter,
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TWENTIETH CENTURY I
became ungovernable in his rage, and sending for the unsuspecting Sinhalese chieftain, with his own hands plunged a dagger into his breast. The native troops, hearing of the assassination of their leader, abandoned the Portuguese and joined the army of Don John. Heedless of their defection, De Sousa sent messages for help to Colombo and continued his march, only to be surrounded by the enemy at the pass of Balana. De Sousa was mortally wounded. The Portuguese were totally routed and many officers and chieftains, together with the queen, Donna Catherina herself, were made prisoners. Don John obtained a large supply of arms and ammunition by this victory. He attacked and captured the Portuguese forts inland, and procured the submission of the small princes, and having married Donna Catherina, became paramount ruler over the whole island save the kingdom of Jaffna and the forts of Colombo and Galle, and styled himself Don John Vimala Dharmasuriya I. In the interval of tranquillity, lasting three years, the Portuguese resolved to make another attempt to capture Kandy. Another squadron was equipped and despatched to Ceylon, under the command of Don Jerome de Azevedo, and the maritime districts on the western coast were recaptured, the old military forts again occupied, and the adhesion of the petty chiefs re-obtained. Azevedo then marched to meet Don John, who was strongly posted at Balana. A sharp battle ensued, and for some time the victory hung in the balance, but at length it declared itself in favour of the Sinhalese. Azevedo, severely wounded, beat a gallant retreat, and arrived in Colombo five days after the conflict. A cruel act of the Portuguese, who put to death, with great barbarity, the Sinhalese general, named Corea, notwithstanding a solemn pledge to the contrary, was horribly avenged by Don John, who mutilated numbers of the Portuguese prisoners, and ordering them to be deprived of their eyes, sent them back to Colombo.
In May, 1597, the aged Don John Dharmapala 'expired, leaving a last will and testament, by which he bequeathed the empire of Ceylon to the King of Portugal. The following is the text:-
"Made this twelfth day of August, 158o, in the city and fortress of Colombo, in the dwelling of His Highness Prince Don Joam, by the grace of God king of Ceylon. Pereoa Pandar (emperor), the aforesaid king being present, states to me, Antonio Ribeiro, notary public of His Majesty the King (of Portugal), lord of this city, in the presence of witnesses, that he, the king, succeeded to this kingdom of Ceylon on the death of King Bonegabao (Bhuvaneka Bahu), his lord and grandfather, who had no children and had during his life-time adopted him as his son and made him heir, with the sanction of the
King of Portugal, Don states that he possessec same manner as the all grandfather, having his Kotta, the capital of t mantled, and that after causes, the Madunna king of Seita Avaca (S (Rajasinha), his son, ha and taken possession leaving him only the Colombo, which the Ki their viceroys and capt time, in order to restor him, been unable to carry other wars the viceroy the impoverished state king, is advanced in ye without sons and heir him at his death, and f to the Kings of Portug and help, and especia religion ministered to whereby he was conv faith, he, the king, bei Portugal, Dom Manuel kingdoms and lands w will obtain possession o are now in the hands him permission to fight land until he obtain pos which he had a right as the kings of Kotta, kingdoms in this islan The document was witnesses being Friar Manuel Luiz, Estevam Franquo Antonio Lau. Sousa Coutinho.
When matters were who had already establ East, turned their att miral Spilbergen, bea from the Dutch Eas' entrusted with the mis up relations with the ki off Batticaloa with t under the guidance of one of his officers to op with the Dissawa of t was conducted, with elephant to the Dissa received with appar without misgivings, mistook the admiral Spilbergen, on becom succeeded in undece permitted to return to curing presents from the king himself, he After some misunders an arrangement was
which restoratio
MPRESSIONS
Joam III., and further these kingdoms in the Dresaid Bonegabao his seat in the royal city of ie kingdom, now disVards, through various Pandar (Mayadunna), tavaka) and the Raaju i tyrannically occupied of all the kingdoms, city and fortress of ngs of Portugal through lins defended for a long the said kingdoins to n they had, however, out, in consequence of s were engaged in and of India, and he, the rs and in failing health, to rightfully succeed ecling greatly indebted al for all their mercies ly for the comforts of him by their priests, ferted to the Catholic Jueaths to the King of , and his heirs, all the rith the hope that he if those kingdoms which of his enemies, giving his enemies by sea and session of the territories to, in the same manner who reigned over the i"; &c. signed by the king, the Sebastiao de Chaves, Figueira, Pero Jorge, renço, and Manuel de
in this state, the Dutch, ished themselves in the :ntion to Ceylon. Adring secret instructions
India Company, was sion in 16oI of opening ng of Kandy. Arriving hree ships, he landed a native pilot, and sent en up a correspondence he district. Spilbergen ix of his men, on an wa, by whom he was nt cordiality, but not s the natives at first for a Portuguese spy. ng aware of this fact, ving them, and was his fleet, whence, prothe Dissawa and from returned to his camp. andings on both sides, one to, and one of the
OF CEYLON 51
Dutch officers was sent to the king at Kandy. The envoy returned thence with presents and a gracious letter, written by Don John's own hands, inviting the admiral to Kandy. Spilbergen, overjoyed at this event, vas conveyed in the king's own palanquin with every mark of distinction, and soon entered the Kandyan territory. On his arrival there he was welcomed by the Mudaliyar, who conducted him to a rest-house hung with white tapestry--a mark of the greatest honour. His entry into Bintenne, where lived one of the emperor's wives, was attended by an escort of six Mudaliyars, with musicians and a large Then he passed through the city of the emperor's son at Uva. On approaching within a short distance of Kandy, the king sent his own palanquin, covered with cloth of gold, together with a number of elephants for the attendants. The chief Muda'iyar, who was a Portuguese renegade, accompanied by several Portuguese officers and by several thousand soldiers ot various nationalitiesTurks, Moors, Sinhalese, Kaffirs, and Malaysescorted him to his lodging, which was furnished in the European style. The very same evening Spilbergen was entertained by Don John at his palace with great pomp, and the wearisome Sinhalese ceremonies were dispensed with on the occasion. Spilbergen declared to the king that his object was not so much to trade as to form an alliance, offensive and defensive, with the Sinhalese as against the Portuguese. The idea was welcomed by the king, who offered the Dutch all the cinnamon in his store. The king made inquiries of Holland, of the European wars, of the Church of Rome, of the Dutch service, and showed Spilbergen a very high mark of favour by taking him into the queen's apartmcnts. He found her in the midst of her children and clad in the European manner. After this success, Spilbergen took leave of the king, leaving behind him two of his musicians, and departed for the squadron, laden with presents. No sooner, however, had the admiral's fleet left the coast of Ceylon, than another Dutch expedition under De Weerd arrived, and meeting with a kind reception from the king, De Weerd concluded a treaty with Don John, engaging himself to co-operate with the king's forces in the attack of Point de Galle. He first gave offence to the king by releasing some Portuguese vessels he had recently captured; then, subsequently, under the influence of wine, he insulted the king, which cost him his life. The king then sent the following brief note to Enchuysen, the second in command of the Dutch fleet : " He that drinks wine is good for nothing; God has executed justice; if you desire peace, let there be peace; if war, war." Enchuysen thought it prudent not to resent the death of his
A
following.
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52
superior officer, and on receipt of this letter, pacified the king and laid the foundation of a perfect reconciliation. The remaining years of Don John's reign were passed in tranquility. He died in I62o. Pridham has thus summarised his character :-
“Without the originality of Rajasinha, he was resolute and persevering. An able general and an excellent tactician, he knew how to seize the opportunities his foresight had created. On the other hand, he was equally cruel, selfish, and tyrannical. The justice which he exercised towards his subjects is said by Valentyn to have been strict and impartial, so that few crimes were perpetrated during his reign, and great regularity and precision were to be remarked in his administration. His opposition to the Portuguese proceeded, not from patriotism, by which Rajasinha was distinguished, but from his ambition alone, and a knowledge that they were his rivals for the possession of the island. The religion of Buddha was protected by him, and its neglected rites restored by the arrival of priests from Arakan, who renewed the upasampada (priestly) ordination, from much the same cause. While he renounced at Goa the religion of his fathers, he appears to have only nominally assumed that of the European conqueror."
On the death of Don John, two of the nobles -the prince of Uva and Senerat (Don John's brother)-sought to obtain the regency and guardianship of Don John's children. Senerat, who was a Buddhist monk, abandoned the robe, and coming to court, succeeded in getting his rival, the prince of Uva, assassinated within the precincts of the palace itself. Donna Catherina, though displeased with this act, was fearful of further trouble, and such was the courtly grace and appearance of her brother-in-law, Senerat, that not only did he obtain the regency, but soon succeeded in winning over Donna Catherina to be his wife and then obtained the sovereignty.
In IóI2 Marcellus de Boschhouer arrived at Kandy with letters from the Dutch StatesGeneral to Senerat. The visit resulted in an offensive and defensive treaty being concluded between the Hollanders and the Sinhalese monarch, and the building of a fort by the Dutch at Trincomalee, Boschhouer was appointed admiral by Senerat, created prince of Mingona, and received other great honours. The Portuguese were alarmed at these events, and despatched a force of 4,Ooo troops under the command of Simon Corea to reduce the fort at Kotiyar. This Corea succeeded in doing, and captured the fort and massacred every one in it. Senerat, hearing of this, marched with a body of 5,000 troops, fell on Corea, and revenged himself for the massacre of his allies. Senerat, whose great ambition was to totally expel the Portuguese from the
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
island, sent Boschhoue a force of Dutch tro Boschhouer departed C Arriving in Holland an from the directors of Company, he procee entered into a treaty behalf of Senerat. H. with two Danish vessel soon after by five ot under the command of under the auspices of Company. Boschhouer and Senerat, missing hi ful of Giedde, refused had been arranged; a Denmark without succ his expedition. The P. time pushed through v the maritime province Trincomalee and Batt stantin De Sa was ap of Ceylon. He gave energy by building a and stationing a garris He set himself the ti Portuguese army. Th dawara, from a garris army, was transformed under the able superin Oliveira, an experience I63o, sought the overth decisive engagement. every soldier whom he European or native, he a a large force into the ir his way through the pass into Kandy, burning or that came within his re; taken up his residen sought refuge among and while De Sa w Kandy, sought to div despatching a Sinhales Portuguese possessions movement compelled yielding to imperative through the viceroy o the lead at the head of 2O,Ooo auxiliaries. He was abandoned by Sel Then he marched tow surrounded by thousan Sinhalese. Under cove rain making the firelo useless, De Sa and h and totally annihila followed up this succe forts on the Mahaveli ing Colombo itself. As repulsed by the brave to strain every ner Ultimately assistance a
MPRESSIONS
to Europe to procure ps for that purpose. this mission in 1615. finding little sympathy he Dutch East India 2d to Denmark and with Christian IV. on returned to Ceylon which were followed er vessels despatched Danish noble, Giedde, he Danish East India idied during the voyage, favourite and distrustratify the treaty that d Giedde returned to eding in the object of rtuguese in the meanrith their conquests in and erected forts at caloa. In 1623 Conointed captain-general prompt proof of his fort at Sabaragamuwa bn of men at Sitavaka. ask of reforming the e camp at Manikkaon of the Portuguese into a school of war, tendence of Philip de :d soldier. De Sa, in trow of Senerat by a Pressing into service could obtain, whether dvanced at the head of terior. Having forced } of Balana, he marched destroying everything ch. Senerat, who had ce at Hangurangetta, he fastnesses of Uva, as in occupation of ert his attention by e force to attack the in the north. This )e Sa to retreat, but orders which came Goa, he again took I,5oo Portuguese and burned Kandy, which erat’s son, Rajasinha. rds Uva, only to be ls upon thousands of of night, and with the ks of the Portuguese men were attacked :d. Senerat's army s by recapturing the tanga, and by besiegault after assault was garrison, which had for the purpose. rived from Goa and
• Rajasinha.
OF CEYLON
Cochin, and the siege was abandoned. Senerat died in 1634. He divided his territory between his two step-sons, Vijaya Pala and Kumara Sinha, and his own son, Rajasinha II., to whom was allotted the kingdom of Kandy. Rajasinha, however, seized upon the territories of Vijaya Pala, whose imbecility led him to seek refuge with the Portuguese, with whom he ever after remained.
Rajasinha now entered into a treaty with the Dutch, whereby he agreed to let the Dutch have all the cinnamon and pepper in his kingdom. The Portuguese, hearing of this treaty, sent ambassadors to Kandy protesting against the arrangement. To them the king replied that, having promised the same to his friends the Dutch, he would like to see the men who would dare oppose him. Nettled by this resolute answer, and resolving upon forestalling an attack by a joint movement of the Dutch and Sinhalese, the Portuguese in 1638, under Diego de Mello, marched upon Kandy, meeting with little opposition. Kandy was plundered and burned; Rajasinha deserted his capital, but in secret arranged for means to entrap the Portuguese. On the latter endeavouring to retreat, they found the pass of Balana blocked with large trees laid across it. The Sinhalese troops, who were commanded by four Mudaliyars—Don Alexis, Don Balthazar, Don Cosmos, and Don Theodosius-deserted, and are supposed to have gone over to The Portuguese endeavoured to obtain terms of peace, but could get no answer. Hemmed in on every side, without obtaining any quarter, they sold their lives dearly. The whole of the Portuguese army, together with the generals, was completely annihilated.
And now commenced the war between the Dutch and the Sinhalese on one side and the Portuguese on the other, which eventually drove the latter away from Ceylon. This war was conducted on the basis of a treaty between Rajasinha and the Dutch. How faithfully the conditions of that treaty were kept by the latter will be seen later on. The terms of the treaty are thus described by Ribeiro :-
“That prince (Rajasinha), pleased with their discourse and protestations of friendship, concluded the following treaty with the Dutch: That all forts and lands possessed by the Portuguese on the island of Ceylon should be honestly and in good faith restored to the king of Kandy and that the Dutch Company should only retain some places of safety for the reception of the forces sent to assist the king; that the king should keep up as large an army as he possibly could as long as the war lasted; that he should pay all the expenses of war at a fixed rate for each ship and every gun, according to the size of the vessel and thc calibre of the cannon; that in addi
Page 61
TWENTIETH
tion to these expenses it should be duly written down thill he should Thay a certain LLLLLL LLLLL LLaLLLLS LLLLCLaL CHa LLLLLLLH HLLL LLaaa die ir his service, according to the rank and post they filled in the Dutch är Elly i that certain rales should he paid for Wounds received, that the men might he reinuneralled for the less of an artin, a leg, or an eye, and that they might receive more for the loss of a right leg than it left leg, and so forth, accordingly as the party mained IIlight be Incore Or less inconvenien ceci ; and all th: payments to bic: made on this a count were exactly defined and writter down. Thc ilrticles of the treaty were thus accurately agreed LIPČIL ; a fair copy of the III was maldic ; Fınd
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the treaty was signed. The ambassadors returned to Batavil well satisfied with their negotiations, and neither party long deferred the execulia II of that which lad be:П пшLually promised. And thus a War was collInenced which cost the crown of Portugal the possession of the island."
In Isig the Hollander5 sent fra irri Batavia a. Ilce consisLing of six ships of Walk" iki ildli a large force of troops, with orders to destroy the forts of Batticaloa arid Trincionalee, and to report the same to the king of Kilfids. The Dutch fleet arrived at Batticaloa and found only forty Portuguese in the fort. The landing was easily cfc.cted, and after it two days' siege the garrison capitulaled, when the fort was destroyed. Thit fleet theil firioceeded to Trincomalet And laid siege to that fort, which was garrisoned by fifty Portuguese, and ill provided with arms and ammunition.
the furtress with fascii leaving 300 men with the fort, he took with
ImiLtd i feil E of 7 d'"il C quickly passing om to TIl: could Te:L i lfter i Tególute def Ribeiro Tullites : her devotion which Hiccu Tra: The governor, Captain Brita, had but lately Who lved him passi. of the assault she Wils arniIT1;atiI1g hiTtl 24, 11cl hi5 ard assuring the III by h Laplain received five broke his thigh and th A II) Lutch1 sultiET VYTL5 i liTi when his bril Libti between lhiEIII and Lisa
MIPRESSIONS
tige the fort Wils surr, before twenty-three list their lives. After 2, the fleet returned to was renewed by the ardır. Ötı the I5th ships appeared sud... But perceiving the on, or it may be with Le 5TTLiller stro-Tigholcis to a village withill Tibo, where they dis2,000. Ilmen, who apNegomb and quickly aving takem Negombo, Til nan kler, strengthened
OF CEYLON 53
CC CLLCC CLL aLL LLLLLLLCCSa CCaLLLL LLLLLL ClaHLSL life, begging hirin, if he was determined to refuse her request, that he should first slay her. A Dutch officer, seeing what was going on, chille to her rescue, and having attended to the Wounded corrhirlander with great kindness, hild hiri. Lild his spouse safely embarked for Batavia.
Juan de Silva Tales, having heen appoin Led wiceroy of India, arrived at Goa late in the year 1640. His arrival quickly changed the aspect of affairs in Ceylon. Doll Philip Miscare:Ilhas was at un ce despatched with a force of 400 III e II, arid with 3 plentiful stiply of provisions, to drive the Dutch from their lately acquired territories. His first enterprise
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was against Negombo, and was crowned with success. After a short cannonacting the place was conditionally surrendered. At Galle he was not equally successful, but his attack was so vigorous and so well sustained, that the Dutch governor, Jacob Coster, thought it neces sary to proceed to Candy to obtain assistance from Rajasimha, Rajasimha, however, եւ:1Il tr perceive that the expulsion of the Portuguese would only Inean the substitution of the Dutch in their stead, and Coster, seeing that his proInises were not fulfilled, exclaimed loudly against the king, and openly accused some of the king's Iministers hy T134 m. []II l118 return, Coster was treacherously murdered by Sinhalese guid:s.
Dillestic strife now increased the troubles of the Kandyan kingdom. War broke Out between Rajasimha and his brother, the prince of Uva. The prince was, after a brief
*
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54
war, expelled from his kingtom, and took refuge with the Portuguese. By then he was sent to Goa, where, having embraced Christianity, he lived till his death in 1654. In 1642, notwithstanding the treaty concluded between John IV., the King of Portugal, and the States-General of Holland, the basis of which was that each party should continue in the Indies in possession of what they actually held at the time, the war between the Dutch and the Portuguese continued with unabated fury in Ceylon. Rajasinha, acting on the defensive, had thrown out a chain of forts round his dominion, from the garrisons of which he obtained continuous information of the movements of the Portuguese and the Dutch alike. During the following year, I643, several petty engagements were fought in the neighbourhood of Galle. The next year war was vigorously renewed on both sides, to the advantage of the Dutch, who, under the command of Carron, once more became masters of Negombo, which they again fortified by the erection of four earthen bastions at each corner of the fort, which formed a square. On each of these eight pieces of cannon were mounted. During the next two years nothing was attempted on either side, and after that an armistice was concluded between them, which continued in force till 1644. During this period a desultory warfare was carried on between Rajasinha and the Portuguese. Rajasinha now began to see that the Portuguese were even outmatched in rapacity by the Dutch, and accordingly he maintained an irregular struggle with both, “like a noble lion who, finding himself attacked by two tigers at once, keeps them both at bay.' The last act of this long-continued tragedy was enacted in I658. Colombo, defended by a garrison of 8oo men, was besieged. It was blockaded both by land and by sea. The garrison was but ill supplied with provisions, and, in consequence, suffered severely from hunger, want, and showers of balls and shells. They were reduced to the utmost extremity, and capitulated on the one condition that they should be allowed to depart without molestation to their brethren at Jaffnapatam. This was granted, and on May Io, I658, the Portuguese yielded the fortress of Colombo and their arms into the hands of the Dutch, who, in their turn, were in time destined to deliver it to another and stronger Power. But the refugees were not long to remain in Jaffna or Mannar. The Dutch, perceiving that the fickleness of Rajasinha might be the means of reinstating the Portuguese in their territories, advanced at once against these two strongholds, and capturing them, took the whole of the Portuguese garrison as prisoners-of-war, in which condition, the Portuguese historians bitterly complain, they and their females suffered untold
TWENTIETH CENTURY
injuries at the hand. querors. Such was guese régime in Ce acteristics of which consideration.
The Portuguese 1 criticised by many hi in the last century. ( say that "in the wh we may look in vait judgment or any j towards the natives reviewed their govern are now in a position or otherwise of the regimc has elicited.
In the sixteenth cen a great naval Power. accident, and having C potentialities, determi at Colombo. In doin to deal with an islan internal strife. From government they were
ARAP&nayafeyba deta
OLD MURAL
COLOMBO
One of the few relics of the tablet bears this inscrip confraria da santiss Ros: na era de 647 sendo p1 (Chapel of the Brethrer Most Holy Rosary. Its I647, Balthezar da Veig duced by permission fr Asiatic Society (Ceylon),
MPRESSIONS
of their licentious conthe end of the Portulon, the leading char
are now worthy of
le in Ceylon has been torians who wrote early ne has gone so far as to le of their proceedings
for any traits of sound stice in their conduct of the island." Having ment at some length, we o consider the soundness
criticisms which their
ury the Portuguese were They came to Ceylon by iscovered its commercial ed to establish a factory g so the Portuguese had d that was he victim of
the inception of their
dragged in to share the
ABE IN TEIE
MUSEUMI.
ortuguese occupation. The on: “Capela dos irmaos da io. Seu arco novamente feito zidente Balthezar da Veiga " of the Confraternity of the urch was rebuilt in the year
being President").-Reprom the 3ournal of the Royal viii. 378.
OF CEYLON
strife. As the allies of the king of Kotta they became the enemies of Mayadunna and his successor, Rajasinha of Sitavaka, and the successive kings of Kandy, as also of the Xamorin of Calicut and his Moorish marauders. From the time of their arrival until their expulsion they were engaged in a conflict with one or more of these powers, and what they held in Ceylon they held at the point of the sword. That their intentions, from their own point of view, were good there cannot be the slightest doubt. Their missionaries, imbued with the zeal of Francis Xavier, fostered the national ambition of Christianising the whole country. It is wrong to say that they were cruel to the natives. It is true that when they fought as the allies of the Buddhist king of Kotta they destroyed the Hindu temples and devalas (places of worship) which the heretic Rajasinha had erected and endowed in Crder to make Hinduism the State religion. In such destruction the Sinhalese Huddhists were as keen as the Portuguese Christians. The King of Portugal had issued instructions to his officers that the Portuguese were not merely to settle but to colonise. An illustrious cavalier sought the hand of Donna Catherina, the rightful heiress to the throne of Kandy. Many a Portuguese nobleman intermarried with the Sinhalese aristocracy, and Sinhalese gentlemen of high rank took to themselves Portuguese wives. Among the latter may be mentioned the great general, Simon Corea Wickrem esinghe. Sinhalese men of ability rose to the highest ranks. No office was too high for a native to fill, provided he was able to fill it. Don Fernando Mudaliyar rose to be captainmajor of Colombo and afterwards of Goa. Pedro de Silva Mudaliyar, Peter de Abrew Mudaliyar, Belchior. Butalho Mudaliyar, and others were trusted generals in the Portuguese army. Of course, warfare was not conducted in those days with that refinement to which we are accustomed at the present time ; but the cruelties of the Portuguese in the treatment of their enemies were not worse than the excesses sometimes practised in European warfare three or four centuries ago.
The charge of religious bigotry which has been brought against the Portuguese is equally false. Tennent (“Christianity in Ceylon,' p. I4) has asked himself the question, By what agency and expedients were effected the multitudinous conversions in Ceylon ? The answer to this question can be inferred from the state of Christianity in Ceylon during the British times; while the Roman Catholic form of Christianity has survived a century and a half of Dutch persecution, and the Portuguese language, though in a corrupt form, is a living language, the number of Dutch Presbyterians is but a handful, and the language of the
Page 63
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
Dutch is itself an unknown quantity. Tennent holds that Cordiner (“Description of Ceylon,' London, I807, i. Io5) must have been but at least imperfectly informed when he states that the people were compelled to adopt the Roman Catholic religion without consulting their inclination, but that the Dutch, unlike the Portuguese, had refrained from the use of force for the propagation of their religious faith. "On both points," says he, “the historical evidence is at variance with these representations. I have discovered nothing in the proceedings of the Portuguese in Ceylon to justify the report of violence and restraint, but unfortunately, as regards the Dutch Presbyterians, their own records are conclusive as to the severity of their measures and to the ill-success by which they were followed.'
When Ceylon was ceded to the Dutch, the Portuguese territory was full of churches and schools and convents. Says Tennent (ibid., p. 23): “In the fort of Colombo, according to
Tнь history of the Dutch in Ceylon does
not present the points of strong interest which mark other periods in the island's history. They came to the colony rather as merchants than as warriors. They were not “colonists' in the sense the Portuguese were; and in their dealings with the natives their attitude was uncompromisingly mercantile. On hearing of the capture of Colombo, the king promptly urged upcn the Dutch its delivery into his own hands, in accordance with the treaty entered into with him. He also expressed surprise and indignation that the Dutch should have entered into a treaty with the Portuguese without his participation or sanction. The Dutch themselves had no serious intention of ratifying the treaty with Rajasinha. Instead of complying with its provisions, they retained all the fortified possessions they had seized, under the artful plea of awaiting the consent of the authorities in Europe. Enraged at this breach of faith, Rajasinha commanded his maritime subjects to lay waste the entire districts in which they dwelt, in order to deprive the Dutch of all hope of commercial gains. The latter, however, anticipated this order, and before it could be carried out or even attempted, had taken possession of the districts along their strong
Ribeiro, there were two and St. Laurence, fou the Cordeliers, the D. tines, and the Capu College in which were philosophy. Outside th were seven parishes; of those lying immedia is questionable whethe with separate building convent of St. Francis a Kalutara had a chapel in the fort; Malvana similarly provided, whil more striking between south and similar out Province, Mannar, Man ing districts of the W. fourteen churches for the native Roman Cath
The following is a captains-general who ac
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PARTI
THE DUTCH
holds. The natives the to have objected to th to have rather welcome to which it gave rise n his throne and life. I resided at Nilambe, in t rose in rebellion agai capital, and proclaim emperor. But their int first by the refusal of become their leader, a appearance of Rajasinh his forces, terminating i of several of the nobili
OW SO).
In their desire to gai course with the island, to keep themselves as friendly relations with cajoled Rajasinha in 1 sion of the maritime themselves to what th sinha's weakness, a despatched numerous e rich presents, in treac desired peace. But t sinha, awakened by were not to be lu submissive demeanou
MPRESSIONS
parishes of Our Lady religious houses of minicans, the Augushins, and a Jesuits' aught the classics and fort he says that there ut with the exception ely under the walls, it they were provided S. Galle contained a nd a house of Mercy; for the small garrison
and Negombo were st to make the contrast these stations in the posts in the Northern otta, and the surroundunni, had no less than the accommodation of |olics.’’ list of the Portuguese liministered the govern
S.
XII.
OF CEYLON éOورغ
ment in Ceylon, to the time when they lost the fort of Colombo:-
Pedro Lopez de Sousa. Jeronymo de Azevedo. Francisco de Menezes. Manuel Mascarenhas Homen. Nunho Alvarez Pereira. Constantin de Sa y Noronha. Don George de Albuquerque. Constantin de Sa y Noronha. Don George de Almeida. Diego de Mello. Antonio Mascarenhas. Philip Mascarenhas. Manuel Mascarenhas Homen. Francisco de Mello de Castro. Antonio de Sousa Coutinho-under whom Colombo was lost.
The sixteenth and last captain-general was Antonio d'Amarel y Menezes, who commanded the Portuguese garrisons at Mannar and Jaffna.
OCCUPATION.
mselves do not appear is measure; they seem d it, and the ill-feeling early caused Rajasinha n I664, while the king he Matale district, they nst him, occupied the ed his infant son as entions were frustrated,
the young prince to ld then by the sudden a himself at the head of n the barbarous murder y, and above all of his
the commercial interthe Dutch endeavoured much as possible in the natives. Having eference to the possesistricts and addressed ey thought was Rajaove of flattery, they mbassies to Kandy with herous insincerity, and he suspicions of Rajatheir past conduct, led by their present
While he, in turn,
received their ambassadors with similar assurances, in many cases he even detained their ministers without the shadow of an excuse for the step.
In 1659 Robert Knox, a British subject, having landed at Kotiyar, was taken to Rajasinha's court, and for twenty long years was detained a captive in the Kandyan territory. On his return from exile to England he published a work entitled 'The Historical Relation of the Island of Ceylon.' This work is of the utmost interest as giving an accurate and detailed description of the island in his times, and is written in a style whose elegance reminds one of De Foe. The conduct of the Dutch and the character of King Rajasinha II. were admirably and quaintly described as follows by Knox :-
“The Dutch, knowing his proud spirit, make their advantage of it by flattering him with their ambassadors, telling him that they are his majesty's humble subjects and servants, and that it is out of loyalty to him that they build forts and keep watches round about his country to prevent foreign nations and enemies from coming; and that as they are thus employed in his majesty's service, so it is for sustenance, which they want, that occasioned their coming up into his majesty's country; and thus by
Page 64
56
flattering him and ascribing to him high and honourable titles, which are things he greatly delights in, sometimes they prevail to have the country they have invaded and he to have the honour. Yet at other times, upon better consideration he will not be flattered, but falls upon them at unawares and does them great damage."
Peace seems to have followed the Dutch occupation of the Portuguese territory in all the strongholds except Jaffna. The Dutch determined to expel all the Catholic missionaries they found there, who numbered about fifty Jesuit and Dominican Fathers. They were all embarked in a small ship and sent to India, save one Jesuit priest named Caldeiro, who was unable to accompany his colleagues owing to the infirmities of age, which confined him to his bed, and who in consequence was compelled to remain at Jaffna in spite of the edict of expulsion. The native Catholics, however, did not seem to accept with cheerfulness the Dutch yoke, and a plot was formed by them to assassinate the Dutch commandant and other officials while they were at divine service on the following Sunday. The plot was discovered by Manuel de Andrado, a Sinhalese captain in the Dutch service, and on the Sunday in question Andrado arrested the conspirators and prevented them from effecting their object. They were all put to death, and the Dutch revenged themselves on the innocent Caldeiro and had him executed as well. He is said to have been dragged from his bed and beheaded in the public square.
In 1672 a new European Power attempted to settle in Ceylon. France was induced to turn her attention to Ceylon owing to the power and wealth accruing to the Dutch Republic from the island. Major Carron, formerly an officer in the Dutch service, is said to have made overtures to the court of France for the attack of Point de Galle, and M. de la Haye, viceroy of Madagascar, was despatched with a fleet of fourteen sail against that settlement. But he met with so determined a resistance at Galle that he thought it prudent to proceed to Trincomalee, and to despatch three envoys with presents to the Kandyan court. The chief of them, De Lanerolle, was so indiscreet as to refuse to comply with the strict observances of Rajasinha's court, and was consequently detained there a prisoner. Haye himself departed to the French territories on the Coromandel Coast. On his return he was met by Vanganos with a Dutch fleet, and four of his vessels were captured and the rest dispersed, and the newly raised French fort at Trincomalee, with the artillery and garrison, fell an easy prey to the Dutch admiral. In 168o the fortress of Malvana was attacked by Rajasinha at the head of 30,000 men, but owing to the treachery of one of his generals, who went
TWENTIETH CENTURY
over to the Dutch with the siege had to be after a long reign of at the advanced age of person he was middl muscular and compact than the ordinary Sinhi him intimately, says:" being between seventy and though an old mai like one, neither in col He was temperate in h manners. Nor would irregularity among hi respect. Many times misdemeanours of som only executes them, bu women, if known ; and that there is but little not of. And often he g all the women out of remain; but by little thought his wrath was a in again.' Almost a m was fond of grandeur wore splendid jeweller on his person. Educa Portuguese, he was t with the Portuguese la of the letters he addres the Dutch testify. But John, while he despised tors, he seems not to h; greater respect the relig Although vigorous and manhood, in his old ag inactive-a circumstanc state of exhaustion in war and foreign invasio His son, Mahastene, suci under the title of Vim Rajasinha warned him remain at peace with th reigned for twenty-two bitious, but seems to ha Buddhist religion. Hi quence not marked by : event. Not an individu war and rebellion wer
deavoured to restore Bu splendour. During this in their territories wel rigorous measures of per to stamp out Roman further means for achi encouraging Buddhism decadent. With their despatched an embass that a number of priest might be sent to C neglected rites and ord Twelve chief priests wer and the remainder of
MPRESSIONS
a portion of his troops, bandoned. Rajasinha, fifty years, died in I687 eighty-seven years. In -sized and well-made, rather darker in colour lese. Knox, who knew He bears his years well, and eighty years of age, l, yet appears not to be intenance nor in dress is diet and chaste in his he permit the slightest ; nobles in the latter when he hears of the e of his nobles, he not t severely punishes the he has so many spies done which he knows ives command to expel the city, not one to and little, when they ppeased, they did creep ountebank in dress, he and magnificence, and y and precious stones sted as he was by the horoughly conversant nguage, as the number sed in that language to , like his uncle, Don the faith of his ancesave regarded with any gion he had embraced. | martial in his early e he was slothful and 'e due perhaps to the which incessant civil n had left his country. ceeded him peaceably, nala Dharmasuriya II. on his death-bed to he Dutch ; and thus he years. He was unamfe been devoted to the s reign was in conseany important political al was put to death ; e unknown. He enddhism to its original reign, the Dutch, who 'e vainly, in spite of secution, endeavouring Catholicism, sought a ving their object by l, which was then co-operation, Vimala y to Siam requesting of the highest order ylon to revive the inances of Buddhism. : accordingly procured, his king's reign was
OF CEYLON
occupied in helping them to re-establish the. church on a sounder foundation.
Vimala Dharmasuriya was succeeded by his eldest son, Kundasala, in 17oz. On his accession he took the name of Sri Vira Parakrama Narendra Sinha. He followed the example of his father, and in his long reign of thirtytwo years refrained from interfering with the Dutch. Narendra was a cruel king, addicted to drunkenness and regardless of any restraint upon his passions. In 1721 the queen of Kundasala died, and the Dutch, hearing of it, despatched an embassy of condolence to the king as a token of their friendship. Rumph, the Dutch governor, placed Cornelius Takel at the head of this embassy. Arriving at Kandy, the ambassadors were received by the king after they had made obeisance to him and knelt at his feet. After the usual greetings, Takel proceeded to state the principal object of his mission, which was to offer the condolences of the Dutch government on account of the death of his "late high-born, excellent, and allaccomplished queen." He prayed that the king might be long spared by the Almighty to enjoy his throne, and that the faithful and loyal Dutch might long experience the favour and protection of the king. In such wise did the Dutch flatter the man whom they were virtually confining as a sort of prisoner in the interior of his own dominions, and whose subjects they were plundering with rapacity. Though the administration of the Dutch governor Rumph was distinguished as much by ability as by humanity, yet even in his time the Sinhalese population were subjected to exactions by his subordinate officers. The death of Rumph made matters worse. Following it came the insurrection of the slaves at Colombo and the murder of some of the Hollanders. One of his successors, Vuyst, endeavoured to make himself an independent sovereign, and with this object had recourse to a system of barbarity strange in the annals of civilised nations. He employed the torture in order to extort confessions of all those who by wealth or by influence were capable of opposing his schemes. At length Vuyst was made prisoner and sent to Batavia, where he met with the fate he deserved. He was tried and sentenced to be broken alive upon the wheel, and his body to be quartered and burnt, and the ashes thrown into the sea. His successor, Versluys, heedless of the example afforded him, raised the price of rice to such a pitch as to cause a famine. He was recalled and a new governor, Doemburg, was sent to replace him. But such was the audacity of Versluys that he refused to yield his place, and actually fired on the company's vessels in the harbour. Ultimately he was compelled to submit to superior force, and was sent under. arrest to Batavia. -
Page 65
TWENTIETH CENTURY
With the arrival, in 1736, of the Dutch governor, Baron Van Imhoff, came good government, and with it the first gleam of prosperity in the Dutch settlements. Hitherto cinnamo Tı hild beet'ı the only article of commerce, but now the cultivation of pepper and cardi mons and coffee was successfully introduced. On the death, in 1734, of Narendra Sinha, he was succeeded by his brother-inlaw, Sri Wijaya Rajasirih:L. His shrort reign Wals Lininteresting and un interrupted by civil disturbances Lar foreign invasion. The Kanclya Il provinces recovered to sole extent froIII. the state of desol:LioII into which lhey had been cast. In the following reign of Kirti Sri Rajasinha (1747 hostilitics broke kut between the Kandyäns and the Dutch,
king, whereby the exacted by the proud Dutch ambassadors w the forts of PLLt till: 1 given to the Dutch, vansa was compiled fr Par:ıkr:HTrla Bah1 L.II .ui Il Tibbotuwewa. In 17 government of Ceylo Was Ilo Ilecessity to inland districts of K could be PLL rchased dyarıs; the III selves.
Kandiya Ils alon (: ; IL Tid istration agriculture integrily :ind order t'i sewcral departments
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the king having deter Illined upon their expulsion. But the war was not waged with Ly vigor i either sid, Il after a few successful inrolds into the imaritime prowinces, the king was obliged to evacuate therıı, in 175, erıca buraged by dissensions L mang the Kanriyarı chiefs, the Dutch, with n n al II ny of 8,00 Innen, penetrated the Kandyan territory and occupied the capital fur nine IT conths at the end of which time their forces, harasscd incessantly by the natives and thinned by disease were cornpellcd to abandon Ka Ildy and to retiri ! hastily into their own territorics. Their retreat was not LIII attended by disaster, and but a Sinall portion of the original army found its way LLLLLLSaS S C S LLLLLLLLS LLLLL HHHL LLL LLk LLLLLLLLS ceeded in beating the Kandyans back, and drove then to the mountains and forests; but finally entered into a trealy with the
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Wen Was irised. rendered independen regard to the supply devoted the closing y purification and refor ligion. Priests were a and the incient cerc purity, The king him books adı d be cığınıe porÖ liel in I 7 Č8 froT al f: which he had receive Dulch, and was succl. courtly and erudite His reign of twenty y u ndisturbed Leither bi: With the Dutch CX When the latter Sabaraga illuwa, and king's forces invade co-operale with the
MPRESSIONS
unilialing prostriations ourt of Kandy from the :re dispensed with, anci | alid B3ttiçãal3 Wyt: T: 1 this reign the MahlIII, the reign of Pämdita LurLLIı:g:Ll:1 by the prie5 | 5 Falck undertook the
Hex;l i'w that there 2tain possession of the ldy, as all its products cheapçr fra T1 the KLIIHe therefore cft the during his long adminiII1:L.dg: Tapici Trogres3, ETE i Introduççd il to the Jd gover IIITherik, the re
OF CEYLON 岛7
capture of the Ilaritime provinces in 1796. W. El de T (Graaff succeeded Fallick iš gCWETICIT, and continued the policy of his predecessor, but his government was of too brief il. duration to leave any useful results.
Towards the close of the Allerican War i11 1782, Holla Td Tade con Lion cause with France and Spain against Great Britain. This attitude of hostility on the part of the Dutch gave the Govertinent of Madras the long desired opportunity for the reduction of the Dutch possessions in Ceylon. A fleet under the commit nd of Sir Edward Hughes, with troops led by Sir Hector Munro, was despatched with that object. Trincomalee was the first point of allack, and after it short resistance the place capitulated. Mr. Hugh Boy! wns also des patched with an
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In rof Kirti Sri Raj:14 in hı:Li
irld the Dutch Were of the Kandyans in (i cili IIlur. Kirti Sri cars of his reign to the m Jf the Buddhist regain obtained from Siam monics revived in their elf studied the religious ciclit in the II. Kirili Sri |l from all spirited hiorse d as a present from the ded by his brother, the Sri Rajadhi Raja sinha. tars was a peaceful one, t civil WaT bir troubles :ept on One occilsion insuccessfully invaded subsequently, when the the low-country to British troops in the
arl bassador to the court of Kandy. He was eII powered to enter into a treaty of peace with the king, and his mission was to remove the Linfavourable opinion that the king had for IIled of the British, Previous to his departure fron Trincolililee, Mr. Boyd addressed a letter to the king of Kandy, informing hin of his mission. Mr. Boyd has given in his works : det Failed account of this extracordii:Lry embalssy". Starting from Trincomalee, he did not reach Kandy till H In:IIllh later, such was the inaccessible nature of the country through which he had to pass. The people generally fled frÖm thu: Villages UIl his appTuảch 50 as to escape affording the supplies which they were required to furnish, by command of the king. In one instance, where Mr. Boyd had been obliged to purchase a quantity of rice, the king, on hearing of this, ordered that the vendors should be decipitaled. On his arrival at Kandy
Page 66
58
he was subjected to many tedious conferences and annoying delays. Accustomed to bad faith and unfulfilled promises of Europeans, the courtiers of Rajasinha looked upon Mr. Boyd with suspicion, and it cannot be said that his mission was a success. A French fleet under Suffrein made a surprise attack on Trincomalee, and the British garrison was forced to surrender, being allowed the honours of war and an immediate passage to Madras. Operations, however, were put a stop to by the peace of 1783. In 1795, when Holland again joined the French and began hostilities against Great Britain, Trincomalee was attacked by General Steuart, and after a determined siege, in which both sides suffered, the fortress was surrendered by the Dutch commander. After refreshing his army in Trincomalee, General Steuart commenced his advance round the north of the island, which was surrendered on the first summons. Earlier in I796 Steuart appeared before Negombo, which also fell into the hands of the British. Steuart next turned his attention to Colombo, which, being a strong fortress and well garrisoned, promised a protracted siege. Steuart took with him three regiments of the line, three battalions of sepoys, and a detachment of Bengal Artillery, and marched towards Colombo. Arriving at the Kelani Ganga, the English troops paused, anticipating the commencement of a long struggle in view of the Dutch fort which had been erected on the other side of the river. Hut after two days they were surprised with the intelligence that the garrison of this fort had dismounted their guns, evacuated the fort and withdrawn to Colombo. Supposing this to be a stratagem of the enemy, the troops crossed the river with caution, while the fleet stood in readiness to assist the army. Steuart planned the operations of the siege with great precaution, which again was found to be unnecessary, as the occupants of Colombo were so demoralised that no attempt to defend it was made. The governor, Van Angelbeeck, concluded a private capitulation and surrendered without a struggle the capital of the maritime provinces of Ceylon. Galle and the other fortresses of Colombo speedily followed the example of Colombo, and the maritime provinces thus became a part of the British possessions in the East.
The following is the list of Dutch governors, with the dates of their appointments, from the date of their occupation, March, I64o, till February, I796 :-
A f. Galle—
Willem Jacobson Coster Ιό4ο Jan Thysz I640 Joan Matsuyker w. • enw Ιό4ό Jacob Van Kittenstein I65o Adrian Van der Meyden 1653
TWENTIETH CENTURY
At Colombo
Adrian Van der M Ryklof Van Goen Jacob Hustaar Ryklof Van Goen Lourens Van Peil Thomas Van Rhe Paulus De Rhoo Gerrit De Heer Cornilis Johannes Hendrick Becker Isaak Augustin RI Arnold Moll ... Johannes Hertenl Jan Paulus Schag Petrus Vuyst ... Stephanus Verslu Gualterus Woute Jacob C. Pielaat Diedrick Van Dol Jan Maccara - - - Gustaff W. Baron William Mauritz ] Daniel Overkeek J. V. Stein Van G Gerard Van Vreel Jacob De Jong Ivan Gideon Lote Jan Schreuder Subhert Jan Baro: Anthony Mooyart Imann Willem Fa. Willem Jacob Vau Joan Gerrard Van
under whoım Colombi coast, was surrenderec
We have now to coi characteristics of the We have said that in came not as colonists quote the words of t wrote under the na “ Cent. per 'cent. wa their object; and ma The government of altogether by the Dutc the offices correspon headmen in the prese the natives, and that ( peculiar form of Chr State religion of H tended to the promoti the barren fruits of the present position o in Ceylon, who, accor number less than thr also the period of rel various measures w adopted to extinguis Christianity are detail well be quoted. “Th Church of Rome co
IMPRESSIONS
Ieyden ... I656
S ... o I66o
s I66ვ S . . . is Ιό64 I68o
C. . . . Ιό93 Ιό95
.e. e. e. I697 Simonsz ... I703
«− 17o7 umph 1716
on I723 )eᎥg 1724
en 1725
a • >, > I726 ys ... I729
SZ . . . - 1732
o O 1732 mburg I734
о и у I736 Van Imhoff I7ვ6 Bruinink ... 1740
pop I742 olnesse 1743 land I75I I75I
n . . . I752 . . . . . . . I757 n Van Eck п762 a w п765 lck 1765 h der Graaff 1785 Angelbeeck 1796
o, and with it the entire l to the British.
hsider in brief outline the Dutch régime in Ceylon. coming to the island they , but as merchants. To he Rev. Mr. Bisset, who me of 'Philalethes' : is their faith; gold was ..mmon was their god.' Ceylon was carried out hmen themselves. Only ding to those of native nt day were available for only if they professed the istianity which was the olland-a policy which on of religious hypocrisy, which are evidenced by the Dutch Presbyterians ling to the latest census, ee thousand. This was gious persecution. The nich were unavailingly n the Catholic form of ed by Tennent, and may e same fury against the ntinued at all times to
Catholic clergyman
OF CEYLON
inspire the policy of the Dutch in Ceylon. Their resistance to its priesthood was even more distinct and emphatic than their condemnation of the Buddhists and Brahmins. In 1658 a proclamation was issued forbidding on pain of death the harbouring or concealing of a Roman Catholic priest. But such a threat was too iniquitous to be carried into execution, and the priests continued their ministrations in defiance of the law. In I7 I5 a proclamation was issued prohibiting public assemblies or private conventicles of Ronan Catholics under heavy fines for the first and second offences and chastisement at the discretion of the magistrate for the third. In the same year, by a plakaat, which was afterwards renewed from time to time, it was forbidden for a to administer baptism under any circumstances; and in 1735 the proclamation of 1658 was republished against entertaining or giving lodging to a priest, but with no better success, for twelve years later the same sanguinary order had to be repeated by a fresh plakaat of the governor. In 1748 it was forbidden to educate a Roman Catholic for the ministry, but within three years it was found necessary to repeat the same prohibition as well as to renew the proclamation of putting down the celebration of the Mass. Notwithstanding every persecution, however, the Roman Catholic religion retained its influence and held good its position in Ceylon. It was openly professed by the immediate descendants of the Portuguese who had remained in the island after its conquest by the Dutch, and in private it was equally adhered to by large bodies of the natives, both Sinhalese and Tamils, whom no corruption nor coercion could induce to abjure it. These measures of the Dutch, so much more stringent than any similar proceedings of their predecessors in regard to religion, had naturally the effect more of less of driving the Roman Catholics and their clergy from the maritime provinces, and Rajasinha, enraged at the deceit which had been practised upon him by the Hollanders in retaining possession of the forts on the coast, readily offered them an asylum in his dominions around Kandy. Upwards of seven hundred Portuguese families are said to have established themselves in Ruanvela, at the foot of the Kandyan hills. A colony of famil Christians from the coast were encouraged to settle at Galgama, and to the present day there exists in the village of Vehakota, among the mountains of Matale, a community of Roman Catholics, speaking the language and in other respects undistinguished from the Kandyans, but who are known to be the descendants of the Portuguese who had there sought concealment from the persecution of the Dutch in the low-country.' "
Tennent's “Christianity in Ceylon," p. 4I, et seq.
Page 67
TWENTIETH CENTURY
No wonder that the natives of Ceylon in the forts all over the islar maritime provinces hailed the advent of the the present day as mon English with delight and welcomed them with In order to safeguard open arms; for one of their first acts was the taxes on land they ke proclamation of religious tolerance and liberty in the provinces, whic of conscience throughout their dominions, and models of accurate reg the consequent removal of all civil disabilities duction of the Rom: created in respect of religion by the Dutch. territory, a system bas
In order to maintain their commerce it jurisprudence of the R became necessary that the Dutch should build given to the Ceylon
COLOMBO AS A DUTCH HARBOUE
(After a Plan
MPRESSIONS
ld, and these remain to uments of their industry. the collection of various ot registers of the lands h remain to this day as istration. By the introan-Dutch law in their ed upon the great civil oman jurists, they have nese of the maritime
OF CEYLON 59
provinces the advantages of a legal system which their British successors were only too glad to perpetuate in this colony, as they have done in the British colonies in South Africa.
We will close this chapter by once more quoting from “Philalethes' : “The Portuguese were more tolerant than the Dutch, and the Dutch were less tolerant than they ought to have been.'
(ملا
R IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY.
1n the Hague)
Page 68
frଷ୍ଟ
SS ؟"؛ "چ 5
CEYLON UNDE
1796
BY EDWARD
ADvocaTE of THE SUPREME COURT OF CEYLON, M AUTHOR OF 'THE STORY (
OT until about the middle I of the eighteenth century did the British take any interest in the affairs of the island which half a century later was to fall entirely into their hands. The mission of Pybus as envoy from the Government of Madras to Kirti Sri Rajasinha ( 747I78o) to draw up a treaty in 1766 against the Dutch, with whom the Sinhalese were then at war, had fallen through, though the Kandyan monarch was agreeable to the alliance. On the declaration of hostilities between Holland and Britain during the American War of Independence, Lord Macartney decided to add Ceylon to the list of conquests. For this purpose Admiral Hughes sailed from the Coromandel Coast on January 2, 1782, and by the IIth of the same month Trincomalee surrendered after a feeble resistance, the assault being made by the troops commanded by Sir Hector Munro. Sir Hugh Boyd had arrived with Admiral Hughes with instructions from Lord Macartney, who left Trincomalee and appeared before the throne of Kirti Sri Rajasinha at Kandy with a proposal of an offensive and defensive treaty to be directed against the Dutch. ago,' said the king, “you sent an ambassador
to us, when we were at war with the Dutch ;
your proffers of assistance were answered
with guileless openness, and on the departure
of your ambassador we heard no more of you
and your offer, though we were subsequently
attacked by the Dutch. Now that you are
at war with that nation, anxious to injԱդe - them, you come to offer us your assistance
'Twenty years
and pioneers.
to drive them from ol fess to be about to from the most disint Kandyan monarch fi except with the King and Boyd returned t flying at Trincomale Hughes returned to Ma admiral, Suffrein, had ( Bay, summoned the immediate surrender b
honourable terms on
his return Sir Edwar fortress in the possess out to sea, and, after ment with the French, By the peace of 1783 T) to the Dutch.
The design of the possessions in Ceylon George, Madras, on ins Hostilities had broken and Holland after the Batavian Republic on country by the French 1794. Letters from th exile in England, r governor of Colombo surrender the settlem kept in trust for him, w J. Steuart, in comman Ceylon.
On August I, I795,
at Trincomalee, about Frederick, with a cons ing of the 72nd Regime of the 7 Istand 73rd Re of sepoys, and a de As th
R BRITISH RULE
1906
) W. PERERA,
EMBER OF THE ROYAL ASIATIC Society of CEYLoN, DF THE SINHALESE PEOPLE.'
ur island, and you proyield us that assistance erested motives.' The nally refused to treat of Great Britain direct, o find the French flag e. While Sir Edward adras to refit, the French lashed into Trincomalee fort, and had obtained by the offer of the most August 31, 178I. On d Hughes, finding the ion of the enemy, stood
an indecisive engage
sailed back to Madras. incolnalee was restored
conquest of the Dutch was settled at Fort St. tructions from London.
out between England Dutch had declared the
the conquest of their general, Pichegru, in e Stadtholder, then an equesting the Dutch , Van Angelbeeck, to ents to Britain to be
2re entrusted to Colonel d of the expedition to
Colonel Steuart landed
two miles from Fort iderable force, consist:nt, the flank companies giments, two battalions :tachment of artillery 2 garrison refused to
surrender, operations for a siege were commenced on the I8th, and on the 26th, a considerable breach having been effected, the fortress capitulated on terms. During the siege a party of Malay soldiers, armed with krises, crept out of the garrison, nearly in a state of nudity, under cover of night, and advancing like snakes along the ground, got behind the batteries unobserved, and having killed or wounded nearly every person on duty in the trenches, spiked the guns and effected their retreat into the fort. Fort Ostenburgh, a fort about three miles from Fort Frederick, fell on the 3Ist of August. The British commander, after refreshing his wearied forces in Trincomalee, next advanced round the north of the island to Jaffna, which capitulated without a single blow being struck in its defence. On February I2, I796, at the head of a considerable force, Colonel Steuart landed at Negombo, which surrendered in response to his summons. Three days later he appeared before Colombo by way of Grandpass, his march being only feebly opposed at the mouth, of the Kelani river by a band of Malays under a French officer, whom he swept before him. This was the only attempt made by the Dutch to fight the British in defence of the dominions they had possessed for the previous hundred and fifty years. The withdrawal shortly before of the Swiss regiment of Colonel De Meuron, mercenaries in the pay of the Dutch, on the termination of their engagement, had considerably diminished the garrison. The dissensions in the Dutch camp, combined with the weakness of the defences, made Governor Van Angelbeeck open the gates of Colombo to the British invader on February 15, 1796.
Page 69
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
In this capitulation were included “the town of Galle and the fort of Kalutara with all their dependencies, lands, domains, sovereign rights of the Honourable Dutch East India Company," for the surrender of which Van Angelbeeck undertook to issue the necessary orders.
King Rajadhi Rajasinha's expectations of at least a seaport, if not of some accession of territory, as the price of his assistance to the British in the late war were not realised, but all political and territorial relations between the Kandyan and British Governments continued as under the Dutch.
The Dutch settlements were, in the first instance, held in trust for the Stadtholder, to whose cause a large portion of the inhabitants were attached. On February I6, 1796, commenced the administration of the Honourable the Governor in Council at Madras. The conquered settlements were associated for a time with the government of the Presidency of Madras, and the civil administration of the maritime provinces of the island was provisionally placed under a Commissioner sent from that establishment, who endeavoured to introduce the same regulations and system of collecting the public revenues which were in force on the coast of Coromandel. When the British occupied the country the Dutch possessions in the island were divided into six provinces for purposes of administration : (I) Colombo, whose dependent country under a chief, called the Dissawa, extended from the river Bentota to that of Chilaw; (2) Jaffnapatam, whose dependent country, under the chief military officer, extended along the northern parts of the island from the limits between Puttalam and Mannar to the river Kokili, the limit of Trincomalee; (3) Galle, also under a military commander (commandant), which extended from the river Bentota to the Kumbukkan river, the limit of Batticaloa; (4). Trincomalee, formerly under a civil, but latterly under a military, servant, which extended from the river Kokili, the limit of Jaffnapatam, to the border of Virgal, the limit of Batticaloa ; (5) Batticaloa, under a civil servant, which extended from the Virgal to the Kumbukkan river; (6) Kalpentyn and Puttalam, which extended from the river of Chilaw, Deduru-Oya, to the limits of Mannar. The country dependent upon Colombo was divided into eight districts called Korales, the whole being under the jurisdiction of a Sinhalese chief or Mudaliyar, who combined both civil and military jurisdiction under the designation of Korala and Mudianse. He had subordinate officers under him called Mohandirams, Arachchis and Kankanis, and was the commander of a corps of lascoreens, or local militia, who were attached to his establishment. The rule by Mudaliyar and Koralas
was the ancient system with some modificatio served. The Mudaliya by custom, and no offic post unless he profess religion. These differ were under the govern of a civil servant of Company, called by Dissawa, who ranked ment, of Colombo. the revenues of the co justice to the inhabita or the jurisdiction of t were comprehended th (2) Negombo, and (3) commandants were res to the Dissawa, adm name and referring t they deemed thems decide.
The Province of jurisdiction of a mi President of the Co the Governor and who from the Governor-G napatam was divided districts: (1) District governed by a Dissa' the resident of Kayts : Wanni, governed by an agreement with woods and cultivated same time he farme island of Mannar, wi pendencies on the co, These three officers Jaffna as the Dissawa tory of Colombo.
In the province military authority wa a military commande council. It was subd: (I) the Galu Kora divisions or pattus un controlled by a civil sible to the comma Dissavoni of Matara Dissawa, under who the pattus or sub-c Dissavoni was divide on the commandant tration of revenue, b Government of Colo of the other concerr
Trincomalee was mander, and till I7 territory attached to period the Kandyans the countries of Ko Kotiyar Pattu.
Batticaloa was fc chief, with the small
MPRESSIONS
of government, which, n, the Dutch had pre's powers were defined er was appointed to the d the Dutch Reformed nt Korales or districts hent or superintendence the Dutch East India the Sinhalese title of fourth in the governThe Dissawa collected untry and administered (nts. In the Dissavoni, e Dissawa of Colombo, e districts of (II) Chilaw, alutara, whose chiefs or ponsible in all civil cases inistering justice in his o him all such cases as elves incompetent to
Jaffna was under the itary commandant, the uncil, who represented received his commission eneral of Batavia. Jaffinto the three following
proper of that name, wa who had under him and Point Pedro ; (2) the a military chief, who by Government cleared the the lands while at thc d its revenues; (3) the th its five opposite deast, under a civil servant. governed the country of i administered the terri
of Galle the civil and s vested, as in Jaffna, in r (commandant) and his vided into two districts : e, comprehending subler the rule of Mudaliyars ervant, who was responder ; (2) the district or which was ruled by a m Mudaliyars governed istricts into which the l. Matara was dependent of Galle for the adminisut responsible only to the mbo for the management s of the country. under a military com6 "had but a very small its government. At that surrendered to the Dutch iyar, Tambalagama, and
merly under a military isle of Puliantivoe at the
OF CEYLON 61
mouth of the river. But at the peace of 1766 the Dutch had obtained in sovereignty from the Kandyans the eight provinces of Batticaloa, which at the period of the British conquest were governed by a civil servant and a Landraad.
Kalpentyn and Puttalam were under a civil chief. The Peninsula of Kalpentyn was an ancient possession of the Dutch. The very narrow district of Puttalam was ceded by the king of Kandy by the peace of 1766, together with the territory of Chilaw, which formed a part of the Dissavoni of Colombo. All the countries dependent on the six places above mentioned constituted the general division of the Dutch possessions in Ceylon. These were infinitely subdivided, and from a district to the smallest village various chiefs, under different denominations, presided. Notwithstanding that Sinhalese offices, by the company's regulations, were declared not to be hereditary, yet they almost all, except in the case of the Wanniyars or chiefs of the Wanni, in fact became so. The petty chiefs in the villages under the names of Mayarals, Patangatins, Patabendas, &c., were more numerous than the chiefs in the country, and were nominated by the commandant or Dissawa, who granted them a charter of office written upon an ola, or palm-leaf, the greater chiefs being employed by warrants of appointment signed by the Governor under the seal of the Dutch East India Company. The greater portion of these chiefs received no salary, but in right of their office held lands or accomodessans, which, added to other emoluments, enabled them to live in comparative splendour. In I797 Colonel De Meuron, who had transferred his allegiance to the British, was Military Administrator and Frederick Greenhill Civil Administrator of Ceylon under Lord Hobart, Governor of Madras in Council, who came over in 1798 and held a levee of Sinhalese chiefs. During this time the taxes of the country were farmed out to Dubashes or Tamil : agents from the Carnatic, the Mudaliyar system was abolished, and collectors and Kachcheris, or collectors' officers, were introduced from Madras. These men ground down the people by their illegal exactions, and infuriated them by their oppressive exercise of power. Charters of appointment as headmen, or for even the high rank of Mudaliyar, were issued by them for the merest trifle to men with no claim to distinction or consideration. Eventually the prevailing discontent burst forth into flame in the rebellion of I798. As a result the system of Dubashes was abolished, and the Mudaliyars reappointed in I799, by the Hon. Frederick North, who assumed the government on October 12, 1798, Ceylon being declared a Crown Colony.
Soon after the Hon. Frederick North took charge of the island the laws and institutions
Page 70
62
which had existed under the government of the United Provinces were guaranteed. But the grant was subject to modification. The barbarous modes of punishment, such as torture, mutilation, and breaking on the wheel, which had hitherto prevailed, were abolished, and liberty of conscience and free exercise of religious worship were allowed to all men. These privileges were granted by proclamation in 1799. The Hon. Frederick North also established a Supreme Court of Judicature, founded the first “seminary" for the education of the Ceylonese, and commenced the publication of a Ceylon Government Gazette.
By the peace of Amiens, 18oI, Ceylon was transferred from the rule of the East India Company to the immediate control of His Majesty's Minister for the Colonial Department, a change which dates from January I, 18oz.
In 1798 Rajadhi Rajasinha, king of Kandy, died without issue, and the first Adigar, or prime minister, Pilimi Talawwa, placed on the vacant throne a nephew of one of the queens dowager, a cadet of the royal house of Madura, called Kannasami, at the time eighteen years of age. The claims of Muttusanai, brother of one of the queens dowager and heir-presumptive, were overlooked by the powerful minister, and Kannasami mounted the throne under the title of Sri Vikrama Rajasinha. Pilimi Talawwa was a chieftain of the highest rank and ability, who hated the domination of the Malabar dynasty, to which the last three Kandyan sovereigns had belonged. The prime minister fora considerable time retained an influence over the young king, whom, it is alleged, he had nominated to the throne with the object of bringing the Tamil dynasty into contempt by selecting for the throne an obscure and ignorant, youth. Pilimi Palawwa, who claimed descent from a daughter of the old Sinhalese royal house,
aimed at expelling the ruling Malabar Nayak
kars with their troop of Tamil favourites, and founding a national dynasty in his own person on the throne. His boundless ambition and national instincts made him unscrupulous as to the means he should adopt in freeing the country from the thraldom of the Tamils. This result he expected to accomplish either by the open assistance of the British Government or by secret treason and the assassination of the king. During two occasions, in 1799, the Kandyan minister laid his scheme before Governor North, and offered to acknowledge the sovereignty of England provided the British deposed the king and placed him at the head of the government. In January, 18o0, although the British Government had already saluted Sri Vikrama Rajasinha as king of Kandy, and had treated with him, Mr. Boyd, Acting Secretary of Government, on behalf of
TWENTIETH CENTURY
Governor North, in a Talawwa, undertook t power provided the
induced to place hims
the protection of Grea British garrison into the same time intim: render him any assis
person and the cont were stipulated as a p ment to be made, and
consent was obtained f between the two Gover view on January 21, 1 and the Adigar, led to British Governor dec Macdowal as ambassad a treaty, “ with the pri
approve of it, that h
THE EON. ERE. (AFTERWARDS EA
(Governor, October 12,
person and court, for British territory, there rights, and to depute t Adigar, the exercise of Considering thë recept is supposed that the p not lay the proposal b meantime, other intervi Governor, or his age Kandyan minister follo tions fell through, as
could come to no defini negotiations at this pe Frederick North and Pii the nature of a diploma prize was the Kandyal was throughout seekir disaffected Kandyan ch inducing the king to re. into his capital. But t than his match in the
MPRESSIONS
onference with Pilini (maintain the Adigar in ng of Kandy could be and his country under Britain and to admit a capital. Mr. Boyd at 2d that he could not nce unless the king's uance of his dignity liminary to any agreeat Rajasinha's express the future connection ments. po, between Mr. North no agreement, and the led to send General r to Kandy to conclude posal, should the king should transport his
DERICK NORTE RL OF GUILFORD).
1798-July 19, 18os.)
greater safety, to the to enjoy all his royal Pilimi Talawwa, the his power in Kandy." on accorded to him, it udent ambassador did ore the king. In the vs between the British , Mr. Boyd, and the ved, but the negotiae contracting parties understanding. The od between the Hon. ni Talawwa partook of contest in which the kingdom. Mr. North to make use of the (tain with the view of ve a British garrison Governor met more urewd chieftain, who
Another inter
OF CEYLON
aimed at the removal of the Tamil king and the chiefs who stood in his way by British aid, and who, when that object was attained, intended to drive the British out of the country and crown himself the national king of a single Lanka. Had Pilimi Talawwa not been prematurely brought to the block, the course of Ceylon history might have been different. Although the designs of the two were so divergent, yet each considered that the best means of effecting his purpose would be by armed intervention by the British. Pilimi Talaw wa was anxious to precipitate a war between the two Powers in the hope of vaulting into power in the anarchy that would ensue, while the Governor, discovering that he could not induce Rajasinha to receive a British garrison into Kandy, awaited an opportunity of invading the highland kingdom. The opportunity soon came in the attack on a band of Mahomedan traders whose goods, to the value of about IOo, were plundered at Puttalam by some of the king's subjects, probably at the instigation of the Adigar and without the knowledge of Rajasinha. When intelligence reached Colombo, British forces were in motion for the capture of Kandy. Major-General Macdowal was in command of the army of invasion, the first division of which left Colombo on January 3Ist, and the second left Trincomalee, under the command of Colonel Barbut, on February 4, 18o3. The British forces, without having encountered any serious resistance on the march, entered Kandy on February 21st, only to find a deserted town. Although, as stated already, Mr. North had previously acknowledged Sri Vikrama Rajasinha as king, had repeatedly pledged himself not to abandon his interest, and had despatched an ambassador to his court, Muttusami, the “pretender," was crowned king by the British amid great pomp as the rightful ruler of the Kandyans, and immediately articles of convention were drawn up between him and the Governor of the British settlements by which the new monarch agreed to receive a British auxiliary force into his capital, and absolutely surrendered to the British a portion of his dominions. This was an object at which Mr. North had long aimed, as part of his scheme for the ultimate conquest of the Kandyan provinces. Thus the Kandyan kingdom was partitioned between Muttusami and the British without the reigning sovereign having been subdued. The new king, without any adherents save his own domestigs, lived in the palace at Kandy, guarded by British bayonets. Meanwhile the crafty Pilimi Talawwa, who pretended to be loyal to his king and the British, using one against the other as it suited . him, persuaded the British commander to lead an expedition to the port of Hanguranketa, about eighteen miles from Kandy, on a promise
Page 71
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
Batteries were erected on every eminence which commanded the paths through which the troops had to pass, and marksmen were placed in ambush in the thickest coverts of the jungle. The British lost heavily on their advance, and retreated after burning down the palace of Hanguranketa, which they found deserted. In the meantime, with their supplies almost cut off in the midst of a hostile country, the British were harassed by armed bands of Kandyans, who hovered round their outposts. Concealed in the woods and thickets, the Sinhalese fired upon the guards and sentries during the night, and the stragglers who fell into their hands were put to death. Being ill-armed and less disciplined, they knew their own weakness too well to emerge from their hiding-places during the day or to face any considerable body of troops. A reward of ten rupees was paid for the head of every European, and five for that of every other class of soldier of the invading army. While these events were passing, Major-General Macdowal, on behalf of the Governor, on the 28th of March entered into a treaty with Migastene, the second Adigar, representing his kinsman the prime minister, whereby he undertook that Pilimi Talaw wa should be recognised as “great reigning prince' of Kandy, that Muttusami should be pensioned off, and Sri Vikrama Rajasinha be delivered to the British when captured, with the cession of the province of the Hat Korale to the King of England. On the conclusion of this treaty with the chief minister of the king, General Macdowal was directed to leave Kandy, which he did on the Ist of April, taking with him the 51st Regiment and the Ceylon Native regiment of I,ooo strong and a detachment of Bengal Artillery. A garrison of about 7oo Malays and Soo European soldiers of the 13th and Bengal and Madras Artillery, besides a considerable number of sick, was left behind. Meanwhile, the scheme of the Adigar had so far succeeded. The Governor was anxious to seize the country, whether by treason of the Adigar or by force of arms. Pilimi Talawwa. appeared at Dambadeniya by appointment, ostensibly to ratify the treaty of March 28th with Mr. North, but really to take North captive, which he was only deterred from doing by a sudden accession of strength to the Governor's escort by the Malays under Colonel Barbut from Trincomalee. General Macdowal left Kandy on the IIth of June and did not reach Colombo until the 19th, and Major Davie was left in command of the Kandy garrison, whose fate was now fast Most of the Malays and the Madras lascars deserted to the enemy. At this time the Dissawa Leuke announced to the British Government, through a confidential agent, that the first Adigar was a perfidious villain, who deceived the whole world, and
to deliver up the king.
approaching.
that the second Ad quarrelled with him. aware of the characte the Dissawa ILeuke, bu the exigencies of the siti friend of the British. C Talawwa announced t was in disgrace with endeavour to save the
him to unidertake anot guranketa, which he, General Macdowal, r Adigar's influence was Kandyan councils, yet was not entirely direc mined by the king in chiefs, some of whom deadly foes. The king commands in the face and took the best milita afforded for expelling til the Kandyans seized th and Galagedara, abo Kandy, garrisoned by daybreak on June 24 army, computed at Io, British outpost on th capital, making the g descended in full forc brave resistance, the fe impossible to hold th white flag, and, after a the Adigar on terms. not observed by the garrison were relentles clubbed to death on th man alone, Corporal B the sad tale.
Dambadeniya, in the 2nd July, and in the c the retaking of the c ground remained to th original frontier. Th up their success by e the Sinhalese subjects ment from their all
dissatisfaction in varic time territory. By th to overcome the remn
Towards the end of
frontiers were simult
warlike assemblies. I and September they mountains and prevaile land Sinhalese to jo object being the expul the island. The Kanc
from Hambantota on
the whole west and r fort of Mullaitivu, nor the 20th of August, t of Hanwella, and the to within fourteen or fi
MPRESSIONS
igar, Migastene, had Mr. North was as well
of his confederate as the was presumed, for uation, to be the faithful Dn the I3th June, Pilimi Major Davie that he the king owing to his British, and requested her expedition to Hanmore prudent than efused. Although the very powerful in the the conduct of the war ted by him, but deterconsultation with other
were Pilini Talawwa's g issued the necessary of the national danger ry measures his country Soon after, he posts of Girihagama ut twelve miles from British Malays. Before 1803, the Kandyan Ooo strong, carried the e hill overlooking the garrison prisoners, and :e on Kandy. After a eble garrison, finding it e town, displayed the parley, surrendered to The conditions were king, and the British isly massacred by being he Kandyan hills. One arnsley, escaped to tell
he invader.
Hat Korale, fell on the 'ourse of ten days from apital not an inch of he British beyond their e Kandyans followed ndeavouring to seduce
of the British Governegiance and to excite ous parts of the mariese means they hoped ant of the British army. July all the Kandyan aneously threatened by in the months of August poured down from the d on many of the lowin them, the ultimate lsion of the British from iyan irruption extended the south coast, round orth coast, to the small th of Trincomalee. On he enemy took the fort next day they advanced ifteen miles of Colombo,
OF CEYLON 63
at which the Burghers in the suburbs became alarmed, and many of them took shelter in the fort. With the arrival of reinforcements from the Cape of Good Hope and Bengal, British detachments entered the Kandyan country for the express purpose of laying it waste they were able to penetrate. According to the testimony of Mr. Marshall, the medical officer who accompanied the army, the orders were carried out with the
wherever
utmost ruthlessness and severity. One detachment alone destroyed eight hundred Kandyan houses. With the arrival of the 65th Regiment from England it was resolved in August, 1804, to again invade the Kandyan country. The new commander, General Wemyss, after a personal inspection of the British military posts, meditated a combined attack on the enemy's capital with all the British forces in the island. The plan decided on was that six different columns should co-operate from the different stations, to effect a general junction by a given date on the heights of Kandy. Captain Johnston, in compliance with what he believed to be the general orders, but which had been countermanded, set out from Batticaloa at the head of a division on September 20, 1804. After much severe fighting and surmounting numerous obstacles in the woods and mountains of Uva, he reached Kandy on the 6th October to find no trace of the other divisions intended for the capture of Kandy. After a delay of three days he commenced his retreat. On the march back he was harassed by the Kandyans, who attacked him in front and rear and hung on his flanks. Thinned by disease and after undergoing great privations, barefooted and worn out, the remnant of the force crawled into Trincomalee on October 20, 1804. Most of the survivors died in hospital, and what was otherwise a disgraceful episode was only relieved by the gallantry and endurance of Captain Johnston. The war was conducted by both parties with savage barbarity, according to a contemporary historian, and numerous villages were burnt and large tracts of country reduced to desolation. In February, I805, the Kandyans again invaded the British settlements, and although on the opening of the campaign the highlanders scored a few brilliant triumphs under chieftains like Dehigama and Leuke and marched to the borders of Colombo, they were ultimately driven back with severe loss. After this event there was a cessation of hostilities.
The courtly nobleman was succeeded, on July 19, 1805, by a rough and boisterous soldier, generous and autocratic, the Right Hon. Sir Thomas Maitland, who was known by the sobriquet of King Tom. Bennet, in his work on Ceylon, tells some characteristic stories of this Governor and his methods of serving his friends, such as the
Page 72
64
creation of the sinecure appointment of the Ranger of the Woods and Forests for the eccentric artist Daniells. Apparently there was no friendly intercourse between Sir Thomas, while he was Governor, and the king of Kandy, but no act of aggression was committed by either party. During his rule the severe laws against the Roman Catholics in Ceylon were relaxed. Major-General Wilson assumed the government of Ceylon on March 19, 18II. The absence of course between the court of Kandy and the British Government which marked the previous governorship appears to have continued throughout his term of office. During 8 I Sir Alexander Johnston, a man of very considerable mark (who had previously been in the island as Advocate Fiscal) came to Ceylon in the capacity of Chief Justice and President of His Majesty's Council, bringing a new Charter of Justice, under which trial by jury was first introduced into Ceylon.
During this period of peace between the British and Kandyan Governments, events were moving fast in the highland kingdom. On the death of Migastene, second Adigar and Dissawa of the Hat Korale, in 1806, the district was, against all precedent and custom, divided between the two chiefs, Ehelapola and Molligoda. The people, having to pay double dues and perform double services, revolted, but the insurrection was suppressed by Pilimi Talawwa, and on his recommendation the Hat Korale was entrusted to his nephew, Ehelapola, by the king. Pilimi Talaw wa's success in putting down the rebellion and his proposal to marry his son to the natural grand-daughter of King Kirti Sri aroused the king's jealousy and suspicion. Charged with a breach of duty, Pilimi Talawwa was deprived of his offices. The disappointed chieftain entered into a conspiracy to assassinate the king with the Malay Mohandiram of the royal guard. On the night appointed the king was awake when it was expected he would have been asleep, and the premature rising of the people of Udunuwara and Yatinuwara laid bare the plot. Pilimi Talawwa and his nephew were immediately beheaded.
This occurred in 1812. On the 18th March in the same year, Lieutenant-General Sir Robert Brownrigg succeeded to the government of the maritime portion of the island of Ceylon.
Meanwhile Ehelapola, who had been appointed second Adigar in 1806, succeeded his uncle, Pilimi Talawwa, as first Adigar. Ehelapola had inherited the ability, the ambition and the treachery of his uncle, but he lacked that political sagacity and shrewdness which characterised . Pilimi Talawwa. Summoned to appear in court from his district of Sabaragamuwa, whither he had gone to superintend
inter
the cultivation and collect the revenue, to
TWENTIETH CENTURY
answer charges of Ehelapola failed to order, and his reply
GENERAL SIER, R,O. BART.
(Governor, March II, I.
satisfy or conciliate hi with commenced a trea with General Brownri adherents in Sabaraga of resisting the royal fo
made known in Kandy
of his offices. Meanwhi who were considered were imprisoned, and M as first Adigar and Diss to subdue the revoltec the rebel chieftain. M. of Adam's Peak, Mo Sabaragamuwa, where soon scattered. Ehela the border to the Britis tidings reached Kanc Ehelapola, Sri Vikra paroxysm of savage pi Ehelapola's wife anc hostages in his hanc Ehelapola, for misprisi ing to Marshall, they w before the palace, and headsman's sword Eh boy of eleven years o the head was throwr pestle put into the mo she was ordered to po she and her relations v defilement to the outc had the effect of streng her courage to suffer determination to face she was encouraged b tended the execution, a who, at the risk of h
MPRESSIONS
xtortion and injustice, omply with the royal was not calculated to
BERT BROWNRIGG
G.C.B.
812-February 1, 1820.)
He forthsonable correspondence gg, and assembled his muwa for the purpose
TCCS.
s sovereign.
His designs were ', and he was deprived le his wife and children, pledges of his loyalty, oligoda was despatched sawa of Sabaragamuwa province and capture urching over the summit ligoda descended on Ehelapola's forces were Dola himself fled across h in May, 1814. When y of the conduct of Lima Rajasinha, in a ission, brutally executed
children, who were and the brother of on of treason. Accordere led out from prison with one blow of the elapola's eldest son, a age, was decapitated; into a mortar, and a her's hand, with which nd it. The threat that 'ould be given over for st tribe of the Rodiyas hening her, and giving any infliction. In her leath bravely, it is said, the chief who superininsman of her husband, life, renuinded her of
OF CEYLON
the humiliation that would be brought on her family by accepting the degrading terms. But this noble lady did not need any encouragement, she having displayed the most astonishing fortitude throughout this terrible ordeal. The wretched woman lifted the pestle and let it fall. The other children were decapitated and suffered the same awful fate. The mother and three other ladies were then led to the Boganbara tank in Kandy and there drowned. During this awful scene the crowd who had gathered to witness it wept and sobbed aloud. During two days the whole of Kandy was one house of mourning, with the exception of the court of the Tamil despot, whom treason, despair, and intemperance had developed into a maniac. Ehelapola submitted a plan of hostile operations against his native country, which, with some modifications, was carried into effect by Sir Robert Brownrigg, who had in contemplation the subjugation of the Kandyan kingdom. An attempt was made about this time, says Marshall, by General Brownrigg to induce Molligoda, first Adigar and prime minister to the king-the only general left to the Kandyans-to abandon his sovereign and join the allies, namely, the Kandyan rebels and the British invading force, but the measure did not succeed.
In 1814 ten native merchants, British subjects, who had gone into the interior for purposes of trade, were suspected by the king of being spies of Ehelapola and brutally nutilated. Three alone reached Colombo. This circumstance was considered by General Brownrigg as an act of aggression on the part of the king of Kandy which involved the honour of the British nation. A true account of the cause of the punishment of the merchants, obtained several years after the British occupation, showed that the pedlars in question were plundered by some low-caste Kandyans in the three Korales. The thieves, in order to escape justice, accused the men who had been robbed of being spies from the maritime provinces and employed by the local government. On the testimony of the men who had plundered them, the merchants were found guilty, and punished according to the common usage of the country. The king had no doubt that the men were spies of the rebel chieftain, considering that Ehelapola was well received by General Brownrigg, and it was well known that he was actively exciting rebellion against the king. The principal reasons assigned for invading the country were the alleged tyranny and oppression of the Kandyan monarch, his unwillingness to enter into any terms with the representative of the British Government, the mutilation of the merchants and the irruption of the Kandyans across the boundary line of Sitavaka
Marshall.
Page 73
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
in pursuit of Ehelapola's fugitive adherents. “The irruption of the Kandyan people into our territory," continues the same authority,' "had, it may be presumed, very little influence in occasioning the war, all the requisite preparations having been made long before it took place.' A British force accompanied by Ehelapola marched by way of Avisawella, the first division being under the command of Major Hook, for the conquest of the Kandyan country, war being declared on January 13, 1815. On the march Molligoda was won over, and he surrendered himself on the 8th of February to Mr. D'Oyley with the banner and records of his province of the Hat Korale.
On February I4, 1815, General Brownrigg, at the head of the second division, entered Kandy, which was deserted by the king and by nearly all the inhabitants. On the 18th the king was taken prisoner with two of his wives in the house of a subordinate headman, about a mile beyond Medamahanuwara. The capture was effected by the rebel chief Ekneligoda Dissawa, one of the adherents of Ehelapola, and his men. On the night of the 13th, while General Brownrigg was at dinner with a small party of officers, intelligence of the capture of the king reached him. " He stood at table," says an eyewitness, "and while the tears rolled down his cheeks, shook hands with every one present and thanked them for their assistance in furtherance of an object which seemed to be nearly accomplished, and which had been vainly attempted for nearly three centuries by three European Powers in succession -the conquest of the kingdom of Kandy.' " From this day," says Knighton, “we may date the extinction of Sinhalese independence, an independence which had continued without any material interruption for 2,357 years." Sri Vikrama Rajasinha was soon after removed under a strong escort to Colombo, and in the beginning of the following year he was conveyed to the fortress of Vellore, in the Madras Presidency, where, on the afternoon of January 30, 1832, he died, aged fifty-two years, having been seventeen years a State prisoner. A son born to him in exile died without issue, and a grandson, a son of his daughter, adopted by the king, bears by the bounty of the British the empty title of Alagia Manawala Sinhala Raja, “the king of the Sinhalese.'
''The king was formally dethroned by a convention held at Kandy between the Governor and the Kandyan chiefs. On this occasion the Governor was seated at the upper end of the Great Hall of Audience. The troops were drawn up in the square before the palace, where they remained while the Adigars and
Marshall,
principal chiefs passed. entered first and alone General Brownrigg v seated in a chair at his acting as first Adiga leading in the Dissaw: principal chiefs. By th in English by the Dep wards in Sinhalese b laws, customs, and insti to the Kandyans, and dhism, and its professc lable. After the treaty translator Mudaliyar to standing outside the h hoisted, and a royal sal the city announced H Sovereign of the wh March 2, 1815." The Kandyan provinces was Board consisting of a missioners-one of justi -together with the con troops in the interior. representative of the two members being th tive departments. The and the principal chi Court of Justice, from was no appeal except sides the Board and Government at Uva, S Tun Korale, the civil a was exercised as bef
SRI VIKRAMA ]
LAST KING
(Reproduced by permission
Soc
Dissawas and Ratemal force, which was rel amounted to about I,
MPRESSIONS
Ehelapola, late Adigar, He was received by ith great favour, and right hand. Molligoda, , next came forward, s of districts and other treaty which was read ity-Secretary, and after7 the Mudaliyar, their utions were guaranteed the State religion, Budrs were declared inviowas again read by the he headmen and others all, the British flag was ute from the cannon of is Majesty George III. ole island of Ceylon, administration of the at first conducted by a resident and two comce, the other of revenue ninanding officer of the The resident was the Government, the other e heads of their respecBoard with the Adigars efs formed the Great whose sentence there to the Governor. Besubordinate agents of Sabaragamuwa and the uthority of the country ore by the Sinhalese
AJASINHA, THE
OF KANDY.
f the Buddhist Theosophical ety.)
atmayas. The military ained in the interior, 'oo or I,8oo męn, who
OF CEYLON 65
were stationed at eleven different posts. Kapuwatta was appointed second Adigar and Molligoda first Afígar, Ehelapola having declined the office. He stated that he only wished to be called the “Friend of the British,' although it was well-known that he was bitterly disappointed at not being raised to the throne. Little of any importance occurred till October, 1817, when the inhabitants of the Kandyan provinces rose in rebellion and the resources of the British Government were severely taxed to suppress the outbreak. The wild district of Welassa first rose in revolt, the immediate cause being the appointment of a Moorish headman, supplanting the authority of the Sinhalese chief. Mr. Wilson, assistant resident of Badulla, in his search for a “stranger' and eight Buddhist priests, who were reported to be concealed i the forests of Welassa, was shot down, and the chief Keppitipola, who was despatched to quell the rising, joined the insurgents, though he had the chivalry to return to Mr. D'Oyley the muskets and ammunition which he had received from the Government stores. Notwithstanding the most energetic measures on the part of the British Government, the insurrection now developed into a war of independence, and spread so rapidly that by March, 1818, all the country rose in arms, except the lower part of Sabaragamuwa, and Tun Korale, and Hat Korale, Udunuwara and Yatinuwara. Eventually, with the exception of the first Adigar Molligoda, every chieftain of consequence had either joined the rebel standard or was in British custody for favouring, or being suspected of favouring, the insurrection.
On the 2nd of March Ehelapola was arrested upon suspicion of being disaffected towards the British, confined a prisoner in Colombo, and ultimately banished to Mauritius, where he died a State prisoner. For a considerable period, during May, June, and July, the issue of the contest seemed to be very doubtful. It is alleged that arrangements were in progress to withdraw the British force from the interior. There was grave apprehension that the Tun Korale and Hat Korale might join the insurgents, when communication with Colombo would be cut off. During this time the "stranger," Dura Sami, who aspired to the throne as a member of the royal family, was discovered to be a disrobed priest of inferior extraction, called Wilbawa. He was discredited by the chiefs when he sought refuge in the wilds of Bintenne, to be apprehended only in 1829. He was tried and convicted and pardoned on orders from Britain. The hostility of the people in most of the disaffected provinces abated considerably during the months of September and October. A predatory warfare had now continued for nearly a year, during which period almost the entire Kandyan
`።rmy
Page 74
fic TWENTIETI
LaaLCL T SLLS HLHLHHLHS SLLL LLLLLL LLLLLL li '''tid in the vy'ICCxd8 ad fir1 the ripis: { if TırtırıLLS LHLHLLLLLaS L aL LaaLLLLLLHHH L g LaLLLLLLL
officer who accompanics the forces, Their la rids halidi helicin Lira tillecl ii r i wiri se:Liscums ; Ini:Liimy of their. L’attle wor: kill:d ; thcir simall 3 l’ores
The Tlos). Lills ''': t: AppTC: ching, so th;ii thcy hai Eno (Ilher a00aalLLL LLLL LLLLLS LLLaS LaLLK aaaaS L lcumula tel hardship IIIl famine. Louring July and August sortle if the insurgents' le:L ders, including the chief, Ellepol:L Maha Nilarlik, were capturci, art several of the IT Were tried hy;" |CCLII'E - Tırt ill.
of grain were exhills led,
Ellւբլ չlit :L: :J11 kl.ėIII Inted to bic: hınged, a sentence velhi:lı Was afterwards coillthilled Lil'capitation. He IT et his de:Lith with th:grcat est firinness. His body" was ir terred by the Circlers of Goverılı II hent, although he hail hirtself desircd that it should
LI EUT.-GEN. SIER EDWARD BARNES, E.B.,
TaLLLLSSSLLCLCLLES LLLLLLLC SS LLLLLL S LLLLLLCLLllLlH S t0S GITrefile}}, ]:IDITIzıry 1 H, 18 — ), oher II, 483.)
bŁ: left al prey lo cicogs al Indij:Luckals. In the 30th if October, Keppitipla and Piliimi Talawiwa, sol of the late Acigar, were surprised and titken by a delachinent of troops under the LUrrmanclos Colorael Fraser in the 1leighbourhi Kid Cof An Lura dhapura. Mfaciugalla vy";s laukern Çin tlıé 15t of Novernber, arıcl with his capture the irisurrection critimated, Keppitipola and MaldLigalla w:TE: triel lly : court-Imaria I and sentenced to suffer death, and hoth were beheaded con November 25, 1818, Several other chiefs were ext:Cuted. Pilimi Talaw wa
li:L, but 0LLLLLLLLaa LH LCL aLLGLCHaaLLL SLLL LLCLLCLLLHa Lo Mauritius. The apprchesi 11 lui futurc verigeance if Elhela pola altaineral power linkel Milligula's fort unes y with thosc of the British and rendered him loyal. To the enmily which cxisted between these chiefs may in a great Ethel Suite hit attributed
Wis tried and congle led hıisi
Llı L. L'isolid: liror of
CENTURY. I
Hritish Prwict in Ceyl 18: y:Tie b:LIIisld. hut IT - king (1832), they inil eTillet L turn to
sistial
engaged to Tesicle in 1 to visit t Bef. Te leaving Kamcl i**:seicd L pTi claIT|;,aiior)
:4, 11 kl | I CIL
for the Ki Tidy"; T1 ptm", Werę plicęd iII differ:1 slip criterid the collect 1 ELĘ ILLI II i li:tr: Liidul
hearl meri, iIslearl of the the chiefs, received th (o'critinent.
Ee['r rheder L L E Llı TI нLпdrid i Narentirl Sinh:l Mặth:Ir; he was captured and W'ils Lltinately bärlishët Brown rigg Wasa frie III lolicy [nil :l: li si:LIL ::: vertion, by which the B
Jf
Early in
Bir tenrir:
l' 8upport l'Ind resero :i, li riles of 3 Llilih isim1 the First Auxili:Li lihl. :lt Colcit mbxi, DLITing
"IT Im:nced the peril *I lite:it:L M Tis: il til -the Bitptist. Wesleyai i Lissi:Iliries
li wir;
esla hlish Tim:11 If the fra III 1818,
Sir Robert Bro III: lıilıkleti Over the go'yı B:Lr'ı 1-8 asi LicLLței;int-G חיב או
H5Irilliant Servic in the
This distinguisil
it-tiglion's , cljLL ta Ii t-GeInt &lpg|Čiuled Lie:Literial-G orI February I 1830, giv lo:ãg[:l, Willữ ht:ỵ:imẹ: Groni After Ehrlding the ofice liel Tills, this oficil| 51|p ers exde Sir Edward . in-Chief, the later hia With the kiwil althorit
Sir Jilines Campbell to IliaIt GI triot duri Tule . Very LLIrinus legislatill prokluced in SLipTL:Im: (Cirl issucri firs I the production SLITISCd, froIII this: T Seiz-cl lid leid in
Tille Čilu: agli||8l Llle writ Regula tikami Ney, I ms 18 declared that it is an GLVer T1r to crder 1
pér:III, t. Il th:Lt that
TULL:Ledings of the ciri
L l Llı Critis.
VIPRESSIONS
In, Millig-ill died in Littler of petty chicfs lic dical h if the deposed the other exiles va'erc Ceylon, privided they e Iliriti Line por iv'in Çiç5, 1e Kandyan , General Hr Wnrigg
tit' tiճ (Ar
British officci's I parts of the island to an of the leverlu and justice, The Ing yearly popi irated by ir" uffices: direct Trim Jaill:1r:, 1820, Another : voi Kandy raised his ils Wirth:ll:l J}h:Lr IT1:1 ja, hut i fę w days Liter seInt » Riadulla. Hic: lito MalLLLrilius, GeI1erul of Christianity, thugh in thç: Kardy: In Conriislı han 111 il the selves Je in violatic the priests Inder his allspices : S+ Hçi:ly' WW':Ls iT1st i ELLlel his crit « office, t&ity, tions of the
critintry,
consti 111 iliath
I1Լ'է:-
if crimir
ldest of | L:xisting in the island founder ill 8, The fih illowed irn I 8 - The ÜlıLIrçlı Mission alıttı:
igg, in his departure, In 11:Il ti Sir Ed Wird overn' on February 1, led soldier, whic, liter Peninsula w:L5. Well
·ral at Waterlix, Was '''TI, II, 13 stald all>','e' ing place to sir Edward erior in February. 1822, for the shırırl period of proceeded to India i Earlics as ColliLandervirg had a di crece ies. li elkl th : I'igis ;as [.ie - 1g 1823. During his case ui is fast firca 11 cil) exciter Inert. The a writ « ii haahe T5 coloro. if it deserler, as was Adi:LI1 Army, who w;Ls irrest by the military 1:4 Kubu Lailtid li sho \, ',' lIn the interyal the '... was passed, which d ers lav stil sor the he lelention if any Orlet 5 hLill bar the , rl4, iIn ril:spicct kif stilcli
OF CEYION
person. Sir Hardinge (Giffalrkl, the uncle of the late Lord Chancellor (Lord Halsbury, was Chief Justice, and Mr. Matthews, father of Lord Landaff, and the author of "The Diary L LLL LLLGLS ELLLLLLLLS LLLCLCLS SLLLa aLLLLLLL Juštice, mLLch chagrinteri, warı ned Matthews that in defending such high-harded proceedings he w:15 preg:Iring : bcd cof thor:18 for hirinself. Ml:att h : W h. howev'Err, dil 114 ut suurvive to clain the seat of Chief Justice, The brilliart humourist died of atrophy. The regulation which he drafted at the billing of Government tlh:Luglı it se Tw:ci its purpose for the LiTT1, was subsequently revoked by an Order in Clil HT. No verlinber 1, 183o.
Sir EL, ward ElBarles caL Inc to the isliu Iitll with supreme civil and rimilitaLry authority' irti 1824 and his active and useful rule extended to 11early the close of 1831. He had been Wellington's Adjutant-General at Waterloi, aid, as alre:Ld stated, th:ll laid down the b;atial if CIIITiander-in-Chief of India as his views had conticled will Lhe civil alheirities. All this great inan's encrgies, ind the resources if 1 Corney, meri, Tcl co ITF tulis Try libc)ur at his disposal, were systernaticially and successfully employed to Copen tıp the cili intry by mecans af roads, He had, according to Major Skinner, who was are of his trusted Ltd most useful licutenants, the fire faculty of gaining the affeliors of those who served Linder him, ml inspiring them with his own enthusiasm. The LLaL Ha S LLLLL LLLLL LL LLaCLLLLa LCakLLL Teriod the cipital of the ancicnt kingdom of KL Indy Wars cronnected with the rimaritime: cıpital, hirst by Way of KuTLimegalı alınd Gillagexistra, and finally by the Grand Kadugannawa Pass, by means of roads, These were mil Twels of cngineering skill, all were waluable in il Inilitary sense, as they broke: for ever the power of the highland chieftains, But their chief Lise was in opening up the country to industrial cnterprise.
"Sir Ed Willic BLT 1:5, though tither its : sulklier, had a II inici which Tcached beyond what was therely il IIleans Lil in crid-i-Illilitary se curity. He jores:w le great continercial possibilities if Ceylon, and laid the trail of 1 hal prospirity which the island is now enjoying. A TTIlgst the things to his credit is the säct tlat he ciel Illuch tr. irilizite sind encouT:lge: tle great coffee enterprise which his own rulid, the Simplon of the East, rendered possible and which in ils progress lựd to the stapercessiu II of the Tial by a Tailway," BIL TIHL:s’s statue st: LIncis it thic Coloub" terminus of his great work. beitar: thc. gate (ıf (;rıverııırı erit House, arıd the Ion IIIle of Lawson, the great eigineer will exclutcxl tliic la-k, liiiki-i, down on the 1 Ii teeting frac lIlcl Tikilway at the summit If KilclugarlIllwa Pass, The rule to Kindy before the time I of Barill:s wa 5 along Hilainvella, Avisa
Wicilla, Aith tuag 1 i 1114; w:1, :Lind Gampola. In thit:
Page 75
TWENTIETH CENTURY
peried cof the grę (GCIVETIT mer’s rule 31. bridge of bo3atis was thro vivon 3 : Toss th: Kolizi Ini rivero al Naghellgam P.155 near Colombo since replaced by an iron structure. the Wictoria Bridge, it commemoration of the late Queen's Jubilee), while General Frascr spanned th: Mahaveli Garinga IELT KLII edy hy the celebri:Lt Cd 1 Tid beautiful Peradcniya sa tin-wood bridge which, ini Igof, gawe: [ilaçe to a more diurable: li nd IC55 artistic iron bridge, Kur negalil 111d K:111dy a tunnel was drive il through thc hill, and the KL Indyan ı:Asılat called to mind the old prophecy that the sceptre Would Only pa55 way from the Sinhales: Wher La LaLaLLLL HLGHLK CLLLeLL tLLL La LLLLLLL
illa diurr, the Tooth Relic of Buddha, seized by the stri rige"—L A'I e Vents, 'hich he leermed
Llika: impico55 ibile,
Nu wrik Eliya was adopted als coth Walesaeil station during this rule :LId " Нагпсs Hall," in the grupu Ilds of which Sir Edward experlin Enter With Cafee until früsl :: III - and killed this: C LLLLLL L LLLLL LLLL HCCLH HHHLLLL LLL LLLLLL
() thi: rd bety"'ı
iլ Illilitiւr:
plants, št.Id Eis
fiJurid:lti}Il Jf IIICyclern Progress in Ceylor. He Inacle roads and built bridges, and he felt th;Lt. Interprise and improeieill would follow, though even he cauld scarcely hile anticipated L a LaaLLLL LL LLLL LLH HSzK LLL LL LLLLLS SLLLLLLL ble:Lutiful pilvili Prı zıt KL Indy, cyınly L portion of Ele original design, which legend says the Gi}''errı or sketchel iı claret Oı lıis table after liller was continenced during the time of Sir Edward Barnes. Het als built the magnifiL'El Teside:Ice, MILITıt I.:LlyfiTia, called Rıftlic" hi wife, by the sell at Dhiala. It il cost which
Majir Skinner states w:L5 moderatc. Cylon Wils thea garrisoned by a large hocis of troops, whose labour the Grovermor utilised, He als)
largely res Corted 1C) 4 hat sy stę 11 of Çimpulsory lahur, rail kitry, which was a holished in the succeeding Til at the reçam mendatiot of L Royal Commission whose members, LieutenantColonel Clebrook: ; TriC. H. C:Lineron, arrived in Ceylon in the closing pelixl of Sir Edward LLLLaLlSS LmaaaHaLLLLSS LOSaa LLa aaLLa LLL rule of Sir Edward R;arnes in 1825 sh;lt the Law was abolished by Which capital purishnell aLaLL LLL LLL LLL HHHHH HHHLLLL LLL LLLLHHLLSS The tragedy Which surrounds the simill tank at Bagirimhill Till With 57 terrihle , in illeres yra: LaLLSaa0 l CLL caaSaaaLLLLL LL LLL LLLlLgaLLSaCLCa LLL Thijs ColuIIlbuco Frie:11 lful ded during this
tlı is, Ki 11 l'LL L'Islio 11. in-Need S:}ciety Wils
LLLLLLLLLLH LaS LLLLa LLLLHHLS HHLL HGLCL slru:k with the IILIEileriilis :lppli::ltioris fur Bislı pı Heber visilel the island in 1825, the year before his death, and his LIr:ls be:Lf testi Lily L. 11e benefiCLLLLLLL LLLLLLLLLLLL LL LLL LLLLLSSLLLL LLLLLLLLJJS Major Skiller thus sulls up Llle pulicy and
Tellief LL maxle lo llh iiiI 1.
character of Sir Edward's government : " He loatinued plugressively to perfect the stral
M
yy'ı Trks which i 82 yıl In Lor) the hlucl crimir herce. gratuituši šervices of til hil Ill:(-li of With Itituder
th:5e distTitl& Y, he l'eir til h: i l il! Aris sonal intercourse with th
chiefs and their f:Lillili: cIlduct to Wilds the Ill w ing vincing an interest and do II listic affairs, all E respectahility and influe: ledge of every district a gr:85:5 through th: it his Govertinent, whether rLur:tt: «listrict3, l(o e:Xer"cis{ LI: ILWAI':3 till E TIL tives, to acquil': the most imti IT է:xյuntry, tt, prevent the Irilled th:LI1 he has his E:L. tille authority aid ii chicfs would be exercise protecting and upholdin ow"Il goveTEITicilit IIId I
His LCt crised by its decision
classics of society,
during the early part of i exilicit Inuch gratuito.L.S se still he won the affection person, and thicir attacl IT cInt; his naille is hon land, as well by pcils: Int solic statue has been c his the Inary, although, Engll ind, it was not ser years liter he hild cease: in the country. On its cr klistricts tiacked lait : dur wcre so frequently left at Kobliged ten encluse it wit its being convcrtcd into this falt 15 :'',"id: 1: t deficiency of gratit Lide ai the part of the natives of til 13 CICL:seid."
The shorlest period . LEI1:It-GuyeTI Tiller October, 1831 when be I SIT EIT"; Hitles, i
Right Hori. Sir Robert dislinguished Peninsul:L Wilson, K.C.B. aditiris for exILL:Lly' te III, d:Lys, frULI tụ the 23rd tại []cloher. wis : st:Les II:Lil Jl 8011
''led Insidérable ALLE deby:Lited ques tiuı1 uf : Britain ırd hllr bloğrılıb: Uffice of L11rlLr-SecTL1äTy Adminis ET:Etiz in hefre güvLTI'ı Ceylon. His fzı
in H
Lri th
tici, Elle 11i Tı:
Wirt li:
IPRESSIONS
lei Lieutenant-of1. Rajakariy, or the e pcople, he availed Litiu partiL:Lularly i 1 he greatest efforts had sitice L320. His pere official head III and is was frequent; his as kind and encourageven in their private ending to Luphold their -"wנוחt: while: his kטח .nd his frequent proLiced every Trierraber of " iıı lle tulerupulita, T. COI : the sarı- lite of c1L11: "I pelled the Il late knowledge of the ir pipe:Lig less inself. He had II fears
influence of the native d prejudicially, and hy g it, stricing thcicid his TESI" y el T&T i Gill -ment wa5 cll;lrוrTש"יואש 1 ald great energy : t he was comThellcd ti;ri rvice from the people: 15 of all classics to his 1 Illent to his gover IIoured throughout the as by chief. A handT: t : Alt Call t} çı Wing to delay's iri it Olut 1111 til Severuleer 1 tc) text:Ticis: Authority Cçtion, people fl'{TIl all ing the Inight, Cofferings its base that we were h : Täiliig to II::lt
ál11 itlùl.
hält illLr is rt hat 1d wart of feeling on which they are & IIIle
I Letio
Iuring which i LicuEl Ceylon was in :lween the departure ill the arrival if the Willimit Harton, tha r soldier, Sir Johm tered the government 1 ll: Isll) { if October
Si Will To Hortar
{! LL1:Ark:, Withu tua ci d:- the Illichle relations between 5. He had illel. Ele of Slate in a Liberal being selecteci tu Inity I: Inc. was Wilorton being allup tletl L: ht:lutiful hէ։il":38,
Iulia T t )
OF CEYLON 67
Byron's cousin, and the herine of the lines -: tingונ:tונrותרים
"She walks ill beauty", like the night
of claullic5s climles all starry skies."
As one of Byron's executors, Sir Will not Hortin gave his voice for by Fire of that " scandaloLLS " diary which his wife's noble kinsman had left a legacy to his friend Moore, the poet. A brother of Sir R. W. HICI"tom, fr, Willit, GC) verıı tuleı 1 E Agent of the Southern Province, was in the Ceyloni Civil Service, and subscqu:In t litigati brill between the brothers showed that Sir R. W. Horton had been 'laying himself out for a peter:age." But, tlı is aralitic III was gratified, Llthrough 11 Luchi la f acco||mȚILI nited his gewer TıEI erat, of Ceylor, mainly iil CO1 = sequence of the occurrence of a 5 crics of
the destructil
11t:Tէ:r
W
HORTON, BART. G. C.B.
cLeEELGaEkSaaLLLlL LS LaLLS LLLLkeGGLLLLLLL KS uuuuS
Wilderfully successful pelt fisheries. Which, betweer 1838 and 1837, yielded a sul of 227,XX). Sir Robert Horton, finding Sir Edward B:LITTE:s'5 greit road i In: cd tc) his hand, encouraged the establishinent of l ruval mail coach het weten Colomba) and Randy the first postal and p:Lssenger Wehicle of the kind in the East Indies, lccording to solic in Asia, superseding runners, bullocks, Lild բial:ITlզաiT15. Sir Robert Horton's rule was the publication mil the () ridcr of Council albrolishing crompulsory labour on the advice of the Royal CIT mission's Report, According to this IncasLLI, Government claims to servic: Wer: ertir el aballoriel, While the rights of private propriet Cors and teimples were left L mlouched. TI 31 ile dissä lisfacti HIL 31 the part of the 1ste varlı fell Lihat GyverIIIII: ILt halci III:Ltd :: t_{i} grie:Lt zu SuITTEI1<:Tr. Firally, Sir Philip Wodehouse's Rad Orli
One of the great measures of
listi qlib Il LuccasiJIibed
Page 76
68
nance remedied one defect in the proclamation, while the legislation during Sir Hercules Robinson's term of office provided for the gradual and equitable abolition of praedial and temple serfdom. By the Road Ordinance all males between eighteen and fifty-five years of age (except the Governor, the military, Buddhist priests, and immigrant labourers) are bound to give six days' labour or their money equivalent toward the formation and upkeep of roads and canals, a tax which in its incidence has imposed great hardship on the poorest class of the people. A new and much improved Charter of Justice superseded the previous one as the result of the labours of the Royal Commissioners. The reduction of the salaries of the civil servants and the abolition of a system of pensions, on the recommendation of the Commission of Inquiry, caused much dissatisfaction at the time,
It was only in Sir R. W. Horton's time that Moormen (the Mahomedan descendants of Arab traders and local and Indian converts) and Indian Tamils were allowed to purchase land and houses in the Fort and the Pettah of Colombo, the disability continuing from Dutch times, which probably originally arose as much from prejudice as from military considerations. Until comparatively recently, it had been an offence to sell horses to the Sinhalese of the Kandyan provinces.
The cinnamon monopoly, which was the chief source of revenue of the butch, and which had been continued under the British with its special departments manned by Sinhalese chiefs and labourers of a particular caste, was relinquished during this rule in 1833.
"It was in connection with the higher education of Colombo that the interest of Government in education took a practical shape,' writes Mr. Harward, the Director of Ceylon Education. “ The first important Government institution, the Colombo Academy, which still exists under a changed name as the Royal College, dates from I-835. It is perhaps more than a coincidence that this is the year of Lord Macaulay's famous minute, which marks the decision of the Supreme Council of India in favour of a European type of education. The question had been in the air for some time, and though the Government of Ceylon had no official connection with India, the Governor was doubtless aware of the discussions which had taken place in Calcutta. But the actual establishment of the Academy has more the
appearance of a happy accident than of a
deliberate act of policy. The Rev. J. Marsh, M.A., had come out to Ceylon as classical and mathematical tutor to the Kotta Christian Institution under the Church Missionary Society. He had, however, left that institution and had come to Colombo, where he acted as colonial chaplain at St. Paul's Church, and in 1835
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
started a private school classes among the Sinh a want that had been fe leading Sinhalese resid the Governor, Sir R. Wi it. The decision of GC and was carried out with In January, 1836, the Government institution Colombo Academy, wi its Principal. The ex and aided with the wal by Sir Willmot Horto successor, the Right H. kenzie, who on one oc ducted the school exam the school was to give t it a good education in mathematics, and relig very advanced work w ing was sound and thor and the effect on the s good. Many of them positions in the service main cause of the succe: high personal character the Rev. J. Marsh, a rer in a very marked degr and maintaining noble : worked under him.'
One of the most farintroduced on the rec Royal Commissioners' R a change in the constit The Crown, in I833, by created an Executive the Colonial Secretary, th the Forces, the Attorneyand the Auditor-General when he chose to summ not bound to follow th lished a Legislative Co of fifteen members, n persons to be selected chief landed proprietor chants, the officials to t unofficial element, an themselves according t appointments. A diffic The European members and Jeffery, would not the officials had been Sinhalese members ha some of them. A bitté subject between the E the Government, with tary of State, continue R. W. Horton's rule.
Since the attempt of t Dharma Narendra Sin dyan country had ri disturbance of a differ in 1834. On informatio
MPRESSIONS
frthe sons of the upper ese. The School met for some time, and the nts at once petitioned mot Horton, to support 'ernment was prompt, considerable liberality. new school became a under the title of the n the Rev. J. Marsh as eriment was watched mest personal interest and his immediate n. J. A. Stewart Maccasion personally cónnation. The object of those that could afford
English, the classics, ious knowledge. No s done, but the teachough as far as it went, tudents was certainly rose rapidly to high of Government. The is of the school was the of its first Principal, narkable man who had ee the gift of rousing aims among those who
reaching reforms, also ommendation of the Report of 1829-3 II, was ution of Government. an Order in Council, Council, consisting of he Officer Commanding General, the Treasurer to assist the Governor on it, although he was cir advice ; and estab1ncil, to be composed ine officials and six from and out of the s and principal merke precedence of the ! the latter among the priority of their lty arose at the outset. Messrs. Joseph, Read, accept their seats as iven precedence and d been placed over controversy on the glish merchants and ppeals to the Secretill the close of Sir
Le pretender, "Vimala a " in 82o the Kanmained tranquil. A ht character occurred
from Mahawalatenne
OF CEYLON
Dissawa and other informers of a plot in the Kandyan provinces, Sir Robert Horton issued orders to seize the suspected leaders. On the night of the I9th July their houses were surrounded and twenty-three persons were arrested. Amongst them were Molligoda, first Adigar, only brother of the first Adigar Molligoda, who died in 1823, Dunuwila Dissawa, Raddegoda Lekam, two priests of the Malwatta establishment, and a Malay officer of the Ceylon regiment. On January I2, 1835, they were tried for high treason. They were charged with conspiracy to levy war against the king, to set up a pretended prince or relative of the late king of Kandy to be king of the Kandyan provinces, for endeavouring to procure assistance from Siam and from the French nation, to seduce some of the soldiers of the Ceylon Rifles from their allegiance, and to kill the soldiers and subjects of the king. . The prisoners objecting to being tried by Kandyans, they were arraigned in the Supreme Court in Colombo, and after a trial of ten days were acquitted by a jury consisting of Europeans and low-country Sinhalese. Notwithstanding the acquittal, the chiefs and officers were detained, including the Adigar Molligoda. Major Skinner, who was the officer commissioned to seize the Adigar, states: "Molligoda has since died from the effects of intemperance, a vice acquired in his European intercourse. His son, a fine youth of about twenty-one years of age, has fallen a victim to the same propensity, and the name of a once high and powerful family is now extinct. My own impressions have been that the reports of this intended insurrection were wilfully exaggerated by informers, who hoped by their zeal and the importance of their information to ingratiate themselves with Government. The result of the State trials at the beginning of 1835 was seriously to impair the influence and authority of Government in the minds and affections of the people. With the exception of this supposed intended insurrectionary movement, things went on very properously. Government gave many substantial proofs of the liberality of its policy.'
Sir Robert Wilmot Horton's successor was the Right Hon. James Alexander Stewart Mackenzie (November 7, 1837), who previously to his appointment sat as fellow Commissioner with Macaulay on the Indian Board. Mr. Stewart Magkenzie was an able man and a polished scholar. He worked hard himself and exacted good work from those under him in the task of administration. It was Mr. Stewart Mackenzie's misfortune to find Ceylon in a transition state; old sources of revenue collapsed, and new industries demanded expenditure of money which was not forthcoming. The pearl fishery, so prolific during the rule
Page 77
TWENTIETH CENTURY
of his preclecessor, had entered om a lUTıg period of barrenicss; and cinrarther, once the IT air stay of Ceyl II, wils, by reason of the establish ments still being III: intained, an additional struir rather tha T1 a income to the revenue. The old nonopoly systern and the high duties had fostered competiti yra abroad, notably in Jawa, The Governor realised that the tric reredics were the disposal of the Government Cinnation Garders, with their it lendant expensive departIIleil, and 1 he throwing open of the trilde. The Crown's sanction was obtained for the measure, and matters in proved, although not in his While thi: italficient cinnillinon tradic of Ceylon was thus in its decline, the coffee enterprise, als far als its regular and systematic cultiwal tion was concer Ti Locl, Was in its wery infancy, The first plantations had beer opened by George 13ird and Sir Edward Bartles ten years earlier; yet when Mr. Stewart Mackenzie landed in Ceylon in Nowerinber 7, 1837, all the plantations in the Colony did not exceect ter, and Illy LSS LLLL a LLLLLaS tLLLLLLL LL S LkkkSLLaSGS HLHaaSK LLLKCCCLLLL the coffee being all lost entirely the produce of bushes grown around Sinhalese huts, as compz1red with Over a thousind estates, with a yearly ut-tuTI of a million cwts, worth three million sterling, thirty years later. Trifortunately for his reputation, his peace of mind and, als it happened, Linfortunately alsn for the iTılere:5ts of his faLITı ily, the III alia for spleculation afflicted the Governir. as well as 11 early all the officials, civil, judicini, Lilitary, L Tid even ecclesiasticial. To a larg: PTCpUTt in of them the irrhagined El Dorail lay in the A III:nb:Igal Tm II, wall föresls. The KCl + silly' A.III.ii:Ligaruwa road was publicly denounced as heing undertaken to subserve the rivate interests of officials, and defended as best calculated to open up what was then thought to be the best, as it was the largest, expanse of unbroken forcist in Ceylorı. But the wa ITILL est advčicațę:5 for the road could not have LTiticipated what occurred. Ambaga Iluva collapsed, but Kotmile, Lainbulla, Ibiky, and Maskeliya wLrL opened up, arid the Tad was superseded hy the Naval:,pitiya Tailway. Su great was the scandil that purchisers of laid were pierIlit texl tej select their blocks, :LTici tij obtain them at the upset price of five shillings ar. Licre. Crown lands pa 55 ed in Lithuusia II dis Cf acrcs into privale hands, :Lind 114 ut the le:List inlik that of the highest (over Irment officials. The 1rices of labour and supplies vere rapidly Tuin' up by planters, in the stress of competition to get coffee in to bearing in circle is make their fortures by oil: or two crops before the differential duutilus should be ablisherl.
Mr. Stewart Mickenzie was able to gath: round lin a complete Legislative Council. The English merchants waived their objections
8ույrւլ Լյf
title.
to join the Board, w! h:Ld preceder Acc
if their appointment. T;LLInil II1:Ir hher iT1 I ! L'all Lred Simon Casi "Ceylon Gazetteer,"
seat. Being in Giwi time, ht: th:Il to been S: Լ:relary Lif Stiլtւ է principlt: of реп8іопіпg t } be: CT-a tel çLurici & Kain re-pl:Liceo kl by anilo LE: iTc of Si il th:lt the business and h:Kr:41ILe x.LL ch. L5 licı ; Mr. SEWirt Milckel aft:T 84-85 is-I, COIIle bi tale of a TCW:Tue Tot e
TEIE RIIGI EION
STEWART
GrxvErriur. Schweriaber
inical expenditure ch Establislı II: rits, The si this rule: ;) Ici thit , the tox Tapidly exte: file of a conti IL Luci di: If coffee Ieri li bi ħsi IIL:h tToill: iTI asti: in 1he disaste: rs "V'lı iç Lord To Trington si ) LI
Mr. Stewart M:LLke the Iloral LIII intellec pt:Caple. Hic: Trepa Ted ibilition of slavery able ten Licci armilish ; h iılığır ve lutlatiç Asylılr Ind th: the II i TipeT lducation of the lap) grants to libraltics; deter II ir 1: Licin persyl; di Lion of till: y will Wi IIleasures fur educalir that le contracted Ll
PRESSIONS
rt ill the non-ficials ding to the priority Oil tle deith if thc 7, the scholarly in Ilil Chetty Luthor ryf thc as appointed to the TIII-II Her"Wice at the (Jied of ; but the Ellel :irig cuppised to the i Griver Ilment oficers Jrs. Cisie Chetly váš 1er , It was Tibt u lil 1. C:Lipbell, however, d:b:Ltes if the CILIncil tract public ;Lttention. e could (Jilly, session foTe it with the sal Inc ual to the II 1Øst ciconci
AMES ALEXANDER
MACFH NMIE,
, 13-April 5.8-1.
works iTı iddilirııı to railble for lands during ich succe 4:ded il, and cled cul Liw; y tirion in the preciation in the prices y surveys which give days, and cull linated rendered the rule of happily memorable. tie took deep interest in 13l Kadw:ırıceriment of th: the way for the final hich his success. It was : III acde grcat efforts to 5, priscos, and li Los itals, :L: ITI: chinery for thL: ; hic sanctioned liberal Lild it was lic to his lỵ l[I *15Cerläĩ11 thị: LLInlklahıs, s as tu Uga, Illis: and civilising them, sever which ultimately
OF CEY LON 39
forced him to leave Ceylon and accept the office of Lord High Commissioi er of the Ionian Islanls, the tenancy of which, Ibere i8 little doubt, finally proved fall to him. If Sir Robert Wilnot Horton's rule wys memornble for th: cstablishElet of Email-coach commLInicalion between Colorbo and Kandy, Mr. Stewart Mackenzie's tule Wils distinguishcd by the TLITI Ining if a n-uil ceach on the Gille rimlrd. Mr. Stewart Mackenzie, als L. Scotch Tember of Parli:Lime it and Lindlord-he was proprietor of the island of Lewis through his wife, the kl:LLıghter mĨ Lorci Selai orth, a lady yw'lımı Scott described 3,5 " a chieftaines* in cwery drop Ji her bloux "-hildheen faciliar with a system of TLeaLLLHHCCLLLL LLLL LLL LLLLHHLLLLS CLLL LLLLHHLLL with disfavour the reverse system of the exFiction of a tax of cine-lelltl srebrn the fi3hcrTTEI of Ceylor. In the fice of iruch opposition he Lbolished the tax; and its re-imposition, though often subsequently advocated on the ground that the fishermen voluntarily continucd the tith:5 i the fish caught irl favour of 1 h cir churches and temples, has not been agrecd to. Not the least among Mr. Stewart Mackenzie's characteristics was this piety L Tid riigici Adhereice to Christian principles. In his days not infrequently the Governor presidel Lt missionary IIlectings supported by the Chief Justice Lind ther high authoritics. Oric of the last acts of this (Goverrnor wra 5 ton cinler al scoll:11tırı written protest against himself or any of his successors being Lilled upoli to sign Warrants of appoint Leill for Buddhist priests. which had previously been di Jlne under the public seal in Lerms of the Katidyan Cin wention and as 5 Luccessors of the ancient Sinhalc5c silvereigns.
Sir Colin Campbell, one of the Duke of Wcllingll's licute arts, was chise: t succeed Mr. Sie wart Milckenzie is [[Jvernor. He As su II led the government of April 5, 84 I. Coffee production had increased ;lt a rate 50 entirely beyond the means of communication, that it was often a grCatct difficulty and a matter of more time to get the produce to Culumbo har to send it froIII Colombo le 1 Iridor, With the cipital introduced for the cultival in of coffee and the rice in ported to feed the exKilies, the Tevenue increased ultil there was a SLLIn Ji too,x]o per inn titl IIlore lvailable than Sir Colin's predecessor was able to çLOLIITIL: Tidl. Establish Ilıcılıts arid cxperidit Lurc: generally were increased in proportion. All this curred while coffee, on which the continued prosperity of the colony depended, was not rising, but declining in price. This a, ug II en lation f establishı III eint 5 and thL:: irexpendilure, therefore, laid the LInstable exlifice which critish in the tine of
CITE:545e Cof foLundatiu II
amic down with :L Lou'd Torririigi).
Lord Stanley, afterwit tids Earl of Derby, heing then Colonial Minister, ordered the
E*
αf aπ
Page 78
()
Governor to publish in the Government Gas effe a serics of despatches in which the character of the civil service of Ceylon was assailed in terms which created intense excitellent and displeasure amongst those so stringently dealt with und their srictids- “ There wa5 much truth," says a contemporary, "in the description, however, many II embers of the service being possessed of but low general attaininents, while only a very few paid attention to the Il:Ltivic languages." The service was recorstituted its columents increased, and a system of pensions revived on the principle of al deduction of 5 per cent. from salari:5, This cxiction was subsequently abandoned, als well as the principle of annual increases to salaries of gentlemen who did not chain pTiConnotic II 1. SiT ETTners pri Tennent, an ble follower of Lord Stanley, was sent out as Colonial Secretary, the Whigs following the Exatnple and sending out Mr. C. J. MacCarthy, anther ahle mar, as Auditor-Gcnerll. Bolh irudusions; of " Ille yw bloc-d " were tundust 11 T1 WV'elcome to the old members of the service, who had naturally expected to succeed to the prizes, and the feeling against Sir J. E. Tennert, especially, vyks intense. Mr. MacCarthy succeeded hy a policy of conciliation in eventually bc.corning Governor while Sir Emerson Ten. rent was too clever and tax demonstrative: in his ambition to exchange the post of Colonial Secretary for that of Goverror, The charge of Ministry was a disappointinent to him, and his coquetting with Mr. Wodehouse for the usc of his influence with Earl Kinberley, a III)onunting to " You help me tu hecome Governor and you'll be Iny Colonial Secretary, with larger sees in addition to salary," became l, public scandal, Mr. Wodehouse, afterwards Sir Philip Wodehuse, had tua Tnu'ch character and capacity to be trade the tuxul of Sir Emerson Terlinent. He adopted a strong line osopposition against Sir Emerson con several public occasions, and the feuds between the two ultinately culminated in the political Tuin of Lord Torrington and the recall of themselves and the weak man whom they used as their instrument. Apart from their personal quattels and political intrigues, both Tennent and Wodehouse were able IThen. The One Wrote Waluable reports on our systein of finance, and gave the world the best account ever written of Ceylon, or perhaps of any other colony while to Mr. Wodehouse rainly the country owes the Thoroughfares Ordinance. Both being recalled from Ceylon in disgrace, Tennent lived to be Secretary of the Board of Trade and to receive a pension and a baronetcy Wodehouse, projected into the line of Governors, rose step by step until he boccattle Governor of Bombay. Lord ToTrington, con whose weakness each had played never ernerged frorIn the obscurity of the orna II lental
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
Court office to whill w mist nout anticipat Not only was the ci
SIER J. EMERSI
Colonial Secretary during Sil Trirri ington's Administrati ür Lhe Well-kırı'yırı" lisir
in the title of Sir Co whole systern of the ad rewolutionnisccl., MT, (C well-Tinatured system, pi| court of original jurisdi with systematic rules, p was deemed not to ing posal of cases which cqually inportant wit decisic.115, Miilor ci. established-those of quests and police Illag: of the peace unofficia Treceived com III)i3siCorts
ewiclerce in LISES Us se and deputy-coroners Slawery, which, hy a si registraticorn and the pay. reduced to very narrC) abolished by Ordinanck has been no slavery in labur due to Govern Em. aholished, and finally Tendlered possible the e and village tenants, W tenures which involve MIT, Arthur HBuller la Buller, of the Calcutti B Advocate, and did II elaborate lind animate days in the Legislature John Mr Iritage and Mr able and indLL5triðLLS ILn. Ilalne is also associatec of regular barking in
MPRESSIONS
1c was relegated- but
il service reconstituted
ON TENNENT. * Xilin Campbell's anel tird
Con SH-1H50), iry of Ceylon."
The Luthor
tin Carnpbell, but the ministralion of justice :41TLeTCon"5 3lirtiple and roviding for a single iction in each district, leaders, assessors, &c. ure that sunrnary diswas considered all lost correct and legal Its were: therefore 2011 Inissioners of restrates- while justices as well as official, to take preliminary ious crimic. Curoners ere also appointed, ries of laws enforcing intent of a tax, hild been s' limits, was finally alltid since: I 844 Lher: Ceylon. Compulsory it had been previously ir Hercules Robinson naticipation of temple 10 occupy lands by e principle ryf serfalmm, erwards Sir Arthur nich) was then Queen's ch lo unlighter the discussions of those uf which the late Mr. Edward Darley were bers. Mr. A TE Ymitage's with the introduction Ceylon, ind he was
OF CEYLON
опе оf the directors of the unfortunate Hank of Ceylon-unfortunate because it departed from the leading principle of banking by advancing on "block." On its ruins, however, arose the Oricntal Banking Corporation and the other financial institutions which largely lided the progress of Ceylon. Previous to the opening of the Bank of Ceylon, exchange and bill operations were conducted by the merchants, or by Government, whose drafts were eagerly competed for.
The Ceylon branch of the Asiatic Society, or rather the Royal Asiatic Society of Ceylon, was established in 1845 before the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain was started in England for Oriental research. It was later affiliated to the British Society.
On the departure of Sir Colin Campbell, the post of Lieutenant-Governor was assumed by Sir James Ernerson Terlinent, who held the office only froin April 3 to May 23, 1847. On the latter date containenced the unhappy rule of Wiscount Torrington. A y Julhful and poor IncIIber of the peerage, his only experience of public life had been obtained als a Lord of the HCdchamber and as chairman of a railway company. He had heen selected to convey Prince Albert to Britair1 son the eve of the In arriage of that Prince to Queen Wictoria, and it is believed that he was not so much chosen tule Ceylon con account of a belief in his special administrative talent as it wiew of a desire by certain inen in power to provide for a relative. If such were the case, dire retribution followed those dispensers of patronage. For years a Select Committee of the House of CoInnons took widence and reported or the affairs of Ceylon, Animated debates took place in Parliatinent, in which leading Liberals refused to stand by their party, and in a final division the Whig Ministry of the day was saved only by a majority of cight in a full House. Earl Grey, who was then Colonial Minister, professed that the final recall of the un fortunate Wiscount vils not al liributable to disapproval of his political measures, but due to the fact that he was rhol able to preserve harmony annongst his subordinates, it is not necessary to note than recall the disgraceful episode of the production of his lordship's private letter by his "friends" Wodehouse and Tennent, followed hy a flood of other private letters, un til the world was ringing with the "mysteries of Ceylon," its government and its 50-ciely. In the island itself there was Liniersal anarchy and distrust. Lord Torrington's political measures were very much what his political advisers and his political chief made then, Many sweeping charges were attempted at orice and by new Lnen, while statisticul queries circulated by Sir J. E. Terhulent excited the suspicion and alat Tm of an ignorant picople,"
A. M. Fergusan.
Page 79
TWENTIETH CENTURY. I
Major Skinner, whose long residence in the island and intimate knowledge of the country and its people had rendered him an authority on all matters connected with Ceylon, in his evidence before a select committee of the House of Commons, thus summarises the causes which led up to the revolt of 1848 :-
“During the eleven years from 1838 to 1848 inclusive, a great change has occurred in the whole aspect of the affairs of the colony; the Social condition of its people has been no less affected by it than has been its commercial importance. While granting some of these changes are doubtless of a salutary nature, it is a subject of humilating regret that on the mass of society they have had a contrary and demoralising tendency. Amongst the causes which have led to this result must be enumerated the vice of intemperance, into which the people have been led, the demoralising effects of the sudden influx of enormous capital, and the encouragement to indulge in the most litigious spirit which ever affected the taste of a people. While these evils have been operating on the social condition of the people, unfortunately the authority of the Government and native executive has been exerting but very feeble counteracting influences. . . . Renters purchase from Government the monopoly of the taverns of a district. The competition for these arrack farms is so great that they are seldom sold much under their value. It is, of course, the object of the renter to sub-let as many of these taverns as possible; they are established in every district, almost in every village of any size throughout the interior, often to the great annoyance of the inhabitants, and in opposition to the headmen. To give the people a taste for the use of spirits, it is often, at first, necessary to distribute it gratuitously, the tavern-keepers well knowing that with the use the abuse of the indulgence follows as a certainty. I have known districts, of the population of which, some years ago, not one in a hundred could be induced to taste spirits, where drunkenness now prevails to such an extent that villagers have been known to pawn their crops upon the ground to tavern-keepers for arrack. Government, by the tempting item of its revenue derivable from the arrack farms, has been induced tacitly to allow, if it has not through its agents positively encouraged, the use of spirits throughout the land. It is during the last eleven years that the influx of European capital, and the extensive cultivation of coffee, has thrown a large amount of specie into circulation in the interior - I think estimated at three millions sterling. As a very large portion of the money has been paid in specie for labour, it followed that temptations to, and examples of, intemperance and vice of every kind were rife; the most profligate of
it is
the low-country Sinha maritime provinces into far and wide their c over a previously sobe Robberies and bloodsh the Kandyan, in distr before any amount ol been perfectly safe in t foregoing demoralising operating on the social the authority and mc European public serv chiefs, have been sadl many of the districts.
“With the introducti less stream of capital colony, simultaneously European settlers of e the various capacities superintendents, over these were not a few duct tended much to which the English ch been held by the nati error committed by G its public servants to e speculation of coffee, b them in the general weakened the moral which they previously it tended to circums means of independent finally, in too many finances. It also pl; rivalry with their duty, so much depends on influence, and energy o demands, and had pri undivided attention a feverish excesses of th little could be thought prosperity to which, instrumentality of Eurc was to be raised. As accomplish such prodi consequence that Eul gain the ascendancy. previously had compara with the precious met eleven years found it. pouring into the deep with a kind of Califor frequently accompan evils; the cultivation food of the country tracts of land were th while in one provinci seen any attempt to irrigation, or to expan tion of native produ tween the European the natives had becom native chiefs were pla
MPRESSIONS
ese flocked from the the interior, and spread ntaminating influences , orderly, honest race. ed became familiar to cts where a few years
property would have he open air. While the
influences have been condition of the people, ral influence, both of nts and of the native on the decline in too
on of the supposed endwhich poured into the came a number of sery grade and age, in of capitalists, planters, seers, &c. Amongst whose habits and conliminish the respect in aracter had previously ves, while a most fatal overnment in allowing mbark in the seductive ly placing too many of category of 'planters,' influence and authority possessed, no less than scribe their pecuniary 2e and usefulness, and
instances, ruined their
aced their interests in which in Ceylon (where the individual example, f the public functionary) :viously received, their nd time. During the is delusive speculation,
of but the wealth and by its means, and the pean capital, the colony European capital was to gies, it was but a natural opean interests should
The natives, who had tively little acquaintance l, during the last ten or
in the coffee districts, ecesses of their forests nian superfluity, and too ed with its attendant of the staple article of
(rice) declined; large own out of cultivation;
alone was there to be increase the means of or improve the cultivations. Intercourse bepublic functionaries and : less frequent, while the ed in a position anoma
OF CEY LON 71
lous and invidious for some years past. A vague idea has prevailed that their influence and authority has been too great, and under an impression that it was necessarily subversive of the stability and efficiency of our own authority, the policy has been to allow it to decline, and without any avowed determination to destroy it, we have practically discouraged and undermined it. We have rendered them discontented, their respectability and influence for good with the mass of the people is generally impaired, and they are becoming alienated in feeling from the Government.
"Under these circumstances society in its various forms, but especially in the lower grades, has been (for the last ten or eleven years) becoming demoralised, and palpably so of late, so that it required no great power of discrimination to predict, twelve months before it manifested itself in open revolt, the anarchy to which some of the districts were approaching.
"In brief recapitulation, then, it may be said of the last thirty-one years (1818–43), that the first six were to the native population a period of trial and depression; the next fourteen of contentment and prosperity; the last eleven of fictitious prosperity, as transient as it was local, partial, of eventual bankruptcy to European capitalists, and as regards the natives, of demoralisation more or less in most, ending in anarchy in some districts. While the causes I have referred to were hastening the native population into various degrees of disorganisation, want of intercourse with, knowledge of, and sympathy with the people, kept many of the local European functionaries so completely in the dark as regarded the social condition of the people, that the warning I gave twelve months before the late insurrection broke out, of the state of anarchy to which the two rebellious districts, Hat Korale (Seven Korales) and Matale, were approaching, was disregarded, if not disbelieved.
“The same want of knowledge of the real state of public feeling in the country appears to me to have excited exaggerated fears in the Government when disorder overtook it, and prevented its rightly distinguishing between the feelings which prompted the people to meet in large but orderly and peaceful assemblages, to obtain information of the intentions and objects of Government (the necessity for which explanation it was the duty of the local officers to have anticipated), and those feelings which in other districts urged the disaffected to open rebellion.
“Had there existed less ignorance of the social condition of the people, the late trouble might easily have been averted, even at the eleventh hour; while to that ignorance is to be attributed the exaggerated view taken of
Page 80
72
the nature and extent of the disaffection, and the consequent severity of the punishments inflicted on those implicated in the revolt. Although amongst the latter were to be found headmen and priests, there was that in the nature of the whole affair, and in the character of its ringleaders, to stamp it as the result of disorganisation and inefficiency in the system and machinery of our executive Government, rather than as originating from any general and serious disaffection of the people.
"But for the great sacrifice of life, liberty, and property which have resulted from the late insurrection, it might be regarded as a fortunate event, if by its means the Government has been aroused to a sense of the which produced it, and which would finally have resulted in still more general anarchy, had not the state of organisation thus early developed itself."
Further, the chiefs and priests were greatly irritated at the measures taken to discontinue the connection of the British Government with Buddhism, in breach of the Kandyan Convention. The imposition of new taxes, such as the dog tax, and statistical queries by Government, excited such wide-spread suspicion and alarm that they gave rise to the wildest rumours, amongst others that a tax was to be levied which necessitated the measurement of women across the breasts. Incited by the priests and headmen, the Kandyan Sinhalese round Matale and Kurunegala rose, placing a pretender at their head. They were at once met, dispersed, and slaughtered by small bodies of troops, and, had the matter rested there, Lord Torrington would have received only credit for the promptitude and success of his measures. His fatal mistake was to insist, in opposition to the counsel of his legal adviser, Mr. H. C. Selby, on keeping the districts in which the easily suppressed risings had taken place under martial law for many months, during which a
defective system
Series of unnecessary executions were sanctioned. Sir Anthony Oliphant, the Chief Justice, in condemning the ringleaders of the rebellion to death for treason, felt it his duty to publicly record his opinion that justice had been already more than satisfied by the executions of persons captured. He thus rendered it impossible for Lord Torrington to act otherwise than commute the sentences of death into banishment. The judge was severely reproved for his plain speaking by the local Executive, but the position he took up was sustained by Lord John Russell. There appeared to be too much of the vindictiveness of weakness in the conduct of Lord Torrington's Government. In defence, an opinion was quoted from Forbes's work on Ceylon to the effect that, if duly severe measures had been taken on the outbreak of the rebellion of 1817, much of the evil results which followed might have been prevented.
TWENTIETH CENTURY
But Forbes himself c the view of those who the general rising of th people in I817 and the ignorant, almost unar who did not take a si no possible comparison a pitched battle and a v rington took credit to coffee crop worth h; but one of his misfor ceeded to the rule of C all its interests were coffee interest especia succumbed under the disastrous years, in wh had steadily and persis of the coffee property, v sums to open betwee abandoned to weeds a period between 1849 a Kandy was suggested Lord Torrington's gov could not be serious revenue only shightly balance being on the last year of Lord Torri recalled and left the i the fact of his recall intelligence brought fro carrier pigeons, which failed to bring budgets the periods of the Crime Mutiny, until, in 1858, C connected by the teleg tinued success of this, t systematic experiment," guson, an able publicis bore a distinguished pa time," in utilising the carrier pigeon, was due tion of the late Dr. C. the proprietor and cl Observer newspaper. man, our late frienc energy of his nature he advocated, and m influence and efforts v which Ceylon affairs Parliament and Press (
in the recall of the G Secretary, Sir J. E. Te Wodehouse. Mr. Hen the movement, and Mr. supporting it, may hav party objects in view. nature could be laid ag Robert Peel, John Brig other independent mem was thrown on many questions of great int Ceylon, and one great
A. M. F
MPRESSIONS
ame forward to support contended that between e then warlike Kandyan small gathering of poor, med peasants of 1848, ngle life, there could be any more than between rillage riot. Lord Torhimself for saving a alf a million sterling, tunes was that he suc'eylon at a period when : depressed, the great lly, which had almost effects of a series of ich the value of produce tently declined. Much which had cost immense in 1840 and 1845, was and ruin in the dreary nd I 850. A railway to during the period of 2rnment, but the matter sly considered with a
γ ονer
wrong side until the ington's rule. He was sland in October, 1850, being the first item of m Galle by the Obseter henceforward seldom of exciting news, during ean War and the Indian Galle and Colombo were raph wire. “The conhe most prolonged and | writes Mr. A. M. Fert and old colonist who rt in the politics of the homing' instinct of the to the personal attenElliot, who was then hief conductor of the A warm-hearted Irishi threw the whole into whatever cause ainly to his personal vere due the attention then received in the of Britain, culminating the Colonial nnent, and Sir Philip y Baillie, in leading Disraeli and others in e had to some extent But no charge of this gainst such men as Sir ght, Joseph Hume, and bers. A flood of light social and political erest connected with principle was decided
"overnor,
erguson.
£400,ooo, the
OF CEY LON
on-that, at whatever cost, the agents of Governnent, through whom the people were ruled and through whom justice was administered, should be spread over the land. Although Lord Torrington took the retrograde step of again taking military possession of the 'Temple of the Tooth," yet the whole question of the Buddhist connection was so discussed and understood that it became possible for Lord Torrington's successor to carry out an arrangement enabling the Buddhists of Ceylon to manage their own affairs without calling on the secular power to aid them, otherwise than through the duly constituted courts of justice.' Lord Torrington, who several times consulted his Council as to the expediency of arresting the conductors of the Obscrucr, subsequently met Dr. Elljot on terms of cordial goodwill, while Sir Emerson Tennent has acknowledged in his published works aid rendered to him by the late Mr. A. M. Ferguson, his old political opponent, in his great efforts to illustrate the history and progress of Ceylon. “ In some political matters Lord Torrington displayed considerable ability, and when occasion arose he spoke clearly and well," says a contemporary. “His great and fatal faults were those of temper. He was indiscreet in his relations with the able and ambitious men who surrounded him, and was made the cat's-paw of the ambitious intrigues of Tennent and Wodehouse, Mr. (afterwards Sir Charles) MacCarthy steering a quiet and cautious course, while even in the ordinary affairs of life the young lord could not long keep out of brawls." After his enforced retirement, Lord Torrington for many many years remained in the obscurity of Court life as a lord-in-waiting,
Sir Charles MacCarthy, who, on the recall of Sir Emerson Tennent, had been appointed Colonial Secretary, held rule as LieutenantGovernor after the departure of Lord Torrington and until the arrival of Sir George Anderson, from October I8 to November 27, 1850. By a strange combination of circumstances, indeed, Sir Charles MacCarthy continued to be the real ruler of the island for a short period, even after the arrival of Sir George Anderson. The vessel that brought Sir George Anderson from Mauritius made so good a voyage that the new Governor arrived in advance of his commission. This document reached the island by the overland mail a full week at least subsequent to the period at which Sir Charles MacCarthy had vacated Queen's House for the reception of the new Governor and his family, and ordered all honours due to a Governor to be paid to Sir George Anderson. But in the absence of the Royal Commission, Sir Charles MacCarthy felt bound to decline compliance with the demand of Sir George that he should be installed as Governor. Although, Sir Charles MacCarthy was manifestly right, Sir George Anderson took
Page 81
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
CHHLGGGHCLL LLLLLLLaa LLL C CLLLLL LLLLLLLaaL LLLLL LL and privilege, Bill the III:LI who had corne to 11 dia ir Llı sa Time: ship with LJr. (C: kl: and the first Wesleyan missionaries to Ceylon in 1814, who had ser ved with cretlit il the Bornhay Civil SLrvice until herase tahe Acting-GovLrnur of the Presidency, who had beer chosen to govern Mauritius, Lind governed it well through crisis in which he had to app int. Lilditional members to the Legislative Council to enable: him to carry liberal Ireasurcs gainst soline of the elder members of the service, wis now ageing and showing the first symptoms of the irritability which cinded in the paralytic slizure which drove hill from Ceylon.
Sir George Anderson resented Sir Ch;Lrles MacCarthy's adhere ice to Tule as a personal Affrwyıl, iLE had the relatirars, betW"ç: 1 the Griweth OIT and his Colonial Secretary becaine such that a! Qne periød Sir George trämsäcted a large portion of the business of the island through Mr, Rawcleil Power, Sir Charles M.L.cCarthy was declared to the cIntirely in th: right in a question whiclı Sir George Alıderson insisle'dl on referring to the Secretary of Stitc. The rule in the colony is that all official currespindence and reports, everything excell despatches from the Secretary of State, are address.cd to the Colonial Secretary, it re opened by him, read, a bridged in his office, and suh
Inited to the Gover 11or with all information and with such drast of reply ir diisip casal of the casc as the Colornial Secretary thinks is demanded. The majority of cases is decided oil precedents, and the Governor's sanction is giver a5 i natter (of LDurse, In irrportant cases the Goverror modifies or rewrites the ter Ins of Tcply Ur decisii JEA, and if such be his wish the disposill of a casc is left entircly to his discreticum. Sir George Anderson assurmed the positi pri thal Sir Charles MacCarthy, in offering an opinion beforehand, was trenching on the prerogative of the Governor, Earl Grey, to whirl Sir George Anderson had owel his appointiment, entirely sustained the view taket by Sir Charles MacCarthy, his lardship reillarking that he would consider himself ill-set"wed if the Ilder-Sec Ter taries did I lot hring mast questitsris before him in a perfectly matured shape. The condition of Sir George Anderson's health revented him from travelling Lil judging for himself the nreds of the country. The planters felt that roads and other improve Ille Ills WCTE neg. lected to such an extell that decided action on their part beca e necessary. Ir. February, 1854, the Planters' Association, which has since developed into such a power in the Slate, was instituted. Under stringent orders from the Crown, Sir George Arderson addressed all his energies to the ta5k Cf establishing an equiin the island's finances. To cffect
* A. MI, FerguLis Lin.
11ւ::tssary
libTILII
the: objcct exper Litlilir: extet which could Govermor Lumpupular. it clever but wrong-hi. veyor-General, too, lai alw:Lice of enterprise were brought allinoist :CçTIK HILL y Ur the P;LT: A. Indeslora's govern TTL : T With o fryLL[Litl i:L ha thrids COLL11 airl L revenue which lit instanct uf European
Lltivaltars the II Or : it : Egreat political event irn the 5ettlern | LLicstio II of th-c: Gower HLiddhis. Tnder the liew' cid, qıf alını Cold ciwilli 1ured Sir John D'Q:
rule wais
SIR HENR GEOR
{I -3vern Ir, May 1 I
Resideral if Kalixly, irn I 815, ai id again illi solemn engagement* V to preserve the: religi li: in violable. Incl: th; complained, ir addi lilu : British lilility Ll i-Teruple of the Taxil GovernTient if Ririt Telic wit lui11 it Aš ih Ceylon. The custody. nd heir wE:llth wäS . chicis and priests aПI in Sir Henry Wall's t GoverIIIIIelit srIII all
On the du part u’e C Sir Charles MalcCarth tenant-Governor fıOIT II I855. Il Wils dur Ceylon Pearl banks, of barretness, again precious, though Prell:
MIPRESSIONS
VW715 TC:stricted to LIII at fail to render any
Inder the influence of
Lctcd:L’hci obstin: tu SLITd sales, I which the In the colony depended, sli Illsli II. The in Iny of Sir George Licleil his successor, : balance ready to hand k: ııı ül'e he: spetit zıt the
1Ü :
planters or Sinhales: teIIled to expand. The
Sir George Anderson's :nt of the long-sexed Lię al kan Illicction yw it li in Hlic Inc., it was beLE 1, 1 he liher: L L Tid cyılley,
Blir t., afterwards
GE WARD, R., C.M.G.
L855-Jilly, 8x.
ir Robert Browirigg, 1818, hill Lпtered iritu ill the Kandyan people and rikes of Huddhism st: engage lents it was other II atters. thal :Tcl shQLilci plect the l," is if the Christill in acknowledget thic ! s; cred, px;illadium of | the Touth, the le[[]]les, trusted tu the 13uddhisi finally a grant it land [[Le [":li:Wlecl. t. lhe 13ritish, leculiary payments.
Sir (GLITge: Aler51 | agait, becarche Li:u- January 18 to May ng this perind that the fter a scort of years romised to yield their iuus, treasure:5. Wher
OF CEYLON
Sir Henry Ward reached the island in May, 1855, the holir for a cha Inge of policy i rici sweeping reform had arrived, aid, with it, the 11:1. Linder who I da wIncd a new era oi progress in Ceylon.
"T'lıt! 11 th of Mily, 1855, will ever bı: ITLeTilorable in thic annals of Ceylon as the d:t u1 whicla lle givernment of the islikill was issuined by Sir Henry Ward-a man, Perhaps, the equal of Sir Edward Bartles in clergy, his superior, certailly, ill the qualitics which go lo Tiike Lipo a great slates IIILE), antil beyond all precedent forturale, as he admittcd, in the circuist;Lices under which he foll Ild the colony whose destinics he was called to glidic," His father, Rohert Ward, was well known in literary circles Ls. Lhe Luthor of " Trocm:inc," while is a picollı licia, he wis highly estinated by those who knew him intimately. Pitt IIlentioned his name it his dying deliriun, the impressi II created being that the cxpiring Millister regretted not having sufficiently appreciated Ward's claims on hill. Herry Ward made himseli a n:LTT1e as a Liberal politicial II when Liberalis.I'm w:L8 "ath-CI AL FA discount, and as a journalist he was dilr of the '''kly" ir rvijfcile when jourızılis II in Britain was subjected to ruch discourageIIlent. He had passed through great and Varicd :xperience in slates II1a1ishjp before hic: WELS SLILILIITLD ned to exchange his troubled Til: of the orian Republic for the nor peaceful gover IIIlent of the "utilist Tildill isle." Clissen by Carl Ining te represerit the interests of Britain in Mexico, he gave to the world prie of the best descriptions extant of the: Spilnish-American republic grace being added ki , the volumes by illustralı tibrıs ifrom the pleııtcil (oui Lady" Ward, :L SwinburTle : [id :Łn al LI nt of Lhe Met. () in his return to Britaini hic: cintered Parliament als an al vanced Liberal. Hie als } IT-presenticid (Great Britai II al Makdrid, il a style, it is stallerl, of Tegi:Ll splende Lur IIIIore honourable to his country than profitable to his family. In parliamentary history Sir Henry Ward’s ni IIIe is 455cciated with the " appropriation clause," by which a pikirtion of the Irwellies of the lish Church Estiblishment was devoted to putfiscs of educLti II part of : pullicy which, adopted by the Whig Ministry, led to the sccession fra 1rti its runks of Lord Sl:Lilley, later Earl of Derby, the late Earl f Ripon, and the lite Sir Jales Grahatim, Sir Henry Wartl servici fuor scoline tinn : :Ls li lInder-Secretary of State a I li tle: prohkıbly would have riscn tc :, pust, il the Cahinlei lad his pecuni;Lry posilion beci sulh as to render hirn independert of the einoluments alliched to colonial III the
orian Islands Sir Henry Ward (2xLiricised a very stringent rule over the wretched Greeks whorl Britain, at great cost, "protected" but in conciliating ; and, in
15ts.
never succe:ded
Page 82
74 "TWENTIETH CENTURY
consequence of a proclamation which he issued regarding the leaders of a political rising, obtained the sobriquet of “Dead-oralive' Ward. He relieved the cares of protective government, however, by varying them with a good deal of devotion to out-of-door exercise in the pursuit of sport. Thus he brought to Ceylon a frame the very embodiment of physical vigour. Undeterred by the greater fervours of a tropical climate, or the malaria which haunts such scenes of ancient but abandoned splendour as the Tissamaharama and other great works, Sir Henry Ward continued his outdoor habits in Ceylon, fulfilling in the first year of his rule his promise that, whereas when he first met those associated with him in the Government and Legislature he knew less than any of them by personal inspection of Ceylon, the case would be reversed when he next formally met them. Sir Henry Ward, in meeting his first Legislative Council, considered it a matter of congratulation for himself and the colony that the average revenue of the past four years had been 4 I5,595, while the expenditure had been reduced to the limit of 4oo,ooo. With all the difficulties and disadvantages which oppressed planters in I854-55, the coffee enterprise was extending, and the lucrative sales of Crown land were only impeded by the policy which left the Surveyor-General with but six assistants at his disposal. The receipts of the department from I849-54, inclusive, amounted to only 21,908, or less than a third of what has been realised in one year since then, while the expenditure was 29,840. The survey of only 34,97o acres in five years had resulted in a loss to Government of 7,932. European capitalists could not obtain land for planting purposes, while a cruel continuance of injustice was inflicted on Sinhalese holders of lots, who, on the promise of a settlement and titles for land, had deposited 8,000, and waited eleven years in vain. Thus the extension of both European and Sinhalese agriculture had been neglected by a starving policy, while as yet no real effort had been made to aid Sinhalese labour by advances of capital to restore the ancient irrigation works which had fallen into decay, or form new works where they were needed, to furnish a perennial supply of water for increasing the food resources of the country. A revision of the civil establishments of the colony had occupied much time, but had, as yet, resulted in no changes calculated to ensure good and hearty work from gentlemen desirous of being adequately recompensed in the present and of having good prospects before them. The postal facilities were few and the rates excessive, while there were no telegraphs within the island or connecting the colony with-to use President Grant's phrase-' the
balance of the world.
to be made for th Government paper cul fair scope to chartere due restrictions should
these and other im Henry Ward applied the period when, wi enfeebled by disease e: work and exposure to was promoted to the only to give promise O then to be struck dov
cholera.
Witiuin two months of on July 4, I855, he ope the Legislative Counc prehensive speech, in w siderable mastery of requirements, and prc That degree of ignora localities of the countr stances, was inevitable, exist when he next mé
well did he fulfil his
volume of his Minutes dustrious, persevering r of his predecessors lef Barnes was personall able statesman was gift the gallant soldier did I Major Skinner, the gr as he was called, there the island who had trav of the country as the confine his journeys to high-roads or rest in th “He bivouacked on t amidst the jungle knol the once teeming but ni of the north and east O his explorations the atta who haunts those sce
scenes once of rich fer natural and a noble w restoring to them fruitf But Sir Henry Ward's to be seduced into att
He abandoned the idea of generations into a fe himself to the really reach of restoring or ci where population wa possession of the gifts giving a legislative S. regulations as were in 2 usage and custom, fo encouragement of the of rice cultivation." “In dealing with a people for whom we c interests
A. M.
late -- whose
IMPRESSIONS
Provision had also e withdrawal of the rrency, so as to afford ed banks, which under be banks of issue. To portant questions Sir
himself diligently till th vigour sapped, and ngendered by strenuous malarious influences, he government of Madras, f further greatness and wn by the scourge of
his arrival in Colombo, 2ned his first session of
il in an able and comwhich he displayed conhe position, resources, spects of the colony. ince of the people and y which, in his circumhe promised should not et the Legislature. And pledge. The collected is a monument of inesearch, such as not one t behind. Sir Edward y as energetic, but the ed with qualities which not possess. Excepting eat Ceylon road-maker, was scarcely a man in telled and seen so much Governor. He did not
the beaten track of the
e centres of civilisation. he grassy glades and
Ils which distinguished .
ow desolate tank region f the island, braving in cks of the fever demon nes of silent beautytility; and it was but a ish to be the means of ulness and population." mind was too practical 2mpting impossibilities. of crowding the work :w brief years, devoting useful tasks within his reating irrigation works is ready to enter on of soil and water, and anction to such local
ccordance with ancient or the protection and
great staple industry He stated in Council :
million and a half of claim the right to legisare entirely in our
Ferguson.
OF CEYLON
hands, whose peaceful and orderly conduct entitles them to the highest considerationI think we should do wisely to avoid even the appearance of neglect, if at a small additional cost we can offer them a proof of sympathy that will be most grateful to their feelings. The one thing that comes home to every Sinhalese is the improvement of those means of irrigation which the climate renders indispensable. I find upon inquiry from the most competent authorities, not only that the complaints made with regard to the neglect and abandonment of old irrigation works are just, but that it is possible, and even easy, in many cases at a very, moderate cost, to substitute abundance for sterility in districts where nothing but an advance of capital is wanting to put in action the labour which invokes the aid of the Government. Surely it would be good policy and good economy to meet this demand as you are meeting others. If I have urged upon you the propriety of including some direct benefit to the native community, I have done so in the belief that you will participate in my persuasion that it is our duty to deal with a dependent people in the spirit of the religion which we profess and of the civilisation of which we are the representatives.' He governed in the enlightened spirit of his words, and his name is still remembered by the Sinhalese, whose interests, in spite of opposition, he materially advanced, notably by the construction and restoration of irrigation works, Although the projected railway to Kandy could not be constructed, as the sum demanded by the railway company formed in England for the undertaking was excessive and more than the colony could bear, he realised the value of the means of communication, roads and bridges, on which more than half a million sterling was spent during the term of Sir Henry Ward's government. Among bridges five great works may be mentioned-the bridges over the Mahaveli Ganga at Katugastota and Nawalapitiya, and over the Kalu Ganga at Teldeniya, together with the Pin-Oya and Kitulgalla bridges. The Governor, while devoting his attention to increased communication, did not neglect the administration of justice or the strengthening and extension of the police force. Ambulatory courts were established to repress crime in lawless districts, an attempt was made to separate revenue and judicial duties, and new and spacious buildings were erected at a heavy cost to adequately house the District Court, Court of Requests and the Police Court in Colombo. Additions were made to the surveying department of the island, which enabled the waste lands of the country to be opened up by affording facilities to land purchase and by furnishing security of title and definiteness of boundary. His wise foresight bade him invest money on the defences
Page 83
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
of the forts of Colombia and Gallic to protect the interests of the colony against all eithergencies He framed and carried through Collicil a graduated scille Cf rçTTL Lutheratic III for the civil service and the ligher Establishments, 1hough it was objected at thic till that he did not consider it expedient to revise lhe scale of charges of the hunble1" scrwills of Goveril. Tent, the Siahalese clerks, inct withstanding his own adım ission that “ many of the IT syurid their wages insufficient to providic for the IIselves and their fallilies thic bare necess:Aries of life." While considering the iTT proscillerts in cha II Tiels of corum in Linication origiıı:L tecl hy Sir Henry Ward, it caught Tlot to be forgotten that he restored the fine canal system opened hy his Dutch predecessors. In the electric telegraph he gave the courtry. In eans and facilities if communication of which his Dutch predeCessors never dre: LIner. Il n'y rtmore thar) they inagirled the possibility of letters being transmitted from Galle to Jaffna, Lind from Columbia to Trincomale for a penny, while the periOdical issues of a fice Press were carried fronll the capital to the extremitics of the isla Tid at half that cost. By the purchase of the steaIn vessel Perl, though the cutlay was heavy, he brought the northern and castern provinces i II to el sy rnd regul:, T ÇOITTI Irhumication with the western and southern portions of thc island. He at temptetl a grie:It III Oral refa J1'in il the minarriage cusLicymis of the Ka dya Tı3 by the enactment of the Kindyan Marriage Ordinance af 185) ; but it was a II1easure in aldivarı çe: Çif the social and Ilorial contlili II of the Kandyan peasant, ind though undertake II at the reqLicsl. of their leaders, the popular prejudice Tendered it comparatively in operative. TCT years later, owing to the objections taken to it, it was III billi ficd. Sir Henry Ward was fart Li mate irn having the control of Li overflowing treasury", the profits of the pearl fishers, the surpluscs garnered by the thrift of Sir George Anderson, and the constantly increasing annual Tevenue which distinguished his term of office. He had the gift of obtaining the greates Libe Illfit for the country out of his swelling exchcquer, ind whether he hacl to deal with the per III anent salt IImonopoly, the: w:Trying retur T1 s storIII, 5; les of land, or the "accident of an accident" which gave or withheld it pearl fishery, he left no measure for the III provement or develop Ilent of the colly Intried, and nost of his enterprises and efforts eininently succeeded.
Sir Henry Ward was appointed Governor of Madras, and on June 30, 1860, he sailed for India. On the sarine day General Lockyer assumed the government as LieutenantGovernor. A month later ill-health compelled hin to quit the island, leaving the ad IIninistration of the colony and the coin IIlaid of the troops in the charge of Colonel Wilki,115on, R.E., till the arrival of the new Governor,
Sir Charles JustLII Msah toil's Y. N. Ydi Lor-General, W. (El lhe 4th of August, colory on October 2, rig 12 c the chief topic: ) the crastructius of a r. chief points debated w gli Lild He c:T|trusted tC í the cost of the undertill le blici in the I:gisl; 1{}L al Sclect (Ca IIIIII 1'eported in is WOLLI c. ColliLee decided Lll Railway CoITp:Lily, w Gweler at hill EIl ter Tigage! Imerit, sh ō Lildo h4 WIFI Tk. IT LITLI sted t ) ; decision tot 4 Filly Hill
MATOR-GENER
(Çıtırırıııııdır of ile Fı Sir Henry Ward
haTlding I'vet' What ] valuahlc asset into th syndicile scIT a conside" Le werk tC, lb: kcx || 11 sicleriahly below that ilt, :Lilway L' ITT på Illy". E, such as Sir Henry anxiety to serve the CC to agree to the terrils Company. Ni bil-miftici: Like Ele great roll-T1 opposed the ichtitle. in reports ni collapelt 500,000,xf As Iו ווונו3 a: the lirc ; ihe Lillwil
2,214,000. a total cost of 1,385
In the site: year aTrivied, intelligč|1če decels. Di bioatl | tinguished Ceylon 11 England : General Lu
I t "A":JL.5, _:
PRESSIONS
ilrthy, Lord Torring; Ippited Goyer|10T He arrived in Llle 83. Li L ring ħi: public discussioth Wils way to Kilncis, The e yhether the '''Lirk railway comր:Irly alli ag. The subject Wils ive Cou II Lil Find i 1ee of the C unlil the scheme. The the English-Ceyloil Ei wythmich tlle il ito a preliminary dischrged, 111l the unutricilir. This Wisiecd he clothy fri T11
local
AL LOCRER.
irres ill Clull durii; 's Giverrırırship.
rry cri te he: ; ET151st e hancis i f L in Olutsid: rable period, hul erabled plished foT a sum) er bilmantled by the Ellglish "en a fair-sigh ficci Tuler „W"ard was, hall, ir 1 lii* intry, urgerl, his CCXLI il til of Llıe .,:ceyrılığımı Railw': ''' ls ind officill civiliā115 ker, Xlaje ir J. 14. Skirirler. The local public bodies, int engineers, considered sufficient to c. 11strict y company dcTianded onslructed eventually ill
IX), ir inicli the li 'A' ĊIET reached Ceylon of the Les Hiphop Fer of thre4': 'cli*- cm uli heir Way back li ckyer lately coImmanding
OF CEY LON 75
the forces in Ceylon, Bishop Bravi, the 5-lintly Catholic Bishop of Colombi , T2, Tid the brilli:Til Sinhalese naturalist, Dr. Kelart, who 18e investigation into the life-history of the րéilil (1:Լւ: I' was the earliest contribution to the scientific libert Lire or the Subject.
A series oi important Bills was P:3sed ririig sir J. MacCarthy's ter III i f Coffice : 4 L:ıııl Registration Açı, 1 Partitic111 Ordinallice fւյլ է11t division of holdings pissessed in Common, li a Marriage Ordinance. These IIleasures were considered and revised by the Law Officers if the Crown in England, To this period in:ly be traced the beginnings of the Sinhalest newspaper press, which has since becline it regular institution. The fits Sillales 4:WSp:1per published il the colony, the L I kikyll, was discontinuel almo)=1 ils soon ils i. was established al Galle in 1811. Sinhalese presses were, however, so I set up at Gille and Colombo, Sinhalese periodicals, called the La kyrillipahaza and Lakriziki ravi !, under the editorship of leading pundils were issued i. L82 at: 84ů3 est: Latively.
Sir Charles M:1cCarthy was an accolnslished scholar aliud in Irman of suncil judgTiel ni, hul hi* healtlı hıriske klo'yrı Linder ılıcı stra iri çif gayetimeni. and he vent tu. Euripe on le:"- in 18:15, where he died at Spa in 1864. Major-litre": James O'Brien assurned the guvernment in Lccember, 1ssi, as Lieutenant-Gover Ilor. His ten Lre of office was briei, though stormy. A vote of censure on the Governiert with refer eill'e to the Council's Tepily to Llı: Licuttığını Governor's address was carrical in the Legis lative Council by the LII official linemhers toll August 23, 1 8f34- ll Will & alin ump Tallelel velit in the history of the governillent of Il Crow" Colony where the Legislatul Te Wils hilliliated and the majority Govern Illkill officials, Shirtly afer", "II Lille unofficial TT1embers * if th4+ LLi5lative Council, both Europe; T1 a 11 til Silnihilč34 resigned iıı sa hI4 Hitly il NicTher. It is a protest against the heavy Inilitary charge irruptused on Lluc clorny by the G0'ernteil. The indigitalion of the colony at the TEquable exaction found expression in crowded public meetings al Kandy ind Աril itmh{1, where resolutions were Eldolled to be for warded to the Colonial Minister, the Right HII. Edward Cardwell, in January, 18fs, protesting against the levy. II, T 8"+ Link: First Rickoi:ll train on 1 Ceylon railway conveyed the [ğlık: oi Brabant, Iow I.copild II. of Belgium, to Ambepussa on the 27th Cof D11 Ener. A 15-15 of Colombo, taken in March of the fill ill; year, shi: çd the number of houses ill Cl(Ilahto be y,887, and the 11 LI I liber čij inhalilтпti 15, f4.
Si Hercules George Rulert Robinsi El añsumed the Gover III11-il í f :Fl-11 *** Litė = emaint-Gower I1 UT in March, 1*ñ5. ail sorr ii , Ls, Gōji W L:r) T [j! the 11th if lily
s
Page 84
76
the same year. The impasse that was created by the resignation of the unofficial members of the Council on the question of military expenditure continued, though their places were filled by dummy senators nominated by the Crown to secure the necessary complement of members in terms of the constitution. In no sense were the new nominees acknowledged representatives of the people. The resigned unofficial members, consisting of the most talented and distinguished Sinhalese that the colony had produced in modern times, led by an English merchant of great ability and breadth of view, Mr. George Wall, rallied the country to them in a political organisation called the "Ceylon League," formed on May 16, 1865. The different races of the island-Sinhalese, Dutch Burghers, and Tamils-whom mutual distrust had hitherto kept apart, under the inspiration of their leaders, combined as "Sinhalese" in their political campaign against the Government. By strenuous agitation and vigorous criticism of the Governor's policy, they sought to gain a remission of the disproportionate military burden imposed on the colony, a share in the administration of the Government by the election of members to the local Legislature, and a control over the finances of the island in the voting of supplies. Though representations were made to the Colonial Minister, the Right Hon. Edward Cardwell, and Mr. Watkin, M.P., moved in Parliament for a Committee of the House to inquire into the government of Ceylon, no substantial relief was obtained, owing to the uncompromising opposition of Robinson, supported by his Queen's Advocate Sir
Sir Hercules Sinhalese adviser, Richard Morgan.
tinued for the best period of Sir Hercules Robinson's government and rendered him unpopular with the educated classes of Sinhalese. Perhaps to the League agitation may be traced the grant, in 1865, of free municipal institutions. The grant originally was to Colombo and Kandy, but was afterwards extended to Galle. A Royal Commission, appointed at the close of 1865 to inquire into the military expenditure and establishments of Ceylon, decided that the entire cost of the force stationed in the island for local defence should be met by the colony, and the assurance of the Home Government was received that it was not to be burdened by expenses not contemplated by the Military Commissioners. The settlement of this question led to the extension to the colony of two most important financial concessions. The practice, hitherto exercised, of making appropriations of revenue under the authority of the Secretary of State, was formally surrendered, and surplus balances, within rea
The League agitation con
TWENTIETH CENTURY
sonable limits, were of the local Legislatu ference to the Colonial was granted by a d
866.
While not favourin tions of the people, conferred material be nearly every district improvenments he effe bridges, public buildi repair of irrigation t making provision for
The year 1867 wit of the railway to Ka the steam engine as nawa incline, and a m way train rode through over the sharp curves of the magnificent high From Peradeniya he railway to Gampola a a distance of nearly st laid the foundation of th during his successor's ri water was commenced. For a short period absence of Sir Hercules England, Major-Gener. administered the gove Governor, when he u Sir Henry Ward at K joicing, the leaders C joining in the movem against the policy of For the building of the the demolition of the raised on the plans oi menced in 1869 by th Rotterdam bastion, ar rasing of the walls an moat in 187I.
In 187o the Duke of the colony, and was rec of spontaneous loyalty f community. In the si Medical College was op dation of a distinguish the late Dr. James Loo Principal Civil Medica He was appointed its institution was placed liberal endowment by t land-owners. By a strol Sir Hercules Robinsor village councils or Gan the Sinhalese village cor the peasant, without ex ence, to have his dispu done from time immel patriarchal system. Th in 187I. In the sane ye census of the island wa
MPRESSIONS
placed at the disposal re without previous reMinister. This privilege espatch dated July 30,
g the political aspiraSir Hercules Robinson efits on every province, of the island, by the cted in new roadways, ngs, and notably in the anks and channels and sluices. nessed the completion ndy. In March, I867, cended the Kaduganonth later the first railthe long rocky tunnels, and precipitous heights land line on to Kandy. extended the mountain ld on to Nawalapitiya, aventeen miles, and he le scheme under which, Lule, the Colombo break
in 1868, during the Robinson on leave in al Studholme Hodgson rnment as LieutenantInveiled the statue of Candy amid public reif the Ceylon League
2nt as a demonstration. Sir Hercules Robinson.
new military barracks Colombo Dutch Fort, Cohoorn, was comhe blowing up of the ld completed by the d the filling up of the
Edinburgh arrived in eived with an outburst rom all sections of the ame year the Ceylon 2ned on the recommened Sinhalese Burgher, s, sometime officiating | Officer of Colombo.
first Principal. The on a firm basis by its wo wealthy Sinhalese :e of far-sighted policy, revived the ancient Sabhawas, reorganised nmunities, and enabled pense and inconvenites settled, as he had morial under his old lis statute was passed ar the first systematic s taken, by which the
OF CEYLON
number of the inhabitants of the island was ascertained to be 2,4o5,287. Since then there has been a census taken once in every ten years. In the last year of the Governor's regime the coinage of the United Kingdom, which had been current in Ceylon since the British conquest, was withdrawn from circulation, and the decimal system of rupees and cents inaugurated on January I, I872.
On the departure of Sir Hercules Robinson from the island as Governor of New South Wales, Mr. Henry James Irving was sworn in as Lieutenant-Governor on January 4, 1872. The Right Hon. William Henry Gregory succeeded to the rule of the colony on March 4. He was an accomplished man, of commanding personality, far-reaching statesmanship, and high attainments. The ancient kingdom of Lanka had attractions for the polished scholar, and to quote his own words, “he turned from the West to the glowing horizon of the East, and to Ceylon, the object of my ambition and my day-dream for many a long year." A member of an old Irish family in which, as he jested, was dormant the ancient peerage of Marmion, his early years had been passed among the great literati and the statesmen of the Victorian era, and he came to the colony imbued with the free spirit of the British House of Commons. He combined a taste for art and literature with a kindly sympathy and an old-world courtesy and tact which won him the affections of all classes of the colony. He was the ideal of what a British Colonial Governor should be, and his memory is still affectionately cherished by the people of Ceylon. Mr. Gregory, for he was not knighted when he arrived, inaugurated his assumption of government by an extensive tour throughout the island, including the desolate and abandoned tank region of the Nuwarakalawiya, which he formed into a separate
province, called the North-Central, under a
civilian of high standing, Mr. Dickson, afterwards Sir Frederick Dickson, Governor of Cyprus. He proclaimed the ancient city of Anuradhapura, for centuries entombed in the forest, the capital of his new province, and the restoration of the ancient irrigation tanks formed by the old Sinhalese monarchs was undertaken, “A large number of villagers,' writes Sir William Gregory, “ set to work, encouraged and stimulated by Mr. Dickson, and, as well as I recollect, work was going on at some nine hundred tanks within the first year. Never was a great social experiment more speedily and entirely successful. Crops were obtained where they had failed for years. The revenue rose immensely ; sickness gradually declined. An eminently listless and lazy population, being compelled to work, resumed habits of industry, and on occasions of my subsequent visits to this
Page 85
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
district, I was supplicated by various villages to inspect their tanks and see what good work they had done." Among these restorations was the magnificent tank of Kalawewa, constructed by King Dhatusena in A.D. 459. “It was the great reservoir on which the whole water supply of that district depended. The river ran into it, and was dammed up, forming an inland sea, thirty-five miles in circumference. The bund was from sixty to eighty feet, and was several miles long. From it there used to run a canal, called the Yoda Ela, or Giant's Canal, to Anuradhapura, about sixty miles in length. This canal supplied all the great store tanks en route, and supplied Anuradhapura and its bathing places.' He commenced with the Yoda Ela, the rough estimate for the repair of which and the tank was about 4o,ooo. Though for lack of funds his successor did nothing to advance the work, Sir Arthur Gordon (Lord Stanmore) completed the work, and with pardonable pride. Sir William Gregory writes in his autobiography: “I had the gratification of driving over the completed bund in 1890, and visiting this magnificent work, this monument of real kings, in perfect order." In September, 1872, on meeting his Legislative Council, the Governor delivered a long and exhaustive speech, in which he set forth his views on the needs of the colony. He announced the construction of a museum and a new custom house, both designed by the Government architect, Mr. Smither, a man of great taste and refinement. The same instinct of the art lover and dilettante which led the Governor to apply to Disraeli for the trusteeship of the National Gallery urged him to open a museum in Colombo. “I propose in connection with this museum,” he said in his address to the Legislative Council, “to obtain reproductions of the inscriptions throughout the island, by means of photography, casts, and hand-copying, These inscriptions, varying in character and dialect, will be of deep interest to the philologist, and throw light on the ancient usages, religious customs, and early history of Ceylon. I purpose to affix a limit to our
collection. They should be strictly confined
to the productions of Ceylon.' He took measures to reduce the liquor trade. His remarks on the question are significant.
“There is one subject on which I cannot be silent, and that is the extension of drunkenness throughout the island. English rule has given to Ceylon many blessings which the inhabitants are ever ready to acknowledgesecurity of life and property, equality before the law, just tribunals, the abolition of serfdom, and excellent roads to promote intercourse and facilitate the conveyance of produce; but we have at the same time extended a curse throughout the island which
weighs heavily in the drunkenness. Some y Kandyan would have b eyes of his fellows. N so common that the away. I have had som on this subject: . . . places of sale and thu tion and diminish the evils which flow from mendations I warmly c ing the sale of intox diminution of revenue but, in the words of decrease under that hea compensated byan impr well-being of the commu cost of establishments fo punishment of crime.'
He realised the gravi immediate measures to r reducing liquor shops th He ordered a map to b lative Council on which every tavern in the islan indicated suppressions a out the island. The C. projected during the r Gregory, under the d Coode, Consulting Eng Government, at the estim the scheme embracing jetties of a thousand feet of the bar. The first st was laid amid great écla Edward VII., when, as visited the island in Gregory instituted the gathering of the Govel he called the durbar, b of the estimates, to en attention of the Governo and the needs of eacl flourishing revenue reac on the great arterial roac Jaffna, and devoted con improvement of gaols, b pline and to their sa built the fine convict pris this improvement of th ample resources allow considerable amount or ment, in building, enla hospitals. An attempt Colombo, Dr. R. S. C. Metropolitan of India, t missionaries in Ceylon personal control, instead a lay committee in En in the Bishop's withdra twelve Church mission: on July III, I876. “boy-bishop ” provoked
MPRESSIONS
other scale, namely, ears ago a drunken een disgraced in the ow the occurrence is disgrace has passed e remarkable petitions they say restrict the s discourage intoxicagreat moral and social it. In these recom
oncurred. In restrictliquor, some was to be expected;
the petitioners, any d would be more than ovement in the general nity, and in the reduced r the suppression and
cicating
ty of the evil, and took epress it by gradually roughout the country. e placed in the Legis
red crosses indicated d and coloured marks nd additions througheylon breakwater was égime of Sir William irection of Sir John ineer to the British lated cost of 63oooo,
the erection of two long and the dredging one of the new work it by His Majesty King
Prince of Wales, he
1875. Sir William custom of an annual nment agents, which before the preparation
able them to call the
or to the list of works
With a ly to hand, he pressed is to Trincomalee and siderable sums to the oth in regard to discihitary condition. He on at Kandy. Besides e colonial prisons, his 2d him to expend a l the medical departrging, and improving by the Bishop of opleston, the present o compel the Church to come under his of being directed by gland, had culminated wal of the licenses of tries. This occurred The action of the hostile comment in
h province.
OF CEYLON 77
the colony, and roused deep resentment among the large body of Evangelical Churchmen in the island. The discontent broke out in a movement for the abolition of ecclesiastical subsidies from the public revenue. In an animated discussion in the Legislative Council, the motion in favour of subsidies was carried in October, 1876. After considerable agitation both in Ceylon and in England, Earl Kimberley, in 1881, sanctioned disestablishment and disendowment in Ceylon of the State stipends for the future Bishop of Colombo and the Episcopalian and Presbyterian chaplains. The Government was to make no more ecclesiastical appointments, but undertook to pay the existing salaries for five years after each vacancy occurred, and to transfer the church buildings in good repair to trustees.
The revenue of 1877 was the largest up to that time received, and a very considerable surplus was at the Governor's disposal. He had plenty of objects on which to expend itthe construction of the seaside railway from Colombo to Kalutara, which he intended should be ultimately extended to Matara (now an accomplished fact); increase of telegraphic communication; the establishment of fountains and pure water supply to towns; improvements at the sanatorium of Nuwara Eliya to render it attractive to all comers; forest preservation where abuses and destruction had almost denuded vast tracts of the most valuable trees-these were amongst the projects which claimed attention. He was deeply interested in the preservation of the ancient literature of the country and the scientific copying and translating of the inscriptions with which, on rocks and slabs, Ceylon abounded, and which had hitherto been neglected. “I am confident," said Sir William Gregory in his last address to his Council, in 1877, "you will agree with me that it is highly expedient to make an effort to preserve the ancient literature of Ceylon. It is a duty which we owe, not merely to the large and annually increasing number of students of Oriental history and of Oriental philology, but to the natives of the island, many of whom have already widely distinguished themselves by antiquarian research, many of whom will devote themselves to it if facilities for study be afforded. With this object for some time past the Government has annually spent a small sum in procuring copies of all books of interest which are still in existence in the temple libraries. But, in addition to this, I have thought it advisable to take immediate steps to obtain reproductions of all the other records which are to be found on rocks and detached stones, and which are gradually perishing by the action of time and weather and the ravages of man.'
During the year 1877 a proposal by the Duke of Buckingham, Governor of Madras,
Page 86
78 TWENTIETH
to Governor Gregory for the construction if a railway over Adarin's Bridge, connecting India with Ceylon, though favoured by Sir William, was not LLI clertaken, owing to the oppositio 1 of the critinent of India. At this period there were established local boards ind village councils, institutions which Sir William Gregory deerned successful in promoting the ICıbject:5 cx1 IıteıIıpolatcd — artırını g "otlhe:":8, _of pıTL:- paring thc Sinhalesc for a constantly expatiding share of self-government, The scheme: fr praviding Colombo with an armple supply of watter was ina Ligurated by Governor Gregory. The Works, hoy, ever, Were cuIIllinencicl 11 y in 1882 and Tol crimpleted till 884]. A hung other relief measures which he proposed (hl: Legislative Coiricil wat 5 the valuable hiç III1 of providing a Widows' Flid for public servants. Originally shelved by the Colonial Office to it wait a more collaprehensive scheme cun templated by the hic Ine authorities to apply lo all colonics, it was ultimately sanctioned through the persistett advocacy of
- Tilor. This schicle of relief, did nut come into operatio for several years after it was first proposed.
O11 December I, 1875. King Edward VII., then Prince of Wales, ar rived in the island arit was welcomed with affectionate loyalty by all the Sinhaliese Theople. A5 cilse whitrite stilltied, lle laid the foundation-stone of the Col } Inhali bir Eikwatcr, and knighted Lille (Gir i'w criminori:Llt a fi i'r rhir yr of Kandy'all chiefs in the lid audience-hall of the kings of Kandy. At the Prince's request Sir William Gregory crossed over for the testivities at Calcultil, but he was weary of the East, it inct after receiving the tidings is his ill other's death, longed to Eeturn hoiTte. Ti i July, I 87ť, he sent his letter of resignation the lord Carınar yığı, ht: Çoxlərıial Milmişler, ELI) kil hıq: sailed fron Ceylon c 11 May 3, 1877. A talentel writer, surveying his career, wrole : "When the Governor left, in 1877, there were few rivers of any importance cit Linbridged. a large: externt of previously unoccupied country lılıqlı been cype: ned up for C, iltiriçiltioarı, alıd ın impetus given di: bollı Sin halese and European clists in the extension of cultivalitori, especially of the w prixlucts, which : lor Le saved the islatl fruit a strious call:Lisc in the yers of commercial depressi and blight ori caiffice which felly yw:&l."
All cl:1355 unitello di hour to th: great Governor by selting up his statue in the grįILtds of the beautiful III Iseul Li hi had founded. This rip-usal was decided at it public illeeting om May 8, 1877. ÖL the full wing day he emb:Lrked or Europe. He returned to Ceylon three tillic:5 as : visitor. Irı 1883 hıc accompaniel Sir Arthur Gordor, who was clining out to lithdertake the governIt elut (f the colony. With it chivalrus courtesy which was appreciated throughout
tl1ւ: | cy wici:Wicr,
CENTUTRY
the island the Inc. that lis veter:LI1 prede: Lild whilst it the chu honours aid dignity
SIR. J.A.MHS E0 R., C.
(Gior: * ericio, Sep kritilo ci ,
Vili
18. dire Wells, fecling tlıat th: East alltid i L3 «Ich Sir Jannes Ribert L4 his way upwards fro the Cliial WilliaLLI) (GregJTy, lSeptember 3, 1877, Griver IL or 411 till: +th, A., N. Birch, C.M.G., hild Lininistered the till: {if the departLLr: During Sir Jarnes I.
i:issed thriot, ghi : Per Corsequelt In the Lili by fungus hlighil. TI ing II licy of this car the island safe thro the succeeding years
Goy:Til II, Sir the la Lst titmee irn
Scric
y le piriucls, su cl atıl I.iberiarı çofie:,
for Illi:' prisp crity, wl:Ls tlhe subj:st of II Lith: tille, Zırıld it wis the coli try that the " Wait-a-hit Jiiiitiny," for the persisterce lle i Llia Inds for lunatic isylum at a .
İıprut
MIPRESSIONS
clinistratr directed (:55 or shiuld he received, itry treated, with all the LÇÇorded to the riu liring
BERT LONG DEN, .M.G.
I*77-1}ecu Irakter 3, 1333.
: Il Gregory came for X, wheil "he sail his it was his list likk it Intel isle."
Ilglei), who had worked In the la Wesl rung cof l:Iller, succeexlcd Si | : Lirived in Gallic: 1 Li 5'''1 11 ill als superstedling the Hoth. kiloiliil ScCretary, who g, ''er In: Il fra HT1 tille If Sir Willian Gregory.
'''LS
Igle's rule the cololly + Hl. Ji grealt «lt-ı russion, re if the coffee industry : falır-sighteri, el: Arı artis, , tills, Guy'urm" slicercal .gh the crisis, III til, im
with the introlulction :is leal, circh & Liza, L'acao, he colony regained its is policy of iii ii acclivity ıklı lık istill: criticisi Tı fi
Jimly after he had est "calised Lt. Wisdom of :L5, lle 'y','i:Ls I likirk, Iarlled "ith which he put off :IT1:llt. Ai i Exleisiwe st Is Rs. sQC,}(x), and
OF CEYION
that, too, projected by his predecessor, was :LbiCout the conly important public Werk uiliklertaken out of the revenue during thc Goverror's rule of six ye:LTS. At the eri yıl it Wiks considered : " while elephant," beyond the requirements of the colony, though its utility is year by year becoming more apparent.
On November 30, 1877, was published the Report of the Conrnission on the Incidence of 1le Grlin Taxes which 11ld for c-1111ries bLLI levied in Ceylon un home-grown rice. It recu1n Intended the aboliticon cai the terling system and the intriduction of compulsory ca IIIIImutatior, which later ei tailed Inuch disitress on the peasants by causing their holdings tu be: 5oll for a pittlnce in seasons in which their criciis failed er their hands could Innt he cultivated.
In December, 187, the visit of Sir Tohil Coxide to Ceylon on his way to Australia was utilised by the colony for the exalination of thic harbour works and in drawing up a flood-water scheme to prevent the devilsla - ticııılı if tlıq: xxurlı try rt Lılıqlı Culuıtabığı by thic periodicall I Werflow if the Kela Ti river.
A. Wolunteer Corps, est: hlished in 18 under Governor Langden's patronage with the Prince of Wales, the present King, as Honoralry Colonel was the first atternpt to raise : Sinhalese Militia Liter the lish: Illrment of the Ceylon Native Trifantry, and has proved highly successful. The most langible advance (L1 the path of progress cluring thuis adlıııinistratio II was the railwayo extensions, the cominencement of the first section of the Nawalapitiya to Nanu-Oyal railway, a distance of about forty-two niles, carried through oth a lian in 1880; the completion during the s;ILE: yi:LI If the line to Matitle : Elle extensity i of the scas ile line to Kalutara. Lhe line having been carried to l'anad Liric arch the willie river Kaalu ial. Ingal, si: I1T1-cd by a in i'rı girder bridge qluaring the time Mr. 13ir:hı :ılıinı isterell the COLLIntry i ricd 1 the pening of the Irailway exteIision to Haltun in 1883. ATI increase in ihe fixed expeiitliture of 1 he col ny iTI 1878, qui içle' which the Civil Service was Illainly hunt: ited, LLLLLL LL LLLLLLLL t LLLLSS LLLLSL000 LLL LLLLLS Governor's salary,
LC LLLLLLaLLLS LLLL L EE LaKLJLLLLL LLaLLL let years the population of the isl.i.11d hild in Creä5:xl fr_LI1, 2, -405,57ť lici 2,758,52%).
During this 'gfrie' ılı- long Lampaiglı KMaaaLSL LLL LLLLCLLLaLLaL aaaCLL LLLL LLCCLLLL0 to churches termith;led by th: Colonial Minister, Earl Kimberley, sanctioning the prospective disc stablishmen od thu Bishop and Stile-pilid chaplains in Ceylot-in LIneasur: which walls given effect ti) by 31, legislative en:Lict ILLI 1 t passed in 188 I. The A Lot, :lis previously sl: ti-ci, por vixdc d for' the discontinu:Lince of the slipends of the Slilepaid cle:rgy after di ve years ir IT the: «CCLIIT
Page 87
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
rence of each vacancy, and the transfer thereafter of the church buildings in good repair to trustees. -
In the last year of Sir James Longden's rule, &R. came to the island Arabi Pasha and his fellow Egyptians, the leaders of the revolt of 1&2. The détenus were guided in the choice of their place of exile by the old Arab tradition that Ceylon was the home of man's first parents. Three of the number died during their period of detention.
Sir James Longden retired in 1883, and Sir Arthur Hamilton Gordon (Baron Stanmore) followed him in the government in December of the same year, the administration being carried on in the interval by Sir John Douglas, Lieutenant-Governor. The new Governor was a son of the late Prime Minister, Lord Aberdeen, and had early served an apprenticeship to State affairs as private secretary to Mr. Gladstone. He was trained in colonial government, and had administered the affairs of Fiji. He was a man of great cultivation, sympathy with Oriental races of large-minded toleration, but masterful to a degree, and lacking that spirit of conciliation which distinguished the career of Sir William Gregory. By his associations and instincts essentially feudal, he had a reverence for the past, and his mind was captivated by the ancient renown of the land which he was sent out to govern, with its magnificent remains, interesting people, and strange religious system. He aspired to rule the Sinhalese in the spirit of their old rulers, but failed by lacking that intimate knowledge of native institutions which free intercourse with all classes of the community alone rendered possible. He sought to maintain the pomp and circumstance of an Eastern potentate by dignified reserve and courtly ceremonial, with the result that he was charged with favouritism by being unconsciously influenced in forming judgments by intriguing headmen attached to his personal staff. His régime is described as a period of renewed activity, careful legislation, and material improvement. In 1887 the Governor rendered three signal services to the country. He procured a reduction of the annual military contribution from Rs. I,ooo, Ooo to Rs. 6oo,ooo, which was fixed as the anuual charge for a period of five years from January I, I885. By a bold stroke of policy Sir Arthur Gordon guaranteed the notes when the country was threatened with a great financial panic on the failure of the Oriental Bank Corporation at Colombo, and he revived the issue of Government currency notes, which have since become such a financial success. His legislative acts included two acts of far-reaching reform, the Mahomedan Marriage Ordinance of 1886 and the Buddhist Temporalities Ordinance of 1889. The one removed the penal clauses for bigamy with regard to Mahos
medans, and the othel and disposal of the vas ancient endowments Buddhist monks and measures called forth the advocates of intole opposed the associatio1 ment with the affairs C condemned the Maho isation of immorality. State with Buddhism h: a serious riot between Catholics, which had Sunday, 1883. The rioters to trial by the G the absence of suffic behind a feeling of an the Huddhist Sinhalese minated in the rise movement. They all local authorities i towar charged the Governm covenants of religious t contained in the procla Kandyan Convention u had been ceded. Th affairs when Sir Arthul colony. The Sinhales Derby, the Secretary o for some absolute gua rights and privileges, f Buddha's birthday as freedom of religious p registrars of marriage: vesting the vast estates in proper trustees. Sir. great courage, tact, a with the situation. C religious immunity wi in the spirit of the old other religions. Buc sacred days of Hin were declared publ registrars appointed, poralities Ordinance he was in matters aff the people, he evince pathy for the Sinhale the irrigation policy which had been sus rule. The magnific completed, besides p the restoration of n the backward district all his considerate cultivator, his preco1 its necessity blinded the paddy rent, an rice, which, commu priving peasant pro country of their anc pulsory sales conseq pay the tax. By th
IPRESSIONS
regulated the custody :emple revenues from therto plundered by neir relatives. These rigorous protest from ant orthodoxy. They of a Christian Governan heathen faith, and edan Bill as a legalThe relation of the i been complicated by Buddhists and Roman roken out on Easter ailure to bring these vernment, who pleaded ent evidence, had left gry resentment among population which culif a national religious aged partiality of the is the Christians, and nt with breach of the oleration and neutrality mation of 1799 and the nder which the country is was the position of Gordon arrived in the 2 had appealed to Lord State for the Colonies, rantee of their religious or the proclamation of a public holiday, for procession, for Buddhist s, and for legislation for of the Buddhist church Arthur Gordon displayed nd liberality in dealing in his recommendation is granted to Buddhists proclamations and to all dha's birthday and the dus and Mahomedans ic holidays, Buddhist nd the Buddhist Tembassed. As tolerant as !cting the conscience of a more practical symse by carrying forward f Sir William Gregory, ended during the last nt : Kalawewa tank was ovision being made for merous other tanks in of the island. With are for the Sinhalese eived conviction as to im to the harshness of mpost on home-grown d for money, was derietors throughout the stral holdings by comnt on their inability to evictions of Walapane
OF CEYLON 79
a whole village had been depopulated, and the homeless peasants had died of starvation on the bleak plains of Nuwara Eliya. When these facts gradually leaked out, a feeling of bitterness was aroused in the colony. The question was discussed in the public Press, by the Sinhalese political organisation, the Ceylon National Association, and representations were made to the Colonial Minister. High Government officials and experienced planters alike opposed the Governor's policy in maintaining the tax, and questions concerning the measure were asked in Parliament. Most prominent among the advocates of repeal was Mr. George Wall, one of the councillors who had resigned in 1864, and a leader of the old Ceylon League. By his whole-hearted sympathy, his convincing statements of facts, and his bold exposures in the Press, he enlisted the sympathy of public bodies and public journals in England, and it was mainly due to his generous exertions that the tax was ultimately repealed. The persistent agitation, however, stiffened the Governor's back, and the impost was still levied when he left the colony. Along with the expenditure for irrigation, large sums were voted for construction of roads-some 26 miles were opened during this administration-bridges, hospitals, and for railway extension in the low-country, the sea-line being extended to Bentota, and the mountain line from Nanu-Oya to Haputale, a distance of twenty-five to twenty-nine miles.
The ancient Sinhalese principality of Uva was separated from the Central Province in I886, and converted into a separate province, while, in 1889, the old Dissavoni of Sabaragamuwa was reconstituted from the Western Province into a new province.
The Colombo breakwater, on Sir John Coode's admirable design, was completed and the bay and harbour have since been fully utilised as the great steamer-calling and coaling port of the East. In June, 1887, the event of the Queen's Jubilee was fittingly observed with due ceremonial in Colombc and at all provincial centres.
Sir Arthur Gordon, perhaps, took a deeper interest in Oriental research, archaeology, ancient history, and antiquities than any other Governor save Sir William Gregory. The translation of the “Great Chronicle' of the island, the Mahavansa, which had helped to fix the shifting dates of Indian chronology, and a portion of which had already been rendered into English by the Hon. Mr. Geo. Turnour, was undertaken by the late Mudaliyar L. C. Wijeyasinha, on the orders of the Governor. In place of the spasmodic excavation work carried out hitherto, Sir Arthur founded an archaeological department for the systematic exploration and survey of the magnificent historical remains of the island, he made contributions
Page 88
8O
Out of his priville IIIU:Lris to Testore historic Incornuncil its, :LInd sir, ce: his dex:Lrlurac i roi in thc colony he has not ceased to further the caust: of scientific: exploration in CŁylk III. Importärt Inoclificittins in the Criminal Law were brðLağlıt inti) uperior dıIrklıg this reğirir. The Ceylon Penal Cole and Criminal Procedure Cocle, -based in the Indian Cride, abrigited so (nuch of the Dutch If I i II Lilw as prevailed in the Cılgılıyı and a5sinilite the Criminal Jurisprudence of Ceylorı with the criminal law of the 11eighhatiring contilent. This tendency ti i Hof Laws wholesake from T11dia, where hitherto leġislation on original lines to suit the requirements of the colony had becil pursued, with scant regard to lural conditions, SPL ki: Cf lle terier; ir in the legal departinents. A music IĊitti III of the lIndiit T1 and Americar cocics, illtersթt:rsed With local additions and rules of pleading, Called thẹ: Civil Procedure Code, was issued in 8), Super seding the simple rules and lets; Which hilid previously regulated the procedure of the courts. Sir Arthurs 5VIII a Ix:Lth y with o 1 hec Sinhalese made him constitute a 8ubCTdinate branch of the Civil Service, III the representatiun of the Ceyle H Nationa I Assicia firi, with a it to the larger employment of Sinhales it the higher branches of the |Liblic service. In the si ile spirit he Cıtl:ITA:d the Legislative Council by obtaining the Crowns sanction in 8) to the addition of a Mah COILLE:cd:LH1 and **Tidyalı III en ber a long with two oficial
SIR ARTH LJE ELIBANE HAWELOCK, G.C.M.G.
4 Çiğ, erılır, May 28 I890-Fel:ru ar y 1a, Isaf, y
members, Sir Arthur Gordor 1iltel th: colony after a vigorous rule of six years leaving the island frt the temporary charge
TWENTIETH CENTURY
Гf Mr.-after yards, sir Lillenant-Gyvernor.
Sir Airlilur Elibank. H goverriment in May, t: siër ved in the: artiny, un Natal te assume the g He cratinued the he pricessor it Trailway Caf Illblic works. Ons r'ul TileTTı Çrıhl: H: rı the Cr. Wri for the repe tax which had appressic for SI) III any centuries. L'irriced { }n at length ho first ratsmitterd to Mr. Il Tid the gold II led of after ri-warded Elle se Phila TI thir copmist, This ac inspired confidence in E 45 heralding a just, imp; rule. He :xtended the dikt': 'Welzı ılıçd the scia in | branch line to Kurunei HLİ Hamır; le,
The administration of which give promise of Tripi Luli, T Int:1 sures is the rice tax, langlished at th list less inactivity. Alth Atti the welk rhess of his colory clear of the 5 Fecitlilio II Hinc extrava hisi Hlub-Urdinates ar exa ł Tad E'er -hızını deri justice. ProfessioIIs, the purity . and his strict impartial it alried races of the isliir Y'alluc of which were un he häd keft the island. embarketi for England, le Governor, Sir Edwirtl N
Il the governet.
The Right Horn, sir ! 'l','l' Elie ved Sir 1 On February 10, 1896. colory from the governi Mk II. H: tiad served in te: Ilil I1 t onf M[r, 3:IfoLur in t and had served in Tradii :1: Foreign Affairs. He was: ind earlier in his career id:lilit the: Afghan Fru its British envoy to the Cu brought with hin the resourcefulness, firliness, lioiii) whi:li erah l-cd hinn El fi TCL of 3,0xx) men ac Afghanistilth, ind the tact affairs of the trained stals hıc birçJught ta bir tarı th that spirit of rigid bureau torises snTTic phases of the T1 The DLutÇOImit of Luis
IPRESSIONS
Edward Noel Walker,
reluck succeeded little . He had previously :line from the rule of vernorship of Ceylon. ificent policy of his extension and raising single: act II likes his tail cd Elle sanction of
of the paddy reııt Cor the Sinhales: peasants The agitation so long
friuuii. Tle- ngwos was, Wall by the Gover Tor, Cobden Society son wiccs of the veteral of the new Guyernor 2 minds of the peoplc, rtial, and sympathetic thountain line to Ban: to Katalırı, Tı lapıları ekli ala, the capital cof the
Sir Arthur Hawclock, great things by such repell if the paddy or e close to a weak and urLtdנrriנונxugh men rt. rule, he steered the Licks: Intls of foreign gant expense, and set Imple of highl hi11 uT The sincerity of his if his CICLIT. Hind lifer, y in dealing with the Id, were: qualities thic ly rezılised ling after Sir Artılır. Ha V'lk. :aving his LittleIllrt. oel Walker, to carry
Toseph West RidgeAir Noel Wilker He arrived in the 11 erit mf the Isle of lreland as the lieuhe days of coercioth, - Under Secretary of Lin (office:r il thic: aIrr Ily hid hiccIn those An t-1 1 tier, and had ge III: urt of Morocich, He Lrsevering Lourage, atcl dogged resolu* uccessfully to Icadi Toss the deserts of lid grasp of public I 11:111... lithfurdunately, Ie affairs of Ceylon cracy which charac1dian administration. Icw policy was the
OF CEYION
creatinn iad a deep spiriit of rescintrrient inilid dissa Lisfactican will thc: lirycal gover III Internt am rong the diffcrerint Sinhalese raç:5, During the years of his rule, however, Sir West Ridgeway by his shrewdress, his beguiling eloquince, and the glamour of his forward policy in the constructior of railways, irrigltio[n and other works, llu lled the people: into security till they woke to the full sense of the change from the old traditional policy in the administralion that followed. The rough soldier jostled with the diplomat and the statest Illi in the new (overlor, and, Llthough the ideals of Sir Arthur Hawclock WeT forgotten he rescued the country frk in the sluggislı inactiwity ;kı1d dçspondc:nl:y tu Which it had sunk during the long period of years he governed, One of the Governor's excell cit reforns was thic appointment of a Board of Education presided over by the Director if Public Instruction, in wholl lay the executive Contral of tlhe departiment, re vertirlig to the days wher lhe educational afairs of the colony Were managed by a "School Cirl missioi)" instead of by a single literary dictator. The fear inspired hy the terrible outbreak of bubonic plague in Bombay caused the Gover10Ti » tak: 5uch precautionary I measuręs tlıat the island has heer practically in ruumune fra In the scourge. In January, 18ys, arrived Mr. Mikisergh, a leading authority on drainage schemes ind the Wice-President of the Institute of Civil Engitteers, with instructions from the Secre. tiLry of State to report Çin the sanitalicon Cof Colombo and frame i drait age scheille for the considcralion of thic local Govern II (Ill. The Sa IIIe year saw the atlı option by the Legislative Council of a scheme for the constructioi of a graving dock at Colombo, ita L}st of 318,000, half the List to he borne by the Imperial (Government and half by Ille colony. The Diamond Jubile fueen Wictoria was celehrated with great till in all the principal towns, the Sinhalese races being fore lost in furthering the loyal Ithovement. A Jubilce address to the Queer from the Colombo Municipal Council, el graved con l gold plate and enclosed in a casket of gold of Sinhalese art-Work, and also addresses from the inhabitants of Ceylu11 and the Ceyloil Chiu Imber of Corun Lucre:ę, were fur ww:Lirided li » L-Cordon. On April 4, 1898, was laid the foundation of the North-west Breakwater With OLL any cerernony, and oil the 28th of dhe same Inonth was received fron the Secretary of State the sanction for the Kelani Walley Light Railway, which was to connlict Colombo with the planting district of Avisa wellal. By the appointin.cnt of the Rev. Father Lavign cas Bishop of Trincortualce and Batticaloa in 1888, the Order of Jesuits returned to the island for the first tiltic since the days of thic Portuguese, soon to take up the bishopric of Galle, which
Page 89
TWENTIETH CENTURY I.
vas entrusted to their chilrge. The OC-arl Penny Postage was inaugurated, and the Tate of rostage between Ceylon and the United Kingdom declared six cents the half-aunce on December 25, 18y.
A Corlirmission to consider an Agricult Lirill Department for Ceylon, in 1897, resulted in the increase of the scientific staff of the cully by the appmint Lument of al Inycul gi: t. eta troTToolkologist, and advising analytical chemist. ... "thrillor was also aciled to the Royal Botil Tı ical ilirdens, Peradleniya, and, later, L Lumineralogist was appointed. In Jal 11 LI:L"y", L*a*). arrived El large band of Burliness pilgrims, Illinks and llymen, the number inclutling the da Lighter* of King Theeblaw and II):iny Ini »ble Linier land wealthy citizens of Rangxi). They brought with the in a magnificent golden casket, studded with jewels, for which they had inelled dowl their ornaments to l'rt the doll which they beliewed soon threatened te overtake their CILJLLntry by the Teisę Iltation cif the ; sket lo Encase the Taatlı Relic kıl ile Buddhı al iht temple at Kands.
Arı elçliric tri mwa w serviç': for Colombki yw:s upei 1:1 i 11 J: El llair 'W', 8. 111 Fubi TLLL's Lund July Teturned hic Ine Ti Lilh,Jl. P.-Lisha and Micharted S:Lilli, the Egyptian exiles, Liter receiving a Tardr froII lhe Crown, and in doctober 1889, diel Jacob S: I Thi, il "Mother of the exiles at Kinty. O Mitch I, 1891, lhe Governor cut the first sicl of the Hic w gral villig dock in the presence of a large gathering, The offer of the Governor, wheil in Englliili to the IT perial Government of the regi 11er nl stationed in Colombo for service in South Africa was approved by the Legislative CouT1cil, and in 1900 was cquipped at the expense of the CCl Prı y' 1 ("eyler. El ropean Lanliigerit ol mounted infantry for service against the Roers, Ceylonese offers if service being refusel ill the ground that they were ineligible. lI1 l (3) Sir West Ridgeway opened the Bacteriological Institute, which the generosity of all Sitalse landowner, Mr. C. de Soysa, had provided in commernoration of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. This was followed by the operling of the Victoria Commemoration Buildings in Kandy, including the Ferguson Мепотial Hall and George Wall Library and Tower by the Governor. Igoo saw the appoint III Int of a Coimmission to report on the best way to meet the cost of improving the sanitation of Colomba, in contection With Ir. Mars Ergh's drainage schelle, and to inquire into the increased cost of public works. In the same year was created a special Irrigatiot Department for the whole island. Sir West Ridgeway, in Igod, undertook the charge ni f'We thousand of the Boer prisoners, They were interned in the island at the Diyalalawa and Ragama camps till their repatriction in Iy. One of the greatest monuments of Sir
West Ridgewiks": Tille Llı great nei Tthern lill Arturilcih ap Liri illid til
THE RIGHT
Kankesanturai which Tai rTl north to & wrought the greates on the pel,5int PTPr of Sir West Ridge inspired the GoveTI) isos; W:s CIC EITT:ll:11 ind sw:pilg chit hardly con the pe CPP time to time, Eldeth In diţion ui frests Il boy willagers of li:Irgie the country to SPC property. In 1840 which declared to forgst, ,'','15'te 11d 111
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON S1
was the constructin if to, from KuTLine gala tra Jaffilia and the port of
"liltiwahle after "a few years, unless on proof of title. yr Hossession by the subject for :
period of thirty years. An pil to th:
HON. SIR J. WESTRIDGE WA, Y, G.C.M., G. Ex, C. B. K. C. S.I.
F.C., LL.D., F.R.G.S.
connected the isl:Lnd by ill, A Treasure which hardship and injustice elix's was the Land Law ty. The notive which ' in framing these prc:- able, but their stringent cter made them be:L
Attempls had from de to prevert thic denuthe LII authorised sale flicts of Crow I ll Tid in laturg as their private law had bel:Il passed Ie (ICTWIL property all cupied land, and l:Lild
Hume sie vertiment LLily resultetl im thre Prof cof thirty ye:LT: bicing red Lçętl te i liwe y':Lrs. Subsequently the Forest Ordinancehicle11:llised the culting of timber and the removal of faggots from the w.xls adjacent to their villages-rights which the peças:Lrıs hal froIII tirme in III enorial enjoyed. Further, special pJwer5 af sumnity inquiry and justice had beer conferred on a special forest officer. Tillere was a Collisliit call froIII lig: Ils of Govern Ilent for more strigent legislation year by year, with a view to the waiving in favour of the Crown of Lllit strict proof of title which legal triburials ordinarily requirt' of a party asserling title, This demand tound additional Tc:Lsor for support in the childuct
F
Page 90
82 TWENTIETH
of an ex-civil servant who had bought large native claims at low rates and was opening up the newly acquired country. Early in 1897 was framed what was called the Waste Lands Ordinance, by which a special officer was created who was charged with the duty of arranging the settlement of land claims. The measure excited keen hostility and criticism in the colony, and the agitation was taken up in England by the Cobden Club and other representative bodies. Simultaneously the measure was discussed in Parliament, and more than - one deputation waited on the Colonial Secretary. A memorandum of reasons and appeal to the Crown for its repeal, signed by several past Governors of Ceylon, including Sir Arthur Gordon, gave strength to the views of the objectors, but Sir West. Ridgeway held his ground, and the law is still in operation. After a period of seven years Sir West Ridgeway laid down the reins of government, and Sir Everard im Thurn was sworn in as Lieutenant-Governor.
Sir Henry Arthur Blake took charge of the colony in 1903. The publication of his farewell speech in Hong Kong, wherein he advocated principles of equal justice to all British subjects, and his liberal and sympathetic policy in that dependency, raised high hopes in the colony. The new Governor soon discovered the ultimate benefits to be derived by the country from the spread of scientific agriculture. He established an Agricultural Association in Colombo for the adoption of better methods in the cultivation of the existing products and the encouragement of the cultivation of new ones among the great mass of Sinhalese cultivators. Under this impulse, branch associations were rapidly formed throughout the island, and the scheme was eagerly taken up by the Government Agents and native chiefs in the country districts. Sir Henry Blake had scarce entered on the government ere two public questions of peculiar difficulty confronted him - the lease of the Ceylon Pearl Fisheries and the scheme for the increase of the salaries of public servants. The lease of the Pearl Fishery of Ceylon for a number of years was negotiated by the Colonial Minister in England, and the Ceylon Government supported the project. No reference, however, had been made to the Legislative Council, and no official intimation had been given to the Ceylon public. When the news leaked out in the colony the arrangements had been completed, and the Governor, at an informal gathering of members of Council, failed to convince the Ceylonese representatives of the expediency of the lease. The terms of the fishery lease were not submitted to the approval of the Legislature, and the motion for the leasing of the
fisheries was carried in Council against the
CENTURY
opposition of the m; members.
The connection of West Ridgeway, wit and the large profits aggravated the distri sense of resentment. in the House of Co continued a source o A scheme for the in of the public service v appropriation of over voted as increases t of the civil service e mainly of Europeans, the balance among th ments, consisting main much criticism. At a . resolutions were passe posal, and authorising memorial to the Colo bitter controversy still on the subject, a char tenant-Governor, Sir . the question of the em in the higher branches the effect that the Cey lacking in that sense of the British Governme wave of indignation t The words were deep ing of protest was held, events Sir Alexander stricken down by dise: a few days. The dea Governor in the shadow lent special poignanc, especially as he was 1 of the people to be a f administrator.
A Bill to abolish the paralysed the trade of with considerable oppo posal to impose a vehi loss to revenue, though in the colony that the barbarism.” The Bill, deference to public op Government to gather vinces in regard to introduced into the Leg opportunity allowed to modification regardingt taxation. The end of disaster. A serious slip line and a severe railwa line by the subsidence through a heavy rainfal the Kelani Valley at the distress, and there was Government for not p flood outlets. The Gov end of the controversy
MPRESSIONS
ority of the Ceylonese
he late Governor, Sir the leasing syndicate of the fishery for 1905 it and accentuated the Questions were asked himons, and the matter keen controversy. rease of the emoluments as passed in 1905. The alf of the whole amount enhance the salaries tablishment, composed and the distribution of 2 Government establishly of Ceylonese, excited neeting held in Colombo d condemning the prothe transmission of a nial Minister. While a aged in the public Press ce remark of the LieuAlexander Ashmore, on ployment of Ceylonese of the public service, to lonese were ordinarily duty and honour which nt expected, caused a o pass over the colony. ly resented, and a meetIn the midst of these Ashmore was suddenly ase and expired within th of the Lieutenant7 of a misunderstanding to the public grief, 'eckoned by all classes rm, able, and impartial
tolls which had so long the rural districts met sition, owing to the procles tax to recoup the Opinion was unanimous tolls were “a relic of riginally withdrawn in nion and to enable the the sense of the prohe measure, was reislature in I906, and an he public to submit any he incidence of the new 1906 was clouded by occurred on the Jaffna accident on the Hatton of the railway track on the hills. Floods in ame time caused great strong criticism of the oviding the necessary 'rnor intervened at the to assure the public of
OF CEYLON
the sympathy of Government by the appointment of a Commission and by an undertaking to carry any feasible proposal through. From the record of disasters and political strife it is a relief, both to chronicler and reader, to turn aside to consider the lines of peaceful improvement, economical progress, and the changes in society. The Sinhalese religious movement commenced during the government of Sir Arthur Gordon had developed till it had embraced a scheme for Buddhist national education, the publication of Sinhalese newspapers, and a society for the preservation of all that was characteristic of Sinhalese dress, customs, and manners, which had well-nigh disappeared under the impact of foreign disintegrating forces. Sir Henry Blake's rule also saw the beginning of a movement for the revival and preservation of Sinhalese arts and handicrafts, such as painting, carving, and metal-work, still lingering in the Kandyan districts. A great impulse was given to this movement by the sympathy of Governor and Lady Blake, and scientific guidance was lent to it by a cultured Ceylonese, Dr. A. K. Coomaraswamy, who had recently arrived from England to fill a responsible Government post. With the object of creating a taste in the public and furnishing good models to the craftsmen, a Kandyan Society of Arts and a Museum of Kandyan Art was established in Kandy under - the aegis of the Ceylon Government. In spite of an enhanced duty, tea generally maintained its level in the home market, and a rubber exhibition held in Kandy proved a great success both in illustrating the potentialities of the new product and the possibilities and beauties of Kandyan Sinhalese art and architecture.
·受
EPILOGUE.
British rule in Ceylon falls naturally into certain well-defined periods. From 1796 up to 1820 was the age of conquest. From 1820 till 185o was the age of the consolidation of British power in Ceylon, by the opening up of communication, especially in the hitherto unknown and inaccessible mountain districts of the Kandyan provinces. The government of these earlier years was distinguished by a note of warm personal interest in the people of the country and an unaffected courtesy and kindness in their treatment. A new character in the personal relations between the British governing classes and the Ceylonese population began to spring up in the years preceding I848. The Sinhalese, particularly the Kandyans, had by the long peace gradually become unused to arms, were losing their individuality and their ideas, and day by day were approximating more and more to the European
Page 91
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
standard of civilisation. From I85o onwards, with slight intermissions, the island has been steadily advancing in material prosperity. Since 186o, with the progress of education, with the assimilation of new ideas and the peace and security which British rule had given the land, a new spirit was awakened in the country. The first articulate clamouring for free institutions, commenced in the days of the League, had increased with the coming year. Granted a Legislative and Executive Council before India, Ceylon was cited by John Bright as a successful example why similar Councils should be granted to the Indians. Not long after, a complete scheme of representative government, submitted by Sir Alexander Johnston, failed to become law by the mischance of the unexpected resignation of the Colonial Minister, who had favoured the reform.
Since then India has had freer institutions accorded her, and Ceylon has outgrown her political system. “ The Indian Legislative Councils are more liberally constituted,' says the Hon. Mr. John Ferguson, C.M.G., M.L.C., "although Ceylon has always been regarded as far in advance of her big neighbour from an educational and social as well as material point of view.' An eminently loyal people, deeply sensible of the benefits of British rule, the Ceylonese are aspiring to win the full
HE modern history of Ceylon might be written in one word-progress. In commerce, in education, in administration, in the material condition of the people, there has in recent years been a steady and continuous advance. Indeed, there is no other portion of the Empire which stands to-day in such a desirable position as regards the well-being of the inhabitants or in which there is a brighter promise of sustained prosperity in the future. The finances of the island are in a most healthy condition. In its early days the colony was a heavy burden on the Imperial Treasury. In 1905, the last year for which we have completed returns, there was a surplus of Rs. 4,697,256, and the total sum raised as revenue-Rs. 34,395,336-was Rs. 3,548,642 in excess of the proceeds for I904, which up to that time was the most prosperous year in the annals of the colony. Side by side with a buoyant revenue we find an extremely light public debt: it is more than balanced by substantial assets, including a highly lucrative railway system and magnificent harbour works at
measure of British citi;
stitution, flood relief W poll-tax, systematic c crowded western and st restored tank region, vote and a wider field country in the higher b service, are some of th been eagerly awaited needed, and which a splendid monument of a century of British sta in Ceylon.
6S
BRITIS GOV CEY)
The Hon. the GOVERNOR
February 16, I796. Hon. FREDERICK NORT Guilford), October ) Lieutenant-General the MAITLANIo, G.C.B., General Sir ROBERT BR
March II, I8I2. Lieutenant-General th PAGET, K.C.B., Feb Lieutenant-General S K.C.B., January 18,
一家一는
THE PRES
Colombo, which have
to have a potent influ trade of Ceylon. Trade which this edifice of afflu superb geographical natural advantage in t well suited to tropical
made the most of, and poured in ever increa world's markets. An
has been the mark of great European plant a lesser degree of nati collapse of the great ( the spread of diseas brought widespread rui was turned to tea, and a new industry was cre smiled upon the count holds its own as the
island-there was an millions in the expc planters are not conte The vast potentialities
MPRESSIONS
zenship. A freer cono forks, abolition of the olonisation from the
outhern districts to the
a larger educational
for the people of the branches of the public e reforms which have | and are urgently lone will crown the
administration which tesmanship has raised
3.
/ERNORS OF LON.
OF MADRAS in Council,
H (afterwards Earl of (2, п798. Right Hon. Sir THOMAS July 19, I8o5. OWNRIGG, Bart., G.C.B.,
e Hon. Sir EDWARD
ruary 2, I822.
ir EDWARD BARNEs,
Ι824.
ENT DAY.
had and will continue ence in promoting the is the great basis upon ence rests. The island’s position and its great he shape of a climate
agriculture have been
its products are being asing volume into the
intelligent adaptability
the operations of the ing community and to ive traders. When the coffee industry, through e amongst the plants, n to the island, attention
with pluck and energy 2ated and fortune again ry. Tea still more than
staple product of the
increase of over I2 brt in 1905. But the nt to rest on their oars.
of the rubber trade have
OF CEYLON 83
Right Hon. Sir RoBERT WILMIoT HoRToN,
Bart., G.C.B., October 23, 183I. Right Hon. JAMES ALEX ANDER STEWART
MACKENZIE, November 7, 1837. Lieutenant-General Sir CoLIN CAMPBELL
K.C.B., April 5, I84I. Right Hon. VIscoUNT ToRRINGToN, May 29,
І847. Sir GEORGE WILLIAM ANDERSON, K.C.B.,
November 27, 1850. Sir HENRY GEORGE WARD, K.C.M.G., May II,
I855. Sir CHARLEs JUsTIN MAcCARTHY, Kt., October
22, I86o. Sir HERCULES GEORGE ROBERT ROBINSON, K.C.M.G. (afterwards Lord Rosmead), May 16, 1865. Right Hon. Sir WILLIAM HENRY GREGORY,
K.C.M.G., March 4, 1872. Sir JAMES RoBERT LONGDEN, K.C.M.G., Sep
tember 4, 1877. Hon. Sir ARTHUR HIAMILTON GORDON, G.C.M.G. (now Lord Stanmore), December 3, I883. Sir ARTHUR ELIBANK HAVELock, G.C.M.G.,
May 28, 1890. Right Hon. Sir J. WEST IRIDGEw'AY, G.C.M.G.,
K.C.B., K.C.S.E., February Io, 1896. Sir HENRY ARTHUR BLAKE, G.C.M.G., Decem
ber 3, 1903.
attracted their attention, and a very large acreage, mainly in the low country, has been planted with rubber-trees. Nor is it in regard to this product alone that special enterprise is being shown. The leaven of the new spirit of scientific commercialism is working, and turning to account in many directions the remarkable resources of the island. The results are written large on the pages of the Customs returns. In I905 the trade of the island reached the large figure of Rs. 224,078,800. This was Rs. 4,234,200 in excess of the amount for the previous year and about thirty millions of rupees above the return for five years previously. In fifteen years the volume of trade has about doubled.
Even outside the limits of ordinary trade, in the region of the speculative, Fortune has smiled on the island. The pearl fishery, too often a mere tantalising will-o'-the-wisp to Colonial Secretaries, last year surpassed the most sanguine expectations. The large net profit of Rs. 2,405,645 was derived from ita sum which was over a million and one-third
Page 92
84
rupees in excess of that of I904, which was the previous highest on record. The fact that this splendid return synchronised with the sale of the fishery to a private enterprise-the Ceylon Company of Pearl Fishers, Limitedgave rise to a considerable amount of criticism, and questions were asked on the subject in Parliament, more particularly with reference to the association of Sir West Ridgeway, a former Governor of the island, with the directorate of the company. But the case put forward by the Government in justification of the transaction seems conclusive. Certainly, in view of the precarious nature of the fishery and the difficulties in the way of development under official auspices, the terms agreed upon with the company, which are given in detail elsewhere, are good.
Passing from trade and finance to the domain of ordinary administration, we find the same evidence of progress. The number of Government vernacular schools increased from 497, in 1903 to 507 in 1904 and 529 in I9o5 ; and of State-aided vernacular schools there were III,386 in I9o5, against I,273 and 1,3I6 in the years 1903 and I904 respectively. There are now 52,375 boys and I2,829 girls in attendance in the former class of school, and 85,436 boys and 44, I44 girls in the latter. Besides these establishments, at which an exclusively native education is given, there were in Igo5 22 I English and Anglovernacular schools, attended by 26,043 boys and 5,928 girls. An Ordinance based on the recommendations of the Elementary Education Commission of I905 was passed in I906, introducing the principle of qualified compulsion into the educational system. In medical matters the administration of the colony keeps well abreast of scientific development, and responds fully to popular needs. During I905 65 hospitals and asylums, 424 Government dispensaries, and I42 estate dispensaries were working. In the hospitals and asylums 68,32I patients were treated during I905, and in the same year I,222,790 new cases were treated at Government dispensaries. Altogether Rs. I,8o9,585 was expended in I905 on medical institutions. An important step in the direction of a systematised organisation of the medical profession was the passing, in 1905, of an Ordinance providing for the registration of medical and surgical practitioners in Ceylon on the lines adopted in the United Kingdom. It should be noted, in connection with the public institutions for the treatment of the sick, that there is no poorhouse in Ceylon. The island has been spared this dubious adjunct of modern civilisation largely owing to the benevolent principles inculcated by the prevailing creed-Buddhism. A successful postal and telegraph administration is an almost infallible symptom of the
TWENTIETH CENTURY
prosperity of a com present time enjoys vantage. In 19o5 twe letters, postcards, anc through the post. Th in excess of that of I9 value of Rs. III,68o, I2 717,000 telegrams w A motor mail servi of the administratic The number of de Savings Bank in I9c amount deposited Rs vious year the depo and the sums standin gated Rs.. 4248,689. A institution-the Post in I905 there were 63, had to their credit Rs The Government a on foot a mineralogic The expenditure in til completely justified achieved. In 1904. I able first director of new and valuable 1 thorium. So far only minerals have been b discovery is pregnant bilities for the future Monazite has also l proves to be of wid Ceylon river sands. S terite and galena have molybdenite.
The survey is being to the discovery of he rare elements. . These mining have their cou agriculture in a series C auspices of the Ceylon organisation founded i ment of the great stapl In I9o5 the principa society, with the guid the scientific staff at ground nuts, new var: lemon-grass, rotation o transplantation of pad ables and fruit tri sericulture have also Government entomolo I9o5 there were som: rubber, contrasted wit 7,500 in I903. In 19C exported was Rs. 557, Rs. 22I, oco in I904. doubt, with the rema the rubber industry : which has taken place years in the land sales. illustrate this phase of and trade :-
IMPRESSIONS
munity. Ceylon at the in full measure this adnty-six and a half million printed packets passed e revenue was Rs. 5ooooo 4. Money orders of the 5 were dealt with, and rere sent and received. ce is the latest feature on of the department. positors in the Ceylon 5 was 32,344, and the 4,239,805. In the presitors numbered 3 II,5o7, g to their credit aggreit the sister Government Office Savings BankOoo depositors, and they
I,748,127.
short time since set al survey of the colony. his connection has been by the results so far )r. Coomaraswamy, the the survey, found two minerals-uraninite and small deposits of these rought to light, but the with interesting possiof the mining industry. been discovered, and espread occurrence in Small deposits of cassibeen found, as well as
continued with a view avy minerals containing investigations relative to Interpart in the field of f experiments under the Agricultural Society, an in I904 for the improve2 industry of the island. 1 trials made by the ance and assistance of Peradeniya, were with eties of paddy, cotton, crops on paddy-fields, ly, and English veget:es. Experiments in been made by the gists. At the end of e 40,000 acres under II,000 in I904 and 5 the value of rubber 45, as compared with Associated mainly, no kable development of is the large increase during the past few The following figures Ceylon administration
OF CEYLON
Year. Acres sold. Price realised. I898 Ιό,279 8496,550 I899 2I,3OI 728,69Ι I900 32,250 6ვ8,5OO I9OI I9,585 456,O89 I902 3I,O89 691, 183 I903 23,93 б8,454 I904 35,276 783,3O4 I905 34,383 I,062,346
Altogether (here are now under cultivation 2,596,981 acres of land, or double the acreage returned in 1875.
Passing from these trade and agricultural statistics, we find in the population returns further evidence of the material prosperity of the island. When the British occupation first began the inhabitants numbered fewer than a million. By 1871 they had increased to 2,417,402; by 188I, to 2,755,558; by 189I, to 3,02 II,579 ; and by I9oI to 3,565,954. At the end of Igos it was estimated that the population numbered 3,95o, I23, including immigrant coolies, of whom I66,713 arrived in excess of those who left Ceylon. In 1905 the birth-rate was 382 per thousand and the deathrate 274.
From all points of view the present-day position of Colombo provides cause for congratulation. It only remains for the Government to do its part in the great work of industrial and agricultural development by improving and extending railway communication. The evidence points to a full acceptance of this obligation. Sanction has already been obtained to the construction of a line from Colombo to Negombo, and there is a strong probability that Chilaw and Puttalam will also be linked up with the system. Other extensions which have been recommended are a line to Passara and Badulla from Bandarawela, and a branch line from Vavuniya to Mannar. The last named line is projected in connection with a scheme of direct railway communication with India. In India the South of India Railway Company is engaged in the construction of an extension to Rameswaram, and it contemplates establishing in connection with it a steam ferry to bridge the straits. The execution of the scheme in its entirety would undoubtedly give a fillip to the great and growing trade between the island and the adjacent continent; indirectly it would also have a considerable influence on the passenger traffic by diverting a portion of the stream which flows into India through Bombay.
Ceylon, with overflowing treasury, expanding trade, and a prosperous and contented people, is indeed the Happy Island. It has sometimes been called “The Pearl of the Imperial Crown,' and no one will deny the appropriateness of the description. Its palmfringed shores, its smiling valleys, its verdureclad hills, its ancient towns with their storied past, make it a land of surpassing beauty and interest.
Page 93
CONSTITUTIO
BY DON
ADRIAN ST.
BARRISTER-AT-LAw (INNER TEMPLE), Advoca AUTHOR of "THE ROMAN-DUTCH LAw IN CEYLo:
SEYLON is a Crown Colony. It is one of those colonies where the Crown has the entire control of legislation, and the administration is carried on by public officers under the control of the Home Government. The legislative power is exercised by the Governor and a Council nominated by the Crown, the Council's authority being derived from the Crown and not from any imperial or local enactment. The Governor is appointed by His Majesty's Commission under the Royal sign-manual and signet, and his tenure lasts as a rule for about six years. Besides being supreme in the civil administration, he is also nominally Captain-General or Commander-inChief of His Majesty's Forces in the colony. The Governor is assisted by two Councils called
(i) The Executive Council, and (2) The Legislative Council.
The Executive Council was established by Letters Patent of March I9, I833, and its constitution was directed, by Letters Patent of June 16, 1877, to be in accordance with those Letters or such other instructions as may be addressed to the Governor. At the present day the Executive Council is composed of the highest officials, civil and military, and includes the Lieutenant-Governor and Colonial Secretary, the Office1 Commanding the troops, the Attorney-General, the AuditorGeneral, and the Colonial Treasurer.
س~~~~~~~ستحصہ حصے
PAR
THE CONST
The Governor is the Pr and in the exercise and e. and authorities conferre Patent he is bound, as a his Council. He may the Executive for reason him in writing. The Go to pardon offenders and
The Legislative Counc the Letters Patent of M constitution is regulated that of the Executive C repository of legislative and the Governor can, consent, make laws for good government of the has reserved to itself th with the advice and c. or with the advice of t to veto any laws passe lature.
The members of th consist of officials an official members are the the Government Agent, Government Agent, Cen other high officials wh from time to time appo The unofficial memb by the Governor, and t exceed eight. The un is mostly on a racial bal of importance in the isla tive.' The representat the low-country Sinha Kandyan Sinhalese, ti
\ AND LAW
V. JAYEWARDENIE,
TE OF THE SUPREMIE CoURT OF CEYLON, N' AND "THE LAW of PARTITION IN CEYLoN.'
حجح صحيحصه
T I.
TITUTION.
esident of the Council, xecution of the powers 'd on him by Letters rule, to consult with verrule the advice of is to be recorded by vernor has the power convicts. cil was also created by arch I9, 1833, and its in the same way as ouncil. It is the sole power in the island, with its advice and the peace, order, and country. The Crown e power to make laws onsent of Parliament, he Privy Council, and i by the local Legis
e Legislative Council ill non-officials. The Executive Councillors; Western Province; the tral Province; and two om His Majesty may int.
rs are all nominated heir number is not to official representation sis. Every community nd has its “representaves are selected from lese, the Tamils, the 1e Burgher and the
European communities. The planting and mercantile interests are also represented by members on the Council Board.
The Legislative Council also sanctions the estimates of expenditure which is intended to be charged upon the colonial revenue. The Governor presides over its deliberations. The term of office of unofficial members was formerly for life. In 1889 it was reduced to three years, and afterwards extended to five .
years.
There is a widespread feeling of dissatisfaction with the constitution of the Executive and Legislative Councils. The Executive consists of officials, and neither in it nor in the Legislative Council have the people a voice. In some of the colonies and in India the executive body is composed of officials and unofficial or nominated members. The desirability of including non-officials becomes apparent when we find that frequently none of the Councillors have had even a year's experience in the affairs of the colony. A strong unofficial element cannot fail to be of assistance to the authorities. The Legislative Council requires complete remodelling; and the elective principle, which is now admitted in practice though not in theory, in some cases should be adopted, with safeguards and limitations. The system of appointment by nomination is effete, and does not command the confidence of the educated classes. Some selections have no doubt been happy, but the majority have been unfortunate. A body partly elected and partly nominated should supplant the present Council, and the right of sending elected representatives should
F*
Page 94
86
be given to the provinces, and to towns having Municipal Councils and Local Boards, and to the mercantile and planting communities. Where the Crown reserves to itself the right to veto acts of the local Legislature no fears need be entertained. The present Legislative Council might, with a slight reduction in its numbers, take the place of the Executive Council.
The public service of the island may be divided into four classes or departments :-
I. The administrative department, which is manned almost wholly by members of the Civil Service, and comprises the financial and revenue departments.
2. The scientific departments, including the public works, irrigation, survey and railway departments.
3. The judicial department. 4. The general or miscellaneous department, consisting chiefly of the medical, public instruction, police, and post and telegraph departments.
The Civil Service is composed of two divisions-the higher division, recruited by competitive examination in England, and the subordinate division, to which appointments are made locally by the Governor.
For purposes of general administration the island is divided into nine provinces, each of which is under the control and management of Government Agents, “In addition to collecting the revenue these officers are responsible for the good order of their provinces, in which they make frequent circuits, and are in constant communication with the headmen and with inhabitants, whose wants and interests they bring to the notice of Government, between which and the people, through their headmen, they are the direct intermediaries'
EYLON occupies a unique position in the legal world. There is no other country which possesses so many legal systems within so small an area. For a population of about 3,8oo,ooo there are about five different systems of law. The Kandyan Sinhalese is governed by the Kandyan Law, the Jaffna Tamil by the Thesayalamai, the Batticaloa Tamil by the Mukkuwar Law, the Moors by the Mahomedan Law, and the low-country Sinhalese, Burghers, Europeans, and the other inhabitants by the RomanDutch Law.
TWENTIETH CENTURY
(“Ceylon Manual,' It Agents meet in confe the presidency of the variety of projects and and visionary. These are divided into distr under the charge of Agents, the Governmei the district in which t or office is situated charge.
Every district is Pattus, or Korales, an( selves divided into vill: Pattus are presided o Mohandirams in the lo Ratemahatmayas and provinces, and Maniay. Tamil districts. The v. in the charge of Arachc Vidanes, who receive 1 to assist the Mudaliyars men in preserving pe the villages, in collectii tecting Government fo. safeguarding the intere In another part of t of local self-governinhe and it is not necessary with the question here. Colombo, Kandy, and Councils for the mana affairs, and about sev towns have their affai Boards of Health and
The Municipal Cour and nominated memb elected triennially by of the towns and the
تZسی sian حصے
PAER
T H E
The Roman-Dutch
It is, however, th moulded by Grotius, national law, and Vo mentators, which for of Ceylon. It is a island, and whenevel silent on any point i Law which supplies t foundation of the F established by the Er Proclamation of the ye that “the administratic
MPRESSIONS
4). The Government nce once a year, under overnor, and discuss a schemes, both practical provinces, except two, :ts, each of which is Assistant Government : Agent himself having e provincial Kachcheri under his immediate
gain subdivided into
these Pattus are themges, hamlets, &c. The rer by Mudaliyars and w-country districts, by Coralas in the Kandyan irs and Udaiyars in the llages and hamlets are hies, peace officers, and Io salary, but who have
and other chief head
ce and good order in
g the revenue, in proests, and in otherwise sts of the Crown. he volume the subject nt is specially treated, to deal at any length The three chief towns, Galle, have Municipal gement of their local 'enteen other smaller rs entrusted to Local Improvement, cils consist of elected ers: the former are the votes of residents latter are selected by
ك2سسسسسسس-2 ܓܓ -----------
--
IT II.
LA W.
aW.
Roman-Dutch Law the father of inter, the prince of coms the Common Law plicable all over the the other laws are is the Roman-Dutch casus omissus. The man-Dutch Law as lish in Ceylon is the 1799, which declared of justice and police
OF CEYLON
the Governor. The number of nominated members is generally equal to the number of those elected ; and with a chairman who has two votes-one a casting vote and the other as a nominated member-and who is a Government official, the authorities are sure of a majority whenever they want to carry any measure through. The Local Boards, too, are composed of elected and nominated members, the former of whom are elected by the people. The powers and duties of these Boards resemble those of Municipal Councils. In the villages the Government has created Village Committees or Gansabhawas, under the presidency of the District Mudaliyar or chief headman, who is assisted by councillors, and has conferred on them power to frame and carry out bylaws for the regulation of education, irrigation, fishing, the construction and repair of roads and paths, and for the management of a variety of other matters connected with village life. Local self-government has not been a failure in Ceylon. Although it may be said that Municipal Councils have not fulfilled the expectations formed of them, it cannot be denied that these institutions have been to a great extent successful, and are admirably suited to carry out the objects for which they were intended. It was at one time a reproach against them that they failed to attract men of light and leading. If it ever was so, things have considerably changed within the last fifteen years, and a seat on the Council board is now a coveted position. It must, however, be admitted that the electors have not always displayed a sense of responsibility in the selection of their representatives. But that
is not peculiar to Ceylon.
in the said settlements and territories in the island of Ceylon, with their dependencies, shall be henceforth, and during His Majesty's pleasure, exercised by all Courts of Judicature, civil and criminal, magistrates and ministerial officers, according to the laws and institutions that subsisted under the ancient government of the United Provinces, subject to such deviations and alterations as we shall by these presents or by any future Proclamation and in pursuance of the authorities confided to us deem it proper and beneficial for the purposes of justice to ordain and publish." It was
Page 95
TWENTIETH CENTURY II
intended to be merely a temporary measure, and by it the Roman-Dutch Law was made applicable to all the different races living in the maritime provinces-Sinhalese, Moors, Dutch, Malabars, Portuguese, and English. In the year 18o the Sinhalese and the Moors were exempted from the operation of the RomanDutch Law and granted the privilege of being governed by their own laws. Five years later the Malabars, or the Tamil inhabitants of the north, or Jaffna, were declared to be subject to their laws as contained in the Thesayalamai. So that at the end of a decade of British rule the only persons who remained subject to the Roman-Dutch Law were Europeans and Burghers.
By the Kandyan Convention of the year 1815 the Kandyans had secured for themselves "civil rights and immunities according to the laws, institutions, and customs established and in force among them." But the low-country Sinhalese, or those of the maritime provinces, continued to be governed by the Roman-Dutch Law. In 1833 was published the last Charter ever published in Ceylon. It expressly repealed all the previous charters, including that of I8oI, which gave the Sinhalese and the Moors the right to be governed by their own laws. The Moors and the Sinhalese should thereafter have been governed by the Roman-Dutch Law. But the courts, considering that the laws and religion of the Moors were so inextricably intertwined, and that interference with one would be interference with the other, still continued to apply the Mahomedan law when the parties were Moors. The lowcountry Sinhalese were, of course, all along governed by the Roman-Dutch Law, notwithstanding the privilege granted by the Charter of I8oI. The Proclamation of I799 was confirmed in the year 1835 (Ordinance No. 5 of I835), and the Common Law was declared to be the Roman-Dutch Law-' which laws and institutions of the United Provinces it is hereby declared still are and shall henceforth continue to be binding and administered through the said maritime provinces and their dependencies. . . .' The Roman-Dutch Law now prevails in a very modified and amended form. Parts of it have been declared obsolete, parts have been condemned as incompatible with the refinement of modern times, and parts have been rejected on the ground that they were never introduced to Ceylon. The Legislature and the Courts have repealed and rejected considerable parts of it. The RomanDutch law of evidence was superseded by the English law long before the application of the latter had been sanctioned by positive enactments. The law merchant of the United Provinces has been entirely swept away. The Roman-Dutch Law relating to mercantile
matters was utterly uns requirements of the nin commercial policy of l liberal, was entirely oppi so narrow and restrict when they were effect all classes and commu No. 5 of 1852 (SS I, 2) th contracts and questions matters and negotiable clared to be the same : at the corresponding pel the mercantile, comm laws of England were
By Ordinance No. Il Sale of Goods Act 56 enacted in Ceylon. T bonorum allowed by t to insolvent debtors w Ordinance embodying bankruptcy was passe The Legislature and th very important changes law of persons. The M Inheritance Ordinance the law of husband a the law of inheritance. as a consequence of m and with its abolition s resting and important were rendered inapplica now belongs to her se liable for the debts an husband, but the wife with the leave of Court perty by an act inter via consent of the husband. was amended, and the it prevailed in North H. be applicable when th The law of property u portant changes. The l superseded by a local fidei-comissium, or trust modified, and the right was taken away.
The substantive crim remained practically ur lature till I883. The been in the practice of law of crimes long befor to do so by law. In th Penal Code, based on t passed into law, and ti United Provinces cease The Charter of I8oI c practice of pleading, b The procedure of the C lated by the Civil Pro that of Criminal Court cedure Code, I898, wi Criminal Procedure Cc
MPRESSIONS
uited to the policy and eteenth century. The 2ngland, so broad and osed to that of Holland, ive, and the changes, 2d, were welcomed by By Ordinance e law in respect of all relating to maritime inst1uments was deas the law in England iod. In the year 1866 ercial, and insurance introduced.
of 1898 the English & 57 Vict. c. 7I) was he privilege of cessio he Roman-Dutch Law "as abolished, and an the English law of d in the year 1853. e Courts have effected
in the Roman-Dutch Iatrimonial Rights and , I876, revolutionised nd wife and amended Community of property arriage was abolished, one of the most inte
barts of the Dutch Law ble. A wife’s property parate estate, and is not d engagements of the has no power (except ) to deal with her provos without the written
The law of inheritance Roman-Dutch Law as
olland was declared to
e Ordinance is silent.
nderwent but few imaw of prescription was enactment, the law of s, and mortgage was to a legitimate portion
inities.
inal law of the Dutch touched by the Legisjudges had, however, applying the English e they were empowered e year 1883 the Ceylon he Indian Penal Code, he criminal law of the l to be applicable. hanged the course and oth civil and criminal. ivil Courts is now reguredure Code, 1889, and by the Criminal Pronich repealed the first de of 1883.
OF CEYLON 87
Trial by jury, which was unknown to the Dutch judicial system, was introduced in the very early days of British rule, and has proved a great success. A jury is allowed only in criminal trials before the Supreme Court, the highest tribunal in the island, which is empowered to try offences not cognisable either by District Courts or Police Courts. The number of jurors for a panel has been reduced from nine to seven, and a verdict by a majority of five to two is good.
The Roman-Dutch law of executors and administration of intestates' estates has been held inapplicable, and the English law as to the powers and duties of executors and administrators prevails, vith the addition that the powers and duties extend to real as well as personal property. Great laxity has hitherto prevailed in the enforcement of the laws regulating the administration of deceased persons' estates, with the result that the law of administration is in a chaotic state.
Numerous other unimportant provisions of the Roman-Dutch Law have been rejected, repealed, and altered by local Ordinances and judicial decisions.
Kandyan Law.
In the Kandyan provinces (the limits of which have been defined by Ordinances) as a rule the Kandyan Law applies. This law, which is based on the ancient and established customs of the Kandyan people, is applicable only in the case of Kandyans having a Kandyan domicile. It is not applicable to Europeans, Burghers, Mahomedans, or even the Sinhalese of the maritime provinces resident in the Kandyan districts. According to Kandyan Haw, marriage is divided into two kinds-diga marriage, where the husband conducts the wife to his Own home; and beena marriage, where the husband comes and lives in his wife's house. In the latter case the husband loses his right to manage and control all household and family matters, and is entirely at the mercy of his wife, who can expel him and divorce him if he incurs her displeasure. In a diga marriage the wife comes under the control and power of the husband, and forfeits her right to her parents' property. The wife can acquire, hold, and dispose of property without the consent of her husband. She can enter into contracts independently of her husband, and may sue and be sued without his assistance. One of the grounds for divorce among the Kandyans is mutual consent of the parties, and polyandry, although penalised, still prevails among them. To judge from many of its provisions, the Kandyan law of husband and wife seems to have reached a very advanced stage in some respects.
Page 96
88 TWENTIETH
The Thesayalamai.
This is a code of the customs of the Malabar inhabitants of the north of Ceylon. They were collected and arranged by the orders of the Dutch Governor, Simons, in 1706. It is applicable where the parties are Malabar inhabitants of the province of Jaffna or where a Malabar inhabitant of Jaffna is defendant. The RomanDutch Law is applicable when the Thesayalamai is silent.
THE
EFORE the Charter of 1835 was published the Courts of Justice underwent frequent changes. This Charter established the Supreme Court and District Courts, and these have continued to the present day with slight modifications. In the year 1843 Courts of Requests and Police Courts were first created, and by Ordinance No. 26 of 187 village committees and tribunals were founded throughout the island. All these courts and tribunals exist at the present time, and it is through them that the administration of justice is carried out. The powers and jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, District Courts, Courts of Requests, and Police Courts are clearly defined by the Courts Ordinance, 1889, and by the Civil and Criminal Procedure Codes.
The Supreme Court is the only superior court of record, and consists of four judges, namely, one Chief Justice, and three Puisne Judges. The Supreme Court has an original criminal jurisdiction for the inquiry into and trial of all crimes and offences committed throughout the island. As a rule, however, the criminal cases tried by it are those which are beyond the jurisdiction of Police Courts and District Courts, and are brought before it on indictments presented by the AttorneyGeneral on behalf of the Crown. For the exercise of its criminal jurisdiction criminal sessions are held, as prescribed by the Criminal Procedure Code, principally at Colombo, Kandy, Galle, Jaffna, Matara, Batticaloa, and Trincomalee. These trials are had before a judge and a jury, and the court has the power to pass a death sentence on persons convicted of murder. The Supreme Court is the only court of appeal in the colony. Its appellate jurisdiction is ordinarily exercised at Colombo, and extends to the correction of all errors, in fact or in law, committed by a judge of the Supreme Court sitting alone or by a judge of any District Court, Court of Requests, or Police
CENTURY IM
Mahomedam Law.
The Moors all over th by their own laws, whi proclaimed in the year the Code relate to (II) r (2) rights of inheritance occasioned by death ; (; In the case of contracts which the Code makes in Dutch Law or the Comn
SN飞柔
PART
ADMINISTRAT
Court. In appeal the Si wide powers, and can m fit. It has also the pov ceedings of the original c orders as it may think fit The Supreme Court, lik the island, is a court botl and has all the powers at Westminster. It can nature of writs of habe certiorari, procedendo, grant injunctions to rest chief. An appeal is al ments and orders of the Majesty in Council in subject-matter of the su value. Appeals to His M in criminal cases.
The District Courts tribunals. For the purp tion of justice the islai number of districts, each District Court. They a jurisdiction in criminal have full power and determine all revenue, m and testamentary matt jurisdiction over the p lunatics, minors, wards, trusts, and trustees. In powers and duties are d Procedure Code, and sentence of more than tv or inflict a fine exceedin, made by a District Cour civil jurisdiction are ap cases there is no appeal if imprisonment, does no or, if a fine, does not ex a point of law. The Col number of which are island, have a purely civ try all suits in which it
IPRESSIONS
island are governed h were codified and 806. The laws in |atters of succession ; and other incidents
) matrimonial affairs.
and other matters to ) allusion, the Romanon i law applies.
III.
ION
preme Court has very ake any order it thinks ter to revise the proourts, and to pass such when sitting in appeal. e the other courts of h of law and of equity, of the superior courts issue mandates in the as Corpus, mandamus, and prohibition, and rain irremediable mislowed from the judgSupreme Court to His cases in which the it is over Rs. 5,Ooo in ajesty are also allowed
are the highest civil ose of the administrald is divided into a L of which has its own lso possess a limited matters. These courts
uthority to hear and
atrimonial, insolvency, ers, and to exercise 2rsons and estates of guardians, cestui que criminal matters their 2fined by the Criminal they cannot pass a "o years' imprisonment Rs. I,000. All orders t in the exercise of its pealable. In criminal when the punishment, t exceed three months, reed Rs. Ioo, except on rts of Requests, a large scattered all over the l jurisdiction, and can he subject-matter does
OF CEYLON
Mukku war Law.
The Mukkuwar Law, or the customary laws
of the Tamil inhabitants in and about Batti
caloa, were not interfered with by the Dutch.
They have been recognised by the British
Government.
Temple Land.
The inheritance and succession to lands
belonging and appurtenant to Buddhist temples
are regulated by the Buddhist Laws.
OF JUSTICE.
not exceed Rs.3oo in value. They have no jurisdiction in matrimonial matters. They have a procedure of their own which is of a summary character. In actions for the recovery of debts and demands there is no appeal except on a point of law. The Police Courts are as numerous as the Courts of Requests; they can try summarily all offences made cognisable by a Police Court, while they can only inquire into offences cognisable by District Courts or the Supreme Court. In the latter class of cases, after completion of the inquiry, the proceedings are forwarded to the Attorney-General, who performs the functions of the Grand Jury in England, and decides whether an accused should be committed for trial or be discharged. A Police Court may inflict a fine not exceeding Rs. Ioo or a term of imprisonment not exceeding six months. It has the power to deal with vagrants, habitual offenders, and notorious bad livers by binding them over to keep the peace and to be of good behaviour. Except on a point of law, there is no appeal from orders of Police Courts when the imprisonment does not exceed one month or the fine is not more than Rs. 25.
The village tribunals, or committees, or Gansabhawas, are now regulated by Ordinance No. 24 of 1889, which defines their powers and jurisdiction. The President, as the judge is called, is always assisted by Councillors, and has civil and criminal jurisdiction in cases in which both parties are natives, or when the parties, if not natives, consent in writing to be tried by him. The civil jurisdiction extends to all cases in which the debt, damage, or demand does not exceed Rs. 20 or in which the property claimed does not exceed Rs. 20 in value. It may try cases when the value of the subject-matter of the suit does not exceed Rs.Ioo, with the written consent of the parties. The criminal jurisdiction extends to cases of petty assaults and thefts,
Page 97
TWENTIETH
which II; it dequately be unished by a fire of Ri. 20 II in 1prison Tielt fuT two weeks, G LLLLaa LLLHHaLL LHLLLL LLLC LLCHHHtLGLLLLLLL aL aHLLLL
LaLLLLSa ltLLL LLLLLL GLLCL Laa LLLL LLLLLLLlLLLaYCaaS The j Erisdiction, civil indi critiral, ci riferTed on village tribunals is :xclusive, and kill rol be exercised hy ay ni her court. punish by a Finc not exceeding Rs. 20, IIId in lefatul af Fr; ymhent af fine hy in pri5aTırnent for any period not exceeding two Wecks, is rici appel to the Supreine Crurt frIFIn the decisions of thics: courts, but aggrieved firlies IIIzıy" apple:Ll to the Guvern Tlent Agent L Tid from IIn his clecisir yn Lily the G i Wic: Tri II, and proctors are nil allowed to appear before henn, They are lı:AITn Tered by inco code: si cod procedure or ritics of ciclence, it: dininister rough-arc-reisly justice in a fair Willy, In LLLLLLLH LLL LLlSaa LaaLLLLLLLS LLL LLLLSLSLSS tCLL
They Inay
Tere
Advocaties
LLLLLL LLLLLLLL0LSLLLLLL LLLLK S LLS KS SLLL LLLLLLLESYLLLLLLYS
l-Presidentit Lawr" 3: Ludici li lt I iii II, II
are in Ceylon officers called UпLoficial P. Ilice Magistrates.
The {;averntsr tnay :Ippoint L11y Justic- Lyf the l’eace to be arı ılıcufficial Police: Magistrate for II y «listrict Lor districts, III.Jifficial Police Magistrates have ill the powers if ordinalry II Likigistrit c3 Cxcept the pow':r li) try and punish offerders surn Ilirily,
So far the variris systems if law pr:Wailing in the colony and the courts incl judges engaged in the administralia T of those SS'slems hauwe been ce:5cribe:ci. I 11'N 1Ļri LH -
The Legal Profession.
The legal professi II in CeylcNT is ccTıpçJssel of two branches : aclvocatus, hlavirtg the 5:lne status as barrislurs, it 11:l i' tors, having the LLLLLL aaLLLLSS OLOLOL LgLLLaLa0SS LLa CCGGLaaLLaaS HLa LaLaLaLLaLLALL LLLLL LLLLLL HLSLLH LLL0LaS0SCaaLLLt kai thur supreille Court :Lind pri ili: ti xris Ulf the District Courts; the for iller being entitlesl to
CEN "TURY
practise b:fore CVLT Supreme Court, whii only befort: thl: Distrik courts of the distri licens:d to piraclist, ix, y::itel y'ith the i til å drinit, to suspii:nd seeking actii is sill ar Professi HT1. h3 i El" of the professi Il art The Ciu Exil of Lt.g3 irnexxi orporated li ie: AA' Աitlլ էliլ: : ԱI1t: Ոl iT1ւլ
tij i JË SILicle1118 de:ir Is iad ''Les Ard 'I' Englisli, SL:.tv:li, ; il Il re terutit lecd tc by: Lici proctors respectively p;y Ii erit Cf Çiçrt Lin | being :ille: të i the ıııinıtion, Örı pıym: keeping Llı rele 1ę EN13 Ceylan : dy. L’ales of Clinil King's C 1:11 Ceylon in the SciT
The Law Officers
The Attorney-Gen r:II:r:ul HTë th: T.F. W. Thc Attorry-Gener: 1:ll:(l'"Ad'Ox: Le Fi5. Advocate," is the hit meni, Ind his rii. C A torney"- Kieneral iii
I.L.: ) :li:LLI : Es i ili in all cigil II alters :
Lbig: P.
indictinents : Te drit, s' aline can sl: or b: Ç:rgwrı, The Sicilicild. Jшње п's Advocate 13
is als
principally" en ligged i Poliçe Magistri; tL:s in duties. Every Ordin: si Ermittel LC) th .i. 'W' report. The Crown' previsi : 1 345 El Il in cord: ting rii cases on thehalf of th Attorney-Gencil is in Lah is trict FL || Proctor, lo appi:Lr it i1 Lis: [rrict (C4 }-LIrtʼ5.
Pulice Courts Č1ů byl
The judii:ll syste presert Leeds i th. ciple :ıil(opitl:di iI1 ll1 i ti) prectsizliği ki, Çer Eht: 1 եւ Հ rւ բ:lTils thւ: SւIբ Whil Early - ; lui, Fly5 ht: like invariably port " Lib:Ll of tie
Leist the District
ill
IMPRESSIONS
y" court, including th:
the litt L. is
:t CCLırt Lt Luther Tı incor it in which they arc Tı: SupTocLic: Curt ower tarı ıldı Tit, to refLLS: and tÇ) I CITTO '' : pers »IT's already idlitted to the gland, the two branches a kept entirely distinct. . Education, which was years ago, is entrListed supervision of the du:L- ing to II:Llify the 115 clwcs, taris, Ms:Imbers { if thç:
Lish ELET LEI :: Iliciis
III i tid i Lid','C':Llts : LTC
M'i I 1 I ll :: Liln i I 1: t iII III, III In ces. The privilege of lish S.L. with oil t c Xint of the usual fees Lnd
hul5 bn: : | 1 :x EL: ili ol tithree years' st:Inding. 5el 'y','Cru: first citicalleri ii.11
էյt13.
Of the CW.
Ll LH tlı Siliki : IT
Officers i Lle ru'11, I. Who W:L3 L1 ore line ill," "King's r Queen's
Il of Llı : legıl dı; Irtis siııil:Lr Ls Llı:Lt of hı: Engllid. His duty is to it to idirise thit Exetuli' '1':
Ecling the (o "TI Te111. Ili: Arıl :ıll 'n Lupi in this II.LIIIe. Hsued in bi-half of the I'-(etheral, if th: DeLil'
'I'i:L::11tit,
5 he wil: "It': trilled, isi n aclvising lnd dire:Ltillg the performanic of their Lince, befor: it is plssol is Offizers of the Crown for
sel, fri" "h hade, Lire chielly et g:1gosl st it it:Lilitill:13, 'i', 'il
TIL: ilsil ilithi Tised (x :ıgı "Çı İıt
|| 11 լեiti
: Att. In Ly-Gerieri,
'octor, allel the Crity" | civil inti rrinin: il css Courts of FR: LIL:- lis iL Icil 1alt L. Ilie C1 i 1 n.
it will illipt: I El: But the pri 1- 1pp.intIrier 'If judgt:8
4.1 ill.".
:LIrt3 is nul sali:f:1Lotcir". reine Court, the JLIlgo, -er Intil hers if the Bill, el worly m the higliest id. As regardi appointLurs, L LS, & if hicquists.
OF CEYION 89
LLLLLLL cLlll LaaLSS aaCa L HHaaaL LLLLLLLHL LL i Enricovci11 est. Scorne of the apı itılı Teritis to
the II are importint of these courts are held
LOS
aLLLLLLLa LLLLLaaHHLH ETaLLGL LLL LL LLCLLLS
by professicial Inci and by Livil ser; 113 if great experience and learning, who th:lve *fci.it the gre;lter Tart of their lives in the service Гt lhe culuny. But in 1h u njority cal cases judicial work is ei hiruster! Im J Lurige: withi i li:l'', Lo hul a Lidelig 4.'Lliainl:Lince with the l: 'LA, FITri are very slightly familiar with the cus liths, habits : Lad linguage: « il the litig:Irits, The LLLLLL LL L aLLLL LLLLLLLlLLLLLLLLa HT LLLLLL LTLaLLLLL LLLLLL HGGGLLLLaLL LLL LLLLL LaLLLLL LLLLtttLL tS La bl եւ` i11 They
111Է:11 1"Tiiւrt-r-ill :trւ ԼTs,
L. M.A. A. F.T.E.SS2. Crower C. LIII: el fi_JE I i II: L3l:III.d.)
:re appxuiiı teri to 1 judici:L1 :LI1cl r'e WʼCI1ut! 1"0sl* ccring to th: "liIII: , "d crice if the powers Lin;Ll biko ; -L rn cd il יווןiiנi;ililh;iPןy:ilר
Page 98
CEYLON ILEGAL S EGLLGL LLLLLL LS LLS SLHHLHLSS S SKSSS LLLLLLLLSGLGL S GEEELSLLLLLS 0S LLLLaLELLLL SS 0S LLLLLL
I. Ti'''.','I E I. It's II. Si I'i Eles. 7. Phijktor E.R. F. 13: S. WIJETETr
I U. .'l, I i'i'i hik",", T1": "T. li. D-E 5. "1 m,1 i",", "Y", ],..._:. II, I'Hi:ToH CHARI. Is PEIRI
1. "Rit.: T4 i 14 || MLERLES P'EREHEL. 15. W II »," II.: "To A. ST. W. JEWW.ARCHEN. E.
WIWIWIT
FRACTITIONERS.
L'L CALEK. L. M. II'Y' KATE, A T. & A ''t''' x LYRA:S A T1, C:A 31. 5. Pl HT}R FRAxt:I: HUILER. ኣ...'ኳ፡ 8. B*:[[:' :The IF j, KHTH|LTF-8 il, Li. ... '1'." KTK. El-S.L.E. E. x:EKERE 1 II'CATE WM, W, Dswiler 13. AI''CK.4TH. P. J. L'E MEL. if Ali, OCATF. A. C. G. W.L.I. Kikucox. 17, LILATE J. W. N. T., 8: III Hii.
Page 99
TWENTIETH
CENTURY I
W
W | W
( ܠ ܢ
կլկիկ
W
կրկի |
A II w 15:34, TE: E. W. JA "EVA", RLDENE..
A Divx:ATI: H. A. J.AYE WAH LEXE.
that a civiliar who has been holding a judicial appointII]erit, and has begin to acquire: a knowledge of law and to be interc5ted it his work is transferred to a Towerlug appointither, and years elapse before he is re-appointed to il judicial post, when hic has to begin lı is study of the law anew. This interruption and resumption of judicial functions conlin Luis, to the great detritinent of the public till the highest class of the service is reachcid. A separate branch of the Civil Service, called the "Judicial Branch," should be constituted, and thus: members of it who show an aptitude for judicial work should be drafted to that branch and debarred from holding revetlue appoiritments. Then the administration of justice will have been placed oil a satisfactory basis, Again, in many instances the cornbination of revenue and judicial dutics is productive of much mischief. The Governor has the power to make a number of appointments to th: lower branch of the Civil SCI vice, and these appointments are usually made to judicial posts, The injustice that results from appointinents
Y || 1 |||||||||րի
A FAMILY IDE"
THE 1.4 L E AL LI Y'I TATE AFTA I: “r”. G. Ja,
THE LATE SI
BANDARAN.
A xile ținTLE. Scnicar Pi
PRESSIONS
OF CEYLON
LEGAL MH.N.
J. J. J4'E'AHD HSE. W Eኳኳ ̆ጴEt}Eጎ፧ዘ÷
W |
էլ երկրի
HAR IIAS kYAKE, EKT.
i+ILc Justice či Ceylan.}
W.W.
TWN ITTMI ܗܕܐ
MWILIWNYWAY
A DOCATE. J. S. JAYE WARIESE.
ALVOCATE A, ST. W. JAYE WARLENE.
of this lature is Inanifest, The appointinent of civil servants to judicial posts within a few fonths of their arrival in the island is open to the sa Ine observations, Appointments of this kind. Inight be justified if there were no suitable carditlales available, There is a Bar, strong both in numbers and in intelligence, in Ceylon, and many of its members would have no objection to accept magistracies Trovided they were given the samine opportunities of promotico In in the jLidiciaL l li ie as the imcernhers of the Civil Service. Ceylonese a Te by education and intelligence fitted to do judicial work, and it will not be asking too Tuch to demand hill half the judicial Ippointiments should be con|linced to therty, Then we shall have all judiciar y possessing a knowledge of the law, familiar with the customs, habits, and litigliage of the people, and it every way equipped to do justice between man and Ina II.
W
Page 100
92
HIS EXCELLENCY SIR HENRY ARTHUR
BLAKE, G, C.M.G.
LHL LLLLHHHHHHS LHHLS LLLLCL LHHLHaa L aL LLLLa Irish family which was founded in Ireland by Richard Blake, as Ciddell, whic acconipartied Prince John to that kingdoi1 in 1185,
A KANDYAN FHIEF.
and who, la vitig i tit Lined critisiderable gra :5 of land in the Cility of it wily, settled there. A descendant if this first Richard Blake was Sir Richard 13 lake, Kt., of Yr adfry, Mlember of Patiliaiiieiit I CIL:n y Galwayo in 1 {31. -L rmxl Speaker Supre:meo « f 1 li e Ci ' Li [necil Kif Fil ki: Inr n iii 1 fil-q8. first Peter Blake of Cirhilly, grandfather of it Tlother Peter E3 like, who was in turn the grand. father of Peter Blake, Sir Henry Blake's father. Sir Hero's grandmother was the laughter of the Hon, John Browrie, sixth son of Johr, the first Earl of Allian int. His descent is... thercfire, Irish of the Irish. He was hern at Linerick or II:Lin Liary I 8, T 8 pilo, his dallher, Petuer Blake of Corbitly Castle, County Galway, heing at the title a curity inspector of Irish C:Istabulary, Sir Hellry wis educaleti zıt Dr. S. John's leademy, Kilkeny, and Santry College, and cnterexl the Irish Crist:thuliary
Hi third & Jill 'y','Lis =
als kilde in 1851), is ster the usual crimpetitive examinati 11. In ty's he was appointed a Resident Magistrate, lind held that Fiosition 11ntil 1882, Whern her Wils Chosen as One Is the Five s Tecial Magistrates, selected hy the GovernIII. It to carry out the work of 1.lcific lic II in As Llı Magistritt in executive charge of County Kildare, Queen's County, Meilth, Carlow, Galway East and Gillway
Ilie ColIIitry,
West, in this troublous period if Irish history, lıcı: greatly" distinguished hir"insclr bş" Hıris fırılı )fficial recognitio II of his service:5 cıEile iri 1884 iı şırı talier
Si
anal lictul direction ui atiairs,
| af 1lił guwerIIŁrship of tle I3:Lhim:5.
TWENTIETII CENTU RY
Henry accepted this | llis hrii lliiirt carcer i After il picrid if ser Balha Tlas, Sir Henry , foundlad, lil fillel
of "the old is lon Yeir le ':Ls appi interi inst:nsate rutery havi lo:Ll Irish on the gr '''i''ı the sicciILL 11 est
in till with cir: ri. In IR 3 Capot:Lin-cinci'al ard : disclarged the duties Lisly utilil I 807, his b: I xtileI darkl irn I lu.
the request of the
In 1897 he is
Jf lb: li: ww"
dis.
AN A.R.A.C.HCHI
PE
Konz, and As vern clis ling Lishcl li i Inse: If policy designed to wi good-will kif th: rative clir'eclicii vyere highly : pri III y Erici "w"; TITI terhi: pas i l'ill:Ltole, till plear corn Illulity was 1 I1cJr's CCIII Lilialory mc: feeling entecil itself ir | Lil lors:53 : Ell iI 1 Lti lil 11g1131 ge Willis I) ut ally degree is r:5trin whic th: i Lublic rc: ferences li th: riri , yii iii ; colony. "Was Itit Lil hi ircritcri li |lı - tlc:IIIed to be: right by lı Continiiled : » i 1 e 11kl
iT15 işi ili, I LEKTE: slı: Hııld
Till:ĩ:ll itlistitlỵ:li: 1118 111 thụ: Wis the conside:Iı:: :li:
1"; i iks (ud Llı: T1::i ti W: 2xIt
MIPRESSIONS
st and so contrienced 1 the camilioi Enial servicc:. ce if thrict years in the as trillsierred to Newhe position of Governor '' LI Iliil 1 888. Irnl that to Queensl:Lind ; h Lit III Ig beer raised by the Lid if his in Tlect ir res for the enforcement l, the Illinil in Wils ir Herary was appointed Lowerin cor anf Jal 11 Faica, antl of that Office Lontinuerm of service having i, inil algıirı iri 18.y. it Le gisl:Lture and public 13 transferred to Hong
O'R GOW'ERNER'S ዄN.
OF 4 if thill de pel ciency by the initiation of a in the confidence and s, His chorls ill this Liccess stil, as far as the ei'exl. But, as Wils
jealousy 4-f the Euroroll-segl by 1h L (GOver
cls. Tı slar p criticisms irl lhe ter:L T1 cc5 i r which tlhc 'ay's marked hy tlıal li is to be li broked for iiI 1
SLI's Lnd
the representalive of
Sir Henry, however, If t it ours which popular clamami II", 11 kl us this terlin of Hic L } he the fei'est possible ה-וול It lite irl: pired in thL:: mily by his hrld
administrălișri.
OF CEYION
1Tinded policy, that wheri li is period of office was approaching it 5 close the ChiThese residents of the colony forwarded a пemorial to the Secretary of State praying for an extension uf Sir Henry's rule. The request wins not grali hed : but a signal pirhof that tlie Hey11le Government appreciated His Excellency's will Lie :Ls an administrator was fortli colling in his işıqlı porsiTrılımı elit, ilıı 1 ay co.5, to the "" bluc ribEıcıllı if the colonial service"-the governorship of Ceylon, Thę hon Cour was the Incore marked fruin the fact that it this tire Sir Henry had entered his sixty-fourth year, and was therefore heyond lhe age at which clonial administrators are usually appointed. Un trriving in Colonbo On December 3, 1 goj to take up the governorship, His Excellency met with a htarly receptiori İrları ill seçtiofı 5 of the Comimurlily, The Municipal Council presented an illuminated ; litress inscribed in silk :rd enclosed in an i"'ury Lisket, ılıcılı ted On a 5tabı Sir HEпry took the oath the same dły in the Legisltive Council in the presence of a brilli:Lill githering, including, besides the heads of Government depart II:nls and principal officials, military and civil, the Maha Mudaliyar in gold lid welvet, the Executive Co1 In L'illrs in thir Sale u1iforns, LEl tte Kandyan Meinher of the Legislative Council in his picturesque at lire. After the for Ital & Wearim Eg-in LoereeEmory" the Hon. DIT, W"... (G. Rockwird. Meinher for the Tamil Cornirunity, S KaLLlLC aaLLLLLLL HLLLLHaaa LL LLL LLaKSLLLLCa Council, "eart in address of welcrone from the Illinell Liberts (of the CrbLLEncil. Respectful Congrallt Lllitio 115 vere lcıdered tu His Excellency Cırı his appliciiııtı Tlent, and he wis assLIred CIf the Irle IIIhers' desire to co-operate most cordilly in ill measurcs having for lheir em Lhe welfar: of the people and the advancertient of the interests of the colony. The high promise of a successful term of office held out by Sir Henry's earlier career has heer imply tellised. His great Adrtıiııistrative skill a Titl this ripe: judgment, ha Y'e beer Illinisted in all his official acts :IIll hal ye giverı 1c his work in the colony a TT1arktid distinction. In its piirely personal aspects His Excelle Illy's administration his hicci. It lcsi Successful. Hi5, ki ndiyo qualiti 5 hindi his strong sense of justice have hecin Imai lifested in a literal interpretation of his responsibilities to the varicđ 11ative populati u of the culолу, апсi the slriclest in Lrtility has charict crised all his clien5 in rtserence to thern. Will Lady Blake's gracicus and invaluable c - pleratic ir, hic hal 5 als i lispensed gunt: rius hospitality and consistently helpcd forward all good works, while his prictical knowledge and wide experience have been freely placed at the service of the3sic: promotirig public movements of al n l In the: long peorio.id I of
verse
cas ebliny,
criticatir:ll kill; ratl:T. His Excellency's idthi islation Britisl depeiiclinics he has ruled over 11c) less
Page 101
TWENTIETH
Tham three-fifths ni the tulal PC,pulation of the Crow I Colonies, under his guveri is irship at diferent times hawing been included al Indust en ery race in the world.
Sir Henry Blake II arried first in 18s.2, Jean nie, clidest da Lighter nos Andrew Irwin, of Bally incore, County RosÇOITTI Incu11. The issuė COf this ITarriage was it son, the late Mr. Harry Irwin Blake. Sir Henry's first wife died in Istv, and in 1874 the married Edith, Lldest daughter and co-heiress of thic giftel and witty M.P. of thirty years ago, Mr. Ralph Bernal Osborne. Of the second marriage there are two sons and trie daughter. The elder son, born in 1877, is now Lieutenant Arthur Blake, of the ind B.Lttalion East irkshire Rеріппе пt, and was for a Lille aide-de-carp to his father ati. Hong Kong. Thic other syth, Maurice BerTial, Tesides in Irela Lld. Sir EleTrys daughter was Tecer lly I11.Lrried to (:LT:tai] J. B. Arbuthnot M.W. (), of the Scols Guards, whr. was alski foT SLO III. Liht! :: icle-cle-ci, TTI I TC His Ex. L'elle-Ency". On Lady lilake's side Llle Osborne barrietty goes back to Sir Richird shorne, of Billy illtaylor and Ballyle пол, Суштy Wateri Tol, and to the yeti, 1621). She is il gr: Tıdd:Lughler'i if the eighth bronct. Sir Heihr's chief Tecreation is riding, while he is a gods willier it id an athlete in every way. It is the owner if Raleigh House, Youghill, Courity Cork, which he Licquired fra III 1 hic Tephr:seiliatives of Sir John Prope: Her1 i esti-Ley", w to was a precidiecessor of his at Giver thent House, Hong King. 11 was in its garden that Raleigh or Raleigh plak Inted the first protato grow"Ti ini Ireland. Associations of Edmund spenser ilsíol cling LC LLa LLa LLLLLaaLLL LaaaS LLa CCaaL LSEaa LLL there verit li lR:Llcigh, :LlIntl ii it is, 1 r LLe: tillat line v: 5 narried at Youghal in 1594, he is ay have had his wedding breakfast there. Sir Henry his contributed from time ti » Line- Irticles to the li stri r rista' ir Ritrii'i', the Faori nigh lur, and Llie St. F7 Pris's f: '', a Ilti hals published " Pictures froşı Irela’ı:1' ın der the Frı'ı-lı-flri ile iyi "Terence M'Grath." Sir Henry w;is ride a C.M., (, in 1887 inct irr 1 he following year was kiiiglitcci. In 1841, he received the G.C.M., G. He is a Fillow if the Royal ic graphical Society and of 1he Royal Colonial 111stitute and a Knight of Justice of St. John of Jerusalem, He is : Inémber of thụ Marlb) rough AT1d Brooks'-- (I Libos.
,'اخيچکار
OOVERNMENT HOUSE ESTABLISHMENT.
THE GOVERNOR'S RESIDENCES. The Governor hl:Is three uffici: 1 esilence 5
in Ceylon, viz., the QLicen's House Colorbo, the King's l'avilion, Kalicly, in 1he Lee's
CENTURY I
Catage, Nuvara Eliya. built ahkrul I85s, takin residen Cic at Mou Tit LL heer transf Fri 11ed Hole. The Gwern, is a handsomc ind spic it beautiful gardens cl excellently adapted it til bris which from time t Facing the Getical ', entrarc:, a Tid, esitering iInilo a coll nmudio LI 5 hal the broad staire:ise Can portion of the building riu Tıcrous bedr 4 TILs,
Council-rull, where | ExtęÇLutive CyLihçil II neet is a large and handstori
int
QL accm Victoria, prese1 Majesty to the cili ri! Oile is struck by Lh
cli: wing ran TTs, broth
1 PRESSI ()NS
Queen's House was the place of the old illia, which has sinc:
the Malu TL LLYFilia it. Huuse at Colombo JLIIs huilding, standiring se to the sea, and is he walril 15 SHcial funciTT1B tike Place there. iL (0ÉHice i5 tille milin this way, one passes Ülı if which leads L etirin! 'with the Lupper On the right are ll on the left the he IIc thers of
Wilst above the stairs ely painted portrait (ni
Elıb:
OF CEYLON ፲}8
These T.III parallel with Lach other alconfé Each side of the building. A balcony opcins of the ballrouill facing the Geteral lost Office, whilst alio Tiggside the drawing-room at the Coppi sile side runs a veraldah overlooking the gardens and se::.. ln this rxhxnIn there is a portrait (if His Majesty the King, which rived abilit LLLLLLLLlLLLLLS LLLS S LLLLL LaLHH LLaL LLLLLL aHHHH LLLL LLLa dråwing-roxHLI äl une end is the billi:Ard-rCYCJI 1, and at the other el ar: betlri Moris and a corridor leading to the north wing, whereii are situated the State bedroorn Ald dressingThesc arti: lirge, airy tims, Ira II Which excellent wiews Te obtainable. Over the north wing there is a Fi; it roof, from which one has a comprehensive view of he whole of the harbour and li kill in the upposite direction or it clear day, th: fLLIlcius
Tsh III.
A GROUP OF KANDYAN CHIEFS,
el ir T853 by liet l:te:
Proceeding upstairs ILa Egnificer ball Lind
heautifully furnished.
M«lin ||15. Pock, c::II, he scen.
which cover «ver eight cres, surround the
The garde 15,
lLULL:se, a icl i minst directir yr Is Wicws of the seil
are tom ble hild. III. Lcdclitir orn i ) the apartments
Page 102
94 TWENTIETH
Trentioned thcrc are laLindso III: TCccptionTrMnTTns, dining-rooms, the Guvernor's, private scCrctary's, and aide-le-Lump's oftics, visitors' &c. The lighting throughout is by clectricity and electric: fairls and punkths are fitded in all the apartirents. Ön the King's birthday there is a level and ball, whilst frann 1 tille tu til 11ç investitures are liell at Quccn's House by the Governor, these functions also taking place in the ballroom. Thestablishment of the Queen's Housc includes
τα ΕΤ18
CENTURY
below the rank of cap Attorrey-Gen Crill, Al Colchill Tri:345Lurçr, chir Illa T1, The: Gkyt where he: Lxcrcis85 h. sult the Internhers of except in cases wh material prejudice w doing or where he matter is tix) unirin Lirgelt to admit of
the Governor's Private Secretary, Mr. T. E., M. Bunbury; the Aide-de-Camp Captain H, P. Phipps : extra Aide-de-Camp, Captain G. Fraser ; and a native Aide-de-Callup, Don Solomon Dias, Bandaranaike, Maha Mucialiyar. The King's Pavilion at Kandy contains hand. some dining, drawing, and ball rooms, a balcony, and about twenty-five acres of garden ; and Queen's Cut tage, NLLwa Tak Eliya, ball dining, and receptior rooms, and about I20 airls of garden.
E
EXECUTIWE COUNCIL
The Executive Council, established by Letters Palent of March 1 g, 1833, is a consultative bcxdy which is called together by the Goverlor when he considers there is business for the members to transact, it is formed of the LieutenantGovernor, the senior military officer of the regular troops stationed in the island (if not
In thest r:18:5 opportunity acquaint steps he has takerl, T. held at the Queen's H01 ile rithe" (Gouve Trn TT1 the II]ectings are kept a year, and where Opposition) to thic aly act II List be recorded with the reasons give 80' atting,
gether.
TEHE LIKE LIET
As this work was pa the death occurred on an operation sor appel Alexandr Murray A5 filled the fice of Liel. In view of til the late official Uccup and his distinguish cd
island.
MPRESSIONS
air), Colonial Secretary, litor-General, and the with the Goverror as Ilor Ilust in all cases s powers as such curllhe Excutive Council
he considers that uld he shown by so si cof copiiricuı1 that the It: It to need, r lix their being called to.
the Illust at the earliest lle ILE: Libers of the Ie Innecting3, kr: L15 ually house, Colombo, or at it hiluse, Minutes of
irid sent hunc: twice: he (Governar icts in Ce of the Council the On the minutes, along by the Governor for
NANT-GOVERNOR.
ing through the press, ccember 7, 1906, after dicitis] uf the Hon. Sir intire, HI. C.M.G... who Cnant-Governor of the - high position which d in the Government, services as a public
OF CEYLON
se vant, suhte reference to his caręer Seems called for ill these pages. Sir Alexander was born on February 26, 1855, and intered the Ccylol Civil Service in 187f. Arriving ifl Ceylon on December 6th of that year, he was appointed to the Anuradhapural Kilclicheri, Subsequenly after service at Matara, ColombiCo, and Kandy, he was in 1878 appointed Police Magistrate Lt. Durrabara. In Novernber, 1882, hẹ became Acting {}ffice \88lstānt tu the Government Agent, Central Province a positical which was a stepping-sto the tu Llı full appointinent (it. May, 1883) of Office Assistant to the Government Agent, Western Province, In April in the following year he returned as ()ffice Assistant to the Central Province. On March 21, 1887, he was noministed Acting Second Assistant to the Colonial Secretary, Four years later, after filting various positions in the service, he ger ved as Acting Principal Assistall to the Colonial Secretary. He left Ceylon in 183 in leave іпstead of returning to the island, accepted in appointment as Acting Colonial Secretary on the Gold Colst. In the following year he yw'enti i Cyp TILLs. As Receiver- (Geri eral, a kisilii) which he LxLhanged in 18f sor thal uf Acting Chiel SccTelary. Asterward5 he went is British delegate to Evcaf, and in too...I aaLSLELLL LHH LLa LLLLLL LLLLL LLLLLS mission in South Africa and London. His ext appoint illent was as Govern Illint Secretary in British (Giarna. With Lhe completic III of his tenure of this post Lerminated his period of service outside Ceylon. On June 10, 1904, Sir Alexander returned to the islarid as Colonial Secretary, and held that office 11 Intil his death. In September, 1905, when Sir Henry Blake went home on leave, he assuild the administration of the governInent, and, owing to delay in His Excellency's return, it fell to his lot to open the new session of the Legislative Council in that year, Hic declivered on the occasion a notable: address, dealing it a masterly way with scveral in portant financial matters, Sir Alexander administered the governillent until December 3, 1905, when Sir Henry Blake Tcturned to the island. In the April following the late Colonial Secretary went hornc on leave, and was away until August Ioth. His final days were days of controversy and strenuous work, to which is probably due the give development of the complaint which resulted in his death. A marl of uncotn Illin ability and unbuunded energy and resouTCe, he diecl leilving behind hin a reputation will place his name high in thic ranks of successful officials of the Ceylon Civil Service, His funeral on Deceitber 8th was one of the Inost impressive ceremonies of the kind recorded in Ceylon a Tinals,
Lild
w lılich
Page 103
TWENTIETH CENTURY IM
BRHGADIER-GENERAL LAWRENCE Officer Commanding Troops in Ceylon).
LLLLLL LLLLHHLLLLLLL LLLLL LLLuLLLLLL LSLLLLLLLa
in call:Lnd of the stationed in Ceylon. He is a son of the lite LLL L S LS cLaLLLLLLLaS LLLLLLS HLa LLL K brother of ... Henry Imxl Joth Il Lawrence, Ime Imbers of a farmily well known in India. He Tas bürı iri IIlliz iri 1857. duTİı: İlıt period of the Mutiny, but was sent - England to LLLLLL LLLLLLLLS S LLLL OHOHKK SCLLLLLLL LL LLLLLLLHHzS He passed into Sandhurst in February, 1876, s 5 Luh-lieutenant, Lunattached, and was subst:- quently appointeri to the 5th Dragon (GLLIL Tids, fron which regiment, after seven years' 5Crwice, he exchanged into the King's Dragoon Guilds. He ser el in the Egyptian campaign of ISS, at the outset or special service, and later in croIII Irland (of the Mounted Infantry. He was awarded the brevet of Major, the Egyptiä II Tiedal viLh clasp for Tel-el-Hebir the Order of the Medjidie of the Fourth Class, and the Khidic's St.L. He passed through the Staff College in Dece inher, 1885, and served six years in India, during which
Es the fiicer trips
time he held various Staff appointinents. He cominanded the King's Dilgoon Guilrds in England from 1844 to 88, and was present at the Dia Trond Jubileg celebration of LHEen Victorial in 1897 in ch: ge of this regiment. In 1898 he was appointel Professor at the Staff College, and in 1809 was placed it the Reithout Departillent of the War Office. In IgX03 he was porroIInculed to the Headquarters Staff at AlicleTshot, assu IIning the ce IIIIII|:L Tid of the troups in Ceylon in Novelinher, 15. () the occasion of the EII peror Francis Joseph appointinent of Colonicl - in - chic:f of 1h: Kirig's Dring Hill GLIirds, His Majesty decorated Gerleral I: "TC:11:ę Will 118 (Irl-T ;
Class of the l'El CD '','','IL LLLLLL LL LLLCLCLL GLLLLL LLL LLLL LallLLlLLLLata
COf ALL stria Teceiving the
|he Secoll
AL Luis: Liri:... li
LLaaLLLLSS LLL SS LELSgT LL LLL CC HHHLLLL L a Executive Council. His TesicleIllic is Brilyhtnik: Hall, Slawe Island, a charming and prktty :LEd SimTewhali c:xtcnsive grounds, amel he is als: provided with an excellent house known as Bowscar at NL, wara Eliyai.
Wr
THE HON. MR. G. M. FOWLER, C.M.G.
The Hum. Mr. George Merrick Fawler, the Acting Colonial Secretary was the third 5. of the la le Captair: George CLITipbell Fowler, R. N. of Crûxıklığı End, Britripton, Relling, Berks, Lild Wils butt (JIl Supleither 2, 1852.
Falcic) 445 bituilding, sit:Linding in
He received his Education :it. St. Joh Incl'ew's College, Bradfield, and Cheltenham College, and Cnt.Crcd the Ceylon Civil Service in 1874, HLHHLLL a HGLGLG LLLLLL LL LLa LLTLLL LLLLLJS
taTy's Office. In this sat Colin Thin Kachcheri, and Kachcheri, returning to In Fehr.Lary, 187ů, hic Police Court, Columbo , Assist:Lt CulletlCr Cs CLI, sequently he occupid v as Assistant i hver TT:n Agent, District Judge, made Acting Gwen II Provirice, aritl iirn I ooo Soleil Pict. If I Acting Gower IL 111 it get Priči wice, Hıd litet w:Lis pain.triment, He received in Itas, and was Acting twice Acting A Luditor. (Ger the il 12:55, 1 h 12 kl. Ashmore, he was aga Colonial Secretary. By he is a IIIIlber of the
THE E R
(Mittorney
The HT1. MIT. ATEthi uT of the Hon. George L; Hare weigd, Yorkshire, c He was educated at Oxford, where he was st ir history, He entercd
11d wis c:llel to the TerInFle, in 1885. Aft English Har skor sotme t 1 0 1 5:Vital učių siuT
{}f thị: &lĩ8[Tić1 {:LặLIrlo, Il Judge àT1rl Presiclett uf Pophy i 152. appoi11 lull. Its at Larn; Acting Puisnç: Judge,
LL Leen's Adiwixcate in Fe Fort:5idCEnt of the Distrix th: saill year, II, IBI LLEI: I'3 Klyuciale rid t. a3 Att Irrey'-i eter all irn Lycosi Ilıcı Zılso acte:cl 3:3 Ch.
ln || 8
an interest in varials lyra forld Kif sharicoting and g 511 frter of the rices :
of th: 5t: Wills of a Tresidence is cicle H:ll, and spaciolls building by
kw
THE HOR, MR. H. The Hill. N. E.I., (, N. Tre:Ls Lurer Cof Ceylon, to app inted in SeptcInher in 1855 at St. Heliers, Je the: låte: Mr. J, M. Nicolle Was (IIT): I in the minster Bali Tik illi Londux
MPRESSIONS
lle year ht: w:nt to thc i then to the Kady
thic former in I. 875, WW; 5 ; tt: :hel ilo Elli : irl, July hite was ActiTg SuHLiricaLLs pansitioni) 5, 5 Luch It Agent, (GI)','ernment kc. In IR he was 1 cnt Agent, Westerri
Geril. IIIll Agent, 1902 he was appointed
l:Lild Fiscal, West
stỜIII:s ut Jaffrina.
confirmed in the lipHo C. M.G. gletråliUIL Colonial Secret; Ty : Ind 1 eral. III TKOps, duTill Eg eith of Sir Alexander iri appl-inted Acting * Wirtu: if his affice: Executive Council.
G. L48CELLES івпегal),
George La 8-celles, son 15Celles, Was hir I it In October 12, 1857. University College, ld-class II (Jdeat the legal profession, English 3:L, Inner 2 Trilclising at the irle, he went ahrrad, 15 FlLLc 15 Pr Lsikerlt Cyprus and als Purisme Llli: District Ciuri at 3 the fulfilled siniliar ch, Ltd iri. I 85 wati He bLClmt: Acting bru:Ty, !Hợfi, l'IIti was Court at Nicosia in 38 he wils ploitted O tais present positin IX1, During part of i:f Justice. He takes ruches of, šport, is wery :olf, and is in active t Jill PILNihçi, being tre urf Cluth, His private Colpetty, a chariTing th : 5ea-shire.
L. G. NICOLLE.
i L'Ille is the: Ciallia | Which fücc le Wils xf 1904. Het was born “rsey, his father being His business career I. Cordo OIL LIII Wystn, but in February of
OF CEYLON 95
188d he entered the service of the Gover timent, and was appointed by the Foreigri. Office is &Sis:41 t Aulilor at Cyptus; with a special II CX JIrhillis8iUIL ir regi:Td lic) : TT:ars in 1ÇÇKunts in that island. He scrwcal three years, it ill was tlı'nı TrCJITı bitxi A 4 Iditor. (General of that dependercy. During the period 1886-89 he was the British Delegate of Evci in Cyprus, ! Ei: béing iri :L.l.litiıII1 t his, KıE. h:r dıutig:5, Yxrhilsil is a tire he was Mao of the tiny is Nicus ii. Fr. Lil J.Liluary, I80, to Fcbruty, Itx, he filled the position of Local Auditor, a raci in the year 18ç4 he assisted materialy in corn.hting the terrible scourge of plague which laid hold of the city of Wictoria, Hong Krig, skar yw'lı ich 5tecil servict: ht: was award cd a gold Indil. It was in Febrully, 14, that he was appointed to Ceylon. He was selected by the Secretary of State to inquire into the systern of public accunti in the colony, il Tici in Sete Tiber os the ye: T ill illel he received the appointinell he 11 fills.
క్స్టి
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
The laws for the gover IIIlent of Ceylon are rade by the Goverror" with thc advice arid
E. M. W. H.J.LUGALL A Ex Member. Legislative Council
coil sent of the Legislalive Council." This Council consists of oficial and un oficial IIlettbers, the official members being the principal executivl, oftic:rs of the colony. The IIIe etiII.gs are held in the Legisl:Ltive Council chamber5 in the Secretarial buildings, and a verbatim Teport of the proccidings appears in the newspapers, while the Ithinutes of the Council Emeetings are sent home twice a year, The
Page 104
95
laws enacled by this Council are kilow as " Urdinances," a Til a tluplicale: LCopy of cach is forwarded to England om enactment. These come into operatiiri ittlediately they receive the Governor's asseill, although the Criwn LE LHHLHHL L TCtCLHH LLLLLS LLLL LLLLLLaL LLL l:pl:15 5Lch a W5 :es: t operile inidiately the clisalluwaiice is published in the L'I_ll_Iny. The: Tiu:l pening of thic 5:e:i:is, III i8 a SOrt i State cererony, Ind is atti:L'idcd ly the Judges, heads if the civil aid imilit:y departncils, ecclesiastical dignit:lrics, forcigli CI biss Luls, a miri represent: iliwe officials ir: Li nifs i I'i ii
I. ll I ls lilux. I k . . . . I, PERE'' - il-HI: 1 - 3. Tilt H Hi ys. R. C. 43, L.A. 'Y Rh:xx-1 i HBr hgaidi L'r. Gelli:tal 6
7, TIL, H ' N. MIC. ". KL: "L.H. L. ''
or full dress. The Governor, who presicles ver the assembly, is Let it the etrucu | the chamber by the treinbers, and is attende by his staff and received with a regi III:n tal guild of honour,
t
THE HON. MR. CHARLES THOMAS
DNE IGOR
The Hon. Mr. C. T. D. Vigots is the Acting Governillent Agent of the Wesler in Province, He Was brorm · 1: Dulce Lahor 1 | 1857, iiiiiil ci: 1 Llu! out to Ceyl in to the Collinbu Kachcheri in
TWENTETH CENTURY I
1878. The si: TT1: y car Kandy Kilclich critid
the Eolic: Court, KI becaine extra () flict: A: ineral Agent, North Wi. a subsequent dilic Ell Acling Police Magi Additional Police M:l, le:LIII: Arling Assist;
18H, E: sisis tilt
at Puttill 111 in
Trire: 1T1:llee. Subseq||
lulies us Acling (i
THE LEGISLA
I THE HEX. M11 5. "L’III: H41%
F TH E. HI I XI, MIR | FI: Aw li: HR -- '' E. , .
I. THE I Ii kix.. | H, I,
G ', Loriile It Agen, S bec::LTTIC: N Leting L'Histri: li li lil: I...li Ikling Survey'. I de fulfillecd ilmany oth Whi Lon he: w:Łs la : uii!!!
it is 1, 111 to he I MILII Licipal Crucil) it in fler tilvis lıE: wls i Y gwinll. Niorth Cicini iu |
Acting Griver Illint A
Pito, ita-L:.
IPRESSIONS
he was 11 LJ y exil lic) thL:: 11 1871 was attached "uine gala. In 188 ht: islant to th: Gwer Ilterm Province, and :Lt
ye:Lr was a px virinted i'ile, Kılı ikiya, arıd is L'ill', 'Littilal. He |L (overnither Ageinl 1881 assurned xal || 2:LI IT of Lill:4111+, :Int te i perturming the
L: Nissista t t
11 ill
էllւ:
IVE. CCLN.:1L.
F A. Ciss H-ER. -. I 11, . YIE፧ ሓ , Iኗ.ኳ ኣ ጎ ! ' ነ “ ጎ ዣ ኳ!
TIT: Ho. Mić, M. Ml. 1 IIH"
FEHLL-11% ..1.1.
kıtlı çırıı H''ı iyi ııcu, hı: È il ge. Kegll, anti I, l'11-L 111-, l'Illi, " I i ifficilers Lil' 1 » I i piloti, 'ii llii w erti imme II t Allenti "1- \cLig (lair 11 a II | Mlay" ir ni Cilioitali . "pointe: G + '.': 'Intellt E'ri "y" imicle, ;Hinçil i++ ) { w" ge:I1ti x i f t. lıl: 'A'A"::> ter: 1
OF CEYION
THE HON. M.R. JOHN PENRY LEWI8.
The Hon, Mr. J. P. Lewis is the Governinent Agent of the Central Prince. He was born in 1854, and cruciled al Mill Hill School, Middlesex, and Queen's l'Iniversity, Ireland Bach:lor cof Arts, 187ťi : Master of Arts, 1882). After joining the Ceylon Civil Service in 1877, lı served in varii, it is reven Lit: and judicial li pointments, and was Special Officer under th: Wast: Larids ()rdin:Linci, 18, IOI. From | IK 3 ton Tyc{ hic was Acting Giv'LTI TILL:IN t Ageııt çif the Norther l’r iv'in antil as sluchi vyras Superistenrie:Int (if the Pearl Fish critis
1 THE Hix. 311: - 1'. L.E. - 1. THE | | x MII. T. 13. I. Yli HI', i:2. A.II 1ቆ ነ 1113,1፥ ፰ 1 J l'II. H. 1%. IE: . {i. F. W. T.; III
L aCSS aEeS 0LLkLSS S LLLLLLL LLLLaaLLL S İhe Celtiral T'rinviiice, 11;Co i ; anci Chairimi : II o lhe Ceyl iri Rubber Exhibition Committee, Iyyi, Lig kl 1-5. | (impiled at " Mathil:il ud the Wanni Districts i if the Niris Illier II ['re livinct: ' ' I 815) and has LLaLLLLLLLaLLLLL GLLLLLLS HHH S LLLL LLLL LLLLtttLLLLL Ceylon," to Faiki., vol. vi., 1815; "Dutch ... I killilultur
His lielci al ' iTıııııission in 1 the Ceyl II
Tıfııılry W’lun tcı:x,
in Ceyli In," lan al rcliff, cari ra, fri"rie", val, xii. (1902) and vol. Kv. (1711) : lesiles various 'illers to the firi rii if the Ceylon bril cll of the Royal Asiaic Society, of which branch he is a Wice-Presillint.
Page 105
TWENTIETH
THE HON. MR. FRANCIS ALFRED COOPER.
This gentleman, a Companion of the Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George, Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers, and Fellow of the Royal Sanitary Institute, is the fourth son of the Rev. William Waldo Cooper, M.A., Rural Dean of Walshcroft, Rector of West Rasen, Lincolnshire, also Justice of the Peace of the Parts of Lindsey. The Hon. Mr. Cooper was educated at Rossall and at Loughborough Grammar School, and commenced his professional career in the office of the late Mr. James Mansergh, Past President of the Institute of Civil Engineers, Westminster, with whom he served in pupilage during the years 1879 to 1882. He subsequently became an assistant to Mr. Mansergh, which appointment he held for five years.
Mr. Cooper joined the colonial service in 1887, and proceeded to Hong Kong, where he held the Government appointments of Sanitary Surveyor, Inspector of Buildings, Assistant Surveyor-General, Acting SurveyorGeneral, and Resident Engineer in charge of the Water and Drainage Department. In 189s he was appointed Director of Public Works in that colony, Member of the Executive and Legislative Councils, and four years later President of the Sanitary Board. These positions he retained till 1897, when he was appointed Director of Public Works of Ceylon.
In addition to holding that high office and being an official member of the Legislative Council of the island, Mr. Cooper is also Waterworks Engineer for the city of Colombo and a member of the Harbour Board and the Municipal Council of that city. For his services in the settlement of claims under the Tarpingsham Resumption Ordinance in 1895, as well as during the epidemic of plague in I896, Mr. Cooper was tendered the thanks of the Hong Kong Government and the Secretary of State, and also received the Companionship of the Order of St. Michael and St. George on January I, I9oI. In 1894. Mr. Cooper married Frances Louisa, daughter of the Rev. G. T. Palmer, M.A., Honorary Canon of Rochester, Rural Dean and Rector of Newington. During Mr. Cooper's colonial career he has designed and carried out many important public works, both in Hong Kong and Ceylon.
V
THE HON. MR. P. ARUNIACHALAM (Registrar-General).
The Hon. Mr. Ponnambalam Arunachalam, the Registrar-General, was born on September 14, 1853. He is an M.A. (Cantab.) and a barrister-at-law (Lincoln's Inn). He
CENTURY I
entered the Civil Serv was appointed to the He was later attached Kandy, and then for a trate at Kalpitiya, M. Pasyala, and then aga he was Acting Police and subsequently Polic He acted as District Jud and in 1887 was Acting Fiscal, Western Provi Acting Commissioner and in I898 was appoir In 1900 he was appoir Census, in addition to later he ceased to act In I9o I, however, he ag General, and in I903 Kurunegala. He was o I904, and on return I Registrar-General.
THE HON. M.R. G.I.)
The Hon. Mr. G. F. representative, was edu and Tonbridge. He ca I866, and from 1868 to I del Rey, in Bogawantala is the proprietor. Duri several times Chairman Planters' Association, ar. Chairman of the Pl Ceylon, an office which in succession. In I 894 l Member of the Legisl mained such until 1897. was General Europear member in I903-4. Fo a member of the Colom but resigned this appo the duties of Mercantil Legislative Council (act the period he has be Council Mr. Wakker ha Currency Commission, Commission, and acte Praedial Products Theft Justice of the Peace for and an Unofficial Pol Hatton and Colombo I at present is at Mount
THE HON. MR. YWIAPC
RA
This gentleman, the tative in the Legislativ born at Colombo in. I8( the Government Schot afterwards at the W.
TIPRESSIONS
ce in 1875, when he
Colombo Kachcheri.
to the Police Court, me was Police Magistara, Avisawella, and In at Matara. In I88o Magistrate at Matale
Magistrate, Kalutara. ge for various districts, Registrar-General and ce. In 189I he was f Requests, Colombo, ted Registrar-General. ted Superintendent of his other duties, and as Registrar-General. ain acted as Registrar
was District Judge, half-pay leave during esumed the duties of
LES F, WALKER.
Walker, the mercantile cated at Marlborough time out to Ceylon in 896 resided at St. John wa, of which estate he ng that period he was of the Dikoya District d in I89I was elected anters' Association of he held for three years he became the Planting ative Council, and reFrom 1898 to 1902 he Member, and acting . I904 and I905 he was bo Municipal Council, intment on taking up Representative of the ng) in I9o5-6. During in in the Legislative s served on the Silver the Hospital Mortality as Chairman of the Commission. He is a the Western Province, ce Magistrate for the stricts. His residence avinia.
II M.ARIK.AR ABDUL MAN.
Mahomedan represenCouncil of Ceylon, was
He was educated at Gasworks Street, and ley College, Colombo.
OF CEYLON 97
*
He started his business career in 1888 in partnership with his father as building contractor, but he retired from this business in 1898. In I9oo he was appointed representative for the Mahomedan community, and is now fulfilling his second term of office. He is a member of the Agricultural Society and the Orient Club, and one of the principal members of the Ceylon Turf Club. Mr. Abdul Raheman has travelled extensively in India. He is a VicePresident of the Social Reform Society, and a keen supporter of sport among Mahomedan boys, also President of the Malay Sports Club. He is a proprietor of extensive landed property in Colombo, besides owning a large coconut estate in the North-Western Province. He has always been foremost in advocating the claims of education anongst the Mahomedans, and has spent large sums of money on schools for the community he officially represents.
t
THE HON. MR. S. C. OBE YESEIKERE.
A full sketch of Mr. Obeyesekere's career appears in another section of the volume.
V
THE HON. MR. E. ROS LING.
A full sketch of the career of Mr. Rosling will be found elsewhere.
V
THE HON. MR. JOHN FERGUSON, C.M.G.
The Hon. Mr. John Ferguson is the oldest British editor in Asia, and one of the best known public men in the colony. For about forty-six years he has laboured in Ceylon, and his name has become familiar throughout the East as that of a writer and publicist of eminence. Mr. Ferguson was born on December I, 1842, in Tain, Ross-shire, and was educated in the Tain Academy, winning the Sir James Matheson gold medal for mathematics at the early age of thirteen years. When the time arrived for him to put aside his lesson-books, he adopted journalism as his profession, and quickly achieved success. Proceeding to Ceylon in 1861, by dint of whole-hearted work he soon became joint editor and part proprietor of the Ceylon Observer, a paper which in various ways he improved and extended. He next founded the Tropical Agriculturist, a monthly journal which is now to be found in the library of every college of field culture in the sub-tropical world. Later he became connected with other literary productions, besides being the author of numerous manuals and handbooks. He is now editor-in-chief of the Ceylon Observer and
Page 106
98
the Overland Observer. “The Ceylon Handbook and Directory,' issued annually, is edited by him, and he has compiled planting manuals on coffee, tea, coconut and other palms, cinchona, cacao, rubber, tobacco, cinnamon, nutmegs, and other spices. The “Gold, Gems, and Pearls of Ceylon' have been dealt with by him, whilst his “ Illustrated Handbook of Ceylon' has passed through five editions. Mr. Ferguson has travelled a great deal-three times round the world in different directionshas written much on his journeyings, but Ceylon has ever been his chief concern since as a young man he set foot in Colombo. As a recognised expert authority he has been in great demand as a lecturer and speaker. Amongst the important assemblies he has addressed are the Royal Colonial Institute, the Society of Arts, the London Chamber of Commerce, the Royal Geographical Society in Edinburgh and Glasgow, and the Historic Society of St. Louis and Washington, U.S.A. It was doubtless in recognition of his great abilities and unique experience that in 1902 Mr. Ferguson was chosen a member of the Ceylon Legislative Council. However that may be, the Council obtained in him a valuable recruit, and one whose earnestness and zeal, used on the public behalf, have proved of inestimable value in the deliberations of the Council. In his public life Mr. Ferguson has always been a strong advocate of the proper use of public funds, the extension of the privileges of the Legislature, the promotion of education among the people, the repression and reform of the spirit monopoly, and the abolition of licensed opium shops. Amongst the offices which he holds besides the membership of the Legislative Council are : President of the Ceylon branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, President of the Christian Literature Society, of the South Ceylon Sunday School Auxiliary of the India S.S. Union, ex-President of the British and Foreign Bible Society, life member of the British Association, the Society of Arts, and the Royal Colonial Institute. He was also one of the representatives of his colony at the St. Louis Exhibition. He has made the contributions for Ceylon and its towns to the “Encyclopædia Britannica,” and has for thirty-six years acted as Ceylon correspondent for the London Times. In recognition of his long and useful public services, he was, in June, 1903, awarded the C.M.G. decoration. He is an Evangelical Free Churchman, and a Sunday School worker of forty-three years' standing.
W»
THE HON. M.R. A. K.ANAG, ASABAI.
The career of the Hon. Mr. Kanagasabai is fully sketched elsewhere.
TWENTIETH CENTURY
THE HON. MR. The Hon. Mr. Fran surviving son of a fam daughters of the late died in 1885 shortly a the chief clerkship of t the completion of fif Government. The mo survived her husbanc half years, belonged Negombo, the membe descent in Ceylon as subject of this sketch of Colombo in Febru; at St. Thomas's Coll Academy (now the R early age of fourteen y. Queen's Scholarship, Senior Queen's Scholar to the Ceylon student the First Division of th nation of the Calcut seventeen he won the and a year later passe Arts, taking a place ir nineteen years of age, degree, he was offered Examiner newspaper, a editor. A year previous an Advocate of the Sup1 appeared in cases at cou editorial duties permitt gave up his position practised as an advoca owing to deafness-an i has long suffered-he took Franklands, a c estate in the Veyangoda five miles from Colom way. Shortly afterwar journalistic profession, staff as editor. He rel appointed leader-write evening journals, a pos years, giving it up in devote his time to ag pointed a Justice of the recognition of his journ He did not actually sev Press work until 1902. interest in public affairs the movement to gain munity due representa Council. He was elec the Ceylon Agricultura the absence of Mr. F. England in May, 190c representative on the L. Beven is in his sixtieth of three sons and three son, Francis Lorenż, honours at Christ's C
1895, and is now Vic
MPRESSIONS
FRANCIS BEYEN. is Beven is the second y of ten sons and seven Mr. John Beven, who er his retirement from e General Treasury, on r years' service under her of the family, who about sixteen and a the Koertz family of 's of which trace their ar back as 166o. The was born in the Pettah ry, I847, and educated ge and the Colombo oyal College). At the ars he won the Junior nd two years later the hip which was awarded who passed highest in e Matriculation Examia University. When Turner Classical Prize, d the Calcutta First in the first division. At when reading for his a sub-editorship of the nd in 187I became joint ly he had been admitted eme Court. Mr. Beven urt as frequently as hís ed; but eventually he on the Escaminer and te in Kandy. In I88II, nfirmity from which he discarded the law, and innamon and coconut district, about twentybo, on the Kandy railis he again adopted the 'ejoining the Examiner ired in 1892, and was to one of the other
he occupied for a few
order that he might iculture. He was apPeace for the island, in listic"services, in 1892. 2r his connection with He has taken a great and was prominent in for the Burgher comion on the Legislative ed a Vice-President of Society; and during C. Loos, who left for he acts as Burgher gislative Council. Mr. lear, and has a family daughters. His eldest aduated with double llege, Cambridge, in r of Christ Church,
OF CEYLON
Kurunegala. The second som superintends his father's estates and the third is a student at the Royal College.
V
THE HON. MR. T. B. L. MOONEMALLE.
The Hon. Mr. Theodore Barcroft L. Moonemalle was born on July 19, 1868, at Kurunegala. He is the son of Mr. John Marcellus L. Moonemalle, Proctor of the Supreme Court, Ceylon; grandson of Mr. John Graham Jayatileke, Proctor, Supreme Court, Ceylon, who early in his career was Ratemahatmaya of Devemedi Hatpattu, but retired from Government service, preferring the more independent life of a lawyer. He was known throughout the Kandyan provinces as “ Hulugalla Dissawa.” Mr. Moonemale received his early training in letters under the Rev. H. C. Hancock, Vicar of Christ Church, Kurunegala. He then entered Trinity College, Kandy, where he served under several distinguished educationalists, principally the Rev. Thomas Dunn and the Rev. J. G. Garrett, M.A. He was enrolled a Proctor of the District Court of Kurunegala in July, 1890, taking his oath before Mr. P. Arunachalam, who was then District Judge of that station. It is a happy coincidence that the erstwhile District Judge and the new-fledged lawyer are now confrères at the Council, the former taking his seat as Registrar-General of Ceylon and the latter as unofficial representative of the Kandyan community. Mr. Moonemale in 1897 presented himself for the Supreme Court examination, which he passed with distinction, securing first place among the candidates who were successful, and was sworn in as a Proctor of the Supreme Court before Sir Archibald Lawrie, who later on, when presiding at the criminal sessions of the Supreme Court, held at Kurunegala, singled out Mr. Moonemala from amongst other practitioners for a special compliment on his able and eloquent advocacy of his client. He has from his early youth displayed a practical and loyal sympathy towards his countrymen. He has been time after time selected as their spokesman in conlong-continued agitation regarding the Government claims to “waste lands." A short appreciation which appeared in the Times of Ceylon, July 24, I906, adequately expresses his character in the following words: “We have heard much of Mr. Moonemale and read more of his independence, his grasp of facts and remarkable ability in presenting theum, of his cool judgment and temperate speech, of his high ideals of national and political life, and of his appeals to his countrymen to forsake their obscurity and take their place among the factors of the island's progress.” On July 17, I 9o6, Mr. Moonemalle was sworn in as the Kandyan representative on the Legislative Council on the retirement of Mr.
nection with the
Page 107
TWENTIFTH
S. N. W., EIllgalla, who has since been a Tpointed Adigar. We reproduce it Tillolograph t HLLS LLLLaaaaLa L LLLLL SLaLHT a000aaS
LEGAL
OR legal and judicial purposes Ceylit is divided inlri stalir lislrict.8—the WesterT. Midland, Nirt tril, aid Southern Circuits il they are tertined. Thc courts for the admiris
W
ThE HON, SIR J, T, HUTCHINSON, Chief Juslice,
tration of justice, civil lIli iTirial :: Lil Supreme Court, District Courts. Cuurts of Requests, and Police Collirls. Tlic: iTii iiitis ELITE: in turn divided into districts, elch district court being presided over by a District Judg: with unlimited civil jurisdiction and it criminal jurisdiction bet weer 1hat of the Supreme ;I. Police Courts, Besides these collrls there are the willage tribLLII als 7, 1 il CC11 Ilmitteles, at which offences of it minor descriptioti ilrë detit with. In all but these the business is trills: cted iı English by the uid of an inleri reter. P'ral Ltising at the courts are :ldvocato and Proclars, corresponding to the English barris cr5 ZLI]čil solicitors. Crimilal are held ill ColuTubo four times ayeat at lcast, il Капtly three times, a Jaffa and Gille wice, and ill such Uther place5 as arc at tilles popoliited. The Supreme Court consists if the Chief Justice and three Puisne Justices. Il has il Tı original Crimin:ll jurisdiction, besicles detidirı: civil and critinal appeals from ht
session 15
CENTURY IM
will lic te:Lts 11 all ing th melliig3 i f li It may he addexl that 3
ANI
curls. It is also a Clot The trials, are: bicofir 4: Til seven, :l uI:Lillius le miji yrity being IncL'U-53:I Lirin. The liblirii-t iu: ihe Civil Service, 11l
Crimitissi 11 er5 m í Re']|
Tħe: : L Ir Liss il bf civil jurisdizcliii I1, wliils
ls.
u il simila f}{i1g MagisIralesli;ying 78% felices, le mir: Liri. iiii by their Lind the trill efore the Supr. ""I"h= l:ı; i + 1;rırları d pitt Tierships, jii ii I lit-sli jol hba Ii l-iting, I Ti;i ritiiii c I mill pronissorY Il 13, che merci:ıl | m: Liers, Whils vigue in ther Loirticl inclutling the CLI- IT15 1af Jaffirm;, 1;Llws and LL5:l | ih: MILLI l-EL 'A', Ii r II:L 'W'... l Ft TL 1, () icers, I f lli:
General, ht: Silicit:0'-
Lisel.
THE HON, SR J. TI
Chief
Sir J. T. Hutchins. Ceylon, was born in el cated il Sl. ld.:esi afterwards at Christ At the liversils he the first cli1:35, Cf llit: . d i5 ... il 187, l3ur at the Middle Tui Lisel it the h;LICT he weit 1 1 1he Goll cale. He was appoin Gold Coast ill 1883, until 8), when the Wal | Windlwartl Isl:111ds) ti position there, Irl 1 * pointment of Chief remained in that isla proceeded to Ceylon his present high Prsi of Sir Charles Peter Chief Justice fro11 th
IPRESSI ()NS
Lhli: Jasirs, inci Lie Igislative Council. Ir. MJ.Jmenlille hals On
یوحیخچہ ------------ سعد۔ چیخ
D JUDICIAL.
hial Curt of Admiralty, Ile judge arid a jury of isin T : fy: lich tyw'r 11"y tçı 5ccLIre ik, Çûn", idgcships :Llric għal Isls iIIi 1. li el Tistrict Judgcs ;Lrc Ix:sts :L Incil l'ulie Map is
Requests have Tutuly i le l'ulice CLLIr5 Lre li i tlı Cose Lt Ehimic, the er only til ry for minor Lls killes being inquired ilçe:Lusi: || LICE II litlicial s IT Ime Cг Distric CLIII8, pr: Y'ails il respect of çi IIIII: Inici, h:Luks ind Li's, hills of excling", էլtics, inti t tilbyr systic III:s are in lars, these special lit. W's if the Til Illil inhihilants ges of hi: Mlahsilled: ms, i lle lika || aliya In 1.:Llw. Thic |row II ă1't: the Atlof IleyI-II eril, Litl Llırtete Crico WIN
.
ill cIIl
HUTCHINSON, K.T., Justice.
I, the Chief Justice if 50 i Curtiklerlillid, Il 4.Gr:1, 111 ILL:ır S:hol, ;H TI-ul College, Cambridge. ook his B.A. degree in l:Lissic';ıl Tripi", s. ilı I 8875, 12 wis kiLillel | tlh: nile in 87, :d pr:- 13ır uritil 1888, Yılıcı Jast Is JLIeen's Advoel Chief Justiçe: of the nd filled thal po5ition LTarı:ferred to Grenada fill the chief judicial 8 he received the ipListice Čf Cyprus, il Tyd d until 1 Jax, when he take up the duties of om, LIL 1he rç:5ign:ltior
:Lyard, who had bell year II gs.J2, Sir J. T.
OF CEYLON 99.
ševeral oceasil: ; ;lcled as District Judge, Con1uissioner of Requests, and Pulice Magistrate, KLII'tiqogla.
HLL chinson III arried, iii 18, Costance Malry laughter of . Lucas, Esq., if St:leton HCl 15, Tiper Toting. He is IL 111 timber of the LLL H aLLLLLLS CHLaL LLLS tttLLLLLLLLSaaaa LLLL La lrrS Ceylon, and Hrystones, Cumberland.
தி
THE HON. MR. HENRY LORENTH WENDT.
This Jurige if tl: c Supreııie C, it is 1 hic sic:II of Georior!!!!!! :" I'm bld WW"enclit, accouTn Lai [ht, El Ilci LaCC LLS 00S LlllLlLaaLCCSSHL EEELLL LLLLHL t LLL year 1858, He received his cducati II at St. Thomas's College, Colomh, whetic he hell the Gregory Scholarship, iI I TI eTTory of Sir Willial. In Gregory, (Gwerir
i:ılıgı ır.Lteci
THE HON. MR. H. L. WENDT,
senior Puisne litice of the 3:"Treie C IIIr.
of Ceyloth 1872-7. In 1874 he Lil:Llticullated at the Calcutta University, lild in 187s p:Lssed his first LXLIIllination \fls. [}11 leaving that scholastic establishire it in 1877 he beca III e a law student, being Çall:ki to the Ceylon Bar three years later ; all on a receit visit to England he was called to the English Bir, biçççırııirg il meraber of Gray's Jırı. Hı: c) [III111 el cocci legal pir:Lottice at the Supre IIne at hd District Courts if Coloribo, and acted as Selicitor-General in 1897 zlrird Alter Tie'-GLrlerill
iri
Page 108
1 (OO) TWENTIETH
ii IJO arid Igo I. In August of Igol he was :1ppointed to the position of Acting Puisine Judge of the Supremic Court, and in October of the same year was confirmed in that appointInent. He is now the Senior Puisne Justice. Ir. Wendt publisheel 1 Lof Li, YW RepliCJIls for the years 1882-83, w lille he ween t: 13 ye:Lr's T832;arl II 84yfs he editcot th-c: ** Supr cine CJLLIt Circular" Reports, and the "Ceylon Law Reports."
vului Iie
As a diversion from legal ratters Mr. Wendt hag given some tirre to politics. From 1805 to Igo he was a Member of the Legislative Council, representing the Burgher con Tiunity. III addition la his judicial dutics, he is a member of the Incorporated Council of I.cgal Ecliation. He is also a member of tı: Comınilee of Lilhic Wictoria MTermorial Hillc for Incurables and also of the Turf Club. He fills as well the office of Presilent of the Y.M.C.A., and is a Inernber of the Friend-in-Need Society, also Vice-President of the local branch of the Hible Society. In I89) he married AII:lia, daughter of Mr. J. H. de Sarai, C.M.G., District Judge of Kandy. His privatic residence is Fountain Hy Lu 5: Place, Colombo, and his filvourite pastinc is photography, in which PursLiit h is an dept.
*
THE HON, MR, ALEXANDER WOODRENTON
The Hon. Mr. A. Woxod-Renton, the third Puisne Judge, was appointed on September 3, 1905. He was born on June 2, 1861.
تھی۔
THE HORI. M.R. J. R. GRENTIER.
The Greniers are descended from a well. known noble French family, some of the II citlers of which had to leave their country at the time of the Huguenot persecution and settle in Belgium. The gentleman whose Ilanc is at the head of this sketch is a scio) of that ancient family, the first thenber of which to arrive in Ceylon was a lieutenant ill the army of the Netherlatıcls who had tak:Tı Fier wice in the Dutch East India Company. This Coficer, who was botn at Dinant, in South Brabant (Belgium), was the father of Jean Francois Grenier, who applied for and oblained letters of Illturalisation as a British subject from Governor Sir Frederick North On June 7, 1802. Jean François Grenier, Woh Ci wa 5 employed in the Mariti IIIe Custorms, I Illir Tid Charlolta PietĖTSE, and Tesideri il Jaffna (Orne of their srans, Frederick, was secretary of the Ibistrict Court of Jaffna. Joseph Richard, one of the sons of Frederick and who forts the subject" of this sketch,
ԼUtilitri
CENTURY
3.5 edL Lte it St. . Wardcn Bacon ind, Mr. F. Ljurnhart, K. of thic College before fession, He was a dir in 873, ET1d was cal ill ( Gray's Inn oil Jilint for some line it Çılbinho, He held being in turn Police M of Requests, Deputy Q Judge, Solicitor-Gene of Assize and Puisne Court of Ceylçı ürı April, Igoi. ht: Wils District Judge of Col. officiating om tlıç: B Crutt. He is a Lael
THE ECON. WIER.
(Acting Puisn: Justice
Legal Education II, 11d Club, London. His
daughter of the late
of the SuprcTT1e Cour
F. C. A. Lorerlé. Reginald, is a civil ei second, Jules, is prepa ll St. BETILT-l's Ser Oliphant, is private 5 Middleton and the so private secretary. Th. L Tid H:LTI y, are: Lt : daughters-Gertrude,
THE HON. MR. JOH]
The Horn. Mr. J. P. i. was horn on June 8,
IMPRESSIONS
Thomas's Caillege Lunder lill:e luis legal Jr frťre, C., he bec.L.I] ... Master Ը1ւtering Լlit: legal proilted to the Ceylon Bir led to Lle English Bar : 27, Iyofi, He pr:Lctised liffna, hut returred to '.'i till: ilippi11ti I ents, 1:lgistrate, Commissioner LE 1 H Ady'QLite, Diglirit rill, and Collissiulet Julge of the Supre: several occasions. In per II: nintly appointled amha, а пd is now again ench of the Supreme mber of Lhe Canuncil ai
JOSEPEI GERENIE, cf. the SupITErne CXLIrt.)
of the Royal Societies'
wife is the youngest John Drieberg Proctor "t, and niece of the late f his sons the eldest, gifteer il Gl:Lisgow; the I ring for the prics thood in: y : the third, Guy ccretary to Mr. Justice L11th, David, is his (WT L 1w youngest, GLOrge 50-ch Col. He hlas HLTE LOlise, ELEd May.
தீர்
N PAGE MIDDLETON,
Middleton, PuisIIe Judge, E85 I. He received his
OF CEYLON
TEIE BHON. MR. J. P. MIDDLETON. Louis II:lig".)
appointment as Puisne Justice in 1902, and was a way on half-pay leave in 1905-6.
தீ
THE REGISTRAR.
Mr. Horati Wi|iam Nelsor B.A. Carltab., is thc Registra. He was born in June 18. I871, and is an English silicitor and Proctor of the Supreme Court of Ceylon. In July 1903, he became Third Deputy Registril, and he was appoiled to his present position in 1903.
தீ
FREDERICK CHRISTIMN L008, Jun.
Mr. F. C. Lons, jun. is the Son of the Hon. F. C. Laos, Burgher representative in the Legislative Council, and was born at ColorLibo in 1861, He was educated at Trinity College, Kandy, and Royal College, Colombo. He read law LIII der Messrs. Loos and Warı Cuylernberg, and passert as a Proctor of the District Court in 1885. He then cominenced practice in LaaHLES L HHEaa LLLLLL HLLLLLLL LLL 00LLLLLLaL LLLL time at Nu Wara Eliya. II, 8.g5 lhe visited LCCaaTS SLLL LHH LLLLL CLLLLLC 0LLLLLLL LLLLHHLHHH LLL Nuwaral Eliya, vrlıere he hectanıt al Nrotary Public and Supre [I]- Court Prix ctar, Justice of the Peace, and Unofficial Police Magistrate, and finally, in 1899, Crown Proctor, Mr. Loos has Tepeale«lly acted as Addition:ıl Publice Magistrate and Collissioner of ReqLicsis, and at the presert till is First Deputy Registrar, He is als } a member of the Agricultural Society ld One Lof the IThst promiriert Itternbers Of the Ceylon Kennel arhci Poultry Club, being a well-known fancier, exhibitor, and prize-winner in the fox-terrier class. His private residence is Rossye Lodge, Nuwara Eliya.
Page 109
TWENTIETH
Mr. Lloyd L. Daniels is the Second Deputy Registrar, his appointment dating frill July 1, 1903. He held several appointments in the clerical service previously, and rism 190I was Third Deputy Registrar for two years. He was born or May 23, 1858.
Mr. C. W. Cloonewardene, the Third Ieputy Registrar, was apprinted Itinerating Police Magistrate in January, 1905, and during the samc year passel the law examinalion.
چ
OSTRICT JUDOES. COLOMB). JAMEE RICHARD WEINMIK M. A sketch of the life of Mr. J. R. Weinman
TixIrict Judgr.
Acting District Judge of Colombo, appears else lite,
தீ
FELIX, R. DIAS BANDARMAYHE.
A sketch of the life of Mr. F. R. Dils Bandaranaykc, Additional District Judge of Colombia, appears elsewhete,
FELTEK ER. IL Å.B. Additional District Judge, alsTib{.
CENTURY IM
ANURADF
Mr. jeorge Shadw Judge of Anuradhapura 1858. He entered the ( cadet in I. 379, and was ill Kachcheri. After wor Kachcheris, h.c. WEIS &LLC Magistrate of Tangalla and in 1885 hç hecan Matile and Dunbara. AssistainEl Gorlle I'm III 1211 of the islatud, he beca II Agent of the Province occupied this position present appointment, q
BAOL
The District hig Alexander Ransford He was born On Ni entered the Ceylon Civ 18g8, as an official at til Three yCats later he Assistant Col Trial St. position Lintil he recei
ITET1.
EATTI
The District Judge Ojeorge Williami. W tab. His entry to th dates torn Septembe attached to the Galle December, 1. Bg5 he ble of Custo its at Trini next few years he Judge and Addition: warius districts. In first as District Judg. of Battical oil, and he at the present time.
CH
BEGINAL). Il
Mr. R. G. SILIIlcdors Riclliarri Saulldots, Ceylon, grandson of who occupiėl il si III Internal gril 11:l:01) C.M.G., who held . and Colonial Secre IH 50 a 11 kl. 18f80. le
878, anci LlLLIC:llekl i Sctual di Chieltenih the Ceylon Goverr W:LTic.Lıs 1rilidir : Tipi A55ista Int to tbl : Fo';
IPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
HAPUR A.
Fel Saxtoni, Distrikt was born an April 3, eylon Civil Service as EEached to thic Colomb-0 king at several other cessively Acting Police , Matale, and Dilimba Lula, e Police Magistratic of After being Acting Agent in several parts 1e in I902 Goverıment of Saba Tagal Ilmuwa, a Tid until he rcClived his litic Tecitly.
JL.L.A.
* af Badulla ig IT. | Slater, B.A. Cantab, verber 28, 1874, and il Service in DeLernber m: Columba Kachcheri. hесапе Аcting Second retary, and held this ved his prescint appoint
CALCIA.
of Batticali is Mr. oodhouse, B.A. Calle Ceylon Civil Service r, 1892, when he was Hill:1:lle Ti 55 Catill:1. came Assistant Collector arralee, and during the was Additional District 1 Polic: Magistrate ir1 Igo5 hic was appointed Negar nbCo and theti hills the latter position
T
தீ
LLAW,
BSON g|AUNDERS.
is a soil of Sir Frederick for therly Treasurer of Mr. Frçderick Szı LLI) ders, ilar positiot in 1861 and of Mr. W. L. Gib5.T., lit is utilitar-Geil:Ital tary between the years was burı in Colomb0 in in England at Tonbridg: Flm Cullege. He enferec linent service and held ointments such als Thil slitlister-General Acting
101
Assistant Collector of Customs and Police Magistrate, Trincomalee, and Office Assistant tr the Government Agent, Uva Province. In
H. G. SÄUNDERS
Igo3 he hecame Police Mgistrite, Miltili, and in Ital Assistant Government Agent and District judge, Ma Tınar, a Tid in IXOť, niini is return from half-pay leave, he was appointed commissioner of Requests and Police Magistrate, Chilaw. Later he was made Assistant Government Agent and District Judge, Chil', He attended the two pCarl fisherics of 1904 and Igos in his official capacity,
தி
KANDY,
The District judge of Kaidy is Mr. John Harvey Templer, B.A., Cantab, He was
J. E. TEMI FLER. Listri: JLudEL. KÄLily }
Լ}
---
Page 110
1 ()2
hrrrl III Nouvember 1847, and is ; bilfristerHit-lılı" (if the Trını ger Trille. Hie: :m terert in Ceylon Civil Service as Office A55 isťLI IL til till Attorey-General in 188. TILITring I 8q2 LE1|| 1894 he acted as Solicitor-General, and ጌኳ ̇;15 *PPintel Crown Counsel. On 84'4':Tl + HClsio 18 he has leted as Listrie Judge of Coloinho, and he was a prison visitor of lil L. Westerni Privirice.
தி
GALLE.
Mr, (ieorge Algernor BåLITIgarter, istrict Judge of Galle, was born ni Ms:Lrell . *5Cl, :Lthird ei bered the Cylon Civil Service, as Writer :it:Iche: in the Ciolo Imbia l-kacchieri, irOctober, I8, I. In *74 he was appointed Police Magistrate of P’ vint Petire und Chaykich letteri, inti after filling various sii is becline District Judge of Negottibo in 8. 1911 he was apprinted Güvertlılerı geri of the Tvil Province, and his FTC-t:11t : peintTunctat diales fri Tı April, Iapon.
தீ
JAFFRÁ.
r. William Rutherford Bogle Sanders is the District littge of Jaffna. He was born on October 29, 185s, and entered th: Cit:yellum Civil Service as cadet it tached the Gill Kilclicheri in Lecernber, 187. After Working il differcit Positio 15 il caver the islatiti. he hetitille Distric Islge if Negi Inti, in lirl, E*,*), arici f Jaffni first in F02 LT1cd : g til in 1915.
s
KALUTARA
". Paulus Edward Pieris, I.A. Cantihi, Lhe District Jilidge of Kalui tara, was horn I Fehruary 16, 1874, and entered Ille- service: il
896. He passick lհriշաբհ է iiriւյլIs ther PHisitions, and waLs inti I903 appointed Acting District Judge of Malara. llin II 1905, ro'n his trilirt from the St. Louis Exhibition, he became Iistrict Judge of Kegll, and held this poъіtitoli VIII til he received his File:LIL : Il'uirit Iten.
ته
KEGA ILLA.
"", H. J. W. Eka nayake, the Loistrict JLittlig: of Kegalla, h15 acted Provisionally in various Foi ***ilir this in the Ceylon Civil December 16, IKI YA'H:ii lui Police Magistrate of Papiya
Service sice bétime Acting
.
KREAL,
Al Kurunegala the District Judge is Mr. Bertran Hill, B.A. Cantilb., who was born
TWENTIETH CENTURY
1 Pri October 1ō, 186ŭ. ls l (;Li'l in 1888, illtilch:d to Ilie kuru 1891 he became Actini, iter Titleri get if Pallicial x, and in Iran Agetat it Maltar. He Acting Tistrict Judge
MAN
Mr. John Scott, wh a! Climbridge, is the Li He: W":13 bLBrii «n April the Service, at lichel llo i: 1 1 }X. „hiffer filling *it Titi’y the Ernes:LIT : I.it's L'Illit-in erur, it Police Magistrate al J. cling Assist:ı III || Gyverri
MIA""
The Di:Lirit Julge L. Frederic Plant, H.A. Jr Xave rıber to, 1877, au Civil Scrice, iliched in I}ol. In 1911 he he it li: Goveriitici الg Provi koincic, :L ii al iu | ।।।।।।।।।।।।।।।।୮।।
Yis; well,
•ኃቆ
MULLAI
Mr. Charles Walen CiTit: ... is the Tistrict
It Was hori win 4. Ilgis: LH (Ciri Service II Cey J.Lifili Elclicheri, in Iւմ: 11Positii - is i cilifferert ք:l betime cling Assistant Mullimitiv u ir Irf,
•ዱ
NEGWI A. DE ALYS SE letring to the Dite lalutari district, | 1: Ilirimi: * luçis, hid fçılır * 1.15. I 11Alois Serieveralne, 1riltrբլ, Gille liorale, had five st Floris :Lid Ixiak, Wı, '''L5 III:List ill Thalhin, i Eightten arıcı itecrı Floris becaine the ğg !"iäI1cif:1; I Mi. Albert de lis, Mem li livi: Ċil-Luncil, and κα:ι Mfr il1:LIldiri i Kalutara, o $in, Lhe illier Al, is Serieleratine, the -Lib He will born at e I'LL'wela, il
IMIPRESS (ONS
Ide Lillered the service
i Ili oан that year Illeg-lil Kachcheri. In g Office Assistant to the the E:Ls Lern Province at T 485 is: 11t Gilcrimcil "el L. KLIT LIIegula as irti StapleTuber, Ji .
ii |
لی
MA, FR,
III || Hl. His F3. degree *trict Lilge: "if M.Tarımı, - *4, 1878, ırıd tılerek| the Kandy Kilwhicharri, Viri ilus pli silinms 1rivate Sig'KTe:tiäry" + i , the It iller being til TT Illia, li li watts ilГріліпlu:sl "tlil Ağrıt al MI:ırıııır.
皋R晶。
Millari is Mr. George * III. vyhaa wus EH'I til Litcretl this: Ilirylu ul | lit. (...l. Kilcli:Fieri, till the lice Assisint oft "f the Siriulter
'lice Milgistrate at
TWU.
time Brayne, B.A. Jikl: of Mulliyu. 7, 1877, Elrid entered *İlkinlı, :ı [];aclı seçi: How
fler filing varios *** Ji tlit: island hic 'critinent Ageil it
EO)
NIE WERTE. of Thr:Пh i to the Widow of Alexander of oli, 13:lsin cler Molian lirlin is, These included the time the L'Intry
Te:r li ha le i olti respectivey. 1ur of the lie Hl. liber Leif the T.gisk ble C:iirne lidulur Articl hı:Lid ut (inly Mr. Alexander de ject of this sketch. 1849, wits educated
()F (CF, Y"I()N
at St. Thornas's Cullege, and was the i: school:Lr of Lła:Lt iristitution Il leali: L- Arts University,
s) Ti-5 IllL in TCılf Lhili: C.Hacıult:ı After his college course lle became i Mii s-li'r the Te, 11 | * Ciclo Field f liiis positi en uti| I*7o, whell lil commenced the sitt Lily if i'r under Sir Charles Layard. He became 'locate of the Suprein court of Cylii in **m, III d crimi Herced Triclice im Cril 1lbilma I 885 lite was eleciedi a "I" MiriTmiuoipo:Lil Ca IIIci | dar Kritis liteit,
LX; III i II:atin
flor
: Il sil
AN. DIE A, SIFENE WERA TNE.
l'istrict Titelge.
'***'r ** velit: “II y'eirs as suci, '''tilst in Irku hii: էՎ::It11ւ ո 3111 itu; tiç"! Izırılı Hic li : LII Ti;ri,
if l
He was elected է11:1111 11:1
*፡ 1-11፥ "
i f L III: --'44 il-lisliv: Collici tro, "lʻI*l"V."3 l":I1 t tiır: , ,ʻ|1|: [ th4! Sirth:llosu *******11 Iulii! Y', JLTitİ : for twelve
5.I.'i Politikel lly itill ciiiiiııires y ilin por orliiii ! ques:.
koirs. Il Liring this Period le
titis if th: lily, was it-trilli tlet 11;|| III introlnic, ig lie silver teth-cent Piece IIId III:ide Careful still is lic is }"ҹLpls, '''. Til foi l'Inglii Icil, ılık 1. Lici
t; it's
II. 18:1: li:: :l sւ' : 'IIti :i::it li : oficial representative Ceyl in it th: l.tc "...L'err's Tii:Litirond Ji i tille, hell he received the Jubilec ii Tell. He b'atteria III c, ir I io 2. | Distriet பlg : liti Fiiiicgal.L. ill:1 till: Kirilir Psili Tis ill Critha and Bilt liczılixit, while I5 hits lieten Ii-trict Jiilige of Nigi IIInlix I - Formerly he was ! III:II het of the Council of T.'"gal lediciliu 3:11d of the Royal Asiatic Sheily. He is the Chirithia II of the Negoinho Local Bard Lui president of the Negombo branch of Lic. griculti-ill Society. In 18 he Ilirried Li aliis;, eldest laughter of Fred Jay:Ltillike, il Fegistri-General, and after her death fue married, in Isl, Eliza Milcke||1.xie, secorid litughter of Christoffel de istrie-L ultlige of Galle. His only tiallghter, Louisia lexibilidri, illarried Albert Livers, district ergincer of Puttalam. Mr. SLTieverzltnt is a
kislL:4: " I SL. Thomas ԱollE:.
lit is La
Կiliւ: l
S. I;LII,
Page 111
TWENTIETH
P'AIAM.
Mr. Robert Niemann Thane, B.A. Cantab., is the District Judge at Puttalam. He was born on January I, 1875, and entered the service, attached to the Galle Kachcheri, in 1898. In 190I he became Acting Commissioner of Requests and Police Magistrate at Balapitiya, and after filling various other offices he became Landing Surveyor at Colombo in I904.
شوه
RATNAPURA.
Mr. Alexander Norman Galbraith, B.A. Cantab., the District Judge of Ratnapura, was born on June 19, 1878, and entered the service, attached to the Matara Kachcheri, in 1902. In I905, after filling various positions, he became Office Assistant to the Government Agent of the Eastern Province, and afterwards performed the same duties at Kandy.
طو
TANGALLA.
At Tangalla the District Judge is Louis William Conrad Schrader, M.A. Oxon., who was born on August 18, 1873, and entered the service, attached to the Colombo Kachcheri, in 1896. In 1901 he became Assistant Government Agent at Mullaitivu, in 1903 Acting District Judge at Ratnapura, and in 1905 took up his present position.
அே
TRINCOMALEE.
Mr. Charles Stewart Vaughan, M.A. Cantab., the District Judge of Trincomalee, was born on May 23, 1866, and entered the Ceylon Civil Service, attached to the Galle Kachcheri, in 1889. During the next few years he was Acting Office Assistant to several Government Agents, and became Acting District Judge at Batticaloa in 1900. His last appointment before taking up his present position was that of Assistant Government Agent at Kegalla.
அே
COMMISSIONERS AND MAGISTRATES.
COLOMBO,
JAMES STEWART DRIEBERG.
Mr. J. S. Drieberg, the Colombo Commissioner of Requests, was born on August 4, 1846, and since he entered the service of the Ceylon Government he has occupied various posts. From 1867 to 187 I Mr. Drieberg acted as private secretary to Mr. Justice Stewart, Mr. Justice Temple, and Mr. Justice Thompson. afterwards being District Judge, &c., Negombo, Police Magistrate, &c., Point Pedro, Chavakachcheri, Kalutara, Avisa wella, Pasyala, and
CENTURY IM
Panadure, until 1885. H Second Deputy Registrar In 189o he became Del and two years later to Commissioner of Reque In subsequent years he
Colombo; District Judg (Acting), Kurunegala (Ac appointed to his present
அ
KETH WM. BR
Mr. Keith W. B. Macle October 30, 1865, is the Colombo, a post he w filling various position: He entered the service in
to the Secretariat. He
to the Galle Kachcheri year to the Ratnapura after a few months in cheri, he became Actin Batticaloa, to the Gover
Province. In the same Commissioner of Reque trate, Panadure, and s pointments as Forest Set District Judge, Acting L tons), Colombo; District ment Agent, Deputy Colombo ; Acting Colm Colombo. In I905 he Agent of the Province of Judge, Kurunegala, wł period during which leave he was appointe Colombo.
ve
ANURA DE
The Magistrate at Wilfrid Thomas So who vas born On Augu the Ceylon Civil Ser Colonial Secretary's Of the same year he became to the Government A: Province at Jaffna, and similar position to the N Agent.
2
AVISAV
Thomas Richard Magistrate of Avisawel ruary II, I876, and he Service since 1896, wh the Kandy Kachcheri as has been Acting Office A ment Agents in various District Judge of Battic galla, and Matara, befor position.
MPRESSIONS
Ie was then appointed of the Supreme Court. puty Fiscal, Colombo, ok over the duties of sts (Acting), Colombo. was Police Magistrate, e, Ratinapura, Kegalla ting). In I905 he was position.
CE MACEOD
od, who was born on Police Magistrate at as appointed to after S under Government. in 1888, being attached was removed in 1889 and later in the same Kachcheri. In 1890, the Batticaloa Kachg Office Assistant, at 'nment Agent, Eastern è year he was made :sts and Police Magisubsequently held aptlement Officer, Acting anding Surveyor (CusJudge, Acting GovernCollector of Customs, missioner of Requests, became Government Uva, and later District lilst subsequent to a he was on half-pay d Police Magistrate of
APURA.
Anuradhapura is Mr. uthorn, B.A. Oxon.,
st 4, 1879, and entered vice, attached to the fice, in 19O4. During Acting Office Assistant gent of the Northern
in 1905 he took up a (orth Central Province
WELL A.
Edward Loftus, the la, was born on Febhas been in the Civil
en he was attached to cadet. Since then he assistant to the Governprovinces and Acting caloa, Ratnapura, Tane taking up his present
OF CEYLON 103
BALAPITIYA
At Balapitiya there is an Itinerating Police Magistrate in the person of Mr. F. D. Pieris, who was appointed to that position in the Southern Province in I904. During that year he for some time fulfilled the duties of Acting Commissioner of Requests and Police Magistrate at Galle.
அே
CHAVAKACHCHER AND POINT
PEDRO.
The Police Magistrate at Chavakachcheri is Mr. W. G. Vallipuram.
طو
CHLAW.
HENRY JAMES WIOUTERSA.
A sketch of the life of Mr. H. J. Woutersz Police Magistrate of Chilaw, will be found elsewhere.
。岁
GALLE.
ROBERT LEWIS WALLER BYRDE.
Mr. R. L. W. Byrde, M.A. London, born on January Io, I869, is the Magistrate at Galle. He entered the service of the Government in I893, as a cadet at the Secretariat. He passed through several Kachcheris during subsequent months until appointed as Acting Office Assistant to the Government Agent of the Province of Uva. In I895 he received an appointment as Acting Assistant Collector of Customs, Trincomalee, and the following year as Office Assistant to the Government Agent, North West Province. He filled a similar position in the office of the Agent of the Eastern Province in 1897, and of the Central Province in 1898. After acting as Police Magistrate
at Galle, he became Police Magistrate at
Kurunegala, but later resumed duties at Galle.
அே
HAMBAN TO TA.
JOHN O'KANE MURTY.
Mr. J. O'Kane Murty was born on April Io, 1867, and entered the Government service in 1890, commencing at the Colombo Kachcheri. In 1891 he became Acting Commissioner of Requests and Police Magistrate, Chilaw; in I895, Acting Landing Surveyor, Galle ; 1896, Acting Landing urveyor, Colombo ; 1897, Acting District Judge, Ratnapura. In 1899 Mr. Murty was Acting Police Magistrate, Colombo, and in 190o Assistant Government Agent, Mullaitivu. He became District Judge, Tangalla, in 1901, and Assistant Government Agent, Matara, in 1902. In 1905 he was appointed to Hambantota.
Customs,
Page 112
104 TWENTIETH
J. A. F. FN A.
PRI. Mr. G. Priths is the Magistrate at Jaffna. Previously to holding this appointment he was
W 。
GEORGE PRINS, Iulice Magistrate
Acting Pulice Magistrate, Point Pedro and Chawakachcheri, and als acticd as Police Magistrate, Jaffna, from Dece inher, 1902, to March I go3.
هي
GAMPCLA.
The sketch of Mr. Walter de Liwera's career appears in it in ther portion of the Wolte.
كي
KALT UTARA.
J. E. D.E. S. GOONE WARDENE, A sketch of the life of Mr. J. E., de S. Gixonewarde Lic, Poliçu Magistrate of Kalutaril, will be found elsewhere.
نحو
KANC).
Mr. Thomas Brown le Russell, M.A. Oxon. has been Police Magistrate of Kandy since July, I go5. He was horn on August 5, 1873, and entered the service as cadet, attached to the Colonial Secretary's Office, in 1897. After serving at various Kachcheris, he was Office Assistant to the Government Agents of several provinces, Acting Polic: Magistrate of Balapitiya, and Acting District Judge of Tangalla, Batticaloa, and Jaffna,
نی
KAYTS. Rasiah William Allegacoon, the Police Magistrate of Kayts was both on September 5,
CENTURY I
1857, but did not enter candet Luntil 188, althCOL appointments in the cle until that date. After a trate and Commissioner places, he beca,Ille Acdc as will it Chilaw in Ig: year Acting Assist:LIt Lhe same place,
الفيلم
MATA
WM. DUN
4 skeiçlı uf lb) | lbumu willę, l’olice Magi bie souı1 «l els 'Alle1''.
KURNE
Mr. Allan Bewen, missioner of RcqLicsts ; āt Kurunegāla since M. in Il Noveliber 19, 1867, lav Is thc IIIIler TeIT Civil Service, attached to in 1892. After bicing Ac at several places, he Pianalire ad Additi Kaltılar al in I 8g8 Izılırl . :Li the li ter' place and
ال
MAT
P. B. GO
Mr. P. B. Godall Miltil it, is acting row Service. He acticd 18 quests, Lııld Police Mag and Aldilional Police missioner of Requests April to December, 18 position arid as Deputy tendent of the Prison 18g8 and Iga I.
TRINCO)
The Magistratic at ... A. Bell.
FANA
O: EI
NIT. W. Roberts is at Palladute. He Wals and eritered the Ceylor at the Matail Kallich appointed Acting Off Kuru negala Kachicleri, made Acting Police
MPRESSIONS
* the Civil Service as ugh he held several ical service from 1878 Cting as Police Magisof Requests at various litional District Judge 3, and in the following Sovernment Agent at
4LE.
WILLE.
ific of Mr. Willian strate if Matile, will
EG Ĥ.,Lář...
Wohl) lı:Aş biçi:Il Camuarid Police Magistrale Ii4 rch, 1 g:05, W'as bortI1 lfid is a barrister-at|ple. He entered the the Kandy Kachcheri, ling Palicę Magistratic Igcane Magistrate oi OT1ikl M.Izıgistrate cof Acting District Judge at Kegill.
RA,
| E.
E, the Magistrale of isiCorally itin the Civil CIII] Illissicainer of Reistrate at (Gallageclara, Magistrate and Com. Qf Kurllnegala sruIn JW Lild in a similar
Fiscal and Superitit hi visa wella, between
M.A.L.E.E.
Trinconialize is Mr.
FU RE,
B. EROBERTS.
lët magistrille stationed Jorn on April 27, 1880, Civil Service in 1902 tri. In Igo: he was CD Ak8*xist: Int at the and ill. Ig5 he was agistrate at Matara.
OF CEYION
Subscquently he received appointment to his present ipsit iuri.
தீ
HIAATTON
W. H. E. CRBER.
Mr. Walter Hugh Hertrarn Carhery, 5an If J. Irber, M. I. Cilnil Surgen, vas born at Randy in 18ti, and educated it St. Hellecticl's IIL litute, Colombo, and Stonyhurst College Lапсshire, England. appointed til det in the Civil Service, gring first I the Badulla. Kachcheri. In I 84 he bęçı IIIe :ll. A cling Policc Magistrate, and two years later was T1.Lcle: Police Magistrite of Miatale. killer (ifficiating as Acting Office Assistart to the Goverilinct Age it in the North Central E'TL'yiIl CL-, hic W:45, in 14Hxa, appointel Assistant to the Govertillent Agent of the Northern Province and Assistant Collector and Ladirig Surveyor alt Jaffna, lil 1901 he tok Lip :L sirInilar appointment at Trincorrialee, aixl iii
l5הלוי :18t}3 ht תI
ANUM
W. C.A.EEEEEY.
Ig74 becarne Mcling Police Magistrate and Cill tissioner of Requests for Hatton-Nuwar: Eliyil, and holds that position at the present time.
لي
ITINERATINGi MAGISTRATES.
PETER DE ERAM
A sketch of the life of Mr. Peter de S:La III Itinerating Magistratic of the Western Province, will be found elsewhere,
தீ
W. K. S, AEERAFPA
A sketch of the life of Mr. W. N. S. Aserappa, Policc Magistrate of Negombo, appears ulseWhere,
Page 113
TWTENTETHI
F. W. D.E. BILIWN
Mr. F. W. de Silva is it present in Acting Magistrat in tha: WWE:st: Tim Proviç,
تھی
LAW OFFICERS OF THE
ROWN.
ATTRNEY GENERAL,
The sketch of the career of the Hori, Mr. A. (I. La scelles, Attorney-Generill, ilppears elsewhere.
S O L I C I T O R - OG E IN E R A L.
WALTER PEREIRA, K.C.
James Cecil Walter Pereira, horn forty-thirle years ago, is the second son of the late John Pereira, who was a Master in Queen's (now Royal College, Coloinho. His father belonged to a Sinhalese farthily which at one time owned nearly the whole of that part of the town of Coloribo known as Kolpitiya, On his Iother's side Mr. Walter Pereira coils of an old Dutch family, De Han by Ilarine which had settled at Point de Galle, and several LierLibers of which atta inci positions of great LLLLLaLL LL LLLLLS LL LLLHS LL0 LLLLMCkLL
J. C., W. PEREIRA. E.C. Salcitor-General.)
the Colombo Acade IIy and at St. Thomas's College, and matriculated at the Calcutta University, In 1878 he was admitted as a Proctor of the District Court of Color Ilbo,
CENTURY IM
having scred an apprent Mr. F. C. Laas, Lone s and successful slicitor I88 he was enrolled a F Court of Ceylon. Having and notary, it the end of England and gained ad Temple for preparation Early iri I 887 hic: wls Bar, ha virg SLIcce55 sully as to time from the Beni only English solicitors his return to Ceylon th adriltel aill en Tullel Suprerine Court, but rol sition by the ther Chief EL BLI I Tsie. The
MIT, Feel Ill: 1. AdWCcate, iš 1Tl LLCh 15 || the Roll i Bristie's England, The islatter (Lher Mr.) Heian Collins the Rolls), bedre Lori Justice Den Iman in the of the High Court, and Luled the decisi f holding that the sign in obsolete and umię CesSary Pereira söûrı estiblishcci hirinself atrong the bes Ceylon and received til of King's Counsel in 1 adrIlitter and ell I'Cllod AI Court of Judicature at M for TLıarıy yèar5 a. T11 erTıl corporated Council of l Pereira iš the Lithor of tw, vülunes CC'tirilg pages, on the laws of C 5 in Official lie, MIr, lowest rung of the ladi Corrhinissioner of Reque trate, Colomba, Črow Additional District Judg. three titles as SolicitorSuprene Court Bench Assize, and tvice lglil thic Suprei Ilue: Cu Lurt al, 1 accepted permanent of as Solicitor-Geleil. F thc Municipal Court cil years. Het was in pl the Ceylon National A: leading hand in the Org Ceylonese srcial club i Club. In IRg5 he mar
22 -ܥܢܓܡܝܢ.
PRESSIONS OF CEYLON
i cyrship under the Horn, THC Lust 111ël Lil 5 in Ceylon, and in "roctor of the Supreme practised as a proctor 1885 he proceeded to mission at tle Middle for the Englislı Baur, called to the English ' Iliiiml eil A. Ciccessi 11 hcrts of his Inn which then enjoyed. On 1c sailine year he was Il docite of Ille : without sottle oppolistice of Ceylon, Sir hief Justice held that be adııı itlel is :LI he had omitted to sign at the High Court in Was mentiomed by Sir , , C. L'hy' Master of di Coleridge and Mr. Lee's Belch Divisirl their lordships overSir RIce BLT side, g of the Roll Wils at " for Illality. Mr. Walter a sound position for t of his profession in he coveted distinction go4. In 190I he was 1 Advocate of the High aldias. a. Indi be: h:15 bere (CI) 3ct of the Ceylon In. , amøng rother works.
-egal Education.
nearly two thousand eylon, A5 at the Bar, P'T 5E sTILT IHL
Het. Het is liceer 515 :gts alındl Police: MagisIl Cruisel, ilst l5 e Colotribo. Hę cted Giller:ll, wice I the
:15 CoIII Thissii'ITher Cf 35 3. PuisIIe Justice of ld quite recently he içe under the Crown He was a IncInher of of Colombo for Illiny :Comine It TITETTıbeT of šsciation, And had FA ganisation of the only In Ceylon-the Orient rid Helena Blatchle,
حے کس کسی شئے ۔۔۔۔۔
IO5
daughter of the late Mr. Edward McCarthy, at one line a planter in the Kellni Walley district, and whese wife was the daughler of Capt:iii) Willi:Lim Woodward, of Brixtort, Devon. The issue of this marriage consists of olle son : Ill Lwod:lighters, Mr. Fereira's private residence is "Leafields," Barn:5 Place, Cin Taillon G:Lill:11s, Cloillbo,
The accompanying illustration is froLi) :L philograph Laker wher. Mr. Pereirl Wils il Puisne Justice of the Supreme Court.
தீ
ASSISTANT-ATTORNEY -
GENERAL
HIRLES MATTHE FERNANDO.
A sketch of the life rif Mr. C. M., Ferlaid
will be fluid elsewhere.
, FERNANDO,
Cru wa ÇILDILL Lr the link )
தீ
DEPUTY FISCAL WESTERN PROWINCE.
Mr. Ebenezer Francis Olidatic was birth on December 2f, 1855. He was appointed El Catlet in t8g8, and iIn I li sa IT1: sycat T' liveca miet Acting Deputy Fiscal, Calentil his. In 1899, hill Wils Acting Colonial Strekeeper, arid in 1900 Aclĩng []ffice \88ĩstilmi tro the {ỉtwerflmẹn! Agent, Western Province, pointed Deputy Fiscal in 1900, a position he Still llis
H was Lls all
Page 114
O6
TWENTIETH CENTURY
ADMINISTRATIVE
THE SECRETARIAT.
The Secretariat is a block of buildingsidjoining the Legislative Collincil Chair bl:T, and near to Queen's House, in the Fort, inct coil prises the chief Gover Illicult offices, Here the Colonial Secretary, Auditor-General, Trca. surer, & c., ha ve their offices. It is the great uffice of record in the island, where are lodged the locLIII herits, or the substance of the documents, connected with every tranch of the service; and it is to this office that all applications or references Tegarding his situation art inade by cycry Govertieill officer. From here also all the regulations and orders of the Government are in the first instance issucd. The office is divided into the following departInents: The Despatch, Councils, Correspond:11C and Deeds Branches, the Record Roc II, Library, artici Petitio Ofice. Pritting or publishing newspapers are required to file the declaration and deliver copies.
தீ
"THE HON. MR. G., M. FOWLER, The sketch of the carcer of the Acting Colonial Secretary appears under the leading I.gislative: Council.
Het illson thanse
தீ
CHARLES RUSSELL, CUMBERLAND,
Mr. Charlic:s lRussell CI imberland is L. line PrimL:i'll Assistant to the Colonia Secrétary". HI! Was b(IT (In August. 12, EEssi, and is a B.A. o Oxon. He entered the Ceylon Civil Service its calde in 1889, ind was attached to the Ratna. pluri Kalchicheri. In 18 hic was transferred L' the Colo 11b Katieri, ci Iter to the SEL'Tet:Liriat, H: becarine Acting Pelice M:ligistr:Lite zıt Panaclure, and Additioral Police Magis - trati:. Kalli tara, irn I8I)2, arid iIl L 83, was Acting Fiscil, Central Province. In 1816 he was Acting Assistart Goverrinent Agent at Chilaw Fiild ir 18.g.) bisi rict Judge, Kegall:L. LGLL SOLCCCCtS LLLaaS LLLLL LLL LLLLCC LH LLL LlEHL Pri5olers-Lf-wir It Diyatalawa in IgoD, and in 1902 he became Second Assistant Colonial Secrelly. In 1903 he was Acting Principal Assistant Colonial Secretary and Joint Secrel:ly to the LCarl Board, and later was given the p-silic III I SECOılırl Assistani (Colonial SeĽrt:t; ''y'', T.ater if the year le LcLell as Squ0LCLLLLL LLaaLaLGHH LLLLLL LlLLLLLLLLS LLLLLLS aL a I': Lirilii1.g froIII le: ': iI I just was appointed Lislrict Judge, Kalutari. He was subsequently appointed to his present post,
தீ
ARTHUR GARDNER CLATON. MIT. A. i. Čllyton, the Additional Assis latit Colonial Serlitary, was born of September 24,
He was
I8É4. Previous ta ço :lt:Llched to the Cauletillai:L (88) was Secretary's Office, H. Clerk of Council, 181E !" the Güverrior, Bri Hç: Carthe Out to Ceylo k:1ry's Office in 1899,
FRANCIS Jj Mr. F. J. Smith is Coloili:Ll Secr-tary, Hi ber 9, 1875, Linci is ; Il M to Ceyl in is a cale thr:Ligh Several ofices the positior he low lei; Y'e il 1405
RICHARD GER
Mr. R. G. Anth
Tithiviss :Lil Libri:iri 22, 1853. He hell riu the Education Dep; General's Departinent piltecd A534 istant EReg He was given his pr:
GOWER PRINTINC
"The: (GyoerireI1L Pri li the Secretariat, irid l Gi'el"IILeit Prile GCI': ILITient Printers, 1849), zlin ri dL ring the 8L gress his been rapid. . iIIIll in Lreased in irtype 1r Printing Office grew in ber of its eliloyees, its :LInd its out put of work l II d Cotlle" Eur:Liches of 1
Fre III tille tij till: Inc, pilterrı hızı'e hçtı intri th:Lt the office is row e
Tid: Il lilles.
-
HENRY HAR
fr. H. C. Culle, te Was bxTII III Nairc:IThe Ceylon irl I 885 as Sccot Gçıvcrımcııt Printer, alı 35 Á85í3täfti Cr','ETI1IIIér w:18 per III:Lill:11tly appoi: Inert Printer, incl. wi.
IMPRESSIONS
OF CEYLON
ESTABLISHMENTS.
ining to Ceylon he was 11) i:al Sccretary's (Office,
Chief Clerk, Colonial ritish Honduras, I3q2 ; ii and Private Secretary tish HandLIr;Ls, I8g7—gʻ8. Là l{I thị: CI]]
Page 115
TWEEN "TETH
he was engaged in business with his father. On Novemher fő, Ig.03, Mr. Lambert was appointed superintendent of the Binding
W
。
J. LA NIBERT.
Department by the Secretary of State for the
Colonies. On July Io, Igof, he was promoted to the position he now holds,
இ*
THE AUDIT OFFICE.
The Audit Cor. General, Acccountant-Gerheral, and Controller of Revenue has charge of this Delft Illerit the office 5 af Which are siltiabell ill the Secretari.lt. The Auditor. General is the chief financial adviser of the Govern Herit, is ĉio 13 ficfu al III Leninb er of the Executive ;ind Legis. lative Co[111cils, One of lie Currency Co[[Tis. sioners, and a J stice of the Peale for the island. His appoint Illet rinks in Class I, of fih i'Wil SC WiCe, Irld is next to that of Elle Colonial Secrelary. His assistant also cottbilles a nuTT1bCT (Id. ther dLities with throse CJI LI Lected with his II w'n particular le partiment.
தீ
THE HON, M.R. H. W. BR0DHURIST, C.M.G.
LL LLaaLLl L LE aELLaLL aL LLAL LLLLSS LLS LLS LLS Freidl tist appears under the heading Legislatie'e C) u Ticil,
தீ
EDWARD DE KRETSER, T.S.0,
M, E, le Kretšer, l: 3šisti Liit'. General, was buril Lil July 9, 1861. He lever served as a cadet, being employed in the Colonial Secretary's Office froLa May 8, 1872,
CENTURY I
Lintil he received the ill holds in Iga 1,
葛
THE C
TREA
Next in rank in th ALLditor. General is the
sitttil tih: :: is o'r tŷīcify al Me Tıbci Legislative Collicils . offices of Commissioner of the Loan Board is ol of Currency, and a Re Celt. Inscribe Stick. the cash book, Wilsl receipts, ledget a Tid is rcsprinsible for ttı Tre:15ury brkks of ac that thics are kept up lic with the regulations. all public money act revenues, or otherwise and he mu5t keep a! proper heads. Other taken charge of By hin
GOWERIN MEN"
THE HON MAR.
A Sketch of the Ça. appelts under the head
HARRY ALEX
MI, H. A. I.L. till, Accytilitant to the Gi
MIPRESSIONS OF
poitrinerithe :it prcs:nt
്,
ENERAL SURY.
c Civil Service Loo the
Tres LLI":'', 'y' house sites Ictariat, This gentlemin " (If thlo: Ex+\:1111","ẹ +11{1 whilst hit also holds th: "of Stimps and Treasurer The Cof the Cičar Luisisi Čirilers gistrat of Ceylül 4 per In his office are kept bČCk, check Ex-Kuk Cof l:Lily balance bork. He
e LCL recliness of El ount and he ITILI: t see y dit- und in LCCTada T12: He tilkes charge of u ing fra TT1 the colonial paid into the TTeasl1 Ty, Il LCC Luts uitléir Lithi"
i11 westeld Huilals fire al 50
l.
தீ
T TREASURER.
H. C. NICOLLE
reer if this gent lEITI:AT1 ling Lcg isl;, ti"W: Cu‘uTıcil.
ANDER MARTIN.
Financial Assistial aill gilerial Treasury, is the
WETTIIN.
CEYLON 1 ()7
clidest sort of the late Henry D. Martin, late Har hotLr-Ill:18ler of Gre:Lid: Britislı West CLLLLLLL0S S LLL LHzEa0SS LLLLLL S L S La LaaLa LLLE LLL Indie; 11 August 13, I867, Lid receivel hi: Cducation there. Upon leaving school he joined Imerican tile, firin, Il 188s, he entered the Audit Depărtinent of the Government Service, GręIndial, he largest of Lille Williklwa, I'll Isla tills, FAT1d Sct Of the Gyvernierint, Ir. 18. h: acted for a short time as Accountant to thc Treasury, St. Lucia, In 1889 he was
appointed as Treasury Accolitant, Greillda,
British West Indies. In 180, he was trans. LLCLLL L CLCLaLLLLL L LLLLLLLHHLLLLC HHHLLLL llS LLLLSS organisation of the lccnunts of the Public Works Department. In Igo.5 he received his present appointinent, and during Jail Lilly, Igoss, introduced the double-enly sysleIT of accounts in the hock-keeping branches of the General Treasury, Mr. Marlin is a kecil Cricketer, and his played much both in West liiliii ii I1 ll irh Ceylon,
F
THE GOVERNMENT AO ENTS.
The island, for adriinistrative up-05.c5, is divided in til Twices, :LI id e: c1 parti'yi ÇE: 115 its Government Agent. The name convey's iminediately what the ofice is, The GnvernEnert Agent is... the agett of the Govern IT cInt, aid his general duties consist of 1milking circuits of the provinces, altending to representations and complairls of the people, and through person:al ciu LuIlurnicatio11 with lhe headliTi cn E&J acquire a knowledge of the personal character and capabilities of eitch. The Gover Ilment Agents at the successors of the Collectors or Agents of Gover III erit, ir the Eti:Lirilii: "TCOHaLeLS L LLLL LLLL LLLaLLLLLLLaL LLLeLLLLLLLL0LLaLSLL LL the 13o.Ltd of CoIllissigners (ur the Katidylin provinces, and they have wested it all it imposed upon the Ill ill the powers Lill the duties of the later. The (overnment Agents have assistill Tils, and brath classes of afficers are requiréil in submit monthly diarics in the Goverror. Of recent years, çonferenç:5 of Age:It's lıi ve becm held at licen's House, Colombo, in At:gust, tlh: (Gov':Tri:JT Tsiding.
ای
THE HON. MR. C. T. D. WICORIS
The sketch of this gentlem:LD appli:Lr: Littler Lhe llelling Legisl:llie Colli
ئلي
JAMES CONRO.
Mr. Jak 111-es Conroy, A55ista Int Growern Irlent Agent of the Western Province, stationed at
Page 116
108
Kalutara, was born on August 8, 1875, and look his B.A. degree at the Royal Iniversity of Ireland. He entered the Ceylon Civil Service as cadet, attached to the Kandy Kachcheri, in November, 1.8g, and worked, successively at Killdy, Jaffna, and Kurunegilla. In 1902 he becial Te Pulice Magistratė at the last-ruartmed place, and two years later Acting District Judge of Badulla. In Igo.5 he held the appointments of Acting Assistant Göyerıımcnt Agent at Han bantuta, and Čðffice A8 sistant at Galle, and his tenure of his present office dates from Ixx.
CIENTRAL PR 0WINCE,
THE HON. M.R. J. P. LEWIE).
A sketch of the Hon. Mr. Lewis's career appears Linder the heading Legislative Courcil.
شوه
LLLLLLLL LLLLLLLL LLLLLLLL SLLLLLLLLL0S
Mr. R. A. G. Festing is the son of MajorGeneral Festing, C.B., F.R.S., He was born it
R. A. G. FESTING.
W
LUIndon in 1875, and was edita led at CliftO) and Queen's College, Oxford, taking his B.A. degree in 1898. He read for the Civil Service at Wren's, and being appointed to Ceylon in Novemher, 89, he was attached to the Kachcheri at Galle, moving laler to the Kandy Kachclheri as Office Ašsistant. Since Fcbruary, Iyas, he has been Acting Assistant Goverflinent Agent at Nuwara Eliya, Assistant Gover Il Tlent Agent and District Judge at Mullaitivu, and
TWENTIETH CENTURY
Assistant Go WerIIT1 Int Justice of the Peace, Irent Agent's residenc
FRANIK
Mr. Frank Barlett, (overnmerit Agent, N оп January 27, I872, : shire being a sor Bartlett, who was for Trinity College, Oxfo out as a cadet in Dece rapidly through variou: Inents, he eventually be Tinent Agent at NL war extremely fond of shoo and is a IThe Tibet (of EE a metmber of the Hill Cl of the Coloninbo Club.
NORTHERN FERDINANDO Mr. F. H. Price, th Northern Provirice was and entered the Gove Colůmbo Kachcheri i year he passed through I87) was attached to the pura. Thic following duties of Police Magi: and Chavakachcheri, an Assistant Collector of After Serving in these pActing Assistant Gover Eliya; Private Secretary Commissioner of Requi trate, Kalpitiya ; Acting surer; Acting Chairm; Colombo, and Mayor held Inahy other appo Wils on special service a Agent, Western Provi: appointed Government of Uva, III q. 5 he bet Ilent Agent, Trincoma was given his present
JOHN
Mr. J. Scott, the Assist Northerr Province, M. April 24, 1878, and is has been in the Ceyli IgoI, his first service Kachcheri, In 1902 h at Ntwara Eliya, to th Central Province, and Assista. It at Kandy
IMPRESSIONS
Agent at Matale, and a The Assistal Governe is the Park, Matale.
தீ
BRTLETT.
B. A. Oxoti. the Assistant u Wara Eliya, was born Lt Pershot, Worcester. if the Rev. Robert E. bWelte ers Fellow us rd. Ir, Bartlett Larne mber, 1895, ald passing s Civil Scrvice appointcall Assistant Gower24 Eliya inı Igo5. He is ting, fishing, and thusic, le Ceylon Fishing Club, lub and COLIntry member
PROVINCE.
LLY FRICE, të Government Agent, born on May 25, 1855, riftient Service at the 1878. During the first variu5 offices, ad in * Police Court at RatnaFezi. The pierfror 11ed the strat at Paint Ped d later became Acting Customs, Trinccinalce. }sitions, hic: officiated as Illerit Agent, Nuwara ta fhe Lieut.--Gavernor | :st5 and Police MagisMissistant to the TreaIl Municipal Council, of Colombo. Hie als intments. In 19:o lhe i Assistant Government ce, and in Igo I was Agent of the Province kille A53istakıt (Gyerce, and subsequently ppointIIIent.
COTT.
at Government Agent, 111 rı2A., "W":15 brIII 1 | B.A., Cantab.). He 1 Civil Service since being at the Kandy Wis Extra Assistant Government Agent, later Acting Office the same official.
OF CEYLON
Afterwards he was transferred to the Colonial Secretary's Office; was Acting Office Assistant to the Government Agent, Jaffna ; Acting Police Magistrate, Jaffna ; Extra Assistant to the Government Agent at Marinar; and Acting Assistant Government Agent at the same place. He served in the latter capacity until he was appointed to his present position,
தீ
CHARLES YN LIENTINE BRALYNE,
Mr. C. W. Brayne, B.A. Cantab., the Assistant Government Agent, Northern Province, Mullaitivu, was bor 11 on August 17, I877, and entered the Ceylon Civil Service in 1901, at the Jaffna, Kachi chieri. I rn Igo3 hc was transferred to the Mallnar Kachcheri, and later was appointed Acting Office Assistant at Anuradhapura to the Gover III ent Agent, North Central Province, In 1905 he was Assistant Collector of Custorts Trincomalee; and in 1906 he became Acting Assistant Government Agent,
Lulla iliyul.
ق
SOUTHERN PROWINCE.
CHARLES MORANT LUSHINGTON.
Mr. C. M. Lushington, the Government Agent and Fiscal for the Southern Province, was born on December 26, 1854, and entered the Ceylon Civil Service in 1876. He was first attached to the Colonial Secretary's Office; ther he was transferred to the Police Court, Colombo, and later acted for the Police Magistrate of Balapiitimodarah. I rl IE878 he beca Ime Acting Office Assistant to the North-Western Province Government Agent, and five years later was appointed Police Magistrate of Jaffna. He acted as Assistant Government Agent, Puttalam, ir I3-84, and 15 District Judge at the sa me place in 1888. In March, I88g, he was District Judge, Kegalla, and in July District Judge, RatrapLira, afterwards going con leave. On returning he acted as Assistant Govern(lat: lit Agent., & C. Negalıbo, Trı I 8çgi he became Police Magistrate (Acting, Colombo; in 1892 he was Acting Assistant Government Ageiat at Nuwara Eliya and Hambantota respectively, and in 1893 officiated as Acting District Judge, Batticaloa, In 1894 he received the appointment of Acting Assistant GovernTnent Agent at Matara and Niu wara Eliya Tespectively, and in 1896 was transferred to Trinitialee as acting Assistant Genlient Agent. He was proIIloted in go to Acting Government Agent, Eastern Province, in iddition to his other dutics and in Igos became Acting Government Agent, Province of Uva, and subsequently was given the post he now fills.
Page 117
TWENTIETH
J. O'K, MURTY,
The sketch of the career of this gentleman appears elsewhere.
அே
GEORFREY MONTAGUE COOKSON.
Mr. G. M. Cookson, B.A. Oxon., the Assistant Government Agent, Matara, was
born on November I4, 1867. He entered the Secretariat in I89 II, and in I892 acted as Assistant Collector of Customs, Trincomalee. He filled various appointments subsequently, such as Office Assistant to the Government Agents, Police Magistrates, Assistant Collector of Customs, Acting Government Agent, Superintendent of Police, Colombo, Police Magistrate, &c. He was appointed to his present position in 1904.
نو
EASTERN PROVINCE. EDWARD RANCIS BOPKINS,
Mr. E. F. Hopkins, B.A. Dublin, the Government Agent, Fiscal, and Collector of Customs for the Eastern Province, was born on June 17, 1851. His first appointment in the Ceylon Civil Service was at the Colonial Secretary's Office in 1874, and after passing through other offices he was in 1877 made Police Magistrate of Matara and later of Avisa wella. In 1883 he was Acting Office Assistant to the Government Agent, Southern Province, and in I883 and 1884 officiated as District Judge at Kegalla and Badulla. In I890 he was Acting Commissioner of Requests and Police Magistrate, Kandy, and the following year was appointed Assistant Government Agent, &c., Vavuniya and Mullaitivu. Returning from leave in 1892, he acted as Commissioner of Requests at Colombo, and subsequently held the position of District Judge of various districts, and in Igo3 was Registrar-General. In 1904 he was appointed Acting Governmerit Agent, Eastern Province, and subsequently the appointment was confirmed.
ダ
。岁
CHARLES STEYART YAUGHAN.
Mr. C. S. Vaughan, B.A. Cantab., the Assistant Government Agent for the Eastern Province, Trincomalee, was born on May 23, 1866. He joined the Ceylon Government Service in 1889, and since then has held various appointments in the Civil Service. He has been Acting Assistant to the Government Agents, Assistant Government Agent, Assistant Collector of Customs, District Judge, &c.
அே
CENTURY IM
NORTH.WESTER
HERBERT RAYN Mr. H. R. Freeman, ( the North-Western Pro March 6, 1864. He c retariat in 1885, and through several offices. Magistrate, Matara; Ol Government Agent fo at Galle ; Assistant C Commissioner of Reque trate, Kandy; Landing Colombo, &c., he was the position of Assistar and District Judge, Chi. year as Assistant Govern Subsequently he obtail he holds at the present
9ع
ROBERT NIEMI Mr. R. N. Thaine, B.A ant Government Agent f Province, Puttalam, wa 1875. He entered the at the Galle Kachche
filed numerous Goverr as Acting Commissione District Judge, Acting Landing Surveyor (Cus
s
R. G. SAl
The sketch of the Saunders, Assistant Gov Western Province, appe District Judges.
2
NORTH CENTR.
GEORGE SEADY
Mr. G. S. Saxton, C Anuradhapura for the N was born on April 3, Colombo Kachcheri in same year was emplo and in the Galle and Ka sequently he became . trate, Police Magistrati Government Agents, Agent, Acting Governn in I902, he was appoin for the Province of S subsequent date he wa adhapura as Governme Central Province.
PROVINCE
BERBERT
Mr. H. White, Gove Province of Uva, was
IPRESSIONS
RN PROVIINCEC.
ER KREE (IAN. Government Agent for vince, was born on came out to the Secsubsequently passed After acting as Police ffice Assistant to the
r Southern Province ollector of Customs,
sts, and Police Magis
Surveyor (Customs), appointed, in I902, to it Government Agent aw, and the following ment Agent, Puttalam. ned the appointment
time.
ANN "THAINIE. A. Cantab., the Assistor the North-Western is born on January I, Ceylon Civil Service, ri, in 1898. He has ment positions, such r of Requests, Acting g Police Magistrate, toms), Colombo, &c.
NORS.
career of Mr. R. G. ernment Agent, Northars under the heading
AL PROVINCE.
EL S.XTON.
Government Agent at orth Central Province, I858. He entered the 1879, and during the yed at the Secretariat undy Kachcheris. SubActing Police Magise, Acting Assistant to Assistant Government ment Agent, &c., until, ted Government Agent Sabaragamuwa. At a s transferred to Anurint Agent for the North
OF UVA.
' Y8.
rnment Agent for the born on August 25,
OF CEYLON 109
1857, and was appointed by the Secretary of State to the Kandy Kachcheri in 1879. He filled various positions in different Kachcheris, was Acting Police Magistrate, Acting Office Assistant to Government Agents, Acting Commissioner of Requests, Police Magistrate, Acting District Judge, District Judge, and Acting Government Agent at different times up to 1896. In that year he become Second Assistant Colonial Secretary. He was also subsequently Acting Secretary to the Central Irrigation Board. In 1899 he was appointed Principal Assistant Colonial Secretary and Acting Secretary to both the Loan Board and the Central Irrigation Board. He held the office of Chairman of Municipal Council, Colombo, and Mayor of that town in Igoo, and in 1903 and 1904 was Registrar-General. In 1905 he was on half-pay leave, and afterwards received his present appointment.
9
PROVINCIE OF SABARAGAMUWA.
ROBERT BAILEY HELLINGS.
Mr. R. B. Hellings, the Government Agent at Ratnapura for the Province of Sabaragamuwa, was bern on April 16, 1853, and entered the Ceylon Civil Service in I885, being first attached to the Secretariat. Later he was transferred to the Treasury and afterwards to the Ratnapura Kachcheri. In 1888 he was Assistant Collector of Customs, &c., Trincomalee, and in 1889 officiated as Acting Assistant Goverment Agent at the same place. From Trincomalee he was transferred to Anuradhapura as Acting Office Assistant to the Government Agent. He was subsequently Acting District Judge, Acting Police Magistrate, District Judge, Commissioner of Requests, Colombo, and Assistant Government Agent, Matale. He was appointed Government Agent of the Province of Sabaragamuwa in 1906. \
x
தி
MAL00LR, SEYENS0N.
Mr. Malcolm Stevenson, the Assistant Government Agent at Kegalle, is the son of the late Mr. Alexander Stevenson. He was born on March 25, 1878, at Lisburn, and is a graduate of Trinity College, Dublin. He was appointed to the Ceylon Civil Service on November 22, I9o, and on arrival in Ceylon on December 23rd of the same year was attached to the Colombo Kachcheri. On March 18, 1902, he was appointed acting office assistant to the Government Agent, Ratnapura. On May 1, Igo4, he was appointed office assistant to the Government Agent, Badulla. On January I, I9o5, he was admitted to the fourth class of the Civil Service, and on February 18, Igof, he
Page 118
110
served as Additional Assistant to the GoverInent Agent, Northern Province, and Additional District Judge, Manitar, in connection with the parl fishery. On the termination of the fishery he was appointcd Assistant Government Agent, Kegalla. Mr. Stevenson is a member of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland. His recreations arc tennis and hockey,
parl
:::
ஜி"
THE CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT.
The Ceylon (Custons Ide parliment differs from that of many other colonies in that it deals solely with sca Customs and his rio control over the Excise or the collection of other internal revenues. The departitherit is presided over by the Principal Collector of Customs, who also acts als Superinterident of Wrecks and Registr ar Jf Shipping and Seannen. In 1853 the Customs was transferred to the Local Gover Illiiert,
THE HON. M.R. L. W. B00:T.H. The Hon. Mr. L. W. Both is cling as Principal Collectror of Customs, and it sketch of his career is to be found under the Legislative Council scction, of which Council he is :L ITierLubert (e. y cyffi a fu.
او
WILLIAMI EDWARD THORPE
This gentleman, the Deputy Collector of
W. E. TEORPE,
Customs in Ceylon, is an East Anglian by birth, his parents on both sides being natives
TWENTIETH CENTURY
of N-rfolk, H is the Thorpe, Vicar af Go born on February 15, 1 at St. El 11 i Irld's Schi Cassel, Germany. Aft joined a London insura his appointinent in years' service. In 189 Civil Scrvice, being a the Goverri ılerııt Agen Province of Ceylon. Office Assistant to the the Nurth-Central Prr ferred two years-late:T to the Northern Prw iuccessively held the Magistrate of Matale, Government Agent of the Western Province, placed in charge of thi. Province in addition t thic duties of Assistar Agent. In 1899 he w Assistant Gover 11 ILLE. It llowing year the was ap of MataTa, if the so Lull latter position he held which period, in Igl3 to fill the post of P Thorpe was promoted in 105.
يع
EDWARD BRA Mr. E. B. DenhäIT, for the Ceylor Governi and Educated at Mal College, Oxford. He 89), alld since that positions under Govert these being Private S. Gy'TIT Willist thL:: Governor, Secretary to Acting Second Assistill Secretary of the Ribber &c,. He was appoint Landing Surveyor in Sir John Keen he alte: the: Sult:LI1 of Maldive. for special service with
C. M. LU:
II. C. M. I.Lislii
Southerıı Province, Age:mt atıld particular given LL I det i hi haldi
F. H. Mr, Price, thic North is also Government. A sketchęl else whic Te.
MPRESSIONS
: SCII) of the Rey, E. S. ring, Sussex, and was 869. He was cducated 30l. Canterbury, and at *T lis 5choğl cıreer lie ince office, and resigned hat Loncern aster two I he entered the Ceylon tached to the office of t of the North-Western In 1892 he becarine the Government Agent of vince, and was transin the same capacity, ince. Mr. Thorpe next appointinents of Police Office Assistant to the Sabaraganuwa, and of : lind i]] | 8çJ7 he y:15 : Elice of the Wester
heing entrusted with to the Gaer.IIIlcInt 15 RBIl c) Chilaw 35 Agelit, and in the fulpointed District Judge h of the island. This for three years, after the Werlt ton Colo IIIb, lice Magistrale, Mr. to his prescIt position
略
DIE IDENHA. the Landing Surveyor ment, was born in 187s, Er T1 lIIl lL Mertor Fil:Hait: ut fo (Ceylon it it the hills held various IT14-ilt, the principal of relr I the Lic.- latter was Acting he Agricultural Board, il Colonial Secretary, Exhibition Commit Lee, di tŮ the position of July, Iggs, aid, with Ideii lhE corolition of H. W:LS also secondex
ihrLL pearl fisherigs
EHINGTON.
glon, tlie Colleclor, 8 alăU (vernment
of his career are g Gover III cnt Agents.
FIE
ri Province Collector, Il 2. Il lis ::rger i5
OF CEYLON
E. F. HOPKINS, Mr. E. F. Hopkins, Collector, Eastern Prowince, is Government Agent, and a notice of his carcer appears amongst the Government
Agents.
鲸、
EDUCATIONAL
En CeylůIn higher exil Lication is Imainly Eleft to local effort, though the Government entirely supports one high school, the Royal College, Colombo. The other high schools are maintain cd on the gran t-in-aid principle. The Education. Department is under the control of thic Director of Public IIIstruction, and this official has charge of the Technical College, Colomb.J. The Government schools are all unsectarian. The cost of education in departin cital schools is borrle almost entirely by the Govern Linent, the cost of the school buildings being the only ilein of expenditure iro TT1 which the Central Government is relieved, Tcachers in departinental schools receiving salaries of Rs.25 or over are entitled to pensions, which they inly clait after they have passed the fifty-fifth year of their age.
தீ
JOHN HAR WARD, M.A.
Mr. John Harward, M.A. is the 1}ircutor of Public Instructioli. He is the son of Mr. Arthur Harward of Works worth, II) crbyshire, and was born in that place in 1858. He was educated al. Durhatin School froth) 18siq to 1877, and at University College, Oxford, frem the latter year until 1881, when he graduated B.A. From 1882 to 1892 he was an Assistant Masler at Bright oth College, and in the latter year he у епt out to Ceylon to take up an appointment as Principal of thc: ERoyal College, Colombio, He became in 1898 Acting Director of Public Irislı'LLCt in Jr, ard was alter Lately Principal of the Royal College and Actitig Director of Public Instruction until 1 go2, when he coinbined the office of Acting Director with his own duties, In 1903 he was appointed per. manently as L0irector of Public Iristir Ilction.
ناق
EDWARD ERNEST DAYIDSON. The Assistant to the Director of Public
Istruction. Mr. E, E, Davidson, is a ra:Live of Լւ:lkյTl, whére he Was hoffith irl lihue year 18:58, His father was Dr. J. W. Davidson, who during his lifetime enjoyed a lengthy practice in the islatiti. Before '&leliing the aige: if faurteen years Mr. Davidson had travelled a great deal visiting several countries with his P.L.I]ts, Returning, he was educated at the Roy:Ll College, Colombo, and his triaining Completed he entered the service of the Qüv"ETrılırleİı.
Page 119
TWENTIETH
BARRUARA
驚
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Ti" AWA
LLLLLS S S SLSLSLSLS S S SS T TTT ST
W
CENTURY IM
STAFF OF INSTRUCTORs, CEY LON GOVERNMENT TECH
six years-ID to 10-he was he spector of the Post Office, being ther
Mr. D.Lidson
FOI
III.
appointed to his pesett pist, is a mil all-rici u lil sport simili: Tl.
s
R. B. STRICHLAN).
Mr. R. B. Strickland, in Inspector of Schools an di Agiling Director of Public Instructior, is the son of the late George Strickland, Lild Wals born in Yorkshire in February 3, 1857. Ie was educaled at Ricades School in Yorkshire. and at Dublin riversity, where he took his Master's degree. Returning to Yorkshire, he LLLLLa aL aa00LLaaLLLL LLLLaaaaL aa 0LLL LLkT GLLLLLL he had been a pupil, and later hic Scrved in : similar capacity at lepier's School. Durtaill, and Lt Wolverhanjilon, III 184 hc Went ti i Jamaica is an Inspector of Schools, and was tra T1 sierricci to CeylL-IL Light ye:Lrs lik liet".
تقع
RO' H. L. COL L.E. i E.
Mr. Charles Hartley, M.A. tle Princilial of the Royal College, Col. IIIb, was born it Beccles, i Li, Suffolk, in 1835. He wit-, el catel first It Il Privat: 5chIHol, Hrld Hl. Fall:C_1ibLrg Grammar School, 13 cicles. Fru III 1 S73) li II I FF, he was at Marlborough, and iroim ther: ht: went til M.I.Ligdalern College, C.II bir iklige, Il'ičil he graduated B.A. there in 1587, Whilst it Cambridge E. Wils cliptiliil. Uf his college l: ill. Upon the completion of his Iniversily cours: Elle begitimt: al schi, Ilımı:Eisler, his first :Ipuii lIllel being that of Classical Mlast criit W. Tesler
Calcdral School. He Millerin Languitges all Christ College, Bricoth, Master Li Marlboroug becline Lecturer in El guages al Royal Coll 1903 succeeded Mr. H 1hiլt irլ31i1utiնէն:
CERNE
COL
Ir, Ewir ExFlII Principal of the i Lywer Լtչlւյ111ht 1.
Til vyras appointétl | ill lւյ32,
H: "Wis;
EDWIN HUMAN
MII", Edwin IIшп:1 1 the SpicriTı terciteit Col Colombo, was Li'll C y:: l'inici 5:45, LT1 I ! dale Iron works, Stri slovec E , i 115 Ör at Yarrow's shipbuil was jii hicci by the tչեւ հIlitill titlLICatilTi L|IOIls LILIch loi ih4
:,:lı mii:Al exiluCl4, tii') Withill Llle l:L:1 tile:1
lığı 5 de 'qı təsil alı, Çili Tı:
leisur: lv) v'ull. Interii riik t;i i fantry' in 1:yCf. F
IPHESSIONS
I.A.L. L.E.E.
was then successively and Cl45sical Mäster at
:Lill der T.:l gag: h College, Il 18s, he glislı alır.Ld. Mlčjdert L&LI)- ege, ColoITıbo, arıd in ::::Twrci žis Principal { If
தீ
NT TRAINING
LEGE.
s, B.Sc. Lild, is the Il ret T1':ii ing Collega, bril J11 Junie 27, 13f;), : I his piTCSILL positiv. III
*
A.M.I.C.E. A.I.E.E.
II, .MI.T.C. E. W. T. E. E., the Technical Colleg, 11 October 28, T85, Lind gineer, first al. Coalbrookfler","":Lr'l: li: ks ir LIT1rlora, 11l fili Illy 11 (8)3 he
iverTTTerit. O ČTg, his: in Ceylor, and te his - vist itt''voot i
opistaire.
tliling y:Artil.
.." Hictı hı:Lis Eole: 1 1 11:kl:
l: is lue. Mr. EIuLE:II jxi:r;Lhl: por lio: 11 of lh i83 g, and retired with the m i hic Cit:ylicum Ligthit IIIhe is a golfer, heing
OF
CEYLON 11
Honorary Secretary of the ColoIIb). Golf Club and a mether rif the Nuwara Eliya
(Golf (CILL),
தீ
THOMAS4 COCHERILL.
This gentleman, who holds the important position of Instructor in Electrical Engineering and Telegraphy at the Ceylon Technical College. Colinho was bori at Holto.1), Lillicashire, in 1863. He was educated at the Church Institute, Blt II, Manchester Technical School, and Owens College, M.Lachester ; a Tid he subsequently served with the Northern Elecrical Engineering Company, Hollor. He was Lecturcr in Electrical Elgineering Tid ElectroMetallurgy at the Bolton Technical Schial under the BalticaT1 Corporation | srC II" 1891 tro I898; and during 1897 and 1848 he filled the same post at the Halifax Technical School, Yorkshire. He was a registered teacher of the City and Guilds of London Institute. He cattle to Ceylon in 1898 as Instructor in Electrical Enginecring and Telegraphy, on LPTCirl" IIlent by the Secretary of State. Mr. Cockerill is also the Officer Cornillarding the Technicall College Company of the Ceylor Light Infantry. Experimental work and research for IIl his particular hobby, and his qualificatiolis is scientific: knowlelgic are: high." He is al silwer Illedalist of the City and Guilds of London for electro-Letallurgy , Indl hlas obtained first-class honours irn electrical engineering and power distribution, besides first-class ordinary for telegraphy and telephany, and several certifi
W
IECMAS IIJLEERILL, II. s Lr Lietur im Flerric:LL EIl giricii III a. Id Telegriphy",
Technical Colli::1, Culkitiibo,
c: les in metallurgy and chemistry frçITT1 the Sciencų arci Art Depart II)ent Londroll. III
Page 120
112
additic 111 to his other official duties, he acted as Uity Analyst in Colombs, also is gels inspLetor, from 14.700 to IPO4, and 35 clectrical adviser to the Inunicipality of Colombo, 1899 to Ix3. He is a Fellow of the Chetnical Society, London, Il Tid a Ilı Associate of the Institute of Electrical Elgineers, I.-II kl. 11.
தீ
ALFRED BARTLAM.
Mr. Bartlan, who holds the post of Drawing Master in the Technical College, Col inbo, is a
W
W
W ནི་ ༣༦
AT FEREI) BAFTLAMI. iltiiving inster, Tuchnical College, Colinals.
certificatex Art Master of the Departiment «ni Educatio, London. He was born at Lichfield, Staffordshire in (ii, and educated at his native town. Alter pursuing a course of studies at the Royal College of Art, South Kensingtoll, Lindon, hic yw:Lis selected for teachi ng appointIncints at the London dcry School of Science ind Art, also uIller the I.olllon an«l Slifordshire County Councils, To his present respon. sible position he was appointed by the Colonial Office, London, in May, Igoo. Mr. Bartlain holds : rt and science certificates from the Art and Slicice Department, Lond oil, lild tech nological certificates from the City and Guilds qui Londonn Trustitute, atid is a i Inertubur of the Society of Art Maslets. He also holds the post of Hon, Secretary of the Ceylon Society of Arts,
ثه
SCHOOL GARDEN. S.
CHRISTOPHER DRIEBERG, B.A., F.H.A.S.
Mr. C, Drieberg, the Superintendert Jf the School Gardens, was horn on December 17, 1853. He was appointed in 1889 to the position
TWENTIETH CENTURY
of Superintendent of t and to his present post
ST. THOMAS'S CO
St. Thomas's College in Ceylon of the Suci of the Gospel, found. Right Rev. James Chap billi Chillan TIT blo, with the : na Ted society, his b since March, 1851, with as its visitor. Beginn the numbct has risen but ı lı LIIhde of yol: Cathedral stands irl Lhe is used tıs a College ch: iling clı Oral Tızatinı5 alınd tlı ge: College is alın Çırpı sixteel buys are traine free board and caluca always beer ited fo boys, and the College familiar throughout th Sinhalicsc officials, esp. as hourders appreciati given, with particular II kri y wledge of which tibi if this islami il lhe dist duties, Milny dislingu: legi al al:nd IT1 cdical por among Thomians, incl
TEIE LA
Weidl, Judge Grenier, M.L.C. Judge de Sara Pereira, K.C. (Solicitor
MIPRESSIONS
le 3 chool of Agriculture
102.
LEGE COLOMBO.
the chiei estahlish Inment. ly for the Propagation i and teindowed by thc Ilhan, D.D., first Bishop ssistırı içe of tlıc ibÇıvcet) in active operation the Bishop of Colombo 11 g vith sevenly hay's, to Kiver fuur hun drcd, II le boarders. The College compuund, and pel, al borders atterid. evensong. Attached to llan asylum, in which l as servants, receiving ior. St. Thorn-L5's his * the lexyalty of its could illotlo, Esfu Perihelia, is 3 isl:Lind. Low-country !cially, send heir sons ng the gol education it tentirl to English, the 1gic proves so valuable :hilige of governmental ished Illernher's of the Kildes:siis II'e ultel Liding Hon. Mr. Justice
OF CEYLON
Dias Baldaramaike, C.M.G. (Maha Mudaliyar), and others hardly less Well-know 11.
By the generosity of old boys and friends, I first-rate laboratory has heel recently built arid fully equipped, and studicints are now prepared for the London Matriculation and riterilledille, als well as CatInbridge: Local, exArtinitiaticJ15. The athletic side of school life is well provided for, and crickel, fotball, and tennis are not Conly popular, but also relch a high level as school games go, The cricket clicyen scIT years past has had many fine players, and has illet with great success in inter-collegiate matches. The gronds roh which the College stands arc spacitus and cool, and the site is one of the heal hiest in Ceylon, and las undoubtcdly contributed nuch to the maintenance of the longContin Led SLLccess of St. Th01111s's als a boarding cstablishment. The Wisitor of the College is the Right Rev. A. E. Copleston, D.D. in succession to the present Mctropolitırı tos lindia and Ceylon,
#
WESLE COLLEGE
This institution is under the Illinagement of the Wesleyan Mission in C:ylon and was opened for the purposes of higher education on March 2, 1874, in the premises still occupied in the Pettah adjoining-and, in fact, with the Girls' High School enveloping-thic Pellah Church the oldest of the Mission's churches in the island, having bc.cn built in thc year
BORATORY, ST. THOMAS's COLLEGE, COLOMBO.
Hor. Mr. Obcyesckere, n, C.M.G., Mr. Witler ieneral), Ilon Solomot
I 815. The first Principal of the College was thc Rev. S. R. Wilkit, low engaged in Tinis
terial work in England. Although at first ortly
Page 121
TWENTIE 'TH
CEN'TURY I
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屿
able to receive a few day scholars, the College rapidly increased it. Ilurinbers, and for the last ten yeiLrs ha 5 had about five huntil Ted scholars annually. With this ilu Inbet the limit of aaLaaLLHHLLLLLtH LCCL Laa LLLCLLLLLLS LLLLL LH erection (af larger pretnises on anulher sitt has beçe II11 e necessary. III its tęductive work the College is subject to the Departinental Code of Gover Illent and LI ILual inspection by the Gover Tittent III spector. It was, during ils earlier history, affiliated with the University of LLaLLLSS SaLL LCaCaLLLL HLMLLLLLL LL LLL students figure hanourably in the records oi that Alina Mater. When the Carinh ridge Local Examilitions were established in Ceylon, Wesley College was Lilong the earliest 'clicative instit Litions to send pupils lu LILI dergo these tests, and fair the pist twenty years still of its LLLLLLL LHtCSLa LL alLLL LLLLL LHHLC L LLL LLLLLL and the Junior examinations held an III:lly, while Wesley College students have frequently gained places it he HILIrs Classes or other distilctixis, It was nyt till ISK, hoveycr th:it the Ceylon (overririlent Scholarship first callic to the Wesley Cullege: ; hut since that date th:1 Coveled prix.L tas tyylice: fallen tu 3 its pitupils, aTitl the Gilchrist Scholarship. (11e of allost cquail value, has by:L11 WOII CICC hy LT1 alumns of this College.
In the year Lix) il clict crimined effort was
irilia tecl tcu seCĻI: EL III: superior buildings fr. ally a sche ille wa5 forı IrlostEcd by the GDver Ely which a gr:at : direction was mide site within the in unici iii. Il T14 ur: ’Il a Ilici
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PRFSSIONS OF CEYLON I13
COLLEGE,
|cre suitable locality and the College, and graduIl Lilialę«d, li Intl subsequently ing Committee at Hamme, ilya ilçe: in tlıe de 5irci tissill, III IO2 : T.W. :al limits of the city, but le:Llthic part was pur
chased. Here, during the years I as and 1906 i very hal Tids the set of college builtlings has been Erect ccd, ha ving a fra Prılage çif weer CXII st. In cd with der II nitory and other accom III xliiii III for a hLildred resident pupils. The new prerilises are expected to be fully reacly for Hecupation it. Illiary, y07. To keep Tilce with the great advance in science study 1:-
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Page 122
114 TWENTIETH
quited by the affili;Ltion with London University', chEIIniCal laboratrie5 are il clide: il Ele desigil of the new huildings.
CENTURY IM
the towns. Sut Catholi. :::e11 periel Wohl: T: tht Where the patents COLll
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ST. BENEDIT'S INSTITUTE.
ST. JOSEPH'S COLLEGE,
The Catholic Church has always been the witchful und solicil 1118 mith LT rf Eclucati. In :Li1«l shle: carh cl;liıTı to 1ıilLve 5pre;hcl «I Wʻur the world the light. Tot only If IJivine, but als of hilth: Il kilwledge, Schools, colleges, titl universilies hive Spring Lip under her fistering Carl wherever she has established herstils,...; hal her missiin: ries halve eş yer recognised that religion and education should g hard in hand, The late Cariliil Manning since said th:lt if he LKLLL LLLLHHLLLLLLL LS LLLGEL0LaL LaE LLLLS LLLLL LHLHHLMS arhed sich Hills, lhe v,v'ull giv'e L4 the churche:s 11il keep the schools, The views allcl work Uf the ChiLLrch iT Clicylic III ir regard ta' education are the 8:1111|- als Elsewhere, and the work hits i»llığı'.w:d Lhici s:Hrınc: little:33, YVI'lı ile L here: iş 11:3 |Inleintirri II Lacle of any Calhčilic. : chorol hering in existence in th: island in 81, six years later 3 hild becil stablished, and sixteen years liter theri: Were I Catholic schuls, with 4.3o8 TLi Tbil%, III 18ı I Lhi : Tılının bir qıf such siz:hor:till: in Ceylon was 3^8, attentled bỷ 2+UCø pupils, 9,00 mĩ \\'ll orm were girls. Im 18ụ5 :In :idxlitional 4,000 Catholic childrei is tended the $ich Hills of their rowth TL'ligiith ; il 11 til in 1875, 4.435 Tupils of whiУп II, 35 were girls, wuru: 'L':&iwilig inst", c:t i III ir 1 374 C:Litholic schi Hills.
Eglish is 11 it taught it all thes: skillials. Li principle adlı rpterli heçirig till:A l k TL 'wledge: «If the: Europe; it longue was nol advisable where it would have had the effect of Inaking the natives discontented with their condition and &llising them to give up agricultural or other pursuits for inferior a Indl priccarious possilii iins in
education which ten 1he Ialure i : luxury oT, hsoliite Icessity. At tl
lish sills iii. 1 hit Li St. Benedigl's Institute, th: large< :ırırd Tırx31 Fırtı;
PRESS)NS
: HEI) glish schools have :3 were will Inted, arid i liff I’d lo pay for an
ii' hildr is if 1.
li t ii 11 W r : Le: 1 roll iL T 1L hL:1tl | s th:8; Eng
OF CEYLON
culturny, which gives educali i yra ta’ Tritore har I.o.o. boys, and is conducted by the Christian Brothers-the devoted sons of St. John Baptisi de la Sille. Mary ex-pupils of this institution :Lr: 11W filling with credit situations, thinkler Government and in business houses, For the greitt III.:Lji yrity of Cathrylic boys requiring arı English education, the Luition given at St, Beledict's is sufficient for an ordinary com. 1 meTCi:ıl :LTıl cleTiÇ:ıll 11:Liviılig.
It was felt aid admitted, however, that there t;xisted a class of Catholic pupils, including the issite wliio IiiiI IL cd : t thic learTieled professions and the highet officcs under Gover II Internt, who WY'-e'-' : ibiligel 44 g4 furt het ir their studies tlııın the curriculum of St. He edict's would carry thL: I11. Fe II" These a classical and scientific: erlLLkilii -Il was a necessity. Nobicly recognised this w; it. Thire keeilly than the first Archbishi op of Colorrhoi, Dr. 13 onjican, O, M.I., who hit kl 111.1cilę els: lici 11 1 the sturly of his life: ; and his grie:Fiat tillerits a Titl experience Irızarked hiin filt is thl: lihan tu prepare the way for the foundation of the institution destined to supply tlı is Tequire II let. Great is were the dificulties in th: Way, greater still was his deterinitiation 311d perse verance; and te his persisterce in Lirging the teel is due thic establishinert in Colombi f : C:1tholic college. On Jautry Č, T 872, Liter ye:Lrs of strair and susp11st Ltd striving in the pursuit of the end
ST. JOSEPH'S COLLEGE,
REплim Lubelie
s: f Club stril
Kotilho=1; II, Columbo,
gressive: school in the
upLIL Which he h:Ld sct his he:LTt, and çimly six In 11th5 hef Ire liis deth, le atldre85cri a Kirring and pathetic pistoral (in the subject to the
Page 123
TWENTIETH
Catholics of the archdikese, in which he fully exprimunded his views. "We shull l-ie prepared," he said. " to offer to those Catholic youths whom their social position or their natural abilities impel to look forward towards the liberal professions or to the highest Governlent employments opened to 11:Lives Tleil Tiing boys born in Ceylon), a course of studies higher than what is now provided for, and which neets the requirements of the large Iraj Tity of our boys-that is, a course of classical raining ur it collegiate education." The alged Prelate's eithest, tollching, and ilded, last appeal was liberally answered by the Catholic laity assembled in a public meeting in April 2, 1892, under a special hlessing of the Holy See and Rs. 1 R,500 were subscribed :lt its close.
CENTURY I
Llye liricoperty", hul libi princitr5 cÈ the Colle cerial sit: "W."; tlh | of the College buill Messrs, lk., So
contraccors of Cl_XII: super vising the buildi trusted to the Ohlat. F stille was laid hy. His Apostolic, Mgr, Žalesk and the College was March 2, 18., with a College and Preparat ilg, bıcı"evet, being lı ւ, as thirtl"","Tւ մբ:Il li serill Linoth & the ringled with the
At this titner Linjieri 'Ls tikri sa li : l M II u twil : prrperty of twenty-seven acties, krijwIn as
pfl:11 cls. Etı tı:ırbılır. was exposed to the hracing air of the open
.
I Likere. I skill ип
HHHLHHLLLL LLL LLL LLLLL LL aLLCaa C LL LLLL C LLLLLL LLL LLLL CHLHS LLLllsL S LLLL c0 La
LHaLaLL L LLLLL LHHLC LHHL LLLLLLCL LLL LLLLLL aLLS CCCLaS HHHLLLL LLLL LL CCLLHS LLL LLLLLaLLLL Tequired. A lill-gral II) vo".1: ŠILI. U tlı Superir_4 - General if the Ohlites, with the result that, LLLSaaLLaL GaC aaLLLLLLLaS LLLLL LLLLLLLLLg LLL 137.000 francs was built, Laaa LCLL S LLLLL LLLLLa SLSLaSaaagLLCH LL CLL property it vis f Fund that the larld Was Tigquired by Lhı : G. We:rılır. Ele:Lt.
Lld plards
HI '','',':'r, Llor protriitlcd negotiations, li n : rTa TigerLinerit was LLHHLLL LLLL HLLLLHS aaa LLLLLLLHLLLLHHLLLLLLL LLLLtLCLL
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1ւսիils. Tlit milՀiյtis compiled their wrk *file:Enilly bles5cci bio ?aleski, Teleglt Áp 1 Row, and formally day by His Excelle West Ridgeway.
Thı : Çiğillerge : is çağır Mary tiraculate, lin E3, Fiat L. Lejlil
If I || E. ir 1 it iii ) , prists ad wlı ile lırly, 1 cıchers
תLוונצlil
th: Pri; Titory Sch i 1 : ht: (Cillege sire: [371 biridge: L. J. Clil ialıd fı.
EXI i Ilii F. LITI1.
MPRESSIONS
: rally coln.perusaled the
The Present riot
The plans ing were entrusted to
& C, the well-kro W1 ılık, fırıd the ". Kırk tıf rg Operation5 Was erilhers, The fallraditionExcellency th: 1):legate i, u11 December 2, 1894.
opened for classics CT1 ola of 30 pupils in the Till by Lilllished, Illy half of it in the students, and fri
noi5: If the haIIIIler voices of teilchers L Tid
ge.
il:Cquirted.
ITy Schricul,
5
OF CEYLON
* Lump-Sun Grant." System, the College first received Guverninent aici in 1903, when that system was established in Ceylon, Speaking of this grant in his Report for 1903, the Rector said humorously : " Let, however I10 (orhe bie LLLLaa Laa LLLL LaHHS LLLHLLLLLLL LLLLLGGL L0L threate the of Lil State. The Government h:15, he: LT1 guilly of Iho extravagance in this respect. Next month I shall receive from the Treasu TeT the first ' IL-LITPSunri Grant " allowed hy the Government tu St. Joseph's College, and I shall-estee in myself for lunate if it pits 5 the saliry if the of ITly English masters for six months."
From the coln Illel cement the growth and success of the College were six great that Wilhill for yeaTs of its i 1:Lugarition a Lew wir H,
i lices
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N.N. COLLEGE,
ih Ii, Ili (:är1eri E. ET":8 lı:4",'iIı Eg St. Joseph's College was * His Excellency Migr. (Istili, on November 7, opt:1ckl Coll the fille Iwing 1cỵ the {är:vernar, Sir I,
Iducted by the Oblates of lthe First Rector, le Very I, I, I-II, 1s still (hl: lleill His 5-taff is Lornprised uf | 1:tivL: ;. Iid Euripe:I. tlk, the liter lisses ill
Hill, Thll: COLLISë fall wEd
Tes itu:leris fur tle Cal. I r tlic: Loridotu University lcT "hili i 5 : || 1:
:Ll111 05:L equal in size: Lon Lthe 111:Lith, builchi | ig,
Ti
idditi I coratı illis te:II iclass-rı III1rıs, this'']] leci Lift:- LLaSS L LLLLL LLS LLLLL La LaLHSLL GLLL La LLaLLLLSCLLC Mi1s1e1"5, Tlı „LIglı St. Jousg'plı"s prepı;ıre::; fi PT 111 (: publicxo gxi. IIiii1 la li iliš, its por HolguiiTlod ziirl is lh 4: high it oil. If producing, Lil IIllirtly ille II of
ElectLIII e necess:LITy" Tid yw"::: --Tiel.
culture, but III if irt, Llseful citizens, ald luy:Il subjects. Tthe CDTILL:r-style: Jí liht- LLUIT:Il structuTE hich the Rector is building is rispect f'JI :LI1cd obterdie rice tu za Lull1_prily ; LIIcd it is Ehe ci riduct in After-life i thise in ha', e :L:seitl Ltırcıgı tt: instituli UT1 till:Lt varill III:ki: Tılı; Tiest th:ıt St. Joseph's College hızı 5 peerı
truo: liJ its Iliotti 3, 7 JJ Score' FJ Fifa cif lof Fifa fé,
Page 124
116
ANANA LLEGE
The Tiricipal of the Ailindl. College, Сkululu, tle cliei Bulltist irisliluliu ir the island, is DrП Baron Jaxatilaka, B.A., the kill of D. L.Ltiel Lyalilakil, l:LIlded proprictor of Kelaniya, He HHT 1 Ft Kelariya in 188, а поl Eclucaled first at thш Willage school there art afterwards at Wesley Çollege, Çılbırlıbı, W'lıilst ileri iıe pi:ıssed hL: (Imbi ilge Local Jiricir ılıkl Seruir Exaltilations with distinctions in cl:Lissils,
El Llotil
"''LS
LH e cıtırıcc exaııiııııtiı of aLLLHHLLLa L a LLLL LCCCS SLHHLLLL LLLLLS S La degree of E.A. of that liniversity, with hill.irs. i 15II "Ti Ti to:
Edill Mcclaı ılırl Greier Eringlislı Prixe i ty,
i II English and classics. Hi:
Success&i'ye y':ırs. 'p-L HII th: 24.1 ITı polietilf yrı qıf hiss aeLLLLaa LLLHLLaL LrOS LLL HaSLLLL LLLL CLLaL LCL Principal of the Th:Lith:Irail College, which Wils thic kil (WII as the Buddhist High Schrirl. Hc amccupied this positia || LLEntil (898, with ein he hLeL:ä T1: Wicc-l’ıristicipal of the A III la College, 3 Iltl this Lippi billi timent al: F'Irincipal there: diales TUIn HJK),
தீ
CIT COLLEGE
This instit Lutik in-Whose militi is "The 'Lihi shalı TTıralic': 'CoLi Frc:: '—'w'a 5 içi, Ericile:Il boy" M.Tır. Sa ITILLI el Gree: I.e., MI, A., iii 1844, 3, 11 dl dl Tri:lig Lhe Fast ty":": "cīrs ir r, 80 pils nāve beela Adiliticci. 111 Septe: Ill her, I 8, the insti. tiLtich w:L& Tec ignis-ci by the: {Calcutta Univer. 5ily, Tcl in 187 it beca IT e lhe Colombo centre Kif tliet Lorida In Cicollege of E'recceptors, Thic: gLLLLLg LLL a LLLL Laa LGL LLaC CaaaaaLLS fil in the Mitricultitan Ex; miliaticit (if the this Crsity of 1. Indin in the following subjects : Eroglish, Latin, l: gie, t!lemẹmilary and higher algebra, arithmetic, geometry, brigIn Illelry :Lind cullic sectic ins; in the Senior LEJL:äl Ex:Lilitatioris, Cf Cambridge: Imiversity : in English, Latin, logic, history, arith inclic, physical science, algebra, geography, geometry, trigr Timmt:try, cornic sectivo11s, and religious kIIowledge ; in the Junior Carmhridge Licial Examinations ; il religius knowlerige, English, history, geography, Latin, arithmetic, algehra, Euclid, trigeiric II metry, statics, ciynaImics, heat, physical geography, botany, and frechard drawing. In the Seir Local ExATTinati II us 18 une of the students obtained distinction and second placc in Englishi iri ! he! island; while in the Junior Cambridge ExLiniIlation of Igo one of the studicits captured the first place in "heal" in all the colonies, I lhe: Preceptors' Examination distinctions were obtained in English, French, algebra, Euclid, :Iriltillnetic, geography, and religiou5 kilowledge Td studicīts vere ls successful i other exa II initions, it mong thern the Govern. melt, clerical, legal, and medical preliminary,
The stLItl:118 of this institution are traineri tra
TWENTIETH CENT TRY
grow up :le Ibstaineral atıl drı; 5 LTırl Tı:ırcotic is of Jill: iilis:
11 further:lILE rys this Le:1:1ers of Ellis Clege thir 111-$III. Coker's. Wicle: hi
;Le :ll: inculcalled ; ; in this colletil that
1ծf Illւ Լւյllւ:Hէ: Է1:1' : , Slums of imprey to help Tilia [i:s : | | | | x i : libio 81 f:TTim, b:sidc5 cml bI) (ETF1Lisili alı: Çılgı;
'L' HITTI LI I Til
hii y'e : lsr; distributed || lish I II tl lhi T'; mi : Ciliculated to product te gCI) er al tien in Lhet is|| is al ni interdienco Inimatio: and all the teachers are MT. Sa lil Luel Groccm Cllege is a Taruil ge darit of Sri l'eriya Pini tiriguisheri Wella li heid: KJidai East, Jaffna, itu The late Mr. Thomas J: the Lilder, he clime a While he was il stuk Seriiiiiiity Jaffri:L) uf CIT3:K]ueritly he list : äT1 dl '''18 i Luchi peTH:LLți Li:L', receivel his educ: lege, which « Ikuk the pl: cotla Seminary in 1873 El pa.55 al le public l: lıcılıuurs and distirıctici
MIPRESSIONS
"Trộm intoxicäling drinks 5, lccniding to the tradi. tiLJr. and Iri:ligio iš i and eind it is an riile i hii ile sh:Illhu: ;thstaircr's airl ..uni-Lilitarilt inciples d. it mLy b: mc1itioned the officers, lid students ollected : In di distribitel ATE Tiernizun onarpilhan Luis Rhinol ifferers by th: Tilian Tirig sirıilir assislıIlçe gekl in tescuing sallen
1g ex-convicts. They
E. M.,
FILIITE: literature in Engl Sinhalcse languages * ITILFral ind spiritul Tidl. The City Collegg 1al Christian institution,
Clisti:Lns. Eee, the fi:Junder of thc Illinia 11 Tiri a descemna moll Mciliar a lišl: 1 (hief) 'alik the north of Ceylon, L'Illk:5 LL:4 tillo : th:r of cUT1vert 13 Christianity left in the Bittic lit Board. :liste with hi8 kins.Tict :Id. The stori, Mr. S. (G. ltii i I i ii th Li Jaffnia Camilli: Jf the so trtner Bitti; Fricd lı - was the first x:Tilati 115 there viLE T5, Oti graduating, in
the American
OF CFY LON
TR7), the he care a nember of the FacLlty e the Jaffna College, Lild for Tilarly light years 5ul sequently hc was resident instructor of that instituti T1 in Ast i'r Ii 1 iliyo Izırı cd higher IIIzıtheIm; lics, English, logic, and Latin. Mr. S. C. K. Rulila II, M.A., 1*riticipil of 1 till Central College, Colornblo, Mr. W. S. John, M.A., Heacirnister of the Allahlihild High School, and several kıl hers lık ilding liglı posilicırıs in CEylçın, Indil, Bır. İli, Si il: Sill:111113 line 11g the pupils taLight by Mt. Lee if the Jaffna College. He was associated with the llte Dr. E. P. Histings in missionary gclucktiorhal work for learly twelve years. :Lal Mi'. Lee's ideals in cducational Irlatters were chiefly Im souldecl by that dislinguished LluLationist, yw'll (o l:Llboured in thic Imortherin part of the island for yet fifty yelrs. In cler the le; clership rif Mr. Tee, L IIlission was organised airling the students of the Jaffna College in T882 for Cal Trying Jrı ı (Gryslel 5cl Cool in the islarid of Eluvative, West i Ky, Jaffa, Which his TI'L'''ecd i blessing to the Ticople of that islamcl. In 1887 Mr. Lee :accepted the chuir cof T1 al heTızı tics and logic of Atılı Tlerinag:Lr C llege, Western IIndia, and in thilt post he performed liseful work for three years. Iril 1890 he was Lipointer Headmaster of the Indøre College Ccil trial Indil, of the C.I; clian-Presbyterial Missill, where he was cqually successful: LLLLLLL La La CLaLLaa LLLLLL LSLLLLLLHLLLalg Milster if Wesley College, Colinho. Two of his lipils at this list-lined seminary-Mr. R. F. Hunter al MT. E. B., Rcclcch-subscquëratly wron llı - TITniversity Scholarship tenable in the-Urhilel Kingdorn, When he 5everec his XIIIlection with the Wesley College Mr. Lee seried the City College, which he has carried on ill a cost of Hearly Rs. 75ood, without aici fi'i I Gener He his
slucts,
Hild tha: LT
Cor LIY ITnissin. als helped Incarly two hundred T1105tly Burghers, with free education in the City College. Sevi:Tal of illipse who received tlcir t Iitiiori iron Mr, Lee ir Lhal institution are now holding high pixitions in Ceylon, India, Bitar IIma, and the Straits Settlements. Mr. Lee visited England in Lux3, and spent nelrly a ye:LT in 5lLldy'i11g the w;aTricı115 c:«lLI - Il li. Til r; Briti. H also addre8Sed vil ricus Churches arid 5C) cietics, III til spotok: before the East Tiitli: Associaticorn con behall of the Tainil coolie education Inve
sy"sleTT15 of
III:Int, which has led compulsory verilicular education in Ceylon. In 1904 Mr. Lee visited India and Burrna and acquainted himself with lhe educational systers aí thosc courtries,
ق
C.M.S. LA DIES" COLLEGE,
The Church Missionary Sucitly Ladies College, Union Place, Cinnarror Gardens, is a high school for girls, of which Miss Nixoth
Page 125
TWENTIETH CENTURY I.
is the Principal. The College Wils c 111111enced irl I ycx , in Tid is uild:IT the III: Eage:Illneral Çli lihtC.M.S. anci rot in any way ni Triwa 4: ***elloral, though it is self-supp-Larti11.g. allado dres mot receive a grant froith either the Society or the Govern Inert. About 225 students attend the College, which includes, hesides the sitdill:L school, 4 kildergarten departrIILIIt A Preparalory school for boys, and a teachers' training college. Attached i the school is a bırçılar dilirlıg establishment for students, which is under the charge of Miss Whitney. The curricult r:I the college is that of the English high schools up to the Luricion Matriculaticut. ExiITlilglioll. Other examinations for which the scholars are prepaired are the C:Libridge Local and the Trinity College (music). The subjects tiluբht include TTI at hermatics, English, scier Çc, TTILKler Tı languages, Latin, drawing and painting, пusic, sewing and needlework (speciality Illi:L1 embroidery), and physical exercises, the listnamed being taught by Miss Hall, who ohtained a certificate for the subject. The cachers' class works for the GovernmeTil certificate, and last year the only four ladies in the island who obtained this were from this College. Students at the C.M.S. Cullege: h:Lyst: three titles taken the GoveTI) illent scholarship also obtained the Guvernor's
other examin.ltiori 8 th
Ill flle science prize. In scholars have proved equally successful, especially in the CLIT bridge isld Trinity College examinations, Miss Nixon, the Principal and Miss Whilney, Superint citle11. were sent out by the C.M.S. L0 °Peil the College, Arid the started with W girls, Since ther, however, they have enlarged gir sphere arid built a large schoolroon, and als taken another bungalow for a boys' scho', and at no expense to the Society. They hit the assistance of Miss Brown, B.Sc.- Il Missi, Hall, B.A., and a staff of sixteel teacher 5, Īully qualified, nost of whom Were Liirkel at the College, Miss Nixon Washift ị[1 th{: North of Ireland and educated at Chelle tuhan College, and Wictoria College, Ireland. At լէլէ: Royal University, Ireland, she graduated. With honours in IIIOderi i literaturë. Afterwards she attended Highbury Secondary Training College and the Froebel Tristitute iլոt| Stanl11= House, LomdaITI. Missi Whilney, who has charge of the drawing and painting defariment, was trained at all art school in ITletical and aliterwards had charge Çıf il de Partimit"ti" an art school in Montreal,
தீ
BISHOPS COLLEGE,
Hishops' College, Polwata, is really Ln (offshoot of the St. Margaret's School and Girls' Haume—arı instituti JEI Lındėr the chairge of the
Sislers of St. Margaret' St. Margarct's Schuli tixon, billi l the h f'Jum C: i: Thrızlı, Thı il:Aller TV';ı
tg, all the Fchool ahout twelve years, Th: is a liddle-class 8-cho. a high school. 3&th tir yn four bryn: clicts 1411 cil 1:litter is considérer le equipped L'alleges iI i Mary has charge of
Trevious i hølding t the St, Agrics Schull. Grinsteal, The St. Ma Sister Matilda, whilst
Principal 4 kĩ the Girls'
THE
FRINCE AND
WA, LESS These Collega 5 ft II njere i cili ideci (IT SEF meltoritte: the Wisii 1 then. Prince of Walc:5, i Henry de Smysl, J.Po. fivic acrcs Kif grill Ltd on the Luria Wil Lake, include a holls: for hall, four large school routins, il gyri Iilsill Ill usual shol premio: grouill:5, ten a Crusi iI scope for cricket lili ath industrill depart purpose of innpa Ttig B-sitlics halving Ori. iıııl building5 : Illud p1 the College, the De
MPRESSIONS
5, East Grillste:Irl, The sil grant-in-aid institu. 3 :ı pLi rely clığa rit;ıhlı le 5 fouTitled twenty years 1:Is bel11 in existence Ie St. Margaret's School ! And Bishops' College accs have accommudad: schul: 1:, d the H hic II e of the hest isl:Lild. Sister Ikerth: Bishops' College, Lill his position tilught in the Sisterhood at East rgaret's School is under Sister Adelaide is lige
Hille.
OF CEYLON 117
the institution, Illiking good any annual deficits in the filiances. The first HeidIIllster Was Mr. W. S. (GJEye wir «leie, E3, A. (Calcult:L!, Whi legal his lett -f office: with the 15sistar cc of abolit twenty-five mille teachers and fifteen fermale teachers. Two of the prescnt Masters a Te graduates Ulf Calcutta University", a 11d the leilchers hold local dipilanTTIzıs, FromTI 18 to 18. Mr., Philip Lewis acted as Prillip.l. ii. It was succeeded in the latter year by Mr. John George Charles Mendis, M.A. Ca II. a 1 ivic Hf Milui; tLiwa, hHITri in 1835. Mr. MerLlis was educate til at St. Thbillas's College, and Ifterwards at St. John's College, C:Limbridge. The Rev. A. W. de Mel, M.A.,
ԼյԼllէ:
hilcls ihe post uf Lecturer in English, while Mr. O. E. Martin L5, R.A., is the general
PRINCE OF WALES'S COLLEGE, MORATUWA,
PRINCESS OF COLLEGES. Sinhalese hilly's ind girls er Inber 14, 187fs, to coIIIHis Majesty the King, 1575, by Llhel:le Charles The buildings covering and beautifully situated hKı Lut :L 1Tıiie froti TTı tlh c: 54::L, the Principal, a cullege: Joms, Hurner (1145 lectureclorinitories and Clher whill: tlı- sırrını ding extent, afford : build:Lill lhe ga IIIes. In Igo5. cal vy"; is claded føT tlı: instruction in crpentry, nally given the grounds vided the equipment of lysa faLInily still Supports
lcct Lurer, And Miss MT. C. Whible off is thic principal lady teacher. The subjects laught in the school are English, classics, Illi thematics, history and geography, elcITEntary science, senior local anti London malricull
til sit subjects, German (hy the Principal, biç Çok-keeping, drawing, shorth L Tid, and Sinhaılese. Eit: Interitary educilicon in the
verilcular is also includicd in the Syllibus ; while physical training and general gymIllastics are: Tırt meglected. A CAdel Corps ruf the College is altached to the callel attalion of the Ceylon Light III di Intry, of which the officer comTTLanding is Captain F. J. Hotejue, The College also has its cricket club and socothall clLuh. Religio Luis instructicul is given to all sluicle Ints, except in the case if parental
objecti II.
Thi: bio:urling éstablish II) en ha 5 TC III for 25 boys, and in addition to this number there
H
Page 126
118
are 2s., boys learning the Sinhalese language and 444 learning English; while on the girls' 18s are learning Sinhalese and I4. English, Inearly all ryf whorn are Siri halese. Thc total in Limber of students is I,047. The school sees range from One rupee to seven and a half rupees a risinth, The situation of the College is very healthy; arid thic institution is inspected hy the Department of Public linstruction, being in receipt of an annual grant from the Gwern Incint. As regards success in after-life obtained by those who hive at lended the College, it IIlay be in entioned hat Dr. W. H. de Silva, now a leading oculist of Ceylon, and visiting surgeon to the Victoria Eye Hospital, was educated here. For the bencht of the poorer classes, fifty scholarships for boy's covering tuition fees were founded by Lady de Soysa, and are filled by nomination by the Principal. For girls there are three "Elsie Peiris Memorial" scholarships, tenable for three years by any girl entering for higher education. These litter were founded by Mr. Charles Peiris of Colinho,
side
KINGS WOOD COLLEGE, KANDY.
LOUIS EDMUND BLM ZÉ. Mr. Louis Edmund Blairé wis bKorn at Karıdy in 1861 and received his education at Trinity College in that town. He adopted a scholastic
W 剔 L. E. BLAzÉ, B.A. Kings aartxid Crollrige, Kaliły'.
t AWA
WWWW!!
W
career, athl early in life was appointed Headmaster of the Collegiate School of Trinity II ER2 he wict 1 II di:, where he spent cight years occupying the reisition of
College.
"FWEN"TIETH CENTURY"
Assistart Master in Jarl in the H:Boys" Higglı Sici lhe graduated B.A. it
returned to Kandy in Privale School, which King5 YY'ICK Ixd College, W. sin took river in 184. Mr. Hollaé is the Princ in receipt of yearly Blity, Illarried Miss Ali of Mr. W. F. A very, a He has written blks, including it his
ኗኗ-ቼr|
CENTRAL In I Lac l stilll schr irn Colombix by Mr. : which has steadlily gro about 180 students or borders. This 5cl Col : College. Mr. Rutn:11 sisted in the College y J. C. W. Rutilium, I.A.
The hy's lar bridge Senior Local sti the College have also b public examinatiris hic
[It124. St2T5.
of the 5 students idi Metical College in Aji institutie in. The C, illu and 28, Sinall:Lss, the [b4 pulcJLIS piori) of llı hindrance to its furth present limited acciril 11 sitc enlargeinent of ith date is conternpl:Ltcd. history of the rinkist pro, world is a special featur at this scholastic establi werk of the institulion that he remedy for fortures of a country | people the Ilselves, it giving of the College M out the imperative Ilcce: its win hiersity ; l. this view a large public January 19, 1901, with thi liversity Assia till olject of cducati rig til the Government in th| Çlririi Lee W:s for Tid versity I men of Ceyl: Les was ippointed secretar hIr, Sarnuel Chrislrn: Principal of the Collegi tre of the small is Ceylon, Illined by the January 20, 18s.g. He Rev. J. S. Christmas, a Mission of Jaffna, the
Ceylor. His early edu
MIPRESSIONS
c5's School, Calcutta, and mil alt Lahnte, Irl I884 Calu'uttal nivcrsity, and ჭuy|D. as since devicloped into nich the Wesleyan MisThe College of which |al, ha 3 beer froT I 87 Vietni ment gTin Tıts, MT. :e Mitud Avery, daughter veterari planter, in 1891. ral elementary school tory of Ceylon,
COLLEGE,
|ol for boys was started 1. C. K. RLitnarı, M.A., vn until there are reavy he ral|| 35 of whmmare s now knowth as Central 1, the Principal, is aš"Kırk by' his brother, Mr. Calcutta, and ten other e klught up to the Cannand , and students of Len successiul in all the li irh the islard, Se wern mitted into the Ceylon ril, 1 qıcığı, were from this ge is la kated at 2ú, 27 :entral part of the Inos e city; and the chief er de veloprnent is the Odatiorl. But the requi2 preinist-5 at an Ezlrly The teaching of the gressic rails of the e of the course of study sh Tinent, and the whole 'E ti's in the Heli: f all the evils and thisies ili t he: lhl. 1 kills, uf ! He! ILIGre than One Prizer. 1:Litnat'ı lis pointed sity rar Ceylon in live l iıi ucLItInLeu:li 11 1 1,Y,ʻiLh meeting was held on : result that the Ceylon ya:8 ifaçırımı ekl, willı thlıq: - publiç kıld maving desired direction, A of the pittirmir1erıt UCrıibirth, and Mr. Rutnam
Here he opened a
I Kanaga Ritt Iaiti. 1lle
was born in Wellarnai, md5 in the rurtlı Cof
1)utch " Leyden." çın w':15 the thirl sum of listor of thc: Americal II Irtherimist part a tin Wils received in
OF CEY LON
the Ameritan Mission Schools of the II urtll, until, at the age of sixteen years, he proceeded to Saleri), India, where he passed the Matriculation and F.A., examinations of the Madras Uni
ി
S., C. E. FLUTNAN, MÅ
versity. In 1880 he was successful in winning the District Schol:Lrship for proficiency in English Luficircd by the Matris Christiin College, a titl ill this collegiate institution he grad Lilled two years later, laving taken logic and philosophy as his optional brarches of study, As a student Mr. Rut na T1 was Iucated for assiduity in study and a spirit of independence, Heinext held The Healinaster of the London Missionary Society's High School at Belgaum, Bombay ; and while filling that post the Royal Opiuin Conrnission, under Lori Brissey, carrie out to India to repirt rili the opit Lil' trafi. Giving : Widence before this Commission, Mr. Rutnant cundelined the traffic as a narally indefensible affair. In causequence, lhe anti-piu societies. in Ergland invited hill to proceed to England, Kıtlı letu T: tlhere III the capit IIII que:Silic III, HL: accordingly spent ab ut al year || || 8,4-5) le:Turing in the leading towns in England, his speeches receiving high conneth datiot fis IIIl the Press. At the irist.Lice if Lady enry Surters: Lid Miss Frances Willard, h: fällt wecl up the crusade in Arterica, lecturing in many of the large cities of the United Stales, Having decided to undertake a post-graduate course, his redilections for the ligy and płıilosophy led hirin tan Çiller Piririce: Cor. Il Tuniversity, Here le receivçda theologic:Ll training, and obtained, in Lily, I89, the cirgree of M.A., in logic and philosophy, While in Atheric; the met and Itharried Miss Mary H. Irwin, M.I.), a Canadian l:Lidy. Ith lle liitter part af I 84,7 Mr. Rutra II returned to Ceylon and ergaged in evangelistic arid eaching work, in which he
Page 127
TWENTIETH CENTURY
Continued until he started his school-row the Central College-in Colombo, as ab Owe related,
MJSAELTS SCHOOL
This Buddhist boarding school for girls, situated in Rustead Place, Cinna III in Gardens, was founded by Mrs. Mary Musaeus Higns in February, 8). The school inw consists of two two-storie:d huiltlings and 5: veral «Ilestoried buildings, with accorninodation for iron seventy to eighty hoarding pupils and also clly pupils. It is the only school of its kind in the island of Ceylor. English, Sinhale:5ę, ind LCaaAS LaLLLLLGLLLLLLLS aLLa LLLaS LCCa aCLLLLLL and hOLI 5c: work, inclutling Conking. In the liper School the pupils tre prepared either for the Clanbridge Local Exil Initiations (Linier and Senicor, or for the Sinhaleste cor English Training Schools for Teachers.
ST. MARY'S BOYS" ENGLISH
SCHOOL (R.C.),
This schol, sir the instruction (If Initive boys of poor parents, Wils established by the RoIII a II (Catholic Mission in 187 I, in Malibam Street, one of the thoroughfares of the native portion of Colombo, known as the Pellah, The majority of the pupils are free scholars. The school receives a grant from the Govern Illert. and is annually inspected by a Guvernment inspector. It has eight stindards, in addition to an alphabet cl:Lss, and the curriculum collsists of religious instruction, reading, writing, a rithmetic essly writing, narrative ce II missition, dictation, algebra, and book-keeping. The school is recognised to be doing it great amount of good atmong the classes of children for whose henefit it exists; for were it not for this establish Tilent many boy's now receiving useful W"COLld be: vigi'änts, HT1 til Wim Luld as y caTs interta Sed, hic: Cabre Ilenaces to society, Ther: :Lre three teachers, with an average at lendaric: if ninet pupils, and the school is in charge of ; ccrtificalled headrilaster. AlthOlugh the in 5tilution is CLIIIducted by the Roman Catholic Missi Tı, it admits pils ņi religi, 5 d:10 miniti, LLL HCaaS LtHL HCL HLLL LLLLL LLLLLLLg0 LLJ not compelled to he present when religious
ir15 tTLLcti(xIı thuir
inst TL ciri is givel.
தீ
THE ANAGRIKK (HEWAY ITARNE) DHARMAPÄLA.
The Anzagärika [bhartrmapāli, lhe el dest son « ili the late M[Luciaaliyar Hic yw: vitar T1 e L). In C:A Illi5, wa45 har II LE CLlLorrinho Cor. Septe: Tıbet 17, I BŮ, LL LLLLLLL HLHSCaL LLLLLaa L LLLLL LLgSaC LLLLLLz HLLLLH LLL
his day in the Sinhal philanthropist, and hi fittil if H, Dr. Carol His grandfather, the waardena, Mihi diTaTTI Orientill College at which is still fulfishir of the High Priest Sul interesting of Bucid his ir the islı Tı d. At six y pala was sent to
St. Mary's, Ect tah) in
Khairt perio«l Cf lluiti SL. BEIlledi:18 Tetit Lu|| TETTiain ing tuiçler Cit, years altogethcr. It in those days fir Budel children to Christial & of the skilf city of Sch within convcnient clist rnext atel del the Chi Lu|| school at Kotahe IL:, ; two years, receiving subjects day by clay, passed through the Colleges in Cololillo; centr : he: Littended his tu hring home to hin ciples and practices of these efforts were it w; in Christianity wils th of innocent animal life To his wiew Christia torture. After leaving hirrhsclf t. a T1otary' | serwell his L. Licilcs for s subsequently beca The in cof Public InstTILL:titl,
Colomb office.
About the Eiric the St. Thomas's College, Crliel H. S. Cl'ott started an ethico-reli has now corne to be Theosophical Society student coi religious sy': Lurl of Lill, MI, DE :ArcLused hy the ding: hic realid theit je piirn:Llis tt: Tills, and geiterally i hic: ITC WT1:it. Sluh äs: er pr:lient investig: entirely separate him: :Ind répudiate the qui foLI11 lic's. His pilssi, ne verth-less, continu lor ill the Gov. IILI1 which he h;Ltd [1:li ordiri:Lle: clerial x: divite his life rel hlm.LLily, This slip of all his ir tetrisitx: ii 1 eslali: || SepteTribų
WIPRESSIONS
it community, a great cid wyf the well-k; I'll Cwm & Sons, of Colorinho. Alte Mr. D) har TraginafoLinded the Wiclyodaya |aliga kancle, Colombom, Lirider tlhe presidency Ll] gali, al Ind is the minst educational iristitutions :Lrs of age Mr. Dharmaorman Catholic school is lative city, and after In there was pilled at !, Kot:Lher IA, (Colc III ubicy, olic tulelage for four als the Eellera, c. 15III) i5t parents to send their ahlish III er 15 con Licca Burt Kils of their hwn iaith Mr. Dh:Lr III.a påla ch Missioniry Society's Il re III:A illed there cor i T15 tructiu II i E3ihlica | He then successively ç0 yıl Lincl St, ThoITIzıs's
Lic
and at every theological :eithers did their ult inst the value of the printhe Chrisli-in flik. Brk What repelled him c deliberate destrucli hy his Christian Leachers, nity was al religir III of | 5chOrl he pprenticed Yuhlic of Colomb'ı, şırı d one eight Tonths, He
clerk in the Department Lnd wils attached to the
il.
yça Ing Iran Atter del Maclaim: Eli Yitsky all arrived in Ceylon, and :ioLI5 Tıp verılerı, which rown universally as the Being instinctively in tc TTLs, and if I, III editative arriapiala's interest was of this ne W society, anci full wel 1heir "" (3Cult" identified hills clf with equently, however, and iu, lhe found rolsun to :lf fruir this 4557çi:Litici 1 tionable methods af its | Fir Teligious Inquiry, i Liabilite: ; lind, ab3 Ilit service in 1886, for 2d by passing the subıilığı ticarı, hıc ilçcikler! Çi ion and the welfare of involved his resignition is father's business at d 1893, at the invitation of
OF CEYION 119
the Committee of the "Parliarient of Religions." he: "F" ceeded to America, lo atteld the mee:ting of that botly then in progress in Chicago, tHLLLLLLL LHHLSLEEL LGGLLHLLLLLLL LLLL LLCCLLLL LLLL EELGLLGLLLH
- it.' ...'I'll r|
THE ANAGARIKA DHARMA PAI.A.
all the religious syslerns of the world, and hald fir its object the search for the highest plure of truth Illingst the II. At this conference of representatives of almost every known religious persuasion in the world Mr. Dharmapala represcinted the Solithern Church of BliddhisTI which flourishes in Ceylon, Burrina, Cambodia, A Til SiaTTI, LILI is strictly J", hoci x. L'id Lorigi Tı: ili its ghi:Lr-Lcter, Mr. D) hu: Tim: pålill was specially corn Irissioned by the High Priest for this purpiště, i Tiki his rimission was heresejre of LI) Official nzlture. Im May, T8), he startec the Maha Bodhi Society, the aim and end us which is the restorati in to the Buddhists of the four ;ını ciler: 1. s, ÇTed sites inı Tı iddler: [[ıclia, the chief of which was in tie possessi II of Hindus ; Lnd for the accomplishment of that object Mr. Dhlrm;ipill hiel in irlstitute: i lawsliit agirls! the Hindu High Priesl at Huddhiglya, which beL:HILLE : « tras cifre in the history of Ruddhism ih Indil. Event Lilly, hra vever, Mr. LJharTTL:1pill: 44'ils successill, à Till the athloi L’Int site at Buddhagiya, which had been incl:r the com trial coli the Him din hiera rettax fi bi' 'il: Il luritics past, wits, il rilially I'L:sturecd ir the Mah; Biochi Society,
Mr. Dolharmapāla h;as, LT: Wellcid llh rice: LiI11e5 round the World in Lic course: if this ministry, HILxl has lt || times çli jsely is 57.ciated tui Ilself with e very move: III e It and institutio i 1 hat hlas for its purpose the revival . It propagation of the Bigldhist faith. He has in accordince with the tincts of that I'lligiu II, as surned the
Page 128
120
distinctive title of the 'Anagarika,' which means “becoming homeless"-the Buddhist religion enjoining voluntary mendicancy upon those who renounce the pleasures of the world. His headquarters are at Benares, Buddhagaya, and Colombo. He is the General Secretary of the Maha Bodhi Society, and edits both the English Maha Bodhi Fournal and the Sinhalese Buddhist. Sri Sumangala, High Priest in Ceylon, is the President of the society, members of which are to be found in England, France, Germany, Austria, and America, as well as in all Buddhist Countries.
The Anagarika Dharmapala is the author of the interesting article on “Buddhism Past and Present' which is published in the Ecclesiastical Section of this book.
அே
CONVENT OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD (R.C.).
It was through the intervention of Monseigneur Sillam that four nuns of the Good Shepherd arrived in Colombo to undertake the education of the girls of the country, and also to open an orphanage for homeless children. During the first few years the work went on slowly, as the nuns were labouring under many difficulties. A church was completed in 1876, and in 1881 a spacious schoolroom, built by subscription, was opened. In I882 the number of nuns amounted to six, while the Sisters of St. Francis Xavier, a community of native nuns, founded in 1869, numbered eight, and 56 pupils were attending the English school, 26 children being accommodated at the Orphanage. The charge of an English school for girls in the Pettah equarter, besides three native schools, was subsequently undertaken by the nuns, and the total number on the attendance registers amounted to 67o. In 1887 the inmates of the convent and day-school had still further increased. The subjects taught in the school were as follows : Prayers, catechism, reading, writing, geography, and plain sewing ; the more advanced pupils being also instructed in French,
arithmetic, history, grammar,
botany, drawing, physics, music, embroidery,
and mathematics. In I889 a branch convent of the Good Shepherd was founded at Kandy, which is now in a flourishing state, having a girls' boarding school attached, where education similar to that given in high-class convent schools is imparted. Besides the boarding school, there is also a large English day school, with 28o names on the register. In 1890 some Sisters of St. Francis Xavier were sent to Negombo, a settlement north of Colombo, to take charge of a school there, and during the last few years this institution has developed into a large and prosperous
The Ven. H. .
TWENTIETH CENTURY I.
convent. Two Good then sent to take cha establishment, and the of St. Francis Xavier there. These sisters, in have charge of several about Negombo. Th convent at Kalutara, on eight sisters in charge, In 1891 an Industrial at Kotahena, Colombo taught dressmaking, p various kinds of embro In 1894 an industrial was added to the K other improvements v 1895 the Rev. Mother fifteen years of her Convent in the heroic at
of her duties and most ness. For fourteen y of the Orphanage, an in teaching in the Eng Mother M. of St. We Bangalore, carried on ment and extended tlh brought out several nuns from Europe, received the Sisters of St. Fra charge of another nat the end of the year I was opened in Demata of Colombo, and this one of the Good Shep four secular teachers
Kotahena Convent. Th I53. The next step wal from Europe, the staff sufficient for the increa
branch convent of the opened in Cinnamon G. nuns of this convent a girls' day school and b of the pupils of these obtained passes at t Examination, while othe for practical music, as W. of music. The numbe I905 another English charge by one of the and the number of pu I50. During I905 active to procure funds for th convent at the Kotahena the old one being in a held to be quite inadec now inhabiting it.
The number of Good in Colombo is I9, of T of Sisters of St. Francis boarders, first and secc the orphans I30, and the number of pupils in all
MPRESSIONS
Shepherd nuns were urge of the Negombo novitiate for the Sisters has been transferred umbering about sixty, native schools in and
ere is also a branch the South Coast, with
School was organised D, the children being illow-lace making, and idery and fancy work. School and Orphanage otahena convent, and vere made there. In died, after spending life in the Kotahena ld zealous performance self-sacrificing devotedfears she had charge d was also employed The Rev. tronica, recalled from the work of improvee premises. She also s of the Good Shepherd fresh recruits among
lish school.
ncis Xavier, and took ive school. Towards 901 an English school goda, an eastern suburb is now conducted by herd nuns, assisted by all old pupils of the le pupils here number s to obtain more nuns of teachers being inused work. In 1902 a Good Shepherd was ardens, Colombo. The lso have charge of a oarding school.
establishments have he Local Cambridge :rs have gained prizes ell as a pass in theory r of pupils is 70. In school was taken in Good Shepherd nuns, pils now attending is measures were taken
he erection of a new central establishment,
Sorne
ruinous condition and quate for the number
Shepherd S OW
Tourier Sisters 3, and
Xavier 36; whilst the »nd class, number 53, day pupils 394. The the schools conducted
OF CEYLON
by the Good Shepherd nuns in Colombo is I,ogo, and the number of those attending the Sinhalese schools I, 12I. Besides those attending school, many girl pupils are taking lessons in music, drawing, painting, and fancy work.
9
THE CEYLON TEACHERS’ UNION.
It was on February 17, 1900, that the Ceylon Teachers' Union made its beginning. The modest commencement may be taken as a happy augury; for here, as elsewhere, associations started with small beginnings have been more useful and longer lived than those started with a blare of trumpets. There was another element, too, which augured well for the infant institution,
small
namely, the spirit of opposition manifested at its very first meeting. Persecution and opposition have before now proved their usefulness in making organisations of this kind hardy and permanent, and that opposition retained for the Union 1men whose hearts were in the cause it was formed to promote, for it bound the members together in closer union and The constitution of the Union was framed on the models supplied by the National Union of Teachers and Teachers' Guild-societies of acknowledged and far-reaching power in England. But the Teachers' Union of Ceylon differs widely from those two bodies in one important particular: it is acknowledgedly aggressive. It seeks the well-being of its members and the raising of the status of the teaching profession -though not by fighting the Government or the managing bodies. It is not antagonistic in its aims to either the Department of Public Instruction or the Ceylon Educational Association, but works its way into prominence and seeks to attain its ends by fair-minded methods.
The view taken by the promoters of the Union is that nimembers of the teaching profession in Ceylon are lacking in esprit de Corps amongst themselves. Their ranks are torn by petty jealousies. The hard experience which falls to the lot of schoolmasters has had the effect of drying up the fountain of sympathy in their hearts. They are a class isolated, desirous of living alone, content to brood over misfortune rather than make the slightest attempt to repair it; careless and indifferent to the lot of their fellow teachers. To draw them closely together, therefore; to advance the cause of education by means of periodical meetings for the consideration of questions relating to educational aims and methods; to maintain a standard of efficiency -these are, briefly, some of the more important objects which the Ceylon Teachers' Union sets itself to accomplish, And proof that it has
more energetic effort.
Page 129
"I'WENTIFTH
not failetl in its purplỵ1st is affortled hy the large Ineasure of success it has Inet with si L'e its establishment six years ago, is well as by lhe fact that it has been recognised by the educational authorities, and has come to be regarded as an institution word hy of support and encourage her. Arncling those whose support it has received in the past may be mEnlicyned the present Metrosolitän os IIlcil :ırıxlı Ceylanılı, [Or. Corpole:strı ; Mir. S. M. TBLIrrow"s, (Goverii Imcint Agert ; Mr. J. Har wat Tcl, Director Ulf Public: Instruction ; Mr. R. B. Strickla Ild, Chief Inspector if Schools; Dr. Albert Chilliers, of the Ceylon Medical School; Miss I., E. Nix II, 3, A. of the C.M.S. Ladics' Colleg: . Mr. J. G.C. Mendis, M.A., of Prince of Wales's College; thic Rev. High tield, M.A. if the Wesley College; Mr. C. P. Dias, M.M.C., of the Wesley (Çollege ; Mr. D. B. Jaya tillekte, B.A., cof the AILanıtl: Cillcg: ; Misi: MI. F. Ledger, of Peltah Girls' High School; Miss M, Cho:Lite, of the Calpetty (Girls' High Schl CX || ; Lild the Re, A. H. Slith, of St. The ITlas's College.
The Lineumbership of the Loniun is linited to teachers who are grad LILtes of ally liritish ar ]'ndianı 1.'niversity, Dr hızı ve Jışıssed the! first examination in Arts of any Tril 11 Triversity, or th: Matriculatiin of the London University, or the (Cillitibiliridge Senior Lot;il, or hold teachers' Certificales ir HTı tlıc Ceylül Gyvernment Kir halve been erLaployed in Il Guvernment grant-in-aid school for a period of not less than five years. The officers if the Iliku T1 LITE : Tori:5id:IT t, i Wice-Presidicht, EL Secretary, and ; Treasurer; and these, with tyy'elwe uther remhers, for In the Sla, Indig CJTIITilittéE,
It is selt tlıat, in Ceylon at least, tille teachinig profession, whiclı ought to Tırık artırıng tlı learned professions Lnel should enti le th»se who practise it to the sillie respect is is accorded to Illinisters of Teligious lawyers, or doctors, is, as a professi (, all in 1st III)-cxistent. There are Inally teachers, but few iridized have adopted lition as their life work, Teaching is a II. Jc::Lur:Lition which is lor sked Iphọn hy most of those engaged in it inly is a steppingstone to soil clining letter. Teachers of this sort are not likely to lik upon their calling ILLE there are members in 1h: Inion who have devoted a grull portin of their life to the teaching professin, The first Prexilent of the Union, Mr. C. P. Dias, has licted as Headmaster of one of the leading Ceylon Colleges for over twenty years, while the Secretary, Mr. C.H. Christic-I):uwid, to Whom Line Association O Aes its Origi, hl:Ls Wirkel mon the staff tai St. Thomas’s College-H prie of the: gre zıt public: schools of Colombo-for learly fifteen years, and under III i less than foll I' SACÇession.
with an adequate sense of responsibility.
Waardes i 1
CENTURY I )
THE SHORTHA)
WWRITING
Wilh the growing Li Ceylon, and the geher Inakter Linpired wilh hardwy'riting, a kt:{:') ! th - lol 1 llegal L I di ca copying establishment LInciderlake: n : LIIc exce:Lu' precision und rapidity, tiTE, trathle, Ilcl ET Li:IT bizarri, sxteli "w"Titti: a 1 [.. Teiler. This clL111111, plied hy local lalent i
AIISS MILIT
Willet Mutluk Irishna, v lıttı.her, hal giyill: İlır. in the Twitt al, Tis { if
woriiing in Maldir:Ls | LL! 19a, the first stenoty The InteTri34: '5 com Tle:TLCekli ith Sehza 5 ili: Tı Hill --; cleıı - Cili IIIll: 3, t le , hile of blit one typewritill requisites. Als , the
w"::3 itfull, Lııl som :: IT
experienced: hit, wii petsewer:Lnce, ther busi by the Lixcellence sol 1ht Patro 11:1 leading private ITIl s Ceylou1, and esla blis rul: lion, both iii 1.
scULITech
LI L-: Li i II Is imf the is push and judicious
obtained short spact of till
Աt:Tլ։ ht |
I've ble : ICL:n il
IPRESSIONS.
D AND TYPE
STITUTE.
of the typewriter in | preference for typed he old-style incthod of ! IT FAI ci yw"Aš Ccated i Li Im:TL:i:ıl ww.urlexıl ifror :ı were work. Willd he ed with all necessilry ;Lic with a saving is per to the Cotle1" wis: his lielless, hampered however, Wi:15, yn 11 sugl11d it yy:ls les 10 Miss
HILTEKIRISHNA,
'll C. With her sisters : lal gli il corse f studies slemography Intl typekli; II. iri stalırt, in () ictober, ing olice in tlu island. Irely experim:11 till. Arict Odest way at g. San Till locality for husiness stock-it-trade consisting lIld il few ther sifice Listill received ill first asure if positin was illclimit;Lhle pluck Linkl less wits carried it in uilitil
the work L: XL:Lıl:ti. il ge al Ltd suport of the "of25si()I1:ıl g:mt li:IL):Iı isı ill fur itself a wide e metropolis aid in the ani. With I degret: oi advertising, the orders :COllr:b ging Lill:Lt in al il, was felt necessary to | rimoru: spacicus prer misię5
OF (EYLON 12
ldjoining. Extra trilchines wLrg Purchsel, additional hands employed, aid the guileral scope of operatios was enlarged so as to include the undertaking of outdoor stillgiriplı iç: Work, T-p01'i İrig eTıgageme:tıls, the execution of typewriter lind the supply of Inachim: accessi ries.
The çd Luca Liu all classes i II typewriting which haci been startcd in conLecticorn with the «copying business :Alisoj pri Wed successful bicy. Tid all c:xpect: tio i 13 ; IL Tid a large 11 L II bet of youths: rhill fair Triportill of girls, noting the handsome prospects offered by this
гepairs,
shcırtlıi: I I cl ı Ind
line Cyf busiriešş, AL LL ce light LT1 dl lle'r": "iwe, availed themselves of the apprLily for qualifying as shorth:And-typists and a manuA5 :n indication of th: gJoil wirk clone by the Institutic in this direction, it 1 mily he ITientionel 11:lt (ver a huldred incl fisty of its past students have already engaged in
s
professional service in the wari DLLs la Hical bisiGa0LL LLaLaaaK S LL LLCCLLLLHHLLaL LLLLLaaS LLLLa business steadily cxp:Lnded in Ild flourished, and at the present Lin it holds the firillixst pçisition of all existing la cal cincerns of this naturc in point Of equipTTlent and patról:Ige,
ĶTgst its rferē may ble found getlere of the Incr:Linlile is Ild planting comiTullities arid th: L:i)IT1 Il-mercial and professio11: Lill clllsses, ls well as every other section of official and priwaL to ciru:leo 8, Thic: Ininge1'5 of the b Lusiness hold Inemherships in the Incorporated Phongraphic Society if I. IntlCJI L Tid the: A58 Lyciatic)|| of Shorthland-writers and Typists of England, and have hailed first-class certificits frt tle Governument of Madras, i11 addition to Pitirnara's qualifications. The statu 5 of the LCLLaLLL La0 LL LLLLLLL HLLaS aaa ELLSLL as an ei terprising : Tid well-çi: Il ducted busiTicss establishment, is recognised; and th: high appreciition of the work turned lit, te:5tified li’o boy" si» l;arg: iLTIdl iI1 FluJerıtial ;L nuInher of its constituents, speaks for the estccm in which the public hold the Shorthand LTid Typewriting Institute of Ceylan.
Mr. La syrie Mulhukl'islini, one of thc: Ç011clLIL:t:JI's (of thli: bLIsirı e:58, Ky'pyecl fr"1TI1 the: I11:H ILL1script a large portion of the letter press of this hcock, in the foT 11 ir 1 which it w:Lis seııl to the printers.
:്
PUBLIC WORKS
DEPARTMENT.
The Public Works Departnerit is one of the professional departments, hence thise who are appointed to its slices have had a distinctly scientific training, and not merely ill ordinary liheral cduatirl. Originally, in the days of Ilililary adlı inistration, the COıstructiori çif T.Jadis and buildings Tequiredl hy the Goverra
Page 130
3.
ment was carriel .411 by thc Royal Engineers ir other Illility officers, ind -Libsequently hy 34 51mmall civil de Fiai || III erat, which was for Ticci, of whiclı ithe: Trescint dep:Liri heit is the Hoffspring, The work of the departinent is conducted at the head office, Collibo, and at a riumher Lif provincial incl listrict oflicL5 : alirudi provincial a 11d district eigineers s Lipcrvise Work in the lalter, the Assist int Dircctor of Public Works superintending thal at the head i fiice. A Directe ir of Public Works has Lilli li r Ii- ii ii h Le: AA' lill. iու:lւItlւ:
The an II, 11 al luhlie wurks: II: iriter; Ice if : Tial ili:HILL Ilavigatil, repairs and additions to Elliklis, repairs of bridges, and other miscellaneous Works: Lill the public works exLrigirliII:Lr", Llew wrks and huildings, all critions, special rcpairs ind islditiuns to buildings, Iew rixids Lild bridges, rcpairs of bridges, lands and huildings to bę Licquiricci, arri vario:Lisi xither Wilks.
L' ;Hids
தி
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKs, THE HON. MR., F. A. COOPER.
The sketch of the Hon. Mr. Cooper's career ple:Lrs LLH hicier ble heiding Legislı Live! Council.
التي
CHARLES ARTHUR LOYEGROWE.
This gentlemarl, the Assistant Director of Public Works in Ceylon, was born in 8 it Kent, England, and was educated at the Charterhouse School, Godalming, Sutrey. In 78 he was articled to Mr. Willian Wilson, civil engineer, Westrinin ster, and followed his Profession as a civil engineer in England until he attained his twenty-eighth year, when he received an appointment from the Secretary ni Sitte for the Colinies as District Eri Liecr in the Public Works Department, Ըe:lan, En 190MJ ]h!! w:Ls IT1:1 de Provinco al Eraginter, and in May, 1sjoz, he was promotel to his T f'testent position
தி
ALFRED LETTE.
Asi, Alfred Lewis, Fittiricial Assistant and Accountant of the Public Works Department, is a native of Norwich. He was horn in March, 1880, and was educated at the Norwich Grilitiall:LE School, Arriving it CL, y''lif yw'hlen li li wias sew centeerin yell:Lirs of lge he tak ik up surveying under the Lustices of the SLIrvey Tlep:Ltinent, Sullsequiently the was emplo y el for about five years as in accountant in the engineering departillent of Messrs. Walker. Sons & Co., Ltd. Being successful in reorganising and improving the systern of e:Ilgir Eering accrulls, and having a practical general knowle:dg4: («f sur We:ying arLd Engineering, he was
"I'WENTIETH CEN'T TRY I
giveli i tuis Pri:5e:Tnt prosi til ITill that hr. Lewis
A.L.FREI
FTL'lileirick Leyvis, F. L. Con: Lrato T rif Forests,
PROVINCAL
E.A.DL
HIGH ARTHUR
Mr. H. 4 - İli, Gr:ırır. Yı, 185I. He is is the F the Proville vlf Uwal. 1. of the invite in çıfficer, zırld was e ilg;ığı II:Lillway textensitorn survey he was Superintending Ile1liyilya respectively ; 1878, Subsequently to District Engineer im v Acting Provincial Eng hLL:Ime Privinci:11 E1gi Province, in 18ijo Provi Western Province, in ro
of the Si Luthern Premy'i Wh'li Tšiiit. Er 3:Li stali l-metri.
தீ
HERBERT FREDE M.I.C.E., F.R
MTr, Herbert Ficklerjk 1. Februar 18, 18f,3, edulcated ; il Ltact gril mith: A. Li th L: Klassi- bil lhi xarticleicł ii » : woll-knowr 11:ttivi: town, (in the ci ing he: açL'elletl : Tçısı North-Western Railway service of that cultipam
MIPERESSIONS
tik in. It Ingay be IInsen
is the hrother of Mr.
LEIS,
, S., F.O.S., Assistant
ENGINEERS.
FILLA.
GROTE GRANT. "735 bıcıTri OI1 A. L.hgLust 2I, orvincial Engineer in CIntered the service 876 as superinteriding el CE || h1- MILEA L-Oya
The following year Qicer at Akuressa and LIhd it H:Lubom tot in t: 11ւ:]]
iOLL5 districts and was iTeer. Ir. 8:5 e | tr || If the Nimirth 1
1 isitions as
Loial Elgii. L'or (f the IPL Willial lengineer 1.E. Fall in 1g. he illəll, 'wlı il:TL: lı is ili çıxır
:RICK TOMALIN, ..I.B.A., &c.
ck T. iiii:llin was horn ill Ni'ih:Tıp II, IIci ir 3: litir il in i thilt tiri II. tio il career le i civil Eigineer i hii: 3 LL)lL:till of hi5 trili4 -T1 tl1 fe i._ricil.ari 31toid il. 11 til T4:ttı:ıir necrl iii :LL: is until 1885.
L
HL I
OF CEYLON
gaged in private practice frar sønne tirre and in Lille, 1884, accepted an appointinent to the Cylon Govern Irent service froin the Secretary of Siale. His first prst was that of District EnginLe:r, and in this capacity he w:18 errplayed or architectural work, for which he wl:Ls well qualifier, he ha vir hg Fr;Asked the: ex;LI11 it hiti. It if the Association of Architects in 1883. His կաtյrk irl Llii: direct ini vyras iII ccrine:ction with buildings LL LLLLLLLLSS LLL LLLLH LLLLLLLCCSCC LLL LtLLtCLLLLL
LLLLLL LLL LLTLaLHHLHHH LLLLLL LL LLLLLLaL LLLL LLLL Lttt designing of the Post till Telegraph Office, Calclimbi, The confidence reposed in hill Wits fully justified. The siri uçlire erected froIII his designs is one of the finest public buildings ill the island. Before heing entrusted with 1his Wçırk, Mr. TçıITızılin had design:cil ile deciliations on the Galle Face oil the occasion of the Jubile: :clcbralicins of 1887. designed the ornate ball-rol IIn and drawingroco IT1 :Lt Qwilcocorn's Cott:ge , K:Lindy, and the dining-rac.III) L1 0; kley Cult:age, Nuwara Eliya, He further designed the Ceylon Exhihilion Building at Chisig Ekhibition, and received a 1Tidal in recognitial if the exCelle:Ince of the work. As an etigineer lle has been associaled with many important public Works, including the reclamation and drainage Wirks, Clorth. Harbour foreshire, and the xi picritiotis ir u coin Ilectichrl with the food Lutlet. lie also. in 18-ys. had charge of the works in with the w:iter supply in the Northern Province. He has held imary rifficial pisitions in various pilrts of the island. His Tiresent as pointir Leitil is thilt it if Prt i win cial
He also
tı
Li - In Tatti
W
H, F. TOJTATLINI
Engineer, Central Province. Mr. Tortalin is it. Meinber of the Institule if Civil Engineers, a Fellow xỉ the lnstitute chỉ lằritish Architects, liikl : l'uli'w of the Geological Society,
Page 131
TWENTIETH
#. Bộ LTR + I]]H +B* LTR + :
PERCY MOORE BING HIMM, M.I.C.E.
IF. P. M. Bingham M.I.C.E., ProvinLial Engineer, North Central Province, Wils born
Dee the 2, 1812. He was appointed a District Engineer in 1881, and subsequently beeld pasts, at Negmııı bico, Haldu TTT II nulla, Kaltalia, ColombiCo, &c., and was Ac::Ling Pitcy'' ilicial Engineer if the Western Province. He also LLLLLL LLL LLLLCOHalL LaaaaLLLLL LLL LL OCtLLLaS LLLLLL LHHLLLLL LCLLLLLCLLLLLLLHHHSHH LLLLLaLLLLLLLaL0S L0 appointment as l’rivoiTicial Eigi Ler W":1s Li. iii Frned in II.
தீ
COLOMB),
WILLIAM WELLESLEY POLE FLETCHER
..I.C.E.
Mr. W. W. P. Fletcher, Provincial Enginçt:r, LL LLL LLtaOHaCaS HLHHLCL LaLGH LLLH LslaaLLCC SS Lsjö. In 188 he wis alpicii teci District Erigimeer, Anuraclhapura, und in 1887 was transferrect to the district of Il tille. In 182 he has that A5 sistant Commissīriormer, Chicago Exhibiti II, and in 1814 was on half-pily leave, Irn 1845 he was appointed. A cling Provincial Engineer. Batticaloa, and later District. Engicci lit th: In 18ty and 1847 he wii-, resectively District Engineet al. Amhailpitiyil and Kandy, and subsequently Acting Privincial {T}F1 f {:[II TH1 fr"I >III LLLLLL LLL CLLLaCCHCL aaa K0 LLaSLLLLLL LL aCCCSS Kandy, and in Io.2 was ::ting Politicial L LLaaLLLL LLLLL LaL LLLLLL LLL LLaaLL LLS LLCL
1rı II.ğ5 Hik re: ceil'e Çi't- is "rial Engineer, Inl ir 10 v:Ls Tinleil * 14:
samme Place.
Engineer, C.-[ L: l Horo vi 11 celo,
Nothil Price.
iTTiationn nf nisi popiCoirn Lillert
Western Ptile.
தி
KURTIT NEGALA.
WALTER CROMWELL FRICE.
Mr. W. C., Price Lhe Provicial Engineer L Ca LLLLLLL LLLL LLLLHHLGLLaLESCL LSLSS LLLaS College, Dublin, was horn in IceTibet is, Isti. He hevaung [Mistric Eпјgineer in 1887, Elling that I sition in variau5 districis, Lnd irl LLLLkLLL HLHLGLC LLLK LHHLLaLLL LaLaLLLCLS LCttL LLLLLL LLaGLLLLLLS LLLL HLHHLL CLLLlaaaaLaL LLLLLL LLuHLLLLLLL LLLLaLaHLL L La LaLGLS HLLLLLLLLHHHS LLLL
TjČ-4 '''FHS
Hi ,'','L; EPITIrincial Engineer, North Centrill Prince, in
North-Wester LI F'rig'i Ii ccers, ;iri irn confirmed in his appoint. I'll Tit.
the sine year, and in I i-5 was appointed to his present post.
ٹیلی
JAFFNA.
GEORGE WADDELL, A.M.L.C.E. Mr. G. Waddell is the Provincial Engineer, Northern Province. He was horn on January =I, Is#1, and full Twing service in the Survey
CENTURY II
Department fruLa 1886, Engineer in 1888 tt serving in this capacity he was Illad Acting the Northur Il Poiti's III:LI)ently appointed iii
s
EATTI.
THOME HOMRI)
Mr. T. II. Chäformillm Eastern Price, Will 1878, was appointed kalug:Istotil in 1888klistricts until 18j8, Whe service in the Irrigali the skillswing ye: The First at ilihul: artil K:Ltdy, He was applo: Engineer, Eastern P perithia II e Intly appi.intetl
RATT “
CHAS. FREDER
Mfl'. C. F.- EITorsion
Province if Sabaragli of January 31, 18s.5, W, Irrigalii JEI SLI I'W':lys. Il Engincc at NILinn:LT. s;, IT1 E: :;ip;äe:city' Zhi H;äldiLI "5ril () 't"
A: L-i, li li illeril L. LlL I li Իitilliծt:1, 111 1յո4 հc
Engineer of the Pravi 111:1 i TI TIJOŠ liš ilirit
சூர்
EDYARDI CAM
M. E. (... [)iavics. hi 3rrı (.1T1 July" I I, L84 Fairly Engicer in pixilion since that dals. W", T). Inicl Hii infly" (ya’lı T.ight limfa Iliry',
弘
G. H. M. H.
Afr. (G. 1 L, MI, Hycles, 1eit Farior; al Coli S 111lL sof the 11351 im ('c','li' i cliring t lic: 1.15 'W":LriL:ci 4:Ingit 14":ri mg «:;,1 [eo-5-sim11-11 li feo iii 1388, li ship with Messrs, T. Pig Jl. Inici WC:int i hii Ligili ili pati: "n, smith, il ting, ; filii itdry is llı isi l:Large
of Irfigurt1 iirii 'i'i
MPRESSIONS
hic ELIILE ) istrict After
" irli li circut dist Tits
Anuradhapurik.
rovincial Engineer for in 1904, and was Terthe sani ya T.
A.L.),
HAPMAN, A.M.I.C.E.
Forminial Engiller, wits brorn mill A Lugust fi,
District Engin:r Elt H& &gl'ex| ill !iÉgI et
he was detaill ir Jill Brach, Re:11 ining was District Elgic.cr. later it. Kisli. Ill; all intetl Acting Provincial Ti ywith ce. i 11 II (60.4 :411 till
in Iro5.
PTTR: A ,
ICK EMERSON.
... 'rovinci:ll Engineer,
W is 15 in 1887 cmployed on is he was District In 1841 he set cd in the In Illull-l lid in 1895 it from li:lvi: in yon, lhe r:L, ;L11ci irh I p:3 3 t H:i i11. w":15, Acil ing Provincial Ice if Sibilitaglim Liwa, r 1 E11 || N, 3 : 1 firired,
ITILI,"
BELL DAN IES.
Factory Engither", was y. He was alıp kiilt:ci 878, and has held the 3. II: iš Majar l'):','i's,
.iųıt, -rol. III el iii . Hie:
ஆ
DE, M.I.M.E.
l, l.M.E., if the tij","TIIIII, l'oli i H::: * LI-I',i:il кi II.1111 public vi irk: in t fe years, h;1: Ill l "L: kart, Stairliiig llis liri, li te se I'vel i II uppelicegt & Co. li. Ligh:LT11, E: kl: '', iiig suffic:, lt: AILd terrecting shops, a rhod fiII Il If III:Linufactu TL:Ts C: Kı gires, hiileir5, te
() F (FEYTILON 123
frigerating machinery, gas and w:iter: Elliltiis, &c., Il'por the icci 11 pletimon of this training MI", Hycle was given , position 45, draughts Illi i boy' Lle s: Ille firir, afil being prometed El bo assistant to the works manager a year lale I', he superiıı Leidel Lhee ıııııııısı LILLTE: "If se: veral l:1rge 15 Titeters, Torf Hirtler Arcl briclgt: HHCLLESYLS Laae LLLS LLLlLLL HLLLCgeL a superii at tide cc if the crection of plant for i larg: :hi:Illic;ll wirks :Lt I. stilik (irala II), Cheshire, and in the fillewing year the went to Colombi in the spacity of Chil:f Engiller LLLLLL LLL LLLLLLLlLHLLLLLLL LLLLHHHHLHHLLLLLLLSL LLLLaaaCHS LHHLSLLaLLL
Haldıllig this pirositiş Krı irir şe': 'w:Tı "::ırs, ht clisi gil:xli 34 il d
en Tilby's. Het weer 500 :LInd 4x2 rtner 1.
LCaCLLLaLLLL Laa LLLCLaaLLLHaHa HLLL LLLLLLH LLL TILLTmct Lis iron factoric 5, LNçd the: t: Luip TTL-Tit Lot the Sarne with 1114-hiery for the Tanufacture tt LaS SELlLS LLa aaaESLLL aaa ttt La aLLLLL LLLLLL Wi1': ' ['re y'ay::, :, id large I ir bis 1: iristal llalt in this fit ulilising the available wiler power on tica estates during this period. In the closingy'eill' of Ele nineteenth century Mr. Hyde abtainer, lhe LLLHaM LLLL LLLLL lLLLLLSC LL LCLLLL LLL LLLS LLLLLLLLS the Tsilisible pisition of Mech-Licial Elgier Ti: branclı of the Public Works Lep;arinLinent, if which. Mr. Hycie has Limplete Li Titril, L11
нt the Liture TппЕпt Facto нту t Colt IIIbiú,
structs 1 he: iri i1n w "kirk ii ar rx 1: tis al Ld bridges, Lind t: I'ccts all the fiew public Lildings in Cili i Lih,
Anning the Wirks carried it turing the first y':LT If Mr, Hycle's Ler Lu Te if iffice were tyl' hl Indi"Cd :irid Ilir ty irin buildings and other aSLLCLLL LSLLLLL L LLLLa LLLLL LLaLaLHHLLLLHH LLL La
WAW!!
Vivo
i. H. M. HIDE
CtCaS LLLLLLLLSLLSLLSLLLLLLGLS L0 LLLLLLLLHH tt Rilgal Ila, two large Wharf jellies, Lnd a road
1ri«lge rover the river Dadaganu. In le
Page 132
124 TWFNTIFTH CENTURY. I
fi all_I'WiI1g tW"c) Yʼt:31 i"s MfT", EIycle :Lcted :L5 ExccLi . live Officer, superilleticling 1he following imLL LLL LLLLHCLLLLLLLaL0S0aLLa tHL LLL LLL LLLLLL Y'e:t bicie|| LICI Inletetl : 1 : it hic rele qui: y wr: || sifO st, Jong, a wharf lancling jetty 150 t. ling, the new Colomb Technical College, illi Ey't! HUspillal in comineIII oration of her lite Militcsly Queen Wictoria, Ill Inillor h;Lrbiyur improvements. Some idea of the importatice of the position which. Mr. Hycle lils fillecl SLIccessfully cliring the past few years, un cler MIr. E. L. La vies, Factenry Eiginee1', a ILtd the: llhı. Mir. F. A. QCoursepole:r, M.I.2. E. C.M. (G. F.S.I., M.A.-M., C. E. TDirector of F'Lublic Works, Timay hi: Eltherel frota lhe fact that the public works which he has supervised have cost, it arc estimatecll?“, 1st, Jver Amillion Andzihali rupges
J. I Xo, Ü.HJğl,
ثقيل
ELECTRICAL DEPARTMENT.
A Consulting Electricial Engineer is retailled H. P. G. by thc Government to inspect and report on Grrier:il the virious public electrical instillations in the island. He has under him a clerk arid a typist.
c. 11 lection with the spe I. iii :: Il Collıer page.
தீ ANDREA PATO ADAM SEDGWICK BARNARD, M.I.E.E., Mr. Il crew Paton g A.M.I.C.E. Čof Ways :Lind Worlks af "
Railway hills fri II. Sc. Mr. A. S. Biltmilrd is the Electrical Enginc.cr.
He was horn oil June 14, 1868, and was appointed by the Secretary of State in 1903. lip to I |}}| he als acted as Instructor in Electrical Engineering at the Ceylon Technical College.
THE GOVERNMENT RALWAYS.
IT- of the III i yst wzıltılable asserts, which is | 388 essed hy the Gowerının ent is, its system of Irailw:LY's, the: Ti »fits frUITL which in Lyo: LLLHLHHLHLLLLL LL LSS LaLS00KS CTHH LLaL LL LLLLH these railways are extendel, Lild in the future
W S.
A. W
AWA
Ferhaps 114 it very recte, railway Cormiminic:- till with India will he pelled. Previsius to th (! y'e';Lr i 8çyÉi 1thi: liT1Le, Y,whictı W:1*s theT1 :ıhon1ıi P. 297 Illile:Sir length, hid take it but thirty years LLLL LLGLlLaLaaaS LLLlLLLL LLL LLL LLtLt LaLLLLL LLLL LLLLLLLLS S LL ALLLLLLLL AS HSLaLa LaLLLLL LLLLL LLaaaLtLLL LEL LLLLLLLltaa S AA aAAA AALLLLAALLLLL LLLLLL LaaaaLLS S LL 00kO aaa LLLLLSa LLLLL LHHLH ukLSSKS LLLLLL agLLL LLLLLL The departillent is in charge is a general fail its ment all part: LLLHClLlLlLS LLL LLLLHLHHLLLL LLLLa LLLLLLL EELLL LLLL LLHHLLLLLLL S LL LLLLLLLL LLS LLLLLLa
LLL LLLLT LaaaLLLLLLLaaS LLLLL LLLL LalSltLllLLLLLLL LLLLL S LLLSLLLLLSLLLSLLLaaLSCSS the construction if the whole if the mileage of Scotland Railway, LLLLLL LLLLL LeLCaLLLLL LL LLL LLL LLLLL aaLLLLtl LLLlLLLLLLL S S aaaaLLL HLHHLGLCSSS LL LLL LLS QCCol(>IIıbır ;q.I1ci Kı, I1.IY".- he procccled Willy issisted in th: importal The: sketch uuf the career of Mr. (i. P. La Indon a EL d Nixi" h-Y' (irteene, the General Manager, appears in Bletchley to liari, ar
MPRESSIONS
:REENIE:.
l:Lilier.
'kill article on Railway's
鳄
'I GRAY, M.I.C.E.
rily, M.1.C.1., Erigineer the Ceylon (3 werient ll:411-il, h.L'wilg been bir ITIN
l: ru:K*4riY":d bıis :clLL:;hlii. 1T1 1 Ilmar S:lle jul, llat wellwhich has serits many i Bf 1 lie vy" Curll. III I 872 Lf Mr. I', M, Bilrnct, Chief of the GT el Norttı Yaylı LITL: ht: 'maineri for kTiratic 11 is litt period terlIXII, in Englarici, anci it work of cle utiling the 'uslcrn liailway from kl : l57) was itu t:lı:rge if
OF CEYLON
thc (reclic Il of 1 Inew stiltior for the 8:Lille Califally :Lt North: Impton, logether with the claubling of their line at Northilipitol.
Kiligstlı orpe, Eic:Lr Returning to Scotland, Mr. ir y was appeninlccl Resiklerı Eragineer och II section of the new link: ther being constructed hetween Pittsoy lind Elgin by the Greit North of Scill:Lild Railway. This section contained the largest single line spill bridge in the United Kingdon. His first appoint Illent in Ceylon lates from 188f, when he represerted Mr. F. I), . Mitcluell in his contract for the reConstruçtico1 { f froLLIT bateries :: Trich III:lle: for the Ceylon (ovcriment, On the coinpiction of this work Mr. Gray was appointed Assistian Engineer to the Ceylon (overnInternt FIRailwayo in 1888, il cd was prŁHILcted tic) Engii Leer WW:Lys L Ind Works, irn Igo2, which position he still holds.
نہ
WAYS AND WORKS DEPARTMENT.
DUNCAN MO WILL AN.
Mr, I), McMillan is thc Assistant Engineer it Colombo. He was born in 1872 and appointed to his present position in 1902. During Isos he was Acting Engineer, Ways and Works.
لي
HENRY THOMAS CARTWRIGHT Mr. H. T. Cartwright, District Engineer, was appointed in Lyo5, having previously been ernplayed on the Northern Extensium.
H, T. CARTFRIGHT.
Alling Resilent Eineer, North cril 'rovince.)
Page 133
TWENTIETH
JEE REID TODD.
Mr. J. R. Todd. Resident Engineer, Niri het In Extensien, Jaffni, was horn February IH, 1876. He was appointed District Engineer, Ways HLL LLSLLLS L CHS HL LLLLL LLLL C CLaaaCCL
isition in 1905, named he was er nga gecil Corn railway" cxtensi Tı
W I Tk.
Ec: scire hi ltling the office
*
GEORGE ERNEST HOOPER. Mr. George Ernest Hoopcr, who was bur 11 pri Muguist [ iu, | 875. is Lheo Districo:l: Ei 1girl color', Nlinu-Oy, li:Living been Appii iirnlccl in II.5. LSLa aLL LLL LLLL HLLC aLLaaLLLL LL L LCtCLTLLaGLLLLL Exteisi,
*
HERBERT GEORGE UNSWORTH,
Mr, Herbert (George Unis Worth, the L(3 CC 3Inotive Engineer of the Ceylon Governillent Railways, was born at Derby, the headquarters of the Millariil Railwly, in 1857. After attending the Derhy Girarta Timar Schalkıl, he was apprenticed to the Midland Railway CIT pany, Having gone through all the various departments and drawing office, it the end of five years he joined the well-known firin of Marine Engicers, Messrs. J. J. Thompson of Glasgow. In order to gain further cxperience of the Inaririe branch of ergirl eering he Went
T
W M
W
to sea for three years, Lnd upon his return he worked for scveral of the large engineering firinns in C:rcliff, This wat icci experience filtel him for engineering ve'rk vot lill kids, a T1 il wher. He yw'r 15 Iwerhty-5 Live! I'll hic Wi:13 applinted Assistant Works Mailger of th: Metropolitill Railway. He was promoted to the position
CENTURY
anio "Works MaLmager Wit. he held ttnat pc 15ition
15 Awyr yr LHu'3 i 11:Wrt III 14 Hwyl! where he hecline I.H. Carriage Athed Wag Frl
Ritru: il Il ST15il
filling that difficult c. vent to Ceylon tr) tal he it present holds. :I Meirilber" (i the Institu neets for Iihany years.
ARTHUR WOR
Mr. A. W. Dennis
Junc 12, 1876, is Distri tendent, which positi Мty:11belг, тусг.
ني
NEWTO. J.
Mr. N, J. Price, Assi leer til W. Tk:s Mili: of January 30, 1864.
at the railway it. It 1miktı, hızı viııg Hal CXI Wcsite:Tim Rail Way', all. Llici Ilected with the lic, In I 8p2 he: Wiks :AppH bir Superintendent, and i He actici s Assistal El He was per Llanently a Imotive Engineer ir IFC
ERNEST Y.
Mr.E, W. Head, Di: intendent, was bt Frn received his AppChint II: imin ir i g:02, and his ?
AEHLE!
Mr. A. Carter, Disli teudent, Jilffria, Willisi 1873. He was apբՃin in 18ji), in Igol os . iwe Superinte 11dent : appointinent in IOC5.
TRAFFIC, D
THOMAE, ALE
Mr, T. A. Wylic, thi Colombo, was hitn He was appHitted tendent in 1888, l'Indi
MPRESSIONS
hin a few Inonths, and for eight years. Mr.
was to South Wales, Cornholtive: Engiıeet Fall Superintendent Cyril thc Bay Railway, and if let sitio for 5ix yers lic ke up the appointine It T. TITI 1:4 wirtlı has b-ccm te of Mcchinicil FET pli
RM DE NIS
, who was hoTTI oli
:t Locomotive. SuperinIn he has hell sincc
TIES PRICE.
stant LoCCI motive Engilger, C.G.R., was born
Hic con TIeciel Work g as Lock III live ForeTerience on the tirent I also the railway conandri Dock, Newport. ited District Locomotive n I 8g8, 18g*2), ;Lndi Iyo
Locomotive EngincCr. pointed Assistant Loco
FRED HEA).
trict L.--Kcu Iloliwe: SuperIn August 8, 1875 lInd rit als LC-cirtutive Fireesen pHist iri 1905,
தக்
CARTER
ci Loc III lic Superi11born ayı YuveİTıbe:T 28, Sri Lancronnrative Foren 1:111 citing District I.Com - | wis ConfirTed in this
#
EPARTMENT.
ANDER TYWYLIE.
Trafiic Superintendent, on Septetiuber 7, 1866. isla rit Traffic Superiwas afterwards Acting
OF CEYLON
Superinlendilent. In I893 hic acled as MccouI - tant, and in 1844 wils appointed Accountari E. Subsequently, in T905, he ag:till acted as Traffic SuperintcTident, and in Jofi was per Illainertly Lppointed to this position.
தீ
WILLIAM LUCIUS WALTER BYRDE,
Mr. W. L. W. Byrde, the Acting Traffic Superint cindent of the Ceylor Goverfirinent R:ı ilıw':ıy, llı ins hı:Lid il widc experience of Trailways, hi ving been wiLlı ticit working for tlı irteen y cars iıı the than Tela Tcl and twelve years in Ceylon. Born in MonI TIUuthshire, in 18ff, he was broLight i Hit te Ceylon as a chill, but was sent to Elgllild it the ilge is nine years to coin pletic his education. He ill tellical Mirimuth Grill 1111:L School, and in 1881 conIILeiced his business career on the Great Western Railway, filling various positions in the District Superintellent's Office at Pontypool Road, Morin authA. District Trafiic Superintendent heing cquired for the Ceylon Government Railway in I8q4, Mr. Byrdc was selected for the posL by the Secretary of State, and it addition to filling this office, he his ilso for tcTL 111111ths licted as Assistant to the Accountant arLl Assistant General Malliger, Ceylon. He has also acted, since early in 1895 as Assistant Trafic Superintendent at intervals for (ver eight years, and on three occasions is Traffic Superintendent. His present fixed appointincint is Assistant Traffic Superintendent. His fall Inily, it is interesting o note, has la Ing hecn associated with Ceylon, his grellgrandLicle having planted the first craffec hush it the island. He is Llso: ephew of LieuteTil Int Colonel Byrde, and is himself Capitain in the Ceylon 1.light Infantry. A keen sportsrir han, golf and tennis find greatest favour in his eyes, whilst hc has been captain of the Railway Cricket Clull, Mrs. Byrdeo, tipo, is an ethth LIsistic tcnnis player, all an : dept handler (f the racquet.
Çarını gected
shire.
தீ
JOHN HOWSON.
Mı", J. Howixııı, District Traffic Superinlern cert, Nawalapitiyal, wis hķirtin con April 2, 18s,. He was appointed District Superintindent in T85, and in 1JCX) bic: caim: Aclitig Assistant Traffic Superintendent, beirig later placed CIL the scraticnt establish Tient.
گی
CHAS. FETTIS SCOTT ELIILAW. Mr. C, F. S. Black law is the District Traffic Superintendent, Jaffna. He was bor II En October 2D, 1867, ani receivcd this apprintment in Ipos,
Page 134
126 TWENTIETH
EENR ABEIER Y0.
Mr. H. A. Taylor, Superintendent Northcrn Line, was born at Fochlbers, in SCLyklund, Carl
W, ASEEE TALITILO.E., Superingende ill of Northern Line
June (, 87). He was educated at the North London Collegiate School, and at St. Plul's, City of London. In 88s he commenced work With the London and North-Western Railway Company, and in 1888 he passed the superior ilipprentlice examination, which enabled hiril to obtain a thorough could. It railway training. lle was later en playeri iıı the District Superintendent's Office, Euston Station, having ch:lige of various departinents, it rid subse. Llently was point cri confidential clerk to the Superintendent, with charge of flew Works, accident, and special correspondence departments, He carne to Ceylon in May, IKö, Id after four Ilonths service was given charge of the Northern Line, with a Till cilge of 200 Iniles. Mr. Taylor's father was AccolinE:Lilt of the Golds Departitherht of the Lindri Lind North-Westerıı Railway, his HaaLLLLSS LLLLL LH L LLLLLLL LLLLL LaL LLLLLa LLLLLLLGGLLLLLLL sher, K.C., M.P twice Solicitor-Generall for $t:1}ll:111d in the life Mr. {3läd:[[}|me's third :Ind fourth Administralicis.
தீ
JOHN JOSEPH POCC FELIX
Mr. J. J. P. Felix was bor II JJ1 MILrclii E, 1873, and was appointed District Traffic Superintendent, Colombo, a disition he now hnlicis, in Ig05.
תנl tהתa
لي
LLLLLL LLLL LLL0L0LLLLLLL LL LLLLLLL WADE, A.M.I.C.E. Mr. Wacde, the Assistint erheral Mänger and Acco.intant of the Ceylon Governintent
CENTURY
Railway, is a native burn at Mokstown, I I4 1867. He is the su Rich flott Wade, a II descendant of Field-M CIT mainder-in-Chief r F5 to III.48. Aft T ol tion at a private estahl Mr. E. H. R. W. W. School, and 5uhseqLie years' course ini studi Engineering College his diploma in 1888, technical tr:lining at thi Company's Works at G. Mı", T. W. Worsdell, Engineer of the comp. June, 1890, appointed Ceylon Grovernment S arrived iri Ceylon on Ju up{in his dutie5, Thes factorily that in the foi was appointed : Dist Servict: in this pH isition 1 prolination, and on Ju Assistant-Traffic Superi
Govertillent Railway. I te II1p Cori:Lrily Ls. Trafiic::-: A5sistant General Mari:
Lil W3 Carliiiriiledil ii I ur FebrLI:ary I, Iiyö.
தீ
IMPRESSIONS
of Ireland, having been Car Dublin, un February 1 if the late Mr. Gustavus Jihlin solicitor. and a a Tshil Wade, who was if the British Army from taining his early educaishirient near Liverpol, 'ade passed to Reading tly underwent a threey at the Royal Indian Cooper's Hill, obtaining Having received further :North-Eastern Railway liesheild-tri-Tync, under thil Chic Mekhillial ik (1y, Mr. Wacde, was, in Assista Tit-SLIrveyor ir the Airey Department. He ily 17, 1 8gxo, and e Intered : h: pt:Tformed sic satisllowing year Mr. Wacle Tict-Sir Weyror. Zealmus was rewarded by further T1: , 1894 he became ntendent of the Ceylon
R
FFIAIDE;.
He acteri sectill titles superintendent and as 1 ger tid Accouı1 L:LI, ille la LLET Kıiıtımcı t
OF CEYLON
IL FREER
Mr. W. I. Frier, District Traffic Superinten. dent of the Ceylon Government Railway at Colombo, was born at Alcester, England, on Nowertber 25, 1876. He started his career as a clerk on the Great Western Railway at Evesham, in Worcestershire, and worked for the same line at many other places, principally in South Willes, H: then went into the inflice in the District Superinte indent at Pontypool Road, Mortcuthshire, and afterwards was transferred to the office of the Superintendent of the line at Paddington, In 1902 he proceeded to Ceylon as District Superillendent at Colombo. Thrcc. years later he went to Jaffna in a similar capacity, and in January, Igoi, he was transferred to Kandy. From March to Novemher, Igfi he aced as Assistar Traffic Superintendent at Colombo, and on November 28 again ook up duties as District Traffic Superintendent at Colombaca,
தீ
WLLAM CHARLEs, DYER DEY.
MT, W. C. I.). Lawry, Assistant Accur:lt of the Ceylon Government Railway, is the son if Mr. Willian Davey. He was born at Exeter on February 8, 187f, and educated at the Grammar School in that city, He correnced his railway career in 18q, when he went into the service of the Great Western line, After Occupying various positions in South Wales, he was triLT1sferred in 1894 from the Pontypical division to the Cardiff section, where he was under the District Goods Manager. For four years he was attached to the Accountant's departinent of the Great Western Railway at the Cardiff Head Office. In August, 1901, he became Assistant Accountant of the Ceylon Government Railway, and has during his stay in Ceylon acted on Iccasion as Storekeeper 18 Â 8 sista It General Man ager, and Accountant. He is f rid of tennis, swimming and shooting, A Tid he is al vir limist of considerablė ability.
தி
JAMES EDWARD HANCOCKS.
Mr. Jatiles Edward Hillcocks, Slirekeeper Lof the Cuyln Government Railway, is the sQI) of Mr. Johi Hancocks, and has hen asspciated With rail Way work all his life. Hi: "as hon in July, I87ů, :Lt. Crowl:, which, as Everyb dy km ovš, is the headquarters of the London and North-Western Railway Company. After being Educatecl zlt Haslingsst, he Enterel he service of this great English company in his lative town, gairlig first iıı tu Liıe sigIL:Illing tleri:LrtTerit. Three ye:LIts later he qy:Ls transfered tri the slures departill:Ilt of the lac IIlotive suction, Tid å ftér (JCCLupying varialus -pansition5 in that
Page 135
TWENTIETH
departinent, he took up his present position in Ceylon in July, 1905. For five years Mr.
J. E. HAN cocks. KS Lorck creper Gower Erit FRailways, b
HLincocks served in a Wilunteer corps in England.
ج
MERWYDD COLE-BOWERN.
Mr. Cole-Bawen is the son of Captain R. ColeBowen, and was born in 1875 in the County of
M. COILE-BOWEN.
Cork, Ireland. He took his B.A. and Bachelor of Engineering clegrees at Dublin University, having joined the Engineering School of that University. Afterwards he accepted an appointment on the London and North-Weslern Rail
CENTURY ]
way, He was plac construction staff, LL) and he:Lille an Assol: tute of Ciwil Enginee! Ceylon to take Lip a Railway Exterision, ; gag:d upCII tlı: Kelalı the latter heing col1 temporary Appi sint 11 Man Sergh, thic will k Colonh LI'i lage Si: tion he has (Iccupied 8
THE PORES D
The Forest Depart its III, Image:TheIut the i Lihte en skircc Ille Tıt Cf | trolled by the Crist ha: Lille Assistant Cir 1 hirty -fi ve Fı ar:İsl left: 1; Guirls, The depart II Lind since the Il sa We cffected. The histor triliced iii a speciil elsewhere, By 1 lea the tirnber in the foi injuty a 11 d. danage wented, ind the suppl timber Lial firewood
THOMAS JAMES ST,
Mr, T. J. St. A. C. tot i Lecember 2 I, 185s
T. T.
įk. 13Er
MIPRESSIONS
d (J1) th: :ngine:ring doll, : , l, lat:r period
Le McImb4:r Cxf the lIstis. In IRç, hic came I cositier om the NKITtherılı
:LLI'I'ds, as T1Willey. Extension. ČIL lled the l'ills, giv'T EL nt LIIIiler MT. J:LII)e:s ILU NN'in eigineer, Crı hı: Ierie, His presert posiIce Algist, Lyo5.
եՀ--
.T EPARTMENT.
Laert, which hals, u11deT rests of the island Lild
E fTsE l:L'8 i T1ilt if Forests. Wh scrvators, sur F.ITL'sler5. gers, and forty-six Forest lent was formed in 1883, ral reforins have h:CI) , css the clep:Irling:Ilt is article which H:LT: is is this department Tests is protekted ft.im
illicit felling is y of timber and sale of propcrly Teguta led.
pre
*
ALBANS CAMPBELL.
ampbell, who was horn belangs to the Imperial
NEBELL,
in Frisis.
OF CEYLON 127
Forest Service, India, and is on furlough and deputation from that Government. Ht: 43suited the duties of Corservator of Forests in Ceylon in 1954
தீ
ALFRED MILLEN CLARK.
MIr, A. A. Clark was herrl VI. September 8. 1853, and appointed a Forester in the Northern Province in I 875. Hie: was pri Emnited in 1884) to the pusilion ci Assistart Conservatr di held his post in the Western, Elsteril, :aTırl Uwu lorovinces antil the East:rn Circle. Ti 1 po II he walls Acting Corn 8 er viati Jr, Lindi i I IK! was on special duty. He was appointed to Hittical CiL i 1 105.
தீ
H. F. C. FIER.
Mr. H. F. C. Fyers is the Assistilt Conservator of Forests of the Kandy Division. He is the sot of the late Colonel Fyers, i f the Roy":L Erıg ince:r"s5, :ırıcd W;1,8; bor11 iT1 Curraglı
HL F, C. FYERS.
Camp, Ireland, in March, 1859. He was educated at Hith Proprietary College, and went out to Ceylon to take up planting in 1877 in the fam Luis Coffee dill Y'S, Ht; entETEcl the Forest Department in 1884. Five years later hic became Assistant Conservator Lof Forests, and has acted as such in the Northyes :id Central Pruviçi:5 and in the HII
Logxt:"Loo,
تھل
HMILTON ROBERT SPENCE.
Mr. I, HR. SIL:Ince, Will W"35 h1JT IJI) November 26, 1853, is ills all Assisl:Il Collserviinr i the Kiihdy Divisiol. HE: was, Illi lui Forester in 1888, ankl after Wards Wils |- sistant Conserv:Litur in varii JLLs provinces, ald was several times Acting Conservatir of Forests. He was transferred to the Kandy
Diwis ir-ri illi l-5-
Page 136
128
EDWARD LAMBERT BOWIE). MID89.
Mr. E. L. B. Moss, born January 12, 1855, is the Assistint Conservatsir, Nuwara Eliya He was first a Foresler in the will E’r Covince, L11l al fler beiring Assist: IIL COI servator
liisi 11.
LL LaLL LLg aaa LEHEE laalLlLLLLLL LLL LLLLHHLHHLC է:li:l ill Iւթյ5,
శీ
FREDERIC LEWIS.
Mr. F. I.- : wis, who was hiri i 1858, is L LLLLLLLaaLL LMaaELHaaS LLLalH LLLgLL S C. Hiileikirg ;L:: : Forester il the Sabar:g:- LLHHLHl L LLtlLL LLLES L HLHGC CaaE aLLM LLL a LEEgCLL LL LLtttLLLLSSCCC LL LLLLaLa LtHLaLaS LLL hu has serverti in this Lлилеity it many disLLLCLCS S LLLLL LLHEa atmrlLLLLSLL L La LLLLLLL Iðivisi III i IL I 5.
தி
GEORGE DAWSON TEMPLER
Mr. (G. 1). TEITıpıler, Assisi lart (Conser Wit Jr, Affill Division, was appointed to his present hist in To5. Previ Lily he h;Ltd been statiolet at Triti coolma liec , iħall Hal 1 Tibarutotali, afer hi:Living lid il ye:Lr's tı:Lilling at tlı lılıp erişll Forest Schročil, Ibelirl, ) ilii, Tiidi, Mitri:li 13, 1 88o, :Lilial Le I LierLed I) 13:Lrt III el in III,02.
וווא וו חלוH 3{;ידו שH
tllլ: Fմr:31
தி
HRR HEERS TOLLER.
Mr. H. E. Tiller was Eoin in Dece inher 5,
1873. He is the Assistarit Ciri servator of ’sls, Mali ivisi Elüsl he was appointed Lfter serving ill vario Lis the divisions. He his hel in the F. Test Departament sirhçe: Tigo5.
தீ
GEORGE THOMAS LL.M.
Mr. L. T. ill:III, Assist: Tit CJT13Lrwill I', aLLLLLL LL LLLLLL CCCS LLLLLLaS HLGC LLLLC
II August + 1850. Provirus til his presert appointinent, which he hills held since 1903, a HHHLaL CaCaLLLLLLLLL LL L LLaSLOO gCCaCLL suply and the Centr:ll Timber DeȚăl.
鲸了、
ARCHAEOLOGICAL
COMMISSION.
This departinent is conducting in lrchit: - logical survey of the island, and has a staff consisting of an Archæological CcJill Inis siuTler, European assistant, two clerks, three draughtsmen native epigrapli ist, and kW PLins, In adlition ibaut two lııııdrel lıilıkls ili'e t:11'l- pluyed as a labout force. Work has been in progress since 18.g.), ind thızı di IIIe il rekly constitut:5 t:xploratio11 citi work, epigraphical, topographical survey, and III išCE IIA ELS WLOTk.
w'lı LL:lı
exсаvatioп5,
TWFNTIETH CENTURY
HARR CHARLI
Mr. H. C. P. Bell, Irnissicorner, has boccI1 irl since 1873, H: Wii.5 F5, and siııc: hy: , service: hı Ilıs ( HL Lupo commenced in the Kal Secretary's Office, we L, Llle (30'e"TITICTIt A arid iirli l-75 wa3 Alti Harispattu und also r sequently he filled a places, Wils Laldil; Cust Iris G:llc, ActiTI Agent Acting Islindi District Judge at sevi was appointed Arcl: ln I Bg4 he was Actil 1805 ії sier'n Ilded It servi::
Irissil.
tara, al cd il
THE SURWE
D
This department is c (i:, e:rşıl, şhı III is Liş: Surveyor-General, SI: veyors, the Field S four branchis, the graphical, Block, an The offic of Survey
IMPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
الدول الأول يوم .
W W
R. S., TEMPLETON,
ES PURIE BELL.
the Architologic:ll Com
the Ceylon Civil Service.
born in September II, "ltr: d tll Griyeri III erit ied III y positio1s. Hic: husheris und the Colonial ıt from tlıET: tı tlı office: gent, Western Province, ng Pilice Magistrate of if Balapitinodara, Subsililar offic: LL the g and Tide Surveyor, g Assistant Government ng Surveyor, Coloinbo, 3ral places, it ind in T Rio Cological CCIIII rissir III-II". ng District Judge, KallInici algalii in 1 y 23 Willisi is Arch:...logical Com
தீ
EY EPARTMENT.
lirected by the Surveyorisld by all Assistart pocrintendents and Surtaff being divided into Triguinurtletrical, Ticd Application Surveys, ur-Gilell was reilled
in the year -18Ca, Lid in 1 Kı7 ibile departirrhent was rriorgiillisttl.
தீ
PHILF ID WARREN
Thc Surveyor-General of Ceylon, Mr. Philip L); il WW"; Tree Il, F. R. G. S- lis the ssir 1 I 1 I If Ml I'. Jill I1 LOctLtLLL LLEEELaLS LLLLLL HLC LLHC L LLLLL L February 7, 85 I, Hy was educited int Nr Irwich
W W AWA N "y
AMB
P. O. WEREREN.
Surrey-clerial.)
Grinnar School, and after serving articles to surveying he clid general surveying IIId cIngineering work in Swanse: L. In 1 878 lic
Page 137
TWENTIETH
went to Ceylon as Third Assistant Govern Intent Surveyor, lind in I QD, he received his present appointTiment, MT. WaTTiT was for som: tirne Lięutenarnt ir the 3rd Glamorgan Wol. IntęETS,
ئيل
R. S. TEMPLETOM.
Mr. R. S. Templeton, the Assistant SLIveyorGeneral of Ceylon, is the son of Surgeon-Major R. Templeton, R.H.A., F.R.S., it native of Antrim, Ireland, Mr. Templeton was born on Deccmber 2, 1855, and first Caine tu this colully in Ele year I 88, front New Zealand, where-he hid beer engagell for several years. Fr the first three years after his arrival in Ceylon (Oct. ber 15, 1887, to July, I &gol he was cITployed on the provisionill staff of the Surveyor-General's Departinent in Colombo, Lnd was appointed III1 August I. 1890, Fisteenth District Stirveyor. DLLring his term of service he has specially LLLLaaCLLLLL LLCLLL LL LLLLLLL LLa LLL top-graphical survey of Ceylon. His father also, it II:ly be inelliolled, carried cut a good deal if survey work for the Governillent. Mr. Teliple türı is a Fellow Uf the Royal Gecıgraphical Society Id all Associate of the III stilute of Civil Engineers. His favourite plasti Illes a Te shocoting and riding.
தீ
HENRY OSMOND BARNARD, i.C.H., F.R.A.S. and M.B.
Mr. H. (D. Barchard, A.C. ll. F. R.A.S., a Tud M.S. Superilleullett -f the Trigliulletical Surveys of the isla Ild, was HITп нt Mauritius iΠ Ι8ίκη. plantic Mir, Henry Frederick Barnard, he was educLei at Cooper's Hill, and in I8g entered the Govern rtnernt Survey Departimerul iru Ceylon. For five years he was eruployed in the field sortioru, but at the LorrapletiUrl Lif that tiITil he was transferred to the administrative departIllert in Culo IIlbo, and in 18gg he received his present appointment,
தி
5LJPERINTENDENT5 OF SURWEYS,
GALLE.
SAMUEL JOBE FH CATTLON MORE.
Mr. S. J. C. More was born on October 23, I851. He Was appointed a District Suey. It is 1877 and was prutiated in subsequent years
Tlı sul doi L well-known a Luri Li Luis
until he hecame Superintendent of Surveys in 1897. In 18g. h.c. was Acting Assistant SurveyorGeneral.
தி
ERUNEL
JOIN ILULJIS HjMPTON.
Mr. J. L., Hampton was born on May 7, 1855. He was appoiled a District Surveyor in 1884,
CENTURY IM
rose to Superintendelli A55istant Surveynt-Gene
தீ
KAN
JOHR WILLI
Mr. J. W. Winer was 1857, a LLicl Wi:L8, 11 Li:Acle :) Di: I was porroIII1bted T1 lati Superinterderit in 1897,
தீ
BA
CHA.S. CORNWALLE
Mr. C. C. M. Fyers wa I5, fourteçim year5 hic was, it te tildelt.
Aiter being a Dist
தீ
COLOMBO (HAR
RRET ETTER
M. G. E. Le:Illbilge 84), and appointed a Di Having previously acted teiderit in 1897, he rect post of Superit lendent i
தீ
ANTJA E
LRTHUR. EOWL.
Mr. A. E. Maddock, is was appointed its a Dis 31, 11d in I 8ç97 bıec; it1e A5; The 3:Lime yearlle acted in Igo3 was per ELIle1
position,
தீ
COLOMBO (W.
CR DIN.
JOHN BERTRAM
Mr. J. B. M. Ridout w and appointed District became Assistant Super Acting Superintell cle Illi appointed Superilleilder
蓟
IRRICATION
DE
Irrigation on a "try |
the size of the island, 1 Ceylom since: tht: earli
MPRESSIONS
rI 1897, and Was Acting Till in II y II,
D".
E
bıcırrı arı Cictober 1çı, strict Survey Lor in 88ť. er OLCisian 5, and rmilde
LL. A.
HEADHOW FTMERS,
s born Om lFcbr Llary 13, rict Surveyor for about 1 1 8çW7, rLıa de SLIperirı –
BOUR WORKs).
ILEEMEBRUGGEN.
cil was born March 28, strict Surveyor in 1884).
is Assistall Superin:ived prorlnation 10 the
Il I)2.
IAFLTRA
RO MADDOCH
rho was horn in 18f3, trict Surveyor in I 888, i Sları Superiııtıldı, t. as Superintendent, and itly appointed to this
ASTE. IL ANOS
4 NCE},
MAS, RDOUT
as horn July 17, 1866, Starveyor ir I 88g. He int: Ille II i Iggy, vyras, | II : Tid finally was mt ir Iqbql
:PARTMENT.
ärge Scale, Cisid:ring |als bee11 cirried (1ut i 2st ages and is Ilow
OF CEYLON 129
uridler the control of a Central Irrigation Board, The policy Ildopted in irrigation his naturally uildergon Ti Limerous changes since its intro
duction. The work of the departillent is
W W
I
。
E. T. E. W.A.F.L.
Speriftended by il Director of Irrigatior Who has under him a in Irrigati. Assistalnt, Irrigation Engineers, Surveyors. Inspectors, a IId (Guardins,
گینه
H. T. S. WARD, M.I.C.E.
Mr. Henry Thomas Simpson Warcl, M.I.C.E. wh{} h(olds the important position of Director uf Irrigation, is a native of Croydon, Surrey, where he w:als bort) i 11 18:4). He was ceci Luçiated at King's College, London and when 5eventeen OCCLLSLLL LL LLLLL HLHLGL CLLLLLL LLL LLLl L LLLLLS C. P. B. Shelley, M.I.C.E. He scrwcd as an improver with the Clyde Navigation Company, and as Assistant Superintendent of Works and Eugineer of the coal mines for Mr. Thomas Jackson, Coats Iron Works Coatbridge. In 1873 Mr. Ward went to Portugal, where he was employed by the Mina dos Monges Irrl CeIII parny for two years, Illis first applicaint Ilment in Ceylon Wils in 187s, when he was Inade Superintending Officer. From 88 to 1883 Mr. Ward's services were lent by the Ceylon GoverTiment to the contractors of the Ceylon Gover IIIll:It Railway, and from the latter year until 188f the Government lernt his services to the: Perak Goverinirleriut | Straits Settlements), for the purpose of colllll:Lilding a division of pioneers. In 1894. Mr. Ward was appointed Provincial Engineer of the Northern Province of Ceyl T1 and a year later the Chief Assislant to the Lirector of Public Works, His présent appH sint Tit- Tıt hic received in Ityoo, wheIlı Lith: ILew Department of Irrigation was for IIled.
Page 138
3) "I'WHEN"I'IETH
RICHARD WILLIAM SMITH.
Mr. R. W. Smith is the Irrigation Assistant– the chief official Linder the lirc.ctor of Irrig
tior. It was bicy'ı çam IX;C:mber 28, 185ť, in
R. F. SMITE.
Dublin, and Educateci al Ch:Lrd School. Sociersct, :LI id Trirailly" Cillege, [Lublin, He gracultet in 1874). He held it position oil harbour works in Irel:Lnd, England. and Tse, was agent to John Dicksi 11, of Cleopatra Needle saille, incl ifterwLrds weit 19 the Strait5 Scottlements, He was it Troiled District Engineer of Kiirunegala, Ceylc. II, in 1852, aL Icd subsequently hclitt varicos posts :45 District and Provincial Engitheer, &c. and in various wallerworks. He also huilt the LaH aa LLLaLL LLCCLLLLCL LL LLLLLKTSLL EES :uu111Tıi 5siqI1:d bı y' thE ''Wʼ:Lr {)EHi"e li") r i 1:ık t! all arrangements for the Bier rebels, He speaks, 11ine 1:1 Liguages, He is zur Associaic Merrher of the Institute. If Civil Engilcers.
- ܒ ܂
T"
MEDICAL DEPARTMENT.
This is III yw a civil departiment, the separatio frCJI In the Imilitary ser wice hı:Lwing been effected in 1858. The klepartinent is in charge if the Principal Civil Medical Officer Irid Inspector-Geme: rial of Hospitals. Mcdical Officers and Apothecaries alte appuinited Imainly fruill the sluicleIlls at the Ceylon Medical College, Which was establisheci :brit the year 18ji,
தீ
Sir ALLAN FERRY, M.D. Durham, D.F.H. London, M.R.C.S.E. etc.
Si Millz Ii Perry is the heal of the Imedical LLaLLLLLCLLL LL LLCLLLS S S LLL LL LLL LLLLLL
CENTURY. I
positi 15 f Principal
li spector-G:I:r:l 1i H of the Ceylon Medic; April 1, 18sho, he dipt
fes:it. Il Challs the cla II]. E*. H. Legi tiom, M. FR. EIng. He: :18 fisi" ; lin
M]cidi:al Corps, and "g| Major. Hic was apienii in in 8.J. Sir Allai
Tiofessional rei Lutilitic.Il III Luch steeTTeil Lis L TILL h1-1181 d yw:Lis ill recrignition hille Elias li arik: in this affic
picriiioii thlt Ihe lill-, l-arti II
ஆ
C. T.
[2ı". (Griffiılı is Line. A
MI:lic:Il Liicer nl Hills. He wills, he F1 di is, :L 11 M.R.C.S. En
I.S.. I.11. TI LILLInber xi x'e:Lirs, ciccLIF
H. :
His first pitill eit
Seriteding Mili: I853; later he het: ITIt ill in 18 Aklili; S. Provice of LT’”. III
Gyver ILLIE 11 Mecli:Ll . Šurger T1, :L11:l i11 IgÚ1 | H is il. IIL III of big L 11:ILiee Lol tl
ALBERT JOH
Mr. Albert John C| Lect LIrei" (li Patlıcılıgy born in M:1rch 28, I8 Iniv:rsity ralle: gi: I. ar: ... it il. Lil F.E.C.S. 1:IngliլTitl, During his :Lademic 5: veral scholarships ari gold medal in M.L., X hi5 appoint Irlent to Ci mer 5 yw':Ls Lem[liyeci il
English In th: C Assist Lint Colonial Surg Ig, and Acting Pri Gill olist liig l: I OC, WYhL: I1 h. was 1
וitIהיו חרוTi_ודאון Hospitals.
and receiver the Iller է: Crs. Lili is als. P l3ra Il:h Lot thị: British
Iyu. LiTL :: tin:, fil I' (i) illicial
th:I" TIL 1 liiksi II"
C.ı plairi il thı:
: is 1: Lt.
Ellis Writ: ; "cr:L
MIPRESSIONS
[edirll Officer III (spitals and Principal Il College. Earl in :d TTçidicimi: 15, a piTC) zgrees of M.D. DIIrllm, 2. S. Eligi li lil L. S., 1: iii 11: Royal Air:Illy irl Will lhe rik tkelli li li li is r'r: :: ger lil pHsi
has a closer "edly high
in the isl; I d. iiid is bliko milm, His knightIf the god work Lh;Lt. :i;il possilii ii 1 li, Liri 1 g the i Fisi iL:i:Lite:tl '''i'lı Cey'lı Hı.
RIFFIN.
5sistant Principal Civil Islett-Generial of irth & iii !!!, pril L-4, 1850, g. L.R.C.P. Edin. :Ind beŁ II i II (Ceylull for a 3y’ing various HMsitiro1s. in the isl; It was :Ls il Officer, []ikoya, il District Medical ) slicer, Ilir Medical Officer, 1832 h W: Loited Fict, in 1818. Cilitial : I llis present P 3-litic III, the Municis: Il Council, 1E LI ILI LITEt.
நீ
NA CHALMIERE.
halmers, Registriar and Medical College, was 7. Lill durited it the liver 11c Iril. His degrees Ili Werpool li![nivoc:r5itiesä, il 114l T}.P. H. Q:Lib, al CrėET ht: botaillerd Illelills, including the PI":'',''); } yli II ir Igo, Dr, 'hal1) SIL: Y'éral pasts in ciriMelicial Schik ikuls and ol01 il Service: he wis ge», Gull (C.Jasi Colory, incipal Medical Officer, It sieg: if Kunassi in lich Lioned in les palches He is a
limiti T.
lil and clasp, lil Waylı Inte: er Meclick resideral of the Ceylor
Modical A85ociationIl sur hoir of "Simple Medical 3 ili Ceylo I1, " ar hcl sciuJI 1:
184: 111 th1: coloty, and
Pilger's Lind i'E: [xrts uIlı
OF CEY LON
Initler: :Lorille:lel With patlı ligy L Tid hygiene.
tropical IIledicine,
کچ
C0LON1AL SURGEONS.
GEORGE PETER SCHOFKAN
Mr, G, F. SchrikTTızı T1, the Provincial SL:rgerin
LL LLLLLLL LLLGLHHaaS HGHLLC LLLLLL L LLLLLLLHHt aaa LLLLLLLHSH LLtS L0LS CHHL HH LLLLLL LLLLL LLL LLLS T'lı LLra:1s’s : Iil the Royal Colleg: there. Im 1873 he wert til CLlLCLittı, and Liter II1makit ng i shtri stay ther: the Toccided to Aberdee University, LLLLaLa L LLLLLLLLSLLLLL LK LLLLLL LL LLLLLLLL Lild Master in Surgery, having taken honours in several sLibjects, Afterwards he was associted with St, Thomas's Hospital, Li Tidon, in 1878 he rcturi kecil tçı Ceylol on receiving the 3ppiiiintIT : It Of ai i Assislarit Collrinial Surgetin. Twelve years later he spent a hiliday in Hi. Illigları d, iri il 1Tı; qlbl H. Special slyudy of skiflı II Igg he w:5rmotclto the rik f l Colonial Surger, :Lind on his retuTTY « bil lei ve froIIL ELLroupe il Li X3 he received his present appointinent. Mr. Schok Illin, who is stationed at Kailly, is a in either if the Municipal Council there, ind ilso of th: 13;Lrd of Health of the Central PT vince.
clis 02:35, 28 i 1. I hail dise: ises of worlinkern.
്
H. A. MOREE.
Mr. H. A. Moraes, L.R.C. P. & S. Edinburgh, was born on October 3, 1849. He was appointed Assistant Colonial Surgeon in 1878, and icted in this capacity in several provinces Subsequently. It T89, he went in Tuticorin ԱTւ բlague duty, appointed Colonial Surgen in T89), incl in 1u2 was transferrecl to Batticaloa is Colonial Surgeon for the Easter II Promwice.
தீ
J. ERIE.
Mr. J. Craib, M1, II). A hercleeri, wis barrı Urlı July 4, 1855. He he came Superintending Mildi:;al Office in 188s, District Medicall Officer in 1888, Government Medical Officer in 1812, it Tid Colonial Surgeon in 1898, He LLHHLGLC CaaatLLLLLLL LLLLL LLa LLLLLLLgaaaLLL LLaLLLLL L 13.
E. DE, LIYER A.,
Mr. E. cle Livera, M.B., C.M. Glasgow, the Colonial Surgeon, North Westeri Province and Provics of Sabaragamuwa, was horn KITI April 25 I 84), LInkl impiirite:tl, ELI1 Assistant Colonial Suitge:UIL iTI 1878. In 1844 he wa 5 made Selior Medical Officer, Eastern Province, Acting Colonial Sturgeoil in 1899, inct given the appoint rilent he low hulls in 1go.
Page 139
TWENTIETH
F. OORLOFF.
Mr. F. Oorloff, M.B., C.M. Aberdeen, was born on May 5, 1860. In 188I he was appointed Deputy Assistant Colonial Surgeon, and two years later Assistant Colonial Surgeon. In 1894 he acted as Medical Superintendent, Lunatic Asylum, Colombo, and in 1896 was Medical Officer at the Police and Branch
Hospital, Colombo, and Judicial Medical Officer. He became Assistant Colonial Surgeon, Kandy, in 1899, of the Eastern Province in I9oo, and in Igoo was ap
pointed to his present post.
அே
F. G. SPITTEL.
Mr. F. G. Spittel, L.R.C.P. & S. Edinburgh, L.F.P. & L.F.S. Glasgow, Assistant Colonial Surgeon and Superintendent, Civil Medical Stores, was born January 26, 1853. He was appointed Sub-Assistant Colonial Surgeon in 1874, became Deputy Assistant Colonial Surgeon in 1885, and Assistant in 1887. He acted as Colonial Surgeon in 1902, and in I904 was Judicial Medical Officer, Colombo, being appointed Colonial Surgeon, Northern Province, in Igo5.
soề
H. A. KEEGEL.
Mr. H. A. Keegel, L.F.P. & S. Glasgow, L.R.C.P. & S. Edinburgh, born on December 31, 1854. He was appointed a Sub-Assistant Colonial Surgeon in 1875, Deputy Assistant in 1885, and Assistant in 1887. In 1896 he was Port Surgeon, Colombo, and in 1904 Acting Colonial Surgeon, Southern Province. He was also Acting Colonial Surgeon, Southern Province, in I906.
WS
அே
GENERAL OSPTAL STAFF,
T. F. GARYIN, Surgeon in Charge.
Mr. T. F. Garvin, M.B., C.M. Aberdeen, F.C.S. London, the Surgeon in Charge of the General Hospital, was born on December 19, 1853, and was appointed an Assistant Colonial Surgeon in 1875. In 1891 he was given the position of Physician in Charge of General Hospital and Superintendent Civil Medical Stores, whilst two years later he became Surgeon in Charge of the General Hospital. In Igoo he was appointed Chief Medical Officer, Diyatalawa Prisoners-of-War Camp, and in 1903 resumed duty as Surgeon in Charge of the General Hospital. He is the Lecturer on Surgery at the General Hospital,
CENTURY IM
YVI. G. ROI
A sketch of the life of appears elsewhere.
அ
E. M. FE
A sketch of the life of First Physician of th Colombo, appears elsew
அ
GEORGE
A sketch of the care appears elsewhere.
وه
S. C.
Dr. S. C. Paul, M.) London, and F.R.C.S. Surgeon at the Hos February 20, 1872. It appointed Lecturer on A Medical College, with Assistant Colonial Surg of I905 he was Actin;
the Hospital.
தீ
ALLAN DE
Mr. A. de Saram, M.E Second Physician at the born on July 19, 1866 Medical Officer in Charg in I 889, and Deputy Assi in I893. During I90I h Officer, Colombo, whilst Assistant Colonial Surg position he now holds in Lecturer on Skiagraphy and Management at the
وه
ALDO CAS
Dr. A. Castellani, who Director of the Clinic
and of the Bacteriol Lecturer on Tropical a lifetime to the study The Son of Mr. Ettore C at Florence on Septemb medicine first in Ger University and afterwa versity and at the Liste of Tropical Medicine in he took his M.D. degree, degree of Privat-Doze Professor of Tropical versity of Naples. In I a member of the Fore Society's Commission fo Sleeping Sickness. As
MPRESSIONS
CKYOOD
Dr. W. G. Rockwood
RNANDO,
Dr. H. M. Fernando, e General Hospital, rhere.
H(0M (ASZ.
er of Dr. G. Thomasz
PAUL
D. Madras, L.R.C.P.
England, the Third pital, was born on n April, I902, he was natomy of the Ceylon
the rank of Deputy During a part g Second Surgeon at
eon.
SARAM.
3., C.M. Aberdeen, the General Hospital, was . He was appointed e of the Field Hospital stant Colonial Surgeon e was Judicial Medical he was appointed an eon in I903, and to the I904. He is also the and on Hospital Forms Medical College.
TELLANI,
holds the positions of for Tropical Diseases ogical Institute and Medicine, has devoted of tropical illnesses. astellani, he was born er 8, 1874, and studied "many, at the Bonn rds at Florence Uni
r Institute and School
London. At Florence
and later he took the nt, with the title of Medicine, in the Uni903 he was appointed ign Office and Royal or the Investigation of is well known, he was
OF CEYLON 131
successful in discovering the germ which is the cause of this terrible disease. For this valuable work Dr. Castellani was awarded the Craig Prize for the most important discovery in the field of tropical medicine in that year. In the December following Dr. Castellani was appointed by the Secretary of State to his present position, and during his residence in Ceylon he has made further valuable medical discoveries, notably the cause of yaws, one of the most prevalent diseases in tropical countries.
്
M. SINNATAMBY.
Mr. M. Sinnatamby, M.D. Brux., F.R.C.S. Edin., Assistant Colonial Surgeon, Surgeon and Superintendent of De Soysa's Lying-in Home, was born on July 4, 1859. He was appointed Supernumerary Sub-Assistant Colonial Surgeon in I882, and later was Apothecary at the General Hospital. In 1883 he became Sub-Assistant Colonial Surgeon, in I885 Medical Assistant, in 1893 Deputy Assistant Colonial Surgeon, and in 1899 was appointed to his present post.
لو
MARY NONA FYSH.
Mrs. M. N. Fysh, M.B. Lond, the Medical Officer in Charge of the Lady Havelock Hospital for Women, was born on October 28, 1872, and was appointed to her present responsible position in 1899. Her Assistant is Alice de Boer, and the Matron of the Hospital M. E. Richardson, whilst Winifred Nell is the House Surgeon.
அே
J. B. SPENCE
Mr. J. B. Spence, M.B., C.M., M.A. Edin, the Medical Superintendent of the Lunatic Asylum, was born on November 20, I856, and has held his present appointment since 1887. He is the Lecturer on Medical Jurisprudence and on Mental Diseases at the Medical College.
அே
W. H. MEER
Mr. W. H. Meier, Honorary L.M.S. Ceylon, is the Superintendent, Leper Asylum, Hendala, to which position he was appointed in 1879.
அே
K. C., BROWNING.
Mr. K. C. Browning, M.A. Camb., F.C. S. Lond. Professor of Chemistry, Medical College, and Public Analyst, was born on June II, I875, and has held his present appointment since I904.
Page 140
132 TWENTIETH
H. BWA,
Mr. H. Bawa. F.R. CS, and L.lR. C. P. Edin.. the Port Surgeon. Culiotmbo, was born van July S LLLLLS LL LLL LLLLLL CCCLLLLLLL LLL LLLaLLL LaLLLLLLL Mcdical Assisları iıı II.888, III« in 1891 becaTTLE SLıl-Assistalınıt Colonial Surger. III 1835 hill was Deputy Assistant Colonial Surgell, a rhd two years after wilrds Medical Officer, TulticCriri, India, In 1903 he was ilppointed Judicial Medical Officer, and in Ig) as Port Surgeon, Colomb.
*
F. R. LLEE
Mı", F. F. All:5, L, I.C.H*, 8: S. Edir. Pırt Surgeon, Galle, Wils, born Il September I8, 18öy, and appointcd to the General Hçıspital, Colombo, in 1893. He w:15. Sub-Assistant Colonial Surgeon in 1814, and Acting Deputy Assistart (Colonial Stirgęç III in Tg.C3. l11 LJ4 he was appointed Deputy Assistant Colonial Surgeon iltid subsequenlly til hi4 Pre5ent plasiliо п..
ஜு
THE GOVERNMENT
STORES.
The duties if this lepitill:11 "Isist of the supervision Ltd direction of the Goverin IncInt $trạres, & C., charge Ci the {30'vernment magizines, supply of building Tialerials, stores, LLttCSS HHLLL LLaaLaaS CLLCeLaHuCCOS cLL aaLLLLL L value oi all civil supilies, lr: rispiirt fr Civil purTases, remittances of Imolley to ll parts for cxpenses „irincurreci, cha Tge { if the public si'i- LHHLLS a LLL LLLgLLLLaLaa LLLL La LLaLaLLaLaS LLeseS Inlil the year 186, the Store was known as thc (CTTırmis55Lrit Styre, 11 Lille lled of the departillent, who was the II : Lilitary officer, as the: Commiss:Liry-General. Now the Stres are: in charge of a Controller of Gwernment Strires Linda Assistant C.I triller,
தீ
FREDERICH WILLIAM WANE.
[r. F. W. "", ","alıc, [..33. () - . [..E.L.E. Cığı Tıtroller of Govern Illi. It Stors, Wils born or Sepernher T5, 1852. In I872, ifter wirking about a year in hg Post OffiLL, hL was lpkillel Assistaltit Postmilster-General, and in 1874 Was Acting Secretary to thi: La I. Billrd, II 187f, he acteri 15 Pristmaster-General, and was ippointed Controller of Stores in 1}(x).
Guill
தீ
WILLIAM ALIE TAYLOR
TEuis geritlemlan is thL: Stipr:ki:[FIL:T A Til 1hs vertillett Sir E5, 1 position he hā8 filled simt:t: 1ụ(15, and at thị:
A CLUluıll:AILt. iii
CENTURY I.
preseral tirme is CIICCLII|pi Tergilisatirl of the BitTı ıt Lirilithgow (Glasgovo", li iš Schlo k; an appretiti:ship ii) të Superintendent of the njih kolom he served During this period he versant with all branch
the ELC: 111 its Consequently, fr. In his tical experi:İlçe he will virhen pointed by tl
i DILITIK
through the Crowl position he now athly
TE LOA
Tie II, II Hlll iII constituted by an Ordi ::: (Elli:
|Tissiol LI'5 l:1d LIt Lt
or sitners int:5titi:
ind rules ind regulli missionel'5 regLilat: the Emili: tli: sil:4:11 Iriti:: HbIl i 11:Licle, lle chi 'ges i; y rate of intergsk Find it: ; III LL:Lixului Its li lite k te
HIEF )
TE HO ,
The sketch 1 the El apprs lšLihter.
MPRESSIONS
tetl with the work. D'f
Gy'ITTILL SLUITEes. in 87, educted at Teer was followed hy he lice of the States North British Railway, sør over fifte en years La de l'iTTseli fully cones of stricke-ping and iction with the saille. locg : Ill varied prac5 thıÜTLıghly" compıctcTıt 1: Secretary of Static,
TAYLOER.
4. Eg:11 ts, tio inkle: up th! fills.
്,
N BOARD.
iiFi prestetit furIII yr:Lis th:LIC: il 18f5. L'Ild T155 irijelos, ThesЕ САнтillte:rt:8t thẹ: mømley & Cỉ C:5 till:3, &c., in klep uit ; Jinis mari: by the CNIrlproceedings and delerWhich |Calls :LTE to he "Table by lly yrru yw crs, t, the s clistribution, the books l, &c.
தி
LIISSINER
Hi. I. NICOLLEC.
T1. Mr. Nicolle'5 LlTLCr
OF
CEYLON SAWINGS BANK.
The Ceylon Savings Bank was cstablished as a Government institutior in I 832 and is III:LII:liged Lundlet (Ordinancc hy a Board Elf During the past ten ye:Lrs it h715 mad: considerable progres,
CEYLON
Ijiretts,
The sketch of the Tcr f Mr. F. W. Wine, the Secretary, appeals the headling Gwerin IInert Stor4-5
LITET
舒、
WDOWS AND ORPANS"
PENSION FUND.
LLLLSL CC LSCCLLLLLLL HLHLCL LLLLLL aCLL his for its ahject the providing of pensions for the widows and orphans of deceased public officers of the island, Officers holding perthanent appointments in the colony which are separately provided for On the estinates, Lind receiving 250 rupees per LnIluli. Whe hil. We Eoceen Intified 15 persicolable, Contribute 4 per cert. of their salary to this fund. The pellsions L HHHLaHLCL LCLaLa LLL LLLLL HC LHHH LLLLLLLC LsS LL hys it th: age of cightcl:T1, and if girls oil Inarrige Kirilt the ige of tventy-cane. A. Buz1rd of Dircktors Tallage:S th: in the T1, Ticy; of which ire invested with the Guvernment, and ľcturn či per cerit,
Thr: (Chief II) içictor is the Hon, I. H. C. Nicolle, whi: çırttır işi 5 ketched LLIlder tlıh Calding Legislativoko (C) Li ri cil,
ܫ**
§്
POST AND TELEGRAPHS.
This department is Idci the control of the l'ostrilaster-General. The new G, P., (), in LLLLLLLH HHHHHHLCL LLLLLLaLLLLL L LrT00 L C aaaLL aL lRs. 372.gif Ift5- There: :are I5 I post Celtice3 irn LL LLLLLLaS LLLH LLL LLLLaa LLLLLLaL CLL LCLLLaL
The Te, il Lidditi III, IĊ-4 ''illägg: receiving offics and 28 tililway receiving The III:Lills, LTE CHILy'e'll b' 1:1 i II,
Eiffticlesi.
{}ffices. horst: Çiacht:5, bLıllack culches, Lııd by (J't:T
20 TIL LEITE: F. pri84:3 1544 miles of link and 2,8 L + IIniles of wire. Shimline cable connects the island "W"ithu thụ: l"t:8't IIf thL: [[1 189s the G.P.O., took over thic telephane service from the Origital Teleph Ill. Rs. 42, fiff, There were 5s subscribers, 25 milks of posts, and 5 iniles of wire. There Life in W 40 miles of posis, 365 milcs of wire, and 274 it slruments in List, Thurl is also : Post Office Sawirig: Bił||k,
Thc telegraph systeIT com
Wrld.
ԸtյԼոբiIIly, բ:l:ing
Page 141
"TWENTIETH
HENRI LUTTFRIELL MOYSEY.
Mr, H. L. Moysey, I, S.C)., PoslIIı:Lster-(Genera] and Director of Telegraphs, was born on December 10, I849. Hç çTitcred the Gover TıInert service in 1870, being attached to the Colonial Secretary's Office, In 1872 he w:i5 Police Magistrate, Kayts, and in 1873 Acting Assisstart Govern rimcnt Agernt, Kilr II nl llegalak jktnl Hatticaloa respectively, Subsequently he Wils Acting Assistant Governmeill Agent, Acting District Judge, Inspector of Police Courts, and Acting Principal Collector of Customs. He was appointed to his present post in 1900.
شي
WILLIAM CHARLES MMCREADY.
Mr. W. C. Macready, Acting PostrLasterGeneral of Ceylon, was born in the island in
W. C. II.F.CHEATF
1 Fů, his father being Mr. W. C. MacI'ikdo of the Ceylon Civil Service. He entered the Ceylon branch of the Orientil Bank Corporation at the age of sixteen, where he served thrige years, In 1880 he Wils givel l Iominalion in the uncowell inted branch of the Government service by His Excelletics the Groverri Ur, and Tesigning his position at the Bank, CTI tered the Calui Lubio (General l’ost je as Second Assistant to the Postmaster-General. The inland money-order business was then in its infancy-it was ope Leclin Octor, |8|- and his previous banking experience was I much service to him in IIlanaging and extending the business of Lhis branch of the department, which was placed under his control. The Post Office Savings Bank was instituted in 1, and was also placed Linder his supervisi II. Mr. Macready acted 5:WL Till tistics as First Assistant to the Postillaster-General during the
CENTURY I
absence on leave of
between the years I 8481 the fix.cd appuiriment addition to his duties all the appointment of Si Savings Bank, a separa to the date of his assl Postmaster-General. ) 1he original members of the Ceylon Infantr Tilsiered to the AI formation. He resign gences of the postal
devoting sufficier in
THEODOR
Mr. Theolore HarW; to the Postmaster-G 11 il 1861 and edLated :
SchHl. Lwo years' service Wils Previous to
He cline to
position. years in Queenslald, British forces, ili lle : ifte:Tv'sırds bitimi eli: in BloemerInformi lein, Crati
JOH
Mr, J. Fox, ACCOLI Tt: was byçur JT1 \ Ligust 23 dan bue establish Tleil sa from 1884 to 1893, Office, London froll L’:Line out to Ceylon | now perfor 1115.
H. J.
The Assist Lilt it". Post Office, Colombo, som ni Mr. John LO" burn in 1877. After 1 Milrlborough College with Ir, Henry Split, becaune i Mlet Tiber Čif Accouillants in 1900.
neut on tht: F'ossil Colli and tuas acted fr:IT th, latter's absence, He in sorsi was Lille witll
DROGO
Mr. Murtagu has Superintendent Caf Te in Ceylon for the Phi cduated at Chelterill
MPRESSIONS
the permancint officer, antil IX, 1; Tid TCCeivėd in the latter year, Irl : the Pust Office, he held ecretary cof the Cecylor te institution, from 18% irming duty as Assistant I. Ma Teady is e Ci of the "A" Company y Wolunteers, Lind Wills tillery Corps upon its ed in 18g, as the exiservice prevented his 1e to volunteering.
தி
HARRIO.
ard, the Second Assistant erill of Ceylon, wis bÚTEN
Eh: ) Lurhı III (GTAITI1.DTL eylon in 1899, and after appointed to his present this hus had héen teori und als served With EhtSouth African campaign, ged in army postal work ge: River CalDrny.
தி
FO.
ant, General Post office, 185. He ser ved as clerk f the War Office, Londoil, incl of hic: Geile:Till PLÖ81 18ç)3 1-o, I gDD. He thlcTl take up the duties hi:
தி
LOETT
countant of the General Mr. H. J. Lowett, is the rett, and Lornklanı Ali di Was -eceiving his cducation at he scrvetl hi5 articlo5 a London accounta Tit, and the Institute of Charlied He blained Lil it printestaff in Celill in IJOI
Accountail during the i5 il goli cruth usiast, illil er if tlıE (GC) verill Crisi ul.
தீ
MOTIGU.
held the appoint III ett of legraphs and Electricial ist eight years. He was in College, and received
OF CEYLON 133
his engineering training zit the works of Mcssrs. Davey, Paxmar & Co. ill Colchester, and at Faraday House, the Electrical Stirl dardising, Testing, and Training Instituti II London. He worked for a short time at the Liceds and Edinburgh Electric Light Stations as an Assistant Electrical Engineer. He came out to Ceylon als the Assistart SuperinleTitlent of Telegraphs in 1896, and Wils promoted to his present position in January 1869. He was born at Colchester in 1870. He is an Associate Meinber of the Institute of Civil Engineers, and all 550ciate o bli Institute of Electrical Engineer 5.
தீ
J. ROBERTSON
Mr. J. Robertsor, the Acting Assistant Supcrintendent of Telegraphs, was barı il the island in 1864, and cntered the Post Cիիiւ:: service in 1882 as telegraphist. He rose graduilly until in 19oss he was appointed to his present position. He is the hull, secretary of the Colombo. Past and Telegralih Library and Recreation Club, to which office he was
:LecLE:tl iIl, L8gJ4 p.
தீ
PATRICK THOMAS MACNAMARA.
Mr. P. T. Macnamara, Assistant Superintet dent of Telegraphs, was born on Fehru.try 9, 1872. He was from 1887 in the limperial T’Istill Telegraph Depart in eit until appointed to his present position in 1899. In 1900 and 1903 he icted as Superintendent of Telegraphs.
தீ
CHARLES W. LLUND. Mr. C. W. Lund, A.M.I.E.E. Assista It superintendent of Telegraphs Railway, Wils appointed to his present Tust i11 1ւյն-գ,
தீ
ALFRED LESLIE COOK.
Mr. A. L. Cook, A.M.I.E.E., Assistallt SIFT intendent of Telegraphs, who was bort of Septetraber 5, 1874, Wils apprinted lU. the position he now holds in 1904. He is th: manager of the telepholes.
இ~
HARBOUR
DEPARTMENT.
The Harbour Department is under th*
direction of Masler's Attendant, who are situ
ated at ConlanTimbey, Galle, Battividual, arld
Trincomalee. The Master Attendant and Cl
servator of the Port of Colombo is als
Master Attendant of Ceylon, and is thus chief
Page 142
134
adviser to the Government in all matters nautical, as well as being the naval agent. His duties, and that of the other masters attendant, are chiefly to appoint the place of anchorage and regulate the berthing and mooring of vessels; to control the pilots; to see that the bed of the harbour is kept clear and is safe and free for navigation, and to supervise all other matters appertaining to the shipping
business of the ports whereat they are
stationed.
شوه
UOEN AUGUSTUS LEGGE,
Captain J. A. Legge, the Master Attendant, Colombo, is a son of the Hon. Charles G. Legge, and Mary, daughter of the Right Rev. Dean Garnier, of Lincoln. He was born on July 31, 1871, at Woodsome Hall, Farnley Tyas, Yorkshire, and educated at Bedford Grammar School and on the Thames Nautical Training College, H.M.S. Worcester. He sailed in Messrs. J. P. Corry & Co.'s sailing ship Star of Austria in September, 1887, and in January, 1892, entered the service of the P. & O. Steam Navigation Company. Whilst with this company he passed through all the ranks, rising to that of chief officer in September, Igoo, and in 1902 was appointed to the position he now occupies. Captain Legge holds a master mariner's certificate of competency as “extra master." He joined the Royal Naval Reserve as a midshipman in 1889, and retired after assuming the duties of Master Attendant at Colombo.
, 9
GEORGE ARTHUR COLBERT.
Mr. G. A. Colbert, Assistant Master Attendant, Colombo, was born on October 13, 1858. He was appointed in 1902, and has acted as Master Attendant and Joint Police Magistrate.
ٹو
COLOMBO HARBOUR WORKS.
With the erection of breakwaters, the southwest arm in particular, which made the harbour so much larger, Colombo became an important port of call for Eastern shipping. It was in I875 that the building of the south-west breakwater was commenced, His Majesty the King, as Prince of Wales, placing the first block. The breakwater is 4.2 Io ft. in length, and shelters 4oo acres of water-space, which has a depth of about 3o ft. at low water. It was completed in 1885, the cost having been 7oo,ooo. Later two other breakwaters were constructed, giving a sheltered area of 640 acres, or a square mile. There is a graving dock for the use of His Majesty's ships and
TWENTIETH CENTURY
the accommodation o port, a patent slip wh overhauled and repair The number employe was 2,600 free work The harbour is control Mr. J. H. Bostock is and Mr. J. Kyle the
S
THE
The police force ( Burghers, Sinhalese, M men, the Sinhalese and elements. They are u Inspector-General, tho municipal police (ex under the Governmen drilled and armed w carbine. It is maintair an assessment tax. Thi towns is levied on all h and tenements. In r under the operation of on the application of assessment is levied o estates. In certain loca towns, police are mainta revenue, by which me. the salaries of the I higher officers, cost C medical attendance, anc penses are borne by t towns where police Colombo a rate is levi and water, and the muni annually as a contributi districts the expenses ar. by the Government a estates.
CYRIL CHAPM
Mr. C. C. Longden is of Police, a position he l I9o5. Previous to tha Superintendent of Polic He was born on Noven
لاش
CHAS. LĂNGEL0'
Mr. C. L. Tranchell January Io, 1870, is t Police, Central Provinc mericed in the Police D Superintendent, Colomb was Acting Superintend He was subsequently at
MPRESSIONS
other vessels using the e smaller craft can be d, and a coaling depôt.
daily on these works cople and 7oo convicts. 2d by a Harbour Board. the Resident Engineer rst Assistant Engineer.
്
OLCE.
onsists of Europeans, lays, Tamils, and MoorMalay being the largest der the control of the Igh the provincial and :epting Colombo) are
Agents. The force is th the Martini-Henry ed chiefly by means of s in the majority of the ouses, buildings, lands, ural districts brought
the Police Ordinance estate proprietors, an n the acreage of the lities, other than large ined out of the general ans are also defrayed inspector-General and f barracks, hospitals, arms. All other exhe inhabitants of the are established. In d for police, lighting cipality pays Rs. 60,ooo on, whilst in the rural ; borne in equal shares d the proprietors of
N LONGDEN.
he Inspector-General as held since the year he was a District Madras Presidency. ber I, I873.
TRANCHIELL.
who was born on Superintendent of Kandy. He compartment as Assistant
in I892, aned in 1893 t, Southern Province, ched to various dis
OF CEYLON
tricts as Assistant and Acting Superintendent, being made Superintendent, headquarters, Colombo, in I903. He received his present appointment in I905.
தீ
HAYMAN THORNHL
Born on September II, 1876, Mr. Hayman Thornhill entered the Ceylon Police Service in July, 1895, as Acting Assistant Superintendent of Police, Colombo. On November 15, 1897, he was made Assistant Superintendent of Police, Western Province, and in September of the following year was transferred to the Southern Province. In 19oI he passed the first and second examinations in police administration, and also the examinations in elementary criminal law. On July 15, 1903, he returned to the Western Province as Assistant Superintendent. In 1904 he passed examinations in Sinhalese and Tamil, and on October 22nd in that year received the appointment of Superintendent of Police. In February, I905, he was transferred to the headquarters staff.
தி
EDWARD BRUCE ALEXANDER,
Mr. E. B. Alexander, B.A. Oxon., who was born on March 3, I872, is Superintendent of Police, Southern Province. He commenced his Civil Service career in the Colonial Secretary's Office, was subsequently attached to the Audit Office and the Ratnapura Kachcheri, and in 1899 was Police Magistrate, Panadure. In I9oo he was Acting Assistant Government Agent, Matale, and in 1903 Assistant Government Agent, Kegalla. He received his present appointment in I905.
لو
FRANCIS GRAEME TYRRELL.
Mr. F. G. Tyrrell, B.A. Oxon, the Superintendent of Police, Kurunegala, was born September 17, 1876. He came out as a cadet to the Colonial Secretary's Office in 19oo, in I90I he was Acting Private Secretaryo to H.E. the Lieutenant-Governor, and was in the offices of the Government Agents of the Central Province and at Nuwara Eliya in I9o3 and 1904. In 1905 he received his present appointment.
éو
HERBERT LAYARD DOWBIGGIN.
Mr. H. L. Dowbiggin, the Superintendent of Police, Colombo, was born on December 26, 188o, and appointed Assistant Superintendent of Police in 1901. He was made Superintendent at Colombo in 1905.
Page 143
TWENTIETH
THEODORE PENNYCLUICK ATTY GALLE.
Mr. T. P. Attygalle, Superintendent, Criminal Investigation Department, Cole Ibu, yai 5 harin on May 3, 1876. He was appointed Assistant Superintendent in Igo3 and SuperinteIdent in I905.
#
TE PRISONS.
An III spector-Gener: of Prisons has control and supervision of all prisons. For every prison there is a Superintendent, a Medical Officer, a jailer, and subordinate officers who are appointed by the Governor. There arc twenty-one prisons, exclusive of the buildings used solely as lockups, and the penal slage pois IIIets of the islı Tcl serte CÇd to II ver IL month's imprisonment go through the prison at Welikada, Kasady, Jaffnal, or Ratnapura, 11) these they are worked 011 the separtile systein, confined in spirate cells and worked in stalls. The pernal laboLur Cor. sists of beauting coir.hlisk, metal breaking, and pirgo carrying, whilst at the Welikada prison the treadmill is in force.
بقول
1. . DE WILTOM.
Major A. W. de Wilton, who is the InspectorGencral of Prisoils and Superintendent of the Convict Establishinents of Ceylon, Wils born at SiTIhalcotta, in India, in the year 1862. He received his early education at Brighton, and
IMA.JOR A. W. IDE WILTON.
[nik pectar-Geral of Prix ans.)
then proceeded to Southsei Military College, where h: passed Lit in 1880, Jining the Iniliti: in the following yea1', hic wụnt to SiLııtlhurst, and after ihl uELial Cuurse tillerc received his c.JTIIIlission in I 883 is ari ofiçict in the
CENTURY
Connaught Rangers, in the Burma. Clin 1 medal and tw" () -lı si appointed Major-Gene tius. Four years latt, Ceylor, and took u Inspector-General of F thl increase of Work, to Infined himself to ": Tious c«Il'wict estibl It IIlly be inentioned, clic Wilton is a grailcl: fiore, the First Co1Tır Australia in the year
REGIST
Thic: Registrar - (Git: clivilcid il t} two brihi Lr:Lition Departinent an und Deaths Registral Heal Office of the D. Fort, Colonha, but f irli Hu lftsdorp, Registrar-General lia Nilaries Public aIIlo Registra T-General is Arunachalam. The appelrs under the hear
Ill
LAND SETT D
The Land SC:titleT for TT1cid ut of the W Departillent, and it is signifies, which settle Cultivated And waste. withı III det i WW"-site: department is preside inent ()fficer, who has O ter Lllder. Lhe He has one assist.Lt. III]t is at Hill House,
JOEIN GEO
Mr. J. G. Fraser, the Waste Lands
(11 August 5, I864, as a cadet to the Ja arid in 1884) was 1 Pcdr. He was (jf of the Gower linent A District Judge of Badu In 18&gg he biçi:GL III: Algs Chilaw:Lill in 1go I the Waste Lands ()r
MPRESSIONS
He gilyy Live Stevi ÇE: aign, and Ibtailled a I88 he w:13 ill of Police in Mauri
ys. In
" hL: "W:Ls: tT:A II15iferr!cl: l. U the appoint. It ent of oliçe di Prish15. "With however, the Major his he supervision of th: le: Ele illil. incidentally, that MajiT «JTI QË Mr. Jacob MonteTissituiler Who Wit:15 ts)
1832.
ք
RATION.
crgil's Ilipart II:TIt is I ches - thic Llund Registhe Marriages, Births, iomlı Departimelt. The -partment is how in the armerly it was sil L.L.Zated the Law Courts. The s t: supervisil Oi Ingst his duties. The
the Hoi), Mr. P. sketch of his career iing Legislative Council.
്.
LEMENT EPARTMENT.
lett Departlett Wils Wast. Lands OrdilliLT1...e. th: hdly as the ILATIle is claims to lilild, both Waste 15 are dei LE
Lğıll (Ürdilli il ::. There: duwer by a Land Settlethc powers raf a Special
The Uffice of the depar:- Mu'il Colomb”.
தீ
RGE FRSER.
Settlertient Officer uIlder
Üridirları ce, 'w':L5 Hu carine Jul to Ceylon final Kachi chieri ir 1887, olic Magistrale, Pipital fice Assistant in several ints' Offices, and Acting Il:L-Halduin IIIullil in 1897. istalıt (Goverııııcnıt Agerılı Settlement Officer Luntler dira Ice Nu. T of TR97.
IdiT1:IHL,
חTנht
OF CEYLON 185
HOWARD ORME FOX.
Mr. II. (). Fox, B.A. CILI 1 Labo, y'',':L& b'ICT III August 17, 1865. He is the Assistant Settlement Officer, and came out to Ceylon in 1889 to the Badull:1 Kilclicheri. In 18yrz hic was appliciralcd Communissioner of Requests and Publice: Magistrate, Point Pedro, a[ld later in the same year was transferred to the office of the Guvermont Agent for the Western Province. He bec. Eme Acting Linding Surveyor, Custo.JIls, Ըdlյmhtյ, subsequefully actical for the Government Agents Lt Kegalla, "Liv"LIIniyal Ltd Mullaitivi. Hic was appointe «I Assistant Guvernment Agent, Matale, in 18), i Dislrict Judge, Tangalla, in 1900; and it. 1903 Wils seconded sur service as Spocci:Ll Officer L'Inder the Waisle Lards (Ordinance, NÜ. 1 Jf I 897.
d
s
WALTER ERNEST WAIT,
M. W. E. Willi fills, positi T. Of Additional Assistatut a lic Land Selileinent Officer. He is a sor of Mr. Willian Get-Tge Wait, n La planter uf Southern India, and w:13 horn at Connoxir, Nilgiris, in the South of India, in the year 1878. He was educated at Fettes College, Edinburgh University, Imenced Service under the Ge Iver tiIII ent A5 i cadet in eccIlher, 12. Froit that tille he held various posts until I gas, wherl he was appoiruted to his prcscnt position, A. & a memhor of the Ist Bartalion Royal SLLöts Wulunteers he look part in the Scruth Africa. Ti War, LE)kl k the present time is a member of the Ceylon Pları ters' Hitifle Corps
Llle
L' 1
ܫܡܐ
ஆ”
WETERINARY DEPARTMENT.
The Weerinary Surgeon, who is attached to the Secretariat, holds an office of skille importance, one of his principal duties being to ludwise the warioLLs Grover Tirri]erit de part1 Tlients il the purchase of horses and cattle, and the Lirca II uerit luf till:5 which are till:iT 'Coptery, He has also to attend to the suppression of coll" tagicus an cl irnfecticus discases of animals z Titl the improvement of native breeds of cattle and horses, besides superintending the working of the Government dairy.
தீ
GEORGE WILLIAM STURGESS.
Mr. G. W. Sturgess. M.R.C.W.S., who was born om SLptember 4, 1871, has bLen Velerill-Iry Surgeon since 1895,
്
Page 144
TWENTIETH
MMORATION.
There is a large immigration of coolies each month, but though the Government look carefully after these, there is no distinct Immigration Department. There is an observation camp at Ragama, where immigrant coolies are sent immediately on arrival, and the cost of this is voted under the Port and Marine Department (Government Agent, Western Province), whilst the cost of maintaining a Superintendent of Immigration comes under the head of Immigration (Government Agent, Northern Province). Mr. B. Paranjothy is the Superintendent.
136
鲸、
COLOMBO DRANAGE WORKS.
The Colombo Drainage Works Department is a temporary institution which has been in existence since I903. In the year I897 the Government requisitioned the services of Mr. James Mansergh to draw up a scheme for, and estimate the cost of, a system of drainage for the whole of the city of Colombo. This was prepared and submitted, but was considered too costly, and a modified scheme was suggested. This was agreed to, and work was commenced in 1904. The estimated cost is Rs. 5,ooo,ooo, and of this total about Rs. 2,000,ooo have been spent. The scheme will be completed, it is anticipated, in about three years' time. There was practically no system of drainage in Colombo previous to I897, the sewage being carried to the harbour through open drains. The system now being instituted will take away the sewage from the harbour.
و
R. 3. ) (K: L. Le.
Mr. R. E. Tickell, Chief Resident Engineer on the Colombo Drainage Works, is a native of London, and was educated at Malvern and Hanover. He entered the engineering profession in 1887, being appointed to a position on the Stockton and Middlesbrough Waterworks, Yorkshire. In 189 he worked on a scheme for the water supply of Birmingham, and subsequently was engaged upon the construction of the Penygareg dam, a masonry dam 600 ft. long and I4.oft. high from foundation to crest. At the present time this dam is the highest in Europe. On the completion of that work he came out to Ceylon to take over his present position.
அே
A LEC FILEMING CEURCHILL.
Mr. A. F. Churchill, District Engineer, born April 12, 1876, was the Assistant Engineer on
CENTURY
the Colombo Draina which appointment Engineer at Ragama,
镜
BOTANC
. ROYAL BOTA
PERAD
The headquarters of Government known a Gardens are situated at from Kandy. The ga acres, and have a gene of about I,550 ft., the c damp, but preferable to such as Colombo. T opened at Slave Island moved to Kalutara, an were transferred to th are worked with greats
as
OEN CERS O.
Dr. J. C. Willis, Sc.D was born on Febru Director of the Royal deniya. He has held 1896, with the exception I904, when he went C Federated Malay State appointment of a Direc
اق
E. E. GREEN,
Mr. Green occupies til ment Entomologist, and laboratory at the Ro Peradeniya. Born in I8 the Charterhouse Schc came to Ceylon as a cof 1881, shortly before the On his arrival the fatal at its height, and one acquaintances in the Marshall Ward, who hac the disease. Mr. Green in natural history from planter he turned his att study of economic entor weakened by leaf diseas insect pest that was fir Mr. Green, at the request ment, made an exhausti which was published in 1888-89 he published a “Insect Pests of the Tea England on leave, the fic
MPRESSIONS
ge Works, previous to he had been District Chilaw, and Kurunegala.
്ട
CiARDENS.
NIC GARDENS,
ENYA.
the department of the is the Royal Botanic
Peradeniya, four miles rdens cover about I43 al level above the sea imate being warm and that of the low-country, he gardens were first l. Later they were red from there, in 1813, air present site. They
CCCSS.
PER LLIS,
). Cantab., F.L.S., who ary 2o, 1868, is the Botanic Gardens, Perathe appointment since of a brief interval in in special duty to the s, to advise as to the tor of Agriculture.
F.E.S., F.Z.S.
he position of Governhas his residence and yal Botanic Gardens, 6I, he was educated at pol, Godalming. He fee planter in the year failure of that industry. coffee-leaf disease was of Mr. Green's first island was Professor been deputed to study was deeply interested boyhood, and as a ention specially to the nology. When coffee, e, was attacked by an ally to seal its doom, of the Ceylon Governve report on the pest, I886. During the year
series of articles on
Plant,' and whilst in llowing year, he went
OF CEYLON
through Professor Huxley's biological course at the Royal College of Science, South Kensington. In 1891 he was elected a Fellow of the Entomological Society of London, and was in I897 appointed Honorary Government Entomologist. Two years later he received the appointment which he now holds. In Igor the Royal Asiatic Society of Bengal awarded him the Barclay medal for biological work connected with India. Mr. Green has made a special study of “scale insects' (Coccidae) a family that supplies so many serious insect pests, and he has published a monograph on “The Coccidae of Ceylon." He was elected a Fellow of the Zoological Society in I906.
The entomological laboratory deals with economic insects, both harmful and useful. A small silk farm has recently been opened with the object of interesting the natives in sericulture. There is also attached to the department a quarantine station in Colombo, where imported plants and fruits are subjected to fumigation to prevent the introduction of foreign insect pests.
و
T. PETOH.,
Mr. T. Petch, B.A., B.Sc. Lond., who was born on March II, 187o, has been the Government Mycologist since I905.
தி
HERBERT WRIGHT.
Mr. H. Wright, A.R.C.S., F.L.S., who was born on September Io, 1874, is the Controller, Experimental Station, Peradeniya. He was appointed Scientific Assistant to the Director, Royal Botanic Gardens, from Igoo to 1902, and in 1901, in addition to performing these duties, he was also Curator of the Peradeniya Gardens, He assumed the position he now occupies in 1902, and has since acted as Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens.
و
HUGH FRASER MACMILLAN.
Mr. H. F. Macmillan, F.L.S., F.R.H.S., Curator, Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya, was born in June, 1869. He took up his present position in 1895, and in 1899 acted as Superintendent of the Hakgala Gardens.
لو 7ރ މި
HAKOALA BOTANC CARDENS.
The site of the Hakgala Gardens was
chosen in 1860, at the time cinchona plants were introduced into the island. The garden is situated on the side of Hakgala Mountain,
ep
Page 145
TWENTIETH
about 5,600 ft. above sea-level, and covers about 550 acres. A large portion of the area is still covered with grass and jungle.
தீ
JOHN KNIGHTON NOCK.
Mr. J. K. Nock, born June 21, 1881, has been the Curator of the Botanic Gardens, Hakgala, since I903.
தீ
ENERATOODA BOTANIC
GARDENS.
These gardens, about 17 miles from Colombo, were opened in 1876 as experimental gardens for low-country products, and to receive the seeds and plants of the Para rubber tree. The elevation is only about I5 ft. above sea-level, and the climate is hot and steamy. The cultivated area is about thirty acres, whilst one of its features is a piece of untouched jungle. Mr. H. W. Perera is the conductor of these gardens.
舒、
COLOMBO MUSEUM.
The Colombo Museum, an excellent institution, was founded by the Right Hon. Sir Wm. Gregory, K.C.M.G., Governor of Ceylon, in I873, and opened to the public in 1877. It contains a splendid collection of curios, &c., whilst at the rear of the building a number of Ceylonese animals are exhibited. In front of the building is a statue of the founder, handsomely executed by Boehm, which was erected by the inhabitants to commemorate the many benefits conferred by him on the colony during his administration. The Museum is under the direction of a committee of management.
அ.ே
ARTHUR YWILLEGY
Mr. A. Willey, D.Sc. Lond, F.R.S., was born on October 9, 1867. He is the Director of the Colombo Museum, an office held by him since I902.
தீ
GERARD ABRAHAM JOSEPH.
Mr. G. A. Joseph, the Librarian, Colombo Museum, was born on April 6, 187o. He was private secretary to Mr. Justice Clarence in I89I, and acted as Librarian, Museum, on two occasions prior to his permanent appointmen in 1893.
CENTURY I)
MINERALOO)
This department wa examine the occurrence in the island, with a development, the prep; report on the minera arrangement of the ge the Museum, and the a specimens. The staff is and an Assistant Dire former being carried ( well-known authority D articles by whom appea this work. Professor
Director.
MINE INS
THOMAS GILE
Mr. T. G. Hunter, Go Mines, was born on S has held the position si
额
FOREIGN
The number of forei
at Colombo is evidenc a shipping centre anc important Powers hav whilst in addition the Hungary, and Turke, Galle.
9.
AUSTRIA-HUNGA
Mr. Giustav A. Mai the firm of G. A. M porters and exporters, Consul for Austria-H Otto Pöhn, attorney of Imperial and Royal A and Royal Consul fo appointed to these p I906. He is a native educated at Leipzig. Marinitsch, nine years business in Leipzig a Mr. C. P. Hayley i Hungary.
BELG
The Belgian Consu Arnold William Bei partner in the firm of Ltd., shipping agents carrying on business
MPRESSIONS
CAL
SURVEY.
S created in 1902, to
of economic minerals
view to their further aration of a descriptive ul resources and the ological collections in ccumulation of further composed of a Director ctor, the duties of the out until recently by the r. A. K. Coomaraswamy, ur in another section of
arsons is the Assistant
奖
SPECTION.
ERT HUNTER.
overnment Inspector of eptember I3, I873. He
nce I900.
~
CONSULS.
ign Consuls established e of its importance as All the 2 representatives there,
United States, Austroy have Consulates at
i port of call.
e
ARY AND ITALY,
initsch, proprietor of Marinitsch & Co., im
is Imperial and Royal ungary. Mr. Clemens f the firm, is the Acting ustro-Hungarian Consul r Italy, but was only ositions in September, of Vienna and was Before joining Messrs. ago, he was engaged in nd London. At Galle s Consul for Austria
#డి
GUM.
ul at Colombo is Mr. *nhard Redemann, a f Messrs. Wills & Co., and coal proprietors, s in Colombo as the
OF CEYLON 137
Krawehl Coal Company. He is a native of Göttingen, Hanover, and before going to Ceylon in 1889 he was in business in Antwerp. He has been Consul of Belgium at Colombo for ten years, and in I906, for services rendered in this capacity, he was made Chevalier de l'Ordre de Leopold. He is a very keen sportsman and is an authority on most branches of sport in Ceylon.
Mr. William Frederick Diacono, manager of the Krawehl Coal Company at Colombo, is the Consular Agent for Belgium. He comes of an Italian family which emigrated to Malta, and he is a British subject, having been born in Alexandria, Egypt. He was educated at Beirut and has been with the firm of Messrs. Wills & Co., Ltd., for thirty years, first as their agent at Suez from 1879 to 1892, and since then at Colombo. He has been Deputy Consul in Ceylon for four years, and whilst he was in Egypt he was the Portuguese Consul and the agent of the Imperial Otoman Bank.
அே
DENMARK.
Mr. Alfred Johnson Sawer is the Danish Consul, and has held that position since October, 1898. He is a native of Ipswich and was educated there, and he has been connected with the shipping business all his life, at London, West Hartlepool, and Colombo. He has been at the last named place for sixteen years, with Messrs. Whittall & Co., who are the Colombo agents of the Orient Royal Mail Line of steamers, and he has charge of this department of the business.
அே
FRANCE.
Mr. E. Labussiere, of the Messageries Maritime Line of steamers' branch at Colombo, is the French Consular Agent at Colombo.
அே
GERMANY.
With the exception of Mr. W. Morey, Mr. Philipp Freudenberg is the Senior Consul in Ceylon, and has represented Germany in that capacity since 1876. Born in Germany on February 18, I843, he received his early commercial training at the Raubach Iron Works, which were formerly owned by the Freudenberg family. He has lived in Ceylon since I873, and his consular appointment dates from January 18th, three years later. During his long term of office he has been the recipient of many decorations, including two from Prussia and one each from Mecklenburg, Weimar, and Oldenburg. He is the head of
Messrs. Freudenberg & Co., Colombo agents
Page 146
138
for the Norddeutscher-Lloyd Comparly, whise oper:Litions are: dealt wilh in atacather part Lyf this volume. Mr. Freudenherg is the VicePresident of the Colombohriinch of the Royal
PBILLIFEP ETREUDENBERGLLLLLLLLS LLLLLLLHH TeLLaLL LLL LLL LMLLLLS
Asiatic Society, lid the official Ceyloth currespicindent of several 8 cientific sça:ieties in Mr. Philipp Freudenbcrg's son is the Wiçę- (Closul.
Germany,
தீர்
JAPAN.
One of the Ile west Consulships in Colombo is that of Japan, which dales from September, 1898, and has been held since then by Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Edward Hood Sym Oris. This gentleınan cç) Imes of ČST1 e of the best known county finitics in E11gllrad, whose chief seats are in Curll will, He is the som of General Syrimons, R.A., and went out to Ceylon with the Royal Ailillery in 18s I. He was stationed in different parts of the island frç i 111 Llhat year until T8f«), wheth lle en cred commercial life in Colombo as a broker, and carries u11 business is such at the present LiIT:.
தீ
NETHERLANDS,
The Consul for the Netherlancis is Mr. Adalbert Theodor Schulze, proprietor of thic firin of Messrs. Schulze & Co., Imerchants, who has been thirty-lwo years in the island, lic his been the Consul for two and a half
TWENTIETH CENTURY
years, Enkl for tyw'ek'e y its (Consul fikir Austria service: in this capacit the Austrian (C) Tider of is als o the possessir Jubilee illed:ll.
NOR
Mr. Edward Beck first Norwegial Colsul Intent d:Lting fi'r dim llhe fro11 Sweden iun Lille L was born in the island was elucated in Engl:L School. Since L 8) hic Colombo is illerchant a
EPE
Mohamed Ismail appointed Persi:LT1 Wii, abixut twelve years agro of Persia in Ceyloth H and educticd privately 1. B.A. resicles Lt S1:llp! and is a Justice of th tensive: hic i 48 e al Id sho|| And 5: veral le:L est:ılcs, province, which he ir who came to Ceylon fri
R. UTS
The Russia Cils, LL A. N. Bournasheff, St:lıcrb;at:lhoff, Tu:hok; Tchokoff is the Acting
SI
Mr. San Le Donn, it he rim C. Mess rs geilerial IITmierzchal, II tis, is CeylcNTI LIN cl is the fir: He coLinets frott Scibtl (Ceylc. Ti about 8eve11-LII been SiaLInt:5ę (Išul jr. Country he was in the
SHPAN NİC)
Mr. M. T. Fina Muir & Co, is the Wi Ceylon and the Consul
IMPRESSIONS
ears pitciously he acted and Hingary'. For his he was decorated with the Tron Crown. He
of the Fra Tız Joseph
W.
et Creagy, jui, is the in Cylon, his appointseparation of Norway *:Irly part of Igoi. He alt Gille, il 1872, but li, at Bedfortll Girl Tiltim:LI his been ill husicss in .ml CICLITTnission agern,
星岛I凸。
Mohamed Allie was Ct-Cuisul at Colombo al is Llle first 18uL
ols b i ol II lice I' I '. C. B. Nichols, 3355, Siil Shilstill Hill, Peil C. He is exroperty in Columbi
in the Sabaraga IIluwa herits frill his father, 'In the Bombay district.
盛
SIA
: : Colomb is M.Ir. лi the Hirti H ME533.
off & Co., and Mr.
Will:-CUInsul.
M.
kclift Young, partner . Clark, Young & Co., the CIIIsil for Siam in t to hold that nosition. brid, Erld has been it it Weilly years, and has I ten ye:LL's. In 1h: Oll 2: king husiness.
PORTTUAL.
, of Messrs. Finlay, c. Coilsul for Spain in sor Portugal; and Mr.
OF CEYLON
C. S. W. Morrison, of the same firm, is the Acting Consul for both CLII) tries.
தீ
SWEDEN.
The ConsLil for Sweden is Mr. Percy Bois, who went out to Ceylon about 1872. Although frequently acting als Consul, it is only reLently that the took over the oficial positio 11 frcorn Mr. F. W. Bois, who held it for a long series ot years. Mr. Percy Bois is the senior partner of Messrs. Bois Bros. & Co., the Colombin itgents of the British India Stearnship Complny, Until the separation of the two kitgdolls he was ChrisLil both for Norway and 5 եւ attterեւ
ந்
TLJR KEY,
The Turkish Wice-Consul at Colombo is Mohamed Macan Markar, Efendi, leal of the firill of (). L., M. M.lcan Markar, jewellers And getin merchants. He is only twenty-eight years of age, and is said to be the youngest Consul of the East. A native of Galle, he was cducated at Wesley College, Colombi, and ıt the completion of his course there he joined the business established by his late father, of which he is now the principal. He is a neithber of the Galle Municipal Council and a Mahonedan. At the time of the writing of this book he was on a pilgrillage to Mecci, his consular duties being in his absence perfor illed by his younger hrother, Macan Markar Samsideen, another in ember of the firm. Mr. H. A. Ebrahim Didi is Turkish Consul at Galle.
ثلج
TNITED STATES
Mr. W. Morey, the senior Consul in Ceylan, is the Consul for the United States, and he has held this position upwards of thirty years, For some time he has lived in semi-retirement, his son, Mr. Elmer Lake Morey, Vice anel Deputy Consul, taking full charge. Mr. E. L., Morey was born in the island, Ltd educated at the Royal College, Colombo. In 1884 he well to Artherica and entered the University of Maine, and graduated there as a civil engineer. He then practised his profession, first in the State of New Jersey with the New Jersey Steel and Iron Cornpany, of Trent and New Jersey, and afterwards took over the managertherit of the AIIlerican Bridge and Iron Company at Roanoakc, Wirginia. 11 1893 he returried to Ceylor, and has since that date been the Wice and Deputy Atherican Consul,
Mr. Jean Steiger is the American Consular A gent lit Gallu:.
Page 147
By JOHN
ASSISTANT ARCH.EOLOGICAL
EY LON'S archaeology practically dates from the title wher. Mahida, the & 1 ) A8 kl. 112 great Bucldhist whose cdicts are found Widely distributed over India, laritled ith Ceylon and preached the religion cof Buddha. No building now standing can with ally accuTicy be slated to have existed prior to that date, though there are several which may with some probability be canıjectured to hızı ve existed everı Carlier than 307 B.C., the date usually giver f I Mahinda's arrival. But although architectural and epigraphical records of the earlier periods are wanting, Silhalese history is by no means SEyeTal t}s 1HeiT hi:11}ric:11 hooks give a spirited and IIlost illeresling
king,
silicit on the subject.
account JË the : Ticestry :lind girly you'll of Wijaya, the coIqueror who landed in Ceylon with 700 dollowers in the middle of the sixth Tlış isl;ıtıd is describel il 8% lı in willığ; becn pcalled at that time hy " Yakktus," "IT' devils, probably Incruly describing a race much darkci in colour thin
ht: Sinhalese,
Orı his irrival 'ijıya III:t wittı il seri ILI:
century 14.2.
a polite Wily if
iniship, for his followers were cle by Jile overcome by the sorcery of ; Yakkhini (fill:ll devil) and were "cilst weeping into a subterränerous ahtode." Vijaya, h[:Wt:ựt:T, Värltuished thic Yakkhini arid rele:L:el ther, The story, 15 kild in the Mahayatsa, bLil's 50ITil CLaaaCaaLa LLLL La a LLLL LaLLLLLLLaK KLLLLL LLLCCC it the "Odyssey." Afterwards, III: Trying the Yakkhini, Wijaya wage:d war SLLCC:ssfully againsk the Yakkhus, and 5cerns to have
PAR
HISTORICAL
g5tablisher hittisg|E FILI Ceylon, It is frin Wi. the III: Si Hasie is of Wilnga Wils carri Sinha, (probably an Eas Richard Cerr-le-Liwal, children, a boy and a gi himself a5 king of Wang; who bore hit Wijay; it
4 still earlier recort
Siilaliese account of '' Ramily:Lili, El great pi poet Walmiki, which : ''Iliad" in its story of el&Libel frcü il the :ıbıllı
OLOGY
STILL
CoMMISSIONER OF CEYLON,
T' II.
SUMMARY.
Lily on thic throne of jaya's grandfather that i derived. A princess 2d off by a iteTrı equivallent of CLur le) whom sht: bore two
Ll. The 3 CD) est:Lblig|Log1 and married his sister, ld Illaly the child. i of Ceylo II than the: "ijaya is lifford cd by the c poem by the Indi:Lil stringly resenbles the
the lo Eug Wars which ctio II of Silla. In this,
liqılı —
too, Ceyl in is describecils being inhabital by cleIIloils, who werc finally vanquish cd by AI iTilly reinforced by Hanum; I and his hordes if apics. Of these early days the only tailgible LLLLaaaaLLL LLLL LLLaLLLL LL LLL LLLL LLLL KLLaS0JLLLLLLL II, 11-l cryštal—with which the "cleLino Ins, " Printeci their artws, skin cd their game, and it their fiTcs. Wery few of these Flakes have so far been sound, bat prehistoric archeology is only in its text':ımı : İllif:Lİı :y" ilı CeylÜr.
Aster the de:Lith of Wijaya t the capital vyras, 1 LlČvėl srČITI T:LITıbı:panni to latissa, rheither of which cities can be said to h; we beer ideratified. It i 5 po55ible that the Sirhalese hild ricit 0KLL LCtLLLLCllLL LLLL LaLLLLL C LLLLLLLHHS CLL LtLtL LaCCL LL
0LLLLLKSLLL SLLLLLLGLLGLLL S LLLLLLLHL LLLLLLKSLLLLGLLLLLLLSLLL LLLZLLLL LL0S
盟
Page 148
14() "TWENTIETH
nothing suficiently imperishable to withstand the rilvages of a tropical flora and fauna. Their
CENTURY I
< i weitl. He also obtain]] llı:Lt HC-trice u kle" y ".
SIGIR1’YA
stone Architecture 5hn W5 ss III-Iny signs of haviııg bete II thic Chitcome! Cof al style: lt: rint in huilding ich wood, tlat it is cerlair tley miast halve attained coilsiderable skill in carpetitry and forme a fixed corventic.11,
Fr(III1 Upalissal the capital was movecl lc) A Turadhapur; in the reign of Parduk.hhaya, whico Tuleci fruı1 1 abxullut 437 Lú) 3ť7 E4, C. Il l'his city was the seat of the Sinhalese kings for some I, 350 years, it is here Lihat the Coldcst artid finest staithe III in e:s II’e 10 1:e sicut und alci this is the cily" which has chic fly a trailed the it te:lition of travellers, from the Chinese Buddhist pilgrims of the fitti, sixth, Lind se venth centrics A.To, d0 Wılı iki rölır mil'i li: 11:.
III about 307 E3. c. Kiring Devil nīlimpiya Tiss:L cattle to the throne, Lind wery shortly literwarls becoming converted to Billis, started huilkling J11 Izı li:Lirg: Scale, III this reign we:re constructed the Mahil Willilril, which was for certuries the centre of orthodox Buddhisin; the Thuparam: illgoba, which, thanks to successivi: res lOrations, still füÜTLIns Ile of the chief attractions to Atiradhipur:L alike in the eyes of Buddhist pilgrims and of other wisitors; thic huge IIIoIllstery of Mihintale, eight miles east of Anuradhapura ; the Tsuru LInuniya Wihara below the Tissia lank, even now perhaps the IIlost picturesque of all the ruins in Anuradhapura ; the adjuirillg Wessagiriya Wilhill, with its rocky caves and uld square-character inscriptious Lild several other wilharas, all us which he liberally en
his fill great cII ptilti Alluridhapuri, where it
Llır. Tht} 5 til! receive=& tlıb: of thousands of pilgrims
IPRESSIONS
id from 11 I cli: il lurranch icli Buddha sat during
"bılı, arid Taliantıcıl it ilıı |r its lincial desce
OF CEYLON
als) built by a Tcl cierives, ils II:LLI): froIII this kiուց,
Thic next important event in Sinhaliese history was the arrival, in about 237 B.C., of Scil and (lattika, invaders from the Malibar coast, who reigned for twenty-two years, after which the Sinhalesc king Abela held the thronic for tcIn years, only to be slain in his turn by Elala a Chilian from Southern India, who reign cil righleously for four-and-forty years. This Wils the beginning T : very long series of wars leteel Lt. Simllalese a Ind vario.115 in vacle'8.
When the Silltales were strong enough they in wat dict Southern Endia, aid yw'lı eıı tlıy were weal. were in turn overrun and Tuled by P:L[Ldy:Ln, Choli:Tn, Kaling; or Ker:Llal ki[ugs and adventurers. This periodical warfare cÐntinued up to the British occupiltion of Kandy ill 1815, when a king of the Madura dynasty was om the throne; and Ceylon's history is Colle lig taulu: «if war's bruker CCCalsionally by | he: alvent of soithe strurig-hi:Lindcd kiing vyhr: ruled with an iron rod, and forced the people to build lighly tanks and templcs and to set their Affairs in irder generally.
Elali, the Choliln was slain hy. Ibut tagainini in single coinbat upon elephant-back, and there was again in active period of building. Duttagarnini owed his throne to his own endeavours, ; Tid the story of his long struggle against the firmly established usurper is one of the mist interesting in the Mahawan.5:1, []nce fixerl ran
doration of li Li Indreds Tlıf: Tissa tink was
the throne, however, he becline as mighty in peace as lıte had bce) i 1 waT, and to him We
Page 149
W
Page 150
142
aLLaLCL LLLLLLCLL LLLL LLLLLuLGLLLLL LLaaHLHtLOS CHLaL La Braxe:11 Pil:Lice, tlı rele: if the: larg:st TT comum cints in Atluralhil Jura. After his death, for fifty y'el's vLricus un important kings reignel, and then : Tother gl'eat builder cate lo the Elrone, calcxl Want tal-ga, ImiiIii, , Ir W'alla garInhah LI, IIB Lit before he had reigled a year he had to Hick: for liis li fc from TaTTnil Lusurpcrs, when SLI iccessfLilly kepi hin oul If his throne for sixteen years, On lis return he blilt the huge Ahlli1yagiri Dagobozu, ard was rcsponsible: for imary Cather picius icts, arıcılıg which w:L: the conversiÜı çıf th: gTL:at rock cives at Danbulla into a vihara.
Thirty-three IIlore kings lived, built and restoTed tanks and monasteries, arid died or We're TT. Llirdd:TCoed, and the in a gair a strong II 1zun
TWENTIETH CENTURY
Continually overrun ruthless type, and not inter Ticcinc warfare . (nd d(25trtiction :LIl c1 Df T Tlay bç: observed hui Walls gotipi Ipixusted (If th struttuTes, Fr II a tic11 han a king wlı) y in the next world by buildings in this. Anol LuTa is the Hildu if its sculpture. This is
Tost of the kings we rtiarriage with the ric Besides which, the freq Country by iruvaders is
POLONNAIERIUTWA-RUTINTEREO PART COF A MONAS".
LLCHL LL LLL LLLLHHLLLLLLLS LLLLLLaLaL aHuS0O LSLLS S L LC began his Career as a hitter ellerny Lif the aLrlOE LLLL0L L LLLLLLCLLLS LLL LHaHCCH HLHHH LLLLLL GLLLLLa far ils to deiriolish 54:veral of the most important shrines hut afterwards he fore than mild: Lip by his great works of rebuilding, and Ilew building, and if irrigation. The nightiest of all his OLOalLLLg L LLLSLLLLLLaHHLL OLOLaa mL LLLLLGaS GGHLLLL LLLLaLLLL L L LLLLLL H LL LLL LLL LLLLLLLK LLaLtL in Ceylon. He illson for Ted the Minneri tank hild sixteer other great irrigati I works. ThLLs, with vitrying forturie, Anuradhapurii remlin cd the capital until about 84s A.I. Kasyapa I, reigned at Sigiriya towards th: :Ild of the fifth century, all three hundred years lilter Agribodhi "W"II, 11ma de his capital at Pilori [arLi Wa but with those exceptions Alluradhap LLL L was the seat of 1he executive.
strong influence, Ilot oil of the Sinhales, but als. even of their Tace. Fir destitucitit of the grat : of the irrigation works borne, al Til a new capi Policyınlaru W'A Cor Pulasti: 15 kecil, W'lı y','Lis hii iii'; It was not hand Iled,
chles" is ab Ildid bL: Ea: t he c::pilal (of EI1glñI1( it w:L5 reduced Li: the pç and from that it grad. illage flirid by the: E Wils the capital foil though during that till: al other capitals Fr7 fe377.
By far its greatest
MIPRESSIONS
by in wilders of the Incist ill frequently the scene of Anura dhapura is a city
stration. ldings, pilverincints, and it frarelts of eitrlier thdal had css compuncished to insure cLIInfort
extensive ecclesiastical :h CT seature cuf AnuradhLittle as exEII plified in inly to be expccted, for ": closely connected by Jyal families of India. |Left IIllination of the i bulutd tı hızı ye hızıl alı
Everywhere
y On the arts and Crafts J ULL their religio, a Titl tally, the invasiCrıs indi religious buildings and eca ET1 e t00 L'11 Licht be
all Was established a puril. It is 5-II.ht:til II:s allha para bandlicheid ?
No IIngle Lhal Win
:a L15: it his Cl:33 Lil II) , Frith being capital isitiot of secrld city, ally dwindled to the nglish. Poloniatus: if A, 1... t. If ...,
severil kings reignel
king was Parak riartha
OF CEYLON
Hahu I., III fl-4 to T I 97 A.fm, The list of his Achieverlenlis is too long to be recorded here, but to show how great a king he was it will he stifficier to Intion the following. his way to the throne asler a long fight against grat rid5, Exhibitirhg Teat per sırıl yıELLr Ls Well as the Atributes of a leader. Hic s Libided Siç veral 1 filost detertrained Tchellion. As il RullLLE IL (the Southern Province) and clsewhere, and brought the whole coLintry Linder his rule. He Conquered a large part of Saintherri India, nxit only defeating the Tamils on lard, but destroying their let in a great naval battle of the earl banks; ind he broughl the king (of CaIImbodia la Sue for ter IIls. In his WIn kingdon he arried out a system of irrigation so vast that only now is some idea of its exten beitg graspid. He practically rebuilt PolorTharu Wil and caused. Anuradhapur; to be I estard. After it storily period of war and destruction, Polorinaruya was again restored by Parakrik III il Bahu II., then al Prince, while his father ruled at I):Ambadeniyil. And in T293 A.D. it was abandoned als the cipital for Kurunegala.
It will be secn from this short historical SLIIIlmary that the main features of archaeology in Ceylon are a bewildering succession of restorations and a great deal of foreign influence. Owing probably to the fact that every king held his power largely through the priesthood, the great majority of ruins are T1nastic: orotherwise collected with religioti. For sorile hirty years or IIIure the Ceylan Govertiment has give s1re attenti ta archicological research. Photographs of III any of the Inain buildings Of A TILıradhaptırı were tiken in 1871, A survey was mälde in 1873, and in IB77 detailed plans and drawings were made of several of the dagobius. Between 1875 and 1879 Professors Goldsmidt and Miller collected copies of inscriptions, and a hook was published. Excavation was started in 1884 by Mr. S. M. Burrows, and a good deal If exploration which he carried 1ut in 1884–85 resulted in a great addition to the existing knowledge of the subject. Finally, in 1890 a regular archaeological survey was started and has been Carried CI ver since. Its luties includic collection of inscriptions and explor:l- L a La HOHaT LLLLLL L KKLaL a LLLLLLS Excavation, so far, is practicalls can filled to Anurādhap LITI, Pablon II: TLLwa, and Sigiriya, L mil the mort important examples af restCritiU'IL ;lte at Sigiriya:111d Prill 11:1.TL Wa. Incidentally, the departitherit draws up reports and makes plans, surveys, photographs, &c. The archie)-
Hee yy'ı
logical s Lirvey i5 a departTITET t (of G. HYėrını III e Ilit, and private persons are not per Illitted to lexcavite without special perilission,
There is ari (rdinince dealing With a Titiquitie:3, and my one: who witi Lully da III:ages CJT defikces or in aty way timpers with a Tuin is liable to
Page 151
TWENTIETH
Severe penalties. This is a rost necessary regulation for not only do we hear of willagers doing a great deal if dairage in
S stated in thc historical sunlil:lry, this t city was the capital of Ceylon for a period of thout 1,250 years. It might therefore be expected that the Tuins woull show striking diversities of style, Hut this is not thic cast, Owing to the conser wative nature of the Sinhales, ruins which stretch over a period of a thnusarid years are so much alike 11:lt withui an inscription to guide one it is often irruptissible: lo » even approximtalely fix thit: period of A building. This, cf course, buth a dels ta the dificulty and somewhat detracts from the interest of excavation. And lespite its grcat historical interest the beality of Truch of its stonework, and its wonderful park-like spilcious views, there is t the non-archaeological visitor a certair monotony in the endless rows of great slitle pillars. Hut this Inonotony is IIlore apparent than real. When the details are looked into it is found that although situilar in style, the different carvings ind mollidings vary Flightly. Ure from another ; and doubtle55 some day it will be possible to attain far more accuracy tha II) at present,
Anuradhapura lies ile:Lrly in the centre of the wide plain of which the northernm est hali of Ceylon consists. The nearest hill is Mihilatale, eight Tmiles to tlh: East ; il Ind sik ve for abrupl jungle-covered hills, the country is flat as far as the sea on the north, east, and west, and for twenty Iniles to the south, where the plain is broken by the striking Incountain Ritigala. The city was thus entirely open to ill invaders, and uffered no sort of natural help to the defenders. The ruins stretch roughly from Wessilgiri on the south to Wijayaral na or the north, and from Puliyankulam on the east to the end of the outer circle "palaces" on the west, cowering approximately an area five miles long and foLII mills wide. It II list be under stud that this clocs not accurately represent the size of the city; for there are several ruined sites not included iıı thics: hounda rics which undoubtedly form part of the ancient city or of its suburhs; while quite a large proportion of the area thus defined is composed of huge tanks cor artificial laksi.
Much of the lard within the city which is flow under paddy-fields Ilust have been given up to gardens, but mure of it tham might be suspected was built upon. Besides the very large number of monastic buildings that now show above: ground the Te rinust have been arı
CENTURY
their blitld Sęrch † he regretted that cy tam hic met the typic:
SASSASSASSè. fFFEEFFFFEF;
PAE
ANURA
ET1ԼիTITլIնԼ18, ilTԼ:3լ Էtl"ւ:Tէ: hu Lubler people. Arti ScI wants, ab Hurers s'
existed in great run to the wants auf hus pretentiULLs bilding tanks, paddy-fields,
MPRESSIONS
ir treas Lire, but it is to cn in Ceylon there is of infally-hunting idiot
邸等轰袭、
T' II.
DHAPURA.
With th: he of th ts, crafts.Iner, tradics. Tich, ve-pers, &C., rn Lust halvc
OF CEYLON 143
who fancics that his 11:1. The adds to the beauty 11 listorical intercst of ancient Ion Li
IIle11ts.
incor ceivable that thic native tradition that the city covered sixteen miles cich way Inay be LGLL LLL LL0L aaaLLLLL LLL CLLSSS LLLkLLLttLt Gaa
WA—SAT-MLAH AL-PRASA DA, OR PALACE OF TEHEG SEWEN
STOREs.
bers in Order to Illinister whra inhāhited thụ mọre So that, allowing for and garden5, it is mot
with almost equal justice be described as stretching unbroken to Mount Lavinia. Sixteen miles each way would mean a nucleus staitne four os five miles square, and a straggling
Page 152
144
TWENTIETH CENTURY
LLLLSaLLLLLL LLL LLLL LL E SLLLLLLaLaLLS SLLLLSS LLLLLLLLS
{’ui fra III | hi silid rock, 4' i L i II length )
cIIIlected village ill illing the main roads fit š{Tne five or six miles fuTLller ira e:Lch directio||1. Probably, for , ln I I rliiliip III Ti;i :Liikl Mihiriliile were thus conlected l8ul ii sr., these suburhs were perishable buildings of LLLLaa OLOLL LeLLLaL CLLLLLLS HHHH aaCaC L cE titl Ce.
Taking the b-tree enclosure is the centre, till ruins and Tuired are:Ls which afford inst interest плy he described broadly as follows:- On the north, (II the Brazen Palacc, (2) the RLarveli-ThupäTäILIA TEl, () †h: Jetlvinarama :lt:i, (4) le priuhahl: si të: If thi: pilace, 15) Palikuliya, (i) Vijayarama a Ild Kiribalvillar:L. On the south, (7) Elala's trainb, 8 IsuruEin Lithiya k i Ld the ruins, beiclo yw Tissa bLlund, ty)
inistance,
We55;giriyal.
Öll thc: L31st, (TO) the Abahayagiri arca, ( I ) Elıb: "1"lıHxlu wil:ı nın qırı:Ast cry, Izz) th: E*Luliy;ı, mil:Lil:Lamı попл5terу,
Qn 1he west, (13 th the auter circle " Паlace
I. Th. EI:::II ':ll:1 1) i liga Initi, who c:LIT Iů H., Jl is stited in be:11 (IIIginally mini: stu t:Line:Il Cont: tlhausia il riu
If: "it later tiles.
l.J SevLI1 stJTLy5, 1rhel Miha Seii ibıçıtıl 300 restored by the same 11ULiced his livil way
(OFCI's El 5px|ce 5 the 23 sists of monolithic gn | 1411ber. Tlıley are ull : still Tough; ihey must SCIII: Way which to titlli11ts,
2. Tlıe RLu:II1Weli-ThLup 4.»I up:IL pı:Lrk-lik. : CC1 urLl
W
- Iiri:Wtis: are, (4) is." ce was built by King
li, ti tie : 1: Mall:LLIs th ity's high, to have coilL JILL, LILd li hlia Wicc b cer
I.;atc:I" it. 4,Wʻ:Ls TedLICeci Wis pulled down by A.I., but Wils again king after lı- hızıd re"":, Tille Testemt ruil 2 ft. Square, and Loreiss pills, TiO) in lair), and most of thern Ehl'','E EIE EIl culteti ir cealed their rugged
HTLIIll. L'el is a stell Ty”, bott lills a runile
IMPRESSIONS OF
CEYLON
long and half that width. At the southern end stands Ruanveli, the Jagiarr firs of Duttag; mini, 1)espite the hiduous effect of moder partial Ti:sturation, there is still Inuch to attract ote in its calorage. On the east side, Ilear the flight of steps, there are statues of Buddha and ore of a king. This last is about () st, high ind is a fine piece of work. It is popularly supposed to represent Douttagarrhini, but this is exceedingly doubtful. At the four allars, at the four cardinal points, there are Illy Gioved sloncs, a large IIIber of Williel show traces of his wing been painted, as was il great leal of the Cold stone work. A Titl broth on the pavei Lents and on upright slabs lere A1’e inscriptions of dates varying from the first lo
Fic: ty'elf Llı ccntries A.T.
In the park, to the west of the dagoba, are W LI III), nasteries cui tlh: Lislil pları--Lhat is to say, al large central building with do Lur smaller ories arranged round it like the pips on a "five" of playing cards-but with LLII usually gox }d stonework, the entrance ir particular being highly or Ilamented, with balustrades carved in the shape of "inakaras," with "Nilgilraja" guard-stones, "Inconstone" carved in high relici with the figures of Inimals, &c, and with "galits" depicted on the steps, As these desigris HcÇur over LT1 di Cover again, it will be as well to explairl what they are.
The III:lkarzl is akin Lour griflin, and is, of Cour:4, il fabulois ; Tinal. The Nags were a Silke-Wrshipping racc of Sull'erri lidi, whi} are: always descritical itu mythology EL8 lctually being Snakes, OI lhe guard-slones they are depicted its graceful III with from three ti Iline cobra helds raised as a hood behild them, Buddha is said to have convertetl them to his philosophy. A "inconstone" is it skillicircult. It slab which is he found at the foot of most flights of steps at AtluraltaLur:1. SCIIII: " II) constres" are beautifully C:1r Wed with PTCCc55iots \s ilnimills incl ggese. The garlas answer to cut fairies or hitiwnics, and are the people of Ganesh, the elephantheaded god. Of course they belong IIlire to Hinduis II that to Buddhist, In the ruins illst mentitled there are delightful represen. tiltions of gallas on all the pill:Lir capitals; scule singing, some playing on warious musical inistriiments, sorrie clishing icy inhalls, and till SKIL:Imling L& j lly L 5ct of little 11 en 15 Cnc: could wish to 'til across in so IIle dark glade of the fires,
Frcurl the ruins just descriled the wholic spoil ci! Iliorth to Thupau'aitha is co wered With buildings of various :urts a 11 til size:S pU11 tls; lined with stone, wells, &c. Severial f Lhe 11 IL: stries are of considerable size, including within their in her walls Eile usual set of five buildings, and within their outer prcuises all sorts of refectorils, kitchins, bath-rooms, law:- tories, &c., 50.It is which are at least as
Page 153
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
interesting as the more pretentious struc
[ LLIT
At the nurthert end of this park stands Thuparain, which after Ilarly restorations retains its outlings Illuch as wheri in the third ceıılury B. c. it was bīLLilt hy Dewarta timpiya Tis5il, the first Sinhaleze Bllclcdhist kirig. The gxccedirigly gracejul pill:1r5 which Surround it may have supported a splecies of cloist:T they are not quit: s all as the diagoba, Close buside it, on the cast, is thc original Dalld: Maligawa-the F"al:1'e Lif ll1: Tristh reli: and Rulli's touth wits placed when it was brought Liver from India in the beginning of the third century A. L. There it was in good compilin', for the callir-boile relic is cInshrilled it the Thuparata. The tooth relic is now in the Dalaclit, Malligawa, Kandy.
The whicule neighbourho}{3rd i Lithis por:li't is ille city is slutllel with ruit 15, LI)cd i 1ct the least
-imir y llywhich the s:L't beici
Wortly if note is it ILagnificcitly cut I nolithic cisterın somic ne huikli'el yali «l: elst Coť Th. Lupi:Lira III:l.
- The Jet:L vai aram: irc:: L:Lkos ils h:LL1142 from the huge lagoba which, towering a lost with it5 great brick spil' on the Sul Limit i8 tle of the Ilist slriking ie: Lires of AI uradhapura. This diagohl was built in the reign nf M,Izılızı Sen, 1 he samt: kiring wollLC deslri yed and afterwards rebuilt ille Bilzeil Palace. Bll besides the dagoba itself the c is Flerity of interest in the forcist r build, which is literally full of ruits, some of their very bca Ltiful. This are: is as y et practically utilauchel by the archeological survey,
4. Tılığı sLippi :132ci sitet if tlı : Tı.ıl. Çe: is dill 11:2 high ground, some qui:Arte T-1mill: 110rtlı Jf thë modern hospital, There Lre not may ruins there, but one brick huilding ui the PoloilTIL TLI willi i period is Würth y Qi 11{lc:.
5. Patkuliya is a collplete 111ollislery or the banks ut lie Malwatu- Oya, soline Die HIt i half miles north-east of Jelaviliarilin:l. There is a stille bridge is good Freski'. Ltill 11 it fiLL LI1 il.
ó. Vijayarama is a 11ust ilirios que lind extensive II:no:Listery bLLriect ir the juli Ingle : couple of miles north of Jellvillaramil. It is not easy to get tu, but is worth a visit.
7. El:ıl;n's lomh is soLıtlı („ii t lıc: bi.|-l1ʻe£: e11clemsture ; it is really I daguba, blit In:lly lilii roli the spot where Elala was buried.
8, Is Liriliilitiya is a lost picturesque litt lrock 1: Tıpıle :: Imill: sCJIuth Us the bli l-irte, li was built in Ille í eign of Devall:lmsiý. Ti**íl' LILtd is cilii: il tlı Colliclest sites of N. II, 13"71, dh:1pııııra, While visiting this the illeresting ruins hel W. Tissi bu ııcı and ı few luidrel y:LTıls 1941rtlı Lik: everything Lills: ilin M. Li ili railhii PLIII:l, liliu-Yo llil" է: belil restored in fairly modern lities, probably in the t', elfth Çi:[ht Lily A.12
If Işırı Tuniya shpultl alir i b-a: see 1.
g. Wessagiriya is II: places in Eur:ldth:1 111 Core w'n Irthly ond :-L visi! now II yıf| in cuur:: : It :15 trչԼւIւtictl հ: ānd Ilhälly' [:f thẹ c frr:LIn about that period Ihow i progres; sł10W sively rebuilt in the Kasyşılığı, the patricid at Sigiriya,
10. The Abhiyilgiriy; ill in which El: '...: Lt. Il its: If "W.";: Luilt by Ki reighed in the first ceil. sixe is; l'ociutivi: il th. It is ille Telstill I r:liling to the solith Lind on th: "list.
II. The Thrillivilä T1 railway sitti.I. ilill is street collectillg the which st Of the clag. buildings. O either in Ily stiller building: ing-houses of the Iloilk
12. The Puliy:LTikul: iensive collectica 11 Cof
Elli to Lulla half ET to will adjoining ille J. 1. Lhe rising ground 1 ilire sorine curio Lis shik yw hiçlı hal y lling PLIZ discover their use, T ceII letery", tor :1 3: Lill 5 li
MPRESSIONS
of thı: Ilıqlıst iı teresling ita, il 11:ll will hic ev'eT1 w'lı: Il ilç: ::::L'itiÇIs
Lire :Llrriiteal EI li close. Dev:LI 1: tinbi'l. Tissi:
ciale
ILLE the text:H'':Llid } 1&
illsւ:Tiյlliւյ:18
it to ill blen exl:Il:iglioli ceni Lloy A.I. hy te king, who Tçign:ri
a :Te:L le:Ills '''ill I'lli 15, L-x";Lvo:Lt ici. Tlho :l: globo; Ing Walzagai Lnh:Lh L1, who i L'' B... էl:Iugէll.
Lins are the Bill his
4. l:LF ge brick bil Lilklig
[ ts :Tipo1 | 3 L15 Im its viciniti
»Illastery is clic Is.: LIJ 1 hçe Ili atewori tuyo i or its li 11g 1", " "Ai5 : :AT::L:3 i H[II b: il it the principal sil rii li5 sti"-t T ; which weric the clwell
III Inuin:Lillery is in Exrather plain buildings iles fit III Ilurit,dh i PLLIl finalı bild. Close I it, in the 'y',':5t i ni lltire . It is:Lick, peless brick-lined pils, EL 11 C:Tale: ''KILII" KI
hey may have heLn 1 ore, or prisoils, or will
POLONNARUWA-HIRAGE JAIL RLIN, --
OF CEYLON 145
animals' dens, or the dwellings of troglodytes. This latter I personally think Illixst prohable, but it is open to ilns one to theorist,
LLLLLS LLLLLLL LE S LGH HHLHH La LLL LGHGLGLLLLLLLS whicll is undoLrbiedly ai later date that the pits. Although it is not apparent, yet when dra WIL Uut. UI paper it is seen that the buildings follow" a regular and quit: synIIletrial Flail, which show's suille skill of the part of the clesigner. Most of the larger monasteries look butter on papertlılı gı ile ground, as regirdi plın, fant in their jungle-CC t':ro:d, I Luired stato the symmetry of their arrange IIle11t is often
"I'll ket.
I3. The Mirisveti arca is Helween the Basawakkula III a.Incl Tissa tanks. Thė člagoba was built by IJuttig:LIInithi, and hals Ihuw heer) hideously disfigured by a fruitless attempt at The ruits hich surru Lill the dagcaba arc, F think, One of 1he CalTipitiatively mixler restorations. It is noticeable that they wETE never finished, all the Larving remaining to be done, as Ilay be seen by the raced,
Irel III LiO 1.
un finishcl designs,
14. The ciuter circle "palaces" are a series of scts of buildings, so called h::LLSe: they ilirë oil and near the ululer circle road, Lindb.ccluse they are unlike the ordinary monasleries, and :Lre supposed to havé hee11 Elle hoL15č5 Čf the nobles. They have not been excavated yet and in:ly yield riuch of interest.
15. The bo-tree itself is a living athliquity. It is Ilot the oldest historical tree in he world, 3 i 5 osten stated, for evel if its pik Teht al Buddhilgaya is Il IIlure, there reilaairls the
The wills are oc 5 ft. thick.)
E.
Page 154
1d6 TWENTIETH
tric planted by" Confucius, who flourished about 550 B, C, But in Liny case this tree at Anu Tadhapura has been revered by millions for a period if some 2,200 years. Its cnclosure though ruined and curtailed in size, still bears witness to the accLiracy of the observations of Fa Hien, the Chinese pilgrin who visited Ceylon in the beginning of the fifth cen1LIry л.L,
If, Finally, a word as to the palace. There is no existing building which can be identified as Such. Possibly it trnay have been totally id:stroyed ; hout more probably it may have
IGHT miles due cast of Anuradhapur:
is the hill and village of Mihintale. It was on this hill that, according lo the Sinhalese historians, King Devanianpiya
Tissau first met Princc: Mahiruclau, th= Buddhist tissionary and was, with his suite, converted or thic spot. In India Buddhism flourished As it in tę weer had before, under the protectiv.» Cf King Aski-L. F'Oııı his capital city, Patalipulira (the Tinodern Paatını), he sent en wys tr) all the Louillries he knew Lof inci AIncing others his son Mahinda was deputed to visit Ceylon, winer: he religion of Buddha was is y'e:t ulik:I13 w III.
Kirg Tissa w:Lis taunting a szkırılbur Til the Missa Tholuntain Mihinale) yw hern hic ça T14 upin Mahind and his coil panions, and liter
CENTURY
bee:rn coImposed of a lar" buildings, which are
non asteries.- The Eneri of religious buildings i prove it not have col it is almost certain tha had sorme form of priva too, would in all probat it ind would be of the H: stated, it is supposed
INorth of the: hospital II but this conjecture is ol evidence, and no certa
حججسمه سحس حسسسسسهمه
IF AR"
MIH IN'
a very short discourse embraced the Ilew faith patronage. Buddhistn si soon the accepted religit of King Tissa's earliest the hill into a Ino Inaster upon Mahilda,
The Mahı varsa Trier'ı of sixty-eight rock cells, seen in much the same of 1hen still inh:Lhited buried in jungle. AEC cut drip ledges to carry LIIlder the se tllete at of friul a tille Intut ITL Luch 300 B.C. when Mahi Irı about 25g 13.Ç, M.Ia
ምሮሞክ8
POLONNATRU TWA-JETA WANARAMA, WIHARA
(Witw run. Like 1. Lll-el:l.
IPRESSIONS
e nuIber of different low supposed to be finding of images and Lily area would not ailed the pillace ; for the king would have : chapel. His queens, lity come frorn India, ldu faith. A5 already hat the high ground ay be the royal site ; ly formed on negative inity can be attained
一三一
III.
TALE.
h1 : L Tid all his suite Helped by the royal read rapidly, and was in of the country. Onc. Works was to convert y, which he bestowed
tions, the construction and these Ilnay still be
state as of old, sonne
by priests L11 di some this elittincts Le off the rain-water, and ten inscriptions dating Ithu ITE: modern than id:l still flourished, hinda died ind was
OF CEYLON
until some further discovery throws light on
the matter,
It will he noted that gigalitic stonework is a feature of A Turadhapura, Huge columns and slabs abound on every side, while the labour involved in the manufacture of son: of these great cisterns and "stone canoes" is stupendous. These so-called "canoes" always provoke curiosity. They werc actually to hold the boiled rice that was duled out to the pists in the various alms-halls. A splendid specimen of an allis-hall is to be seen hear Ruan well itu, the compound of the present Test-house.
cremated. His bodily relics were divided up and some of them enshrined at Mihintale in a dagoba the Te, probably the Corne 11Low known as the Amhastale dagoba,
The hill itself is some 1,000 ft. high and is steep and rocky. From fi Kut to summit it is clothed in forest, in which lie hidder numbers of civics, ponds, ruins, flights of steps, and even several dagobas. Up the easteril flank of the hill is a broad, easy flight of steps, combining a series of terraces and leading to a broad platform, where there is a fine refectory k Tid Several ut ther ruins. Fricorn herc on wards a narrower flight continues up to the presertday monastery; and then the way proceeds by other steps to the sunmit, where there is a small dagoba called the Et Wihara, The monks live, sole in caves, and 50.Inc. in a long low pathsala round about the Ambastale dagoba, This is supposed to stand on the actual site where Tissa and Mahinda first Inlet, while a rocky crag just above it is said to bl: the spot in which Mahinda landed when he flew over from India, Although a little difficult, this crag is well worth climbing for the beautiful view that is obtained from its surn Init. Other items which should not he Lissed are Mahinda's hetl, a curious rock-hewn couch on the edge of a precipitous descent to the wilderness of jungle and boulders below, and the Naga Pokura, a rock pool with a large five-headed I:obra carved oli its wall.
At the foot of Mihintalc there are sever ill smaller hills in Lach of which are Timany most interesting remains, scule of the II in Very way well worthy of a visit. Not only do they date to a very early period and offer much of interest to the archaeologist, but froin their Trimarillic situation and intrinsic heality they 1must attrict the admiration of all who find line to visit them. Indeed, my advice to any one, eitther antiqtiary Cor sightseer, i 5 to Cut short a day of the time available for Anuradhapura rather than miss Mihintale.
Page 155
TWENTIETH
EYON IT) the last outposts rof the Kandyan hills, in the birds of the title plaill that stretches north to the sca, stands Sigiriya, the cliff-crowned hill om which King Kasyapa, the patricicle, built his fortress citadel in the fifth century A, LJ, This is hy far the Ilust striking ruired site in Ceylon, On every side Sigiriya, presents an eminently attractive picture, rising high over the forest, and seeming, with its sheer ruddy-coloured cliffs, less like a hill th:Lil 84 me huge Linscalable castle,
The listory of its short life as the capital of Ceylon may be bricily told. In the latter half of the fifth century A. D. King Dhauscha established himself om thc thric).Tı: Cof AI) Lur:Allapura. For nearly thirty years lic had waged war on the Tarlils, who overri Ti and ruled the country, a Tid, ETTıbiltered probably hy tlı struggle, he ruthlessly punished all who had favoured his enerinies. Bul het TLuled with : strong hand, and cirried out great irrigation works. He had two soils, Moggalana, horn of his consort, : incl Kilsytapril, bi rT1 of al 11 in ficrior spouse; and he had a daughter, who was III:rried to her cousiil Migara, the chief of the arIny, In about the year 47), A.D, Migarl Aud Kasy: pia Tehclle-ci, t. Kuk the king Prist IIICI, IL Tid, Lifter submitting hir 11 to IInuich i Indignity, w:alled hiTı Lıp zılive ir his prisik T1. Th4: patie:Il CC al Intl dignity of the old king is touchingly describcd in the Mahayansa : 'Thus," says the histaria II, who was a personal friend of the king, o worldly prosperity is like LLInt the gli Intering of lightning." Moggala113A, 4411;ble to III:lkheadway against his brother, fled to India, and seerius there: tu have enjoyeci s »the succe:33 in his quest of allies, for Kasyapa abandothed AILIradhapura, and, it thic words of th: Mahavansit, took himself to the Sigiri rock. that was hard for men to climbi, Hic cle:Lred i LLl b Si Truded it by :L rainpart, and built galleries in it or Ilalilented with figures of lions: wherefore it tryck itsi name of Sigiri, "the lion's rock." There esta hlislı tecl, hic reigned for Leighteel years, anci tried by goald works to atome for his crime, but "he lived all in fear of the world to coine and of Moggalana." At the end of eighteen Years Moggalana returned from Tndia with an army, and, driving Kasyapa away frosll his ii r regnable stronghold, defeated him in a greal battle, Kasyapa committed suicide OT the back of his elephant, and Moggalana established himself as king at An Lur eldhal Plura, which
L11 l
again hecame the capital.
Sigiriya was converted into a monastery and
placed under the charge of Mahan alla, the
author of the first part of the Mahavamsa,
CENTURY I
PAER"
SIGI
Henceforth it disappe: sat one refectice to it AL), When King Sang: taken there and cliccipi
It is strange that a strong is, Sigiriyal shor
re
the stormy history Cof records have so far
the great galler Til ill so the chief Will Certainly Sigiriya, in in pregllable to eWe starvation or treache
MPRESSIONS
Ꭲ I"Ꭹ .
RIYA.
Ired for history sile in the severtita centLII y L Tissa atıld his son yw'er:
tiLECicliortress so pre-cIlincintly Iuld figure six shortly in
OF CEYLON 147
Its III)oxidern history dates fruin the time when, socile sixty years ago, it began to attract the atteritirl Lf English Ifficials a Il others who passed through that pilt if the county. At that tirne, Lind for Llany years aliter, it w:L3 cave Teci with dcT15e jLLIngle, salve where the
POLONNAIRU WA -- JETAWA N.A.R.A.M.A. WIHARA.
'Wil yr If the fra E, FIš t }
Ceylon. But no further լ:յ1118 til liբեէ- Pt:5sibly ay have been brie:Lchel, of the lice lost. But its prinne, im List ha vę been ry forIII ui altack sive ry from within.
great cliffs to wered up, hilicly seeming to offer iny possihile means of access to the 5.IIIlinit. Aid it was dreaded by the villagers as a favourite haunt of evil spirits. The first attempt in II codern times to explore it systertatically was inade in the sixties; but for (many years the ascent was a matter of great
Page 156
148
difficulty, and necessitated the Lisc of ladders for the first part, after which the climber had to trust to the Tarrow ronck-clut grooves irn which the gallery was built of old. During this period but little idea could be gained of the trim cndous quantity of buildings which have since been unarthed, for the whole of th: SlCopes below thç çliffs Ludl ble wul: 5.Lithu Llit were clad i Ill forest.
The operations of the architeological survey began in 1895, and now (1906) the whole suIIIIInit and Heyeral of the terraces have becn COITpletely excavated, the gallery his beetl Tepaired and has becn partially restored, and the finill climb up the rock face has been tendered comparatively easy by the fixing of irol lil dders ard railings,
The general pilla Il of the city :LIL tl citaclel is as follows : Sigiriya, is a stee, bocoulder-str wrn hill, which rises abruptly for 50 mg 150 to 200 ft, and then culininates in a հացt rdck, Some half a nile in circumference and 300 or 400 ft, high, The whole of the slopes below the rocks are terraced and were built upon. Each terrace is supported by a revictment wall of squared blocks of stone faced with brick, lid they are connected and interconnected by in 11 LIIIlerable flights of limestone steps, which finally join, at1d it two grand stairs led to the lower eld of the wonderful gallery which is the Illy I'lle:LIS of Te; cling the gLLEirit. O[] the east and on the west the slopes are low anti the cliffs proportionately high ; but on lhe
TWENTIETH
CENTURY
in I}rle place reach tC) .nITlilחנו3 טth
The galery commen and running along the L E CI Ell: Lippe era
R
W
置 唱儡
鼎
MWA
“
W
W
TAHU
կի
AYA উ\
SLELLLLLLLLLLLL LES LLLLLLLELLLLLLL LSL LLLLS LLSLLcLL
south, and more especially on the north, the terraced slopes run far higher up the Tock, and
L. Hāt špič: SCIT.: F ": ill IL LEree siles if it
LMPRESSIONS
within a hallit 20. fl. of
OF CFYION
away". On the east is a series of precipices; on the west is a long slope which is carried
ANTJERA DHAPUR.A-RUAN WELI IDAGOBA.
ces oll: Wester side, face of the rock, cotles on the Inorth. This is
lill լ
A. AWA
i.
Liris long ind o wide, the ground falls rapidly
into sorne score of terraces, only the upper three of which have bere 11 excavateti ; and Dra the north are successive precipices and terraced slopes. In the upper II list of these norther cliffs there arc to he 5cen huge rock-cut doveLileci slots, which sęem to slow that Lhere was itin alte:Tnattive Eilet har « if approxilclı ing tlı is Lupper terrace which could be used when the gillery Wils: blu-liked.
From this Lipper terace, cor la for Ti, the TaLCCC LLLL LLkmlLLSL aLaaHSLaL LLLL LLLLL aLLLLLLLS asce ling by the orily one spot-suLe 4 st. LLLLLSL a HLLLLa LLLLLLLLLLLLe LLLLLL LLeEE It overtillg. All the present time this upper gallic: Ty has completely disappeared, but we aLH LLLaa g LaLaLSLaa TL LLC LLLLLSCLL aGGGaaa whicli hell its founda Lili's. For this gallery, like Lhe still existing CITIC: hic||covy", was huilt like ls willo's list, right in th: fice of the cliff, trListi I 1 g for its 5 Lipport sa lely ta' lie clit grooves. As all engineering feat it is quile uIliqLL.
At thc: fr-it "if tlie filial galleny 31 e i l'IE: *ren1 LLL LLLLaLL LGEE 0 LLLLL LL LLLLLL HLLL aaLKL a LGLLLLL ils II:L:11. It wils III:Adu (Ji brick. : Ici -pl:L:ler, :LTI-d the pas;5;1ge: Iran right through it. All thitit r:T1:lins are the mighty claw's, citch as big is a Emil I, which static in either site if the flights Cf steps, Tllë si IIIlIIlit is si III: I 50 y': rcis III; LLLHLLHH LLLLLLa LLL CaLaLaLS aLLL LLLL LLLLLL GLLLLLLL aLaaCaL LaL west. Jt is irregular in shāThe and in level, hut th. huildings with which it is closely covered mot Lin inch licing wasteci, are: ingenie Jusly
Page 157
TWENTIETH
planned to IIlake thic IIlost of the site and little flights of steps have bc.cn introduced everywhere to reticle In unication cas y althcli rapid. Save by the gallery, nothing without wings could possibly unaided reach the top of Sigiriya; and the several large cisterns, doubtless fed from the large catchment area afforded by the roofs of so extcisive a citadel, would ainply provide against shortage of W.Lter.
An interesting sent Lire is the ruined gallery (J11 the West, which led A shall with-tic petched high over the city on the wester Il cliff. At the foot of the terraccid slopes is a wilderrhess of enormous hullers, elch of which Wils utilised to bild Lupon, a Tcl bc:ne:Lth which are caves, the inscriptions over which prove: the II. to have existed as places of worslip and the albokles of III cotuks at ab uut the tiune cif Christ. Below these again is a wide space walled by a
iıECTCOTL
OLONNARUWA, krown of oldas Pilas. tipura, is first mentioned in the reign of Agrahodhi III, 1624-(40 A.D.), aTid seems to have been a town of some size at that time, But it was not until the reign of Agrabodhi W1. 1781-787 A.L.) that it first became the seat of government, and then only for six years. However, not long afterwards-ith Sf I,- it was fixed upon as the capital, Lild it retained the honour vis being premier city until baut I293 A.D., although during thal period the seat o government was several tirnes moved temporarily elsewhere,
The great builder who practically re-created the city of Polonnaru wil was Pirakr: Ina Bahll I, (16-1 () A.I.), Lncl it is problble thil nost of the existing buildings are of his period, although possibly to so.The cuisilcriable extent restored later, It III:ly bc. silid that live I the : real of thụ city rif Pol Inılar Luwa is a 5 yet Lilldeler Tuined, though it is' i Lujirobable that very large buildings rei rhain Lurdiscoveret!, The style is distinctly more Hindu thin that found at Anuradh: Tura, it Til Ital 11 rally the huildings re: i II m Luch better porcs:Tvation, Severall are in so compirativcly complete is state that the roof still eith-Lills in Lil.
The jurigle in the neighbourhood of Polonm:LTILLwa, is of a mlı LLch 10 TL: K per chi:Liri:Actor Llı:L11 that rulli i Anuradh:1pir.1, and abounds it operi stretches of pirk country, The talk is exten. sive: I, IIci very hea utiliul, showing it certain til Les of the year a sleet of priimk lotus firiwers. The principal ruiTIš riu II i II a line 11 Coi'th ar cd south, and a guide is essential if it is proposed
CENTURY
gretat bLırıd,ir which rII like islınd:55, (Tı polic of have heLn 31 garelen.
Finally, it word as 50 ft. :Lhave the lavc slightly overhi ging i caves-i Tı ile filce: Cyf : Telikhl series rıtlıET hii iso I - feith life size. They are spirited, Frail their :LI&l fr»I i 1 t h:ir lifelik,4 they werc act Luzıl pırtı scerns to be ilrt of d:lgoh:L, OT shrin: io: by slaves of dirker Flowers. Ån examin: shows that these figu pici LLre of the Lstou11 8o to I CYL) yards long
-o- "ایسے
PAE
POLONN
to winder alywhere Imnost wartlıy of Incotic the palace, with its
{:Lis lle.
(2) Thc Thi brick building in whi {3}. The little stole
MIPRESSIONS
: Eevet al matud III. Luricils which there pipe:Lts to
th: frescoes. Sone :Tcl cof the gallery incl there! Te t'i » hmollows— tlıc: cliff. Irı tlhçst: Lrfr':5cces, representing le figures slightly above I'll execLL tex| : il T1 Ost rent diversity of ficture, Inc:55, it is imaginel that ils, The scerie clcpicted a procession towards il
Elle li xlitęs arc Holl},\,Cd LI: whic locar Haskets cof of the rock face "es only form Part of :
liutl
.iılığı; qlim ensions of spıılır: ft. high.
and perhaps 75
ठू-o-
RT V.
NARUWA
Eff the ttack, Thc ruins are: ; } The remains if thick brick walls like it
OF CEYLON 149
Protected by their situation in the hollow they occupy, Eliese vanderful fifth-Century frescoes have terlain cd fresh in colour arid clir in oulline; while the rest of the vast picture, for scraps retaining in holes Ltd hollows, has been washed away by the southWest rais.
A wire-rope laaller offers a 501TLe what pTetitrial15 me:in8 rif Jlact:58 te) lli* unique picturegallery ; but it is only kert in positiori di Iring the working ionths of the Archeological Su trwcy, usually Jan LLary te 1 April. Of these: frescoes a coupletic full-size set of copies in ils las ben completeri hy the ATL’heological Ilow in the Colombo
8:11, Է
Survey. The 5e HTe
Museul."
* A reprxiliction of the Irist perfect porlirts of LLLSLaLLS LLLLHSLLLL LLLLLLLLS LLLLLLLLS LLLLLHH EGLLLLLLL HHHHHLLLLLLLSa specially prepared from the copies in the Culiittlb. M1IsIE, will be for elswher.
arid erroneously known as the Dillclil Mali. gawil, (4) Thc Wata-dage, or circular Telic house orte of the finest specimens of Sinhalese
A.N. URADEA PURA-THE REST-HOUSE).
vara Ilım: {sci called), a great Lh the roi is 5iill fusfl. Lill Sivi lempli, licly
architecture in Ceylon, (5) The Sat-rinahalprasada, a seven-storeyud building of the Camboliar type. (() Thic: Jetava II:Lira Ilımalı, arl
|
Page 158
WIEWS OF POLONNARU W A T’OLC IX " R " , "A I. The Jeta Taclaram:1 in ther view . The Thilltal III, 3. The Lleıııralı saha Seya
minumani WAUAN
it is
Al ■
AND ANTURA TOHA PUE.A.
Il NE HALLIELA, PL". + \bhāyagiri Loaguba, 5. Islrurduniya TEIIgle, f. Mirisebiya 1.gif),
Page 159
"TWENTIETH
enorinous hick structure with Walls 5 or fo ft, high. () The Rankot Wihira Dagoba, (8) The Kiri Wihara Diagrabil. (g) The great rock-hewn images at the Gal Wihara, perhaps the ricost slirikiııg Tuir il Pulori II:LTLLwa. (To) The ID:Inal: Mahla Sey", A SILII:ller huilding of the 5:Limc style as the Jetawa Ilara IIIa, aultl III; 11y other Lildings in the forest and Tıark CCıuTı try i11 th1e wicinity", ()n: TLnight
CENTURY
wander for days an PolLiıT13ırLIY,W"a.
Space da Hes ricot alloy hitc. and the Wisitor is
In the Gwen IIleTEP Survey's Reports, in wł will be found i while kl gain scattle knowledge Lannelt de Beller til 11
er-----s-
PAR
OTHER RUN
FTER Pol IlliLL will Wils abil Tidoned as Α the capital of Ceylon no other great city arose in its place. Irivalers from India overran the northern part of the island and spread down the casts. Raids wer: III:Lde by expeditions of Malays and Chinese, and finally in the sixteeth century the Portuglicsc g:lined a footholl in the isla II tl. From this tiInc .In w:Lrds the Sinhalese king practically held only the Kandyan provinces, his low-ellnirs do Illins being gridually seized aid held by foreigners, first Portugese, then Dutch, with yw hom thę Sinhalese Lillaintained interiliittent will file.
In t's the English became p(188E88{}rs Uf hic II) Lutch territories Ltd in I 85, they clipt, LLeitl Kandy Llund ci epicuritted the last king, wh C) was a minister of the Ilost cruel lesi'i'iti, T1. During this troublous title the folluwing cities were successively the capitill of Ceylon ; IAIIb:Loderniya, Yapalli, Kultruilegall, Gaillipoll, LLLLLaS LLLaLLLLLLLS LLa CCLLLS SLL LcLLL T CLaaS there are some i v remails Úť their former glory, Yapısı hu iı particular pEssessing SÜile ie sliecirk. But the Tir illeres lig ruits of Ceylon Ire: Init these lecil delt littl:T- .l:ıy ::Lpit;l3.
Throughout the Northern, North Central, Elster.In Liwa' and Southern Provinces, there are so any ruins that in forest officer, surveyor, or sportsmoulin spill:Indis long in ihese Wild jurigle district 8 hef Fre he coITILes up-t-il grey sline pillars slanding as the sole relic of a glory which is pils.l. At 5: Till plices ther: HL LCHHHaaL HH aHaL LaaLLLLCSSS LL LLLLLL st: LIlding illag: hl. With from ruck, IL:LI lll: Kalay'e yy'ı Halık, stil, ticiliig 4'er 30 fi, high,
LL L LLaLC LLLLLLaLLLLLLLa aLLLLLLLaL L LLLL LLLLLLL Provincl: thi:Tl is a buriel city which his as yet not even been thoroughly explorcal. Thic litik i Ili town g) by th: Ilain of KuruIntan CLaL aLL CLLLLt L LaGHSS a LLLlLS aLLLLLL LSLa 0 LLLLLLLaaaa S LLL CTLLLLSLLLLLLG LLLLLLLa LLLLLLL I'iiiiis, Willich tiri:LiliLixJ 11 calls Wig it:Lp LIri:Ll; a city of that II: TTL e vras funcieri in thc: sixth cerniir y D.C., but whether these ruins are on the same site is 11. t known. II, the Very will cylirlry it.
Lihle EJČrlET I Ehle. Es
there are stures of ruil
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON 151
i yet not see all of the history kept by the Buddhist priests up to the clite of the British Coccupation of Kaldy. of further description This lhistory wis written by Maha II:LII Lik in the recomineided to obtain fifth century A.D., and was afterwards at various rinter the Archedulurgical times added to and brought up to dat by lich further infortation various Luthors. It is bor Ile out to a remarkable lose who really wish to degree hy archieological research, and gains : of Sinhalse history considerable support from the: a CCCLIII als ill lle studly tlıE: Mahiwalısı, rıwels of Fa Hien Littler (Chinese travellers,
تح-------حساحت مجتم
T W III.
5 IN CEYLON.
tern Province and lwa fortified hills which resisted the Tamil it roads ins, son of thern being in the thirteenth century A.D. The hill known
SIGIEIA. The Palih upo Lbug bilL.)
Page 160
152 TWENTIETH CENTURY
as "Westminsler Abbly" is the hill which, Gall, Matara, and rai under the name of Govinda Hela, proved are well worthy of a v
Europa AMEL
Z LLLLLSLaLLLKASSLLLL YS LKKYLLLL LLLLLLLKLLL LLLL LLLLLL
almost the only city of refuge for the Sinhalese People uĺter isk Wha when Magha wasted the country about 25 the prosecution of ext A.I., When cleared and excivated it it lay prave: an her Sigiriya, but als yet it has rarely evci been visited. Hut of all these little-kilown cities, Tis5.gamabharaLIna in the Souther Prowince, is the greatest, and wheil excavatel inay prove to be of great size aid importal ce. It Was founded a hout the fourth century B.C. and was the: cipitil of the principılity of Hulıurla, Ruthulina was someliııiıes a principality", son netilles aii independell kingdoith, and suinetimes subjet to and I'lart of th: docitions of the king of Illiradhapura, its conciliull valrying accurding to the strength ind capacity of the SunTelle sovereigil. Any trouble which arose in the royal family usually endcd i tle tlefeated person flying to Ruhuila, there to stir Lup discord, which generally endel in open Tchellion.
The archieology af this part of the islauld is little known as yet, and is expected yield valuable results in the suture. Froin kllis short :LCculunt it will be see'ı tlışıt Çeylül'ı affords alı illunot endless field for the antiquary, who 11:Ly' wat der for thou1nlhls and still continie tu i11cd ruill:3 cf : great civilisati II wilhich was alrc.lciy decadent when we were fighting the Crusades. Although of 111 Lich later dit: that the foregoing, and perhaps hardly ruits, illentic 1 Illust hi: Ital is the fill lutch forts ld be seen at 11:Lily of the sea-coast towns, cities of Ceylon. CoIT Thee Lre magnificent specinems at Jaffna, in other collini ries ou
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
other places, and they few, owing partly to the climate, alid partly to it. the fact that the cities were never suddenly abandoned, but dwindled and gradually decreased in size, so that people left very little behind thern which they valued sufficiently to Telthove. We have, however, unit:arth cd gold Ilecklaces and other or naments, stories such as supphires, rubies, spin cl, tourmalines, &c., either uncut, roughly polished, or cut '. rathi.cfarr, and numbers of beautifully cut and pH lish cd crystals, Figures of gods and Zanimals, goings, bclls, cyrrnbals, dishe 5, &c. have been found ill bronze; and spear-heads, arrow-heads, knives, sickles, chisels, padlocks, hanners, atles, plaughshares, chains, ola perus, and many other tools, it moleil:Its. and wcapins have heel' fouill in iron. Pottery of various kinds, beautifully inciulded bricks, and or 11aTental tilles Lr not of indrequcnt cxccurretice, and we halve gat a fair number of coins.
Ceylon in Limisimalics is a 1llust iriteristing study, which ther is not spice to da Inore that very briefly describe there. But the following list ci coins will give sorte idea of the large variety which have at various times bc.cn four d: Punch-It harked coins or "Eldlings," early 13uddhist copper csins, chin 3 of vario115 southern Indian glytlasties, Roman coins, Chilles: coins, coins of the Caliphs, Wenetian sequins, Portuguese coins | finds are inade during Dutch coins, Byza Illing coins, silver fish-hook :Lviation it the ruineci çipiis, Lor la riis, antl tlhe issues of the Sinhalese:
M
Doorway Lild Li clid entrance to the shrine.
ared with excavations kings of the twelfth and thirteenth centuries finds have been very A.D. in gold, silver, and copper.
Page 161
TWENTIETH
Another feature of Sinhalese antiquities is the large number of inscriptions found. These give a complete epigraphical record of the gradual change of the writing from the square character of the Asokan edicts to the present form of Sinhalese. The earliest inscriptions are on rocks, above the entrances to cave cells of the monks. These were succeeded by large rock inscriptions on levelled places; the next change was to inscribed pillars; and finally to large slabs of stone, beautifully prepared to receive the record. Almost without exception the inscriptions of every date record the granting of some gift or privilege to a monastery or to the priesthood. But many of them are long, and incidentally give much information concerning the ancestry and deeds of the king who caused them to be cut, and on contemporary history generally. The enormous
CENTURY I
majority of them are though sometimes title: Pali. There are a fer Grantua. inscriptions kr dozen perhaps in Sans that it is not safe to buy some knowledge of t particular, are forged f A few words in concl the accommodation for of communication. At a rest-house, and there for the accommodatio and carriages of Sorts fair prices. The railw; of the town, and ther At Sigiriya there is a re rooms and four beds.
be obtained further th:
MPRESSIONS
in archaic Sinhalese, s and honorifics are in
w score of Tamil and lown, and some half a krit.
antiquities unless with he subject. Coins, in reely. usion on the subject of travellers and the means Anuradhapura there is will shortly be a hotel Guides
are to be obtained for ay runs to within a mile 2 are two trains daily. !st-house, with two bedNo guide can as a rule an a villager, who will
n of visitors.
It must be added.
OF CEYLON 153
speak no English. The Matale-Trincomalee coach runs within 5 miles of Sigiriya, and passes daily. The 5 miles from Inamaluwa are along a fairly good road. At Polonnaruwa there is at present no accommodation further than a small unfurnished bungalow, designed for the use of officials when on circuit. But there is shortly to be built a rest-house. From Habarane, on the Matale-Trincomalee coach road, a good road leads to Polonnaruwa, 26 miles away, passing on the way the great Minneriya tank. Except at Kandy, Kurunegala, and Kotta, there is no sort of accommodation at any of the other places mentioned, though in the neighbourhood of several there are official circuit bungalows. The roads all over the island are fairly good, and as a rule offer no difficulty during the dry weather.
Page 162
manding position in the Indian Ocean to the south of India, from which it is divided by Palk's Strait, a shallow piece of sea. Its exact geographical position is between 5° 53' and 9° 51' N. lat. and 79° 42' and 8° 55' E. long. At the narrowest part of Palk's Strait, from Point Palmyra (in the north of the Jaffna peninsula) to Point Calimere, only a distance of 4o miles separates the two countries. There are two islands in the vicinity, named Mannar and Rameswaram, and between them some sandbanks known by thc name of Adam's Bridge, and across here it is proposed to construct a railway connecting Ceylon with India. Eastwards from Ceylon is Burma, the Malay Peninsula, and the islands of Sumatra and Java. To the south-east, just over 3,Ooo miles away, is Australia, which can be reached in a first-class steamer in about ten days. Other distances from Colombo, the principal port of call which is situated on the west coast, to the principal ports are as follow: To Madras 609 miles (two and a half days' journey), Bombay 89 miles (three days), Calcutta I,250 miles (four days), Rangoon I,2I7 miles (four days), and Singapore I,574 miles (five days). It is a seven days' journey to Aden, 2,093 miles away; ten days to Fremantle, 3,135 miles away; seventeen days to Capetown, in South Africa, 6,154 miles off. The journey from London via Gibraltar and the Suez Canal, a distance of 7,083 miles, takes about twenty-four days. By travelling overland and embarking at Naples the voyager shortens his journey by six or seven days. Ceylon, with its islands, has an area of 25,84I square miles; its extreme length is 27o miles, its extreme breadth I4o miles, and its circum
ference 760 miles, The the coast are Delft and I Mannar and Karativu, C the Great and Little Ba coast. The latter are extremely dangerous to Ceylon itself, the princ Palmyra, in the north ; Dondra Head, in the so (to the north of Kom Province), and Foul P malee Harbour. Othe Point, Vendeloos Point Point Pedro. Very fe form inlets, owing to t sand-bars caused by important inlets are P. pitiya Gulf (now called west, Welligama Bay of Bay, Trincomalee Harb on the east,
Ceylon is very elevati portion, but round the strip of low land. C highest is Pidurutala 8,296 ft. above the level above the Nuwara Eliya Kirigalpotta, Totapala, . kulakanda, and Great V 7,ooo ft. above the lev Peak is sacred to Budd medan, and was for a as the highest point, w noticeable and remarka clearly marked peak be during the season of t The Horton Plains (7 Eliya Plains (6,ooo ft.), are the principal platea tains. There are ma; the hills, the largest b (206 miles long), Ma
I
EOROLOGICAL FEATURES
chief islands lying off eyden, in Palk's Strait ; ff the west coast; and sses off the south-east
two groups of rock shipping. Coming to ipal points are Point Kalpitiya, in the west; uth ; Sangamanakanda ariya, in the Eastern pint, south of Trincor points are Beruwela Elephant Point, and w of the river mouths heir being blocked by the monsoons, The ortugal Bay and KalPuttalam Lake) on the the south, Wendeloos our, and Kokkilai Bay
'd in the south central coast there is a wide if the mountains, the gala, which rises to of the sea and 2,000 ft. plain. There are also Adam's Peak, Namanaestern, which are over :l of the sea. hist, Hindu, and Maho
long period regarded hilst it is still the most ble of the mountains, its ng seen far out at sea e north-east monsoon. Ooo ft. high), Nuwara and the Wilson Plains is amongst these mouny rivers flowing from ing : Mahaveli Ganga watu-Oya (IO4 miles), 4.
Adam's
Kala-Oya (97 miles), Yan-Oya (94 miles), Kelan Ganga (90 miles), Deduru-Oya (87 miles), Maduru-Oya (86 miles), Walawe Ganga (83 miles), Menik Ganga (81 miles), Maha-Oya (78 miles), Kirindi-Oya (73 miles), Kalu Ganga (70 miles), Gin Ganga (7o miles), Kumbukkan-Oya (7o miles), Mi-Oya (67 miles), and Gai-Oya (62 miles). Most of the lakes in Ceylon are made, or partially made, by damming up the lower courses of streams. Both the Kandy and Nuwara Eliya lakes are partially artificial. The chief lagoons are Puttalam, Negombo, Moratuwa, Batticaloa, Tamblegam, Mullaitivu, and Jaffna, and there are also about the island many artificial tanks for irrigation purposes. The functionary administering the government of the island is styled “Governor of Ceylon and the dependencies thereof." These "dependencies' only embrace the numerous “atolls' or groups of islets which are included in the Maldivian Archipelago. The principal of these is Malé, which is also the port of call and capital. The Sultan of the Maldives enjoys the protection of the British Government, and, by the treaty of I883, pays annual tribute to the Government of Ceylon, which exercises certain rights in the control of the group. The islands are 4oo miles distant from Ceylon, and a good many of
hardly any more than coral-reefs.
them are The in
habitants speak a mixed dialect of Indian
and Sinhalese 'compounds, and engage largely in the cultivation of the coconut-palm and in the curing and preserving of fish, which is imported in large quantities into Ceylon. Cowries and coral are also exported from the Maldives.
About 27o miles to the west of Ceylon is another sandy island, Nimicoy, on which is erected a lighthouse. The island is just beginning to be inhabited, though supplies have to be drawn from Ceylon for the present.
Page 163
TWENTIETH
A meteorological survey of Ceylon reveals conditions which are, practically, a combination of every degree of temperature one experiences in the East; for here Nature is not seen under one aspect, as is the case with so many other Oriental countries, but there appear to be complete transitions between the most opposite extremes which exist in the tropics. In short, it may be said that the climate of Ceylon-affected as it is by the monsoonal changes-is no less varied than its soil; and throughout the year, while no fixed seasons are remarked, variations may be found to occur from chill winter to overpowering heat. Generally speaking, the climatic conditions are mild, pleasant, and equable. Dry years, however, are not unusual; and long periods of drought often follow the failure of the monsoons. During these times the districts on the coast undergo an unpleasant change from nine months' hot weather to three months' hotter, and much anxiety is caused the heart of the poor village agriculturist by reason of
CENTURY IN
is the dry season, whi from January to May; s of rain and dampness succeeding portion of principal factors in th influences are the nor monsoons, which blow first occurring in or abo in the latter portion of of the south-west monsc union of the south-east circulation of the air-c waves as they flow acro the Bay of Bengal. I. heralded by what is monsoon,” which, fro assumes, in a remarkab the proportions of a and becomes identifie south-west monsoon, feature of Ceylon. T winds determines the a the distribution of the
Station. Years. Jan. Feb. Mar, April. May.
Colombo ... | 36 356 2“ HIO 4.7o Io'90 I2*O8 Ratnapura ... || 36 54 4 βο 7'98 I3'oI. I87o Puttalam ... 36 243 I'45 292 6*o8 372 Anuradhapura... || 36 3'o7 '54 27I 7-17 382 Mannar... ... | 36 2: 17 II5 I'43 272 228 Jaffna ... 35 2"I3 I'27 o'90 2'48 2OO Trincomalee ვ6 575 222 I'5I 220 24O Batticaloa ... | 36 834 384 ვ'o8 2'o7 I'86 Hambantota ... | 36 343 I'57 2'05 284 346 Galle , .. ... 36 4'47 298 4 II Io'58 II '5o Kandy ... ... | 36 485 227 332 722 62o Nuwara Eliya ... || 36 538 215 2'97 6'Io 769 Hakgala . . . 23 865 3'o6 4'25 77I 736 Badulla... 3I 952 3’36 392 797 524 Diyatalawa ... 5 695 27o I'93 7:65 567 Kurunegala 2O 5'oo I'65 429 II“ I 9 7.59
the famine and hardship which ensue. At other times, again, the prodigal action of Nature in the matter of rainfall occasions him serious injury by the flooding of his fields, and not infrequently also the destruction of his homestead.
The climate of Ceylon may broadly be said
influence delimits the dry and wet zones. vinces, it may be said and, consequently, the Ceylon are to be fou country of the midlan
to divide itself into two distinct periods. First north and south-eas
Station. Years. Jan. Feb. Mar April. May.
Colombo ... 36-37 79' I 8O2 82"I 825 824 Ratnapura 35-37 77.8 79.2 8o'4 8o'4 80'4 Puttalam ... 33-36 787 8O2 83 ο 843 847 Anuradhapura... | 33—36 763 78・3 815 824 828 Mannar... ... 34-36 785 797 822 848 853 Jafna ... 35 78to 796 86°o 855 849 Trincomalee ... || 32-35 775 83 82 832 84'I Batticaloa ... 35-38 764 776 797 8I'9 827 Hambantota ... || 36-38 78.I 79 Ι 8o'5 86 8 Ιο Galle ... 37 78'o 793 8II 8I-7 814 Kandy ... ... || 35-37 || 733 75'I 774 774 785 Nuwara Eliya... || 35-37 56'6 576 бо*8 Óoo I 6O“8 Hakgala a 22 574 585 6o'9 623 6ვ"2 Badulla... ... 25-32 693 7I'o 73'I 748 754 Diyatalawa ... || 4-5 6ვ“8 654 679 687 7o'I Kurunegala -- ... | Ió-I9 772 782 822 82°o 8I'9
IPRESSIONS
h covers the months 2cond is a fitful period xtending through the the year. The two 2 production of these th-east and south-west across the island, tlhe ut May and the second the year. The origin on is said to be in the trade winds with the irrents caused by heat ss the Arabian Sea and 1 Ceylon its arrival is known as the 'little m a gentle Zephyr, ly short space of time, urious cyclonic storm, i with the 'big' or the principal climatic he direction of these mount of moisture and rainfall, and the same
OF CEYLON 155
tracts, with sparse vegetation, and the regions in the east, north-east, and around the Central Province generally are intermediate in temperature, and with a moderate rainfall. The average annual rainfall in these divisions, as will be seen from the first table below, is something like I5o-2oo ins. in the first case, less than a bare 5o in the next, and about 75-Ioo in the last.
The humidity of the atmosphere in Ceylon is reckoned at 7o per cent., while the proportion of cloud makes Trincomalee and Anuradhapura the most favoured stations, and Ratnapura, Hakgala (near Nuwara Eliya), and Puttalam the most beclouded districts. In the first quarter of the year the sky for the whole of Ceylon is fairly clear, and in the months of October and November generally overcast. Owing to certain atmospheric peculiarities, the indications of air-pressure are not of much value in weather forecasts. Barometric variations are here more or less imperceptible in the course of any given day.
June. July. Aug. Sept. Oct. Now. Dec, Year.
817 45 L 359 5I9 І4:67 I28 587 8752.
2O'83 2"I2 I232 I5'O2 I8-67 I4'24 858 I5 I:2I п’72 O'45 o'84 O'94 92I Ιο 47 658 46'8I I'40 Iro7 Ι72 3 Ο Ι 847 IO'62 9'I9 53'79 o62 o'ვo O 44 II2 793 9'9I 785 37'92 ο 76 o'85 I'45 275 68 І3"26 II* I4 458o I'ვ6 2 o5 4' 4 466 7・83 1394 14'9I 62'97 Ι ΟΙ I'23 2'24 2'89 626 I2*68 1354 59'C4 2'42 I'44 I'32 244 434 6-8o 54o 37'5I 833 - 57 I 5'35 7'47 I3I4 II.44 6 Ο8 9I'16 934 6'92 5'47 583 II'I7 O'2 872 8I'52
I364 II 76 8 I4 826 Io'6 8*8o 853 94'03 8'2O 6'OI 44I όΙ9 Io'7o II* I2 I33I 90'97 262 I'43 322 327 IO“OI II '6o I312 7528 2'I4 "O2 22 439 II'89 IO2O 6'23 6289 8'54 3-98 o“ვ8 4'56 I6'58 IO'43 7'46 8I 65
island into its several Taking the various prothat while the wettestmost fertile-portions of nd in the mountainous ds, the districts in the are practically arid
Often an infinitesimal fraction of an inch may be noted before the occurrence of a severe
storm.
The temperature naturally undergoes constant change with the variations of the monsoons. The following table gives the latest recorded averages in this respect:-
June. July. Aug. Sept. Oc. Now. Dec. Year.
8Io 8o'6 8o“8 8o“8 8O2 799 79 8o'7 794 793 793 79 o 79 ο 78o 8O2 794 834 827 827 82・8 8OO 784 76'5 8I'5 8oo 823 824 823 8o I 78. I 7ό4 8o'2 84'I 827 826 825 8I'7 797 78.1 88 835 826 824 836 814 79"I 775 82°o 837 829 826 822 8o'5 786 775 813 83ro 826 825 8I'5 8OO 78. I 765 8o'6 8o3 8O2 8o'I 79798 784 789 798 8י 8o 4 798 8O"O 8oo 794 79'I 782 79'9 755 748 749 74'9 75'I 752 734 75'5 58'I 573 57.7 58'o 582 578 572 584 бо7 6o 68 6O“8 óo'4 59'3 574 6O2 752 74'7 748 744 737 7I'9 7o'5 73'
69-6 693 7oo 687 675 656 64'I 676 79'9 796 797 798 79 ο 786 772 796
Page 164
]56
The hottest months are generally April and May, while the cold season is uniformly about January - December throughout the island. These periods mark the strength of the monsoonal winds in each instance, and are the results of the altitude of the country over which they blow. The south-west monsoon, which bursts in about May, brings with it heavy downpours and thunderstorms, showers of hail and frost, on the western extremes, and sweeps over the centres on the east in or about June im a state of burning, parching heatwaves; and the north-east monsoon, which deposits rain and moisture in its train on the eastern plains, at its height in the latter part of the year, reaches the west in the form of a cool land breeze some time about December. Thus, the temperature in the central district, protected as it is by ridges of mountains all round, is maintained in a more or less even degree throughout the year. Incidentally it may be mentioned that the climate of the midland districts is as bracing and recuperative as it can possibly be; that of the country immediately surrounding it damp and unhealthy, and, in many places, productive of malaria; while the atmospheric influences in the farther north are peculiarly suited for convalescent purposes for those affected with any tubercular disease. On the whole, however, Ceylon is wonderfully salubrious and free from the commoner pestilences which so ravage the neighbouring continent, and the disasters by flood and heat which follow the visitations of the simoon in Arabia
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
and the typhoon in Chir by their absence.
The worst that befalls of frequent erosions by cause washaways and coast railway track, dur the monsoonal period. railway accident or the embankment, no loss sustained. In a similar on the banks of the Keli by the annual swelling are fed by the heavy vo down the mountain ri meadows for miles ar one sheet of water. S portions of Colombo als tion ; and despite mu measures, nothing defin to combat the evil. It the ancient system of ir the Dutch in later times series of canals to drain secured immunity to th the neighbourhood, but means of communicati its course, and afforded of transportation of the years, however, with ground space and the wherever possible, the escapes for surplus Wa annual bursting of til the devastation of surro Soil Denudation Colm)
MPRESSIONS
are here conspicuous
the island is in respect sea, which sometimes amage bridges on the ng the heavy tides of But, save for a slight
breaking away of an of life or property is way the flat districts ini river are laid waste of the streams which ume of water rushing gion, and fields and bund form practically some of the suburban O suffer by the inundah discussion of relief ite has yet been done is believed that under igation, as pursued by the maintenance of a the flood area not only e people who dwelt in also served them as a on with the centres on them an easy method ir produce. Of recent
the keen demand for
reclamation of land 2 blocking up of the ter has resulted in the he river bounds and unding property. The mission has been ap
OF CEYLON
pointed to carry on certain investigations into the rainfall of the Kelani Valley, and a map of the catchment-basin of that river has been prepared, embodying valuable information on the contour of the ground, rainfall, floods, and cultivation within the area; and it is hoped that before long Government will take the necessary measures to mitigate the evils of the situation.
At the time of writing a scheme is in progress for the establishment of a new observatory at Colombo, and steps are being taken for its erection and equipment. All the meteorological work and records will then be transferred to the new building, and the time-ball or signal will be worked direct. The timing of chronometers will also be undertaken, and it is expected that with the amount of shipping calling at Colombo and the dry dock in use
a reasonable revenue will be derived from this
SOLICE
The present Meteorological Department is merged in the Department of Surveys, and is under the control of the Surveyor-General and in immediate charge of Mr. H. C. Barnard, F.R.A.S., F. R.M.S., who contributes to the Governmentalmanac annually the astronomical ephemeris. A small daily weather map, giving the rainfall at 9.30 a.m., the direction of the wind, and the state of the sea at the coast stations, together with a second map showing the average weather during the previous twenty-four hours, is inserted in the “Post Office Daily List,' issued every morning, and the planters generally and the public at large have found these forecasts very useful.
Page 165
the naturalist, especially as regards birds, reptiles, insects, and smaller animals, the larger being not nearly so well represented as on the continent of India. Lions, tigers, wolves, hyaenas, and the wild dog, all existing in India are not found in Ceylon, the larger carnivora consisting only of the leopard, locally misnamed the cheetah, and the jackal, the reported occurrence of the fox being more than doubtful. The elephant of Ceylon differs in no respect from that of India, but a tusker is an extreme rarity in the island, though in India a large majority of the males have tusks. The largest of terrestrial animals is gradually disappearing from the island owing to the felling of large forests, formerly the favourite haunts of elephants, for the purposes of cultivation of the land. A century ago the tea-growing districts of Dikoya, Dimbula, and Maskeliya formed one huge forest, in which countless elephants roamed; and the large herds referred to in Sir Samuel Baker's books as existing around Nuwara Eliya in the hillcountry are no longer to be found there. The great quadrupeds are still fairly numerous in the low-country, but their numbers seem to be decreasing, and in 190o a Government official,
who knew the jungles well, estimated the
number of elephants in Ceylon at no more than two thousand. Licences are issued by the Government for th: capture of elephants by noosing, and some are caught in this manner and exported to India. Another method of capture is by means of kraals. The native chiefs occasionally obtain leave to erect these enclosures, into which the elephants are driven; and the animals obtained in this way are divided amongst those organising the kraal, being then used for draught-work or for the
FAU
BY W. A.
service of the temples. in 1881 at Labugama, 28 when the present Prin brother visited Ceylon. are shot by local spor When a local man his herd elephant, he rarely gun again except for “ rogue"; and the reci the books of Sir Samue pioneers of Ceylon are adays.
There are no wild she and the oxen are repr Indian buffalo (Bos bull common as a domestica in Ceylon there are foul the chevrotain, known deer-namely, the samb the axis, or spotted deer porcinus), which is confit reported to have been muntjac, or barking antelopes in Ceylon. T the deer are being rap bers; and the reason Sportsmen who are in the low-country in the shooting know that, th season, every little p( watercourses and tanl branches, behind which natives station themsel the deer as they come meat thus obtained is it are taken into the n sale. No system of w. be organised to cope a preventive measure, Society is now makin induce Government to dried deer-meat, or to licensed dealers.
NA
JULIUS.
A great kraal was held miles from Colombo, e of Wales and his Very few elephants Ismen in the island. been 'blooded' on a takes up an elephantthe destruction of a ords of slaughter in l Baker and the older never repeated now
ep or goats in Ceylon; 2sented solely by the palus), which is also ited animal. Of deer kinds-not including locally as the mouseur, miscalled the elk, , the hog-deer (Cervus ned to one locality and introduced, and the deer. There are no here is no doubt that idly reduced in numis not fal to seek. the habit of visiting lrought-time for beartough it is the close bol in the exhausted is has its screen of on moonlight nights, es with guns to shoot down to drink. The dried, and cartloads of eighbouring towns for itchers could probably with this evil; so, as the Game Protection g strenuous efforts to forbid the traffic in ermit it solely through
pouches.
The only kind of bear found in Ceylon is the sloth-bear (Melursus tursinus), which frequents most of the low-country. It is much dreaded by the natives, whom it frequently attacks when coming across them in the jungle, invariably striking at the head. In fact, in the bear-country you constantly come across natives with scalp wounds inflicted by these animals; and no native in these parts cares to venture into the jungle without a short axe in his hand. Apart from these occasional attacks on natives the bear does little or no harm, confining itself to feeding on roots, fruits, berries, honey, and white ants, of which last named it digs up the nests. It is shot chiefly on moonlight nights in the drought, when coming down to drink at water-holes. Monkeys are very plentiful in all the jungles, both at high elevations and in the low-country. There are four kinds of simians in Ceylon, viz., the Rilawa, a macaque or cheek-pouched monkey, and three Wanduras, or Langurs, destitute of cheek Of the Wanduras, the bear-monkey (Semnopithccus ursinus), which inhabits the mountains and is found in the forests round Nuwara Eliya, is peculiar to Ceylon, though some writers hold it to be but a well-marked variety of the species known as the Semnopithecus cephalopterus, or purple-faced monkey. Wild pigs are very common throughout the island; and as pig-sticking is not practised owing to the difficult nature of the country, the shooting of the porkers is not considered unsportsmanlike. Other denizens of the jungle are jackals, porcupines, cats, and squirrels, which are all very plentiful.
Numerous species of bats are to be found throughout the island. The largest of these (Pteropus medius), known as the flying fox, a large fruit-eating bat, is very common. It roosts in colonies in the daytime in high trees, one large settlement being an object of interest at the Royal Botanic Gardens at Peradeniya,
Page 166
158
Incar Kandy. In some places-at Birberyn, for instance, un the coast alba)Llt 4C) Imiles 50 ulih of Colob-the-sc: bals shi Tc the 8:Lill tecs As that Crows; and, as Ithay bc imagined, the noisc is very great in the cycning when thc birds are returning to rust and quarrelling fut pl:1ces ;LInd th: disturhed bats are starting Out and ir the norrig. When the process is reversed. The small lemur (Laris gritris), k[L('Wn a3 the Ceyli urh sluth, is 11o.ıl LuTıcOEY1ITh(Jr 1 in the low-country. It is an object of superstilious horror to the ratives, who subject it to great cruelty helic wing that its appearance
TWENTETH CEN'T UTRY
tć jackals, als I shou '''Luld hy beél c.15 jackal.5 in il r:bil Stati altackeri by these at ni vere at work i the fit: fruits. I at still 11 Israll 111 liz:ld l:Its: This lizard is the co Ceylon (Afatheira car Sirah ilcse '' Ilikanalla." it is incli:Lble Lot casi irl (Colomb where its quently seer among til
*
W
W
W
ELEPHANTS BATHING IN TH
firbotics bad luck. a Trl Southern India
The Regislrır.(:neral ha5 kiricily turnished me with a list of deaths in the island recorded as due to injuries caused by the following CTealures during the sixteL:n years 18ục ti : Iyu5 inclusive :- Snakes, 2,975; crocodiles, 174: buffaloes. 92 probably largely caused by domesticated at mir Inals) ; hic Hrnets, 7ó i elephants, 70 including, I presume, the keepers; leopards, 45; Wasps, 37 rals, 33; beaT5, 23 ; boats, 19. Brahman lizards, 17 ; kleer, 3 sambur, 2: [L10nkeys, I (probahly a taim: orhe).. I atin Sunrised to il 1o deaths recorded a 5 «l LLe
It is peculiar to Ceylon
ämtl is well-k110 wn tỵ Sometime:5 represcu) tali In brass titbles. Dr. W. subject ni its Teputed p discredits, in Sfolia Z. issued hy the Colombo
It is a great pits C, of 20logicall Gardens, in recent years to start and an excelicj11:Llly ge three Arts Was selec (Gardens for the PLI Gmy'error Sir West F cessor in the governo
MIPRESSIONS
I have thought there of people bitten by
or cof expensel infants ils w'lı il: the mothers Is cor galthering jungle : surprised to final the d as all cilluse { if itliciath. lunun large skink of riT daT), cial lexl by the
Being quite hill it less, g death. It is L'ormi non Fil:L-hi: çikel body is fr:- e pots (LL : crandih,
OF CEYLON
linkl tlı Use ki::mı naturalists, Sir Everarici ilin Thurn and Dr. Willey, all interested themselves in the schcine, it fell through, wing to the Govcriment being unable to guaranlee a 5uhsicly and the other promoters of the proict being unwilling to start a Zoological Conpany or Society without finalicial assist: Ice from the Tublic exchequcir, The vitluluhle services of Mr. John Hagenbeck could have bcct obtilined as Inanaging director; and wing lo the geographical pusilion of Ceylon, With | th:, ILy' &t:A Illor calling at Columbo that could have brought anirtuals
: : liI1Es
響
E RIWER AT EKATTLJIG ASTOTA
ELIropean residents. ns of it are met with illey has clealt with the istoriolis, buille, which ht: VIJ!ficia a publication [use 11 III.
lon is not passessed An attei rupt was ritmatic "Zoo" in Columbo id site of over twenty«l irı tlle CiI1Iı:HILLon pose. But although idgeway and his suchip, Sir Henry Blake,
frc II A List:llia, Africa, all the Far East together with the number of 15 seigers arinually assing through Ceyluri, who would have made the locul "Zoo" one of the sights to visit, the equability of the temperature which would have obviated the necessily of leating ipparatus or of wiriler houses, the practicability of breeding many animals for exchange, and the feasibility of keeping the higher apes in captivity, the proposed estibLLLLLL LL LLLLLrLLLL LLL LLLLLL la0 HHLL LILL: Cof-the finest al ILLUS:t frequentical xJiological collectixis in the world.
The birds of Ceylon includic early 40
Page 167
TWENTIETH
species, (of which C.L Tota in Legge, in his "Birds of Ceyloi," eIILLImerlted 47 as peculiar to Ceylon alcore, With Ill: or lwo exceptions, the feathered illiabitats of the island are not Particularly Horilliarul of plumage. The gali mcbirds consist of pea-fowl, partridges, teal Snip", jungle-fowl, Lnd quail. Snipe are very pleti. ful during the Tirth-e:Isl 11 it soon, the bcst bags heing 111, cle on the east coast. A few y"KATS ilgio Li:Lit:m:LI it Rice R.A., alcCouTı tel for Ilo less that 11 1 T2 couple with oil: guT1:Lt Trichcollalee, which I believe to the still the Ceylon Tecord. The juglic-fowl (Garis for flycir, Lor
CENTURY I
Ceylon Poultry Club, LE:1:3:ge 1",W"K i kirmals f bir« successful issue by D1 Orh Septembet 3, Igos, the offspring if a lyl hybrid hen. This re: the Ceylon ju Ingle-fly, (in of the primitive -Iיליו אT
A Lc(X[I11LLU[ı bir«l iI1 kiel oro [Indi: 1 cl1ck3r. '' tr;ain-flew er bird," fro | II »te, "K,which [t1oo’1,1 I1 t5 hi
5'Tirley'ii) is peculiar to Ceylon : Tid is very com II non, being found at all elcvations, Professor Darwin, in his " Aniinals and Planls urder I) one slication," referring to the Girl is lafia 'cliff, says: "This species may in all probability he rejected as Ill of the primitive slocks of Llic doIIleslic fowl" ; and the greal zoologist basek 1his probability, Inter erfa on experiments Ilnacle hy M.Ir. Msit soir cil, of the Ceyion (Civil Serwice, i crito5sing the jt migli:-f) wil with the donestic fowl, when the hybrids thus prolucel tu be sterile. Further experiments, however, during the last three and a half years, under the luspices of the
were fokund
ELEFHAT
birl lay's its eggs chic being one of the few off the y vil y coTcow. Tł black, and attains its s] as it grows to 111 attir as, in general, birds spotted when young
at naturity. The In: culminist if birds
a very Swl:L:t suig.
clı:ıt.Lie8 irn huTıgäılO' favourité. At the Eo di smake-skiıı is alwa picked from a cast-pf
MPRESSIONS
in interhreeding with haw': b: c:n c:a Tried lo :
J. Llewellyn Thrymas. chick:Tı YY'Lis Hı:Litchel. rial crick Iliated with a .lt tCIlds to shiit''. Ell:LL lily be classed as it cks of thic dollastic
the low-country is the frequietly termed the n its loud and persistell gher Lindl higher. This
OF CEYLON 159
of this provision I do not know ; but I have rewer examined a rest without finding it, Another fe: theret inhabitant of thc isl:Lild is the wenver Hird, which buills it5 mEsl8 in colothics. The rest of this species is a long retort-sl1lpeci Inss of Wver strip5 f palbamboo or grass, suspended from the citls of the branches of the trees and with a long entrance fut incl. Another pretty little nursinghico III-le-Coflet frɔLLnkl in the verilmd:ahs of blLingålows in Colombo-is LE:L of the tailor bird, Wohlich is fo TH meti inf Lh: lez wës (of :a tree or planlib, drawn together and then sewn together with
3. IN ER.A.A.T.
ly in the Tests of crows, cTeatures that CT score e young feillale is learly wted lighter appearance ty"-a strange: provisio II, of black plutml.gc. are iIiiI llttairli their dark hin Luc gpic, rubin is orie of the In the country, and has It breeds frequently in 's, and is a universal tom ní its Tesl a piece rs to be found evidently epidermis. The reason
cottor or gral 5s, and illuside: this receptacle: tht: Ticst is tale.
Eagles, hawks, and Wils ar: throughout the country; and large numbers of storks, herons, and egrets are to be sound in Ceylun, While the flamingo is a visitant lo the island. Captain Legge wa.5 unawate that the hair-necked, or marabou, stork breeds in Ceyloth; but breeding places of this bird have since been discovered in the south of the island. I took three young ones of this species fro11) nests near Hambantula, and kept them for some years loose in my compound in Colombo, The sparrow, called by one naturalist the "avial
III 14015
Page 168
160
rat,' is becoming too numerous in the lowlying parts, being a mischievous little ravager. A Government official has recently called attention to the risk of damage to the paddy crops from the immense flocks of sparrows now found in the low-country. These impudent small birds also invade churches and bungalows, where they build their untidy nests and generally prove unwelcome intruders and nuisances.
The largest snake to be found in the island is the rock snake (Python molurus) which attains to a length of close upon 20 ft. Some of even larger size are reported; but no authentic case of one of over that length has been recorded. The python is interesting from the fact that vestiges of the hind legs are apparent, usually in the form of claw-like spurs situated on either side of the vent. The natives regard this spur with fear, referring to it as the sting of the reptile. Pythons are fairly common in the low-country, where they may be found covered with leaves waiting for their prey. I caught one over I3 ft. long near Puttalam, on the north-west coast, and brought it back to Colombo, where it lived for many months in an empty room by itself, being fed chiefly on chickens. The deadliest snake of Ceylon is the tic-polonga, or Russell's viper. It is a sluggish reptile, which does not get out of the way of passers-by, and strikes if approached too closely. The cobra is common in the jungle, and attains to a length of 6 ft. and over. It is a handsome Snake as seen with its hood expanded when sitting up for attack; but, on account of its-fierce nature and
TWENTIETH CENTURY
venomous bite, is n admired. The Budd: Buddha was once exl the heat, a huge co and, by expanding i from the rays of the snake is the karaw: snakes are very num grass snakes are very thrive in confinement
Crocodiles abound
rivers, where the str They lie in wait at the game coming to drink have been seized, whe and dragged down and Near a swamp or 1 eating crocodiles are natives are always g sportsman who will s. eggs of the crocodile and covered with sand hatch. I found such a about 15 miles south c ago, and took over th then made a hole in leaving the ants to c which they very speel over I3 ft. long has by fishermen at Bolgoc being preserved by Mr of Colombo.
The sea, rivers, an swarm with fish, which the food supply of the
MPRESSIONS
re to be feared than sts maintain that when usted with travelling in a sat itself beside him
hood, protected him Ln. Another danĝerous a or krait. Harmless 'ous ; and some of the pretty. They will also
all the lagoons and am is not too strong. edges of the water for Many native women coming to draw water, eaten by these saurians. ver-bank which manknown to infest the rateful to the passing Loot the reptiles. The re laid in a big mass and débris and left to nest at Bolgoda lake, f Colombo, some years irty eggs from it. I the side of each egg, lear out the contents, ily did. A crocodile been recently caught la, and its skin is now . Lazarus, taxidermist,
di tanks of the island form a large part of country. Whales, too,
OF CEYLON
frequently visit the shores of Ceylon. A large dead whale was stranded on the rocks ballow the Mount Lavinia Hotel, 7 miles south of Colombo, two years ago, with the result that the guests fled and the hotel remained empty until the putrescent carcase could be cut up and towed out to sea or buried. The dugong, or manatee-which is supposed to have originated the idea of the fabulous mermaid-is found above Puttalam on the north-west coast, and its flesh is considered a delicacy by the natives, selling well in the bazaars. The fish known as the climbing perch (Anabas scandens) is found in Ceylon waters. It can travel long distances on land, and is even said to climb trees. Three of these fish were captured alive by me in Wavertree compound, in Colombo, some years ago, and were identified by the late Mr. William Ferguson, a local authority on piscatology. The sucking fishes found in the sea round the island have an adhesive disc on the upper sufface of the head, by which they attach themselves to sharks or turtles or ships; and so strong is the adhesion that the fish is only detached with difficulty. I found one brought ashore in a seine at Mount Lavinia, Sharks are very numerous round the coast of Ceylon, the hammer-headed variety being particularly common. Small specimens of this species are often caught by the fishermen.
At Batticaloa, on the east coast, on moonlit nights, parties frequently go on the lake to listen to the so-called singing fish. The sounds are believed to be produced by a mollusc under the water; but I do not know that the species has been identified.
Page 169
BOT
By J. C. WILI
DIRECTOR OF THE ROYAL. B.
HE depart Illient { if the
public service of CeyloI1 kT1oWn 31,5 the: R"yal Вg ili nit. I ardens illglu (d.23 it th': 'Ti:5:Tıt tiril: , il muclı witler Tilnge of Activity than is title Wuld indicalt." to residents in Europe: ; it is ratller II, I):i:Lrtmillernt of Botany and Agriculture: tla il al Botani: Garden in the ordinary sense, though it includes : nutriber of Botanic Gardells, Ill recent years especially a considerable expansion of the scope of the lepartmenti a 11 di Qi the work carried oil by it has talk:Il pl;Lce, In many ways the history of its gradual elllargement reflects the general history of the Inline-tez-teııtlı ce:Intılır y iri bollarıy bılı"idi iti 5 ;ıllicci sciences and arts. In the early Weill's of the past century, when botany consisted only of the study of the external characters of plants
their classification, and the in westigatik Hill, naming, and cataloguing of the plants of the different regions of the world, the Royal Botanic Gardells of Ceylon were occupied principally with the collection and description of the will flowering plants and ferns if the island, and with the gradual accurtulation Lt. Peraderniyl Us is may 15 prossible of the5. This branch of work is still going on, and hills resulted in the for II:Ltion of a great herbariulil and museum of Ceylon plants, a very cornplete collection of living speciners in the virious gardens, and the publication of a Flora of the Colony, the final volume of which was cornpleted in Igod. A solid foundation is thus laid for the further investigacion of the flor al if Ceylon by agricultural and economic botanists, vegetable physiologists and pathologists, and mathcr werkers. It should, however ble Intel that the work so far completed is chiefly upon the flowering plants and ferrls, a II di that thị: Inoses, liverwarts, algu, arld fligi hilWC Fet to be wurk. El Lupo.
All'11 si si ILLIt: 11eOLI Inent of this systeilla Wild Flori, the Estalli
LIS, Sc.D., F. L.S.
OTANIC GARIENS, PERALENIYA.
sly witlı bile Cığırlımı:ns:c- 0ccupicd, aırnd by 18öo we cre mainly 08:CLIpied,
lic investigati I of the with the importalit duty of introducing intr) the CL LtLLLLLaL aSLaaa LLL LLLLL S LLLLLL LLL CLlLlLlLLLLLLL LLLL LLLLL LLaattmLHHLHHL
OF THE HA KG3 AIL, A GARDEN, NLUWARA ELIYA.
Page 170
162 TWENTIETH CENTURY
likills of other citrics, with the view of kills througll the Bo diri ding rot It wliai pil: Lııls wuulti grew in thc the latter quarter of th various climates which the island possesses, of acclimatisation his
LLLLLLY LLLLLL LL0L0S LL LLLLL LLLLLLLLYLS LS Y LLLLLLLLS LL
LLL LrL0 LLL gCClLL r LLL S HHSHLSL S L S LaaHLLLLaaS LCCL LLLLLLH HHHHL tLLLLLLLLLLLLLL LLLC LLLLLL LLH GtLLL tLmmaaHLL LLLLLL aLLLLLCCL aaL0L LS0tLL HHLLL LLLLLL HLmaC LGGLLLLLLL KLLL00L0LS CCCaaaL S LLLLtlaaLLHtL LaSLL LLLL LLLLLL other things this introduccd may hc, IT ention cd still to be introduced,
aaLaLaLS LLLLLLLLS LLL LLaaLaLLS LLLLLLLLS LLLLLL S LLL LLLLOLL LlLLLLLLLLa L LLLLLLLLuS HLHLLLLLLLS LL LLHHLL HHHLLLLLLL LLLLL LCLLLLLLL LL LLLCLCLL S LLLLL LLLLL LLLHLL LLLLH LHCaaLLLLLS LLLHHL LLLLL LLL GLLLLLaS LLLHSlLLaLLLLLLLLlLSS LLLLLLGLLLLL LLLL tatLCCL S LLLL LLGLLLGS tLtlttLLL LLLL LLLLL LLLLLLa0S LLGS GaLLLa S mLLmGHCC LLLL LLLL aLCaS
LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLSLLLLLLLYLLLL0SLLLLLLLLGG YS LLSYLLHHLLLLLLLS
L laLLLLLLL T LLLL aLLLLL LL LLLLLS LLLLLSaaS LLLLaLL LLL LLLL mLLLLL HaLLKS CLL GLLaH LLLLLL LLg LCLC LLCL LCLLLLL S LLLLL LLLL LCC LLLLL LLLLLLLLS
LaLLaL LLallLL LLLLS LL LLLLGLLLLLLL LLLLL mmLLLLLL LLLLHL aaaLLLLLLL LLLlLLLLLLLLS
IMIPRESSIONS
Anic Gardens. During e philst cellury this work gradually decret sexl irn
ubLr af potentially valulished in the isl:LIll hills ger it propurti. In to those and is the organisation }r the supply of seeds ld has III IL III af Operatic III of a Puhlic: 2. Plants are still being
AAAAAAAAAAW
H
IEANT)',
kleis in large II LII InbLTS, tisation is pilssing, and all outlook is changing,
OF CEYLON
The salient feature of the past century in Ceylon has been the occurrence of a series of "hooms." it different economic products, formerly citly cultivitical by the rative tropical races of men, (it Tilly collected fron wild plants, Oile by alle, coffee, circhona, tica, cacao, carclaTT1CIIns, india rubbler, &c., have risel into prominence. The history of the present century will almost Certainly hic welry clifferet.. Alimos L :l] por bducts of valuic arc now cultivated in the tropics by European Dr American planters or GuvernL'11:ILs, :Lni a period r severe competiti i5 begin Illing ir withich Ceylan will bi: to some :Xt: in haridicapperd hy having i poor scoil, Ithurch of which hasi bid:c in W'asted by chen: and by it attention to gioid cliltiwalion, but in which Jill the: Cyther hand, she has wery greit arlwin:Igles in good Hill '''Liriel cli Lilles, al Tryst urlinited chicap and docile ll hour, central position with le tiful freight to the grca 1 Tirket5, and last, but I11 si ir Tıpırtant of all, wellest; blish!Il industries with great repulations, for their products, Thanaged by experienced, e Interprising, and capable innen,
Acclimatisation, then, has to a large extent seen its best day's hire. It is now of Illuch greateT importance to attentil C3 COLLIT e: xisting industries, and preserve, improve, Lind extend theith, th: In tc), dcvote: Fall or atteritir un la the compilatively minor chance of introducing something that shall take their place if they iil. We may still lope to introduce: new products of Walue, but they lire less likely to pre: the contriencement of large industries Lhall has been the case in the past. It is to itect this Inc'yi plı ase of the ectorıcılıic position tlılı! the constitution of the Royal Botanic Gardens h:LS Ele:Ill: Tgely ch: Tiged during the past few y el T5, L Til that to the Call Corganisatik III for investigaticorn of the local for LIIc the ilirLLLLLL T LLLLLL LLHHLHH LLLLLS LLL a LLL of a few of each to see whether they can he grown in Ceylon, there has been added it, staff of scientific experts for le:Lling with diseases and their prevention, and an experient station-15 distinguished from a botani; gardem—for the study of metlı Cocis, of cultivitin and of preparation of products for mill kit upor. C aLLLLLLL LLLLLLLLS LL LLL LLLLCL L LCC LCS LH LHLLaaL aHHH LaLLLLL LLLLCLLLlL LL GLLLLLLL LLLLLLCLLLLLLL frun abraad, Ligeth Lr with laboratories arid other necessary aids for the filrther scientific study of the vegetation of Ceylon, Whither
1Live r i 1 troducer.
It will he cirvenient to deal with the subject hy he: this ric: I ı ı tici, ThLe present lillquarters of the Royal Botanic Garglens are : Peradeniya, but this Was nok tilvays the Lolst, The Dutch had a glide in Slavic Island, Colonbi, but after the English coliquest this was neglected and sold by the Guer II client, The first English (Ganwernor, the Hon. F. North afterwards Lord Guilford), had a silhall priville
Page 171
TWENTIETH
garden at Peliyagda, n:ir Culi Tibu, undet the superintendence of Jasciplı Jon ville, or Joinvillc, whom he brought out as "clerk for natural history ånd agriculture." In 1800 Jonville accompanied General MacDowall's e Imbassy to Kandy", ard II hade a CollectiCJI CIf plants which is now in the British Musliu II. He also drew some of the plates in Cardiner's "Description of Ceylon." Several cxchanges were III: de between thic garden it his charge and the garders of the Elst India Coil pany at Cilut.
In 1810 Sir Joseph Blinks, then President of the Royal Society, was instrumental in causing the opening of the first English botanic garden in Ceylon, under the superintendence of W. Kerr, who was transferred frorul Canton arriving in 1812. Seven acres of land WET opened ill Slave Island, where the site is still indicated by Kew Roid, and Kerr was placed in charge of this and of the garden at King's House is "resident superintendent and chief gardener."
II. 813. Lhe garder was Tived to kalutara, on the south-west coast, the Colombo site having been sound ti Ho subject to flodding. The Government hatl resu II 1er FC1554-53 i pril Hf ап unsuccessful Fugar eslale of fix10 acres at Ugalboda, on the left Bank of the river, and upuri this Ilie garden was reoir eiticil. In the following year Kerr died. Linct was succeeded by Alex:ırıcler Moon, who arrived il CeylLLI. iii 1817. Uı ıler lıitı ılık: gır'de is were ııılıklı improved, and in I 82, six years after the ciriquest of the Karilyai kingdom, Wer: trailsierred to their present sile at Peraklicniya, it Lr пiles from the centru uf Kildy, on the ColumbH. LLLLLS S LLLLL LLLL LL LLLLLL C LLLaSaaagCaaSaaaCClLLLS occupying a peninsul: ruid which flows the broad ind rapid stre:LIII oi lhe MI:h:Lveli Giang, the principal river of Ceylon. It is about 11: пile in length from north to south, and has anı Lire: If I 3 a circ5, piTC:t til y 111 ciul:L teci. The suuther end is rocky, but will f:irly gHJ:l soil it II: Lily Arts the northcII cTid crisisls largely of old river deposits of sand Lild gravel. On the arther side of the river rise the hilis of the experiment stati II, Lle stes:st of which, th Llı Ilır bi-r:List, is b’i yıl 7CX) it, higher thil. In thL: g-Lircle TI : Intl Acts: Aš Lil KefficiL! TIL barrier against the force of the Lorth-east I norsion. The general level til line garden is about 1550 st abLivl: th L. 5:1, and the Lliville is war II all da III, lul intich plcasintet that that of the wel lo yw'-contry, as ext:Lapplified in Cola Inbo. "I'll1te :Li h:is : Thracing fresh Tess that is lacking in the plairls, Lill ill: Tights are always ÇILJl. The cliIII:lt: iš stufficier hly warn to render possible the cultivation of all but a very few tropical plants, for which the nights are too cold in February and Match and the cialys tot dry, and sufficie:Intky Çil t.) El lliw LL LLLLLL HLLLLLLLLH LLLL LL LC aLaSaaaaaaLLL LLLLLL
CENTURY I
suitable to mediu.In ele zurie, but nik it calpia bila: low-ctiuirliry. Thit sile,
RO
Bint:licial Dep:4 r. 1 & 1 dLLL: lợi the chL:it:g: lụ. ;L site in regards clini
M[("o’oI1 tT7äT15 fe:r Te:cl tC1
Աhiւ:11 :r:Liliti lեւ: IIIւյն Էլ
1չԼIէ Լlլt: 811յlti-t:18:ti:T
la 1 lirg :8gilly''. spert IIIшисt tille i 11
fil Tal of thč cxulfly“, 1: "W":st:TI F'TUI'yi 1c', :L in Jv:. In 1824 h
MPRESSIONS
a tirins in the IT intain : Of Cultivition :cessful working of the
in the
OF CEYION 168
English and Sirılı alese, his " Catalltog LLC and the III cligencils incl Existic Plants growing ill Ceylicorn,” If thc: 1, 12; pl:Atis II:tiye li i hic:
rP OF PALMS, PERA.DENIA GARDCNS, RANTY.
1 is in no small degrc: Moxii of 80 excelleil 1:t: :LId positioII.
Peradeniya all the plants fra 1111 Kalultur, inci lillid In TL Tt of the: grrr! Tid, f : Lil iiii 1. H:
lliէ: irl :Հ11:1 titչIլ է if thւ:
colony ther EII LIII1 erated, 1 ťi are Ice w si Follecies described fix the first tiT E. He child: L C IIIlkiden; hole herhızır i, ırımı, Hicri 8 mostly :LE PE="w", "Arld cotIIILeticed t le librity of th: lepirtill:11t.
ISIS ls Allis, Sirt1: ...: iaTpicainted yw'riler uri der lıiıııı, : IL lisplayed CLaLLL LLLLL LLL LLLLCCCLLLL LLLLL CCLLL LLL LLLLLL
III
Hilfrillis
taight : 1 his alw'n cxist LT1 i Lipicii11 til Els
INT BAMBOOS, PERADENIYA, GARDENS, KANDY.
ill illected largely in the swell ils. Il e:Lr k:LIndy : Tiri
dral, u l-hits Iriar ir IES 23, This was tlhte begi1 1 r iirhg Qỉ the spl:rldid series Lỉ CCloured dr:1wings Ðt
HHLLaLCCLLL LLL LLLLtLLHHLaaLS LL LLaL LLseLLlll LLLLLLLLS HHHLLLL LLL LLLLL LaLLLLL LLLLLL
Page 172
16尘
in the gardens, which has been steadily cointinued to the present time by H. de Alwis, his two sons, Williar Lnd George, and his ргапdsom Alfretl, who i is at pre:5cnt the ilri. Liglılsızırı (f the dep:Lrtment. In May, 1825, Moon dieci of sever, and for suTrue time the gardens wer: in charge of Andrew Walker als A ting Ser
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
Superintendent in 1832, Tubher a venue at the c W:15 laid fut hy him in of interreg11urt, under) Ceylon il, T 837, mr e: Messrs. Kilight, of Chɛ till the applicaintinen itu
WIEW" IN THE PERADENIY GARDENS, EAND
interident. He was succeeded in I32 by James Macrae, who collected many plants, especially orchids. Fron this tiring till 18+4 the diparFilent la Iguished, being childy used Fls 1 Güvert'ııııcnt inarket. gilden the produce of which was sold in Kilindy. Macrae diel in 1830, altid after analher intérTCg1 LIII], Lunder G. Bird, James George Watson was applied
sell, "a clever young surg arid described a number Orde of the Carliest te: plat ät Nii '...':Lr'ı Eliya in 15ჭ: beautiful group of palms the gardens.
Irlarluary, 1843, Norini Ondilatje acted as sup
MIPRESSIONS
and died in 1858. The Intralice l[3 the gardens 1833. Another period G. T.e3Lr, who canc te flir, as collector for :lsel, followed, lasting 1840 ČIf Hl. T., Normain
con." Liar collected Ulf Orchicis, and was tiL:T5 i lı platted teau 7. Hä: l:lid uut the i at the entrance of
insell dicci, and W. C. Lrintende Ht til the
OF CEYLON
ill rival in May, 1844, of Gerg- Gardıner, F.L.S. the Well-krow'lı Brazilian traveller, who was appi intel & In thc reco:Timmerhal:L tiun of Sir William Hooker. With his arrival the clepartment started on a new career. Ortly one quarter of the lind was then iT ESE , dhe reminder W:18 largely cleared Luld pl: mited, new rolds opened, and Inany new pl: Tits introduced from other Gardler travelled almost all over the Clory, ELIld Illicle large collections of Italive Plat1ts, папу of which were thew to scicnce. Unfortunately for the departitient and for science, hic died of apoplexy, at NL waTa. Eliya, at the է:Lrly it: fii thirty-seven, in March, I-49. A Celot-lph containing a brass to his retnory, was erected in the garders in 1855. His herhariurn was purchased by the British Museum, and thus unfortunately lost to the colony,
FHIL MIT:rctii tu DexceTTıber, 1848), MT, ((G, Fraser was Acting Superintcindent of the gardens pending the arrival of the Inc.wly appointed Superintendent, George Henry Kendrick Thwaitics, who was for thirty-one ye:Lts to control the destinics of the deportment, and to do so much for scientific hala 11у ind for the planting industries of Ceylo 11. Born in Bristol in 1812, Thwaites was thirtyseven years olid ywhen ble Trivel il Ceylon, and had already won a distinguished repulation ir bicotial Iny,
K-_-Lu IL ETiq:S,
In 1854 it vigorous Fitter Lapit walls III:Lide ir Council to ilbolish thic gardens. They were defended by Mr. W. Ferguson in the Observer, and by Dr. Lindley in the Gitrifeners' Chrotric r.
In 18so the site of the Hilk gala Garden was selected by Thwailes for the I'LL'E ti' isf E Hı: cinchonal Tilants brought from Peru by Sir Clements Markham, and was pliced in charge of Mr. MacNicoli. At first plainters were disincliffied te try the new industry, but a few cars later, as coffee ceased to floILITish, cinchuria was very largely taken lip, finally bocoming soit soine years the stilple industry of the Colejny, anci bridging wet the period between coffee and tea. The gardens bėgan la distribute seed of the latter ah-HHLIt I *ğıq, but for Inany years previously Thwaites had callel atterlion to it in lin.
In the report for 1871 a PPL:lIs the fi: Therition of the coffee-leaf tlistii:: li:Jյrii:: Tošli Trit, and in all succeeding reports Thwaites deals with this, CLIII sistently rejecting the popula idea of the PLissible tliscovery of acute. In the report for I 8:3 the spir:Id of tea cultivation, in wlich Thwaiti's tink it lilge part, is El Culiç, d, and the cultivation of cacao and :Tdants, both now important industries in Ceylon, is for ho first tirtine pressed ipsum public attention. Til I 87ð, the Indian Gimverılırtment häving obtained secds and plants of Hattea fra siffersis, the Para india tubber. from South At Eleri, it
Page 173
su
SLLKYKKK KKLLYYLKKKK SLLLL KKYKK SYLLLLLL YY LLLKL
SLLLSLK KKLLLL SLLLYLLLL KKKLLLK YLK LL LLLKKK LLLK LLLKKK
Ek
Page 174
166
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
WIEW IN E EIAEALA
thic clirrhate of Indii Was unsuitable for thCIT1, al rhed they were: sent tou Ceylon, wther the bral Tich garden at Heneraltgida, I Tiles front Colombo, Il the Kandy railway, was opened for their receptic II, and as an experimental garder for strictly lowcountry products.
Thwaites retired it the beginning of 880, Liter za libring service of thirty-Corbe years, splent without once quilting th: coloily : Iiti w:s succeedel hy Mr. Henry Triimein, M.I3., F.I.S. us the British Muscuin. The new Director arrived at a time of trial for the colony, for the cliffee industry was rapidly sinking under
was fouill that
THE "MONS''EIR CREEPER: "" IN
PERAIh; Nig a GARDENS,
GARDENS, NLT WAFA,
thic attacks of its fungus the lalt Mr. (afterwards W:rcicaine Out (315 Crypt« for two years, 1880-82, r;5:li'hes into the life-h With the wici'w rif endi preventive measures. successful in lhe form. cessful in the latter, as T. hills clf had predicted
:18:.
The fundariental sectic. tutiori is the Botanic G (143aCro:5, with its five bt climatic regions of the isl: 18ն I, thout 4g at:r:s t jurgle:Lindgrass rescrive): 187s, 39 acres, includii). Anuradhapura picnel 18 opened 1886, 1 I acres) | photo-III!!:d Iqy02. [O acres), the 5c: gai'dens is tika sortina: as prossible uf ill the nzlti all of all forcign useful, L'-1 i Ing Pil:Irls which x:tılı Ceyl II. (Of COLIIT:sę, such v:Ls. Littler if differtill each kill can only be r dwi) speci li cr1s , Ir :LL ITii. "it clex collectin " Ellis til LLally iii creasing by fr. in 14 J.Ltd. th: firms the work and experiiLunt, car i tlı LT divisioris ons the «lep; In addition ti forming tlı - 13 tanic Garcle is are hrti:1llure Ili lielscipi object of forming be:Lutii tha pleasure at hd instructic
MPRESSIONS
LIYA.
Cherny. At this period Professor H. Marshall ganistto Government) Lð til Try" COLLE : scries if istory of the Herite. :avouring to discover The mission, though :r. object, was Linslic1witiles and Mr. Ward Would likely be the
II. If the presert instiArdıcı Çuf Peradeniya LILh:5 in the cliff. I'll .11d : Hakgala (opened ultivated with large Heneratg dia (opened : Id acres of jungle); 83, 15 астез); Badulla ; and Nuwara Eliya The primary object of i complete a collection "c plants of the island, Frnamentil, and i 1lerbc Em: de te gro yw i El Collection Inc.:Lils : kinds of plants, and in resented by one it st a little pilol. The furtled, and coinsti introductions from ILLI: Lig: rial for f'Lulrt IeT ied out chiefly by the
l:1t. this illex collection, Ilainly occupied with fgarclering, with the Il placés of Tesort fur in of the puhlic, and of
OF CEYLON
training up gardeners, giving advice on gardening matters to residents in the colony, and trying experiment:5 with different ethods of cultivation of ornamental or minor useful plants. Until the opening of the experiment station a l:lige amount of land and labour had to be given in the Bulanic Gardens to important economic plants. This is now heing altered, ind special attention can bc given in the future ty lowers, fruits, and vegetables. It is hoped 11t Imerely to introduct: tirther good kinds from abroad, but try undertake to some extet at the breeding of gikud local varieties suitable to local tastes:Lnd conditions-a branch of work hith crit() ältnist unknown in the tropics, though sich III:LWellous results have bec produced in Europic and Anerical by its means,
Nurseries are kept up in the Botanic Gardens for the supply if the Inore important arid interesting plants to the public, and seeds are al-s) 5sild. Limitations of space and supTily Prevent incure than very small quantities being available in this way. The chief cconomic plants are heing gradually transferred to the cxperillent stations, and only Inin or economic platts, fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants will in future be dealt with by the Botanic Girderl3. In supplying these plants, more especially the ornamental kinds, the getheral principle is adopted that the gardens shall not compete with private enterprise in the district in which they lie, and that they shall cease to
ENTRANCE, PERADENIYA GARDEN.S.
supply plats of any kind thi:Lit is really and cheaply obtainable irom local nurscries. The object of the gardens is not to Inake Illorley hy the sale of verandah and garden plants, but te encourage horticulture and improve the variety and quality of plants in cultivation. To render the furthcra lice of this object more certain, it is
Page 175
TWENTIETH
inte deci in futu Te tu keep up in the nurseries small stocks of the most frequently demanded plants only, and to devote the space Low given to IIIany plants which are bit seldorm sked for to growing larger stocks of plants of certain kinds ; to keep up thes: stycks for som: tiııile, publish infor IrnatioTı about them, and er deawcy ur
TEIE GLANT ANTEURIUMI IN FER. ADEGNA GADIENS
to spread then is six n and as widely as Italy he possible about the island,
In the case of the more irthportal cconoITlic products it is not enough now to kilow simply that such or such a plant will grow in the climate of Ceylon; it is very rarely, if ever, possible to begin a successful industry by merely intrudicing the necessary plants, We Illust know the best Inethods of cultivation Lind of preparation of the product for market, This involves cultivation and preparatiun on a coTImercial scale to test the resulting products by sale in the open Tarket; such experinert is better suited to a scientifically equipped institution, which is nut obliged to make a profit, than to private individuals, and this is the object of an experiment station, in additioT to other experiments for the improvement of cultivation arid preparation of crops already cultivated in Ceylon. The working of the experiment station and the actual experiments to be carried om are decided by aid of a "Corunmittee of Agricultural Experiments” composed of Inembers of the departmental slaff and of private planters or others Ilomirated by the GovernIet
The Peradeniya Station lies in the wet lower zone of the mountains and in the planting districts, and it is mainly concerned with products already established. A second experiment station has recently been started in the vast
CENTURY
dry zone districts Inc. railways and irrigati) An area of I50 acres Mahai-iluppala Ima, irri object in view is a thi. ħilities li chi Euth Lul rubbl:T, calcio, and otl tried under irrigation. Cultiv:L tioJ1h of aTny ki island, and it is lopec Ina, y lleåd to thic capemil
The present stuff | follows :-
J. C. Willis, Sc.D., F.L. E, E. (Greçer, F.E.S., E T, Petch, B.A., B.Sc., 7 M. Kelway Bamber, 1
Chemist. A, M. Smith, B.-A... Scito Herbert Wright, A.R Experimelt Static II", C. J. C. Mee, Superii)
II) : 1 s. H. F. MacLailla T1, F.I.
Gilrdens. J. K. Nock, Curator, H Ceyları, thouglı simi w:ı ricity of çiliqIma te5, dLI fall sind in elevation Wariety if vegetation. C(IIImprising over 3,00 plants and ferns (or im lle British Isles), of Losses, liverwort Many of the plants ar. related to, those of th a large nuIIber show
IPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
bicing opCTld up by in the North of Ceylon. s been res.Twick Lillet tiợn lattk. Thẽ chỉt:f ugh trial of the possiration in Ceylon. but T Crops arc alsco being At presert there is little i in this part of the that these experillents
up of new land.
th: irlgtitution iš 45
S. Director, itoinologist. șcologist. ..I.C., F.C. S. M.R.A.C.,
Intifi: Assist:Lut.
.S., F.L.S. Controller,
enclent, CottCJI ExpCiri
.S., Curator, Peradeniya
kgıla Gardie T18.
11 in area, has a greal e to difficiences in railand a corresponding
Ils flora is very rich, o species of flowering El Tc ill:5 LS, Ill T1 iš beside a large Illither seaweeds, fullgi, &c. e the same as, or closely c Indian peninsula, while
affinity to the Malayal
THE GIANT ORCHIO IN FEGERADENIA
GARDENTS.
flora and some to the African, The in liverycorts, sea weeds, ilind fung" bı:atg: 45 %': been very incompletely investigated; probably they will besoklnd to Liber list Is Illillo more. A wery reclarkable feature El flir is the large proportion of endemic species, F. . . species cinn fined to Ceylon. Althost 3o Ter cent. of our plants are endemic, a proportion usually only found in Oceanic islands, far l'El frr:QLIn the contirlient.
The chief determinant of the climates is the position of the mountain Illass of south-central Ceylon across the line of direction of the to
FLYING FOXES IN PER Å DENIYA GÅ EDENS,
Page 176
168
monsoons. The south-west monsoon (April to September) brings much rain to the western side of the hills and to the south-western plains, but little elsewhere. The north-east monsoon (October to March) brings, at first, rain to all parts, but later chiefly to the eastern side of the hills. The chief climatic zones thus are the "wet low-country' from Negombo to Matara, with rain at all times of the year (least in January to March) and a rich vegetation; the "dry low-country,' comprising the rest of the plains, principally in the north and east, with rain chiefly from October to January, and the remaining months dry ; and the “montane zones' of various elevations. The eastern side of the mountains is rather drier than the western, and its dry season is in the southwest monsoon, while that of the western side is in the north-east monsoon, so that the periods of flowering and fruiting of plants differ by several months in the two regions. The wet low-country was doubtless originally covered with a sheet of forest, but of this only portions now remain, e.g., the Singha Raja forest to the south of Ratnapura and the lower part of the forests upon Adam's Peak. Owing to the welldistributed and abundant rainfall the vegetation is very rich. The forests are typical equatorial evergreen forests, with tall trees of very uniform height, and with a dense undergrowth of . smaller trees, large woody climbers, and ground herbs. One great cause of waste of material and of land has been the destructive native practice of chena, whereby large areas of forest were annually cut and burned for the purpose of growing a few crops of grain upon the land. In a few years at most the chena is abandoned and becomes covered with a low scrub, often composed almost entirely of lantana or of a dwarf bamboo. Immense areas of land in Ceylon have been wasted in this way.
The wet low-country is one of the richest cultivated districts, and is thickly populated in the more accessible parts. The level lands and the bottoms of the valleys are chiefly occupied by rice fields, yielding two crops a year, one in each monsoon, while the higher lands between are covered with the characteristic mixed tree cultivation of the Sinhalese-jaks (often largely
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
replaced or suppleme the sea), coconuts, arec limes, custard apples, ki with “yams” of vari Colocasia and Alocasi other small plants. L. especially near the sea Kandy railway, are give nut cultivation; the p afford many of the nec Sinhalese, and are a quantity. Areca palms
THE JAK-FR
port of the nuts in spec districts, especially near I also extensive plantain est European cultivation is Kelani Valley and near product is tea--of poor q -but indiarubber is of l; minence, and cacao, clov and other crops are a coconuts.
At the highest levels, Eliya and on the Horton broken by patches of g.
MPRESSIONS
ed by breadfruit near s, mangoes, plantains, ul or toddy palms, &c., us kinds (especially , betel, pepper, and ge areas of ground, coast and along the up entirely to cocobducts of this palm issaries of life to the So exported in vast ure cultivated for ex
J FREE.
ial estates in certain egalla, and there are ates near the railway. mainly found in the Kalutara ; the chief lality but large yield te coming into proes, nutmegs, vanilla, lso grown besides
e.g., about Nuwara Plains, the jungle is assland, known as
OF CEYLON
patanas, covered with a coarse turf of large grasses, among which are many flowers often of familiar European genera. Many plants of European genera also occur in the undergrowth of the higher forests, and such plants as brambles, buttercups, valerrians, violets, teasels, skull-caps, and St. John's worts, give quite a Northern look to much of the vegetation. In many parts the forest has a very characteristic undergrowth of dwarf bamboos, or of nelu, under which name the Sinhalese include the gregarious species of Strobilanthes; these plants flower all together at the end of a period of years and then die down, to be replaced by the seedlings.
In each of the great zones of vegetation thus indicated there are of course numerous smaller areas of special interest, with peculiar floras. Thus, on the coast there is the special “coast flora" of beach jungle, shore herbs, &c. In the south this is of the almost cosmopolitan type found from Polynesia to Africa; while in the north it is of a more local Indian type. In the north, and in the south-east, and elsewhere, interesting floras occur on the margins of the large salt lagoons. Mangroves are well represented in the estuarine lagoons and river mouths from Negombo to Matara and elsewhere. Water plants abound in the coast lagoons, in the paddy fields, and in the irrigation tanks of the dry country, while the peculiar family of the Podostemaceae abound in the rapids of the mountain streams; seaweeds are plentiful on the south-west and southern coasts.
Every form of tropical vegetation, whether of wet or dry climates, of jungle, grassland, scrub, marsh, coast, water, &c., may be found represented in our flora, and owing to the small area and the convenience of travel and study, may be easily investigated in a limited time. Every facility for residence, botanical study, and scientific research is now available at the Royal Botanic Gardens of Peradeniya (close to Kandy) and the branch gardens in the wet and dry low-country and in the hills. Many scientific men from Europe have in recent years made use of these facilities, and much original research has been carried out in the Peradeniya laboratories.
ప్ర్ర
2ど/傘エ
钰一
c
ఘీగోషో
Page 177
崔
A%
HE history of irrigation in Ceylon goes back to such very early periods in that of the world that great uncertainty must naturally exist as to the facts. The records available are few, and not always reliable. It would appear, however, to be beyond doubt that the indigenous Sinhalese population recognised the necessity of works to assist the natural rainfall in the water supply to their lands, and it may reasonably be assumed that the chief cropif not the only one-was rice, or 'paddy," as it is now more generally spoken of locally. It may be said parenthetically that the distinction between the two exists in the condition of the grain, “rice' being only spoken of as the manufactured or husked article, and "paddy' the natural grain as coming from the threshing-floor. The term ' paddy' is also invariably applied to the crop.
In the historical work known as the Mahavansa, it is stated that "tanks' (or storage reservoirs) existed at the time the invader Vijaya landed in Ceylon in 534 B.C., and it is also asserted, apparently with good authority, that most of the good irrigation works were undertaken during the period between 4oo B.C. and I2OO A.D. The actual dates of the building of the original great works at Minneriya and Kalawewa (storage tanks, the word “wewa' being the Sinhalese name for a tank) are fixed as 277 A.D. and 460 A.I). respectively, and are fairly reliable. The oldest remaining masonry in connection with these works has the mark of great antiquity.
After the era of activity and construction previously mentioned succeeded another of inactivity and decay: for several centuries no great works were undertaken, and the existing works were allowed to go to ruin. Some of them are stated to have been actually destroyed
I R. R. I G :
BY H. T.
DIRECT OR OF
by the Tamil invaders but it seems probable much due to depopulati
This brings us down pation of Ceylon, chief new invaders are cre
destructive tendencies after all, were operatin of war. After the Port As might have been with their training and set to work to improv of irrigation and inl result is apparent to portant works, amo) mentioned the Urubo work) in the Matara d and Negombo canals. extended over a centu condition of the island; to compel them to foll footsteps of their prede and confine their opera line. The result has
have been found in th
We now come to the the commencement of Up to this time the coi ance of irrigation w. on under the native assistance of old comn which had more than know it. Almost the comers - who, like : thought they knew th abolish the time-honou found prevailing, and v or enforced labour for The history of our A same tale to tell in alı
ocal customs which h local and racial idiosyn they are not found prejudices.
ATION
S. WARD,
IR RIGATION .
from the Indian coast, hat the decline was as on as to any other cause, to the Portuguese occuly on the coast. These ited with even more than the Tamils, who, g under the conditions uguese came the Dutch. expected from a nation business capacity, they e the existing schemes and waterways. The this day in many imngst which may be kka dam (a masonry istrict, and the Kalutara The Dutch occupation ry and a half, and the at that time was such as ow more or less in the cessors, the Portuguese, tions chiefly to the coast been that their works e maritime districts.
British occupation and the nineteenth century. nstruction and maintenorks had been carried Rajas, and with the hunal rules and customs the force of law as we first act of the newall other new-comers, e country best-was to red customs which they vith them “ rajakariya,” the service of the State. siatic colonies has the most every case, and the ave been found to suit crasies have to go when in line with Western
59
The people were not compelled to work for their own good, and irrigation again suffered. A Commission was appointed in 1832 to inquire into the state of affairs and push forward irrigation works, and the first fruits of their deliberations was a recommendation for the abolition of “rajakariya' So far back as the year 1847 a recommendation was made (during Sir Emerson Tennent's term of office as Colonial Secretary) for a general survey of all the tanks and irrigation works in Ceylon, and it is remarkable that only sixty years later is this work being systematically undertaken.
It is unnecessary to follow all the ups and downs of irrigation during the next ten years or so; but the arrival of Sir Henry Ward as Governor, in 1855, may be said to mark an epoch, for it was followed almost immediately by the creation of the first “irrigation fund,' and by the passing in the following year of the first irrigation Ordinance, and the issue of the famous Minute on irrigation. It is remarkable and instructive to note in passing that the first and subsequent irrigation Ordinance were framed to perpetuate the old communal customs which were appropriate to the people and their surroundings. The law now existed, and it became necessary to think of the machinery to work it. But, strange to say, considering the attention which was given to the subject by successive administrators and the mass of evidence that was recorded by various officers of the Government, the institution of a regular department to organise and control the management of the whole scheme was forgotten. The first proposal for anything like systematic control came with the recommendation of Sir Hercules Robinson for the appointment of Lieutenant Woodward, R.E., as Irrigation Assistant. This cannot be said, however, to be the birth of the Irrigation Department, as matters lapsed later on into the old state, and Lieutenant (now Captain) Woodward left the island after a few years of good work. In
Page 178
170 TWENTIETH
justice to him it should be stated that some of the undertakings instituted during this period are amongst the most successful in the island, and that the capital cost compares very favourably with those of any other date.
A period now intervened when the policy of Government may be characterised as distinctly progressive. Sir William Gregory, the Governor of the day, encouraged irrigation by adopting a more generous policy in the provision of the necessary funds, generally by promoting enterprise wherever possible. To some extent the activity may be ascribed to the existence of the “paddy tax," which was in operation up to the year 1892. With this impost in force the Government of the day felt justified in
TISSAWEGWA TANIK.
CENTURY I
Boards were wested wi tive powers. The initi (including the restoratic ally lay with the reven ment Agent, and a joint
was made by the other
Board. No very definit practice. Sometimes th nical members were for Board, with the recomm (rarely otherwise) of the times the Provincial E frame a definite propos.
The system was a b surprising that the time unworkable. The men
(This tank is about three miles in circumference and is supposed to have been čo
Devanampiya Tissa about 3oo B.C.)
incurring expenditure to foster paddy cultivation.
Sir Arthur Gordon's policy was even more progressive, not to say lavish, than that of Sir William Gregory.
Following on the period under note, the year 1887 saw the institution of the Central Irrigation Board, an executive body entrusted with the control and management of the Irrigation Fund, to which an annual contribution is made by Government amounting to Rs. 200,000 (nominally 20,ooo sterling).
In addition to the Central Board (which included official and unofficial members, the Governor being President), provincial Boards were established, the Government Agent of the Province being President and the Provincial Engineer and Chief Surveyor members. These
Board had other duties criticism was either we gether. The same ma stronger degree of the
vincial Boards. The re; proposal lay on the lo work represented hour comparison with the m nection with any pro member of either Boar wondered at that these took no special interest that the consideration C was conspicuous by its a was a Public Works off of other duties to perfo encouragement to him
attention to irrigation
PREssIONs
advisory and execution of new schemes of old works) genere officer, the Governeport on each project two members of the procedure existed in reports of the techyarded to the Central ndation or otherwise Chairman, and somegineer was asked to
and estimate. .d one, and it is not came when it proved bers of the Central
instructed by King
and occupations, and ak or wanting altoy be said in even members of the prol onus of the whole cal engineer, whose perhaps days, in nutes spent in conOsal by any other It was not to be ficers in many cases in the schemes, and the financial aspect sence. The engineer er, with a multitude m, and there was no O give any special uite the reverse
OF CEYLON
whilst the financial aspect was supposed to be considered by the revenue officer.
The maintenance of existing works of any magnitude-indeed, all but “village works'- was entrusted to the Public Works officers, not
necessarily members of the Boards, and often
involved travelling on inspections for very considerable distances outside their ordinary duties.
The Government Agents (ex officio Presidents of the provincial Boards) were supposed to collect the irrigation rates, frame lists or “specifications" of the lots of lands on which rates had to be paid, collect the dues, and take proceedings for default. In addition, they had under their control a staff of subordinate irrigation officers, who were in charge of “village' works, and responsible to these revenue officers only for the performance of their duties, entailing the details of designs for tanks, &c., and this without any technical knowledge or training.
“It is never safe to prophesy unless you know," but it required no prophetic instinct to foresee that such a state of affairs could not last for ever, and the advent of such an astute Governor as Sir West Ridgeway was the culminating point. He saw the difficulty and the necessity for a properly organised department under the control of one responsible officer who could deal with every case, and, in advising Government, secure some continuity of policy and system.
In 19oo the Irrigation Department was instituted, Mr. H. T. S. Ward, a former Public Works Department officer, being appointed Director of Irrigation, with Mr. H. Parker as the Irrigation Assistant (a title now altered to that of Assistant Director). Mr. Parker had been for many years the chief advising officer of Government for irrigation schemes, but had no general control. A staff of engineers was recruited chiefly from England, and a subordinate staff of irrigation inspectors and surveyors was engaged locally. The difficulties of organising the whole department to take over and deal with every question concerning irrigation at the particular stage when this staff took over control-or partial control -were very great. Old mistakes had to be recognised and remedied, working schemes had to be taken up for maintenance, repairs, or improvement, and proposals for new projects examined into and reported on. The difficulty of working an entirely new and locally inexperienced staff is far greater than can be appreciated to the full, except after actual experience, Climatic conditions and the necessities of irrigation work in the most out-of-the-way places play havoc with the uninitiated. Everything is different; everything seems upside down; languages have to be learned (and your average Englishman
Page 179
TWENTIETH CENTURY
is far from being a linguist), and local prejudices studied and made allowances for. A dolce far niente existence suits the East, and is well typified by a quiet stream of water running down at a slow velocity in the bed of the irrigation canal, but that canal has to be surveyed and mapped and excavated first,
A word here on the class of works dealt with in Ceylon will not be out of place. It may be stated generally that the “inundation canal' so well known in India does not exist. This system requires the topographical conditions only found in the great deltas, All the important ancient channels to which the Sinhalese name of “Yoda Ela' is applied have been constructed either to lead a supply from a river source (assisted by a weir across the river) to some of the large tanks, or to convey the water from these storage basins to the fields (or minor tanks) for distribution. Some of these channels were of considerable length, and most of the principal ones have gone to ruin. The “ Yoda Ela ” under the great tank of “ Kalawewa,” in the North Central Province, is the longest at present in working order, and is 54 miles in length.
It is a fact not generally recognised that a lake such as our Western eyes are accustomed to is almost unknown in the tropical regions of the East. The explanation is very simple. The enormous rainfall must find means of escape, and the result is that each valley presents a continuous slope towards the sea, and in wet weather the stream flows downwards without interruption.
These natural valleys afford the opportunity for throwing up dams to impound the water of the rainy season, and the necessity for irrigation water to secure the “paddy' crop has resulted in the construction of thousands of these small tanks, their number naturally increasing in proportion to the dryness of the district. The water is led from these tanks to the fields by channels, and controlled by sluices.
The system adopted in applying the water is universally that known as “flooding,' and in the light of later experience and scientific observation it seems unfortunate that such a very conservative mind as that of the Asiatic should have adopted as a matter of course the particular method which gives him least trouble, which is probably the least economic and efficient, and one which tends to injure the soil in the long run. The Sinhalese villager is fond of "flooding,' and carries out the principle to the extreme, not so much on any well thought out principle, but because it is easier to turn on the water and let it flow all the time until he returns some months later to reap the crops than to divert the supply or shut it off, and thereby give his corn the chance of aeration at the roots which it is
longing for. The resi or does not, supply staple article of food country which might home.
I have said that irr. “ paddy,' and unfortu the truth. A word of given to the alien of th of the Tamil invaders. tant of Jaffna, in th which is called a pen an island joined to the carrying the railway district is all Tamil, local conditions as reg
(One
more difficult or disco is has to be made, and out irrigation. The “lift' from wells, ave and the supply of wa limited. The crops a the most important, a said to live by this i rice required for food India or the eastern cc The duties of the d proceeding connected the actual collection Ordinance, which bec provides for a general and duties, and in til especially proclaimec Director of Irrigation absolute control, inclu
MPRESSIONS
lt is that Ceylon cannot, ts population with the
and money leaves the etter be in circulation at
gation in Ceylon means ately this is not far from notice must, however, be e north-the descendant
I allude to the inhabi: north end of Ceylon, Insula, but is practically mainland by a causeway and public road. This exclusively Tamil. The
ards soil could hardly be
OF CEYLON 171
the water. The latter had been left previously entirely in the hands of the revenue officers, and it is not surprising that the system was a hopeless failure. Many schemes have got a bad name through the excessive waste of water tending not only to a failure of supply-estimated on quite different data-but also to the injuring of the lands themselves and the failure of crops. Again, the collection of dues had hardly been satisfactory in the past, The schedules or “specifications' of lands were made out by estimation and not based on actual surveys, and the generous instincts of revenue officers led them to deal leniently with the villager-perhaps more leniently than would have been the case if the holdings had
۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔سی۔سمجمعے
BASAWAKKUTAMI TANEK.
of the oldest tanks in Ceylon, called Jayawewa, constructed B.c. 5oo.)
Iraging. Any soil there nothing can grow withatter is all effected by aging about 20 ft. deep, ter is universal and un'e varied, but tobacco is d the population may be dustry. Almost all the nas to be imported from ast of Ceylon. partment involve every with irrigation except of revenue. A recent ame law, only this year, remodelling of systems e case of larger works, by Government, the is entrusted with almost ding the distribution of
appeared on their private rent-rolls At all events, the results were evil.
Under existing regulations the initiation of the schemes or proposals for restoration of old works is left in the hands of the district revenue officers, who have to make out their case for Government, and show some estimate of a reasonable return and the probable success of each proposal. The Irrigation Department is then applied to for surveys-contour surveys of the whole area are now being made-plans, estimates, and definite concrete proposals, which must include the details of the areas to be benefited, whether in private hands or Crown property. In the latter case these lands, which would generally be valueless without irrigation, are rendered saleable, and another source of revenue appears.
When any work is sanctioned and a vote
Page 180
172 TWENTIETH
passed in the “Supply Bill," the department undertakes its construction, and, after completion, its maintenance. The maintenance of the village works is still in the hands of the revenue officers, and they have their subordinate staff; but the latter are officers of the department, interchangeable for other duties, and properly trained.
In conclusion, a few notes are given below of some of the principal figures and statistics connected with irrigation in Ceylon. The largest “ tank' is Minneriya, in the North Central Province, with a top water area of over 45oo acres; and next in order comes the “Giant's tank” (recently restored), in the Northern Province, and “Kalawewa’ in the North Central Province, with 4,425 acres each. "Kanthalai," in the Eastern Province, which was supposed to have been built in the earliest centuries of the Christian era, has an area of 3,486 acres, and SO O.
The number of smaller village works is
SN2 誉音纷 క్ష
CENTURY I.
exceedingly great; for of restored village tank and North Central Prov tively about I,3oo and I,
The total number of works in charge of the is II:34, and the total ac in the island, of which able, may be taken as :-
Major works ... Minor or village wo
Total
The average crop sec very variously stated, a with the district, but it average, that about two required to sow an a return is about twent places where the culti
W W }لے a. t
MPRESSIONS
instance, the numbers s in the North-Western inces alone are respecбоо.
principal or “ major ” Irrigation Department eage under cultivation any returns are avail
Acres.
O 0. ... I32,253 rks ..., 2 Ιο,68ο
. . . . . . 342,933
ured per acre has been nd differs very widely
may be taken, as an
bushels of paddy are cre, and the average y bushels. In some vator is careless, the
OF CEYLON
return falls as low as five or six bushels per acre, whilst some of the more recent statements of returns in the Eastern Province give the crop as varying from 35 to 65 bushels per acre.
The Irrigation Staff is composed of the following officers :-
The Director of Irrigation, with an Assistant Director of Irrigation, Office Assistant, and twenty-three Irrigation Engineers in two grades. Then follow the subordinate staff, consisting of four Chief Irrigation Inspectors, one Surveyor, one Assistant Engineer, and eleven Inspectors, followed by fourteen SubInspectors of the first grade and thirty-eight of the second grade, including the Superintendents of Irrigation, who are officers specially appointed to supervise distribution on only some of the larger works. Then comes the
grade of Guardians (first and second class) and the clerical staff, a total of seventy-two officers of all grades.
Page 181
SEYLON is conspicuously
rich in forests. From the palm groves on the surf-washed coast to the
summit of Adan's Peak
in the centre of the
island are to be found at many points and in varying degrees of density timber-clad land, a good proportion of which is in a primaeval state. In recent decades great clearances have been made for the tea, cacao, rubber, and other thriving industries which have sprung into vigorous life under the fructifying influence of capital; but these operations, extensive as they have been, have not materially altered the character of the island. The exact area of the Ceylon forests, properly so-called, is unknown. The surveys made so far have been incomplete, and the data given, even in official publications, are often misleading. For example, in Igo5, the area of “other Crown Forests'-that is to say, of the great area of forest land not brought under the direct control of the Forest Depart, ment--was given as 4,568, I8o acres. But in the report of the Conservator of Forests for I905 this figure is stated to be “hopelessly inaccurate and misleading." The actual position of affairs, as far as the Government forest land is concerned, is disclosed in a table given in the Conservator's 1905 report, which will be found below.
Proportionately these classes represent 356, 2°47, 7'I5 per cent. of the area of the island.
FOR
But it is to be note no account of village aggregate, constitute : country. Nor is it m that the forests are rel immemorial Ceylon ha woods for special purpo the Scriptural Tarshish be established, as many it to be, it is not an imp the Ceylon forests sup for the making of Solo ever that may be, eb largely exported in anc the fame of Ceylon as a into many remote-par following list of the pi and their uses, from conveys an interesting the present resources o for the supply of useful
Sapu, S. , Michelia nil and durable timber, freshly cut. Is useful f and makes very handsc
Na, S. ; Nakka, T. ; the hardest and most du value for all heavy build Dun, S. ; Doona &eyla for building purposes sleepers. Excellent fo be easily split from it.
Halmilla, S. ; Chavan monilla.–A magnificen
AR)
PARTICULARS.
Acr
I. Reserved Forests ... O AO XA - - - - - - 445, II. Proposed Reserves notified under section 6 of the Ordinance 470, III. Proposed Reserves (not yet notified) ... is go I, Iб3,
Tota 2,079,
ESTS
d that the table takes forests, which, in the a very large tract of erely in point of area markable. From time
s furnished ornamental pses. If the identity of with the port of Galle learned writes believe ossible assumption that plied some of the wood omon’s temple. Howbony was undoubtedly ient times, and carried country of rare woods is of the world. The incipal Ceylon timbers the “Ceylon Manual,' and impressive idea of if the island as a centre
woods :- 'agirica.-Very valuable greenish-brown when or doors and windows
me panes. Mesua ferrea.-One of rable woods. Of great ling works. nica.--Excellent timber , beams, joints, and r shingles, which can
adalai, T.; Berrya Ani
building, for oil casks, gun carriages, and carriage shafts.
Satinwood, E.; Buruta, S.; Mutirai, T.; Chloroxylon Swietenia.-Most valuable wood. Unrivalled for durability. Used for furniture, especially almirahs. Largely used in Europe for brush-handles. have been known to last for thirty years. white-ant proof.
Kumbuk, S.; Marutu, T.; Terminalia glabra. Suitable for sleepers, bridge planks, beams, and other heavy work, though sufficiently handsome to be used for ornamental work, doors, cabinets, &c.
Palu, S. ; Palai, T. ; Mimusops hexandra. -- Magnificent timber, tough and durable. Excellent wood for heavy work, beams, sleepers, and posts.
Munamal, S. ; Mukalai, T. ; Mimusops Elengi. -Timber excellent for house building, beams, Dur
Sleepers made of this wood It is
-Hard wood.
and other weight-supporting purposes. able.
Ebony, E. ; Kaluwara, S. ; Karunkalai, T. ; Diospyros Ebenum.-This wood requires little It is largely exported, and in that respect is our most valuable timber, its chief use being for furniture, piano keys, inlaying and ornamental work.
Milla, S.; Kaddamanakku, T. ; Vitev altissima. -No better wood can be found for work requiring resistance to exposure. It is therefore suitable for bridge planks, beams, posts, door posts, shingles, and also oil casks.
description, as it is well known.
t timber. Used in boat Ranai, S. ; Allscodaphne semicarpifolia.--This
ADDEED EXCLUDED EA oN JANUARY I, זו RING TEEŠ AREA on DECEMBER 3I,
Igo5. DUಟ್ಟEE | D೮ಟ್ಟ:HE I905.
s Square Miles. Acres. Acres. Acres. Square Miles.
657 69634 I39,000 3, OOI 581,656 go884 533 7352I o 67,564 402,909 62964 207 I,875. 89,219 86,22 Ι, Ιόό2I4 п,8222п
397 3,249 oό 228,2I9 I56,777 2; I5O,839 ვ,ვ6o“69
73
Page 182
174
is one of our export timbers and is suitable for building works.
Gamalu, S.; Venkai, T.; Pterocarpus Mar
"TWENTIETH
CENTURY
tively recent times tha protect and develop t the early days of the
FOREST. SCENE
supium.-Suitable for house building, panels, &c.
Mendora, S.; Vatica Rabirghiana.-Excellent timber for piles or any work exposed to water.
Tumpalai, T. ; Vatica obscura.-Affords a valuable wood; durable; suitable for sleepers, beams, and building work.
Kina, S. ; Calophyllum' Walkeri.-Applicable to all sorts of building purposes. Largely used for shingles.
Hora, S. ; Dipterocarpus zeylanicus.-This wood is in very great demand for boat building, cask manufacture, and beams for temporary structures.
Damba, S.; Eugenia Gardneri. - Wood rather hard and heavy, smooth, greyish-yellow. Suitable for building pupposes.
Mihiriya, S.; Gordonia aeylanica.-A dark red wood, hard, but easily cracked. Suitable for ceiling or flooring boards.
Mi, S.; Illupai, T.; Bassia longifolia.--Suitable for heavy work, such as beams, bridge planks, posts, and the like.
Lunumidella, S. ; Malai vempu, T. ; Melia dubia.-In great favour for tea boxes and dadoes, but too light to stand straining loads or exposure. Often used as outriggers for boats.
Important as the forests of Ceylon are and have always been, it was not until compara
NEGAR NUWARA ELIYA,
ably no great necessity as the timber export quantity. But toward half of the last century timber, and great qu: exported to Europe a “The fellings were m licence system, under lated on the local mark in the case of exports, of clearance, less the a was levied. Before til permit or licence had 1 district revenue officer, taken the balance not b had been felled and required.' The syste abuse. Contractors fel their licences permitte there was no check up they naturally selectec every way the old licer ruinous. There were I illicit feling or of p timber from injury an of replanting or assisti of reproduction, whilst of revenue, Governme
Mr. F. D'A. Vincent's servation of the Crown F. Paper XLIII. of 1882).
IMPRESSIONS
any steps were taken to ese great resources. In British occupation prob
existed for supervision, was almost a minus is the end of the first 7 a trade sprung up in untities of wood were ind to China and India. hade on the permit or which a royalty, calcuat value of the wood, or, on its value at the port ctual cost of transport, he trees were felled a o be obtained from the on which a deposit was eing due till the timber a removal permit was m was open to serious led more timber than i them to do. Further, on their operations, and the best trees. “ In ce system was bad and o means of preventing otecting the standing l damage; no thought ng the natural process in the simple matter nt did not receive its
special report on the Conrests in Ceylon (Sessional
OF CEYLON
proper share of royalty. The latter was rated first at Io per cent, afterwards at 25 per cent. ; yet when ebony was selling at 8 to I2 per ton, trees averaging 5 cwt. at least were sold at 96 cts. to Rs. 2 a tree.'"
The evils of the system ultimately attracted official notice, and a circular was issued by the then Auditor-General (the Hon. Mr. John Douglas) calling for reports as to the levy and collection of timber revenue and the general management of the forests. The response was a unanimous condemnation of the existing arrangements. Summarising these replies in a letter to the Coionial Secretary in June, I87s, Mr. Douglas outlined a scheme for the better control of forests. He suggested that foresters should be appointed to the Eastern and Northern Provinces (those being the principal timberproducing districts), and that their duties should consist in the selection of trees for felling and the right to cut and utilise the timber marked in a certain area. Further, he proposed that nurseries should be established by guardians in charge of irrigation tanks, and that chena land should be replanted with teak, jak, and other trees on planting leases.
Mr. Douglas's suggestions were approved, and in 1873 and 1874 foresters were appointed by Sir W. Gregory for the Eastern, Northern and Southern Provinces. The forester's post in the Southern Province was abolished in I874. On the other hand, additional appointments were made in the North Central and NorthWestern Provinces. in 1877. In the Central Province the superintendents of minor roads were, from I875, appointed supervisors of forests in addition to their usual duties, on salaries of about Rs.5oo a year. Later on, a forester was employed to check chena cultivation in the Kandy and Matale districts. The persons selected for the posts of foresters. were, in the case of the Eastern and North-Central Provinces, officers of the Public Works Department; in the other provinces they had not previously served under Government. The foresters were placed in subordination to the Government Agents in all their work, but they maintained a somewhat distinct organisation in office work and in matters of general routine, instead of forming part of the provincial revenue administration.
The year 1882 marks an importaht new stage in the history of the Ceylon forest administration. In that year the Government secured from the Government of India the loan of the services of Mr. F. D'A. Vincent, an experienced forest official, to examine and report upon the forest system of the island. Mr. Vincent made an exhaustive survey of the whole field, and subsequently prepared a very able report, reviewing the history of the Ceylon forests and outlining a series of proposals for the future
Mr. Vincent's Report.
Page 183
TWENTIETH
administration of the department. His recommendations were adopted by the Government, and Mr. A. F. Broun, of the Indian Forest Service, was appointed in 1888 to organise the new department. Mr. Broun's services were lent by the Government of India for three years, but at the expiration of that period he was transferred to the Ceylon service, being appointed Conservator of Forests. That post he retained until I90I, when he retired.
Under Mr. Broun's direction various reforms were introduced into the working of the department. The system under which the charges of the Assistant Conservators were conterminous with the Revenue Provinces, and were worked partly under the Conservators and partly under the Government Agents, was replaced by an arrangement by which Forest Circles, not coincident with any revenue divisions, were established, each being under the control of an Assistant Conservator; while definite areas were placed under the charge of the Conservator and the Government Agents respectively. There were six circles in all, these, with their headquarter stations, being :-
Northern Circle-Vavuniya. North-Eastern Circle-Trincomalee. Eastern Circle-Batticaloa. South-Eastern Circle-Hambantota. North-Western Circle-Kurunegala. Hill Reserves Circle-Nuwara Eliya. In a Sessional Paper (XXIX. of I898) setting forth the details of the reorganisation scheme (which was drafted by Mr. F. C. Fisher and afterwards considered by a committee consisting of the Hon. Mr. W. T. Taylor, Mr. Fisher, and Mr. Broun), it was stated that the object in view was to divide the forest administration of the island into two parts(a) general, (b) provincial. All reserved forests were intended to be included in the general administration, with the exception only of the reserved forests of the Western and Sabaragamuwa Provinces, which would remain for the time being under the control of the Government Agents of these provinces. The remaining tracts of forest land distributed throughout the provinces constituted the areas to come within the “provincial” administration of the Government Agents. The scheme is further outlined in this extract:-
“In the Western Province, in the Province of Sabaragamuwa, and in the Galle and Matara districts of the Southern Province, the administration of the Government Agents includes within its scope the forests already reserved and the forests which may have to be reserved. When the detached areas in these three provinces have been surveyed and proclaimed, it is contemplated that the areas finally determined as 'reserved' will be transferred to the general administration; that is, placed
CENTURY IM
under the control and
Conservator and his
provinces it is unders areas, as defined by Mr. as a basis of administ may be varied hereafter stances, the Conservato Government Agents suc suited for cultivation ar
be reserved feor climat
and the Government A transferring to the Col of the areas now place
may subsequently be fo reservations.'
The staff is divided in
PRESSIONS OF CEY LON
management of the staff. In the other tood that while the Fisher, are accepted ation, the boundaries according to circumr handing over to the h portions as may be ld are not required to ic or other purposes, Agents on their part servator any portions d in their charge that
175
trolling; (b) Executive and Protective; and (c)
Clerical.
SUPERIOR STAFF.
I. Conservator.
I Assistant Conservator at Rs. 6,ooo Rs. 7,ooo.
I Assistant Conservator at Rs. 50oo Rs. 6,ooo.
2 Assistant Cohservators at Rs. 4,5oo Rs. 5ooo.
2. Assistant Conservators at Rs. 4,000 Rs.. 45oo,
A. TYPICAL. JUNGLE SCHNIE.
bund to be required as
to (a) Superior or Con
2 Assistant Conservators at Rs.3,ooo. I Assistant Conservator at Rs.2,0oo Rs. 3,ooo (special appointment).
to
Ο
to
ίο
Page 184
176
EXECUTIVE STAFF. I Forester at Rs. I,25o to Rs. I,5oo by increments of Rs. 6o.
3 Foresters at Rs. 9oo to Rs. I,25o by incremen's of Rs. 60.
6 Rangers at Rs. 720 to Rs. 9oo by increments of Rs. 60.
I2 Rangers at Rs. 540 to Rs. 720 by increments of Rs. 3o.
I2 Rangers at Rs. 36o to Rs. 54o by increments of Rs. 3O.
I Special Officer drawing Rs. 396 a year.
PROTECTIVE STAFF. 46 Guards costing Rs. 7,08o.
CLERICAL STAFF,
3 Clerks (passed candidates) drawing salaries between Rs. 7oo and Rs. 2,4OO.
3 Clerks drawing Rs. 7oo each. 4. Clerks drawing Rs. 6oo each. I Clerk drawing Rs. 484. 5 Clerks drawing Rs. 4oo each.
Clerk drawing Rs.330. 5 Clerks drawing Rs. 24o each.
The method of working is thus described:-
"The reserves are worked by marking and selling timber, where feasible, standing in the forests. Where this cannot be done, the timber selected is felled and removed on contract, under the supervision of the officers of the department, to certain market centres, for sale locally or for transport thence to the central depôt at Colombo. -
“With reference to the working of the areas placed in charge of the Government Agents, indents for timber are met by a system of fellings under supervision on licences granted by the Government Agents. This mode of working should, however, be confined to the areas intended to be worked out and sold, and should not be applied in the case of forests which it may be considered desirable hereafter to reserve.'
LIST of DEPÖTs. Batticaloa, timber. Trincomalee, timber. Talawakelle, firewood. Nuwara Eliya, firewood (temporary). Central Timber Depôt. Galle, firewood.
In 1905 there were further important developments. The general and provincial distinctions of management disappeared, and all forest areas were brought under the control of the Conservator. The six circles were amalgamated with the provincial areas and converted into five forest divisions, and the arrangement into ranges and beats was partially modified. “Thus," says Mr. T. J. Campbell, the Conservator of Forests, in his Administration Report for I905, “the dual
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
control, so long a made its exit under C Proclamation No. 6,033 The sphere for work at sequently been consider: discipline and technica placed on a sounder fou of the Government Age as establish ments are ur own province, outside pu Despite great misgiving veloped a great success a friction.'
The divisions as modif follows :-
(1) fafna, embracin! North-Central Province Tamankaduwa district.
(2) Kandy, comprising Province, that portion of north of the Kadugann west of the Mahavelli Gan district of the North-Cen Trincomalee district of th (3) Colomb.J., consisting Sabaragamuwa Province Matara districts of the So
Year. Rew
F 1890 5 IO I89I 4IO 1892 462 1893 365 I894 38.4 1895 47 1896 472 1897 488 1898 5 IC I899 54I I9OO 4 IÇ I9OI 393 I902 36C I903 346 1904 4I2 I905 45C
(4) Niuwara Eliya, inc portion of the Central I the Province of Uva ves aar and the Bibile-Bint Hambantoa district of th
(5) Batticaloa, combin vince, exclusive of the Tri the Province of Uva eas aar and the Bibile-Binten
Turning to the financia administration, we find i to the working of the de fication for the measur taken to safeguard and resources of the island. the department was fort upon the revenue, but a in 1896, and every year
PRESSIONS
one of contention, vernment orders in of February 3, 1905. usefulness has conly augmented, whilst
control have been dation. The interest ut has not been lost, iler his control in his ely technical matters. the change has deld an utter absence of
2d are represented as
the Northern and , exclusive of the
the North-Western
the Central Province wa-Kandy road and ga, the Tamankaduwa tral Province, and the e Eastern Province.
of the Western and s with the Galle and uthern Province.
OF CEYLON
surplus. In 1905, the last year for which figures are available, the large profit balance of Rs. 142,54IIo figures in the year's accounts. The actual financial position was this:-
N FAVOUR OF THE DEPARTMENT.
Rs. C.
Surplus s 0 − ... I42,54I I9
Outstanding due to q t q o 3,994 7 I
Outstanding due from ... 635 бо Value of stock on December 3 I,
1905 as o P 8 a ... 318,576 2
Total ... w A Rs.. 465747 52
AGAINST THE DEPARTMENT.
Rs. C.
Outstanding due from in a 127 7I
Outstanding due to ... Io,837 64
Value of stock on January I, I905 IO6,3oI 66
Total ... o 8 Rs. II7,267 I
The surplus for 1905 was therefore Rs.348,48o'5I.
The following table shows the position over a period of sixteen years :-
e Lie. Expenditure. Surplus. Deficit.
Rs. Rs. Rs. RS. O45 42 II,5, I7 88,528 - O35 44,205 Winn 3І,17о 427 47549 I -- I3,064 758 4o4,756 - 38,398 536 456,568 72,032 375 426,799 - 9,424 „98o 4ό3,375 9,605 - ,956 465,383 23573 -- ,945 496,315 14,630 - ,952 375,618 Ι6ό,334 - 62I 335,515 84, Ιοό -- ,053 286,732 Io6,32I - 26I 268,594 9I,667 -- 883 273,363 73.520 - 846 ვO8,337 Іо4,5о8 - - I4254 I 307,995 530ו
luding the southern rovince, that part of t of the KumbukkanInna road, and the e Southern Province. ng the Eastern Prohcomalee district, and of the Kumbukkanhe road.
aspects of the forest the statistics relating artment ample justis which have been develop the timber In its earliest years e most part a burden elcome change set in nce there has been a
The future work of the department will be not less important than it has been in the past. The administration has not only to check ravages committed by ignorant and interested persons, but to watch and prevent inroads upon the colony's forests for economic purposes. The dangers of laxity are well set forth by Mr. Campbell, the Conservator of Forests, in his administration report for 1905. He says :-
"The evils of soil denudation are conspicuous throughout the island. Clearances for chenas and the higher forms of cultivation are made irrespective of the physiographical characteristics of the country. A railway journey through the island is an object-lesson in this direction. The mountainous mass which seems to arrest and disburse all the elements combining for economic good, has been de
Page 185
TWENTIETH
nuded of timber too rapidly, and it is now time to pause. Complaints are rife amongst the intellectual as well as the homely agricultural classes of the drying up of springs, reduction in the normal quantity in streams, reduced rainfall, bursts and not well distributed showers, excessive floodings of valleys, and the drying up of tanks. As the forests disappear these evils arise, and though no serious harm has been done to date, caution is necessary in the future. Government has most wisely laid down the rule that no land
CENTURY IM
is to be alienated over
and that stream reservati preserved.'
Wisely directed, the for not fail to be a substantial
the same time to act as a interests of the island b which would injuriously logical conditions now e
Mr. Thomas James bell, Conservator of
IPRESSIONS
5,ooo ft. in height,
ons are to be rigidly
est administration can
source of profit and at guardian of the larger stopping clearances influence the meteoroxisting.
St. Albans CampForests, is the son
OF CEYLON 177
of the late Colonel Campbell, of the Royal Engineers. He was born in Manchester on December 21, 1856. He belongs to the Indian Forest Service. He served in India, where he was Conservator of Forests (second grade), from November, 188o, until August, 1904, when he took up his present appointment. Whilst in India he served principally in the Bengal Presidency and in Assam. At one time he was a keen sportsman with big game and a polo player, but of late years he has not actively participated in sport.
Page 186
f ^ YNNWYs&NR 29
GEOLOGY AN
BY DR. A. K. COOMARASWAM
DIRECTOR o THE MINERA
rocks of Ceylon belong to the great group of Crystalline Schists, a term used to indicate a variety of types of foliated crystalline rocks. The Ceylon rocks can be more particularly described as Granulites, or, using the term in a wide sense, as Gneisses. They further belong to the local (South Indian) group known as the Charnockite series. The most conspicuous features of the rocks are their crystalline character, mineral banding (foliation), varied composition, and bedded aspect. Rocks of igneous origin form by far the greater part of the series, although it is possible that there are associated with these others of sedimentary origin, now so highly altered as to be distinguished only with difficulty. The typical charnockites include quartz rocks, leptynite, pyroxene - granulites, norites, diorites, gabbros, &c. The groups of possibly sedimentary origin include the crystalline limestones and dolomites, and the khondalites or sillimanite-bearing rocks, which, however, pass hy insensible gradations into the ordinary granulites. The name “Galle Group' is applied to certain rocks with much wollastonite, in some respects intermediate between the crystalline limestones and granulites. The name “Balangoda Group' is given to a series of intrusive granitic rocks which often carry zircon and are probably the source of the minerals containing rare elements which have lately become of so much interest in Ceylon. The crystalline rocks have been thrown into a series of NNW. and SSE, folds, the direction of which has a great influence on the contour of the surface and has determined the main lines of communication. The name Taprobanian has been given to these movements. Laterite (cabook) is a typical alteration product of the granulites. So also is kaolin (china clay), but not in such extensive deposit
as to be of commerc altered sedimentary gravels, sands, and all some districts, marine coral reefs, littoral col marine clays with abu Bridge' consists of re forming a series of dis possible that an actua existed, of which al served in the Ramaya Of the minerals of special interest are he Graphite (plumbago) of Ceylon minerals, ar most interesting. Ce almost entirely of cau impurity being very occurs as a true ve generally following na in the country rock. pit or series of adjace. main vein sending off a series of paraliel νε uncertain and rarely but pinch, out ; if fol widen, or it sometime vein leads to quite a graphite.; sometimes apparently unconnect graphite generally o of flakes or needles s. wall of the vein; the much slickensided anc destroyed. The minei with the graphite are It often happens that centre of a vein; b different pits. The is not much affected all with graphite it e an inch from the vein that graphite in sma. mineral in many va in the crystalline li
D MINERALOGY
Y, D.Sc., F.G.S., F.L.S., M.R.A.S.,
OGICAL SURVEY OF CEYLON.
al importance. Of unrocks there are river Ivial clays; and also, in deposits such as raised |crete, blown sand, and hdant fossils. "Adam's cent marine sandstones connected islands. It is h land connection once gendary record is prena.
Ceylon, only those of re referred to.
is the most important ld in some respects the ylon graphite consists bon, the proportion of small. The graphite in mineral, the veins tural planes of division Usually in any single it pits there is a single stringers, or more often ns. The veins are very run for great distances, owed, they may again } happens that a small arge “pocket" of pure pockets are met with d with any vein. The curs as an aggregate at right angles to the sins are often, however, the original disposition ls most often associated Juartz and iron pyrites. hese minerals form the these details vary in ck matrix of the veins and if impregnated at ends only a quarter of It should be mentioned flakes is a common eties of granulite and
stones, but its occur78
rence thus has no direct connection with its occurrence in veins, although a remoter genetic - connectioni may be suspected. Theorigin of the vein graphite is still obscure. It is certainly not of immediate vegetable origin. The graphite appears to have been deposited by fumerole action after the cooling or solidifying of the eruptive rock in which the veins are found. It is impossible to affirm with certainty the form in which it was introduced, whether as an unsaturated carbon compound or as a saturated material which dissociated at a high tennperature on the diminution of pressure due to the shrinkage and formation of cracks in the containing rocks. Emanations of carbon monoxide and of cyanogen compounds may have played a subordinate part. If the question of the origin of vein graphite is ever to be settled by reference to natural occurrences it must be in Ceylon; but it is perhaps rather a matter for laboratory experiment.
In I896 mica to the value of Rs. 43,637 was exported from Ceylon; in 1905 the value of the export had sunk to one rupee. There has since been a revival of interest in Ceylon mica, and more than one valuable mine is being worked. The Ceylon mica belongs to the phlogopite and biotite varieties, and occurs in distinct veins which reach a width of 3 ft. or more. The colour varies from a pale yellowish-brown to dark green and deep red. The crystals rarely exceed a foot or 8 ins. in diameter.
The recently discovered mineral thorianite has attracted much attention on account of its commercial value and scientific interest. The mineral appears to occur in situ in feldspathic rocks belonging to the Balangoda group, but has rarely been found in its parent rock. It has, however, been lately worked in a decomposed pegmatite vein in the Hinidum Pattuwa. The principal and first discovered deposits, however, in the Bamberabotuwa district are alluvial, and it has hitherto
Page 187
TWENTIETH CENTURY II
been impossible to trace the mineral to its parent rock there. It is obtained. by washing the alluvial deposits in the same way as" for gems. The total quantity obtained in this district amounts to several tons, and the deposits are still being worked. The total from other localities amounts to perhaps two or three tons more. The price fetched at first was Rs. 9 per lb., but this has now fallen to Rs. 4 as a result of the action of the German syndicates. Thorianite is generally recognisable by its high specific gravity, usual cubic form, and black colour; but all sorts of other black minerals are frequently mistaken for it.
The best qualities of thorianite contain over 7o per cent. of thorium oxide, with I2 per cent. of uranium oxide and smaller amounts of other elements. It owes its commercial value to this high proportion of thorium oxide, which is the most important element in the manufacture of incandescent gasmantles. The world's supply of thoria was and still is obtained from monazite, a mineral containing only about 5 per cent. of thoria, and found in Brazil in large quantities; it occurs also in the sands of Ceylon rivers, but has never been worked there. Thorianite also occurs in the river sands of Ceylon. It is possible that the sands and gravels of the beds of some Ceylon rivers would repay exploitation by dredging and the separation of the gems, thorianite, gold, monazite, &c. Gold is widely distributed in Ceylon, but has not hitherto been found in paying quantities. Cassiterite, galena, and copper are also known to occur, but very sparingly.
The reader will probably be more anxious to be informed about the famous gems of Ceylon than to hear more of the other minerals. The following is a list of the gems known to occur in Ceylon, arranged under their proper mineralogical names :-
Corundum.-Blue, sapphire; red ruby ; star
sapphire and star ruby, t inia favourable light and six-rayed star. White sa original pale-blue or p charged by firing. Rub fired in order to discharg trace of blue. Yellow sa topaz,” and violet-colour amethyst." Pinkish-yell as “king topaz.”
Quarte. — Includes rO cairngorm, smoky quart Spinel-Green, blue, red varieties are called spinel sapphire.
Chrysoberyl. - Green cat's-eye and alexandrit green by daylight and
Orthoclase.-Includes 1 Tournaline. - Brown and yellow; often confu Topaz. – Colourless, e water sapphire; pale aqüamarine.
Cordierife.-The true
ae.
Garnet. - Red, pinkis yellow (cinnamon stone Zircon,-Green, yello Matara diamonds are pa firing.
All of these mineralsar are derived from the cry they were formed. The the matrix in the cours washed into the beds of there rolled and worn, a the alluvial gravels in wh The process of gemi lows: A pit is sunk gravels are known or typical section would muddy alluvium, resting
MPRESSIONS
he same, but showing, when suitably cut, a pphires have had their ale-yellow colour dislies are almost always e in the same way any apphires are “Oriental ed ones are o Oriental ow stones are known
ck crystal, amethyst, z, &c.
and red; the pink and balas ruby ; the blue,
and yellow ; includes e, the latter appearing red by artificial light. moonstone.
and brownish-green used... with zircon. :rroneously known as sea-green, known as
(blue) water sapphire;
sh-red and brownish
).
w, red; the colourless le zircons bleached by
'e of igneous origin, and stalline rocks in which у have been freed from e of its disintegration, streams and rivers, and ind finally deposited in ich they are now found. ming is briefly as follwhere gem - bearing expected to occur. A show 5 or 6 ft. of
on a deposit of gem
OF CEYLON 179
bearing gravel not more than I. or 2 ft. thick and called illam ; , below is the decomposed country rock over which the gravel was deposited. The illam , is removed from the pit and washed in a “gemming basket." This is basin shaped, about 2 ft. in diameter, and a foot deep. The operator stands in about 2 ft. of water, and holding the basket in the water gives it a turning movement, depressing the rim below the water once in every turn, so that the lighter stones are washed over its edge by the centrifugal movement. Fifteen or twenty basketfuls are thus washed, and the residue, consisting of the gems and other heavy minerals, carefully examined. In the same residue minerals like thorianite and thorite, if present, are to be found.
The actual gemming is done by Sinhalese, but the trade in gems is almost entirely in the hands of the Moormen. The value of the gems annually exported from Ceylon has been estimated at 300,000.
A collection of the rocks and minerals of Ceylon is shown in the Mineral Gallery of the Colombo Museum, where maps and photographs and the most important works relating to the geology of Ceylon can also be consulted. A mineralogical survey was initiated in I903 for a period of three years to examine and report upon the mineral resources of Ceylon. The work is now to be continued to the end of I909. Dr. A. K. Coomaraswamy has been Director of the survey during the first four years of its work, but he shortly hands over control to Mr. Parsons, formerly Assistant Director. The minerals collected by the survey are analysed and reported on from a commercial point of view at the Imperial Institute. Reports on this work are occasionally issued, and the Survey is locally, respon- . sible for an annual Administration Report, in which the most important observations made during the year are recorded.
Page 188
TA",
NATTVE ARTS A
BY DR. A. K. COOMARASWAM
SINHALESE.
SS HERE is a chapter in - Ruskin's 'Stones of Venice' of which it has been said that in future days it “will be considered as one of the very few necessary and inevitable utterances of the (nineteenth-century." The chapter is called “The Nature of Gothic '. In it Ruskin for the first time showed that the relics of mediaeval art which are treasured in European museums are not only better in quality but different in kind from modern workmanship. We all know what changes have passed over Europe since the close of the fifteenth century; her gains have been many-freedom of thought, abundance of knowledge, power over, the material forces of nature, political freedom, personal comfort and security, besides all the paraphernalia of civilisation as generally understood. But there have been losses too; of these not the least is the elimination of art from the everyday lives of common people. The meaning of this fact and all it implies is rarely realised. To those who do understand the position, the survival of mediaeval conditions in the East and the continued existence of even a few craftsmen of the old schoolcraftsmen not only understanding one craft well but practising several kindred crafts--is a matter of the utmost interest, and one the importance of which çan hardly be overestimated ; for it is these men and their methods that we must study if we would understand how that different order of workmanship was produced, and learn how some day to restore the popular arts to their rightful place in human life. The change which occupied four hundred years in Europe has taken place in a hundred years in India and Ceylon. But it is only complete in districts that have been long
under European influe1 of Ceylon. From v these areas we are
probable ultimate fate Unfortunately, the new tive, light and shade tended to produce a
art. Without any pro drawing, the low-cou! draw in the Europeal playing only the perve degree of his incapac devoid of the very gr decorative arts which the Kandyan provinces that the name of K generally applied to wł old Sinhalese art, wh torically a part of Indi: in the truest sense a 1 realising this fact, and that the surviving decc belong to the same or mediaeval Europe, can and sympathise with Sinhalese art. The tra arts in Ceylon must
caste of craftsmen form which traditional metl from father to son and to apprentice, from g. Instructions for the r images are given in
(Sariрutra, Vajayanta which are known by h mem, and which are before they begin to dr. in them. There is a re; drawing, beginning elaborated as the p whole training of the strict discipline in dra complete mastery of c. tional design, Combi
ND HANDICIRAFTS
Y, D.Sc., F.G.S., F.L.S., M.R.A.S.
ice, like the low-country hat has happened in able to judge of the of all indigenous art. knowledge of perspec
&c., has in no wise more highly developed oper training in figure ntry artist attempts to n style, the result dis'sion of his taste and the ity; while he is totally eat skill in the purely still survives in parts of . It is on this account andyan art has been lat is really a survival of ich in its turn is hisun art, just as Ceylon is art of India. Only by
only if we remember rative arts of the East der of art as the art of
we fairly understand what survives of old litional character of the be fully realised; the s an hereditary guild in ods are handed down from master-craftsman neration to generation. aking of all kinds of :ertain Sanskrit works ia and Rupavaliya), art by many of the best taught to apprentices w the figures described ular system of teaching ith curves, gradually pil progresses. The
apprentice is a very jing. The result is a “tain types of conven
ed with this practice
went thorough instruction in the theory of the crafts, in other words, learning by heart of Sanskrit works in which the traditional methods are recorded.' The accomplished craftsman is thus often a man of wide reading and real culture.
There was a time in Europe when workmen -“they who would build thy houses, win thy wheat, smooth the rugged, fill the barren, turn the bitter into sweet'-were more often than not engaged on “work worth doing, work in itself pleasant and done under such conditions as to make it neither over-wearisome nor overanxious.' Of how many workmen in England could this now be said ? The time is even now passing away in the East when similar conditions prevailed. There can be no doubt that the position of the few remaining craftsmen of the old school still to be found in Ceylon is vastly superior to that of most workmen in Europe at the present day. “We cannot,' says Sir George Birdwood, “overlook this serenity and dignity of his life if we would rightly understand the Indian handicraftsman's work. He knows nothing of the desperate struggle for existence which crushes the very soul of the English working man.'
Let us endeavour to realise the old Sinhalese craftsmen's position in the social structure. Putting aside weaving and pottery, the work of other and lower castes, we find that the arts of building, painting, ivory-carving, jewellery, &c., are in the hands of an hereditary guild or caste of craftsmen, in social rank second to the cultivator's, but otherwise occupying a wellrecognised and honourable position in the country. The craftsman's family possesses lands for which he owes a service rent, originally due to the king, but often regranted to a temple or to a local chief. It should be understood that the family relied upon the lands for food, and not upon the sale of work for money. The old Kandyan made very little use of money; the power even of chiefs lay not in money, but in men.
Page 189
A POTTER AT WORK.
FANCY CARRIAGE BUILDERS.
CARPENTERS, POTTERY.
A BRASS WORKER,
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182
The higher craftsmen formed a close corporation of workmen called the pattal-hatara, or four workshops. These men worked only for the king, or if for others, only by the king's special permission. The four workshops were respectively, the “jewel,” “crown,' 'golden '' and “throne' workshops. Besides these men there were a great many others forming a lower division of the craftsman caste, organised as a Public Works Department, called the Kottalbada department. The
Sννorα,
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
a more liberal encourag arts and crafts at the pr royal workmen there vices were due to dewalas) in respect c them, and also those chiefs who possessed la ih perpetuity from the k weavers belonged to iní the same way held lanc a service rent.
A CEMI, CU* :HIR AY VORK
Kottalbada men in each district were under a foreman from the four workshops. So much for craftsmen serving the king directly. The Pattal-hatara men were liable to be continually engaged on work for the king. The Kottalbada men were divided into sets or relays who served in turn in Kandy for periods of two months. Besides all these regular services the king was able to command extra and more continuous service when required. In a general way, no money payment was given for these services; but it often happened that the king made presents of various kinds, particularly lands, to workmen on the completion of a fine piece of work. There was, indeed, some jealousy between chiefs and craftsmen on account of favours shown to the latter, Money payments were, however, often made in the case of the numerous viharas erected for the king. This was in order that the merit resulting from the work might be the king's, which would not be the case unless the work was done at his expense. The proportion of the public revenue spent for the execution of various works of art in this and other ways must have been very considerable, and might advantageously be regarded as a precedent for
Some mention must b of Sinhalese art. Its be traced to the time ( Buddhism by Asoka’s 3oo B.C. The missionar by craftsmen, and a gre to the art of building and tive arts; writing was ir time. The traces of thi originally in Northern recognisable in modern influence subsequently a been the constant inter India. Sinhalese kings modern times, imported and settled them in vil Tamil blood amongst til is very large, as is evi names, the records of similarities in Sinhalese of Tamil technical term ever, there has been pre: Sinhalese style, differing India, not in the elemen technical methods, but in The reason is not far to in the fact that Buddhis
MPRESSIONS
ment of the indigenous sent day. Besides the vere those whose seremples (viharas and
lands dedicated to wing service to local lds held temporarily or ng. Potters and also rior castes, but in just s for which they owed
e made of the history true beginning must if the introduction of
missionaries about les were accompanied at impetus was given the associated decoratroduced at the same early Buddhist style, ndia, are still clearly work. The principal fecting this style has 'ourse with Southern ave repeatedly, up to 2raftsmen from India ages. The amount of e Kandyan craftsmen enced by the family the settlements, the and Indian work, ԱS6 , &c. Withal, how. rved a characteristic from that of Southern of decoration or in 2eling and inspiration. 2ek; it may be found traditions have been
OF CEYLON
preserved in Ceylon, while it is many hundred years since Buddhism died out in Southern India. It is not always easy to distinguish Sinhalese from South Indian work; but the experienced observer is often able to do so. The Sinhalese style makes a franker use of floral ornament, is less grotesque, is more evidently Aryan, and is more akin to mediaeval European than the work of Southern India. But little of Sinhalese art is of indigenous origin. Part of its charm and value, however, lie in its preservation of a style older and in some respects superior to any now surviving on the Indian continent.
We may now proceed to a more detailed account of the separate crafts, in order that the reader, and especially the visitor to Ceylon, may know what to expect and as far as possible understand such specimens of new or old Sinhalese workmanship as he may meet with. It should be understood that the master-craftsman is a master of several crafts. One man, for example, may be at once a builder, painter, ivory carver, and jeweller. This will appear strange to the modern mind, accustomed to specialisation and division of labour. As a matter of fact, however, it is only under such conditions, when the craftsman understands not only one craft well but has experience of the allied crafts, and when all the crafts are united by a common bond of tradition, that the lesser arts, or even the other kind of art which is called “high art," can flourish. It may be recalled that the greatest, perhaps I should say the only great, English craftsman of the nineteenth century was a master of several crafts.
Architecture stands at the head of all the arts and crafts. The art of building in Ceylon was highly organised, i.e., there existed elaborate rules to be observed in the erection of all kinds of buildings. By far the best and also most abundant remaining architecture is that of viharas and dewalas. It is a noteworthy fact that, in spite of the apparently oppressive sumptuary laws, such as those which forbade the use of tiles to any below the rank of Dissawa, the greater part of the art produced belonged really to the people. The walls of the local vihara were their picture gallery; the cloths and vessels dedicated by the king to
its service were practically gifts to the whole
people; and the lives even of the upper classes were so much simpler than we are apt to imagine that it was really impossible for individuals to possess and monopolise art. In other words, the system of patronage did not involve, as it would under modern conditions, a diminution in the amount of art available for all. In the same way the peasant of mediaeval Europe lived in a world of art and in surroundings unspoilt by man's commercial greed--for all which a few galleries of miscellaneous pictures lacking relationship to daily
Page 191
TWENTIETH
life and uninspired by any common tradition are a very poor compensation. Sinhalese architecture is full of Hindu influence, but has nevertheless a distinctive character of its own. The features which most readily attract attention are the hipped roofs, carved pillars, and painted decoration. A typical Buddhist temple consists of a group of buildings, viz., the vihara, or image house, a dagoba, or domeshaped monument enshrining relics, a bodhimaluwa, or platform surrounding the bo-tree, and the pansala, or priest's residence; there may be also a bana-maduwa, or preaching hall, and a poya-ge, or confession-hall. The vihara is of course the principal building. Many of the best examples are to be found in the Kandy district; the visitor should not rely upon anything he may see in the low-country as a fair example of Sinhalese building. The vihara may be merely a rock-cave adapted to the purpose by the cutting of a drip line and the addition of a wall converting the cave into a dry chamber. In other cases the vihara is a separate building, generally of one, sometimes of two stories; the walls may be of brick, stone, or mud. The roof or upper story is supported on wood or stone pillars, octagonal and square in section and elaborately carved; the pillars in the audience hall, Kandy, are not very good examples of the style, as they are both over-elaborated and lacking in variety. The timbered roofs of many viharas and dewalas are very handsome. It may be remarked that the really national or primitive style is that of building in wood. The art of building in stone is a later importation from the neighbouring continent.
It is difficult within the limits of a short article to give a satisfactory account of Sinhalese painting. It is, next to architecture, the most important and most instructive branch of Sinhalese art. The best place to study painting is in viharas such as Degaldoruwa, Ridi Vihara, Dambulla, and Danagirigala, where there still remains good eighteenth-century work done for King Kirti Sri, who was a liberal patron of religion and the arts. Something is also to be learnt from old painted furniture, and from the few existing but very beautiful illuminated paper manuscripts of the eighteenth or early nineteenth century. Vihara paintings are executed in tempera, and are thus not true frescoes. The vihara subjects are, of course, religious-Jatakas, scenes from the life of Gautama Buddha, the twenty-four assurances, and the like. There are also the purely decorative paintings. Those with which the wooden ceilings are covered show great power of design and fanciful and delicate workmanship.
The old paintings are executed in a gum
medium, in a very limited range of colours,
chiefly red, yellow, white, and black; blue and
CENTURY IM
green are very sparingly often absent altogether. the white is kaolin, i.e. ' red is cinnabar, i.c., vei gamboge, or orpiment
black; the blue is indigc colours, pink, grey, and
by mixture of red, black The conspicuous and ch red and yellow ; the gi red, the figures or patte black. These linitation and restraint suitable to t of the work required. No painter runs riot, and wi most brilliarit and gaud torial designs more suita than temple walls. The of judging Kandyan artfr The aforesaid pigments the colour improves the continued-a month is ni ments are then mixed wi apple tree; ordinary gu a satisfactory substitute.
walls, the first coat put second of pink, omittin to remain white in the or pattern are next in: outlined in red and th with red ; the last pro the design with a fine b
Paintings on wood tected by a coat of vari oiii. and dum mala, resin
MPRESSIONS
| made use of, and are
Of these pigments Chinese white"; the milion ; the yellow is ; the black is lamp). In addition to these light blue were made , and blue with white. aracteristic colours are "ound colour is usually 'rn yellow, outlined in is produced a severity he decorative character w, alas, the 'superior” th a reckless use of the ly colours depicts picble for Christmas cards
visitor should beware
om degradedexamples. must be well ground; longer the grinding is ottoo much. The pigth gum of the elephantlm arabic is nowadays
In the case of vihara
OF CEYLON 183
coat of carefully strained and cleaned keppitya lac. The vihara wall paintings are a highly developed form of a primitive style. The method of continuous narration, where the same figures are repeated continually along a series of panels, without separation into isolated scenes, is a survival from a remote past. The figure drawing is not of a very perfected type, and yet is good enough to serve the artist's purpose very well. The full face, three-quarter face and profile are the only positions attempted; the near eye in three-quarter face and profile figures is still drawn as if I seen itu full face aspect. The whole style, however, is strictly decorative and appropriate, leaving the wall a wall still, not breaking it up into a series of realistic pictures.
The proportions of the larger figures and especially of images of Buddha are given in certain Sanskrit works, and are carefully followed. Plumb lines are suspended from a wooden framework above the figure, and from various points on these are measured coordinates, fixing the position of different features and other parts of the body. The
MLAT WITEDAVEHERS.
on is one of white, the g any parts which are inal work. The figures
serted in yellow ; then
e background filled up cess is the outlining of lack line.
or on pottery are pronish made from dorana or covered with a thin
proportions differ slightly for heroic and ordinary figures; thus the number of “heads' in a standing figue of Buddha or any of the gods is (almost) ten; the number of “heads' in an ordinary human figure is reckoned seven (male) and eight (female).
Ft is, however, in pattern designing that the Kandyan painter really, excelled; the best examples are found in old ceiling paintings, painted furniture, &c. Very elaborate patterns
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184
are based on geometrical constructions, which, however, are not at all evident in the completed work. The best work of this kind is equal to anything that has ever been done in pattern designing.
Ivory falls into two divisions: carving and turning. The first of these is one of the higher crafts; those who are turners belong to a lower division of the craftsmen. The amount of good ivory work still remaining in
TWENTIETH CENTURY
bably the finest door
the Ridi Vihara, who work referred to, th ornamented with carv is always done on thin more than - in thi undercutting or high
neglected in the mode low-country; these are ship, but always fuss
స్ట్రీ
A NATIVE BLACKSMITH
Ceylon is harge; the collection in the Colombo Museum is representative. The best known, perhaps, are the combs, the work on which is varied and delicate. First in importance, however, is the work applied to the decoration of buildings. The doors of viharas are decorated with strips of carved ivory along the jambs, and with carved figures at the bottom of the jamb on each side. These figures usually represent protecting spirits or guardians. Pro
Ivory book-covers are some; the ivory handl elaborately carved. On ing pieces of ivory worl used for teaching writin, are traced by the teache and copied by the pu finger supported by the
The ivory turner b section of the craftsm
MPRESSIONS
the island is that at , in addition to the 1 lintel is élaborately ivory. The old work lates of ivory (i.e., not ), so that there is no elief. This point is caskets made in the fonderful in workmanand over-elaborated
metimes very hand} of knives, too, are of the most interestare the carved styles in sand. The letters with the ivory style, 1 using the middle |umb and forefinger. ongs to the lower s caste; he makes
OF CEYLON
round boxes, fan handles, book-buttons, scentsprays, &c. All of these are beautifully decorated with incised lines and circles filled with coloured lac. Most remarkable are the scentsprays, which are hollowed out and turned so thin as to be flexible and translucent. The ivory worker also works in horn, making very elegant pill-boxes for the doctor's use, often, like ivory, decorated with coloured lac. Horn combs are also largely used.
Old Sinhalese jewellery is of remarkable beauty and delicacy; especially noteworthy are the old chains, named after fruits and flowers, such as the “coconut-flower garland,' the “aralu seed garland,' and the like. The amount of work put into these delicate chains is almost incredible. Eastern taste differs, or rather used to differ, from European in preferring workmanship to weight. Another characteristic merit of Oriental jewellery is the use of so-called “uncut' stones, i.e., of unfaceted stones. This explains the peculiar richness of colouring of Eastern jewellery, for facets on a coloured stone reflect white light, and so obscure the colour of the stone itself. The rounded (cabochon-cut) stones are usually set by a peculiar process of embedding in soft gold, a technique of Indian origin; the Indian element in old Sinhalese jewellery is very marked. The jewelled pendants of Kandyan ladies and the huge rings worn by Kandyan chiefs afford the best examples of this style of work. The European method of setting in a clawed bezel was formerly unknown. A good deal of jewellery is worn by men, but to a less extent than is the case in India. Chiefs in full dress wear, beside their rings, gold chains and richly mounted knives. Kings were accustomed to carry jewelled canes.
Gold, silver, and brass boxes and trays were extensively made, those in silver and brass now forming the staple of the passenger trade. The silver and brass trays compare favourably in designand execution with the more flimsy and rough Benares brass work which is better known to the European market. Some of the older work, too, is superior to the modern in having the ornament relieved by plain space. A certaintendency towards severty of this kind, though rare, with a greater reliance on floral forms and a smaller use of the grotesque, may perhaps be mentioned as a distinguishing character of good Sinhalese art as distinguished from much Indian work.
The appliances of the Ceylon jeweller, whether Sinhalese or Tamil, are comparatively few and simple. Seated in the verandah of his house he has around him all he needs. A charcoal fire burns in an earthen vessel, for use with which he has a rough blowpipe, crucible, and tongs; his other tools are kept in a brass-bound wooden box by his side. Seated thus on the cow-dung floor, he applies infinite
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TWENTIETH CENTURY IM
patience to the turning out of the most delicate possible work.
Degeneration has perhaps proceeded further in jewellery than in other things. Kandyan ladies still treasure and preserve their old chains and pendants, but when new work is done, it is generally “improved jewellery," imitated from European trade catalogues. Low-country jewellery of the last century is mainly modelled on Dutch lines, and, though sometimes satisfactory, lacks a distinctively Sinhalese character. Of the modern work sold to passengers hardly any is distinctive, faceted stolics and European designs being everywhere in evidence.
The founders and blacksmiths belong to the lower division of the craftsman's caste. They work in brass, bronze, and iron, brass is principally used for castings. The method adopted is the well-known circ perdue proceśs. A wax model is first made and enclosed in clay; then the wax is melted out and a hollow mould is ready for the molten metal. The objects made inelude lamps, betel-stands, spittoons, images of Buddha, &c., and nowadays also models of animals, chiefly for sale to passengers. Articles of suitable form, such as bowls, water vessels, &c., are finished on the lathe. Many of the old brass vessels are of very handsome form and are well worth collecting.
The most interesting work done by the blacksmiths is damascening, or inlaying of iron (or brass) with brass or silver. The old locks and handles on temple doors are often beautiful examples of this kind of work. Less familiar are elephant goads, areca-nut cutters, betel mortars, &c. Excellent work of this kind is still done. The method is briefly as follows: grooves are incised on the metal to be decorated, and the brass or silver wire laid into this and hammered down; the sides of the original groove, being thus hammered together, hold the inlaid wire tightly. If a larger space is to be overlaid with metal, the space is first cut out, and undercut round the edges, so that when the plate of inlaid metal is applied the edges of the matrix can be hammered down over it. If a repoussé pattern has previously been chased on the matrix it shows through the overlaid metal which is pressed down on to.it. This technique is common in the decorated knives and swords. Some of the most delicate silversmiths' work is found on these knives and swords; but they have a tendency to over-elaboration, and are often more ornamental than useful.
The lac industry in Ceylon is quite a small one, but of special interest on account of the curious technique. The lac is obtained from two species of the lac insect, neither indentical with the Indian. Lac is a resinous excretion from the skin of the lac insect. When the insects are abundant the branch may be completely covered with the incrustation. The lac is scraped off and enclosed in narrow bolster
shaped bags of thin cloth a charcoal fire until then the cloth and is thus stra is then drawn and redra by pounding the colou for red, orpiment for softened by heat.
The lac is now applied two methods-the turi finger-nail method. In lac is applied to the woc lathe; in this way con are produced, and this bed-legs, small tables, & nail process is more applied to plane surf applied to various kind having been shaped a coated with the ground rally red. To effect thi warmed over a fire, an smoothed out with a pie still warm. For the p. warmed and drawn When narrow coloure strips are applied to th turning over the fire ; til with the thumb-nail v complete. For more string lac is applied in nipped off when requir applying the end of a s off a tiny piece with the of “finger-nail work." lac work differs entire brushes are never used for example, with the l Japan. The work is us number of convention adapted to the nature result is appropriate a Sinhalese embroidery as it was generally ap now out of fashion, ; easily adapted to meet whereas Indian emb) used as curtains, and so total amount of survivi The embroidery is, h. teresting on account of and because there is r of work should not now to modern purposes. done by a subordinate crastsmen, called Sann The principal char Sinhalese style are (I red, and white mater traditional designs co (3) the strictly decora application of the W The last three are ess be retained in any r
PRESSIONS OF CEYLON
which are heated over elted lacoozes through ned. The strained lac wn, and then coloured 2d powders (cinnabar 'ellow) into it while
to wooden articles by ing method and the he former method the i while turning on the :entric bands of colour ecoration is suited to The other or fingerelaborate. It can be ces, but is generally of sticks. The stick, nd smoothed, is then colour, which is genes, the stick and lac are d the lac applied and ce of talipot leaf while attern work the lab is out into thin strips. di bands are required, le stick, which is kept he strips are nipped off when a revolution is complicated work the just the same way and ed; dots are made by tring of lac and cutting nail; whence the name It will be seen that the ly from painting, for ; it has no connection, acquer varnish work of ually-limited to a small al traditional patterns of the materials; the hd decorative.
is not very often seen, plied to useful articles ind none of these are the taste of Europeans, oideries can often be are better known. The ng work is also limited. wever, particularly inits individual character, o reason why the style be revived and applied he work was formerly division of the caste of
Fili. cteristics of the pure the use only of blue, al; (2) the use of the lmon to all the crafts; ive treatment; (4) the »rk to useful articles. ntial features, and must vival of the style. The
185
limitation of colours should also as a rule be preserved, for although we do occasionally find in old work examples of the use of coloured silks and gold (obtained from Hindia), these are likely to be used nowadays with less restraint, in addition to which must be remembered that the progress of commercial chemistry has practically put an end to the production of beautifully coloured materials.
Most of the work is done in chain-stitch; button-hole, satin-stitch, hemstitch, and couching are also found; successful use is also made of appliqué. There are, too, various excellent binding stitches, of which one at least, and that a very elaborate one, is peculiar to Ceylon. The most characteristic examples of old work are the large betel bags which were used on festive occasions, especially weddings. The stitching is usually in red and white on a blue ground; the centre is occupied with the main design, and around it are several different borders, sometimes as many as four or five. The big tassels, too, are very handsome. Nowadays, unfortunately, the fashionable thing is the making of embroidered pictures to be framed under glass, the work being often in thick gaudy wools on velvet, or, equally objectionable, in poor tinsel. Great was the outcry when the Government grant for this sort of work in schools was lately stopped.
Lace-making was probably introduced by the Portuguese in the seventeenth. century, and again by missionaries at the beginning of the nineteenth century. We meet with old examples of Kandyan embroidery with lace borders and drawn thread work ; part of the lace It can hardly be said positively whether any of this represents an indigenous art. Eace is principally made in the low-country--at Galle, Kotta, and near Dehiwela. The - style of the lace is poor and uninteresting, because it is mainly an imitation of European torchon lace ; it is, moreover, generally måde with cheap and poor materials, and so does not wash or wear well. The workers, too, are badly paid, most of the profit going to the middlemen who sell the finished product. It is unfortunate that Ceylon lace has not a distinctive style of its own, for Sinhalese art is rich in distinctive design, and were this combined with good workmanship and good materials, a characteristic type of lace might be evolved capable of holding its own with English or Maltese. The purchaser of Ceylon
is pillow lace.
lace should endeavour to obtain specimens
showing some originality and worked in linen or silk thread. At present the lace which is best in these respects is made by a worker at Dehiwela, whose son makes original designs for her use
The Sinhalese seen never to have made any very elaborate types of pottery, only those,
Page 194
186 TWENTIETH
in fact, required for domestic, architectural, and religious purposes. The pottery is nevertheless excellent in form, adapted to the purpose for which it is made, and when decorated the ornament is appropriate and suitable. The potters do not belong to the main caste or guild of craftsmen, occupying an inferior social position to that of the latter. The potters are found all over the country, but especially where a good supply of clay is available. Like the regular craftsmen, they held lands, either directly from the king or from a temple or the grantee of a village, i.e., a Kandyan chief. At the Kandyan court one of the household departments was that of the potters, where relays of men from the villages were kept constantly at work supplying the royal requirements. The potter works in the verandah of his house or in a separate shed. His appliances are very simple. The wheel is a round board, mounted on a stone pivot embedded in the ground. The wheel is turned by a boy or by the potter himself. A lump of clay is dumped on the wheel, and the pots are moulded one by one, cut off, and laid aside to dry. The pots so made are bottomless. The under side has to be completed afterwards ; this is a very unusual feature. Ornament is added before firing, which is done in a low kiln fed with fuel from the side. The decoration referred. to may consist of slip painting in concentric bands of very simple patterns, or of incised ornament, of which the best is the Greek-looking work on the pots made at Kelaniya ; or the ornament may be stamped, for which purpose small stamps of wood, horn, or ivory are used.
Painted decoration may be applied subsequently in tempera and varnished, but this work is done by the superior craftsmen, not by the potters themselves. Good painted pottery is nowadays rarely seen. The large painted amphorae, exotic in form and with roughly executed ornament, are especially objectionable. Beside domestic and ecclesiastical pottery there is a good deal of interesting architectural earthenware, particularly tiles and finials. The eaves tiles, ornanented with lions or geese, are very good. The flat tiles seen on old roofs should also be noticed, as they are very characteristic and capable of arrangement into elegant patterns. They are now generally replaced by the “Mangalore" tiles, which are adopted for convenience and economy, but at the expense of comfort and appearance,
Very ancient is a knowledge of iron in the East, and throughout mediaeval times iron and steel of the finest quality were made in India and exported to be made into Damascus blades. At the present day iron is still made in Sabaragamuwa, but the craft would not have survived had it not been for the smelters' obligation
CENTURY
to pay so much iron rent to the local chic steel is practically e only understood by
en, The iron is smelt primitive blast furnac foot-bellows; about 6 one surnace in thre labour of at least thr Steel is made in cli are put a piece of ir tion of wood for carb then placed in a Sr. worked with foot-bel, are molten, when the allowed to cool, and The steel so made crystalline.
The art of weav amongst the Sinhales formerly widespread, to one or two familie the Central Province, Uva. This is to be reg both economic and arti advantages of hand-n realised, and in view beauty of the old clo that an effort should art of weaving amon, cloths that are now quality and variety to mainly due to the l There can, indeed, b of any indigenous art the people of the cou the worst and cheap to anything locally m Sinhalese weaving developed craft, that cloths were made; in corresponding to the si or the gold-woven kin cotton cloths, moreove and handsome, inclu muslins for which In plain white, blue, Sinhalese weavers aprons, belts, chatty-c Into these were wov handsome patterns, all and each with its own The Sinhalese loc essentials with that us It is established on a shed next to the wea nique is easy to under of complicated patter and practice. Altern are separated by mea worked by treadles, fi in the ground below
MPRESSIONS
er annum as a service
The manufacture of nct, the process being one or two very old
i with charcoal in a worked by a pair of S. of iron are made in hours, for which the e men is required. y crucibles, into which n and the due proporn. These crucibles are all blast furnace, also ows, until the contents crucibles are removed, the steel bar removed. is intensely hard and
ng is almost extinct to-day. The craft was but is now restricted in a single village in and perhaps another in retted on many grounds, stic. Now that the real hade textiles are fully of the strength and ths, it is very desirable be made to revive the gst the Sinhalese ; the made are inferior, in the old ones. This is ack of local demand. e no adequate revival and crafts so long as Intry continue to prefer est of European wares de. was not a very highly is to say, only cotton or was there anything k brocades of Tanjore, habs of Benares. The r, although very strong led none of the fine ia is famous. Besides r red materials, the made sheets, vers, pillow-cases, &c. -n a great variety of of course, traditional, 26. n is identical in all d throughout the East. latform under an open er's house. The techand, but the execution s requires much skill e threads of the warp of heddles, which are which there is a hole he loom. The warp is
towels,
OF CEYLON
pressed home by a suspended comb. The pattern is picked out with a weaver's sword, which is turned up sideways to hold the warp threads far enough apart for the shuttle to be thrown. Some irregular patterns, however, such as birds and bo-leaves, are tapestrywoven, the coloured threads being twisted round the warp by hand. The complete cloth is thus usually a combination of purely mechanical weaving with tapestry, the former greatly predominating.
The well-known Dumbara mats, called kalala, are made by a low-caste people named Kinnaras. The fibre used is obtained from the “bow-string” hemp (Sanseviera &eylanica). The round green leaves are scraped against a log with a wooden tool like a spokeshave. After the fleshy part of the leaf has been thus removed, the fibre is oiled and brushed, and is ready for use almost at once: part is used as it is without dyeing; the remainder is dyed red, yellow, or black. The warp threads are spun like cotton, but the weft elements are not spun at all, and consist-merely of the parallel fibres. The loom is a low horizontal one, more primitive than the cotton weavers use; there is no proper shuttle, but the weft fibres are passed through the warp by means of a large wooden bodkin. The mats are worked in bold conventional designs, and are handsome enough. After two or three years, however, the colours become somewhat faded, though still pleasant. The most usual designs are quaintly conventional birds, fishes, cobras, trees, &c. As usual, even the geometrical patterns have each a separate name. The weavers have songs about their work, and trace its origin to the time of the mythical king Maha Sammata.
There is no regular practice of any organised craft of dyeing amongst the Sinhalese. Sappan (Caesalpinia Sappan) is used for colouring palm and grass leaves red, for mat and basket weaving, also for dyeing the fibre for the Dumbara mats; weniwel is used to dye the same fibres yellow ; grasses are dyed black by first boiling with a decoction of gall-nuts and then burying in rice-field mud.
The yellow dye of Buddhist priests' robes is obtained from jak (Artocarpus integrifolius) wood, in an extract of which the cloth to be dyed is soaked. The dye is not permanent, but is easily renewed. Cloths that have been used for years and dyed again and again are a very fine colour. It is difficult to be sure whether the Sinhalese cotton weavers ever dyed the blue and red material they used. If so, it was not a regular practice. Madder and indigo grow wild in Ceylon, but have been very little, if at all, used by the Sinhalese.
The well-known Kalutara baskets are really the best and most useful work in dyed palm leaf. There is now, unfortunately, a tendency
Page 195
TWENTIETH
to make use of aniline dyes, especially a crude magenta and a raw green. These the purchaser should be careful to avoid.
SHORT TABLE OF CASTES OF
CRAFTSMEN.
Architects, painters Higher goldsmiths, ivory Division. and wood carvers Achari Caste.
The caste armOurerS. ( f th Fo un der s, blackOf tSe smiths, turners (wood craftsmen.) Lower
or ivory), stone carDivision.
vers, lac workers, embroiderers.
Badahclayo, porters. Yamanne, iron smelters. Beruwayas, includes cloth weavers. Kinnarayas, weavers of “Dumbara " mats. Rodiyas, whips, cords, brooms, &c. Lace-makers are not a caste. Ordinary rush mats are made by women of all castes.
yసి
TAMIL.
HE arts and crafts of the Tamils in Ceylon are similar to those of the Tamils in India, but of less interest and variety, partly owing to the isolation of the Ceylon Tamils from what is more strictly their native land, and partly because the district occupied by them has for a very long time been under European influence, and the arts and crafts have degenerated or died out as they have in the low-country Sinhalese districts. The decay, however, has not been so marked in this case as in the other, owing to the relative inaccessibility of the Jaffna and Batticaloa districts, and in some cases to the high quality of the manufactures. A case in point is supplied by Batticaloa cloth, the making of which has not been abandoned, and which is largely worn and highly valued by the wearers.
No one-certainly not the present writerhas made any detailed study of Tamil arts and crafts in Ceylon; and this is not the place to describe the arts and crafts of Southern India. It will only be possible, therefore, to give a short general account of the subject, without attempting a systematic treatment of it.
Domestic architecture may be briefly referred to. The old Tamil houses are of the regular square form, with inside courts and a verandah next the road. The old homes are commodious and cool, which the modern houses, covered
with a single layer of Mangalore tiles, certainly
are not. The old houses are, moreover, well and very strongly built, with solid, well-carved pillars and spacious verandahs, in the recesses of which stand large oak chests with handsome
brass fittings. A garden with a well is an indis
CENTURY IM
pensable adjunct. Secl carried to extreme in h all gardens are protected The gates of these are w well carved in several in
The Tamil and Sinhal
much in common. It ample, that the looms The brassfounder's metl most of the patterns an tive design are really difference of style and difficult to recognise a This difference is partl and Dravidian feeling difference in religion, a connection which the '
the rest of India. Th
have been exaggerated dying out of crafts a under a process of selec same effect on both. still flourishes to som Batticaloa, but is alm Sinhalese. Weaving important of the Tamil on to a less extent tham
The subject of Dra tecture cannot be brie quately illustrated in C not referred to here.
Many of the cloths w stuff, especially those C in use throughout Ce: sometimes handsome, t posed that any weavin unusual interest is don
MPRESSIONS
usion of the ladies is igh Jaffna society, and
l by high cadjan walls.
orthy of remark, being teresting designs. ese arts have naturally will be found, for exare almost identical. hods are the same, and ld elements of decorathe same, but with a feeling which is not fter some experience. y that between Aryan largely due to the nd partly to the closer Tamils have had with e apparent differences
OF CEYLON 187
silk weaving was carried on at one time in Jaffna, but nothing is now done except in cotton, the dyed yarns (often aniline dyed) for which are imported. The cloths made are almost entirely confined to wearing apparel, though some stout canvases are still made near Jaffna. The looms employed are of the indigenous Indian type, differing only from the Sinhalese in having extra heddles for making more complicated patterns.
Probably some yarn was generally made and dyed locally, but the only dyeing now practised is that of made-up cloth. This dyeing is a combination of the processes of dye painting and pot dyeing, and is chiefly used for decorating the cloths with narrow borders worn by men. A few decorated handkerchiefs and wearing cloths are still made for the
TAMIL SILVERSMITES AND JEWELLERS.
in modern times by the nongst the two races, tion which had not the For example, weaving : degree at Jaffna and ost extinct among the is, perhaps, the most crafts, but it is carried formerly.
vidian religious archifly dealt with or adeeylon, and is therefore
'oven are good, durable f Batticaloa, which are ylon. The material is but it must not be supg of special beauty or 2, it is said that some
Sinhalese market. The old Kandyan flags were no doubt of Tamil workmanship, as dye painting seems never to have become a Sinhalese craft.
Dyeing with chaya root is the principal process. The essential element in this work is the protection of part of the cloth by a coating of beeswax, which is drawn out in patterns, which appear white in the finished cloth. After the beeswax is thus applied, the whole cloth is dipped three times in hot decoctions of chaya root, the last nearly boiling. The cloth then becomes of a dull reddishpurple colour with a pattern in white. The chaya root is often, however, combined with other dyes, particularly alum and iron filings for black, and gall-nut for a redder hue. Decoctions of these are applied to the parts to be so coloured before the chaya root dyeing is
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188 TWENTIETH
begun. The chaya root industry was once very important. At the beginning of the century it was a Government monopoly, bringing in a revenue of 2,Ooo a year; but it declined as early as I83o, and the root is now hardly ever used, the native product having been driven out by aniline dyes.
The jewellery of Jaffna has some reputation. The old work in gold, or gold set with cabochon stones, was of the greatest delicacy and perfection of design. The special types of
chains and beads were all known by name and are very constant in form. They are now out of fashion, and it is a common thing for old work to be melted down and made up again into The distinctively
new and worthless designs.
CENTURY
Jaffnese work of mode boast of. The workm fine and delicate, but unsuitable ends, ofte tortoiseshell. The us and eut stones is perh elsewhere the case in Brassfounding is a danger of extinction. rice-bowls and other use, but water-pots, b{ are always wanted, ai forms. The ordinary casting is followed, as founders, and the ca hammered or finished
MPRESSIONS
rn times is not much to anship is still extremely is applied to trivial and n in association with e of European designs aps less general than is
Ceylon. craft in no immediate The very handsome old vessels are now out of :lls, lamps, and the like ld are found in elegant cire perdue process of amongst the Sinhalese st metal is afterwards
on a lathe.
OF CEYLON
Pottery is made for domestic purposes; but little is known of any more elaborate forms, nor have any special forms of decoration been noted, beyond the use of stamps. A certain angularity is characteristic of Tamil forms as compared with Sinhalese.
Mats and baskets woven of palmyra leaf of a superior character are in general use. The manifold uses of the palmyra have often been noticed. One of the most remarkable kinds of baskets made from the leaf are the wellbaskets which are attached to the end of the long well sweeps with which water is drawn up to irrigate the fields; they are so tightly plaited as to prevent the escape of any water through the meshes.
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NATTVE CEREMON
7 ROM time immemorial the inhabitants of Ceylon, both Sinhalese and Tamil, have practised the ceremonies we now describe. Amongst the town population, with its divers nationalities, the observance of the rites is not rigidly followed, but among the country population the reverse is the case. It will be gathered from what follows that astrology is at the root of the system. Here, as in India and China, the influence of the planets is held to govern all human relations. To make the matter clear it is desirable to take the reader through the life of a person from the cradle to the grave.
Before the birth of the child burned and milk-rice is prepared with unbroken grains of rice. A plantain leaf is spread on the ground, and the milk-rice is divided into eight parts, and offered to the deities.
On a lucky day during the waxing moon, at an hour when the position of the planets is favourable, a house is built for the confinement. If it is to take place in the same residence, a paste is made with boiled rice and mustard, over which are written the names of the nine planets, viz., (1) Sun, (2) Moon, (3) Mars, (4) Mercury, (5) Jupiter, (6) Venus (7) Saturn, (8) Carpet Draconis, (9) Canda Draconis. Incense and flowers are offered to this, and the woman is made to enter the room thus consecrated amidst the chanting of mantaras (charms).
Immediately the child is born he is shown to the father. Afterwards he is bathed, and a decoction made of gold rubbings mixed with
incense is
BY D. J. S
the maternal milik, and the juice of lunuwila pestis Monniera)—leave in drops. The object blood and aid to ensu the body and intellect handed to the father a by the midwife, who them. Rice is scattere in the centre a heap over which lotus leave quently the infant is pla grandmother or aunt, h to the right.
The day after the infa is summoned. Upon b rice and sweets to his formed of the day an thereupon ascertains the at the time, and decla is male or female. O substantiate this fact, of males and females v at the time the child w the number of entrance tions are correct he rece consults the ephemeris and foretells the future To secure immunity Prethas Bhuttas (evil sl the nine planets, a ci termed Pancha-audaya, neck of the child with In this are embossed th namely, conch, defendi and a short cudgel.
In the case of roy naming takes place w Brahmans the period
merchants sixteen da) 8
AL OBSERVANCES
UBASINHA.
in some instances with -hedge hyssop (Hers, is given to the child of this is to purify the e full development of
The infant is then ld other close relatives receives presents from d over the room, and of paddy is arranged, es are placed. Subseced on the leaves by a is body being inclined
nt's birth an astrologer sing served with milksatisfaction, he is inil time of birth. He position of the planets res whether the child h being requested to he gives the number tho were in the room as born, and describes s to it. If the descripves presents. Hethen casts the horoscope, career of the child. from the influence of irits) and to conciliate cular gold ornament, is hung around the , charmed gold chain. five weapons of war, g rod, sword, arrow,
lity the ceremony of :hin ten days ; with is twelve days, with , and others thirty
days after birth. The initial letters of the name are selected in accordance with the time of birth as shown in the ephemeris, and it is considered important that this should be done at an auspicious moment. The child is named generally by a grandfather, the father, or an uncle,
In the case of a girl the ears are bored either twelve or sixteen days, or six or seven months, after the birth. This is done at an auspicious moment, either on a Monday, Thursday, or Friday.
When the infant is brought into another room from the one in which it was born, there is another ceremony like the one in naming, and it is done at an auspicious moment, care being taken that the child may not see the sun.
To insure the future prosperity of the child, he is shown the sun with no little care. Three or four months after birth a dais is prepared in the centre of the compound, above which is placed a heap of paddy. The heap is levelled in the form of a square, which is divided into eight equilateral triangles, and a seat is prepared at the point where the diagonals intersect each other. To the right of the seat is placed a pot of water, around the mouth of which is tied a threefold thread. Right over this square a canopy is hung, from the lower surface of which garlands of sweet-scented flowers and leaves of variegated hue are suspended. On the eight corners of the dais are placed eight small new pots, over the mouths of which are kept outspread coconut flowers. On these flowers are placed eight lighted lamps. Standing by this dais the parents make offerings to the nine planets. After all these preparations priests are summoned, the child
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190
is brought to the dais and placed in the seat by the father. Holding one end of the thread which is attached to the pot of water, the other end being in the hand of the child, the priests chant Parittha, invoking blessings upon the newcomer. Thereupon a curtain
is removed and the child is made to see the
sun for the first time. The showing of the moon is also done in a similar manner. On these occasions offerings are made to the Brahmans and priests, and the relatives are feasted.
A month after the child's birth, at a lucky hour on an auspicious day, the child is given cow or goat milk, in case the mother's milk runs short. The weaning ceremony takes place either in six, ten, or twelve months
TAMIL FORTUNE-TELLER.
after birth, at a lucky hour, either on a Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday, on an auspicious day. The rice to be fed is cooked by a male. At first a portion of the rice is offered to the nine planets. The child is then bathed in sweet-scented water, and his body adorned with flowers. He is placed on a special dais, facing a favourable direction, with two men standing on either side intoning.blessings. A plantain leaf is spread in front of him, and rice mixed with honey is placed thereon. Around the rice gold coins, gems, pearls, and garlands of flowers are placed. Either the father or the uncle, attired in clean clothes, feeds the child with rice, at the same time intoning blessings upon him. In the meantime, either the grandfather or some close relative holds a lighted lamp over the child's.
TWENTIETH CENTURY
head. The assemble presentations to the 1 kind. A lucky hour insure a good futur belief is that if this i liable to become du suffer from some oth The cutting of hair twelve months, or wit years of birth. A c. the juice extracted frc flowers (a species of t pogon Hirtus) dissolve and poured into a col is poured by a fair-loo gentle-hearted man o' child's head and the h the child is bathed i priests are now offel (unrefined sugar), an remains in their alms, child, and as he eats t tone a blessing upon h
Within five years of day during the months and November, eithe Thursday, or Friday, t letters in the early mo mooi are in combinatio he is bathed and atti Bearing an emblem of he goes to the teacher feet, worships him, reven and, facing a favourable self for tuition. Either or maternal uncle place hand and invites the ti pleasant duty. He ho right hand, places hi alphabet, and repeats le the child repeats after now presented with a plantains, and fruits, aft his well-wishers parta specially prepared for th of the event the child his well-wishers.
At a lucky hour the ch in his teens, is led by hi is given a mamotie, and ground and the various Amongst other indust
mentioned carpentry, 1
craft of a blacksmith, industries.
The male is married w five and thirty years of between sixteen and twe of a son, when the time a marriage, the father trustworthy, and wellcommissions him to st worthy of becoming the
MPRESSIONS
relatives. now make ther, either in coin or is always selected to for the child. The not done the child is mb, deaf, crippled, or : ailment. akes place in eight or nin two, three, or five ncoction composed of m jasmine and ethana e panic grass-Heterein water is charmed ch. Then the mixture ting, good-sighted, and rer the crown of the air is cut. Afterwards scented water. The ed milk-rice, iaggery d sweets, and what bowls is given to the he same the priests inim. birth, on an auspicious of September, October, r on a Wednesday, he child is taught its rn, when the sun and n. On these occasions red in white clothes. respect in his hand, falls prostrate at his ently gives the present, : direction, offers himthe grandfather, father, s: a book in the child's 2acher to perform his lds the child by the s forefinger on the tter after letter, which him. The teacher is tray full of milk-rice, der which the child and ke of the delicacies e occasion. In honour 'eceives presents from
ild, now a young man father to a field. He taught how to till the phases of agriculture. ries taught may be masonry, pottery, the and other trades and
hen between twentyage, and the female nty years. In the case comes for contracting summons an elderly, zonducted man, and :lect a suitable lady, wife of his son, from
OF CEYLON
a family of equal status. This man is known as the matchmaker, and it will be seen that he plays a very prominent part in this most ims portant function. After due deliberation he visits a family on whom his choice falls, and explains the object of his mission to the chief of the family. The head of the family thus visited talks over the matter, and if the proposal is acceptable, consults his wife. Afterwards the three meet together, and the matchmaker describes the virtues of the young man and the family traditions of his parents. If the head of the family and his wife approve of the proposal, the matchmaker is informed that the girl's father will visit the young man's parents. On an appointed day the father goes there, accompanied by the matchmaker. Should he find the circumstances satisfactory, a day is appointed by the young man's father to visit the girl's parents. The return visit then follows, and if everything is satisfactory the matchmaker is requested to obtain the girl's horoscope. An astrologer afterwards calculates and finds if the position of the planets indicates prosperity, and coincides with the position of the planets in the young man's horoscope. If the astrologer's recommendations prove favourable the father gives his consent to the proposal. In like manner the matchmaker takes the young man's horoscope to the girl's parent's, who get it examined by another astrologer, and satisfy themselves. In the event of there being no bar astrologically to the union, arrangements are made for the girl's uncles, brothers, and elders to visit the young man's parents, to satisfy themselves that the circumstances of the family are acceptable to them. All being well, the young man's uncles, brothers, and elders visit the girl's parents, ascertain particulars in a similar way, and satisfy themselves. They then inquire of the girl's father how much dowry will be given in cash and what in kind. After the final settlement of this important question, they report the results to the young man's father. As a mark of acceptance of these conditions a day is appointed for the young man to visit his fiancée, whose face he has up to now not beheld. The young man, attired in a fashion befitting his position, and accompanied by his close relatives, visits the girl. On their arrival they are welcomed and lavishly treated. On the advent of the lucky hour, the girl, well dressed, is conducted to the hall wherein the visitors are seated. In the presence of the assembled relatives the young man gracefully steps forward, respectfully greets her, and affectionately ties a necklace round her neck, and in return she puts a ring on the forefinger of her lover, as a confirmation of the proposed marriage. The parties then repair to their respective seats, after which all the assembled relatives are feasted. On the return of the
Page 199
TWENTIETH
visitors the matchmaker consults the parties, and with the advice of the astrologer appoints an appropriate day for the publication of the banns. On this eventful day the bridegroom, accompanied by his parents and elders, who carry with them trays full of divers kinds of presents in the form of sweets, plantains, fruits, oil-cakes, ash-pumpkins, curds, milk-rice, and kindred things, visit the girl's house, which is decorated in honour of the event. As soon as the visitors are sighted some of the chief relatives of the girl go forward and salute them with uplifted hands, using the words, “Ayu bowan,” i.e., “Wish you all long life.” The chief among them, always an elderly person, is the first to be conducted to the house and given the seat of honour. They are now offered trays filled with betel, areca nut, chunam (prepared lime), tobacco, cloves, ginger, and kutch. After coffee, the visitors and some relatives of the girl go to the Palliyemahatmaya (the marriage registrar) and give notice of the intended marriage. On their return the party are entertained to a sumptuous repast. In the presence of the relatives the would-be fatherin-law presents to the bridegroom half the promised dowry. The happy suitor aceepts the proffered present, and hands the same to the bride for safe keeping, retaining in his hands only a fraction of it, for to go away empty-handed after such an auspicious gathering is considered a bad omen. The assembled relatives then congratulate each other, and the visitors return home. An astrologer now finds out an appropriate day for the actual wedding ceremony, and the matchmaker communicates it to the interested parties. On an auspicious day the bridegroom's parents visit their relatives and friends, and tender to them betel in a tray, as an invitation to the marriage feast. The one who receives the invitation first makes a presentation to the inviter in the name of the bridegroom. A procedure similar to this is followed by the bride's parents. For the entertainment of the guests a magul maduwa (a sexagonal pavilion) thatched with coconut leaves is erected. Triumphal arches are put up near about the house, and both sides of the road which forms the approach to the house are attractively festooned. On the day prior to the ceremony those invited proceed to the respective houses and partake of the marriage feast. The relatives, as they go, carry with them pingo loads of provisions, fruits, and vegetables. In some instances they are headed by a procession. In the manner described above they are again welcomed. During the forenoon priests, generally Buddhist priests, are invited and given alms; at the termination of which incident, an atapirikara (i.e., eight requisites of a Buddhist priest, namely, three robes, one alms-bowl, one girdle for the loins, one razor, one needle, and one water-strainer)
CENTURY IM
is offered to them. T blessings by chanting At an auspicious momen relatives is conducted t and lavishly entertained a presentation to the bric other relatives and frien they in turn make pre: groom's father. In the groom and his relative available garb, go to th party is invariably matchmaker, the astrolo washerwoman, ; Immediately following a low-caste (wahunp talattha (a tallipot leaf,
man,
This is held over the br the party is going out o its destination. On arr the matchmaker goes in to the bride's father the At a signal given by t party approaches the l the meantime displayin chief relatives of the b) visitors, accord them a them home. Attired in with watchful eyes, star at the entrance to the water by him. As the washes his feet, for whi gold ring. The visitor and later on served witl
PRESSIONS OF CEYLON
ney receive it, intone Parittha, and go away. t the chief among the o the magul maduwa, after which he makes legroom's father. The ls are next feasted, and sentations to the brideafternoon the brides, attired in the best le bride's house, The accompanied by the ger, musicians, washerand other attendants, the bridegroom walks ura) man carrying a used as an umbrella).
191
to the hall wherein the bride is seated, and see the nuptial ceremony performed in the same manner as was observed by the first Aryan settlers in the island.
A special dais, termed the magul poruwa, is prepared in the centre of the hall. On the floor is spread a mat, over which is drawn an octagonal diagram divided into eight equal parts. Over this is placed a wooden board which is covered with a carpet, and this in its turn is covered with a cloth, It may be mentioned parenthetically that on all festive occasions it is customary to cover chairs, sofas, lounges, tables, and other furniture with white cloth, a duty which is always performed by the dhoby, whose services are well rewarded. Over the temporary platform described, gold
SINEIALES DEVII DANCERS.
idegroom's head when f the house or nearing ival at the bride's house advance and announces approach of the party. he firing of a gun, the house, the musicians in g their best form. The ide go out to meet the
welcome, and conduct immaculate white, and lds the bride's brother house with a vessel of bridegroom steps in he ch service he receives a s are then offered betel, l coffee. They now go
and silver coins, pearls and fried paddy, and five different kinds of flowers are scattered. A canopy is suspended over the dais, at the four corners of which four pots, half filled with water and holding outspread coconut flowers, are placed. On each flower is an earthen lamp burning with coconut oil. At the auspicious moment announced by the astrologer, the bride and bridegroom are conducted to the magul poruwa, and as they mount, a coconut is split in halves with a wood chopper. Benedictory verses are now repeated, after which the bridegroom is handed a cloth, to an end of which is tied a gold coin that goes to the dhoby as a present. Spreading out the cloth, the bridegroom wraps it round the bride's waist; she in turn presents
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192
him with a suit of clothes. This is called the Pilicindaweema, The maternal uncle of the bride now mounts the dais, ties together the right thumbs of the bride and bridegroom with silken threads, whilst the learned relatives of both families chant Astaka verses
KANDYAN. DEVIL DANCERS.
containing Buddha's attributes and blessings. The uncle then pours water from a ewer over the joined thumbs, and thus gives away the bride. As the wedded couple dismount a coconut is again split into halves. They are now conducted to a raised seat, termed the istharaduwa, where for the first time they sit together and receive congratulations . from their well-wishers. As a form of congratulation, some sprinkle rosewater over them. The musicians, responding to the influences of the moment, now play with increased fervour. A sumptuous dinner follows, at which the relatives of both parties for the first time are entertained together. In the morning the bride is dressed with the clothes presented by the bridegroom, and her relatives are attired in festive garb. After coffee, the parties repair to the hall, where the business part of the ceremony takes place. The bridegroom presents the mother-in-law with a web of cloth, after which the father-in-law presents the bridegroom with the promised dowry. The matchmaker takes the list of wedding-presents given, reads it out for the delectation of the assembled relatives, and hands it to the bridegroom's father. Among other things, the gifts comprise household requisites of every sort. The parties now go to the Palliyemahatmaya amidst great
TWENTIETH CENTURY Il
pomp and splendour, au registered. In some
parties can afford it, th to the house. After th
party go to the brideg by the procession of
are right royally welco of clothes and a wash coffee, followed a little breakfast, The rest of various kinds of amusen the bride's relatives re following day the bri son-in-law, carrying wi and later on he return the new couple retire t room in the residence, is spent. Three days la come hither on a visi numerous presents, whi and feasted. Amongst bride's aunt, who report the niece, after which, congratulations of the fe termination of these v matchmaker is weil re of both the bridegroom first confinement it is c to go to her mother's necessary attention is 1 The ceremonial obs funeral îs very elabora the death of a man, corpse, shave it, and suit of clothes which til tomed to wear, place it
IPRESSIONS
d have the marriage instances, where the : registrar is invited is civil, ceremony the oom's house, headed usicians, where they
ned.
After a change they are served with later by a sumptuous the day is spent in ents. In the evening .urn home., On the ille's father visits the th him the presents, home. After dinner ) a specially prepared where the honeymoon er the bride's relatives bringing with them in they are welcomed this party comes the as to the virginity of he bride receives the male relatives. At the rious ceremonies the 'arded by the parents and bride. For the stomary for the bride house, where every estowed upon her, "ved in the case of a . A few hours after e relations wash the aving clothed it in a 2 deceased was accusin a sofa covered with
OF CEYLON
white cloth under a canopy. Two lamps are lighted and placed one at the head and the other at the foot of the corpse. Those who come to see the corpse show their respect for it by sprinkling it with rose-water from a ewer placed close by. A coffin is then made, draped in white, and the body is placed in it. Before the coffin is nailed down, male and female relatives have a last look at the corpse, some kissing it and others sprinkling it with lavender-water. The male relatives carry the coffin to the grave, which, in a village, will always be dug in land belonging to the deceased. Around the grave an arch is erected, covered with a canopy. From the house of mourning to the grave the road is festooned, and white sand is scattered on its surface. The tom-tom beaters go first, followed in some instances by a chapter of Buddhist priests. This practice is, however, now dying out, for it is contrary to the teachings of Buddha. The number of priests depends upon the circumstances of the deceased, and they walk. under a canopy of white cloth. The coffin is borne only by close relatives, and is followed by male relatives and friends, women in no case taking part in the funeral procession. Three times the coffin is carried round the grave, and then it is rested on two sticks placed across the mouth of the pit. The chapter of priests then come and stand in order round the grave. A web of white cloth is now spread, and one end of it is given to the priests while the other end rests on the coffin. The assembled men now kneel and invite the priests. to give them Pancha Sila. After this is done, the chief among the priests delivers a sermon on the transitoriness of things naterial, and consoles the bereaved parties. The chapter of prie - then repeat Pali stanzas. One is translated as follows by an Oriental scholar :-
"How transient are all component things
Their nature is to be born and die ; Coming, they go; and then is best, When each has ceased, and all is past."
After the repetition of this stanza three times, the priests set aside the cloth. A ewer and a cup are then placed on a plate, and the close relatives pour water, as an invitation to the deceased to partake of the meritorious actions they have performed in his name. In the meantime the priests chant Pali stanzas, of which the following is the meaning :-
“As rivers, when they fill, must flow, And reach, and fill the distant main; So surely what is given here Will reach and bless the spirits there.
“If you on earth will gladly give, Departed ghosts will gladly live; As water poured on mountain tops Must soon descend and reach the plain, So surely what is given here Will reach and bless the spirits there."
Page 201
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
The relations then place the coffin in the grave, and each throws in a handful of earth. At this juncture the priests leave with the offerings made to them. The grave is filled in, and over it a mound of earth is raised in the shape of a coffin. Two lights, one at the head and the other at the foot of the grave, are left burning. Three or seven days after the burial a priest is invited to the house in which the deceased died, and his visit is usually paid by night, when he explains the doctrines of Lord Buddha. He illustrates his subject with a great many examples, and points out that man, being born subject to change, must die, and that it behoves every one throughout his life to make the best use of his time and perform meritorious deeds. In the morning he receives an offering of cloth and alms. A day later, a number of priests, not less than seven, are invited and given alms. The practice of burial is of comparatively recent origin. Three centuries since, cremation was general. Even at preser , when a man of some means or a priest dies, the body is placed on a pyre of wo od about I8 ft. high and cremated.
Pirith is the Sinhalese term for the Pali word Parittham, which literally signifies “4 protection." When we speak of going to hear Pirith, it means to listen to the chanting by priests of the nine Suttas, or discourses, entitled Mangala, Rathana, Mettha, Khanda, Mora, Dhajagga, Bhojjanga, Angulimala, and Atanatiya. To trace its origin we have to turn to the religious history of India. About 2,4oo years ago a plague called Ahiwatthaka prevailed in Vesali, known in modern geography as Allahabad. During this time there was a protracted drought, vegetation was dried up, and famine prevailed, as the result of which large numbers of people wel ... arried off by the plague. This disease is supposed to have been first contracted by flies, then by rats and other small animals, and then by human beings. Owing to the extraordinary number of deaths, corpses were left rotting in the open, and the putrid matter emanating therefrom attracted evil spirits, and thus aggravated the gravity of the pestilence. Being subjected to the threefold dreadful calamities mentioned the people complained to the king, who, together with some of his subjects, deliberated as to the best means of warding off these misfortunes. After due deliberation, Lord Buddha, who was then living at Rajagaha (modern Rajagiri, Behar, India), in the territory of Bimbisara Raja, was invited to visit the city and afford relief. Upon Buddha's arrival within the precincts of the city, peals of thunder burst forth, and the lightning flashed
out, vapour-laden clouds torrents of rain fell, cle: impurities. Buddha rec to take an alms-bowl fill and flowers, and alon Rajas perambulate the discourse entitled Rat: done, and the wonder immediately felt by th stricken people. From will be seen that the ob was to ward off fever in of pirith is done eithe sixteen, or twenty-one varying according to the the number the greater
selected for the ceremo mandappa or enclosed square, hexagonal, or C pared. Above it is fixe decorated with leaves covered with white cloth five or more ordained pi (Samaneras) do not pa1 In the centre is placed
two priests sit and cha book during all times ( Maha Piritha is chante afternoon, and close or table is kept a pot of s mouth covered with a w placed an areca nut flow ners of the enclosure a bearing outspread cocol oil lamps are lit and plac the mouth of the pot, ove a reel of thread, one en the priests as they chan the enclosure mats are
which both males and fi squat and attentively li The attractive part of
time at which the Maha il
it is at that time that
When sick person, one end of enchanted thread, is he the other by the patient.
chanter and the chantee trated thoughts on the c exercises a magnetic inf the patient and relieves is also considered that
wishes from the chante patient and the listener repeated in a melodious
At the termination of th is taken from the pot on vessels, and first distribu
large numbers.
MPRESSIONS
darkened the air, and unsing the town of all uested Ananda Thero ed with water, thread, g with the Lichchavi city, repeating the una Sutta. This was ul efficacy of it was le famine and terror this circumstance it ject of chanting pirith Chanting r by one, five, seven, priests, the number occasion. The larger the efficacy. The site ny is well cleaned. A space, either in a Ictagonal form, is pred a canopy attractively and flowers. Seats are prepared in it for iests, as the novitiates
any form.
take in this function.
a small table at which nt pirith from an ola of the day, though the d during early morn, midnight. On the trained water, with its hite cloth, on which is At the four corre disposed four pots nut flowers. Coconuted over these. Around r the draped part, runs ld of which is held by t the stanzas. Around spread on the floor, on
WC
2males, clad in white, sten to the chanting. the ceremony is the Piritha is chanted, and people congregate in pirith is chanted to a the pirith nulla, or the ld by the priests and The idea is to join the and fix their conceneremony. The action luence on the mind of his mental pains. It a current of good rs flows towards the s, as the stanzas are and soothing manner. e Maha Piritha, water the table into smaller ted among the priests,
OF CEYLON 193
who either drink it or wet their heads and faces with it. The enchanted water is then given into the hands of the listeners, but if there is a large number of them, it is sprinkled over them by an elderly man. As a specimen of the verses constituting the pirith, a free translation of four is given below:-
“If there be any spirits assembled here belonging to the earth or living in the sky, let all such spirits be of good mind; let them moreover listen attentively to what is said. If the sage of the Sakya race, of a tranquil mind, has attained any state of extinction, which is
passionless, immortal and excellent, there is
nothing equal to that law. And this excellent jewel is found in the law. May there be happiness from this truth If the supreme Buddha has extolled pure meditation, if he or others have spoken of any unceasing meditation, there is nothing equal to that meditation. And this excellent jewel is found in the law. May there be happiness from this truth l' (Ratana Sutta).
“Whatever living beings there be, all these, without exception, be they movable or . immovable, long or great, middle-sized or short, minute or vast, visible or invisible, living far or near, already born or about to be born, let them all be happy minded" (Metta Sutta).
“Bhikkus, I declare, if any fear or consternation or shuddering were to arise in you, who proceed to the forest, to the root of a tree, or to a solitary spot, meditate of me in this wise, that Bhagawa is sanctified, allwise, endowed with knowledge and conduct, happy, knowing, pre-eminent, a guide of men whose passions have to be quelled, the teacher of Devas and men. When you meditate on me any fear, or stupor, or shuddering will cease' (Dhajagga Sutta).
The pirith ceremony is first known to have been performed in Ceylon about A.D. 68o, during the reign of the saintly king Akbo Sirisangabo. It is again described as a private ceremony in the 3 Ist chapter of the Mahavansa during the reign of Sena, about A.D. 88o, and Kasub V., about A.D. 935. About A.D. I26o Parakrama Bahu, of Dambadeniya, resorted to it publicly, during a season of great drought. In the reign of Upatissa, about A.D. 4oo, there was a great drought and pestilence, and the pious king formed a stately procession, as described in the Mahavansa, and caused the priests to perambulate the city all night, repeating the Ratana Sutta. The next day dawned in torrents of rain, and the grateful king ordered the like ceremonies to be performed in future on occasions of great distress.
Page 202
勘
} မ္ပိ ဒို့မ္ပိ
體 |
WATERFALL BETWEEN AMBAWELA AND NANU-OY “DUKE's NoSE," BETWEEN "LION'S MOUTH," KADUGANNAWA INCLINE.
A. BETWEEN GALBODA AND WATAWALA.
HATTON AND KOTAGALA. VIEW FROM SUMMIT OF THE TUNNEL OVER, UVA.
Page 203
る。
gš
2S2NS
*سیبر
HE Ceylon Railway system supplies perhaps the most notable example of successful State ownership and direction of railways that the Empire affords. Planned carefully with regard to the great commercial needs of the country and efficiently managed, it earns a revenue sufficient, after paying working expenses and debt and sinking fund charges, to allow of a substantial contribution being made to the general revenue of the colony. In Igo5 the profit on the year's working (receipts amounting to Rs.9,690,653 and expenditure to Rs. 5,206,899) was no less than Rs. 4483,754, an amount which showed an increase of Rs. 633,2OI on the profits of the previous year. Taking the whole of the outlay on the lines from their inception, the surplus of I905 represents a return of 63 per cent.
The history of Ceylon railways dates back some sixty years, to the period following the railway mania in England, when promoters were turning their minds to the great possibilities of profitable railway development offered by India and the colonies. A project for the construction of a line from Colombo to Kandy was the first proposal framed. This scheme for connecting the modern with the ancient capital of the island had much to recommend it on the score of compnercial advantage as well as of administrative utility, But it was brought forward in advance of its time. Railways then, as far as the East was concerned, were experiments, and the financial risks were considered too great to be under taken. Not until the late fifties, during the administration of Sir Henry Ward, was the scheme seriously taken in hand. The work was one of enormous difficulty, Kandy lies
RALW
I,727 ft. above the sea-l had to be traversed by mountainous region co with jungle.
After many delays a private company which started operations wit Molesworth as chief er W. F. Faviell as contra Colombo to Ambepu miles 45 chains) was O the first on October 2 on January 1, 1866. A chaíns, to Polgahawe Nóvember in the $ entire line to Kandy traffic by August I, was in progress the ( the company and a responsibility for the was a heavy one. Frc miles of line cost no But though money was ín some directions, the: question that the Go good value for their day, more than forty ye turned the Colomboamongst the great railw the world-a solid and British engineering sk stantially constructed 5 ft. 6 in. gauge, with lo of tunnels, and rising b in places, the line is The grandeur of the sc railway passes enhar If Ceylon had no other this line, the visitor fr repaid the trouble an sea voyage.
From the time wh
قر في مكة
WAYS
evel, and the route which the line was through a vered for the most part
nd disappointments the originated the venture h: Mr. (now Sir) G. L. gineer and the late Mr. actor. The section from ssa (a distance of 34ä pened in two portions, I865, and the second further section of Io'69 la, was completed by ame year, and the was made available for 867. While the work lovernment bought out ssumed the
scheme. The burden m first to last the 47 less than Rs. 17,384,83I. no doubtfrittered away e was never any serious. ernment had obtained noney. At the present irs after the first sod was andy Railway remains ray engineering feats of enduring testimony to. l and ingenuity. Subon the broad Indian ty viaducts and a series a gradient of I in 45
marvel of adaptability. nery through which the *es its impressiveness. spectacle to offer than m afar would be well expense of the long
n the first length of 5
financial
railway referred to above was opened in Ceylon, the extension has continued until at the end of 1905 (the date up to which the latest returns available bring us) the total mileage stood at 562. But the rate of extension has been by no means regular. When Kandy had been connected with the sea, it seems.to have been thought that, for a time at least, sufficient had been done in the way of railway construction in theisland. In 1873, however, a further step forward was taken in extending the railway inland into the up-country planting districts by carrying the iron road from Peradeniya, a point on the line from Colombo to Kandy some 4 miles short of the latter centre, to Gampola, a distance of 7 miles; and in the following year a further extension of 9 miles 4 chains brought the rail-head to Nawalapitiya, the foot of the Ghat section of the line. In 1874, also, short, sections in Colombo were opened. The years 1875 and 1876 saw no expansion of the system; and the next important addition was in a southern direction along the coast from the capital. In 1877 the South Coast line was opened from the Fort to Moratuwa, and six months later from Moratuwa on to Panadure, a distance of 16 miles, in all; but 1878 was practically a blank year, witnessing only the completion of the local line to the Colombo Wharf. In 1879 the South Coast line reached Kalutara, thus adding 9 miles to its length, and in 188o the railway from Kandy to Matale, I7 miles, was opened, bringing the total mileage in the island up to 139. During the ensuing decade, the period of the deepest depression following upon the collapse of coffee cultivation in Ceylon, only some 52 miles were added to the existing system. The main extension was of the Ghat section, which was carried southwards to Hatton from Nawalapitiya, and then in a zig-zag, route.
Page 204
196 TWENTIETH
east to Talawakelle (28 miles additional), being completed to the latter point in 1884. It was opened to Nanu-Oya, another 12 miles eastward, in the following year. Five years then elapsed without further additions; and in I89o the South Coast line was opened to Alutgama, this addition of some II miles bringing the total mileage of railway up to I9I. Both I89I and 1892 were also blank years. But in 1893 the Ghat section was extended in a south-easterly direction from Nanu-Oya to Haputale (25 miles 37 chains), and in 1894 it was carried north from Haputale 7 miles on to Bandarawela, its present terminus, I6I miles from Colombo. In the latter year, also, the South Coast line was opened to Galle, the principal southern centre and seaport of the island, 72 miles from the capital. In 1894, too, a line was completed running some I3 miles north from Polgahawela (45 miles from Colombo) on the main line to Kurunegala, the centre of a lowcountry coconut-planting and plumbago-mining district. This was the beginning of the line which now connects Colombo with Jaffna and the north of the island. In 1895 the South Coast line was opened to its present terminus at Matara, at the extreme south of the island and 261miles beyond Galle. During the three years then ended over one hundred miles altogether had been added to the system, the total railway mileage of Ceylon on December 31, 1895, standing at 297.
The up-country planting districts inland being provided for by the Main line vid Kandy, Nawalapitiya, Hatton, Nanu-Oya, and Haputale to Bandarawela, and the south of the island being served by the Coast line. to Galle and Matara, the only large extension of the railway system remaining in immediate prospect in 1895 was a line to connect Colombo with the north-central districts and the northern peninsula. This was accordingly the next work of importance to be undertaken. But from 1895 to the end of I90I no additional railway facilities were afforded in Ceylon. It was not until September, Igo2, that the Northern line, the construction of which had been started at Kankesanturai, a small port at the northernmost part of the island, passing southward through Jaffna, was opened to Pallai, in the southern portion of the Jaffna peninsula, the distance between the terminal points being 34 miles.
Meanwhile a light line of 2 ft. 6 in. gauge was being carried inland from Colombo by way of the Kelani Valley, for the benefit of the planters in the tea country directly east of the capital. This railway was opened to Avisawella, 363 miles, in 1902, and completed to its present terminus, Yatiyantota, a further distance of II miles, in the following year. In 1903, also, a Ghat line of similar gauge to the
CENTURY
Kelani Valley line Nanu-Oya (on the M. with Nu wara Eliya, th of the island, 65 mil 134 miles from Color known as the Udap completed to Kandap a north-easterly direc It was opened to i Ragalla in I904, the to being 19 miles. The section is I ft. in 24, W curves of 8o ft.
At the end of I903 at of railway in full work 368 and 39 respé following years were strides in the extensio) owing to the success
(Resident
sections of the North character of the north and northern parts ( general absence of ( enabled the constructi be pushed on rapidly.
Kurunegala to Anurad November I, I904, and the junction with the
mentioned as finished miles) in the following I9o5, the populous tow from Colombo, with northernmost port of ( the capital, were thus communication with th parts of the island. ' Northern line raised the colony to a total of 562 now stands. (There h;
(MPRESSIONS
as opened, connecting in line to Bandarawela) e principal health resort 's from Nanu-Oya and .bo ; and this section— ussellawa branch-was la, a further 6 miles in ion, in the same year. s present terminus at al length of the branch steepest gradient in this hile there are numerous
d (904 the total mileage ng order in Ceylon was ctively. But the two
to witness enormous of the system, entirely ive completion of long
DSTOCK,
Engineer.)
ern line. The level western, north-central f the island and the ngineering difficulties n of this trunk line to It was completed from lapura (68 miles) on from Anuradhapura to eninsular line, already in I902, at Pallai (95. year. On August II, ! of Jaffna, 245 miles Kankesanturai, the ylon, 256 miles from brought into railway central and southern he completion of the railway mileage of the hiles, at which figure it been no addition to
OF CEYLON
the mileage up to the time of writingNovember, Igo6.)
And now let us see what it has cost to provide Ceylon with this system of railwaywhich has given the premier Crown Colony the modern means of rapid transport and communication along its total length and between the inland centres of its staple industry and the ports whence the products of the plantations are exported to all parts of the world. As a producing country and a progressive part of the British Empire, it was necessary for Ceylon to have an efficient railway system serving the various parts of the island, which could not hope for due development of their natural resources without intercommunication by this means. The question that next suggests itself is-What has the fulfilment of this indispensable requirement cost ? The original capital outlay on the whole system up to the end of I905 has amounted altogether to a little over 71 millions of rupees, and, taking the rupee at the standard rate of Is. 4d. in British currency (equal to fifteen rupees to the pound sterling), this outlay amounts to just about 4 millions of pounds sterling, in round figures, that is, say, 8,45o per mile. This may seem rather - a high cost for a single-track railway system. But, on the other hand, the enormous engineering difficulties met with in constructing the Ghat section, with its tremendously steep gradients (the ruling grade is I ft. in 44 ft.), its sharp curves (very many of 5 chains radius), the heavy nature of its earthwork both in cuttings and embankments, the large number of bridges and culverts, many of the former being from 5o ft. to Ioo ft. above river bed, its many tunnels, of which there are thirty-eight in all on the line, eight of these being grouped on one mile of the Ghat section, must be taken into consideration. It must also be borne in mind that the gauge of the main trunk lines is 5 ft. 6 ins. throughout, a width that necessitates a heavy permanent way as well as heavy rolling-stock; also that the original cost includes full equipment with rolling-stock, signals, station buildings and residences-in fact, all requisites for working the traffic. An examination of the accounts shows that the cost of constructing the 74 miles of main line from Colombo to Kandy, notwithstanding that the route is practically level for 52 miles of the distance, cost no less than Rs. 17,384,83I, or, in round figures, (I, I60,000. In the I3 miles, however, from Rambukkana to Kadugannawa, the line rises 1,4oo ft., and on the incline in this section the ruling gradient is I ft. in 45 ft., besides twelve tunnels. The speed over this section of the line is restricted to 15 miles an hour, owing to the gradients and curves, and the trains are all run with two engines. These facts indicate the costly nature of the Main line, owing to the
Page 205
TWENTIETH
mountainous character of the country traversed above Rambukkana. In the 56 miles of line winding southwards and eastwards from Ulapane to Pattipola, the line rises again from a height of I,846 ft. at the former point to its greatest altitude at the latter of no less than 6,224 ft. above sea-level. From Pattipola for the remaining 21 miles to the present end of this section at Bandarawela, the line drops down to 4,036 ft. at the latter point. Along the whole length of this mountain railway of Io8 miles, from the beginning of the climb at Rambukkana to Bandarawela, there is hardly a mille without costly construction works of one kind or another. No wonder, then, that this part of the system is found“to be responsible for so great a portion of the total capital outlay, and that each mile of the Up-country line has cost many times as much to construct as each mile on the flat coast and northern
runk routes.
In addition to the original capital outlay of 7I millions of rupees in building and equipping the railways, over 5 millions more have been expended on additional accommodation and improvements, including deviations at dangerous spots on the Ghat section. The total capital expenditure has thus been brought up to 76 millions of rupees. But supplementary to this total, some 4 millions of rupees have, during the past nine years, been expended out of revenue on new works and rolling-stock. The grand total, therefore, of outlay, taking together capital and revenue expenditure, has amounted to 8 millions of rupees, equal to 58 'millions sterling in English currency. This figure is certainly high for a single line of 562 miles. It is equal, roundly, to £9,6oo per mile. But so successfully has the railway, as a whole, been worked that only the first two years (1865 and 1866) after the first line was built have shown a loss on working. Ever since then an annual surplus of receipts over working expenditure has been returned; and since (and including) the year 1868 that surplus has not only sufficed to pay the yearly interest on the capital outlay, but has also provided, in every year with the single exception of 1894, for contributions to the sinking fund, besides leaving a substantial nett balance over for supplementing the general funds of the colony. Take 1905, for instance. The profit on working was Rs. 4,483,753. Out of that amount the interest charges, totalling Rs. I,472,763, were paid, and Rs. 418,815 went to the sinking fund. Thus a net balance of Rs. 2,592,175 remained as the railway contribution to the general funds of the colony, or, in other words, as dividend on the capital invested in the railways. The automatic operation of the sinking fund, added to the direct repayment of some small temporary local loans in bygone years, has resulted in a reduction of the capital raised for construction
CENTURY I
and equipment by nea annual Railway Admi for Igo5) the General January I, I905, the loans was Rs. 39,521,6 than on January I, annual reduction of the eminently satisfactory i of course, a correspon charge for interest. S of things as this may w initial high cost of the as existing lines are co Ceylon is freeing itself rate from the debt orig struction and equipme
(Decorated by J. W. A
time making libera general colonial fund, extension that has be Ragama to Negombo
from the surplus proc
For future extensions sary, further loans v raised. But it is obv proposed lines promis as the existing lines a increasing the loan be feared. The new created to be gradua tributions to the sink derived from workin Turning from the account, the latter is
MPRESSIONS
ly half. In the latest istration Report (that Manager says: “On apital outstanding on 6, or Rs. 872,863 less 1904.” This continual loan capital is not only itself, but also means, lingly lessening annual 1ch a satisfactory state ell be set off against the In short, as far ncerned, the railway of at an appreciably rapid nally incurred for connt, while at the same
ystem.
OF CEYLON 197
satisfactory condition, bearing evidence not only of a continually swelling annual income, but also of what is of equal importance in connection with a great State business, namely, economy of working. The gross railway receipts for the year 1905 (the latest for which full particulars are available at time of writing) amounted to Rs. 9,690,653 (remember that fifteen rupees go to the English pound sterling), an increase of no less than Rs. 799,067 over the gross income of the previous year. That is a completely satisfactory proof of progress. On the other side of the account, the working expenditure for the year stated, totalling Rs. 5,206,899, shows an increase of only Rs. 165,866 over that for the previous
FORTRAILWAY STATION. tapattu, Mudaliyar, Station Master, when the Duke of Connaught visited Colombo.)
contributions to the though the last railway 'n sanctioned-that from -is to be constructed eds of the Pearl Fishery. as they become necesrill probably have to be ious that so long as the 2 such handsome returns e giving, the prospect of capital need in no way obligations will only be ly extinguished by conng fund from the profits g such extensions.
capital to the revenue ound to be in an equally
year. Thus there was a net gain of Rs. 633,2OI in 1905 compared with 1904. Deducting the amount of the expenditure from the receipts, the profit on working for the year under review is found to amount to the substantial sum of Rs. 4,483,754 (as against Rs. 3,850,553 for 1904). Out of this surplus, as explained above in dealing with the capital account, interest on the loan capital absorbed Rs. 1,472,763, and the contribution to the sinking fund amounted to Rs. 418,8I 5. This left a nett balance over and above all charges of Rs. 2,592, 175 available for general colonial purposes, an increase of Rs. 589,374 compared with the balance under this head for the previous year (1904). These figures afford full warrant for the General Manager's statement in the annual
ייN
Page 206
98 TWENTIETH
Administration Report that “the result of the year's working is most satisfactory."
It is somewhat of a curious coincidence that of the increase of Rs. 799,067 in the gross railway income for 1905, the passenger and the goods traffic are each responsible for, roughly, one half, the increase from fares being Rs. 397,073, and from goods traffic Rs. 392,169. The increase in passenger traffic was general throughout the system, with the single exception of the short branch from Kandy to Matale, in regard to which there was a falling-off in receipts of Rs. 3,468. A satisfactory increase in receipts from season tickets on the Colombo suburban sections points to progress, coupled with permanency, as regards this class of traffic; while the non-local and non-special nature of the increase in the total passenger traffic may be taken as an indication of general advancement throughout the system. Not including holders of periodical tickets, the number of passengers carried during the year under review, taking all the lines together, was 6,28,537 (an increase of 253,777 over 1904). Of this total some three millions travelled on the South Coast line, including the suburban section, and over one and a half millions on the Main line between Colombo and Nawalapitiya, via Kandy. The passenger receipts for ordinary and periodical tickets together totalled Rs. 3597,897; and the average sum received for carrying one ordinary passenger one mile was 2'47 cents,
Following are the passenger rates in force :
CENTURY
mentary fare on Engli class return fare is penny a mile over the
The goods traffic is c
ings, or classes, numb
in No. I (for explosive and fragile goods) bei No. 6 (for rough mate rate in each case is ca per mile, and a termi per ton is added to loading and unloadi forwarding and receivi are the rates :-
Main Ghat line above N
Main line below Naw; gala and Kelani Valle
South Coast line an Kurunegala) p a
A specially reduced 1. consignments of not le force over the Northern gala into the Jaffna pen pussellawa branch line mile is charged on high rate being neces: ceedingly heavy work mountain railway.
CENTS PER MILE.
Single.
Ist. 2nd. 3rd
Ghàt Section above Navallapitiya (exclusive of Uda
pussellawa line) ... ... ... ... ... ... I2 8 2.
All lines below Nawalapitiya 8 5 2:
The higher charge for the portion of the line above Nawalapitiya is rendered necessary by the higher working expenses of this mountainous section to Bandarawela. On the small Udapussellawa branch of 19 miles on the 2 ft. 6 in... gauge - from Nanu-Oya through Nuwara Eliya to Ragalla-still higher rates are charged, owing to the very heavy working expenses. Return tickets for all classes on all lines are issued at the price of one single fare and a half, except on the Udaipussellawa branch, on which no reduction is made for return tickets. Season tickets are issued at reduced rates. It will be noticed that the cost of a first-class return ticket over the line below Nawalapitiya works out at 6 cents, or about a penny, a mile-the third-class Parlia
The total tonnage of g was 58о,I2o, and the rec amounted to Rs. 5,664,89 per ton per mile worki or approximately 2d. The principal articles o on the railway in C naturally be expected, ri the staple product of t down from the plantatio the whole length of th for shipment; and the the railway during Igo receipts from this s Rs. I, II6,059. But rice prominently in the good a good deal of rice is g
MPRESSIONS
h railways. The thirdqual to one-third of a
same sections.
assified under six headred I to 6, the charges , otherwise dangerous 1g the heaviest, and in rials) the lowest. The culated in cents per ton ial charge of 25 cents cover the service of ng the goods at the ng stations. Following
OF CEYLON
Ceylon for personal consumption, not nearly sufficient is produced in the island to meet the demand of the army of coolies employed on the estates and the native population generally for this their staple article of food. Consequently enormous quantities of the grain are imported from India, and have to be distributed throughout the island. The trains that bring the tea down to Colombo take the rice up for the coolies on the plantations, and the villagers inland. The total quantity of rice carried over the various lines during I905 was I34,289 tons, or considerably more than onefourth of the whole volume of the merchandise
CENTS PER TON PER MILE
6th Class.
5th Class.
Ist Class,
2nd Class.
3rd
4th Class.
Class,
awalapitiya ...
lapitiya, also Matale, kurune
y lines ... d Northern
line (north of
46 3I 25 20 2O
37菇| 25 п7
I2
I2 Ιο 8
24 6
12 Ιο 8
ate for goods traffic for ss than four tons is in
line north of Kuruneinsula. Over the Uda: 44 cents per ton per all goods traffic, this sary owing to the exing expenses of this
Return.
Ist. 2nd. 3rd.
18 2
I2 8
Eoods conveyed in 1905. aipts for this freightage 7, the average earnings ng out to I3'65 cents, in English currency. f commerce conveyed eylon are, as would :e and tea, The latter, he island, is brought ns all along and about e section to Colombo
quantity carried by was 88, II2 tons, the ource amounting to : figures even more traffic list. Although "own on small plots in
traffic; and the receipts under this head amounted to no less than Rs. II,929,89o, or more than one-third of the whole amount received for the conveyance of articles of commerce. The item of next importance on the goods traffic list is the produce of the coconut-palm tree-the standby of Ceylon. Were all the other productive industries in the island to fail, the cultivation of this tree, which
AMBALANGODA SAION,
grows everywhere throughout the low-lying country, with its varied marketable products -copra, fibre, coconut-oil, poonac, &c.-
would suffice to save the colony from complete
collapse. This item on the list accounts for
37,823 tonnage and Rs. 296,859 in receipts for
carriage. The conveyance of manure, which article is imported in large quantities as well as manufactured locally, mainly for use on the tea plantations (generally termed “estates' by the people of Ceylon) is accountable for 45,402 tons of the traffic, and added Rs 259,137 to the receipts. The principal articles carried, and their relative importance from the railway
Page 207
TWENTIETH
point of view, are shown in the following list of the goods traffic for 1905, taken from the official report :-
п9o5.
Tonnage. Receipts.
Tons. Rs. Rice I34,289 || II,929,89o Tea... Y se ... || 88, I I2 | I, IIб,o59 Coffee KO K 244 3,56I Cacao up to P. O. a 3,864 39,743 Cinnamon... O. 553 3,7 Ιο Cardamoms 44I 6,5 Rubber ... 0. 2 158
Coconut Produce, inclu
ding Poonac . 37,823 | 296,859
Fruit, Vegetables, and
other 5th Class Goods... I5,052 Io/,266 Plumbago ... P. ... I7, I43 73,919 Tea-packing Materials ... I7,563 I50,34I Tobacco ... . . . . 2,478 4I,267 Timber, including Staves 5,052 40,245 Manure ... O 45,402 259,137 Sundry Goods I35,8OO | I,563,462
Total Merchandise ... 503,828 5,632, 183
Railway Materials and
Free Goods ... so 58,o84 20,550
Stone Traffic conveyed in
Harbour Works Wagons I 8,208 2, б4
Grand Total ... 58o, I2O 5,664,897
The above list is interesting as affording a general insight into the position of the leading industries of the colony and showing the way in which their development affects the railway traffic. The pre-eminence of tea as a staple product, for instance, is immediately evident. It is not only accountable for a large tonnage and consequently an appreciable proportion of the total goods receipts, but is also responsible, in the way already explained, for a large portion of the traffic in the carriage of rice-the principal item in the schedule-as well as for that in the conveyance of tea-packing materials and manures to the plantations. In contrast, the low position to which the production of coffee-once the staple product of the planting industry-has fallen is as conspicuously demonstrated. It will be noticed that rubber, the product upon which the hopes of so many of the planters in the island-as, indeed, in other parts of the world as well-are fixed, does not, as yet, burden the railway department to any appreciable extent. But, in view of the area of land now being planted with the tree from which this substance is obtained, “it will be interesting'-to quote the Report from which the information in this article is mainly derived-' to watch the growth of this new and valuable product of the island."
The earnings from live-stock traffic during 1905 amounted to Rs. 18,664; while, among minor receipts, under the head of Coaching Traffic, Rs. 217,445 were earned for parcels conveyed, Rs. 65,076 for mails, Rs. 15,799 for
CENTURY III
horses, Rs. II,2OI for dogs, Rs. Io,249 for bic) private special trains. for warehouse, platforn rents, sleeping-car ticke and unclaimed goods, sundries, amounting in up the balance of Rs. 9,690,653 forming The income side of may be summarised a
Coaching (Passengers,
Mails, etc.) ...
Goods Traffic
Live Stock conveyed
Miscellaneous Receipts
etc.) ...
Total Receipts .
Before leaving the revenue account, it sho free transport to the v was afforded in I905 the annual volunteer Diyatalawa, near the ei also that exhibits were ( to and from agricultu exhibitions in various c this nature are made aim of the Governmen the development of agt cognate trades, encoura and further mutual k various parts of the c engendering public sp ment throughout the la Having explained ho the most important bra service of the colony demonstrated by officia condition of the railwa examine the expenditu The total of the workin under review (1905) w stated, Rs. 5,2O6,899; marised in the official accompanying table.
This total expenditul the satisfactorily low p gross earnings (Rs. 9 reduction of 3 per ce portion of working { I904. The principal the Locomotive and Charges, which show : centage to gross reci the preceding year, I 74,o62 additional traff and this result is sin, Manager for special port as “a striking tes
MPRESSIONS
arriages, Rs. 6,594 for cles, and Rs. 1,2I4 for Miscellaneous receipts and refreshment-car 's, sale of old materials ent of buildings and all to Rs. 81,615, make the grand total of the year's revenue. the revenue account
follows :-
Rs. Cts. Parcells,
3,925,477 Ió 5,664,89ό ό3 O I8,664 o2
(Rents,
8 8I,όI5 23
... 9,69ο,653 O4
earning side of the uld be mentioned that alue of over Rs. 25ooo in connection with
encampment held at ld of the Ghat section; :onveyed free of charge ral shows and public entres. Concessions of in accordance with the t to promote and assist icultural industries and ge intercommunication, nowledge between the olony with the view of irit and unity of sentialındı. w the annual income of nch of the Government of Ceylon is raised and 1 figures the flourishing y revenue, it remains to re side of the account. g expenses for the year as, as has already been and the items, as sumreport, are given in the
e for I905 works out to ercentage of 537 of the 690,653), being also a nt. as against the proxpenses to revenue in saving was effected in
Carriage and Wagon : reduction of 22 in peripts as compared with despite the fact that c train-miles were run; tled out by the General 2mark in his annual retimony to the increased
OF CEYLON 199
workING ExPENSEs.
Rs cts. Maintenance of Way and
Works ... 1,368,463 3. Exchange Compensation · Iვ6o 83
Locomotive Charges :-
General Superintendence 32,562 23 Locomotive Power III,685,88o. 74. Exchange Compensation ... 7„O84 53 Carriages and Wagons 393,746 96 Exchange Compensation ... 453 90 Plant and Machinery. 37,963.32 Traffic Charges :-
General Superintendence 96.Orr 66 Exchange Compensation Ι,ο8I 7 Traffic Charges όΙ3,33ό 7 Running Staff. e 229,O78 47 Exchange Compensation 3,122 72 Telegraph Charges ... so 79,925 36 General Charges :-
General Manager's Depart
ment ... sh 8 d. eve to 25,288 44 Exchange Compensation ... II, III25 o Accountant's Department III, ό42 82 Exchange Compensation 7983 I Auditor - General's Depart
ment • • • • • • • • • • • • 5,694 όI Stores Department 34,624 Ι Exchange Compensation Ι68 84 Crown Agents' Allowance ... І,o35 о Salary of Consulting Engi
eerS ..., ve p o 7,5со о Charges incurred in England I4594 O New Works ... 8 ... 454,356 52
Total Expenses .. - 5,206,899 44
efficiency of the department under the care of Mr. Unsworth, the present Locomotive Engineer.' From the detailed accounts, it appears that the expenditure of the Locomotive Department has not increased anything like in ratio to the measured mileage, but has rather decreased. This decrease is principally in connection with the Running Department, and is due to economy in coal, oils, &c. The expenditure of the Locomotive Dėpartment amounted to Rs. 2,157,692, a little more than two-fifths of the total working expenses. “ Exchange Compensation,” which figures several times in the above table, and altogether represents a total of Rs. I5, 195, stands for an allowance which is granted to a certain proportion of the railway officials (in common with other Government servants) to compensate for the depreciation of the value of the rupee, which, though nominally worth 2s., is at the present time worth only Is. 4d.
It will be noticed that Maintenance of Way and Works necessarily absorbed a large figure, of which approximately one-tenth was expended in new works, the total representing
Page 208
200
a little more than one-fourth of the whole expenditure. The chief items of ordinary expenditure under this head are general superintendence (Rs.544oo), maintenance of permanent way (Rs.7II4 Io7), relaying of lines (Rs.332,664), repairs to bridges and tunnels (Rs. 4,504), repairs to stations and buildings (Rs. 70,757), and maintenance of signals and interlocking gear (Rs. 14,481); while the speeial expenditure on new wotks and renewals and repạirs, including those i ren
dered necessary by 'slips of land and wash
aways, amounted to Rs. 134,453. The friable
nature of the soil along the route of the Ghat
section, coupled with the precipitous character of the country, renders this line
EREFFRECSEMENT
peculiarly liable to landslips and washaways under the deluges of rain which descend upon the heights during the changes of the monsoon seasons. Between October 27 and November 13, 1905, as the result of a tremendous: storm from the south-west, followed by the break of the north-east monsoon, no less than 127 slips, subsidences, washings and floods were recorded, a large proportion of these taking place in a single night (October 27th). As a result, the traffic over a large section of the line WaS totally interrupted. One station (Gampola) was submerged to a depth of 5 ft. 9 in. Travellers on railways in England can scarcely realise the destruction that can be wrought by the "burst" of a monsoon. Huge rocks, loosened by the rains, also sometimes fall upon the line from the heights above, forming a
TWENTIETH CENTURY I.
further source of dam consequent disaster to: vented by unremitting: also occur in the lowsystem during the w times the traffic on on sometimes thus seriously a time. The Enginee and his assistants are CO whole length of the line pating and taking ne slips and washings.
The Traffic Charges, above table, form just total expenditure. Und prised the usual expens
CAR.
running of the trains, motive charges. The curred by the Traffic De Rs. 1,022,555. As agai Rs. 5.58 per train-mil expenditure amounted profit of Rs. 2.58 per t on the corresponding IF cents. The total ni miles run during 1905 pared with II,563,238 in In the Locomotive an the work necessary for service up to the highe efficiency is being vigor construction and repair are being enlarged and and machinery of the la
MPRESSIONS
ge - and - danger ; ando he trains is only pregilance. Washaways ountry sections of the seasons, at which
part or the other is dislocated for days at
of Way and Works tinually watching the with a view to anticisures for preventing
as enumerated in the inder one-fifth of the r this head are comes connected with the
xclusive of the locototal expenditure inbartment in 1905 was st the earning of - run in 1905, the to Rs. 3, leaving a ain-mile, an increase figure for 1904 of mber of traffic trainas 1,737,300, as conhe preceding year, Carriage Department bringing the railway t possible standard of 1sly prosecuted. The ng shops at Colonbo equipped with plant st labour-saving type,
OF CEYLON
in order to meet the ever-increasing traffic demands for rolling-stock. In the past there has indubitably existed cause for complaint by the travelling public on the Ceylon railways on account of the uncomfortable nature of the older patterns of passenger carriages. But these are now being replaced by new vehicles, constructed in accordance with modern requirements, including refreshment cars and carriages fitted with lavatories for the long journeys, and comfortable sleeping-cars, for night travelling. A gratifying point worthy of mention in connection with this development is that the new rolling-stock is being constructed in the departmental workshops at a cost far below that formerly paid for imported carriages. The I3o locomotives in use have come from well-known manufacturers in Great Britain : Messrs. R. Stephenson & Co., Beyer and Peacock, Kitson & Co., John Fowler & Co. Vulcan Foundry Company, Messrs. Dubs & Co., Neilson & Co., Hawthorne, Leslie & Co., the Hunslet Engine Company, Messrs. Sharp, Stewart & Co., and the North British Locomotive Company. Different kinds of engines are provided for the different kinds of traffic; and, as may be imagined, an exceptionally powerful class of locomotive is required for negotiating the steep gradients on the Ghat section. Most of the trains in this route have to be assisted up the gradients by a bank-engine. The engines for incline work have six wheels coupled, with diameters of 4 ft. 5 ins. The diameter of the driving wheels of the fast passenger bogie engines (four wheels coupled) is 6 ft., and their weight, in steam, is from 35 to 39 tons each, without tender. But the majority of the locomotives for the mixed trains (which are the rule on the Ceylon railway system), on the Upcountry and South Coast lines, have four wheels coupled, of 5 ft. and 4 ft. 5 ins. diameter, some of these engines weighing, in steam, as much. as 50 tons each, without tender, On the Northern section, with its lighter traffic and generally level, road, a less heavy type of locomotive (28 tons), with six wheels coupled; 3 ft. 6 ins, in diameter, is employed; while the narrow-gauge (2 ft. 6 ins.), line of the Kelani Valley is served by still lighter Hunslet engines with four wheels coupled, of a diameter of 3. ft. each; and radial-wheel tank engines, with four wheels cQupled (2 ft. 2 ins. in diameter), weighing 19 tons, haul the small trains on the steeply mountainous Udapussellawa branch. Other types of tank-engines are employed in local and shunting work. Both coal and wood are used for fuel for the locomotives. The total weight of fuel consumed during the year. I905 -computing the wood at its equivalent in steam-production with the coal-was over 50,000 tons.
In regard to the permanent way of the line the rails in use are of the flat-bottom tee
Page 209
SENSATION ROCK, KADUGANNAWA INCLINE.
SENSATION ROCK AND KADUG.
VIEW FROM RAILWAY LOOKING TOWARDS
SATINWOOD BRIDGE, PERADENIYA. ANNAWA INCLINE (ANOTHER VIEW). NAWALAPITIYA GAMPO-A STATION.
Page 210
202 TWENTIETH
section, fastened with spikes directly to the wooden sleepers. On the Main line between Colombo and Nanu-Oya the section of rail adopted at present weighs 88 lbs. per lineal yard, the lengths varying from 21 ft. to 30 ft. On the Coast line, as also on the Nanu-OyaBandarawela section-the type of rail used weighs 72 lbs. per lineal yard. On the Northern line, and also on the narrow-gauge sections, a lighter rail of 46 lbs. per lineal yard is used. The number of sleepers under each pair of rails varies from eight to eleven, according to the length of rail.
The sleepers hitherto in use have consisted principally of creosoted pine from England, and jarrah and blackbutt from Australia; now, however, sleepers are being obtained locally in satinwood, milla, and palu from the native woods of the island, thus rendering the Railway Department independent for the present of imported supplies, while at the same time effecting a saving in cost.
A difficulty met with on the long stretch of the Northern line is the lack of a supply of suitable water for the locomotives, and various works for removing this obstacle have been initiated and are now being carried out. In some places on this section the water has to be conveyed considerable distances to the line-side, the supply from the wells along the route containing a deposit injurious to the engine boilers. All the other sections are fairly free from this disability; indeed, they suffer from too much rather than too little water, the damage to the permanent way in various parts, particularly on the Up-country line, caused by floods, being, as has already been pointed out, a recurring and serious trouble to the Railway Department in the rainy seasons.
Taking the results of the traffic per section as given in the official report for Igo5, it is found that the Main line from Colombo to Kandy (74 miles) and thence south to Nawalapitiya, some I3 miles farther along the Upcountry route, gave the largest return. The receipts on this section, which were much larger than those for all the rest of the lines together, showed an increase over 1904 of Rs.342,924, while the expenditure only grew to the extent of Rs. 86,6Io, the increase in profit on working consequently amounting to Rs. 256,314, or over two-fifths of the total increase for all the lines. The rest of the Upcountry line, from Nawalapitiya to Bandarawela, a distance of 733 miles, however, gave a proportionately better result; for this section not only showed an increase in receipts of Rs. Io3,509, but also a decrease of Rs. 84,570 in expenditure, the increase in profit thus amounting to Rs. 88,079. The returns for the South QCoast line-from Colombo to Galle (72 miles) and Matara (98 miles)-were not so satisfactory. A decrease of Rs. 2,972 in
CENTURY I
receipts on this sect more than met by a in expenditure, the resu being Rs.5o,8o8. The to Matale (I7 miles)
improvement, compare year, of Rs. 740. But
in the case of the S saving in expenditure a falling off in receipt Kelani Walley line (47: profit for 1905 was R. an increase in receipts
penditure ; while the
gauge mountain railwa Nanu-Oya through Nu returned a profit of Rs of Rs. 27,865 on the preceding year. Some line having been openec before the end of I905 half at the end of the pr comparison of the resul on the whole of this lin As this line, south o passes for the most pa waste country, it is depe through traffic. When time, the suitable tracts shall have been brought the provision of the ra it must facilitate, the c these parts-this long system will greatly bene traffic that will thus b Jaffna peninsula line w the whole railway sys loss on working for I9c was considerably less th preceding year. The garding this section Rs. 29,632, equal to in receipts as against Rs. 5,496 in expenditl earnings on this line will soon overtake (Rs. Io,065 for I905) tial balance to the goc A few words as tc Railway Service. At t the General Manager, nor and Colonial Sec the whole business an representative of the istration of the Railw present occupant of the Mr. G. P. Greene, o sketch, with accompan the end of this article. management require training, the higher po by experts in their seve are 'recruited from E
MPRESSIONS
in was, however, far iecrease of Rs. 5378o tant increase in profit branch from Kandy howed the small net with the preceding his was obtained, as uth Coast line, by a of Rs. 4,OI7, against of Rs. 3,277. On the miles) the increased 48,276, due to both and a decrease in ex'dapussellawa narrowy, of I9 miles, from vara Eliya to Ragalla, 36,145, or an advance net balance for the half of the Northern for traffic five months and nearly the other 2ceding year, no proper ts for the two periods e is possible. i the Jaffna peninsula, rt through jungle and indent for results upon however, in course of of land along this route under cultivation-and ilway should hasten, as lesired development of arm of the railway fit by the intermediate pe created. Thus the as the only section of tem which returned a
5; and this deficiency.
an half of that for the satisfactory feature rewas an increase of hearly 50 per cent.
an increase of only re. At this rate the (Rs. 90,558 for 1905) and pass the outgo and return a substand.
the personnel of the Le head of the staff is who, under the Goveretary, is in control of is responsible to the 3rown for the adminay Department. The managerial position is whom a biographical ing portrait, is given at As policy, control, and ng and careful expert tions are usually filled al lines of service, who
Irope," as the colonial
OF CEYLON
phrase runs: men who have received a training on the staff of one or the other of the great English railways. But, in accordance with the policy so eloquently proclaimed by Mr. Morley in his last Indian Budget speech as governing the attitude of the ruling race towards the subject population in the great dependency, the educated natives of Ceylon are freely admitted to such posts in the railway service of the colony as their ability and training justify. The Sinhalese, Tamil, or Eurasian stationmaster is as much a feature of the colonial service as is the Babu who delights in displaying his dignity and authority on the railway platforms in India; while office and booking-clerks and all the subordinate railway staff are natives. A number of the enginedrivers and guards are drawn from the European class, they being obtained under engagement from England for a certain term of service. But in many cases natives will be found in charge on the foot-plate as well as in the guard's van. With a staff thus composed of diverse elements, it is evident that a responsibility far beyond that which rests upon the shoulders of the headquarters officials of an English railway is ever pressing upon the Manager and directing officers of the Ceylon Government Railway, and that unceasing vigilance has to be exercised in the control of every branch of the service.
As regards speed, the trains on the Ceylon railways cannot, of course, compare with the expresses on the European or American systems, The frequent and heavy curves and gradients on the Up-country section militate against fast running on that route, and the 74 miles on the Main line between Colombo and Kandy are not covered by the speediest trains under 3 hours. But the somewhat slow rate of progress gives the traveller on the Upcountry line, if journeying by day, full opportunity of enjoying the magnificent scenery all along the route; and if he is travelling by the night train, he can slumber restfully. It can be truly said that no part of the country traversed by the railway throughout the whole island is without its interesting aspects; and the views to be obtained from the carriage windows as the train winds round and about the mountains of the interior highlands, passing along the edge of sheer precipices and among towering heights rising abruptly thousands of feet from undulating valleys, form a gigantic and continuous panorama of natural grandeur and beauty hardly to be equalled anywhere else in the world. In view of the interesting relics of ancient days in Ceylon, at Anuradhapura and elsewhere, now accessible by a railway journey of a few hours from Colombo, and the scenic
attractions along the various routes, parti
cularly on the Ghat section, it is no wonder
Page 211
TWENTIETH
that the tourist traffic forms an appreciable portion of the railway revenue. There is also a considerable traffic in excursions in connection with the various native pilgrimages common among Eastern peoples, at certain seasons of the year, to religious festivals at various sacred centres on the Northern line and other parts of the railway. Another noteworthy feature of the railway business is the carriage of the Indian coolies who are the workers on the estates of the island, between the ports and the planting districts.
Every care is taken to ensure the safety and comfort of passengers on the Ceylon railway system. All the trains have been or are being fitted with the vacuum brake; and the adoption of the Tyer's tablet system of working traffic on a single line obviates danger of collisions and accelerates the handling of the traffic. Lavatories are attached to most of the firstclass carriages. Sleeping cars are run on the night trains and refreshment cars are run on the principal up-country day trains and up night mail; while, by order beforehand, refreshment baskets are supplied for any train. There are also refreshment-rooms at certain of the principal stations, and hotels or Government rest-houses (which are really hotels) at the main stopping-places.
An important work rendered necessary by the increase in the railway business generally, and with which a beginning has been made, is the rearrangement and enlargement of the railway stations in Colombo. When this work is completed, the principal Main-line passenger trains will start from and arrive at either the Fort or the Slave Island station, which will have to be considerably altered and enlarged to serve as the terminus. The single track will also be doubled through Colombo and as far as Mount Lavinia, the end of the southern suburban section (7 miles from the city). Maradana Junction, from which the Kelani Valley narrow-gauge line starts, will also be freely enlarged, and the adjacent goods yard will be extended. .
With the opening in August, 1905, of the last section of the Northern line, from Anuradhapura to Pallai, bringing the Jaffna peninsula and the intermediate northern and north-western country into railway communication with Colombo and the south of the island, the last of the railway extensions in Ceylon sanctioned by the Secretary of State up to the end of Igo5 was completed. But further expansion of the system in general directions is contemplated in the near future. The principal extension
CENTURY IN
proposed is a line abol from a point north of Northern railway to Mal coast, where connectic sea with the South India probably at some future of the intervening strip islands of Mannar and connecting sand-bank would not only provic coolie traffic to and frc also be fraught with in ance as giving railway c the great Asiatic depe1 the premier Crown Co writing the advisabilit of this branch line was Secretary of State by t colony, and the official : As the line would pass all the way, the cost not be great, and the wo expeditiously.
Other proposed exten future are: (1) A narr line to run in a south Avisawella, on the Ke Ratnapura, the centre districts; (2) the exten line (about 36 miles) fr to Badulla, near the of the hill country, t planting district in the (3) a line I4 miles lon on the Main line near C Negombo. This last tioned by the Home built out of general the construction of th additions loan capital
be provided. But as t
most flourishing state an overflowing exch objection' can be raised in the face of the e additional traffic they immediately profitable, their construction for th the country.
Looking at the map ( that while Colombo, : capital and chief sea railway with the north as well as with the 1 the hill-country, the eastern and south-ea colony are without this
MPRESSIONS
it 50 miles in length Anuradhapura on the mmar on the north-east n would be made by Ln railway system, and date by the bridging of sea by way of the Rameswaram and the s. This undertaking le for all the Indian om Ceylon, but would nmense future importommunication between idency of Britain and lony. At the time of y of the construction s being laid before the he Government of the sanction was hoped for. through level country of construction should ork could be carried out
sions in the immediate ow gauge (2 ft. 6 ins.) -easterly direction from lani Valley railway, to
of the gem-producing sion of the Up-country pm Bandarawela north
easternmost extremity o traverse the Passara : Province of Uva; and g from Ragama station olombo to the town of project has been sancauthorities and will be colonial revenue. For he other contemplated will probably have to he colony is now in a generally and possesses equer, no reasonable l to these undertakings stimates formed of the will create proving and the desirableness of e purpose of developing
of Ceylon, it will be seen as the main centre, the port, is connected by and south of the island tea-planting districts in whole of the extensive stern portions of the means of communica
OF CEYLON 203
tion. They remain for the major part in the grip of primitive Nature, the forests and jungle with which they are covered being inhabited by wild beasts and a few representatives of the Veddah tribe, a primitive native race whose origin is lost in the mists of antiquity. But this will not always be the case. The progressive development of Ceylon will în time gradually dispossess the elephant, the bear, the leopard, and the other denizens of the jungle of the territories over which they have held sway and roamed unmolested from time immemorial, and the virgin lands of these parts will be brought within the sphere of civilised effort. In that future time the pioneer here, as everywhere else, will be followed by the railway, and the present primeval conditions will disappear. The first extension of the iron road to the east coast would probably be a line from the junction of the proposed Mannar connection with the Northern line to Trincomalee. When this is effected the magnificent natural harbour at the latter place, now practically unused, may become a centre of ocean traffic on the east side of the island, A railway across the jungle from the hill-country to Batticaloa, further south on the east coast, may also be a dream to be realised within the course of a generation; for who will venture to fix an absolute limit to railway extension in so prosperous, progressive, and populous a country as Ceylon ?
GEOFFREY PHILIP GREENE,
Manager.
General
This gentleman was born on May 25, 1868, in Dublin, and was educated at private schools in that city and Yorkshire, and subsequently at Clifton College. In July, 1886, at the age of eighteen, he joined the London and NorthWestern Railway as a clerk in the passenger department of the office of the District Superintendent, Southern Division. Subsequently he was engaged in outdoor work in that district, until promoted to be outdoor assistant on the staff of the Superintendent of the line. This position he occupied for some years, being stationed first in London and afterwards at Crewe. Mr. Greene's last appointment in England was to that of Assistant District Superintendent of the North Wales (Chester and Holyhead) section of the London and North-Western Railway. On October II, I9OI, while holding that post, he was appointed General Manager of the Ceylon Government Railway by the Secretary of State. He arrived in Ceylon and took up his present duties on November 4, 190I.
Page 212
INFORMATION
2S25EYLON is becoming R more widely known, year by year, as a winter resort, as a charming island to visit in conjunction with a trip to India, or as a convenient point at which to break an ocean journey, thus relieving the monotony of a long steamer trip.
The stranger arriving at Colombo is at once struck with the bright colours everywhere prevailing. The trees seem to have many brilliant shades of green, while their flowers, crimson and yellow, are a constant delight to the eye of the visitor-a fact at once noticed by the crowd of beggar urchins in the streets, who eagerly press flowers upon strangers in European dress, suggesting in return money from their 'father' or 'mother'-terms of relationship they bestow on all and sundry. The pleasant roads, bordered with trees and flowers, are in themselves sufficient to repay time spent in driving round Colombo ; and to this pleasure is added the interest arising from the fact that each of the several races of people whose members are met with has its own distinctive dress-some certainly rather scanty, all together forming the most extraordinary diversity of colouring.
Mount Lavinia, on the seashore, seven miles south from the Colombo General Post Office, and the Buddhist Temple near the Kelaniya River, about five miles north-east from the same centre, are points to which visitors frequently drive out from the town, thus enjoying the opportunity for obtaining a good general idea of the city and its environs. Longer excursions, also, in all directions will well repay the new-comer, the roads in and about the city being nearly all in excellent condition.
To leave for up-country by the Ceylon Government Railway, the visitor takes the train at the Colombo Terminus Station, and
BY H. B.
for, about 45 miles t flat country, the cultiva stages and coconutform the principal bus this part. The railway the Kadugannawa inc from his seat in the t mille of splendid scene: of the line should certa man in a hurry-the v track being much bett road. There are no e Ceylon, though some elevation of several th sea-level, the highestmonly “ Pedro”), at 8,296 ft. above the si But the effect of the ab valleys, waterfalls, anc displayed in profusion, tion by even the most of temples and tombs. is reached and traverse on all sides, and the comes interested in th Ceylon, and all its pi A word of warning unsuspecting new-com invitation of the plant
and the best of good
training and has longs and “near-cuts' that with him,” each mile length, put any mile in one suggesting a "shor to another should be a tenant avoids the man From the top of th onwards to Peradeniya few miles; and at this quite near the railway ment Botanical Garde1 Kandy by road or ra worth a visit. Kandy, the eye; and here visits (both the work of th
2
FOR TOURISTS
SMITH.
avels through almost tion of rice in various palms appearing to iness of fhe people in then begins to ascend line, and the visitor, rain, views mile after ry. The constructors inly be thanked by the tiew from the railway er than that from the normous mountains in of the hills reach an ousands of feet above –Pidurutalagala (comNuwara Eliya, being urface of the ocean. rupt rocks, the winding jungle of all sorts, is worthy of appreciajaded traveller," tired As the hill-country :d, tea estates are seen stranger naturally behe leading industry of culiarities and details. must be given to the er to beware of the er, who–a sportsman fellows-is in perfect tretches of estate roads he wants you to "walk of which would, for its Ireland to shame. Any t-cut' from one estate voided as the average “come for the rent.” le Kadugannawa Pass is a distance of only a place, with the entrance station, is the Governl, only four miles from il, and especially well a fairy hollow, charms to the lake and “bund' e last Kandyan king), 4.
s
drives along the winding roads, a pilgrimage to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth (of Buddha), the drive to and from the Peradeniya Gardens -all should be undertaken, and will be enjoyed.
Continuing the tour across the hill-country by railway, the traveller passes through an almost unbroken line of tea plantations-or tea "estates,' as it is the fashion in Ceylon to designate these properties-covering the slopes and undulations on the route. Hatton Station is reached in 3 hours from Kandy, and this is the point from which should be made the trip to Adam's Peak, the most famous mountain in the island, on the summit of which, 7,3oo ft. above sea-level, Buddha (or our first father Adam, as some have it) has left his footprint. The coach takes the traveller I6 miles to the Laxapana resthouse, where he dines and sleeps. He is roused at about 3 a.m., and starts to climb the mountain, following the local guide's lantern. This bit of hard work, but healthy exercise, is amply repaid by the view at sunrise from the Peak. The mountain is held sacred by the Buddhists, who have a temple on the summit. But, according to the other tradition, it was from this spot that Adam took his farewell look on Eden. Returning to Hatton, and continuing the journey eastward by rail-still passing through tea plantations-Nanu-Oya is reached in two hours. Nanu-Oya is the point of departure of the branch narrow-guage (2 ft. 6 ins.) railway for Nuwara Eliya, Ceylon's chief sanatorium and pleasure resort. A cool climate, bracing mountain air, and beautiful surroundings make walking, riding, and driving round and about Nuwara Eliya to the various points of interest, including Pedro, the highest elevation of Ceylon, charming to the visitor, who soon realises how Colombo residents enjoy an occasional "pick-me-up' in the form of a flying visit to this spot.
Returning to Nanu-Oya Junction, the visitor should continue his railway journey, by Pattipola, Ohiya (where the railway line is over
Page 213
TWENTIETH
6,ooo ft. above sea-level), and Haputale-all centres of the great tea-growing industry-to Diyatalawa and Handarawela. Diyatalawa is famous as having been the camp in Ceylon of the Boer prisoners-of-war; and some of the buildings erected for the temporary accommodation of the captives are now used in connection with the permanent camp for health recuperation established here for the navy, mititary, and volunteers. The situation is eminently suitable for the purpose. Jungle is conspicuous by its absence; the rolling country reminded the Boers of the scenery of their own land, and the long grassy slopes afford a splendid training-ground for the sailors and soldiers. Bandarawela, the terminus of the hills line, is only two miles distant from the camp; and from that point trips by coach or motor-car can be made to Badulla and into the Uva Province generally, also-though at present not with very great comfort-as far as Batticaloa, on the eastern coast. If from Bandarawela the return journey is made by road to Colombo, delightful scenery is met with in- passing through Balangoda and Ratnapura, the latter the centre of the district where the famous Ceylon gems are found.
If the visitor returns by rail from Bandarawela, he should travel to Kandy, stay there at least for the night, and leave by the morning train, vici the Kadugannawa incline, to Polgahawela, the junction for the northern main line to Jaffna, in the extreme north of the island. Travelling 8o miles in this direction, he will arrive at Anuradhapura, the most famous of the ancient 'buried cities' of Ceylon-and the neighbouring historic town of Mihintale is only six miles distant. These ruins show plainly how beautiful these cities must have been in the time of their glory, over two thousand years ago. But in 540 B.C.- according to the Mahavansa, the ancient Sinhalese chronicle, which has been carefully preserved-the conquering Tamil from India descended upon them from the north in hordes, and destroyed all he could not steal. Then Nature kindly covered the ruins with jungle for about two thousand years. But in recent times many of the buried remains of the “City of the Ninety Kings" (the meaning of the word “Anuradhapura”) have been excavated ; and as explained in the Archaeological section in another part of this book, wherein the ruins of Anuradhapura and other ancient cities are described in detail, the Government is still prosecuting researches on this site.
If a visit to Jaffna is included in the itinerary, the railway offers an easy trip to this northernmost town of Ceylon; and it should be said that the contrast between this mode of travel and the journey by the bullock cart-which was-the only means of conveyance from Anuradhapura to Jaffna until the northernmost
CENTURY
railway was complet three years ago-mus to be appreciated. T from- Anuradhapura surrounding jungle interesting. If time of the following-rout Colombo is suggeste comalee on the easte a magnificent natural road via Dambulla to can be taken to Col road direct to Damb thence to Matale and rail; (3) by road to coast, thence southwa Chilaw and Negoml way by road. A gla island will show thes defined.
Trincomalee, with harbour, Dambulla, Sigiriya, the rock f where there are some tions and pictorial rock surface, and Mata should all be visited if The sea-coast railw to Galle (72 miles) ar and the southernmo (98 miles from the c made visit to Galle, ti of Ceylon, and still s fortifications. Before chief business centré port of call of the isl: siderable importance. chief claim to attentio esque appearance wit ways, escarpments, fortifications practica days of the Dutch oc The passenger ca. Government Railway and blamed by perso tent to give an opin these criticisms and the rolling-stock of til cold of the up-country should be taken into cally all the cars are some of them, especi the up-country nightto any colonial rail are run on the princ hills line, usually Hatton. On the Nort hawela Junction and are not at present pr ment Car Company : beforehand, will furn Travelling in Ceyl little. For example,
MPRESSIONS
i between these points
have been experienced 2 roads in all directions ure excellent, and the cenery and life most permits, one or other s from Anuradhapura to : (I) By road to Trinin coast, where there is harbour, then back by Matale, where the train mbo viá Kandy ; (2) by illa, viá Kekerawa, and so back to Colombo by Puttalam, on the west rds down the coast vid o to Colombo, all the hce at the map of the e several routes clearly
ts magnificent bay and with its rock temples, ortress near Dambulla, famous ancient inscriprepresentations on the le, with its rock temple, possible. ay, south from Colombo ld Matara, the terminus st town of the island apital), offers an easily he former chief sea-port urrounded with the old Colombo became the , Galle was the main and, and a place of conBut now the town's n is its extremely picturh the great walls, gatebastions, and sea-front lý unaltered since the cupation of Ceylon. riages on the Ceylon are frequently criticised ns more or less compeon. But in relation to :omplaints, the effect on e heat of the plains, the and the torrential rains consideration. Practilocally constructed; and lly the sleeping cars of mail, would be a credit way. Refreshment cars pal trains on the main between Colombo and iern line between PolgaJafna refreshment cars vided; but the Refresht Colombo, if instructed sh lunch-baskets. n by railway costs very the visitor may take a
OF CEYLON 205
first-class ticket from Colombo to Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Bandarawela, back to Kandy, thence, vid Polgahawela Junction, to Anuradhapura and Jaffna and back to, Colombo for Rs. 53.88 (3 12s.). On the seaside line the fare first class from Colombo to Galle and return is Rs. 8.7 I (IIs. 9d.).
As regards hotels in the island, Colombo, of course, stands first in the number and size of its hostelries. They provide interesting experiences even for residents, and present novelties to the stranger who walks their verandahs, possibly meeting friends from all parts of the world, and bargaining with the wily “Tamby" (Moorman merchant)--who, by the by, invariably succeeds in effecting a sale, notwithstanding the resolutions the visitor may have formed to avoid Ceylon jewellery, curios, and Oriental drapery, with all their charms.
Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Hatton, and Galle all possess spacious and comfortable hotels, ready to welcome the stranger. At Nuwara Eliya the competition between the four different hostelries established there is very keen, and the visitor begins to realise how much he is sought after when representatives of each establishment appear determined to bear him off vi et armis.
In other places the Government has established at intervals of, say, about I4 miles along most of the principal roads, rest-houses, which are, in fact, miniature hotels. This provision is ostensibly made for the aecommodation of officials on circuit. But the existence of these places of accommodation enables nonofficial persons to travel practically all over the island without risk of finding themselves houseless and foodless. The rest-houses, as also the meals and refreshments supplied in them, vary greatly in quality, as is only natural; but, generally speaking, neither the Government nor the customers have reason to be dissatisfied with this system of wayside provision for travellers. The Government levies a small charge for occupation of rooms, which is carefully noted in the rest-house book, while the meals and other refreshments are supplied by the keeper of the establishment on his own account, but at a tariff fixed by official authority.
Motor-touring is very popular and enjoyable in Ceylon, especially in the low-country of the maritime provinces and in the north of Ceylon, where there are no steep or high hills to climb. Cars can be hired in Colombo from Messrs. Walker & Sons, or in Kandy from the Kandy Motor Car Syndicate, by the day or at mileage rates; or if the visitor brings his own car, he will find the Ceylon roads suitable for practically any make of automobile, though large cars of 30 horse-power or over are not recommended. The bridges, curves, corners, and ways generally were all designed for
Page 214
2O6 TWENTIETH
slow traffic, and in some cases the roads are somewhat narrow and difficult, though the experienced motorist will rejoice at the opportunities presented by these conditions for testing his nerves and skill.
人感
TEOS, GOOK & SON.
The world-renowned firm. Of Messrs. Thos. Cook & Son, Tourist and General Passenger Agents, has a branch office in the Victoria Arcade Buildings, York Street, Colombo, under the popular and able management of Mr. H. B. Smith, where inquiries concerning all
CENTURY
matters relating to Tickets are supplied f can be shipped--and circular notes and lett which are payable at the firm in all parts ( raries are prepared for spots and interesting across to India and th country, the port of convenient point for steamship to break til the great dependency.
The firm was foun
MPRESSIONS
avelling are satisfied, any journey, baggage insured if required's of credit are issued, iny of the agencies of the world, and itine: any trip to the beauty }calities in Ceylon, or ough any part of that olombo being a very hrough passengers by eir journey and visit
led by the late Mr.
OF CEYLON
Thomas Cook in 1841, and the business has since grown to enormous proportions. The present partners, Messrs. F. H., E. E., and T. A. Cook, are grandsons of the founder. The head office is in Ludgate Circus, London, and there are branch establishments or agencies in almost every place of importance throughout the world. Besides owning the wellknown funicular railway on Mount Vesuvius, Messrs. Thos. Cook & Son maintain a large staff in Palestine, with horses and all camp equipment necessary for tours of any length always in readiness, while in Egypt they have a fleet of twenty-seven passenger boats on the Nile.
Page 215
POST AND
HIGHLY efficient and complete system of postal and telegraphic communication exists in Ceylon. The department is controlled by the PostmasterGeneral, who has under him two assistants and a Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent of Telegraphs to advise on technical matters connected with the telegraph- and telephone branches; an Accountant and Assistant Accountant for financial work; two Inspectors of Post Offices, whose duty is to examine the accounts of out-station offices; a Resident Postmaster, who supervises the mail arrangements at the General Post Office; and a Telegraph Master to supervise the Telegraph and Signalling Department. The General Post Office is one of the finest buildings in Colombo. It was erected from the plans of Mr. H. F. Tomalin, of the Public Works Department, at a cost of Rs.372,96I'65, and was opened in July, 1895. There is every accommodation in the building for the work of the department, and in the spacious main hall the members of the general public find the best arrangements for the prompt despatch of business. In connection with the establishment is a good Library and Recreation Club for the use of the staff.
The postal work of the colony is carried on under varying conditions as regards methods of transit. The railway carries the mails to those parts of the island which are served by the system, but these constitute only a comparatively limited portion of the total area. The service has to be supplemented by horse coaches, bullock coaches, and in the last resort by runners, of whom over 20o are employed by the department. Since 1886, when village receiving offices were established, the rural districts have been well looked after. Now there are few parts of the island, however remote, which are without a regular service. An intimate postal connection exists between Ceylon and Southern India, mainly owing to the fact that a large number of Tamil coolies from the Madras Presidency are employed on the various tea and other estates. For many years this portion of the service was carried on
between Kankesanturai, and Point Calimere, on distance of 29 miles w
trans, perhaps the most 1
employed in any count mails. These craft r Rs. IIo per month, anc efficiently, having regal the crossing. But w service of steamers wz Colombo and Tuticorin
LAeAeeAeSASASASASAGeALALSLSeSeeSeSeAeSAeSSSL SAe
POST OFTE
(Serg
was introduced, and fi the catamaran service pended as a precaution At all post offices bank and postal busines are addressed in mau great bulk of the add Sinhalese, or Tamil. ' which the different f were introduced are money order system, 18 exchange of money of Kingdom, 1873.
The Telegraph Dep 1857, in which year t took the preliminary communication betwee island. The first lin
TELEGRAPHS
on the coast of Ceylon, he coast of India. The as covered by catamaemarkable vessels ever y for the sea transit of eceived a subsidy of | did their work very 'd to the difficulties of hen the regular daily is established between in 1892 a new system
CE PEON.
ant.)
hally, in January, 1899, was completely susagainst plague. noney order, savings is transacted. Letters y languages, but the esses are in English, he various periods at atures in the system as follows : inland 7; savings bank, I885; ilers with the United
rtment dates back to e Ceylon Government steps for establishing various parts of the actually constructed
bo
was between Colombo and Galle, a distance of 74 miles. Coconut-trees were used as posts, and instead of insulators wooden brackets nailed to the trees were employed. Owing to the line being exposed to the full force of the monsoon there was frequent interruption of communication. Eventually posts and porcelain insulators were substituted for the improvisations first used. The next section of line constructed was from Colombo to Kandy, this work being executed in June, 1858. In October of the same year a more ambitious enterprise was carried through in the form of a line 25o miles long, connecting Colombo with Mannar and Talaimannar, and so providing direct telegraphic communication with India. At that time the interior of Ceylon was very little developed, and considerable difficulty was experienced in maintaining communication. Herds of wild elephants roaming the countryside knocked down the posts and broke the wires, and there were other mishaps due to the unsettled conditions then prevailing. Ultimately, in 1882, the whole of the line was reconstructed and an additional wire provided to meet the increasing traffic. It was an excellent piece of work and made possible direct communication between Colombo and Madras, over 6oo miles of wire. Another important work was the carrying of a telegraph line from Kandy via Dambulla to Trincomalee. The same difficulties from wild elephants were encountered on this line, and such were the drawbacks of the route that in I88I the line was abandoned and a fresh one constructed via Anuradhapura, over a country which presented fewer drawbacks. Some time before the execution of this work-in July, 188o-the whole of the lines in the island were transferred from the Government of India, which had hitherto controlled them, to the local Government, which has ever since had charge of them. The system now comprises I,653 miles of posts and 3,366 miles of wire. All the greater towns and many of the lesser ones are connected. Lines cross from the west to the east coast, passing over the mountain ranges which constitute the backbone of the island. In places where the country is rough the wires cross great ravines, several of the spans being as much as 8oo yards in length. From the extreme
Page 216
208 TWENTIETH CENTURY
south to the extreme north of the island, a than in the precedin distance of 400 miles, there are lines which on under report 422,843 in one portion of the route-the section beyond for an aggregate sui
MAIL COACB PREPARING TO START.
Matale-pass through dense forests and a I896 the number was . sparsely peopled country. Telegraph money Rs. 6,386, I60. The s orders were introduced on May 1, 1893, and shows a similar high four years later a system of 25-cent telegrams December 31, 1905, the was established. credit of depositors w; Associated with the postal telegraph adminis- crease of Rs. 57,912 on tration is the control of the telephone system. 1896 the amount at th Originally established by the Oriental Telephone Company, the system was acquired from that company by the Government at a cost of Rs. 42,666. At the time of the transfer of the system, January 1, 1896, there were 56 subscribers, 25 miles of posts, and I5I miles of wire. At the present time there are I5o subscribers, 44 miles of posts, and 490 miles of wire. The number of calls on the Exchange in I905 was 358,000.
Some facts and figures taken from the latest Administration Report-that for 1905-may be given to illustrate the work of the department as a whole. In the year under report 26,586,54o articles passed through the post, an increase on the year 1904 of 2,530,242. In 19oI the number of articles handled was 2,021,820. The number of registered letters dealt with increased from 170,949 in 1904 to 179,87I in 1905. In the ten years from 1896 the weight of letters and postcards despatched to the United Kingdom increased from 9,427 lbs. to 18,436 lbs., and the weight of "other articles' grew from 27,774 lbs. to 63,379 lbs. in the same period. During the year 1905 44,203 parcels were dealt with, or 3,032 less
IMPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
g year. In the period oney orders were issued - of Rs. II,68o, III25 ; in
209,425 and the amount savings bank business rate of progress. On amount standing to the as Rs. 1,748, I27, an in
the previous year. In he credit of depositors
was Rs. 1,026,471. In regard to telegraphs, the total number of telegrams sent during the year was 7I7,564, an increase on the previous year of 55,182 sent from offices in Ceylon and 2,422 received from abroad. The total revenue of the department in 1905 was Rs. 1,241,8Io and the expenditure Rs. 1,362,026. In 1896 the figures were: revenue, Rs. 768,373; expenditure, Rs. 9I4,739. The total number of employees in the Postal and Telegraph Department, exclusive of runners and contractors' agents, was I,317 in I9o5 against II,28o in the previous year.
த்
COLOMBO POST AND TELEGRAPH LIBRARY AND RECREATION CLUB. Largely owing to the energy and enthusiasm of Mr. F. W. Vane, who was then Assistant Postmaster-General, a Library and Recreation Club for members of the Post Office staff was established as long ago as the year 1883, and from small beginnings it has grown until in I906 it had a membership of 4oo and a library of no fewer than II,535 well-selected volumes. Various kinds of recreation are provided under the auspices of the club, including tennis and cricket: and at its well-appointed reading-room a large number of newspapers, magazines, and other periodicals are supplied. Mr. Robertson was appointed Honorary Secretary of the club in the year 1899, and has held that office ever since. He was born in the island in 1864, entered the Post Office service in 1882 as telegraphist, and rose gradually until in 1906 he was promoted to be Acting . Assistant Superintendent of Telegraphs.
тнв. Рosт ортскi.
Page 217
LOCAL GO
7 ROM time immemorial the inhabitants of Ceylon have been familiar with the principal of local government in its primitive form. When the island first emerges from the mists of antiquity into the light of European knowledge, we find existing, side by side with an Oriental despotism in its most naked form, a system of local popular control of the completest kind. Every village and every hamlet had its Gansabhawa, or village council, and side by side with this body was the Ratasabhawa, or district council, which had the oversight of the wider affairs of the district. Sir Emerson Tennent, in his work on Ceylon," refers to the Gansabhawa as "merely a miniature council of the peasants, in which they settled all disputes about descent and proprietorship, and maintained the organisation essential to their peculiar tillage, facilitating at the same time the payment of dues to the Crown, both in taxes and labour." Elsewhere this distinguished writer contrasts the Gansabhawa with the Punchayet, or village tribunal, of India, and points out the identity of aims of the two. Subsequent writers have gone further, and sought with much show of reason to establish a connection between these village bodies and the free institutions which were the common heritage of the earlier races touched by Aryan influence. On this point some interesting remarks were made in a report issued by the Ceylon Government when the village councils were reconstituted in 1871. “It has been ascertained,''says the writer, * that the mark and tything of the Gothic races, the Sclavonian Commune and the Indian village present points of resemblance too numerous and too well defined to be the result of mere accident. It may be assumed that a thousand years ago social relations and duties in the English village were regulated, if not by the same system, yet by principles having a common origin and very similar development, and that
* Wol. i. p. 497
native king.'
while in England the s.
centuries became profic
tained, as the Gansabha features in the Kandya when the British Gover How til vividly described in Mi Years in Ceylon.' “T author says, “was con every family residing wi low his rank or small hi tribunal there was an council, which consisted from each village to th of a district.'
The village court me some convenient tree, a Trial by ordeal, dipping oil or heated cowdung, v cases prior to the adve generally speaking, the were directed to securir ment of disputes. Th after the British occupat of I833 a special provis the jurisdiction of the absence, however, of and patronage, the int. more and more into des with the irrigation sche Sir Henry Ward's gove resorted to to revive thi service and responsibili councils. But it remail tion of Sir Hercules Rob Rosmead) to infuse new of Sinhalese civilisatio village communities w definite authority was Afterwards, other orc strengthening and exter operative law on the su in Ordinance No. 24 of of section 6 of this edict divisions proclaimed "may either make rules tion to committees elect subjects with which su 20
'stem with the lapse of undly modified, it revas, most of its original in country to the date ment replaced the last he system worked is jor Forbes’s “ Eleven he village council," the posed of the head of thin its limits, however s property. From this appeal to the district of intelligent delegates : Pattu, or subdivision
it under the shade of ind it was open to all.
g the hands in boiling
vere in use for deciding nt of the British. But efforts of the councils g an amicable adjuste system lingered on on, and in the Charter ) appears safeguarding Gansabhawas. In the lirect official sanction resting institution fell letude. In connection mes undertaken during 'nment, measures were principle of personal y at the root of these ed for the administrainson (afterwards Lord life into the old bones l. In this period the ere reconstituted and conferred upon them. nances were passed iing the system. The bject is that embodied $89. By the provisions the inhabitants of subinder the Ordinance or delegate that funci by themselves." The h rules may deal com
prise a variety of purposes of local interest and importance, such as the construction, maintenance, regulation and protection of village paths, bridges, wells, water and bathing places, ferries, markets, grounds for the burial or burning of the dead, and for the conservancy of springs or watercourses. The councils also may have the control of the construction and repair of schoolrooms, the regulation of fisheries, the care of waste and common lands, the encouragement of the cultivation of industrial products, the prevention of nuisances, the prevention of the use of abusive language, the prevention of accidents, the prevention of gambling and cockfighting, the collection of tolls, the construction and maintenance of village roads, and the repair, protection, and maintenance of village canals and tanks. Associated with these powers is the right of imposing an annual taxpayable in labour in respect of the duties of the council. which call for the use of labour. The maximum amount of labour which may be demanded in any one year is ten days, and power is given to a council to allot such labour as it deems necessary. Finally, the councils are endowed with power to make regulations prohibiting the sale of intoxicants to females. The rules framed by the councils are transmitted through the Government Agent of the Province to the Governor for approval or disallowance, and if His Excellency's approval is given the rules are published in the Government Gazette, and thenceforward have the force of law.
In connection with the village councils are village tribunals, which are empowered to try breaches of the rules framed by the councils, as well as . petty civil and criminal cases, These courts of petty jurisdiction are presided over by a paid president, who is assisted in his duties by three village officers.
On the whole, this system of local selfgovernment has worked well. On the one hand, the inhabitants have received valuable lessons in self-reliance and public spirit; on the other, the country has benefited by the improvements which have been carried out through the agency of the village organisations. The liabilities imposed under the law
Ο
Page 218
210
are cheerfully borne. Labour, or its equivalent--a monetary contribution at the rate of 25 cents per head for each day of labour exacted-is freely rendered, and there are actually instances mentioned in the reports of the volunteering of labour beyond the amount which could be legally exacted. In the last Administration Report for the Western Province-that for I903 - (Acting) Government Agent, the Hon. Mr. H. L., Crawford, makes some interesting remarks on the spirit animating the village communities. Speaking of one of the bodies, he says: “The honesty of the administration is testified to by the fact that, though accounts in the vernacular, giving to the minutest detail a full statement of the revenue and expenditure of the committees, both in money and labour, and a full description of all works carried out, were printed and scattered broadcast throughout the district, there was not a single representation calling in question the accuracy of or suggesting malfeasance in any item. . . . W
“The extent and importance of the work may be judged from the fact that the total cash revenue of the committees in 1905 was Rs. 23,356'78, which, with a balance of Rs. II,oI9'84 from I904, placed Rs. 34,376'62 at the disposal of the committees, of which they expended Rs. 28,42I 63 in carrying out the duties imposed on them by the Ordinance. I have no hesitation in saying that no other public body in the island could have spent that sum to better advantage, or even made it go so far in the carrying out of useful works, and this was done by local self-government in its most absolute form.'
Working on these lines, the village communities may be expected to become a permanent and valuable feature of the local governing system of the colony.
The general organisation of local government, apart from these interesting bodies, embraces a mixed system of Local Boards, Boards of Health, Provincial and District Road Committees, and, for the towns of Colombo, Kandy and Galle, Municipal Councils. The Local Boards were brought into existence in 1876, to supply the machinery of local administration in places which were not deemed sufficiently large or important to be endowed with full municipal powers. There are eighteen of such boards at the present time, and in 1905 their total revenue was Rs. 272,98518, while their total expenditure was Rs. 32I,757.31, and their aggregate indebtedness Rs. 317,31648. The principal Ordinance regulating the constitution and working of these authorities is No. 13 of I898. Boards are established by proclamation. They consist of three official and three unofficial members. The official members are the Government or Assistant Government
TWENTIETH CENTURY
Agent, the Public V Civil Medical Officer unofficial membership perty of not less value person appointed must emolument under Gov have been convicted The constituency whi members is made up either owners or ten; not less value than R boards are entrusted w ing, cleaning, waterir streets, and the const roads, canals and bri supervision of weigh establishment of pub supervision of priva dairies, laundries, wa lodging-houses and la are the establishmer slaughter-houses, the r or offensive trades, the to animals, the care of the setting apart and places, and the destruc The boards also have the amount to be pa the labour due from th ing out and einforceme! the infliction of penaltie labour or increased or event of default. Fu relating to sanitation : nuisances are vested ir financial resources of t partly from fines impose partly from duties on licences and fees ar opium, firearms, butche explosives, &c. A furt are the proceeds of moc boards have power to le cattle and dogs.
The following is a list
Western Province,
Kalutara. Negombo.
Minuwangoda.
Central Province.
Gampola. Matale. Nawalapitiya. Hatton. Dikoya. ~.
Southern Province.
Matara.
Eastern Province.
Batticaloa. Trincomalee.
MPRESSIONS
orks Officer, and the The qualification for the possession of prohan Rs. II,ooo ; but the not hold any office of rnment, and must not any infamous crime. h elects the unofficial f householders who, as hts, occupy houses of . 5o per annum. The th the making, repairand lighting of the uction and upkeep of ges of the town, the is and measures, the ic markets, and the e markets, bakeries, hing places, common trines. Other duties t and regulation of 2gulation of dangerous suppression of cruelty waste or public lands, regulation of bathing tion of ownerless dogs. power to determine id in commutation of e inhabitants, the callnt of such labour, and s amounting to double double commutation, in rther, various powers and the abatement of the authorities. The he boards are drawn d under the Ordinance, boat, cart and coach di duties relating to 's, poisons, petroleum, her source of revenue erate taxes which the vy on vehicles, horses,
of local board towns :-
North Western Province, Kurunegala. Puttalam. Chilaw.
North Central Province. Anuradhapura.
Province of Uva. Badulla.
Province of Sabara8атитуа. Ratnapura. Kegalla.
OF CEYLON
Supporting and reinforcing the work of the local boards is a group of bodies known as Provincial and District Road Committees, whose special function it is to see to the maintenance of the roads of the colony. The main point of difference between the two classes of committees is that the first-named is a purely nominated body while the lastnamed consists of partly nominated and partly elected members. The district committees have a good deal in common with the local boards in the two systems-that while for the local boards the members are drawn indifferently from those of the inhabitants who possess the requisite qualification, for the District Road Committees there is a special representation of each of the three sections of the population, European, Burgher, and native, The elections for the district committees are triennial, and the arrangements for the elections are controlled by the provincial committees. Financially, the backbone of the system is the road tax of six days' labour annually, which was first imposed in 1848. The operative section of the Ordinance is the following: "Section 49-Every male inhabitant between the ages of eighteen and fifty-five years shall be liable to perform six consecutive days' labour in each year upon the thoroughfares in this colony, or on works necessary for the formation, repair, or improvement thereof, or in the collection and preparation of materials required for any such purpose, or any work sanctioned by the Legislative Council under this Ordinance.' Persons liable to labour who fail to attend when called upon are liable to be required to perform double labour. If the delinquent still continues recalcitrant he may be sentenced to one month's imprisonment. The labour tax, however, may be commuted by a money payment. The total receipts of the road committees in 1905 were Rs. I,526,666, and the total expenditure amounted to Rs, I,524,65I.
Coming now to the three municipalities, in which local government is seen in its most advanced form, it is to be noted that all are governed by the principle of partly nominated, partly elected members which is seen in operation in the local boards and the district committees. The constitution of all is practically the same, but while the chairman of the Colombo municipality is a civil servant, appointed by the Governor and holding no other office, the chairmen of the councils of Kandy and Galle are the respective Government Agents. The Ordinances regulating the working of the three municipalities provide that at least one half of the members must be elected, and that the councillors not elected shall be
nominated by the Governor. The qualifications
of elected councillors are that they must be males who have completed their twenty-sixth
Page 219
TWENTIETH
year, who are acquainted with the English language, who reside within the municipal area, and who either possess property of the value of not less than Rs. 5,000 or occupy a house the annual rental value of which is not less than Rs. 5oo. No Government or municipal servant, except the chairman, can be a member of the councils. The chief voting qualification is the occupation of a house of a monthly rental value of not less than Rs. 15 or the possession of property to the extent of not less than Rs. 18o. Graduates of universities in the United Kingdom or the British Colonies or India are entitled to vote by reason of their academic distinction.
CENTURY I
the purposes of this ( houses and lands.
(e) All matters neces to, public safety, health (f) Contributing, wit. in writing of the Gover cil, towards the cost inci any public ceremony, ol recreation or entertainn Under the separate 1 particulars of the three may usefully reproduc statement from the F Blue Book of 1905 s position of the bodies
COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF THE TOTAL REVENUE A
YEARS ENDED D
Name of Municipality. Revenue or Expenditure. 90.
RS. C. Colombo .... ... ... P A a [စိမ်းပိ်ုနီဒါး၊ufဖို့ နှီဒွိန္တိမ္ပိ : Kandy ಟ್ವಿಟ್ಲ... "| ಸ್ಲಿಟ್ಲ 9 ***** | ... »maturټ**}|... ... ... ... ... Galle
The purposes for which municipal councils It will have been
are authorised to expend funds are as follows: (a) Lighting public streets, places, and buildings; control, supervision, and removal of dangerous places, buildings, trades, and practices; regulation of traffic; and prevention and removal of obstructions in public streets or places.
(b) Construction, maintenance, supervision, and control of public markets and slaughterhouses; latrines, privies, urinals; drains, sewers, drainage works, tramways, and other works for the removal of sewage; waterworks, drinking fountains, tanks, and wells; parks and gardens; acquisition of land necessary for any of these purposes; reclamation of unhealthy localities; and other sanitary measures of a like nature.
Cleansing and watering of streets and sewers; scavenging; removal of excessive or noxious vegetation; and, generally, the abatement of all nuisances.
(c) Maintenance of schools in which the English language is taught in accordance with the provisions of Ordinance No. 33 of 1884.
(d) Construction, maintenance, and alteration of streets, bridges, causeways, culverts, and the like, and acquisition of land necessary for any of these purposes; regulations of buildings; removal of undue projections; naming streets and numbering houses; and planting trees in public streets and places.
Construction, purchase, and maintenance of all buildings required in order to give effect to
foregoing that though satisfactory progress ha years, the system of lo that term in the sense stood in the more adv the Empire, is still in culty of grafting Weste: Eastern stock, is notori direction, perhaps, are to be encountered than administration. Racial prejudices have to be usages penetrating dee people have to be com ingrained conservatism characteristic phase O stands in the way of t presentative municipal that they imply in soun stration. Mr. C. M. Lu Agent for the Souther instructive remarks or Administration Report vince for I905. “I am Ceylon is not yet rip nature of representativ very seldom that candic election from purely and it is certainly not w ing the best candidate best look after the intel voters are induced to co their votes. The Ordin
MPRESSIONS
brdinance. Survey of
sary for, or conducive
or convenience. the previous sanction hor in Executive Counirred on the occasion of for purposes of public ent in the municipality. leadings will be found municipalities; but we e here the following eport in the Ceylon howing the financial as a whole :-
ND EXPENDITURE ECEMBER 3I, I9o5.
OF CEYLON 211
liminary lists of persons entitled to sit as councillors and persons entitled to vote, and some months later revised and corrected lists are published and should be final; but the public show no interest in getting the lists. corrected, and it is only when an election is imminent that the candidates begin to hunt up the lists and raise objections to those who may be rival candidates or likely to vote for rival. candidates.
“The election is therefore held on technical lines. Proxies are frequently given by the same voters for both the candidates, and when the time for the election comes the presiding officer is called upon to decide objections to
OF MUNICIPALITIES FOR THE FIVE
I902. I903. I904. I905.
Rs. C. Rs. C. Rs. C. Rs. 34 п,4o5,838 88 I,337,344 8 II,567,9o7 46 I,59I,742 IO I, I75,727 7 I,494,429 40 I,656, I27 7O I,ვ87,277 98
I73,202 85 I99,303 84 I92, ISO 47 I88,553 I7 I85,364 63 I96,217 7I Ι79,583 Ιο 2o7,9ვ8 78
9I,652 67 92,886 64 95,9 II 93 IO4,899 28 92,535 45 88, II5 8I 86,56ვ 57 IIIo,473 5O
gathered from the in some directions is been made in recent cal government, using in which it is underanced communities of its infancy. The diffirn institutions upon an ously great, but in no more serious obstacles in the domain of local religious, and caste overcome; immemorial p into the life of the bated; above all, that which is the most f the Oriental mind he introduction of reinstitutions, with all d and efficient adminiishington, Government in Province, has some this subject in his for the Southern Proafraid," he says, “that e for anything of the e government. It is dates come forward for bublic-spirited motives, 'ith the object of securor the man who will "ests of the people that me forward and record Lance provides for pre
the candidates, objections to the voters, and to decide whether the proxies are genuine, and perhaps on the priority of the proxies. The whole business assumes a technical character.
“A meeting was held in the first week of December for elections of Unofficial Members of the Galle Municipality, and there were contested elections for two of the wards. After much wrangling one candidate for one ward was declared disqualified and in the other ward six of the voters were declared disqualified. In both cases applications have been made to the Supreme Court to set the election aside.
“In one case the elected member has been unseated, and the candidate who was declared disqualified is given the chance of contesting the election again. The second case is still pending. As regards the working of the Council I am not able to form an opinion after so short an experience. One department, however, and that the most important one-viz., that dealing with the sanitary arrangements of the town and called the “Health Department'-has been found to be rotten to the core. The disclosures made to the Committee were horrible and disgusting. A radical change is imperative. The “manager' of the department has been given notice to quit, and a thorough reorganisation of the service is being set on foot. If other departments are equally bad, I fear there is not much to be said for the interior working of the municipality."
Page 220
212 TWENTIETH
This picture of Ceylon municipal government as it is to-day refers only to one town But it is to be feared that the strong remarks made by Mr. Lushington as to the apathy of the inhabitants of Galle have a general application. Often it has been found that the people of a district or town have deliberately declined to avail themselves of the machinery of self-administration offered in the Local Board Ordinances, preferring to remain in the state of disorganised squalor and confusion which is their lot to accepting the responsibilities of a duly constituted authority. A case in point is supplied by the Hon. Mr. H. L. Crawford, Government Agent for the Western Province, in his Administration Report for I905. Mr. Crawford says:-
“Towns like Moratuwa and Panadure have had plenty of opportunities of electing selfgovernment in the form of a Local Board, but the majority of the inhabitants have objected to its introduction because it involves the payment of an assessment rate. The only alternative is the inclusion of such places under the Small Towns Sanitary Ordinance, in which case the inhabitants of the locality have no voice in the administration of the funds collected, which rests with the Board of Health, a body composed exclusively of officials. In ... the ordinary villages the village committee is
CENTURY I)
the sanitary authority, division the inhabitar
themselves of the machi and at the present mome of any kind to govern populous division. It i a state of things should for it is bound, as poc become a menace to th neighbourhood. The 1 tuwa have fully recogn the uneducated majorit. fully resisted the introd authority.”
The Small Towns Ol Crawford refers was p provisions were strengt Ordinance which recei The object of the origi make provision for the i rate in certain localitie conferred by the instru beyond the imposition vested in Provincial Boa the Government Agent oficio chairman and authority is given to th
sanitation by removin, crowded together, by p ing in other buildings, b
MPRESSIONS
but in the Moratuwa its declined to avail nery of this Ordinance, nt there is no authority the sanitation of this s impossible that such be allowed to continue, pulation increases, to e health of the whole eading men of Moraised the position, but y have so far successuction of any sanitary
dinance to which Mr. assed in 1892, and its hened by an amending ved sanction in I9oo. hal Ordinance was “to mposition of a sanitary s.” But the powers ment go a good deal of taxation. Power is rds of Health, of which of the Province is evtreasurer. Extensive he boards to improve g huts or buildings freventing overcrowdy limewashing houses,
OF CEYLON
by supervising drains, and by scavenging operations. Under the later Ordinance the powers of the boards were considerably enlarged. In addition to the rate of 4 per cent. on the assessment which the boards were authorised to levy under the original Ordinance, the boards had placed at their disposal the proceeds of stamp duties for licences of carts, carriages, boats, and coaches, and other fees of a similar character. They were also empowered to levy a water rate up to 6 per cent. of the annual value of premises, and to borrow on the security of the rates and taxes for public works likely to improve the sanitary condition of any town or village or to add to the comfort of the inhabitants thereof These Ordinances supply the Government, as Mr. Crawford suggests in the extract given above, with a powerful lever by which to push backward communities into line with their more progressive brethren elsewhere. With the adoption of such means, and with the spread of enlightened ideas amongst the masses of the people, the principles of selfadministration will, without doubt, find wider scope in the immediate future. It is too much to hope, however, that anything approaching the free popular system of the United Kingdom and the self-governing colonies can be introduced for many years to come.
Page 221
FINA
ins-en
THE COLONIA
in charge of the financial and accounting operations of the colony, subject to the control of the Governor through the Colonial Secretary. Formerly the AuditorGeneral was also the Accountant-General, but from January I, I906, the accounting work was handed over to the Treasurer. The Colonial Treasurer, in addition to his other duties, is also Commissioner of Stamps, a Commissioner of Currency, Chief Commissioner of the Loan Board, and a Director of the Widows and Orphans' Pension Fund.
The staff of the Treasury consists of a financial assistant and accountant, who is responsible for the accounting work and general supervision ; of an office assistant, whose main duties are in connection with the currency and stamp work; of a Shroff, or cashier, who deals with all pure cash transactions; and of a number of clerks, The Government Agents, Assistant Government Agents, and a large number of heads of departments are sub-accountants to the Treasurer both for receipts and payments, but eventually all the accounts are focussed in the Treasury, where the balance-sheet of the colony is prepared. The transactions are of considerable magnitude, and amount to some Rs. I3o,ooo,ooo on either side of the account annually,
The revenue of the colony for 1905 was Rs.34,395,336, the largest on record. It included an amount of Rs. 2,626,175, the result of an abnormal pearl fishery. For the year 1906 it is hoped that the revenue will be over Rs. 33,750,000, and this without the assistance given by the results of the pearl fishery mentioned above.
BY HON. MR. H.
The principal sourc Government railway, salt monopoly, revenu( graphs, interest, pear licensing, and harbour the revenue, reference annual Blue Books, b interested in figures, gressive state of the co ment is appended givin each of the ten years fri
The expenditure of Rs. 29,739,900, and the for 1906 is Rs. 3I,5oo,o an article of this nat tails of the expenditur may, however, be of emoluments are abou whole expenditure, wi compare favourably wi charges on account of will be referred to la item, as also does tion of 9 per cent. Government on the colony other than ra only the net revenu sales no contribution tary contribution for Very large sums are In dealing with the ex ture on account of it revenue of the colon Loan expenditure will statement showing t colony for each of t I9o5, exclusive of lo pended.
It is a well-known f accounts no capital ac as assets the value oft ment, such as railway
L TREASURY.
... C. NICOLLE.
es of revenue are the customs, arrack rents, I stamps, postage, telel fishery, land sales, dues. For details of must be made to the ut for those who are and to show the prolony's revenue, a stateg the gross revenue for om 1896 to 1905. he colony in 1905 was estimated expenditure Do. It is impossible in Lure to go into the dee. One or two points interest. The personal t 25 per cent. of the nich it is believed will h other colonies. The the public debt, which er, constitute a heavy the military contribupaid to the Imperial gross revenue of the ilway revenue, where is liable. On land is paid. The miliI905 was Rs. 2,439,800. spent on public works. enditure, only expendims chargeable to the has been considered. pe dealt with later. A e expenditure of the e years from 1896 to in expenditure, is ap
ct that in Government ount is kept, including e properties of Governdocks, buildings, &c.,
3
as is usually done by public companies; nor do the fixed loans constituting the public debt appear as liabilities. Practically only cash items are dealt with as assets and liabilities in considering the financial position so far as Government accounts are concerned. The balance of assets over liabilities of the colony on this basis on January I, 1906, was Rs.34I9,068, to which must be added sums amounting to Rs. 4,6Io,397, advanced from revenue on account of works to be eventually charged to loans; so that, including money expended in this manner, the colony had a balance of Rs. 8,029,465 on January I, I906. A loan has been authorised, and when it is raised the Rs.46Io,397 can be repaid to revenue account; but so long as the colony is in a position to finance works chargeable to loans, it appears better to save the interest payable on the loan, and so far further sums amounting to some Rs. 2,38o, Ooo have been advanced in 1906. It is estimated that on January I, I907, the balance of assets, including advances on account of loans, will be at the least Rs. 10,000,000.
The public debt of the colony on January I, I906, was in all, after deducting sinking funds invested and available for repayment of debt, Rs. 65,790,585, or a little less than double one year's revenue. A further loan of 1,000,000, or Rs. I5,ooo,ooo, has been authorised, and the necessary Ordinance for raising it passed, but up to now the loan has not been put on the market. The particulars of the existing loans will be found in the annual Blue Book, the interest paid being at rates varying from 3 to 4 per cent. The 3 per cent. sterling loans stand to-day in the London market at 494, and the 4 per cent. rupee loan in the local market at Io9. The greater portion of the debt, both sterling and rupee, is repayable by means of sinking funds, and the annual charges on
Ο
Page 222
214
the revenues of the colony for interest are Rs. 2,693,694, and sinking fund Rs. 959,668.
As has been stated previously, the properties of the colony are not included as assets and the public debt is not included as a liability; but it may be of interest to point out here that the greater part of the loans raised have been utilised on two great works, viz., the railways and the harbour. The capital cost of the railways to January I, 1906, was in round figures Rs.81,ooo,ooo, yielding about 56o per cent. interest. The capital cost of the harbour on the same date was Rs.35,Oooooo, and after paying interest and sinking fund on loans, there is a small net revenue. From the above it follows that as against the colony's loans it has railways of the capital cost of Rs.8I,oooooo, yielding about 7 per cent. interest against a (၀fiူ cost of 4 to 5 per cent. interest and sinking fund, and a harbour of the capital cost of Rs. 35oooooo, the returns from which just pay, the interest and sinking fund on the cost of construction.
In considering the finances of the colony, all municipal and other revenues and expenditure of the various local authorities have been omitted. These will be dealt with in their proper place, but it may be mentioned that at the present time the colonial accounts show that some Rs. 2,oooooo have been lent by Government to local authorities. The loans are for the most part being repaid by means of annual payments to sinking funds.
The standard coin of Ceylon is the rupee of India, and the subsidiary coins are its decimal subdivisions, viz., the Ceylon silver fifty, twenty-five, and ten cent pieces, and the Ceylon copper five, one, half, and quarter cent pieces. Rupees are legal tender to any amount, the subsidiary silver coins to an amount not exceeding five rupees, and the copper coins to an amount not exceeding onehalf a rupee. The Indian eight-anna or halfrupee, and four-anna or quarter-rupee pieces are legal tender as single coins. In 1906 the sovereign was made a legal tender for any amount at the rate of one sovereign for fifteen rupees. The half-sovereign, although it circulates to a very limited extent, is not a legal tender.
The only note issue is that of the Ceylon Government, and it consists of notes of Rs. I,000, Rs. Ioo, Rs.5o, Rs. Io, and Rs.5. It is managed by three Commissioners of Currency, viz., the Colonial Secretary, the Treasurer, and the Auditor-General, and is regulated by law. A reserve equal to the circulation has to be maintained, of which half must be in specie, the balance being invested in approved securities, provided, however, that should the specie reserve fall below one-half the circulation, the Commissioners are not bound to sell securities until it drops to one-third, when it is compul
TWENTIETH CENTURY
sory to sell securities to The present circulatio There is a depreciation at nearly Rs. 1, Ooooor depreciation in the va When the sovereign tender large quantiti exchanged for notes, sequently changed for drainage of rupees fri legislation was introdu of the gold reserve. £200,000, so that pra reserve reaches that ceases to be a legal te The Commissioners redeeming notes in are some interesting f execution as a rule is one of the best is mac paper pasted together, formed by means of cut out and inserted pieces.
All stamps in use i postage, telegraph, re' issued in the first in Office. Revenue and sold only by the Coml Government Agent, or Agent, and licensed ve keeping a check on sta
plete, as every vendor 1
together with the true revenue or judicial sta which each stamp of numbered in consecutiv and a true record kept C stamps are sold, with t numbers appearing in e is that if a document stamped and it comes court official or other G stamps on it can be tri difficult to fraudulently st has not been properl execution. A discount ( to licensed vendors on a and there is never an vendors willing to take of which is Rs. IO a ye
The Loan Board is Commissioners, general surer, the Postmaster-Ge. General, The Finan Treasurer is Secretary The functions of the moneys of suitors in th courts of the colony, ar declare dividends out c which are paid to the cre in the courts. The mo the control of the Bo
MPRESSIONS
bring it up to one-half. is about Rs. 18,oooooo. fund, which now stands to cover any loss by ue of investments.
was first made a legal is were imported and the latter being subrupees, and to stop the m the reserve, special zed to limit the amount it present it is limited to tically when the gold amount the sovereign nder.
have the option of gold or silver. There orgeries of notes. The not very good, and le with two pieces of the watermark being strips of tissue paper between the two main
in the colony, whether fenue, or judicial, are stance from the Stamp judicial stamps can be missioner of Stamps, a Assistant Government indors. The system of umps sold is most comhas to place his initials, 2 date of sale, on each mp sold, in addition to each value has to be e order for each month, of the persons to whom he date of sale and the ach stamp. The result has not been properly into the hands of any overnment officer, the ced, and so it is very amp a document which y stamped at time of of 5 per cent. is allowed ll stamps sold to them, y difficulty in finding out a licence, the cost
2. administered by three ly the Colonial Treaneral, and the Solicitorial Assistant to the o the Board. Board are to invest the e supreme and district d from time to time to if the interest earned, dit of the various suits neys at present under ard amount to about
on it.
OF CEYLON
Rs.I,850,000, and an average annual dividend of 4 per cent, has been declared for the past ten years, which is satisfactory, seeing that one-third of all interest earned is paid to Government before the dividends are calculated. The moneys are as far as possible invested in good mortgages. Except the clerks in the office, none of the Government officers who deal with Loan Board affairs draw any salary, but the duties in connection with the management give a very fair amount of work to a number of officers in the courts and kachcheries, as well as to the Commissioners and the Secretary,
Although the Widows and Orphans' Pension Fund has nothing to do with . the general finances of the colony, it is administered by the Treasurer and other Directors appointed by the Government from time to time, and therefore may be worthy of a passing notice. The fund has been formed by a deduction of 4 per cent. from the salaries of all pensionable officers who draw salaries of Rs. 250 per annum or over, and it provides pensions, according to actuarial tables, for the widows and orphans of contributors. The fund at the present time amounts to some Rs. 43oo,ooo, and is invested with the Government, who allow 6 per cent. The fund will gradually cease to exist, as, by a recent Ordinance, contributions from new members of the Government Service are to be credited to revenue, and the Government guarantees the pensions to widows and orphans of such contributors in accordance with tables at present in force.
It is not within the scope of an article of this nature to deal fully with figures giving in detail the financial position of a colony; for, as has been said, full information can be obtained by those interested from the Blue Books, but it will be patent to every one who reads this paper that, at least from a financial point of view, the colony is in a flourishing condition, and that there are no signs that this prosperity is not likely to continue.
The following table, showing the revenue and expenditure of the colony, exclusive of loan expenditure, for the decade 1896-1905 supplies, in a succinct form, a record of the finances of the colony during that period:-
Year, Revenue, Expenditure,
Rs. RS. 1896 2 II,974573 2I,274.955 1897 24, ooό,52I 2I,6ვ9,470 I898 25,138,бб9 22,845,52I 1899 25,913, I42 24,952,4όο I900 27,325,930 28,948,927 I90I 26,437,IO2 29,2Іб,747 1902 28,435,157 28,042,IO5 1933 29,423,3O8 27,o78,759 I904 3o,846,694 32,οΙ9392 I905 34,395,336 29,739,899
Page 223
TWENTIETH CENTURY
REVENUE AND
HE Ceylon Government derives its revenue
from the following sources: (1) Customs; (2) Port, harbour, wharf, and lighthouse dues; (3) Licences, excise and internal revenue not otherwise classified; (4) Fees of court or office, payment for specific services, and reimbursements in aid; (5) Post and telegraphs; (6) Government railway; (7) Rent of Government property; (8) Interest; (9). Miscellaneous receipts; (Io) Sale of Government property; (III) Land sales. Roughly, about one-fourth of the total revenue is furnished by the Customs duties, rather more than one-fourth by the Government railway, and a little less than onefifth by “licences, excise and internal revenue not otherwise classified." The following statement, giving the actual revenue collected in 1905, shows the exact proportions in which payments are made under the several heads to the Exchequer:-
Revenue of п9c5.
RS, C.
I. Customs 8 P ... 8,183,728 22 2. Port, Harbour, Wharf, and
Lighthouse Dues ...
3. Licences, Excise, and Internal
Revenue not otherwise classified 0 4. Fees of Court or Office, Payment for Specific Services, and Reimbursements in Aid
I,428,973 39
ό,8όο,293 93
I,985, IOI 35
5. Post and Telegraphs ... I,235,706 I7 6. Government Railway 9,648,65I 33 7. Rentof Government Property 206,I64 5. 8. Interest 4б2,4ІІ 93 9. Miscellaneous Receipts 26I,82I 24 Io, Sale of Government Property 2,988,91581 III. Land Sales I, I33,568 23
Analysing the various items of revenue, we find the following facts :-r
(I) CUSTOMS.
Imports.-The sub-heads are: Grain, cotton manufactures, spirits and cordials, sugar, kerosene oil, other goods, undervalued goods, sundries. The grain duty is 5o cents per cwt, on all grain. Nearly the whole of the revenue under this sub-head is derived from the import duty on rice,
Exports.--The sub-heads are : Plumbago, royalty of 25 cents per cwt.; elephants, royalty of Rs. 200 per head; chanks; horns and hides of spotted deer and sambur; and arrack, Rs. I "25 per gallon,
(2) PoRT, HARBOUR, WHARF, AND LIGHT. HOUSE DUES, The sub-heads are : Çolombo Harbour dues,
port dues at outports, outports, and sundries.
(3) LICENCEs, ExcISE A NOT OTHERW)
Excise.--Salt : all sal and manufactured on ; which from time to tin Arrack, rum, and tod the price of the exclu ing spirits derived fr the sugar-cane, rent.'
Licences-Opium : til of possessing and sellin
Land Revenue.--Pad
incidental.
Rents, exclusive of La tolls, ferry tolls, canalt farmed. The farm is the farmer 'toll renter.
Stamps.—Revenue' (v position duty on bank c
Fines and Forfeitures trict Courts, Courts of Government Agents, otl offences.
OOH
(4) FEEs of Court A FOR SPECIFIC SER
MENTS IN AID.
The sub-headings are brace a wide variety of judicial stamps and su tools lost and hire of an
(5) PosT AND
The sub-heads are : mission on money ord letters, other collection telephone receipts, trans mails,
(6) GoveryME
The sub-heads are : { cellaneouş.
(7) RENTs on GovE
The sub-heads are : and houses, garden ren grounds, rent of lands,
(8) INT
On public funds inves on suitors' fund and inte of revenue, on koans to
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
215
EXPENDITURE.
ilotage at Colombo and
ND INTERNAL REVENUE SE CI.ASSIFIED.
in the island is collected ccount of Government, he fixes the retail price. dy: this is in general sive privilege of retailpm the palm-tree and monly called 'arrack
he price of the privilege g opium. dy, royalty on cabook,
inds.-Road tolls, bridge olls. These are usually called “toll rent," and
y 9
arious services). Comheques,
-Supreme Court, DisRequests, Police Courts,
her departments. forest
ND OFFICE, PAYMENT VICES, AND REIMBURSE
: numerous. They em
matters, ranging from Irvey fees to value of chors,
TELEGRAPHS.
Postage stanmps, com2rs, postage on unpaid ls, telegraph receipts, it conveyance of foreign
NT RAILWAYS
Goods, passengers, mis
RNMENT PROPERTY,
Government buildings ts, rent of reclamation
EREST,
ited, on bank balances, state estates, on arrears :orporations,
(9) MISCELLANEOUS RECEIPTs,
The sub-heads are: Sale of old stores, overpayments recovered, unclaimed deposits, value of salved coal, profits on new coins, sundries.
(Io) SALE of GoveRNMENT PROPERTY.
The sub-heads are : Produce of Botanic Gardens, timber and firewood, crops and Crown lands, sale of sand and stone, other forest produce, pearl fishery, sale of Delft horses, sundries.
(III) LAND SALEs.
The sub-heads are : Lands, premium on leases. In regard to these items paragraph 13 of the financial instructions states that the proceeds of the sale of Government lands and premium on leases is not strictly revenue, and though it should appear in the estimates, it should be kept distinct from the total revenue from other sources, and this is accordingly done.
Turning to expenditure, the following statement for I9o5 shows the apportionment of the revenue to public purposes:-
Heads of Service, 1905.
Rs. 1. Charges on account of Public
Debt... 54 3,647,878 ۰ مه 2. Pensions ... I,392,6 Ι4 , 3 3, His Excellency the Governor I39,3oo 85 3a. Civil Service ... 683,о4І 55 4. Secretariat 8 3I2,23I 39 5. Audit Office ... a 64,582 32 6, Treasury sa. 50,974 I4 7. Provincial Administration ... I,257,62- 53 8, Survey Department. ... 780, I3350 9, Customs Department I35,537 86 Io, Port and Marine Department,
Colombo . ... - ... 413, I8957 II, Port and Marine Department
other than Colombo 40,454 87 I2, Botanic Gardens I3I, II435 I3, Colombo Museum 26,473 93 I4. Legal Departments :-
Supreme Court ... ... I59, I92 58 Attorney-General ... ό4,9ο5 63 Solicitor-General ... II,oo2 25 District Courts Ιόό, ο3I 97 Courts of Requests and
Police Courts ... 8 qe e I36,339 3I Registration of Lands Io7,499 65 Registration of Marriages,
Births, and Deaths I23,182 65 Fiscals .... o 234,o9I Ió Loan Board i. ge 4079 83
Page 224
216 TWENTIETH
Heads of Service. I905.
Rs, C. I5. Police ... 8 8o9,593 86 I6. Prisons... a 527,232 87 I7. Medical Department... 443,998 8 I8. Hospitals and Dispensaries... I,323,673 62 I9. Ecclesiastical ... w w 9,26o 2O. Education Ι,οΟ8,793 Ι7 2I. Transport п8,595 8 22. Exchange 2 Ιό,ο5ο Ιό 23. Military Expenditure 2,5O4,39O 38 24. Miscellaneous Services 869,825 77 25. Government Stores ... 82,232 23 26, Crown Agents, London 2,7 I 5 o
27. Forests
... 31O,554 92 28. Post Office and Telegraphs...
I,4OI,899 I5
IN I845 the Oriental Banking Corporation started operations in Ceylon, taking over the business of the Bank of Ceylon and the Bank of Western India, which had been established a year or two earlier. It was not until I858 that the Chartered Mercantile Bank of India, London, and China commenced business in Ceylon. The Oriental Bank failed in 1884, when the New Oriental Banking Corporation was formed and remained in existence till I892, when it also stopped payment. The Chartered Mercantile Bank of India, London, and China was reconstructed in the year 1892, when the name was changed to Mercantile Bank of India, Limited.
The banks at present doing business in Ceylon are the four Eastern Exchange Banks, viz. : The National Bank of India, Limited, established 1862-Head Office, London; the Chartered Bank of India, Australia, and China, established 1853-Head Office, London; the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, established 1865-Head Office, Hong Kong; the Mercantile Bank of India, Limited, established 1892-Head Office, London. Besides the above-mentioned “Exchange' Banks we have a branch of one of the Indian Presidency Banks, the Bank of Madras, which has its headquarters in Madras.
The chief business of an “exchange' bank, as the name denotes, is the purchase and sale of bills of exchange. Had the merchant who ships his produce to Europe, Australia, America, or whatever country it may be, to wait until such shipments were realised and the proceeds remitted back to him, trade would be hampered to such an extent as to become well-nigh impossible, but here the exchange bank steps in and purchases the bills of exchange drawn
CENTURY I
Heads of Servic
29. Railway Departme:
Lines Railway Construc
count 8 30. Settlement Officer Lands Departmei 3 II. Veterinary Departm 32. Consulting Electric
11661 . ● 33. Irrigation Departm 34. Immigration Depar 35. Public Works Depa 36. Public Works Ann
current
ܠܸܦܓ݂ܵܠܡܺܠܼܠܲܓܲܓ݁ܺܡܶܠܸܦܮ݂ܠܹܠܸܮܵ *?2F22F2డైభౌ2
BAN
against such shipments has not to remain with banks, however, have to to the island, and this i the most direct being drafts and telegraphic such a rate of exchan margin of profit on Other means are the p the Secretary of State's as “Council Bills,' sh from Australia to India ( by the Ceylon Governi 200,ooo in the Treasu banks' bills by their bra latter are indirect me. again to be transferred and the only ways open rupees from India, and drafts on India.
As regards local busi on very similar lines to English banks. Funds trade discounts, cash against approved secur interest being somewh obtaining in England. to one of the local ban.
cashed over the counte great London institution are so very different in must not be blamed for for the protection of bc public. Time must be of the cheque to the ledger, and for the care and endorsements by assistants before it car “shroff," or paying ca:
MPRESSIONS
. 1905.
Rs. C. nt, Open ... ... 5,196,895. 43 tion. Ac
Waste ht 76,391 49 ent ... I7,729 38 al Engi
... ... I4,283 98 ent ... 547,398 6 tment ... 42,334 4 rtment... 4 Io,287 39 Lually Re
a wo ... 2,040,985 59
ورى22&242922/23&43.g 6 yeaves YaSNS
NIKS.
, so that the merchant hout his money. The get their money back s done in several ways,
by sale of their own transfers on London at ge as leaves a narrow their purchasing rate. urchases in London of
drafts on India, known ipments of sovereigns gold not being accepted ment beyond a limit of ry), and the sale of the inches in India. These ans, as the funds have
from India to Ceylon,
are the importation of
the sale of the banks'
ness, this is conducted those adopted by the are employed in local credits, and advances ity, the ruling rates of lat higher than those It may strike a stranger ks that cheques are not r as promptly as in the is, but the circumstances Ceylon, that the banks taking extra precautions oth themselves and the allowed for the posting customer's debit in the ul scrutiny of signature one of the European be passed on to the shier, who in turn has
OF CEYLON
Heads of Service, IQo5.
Rs. C
37. Public Works Extraordinary Ι,693,3 15 Ι7
Total Expenditure chargeable
to General Revenue . 29,736,899 28
38. Public Works Extraordinary,
chargeable to Loan Funds 2,350,592 37
Grand Total ... 32,087,49I 65
Taking the position as it is left by the figures quoted, it is one of great financial prosperity. The estimated revenue for the year was Rs. 29,698,080, while the actual revenue came to Rs. 34,395,336, an increase over the estimate of Rs. 4,697,256 and over the revenue of 1904, the highest previously obtained, of Rs. 3,548,642.
to assure himself that he is dealing with the proper party before he pays over the cash. Forgeries, unfortunately, are not unknown in Ceylon, whilst other devices have also been resorted to for obtaining money under false pretences from the banks.
As in other centres, the Colombo banks have their “clearing house,' which meets daily at 2 p.m. During the year ended February 28, 1906, the value of cheques cleared amounted to Rs. 26I,328, 192, as against Rs. 51,740,748 for the year ended February 28, 1886, when the “clearing house' was first started.
In connection with the exchange value of the rupee it is interesting to note the effect of the closing of the Indian mints to the free coinage of silver, which measure was adopted by Government in the year 1897. Previous to that date the value of the rupee was measured by the intrinsic value of the silver it contained; when silver rose in price the rupee advanced, and when silver fell the rupee declined. There are old colonists in the island now who can remember the days when they remitted to England at a fraction over two shillings for every rupee, whilst a resident of twelve years' standing will recollect the sterling value of the rupee being one shilling and a halfpenny.
This serious depreciation meant a very heavy loss to the Indian Government, which has large sterling obligations to meet annually, and so exercised the minds of the authorities that a Currency Commission was appointed in London to inquire thoroughly into the question and devise some means of getting out of the difficulty. As a result of this Commission's deliberations, the Indian mints which had hitherto been open to the free coinage of silver were closed to the public, Government at the
Page 225
TWENTIETH
samc time undertaking to receive sovereigns and give in exchange fifteen rupees for each sovereign, or, in other words, putting a value of one shilling and fourpence on the rupee. The measure at the time was considered a drastic one, and there were many who doubted its efficiency, but the ten years during which it has been in force have proved its thorough success, the fluctuations of the rupee during that period being of little moment, and due solely to temporary variations in the money markets of London and India.
奖
BANK
LIMITED.
The headquarters of the National Bank of India are in London-at I7, 51s. regate Street Within, about a stone's-throw from the famous “Old Lady's' establishment where the music of money is everlastingly to be heard. The famous institution has its Home agencies in Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Manchester as well; and the branches in India and the Near East are at Calcutta, Bombay, Madras, Karachi, Rangoon, Chittagong, Amritsar, Cawnpore, Lahore, Tuticorin, Aden Steamer Point (Aden), Zanzibar, Mombassa, Nairobi, Entebbe, Mandalay, and the historic Delhi; while in Ceylon, besides the head office in York Street, Colombo, there are branches at Kandy and Nuwara Eliya. The net profit on the bank's business for I905 amounted to the comfortable figure of I62,266, on a paid-up capital of 600,ooo, and the shareholders received the satisfactory dividend of Io per cent., together with a bonus of 2 per cent. The Scottish caution, joined with equally Scottish acumen and enterprise, which characterises the management is manifest in the maintenance of a substantial reserve fund, now amounting to £575,000 ; and a glance at the balance-sheet for the year mentioned is sufficient to show that the financial business is conducted on thoroughly sound lines. The gross profits for the year to December 31, 1905, after providing for bad and doubtful debts, amounted to 3Io, 172. The Ceylon business is not shown separately on the balance-sheet; but this branch of the institution no doubt contributes in no small degree to the satisfactory results which, year by year, make such pleasant reading for the shareholders.
NATIONAL Ο Ε' INDIA,
Mr. D. R. Marshall, the Manager in Ceylon of this great financial institution, was born in Edinburgh in the year I S62-just one year previous to the establishment of the bank in Calcutta. He was educated at the Royal High School in "Auld Reekie," and joined the head office of the bank in London in 188o. In 1884 he went out to the Calcutta branch, He also served two years in the
CENTURY Il
bank's employ in Bomb Marshall came to Ceyl as Acting Accountant,
D. R. MA]
Manager in 1894. He
Committee of the Cham the meetings of which b counsel is much valued,
奖
BANK OF
This institution was fa of the Madras Preside and was subsequently c lated by the Preside India (No. XI. of 1876) amounts to 60 lakhs of reserve fund of 32 lakhs important financial instit of which is in Madrasing condition ; and the acts a largc volume business. The office of is in Baillie Street, in th -quarter.
HONG KONG AN BANKING COE
The Ceylon branch ( financial institution was п892.
The half-yearly report was established in Hong disclose the Ceylon bus
MPRESSIONS
ay and Madras. Mr. on in the year 1886 and was appointed
RSHALL.
is a member of the hber of Commerce, at ody his sound, shrewd
MADRAS.
unded in the capital incy on July I, 1843, onstituted and reguncy Banks Act of
The total capital rupees, and there is a
The affairs of this ution-the head office are in a most flourishCeylon branch transof ordinary banking the bank in Colombo e Fort-or European
D SHANGHA *PORATION.
if this great Eastern founded on July 3,
: of the bank (which Kong in 1867) do not iness apart from the
OF CEYLON 27
general operations of the institution. On the principle, however, that the whole not only includes the part, but that the part is also reflected in the whole, it may be assumed that the Ceylon branch is in a highly flourishing condition; for the report of all operations for the half-year ended December 31, 1905, revealed a very satisfactory state of affairs. The profits for the half-year provided for a bonus of I per share in addition to a dividend of I I5s. sterling on the shares of (28 2s. 6d. each. Besides this handsome return to the shareholders, the staff generally received a bonus of 15 per cent. on their salaries.
The headquarters of the Colombo branch are located in a central part of Queen Street, and here all the usual business of a leading cxchange bank is transacted.
Mr. W. Reid is the present local Manager. Born in Ireland in the year 1866, and educated in that island, he joined the bank over twenty years ago, and subsequently served in many of its branches in China. He
W. R.D.
came to Ceylon only a few months ago to fill the position of Manager in the island. He is a keen sportsman, and in his younger days exhibited prowess in the football field.
受
CHARTERED BANK OF INDIA, AUSTRALIA, AND CHINA.
The Ceylon branch of this great financial institution--the headquarters of which are in Hatton Court, Threadneedle Street, London, and which has branches or agencies in every important trading centre in the Middle and Far East, and correspondents practically all
Page 226
218
over the world-was established in 1892, and the Colombo offices are conveniently situated in Queen Street, nearly opposite the Queen's House and close to the General Post Office. Here the usual business of a bank is carried on, and the volume of transactions is commensurate with the growth and prosperity of the colony. The directors' report, with statement of accounts, presented at the fifty-second ordinary general meeting held on April 18, I906 (the latest cetails with which we have been furnished), discloses a most flourishing state of affairs as regards the total business of the bank. The figures show a net profit for the year 1905 of over 342,000, including the balance brought forward from the previous year, amounting to over g8o,ooo.
After giving a bonus of Io per cent. on the salaries of the staff, this surplus provided for a dividend to the shareholders of 13 per cent.
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
for the year, also for : to the reserve fund
(975,ooo) and of Io,oo annuation fund, beside the premises account a balance of 86,ooo. T. which is paid up in full, of 40,000 shares of 20
the Ceylon branch is M.
g
MERCANTILE B.
LIMI"
This institution - fo Mercantile Bank of Inc -was established fort was reconstructed in I8 usual exchange and ban carried on with great
ఇ_k-వీక్ష
NATIVE SYSTEM
ASSöcrÁr:D with the banking system described above, and an invaluable and almost indispensable feature of the commercial life of the island, is the financial system maintained and directed by the Chettys. The Chettys-or, to give them their full caste designation, the Nattu Kotte Chettys-are an influential and highly intelligent class of native merchants who are engaged largely in financial operations. They are spread all over Southern India, where for generations they have played an important part in the operations of trade. In recent times they have found scope for their energies in a wider field, and to-day are to be met with outside Madras, in centres as widely apart as Calcutta, Rangoon, Colombo, and Singapore, and other towns of the Straits Settlements. At Colombo they constitute quite a considerable community, and a large proportion of the purely native financing business is in their hands. The Chettys advance money to traders on bills which run from one to four months, and such bills are brought to the bank with their endorsements and discounted. In addition to the endorsement of the Chetty who makes
the loan, the signatu appear on the docum nature of an additional but the standing of t marily responsible is u to make the transactio. Apart from bills there demand notes, called signed by two or m banks advance mone amounts so advanced standing of the Chetty In appraising the credit the bank seldom errs. precaution some instit sonal guarantee from head cashier, himself actions carried throug Chetty system represt considerable sum. F Chetty estimates that in Colombo alone in
seventy lakhs of rupees precautions taken, and aptitude and reputatior losses incurred by the b
1PRESSIONS OF CEYLON
n addition of KIO0,000 (already standing at to the officers' superwriting £25,000 off ld carrying forward a le capital of the bank, is 8oo,ooo, consisting ach. The Manager of ... William Dickson.
ANK OF INDIA, TED
merly the Chartered lia, London, and China /-nine years ago, and 3, since which time the king business has been success. The staff of
ھے۔۔۔۔۔۔علاوہ سمجھگڑھ
the Ceylon branches consists of sever, Europeans and fifty-five natives; and the headquarters in the island are located in Queen Street, Colombo, with sub-agencies at Kandy. and Galle. In the capital city the bank owns fine premises close to Queen's House, containing on the ground floor the public office, strong-rooms, and the managerial departments.
It may be mentioned that the Mercantile Bank of India, which has an authorised capital of 1 millions sterling and a subscribed capital of 1 millions (of which (562,5oo is paid up), has just taken over the Bank of Calcutta, with the result that the main operations of the thus enlarged institution have been greatly increased. Mr. F. H. Yeats is Acting Manager of the Ceylon branch. The head office of the bank is at 4o, Threadneedle Street, London, E.C.
IS OF FINANCE,
res of other Chettys ent. These are in the safeguard against loss, he Chetty who is prisually sufficiently high in a perfectly safe one
is a business done in 'loans.' These are ore Chettys, and the y upon them. The are regulated by the 's who sign the notes. : of a particular Chetty But as an additional utions insist on a pertheir own “shroff," or a Chetty. The transe gh annually under the nt in the aggregate a or instance, a leading he total business done I906 was from fifty to ... So elaborate are the so great is the business of the Chettys, that the anks are relatively small.
On an entirely different plane exists another system of native finance which calls for brief description here. Located in the island, principally in Colombo, is a rather numerous body of Afghans, who prosecute a combined system of trading and money-lending somewhat on the lines of the packmen who haunt back doors at home. They sell at extravagant rates cloth and other goods on the instalment system of payment, and at the same time give accommodation loans at usurious rates of interest. When the purchasers or borrowers as the case may be, are in default with their payments, the screw is mercilessly put on, and the arts of intimidation reinforce the arm of the law, Indeed, it is said that the fear of physical force is largely accountable for the success which these men have in exacting payment of their oftentimes monstrous claims. However that may be, the truculent-looking Afghan in his picturesque turban and robes, and bearing as an indispensable part of his equipment a heavy staff, is a sinister and familiar figure in the highways and byways of the capital of Ceylon.
Page 227
ROM the very earliest times there has been some system of education in operation among the people of Ceylon. The oldest form was that given in the Pansala schools, which are attached to Buddhist temples, and even at the present day a few of these and some seminaries for Buddhist priests are to be found in districts where the pupils study the Buddhist scriptures from ola or palm-leaf manuscripts, as they have done for centuries. The present system of education, which is under the control of the Department of Public Instruction, dates from the formation of that department thirty-seven years ago; but for a century and a half before the British occupation of Ceylon, in I796, our predecessors, the Dutch, had founded an educational system which they placed under the control of a body called the Scholarchal Commission, consisting of about eight members, clerical and lay. During the whole of the eighteenth century there were not only Dutch schools in the principal towns, but also vernacular schools in all the most important parts of the country held by the Dutch, and in the latter part of the century the number of children at school in the Dutch territory averaged about 7oooo. Mr. J. Harward, M.A., the present Director of Public Instruction in Ceylon, in an admirable and authoritative article on education in the “Ceylon Handbook' prepared for the St. Louis Exhibition in I904, writing of this Dutch system, says:-
'Registers were kept in every school, and compulsory attendance was enforced by a system of fines. . school were obliged to attend at intervals for a further period of four years and show that they had not forgotten what they had learnt. The subjects of instruction were mainly religious, and the whole system formed a part of the policy by which the Dutch attempted to bring about the conversion of the entire
. . Even those who had left.
EDUOA
population of their terri tical machinery was uti policy, and a motive fo vided by confining all c to professing Christians Dutch Government in . been perfectly sincere clergy in Ceylon sho zeal. But the Dutch that date was not a type to the Oriental mind, a unfair to say that the produced very little in t tion. The schools, hov beneficial effects, and habits to a people who r government. The syst most respectful treatm when they took over til country. Organised e not a familiar idea to eighteenth century; in not felt to be any part ( to maintain and direct It is therefo surprise that no real eff on this part of the work The Rev. J. Cordiner, to the first English Go Principal of all the sch system was created for operative. The Dutch and its ministers allo work on reduced pay p Government. But the funds available for edu a fixed total of AI,5oo : pulsory attendance whic of the Dutch system w under clerical supervi maintained in the town a few years rural edu exist.
education.
The loss was re by Government, but in remedy it beyond rep Government the lamen
2
ATION
ories in Ceylon. Polilised to carry out this r conformity was pro
ffices, ranks, and titles
The motives of the Holland seem to have and many of their wed real missionary Reformed Church of likely to be attractive nd it is probably not efforts of its clergy he way of real convicwever, must have had :ended to give orderly eally required paternal em certainly deserved ent from the British he government of the ducational effort was the English in the England itself it was of the duty of the State a system of national re hardly a matter for ort was made to carry of the Dutch in Ceylon. he Anglican chaplain vernor, was appointed pols in Ceylon, but no making his supervision church was left intact ved to continue their rovided by the British amount of the public cation was reduced to nnually, and the comhad been the keystone as abolished, Schools ion continued to be s, but in the course of cation had ceased to ognised and deplored D step was taken to orting to the Home able lack of clergy in
Ceylon. It looks almost as if the Governors of the period cherished the hope that, if only a sufficient number of clergy could be imported, the necessary minimum of education would go on of its own accord in Ceylon as it did in England. And in the course of time missionary
effort did actually do a great deal towards
supplying what the country wanted. During the earlier years of the British rule mission work was confined almost entirely to the Roman Catholics; but in 1812 some Baptist missionaries from England established themselves, and were followed in the course of the next six years by the Wesleyans, the American Mission, and the Church of England. All these bodies, English, Roman, and American, have made schools a prominent part of their work, and to their efforts the country owes a substantial part of such privileges in the way of education as it has enjoyed."
The difficulties which these missionaries had to contend with in their early efforts to educate When a schoolhouse was erected the wildest conjectures were formed as to its design. Some thought the children were to be enslaved, others that the boys were to be sent into the interior of the island or to some foreign country as soldiers; none could understand why men of another nation should come to them and, from mere benevolence, offer to seed, clothe, and éducate their children gratis. With regard to the girls, the obstacles in the way were even greater. “It is not our custom," was the invariable answer given when the parents were asked to send their girls to boarding schools. It was considered a disgrace for a woman to be able to read and write, and at the present time it is officially estimated that only about 25 per cent. of the girls of school-going age are attending school.
In 183o a Royal Commission of Inquiry visited the island, and, as a result of their Report, issued four years later, a Commission - was appointed for the supervision and control of the Government schools that then existed,
native children were very great.
Page 228
220 TWENTIETH
but no account was taken of the Mission schools, which were at that time seven times as numerous as the Government schools.
CENTURY
considerable liberality. new school became a under the title of the (
PHYSICAL DRILL AT A VLAGE SCHOO
To quote again from Mr. Harward's article: "It was in connection with the higher education of Colombo that the interest of the Government in education first took a practical shape. The most important Government institution, the Colombo Academy, which still exists under a changed name as the Royal College, dates from 1835. It is perhaps more than a coincidence that this is the year of Lord Macaulay's famous Minute, which marks the decision of the Supreme Council of. India in favour of a European type of education. The question had been in the air for some time, and though the Government of Ceylon had no official connection with India, the Governor was doubtless aware of the discussions which had taken place in Calcutta. But the actual establishment of the Academy has more the appearance of a happy accident than of a deliberate act of policy. The Rev. J. Marsh, M.A., had gone out to Ceylon as classical and mathematical tutor to the Kotta Christian Institution under the Church Missionary Society. He had, however, left that institution and had come to Colombo, where he acted as Colonial Chaplain at St. Paul's Church. and in 1835 started a private school for the sons of the upper classes among the Ceyionese. The school met a want that had been felt for some time, and the leading Ceylonese residents at once petitioned the Governor, Sir R. Wilmot Horton, to support it. The decision of Governlment was prompt, and was carried out with
the Rev. J. Marsh as very advanced work wa was sound and thoroug
the effect on the studi and many of them positions in the servi
MPRESSIONS
In January, I836, the Government institution ‘olombo Academy, with
its Principal. . . . No is done, but the teaching has far as it went, and
OF CEYLON
The main cause of the success of the school was the high personal character of its first Principal, the Rev. J. Marsh, a remarkable man who had in a very marked degree the gift of rousing and maintaining noble aims among those who worked under him.
“The policy into which, after forty years of inaction, Government tumbled in this somewhat accidental fashion has much to be said for it. In the order of natural development the higher education of the few has usually preceded the elementary education of the many, and if a new education is to be artificially introduced, the best course, perhaps, is to begin by training a small section of the population very carefully under the best personal influences that can be brought to bear upon them.'
In 184I the Commission of I834 was dissolved, and a board called the “Central School Commission for the instruction of the population of Ceylon' was established in its stead. This Commission was composed of four laymen and three clerical members, and as private educational efforts were recognised, considerable progress was made. But the labour of this body was essentially volunteer and the results spasmodic; and the conviction began to gain ground that the efficient control of the education of the country could not longer be assured at the hands of such a Board. In 1865, therefore, a special Commission of Inquiry was appointed, and its Report led to the aboli
A SCHOOL GARDEN.
nts was certainly good, rose rapidly to high ce of the Government.
tion of the Central Commission, and in 1869 the administration of education was centralised in a department entitled the Department of
Page 229
TWENTIETH
Public Instruction, with a Director at its head responsible only to the Governor. This is the system which obtains at the present day.
CENTURY IM
department. The syst was put on to a new regulations were abolish
EIE CADET BATTALION
The first Director of Public Instruction was Mr. J. S. Laurie, who was succeeded almost immediately by Mr. W. H. Sendall, afterwards Sir Walter Sendall, G.C.M.G., who must be regarded as the originator of all the best work that has been done in Government elementary schools. His first step was to get Government to establish a normal school in which teachers could be trained both for English and vernacular schools. As teachers became available Government schools were established. In 1869 there were only 64 of them; in 1889 there were 43I, with 27,677 children attending them; and in 1905 there were 554, with 70,7I5 children attending them. The policy of this new department was essentially unsectarian, and the system of payment by results in all schools for secular instruction only has been strictly adhered to, though it is worthy of note that the present Director of Public Instruction, in his Report for I905, "regrets that no further steps have been taken towards the introduction of definite moral teaching in schools.'
Unfortunately, the policy which established the normal school was not adhered to. At the time of the coffee disease, when the revenue was in danger, some expenditure had to be cut down. The English schools were among the first interests to suffer, and the normal school soon followed, and not until 1902 was this serious error of policy rectified.
To quote again from Mr. Harward's article : “The establishment of Government schools was only a small part of the work of the new
AT. A. CEYLON SCB
a certain number of ho to secular work, the Mi free to give what reli
wished during the rer hours. The result has
with the new Governm
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON 221
eum of grants in aid footing, all sectarian hed, and, provided that
OO.
ours were devoted daily ission bodies were left igious instruction they
religious instruction is net permitted, there has been a much more rapid growth of aided schools. This growth has been accelerated by the fact that the non-sectarian policy of the Government left it open to non-Christian bodies to enter into competition with the Christian organisation.”
The following table, in which the figures include all registered schools, higher as well as elementary, shows the educational progress made during the last three decennial periods :
GOWERNMENT. AIDED.
Year. Schools. Scholars. Schools. Scholars.
1875 296 I2,856 654 4I,343 I885 429 26,б24 856 58,918 I895 477 44,252 I,096 90,229 I905 554 70,7I5 I,582 I56,040
Under the heading of elementary education Mr. Harward in the article afore-mentioned says: “Two questions suggest themselvesDoes it include the whole population of schoolgoing age 2 Is it good of its kind? The first question is easily answered. The number of children of school-going age depends, of course, on the duration assigned to the schoolgoing period. In Ceylon six years may perhaps be assumed as a desirable average. The census for Igor shows that if every child attended
A PANSALA SCHOOL
mainder of the school been that side by side ment schools in which
school for an average of six years there would be about 52O,Ooo children at school. The total number of those attending schools of all kinds
Page 230
222
was 218,479. It would be a mistake to suppose that by subtraction we should get the number who are receiving no education at all. The fact is that many of those attending school do so for very short periods, and it is doubtful if the actual average of school life at all exceeds four years. Adopting this figure, it has been estimated that at the present time about threefifths of the children are getting something in the way of education and the remainder nothing. But there are still some large but sparsely inhabited districts that are almost entirely destitute of schools. Those who have read the earlier part of this article will have inferred that the quality of the education is of the most varied description. It may be granted at once that a large number of the unregistered schools are as bad as they can be. In Government
and in aided schools the work is of a totally different description. In both there are strong inducements to efficiency. They are examined annually by Government inspectors, and on the results of the examination depend the grant of the aided school and the prospects of the teacher in the Government schools. . . . The Government schools had until quite recently one great advantage in most of the areas in which they exist: compulsory attendance enforced by means of the Gansabhawa, or village tribunal.'
In 1905 a Commission on Elementary Education was appointed and its principal conclusions were: “That it is desirable that the male population as a whole should receive some elementary education ; that in places where schools exist attendance should be made compulsory in aided schools as well as in
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
Government schools; t should be adopted as a instruction is not given disapprove of it; that i where the population i establishment of schoo made compulsory, and organisation should be purpose."
These recommendati tricts, and an Ordinance to them is now unde Legislative Council. Bt pulsory attendance has in the case of municipa and an Ordinance was
the necessary powers to such places.
A CLASS AT THE VEDYALANKARA BUDDHIST C
During the last few ye has been made to make work in Government v each province schools which the conditions in gardening are present, the department, and the tween masters and bo present time Io6 garde
Allusion has already steps taken by Govern bodies for the establis devoted to higher educ much progress has be Church of England f nection with the Cal College, which now has of half a century of Mission bodies have fo
MPRESSIONS
at a conscience clause uarantee that religious o those whose parents all parts of the island sufficiently dense the s for boys should be that improved local in introduced for the
ns refer to rural diswhich will give effect
consideration in the t the principle of comalready been adopted ities and small towns, passed in 1906 giving the local authorities in
OLLEGE.
ars a successful attempt gardening a part of the ernacular schools. In have been selected in ecessary for successful seeds are supplied by produce is divided beys. There are at the n schools. been made to the first ment and by Mission hment of institutions ation. Since that time :n made. In 1853 the ounded, in close conhedral, St. Thomas's an honourable history good work. Other llowed suit, and there
OF CEYLON
are now four large institutions in Colombo, while Kandy, Galle, and Jaffna each have two or three colleges and high schools. Government has given a great impetus to the work of these colleges by providing annually a scholarship of 20o a year for four years, with outfit allowance and free passage to and from England. The scholar selected continues his education at an English University, Medical College, or Engineering College.
The biographical sketches of many of the prominent doctors, lawyers, and civil servants which are given in another part of this work bear testimony to the soundness of the educa
tion given in some of the Ceylon schools.
A further step in advance has recently been taken-two scholarships are to be given annually instead of one, and they are to be awarded on the results of the intermediate examination of the University of London in arts and sciences. All the larger colleges will thus be encouraged to carry on the instruction in arts and sciences in accordance with the regulations of the London University, at any rate as far as the intermediate examination. The University of London has aided this scheme by allowing the necessary examinations to be held in Colombo. -
While the best of the secondary schools are certainly good, it must be acknowledged
that there are many so-called English schools
which reach a depth of badness not easy to describe. The growth of English schools has been too rapid, and the supply of qualified teachers has not kept pace with it. The salaries offered in the large majority of cases have not been sufficient to tempt young men of ability to enter the teaching profession, and there has been no institution for training teachers for English schools. The result is that in a large number of the I59 English schools much of the instruction is given by persons who are not properly qualified for such work. This serious state of things the Government is now attempting to remedy by the establishment of a training college for English teachers, which was opened in January, I903.
In their out-of-school life the colleges have attempted with some success to follow the model of English public schools. Cricket is played with enthusiasm, and some of the school teams can hold their own against the best English clubs. Football and athletic sports are being generally introduced, and in the elementary schools physical drill is a regular feature. A very promising cadet battalion was organised in 1902 by the late Director of Public Instruction, Mr. S. M. Burrows. It consists of seven companies, one from each of seven of the leading schools, and has acquitted itself most creditably in the annual volunteer camps.
Page 231
TWENTIETH
In 1893 the Colombo Technical College was established, with twenty-five students, and three years later it was organised in four departments: civil engineering, surveying and levelling, telegraphy, and electrical and mechanical engineering. In Igo an art department was added, and it now consists of the five departments named, and at the present time there are over two hundred students on its rolls. Permanent buildings on a large scale were erected in I904, and opened in the following year.
In 1905 the total expenditure of the Public Instruction Department was Rs. I,099,0576I (73,27o), and the nett cost to the Government, after deducting sums credited to revenue on account of school fees and sale of books and stationery, was Rs. II,o58,998’52 (47o,6oo). The average cost to revenue of each pupil in Government schools in 1905 was Rs. 520 (6s. IId.), while the average grant paid to each pupil in grant-in-aid schools was Rs. 365 (4s. 9.d.). In Government schools the cost of education is borne almost entirely by the Government. The only item of expenditure from which the Central Government is relieved is the cost of school buildings. These the village authorities have to provide and maintain as a condition precedent to the establishment of the school. No fees are levied in Government vernacular schools. In Government Anglo-vernacular schools a uniform fee is charged. In the first two standards the monthly payment is 25 cents per head of the boys learning English; in the fourth and fifth standards, 5o cents; and in the sixth, seventh, and eighth standards, R.I.
In the Royal College the monthly fees are Rs. 5 in the lower school and Rs. Io in the
CENTURY I
higher school. In the the fees vary largely : those charged at the R those charged in the vernacular schools.
趋 (?
THE WELLAWAT TRIAL, HOME AN
This institution, whic about sixteen years, rep and necessary form of e to teach useful trades same time giving them : the trade they learn. boys spend in the edu school, and the other department. It is the kind in Ceylon, having are wholly maintained They are admitted in taught and trained unt seventeen years of age to earn their own liv
have followed in the specially meant to help give them a good oppo useful and honourable in of any nationality or dition of admittance be: proved need. The hc enterprise rather than : at teaching that a need dependent upon the gift own brains and hands principle in view the ir are conducted on stric work done is not mere that has to bear the cri
གཡག་སྐྱེ་
※
BUDDHIST
UDDHIST education on Western lincs dates practically from the year 188o. In olden times, when this island was under its own kings, education seems to have been general and well patronised by the Government. The Buddhist temples served as schools for the young, and the work of teaching was carried on for the most part by the Bhikshus (monks). But with the occupation of the country by the English this system of temple education has gradually fallen into disuse, the change of circumstances demanding a knowledge of subjects not usually taught in the Pansala (temple) schools. Consequently until I88o the education of the country remained almost entirely in the hands of the Govern
tinent and the Christi children of Buddhist pa tian schools for the sake tion which had becom success in life. But, th missionary schools bei large number of Bl attended them were in ancestral faith. In fac became 'he most effe mining the position wł this island. Matters w when, in 188o, Colonel
Founder of the Theoso in Ceylon, and, as an avo an enthusiastic welcon
MPRESSIONS
aided English schools some approximate to oyal College, others to Government Anglo
总
TE BOYS” INDUSND O REPHANAGE.
h has been in existence resents a very practical :ducation. Its object is to boys, whilst at the an education suitable to Half of each day the cational section of the half in the industrial largest school of its ; nearly I5o boys who within its premises. their early years, and il, they are sixteen or when they are able ing at the trade they school. The school is destitute boys, and to rtunity of growing into nen. It is open to boys creed, the only coning that it be a case of ome is a philanthropic a charity, since it aims ly boy is not so much s of others as upon his With this important hdustries of the school t business lines. The sample work, but work ticism and competition
龔一等一
OF CEYLON 223
of the market. The boys could receive no better apprenticeship than the Home gives them. The workshops are large, possess many machines run by power, and are always full of work, while the men under whom the boys learn are all skilled workmen. The business spirit dominates the whole institution, and there is therefore in the boy's environment everything that tends to make him smart and skilful. In the school boys learn their own vernacular, and English by means of the vernacular. There is a competent staff of teachers, and the school is subject to an annual Government examination and shows increasingly satisfactory results. The Home is under the general supervision of a Wesleyan missionary, and has an English manager and a large and capable general staff. It costs about I,ooo (Rs. 115,ooo) per year to finance the home. This sum is partly earned by the increasing trades of the school, but a large margin...has to be provided for in other ways. The Wesleyan Missionary Society, which is responsible for the Home, subsidises it. Further, there is a Government grant on the educational results, and a generous local public subscribes to its funds year by year. These sources of income liquidate the yearly cost of the school. The trades taught are printing and bookbinding, carpentry and furniture-making, boot and shoe making, tailoring, rattan work, &c. The press is the largest vernacular press in Ceylon. The school holds the Government contracts for furniture.
The verdict of H.E. Sir Henry Blake, the Governor of the island, is that “the Home is doing an excellent work,' and all who, like His Excellency, have seen the school for themselves bear similar testimony.
EDUCATION,
an missionaries. The
arents flocked to Chrisof that secular educahe necessary for their he main purpose of the ng conversion, a very uddhist children who duced to give up their t, the Christian school ctive means of under
nich Buddhism held in
were in this condition H. S. Olcott, Presidentphical Society, arrived wed Buddhist, received ne from the Buddhist
community. He had not been long in the island before he saw the peril that threatened the national faith from the side of education, and he at once pointed out to the Buddhists the supreme importance of educating their children under Buddhist influences. He proposed a scheme of Buddhist education which received the approval of the leading Theras (chief monks), and was readily accepted by the Buddhist public. That scheme has been in operation for the past quarter of a century, with results that must be described as eminently satisfactory from the Buddhist point of view. The Registrar-General, Mr. P. Arunachalam, M.A., C.C.S., in the last Census Report (I9o) bears the following testi
Page 232
224
mony to the vast change in the condition of the people brought about by the work inaugurated by Colonel Olcott: “The Buddhist has advanced at the same rate as the Sinhalese population (I4 per cent), but faster than in the previous decade (Io'5), the result of increased Buddhistic zeal and propagandism in the decade, brought about mainly by the efforts of the Theosophical Society, founded by Colonel Olcott and Madame Blavatsky. Previously it was considered among Sinhalese rather fashionable to be thought Christians; and I have, in my judicial experience, known Buddhists taking their oath on the Bible as a matter of course. This is no longer the case. They are rather proud of their religion, and have even become aggressive to Christianity. . . . The Buddhists, too, show a considerable increase in the number of literates. In every hundred Buddhist males there were, in Igor, six literates more than in 1891 and eleven more than in 188I, while the proportion of Buddhist female literates (52) is twice the proportion of 189I and nearly four times that of 188I. Of late years, thanks to Colonel Olcott, the Buddhist community has awakened from its lethargy and made great advance in
TWENTIETH CENTURY
the spread of instruc Buddhist schools throl the management of tl founded by him, and r by them."
The number of Bud is at present about thre less than two hundred
ment of the Buddhist
Colombo. - The total nu ing the schools of the up of I6,497 boys an majority of Buddhist country districts, and t them is confined to the important towns ther chief among which a (Principal: Mr. D. B. J Musaeus School for Gi: in Colombo, Mahinda Woodward, M.A.) in Ga College (Mr. K. F. Bil: Students are prepared University and other p I904 the Government U the value of 200 a ye years in a British Un
IMPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
There are now 1ghout the island, under Le Theosophical Society 2ally good work is done
tion.
dhist schools in Ceylon e hundred, of which no are under the manageTheosophical Society of mber of children attend
Society is 24,927, made d 8,430 girls. A large schools are situate in he teaching imparted in vernacular. But in the are English schools, re the Ananda College ayatilaka, B.A.) and the rls (Mrs. M. M. Higgins) a College (Mr. F. L. ille, and the Dharmaraja imoria, B.A.) in Kandy. in these institutions for ublic examinations. In niversity Scholarship of :ar and tenable for four iversity was won by a
student of Ananda College. In all these schools, both English and Sinhalese, Buddhism
is regularly taught to the children of that faith,
and every possible effort is made to inspire all with a love for their country and a pride in the glorious traditions of its past.
No account of Buddhist educational work in Ceylon can be complete without a reference to the Pirivenas, or Oriental colleges, conducted more or less on the system in vogue in olden times. In these institutions, of which there are now quite a number, Sinhalese, Pali, and Sanskrit, as well as allied subjects, are taught. The majority of students are young Bhikshus, who also go through a special course in Buddhism and Buddhist philosophy. The best known Pirivenas are the Vidyodaya College, Colombo, and the Vidyalankara College, Kelaniya, presided over respectively by the Ven. H. Sri Sumangala, Nayaka Thera, and the Ven. Dharmakirtti Sri Dharmarama, Nayaka Thera-the two foremost Oriental scholars in the island. These colleges are doing a great work, and are mainly responsible for the revival of interest in Orient scholarship which is in evidence at the present time.
Page 233
THE MEDICAL
BY SIR ALLAN
IHE earliest history of sy s tematic medical practice in Ceylon dates from the third century B.c., when Asoka, the great Buddhist sovereign who promulgated the famous decrees, Many monasteries and
reigned in India. hospitals were established by this monarch, and the priests of the day were also the
physicians. The Buddhist doctrines, which according to tradition were first reduced to writing in Ceylon, specifically enjoin the wealthy to establish refuges for the blind, the destitute, and the sick and wounded of both man and beast, and these injunctions have ever been carefully observed by followers of Buddha. At the present day there are Buddhist priests who enjoy great reputation in the treatment of several diseases, notably dysentery and hydrophobia. Presumably there have always been native doctors in addition to the priests. We find them to-day, at all events, in great numbers, for the native doctor's profession is a popular one and attracts to itself many recruits. There are members of it who understand diseases common to the country, and their remedies, but the majority of the fraternity are charlatans.
The Portuguese occupation of the island contributed little to the local medical history, A brief description of the diseases which prevailed in Ceylon, written in 1865 by Juan Ribeiro, is, indeed, the only piece of literature bearing on the subject which has survived. The Portuguese priests and captains of companies appear to have had the medical charge of the garrisons of Colombo, Kalutara, Negombo, Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Jaffna, and
Mannar. From this c pretty safely inferred department was not a establishment.
The Dutch records science are even mor the Portuguese. The of the fight against di their occupation is th extent, on which the built, Tradition affir establishment on this cost of a philanthr daughter of a Dutch victim to this diseas property to the Gove. pauper lepers of the authentic record of asylum, but there is a inscribed with the wor
1708. In a memorand Governor, Van Imhoff stitution to the care of as has been stated, no available as to the sta during the Dutch oc (which extended frol know that there were the island, because a apprentice were sumr Kandy in I739 to trea a bad leg. The result to have been unsatisfac The more authenti from the British occ For half a century or m officers were responsib and the civil medical ment as regards the unsatisfactory, and in
d
DEPARTMENT
I PERRY, M.D.
ircumstance it may be that a regular medical part of the Portuguese
in regard to medical e barren than those of sole reminder we have sease in the period of e site, sixteen acres in existing leper asylum is ms that the original spot was erected at the opic Dutch lady-the Governor-who was a e, and who left her rnment in trust for the colony. There is no the foundation of the stone on the premises l “Anno” and the year um left by the Dutch he commends this inhis successor. Though, certain information is ate of medical practice cupation of the island m I656 to 1795), we Dutch medical men in Dr. Danielsz and his
moned to the court of : King Raja Singha for of the treatment is said tory.
medical records date upation of the island. ore the military medical le for both the military wants. This arrange. civil side was found the year 1858 the civil 25
medical department was established independent of the military. The civil medical staff then consisted of I principal civil medical officer and 38 medical officers. Its strength at the present time is I principal civil medical officer, I4o medical officers, 247 apothecaries, I52 nurses, II4 vaccinators, 46 clerks, and 8 stewards. During the year I905, 65 hospitals, 424 Government dispensaries and I42 estate dispensaries were in operation. 68,32I in-patients were admitted to the hospitals, with a death-rate of 9'8o per cent, I,849,544 visits were registered at the Government dispensaries, and 2,497 serious operations were performed, with 88 deaths. The hospitals include a lunatic asylum, a leper asylum, a lying-in home, a women's hospital, and the ophthalmic hospital which is Ceylon's memorial to the late Queen Victoria. In addition, this year a clinic for tropical diseases has been established in a separate building in Colombo. Furthermore, there is a bacteriological institute and a medical college.
The gross expenditure of the Ceylon Medical Department in I905 was:-
Rs. Cts. Civil Branch... І,449,2б4 9о Estates Branch 576,o43 53
2,O25,3O8 43
Total
The nett expenditure was :-
Rs. Cts. Civil Branch... I, I87,897 43 Estates Branch Ι68,6Ι7 Ι7
Total I,35ó,5I4 óo
The Ceylon Medical College was opened in the year 1870, but the establishment of such an institution was advocated as far back as
P
Page 234
226
1852, during the governorship of Sir George W. Anderson, K.C.B. In the year 1887 the Ceylon Medical College was recognised by the General Medical Council of Great Britain, at a meeting of the Privy Council held at Osborne House, Isle of Wight. This recognition of the Ceylon Medical College by the General Medical Council confers on its licentiates the advantage of being registered as medical men under the English Medical Act of 1886. The course of study is for five years, at the end of which time, and after satisfactory examinations have been passed, the student is granted a diploma to practise medicine and surgery. Nearly all the officers of the Ceylon Medical
TWENTIETH CENTURY
Department have beer College, and they pay for their medical ed medical and apothec undergoing their co College contains lecti female students, disse and two libraries.
College is in affilia
College for giving in chemistry.
The teaching staff medical and surgical s pital, Colombo, and pointed from Home
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
students at the Medical from Rs. 8oo to Rs. I,ooo lication. There are I 8 ury students at present urse of training. The re-rooms for male and ting-rooms, laboratories, The Ceylon Technical ion with the Medical truction in physics and
consists of the visiting caff of the General Hoslecturers specially ap
for such subjects as
practical anatomy, chemistry, physiology, physics, biology, pathology, and bacteriology. Recently the Council of the London University has recognised the lectures of this College in the suhjects constituting Part II. of the preliminary scientific examination of that University, which examination is held locally.
In the year 1905 the Ceylon Medical College was incorporated by an Ordinance enacted by the Governor of Ceylon with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council of the island, and a Council of the Ceylon Medical College was created.
Ordinance for the
In the same year an registration of medical practitioners in Ceylon was enacted.
Page 235
THE PEAR
BY JAMES
LATE MARINE BIOLOGIST TC
F the world's great fisheries, none can compare either in point of antiquity or in the con
tinuity of their prosecution with the Pearl Fishery of the Gulf of Mannar, whereof the portion belonging to Ceylon is now by far the more lucrative and famous. Three thousand years ago the Tamil kings of Southern India reckoned this fishery one of the principal sources of their large revenues, so much so that the chief of the pearling centres was second only to Madura, the capital, and was the residence of the heir apparent.
The pearl banks of Ceylon came into historic ken rather later-not, indeed, till the sixth century before Christ, a fact due rather to the absence of all historical data prior to the Aryan conquest of the island about 550 B.C. than to their non-existence. A gift of pearls by Vijaya, the leader of the invaders and first Sinhalese king of Ceylon, to his father-in-law, the Pandyan king of Madura, is duly set down with a list of other essentially Ceylon products in the Mahavansa, the Royal Chronicle of the Sinhalese. Such a gift bespeaks a settled fishery for pearls on the coast of his dominions, undoubtedly carried on by men of Tamil race, even as is the case to-day in large part; the Sinhalese themselves have never taken to this industry, their instincts being largely, if not exclusively, agricultural.
From the dawn of our own era historic references become frequent. In Rome, in the days of Pliny, pearls from the Gulf of Mannar were valued at a high price, and Pliny himself refers to this fishery as the most productive of pearls in all the world. Ptolemy and the author of the “ Periplus of the Erythraean Sea' both knew its location well, and the latter gave definite sailing
directions for the use the gulf.
But it would take too adventurous Greeks, Ba and Genoese have jotte of the pearl harvest of turies immediately pri Vasco da Gama of the a quarter of a century f guese, with a daring ne\ were in possession of west coast of India an seaboard of Ceylon. S wealth of the pearl f attract them, and so it advantage of the host the caste of sea-faring Parawas, who from tin conduct of the pearl fisl
MEN
L FISHERY
HORNELL,
THE CEYLON GOVERNMENT.
of mariners navigating
long to recount all that rbary Moors, Venetians, d down of the wonders these seas, in the ceneceding the arrival of Indian coast. Within rom this date the Porturer excelled by any race, the chief ports on the d a goodly part of the ooner or later the great sheries was bound to was that in 1524, taking ility existing between Hindu Tamils called he immemorial had the neries under the king of
Madura, and the energetic coast Mahomedans (“Moormen'), who had largely adopted pearl diving as their profession, the Portuguese entered into a pact with the Parawas by which this tribe agreed to work the pearl fisheries under their new masters in return for protection against the aggressive Moormen. An interesting sidelight on the character of the Portuguese is that an article of the treaty stipulated for their new subjects to become converts to Roman Catholicism. The Para was kept most zealously to the faith so strangely adopted. Rome has no more faithful adherents to-day than this Indian community, which in part still remains under the Portuguese Mission, and remembers with traditional veneration the holy zeal of that prince of missionaries, St. Francis Xavier.
It is unfortunate that no official records exist
CARRYING THE SHELLS INTO THE KOTTUS.
汉
Page 236
228
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
DIVERS AT WORK.
of the revenue derived from the pearl fishery under Portuguese rule. So far as we know, all such were destroyed by the Dutch when they ousted the Portuguese from Ceylon. Still, from stray scraps of information casually noted in diaries kept by several Portuguese soldiers of fortune-the great author of the “Lusiad' served in Ceylon-we have reason to infer that the revenue system adopted was to lease the fishing rights to local speculators, and that during their first century of power the fisheries were highly productive. From about 16oo matters appear to have been on the whole unsatisfactory. Corruption was rife in all departments of the administration ; the flashes of chivalric action that illumined the rise of Portuguese power in the East were seldom seen; signs of decadence were increasingly apparent; as a result merchants kept away from fear of exactions of the officials, while the divers were impoverished by the exactions alike of Church and State. The fisheries languished, and when the Dutch expelled the Portuguese from their last holds in Ceylon, Mannar, and Jaffna, no pearl fisheries had taken place for several years.
In full possession of Ceylon, the new power set itself with characteristic thoroughness and method to develop the commercial resources of the island. One direction to which attention was turned was the pearl fishery, and in I666 and 1667 fisheries were held off the Ceylon coast, conducted directly on behalf of the Government and resulting in fair profits. From this time forward the records were kept with exactitude, and formal regulations were drawn up to ensure both the regular and methodical examination of the pearl banks and a businesslike conduct of any fisheries that occurred.
Compared with the facilities which the present day offers for the conduct of the fishery,
such efforts were of n perfect, especially as ir prospecting arrangeme hands of the native hea vals between fisheries and led the great Dutc) Imhoff, then Governor clusion-paralleled by Government this last revenue would gain gr ment of the pearl ban fishery were not carried ment but rented out Accordingly the fishery under the new system satisfactory by the D all subsequent fisheries fashion.
So far as we can lear. were held during Dut, ducing the revenue sho
PARTICULARS OF
Year of Fishery.
1666
1667 I694 I695 I696 Ιό97 17o8 I732 1746 I747 I748 I749 I75o I753 I754 п768
MPRESSIONS
ecessity crude and imthe early Dutch days nts were largely in the dimen. Lengthy interalarmed the authorities h statesman, Baron Van of Ceylon, to the conthe decision of our year (1905)-that the eatly, and the manageks be improved, if the lon directly by Governto a single individual. in 1746 was conducted and it was found so utch Government that were held in the same
, the following fisheries h rule in Ceylon, prown, namely :-
OF CEYLON
In 1796, English rule replaced Dutch, and, as in the case with both the Portuguese and the Dutch, the early years of the new Government were characterised by rich pearl harvests. Fishery succeeded fishery with few breaks indeed from 1796 to 18og. From 1809 the fishery, although receiving more intelligent and careful attention than ever before, and in spite of better appliances and the aid afforded by more reliable charts, did not till recent years show the improvement that was expected. Spite of every care on the part of the inspectors, long series of recurring failures took place, cycles of good years alternating with longer cycles of blank years. Many reasons, some fanciful, others approximating more or less to the truth, were adduced from time to time; Governors repeatedly called for reports, and twice over, in 1857 and in 1865, a scientific inquiry was attempted, but with no practical result in the betterment of the industry. Finally, in 190o, after a continued failure of the fishery for ten years, the enlightened Governor of Ceylon, the Right Hon. Sir West Ridgeway, decided again to appeal to science for aid, and upon the advice of Professor E. Ray Iankester, Professor Herdman, F.R.S., was asked to advise. Eventually he, in company with the writer as his assistant, arrived in Ceylon in I902 to carry out investigations on the spot. Even at this recent date no exact data existed. Nothing was known of the habits of the pearloyster; the causes of its erratic appearances and disappearances were obscure, and the origin of Ceylon pearls had never received satisfactory study. The influence of varying conditions of environment were quite unknown. Even the question of whether the sexes were separate or united in each individual was open. To-day nearly all these problems have been solved, and the results of the researches appear in five bulky volumes published by the Royal Society.
PEARL FISHERIES UNDER THE DUTCH FROM 1666 TO 1796.
Government Proceeds.
Remarks.
£ S. d. 4,913 I5 II
6, Ιόο 7 5 5,264 I6 I 6, 177 3 9 6,33I 18 4 6,453 o o 8,848 о о Not ascertainable. 4,766 I3 4 2І,4oо о о 38,58o o o б8,375 o o 5,940 O O 6,ვრo o o I,469 о о Not ascertainable.
Fished on Government account, giving net
profit as shown.
Ditto.
Ditto.
Ditto.
Ditto.
Ditto.
Ditto.
An unproductive fishery.
Fishery rented out to adventurers.
Ditto.
Ditto.
Ditto.
Fishery of six days only.
Fishery rented out.
Ditto.
Very unsuccessful on account of bad weather.
According to Schrender; £12,000 according to Lee.
Page 237
TWENTIETH CENTURY
We now know the chief causes which have prevented annual fisheries, and the general life-history of the pearl-oyster has been worked out in detail. As a consequence, measures can now be taken to counteract many of the adverse influences at work, and to decrease the number of naturally barren years. To attain such results large expenditure and a complete reorganisation of the methods and system was, however, necessary. The Ceylon Government was unwilling to face this, and accordingly decided to revert to the lease system recommended a hundred and sixty years ago by the most capable Governor which the Netherlands ever gave to Ceylon. The fishery of 1906 was the last under old auspices; the fishery is now leased to the Ceylon Company of Pearl Fishers, Limited, for a term of twenty years from the beginning of I906, under conditions which bind the lessees to carry out a great cultural programme and costly permanent improvements. The rental to be paid is 20,666, or Rs.3Io,ooo per annum.
Scientific development and management will now have their opportunity. A huge scheme for the transplantation annually of many millions of young oysters from sections of the banks which are naturally unsuitable to others where the conditions are satisfactory, is to be carried out, while hard bottom is to be made over great areas where sand predominates. From the success that for years past has attended similar operations in Home waters when applied to the cultivation of the edible oyster, we need scarcely doubt that with good management eventual success will be attained. But progress does not only COsist in the adoption of up-to-date cultural methods. The vast extent of the ground whereon new beds of pearl-oysters may naturally develop requires elaborate and thorough inspection if the risk of missing a valuable deposit is to be avoided, and in this section of the fishery most notable progress has been made during the past three years.
A scientific system-more exact, and utilising apparatus and knowledge undreamed of by the marine officers who till I903 were entrusted with this vitally important duty-has been adopted, and already has afforded large additional revenue by the improvement thus effected on the old methods. It was inspection on scientific lines that endowed the colony with the fishery of I904, resulting in a net profit of over £60,000 to the Government, a sum which would have been entirely lost had not scientific methods been requisitioned. And if we have one undoubted instance in respect of this fishery of 1904, how many of the blank years of the past might not have been converted into years of great profit had the present system been
in operation Apart, of culture, times of inc store for the Ceylon enlistment of biologic of that great prospect beds which is known “Inspection of the Pea as exciting in its possi a gold reef upon land quartering of sea-bott aggregate three hunc extent, may yield knc deposit worth Ioo,oo ea ned by a month's f bility upon the shoulder is indeed a heavy one. The following table all fisheries held unde present date :-
PARTICULARS OF
UNDER THE EI
TO 1906.
Year of Government Fishery. Procceds.
I796 £37,096 15 I797 (23,982 IO I798 42,78o Io I799 £23,319 7
I8oI Rs. 150,227
18o3 I63, I54 1804 720,202 I806 412,842 I808 842,577
MPRESSIONS
nen, from the question eased prosperity are in Pearl Fishery by this il science in conduct ng search for oysterlocally as the annual l Banks,' an operation bilities as any hunt for -from day to day the om, exceeding in the red square miles in wledge of an oyster of clear profit to be shing The responsis of the officer in charge
gives the particulars of r British rule to the
PEARL FESHERIES GLISH FROM 1796
Remarks,
Fishery rented out. Oο.
Do. Net proceeds, fished on Government account. Gross proceeds, fished on Government account. Ditto. Gross proceeds.
Do. Do.
OF CEYLON
229
Government ဖွဲဲ့ချိရှိိ၊ 器 Remarks.
1809 Rs. 272463 Gross Proceeds. I814 п,o5І,876 Do. 1815 5,842 Do. 86 9,266 Do. I82O 3O4IO Do. 828 305,234 Do. I829 382,737 Do.
183o 222,564 Do. I831 293,366 DO. 1832 45,8Ιο Do. и833 32o,896 Do. Ι835 403,4όο DO. 18ვნ 254,395 Do. п837 IO6,312 Do. 1855 IO9,220 Do. 1857 2O3,633 Do. I858 24I,2Oo Do. 1859 482, I59 Do. I86o 366,86 Do. 1863 5по, п78 Do. I874 IOI, I99 Do. 1877 I89,o I Do. I879 95,694 Do. 88o 2Oo, I52 IDrა. 88 599,533 Dი. I884 I7, I53 Do. 1887 396,094 Οo. 888 804,247 Do. 1889 498,377 Do. 1890 3I3, I77 Γο. 189I 963,748 Do. I903 829.348 Do. I904 Ι, oό5,772 Do. I905 2,4όI,ό79 Do. I906 I,376,744 Do.
The pearl banks appertaining to Ceylon are
all situated off the north-west coast.
They
consist mainly of more or less level rocky outcrops from the surface of the wide and shallow submarine plateau occupying the Ceylon side of the upper end of the Gulf of Mannar. They stretch from the Island of Mannar to as
IEEE PEARL FISHING FLEET RETURNING.
Page 238
230
TWENTIETH CENTURY
TEIE SOCK OE OYSTE
far south as the sea between Chilaw and Negombo. Most of the banks-párs or paars (a Tamil word meaning rocky bottom)-are in depths ranging from 5 to Io fathoms. The shallow plateau over which they occur varies from some 20 miles in breadth in the part opposite Arippoo to some 4 miles wide in On the western edge of this area there is a steep declivity, the sea deepening within a few miles from 9 to over Ioo fathoms, which again leads abruptly into greater depths.
Each bank, and there are fully fifty in all, is -known by a distinctive name, the majority of Tamil origin and going back beyond historic records. The most productive are the Cheval and Moderagam Párs; until 1889 these yielded all the important fisheries of the past century. Since that year more exact inspection has brought other pirs into economic importance, notably the great Muttuvaratu Pár, lying off Karativu Island, and the still newer fishery section named Kutiramalai Pár to the northwest of the point of the same name. The great fisheries of 18S9, 1890, 1891, and 1906 were
the southern section.
upon the former, tha greatest in yield of wl in large part upon the from various biologica the conclusion has been the whole of the area C comprised within the between Arippoo an pearl-oyster bearing anywhere oysters ma and grow to maturity. the probabilities are gr than in others; the r complex. Chief of a play of the water flowi times when the oys young oysters enjoy so ming existence before saic sedentary life on this early stage are at current and drift. Ag which appear well seldom or never bri currents may deposit when the ground is c
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
S AFTER, TBE FISBERY.
t of 1905-by far the ich we have record– latter. From this and and physical evidence come to that practically F the submarine plateau 5 and 12 fathom lines | Chilaw is potential ground; that almost y occasionally appear But we recognise that :ater in certain sections 'asons are various and 1 is the determining gover the banks at the ers spat, because the he days of a free swimettling down to a prohe bottom, and during he entire mercy of the in, some of the banks ited to bear oysters g them to maturity; spat upon them, but se to the edge of the
submarine cliff that marks the 20-fathom line, the sea-turbulence of the south-west monsoon period sweeps them all to destruction by reason of their peculiarly exposed situation.
Oyster deposits in shallow waters have their own special enemies to contend with. On banks close to the 5-fathom line, as on the Kutiramalai and Moderagam Párs, hordes of greedy starfishes abound, destroying myriads. Other enemies comprise boring sponges, which tunnel the substance of the mother-ofpearl in a complex network of tiny chambers; carnivorous molluscs that bore circular holes in the shell and suckout the cuntents; octopods that first smother their prey before devouring it, and above all, hard-toothed fishes of several kinds-rock-fish (Vellamin in Tamil) and trigger-fish (Balistes) work havoc among beds of young oysters, while Stony-mouthed rays or skate (Rhinoptera javanica) crush the thickest-shelled adults with perfect ease.
These latter fishes are gregarious, and consorting, as they do, in shoals, the damage they do has at times been sufficient to cripple a
Page 239
TWENTETH CENTURY
fishery. Fortunately such wholesale depredations are rare, and here comes in an unexpected consideration - source of continual anxiety to the pearl-oyster culturist as they are, these great rays are indispensable to the pearl industry; without them no pearls of the glorious 'water" for which the Ceylon pearl is famous would be produced-none save those of misshapen and irregular form would be yielded, and the fishery would sink into insignificance.
During the investigation carried out by Professor Herdman and the writer into pearl causation, we found that the kernel of the great majority of "fine' pearls that we decalcified consisted of the dead body of a little globular tape-worm larva. Further inquiry showed that living facsimiles of this tiny parasite-smaller than the head of the tiniest pin-abound in a large proportion of adult pearl oysters. Eventually we demonstrated beyond the slightest shadow of doubt that the principal exciting cause in the production of an 'Orient' pearl is the irritation caused in the mantle of the oyster by the death therein of one of these little parasites. How exceedingly rare an occurrence this is, is difficult to realise. I have dissected hundreds of oysters and counted thousands of living larvae in their tissues-in the gills and liver they may swarm without apparent ill-effects upon the oyster's health-and in the whole lot I might find but a solitary cyst-pearl, as we name the pearls produced by this particular irritation. The ratio is probably not I in I,ooo. It is on this rare occurrence, however, that the prosperity of the Ceylon fishery depends.
Another long and tedious investigation had next to be entered upon to make out the lifehistory of this exceedingly valuable parasite, and Professor Herdman and myself have little doubt that certain tapeworms living in the intestine of the oyster-eating ray (Rhinoptera iavanica) are the adults of our pearl-inducing larva. Hence it is clear that any large reduction in the numbers of this fish will influence adversely the production of pearls and greatly decrease the value of the industry. At the same time a shifting of the balance in an opposite direction is equally dangerous, and when it occurs it may result in the wholesale depletion of a promising bed of oysters.
Until the present year, when the control passes into the hands of a private company, the system prevailing was for the preparations and actual fishery to be carried on directly by Government. Twice a year the banks were systematically examined, formerly by the Inspector of Pearl Banks, who was usually the Master-Attendant of Colombo, but since I903 by a scientific officer termed the Marine Biologist. The chief object is to locate fishable beds of oysters, ascertain their condition,
and estimate appro available for fishing. to 20,000 are collected of divers, and the pearl ascertained. If founc over per I,coo oysters, decide to proclaim a February, March, and months. Advertisemel cast throughout the guages in use by merchants whose pres are given in these estimated size and dur value of the pearl sam the banks to be fished infinite importance, fo the respective merits have been the subject ( generations.
Till 1889 the fishery Silavatturai-the "port but since I890, a new mean and fever-strickel coast a couple of miles malai Point, has been the fishery camp, on facilities it affords to goings and comings. In December this over to a couple of hu villagers and to herds Big game wanders fre the village, spoor of el and deer meet the eye the jungle, while the the hum of the mosc company during the lor
MPRESSIONS
imately the numbers Samples of from Io,000 by the inspection staff broduce of these oysters
to average Rs. IO or he Government usually fishery in the ensuing April-the usual fishery its are published broadEast, in the chief lanhe divers and pearl nce is desired. Details
advertisements of the tion of the fishery, the ples, and the names of -the last a matter of to buyers and divers of the different banks if practical attention for
headquarters were at of the Pearl Fishery'-- site, Marichchukadde, a village on the desolate
northwards of Kutira
used whereon to build
account of the better the fishing fleet in its
village waste is given ındred powerty-stricken of half-wild buffaloes. ely on the confines of ephant, bear, wild pig in the damp places of cry of the jackal and uito bear the restless ng watches of the night.
OF CEYLON 231
In January bungalows for the officials and storage sheds for the daily catch of oysters begin to rise, roofed and walled with the indispensable “cadjan'-the plaited leaf of the coconut, Rafters, beams, supports, all come from the jungle adjoining, a trade which, under the watchful superintendence of the Forest Department, becomes a source of considerable revenue to Government. Another month and a miracle is wrought. Steamers and innumerable sailing craft arrive daily from India and Colombo, disgorging a motley crowd of pearl merchants, oyster buyers, divers, petty traders, and coolies by the thousand. Every man brings his own cooking utensils, but no dwelling awaits his arrival. Each, in his own way, has to run up a cadjan dwelling before he can sleep in any comfort. By the magic of the cadjan and of bitter necessity a town arises within a night, and at the end of the week this pearl metropolis of the world boasts a population of from forty to fifty thousand-a city inhabited by workers only, without schools, but in other respects fully organised, with an ample police force, a sanitary corps, spick and span hospitals with a medical staff ready for every emergency, a magistracy, postal and telegraphic services, a Custom House, and even a Harbour Master's office.
The divers and boat owners who attend and work the fishery in conjunction with the Government do so on the share system. In return for permission to fish on the banks, the divers and boat owners agree to render to Government two-thirds of the entire catch, the remaining third being the remuneration given to the divers and boat owners.
Usually the fishing fleet sets sail for the
N STREET OF THE FISHERY ENCAMIPMENT.
Page 240
232
banks at midnight, at which time a signal gun is fired. By sunrise the fleet, numbering sometimes nearly 25o boats, is at anchor round the old barque which serves as headquarters to the Marine Biologist and as mark vessel on the centre of the fishing ground.
The area over which diving is permitted is marked off prior to the fishery by means of flag buoys along boundaries, and the occurrence of the oyster patches is indicated to the divers by others of different colour.
Diving begins an hour after sunrise, when the mounting sun has dispelled the chilly vapours of the early morning. A gun fired from the inspection ship gives the signal to commence, and the reverberation has not died away before the low hum of thousands of voices rises from the boats, followed after a scarcely perceptible interval by the sound of a great splashing as a full half of the divers drop into the sea.
Of the men who attend as divers four types stand out distinct in race and characteristics-Christian Tamils from the little ports from Cape Comorin northwards to Tondi and Ammapatam, Mahomedan Lebbais or Moormen from the same locality, Malabars (Malayalim people) from Travancore and Cochin, and, lastly, a heterogeneous collection of Persian Gulf mongrels, exhibiting every gradation and blend from a full-blooded negro to men of clear-cut, handsome Arab features. All save the Malayalim divers, who plunge head foremost from a spring-board, descend to the bottom in an upright position, carried swiftly down by a weight on which they place their feet-astone of forty to fifty pounds in the case of the local divers, a lead of not more than ten pounds in that of the Arabs. Each diver is tended by “manduk," whose duty consists in the care of two ropes slung over a rude rail above the side of the ship, and which are attached respectively to the diving stone and the oyster basket. When ready to descend, the diver, if he be a Tamil, adjusts the basket on the top of the diving stone and secures it in position by placing one foot upon it. He draws a long breath, closes his nostrils with the fingers of one hand, raises his body as high as possible above water to give force to his descent, and then suddenly releasing the loop that supports the stone, is carried swiftly to the bottom. An Arab diver closes the nostrils with a horn clip suspended from a cord slung round the neck. His descent is slightly less rapid than that of the Tamil, and this tends to lessen the danger to which the drum of the ear is subjected if insufficient time be allowed for adjustment to the heightened pressure on the sea bottom.
On reaching the bottom the diver steps off the sinker, slips the noose of the bag or basket round his neck and swims slowly over the bottom, transferring to his bag all the oysters
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
he can see. Meanw hoisted up the stone a position on the rail ri Almost as soon as this i is ready to come to the by a signal twitch or stantly two inunduks (th pairs, one in and the ( haul in the rope with til diver being drawn up w over the boat's side, th the bag returned to few minutes' rest is r When a man has bee hour, and has made 1 descents, he is glad to comrade take his place by this system a single men; in the old days stated as so many "st known the number of t at once by merely di these stones. In the licence was placed on a fishery.
The weakest divers a 4o seconds is their The Christian Tamils al and the Moormen ex seconds, 5o seconds bei Arabs do much better a to 8o seconds in dept The Arabs will go than the others; wh divers do not care to and the Tamils and Mot 9 fathoms. The Arab prosecuting diving at I even go down to 2o fa About mid-day, sigr mark boat to cease w usually coincides with t breeze, the boats of th weighing anchor and With favourable weath reach the shore by thre ally head winds and rol and make headway so not reach port till the
Arrived at Marichch which forms the fish boats line up in front enclosure-the Govern store. Into this the dive catches, and, in a numb the long sheds filling th throw down their oys into three heaps of ap Soon a native clerk com the one which he allo share. The diver gath moves towards a gate, himself and his belon
MPRESSIONS
hile his manduk has nd adjusted its rope in ady for the next dive. s done the diver below surface, indicating this
the basket rope. e divers work usually in fher out of the water) he utmost despatch, the ith it. The bag is lifted e contents emptied, and he diver, who after a eady to descend again. n in the water half an berhaps seven or eight get a rest and let his It may be noted that set of gear serves two a boat's capacity was ones,' and when this is he divers is ascertained Dubling the number of Dutch days a tax or each stone employed at
In
re the Malayalim men; average below water. re better by 5 seconds, cel this by another 5 ng their average. The nd think nothing of 70 hs of 7 to 8 fathoms. much greater depths hereas the Malayalim go beyond 7 fathoms, ors will work down to s find no difficulty in 4 and I5 fathoms, and thoms on occasion.
hal is made from the ork, and as this signal he onset of a brisk sea
e fleet lose no time in starting shorewards. her the foremost boats e o'clock, but occasionigh sea scatter the fleet difficult that many do following day. Luikadde, the little port ery headquarters, the of a huge palisaded ment kottu or oyster rs carry their individual ered section of one of Le interior of the kottu, ters, dividing each lot broximately equal size. es round and indicates its to the diver as his ers up his oysters and here perhaps to have gings subjected to an
OF CEYLON
inefficient search for pearls stolen from the oysters when en route for the shore. Safely past this danger with his share of oysters and cleverly secreted pearls, the diver may either open the oysters himself, or more usually may dispose of them to petty merchants. Meanwhile the Government share of the various boatloads is heaped and counted ; as soon as the approximate total is ascertained the figures are handed to the Government official in charge of the camp-who for many years past has been the Government Agent of the Northern Province. At 6 p.m. this official begins to auction off the day's total of oysters in lots at the option of the buyers, custom being not to put up a definite number of oysters, but to put up the rate per I,ooo oysters to bidding. If the oysters be of good quality bids may begin at about Rs.5o per I,ooo, and gradually creep up to say Rs.7o per Iooc, beyond which no offer may be made. Then the auctioneer declares he will book a quantity of oysters at this price, and the names of a dozen may be accepted as buyers at this price, each naming the quantity of oysters he desires to purchase. If much eagerness be shown, the booking of purchases is stopped, and the rate put up again, when, if there is a general fear that there are not enough of oysters to go round, a considerable advance may be recorded. So the sale goes on till the total is exhausted.
Next morning the buyers pay into the Treasury the value of their purchases-it is a purely cash business-and receive orders upon the Government storekeeper in exchange.
The oysters received, coolies carry them into little enclosures close to the sea, which their employers have leased from the Government for the duration only of the fishery. Here the precious bivalves are thrown in heaps on mats and guarded with zealous care by the owners during the period of seven to ten days that must elapse ere they be ready to wash for the pearls contained. This preparatory process is a malodorous one, but it is not, as is commonly supposed, a process of rotting. Fly maggots are the active agents; the greater the plague of flies the more the maggots and the more rapid the "rotting" process. At the end of a week the oysters are usually mere empty shells, clean and free from smell. The owner now has them placed in a dug-out canoe filled with water. Coolies under close supervision pick out, separate, and rinse the valves till nothing is left at the bottom but a débris of sand, shell fragments, and pearls. This débris is gathered with religious care, spread in the sun to dry, and then carefully picked over for pearls-if possible by the owner's relations, for none others can be trusted Picked out, the pearls are graded according to size and colour, and according to rules that have existed for centuries.
Page 241
TWENTIETH
The bulk of Ceylon pearls find their way, in the first instance, to Bombay, where the majority are perforated and strung into ropes, in which condition they find their way to brokers and wholesale dealers throughout the world, more especially to London and Paris.
To-day we are on the threshold of what may prove great alterations and improvements in the conduct of the Ceylon Pearl Fishery, and much of what has been written above may prove of quaint historical interest to readers ten years hence.
A well-corslidered experiment in oyster cultivation on an immense scale is about to be tried; all the suggestions that biological science can make are to be carried out, and we may face the future in the full assurance that if judicious management be linked to vigorous development on modern scientific lines, the venture of the Ceylon Company of Pearl Fishers, at whose head stands the man who of all living has dune most for the advancement of Ceylon, will eventuate in such an improvement of the Ceylon Pearl Fishery as will double and even treble its value to the people of Ceylon.
鲸、
JOHN I. SOLOMON, B.Sc.
Towards the close of 1906 Mr. John I. Solomon, an American inventor, arrived in Ceylon from the United States for the purpose of conducting experiments which, if successful, will revolutionise the pearl-fishing industry. Mr.
CENTURY I
Solomon's idea is to
Röntgen ray photogra he has devised, wherel oysters, it can be di contain pearls or not
JOEN I.
process developed on clearly apparent, anc present methods are most valuable results successful working of possibility of keeping
MIPRESSIONS
upply to living oysters hy by a process which y, without injury to the covered whether they
The value of such a
SOLOMION,
a commercial scale is l the advantages over manifold. One of the
to be obtained by the this system will be the alive, and the cultivation
OF CEYLON 233
to a larger size, of oysters in which seed pearls are found, because the process will reveal not only which oysters contain pearls, but also the size of the pearls. In this way theft can be prevented, those oysters in which pearls are found can be used for propagation purposes, and the existing disagreeable and diseasebreeding method of extracting the pearls will be abolished. At present, of course, these are more or less “castles in the air," but at the time of writing the experiments give every promise of success. Naturally a great deal of interest and curiosity has been aroused by Mr. Solomon's experiments, and their results will doubtless attract almost world-wide interest. The experiments are being financed by an American syndicate, of which Mr. Solomon is the head.
Mr. Solomon was born in New York im I87 I, and educated at a public school, and at the City of New York College. After passing through the latter he entered the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the great engineering school of the United States, and there, in 1893, he graduated as Bachelor of Science in the course of electrical engineering. He then actively followed the electrical profession, being employed by several large electrical corporations, and his last position before going to Ceylon was that of electrical expert to the General Electric Company. He has already patented several of his inventions, but his experiments in Ceylon are the most important he has yet undertaken.
Nܠ̈ܠܽܐܓܢܬNN
Page 242
疹නූ
ရို့ဖို့
S.
yܬ
须 ރަ stKIŠ
茨
షో
ar
RUB
BY HERBERT WRIC
rubber industry of Ceylon has attracted the
attention of almost every one interested in tropical economic
botany, and the prospects of its future have aroused the investing public to a degree which is described as being unparalleled in the histories of other products which have had their day. Planters are eager to experiment with soils in districts which have hitherto been disregarded. Efforts have been made to grow rubber-yielding plants in the north, south, east and west of the island at altitudes ranging from sea-level to over 5,ooo ft. Already it is possible to say, that certain species will only thrive under certain climatic conditions, and a centralisation of individual species over large areas having similar climates is now manifest.
At the present time but few Ceylon estates have large acreages of rubber-trees in bearing, and it is with surprise that one realises how keenly and thoroughly the methods of collecting, purifying, coagulating, drying, smoking, and forms of preparation have been already taken up in the island.
The amount of rubber annually exported from Ceylon is small, but the knowledge which has been so eagerly gained concerning its preparation, and the freedom with which it has been circulated, will materially help the industry and assist all to place it on a sound basis long before the large acreages are in bearing.
Rubber consists of the dried milik or latex of certain plants. In the temperate and subtropical zones several species possess laticiferous systems: the number of these in the tropical zone is very often considerable.
GENE
Plants possessing la various parts of both h grow under a variety of on hilly land, sometime alsO in Swamps and des rubber plants are shrub the Guayule (Partheniu have a climbing habit, s Willughbcias, but most considerable importanc measuring nearly a hun frequently over 9 ft. in ( last group belong the Fa the Castilloa, Para, and tropical America, Gutta of Sapium and Palaquu
region.
In Ceylon a large I known which yield 1 There are several spe Bassia, Palaquun, an yield latices possessing resin, and there are al species, such as Palaquit Sapium biglandulosum, yield varying quantities ( yet taken a place in th
Ceylon.
The sources of rubbe Hevea brasiliensis, Mull. Para rubber Of commer Cerv., or Panama rubbi Mull.-Arg, which gives commerce ; Ficus elast Gutta Rambong, and t It is interesting to not promising forms of rub Ceara, and Castilloa-ha from other tropical cou present time not a sing
234
BER
3HT, A.R.C.S., F.L.S.
ERAL.
tex are distributed in 2mispheres, where they conditions, sometimes s on alluvial plains, and ert areas. Some of the by in character, notably m argcntatum); others uch as`Lamadolplhias and of those which are of eform large trees, often dred feet in height, and ircumference. To the untunia trees of Africa,
Ceara rubber-trees of Rambong and species n in the Indo-Malayan
number of plants are ubber of commerce. cies of Ficus, Sapium, d Willughbcia which
high percentages of so several introduced un Gutta, Payena Lecrii, &c., which, though they bf caoutchouc, have not he rubber industry of
r in Ceylon are mainly -Arg, which yields the ce ; Castilloa clastica, er ; Manihot Glaziovii,
the Ceara rubber of ica, L., the source of he Landolphia vines. e that the three most ober in Ceylon-Para, lve all been introduced ntries, and that at the gle native or indigen
ous species is known in this island which promises to produce rubber in quantity and quality sufficient to make it a commercial
SlcCeSS.
Though rubber-trees had been known for many years, it was not until about 1875 that they were seriously considered suitable for cpcrimental cultivation in Ceylon. Various expeditions were sent out to tropical America by several countries, and this island ultimately obtained Castilloa, Ceara, and Para rubber plants in I876 and 1877.
In the early days the planters appeared to have more confidence in their quick-growing Ceara rubber plants, but finding that they did not give profitable yields after a few years' waiting, they were either left to grow in the wild state or were cut down to make room for other products. Ceara rubber-trees grow well in many climates, and have been successfully reared in the dry, arid, northern parts as well as in the damp, cooler parts of the south of the island. This species grows from sea-level to over 4,000 ft. and has, at the present time, a wider distribution in Ceylon than any other introduced rubber-yielding species.
Castilloa rubber cultivation appears to have been taken up seriously at a later date, but at the present time, owing to difficulties in obtaining a free flow of latex and a sufficiently large quantity of rubber therefrom, is showing signs of being neglected, and on several estates is being cut down to make room for Para rubbertrees. Castilloa rubber-trees grow best where the temperature inever falls below 60° F. and in districts with a well-distributed rainfall of at least 7o ins. They have been tried in the Kalutara, Matale, Dumbara, Peradeniya, and Passara districts, and, though they grow very rapidly in the first three years, do not appear
Page 243
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
A PLANTATION OF
trees are 2o ins. in circumference.
* CASTELLOA (This is the rubber-tree of Central America, and is not such a favourite in Ceyl
It is a handsome tree, but has a curiol
The rubber cannot be obtained till the tree is eight to ten years old, as in
to give as favourable results as those of Para rubber.
Para rubber-trees are being successfully cultivated in districts with a rainfall of 6o to I2O ins., and encouraging results have even been obtained in relatively dry districts, and in some with a high rainfall.
The Para rubber districts of Ceylon range from sea-level to over 3,OOO ft., though the best results have been obtained below 2,Ooo ft., where the average annual mean temperature varies from 75° to 81° F. and the rainfall from 7o to 12o ins. Para rubber to-day appears to be the favourite, and the extension of its cultivation has been influenced or determined by the results obtained during many years of patient waiting and working. The opinions of many persons vitally concerned in the Ceylon rubber industry is that, where Para rubber-trees will grow, they can be cultivated as the mainstay of the estate.
The rate of growth and present immunity from pests of Hevea brasiliensis put it, in
Ceylon, above Funtu mia places it on an equal or the best Castilloas, and it and response to the extc nary tapping knife appe; to Ceara and other rubbe as far as can be judgedand yielding capacityother rubber-trees. T species is not confinec spread to many islands a out the tropical zone.
Planters in the Indo unanimous in their O Ceara, Castilloa, and Gu felled in Order that Par planted or their growth or at least the West C. tinent, will take as m brasiliensis as we can been found to be super that area. Even during seeds, for planting purp
IPRESSIONS
OF CEY LON
A ELASTICA”
on as the Hevea brasiliensis.
RUBBER-TREES.
The plantation shown is four years old, and the
is habit of shedding its lower branches as it grows, leaving a tall, bare stem.
young trees the rubber contains too much resim, &c.)
its yielding capacity :ven higher plane than s hardy characteristics nsive use of the ordiur to render it superior 's. Para rubber-trees, -in growth, hardiness, are superior to many he confidence in this
to Ceylon, but has nd territories through
-Malayan region are oinion, and trees of ta Rambong are often rubber-trees may be
encouraged. Africa, ast of that vast conany seeds of Hevea give, because it has or to others native in this year thousands of ses, have been sent to
Brazil-the country whence all our Hevea rubber seeds were obtained in I876.
The cultivation of Gutta Rambong and Landolphia is in a backward state in this island, and it is not likely to develop at a rapid rate if considerable improvements are not evolved. Trees of Gutta Rambong are somewhat difficult to establish, and owing to the enormous size which they attain, are planted at very wide distances from one another, thus allowing only a small number of trees to each acre. A few estates at a high elevation possess a small number of trees.
The Landolphias are creeping plants, and must be grown among other trees if success is to be attained; they appear to thrive at Heneratgoda. Gutta Rambong trees and Landolphia vines do not yield good rubber until they are many years old, and do not appear to be regarded in Ceylon with as much favour as is even Ceara and Castilloa, and for the purposes of this article they may be disregarded,
Page 244
286
The development of the rubber industry in Ceylon should not be associated exclusively with the fact that excellent rubber-yielding trees have been acclimatised.
The impetus to the planting of rubber-trees is partly due to the discovery of improved methods of tapping, of new paring and pricking knives, to information regarding the best frequency for tapping, and to the invention of machinery for smoking, coagulating, drying, and blocking of rubber. Simultaneously with these general improvements there has been a rise in price to over 6s. a pound for some samples of plantation rubber, and this alone has been responsible for much of the activity during the last few years. In 1892, when the price of some samples of plantation rubber was 2s. Iod. per pound, the planted area in Ceylon was only 400 acres. In I903, when the price was 5s. a pound, 7,500 acres were planted in Ceylon; in I905, when the price rose to 6s, the planted acreage rose to 40,000 acres; and now, at the end of 1909, when prices range from 5s. 3d. to 5s. I Id. per pound, Ceylon alone can claim over Ioo,Ooo acres of planted rubber, and promises in the near future to far exceed its already large acreage.
Rubber-trees are sometimes cultivated as a single product, and frequently very large blocks of land are planted with one kind only. On
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
several estates the Para planted with tea and ca profitable results, esp product. Where the alone it is customary, plant catch crops in cassava, lemon grass, ducts which may give : or second years. Whe not used it is custom the whole of the es herbaceous green ma Vigna species) or leg Albizzia molticcana anc Before planting ope it is usual to cut down on the forest or chenal lined and holed, and arrives the seeds or y put out. Ceara plants gated from cuttings, b Ceylon grown from st Ceara, Castilloa, and planted at distances val apart, according to th vailing. They require distances in similar stag Each species regularly foliage after it is three the hot and dry part c
鷺 蕊
A RUBBER NURSERY AND YOUNG PEA The trees are seventeen years old,
MPRESSIONS
rubber-trees are inter
cao, and appear to give 2cially with the latter rubber is first planted on a few properties, to the form of chillies, cotton, and other proreturn during the first re such catch crops are ary to regularly weed tate, or to interplant nures (Crotalaria and uminous trees such as Erythrina lithosperma. rations are commenced and burn the vegetation and ; the clearing is then when suitable weather oung rubber plants are may be easily propaut most species are in :ed only.
Para rubber-trees are ying from Io ft. to 3o ft. he local conditions preapproximately the same es of their development. sheds the whole of its to five years old, during of the year. The Ceara
OF CEYLON
rubber-trees remain leafless for several weeks or months, while the Para and Castilloa trees are leafless for only a few days or a couple of weeks each year.
Thirty-year-old trees of Para rubber often grow to an enormous size, producing stems 9o ft. in height and IO9 ins. in circumference. They tend to produce taller trees, for a given age, than either Ceara or Castilloa. The Ceara rubber-trees, though they do not produce such tall stems as either Para or Castilloa, are characterised by a low and spreading branch system, and rarely grow to a height much above 4o ft. Castilloa rubber-trees are considered to require shade, and species of Erythrina and Albizzia have been used for Such a purpose.
The methods adopted in tapping, collecting, coagulating, washing, and general preparation of rubber are somewhat similar for each of the three species. The latex is extracted from the trees by making incisions in the cortex or bark of the trunk and branches, this being done in such a manner as not to injure the trees. With Para and Castilloa rubber - trees the outer rough bark is simply cleaned by hand, but with Ceara rubber-trees it is often necessary to remove the thin, hard outer bark before tapping operations can be commenced. The incisions in the trees may take the form of a V,
NTATION IN THE SOUTHERN PROVINCE, and 20 ft. and upwards in height.)
Page 245
TWENTIETH CENTURY I)
a single oblique cut, V's joined by a vertical line to form a herring-bone arrangement, or long spiral lines. This operation is usually carried out on the trunk from the base to a
“HIEVEA BRASILIENSIS,” OR PARA
RUBBER-TREE,
(A tree in the Royal Botanic Gardens, showing the fruiting branches and foliage.)
height of 6 ft.; occasionally the first branches and the higher parts of the trunk up to a height of 20 ft. are tapped. In each case the incision is made carefully, to avoid damaging the cambium, and the line is made on a gradient to allow a flow of latex along the lower surface of the line of excision from above downwards. Water, either from bottles or drip-tins, is allowed to flow along the cut in order to accelerate the flow of latex and to prevent coagulation from taking place in the cut.
In most of the systems of tapping the operator commences at the highest point and repeatedly pares off the surface of the lower edge of the bark (cortex) until he has completely stripped it to the base of the tree. At each paring or shaving operation only a small piece of the dried corky tissue is removed so as to reopen the latex tubes; on certain days, instead of paring the lower surface, a rotatory or comb pricker is used, the teeth of which penetrate the inner cortex and cut or prick the latex tubes. The tapping operation is performed at intervals varying from twice per day to once per month on individual trees. It is therefore obvious that by the method of extraction of latex at present employed the laticiferous system is temporarily depleted, cut and torn, and a large quantity of the bark or cortex is cut away. The latex tubes of Para and Ceara rubber trees do not arise from internal tissues and
push themselves into process of decompositio of the cortical cells. Th is thus the mother of system is, during pari partially or entirely ri at a time when the co reserve food material i use of the plants. The the tree, has a milky a dry weather is apt to co issue or in the cuts.
When large quantiti obtaimed in the liquic removed to a central f the factory the latex proportion of foreign m pieces of bark. These are removed by filtering porous cloth or by n machine made to revol 3,ooo revolutions per m freed from some of its accumulated in settlin coagulating receptacle smoked by being passec charged with the i sm logs of wood which creosote; this operatic advisable in order ti softening of the rubbel In coagulating the are adopted. In the fi into a barrel-like rece added, and the apparatu coagulated latex accum the watery portion on t latter is no longer turbi latex is considered p removed. In the secc is added to the latex in large settling tanks to accumulate on th method-often spoken consists in allowing ordinary putrefaction. to stand in any rece stituents decompose a this is followed by rubber rises to the su The freshly coagulat and spongy, and while jected to much stretch washing machines in essentially of pairs of uneven rates. They a which delivers cold ol rollers. The rollers zontally or spirally, placed between them stretched, and washe has gone through th from all mechanical ir
MPRESSIONS
he cortex, but by a of the partition walls
bark or cortex, which
he future laliciferous ng operations, either moved from the tree mponent cells possess tended for the future latex, as it issues from pearance, and in very gulate at the point of
es of latex have been condition, they are actory. On arrival at ften contains a large atter, such as sand and mechanical impurities the latex through thin Leans of a centrifugal fe at the rate of about linute. The latex thus mpurities is then either g tanks or placed in 's. Sometimes it is l through an apparatus oke from smouldering have been soaked in n is often considered O prevent subsequent
atex different methods rst method it is poured 'ptacle; acetic acid is s made to revolve. The ulates in the centre and he outside. When the d the coagulation of the erfect and the rubber ind method acetic acid which has accumulated und the rubber allowed 2 surface. The third of as the natural onethe latex to undergo If the latex is allowed tacle some of its cond give rise to acidity; coagulation, when the face, d rubber is soft, pliable, in this condition is subng and washing. The use in Ceylon consist hetal rollers running at 2 supplied with a pipe hot water between the re usually fluted horind when the rubber is is thoroughly pressed, The rubber, after it rollers, is usually free purities; the superficial
OF CEYION 237
or soluble ingredients are considerably reduced in quantity; it is often much torn and irregular in outline, and is subsequently passed through. smooth rollers, there to be finished off as crépe. rubber.
Where the freshly coagulated rubber is not passed through a washing machine it is generally allowed to set in circular or rectangular receptacles, and is turned out in the shape of biscuits and sheets. In other cases the freshly coagulated rubber is cut up into thin strips or “worms," and at other times. converted into a lace-like mass of thin rubber. But whether in the form of crépe, biscuit, sheet, worm, or lace rubber, the prepared material possesses a large percentage of water, and hitherto the Ceylon planters have generally tried to remove this moisture in order to be able to ship the rubber in a dry state. The drying is usually done in hot-air chambers, supplied with the minimum amount of light and a good current of hot, dry air. The wet rubber is either arranged on shelves or hung up on strings, and is allowed to stay in this condition for a few days or weeks until the moisture content is less than I per cent. The time taken in the hot-air drying process is a great disadvantage, and a few estates are contemplating the introduction of vacuum dryers, which, by means of high temperatures and low pressures, enable the operator to
TAPPING, AN OLD RUBBER-TREE ON TEIE EULL EIERRING-BONE SYSTEMI.
(The coolie using the "pricker." The small cups at the top of the cuts are full of water, which drips into the cut and keeps the milk flowing steadily into the pan until the bark is drained.)
sufficiently dry the rubber in a few hours instead of days. It is not unlikely that several planters will to a large extent dispense with the drying process and ship their rubber in
Page 246
238
large rectangular blocks containing as much moisture as the rubber which is exported at the present time from tropical America and Africa. Rubber possessing 2o per cent. of water may be sent over long distances without deteriorating, providing it has been properly treated with antiseptics.
The biscuit, sheet, crépe, worm, lace, and scrap rubber is usually sent from Ceylon in rectangular boxes made to hold one or two hundredweight. Some of these, especially the biscuits, are difficult to pack, and in all
TWENTIETH CENTURY
the original and more plantation rubber is ex have adopted the "blo Mr. Pears, of Lanadron block of rubber is rec may weigh from 25 to The block is made fro rubber, but there is no not be made from lump: latex, if the presence septics is not objected facturers. Block rubbe
EIGEI APPING OF BEVEIA OR PARA RUBBER O
BERRING-BONE SYSTEM.
(This method is adopted on some old trees. A light scaffolding of "giant bamboo"
the tree, and on this the coolie mounts and taps the bark.)
cases a very large surface of rubber, per unit of weight, is exposed to the air. In order to overcome the disadvantages associated with
in Ceylon by pressing bis kept in a dry state foi though the immense pr
PRESSIONS
ent forms in which ted, several planters ' rubber devised by state, Johore. Each ngular in form, and plbs. or even more. partially dried crepe ason why it should of freshly coagulated
moisture and antiby the Home manuhas also been made
THE
les is fixed against
its which had been several weeks, and sure obtained by a
OF CEYLON
large screw-press made a satisfactory block, the lines separating some of the biscuits could be distinguished. The great reduction in area
AN olid PARA RUBBER-TREE TAPPED ON THE FULL SPIRAL SYSTEM.
(The bark is cut away in long spirals, encircling the trunk corkscrew fashion. To tap it the coolic pares away a thin shaving of bark, thus inducing the latex, or rubber milk, to flow.)
exposed to light and air by turning out the rubber in block form is manifest from the fact that Ioo biscuits, each measuring 8 to Io ins, in diameter, and is to in. in thickness, were pressed into one block measuring 12 x 12 x 5 ins. The weight of the block was approximately 26 lbs., and several such samples could be packed easily in one box for shipment. At the present time block rubber prepared from well-washed and partially dry crépe rubber is in favour among Ceylon planters, though it may yet be necessary to make the blocks not quite so thick, but of larger area than those recently placed on the market.
It cannot be doubted that the features on which the prosperity of the rubber industry depend are the yields of rubber obtainable and the period over which they can be guaranteed. Old trees of Ceara rubber have given from 65 to 169 grams of dry rubber each in a period of three to four months, whilst others have given an annual average yield of to 1 lb. of rubber per tree for a few years in succession. Trees of Castilloa have given somewhat similar yields, and it is generally conceded that an average annual yield of I lb. of dry rubber per tree. is rarely exceeded by either of these species. Para rubber-trees, on the other hand, have given far more promising yields, and much information has been published showing the results obtained on private and public properties in various parts of the island. A
Page 247
TWENTIETH CENTURY IM
yield of Ilbs. of dry rubber per tree per year for nine years has been obtained from a few old Para rubber-trees at Heneratgoda. Estates
rubber prepared with spread by contact. Its be associated with the
OLD PARA RUBBER-TREES IN THE HENARATGODA BOI
(This is one of the oldest plantations in the East, and the trees were raised from
Ceylon. The trees are the subjects of various experiments, and those tapped on th
in the Matale and Kalutara districts have given an annual yield of lb. to 3 lbs. per tree, and during I905 a known I38,655 trees yielded 189,743 lbs. of rubber Individual trees at Heneratgoda have given 2, 3, 8, Io, II, I2, and 15 lbs. of dry rubber each in eleven months, when tapped on certain systems, and it would not be an exaggeration to say that thirty-yearold trees of Para rubber could be made to yield as much as 50 lbs. of rubber each in one year,
at the sacrifice of the tree. The manner in
which trees of Para rubber have yielded to the use of paring and pricking knives has occasioned much surprise, and though it is perhaps too early to make any definite statement as to the ultimate effects, the results have admittedly exceeded expectations.
One of the most serious troubles to the rubber planter in Ceylon is the liability gif the prepared rubber to become soft and sticky during the course of drying or in the packingcases during transit. The rubber first becomes sticky or tacky in local areas. These sticky patches spread, and the whole biscuit or sheet may rapidly soften and become almost liquid. The change is supposed to be due to the development of bacteria which live on the sugary. proteid, or foreign impurities in the rubber or latex. Rubber obtained from the first tappings of young and old trees appears to be specially liable to become tacky, but the change is due to a disease which may appear on the best
insufficient washing. 1 thirty-year-old trees de
(The Ceylon rubber "biscuit
enamelled pans, and in the factory.)
the lines where the ru been in contact with st
PRESSIONS OF CEYLON 239
out smoking, and be to keep this disease in check it is advisable to appearance may often store and dry the rubber in dark rooms, and ise of impure water, or to effectively wash the freshly coagulated material. Any pieces of tacky rubber should be isolated, and the affected area either cut away or trented with formalin. Smoking the rubber and making it into blocks is also said to reduce its liability to become tacky.
The latex of most of the rubber is, as it issues from the tree, of a creamy white colour, faintly alkaline or neutral, and rapidly turns acid and coagulates on exposure to the air. By the addition of ammonia or formalin it may be kept in a liquid state indefinitely. The composition varies according to the age, season, and section of the stem from which it is obtained, but as a general average that from Hevea brasiliensis possesses 5o to 55 per cent. of water, 3o to 4o per cent. of caoutchouc, 2 to 3 per cent. of proteid matter, 2 to 4 per cent. of resins, and varying proportions of other constituents. The proportions of resins and proteids appear to be higher in the latices from Ceara and Castilloa rubbertrees. In the same tree the percentage of caoutchouc often shows a decrease in young 'ANC GARDENS. trees, branches of old trees, or when obthe first seeds harvested in tained from the renewed bark of tapped e spiral system are seen.)
area.S.
During the coagulating and drying proin one case rubber from cesses it is obvious that the main loss is veloped tackiness along water and ingredients of the latex which
wann
THE CEYLON RUBBER 'BISCUIT."
'' is well known through the factories of the world. The "milk" is left overnight in the morning the cake of fresh white spongy rubber is rolled out flat, and then dried in
ober, when drying, had remain in solution in the mother liquor. ings of fibre. In order When the rubber is subjected to washing
Page 248
240
and rolling, superficial and soluble ingredients are also largely removed, so that the proportionate composition of the final dry product may be slightly different from that of the original latex. Samples of dried Ceylon rubber possess from 76 (Ceara) to 86 (Castilloa) and 95 (Para) per cent. of caoutchouc, from 2 to I2 per cent. of resin, o 8 to 8 per cent. of proteids and other ingredients. By a change in methods of coagulation and preparation it is possible to considerably change the percentages of the caoutchouc and other constituents. The elasticity, resiliency, colour, and odour of Ceylon rubber vary according to the species, age of trees, and methods of preparation. Ordinary rubber reacts with chlorine, bromine, acids, alkalies, sulphur, &c.; it rapidly swells when immersed in water, and becomes sticky when subjected to high temperatures. Quite recently the desirability of colouring and sulphurising the latex before coagulation, and coating or mixing it with various mineral and fibrous substances, has been publicly discussed, but as yet no definite commercial importance has been associated with such changes in preparation and manufacture.
In connection with other products, especially coffee, cacao, and also tea and coconuts, the planting community have realised that pests of some kind or other usually make their appearance when large acreages of the same species are planted, that it pays to keep a sharp look-out for parasitic fungi and insect pests, and to attack them while their numbers are small. The rubber plants in Ceylon suffer from the attacks of root, stem, and fruit pests, but by isolating, spraying, excising, or destroying affected specimens the injurious insects and fungi are easily controlled. The list of insects and fungi known to attack the various parts of rubber plants from the nursery to maturity is a very long one, but up to the present none have been recorded which are incapable of being effectively dealt with.
In the early days of the Ceylon rubber industry, most of the rubber-producing species-Para, Castilloa, and Landolphiaswere considered suitable only for places at or near sea-level, and even Ceara rubbertrees were tried mainly below 2,000 ft. altitude. Para rubber-trees were, whenever possible, planted along the banks of rivers, where, owing to occasional floods, the conditions in the Amazon Valley-the home of the Hevea brasiliensis-might be as nearly as possible imitated. Experience has shown that this species can be successfully grown not only on alluvial banks, but on poor cabooky and even swampy land, when the latter has been well drained. The climate and soil conditions under which it has been
TWENTIETH CENTURY
prove 1 that our intro vines can be grown h; of all persons and inst tropical cultivations, a to forecast the ultin publication of the res Certainly
will have.
DRYING PA (1
that there are thousa can be made to gr plants, not only in parts under forest and cher
Archipelago, West Indi
and Central America. C
advantage when comp
of Africa and tropical A
MPRESSIONS
uced rubber-trees and e aroused the interest utions concerned with il it would be difficult ate effect which the lts of our experience every one now knows
OF CEYLON
possess any endemic or indigenous rubber-trees of value, and the whole of the forest has to be cleared and four to six and seven years allowed to lapse before any returns are obtained from the rubber plantations: whereas, in the forests of many other countries an inmediate return is obtained from the rubber
RA RUBBER 'BISCUITS" AND "SCRAP" RUBBER.
he drying is done on wire-netting shelves in the factory.)
nds of acres which w rubber-producing of Ceylon at present a, but in the Malay is, Africa, and South eylon is under a disred with many parts merica, as it does not
rees already in the forest at a time when the price paid for rubber is very high,
The future of the Ceylon rubber industry is intimately associated with that of the countries just enumerated, and the developments in all parts of the tropics will require constant and close study. Rubber cultivation in other countries is rapidly developing into
Page 249
TWENTIETH CENTURY
a science, and the areas possessing indigenous rubber vines and trees are being surveyed, exploited, planted, and controlled by men of high scientific ability. In these circumstances it becomes necessary for Ceylon to carry out its land selection and planting operations in the best possible manner, to continue exercising every care to eradicate pests as soon as they appear, and for all planters to use the latest results of research in their attempts to place on the world's markets the best specimens of rubber they can. The IndoMalayan region alone may, in a few years, be able to turn out rubber from one quarter million acres, and by that time must be prepared to meet competition from all parts of the world.
Of the many introduced rubber-trees which have been tried in Ceylon, but few can authoritatively be said to give less favourable results than in their native homes. Certainly Funtumia elastica trees are annually defoliated by an insect pest, the Castilloa trees do not quite give the yields which were originally expected, and Ceara rubber-trees have, in Ceylon, to be tapped with care. Para rubber-trees, on the other hand, appear to be exceedingly hardy. Trees may be blown over and give off shoots which subsequently form upright stems capable of being tapped. Many can be made to yield several pounds of rubber, though their root systems are nearly all under water. The bark may be occasionally completely stripped without killing the tree; and fungi and insect pests have hitherto not proved unsurmountable. The trees of Hevea brasiliensis readily produce
large and paying quê quality, and the futur lie in supplying th take full advantage o already been planted. which have a few hu labour difficulties are it ultimately be proved
" tapping ) every alterna
greater part of the yea may become serious. to be obtainable when a definite manner, and frequency, and if it is such, it may possibly each estate being ta seasons. In any case, that the tapping opera limited to the first 5 and that the collecting height, involving a r force, will not be prac It must be admitted the effect of tapping, ri latex, and excising the young. It is, howeve. extraction of the late means the removal of the minimum of reser belongs to what are c ducts. The laticiferous importance to plants, a native species in the i without any vestige of s plants where latex tub not vitally associated w
2
b
TAPPING ΡΑ
(The scene is a low-country pla
MPRESSIONS
ntities of latex of high difficulty will probably e labour necessary to the trees which have Even to-day, on estates ndred acres in bearing, experienced, and should that the trees will stand te day throughout the r, the question of labour The best results appear the trees are tapped in according to a certain necessary to continue result in only a part of pped during particular it appears very probable tions will ultimately be t, or 6 ft. of the trunk, of latex from above this
nuch increased labour
xticable.
that our experience of epeatedly extracting the bark or cortex is still r, well known that the x, and nothing more, a liquid which contains ve food, and essentially lescribed as waste pros system is not of vital ind, indeed, most of the sland thrive luxuriantly such a system. In those es occur, the latter are ith the more important
OF CEYLON 241
structures of the cortex, though, in periods of drought, they may serve some useful purpose. Trees of Para rubber which have given Io lbs. to 25 lbs. of rubber annually, or the equivalent of about 20 lbs. to 50 lbs. of latex per year, appear to be almost as healthy as others which have never been tapped. The bad effect of tapping cannot, at present, be solely associated with the removal of latex, but with injury done to the cambium or healing layer and the mutilation and excision of the cortex while in a living condition. At the present time the methods of tapping involve the gradual paring away of the cortex from above downwards, and, though systematic and satisfactory as far as we have gone, may be subject to much modification in the near future. From results which have already been published, it is probable that the extraction of the latex may be done by incising instead of excising the latex tubes; the more frequent use of pricking knives and slower rate of bark paring. The rapid paring away of the bark is an unnatural process analogous to the treatment meted out to cinchona in the past.
An important question arises regarding the susceptibility of the renewed bark to atmospheric conditions and various pests. The renewed bark is not at first protected by a hard, corky layer, similar to that which covers the original tissue; immediately following the removal of the bark in the paring operation a comparatively soft inner cortical tissue is exposed, which may prove to be less resistant than the original covering.
RA RUBBER
ntation with Sinhalese coolies.)
Page 250
BY H E. RB E. RT
sACAO, often termed cocoa or chocolate, has been known for many years in Ceylon. At the present time it is cultivated in various parts of the island. It is essentially a seed product, and in this respect somewhat resembles coconuts, arecanuts, crotons, and other articles of export, and essentially differs from leaf products such as tea, or stem products such as rubber, cinchona, and cinnamon.
Cacao was cultivated previous to the sixteenth century by the Mexicans, but does not appear to have been known in Europe until about 1519. The seeds were first used in
CA (
W R
association with pow various flavouring boc factured into cocoa, ch tree has been distribute and Central America, Samoa, Philippines, Ja and other countries.
There are several yield the cacaos of notable being Theobro Humb. et Bonpl. ; T, pen folia, Moc. et Sessè; a Preuss, but, as far as
only one species repres
-T. cacao-is largely The cacao plant is habitat, in the forests
CURING TEIE CACAO SEEDS.
(After the fermented seeds are washed they are spread in the sun to cure and thoroughl they are exposed to the sun they must be repeatedly turned over to insure a go Sun drying insures a good colour of a rich red-brown or chocolate.)
為籃)膛彎%/鑫
CAO
I G HT, A.R.C.S., F.L.S.
iered maize, sugar, and Lies, but are now manuocolate, &c. The cacaoi to various parts of South Africa, the West Indies, va, Madagascar, Ceylon,
species of plants which commerce, the more 1a cacao, L., T. bicolor, tagona, Bern. ; Tangustind Herrania balacinsis, this island is concerned, ented by many varieties ultivated. one which in its native of tropical America, is
y dry. During the few days ld colour and even curing.
2
accustomed to the protection of large trees, under whose shade it flourishes. It is not what might be termed a hardy plant, being easily torn and uprooted by strong winds, and subject to many diseases. When in the young state, and often when mature, the cacao plants are usually grown under the shade of trees of Erythrina lithosperma, Bl. ; (Dadap), Albizzia moluccana, Miq., or in conjunction with trees of Hevea brasiliensis, Mull.Arg. (Para rubber); Castilloa clastica, Ccrv. (Panama rubber); Manihot Glaziovii, Mull. Arg. (Ceara rubber), or in association with Musa paradisiaca, L. (banana), and other plants. When grown under very favourable conditions the plants may produce their first blossoms when only three years old, and on most estates yield a crop of fruit of value in their fourth or fifth years. Once the trees have produced fruit they usually continue to do so for many years, many of the best yields being given by trees which are twenty to twenty-five years old.
The relatively delicate nature of the cacao plant is against its profitable cultivation in all parts of Ceylon, though some varieties, owing to their hardier constitution, appear to be capable of being successfully grown in districts subject to drought or heavy rainfall. The cacao zone in Ceylon is practically limited to districts in the southern half of the island, especially those having a rainfall varying from 55 to I2O ins. per year and a mean annual average temperature of 75° to 80° F. Generally speaking, Para rubber-trees can be grown in all the cacao districts, and it is the recognition of this fact that has led to such a large increase in the acreage of cacao and Para rubber, as a combined cultivation, in the Polgahawela, Kurunegala, Dumbara, Kandy, Matale, and Passara districts.
It is curious to note that cacao, though first established in the Kalutara Botanic Gardens in 1819, has never been taken up on a large scale by planters in districts much below 500 ft.
Page 251
TWENTIETH CENTURY
altitude. Nevertheless, in various parts of Central and South America, the West Indies, and Samoa, the best yields are often obtained in districts near or a little above sea-level. Most of the cacao in Ceylon is grown between 5oo and III,6oo ft. above sea-level ; but some large cacao estates are known to give good results up to 2,000 ft. altitude, and a few even still higher than this.
Notwithstanding the limited range within which cacao can be cultivated in Ceylon, it is surprising to notice that this industry has steadily developed, and is now represented by a total of about 34,000 acres. During the next few years there is every prospect of an increase in the acreage of cacao. At the present time the total of 34,Ooo acres is represented by 20,29I acres of cacao alone, 7,852 acres in rubber, 817 acres in tea, 2,056 acres in coconuts, and 578 acres of cacao and coffee. The importance of this industry, mainly managed by Europeans, is manifest from the fact that during the last ten years the value of the cacao exported from Ceylon was no less than Rs. 19,590,ooo, the year 1905 being responsible for nearly two and a half million rupees' worth of dried cacao.
A cacao estate, unlike one of coconuts, tea, or cinnamon, usually consists of a mixture of different species of plants growing on the same soil, some of which protect the cacao against excessive exposure to light and wind; others supply large quantities of food to the growing
THIE YOUNG CACAO-TREE} (NICARAGUAN VARIETY).
(Showing its appearance and vigour when it commences to
bear, in its fourth year.)
cacao, and many yield vegetable products of economic importance. It is generally accepted that when cacao-trees are grown alone from
the beginning they p earlier, but also deger planted in conjunctio
The main feature whi a good cacao estate is the plantation and th colour of the immat heap of ripe cacao with its colours rang and green, its forms smooth melon to the l and rugged, stumpy C. the fruits reveal pure seeds, mixed in vario The history of the c maturity is not withou parts of tropical Amer the homes of most of Ceylon, seedlings usu. packed in Wardian through Kew to the this island. In some been sent from var arrival in Ceylon the than not been dead. changes of cacao se between Ceylon and and various consign Trinidad, Queensla British Central Afric
been established the
supplies for planting The ripe fruits are
yielding and mature
fresh seeds, surrou white pulpy mass, exposed to the sun f
MPRESSIONS
oduce their first crops 2rate earlier than when with other tree forms.
OF CEYLON 243
until sufficiently dry, the exposure not destroying their vitality. They are then either planted out direct or placed in nursery baskets and
A CACAO GROVE OR
ich strikes the visitor to the shaded character of e diversity in form and ure and ripe fruits. A fruits is a pretty sight, ing from yellow to red varying from that of a ong, attenuate Forastero, racas. Sections through white and also coloured ls proportions. acao plant from seed to t interest. Trinidad and ica appear, to have been the cacao grown now in ally being sent carefully cases and despatched Botanic Department in cases ripe fruits have ious countries, but on seeds have more often From time to time inter'dlings have been made other tropical countries hents have been sent to d, Cameroons, Samoa, l, &c. When trees have planters select the seed from their own stock. taken from the heavy trees and broken; the ded by a conspicuous ure rolled in earth and br a few hours at a time,
WALK.
reared until planting weather arrives. The seeds or seedlings are planted in areas the soil of which has been thoroughly overturned, and exposed to the sun for several weeks. The original holes are made at a distance of 9, Io, I2, and even I5 ft. apart. Between each couple of plants seedlings of Ełythrinas, Albizzias, rubber-trees, or bananas
are planted in order to shade the cacao plants
in their young stages, and perhaps give a profitable return. Under such conditions the cacao plants thrive, and at the end of three or four years have a height of about 6 ft., a branch system measuring about 5 ft. in diameter, and a root-area in relation to the latter. When of such dimensions flowers begin: to appear, from which the fruits are 'subsequently developed.
During the first three or four years all parts of the plant show successive vegetative development, but once the flowers begin to appear certain changes are obvious in the periodicities of the various members. Prior to the cacao-trees yielding flowers and fruits, the foliar and root systems regularly increase, but after this stage has been arrived at the foliage is developed more during two special periods in the year, separated by an interval of about six months. The flowers and fruits appear abundantly during one or more periods, and the root development shows periodic activity in association with the above. Though all parts of the plant tend to show a definite periodicity after the sexually reproductive stage
Page 252
244
has been attained, there are also minor and irregular periods of activity during most months of the year.
When the cacao has reached maturity various operations become necessary, and seed selection, harvesting, shelling, washing, curing, regulating shade, manuring, sanitary measures, vegetative propagation, and collecting of by
“ CARACAS ” CACAO-TREE IN
FULL BEARING.
(The high-grown pods are reached by a long-handled knife, or on some estates a light portable ladder is used.)
products become essential. Cacao, unlike many other tropical plants, lends itself to improvement in many ways, and the more important factors which are at present borne in mind by the Ceylon cultivators may be briefly described.
Seed selection, or the selection of the parents for the future plantations, must always rank of the first importance. The varieties at present cultivated in Ceylon vary in their rate of growth, yield, and quality of cacao, and may each be improved by careful seed selection. The varieties are all capable of being grouped under one species-Theobroma cacao—and may be very roughly classified as the (I) Caracas, Criollo or old Ceylon Red; (2) the Forastero; and (3) the Amenolado.
Caracas or Criollo cacao has long been known in Ceylon, and was among the more important varieties introduced many years ago. Trees of this variety are relatively small, and do not produce a large number of fruits, though the seeds usually fetch a higher price than those from the more prolific varieties. During the last ten years this variety appears to have been supplanted by the Forastero kind, but it is again coming into prominence on account of the high quality of the produce
TWENTIETH CENTURY I.
obtainable therefrom. young, reddish-yellow rough surface divided base is usually wide a blunt. The seeds of th believed to have been when originally intro present time there are in the same fruit. seeds only (about 58 p. and white, but none h to possess purple seeds number of fruits exami cent. of the seeds were purple, the rest being i The seeds are usually shape, possess thin skin on an average about I'2. A form of cacao knov Criollo cacao, capable o productive stage in the sessing the largest seeds quality of cacao at pre considered, and may p in the future of the cac The Forastero cacao, ( sub-varieties, according of the fruits and seeds, ha especially in the last te terised by a quicker ra massive tree, and a lar than the Caracas, thoug are not as highly valued The most valuable foi possibly that characterised by fruits green walls and seeds C fruits of Cundeamor r white seeds, and thus d: group ; about ÓI per c purple and 37 per cent. The Amenolado varie cosmopolitan form at pi tropics, is remarkable f growth on soils of s quality and its early capacity, but the qualit inferior. In Ceylon the young and yellow wher resemble a melon. E. constricted base, a blu1 wall with shallow furr very flat and of a deep variety, analogous to the and other countries, is t Ceylon possesses Ioo per Fruits of this variety hav not yet been recorded.
Cacao plants are not e cuttings, but are capable budded on to one anot considerable improveme grafting or budding the
SOn
known
MPRESSIONS
The fruits are red when when ripe, and have a by deep furrows; the nd the apex short and is variety are popularly wholly white in colour luced, though at the purple and white seeds he fruits possess white :r cent.), others purple ave yet been observed Only. Among a large ned, Lock found 84 per white and I4 per cent. intermediate in colour. plump and round in s or testas, and weigh 7 grams. vin as the Nicaraguanbeing brought to the fourth year, and posand yielding the best sent known, is being ay an important part ao industry. livisible into numerous o the shape and colour is been largely planted, In years. It is characte of growth, a more ger yielding capacity gh its seeds or beans l as those of the latter. rm of this group is as the Cundeamor, possessing reddishf mixed colours. The lever possess wholly ffer from the Caracas ent. of the seeds are
white. ty, probably the most esent cultivated in the or the rapidity of its uperior and inferior und copious yielding 7 of its seeds is very fruits are green when ripe. In shape they uch fruit possesses a it apex, and smooth ows. The seeds are purple colour. This 2alabacillo of Trinidad he only one which in cent. of purple seeds. ing white seeds have
usily propagated from
of being grafted or ner. In this way a it can be effected by high quality Caracas
OF CEYLON
and Nicaraguan-Criollo on to the quick-growing Forastero types. The latter have a much better developed root system than the Criollo, and would therefore provide a better food supply for the Criollo shoots. These practices are, however, not frequently carried out in Ceylon.
The harvesting of cacao or collecting of the fruits is carried out during almost every month in the year, and is especially interesting during those months when large numbers of fruits take on the colour indicative of ripeness. The fruits when ripe change colour, the green fruits becoming yellow and the red ones reddish-yellow. On tapping the wall of a healthy mature fruit a hollow sound is emitted, and by this test many coolies are able to detect internal ripeness of the seeds when the change in colour of the fruit wall is not complete. The fruits are obtained by cutting the peduncles or stalks with knives. Those on low branches are cut with an ordinary pruning knife, whilst those on the higher parts are cut by means of hooked or wedge-shaped knives supported on long wooden handles. In addition to ripe fruits, there are many others which are removed, among which may be mentioned the shrivelled or dried pods, those attacked by parasitic fungi or squirrels, and others which have been damaged by the fall of branches or excised
HARVESTING THE FRUIT.
(Tamil women coolies collecting the fruit on a cacao estate. A typical "Amenolado" tree.)
in the carrying out of sanitary operations. These are sorted into separate groups, and the seeds from each transported in separate baskets. The fruits are opened by means of a hand knife or by impinging them against a knife lodged in a piece of wood; the seeds are removed by hand, accumulated in baskets, and finally taken to the fermenting house.
Page 253
TWENTIETH CENTURY IM
The fermenting process is either carried out in heaps covered with layers of banana leaves, sacking, and earth, or in closed cement receptacles. The fresh seeds are surrounded with a sugary white pulp, and in section vary in colour from white to deep purple. In taste there is much variation, the flat purple seeds from the Amenolado fruits being very bitter, whilst the white seeds from Caracas and Cundeamor fruits, though astringent, are less markedly so. The object in fermenting the cacao seeds is to obtain a friable bean with a cinnamon or chocolate colour, pleasant taste and flavour, and to remove the superficial pulp. These physical changes are effected by allowing the fresh seeds to “sweat' or ferment in large quantities, with occasional stirring, for periods of one to twelve days, and are accompanied by various chemical changes involving the production of alcohol, acetic and butyric acids.
The time taken to effect a complete fermentation varies according to the condition of the fresh seeds, their quantity and quality. Those seeds which are white are fermented in twentyfour to thirty-six hours, but the purple seeds may require from three to twelve days; and for this reason the fruits, before being shelled, are grouped according to their variety, and the seeds therefrom fermented in separate heaps. During fermentation there is considerable loss in weight, more especially with the Forastero and Amenolado varieties, and the temperature often rises to over 40° C. When fermentation is complete, the seeds are removed and usually washed. In the washing process the residual stringy or pulpy material is removed, and subsequent drying is consequently more easily effected. Washing does, however, remove a large quantity of material, the estimated loss being on an average about 15 per cent, and for this reason is dispensed with by some Ceylon planters.
The fermented seeds, whether washed or not, are then dried in the sun, or in curing houses. Drying in the sun gives very good results, but cannot always be relied on. Any delay in drying the fermented seeds, especially when they have not been washed, may result in disaster, and for this reason each planter is usually provided with some form of drying apparatus.
The ordinary cacao curing house generally consists of a two-storeyed building, the floor of the upper storey being covered with coir matting on which the fermented seeds are placed. The hot air enters into the lower chamber, passes through the wet cacao, and the moisture-laden air is then drawn off by means of a fan. By this means the cacao is thoroughly dried, the cotyledons or substance of the beans become brittle and of a cinnamon colour, the change being effected in about three to five days, when the temperature is
maintained at 90° to Io fermented, washed and nate, and after a little s in gunny bags, made ti and shipped.
The Ceylon cacao is
United Kingdom, thou Settlements, Australia,
(A typical view of a cacao
quantities each year.
well, prices ranging
shillings per cwt. acc The round, plump bea and fracture, derived Caracas and Cundean highest prices; the flat the Amenolado fruits ha
MPRESSIONS
O' F. The seeds thus
dried will not germiorting they are packed o hold about Ioo bs,
mainly shipped to the igh Germany, Straits and France take large
OF CEYLON 245
The yield obtainable on Ceylon estates varies according to the age and variety of the cacao and the manner in which sanitary and manurial operations are carried out. A yield of half to three-quarters of a pound of dry cacao per tree is all that may be expected when the trees are beginning to produce regular crops. Later, a yield of one to three or more
A CACAO GROVE.
grove in a mixed low-country plantation of cacao and coconuts, and, along the roads,
areca muts.)
The cacao sells fairly from forty to eighty rding to the quality. ls with a good colour
from fruits of the (or types, realise the and purple beans from we the minimum value.
pounds of cacao per tree may be annually obtained. 1
From a series of estates the yields per acre per year for each of the last few years have been I'I8, 2'oZ, 357, and even up to 5 and 6 cwts, a yield of 2 to 3 cwts. being usually considered satisfactory. It may be said that a cacao-tree yielding 2 libs. of dry cacao per
Ω
Page 254
246 TWENTIETH CENTURY
year brings in approximately the equivalent
of about one shilling (gross).
are returned to the amount of ingredients 1
نات
BARWESTING AND SBELLING TEE CACAC
(The harvest time is always a very busy season on the cacao estate, for the pods or frt when ripe. The collecting is done by men and women, who bring the different co green, to a central place in the plantation and pile them in heaps. The pods are t or cut on a knife-edge fixed in a board, as shown with the woman on the left, woman, who empties the seeds with their surrounding white pulp into baskets to b
On most estates in Ceylon there are, besides the main product, others which give profitable returns. When the estate is young, bananas, chillies, cotton, cassava, lemon grass, &c., are often grown to give a return during the first or second years; in other cases the land is either regularly clean weeded every month or the seeds of herbaceous green manure plants, such as Crotolaria striata and Vigna species, are broadcasted and allowed to grow and cover the soil. Once the cacao estate has attained to the productive state, it is usually impossible to cultivate the catch crops just enumerated on account of the absence of sufficient light and root space. Cacao estates in bearing do, however, often possess large quantities of pepper (which has been allowed to climb along the stems of the shade trees), and also rubber from the Hevea, Castilloa and Ceara rubber-trees with which cacao has been interplanted.
The extent to which cacao and rubber-trees have been combined in various parts of the island is remarkable, and already good reports, from estates where both products have reached the bearing stage, have been published.
During the life of the cacao-tree the soil is continually drawn upon, and when the trees are in bearing the exhaustion is further increased by the complete removal of the crop of cacao from the land. On most Ceylon estates the fruit walls and prunings
mined by a study of t of all parts and the seeds are very rich in
(The seed is gathered in
acid; they also contain lime, magnesia, and
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
soil, so that the actual emoved is mainly deter
D.
uit must be collected at once loured pods, red, yellow and hen split open with a knife, and then passed to another e carried off to the factory.)
he incremental growth seeds removed. The potash and phosphoric
varying proportions. Though several estates have not yet taken up the practice of manuring their cacao - trees, there are several others which have, and the use of the requisite quantities of cattle manure, green manure, and various artificial manures has been attended with good results. At the same time it should be borne in mind that cacao-trees in Ceylon usually form a part of a mixed forest vegetation, intermingled with various leguminous and rubber-trees, and under these conditions the necessity for manures is modified.
Whenever the leguminous trees-Erythrina and Albizzia-are grown in association with cacao, it is generally admitted that the artificial manures applied need not contain as much nitrogen as when the cacao-trees are grown alone, as they do, by means of their root nodules, absorb nitrogen directly from the air in the soil. The leaves of herbaceous and arborescent green manures are valuable as food supplies to the cacao-trees, especially when used in conjunction with lime, basic slag, and various concentrated mineral manures. This brings us to the possibilities with the trees which are used to protect the cacao-trees from excessive exposure to light or wind. Experience has taught most Ceylon planters that the necessity of wind-belts and shade trees is dependent upon local conditions, and while both may be dispensed with under certain environments, the cultivation of shade trees in the cacao can always be advantageously carried out. Most products in Ceylon, espe
Assisk: Kišiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii.
HARVESTED CACAO "RUITS.
baskets and the emptied pods or husks are collected and buried with quicklime in pits
in the plantation.)
quantities of nitrogen, other constituents in
cially those at low altitudes, appear to thrive better when grown under partial or temporary
Page 255
TWENTIETH CENTURY
shade, the intermittent light being quite sufficient to enable the green leaves to carry on their work. The species most frequently used for this purpose are Erythrina umbrosa, H. B. K., E. indica, L.; E. velutina, Willd.; E. lithosperma, Bl. ; Albizzia molluccana, Miq. ; Pithecolobinum Saman, Benth., Gliricidia maculata, and others. Until quite recently it was customary to allow these shade trees to grow into very large trees, but during the past few years planters have regularly lopped, rung, and re-supplied trees previously used for shade purposes only. The branches are generally lopped at the beginning of the wet dull season-June-and allowed to throw out their branches right throughout the hot season, thus ensuring that the trees offer least shade when light is not intense, and the maximum shade during the hot dry season. The sold trees are rung when from three to seven years old, so that only the cacao-trees are allowed to permanently occupy the soil. Such treatment assists the cacao plants, much organic matter is obtained, the soil is broken up by the roots, and diseases are better controlled. There are, however, a few estates where the old methods are still carried on.
In most countries where cacao has long been grown, parasitic fungi and injurious insect pests abound. Ceylon is no exception, and at the present time pests are known which attack (I) the stems and branches, (2) fruits, (3) leaves, (4) roots, (5) stems and leaves, and (6) the leaves and fruits. It is satisfactory to know, however, that when pests are taken in hand at the right time and in the improved manner, they can be successfully fought; the success which has attended the efforts made during recent years has led to the adoption of systematic sanitary operations being carried out on all good estates. The sanitary operations consist in excising and burning the diseased stem and branch tissues which have been penetrated by the canker fungus (Nectria) or borers, &c., the removal and burning of all dead branches which show signs of fungus or the attacks of insects, the isolation of cacao-trees whose roots are badly affected, and the frequent collecting and periodic spraying of fruits in order to reduce the ravages of the fungi which produce discolouration and rotting of the pods in all their stages. The excision and burning of diseased vegetative tissues are usually carried out during the dry hot season from January to April, and
༤བྱེ། །ག་ང་ལ《་《 《
--~~~~~~~حصہ لیتے
the spraying of the
to October, when the
set. Almost every esta effected great improven tive measures, the crol with decrease in the ra As a good example may which in Igo2 posses diseased cacao-trees a composed of 355 per
sanitary measures-ex spraying-were carried about 6 to Io per cen diseased, and the crop
(After fermentation the cac:
which surrounds them. washed by hand. The
cent. of fungus pods; disease a remarkable in the yield during I902, being respectively o'83, of cured cacao per : recognised that all vari in Ceylon are liable to by repeatedly inspect and spraying can the in a profitable condition
At the present time to capitalists as much a and but few appear t The discovery that ca.
snem= حبہ سخحح
MPRESSIONS OF CIEYION
fruits during August "oung pods begin to :e can claim to have ent by adopting curagradually increasing tages of various pests. be quoted one property sed 9o per cent. of ld harvested a crop :ent. of fungus fruits; ision, burning, and out, and in I903 only t. of the trees were possessed only 2'3 per
247
cultivated in association with Para, Ceara and Castilloa rubber-trees has led to a great increase in its acreage, and it is mainly with Para rubber-trees (Hevea brasiliensis) that immediate future extensions of importance will probably lie.
In matters of cacao diseases and plant sanitation operations Ceylon stands in a satisfactory position, owing to the keenness and thoroughness with which the planting community pursue their work. In fact, it may be said that the Ceylon cacao planters, in associating rubber-trees with their product, and in successfully combating diseases, occupy
WASBIING TELE CACAO BEANS. ho seeds are washed in running water to rid the seeds or beans of the sugary pulp The seeds are taken from the heaps of fermenting cacao, placed in baskets, and then llustration shows the process, and the baskets of fermented seeds ready to be washed.)
with this reduction in rease in crop occurred,
I903, 1904, and I905 I'18, 207 and 357 cwts. cre. It is now fully eties of cacao growing diseases, and that only ng, excising, burning industry be maintained
cacao does not appeal s many other products, o be planting it alone. ao can be successfully
S S
ཕལ་ཁག་ཁང་། ཡཁ་མང་ལ།ཡཚཁས་ལ ད་དུང་།
a unique and enviable position in the eyes of cacao growers in other parts of the tropics, On the other hand, cacao growers in Ceylon do not appear to have adopted the practices of pruning and intercropping which are found to be so beneficial in other countries; neither does the same amount of attention appear to: be given to the fermenting of their produce as in the West Indies and tropical America. Much improvement is likely to be effected by the distribution of varieties of superior value, by grafting and budding and by changes in manurial methods, as well as in the proper and more frequent use of leguminous plants.
Page 256
THE TEA
BY M. KELWAY BAMBE
EA is not indigenous to Ceylon, but was first introduced in December, I839, from India. In that year Dr. Wallich sent seeds of the then newly discovered Assam tea to the Peradeniya Gardens, and he followed up the consignment in 1840 by despatching about two hundred plants. It was represented to Government that tea was likely to prove a new and profitable speculation and a valuable source of revenue, and some of the plants were sent to Nuwara Eliya, and are supposed to be still in existence on Naseby Estate. In 1841-42 one or two planters imported plants from China and Assam, the former being planted on Rothschild Estate, Pussellawa, and the latter on Pen-y-lan, Dolosbage. The first tea was apparently manufactured in Pussellawa by Messrs. Worms, but the cost was prohibitive. The plants throve well, however, on Kondegalla, on the Ramboda Pass, at about 4,ooo ft. elevation, and in 1865 the Ceylon Company, Ltd., took over the properties of Messrs. Worms, including the small extent of tea on Kondegalla. Attempts were made at the time to manufacture the tea by experienced Indian planters and Bengali coolies, but so little success was achieved that Ceylon planters generally did not take up the cultivation.
An exception to the rule was Mr. Taylor, of Loolecondura Estate, Hewaheta, who collected seeds from Peradeniya and planted them along roadsides in 1866. An experienced Ceylon coffee planter, Mr. Arthur Morice, was then sent to report on the Assam Tea Districts, a valuable report by him being subsequently published by Government. A consignment of Assam hybrid tea seed was then imported, and planted on Loole Condera, in a forest clearing of 20 acres. Although the cultivation of this tea met with a fair measure of success, it was
not until Mr. William planter, so improved th ing and plucking tea a difference in increas Ceylon planters saw s cultivate tea on a larg During 1873 and 18 the Assam hybrid and distributed from the P Botanical Gardens, and of Assam seed were in but the comparative sc tea seed helped to res. 1883, when seed becam of the older local planta The prevalence of 1 wards of green bug, o overproduction of ci planters to look to earnest, and a rush i creasing rapidly from
The progress of tea c indicated by the followi
Year. Acres.
1867 O 868 200 1869 250 I872 26o 1873 28o 1874 350 1875 I,o8o 1876 750 1877 2,720 1878 4,7оо I879 6,500 I88o 9,274 I88 II,35o I882 22,ооо I883 32,ооо 1884 37,OOO I885 Io2,ooo I886 15oooo I887 17oooo
2
INDUSTRY
t, M.R.A.C., M.R.A.S., F.C.S.
ameron, an ex-Indian e local system of pruns to show a wonderful 2d crop returns, that ufficient inducement to : scale. 4 many plants of both the China variety were eradeniya and Hakgala l then large quantities nported from Calcutta, :arcity and dearness of trict the industry up to le available from some tions. eaf disease, and aftern coffee, and later the nchona, now caused the new product in into tea took place, in
884 onwards. ultivation in Ceylon is ng table :-
Year. Acres. I888 183,000 1889 205,ooo I890 220,000 I89I 250,000 1892 262,ooo I893 273,OOO 1894. 289, Ooo 1895 305,000 1896 330,000 - I897 35O,Ooo п898 364,ооо I899 378,000 I9oo 384,OOO I9oI 387,000 I902 383,000 I903 384,000 I904 386,000 1905 390,000 1906 386,ooo
There are also about 3,000 acres of tea in native gardens. Owing to the large amount of rubber now planted amongst tea in the low-country, the total yielding tea area may now be looked upon as 38o,000 acres.
The bulk of the area under tea lies at an elevation of over 3,Ooo ft, but it is planted at all elevations from almost sea-level to nearly 7,Ooo ft., on Excelsior Estate, Kandapola, this probably being the highest cultivated tea in the world. There is a great difference between the tea grown at low and high elevations, partly owing to diversity of soil, but more to climatic influences. Low-country teas are strong, without a distinct flavour, while high grown teas are remarkable for their good quality and usually fine flavour.
The soils of Ceylon on which tea is grown are very variable, ranging from the poorest quartz, containing less than o'o5 per cent. of nitrogen, to rich forest loams containing up to o'5 per cent. of nitrogen. Almost all have been derived from the decomposition of gneiss and similar rocks in situ, there being practically no alluvial soils, as in Assam and other tea-growing countries. Chemically the average Ceylon soil is poorer than the rich volcanic soils of Java, or those of Southern India, and is also physically different to these and the soils of Assam ; but although Ceylon teas have not the strength of some Assam teas, or the combined strength of Darjeelings, they hold their own as regards general fine quality, especially the teas grown in high elevations.
The climate of the various hill districts and low-country districts in which tea is grown is very variable with mean temperatures ranging from 65° F. to 85° or higher, and as rainfall of from 8o ins. to over 25o ins. To the south-west of the mountain ranges the climate is more uniform throughout the year than on the north-east, where there are more marked differences between the dry and wet periods and the tea is more subject to
Page 257
TWENTIETH
prolonged droughts. the one during the south-west monsoon, when rain is more or less continuous, from June to September, on the hills facing south-west, while it is dry on the other side, the drought being often accentuated by high winds. The second season is during the north-east monsoon, from October to January, which is usually characterised, after the first burst, by fine mornings with heavy rain later in the day.
The effect of climate on the flavour of tea is very marked, the colder, less forcing conditions in the hills tending to check the actual rate of growth and allow of the fuller development of the essential flavouring constituents. During the months in which growth is more active, viz., March to May, and again to a less extent in October and November, quality decreases even in the highest estates, to reappear when the rate of growth is checked by less favourable weather. In the Uva district a few days of dry, windy weather will completely change the character of the teas, giving a flavour that enhances the value of the tea immediately.
Much of the tea in Ceylon was planted on the old coffee and cinchona estates, as the latter products died out or decreased in value, and of recent years it has been found necessary to manure artificially in order to maintain the yield. This is accompanied in most cases with very systematic cultivation of the soil, and careful and more scientific treatment of the bushes with regard to pruning and plucking, with the result that the bushes are now as strong and vigorous as ever, and show every indication of permanent improvement. It might be thought that quality would deteriorate when manuring became necessary, but experience has shown that this is not the case, provided the manure employed is not of too forcing a character, and the general aim now is to improve the physical conditions of the soil by green manuring and cultivation, and to manure sufficiently to give healthy frames to the bushes, and so make them capable of maintaining the best average yields before any manure was employed. A continuance of this policy will certainly make for the permanence of the industry, the most important in Ceylon,
There are two seasons,
The yields of tea per acre vary in every field of an estate, depending largely on the soil, jat, original planting, and subsequent treatment. It ranges from 3oo to 1,200 lbs., but 5oo to 6oo lbs. would be a good yield, the average for Ceylon being about 450 lbs.
The planting up of shade and wind-belt trees through the tea, from about 1889 onwards, no doubt did much to improve the tea and probably minimised the risk of fungus pests to some extent. The trees employed for this purpose were chiefly the Australian
CENTURY I.
Grevillea robusta, anc (Acacia dealbata) Ced bizzia stipulata, the g have considerably imp of the hill districts Albizzia Molucanına a have been more wide the te, where the ele kept pollarded to sup manuring purposes, as from these leguminous able, and the humus i for improving the soil. Crotolaria striata is now much employed and has the advantas four crops before the
The life of a tea bu China there are many C China jat bushes of si still flourishing. The Ceylon, as the oldest fie dera, now thirty-cight looking remarkably w yield its 4oo or 5oolb annum without manure jat, such as “Assam twenty years of age, a ever, though cultivatic to maintain this condi dom with which the treatment or resting, t they should not be hardier China variet Ceylon.
The manufacture of than it looks to any through a well-organi the full advantage of to be taken that the tained at each stage O begin with, the carefu
to the factory two or day, to prevent heatin
It is then spread on the lofts above the ro in a way to insure becoming withered to modation. If this wer much of the leaf wo dried, and a less val The loss in weigh from 3o to 45 per ce amount depends on when the leaf is p containing I2 to I5 adhering to it. To r more even witherin factories are filled w warm air from the circulated through enabling a good wit twenty-four hours, til
IPRESSIONS
at high elevations ella Toona, and Alowth of which must roved the appearance of Ceylon. Recently, nd Dadaps Erythrina y planted throughout vation is suitable, and ly material for green the gain of nitrogen trees is very considerparticularly valuable
another native plant for the same purpose, e of giving three or rees yield anything. sh is unknown, but in f great age, and in Java xty to eighty years are same may be said in ld of tea on Loole Conyears of age, is still fell, and continues to s. of tea per acre per Many fields of higher indigenous,' now over .re still as vigorous as in has had to be given tion; but from the freey respond to careful here is no reason why as permanent as the y first imported into
the tea is less simple f one passing casually sed factory, for to get the leaf every care has best conditions are obf the manufacture. To illy-plucked leaf is sent three times during the g in the coolie baskets. the withering tats, in lling and drying-rooms, a succession of leaf Suit the roller accome not carefully arranged ld be over withered or lable tea would result. in withering varies ht, or even more. The he weather conditions ucked, wet leaf osten per cent. of rain water ‘move this and promote g, the lofts in most ith fans, by which the drying-rooms below is the withering - rooms, er in from eighteen to e period in which the
OF CEYLON 249
active enzyme, causing the later oxidation assumes its maximum development.
When withered the leaf is sent to the rolling-room in masses of 200 to 3oo lbs., the product being emptied from the rollers several times to allow of the sifting out and removal of the finer grades, which do not require so much rolling as the larger leaves Every precaution is taken to keep the leaf from becoming unduly heated by friction, which would produce an undesirable dull soft liquor.
After rolling, the finer grades are put to oxidise in layers one or more, inches thick, while the rolling of the larger leaves is continued. In the best factories every care is taken to insure cleanliness and almost sterile conditions for this process, special tables being employed. The oxidising enzyme now produces the well-known coppery colour of the leaf, at the expense of some of the free tannin compounds, and the soluble matter assumes the rich colour seen in an infusion of black tea.
During this process a peculiar aroma is also developed, which gives some indication as to when the oxidation is sufficiently far advanced for the leaf to have the remainder of its moisture removed in the drying or firing machines. Different conditions under which the leaf is plucked, wet or dry, the rate of growth, and the extent of the wither, all have a marked influence on this oxidation process, which requires modifications to meet them to obtain satisfactory results.
Modern machinery has superseded the oldfashioned chula system of firing, which was too slow for present-day requirements, though probably its effect on the teas was better than any system now employed. In the present machinery the leaf is dried on trays or travelling webs, through which a current of hot air is drawn by the aid of fans, or a natural draught. Here the leaf assumes the black appearance as it becomes desiccated, the change being chiefly due to the removal of the water, but partly also to increased oxidation and consequent darkening of the tannin and other products in the leaf before it becomes dry. The temperature employed in the various machines and factories ranges from 180° to 240° F. or even more, but about 2IO F. is the most common, and the average time of drying from 25 to 35 minutes.
The grading of the dried teas is the next process, and is one of the most important, as the fact of being “true to grade' or the reverse may considerably affect the price. Machine grading is chiefly employed for the sake of time and economy, but it is sometimes supplemented by hand sieving with advantage.
The tea is then packed with the aid of a rapidly vibrating packing machine, which
Page 258
250
shakes the tea down compactly into the chests, so that pressing with the hands or feet is unknown; in fact, at every stage of the manufacture machinery has as far as possible replaced hand labour, with greater economy and cleanliness.
The work of a tea estate in the field and factory is done almost entirely by Tamil coolies from Southern India, under the direct superintendence of Europeans. About 4ooooo coolies are emplayed, or rather more than one coolie per acre of tea. They are good workers, and are well looked after, medical assistance being rendered free. Their conditions of living and their power to earn money are far superior to those prevailing in their native villages, and most of them are able to save and acquire land out of their pay.
The serious diseases affecting tea are very few, and are now so well recognised that any new outbreak could probably be checked at the beginning without serious expenditure or loss. In some districts serious diseases such as Borea Xyloborus Cornicalus have now been prevalent for some years, and it has become a difficult matter to eradicate it, owing largely to the want of concerted action on the part of every estate affected. In order to try and effect a check on the spread of these or other diseases, a Plant Pest Ordinance will, it is hoped, be shortly passed, which would make it compulsory for immediate steps to be taken to eradicate disease whenever or wherever it appears.
There is a Government entomologist and mycologist in the Botanical Department at Peredeniya, whose duty it is to give advice on any insect or fungus pests, and point out the methods of prevention and cure, and their work has done much to produce the healthy condition of tea generally at the present time.
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
The exports of tea f year from I875, acco accounts, have been as
Year.
I873
1875
I88o п885 4,3 I89o 45, I895 g8, I9oo I49,2 1905 I70, 1906 I65,C
The lowest average 6'86d. in London and 3:
A tea cess of 30 ce of tea exported is levi nances, and is employé and pushing of teas in the island.
The chief markets to distributed are :-
Country. United Kingdom Austrålasia Russia ... America India Africa China Other Countries
The area under tea ha stationary since 1899, still some suitable lan likely to be opened up near future.
No furth
MPRESSIONS
om Ceylon every fifth ding to the Customs follows:-
bs. *
OF CEYION
able above 5,Ooo ft. for planting in tea, as it is reserved by Government for climatic reasons, and to insure a water supply to the low
Average Price in
Walule. London. Average Price, Colombo
23 58 Ni. Nil. I,438 2,402 62,575 I5о,б4І y9 72,722 2,842,269 Is. 2d. ፶ } 99,5I9 22,899,759 IId. 43 cts. 8I,O6I 49,290,530 862d. 47 54,бо2 53,735,257 72Od. 34懿 9 y 83,558 59,564,250 7d. 34 OO,OOO (estimated)
price in Igor was country cultivators. In the low - country
cents in Colombo. nts on every 1oo lbs. d under special Ordi'd for the opening up the various markets of
which Ceylon teas are
Distribution, 905. II2,620,026
rubber planting is extending rapidly both in virgin forest and on many tea estates. The growth of the rubber in the latter, especially when closely planted, will in a few years considerably affect the yield of such estates, but to counterbalance this many up-country estates are considerably increasing in yield as the result of the more scientific cultivation now being conducted, and far more attention is likely to be paid to this in the near future than to the planting up of fresh areas in tea.
... 24,643,360
II, 134,768 The custom of taking pupils or "creepers' 2,522,490 on estates to learn tea planting in a practical 2,o7o,385 manner still continues, and seems to be on the 905,720 increase. No doubt this is largely due to the 5,662,oII new rubber industry, which affords good open3,07 I,2Oo ings to men of experience on tea estates who
as practically remained and although there is di available, it is not
to any extent in the er forest land is avail
are good at the management of coolies. How long this demand is likely to last is uncertain, but judging from the careful supervision that is required when rubber comes into bearing, more Europeans will probably be required than is at present supposed.
Page 259
COCONUT C.
T is, perhaps, not surpris
ing that new products
should not greatly
attract the native culti
vator so long as he can
plant coconuts. Tea and
rubber, groundnuts and
cotton, he looks on in he fight of speculative investments, but planting coconuts in this province is to him what buying Consols is to the English investor." Thus wrote the Hon. Mr. H. L. Crawford in his Administration Report for the Western Province for I9o5. The remarks are profoundly true if we substitute “ was '' for “is " in the last sentence, for the faith of the Sinhalese in coconuts is much deeper than is the confidence of the Home investor in Consols in these days of depressed markets. Certainly there is nothing which figures so largely in the native imagination when he is sketching his ideals of material happiness as a coconut plantation. And from his point of view he is right. Most products of the soil are affected by vicissitudes of season and by caprice of taste or fashion. But the coconut knows little or nothing of these. Year in, year out, it produces its fruit in regular quantity to satisfy al apparently inexhaustible"demand. The trees take something like ten years to come into bearing
after planting, but to compensate for this they,
live long and give little or no trouble during their existence. . But their greatest virtue is
their extraordinary range of utility. Practically.
no part of the tree or its products is unmarket
able. Before the tree comes into bearing its
leaves are plaited and used as partitions or roofs of houses, and the thin central stalk is used in the construction of serviceable household brooms. When the plant reaches the flowering stage it can be tapped for toddy, and toddy in its turn can be made to yield jaggery (a coarse sugar) or arrack (a potent spirit). Later on the fruit comes into consideration. When quite young the nut is full of a delicious,
watery juice which is
torrid heat of a tropical age is associated a sol may be scooped out W with relish by the fruit. months the nut reaches most important commé The fresh nuts are v. and in every street of t They constitute an im local cuisine. The gra in curries, and the mill ing essence. On a la the nut figures in not le dried kernel, known in copra, is pressed and
oil, and the residuals, an excellent fattening Large quantities of th
25
ULTTVATION
most refreshing in the - day. With the beverit, pulpy lining which rith a spoon and eaten lover. In about twelve maturity, and then the arcial stage is reached. ended in every village he towns of the island. portant element in the ted nut is indispensable k is a favourite flavourrger commercial stage ss important rôles. The the produce markets as yields an abundance of
28:
THE PRODUCTS OF THE COCONUT-TREE,
alled poonac, constitute material for animals,
nut are exported for
use in the manufacture of soap, the vegetable fats it contains making an admirable emollient material. Latterly considerable consignments of the coconut products have gone to the margarine manufacturers of Belgium and Holland, who, like the soap-factors, have been glad to find a substitute for the increasingly costly animal fats upon which they once relied. The hard shell of the nut has little commercial value outside the island ; but locally it is useful as fuel and for manufacture into spoons and other kitchen implements. The fibrous outer husk supplies the coir of coimmerce. Mats, brushes, and rope are made from it. Indeed, there are few materials which have a wider range of usefulness or are more extensively
distributed throughout the countries of the world. Finally, there is the trunk of the tree, The coconut-tree is too valuable as a fruit pro
Page 260
252
ducer to be grown for timber ; but it produces a wood with a beautiful grain which works up well in ornamental furniture. Consequently, when a tree is blown down or has to be cut
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
when and how it was only be conjectured, b palm in Ceylon goes
times. The Mahavans;
GATHERING THE FRUIT. (The start.)
down for any purpose, the wood has a good marketable value in most districts. In any event it can be turned to good use for posts, the jambs of doors, and other kindred purposes on an estate.
In all these various ways the coconut-tree justifies its reputation as the most reliable wealth-producer the tropical agricultural world knows.
Although the coconut grows in such lavish profusion in Ceylon and bulks so largely in her commercial outlook, the coconut-palm is mot an indigenous growth of the island. The tree is traditionally supposed to have been introduced from the Eastern Archipelago;
record, alludes to the who reigned in the plantations 36 miles the island. There a which point to the centuries the tree assu in the life of Ceylon.
No doubt the salub the suitability of th diffusion. The tree wide belt of count and once established, though experiments have shown that manuring is essentia
MPRESSIONS
prought to Ceylon can out the history of the back to very ancient a, the great. Sinhalese
establishment by a king ixth century of coconut n extent in the south of *e also other references fact that in succeeding med an important place
rity of the climate and soil greatly aided its grows readily on a y fringing the coast, it needs little attention, made in recent years areful and systematic if the best results are
OF CEYLON
to be obtained. Low-lying land, where the tree derives benefit from seepage, is best adapted to its growth; but it is thought that it might be introduced successfully in favoured positions on high ground if the proper degree of care were taken in the cultivation. Quite recently a plot of elevated land near Talawa, in the North Central Province, was opened up as the nucleus, if successful, of a large estate which would depend on rainfall and not irrigation. The experiment, however, had to be abandoned owing to labour difficulties. Meanwhile, the area under the coconut-palm in districts known to be favourable to its cultivation is receiving wide extension. Both European and native planters are finding that the coconut, though slow, is sure, and with the prospect of increasing demands from Europe for the products of the tree, they are putting more and more of their capital into this branch of agricultural enterprise. The industry, however, is already one of very large proportions. It is estimated that not less than 700,000 acres are at the present time planted with the coconutpalm.
The produce of this area must be immense. Some conception of it may be formed from a calculation which is made by Mr. Edward F. Hopkins, Government Agent, Eastern Province, in his Report on the administration of the district for 1905. He says: “The exports by sea during I905 amounted to I31,25I nuts and 36,022 cwt. of copra. Taking 20o nuts to I cwt. of copra, the nuts exported by sea amounted, in round numbers, to 7,300,ooo. Yet this number is but an insignificant portion of the annual crop. If we take 8o trees to the acre, and 20 nuts to the tree, the produce of the 31,308 acres planted with coconuts amounts to the prodigious number of 50,092,8oo nuts. Assuming 50 nuts a year per head of population are consumed as food, the number for 153,522 people is. 7,676, Ioo. Thus something more than 15 million nuts are accounted for, leaving a balance of 35 million nuts to be exported by land, converted into coconut oil, and otherwise consumed. I am quite unable to account for this large balance.' If we accept Mr. Hopkins's calculation of the number of nuts produced in the Eastern Province, we have a record of considerably over a thousand million nuts as the annual produce of the coconut trees of the entire island, Passing from the region of speculation to actual fact, we have in the official returns of exports interesting figures showing the enormous magnitude of the coconut industry and the important place it occupies in the world's markets. Taking the various products as they are classified in the Government Blue Book, we have the following statistics :-
coconut
Page 261
TWENTIETH
DESICCATED COCONUT.
Qಖ್ಖty Yಬ್ಜ!e Ι84, ο39. 33OI,49I. PRINCIPAL COUNTRIES TO WHICH EXPORTED.
Quantity, Value.
Cwt. Rs. United Kingdom 98,204 I,735,993 New South Wales. 2,074 ... 53543 New Zealand I,7II 32,943 Victoria 2,όό9 49, oό9 Austria 2,б92 50,245 Belgium 4,93I 93,733 Germany 26,026 45 II,968 Holland 4,285 7I,629 Spain... I4 I7 24,899 United States 35,9Ι8 658,634
FRESH COCONUT. Quantity. Value. Cwt. Rs, I8, II5, I65 945,894 PRINCIPAL CounTRIES TO WHICH EXPORTED.
Qಖ್ಖty, Yಬ್ಜಿ. United Kingdom I2,536,6ვo 655,807 British India... I3I4O7 5,235 Belgium 877,445 45, I9I Egypt 3,065,539 I62,489 Germany I,309,026 65,8Io
COPRA, Quantity. Walue. Cwt. Rs. 39I,438 4,904,209
೧ಳ್ಲy Vಖ್ಖರಿ. United Kingdom 6,865 77, III Austria... I18,976 I,226,490 Belgium I4,799 I49, I96 Denmark 13,OO3 I57,950 France... 44,725 999,038 Germany 15o,824 I,833,234 Russia ... 4o,786 44ό,265
COCONUT SHELLS. Quantity. Walue. Cwt. RS. I,474 53,535
PRINCIPAL COUNTRY TO WHICH THE MATERIAL
IS EXPORTED.
Quantity, Value. Cwt. Rs. British India I,473 53,515
The following table shows the total value of the exports in each case :-
Rs.
Desiccated Coconut... . . .33OI49 Fresh Coconut 945,894 Copperah . . 4904,209 Poonac ... І,o38,236 Coconut Oil ... ... 9,8I5,992 Coir Matting ... 5,615 Coir Rope ..., 2 Ι3,4όο Coir Yarn ... ..., I, I,77, IбІ Coir (other) ... 3,555 Coir Fibre 927,672 Coconut Shells o o 53,515
Grand Total 22, I8ό,8οο
CENTURY I.
COCON
Qಖ್ಖty.
587,428
PRINCIPAL COUNTRIES
United Kingdom British India ... Straits Settlements ... Austria...
Belgium
Germany
Holland
Sweden United States ...
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON 253
UT OIL. COIR FIBRE.
Vಖ್ಖರಿ. Qಖ್ಖty Yಖ್ಖರು. 9,815,992 150,841 927.672 TO WHICH EXPORTED. Qಟ್ಲy Yಬ್ಜಿ. PRINCIPAL COUNTRIES To WHICH EXPORTED. 3I2,53O ... 5,222,376 Qತ್ಥಜ್ಡy Yಬ್ಜ೬.
40,125 ... 670,489 United Kingdom... ... 61,09.I ... 375,709 I,294 ... 21,622 New South Wales ... 7,392 ... 45,460 9I,096 ... I,522,2I4 Queensland O. O. O. 2,476 : ۔۔۔۔ ......... I5,228 9,784 ... I63,49I Belgium ... «Som m ... 31,364 ... I92,889 8,842 ... I47,75o France ... ... 2,56I ... I5,750 5„Oვ8 ... 84, 185 Germany ... • • • ... 32,403 ... 199,278 I,934 ... 32,318 Holland ... - ... 3,074 ... I8,905 II4,09I ... 1,906,460 United States ... ... 4,160 ... 25,62I
GATHERING THE FRUIT. (The climber at the top.)
Page 262
254
COR.
9uantity. Value. Packages. Rs. Matting 394 5,615
Cwt. Rope 21,346 - 2 Ι3,46ο Yarn - - - Ιο7,7οο Ι., I77, IόI Other ... so - e s a I56 ... 3,555 POONAC. tity. Value. Qಖ್ಖty སླ་ང་ 265,993 I,oვ8,236 PRINCIPAL COUNTRIES To WHICH EXPORTED.
Quantity. Walue.
Cwt. Rs. Belgium ... 99όΙ9 ... 388,86ό France 4„oo3 ... Іб,oоо Germany r62,317 632,953 .܀
TWENTETH CENTURY
It is noteworthy United Kingdom on poonac, the value Rs. I5.
In this list no acco considerable quantity from toddy drawn frc the export of which in to Rs. I5829. Tak stand in the list, we h the coconut exports ve a half-million pounds bially unsafe to pro especially great in t agriculture. Neverth
LABOUR O
- BY EDGAR TURNER, SEcRETARY of
MONGST the most important problems with which the Government and the commercial community in Ceylon have to leal is the provision of labour for the cultivation of tea, cacao, rubber, cardamoms, &c. On most of the estates which grow these products the bulk of the work is done by Tamils from South India. The Sinhalese do a certain amount of felling and clearing work, and in some districts help to pluck the tea-leaf at certain seasons of the year, but they are uncertain and do not work regularly right through the year.
Trichinopoly, Madura, and Tanjore are the great recruiting centres in Southern India for the Tamils employed on the Ceylon estates. The service is a very popular one with the natives. High wages and constant work with good treatment are advantages which appeal powerfully to the South Indian native, to whom seasons of scarcity and consequent impoverishment are a recurring phenomenon. The consequence is that the Tamil villagers are flocking to Ceylon in ever-increasing numbers annually. They are a splendid labour force and give very little trouble.
The system of recruiting labour is peculiar, and may be described at some length. On every estate there are Kanganies who are in charge of the coolies, and they are in touch with their village in South India and keep the estate on which they are working supplied with labour. When labour is required Kanganies go over to South India with money to recruit, money being given to the relatives of those coming over to provide for their maintenance during the absence of their people in Ceylon. The coolie on arrival on the estate
is entered in the re monthly labourer. T nanee in Ceylon des various questions of wa it has worked satisfa immigration the Ceyl years ago inaugurated Every estate using t number and letter, a going to the coast is thinks he will requir of a Kangany with cruited in South India. camp about ten mile port from which a Colombo, making the hours-the Kangany and they are registerec fed and medically exa Government peons arrival in Colombo charge of by represe Government and conve --a station nine miles they are again regis after, and the estate ti is then advised by tel are leaving by.
To further assist the the Planters' Associat started a Coast Agenc Trichinopoly, in - Sout the Agency is Mr. No. planter, who is called th The estates making us of giving money direc the Labour commissio and give the Kangany
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
hat during I9o5 the imported I cwt. of f which is given as
nt is taken of arrack, a which is manufactured in the coconut-trees, and I905 amounted in value ng the figures as they ve the striking fact that y nearly reach one and annually. It is proverhesy, and the risk is e domain of tropical less, it may be con
2- سیسہ
LSLYLSLSSSSSAAASAAASLLLeLqSqSqSqSLSLSLSAMSLSALLLLLLLAL استحت-سه
fidently said that the returns will be still larger in the coming years. The virtues of the coconut are daily being more widely recognised. The soap, candle, and margarine manufacturers, and also the confectioners and biscuit-makers of Europe, the United States, and our colonies are making ever-growing demands upon the industry for a share of its products; and, meanwhile, the indispensable coir is finding extended fields for its utilisation. In this way a justification is being given to the shrewd business instinct of the natives of Ceylon, who cling tenaciously to their coconut plantations, and are ever seeking to cxtend their boundaries.
N ESTATES
THE PLANTERs' AssocIATION OF CEYLON.
gister and becomes a here is a special Ordiigned to regulate the ges, &c. On the whole ctorily, ' To assist the on Government a few a system of tin tickets. hem has a registered und a Kangany when given as many as he 2; and on the arrival the coolies he has reat Tataparai-a special s from Tuticorin, the steamer runs daily to passage in about twelve shows his tin tickets, , The coolies are then mined and seen off by o the steamer. On they are again taken ntatives of the Ceylon yed by train to Ragama from Colombo-where ered, fed, and looked which they are going gram of the train they
immigration of Tamils, on of Ceylon in I904 ', with headquarters at
India. The head of man Rowsell, a Ceylon Labour Commissioner.
of the Agency, instead to the Kanganies, keep er supplied with funds, form on which appears
his name, village in South India, and caste and other particulars. This the Kangany in turn hands to the Central Agency at Trichinopoly, at which the Kangany is registered and given a certain amount of money to travel to his village. On his advising that he is able to recruit labour, money is sent to the nearest sub-agency to his village, and every assistance is given to him. On arrival at Tataparai he produces the necessary tin tickets, and he and his gang are then taken charge of by the representatives of the Ceylon Government as mentioned above. There is no indentured, labour in Ceylon, and the coolie is free to come and go and move about at a month's notice, but before leaving any estate he must pay up, the amount he owes either to his Kangany, or to the estate. The daily wage of a Tamil man on estates is from 33 cents to 40 cents. The women get 25 cents to 3o cents. The women always make the best pluckers, the work being iight. On most estates there is a head Kangany, who is in charge of all the labourers working on the estate, with subKanganies under him, and the labourers work under the sub-Kangany. On some estates there are several Kanganies without a head Kangany. The sub-Kanganies draw from 2 to 4 cents from the estate for every labourer daily who turns out to work, and the head Kangany 2 cents daily for every labourer who turns out.
The estate finds the coolies in lodgings, which consist of rooms 12 ft. by 12 ft., called “lines." On an average three coolies live in each line or room. These rooms are very much better than their lodgings in their native villages in South India. In addition, all medical attendance is paid for by the estates.
Page 263
ん
SDAM L IND SAY GORDON wrote these lines before golf had become a cult, and it is open to doubt whether he would have qualified them had he lived in these days, when the Royal and Ancient holds such an important place among the pastimes of the British people. So far as Ceylon is concerned, golf is the newest of all games, and its popularity dates from the English rather than the Scotch invasion of the island; for in the early days of Ceylon's planting and commercial interests, when Scotsmen were more numerous than Englishmen as settlers, the national game of Scotland had not been introduced, whereas horse-racing flourished and cricket was by no means unknown nor unpopular. When we find that the history of horse-racing in England is “wropt in mystery,” it is not to be wondered at perhaps that there is no certain knowledge of the date of its introduction into Ceylon. It is a popular and easy assumption that horse-racing in England first originated at the precise moment when two energetic men found themselves side by side on highcouraged horses, which takes us back to the dawn of things in the nation's history; and we may safely conjecture, therefore, that the sport of kings as we know it in England had its commencement in Ceylon when the soldiers of King George definitely settled down to keep and to hold this outpost of Empire. There are no records of this that I have been able to discover, but we may be perfectly sure that in those early days, when men of our race. commenced to write
Sలివైన
SP. C
BY H. VOO
Co-EDITOR 'TIMEs of CEYLON’ (AUTHOR of “TH
“No game was ev
For a rational Into which mo ac Could possibly
the British pages of th and civilised island, t on the esplanade faci seen British soldiers the valley of Maidan furdah from this de fierce Afridis; we hav a pagal gymkhana or man on the lendema:
and from what we
instincts of our ances
rash to assume that th garrison in Ceylon we one against the other the Corsican was fl of Europe and dipp: into carmine than even aries had done in his v to recolour the map may well be pointed ( in Ceylon could not British, and that an art with the past history o. something to say of th of the Dutch, the Port the Sinhalese. Ther well, authenticated, or briefest of reference Chariot racing was from the earliest days, on elephants. Huntin vide the chapter im 1 introduction of Buddh of Asoka. The king, Il out hunting at the tir a favourite pastime w. Portuguese introduced Tuesday, and even at villages in Ceylon rot 25
) lR T'
SNAM MILLS,
E PATHAN REvoLT' AND “THE TIRAH CAMPAIGN').
er yet worth a rap man to play, cident, no mishap ind its way."
e history of an ancient here were horse-races ng the sea. We have
hold a race-meet in after having lifted the lectable retreat of the e seen them organising the plains of Omdurin of a bloody fight; know of the sporting kors it is anything but e officers of the British re racing their horses in Colombo the whiles uttering the dovecots ing his sword deeper the bloody revolutionrain, ambitious struggle of three continents. It out, however, that sport
have begun with the icle dealing even briefly f the island should have he games and pastimes uguese, the Tamils, and e is ample literature, 1 the subject, but the es must suffice here. well known in Ceylon and fighting was done g was the royal sport, the Mahavansa on the nism by Mahinda, son Devanampiya Tissa, was ne. Cock-fighting was ith the Sinhalese. The the Carnival on Shrove this date in Catholic ten eggs and mud are s
thrown at people in jest. I cannot find that the Dutch, who contributed so much towards the industrial development of the island, introduced any sport of their own ; and this is confirmed by a student of their times, who writes to me, not in the most complimentary terms, it must be conceded, that “the Dutch were too fat and too sleek to go in for games or pastimes." Of the Malays we know that they were the pioneers of football into Ceylon, although it did not resemble in any way either of the British games which are now in the very forefront of the sports of the island. So much for sport in Ceylon before the days of the British Raj.
Mr. M. H. Thomas, of Gallahena, Ceylon, the much respected proprietary planter, was one of the committee of the Ceylon Turf Club in the late sixties and early seventies, and in response to an application for some recollections of sport in those early days of which we have no written records, he writes me as follows:--
“Racing has been an annual institution in Ceylon from some time in the forties, but I think it was the Bakers, or rather John Baker, as thorough an all-round sportsman as ever lived, who first imported English thoroughbreds for racing and breeding purposes. He cut out a small circular training course round a hill close to his house near Nuwara Eliya, where he used to train his own horses and, what was more, generally ride them himself at the Colombo and Kandy races. He left Ceylon in 1856, but returned to the island with Mrs. Baker some years later, resuming residence at Magastotte where he built a new bungalow. He was to be seen occasionally riding his own horses up to within a few years of his death, and must
Page 264
256
have been over sixty years old when he rode his last race on the old 'Galle Face' racecourse. And a nasty course it was-hard in dry weather and sometimes very heavy going in wet, with a couple of hundred yards of steep up and down at one end, and the dangerous turn near the garrison cemetery, which it was always a relief to get safely round, at the other. In the period from 55 to '65 the military and one or two planters were the chief contributors to such sport as we had; but more than one member of the Civil Service and of the mercantile community occasionally showed their colours. Sometimes, too, Indian stables were represented ; indeed, some of the best horses we ever had in those days were sent down by the Arbuthnots and others. The planters' and
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
three miles. The hors canter, and continued
half a mile, when the A draw away, leaving the behind. After a mile when Nuseeb was c in the rear, the Austr their pace, and were s earnest, with the result concerned, the race was home and the Arab quit The latter had by this however, and steadily between them till, with to go, he challenged the him beaten a few hundre tering in an easy winner
FOOTPRNT. (The winner of the Governor's Cup, I906.)
military horses were for the most part Arabs, and were trained and ridden by their ownersbut weight for age and class races formed
a part of every year's programme, and it was
not considered then, as it is now, impossible to bring Australians and Arabs together, probably because Australians were far inferior and Arabs very much better than the class of horses running now. One instance at any rate may be recalled Clf an Arab beating three Australians-one of them, to the best of my recollection, a horse that had run that year for the Viceroy's Cup in Calcutta. The Raja of Ramnad presented a hundred-guinea cup-no rupees then-to be run for at the C.T.C. meet in Colombo, and sent his own horse, a milk-white Arab of I4.2, by name Nuseeb, to compete for it. The distance was
“I was at the Colomb
and was struck with taken in them, notwith course, the big fields e events, and the much l; money given. Is it b the sporting element th Ceylon men, or that the too costly for any but a Probably both causes 1 but it seems at least have made racing so e importing such valuable men to ride them, have sport as distinguished they have been credited the bright young regin junior civil servant, both
MPRESSIONS
es started at a common to keep that pace for Australians all began to Arab more and more had been covered, and uite a hundred yards alians again increased oon racing together in hat, as far as they were s overa good mille from e 4oo yards from them. time been set going, decreased the space nearly half a mile still : leading horse and had 2d yards further on, canby eightor nine lengths.
) races a few years ago he very little interest standing the fine raceintered, the number of rger amount of added 'cause there is less of an there used to be in sport itself has become few to participate in ave had some effect; ioubtful if those who spensive a pastime, by horses and such costly ione as much for real :óm money-making as with. We miss now ental subaltern or the of whom had possibly
OF CEYLON
ridden on the flat, or at any rate were good cross-country riders, at Home; whilst Heaven help the planter whom his V.A. finds indulging such propensities in the more work and less pay days we now live in. The polo ground is not without its share in the change, but this is not a rival which any one would dream of discouraging. It is a question if it might not be made an ally by devoting more funds to polo pony races. Arab racing could probably never be revived, but there is no prettier sport than three-quarter-mile heat races for Arabs, if there were plenty of them, as there used to be.'
What an admirable picture the above is, giving us a comprehensive glimpse of those distant days when “that gentleman Coffee' held real court in this island, and before tea and the strenuous life had made their advent Mr. Thomas speaks of the forties, but 1866 would appear to be the first year when the Ceylon Turf Club began to keep records. It appears curious that newspaper files should not have enabled information of earlier days to be collected, particularly as Colombo had an English newspaper so far back as 1834; but it seems beyond doubt that racing and sport of all kinds were viewed with disfavour by the conductors of that newspaper and all hospitality was refused. The tyranny of the Nonconformist conscience is no new manifestation, therefore, in the life of the Empire, but it is noteworthy that probably a unique instance of its ravages should have occurred in the sporting history of Ceylon. This is all a thing of the past now, as Colombo, with its two evening and three morning daily newspapers, gives the fullest possible welcome to sport in all forms. The hostility, however, died hard, and not so many years ago the old tradition still so far prevailed in one office that it not only did not publish any news of local racing, but rigidly censorised Reuter’s telegrams which gave the results of the Derby, the Oaks, and the St. Leger; whilst in this year of grace Igo6 a Colombo daily newspaper still refuses to give the betting in Ceylon races, although it has relented so far as to publish it in English, Indian, and Australian races. To a newspaper editor and proprietor, however, very properly belongs the credit of redeeming past neglect which besmirched Ceylon's newspaper fame. Mr. Herbert H. Capper-whose lamented death at Home in I905, at an early age, removed one of the best sportsmen as also one of the truest friends of Ceylon-set himself the task of collating past records, and it is to his efforts very largely that we know as much as we do of racing forty years ago. There appears to have been the greatest enthusiasm over racing in the sixties, and the big meet in September always extended over a week, with five days' racing.
Page 265
NORTH BRITISH.
LEAHI.
MERLOOLAS.
COMEVVELL.
JACK O'LANTERN.
Page 266
258
There is a vast deal that is entertaining and informative about the sport in those days; but I must only dwell on a few of the purple patches, and note but a few of the more important finger-posts which help to realise the conditions under which racing in past years existed. No times were kept until the year I874, and in passing it may be permissible to observe that too much attention need not be paid to the times that have since been kept. The value of times is always very disputable; for how few are the timekeepers at small racemeets who know the rudiments of timekeeping, or who have a watch which is capable of clocking a race even approximately accurately Those who dispute this can test the matter for themselves at the next race-meet they attend by comparing the times kept by, say, half a dozen of their friends whom they see with watches out when a race is about to be run. I see a soldier, Lieutenant Lawrie, was the first winner of the Crusaders' Cup, the blue riband of the C.T.C. meet, which, Owing to its hampering conditions, became a terrible white elephant, resulting in a walkover for many years, until it was finally painlessly extinguished by arrangement. The present. American Consul won the cup in I869, which reminds me of the fact that Mr. Morey had some time previous to that been landed off a ship in Colombo and taken to the hospital “to die ' '. The veteran is still with us, although he does not quite so regularly as of yore dispense cake and wine to the many who call at the Consulate to offer congratulations on July 4th.
Looking over the names of the members of the C.T.C, in I87 I, there are few who are still with us in Ceylon, and few, indeed, who are alive. The first name on the list, however, is that of the veteran Walter Agar, still in Ceylon, the head of a brave and distinguished family. Of those still in the island we can only recognise F. J. de Saram, George John, Hon. Mr. F. C. Loos, Sir W. W. Mitchell, W. Mitchell, W. Morey, W. T. Saunders, Lieutenant-Colonel C. E. H. Symons, J. H.
de Saram, C.M.G., M. H. Thomas, and J. Wickwar. Other well-known persons, some of whom are still alive to be
honoured, are the Hon. Mr. H. H. Cameron, L. St. G. Carey, R. B. Carson, G. W. Carlyon, Henry Dias, Sir Jôhn F. Dickson, T. S. Dobree, A. and Charles Fetherstonhaugh, Sir John J. Grinlinton, James Gibson, J. A. Hayley, J. R. Hedges, L. F. Kelly, C. Layard, R. H. Morgan, E. H. Prins, G. W. Rudd, John Rogers, C. Harcourt Skrine, Duncan W. Skrine, H. S. Saunders, Sir F. R. Saunders, Charles Strachan, C. H. de Soysa, G. H. Vane, P. Vanderstraaten, J. Van Langenberg, and E. Wale.
I must find space for the first leaf of the C.T.C. rules of I87I :- W
TWENTIETH CENTURY
PATRON AN His Excellency Sir H K.C
WICE-P Major-General The Hor. Mr. H. T. Ir
COMM Armitage, H., Esq. Barnes, J. W., Major Bell, J. A., Esq. Chapman, G. H. J. M. Charsley, W. P., Dr. Crowe, R., Esq. Douglas, the Hon. W Drewe, F. E., Colon Ferdinands, C. L., E Hook, Major, C. R. Saunders, F. R., Esq Thomas, M. H., Esq. Trotter, H., Esq., P. Vane, the Hon. Mr. ( Watson, R. C., Capta
HONORARY SECRETA G. V. Lambe, E R. B. Donnall,
Turf Club Office, C Io February, 18
The fields were al these days, and there speculation, which can and threatened at ol racing altogether. F Dayrell' of the Times. year at Home) came to he says of the crisis: anxious to ramp the Cyclops for one race i another; but the spark was a general break had been a thorough under the wing of C: general result was sc thought racing in Cey so, however, as with was resolved that racin, scale; and for the y jockeys were allowed, ings were held in Col past bury its dead. I native said to me of “Those were the gre the gentlemens went to ladies too. Long tail c were worn by every g and four drove to the r. in golden sovereigns, w winners in brass pots, I have seen one man Can this be the ori pots P. But in I872 pigeons, sir; there was and owners, and the
IMPRESSIONS
'D PRESIDENT. [ercules Robinson, Kt., E.M.G.
RESIDENTS.
H. Renny, C.S.I. ving, Colonial Secretary.
ΙΤΤΕΕ.
, 73rd Regiment.
I., Captain, A.D.C , P.C.M.O.
V. J., Auditor-General. el, D.A.G.
Sq.
Regiment.
., C.C.S.
W.G. G., Treasurer. in, C. R. Regiment.
ARY AND TREASURER. :sq., at Colombo. Esq., at Kandy. olombo. 7 I.
lmost always large in : was a good deal of he to a climax in 1872, he time to extinguish D. Mitchell (“Wild of Ceylon, who died last the island in 1872, and “A few sparks were public by pulling old in the hope of winning 's got ramped and there up of the Club. There good gamble this year aptain Lambe, but the disastrous that many lon was doomed. Not judicious prudence it g should be on a milder ars I873 and I874 no and merely Sky Meetlombo.” Let the dead will only quote what a racing at that time : at days, sir, when all the races and all the
oats and white tall hats entleman, and coaches icecourse. The stakes, ere handed over to the and with my own eyes carry off seven pots. gin of the expression he cat got amongst the bad work with jockeys re were bankruptcies.
OF CEYLON
One jockey, who was suspected of robbing his owner by selling races, fell down dead when going to England with his bad-earned money!' I wonder how much of this was true, and how much of it the gup of the bazaar. I am unable to say when racing first commenced at Nuwara Eliya, where there is to-day one of the prettiest racecourses in the East. An interesting photograph in the Times of Ceylon Christmas number fixes the date of the first Gymkhana Meet at 1874, when the grandstand was a cadjan shed; but I have a note of “Wild Dayrell's ' by me which states “the Nuwara Eliya Gymkhana had been revived in 1873, probably on account of the decadence of Colombo,' so that it would appear there was racing at Nuwara Eliya earlier than the seventies. There undoubtedly was racing of a kind in the hills at Darrawella and elsewhere in the early seventies, and probably before, although I have been unable to unearth any records of them. Before finally closing with the black year 1872, let me give a brightly written picture of the scene at the races in that year, which I take from the file of the Times of Ceylon :-
“A large and fashionable assemblage of spectators began rapidly to fill the grand-stand very soon after four o'clock, whilst the usual motley crowd thronged the course-a crowd composed of non-members of the Turf Club, who did not care to pay ten shillings for admittance to the sacred precincts of the ringsoldiers of the 73rd in scarlet tunics, artillerymen in blue, riflemen in green, sailors, Buddhist priests in their yellow robes Burghers on foot, Burghers conveyed in every description of Ceylon vehicle, from the comfortable palanquin to the less imposing bullock hackery; swell Moormen willing to take the current odds'; Tambies from the Pettah, Tambies in reduced circumstances, native gentlemen in gorgeous apparel, native ladies in still more startling colours, filthy horse-keepers, innumerable coolies in ragsaltogether forming a collection drawn from all classes in Ceylon.”
There was a meet in Colombo in 1873, but it was not much of a success, and the Governor's disapproval of the work of 1872 was shown by the fact that there was no Governor's Cup, whilst the Ladies' Purse was also remarkable by its absence. In 1874, however, there was a reorganisation of the Turf Club, and some excellent racing was the result. A mare called Clochette distinguished herself tremendously, winning a punishing race of I miles over six flights of hurdles and a 1 mile flat race in the course of the same afternoon. All the riders were gentlemen, and in one race I see such a well-known list as this: Skrine, Graeme, Darley, Carlyon, Dobree, Bacon, and "Hampden.” The weights were II stone and up
Page 267
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
wards. What would we not give for such a ... field of G.R.'s in these decadent days, when there is such difficulty in finding gentlemen to ride for the famous trophy of the Horse Club There was a strong plea, however, in 1874, for the restoration, in part at least, of the old conditions regarding professional jockeys and first-class horses; and I875 saw the old conditions revived, when, we read, “there was not the faintest breath of scandal or ill-feeling to mar the general harmony." Mr. Duncan
planting capital, Kand the 1875 meet was th William Gregory, wh weird in the extreme.
Ronald J. Farquharso inglorious commenceme ful owner-trainer-rider had in Ceylon. Besides brother Eric, who had a and was a splendid rid formed a confederacy
Skrine was mainly instrumental in the revival of racing, and the name of Mr. Dodwell Browne appears first among the Committee in the 1874 meet. “Mr. Hampden' (poor Mr. Waller, whose tragic end at Darrawella course is still remembered and regretted) made his first appearance as a rider in 1874. The next year saw “Wild Dayrell' among the Committee, with Mr. G. C. Walker secretary at Colombo, and Mr. R. B. Donnall (afterwards Planting Member in Council for several years) still doing secretary's duties at the
THE RACE-COU
success for years, anc Ramrod, wrote his nam of the Governor's Cup.
In 1877 there was change the date of the to August, and this success and the foundat August week. In 187: Mr. G. D. Alston as or course, and we find M ceiving hearty congratu way in which he had
MPRESSIONS
7. The drawback to : handicapping of Sir ich, apparently, was In I876 we find Mr. 1 riding a loser-an nt to the most success
career we have ever “ R. J." there was his most successful career er. The Farquharsons which met with great
OF CEYLON 259
secretary. This position Mr. Wickwar first filled in I877, and he was a great success in that position for several years. Mr. Wickwar is still to the fore in racing matters in Ceylon, and besides being secretary of the Nuwara Eliya Race Committee, his valuable experience of racing, both as a rider and official, is always at the disposal of the Turf Club. In I879 we see Mr. George J. Jameson, the popular Fort merchant, among the officials, and in the same year Mr. Dick Lauder appears for the
RSE, COLOMBO.
l one of their horses, e largely in the records
a strong movement to meet from September was done with great ions laid of the present 3 we see the name of he of the clerks of the (r. Joseph Wick war relations on the successful performed the duties of
on the horizon for Ceylon.
first time among winning owners and Mr. Ronald Farquharson on the Committee of Bad times were now looming The great tragedy of the death of coffee was to be enacted, with all its lamentable accompaniments, and there was to be much grief and lamentation before tea was to spring into success out of the ashes of the old staple. The year 188o saw the disappearance of the tall white hats and the long dust-coats of the Ascot and Goodwood types, which gave way to billycocks and sober
Management.
Page 268
260
tweeds. In 1882 we see F. D. Mitchell, Sydney Vowler, J. M. Robertson, and J. G. Baker
TWENTIETH CENTURY
return was IO to 9. August meet of I906,
THE OLD RACE-COURSE, GALLE FACE.
among the stewards, but the great depression interfered with the entries and the betting. In 1884 we notice Dr. Tothill, Major Knollys, A.A. Delmege, and A. H. Murray Menzies among the stewards, with L. H. Kelly as judge and G. J. Jameson clerk of the scales. The silver lining on the cloud of adversity had so far failed to put in an appearance, and there was Serious talk of abandoning the races altogether. Luckily this was not done, and I 886 saw a revival, with large fields, good racing, and an abundance of G.R.'s-there being no less than eight amateur riders in one race. The handicapping was done by “Wild Dayrell,' and was a splendid factor in the success of the meet. So considerable was the enthusiasm engendered by the meet that a syndicate was formed to import horses, and a great argument took place over the rival merits of Arabs and English griffins. “Wild Dayrell' was the leader of those who wanted English griffins, from which attitude he never swerved. How it would have rejoiced his sporting heart if he had been asked to assist in the selection of the thirteen English griffins imported at the back end of I906 but his untimely death prevented this, and Mr. sRonald Farquharson did not have the benefit of his expert opinion. In 1886 a pari mutuel was started by Mr. C. E. H. Symons - Lieutenant-Colonel Symons, of Colomboand it is a useful argument in favour of the replacement of bookies by a pari mutuel that in 1886, out of the seventeen races on which the pari mutuel did business, an odds on price was only returned in one race, and then the
those who attack the system have sound re
One of the most ii ever taken in Ceylon ra by the Turf Club, in t land in the Cinnamon the present racecourse. the Turf Club had a p with a course that it c
Year, Owner.
I886 Mr. A. Murray M 1887 A. W. Jacks I888 , Le Mesurier I889 || , , A. W. Jacksc I89O Do. ... I89I Do. ... 1892 || ,, R. Jackson
I893 Do. ... I894 || Colpetty Confec I895 Mr. H. Lubbert I896 E. L. F. de S 1897 Do. ... I898 Tom Walker 1899 E. L. F. de S 1900 DO. ... I 9or || , Bonaparte W 1902 Captain R. S. L. 1903 Mr. H. D. Willi. T904 Mr. R. J. Farquh I905 Dο. ... 1906 E. L. F. de S
- which it could excluc
which it frequently fai Face, for we read of su a cart containing beer
IMPRESSIONS
Compare this with the and it will be seen that
2 bookmaker monopoly ason on their side. mportant steps forward cing was the acquisition he early nineties, of the Gardens which forms It was high time that roper home of its own, ould fence in, and from
OF CEYLON
by the field in an actual race. With the removal of the races to the beautiful turf track in the Cinnamon Gardens-opened on June 22, 1893-Ceylon racing began a prosperous and uneventful career, with plenty of popular support which made good stakes possible. Below is a list of the winners of the Governor's Cup for the past twenty years, together with names of owners, jockeys, &c.
The following shows who were the principal winning owners during the past half a dozen years :--
THE WINNING OWNERS.
Rs. I9o II ... Mr. de Soysa ... ... 7,45O I902 ... Captain Lewin ... 7,500 I9o3 ... Mr. R. Farquharson (II firsts) 8,7oo 1903 ... Mr. D. Williams ... 5,900 1904 ... Mr. Farquharson (9 firsts) ... 8, I8o I904 ... Mr. C. C. Herbert ... ... 5, IOI I9o5 ... Mr. Farquharson (II firsts) ... II,622 I905 ... Mr. de Soysa ... 40 ж. у . . . 2, IO9 I906 ... Mr. James ... a wo ... 8,057 I906 ... Mr. de Soysa ... - ... 4,000
The Turf Club stands to-day in a fine and healthy condition. Its stewards are capable men, and desirous to promote the best interests of sport, and have shown that they are prepared to consider suggestions for improvement even when they are made outside. They have just carried through successfully an English griffin scheme, thirteen carefully selected young horses having been sent out from England under the eye of Mr. Ronald Farquharson, and delivered over to the subscribers for considerably less than Ioo each.
THE GOVERNOR'S CUP.
Winner, Weight. Distance. Rider. Time.
st. lb. S. senzies Ramrod 2n .... ! Zerlina ... 9 3 || II m. || Mr. Farquharson || I 55
... Lady Durham ... 9 4 Cavanagh - in ... Giddy Girl O Wall ... ... I 46
Do. - IO I Do. ... e = = 1 ـم o n Do. ... II 2 sy Do. ... ... I 47
Smash ... | Io 6 || II m. || Thompson” о во Do. O « ... | Ιο ό Traham 2 I8 eracy Master Walter . IO 8 I m. Wall I 45 ... || Norbert IO 3 g Kaye I 48 oysa Jack O'Lantern ... lo 5 g Traham I 46 - Do. ... IO O Do. ... I 47 ... | Redavni ... a 9 Ιο s Ramshaw . . . . I 45 Oysa North British 8 ΙO yy Gibbs ... ... I 45 ... ] Merloolas ... 9 o || II m. || Ramshaw . . . . 2 I7 lyse ... Devoted 9 о 9. Mirza ... ... 2 20 win Do. O 9 ο y Ramshaw . . . . 2 I7 ms ... Gabelle 8 2 y Lansdown 2 п73 ISOIl Prince Lyon 0 «• « 9 3 s Fisher 2 І7 Do. ... 1 l 9 3 Firth ... 2 18Dysa Footprint ... ж» у Ф 9 3 3y O'Neill ... 2 I4.
e the ordinary traffic, ed to do on the Galle :h curious accidents as barrels being run into
If this scheme is repeated every two or three years there should be no dearth of horses for racing. Appended is a list of the present officials of the club.
Page 269
TWENTIETH
PRESIDENT.-His A. Blake, G.C.M.G.
VICE-PRESIDENT.--Brigadier-General R. C. HB. Lawrence.
STEWARDs...--The Hon. Mr. A. G. Lascelles, K.C. (Attorney-General) ; the Hon. Mr. G. M. Fowler, C.M.G. (Acting Colonial Secretary); the Hon. Mr. W. H. Figg; Messrs. G. E. Woodman, F. C. Allen, L. Bayly, and S. Payne Gallwey.
CoMMITTEE.--The Hon. Mr. A. G. Lascelles, K.C. (Chairman) ; the Hon. Mr. G. M. Fowler, C.M.G. ; the Hon. Mr. H. L. Crawford, C.M.G. ; the Hon. Mr. W. H. Figg, ; Messrs. S. D. Bandaranaike, C.M.G., F. C. Allen, J. Wickwar, G. E. Woodman, L. Bayly, W. B. Barkleh, E. J. Weatherall, H. S. K. Marrell, L. F. de Soysa, B. W. Bawa, C. M. Fernando and W. P. D. Wanderstraaten.
SEcRETARY.-Mr. J. Lochore.
Excellency Sir Henry
合、
GOLF.
Though it is now nearly the most popular pastime in Ceylon, golf was only started here about a quarter of a century ago. The game was at first played on Galle Face, but on December Io, I896, the present links in Borella were opened, and styled the Ridgeway Links, after the Governor, Sir Joseph West Ridgeway who took a keeh interest in the game and gave the club its home. The Colombo Golf Club was established in 188o by Messrs. William Law, William Somerville, R. Webster, F. A. Fairlie, E. Aitken, and R. L. M. Brown, who formed the first committee, Mr. Brown being the hon. sec. About I89o the Nuwara Eliya Golf Club was founded, and possesses now, perhaps, the most beautiful and the best full course in the East. The Ridgeway Links have also been considerably improved, and the Colombo Golf Club now boasts of a most handsome pavilion, completed in 1905 at a cost of Rs. 32,Ooo, raised by debentures among the members, of which a considerable number are redeemed each year out of the handsome profits. Names prominently associated with the earliest history of golf in the island are those of Mr. F. A. Fairlie, a Lindula planter, and Mr. W. Somerville, the veteran Fort merchant. The former was the crack golfer of the period, and the first player to win a competition. This was the club gold medal for one round of eighteen holes, won by Mr. Fairlie, in 1884, with a score of 87. Mr. Fairlie won this twice after, and then left the island. In 1888 the Hon. Mr. J. N. Campbell won the gold medal, and he and Mr. W. Somerville are, it is believed, the only two original members of the Colombo
CENTURY
Golf Club still associat former won the cha 1897, and is still a
Golf in Colombo mae the latter eighties, tha: it by the officers of the
from Colonel Boyes ( the military was due sustained interest in a years to gain in popul still one competition
Colombo which is c Major-General, name Vase, instituted in 188 the Gordons, was the win this or any other the silver medal too th: ing year Colonel Boy medal. The latter w the club aggregate me medal was won by fou came into the possess person of W. E. Mitc
CHAMPI
The championship stituted in 1891, and t twice annually, in Nuw The first to gain the h J. W. Gowan, a playe He was the same y Campbell in Colombc cup twice again in I89 of guttie balls, but a play had nevertheless saw the advent of or Ceylon knew, namely, who, between 1896 ar. pionship thrice in succ winner of the Calcutta Vase, the club gold m medal, and the winne Nuwara Eliya in I896 a he left the island. In fell to two military of the R.A.M.C., at Nuwa P. Balfour, of the Hig Colombo, who beat C. year's winner in Colo Colombo Golf Club g In 190o C. B. Elliott both at Nuwara Eliy he secured the honou J. G. Melrose by 2 up ; the most remarkable record. In the seco 8 down at the sevent to play a wonderfully reduced Eliott's lead but missing a 15-in.
MPRESSIONS
'd with the game. The npionship of Ceylon in very consistent player. e rapid strides during ks to the fillip given to (st Gordon Highlanders, ownward. In fact, to
to a great extent the pastime that took some ar favour; and there is played for annually in onnected with a past y, the Lady McLeod 7. Major Craufurd, of
first military player to
competition. He won at year; and the followes carried of the gold is also the first to win dal, while the Calcutta r other officers before it ton of a civilian in the hell.
2A
P
ONSHIP.
of the island was inill 1905 was played for rara Eliya and Colombo. onour of champion was r of exceptional merit. ear defeated by J. N. ), but carried off the 2. This was the period fairly high standard of been reached, and 1893 e of the finest golfers H. C. Rose, a banker, ld I 897, won the chamession. He was also a medal, the Lady McLeod 2idal, the aggregate gold r of the gold medal at nd 1897, soon after which 1899 the championship ficers-Colonel Quill, of ra Eliya, and Lieutenant hland Light Infantry, at W. Mackie, the previous mbo, and holder of the old and silver medals. won the championship a and Colombo, while again in 1903, beating nd II. This was one of championship games on hd round Melrose was hole, when he began fine uphill game. He to 2 up and 2 to play, putt at the seventeenth
OF CEYLON 261
hole, was only able to halve it in 5, which gave Elliott the match.
A GREAT GOLFER.
Though not able to win the championship till I904, Melrose was regarded as one of the finest golfers Ceylon has ever known. He holds the record for the best scores on the Ridgeway Links-72 in the President's Cup in Igo3, and 69 when the Haskell ball was first introduced. Besides winning the championship twice, Mr. Melrose carried away four aggregate gold medals, three gold medals, two president's cups, three captain's cups, one Calcutta medal, two quarterly silver medals, and other valuable trophies, including the handsome Coronation Cup presented by Mr. A. Lampard, and the Kenna Hotel Cup, Nuwara Eliya. Mr. Melrose left Colombo for Calcutta in 1905. Though Ceylon has been the poorer for his departure, the island has yet two fine golfers in the brothers Ogilvie and D. W. Watson.
In Colombo, while competitions are spread over a long period, they are in Nuwara Eliya nearly always confined to a week, the principal meet being held during Easter. The record
score for the new course at Nuwara Eliya
is held by Mr. C. M. Hutchinson, a scientist attached to the Assam Planters' Association, who, while on a visit, went round in 73. In fact, several fine records have been put up by visitors to Nuwara Eliya, one of the most notable being in Easter, Igo6, by a military visitor from India, Captain Hunt-Grubbe, who won nearly everything at the week. Ceylon golfers heard with great regret of his demise a few months later, in India, from cholera.
THE LADES” CHAMPIONSHIP.
A name prominently associated with the early history of ladies' golf in Ceylon is that of Mrs. Fanshawe, wife of Colonel Fanshawe, of the R.A., a daughter of Sir Frederick Saunders. The ladies' championship was instituted in 1895, and was won for the first two years by Miss Saunders, in 1897 by Miss N. Saunders, and in 1898 by Miss Saunders again. Miss R. Elliott was the winner in 1899, and after holding her own twice in one yearand on five different occasions-she had to give up the title of Ceylon lady golf champion in 1905 to Mrs. F. A. Saunders, the holder of the gold bangle in I903 and I904. Up to I904 the championship competition was held in Colombo. It was put on a firmer footing with the competition which took place at Nuwara .
R*
Page 270
262
Eliya in April of the same year, and now takes place annually at the Sanitarium, where in I906 Mrs. F. S. Mitchell wrested the championship from Mrs. Saunders.
It has been said that golf has ruined European cricket in Ceylon, and that racing in Colombo will never be what it should as long as the Ridgeway Golf Links last. This, of course, is an extreme view, but it is apparent that the game is making great headway in Ceylon. An indication of this is in a proposal under consideration to, secure the services of a golf professional.
In recent years the Ceylonese have also taken enthusiastically to golf, and count a number of good players. The Victoria Golf Club have their links on the Victoria Park, and the Havelock Golf Club in the southern suburbs is another rising institution.
ル念守や
FOOTBALL.
Football in Ceylon was started about the year 1879, but there is very little on record to show what progress the game made twenty years ago. The Colombo Football Club was instituted in 188o, the committee of management being Messrs. E. Cave-Browne, G. Plaxton, H. W. Bradhurst (now Government Agent of the Western Province), E. C. Davies (the Factory Engineer), and the late Mr. Ralph Tatham, who was captain and hon. sec. In spite of the disadvantages as regards climate, Rugby football was always more popular than the Association game. The principal matches were between Colombo and Up-country, and in view of the great interest centred in this annual fixture at the present time it seems a pity that a record of the earlier results is not available. In the later eighties the Colombo Football Club was in very nearly a dormant condition, but, thanks to the interest which Mr. V. A. Julius, a keen sportsman, continued to take in the club, the annual contest with Up-country was not allowed to drop. In I89o the club was put on a firmer footing, and with the late Mr. H. H. Capper as President, Surgeon-Captain Pike as Captain, Mr. H. S. Jeafferson as hon. sec., and Messrs. J. Macdonald, Black, Bremner, Kirkpatrick, and Neave on the committee, the club made excellent progress. About I896–97 hockey was introduced into Ceylon, and, the interest in Association football being revived, the present Colombo Hockey and Football Club was inaugurated to govern the three games. Since then both “Rugger' and “Soccer" have made great strides in Colombo, and the increasing popularity of the Association game has led to an annual fixture between Colombo and
TWENTIETH CENTURY
Up-country since 1898, both in Colombo and to the wet period betw The Colombo Hockey the advantage of mc compared with their since I892 Colombo h win twice, the condit enabling the planters to of play invariably the to hold their own in supremacy. In spite failures, the annual “R to be the most attracti Carnival in Colombo. hope is given to Colo new blood from among and Navy, but it is wo I892 Colombo have bee Up-country line five t scored only 21 points Up-country up to Aug best effort since 1894 with Up-country in I9C occasion when the m trained fifteen in the f Combe, a sterling forw Besides the Colomboseason is kept very mu interdistrict matches, th part being Colombo, Dimbula. In recent yea always been able to h matches; but Dikoya, wins against the CC Football Club, has a fair as the premier "Rugger Ceylon has not playe outside teams, but the expressed that the stan the island compares favol ordinary English count the Federated Malay Sta and W. R. F. Brock has Up-country and the co never known a finer half respectively. In J. E. F. R. Dakeyne, C. H. Wi W. E. M. Patterson, D. man, J. Tilly, S. P. Bell, Moir, R. M. Ash, D. R. J. H. Cantrell, J. H. I Tatham, W. Moir, and island has still a fine lo game bids fair to coi interest it always has di which suits the Ceylo necessary vim and weig sportingly taken up by th Hockey and Football U Rovers have an annual greatest interest is cent three Ceylonese played
MPRESSIONS
The “Rugger season," Jp-country, is confined en May and September. nd Football Club have e regular practice as ivals Up-country; but lve only been able to ons of life Up-country come down to the field fitter' team, and thus the great struggle for f Colombo's repeated gger' match continues e feature of the August Year after year new nbo by the infusion of the ranks of the Army thy of note that since n only able to cross the mes, and have in all against I78 scored by ust, 1906. Colombo's was when they drew 4, this being the only etropolis had a wellield, led by Mr. L. H. ard. -Up-country match, the ch alive by a series of e four districts taking Kandy, Dikoya, and irs Colombo has nearly old its own in these while scoring many lombo Hockey and claim to be regarded ' district Up-country. i any matches against belief has often been dard of “ Rugger ” ín rably with that of any y. The departure to tes of B. C. N. Knight been a great loss to ony, for Ceylon has back or three-quarter Biddell, C. R. Mudie, lliams, H. B. Bremner, M. Murray, W. LockA. E. Ogilvy, H. G. bertson, A. F. West, . Dowbiggin, F. H. others, however, the t of players, and the tinue to arouse the ne. It is not a game lese, who lack the ht; but it has been 'm, and the Ceylonese lion and the Kandy match in which the ed. In earlier years or Colombo, two of
OF CEYLON
them, W. Van Langenberg and E. H. Joseph, having had an English training.
Previous to 1897, when the C.H. & F.C. was founded, Association football in Colombo was seldom played, and the class of play was very different to what it is now. The various regiments that have been stationed in Colombo have done much to make the game popular, and in 1902 it is estimated that between 5,000 and 6,ooo spectators were present to witness a match during the Coronation festivities between civilians and the military. Some of the most prominent exponents of the game at the present time are C. W. Mackie, J. A. Symons, W. A. Cole, W. E. M. Paterson, A. G. G. Hyde, W. H. M. Davies, R. H. Williams, A. F. West, A. Warden, A. J. Lintott, J. Moir, and F. C. Doyle. The game has not yet thoroughly “caught on ' Up-country, but since 1903 the planters have sportingly brought down a team to play Colombo annually. Among the Ceylonese the game has made
rapid strides, and there are few towns where
it is not assiduously indulged in by the youth of the country. In Colombo the number of Association clubs is legion, the principal ones being the Chums, the Bloomfield Club, the Colombo Rovers, and the Ramblers.
*念守。
CRICKET.
Cricket in Ceylon dates back to the early sixties, but it was not till 190o that Mr. P. L. Bartholomeusz, a Ceylonese member of the staff of the Times of Ceylon, first rescued from oblivion the most salient records connected with the game during the last quarter of the nineteenth century. The defective nature of old records and the difficulty of getting at most of them rendered the compilation no easy matter; but in gathering together the scattered fragments of the history of local cricket Mr. Bartholomeusz has done a public service. The principal cricket clubs in Ceylon now are the Colombo Cricket Club, the Colombo Colts, the Colombo Nondescripts, the Colombo Sports Club, the Colombo Bloomfield and Athletic Club, the Sinhalese Sports Club, the Colombo Malay Club, thế Kandy Sports Club, the Dikoya and Maskeliya Cricket Club, and the Dimbula Athletic and Cricket Club. But none of these clubs can claim an existence of forty years, unless the Colombo Cricket Club had its origin in the Colombo XI., of which, with the Union Club, the Smallpass Club, the Slave Island Club, the juvenile Graduates, the Hultsdorf Club, the Fort Club, and the Military Club, we first find mention made in 1869. The Colombo Cricket Club was probably established about
Page 271
TWENTIETH
I876, the office-bearers at the time being as follows :-
PRESIDENT.--Mr. B. Pauncefort. HoN. SECRETARY.—Mr. G. L. Taylor. HoN. TREAsURER.—Mr. G. J. Jameson. CoMMITTEE.-Messrs. J. M. Robertson, E. P. Willisford, W. G. lnglis, W. Somerville, and Captain Morewood.
Mr. Pauncefort was a quondam captain of Oxford, and is said to have been one of the very best batsmen that played for the C.C.C. Of the then office-bearers, Mr. W. Somerville, whose connection with Ceylon cricket dates from I861, is still resident in Ceylon. The original headquarters of the C.C.C. were the Rifle Green in Slave Island, which was given up after a few years in favour of the present Sports Club pitch on the Galle Face, the venue of some of the most historical contests on local record. The C.C.C. stayed here till 1894, when their present excellent ground adjoining the racecourse was opened. The principal test match in the early sixties was between Colombo and Up-country, but though traced so far back as 1875, it has not been possible to compile the results of these matches since that time. It is interesting, however, to recall the names of those who took part in the match of 1875. Those who played for Up-country were T. Dobree, W. Saunders, French, A. Mercer, W. H. Anderson, L. H. Kelly, H. H. Carfe, H. Wickens, D. Drake, H. W. Ridley, and A. G. Scovell. Colombo was represented by Captain Budgeon, G. L. Taylor, H. P. Dawson, S. M. Munro, G. J. Jameson, P. A. Templer, W. G. Inglis, H. C. P. Bell, E.T. Noyes, C. V. B. Kuper, and R. Tatham. Only one innings a side was played, and Colombo won, the scores being Colombo 99, and Up-country 43. For Colombo Captain Budgeon scored 48. Ridley and French trundled for Up-country, and the bowling was presumably very weak, as it is recorded that four wides and a bye were registered before Taylor scored a single. Ridley and French bowled seventeen wides between them, and Inglis and Taylor three.
The match of the following year was played on three afternoons, and was more of a firstclass character, as we notice that both sides were well represented, W. Wanderspar, Humphreys, and Halliley being among the Up-country eleven; while the Colombo team included F. S. Shand (a splendid left-handed bowler), Pauncefort, and W. Somerville. The scores were : Colombo Ioo and 29 for five wickets; Up-country 77 and 94, the result being a draw. Halliley and Shand trundled with equal success.
Since 1890, 28 matches have been played, Colombo being credited with I5 victories against 8 belonging to Up-country. The majority of Colombo's victories were scored in
CENTURY I
the metropolis, due t to bring down their be Some of the heroes were: B. Pauncefort, Alston, Ashley Walke Bell, W. H. Jacksol Goodwyn, G. L. Tay Colonel Churchill for P. F. Hadow, F. A.
(Sons of
Denison, W. P. Hall R. H. S. Scott, J. C. Mackenzie, and A. O. In late years J. A. S T. Leese, E. T. Etlin: Field have been Colc from time to time
amongst the best bein (of the Lancashires).
MPRESSIONS
Up-country's inability t teams. of these past matches G. Vanderspar, G. H. F. Stephens, H. C. P. E. Cave-Brown, H. or, M. H. Paine, and olombo; and A. Tabor, Fairlie, C. Inglis, A. J.
OF CEYLON 263
Infantry), E. H. Rooke (of the Royal Engineers), and Farrell (of the Worcesters), the latter being the finest all-round military cricketer that Ceylon has known since the departure of Colonel Churchill, at one time D.A.A.G. of Ceylon. For Up-country, P. J. Gaisford, G. F. Cornish, T. Y. Wright, P. H. Papillon, G. H. and D. L. Gibson, G. C. Fraser, N. Mansergh, F. C. Smith, P. Healing, and E. Cowen have in
J. C., J. T., AND L. O. WEINMAN. (r. J. R. Weinman, District Judge of Colombo-a notable sporting trio.)
ley, A. C. W. Clarke, . Fort, J. Ingall, F. F. Whiting for Up-country. ymons, E. R. Waldock, er, F. Balkwill, A. J. G. mbo's mainstay, assisted by military cricketers, g Lieutenants C. Bowen
Ames (of the Madras
the last decade done yeoman service. The first century in these matches was scored by M. H. Paine (for Colombo) in 1891, T. Y. Wright (for Up-country), J. A. Symons (for Colombo), and A. L. Gibson (for Up-country) being the only other batsmen to have reached the coveted three figures, A. L. Gibson having five to his credit. T. Y. Wright scored 92 in a match played Up-country in 1892, Halliley
Page 272
264 TWENTIETH
scored 96 in 1895, and W. H. Howorth scored
97 in Igoo. 94 runs for 32 wickets at Nuwara
Eliya in 1906 is the highest aggregate in these
matches. The longest stand for the first
wicket in these matches was made by W. H.
Howorth (97) and J. A. Symons (77) at Colombo
in 1900. H. B. T. Boucher and C. Tarrant
scored 8o runs for the last wicket for Up
country at Colombo in I903.
A HISTORIC FIXTUREUP-COUNTRY.
In 1872 the annual Dimbula-Dikoya matches were started, and are the principal Up-country fixtures, two matches being played annually, alternately at Rodella, the home of the D.A.C.C., a splendid cricket pitch situated in an amphitheatre of hills, and at Darrawella, also a picturesque ground. Between 1872 and I906 the two rival districts have engaged in 69 matches, Dimbula being credited with 35 wins and Dikoya with 29. Five matches were drawn. The 69 matches have yielded an aggregate of 33,869 runs, an average of 130 runs an innings. The aggregate standing to Dimbula's credit is I7,035 runs for 129 innings, an average of 132, and to Dikoya 16,834 runs for 13o innings, an average of I29. Dimbula holds the record for the biggest innings in these matches, namely, 437 for seven wickets in 1895. Dikoya were twice out for 32, in I878 and 1882. The latter occasion furnished the most exciting finish on record, Dimbula winning by a run. The match at Darra wella in I 9o3 próduced the highest aggregate of runs, namely, 869. A. L. Gibson, a Wykehamist, holds the record for the highest individual score, 218, for Dimbula at Rodella in 1902. In 1874. W. P. Halliley, for Dimbula, took 9 wickets (all clean bowled) for 7 runs, a record for the island. Between 1872 and 1903 his analysis in these matches was 1,708 overs, 674 maidens, 2,945 runs, 366 wickets, average 8. In his day the finest bowler in Ceylon, Halliley is known to have placed a rupee between wickets and to have bowled on it five times in succession. In the 1903 matches A. O. Whiting, an old Oxford blue, who was a capital wicket-keeper, in addition to being a sterling bat, stumped three and caught seven batsmen, and only gave I6 byes out of a total of 777 runs. Thirteen centuries in all have been scored in these matches, and of this number A. O. Whiting and A. L. Gibson each claim three. Mr. W. S. T. Saunders made the highest score in the first of these historical fixtures. Dikoya in I884 he scored 52.
In connection with Up-country cricket the names may be recalled of P. F. Hadow, the old Harrovian, A. J. Denison, F. A. Fairlie,
For
CENTURY I
A. Tabor, C. G. Ingl A. C. W. Clarke, wh very prominent cricket ably the pick of the b: scored three centurie C.C. in three consecu February 24 and Marc O. Marks, P. H. Pal Philcox, A. A. Pillaus, C G. H. Gibson, and A. L. the best batsman in Cey
THE COLOM
The Colombo Colts, cricket club in the isla and reorganised in 188 have had a phenomena record up to 190o was which only 14 were 1 I888 played eleven p. representative of the is only one occasion, by 36 runs. One of the be in dismissing a team c Gay, the English wick but the Colts had previ Club out for 9 runs in June 28, 1887; while missed the Nondescript the most notable defeats year 1890, when the represented by a pic defeated them by one I played a match again of English cricketers, w F. S. Jackson. The dismissed for 8 I in t lowest score in their v and victory for the C unlikely; but 24 runs together In their sec were again dismissed f Io7, which left the Colt to win, but F. S. Jacks
sible for the dismissal o
The Colts” strength ab in their bowling, C. E. Christoffelsz, W. de A. Raffel being trundle Kelaart and Raffel we selves, one of the latt being in capturing I. against Mr. Stoddart's passed through Ceylon batsmen, including the in both innings.
But to T. Kelaart m of being the finest bov an average of 5 run years being his reco I9o5 Kelaart bowled
MPRESSIONS
S, A. L. Ingall, and
in the eighties were S. Hadow was probteh as a batsman, and for the Kandapolia ive matches between
I3, 1888. Later came illon, P. Gaisford, C. . F. Cornish, C. Fraser, Gibson, the latter being lon at the present time.
IBO COLTS.
the premier Ceylonese ind, was started in 1873 6, since when the club run of success. Their I7o matches played, of ost. They have since cked European teams land, being defeated on the narrow margin of st feats of the Colts was aptained by Mr. L. H. et-keeper, for 13 runs; ously got the A.B.C.D. a match at Kandy on in 1891 the Colts disS for II runs. One of of the Colts was in the A.B.C.D. practically ked European team, un. In 1892 the Colts st Lord Hawke's team rhich included the Hon. English eleven were heir first innings-the whole tour in the East, olts was not thought vere all they could put ond innings the visitors r a poor score, namely, with 165 runs to make on was largely responthe Colts for 44 runs. ut this time chiefly lay Kelaart, D. Robertson, Fransz, T. Kelaart, and rs of exceptional merit. re in a class by them*r's best achievements wickets for 87 runs team of I894, which He clean bowled ten amous English captain
1st be given the credit ler Ceylon has known, a wicket for sixteen
i. Between 1899 and
in 275 innings and
OF CEYLON
captured I,284 wickets for 7,596 runs; while for the Colts he has bowled in 253 innings and captured I,245 wickets for 7, 118 runs, an average in both instances of 5 runs a wicket. The headquarters of the Colts is the Racquet Court in the Pettah, popularly known as “the cradle of Ceylonese cricket."
NOINDESCRIPTS CRICKET CLUB.
The Nondescript Cricket Club, the members of which are drawn from the Colombo colleges, was I891, and also counts among its members several excellent cricketers, notably Mr. Douglas de Saram, who has scored more centuries than any other Ceylonese batsman, while his success as a bowler has won for him the distinction of being one of the best all-round cricketers in the island. In recent years the Nondescripts have proved formidable rivals to the Colts.
This club, which has its venue in Colombo, is open to all nationalities—hence its nondefinitive title. It is now in its nineteenth year, having been founded on March 19, 1888, at a meeting held for the purpose at Sea View, Colpetty, at which Mr. Advocate H. L. Wendt, now the Senior Puisne Justice of the island, occupied the chair. It was originally decided to have tennis courts adjoining the cricket field, and accordingly the club was first styled the Nondescripts Cricket and Tennis Club. But this idea of including both games was subsequently dropped, and the club exists for cricketing purposes only. The late Sir Samuel Grenier, one time Attorney-General of Ceylon, was the first President; so it is seen that the law was well represented in the foundation of the club. It has, in fact, always attracted members of that profession. The first match on record was a contest with the Garrison, which took place on July 25, 1888, and was doubtless played on the Barrack Square, as the club had not then selected a site for its grounds. It was not till later in the same year that the Colombo Municipality, under the mistaken belief that they owned the land in question, permitted the club to take on lease the plot of land adjoining Victoria Park, which, until a rude awakening at the end of 1905, was the site of the club grounds. The Government, not the municipality, has been proved to be the real owner of this land; and the erection by the former of the Telephone Exchange on this spot has rendered the grounds unsuitable for match play, though practice at the nets is still possible thereon. The club has, however, been promised by Government the use of a block of land adjoining the Colombo Cricket Club grounds, where it hopes to be even more comfortably settled by the end of Igo7.
started in
Page 273
TWENTIETH CENTURY
The fixture card of the club is usually a very full one, and not the least attractive event is the annual up-country tour, when matches are played with the hospitable tea-planters of Ceylon. The colours of the Nondescripts are dark blue, maroon, and gold, and Mr. Jas. van Langenberg, Advocate, is the present popular President of the club.
The Ceylonese Sports Club and the Bloomfield Cricket Club are closely allied to the Nondescripts and Colts respectively.
CEYLON TEAMS IN INDIA AND
THE STRAITS.
Cricket in Ceylon is at present under a cloud which does not seem to be lifting. There is 11ot the same enthusiasm for the game, due very largely to the fact that men have not the time they used to have to spare for cricket matches. It is long since we have seen an Australian or an English team playing a match in Colombo; yet in the old days this was a regular occurrence. The greater interest taken years ago in the game is clear from the representative character of the teams that went out from Ceylon to India and the Straits. Since 1884 eight European cricket teams have gone from Ceylon, seven visiting India and one the Straits Settlements. Out of a total number of 29 matches played, Io have been won by Ceylon, Io lost, and 9 drawn. The most successful tour was that of 1886 to Bombay, when Ceylon had the great satisfaction of not only beating the Bombay Gymkhana, but also the Parsees-by I6 runs. The scalps of the North-West Province cricketers were also brought back to Ceylon. The Ceylon team on that occasion was Ashley Walker (Captain), P. F. Hadow, F. A. Fairlie, F. L. Shand, A. J. Denison, F. F. Mackenzie, J. G. Fort, G. Vanderspar, G. H. Alston, F. Stephens, and G. L. Taylor-probably the strongest team that ever went out of Ceylon. Ceylon twice scored 4oo runs in an innings against the Terai Hockey Club in Calcutta in 1884, and against Bangalore in 1885, H. J. Meaden and J. G. Fort being credited with centuries on each of these occasions, Fort and Walker establishing a stand of over 200 in the latter match. On the occasion of the last two visits of the Ceylon team to Madras the island was very poorly represented, but on the occasion of the I9o tour Ceylon made a very good draw against Madras, having scored 333 runs in their first innings against Io7 runs put up by Madras. On this occasion, however, Ceylon were badly beaten by the Madras Presidency by an innings and 332 runs, the Presidency scoring 537 runs, of which Captain Challonor was responsible for 216. In the I905 tour the Ceylon team was a very poor one and was badly beaten. In
the first match Madras against 265 and 292 f Ceylon were very luck match, but they were t an innings and 65 run by an initings and I4, 45 I runs for 5 wicket There were five cent lon Mr. George V, visited the Straits in
E. Christofelsz and T
Whon trundled with su
For the first time i cricket a purely Ceylo bay in 1906. The teau by the inability of T. the two Ceylonese cra trip. Of 6 matches and drew 3. Their Elphinstone College Islam Gymkhana, and The matches drawn ag khana and Elphinstc victories for Ceylon. fell short of Indian cri but D. Joseph's 55 wic was a splendid achiev Two Madras teams have visited Ceylon. better of the Madras vi
VISI TS OF THE E
TRALIAN TEA)
Besides Lord Haw above, Ceylon has had four Australian teams playing in Colombo.
tralians the Ceylon XI.
against Mr. J. J. Lyons and Christofelsz, the C mainly responsible f visitors for I87 runs. team of English cricket Ceylon while passing record of the visit. I team played a Ceylon team were disposed of Mr. Stoddart was resp scored 7o for Io wicke A. O. Whiting, P. F. . Inglis, A. J. Denison, V Captain Block, Colone G. S. Saxton, R. Gat (captain), Colonel Skir and F. L. Shand. opportunity of seein; this occasion, but Brigg tive bowler. In 189 scored 76 and 81 for Ceylon 58. Briggs's 9 maidens, 6 runs, 6
IMPRESSIONS
scored 560 for 7 wickets, or 7 wickets by Ceylon. y indeed in drawing this eaten by the Mofusil by s, and by the Presidency runs, the latter scoring s in their only innings. 1ries made against Ceyanderspar's team which 89o included two Colts, , Kelaart, the former of
CCCSS. in the history of Ceylon nese team visited Bonm was severely crippled Kelaart and J. Ludovici, ck bowlers, to make the played, Ceylon won 3 victories were against Past and Present, the the Parsee Gymkhana. ainst the Bombay Gymne Club were moral Where Ceylon perhaps cket was in the bowling, :kets for I2 runs apiece ’ement.
and one Straits team In 1892 Ceylon had the sitors.
ぐ/ブ、
NGLISH AND AUS
MS TO CEYLON.
ke’s team referred to the privilege of seeing and two English teams In the case of the Ausshaped very creditably Kelaart 2eylonese bowlers, were Dr the disposal of the The Hon. Ivo Bligh's ers is said to have played through, but there is no in 189I Lord Sheffield's eighteen. The English for 143 runs, of which onsible for 7o. Ceylon its. The team included Hadow, F. Stephens, C. W. Sevier, M. Thomasz, 1 Churchill, T. Kelaart, ehouse, G. Vanderspar tner, Ffinch C. Wilkins, The public had the g Lohmann bowl on is proved the most effec4 Mr. Stoddart's team 8 wickets (13 men), and analysis was 14 overs, ywickets.
steam of 1890.
OF CEYLON 265
COLOMBO ROWING CLUB
BY V. A. JULIUs.
The Colombo Rowing Club was started in 1864 or in the beginning of 1865, but I am unable to give the actual date or the names of the first committee, as the earlier minute books of the club have been mislaid, and I have been unable to get hold of any records previous to February, 1892.
The formation of the club was decided on at a tiffin party at Tom Hudson's house at Polwatta. Sir Edward Creasy was the first President of the club, and two of the first members of the first committee are still in Colombo, viz., Colonel C. E. H. Symons, them a subaltern in the gunners, and F. W. Bois, the first secretary of the club. The boathouse then was at the mouth of the old sally port of the Fort, near the present Fort Railway Station. The present boat-house was built in 190o at a cost of Rs. 6,000. The present stock of boats numbers 24, including two sliding-seat and two fixed-seat racing fours and two carvel-built racing pairs, besides several racing single-sculling boats, tub pairs, and pleasure boats. The racing course on the Beira Lake is a very fine one. a quarter long on still water, is almost straight, and there is room for five boats at least abreast. The starting post is from just below the Fort Station, and the finishing post is at the Travellers' Palm-trees in the Bishop's compound. The course for the shorter races is from the tail of Dhoby's Island, finishing at Travellers' Palms. The first racing against a foreign crew was at Calcutta in January, 1882, when a crew composed of W. E. Davidson, stroke (now the Governor of the Seychelles Islands), V. A. Julius, three, J. G. Fort, two, and R. H. Leslie, bow (probably the prettiest bow the club has ever seen), and J. Murray Robertson, cox, challenged for the Hoogly Challenge Cup. They were opposed by a Calcutta crew composed of Lyall, stroke, Daniel three, Collins, two (now high in the Indian Civil Service), and Smith, bow. Smith had rowed on the Thames in the race between the Atlanta crew, U.S.A., and the London Rowing Club. That fine oar J. M. Boustead, who rowed for Oxford three times in the Intervarsity race, including the memorable deadheat year, was eligible to row for Colombo, but was unable to get away, and kindly coached the crew. The race was held on the Barrackpore course, the practice of the crews being held in Garden Reach, now long unavailable for rowing owing to the influx of oceangoing steamers. The fours were won by Colombo, and the pairs were won by Davidson and Julius for Colombo, Julius being beaten by Garbett, a Kingston Rowing Club man, in the single sculls.
It is a mile and
Page 274
266 TWENTIETH
In December, 1894, when a cricket team from Colombo visited Rangoon, a rowing team composed of Captain Poole (Royal Warwickshire Regiment), stroke, V. A. Julius, three, E. R. Williams, two, H. M. Bremner, bow, and F. M. Simpson, cox, went to Rangoon to try conclusions with the Rangoon Rowing Club, but were beaten after a good
121CC.
The next foreign race was in August, 1898, when a crew composed of H. E. Holmes, stroke, R. B. Hadland (who had rowed in the Lady Margaret boat), three, A. A. Hankey, two, C. Massy Dawson, bow, and F. M. Simpson, cox, were beaten on the Colombo Lake by Ia lengths by a Madras crew consisting of C. G. Todhunter, stroke, C. R. S. Walker, three, C. R. Taylor, two, E. Edwards, bow, and R.
CENTURY I
Scott, two, and R. Fre by Colonel Forbes, of th Regiment, rowed а гас Madras against the follo' Madras : G. A. D. Stua (an old blue), three, H. Paul, bow, and G. K. Colombo crew won by oared race was won by
At Christmas, I 903, posed of J. Scott, strok three, W. Freudenberg, and C. Massy Dawso Colombo Lake from a of J. B. Cunliffe, stroke, R. C. M. Strouts, two, K Molesworth, cox. This
for about a mile, when
THE MORATUWA
Molesworth, cox. Hadland and Holmes, for Colombo, beat Todhunter and Walker for the pairs, and Hanna won the challenge sculls from Edwards amongst others. In August, 1901, Madras again sent a crew to compete at our regatta, composed of Captain Poole (formerly of Colombo), stroke, W. Ferrier, three, N. M. Murray, two, A. H. Welman, bow, and R. Molesworth, cΟΧ, but they were beaten by about four lengths by a Colombo crew made up of F. G. Tyrrel, stroke, A. D. Michie, three, H. S. Dix, two, R. Freudenberg, bow, and C. Massy Dawson, cox. The pair oars were won by the Madras pair, Welman and Murray, against the Colombo pair, Michie and Tyrrel, by three lengths.
On Christmas Day, 1902, a crew composed of A. D. Skrine, stroke, F. G. Tyrrel, three, J.
CYCLISTS UNION.
Madras boat, and the alone. In the pair-oa pair, J. Scott, stroke, L C. Massy Dawson, cox, J. B. Cunliffe, stroke, k Molesworth, cox, by tw The club had a cha many years, which was of the first sculler who sions. This provided a was finally won by H. J. cup was then offered ( was won by V. A. Julius and I882. The terms then altered and the ci outright, the winner in presentation cup. The held by D. M. Hanna,
MPRESSIONS
Idenberg, bow, steered e Royal Warwickshire on the Long Tank at ving crew representing rt, stroke, W. S. Adie M. Gibson, two, W. W. Gillon, cox, and the 2 lengths. The pair
the Madras pair.
Colombo four com, L. C. Larmour, R.A., two, W. A. Cave, bow, n, cox, won on the Aadras crew consisting H. H. Goddard, three,
. Kay, bow, and W. G.
was a very good race a slide came off in the
Colombo crew finished red race the Colombo C. Larmour, bow, and beat the Madras pair, ... Kay, bow, and W. G. D lengths. lenge sculling cup for to become the property won it on three occagreat deal of sport, and Starey in 1879. A new in the same terms and in the years 188o, 1881, for the next cup were Lp was never to be won each year receiving a challenge cup is now
OF CEYLON
At present it is impossible to take racing boats on the lake owing to the weeds, and no regatta has been rowed for some time, nor is there any immediate chance of one being held. The weeds seem to grow worse each year, but periodically die down and allow rowing for a few months. They were very bad in February, I902, when a committee meeting was held to consider the question of moving the boats to the harbour, but the weeds dying down shortly afterwards, the project was abandoned. More recently there has been a suggestion to move the boat-house to the Kelani river, but the distance and the liability of the banks of the river to floods are against the scheme. The members of the club number nearly IOO, and the club colours are blue and white.
COLOMBO GARDEN CLUB.
This high-class club was founded in the year 1879 “for the social amusement and recreation of a limited circle of friends, and for the making and maintenance, for their use, of lawn tennis and other recreation grounds." It consists of proprietary, annual, and honorary members, and the President is His Excellency the Governor (Sir Henry Arthur Blake), while Mr. F. W. Bois fills the office of Vice-President and Mr. Sutherland Ross officiates as hon. sec. and treasurer. The club maintains four croquet courts and sixteen tennis courts, covering in all ten acres of land, the grounds being situated in a central part of Cinnamon Gardens. The spacious club-house contains, on the upper floor, a large ball-room, measuring about 60 ft. by 30 ft., where during the season select dances are held. On this floor also there is a handsome withdrawing-room for ladies. Members' card-rooms, smoking, reading and dressing rooms are also provided in the club-house. A spacious verandah affords shade and shelter both at the front and the back of the building. The grounds are invitingly laid out, the playing courts are carefully tended and maintained, and altogether the institution forms a charming rendezvous for the residents in the surrounding chief residential quarter of Colombo. There are about 3oo active members on the list of the club, including most of the leading constituents of the local social world. Provision is also made for the admission to the privileges of the club of visitors to Colombo who are duly accredited and introduced.
-
THE FORT TENNIS CLUB,
This club, the name of which sufficiently indicates its location and its purpose, was founded in 1887, the number of members being limited to
Page 275
TWENTIETH
thirty. There are three playing courts, which are situated just outside the old Fort walls of Colombo and behind the present Fort police station. During the years of its existence the club has always been well supported by those for whose benefit it was established. The club holds an annual meet of members in August, when its challenge cup is played for; also a half-yearly tournament in February. Mr. W. A. Cave is the hon. sec.
THE SINIHALESE SPORTS CLUB.
This club was inaugurated in 1899. The objects for the formation of such an institution were twofold, namely, to encourage sportsnot only among the townsfolk, but throughout the country–so as to introduce some diversion into the lives of the people and keep them from pernicious amusements; and, secondly, to create a common ground on which all classes of the Sinhalese community could meet together with an ultimate view of facilitating a removal of distinctions which divide the community. The first President of the club was Sir Harry Dias, K.T., and its first secretary Mr. H. J. V. Ekanayake, to whose
energy is due to a large extent the founding
of the club. On the death of the first President, the Hon. Mr. S. C. Obeyesekera, M.L. C., was elected to the office, and he continues to hold that position. There are eight VicePresidents, and eleven members of the committee. The captain of cricket is Mr. D. L. de Saram, while Mr. Henry M. Gunasekera is the hon. treasurer and secretary. number of members of the club is 125, including honorary, non-resident, and playing members. Cricket matches are played with all the leading clubs in Colombo, and the Sinhalese Club is considered to be sufficiently powerful to hold its own against any local club. The club ground is situated at Victoria Park, alongside the Colombo Museum.
THE CEYLON FISHING CLUB.
The numerous streams in the beautiful Nuwara Eliya district—the part of the hillcountry of Ceylon most favoured by those in quest of a pleasant climate, scenic attractions, and healthful outdoor recreation - abound with fish, especially in their valley courses; and here the angler finds good sport. This centre is the headquarters of the Ceylon Fishing Club, which was founded in 1896, not only for the actual prosecution of the art immortalised by old Isaak Walton, but also for the organisation of efforts in the direction of acclimatising and breeding fish for sport. A beginning was made, how
The
CENTURY I
ever, some time anter the club, experiments i been initiated in 188o L. Hubbard, deavours by Mr. C. Mr. Hearn. In 1882 : turned into the Nuv Mr. Hubbard; and i successfully followed then Assistant Govern Eliya. As Chairman C le Mesurier invited p efforts, and, meeting w began operations on a result that in I886 subscribed liberally to while an equal amou) the Local Board. Orig were those of the brow ova of the rainbow-tr the first tine, and as climate better than experiment has prove the rainbow variety is All the waters in the of 40oo ft. have been Government, and every to increase the stock season of the year ( October and the close
to March.
The club consists of His Excellency the Gov Blake, for its patron, R. C. B. Lawrence, t the forces in the islan the Vice-Presidents Agents for the Centi muwa Provinces. Th twenty members, ten managing committee. are Messrs. F. Bartlett. Agent, Nuwara Eliya, club is in a flourishing a means of pursuing of angling in most c and pleasant surroundi
who w
e (
THE COLOMBO
Having to commen mildness as well as of of croquet has been firr of this island's outdoo wards of thirty years votaries in almost eve community, though, na be considered as a firs more than with the ste to bringing the game and in order to provide indulge in it, the Colo
MPRESSIONS
or to the existence of trout-breeding having by the late Mr. Hugh S assisted in his en. . R. le Mesurier and bout twenty fish were "ara Eliya stream by I886 his efforts were p by Mr. le Mesurier, ment Agent of Nuwara f the Local Board, Mr. blic support for these ith favourable response, larger scale, with the and I888 the public he breeding operations, nt was contributed by inally the ova imported in trout; but in 1899 the out were imported for this species stand the the brown trout, this d very successful, and ; now breeding freely. island above the level leased to the club by 7 year efforts are made of trout, The fishing xtends from April to season from November
I4I members, and has ternor, Sir Henry Arthur with Brigadier-General he officer commanding d, as President; while are the al and the Sabaragae committee consists of of whom form the The joint secretaries Assistant Government and J. Wickwar. The condition, and affords the fascinating pursuit )ngenial circumstances
ոցS
CROQUET CLUB.
Government
d it both qualities of fascination, the pastime nly rooted in the scope r recreations. For upthe game has found y section of the Ceylon turally, it has come to t favourite with ladies
With a view into greater popularity, a venue for those who mbo Croquet Club was
e Sex.
OF CEYION 267
established in 1881 in Kotahena, an important residential quarter of the town, by Mr. C. H. Christie-David, who remains its active secretary. The grounds are at St. James's Lawn, Kotahena.
It is an interesting fact that this club is about the oldest-established sporting institution in Ceylon; and though it is still more or less in a transitional stage of its existence, it promises to develop into larger dimensions in the near future. In spite of constant change of the habitat of the club's members, a fair number of supporters remain on the roll, an annual tournament being held for the purpose of bringing the members together for play and social intercourse. The club offers a cup as a championship award, the conditions attaching to its possession being that the competitor shall
CHRISTIE-DAVID.
(Secretary, Colombo Croquet Club.)
score three successive wins. This coveted trophy, together with the Challenge Shield, is now held by the secretary, who won it in the tournament of 1895 in a field of over fifteen
entries. m
The President of the club is the Rev. W.
Armstrong Buck, the late Warden of St. Thomas's College, who, although at present away in England, interests himself in the affairs of the institution, and, with the energetic secretary, has contributed mainly towards its establishment. The motto of the club, appropriately enough, is Fide et Fiducia, for while its inception was attended with not overpropitious circumstances, the maxim has justified itself in this case by the fact that the institution has outlived all rivals, and is achieving strength and status by its survival.
Page 276
ECCLESI
THE CHURCH
BY THE REv. W. HENLY, PRIEST-IN-CHARGE, CHURCH
SHEN, at the beginning O of the last century, the maritime provinces of Ceylon came into the possession of the British nation, the State religion was at one stroke transformed from Dutch Presbyterianism to Anglican Episcopacy, as it had before been changed, a century and a half earlier, from Roman Catholicism to Dutch Presbyterianism. According to computation, based on such records as are available, the change affected some 3oo,ooo natives, who were, at the time, baptized members of the Dutch Church. But by far the greater majority of these were Dutch Presbyterians only in name. Many in heart were Roman Catholics; still more Buddhists or Hindus.
The Church, as distinguished from the State, was not at that time sufficiently awakened to make use of the opportunity thus afforded of effectually Christianising this large body of half-hearted adherents. The new Government very rightly did not continue the efforts of their predecessors to induce their subjects to profess any particular religion. Accordingly, though for some time the Dutch system of Catechists and proponents (lay preachers) was continued, the number of Government Christians, as they were called, very rapidly decreased, and has now long passed beyond vanishing point.
What the British Government did do for the Church was to provide clergy for the places where its own officials were stationed, and in some cases for the planting districts. These clergy, known as colonial chaplains, were at first under the episcopal control of the Bishop of Calcutta. Later, Ceylon became part of the diocese of Madras. In 1845 it was constituted a separate diocese, James Chapman being the
first Bishop. He was was, officially, the he department, which cor vided clergy, though had also the control of clergy working in his of Government aid to till 188I, when the local that no further State z made to any ecclesiastic was passed giving po the Church of Englan a Synod to regulate th incorporated trustees property.
The cessation of Sta would have been far r Government chaplains clergy ministering in was not the case. Soo. Missionary Society had The aim of this Societ the heathen than to m within the Church. B of conversion necessit the pastoral charge of besides the European r had many native pasto places where settled c built up. There were Ceylon where its influ everywhere the Churc clergy showed themse supplying those mini which seemed threater European Christians.
The sister Society-t pagation of the Gospel also active in the dioces in the foundation of n still exist, notably St.Tho
This Society still contr 2
ASTICAL
OF ENGLAND.
OF ST. MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS, PoliWATTA, COLOMBO.
paid by the State, and ad of the ecclesiastical sisted of the State-proby his letters-patent he all Church of England diocese. This system the Church continued Legislature determined appointments should be cal office. An Ordinance wer to the members of d in Ceylon to establish leir affairs, and to elect to hold their Church
te aid, though gradual, nore severely felt if the had been the only the diocese. But this n after I85 the Church begun work in Ceylon. y is rather to evangelise nister to those already ut success in the work ates the assumption of the converts. So that, hissionaries, the Society rs labouring in various ongregations had been indeed, few parts of ince was not felt; and n Missionary Society's |ves ready to assist in strations, the loss of ed, alike to native and
ne Society for the Proin Foreign Parts-was e, and took a large part any institutions which mas's College, Colombo. butes an annual sum to
3.
the work of the diocese, the distribution of which is in the hands of a local committee, of which the Bishop is chairman. This contribution is used to foster and encourage local efforts. Thus it was that, when the withdrawal of State aid was determined on, there was a very considerable part of the Church which was in no way affected. Consequently there was no panic, and little, if any, discouragement. Steps were at once taken to meet the emergency, the most important of which was the starting of the Bishopric Endowment Fund. This was largely helped by Church societies in England; and when, two years ago, the then Bishop, Dr. R. S. Copleston, was translated to Calcutta, an income of I,000 per annum was available from this source for his successor. A Central Clergy Endowment Fund was also started, which is still slowly growing, and now amounts to Rs. 37,ooo. Many local endowment funds were also initiated, the total amount invested with the incorporated trustees being Rs. I37,45I.
These endowments, with the exception of the Bishopric Endowment, are obviously only adequate to assist the efforts of the present generation to provide clerical ministrations. The bulk of the clergy are supported by the voluntary contributions of their individual flocks, One only of the colonial chaplains now survives-the Rev. C. A. Koch; but the number of clergy ministering in the diocese has risen from about 60 in I88I to 84 in 1906, and most certainly the standard of work has been greatly raised. Much educational work is being carried on, not only in large central institutions like St. Thomas's College, Colombo, and Trinity College, Kandy, but in the school, or schools, established in nearly every parish, many of which have attained to a high standard of efficiency. Other means of Christianising the
Page 277
TWENTIETH
people are also exercised, in connection with all of which the clergy receive valuable aid from the laity.
In 1887 a branch of the Sisterhood of St. Margaret's, East Grinstead, was established in Colombo, which is carrying on most useful educational work in Bishop's College, St. Margaret's School, and the Girls' Home in the city, besides rendering valuable assistance among the poor of many of the Colombo parishes.
The present Bishop of Colombo-the diocese
CENTURY IM
covering the whole of Copleston, has known years, and had wide among all classes of th the younger brother of Calcutta, who formerl diocese of Colombo, an politan of India and brothers have presided the Church in the islan difficulty. The present was selected by the auth
-se
ROMAN CATO
THE earliest reliable notice of the existence
of Christianity in Ceylon comes from Cosmas Judicopleustes (fifth century), an Egyptian merchant, afterwards a monk, who states that there existed in Ceylon at that time a community of believers with an episcopal form of discipline, priests, deacons, and a liturgy; but he adds that the members of that Church were Persians and mere sojourners (perhaps traders). The ten following centuries are silent with regard to any form of Christianity in the island, though some travellers mention Jews and Mahomedans as resident there. Marco Polo, in I29o, expressly says that the inhabitants of Ceylon were idolaters. It was only with the advent of the Portuguese, in I505, that Christianity first became rooted in the island.
Portuguese Period: 5o5 to 658.
The Portuguese openly professed that the exaltation of the faith was the main object of their conquests. Nothing that missionary labour could effect for the conversion of the natives was left undone; and whenever the Portuguese formed an alliance with any of the Sinhalese princes, they always stipulated for liberty to preach Christianity. In 1518 the first Catholic missionaries, consisting of a few Franciscan friars, arrived in Ceylon. In spite of obstacles raised by the Buddhist bonzes and persecution resulting from the bad conduct of some of the Portuguese, the native Sinhalese Buddhists soon entered the Church by thousands. After the construction of the fort of Colombo the adjoining districts were erected into a bishopric, and placed under the jurisdiction of Don Juan de Monteiro, the first Catholic prelate in Ceylon, whose tomb was discovered in 1836. Under his direction Christianity was speedily proclaimed throughout the Sinhalese districts. In 154o the Portuguese established themselves at Puttalam, on the north-west coast, and built a large
church there, which be headquarters of missiona the converts of that til grandson of Bhuvaneka crowned king in the pa the name of Don Juan return to Ceylon he, followers, received bapt a Christian monarch fro a special treaty of alli. the Portuguese had stip ciscan missionaries shi preach the Gospel throu and conversions to Chr became more and more
coast.
The missionaries, wh able to work among the on the west coast, in sphere to the Tamils Paravas, or fisher cast kingdom of Jaffna, hea and miracles of St. F Coromandel coast, sent him with the request their island. At that m to Ceylon himself, St. F. priests, who in a shor 6oo to 7oo Tamils. T destined to become thi island of Ceylon. Sang in whose dominion Ma. greatly enraged at th subjects, and he confis the neophytes, impri maimed them. But, oppressive measures tc from his dominions w unavailing, he ordered to be put to death, prohibiting the landin aries. Nevertheless, ( progress amoung the Ta sons of the Raja, bes
PRESSIONS
Deylon - Dr. E. A. he island for many xperience of work population. He is Bishop Copleston of administered the is now the MetroCeylon. These two over the tortunes of in a time of great Bishop of Colombo ority of the Synod of
OF CEYLON 269
the Diocese; and as he has the experience to direct and stimulate the efforts of the Church with wisdom and knowledge, so it is certain that he will find himself amply seconded by the loyal co-operation of all, whether clergy or laity, over whom he is called upon to preside.
In conclusion, it is not too much to say that the Church of England in Ceylon is to-day a strong and vigorous body, which has at least held its own in the past, and is looking forward hopefully to increased usefulness and activity in the future. V,
LIC CHURCH.
came the centre and y enterprise. Among he was Dharmapala, Bahu VII., who was lace of Lisbon under in 1541. After his with many of his sm, and he ruled as om I 542 to I 597. In ance with this ruler ulated that the Franould be allowed to ghout his dominions, istianity consequently numerous along the
o so far were only : Sinhalese population
I554 extended their in the north. The , of Mannar, in the ing of the preaching rancis Xavier on the
some messengers to hat he should visit ment unable to come ancis sent some other
time baptized from nese neophytes were
pro-martyrs of the ili, the Raja of Jaffna, nar was situated, was e conversion of his ated the property of oned, branded, and nding that all these extirpate Christianity re utterly futile and 6OO of the converts nd issued a decree of Christian missionristianity made such nils in Jaffna that two les a brother, a sister
and her son, embraced the Christian religion, placing themselves under the protection of the Portuguese Viceroy at Goa.
Thus masters of the whole western coast of Ceylon from Colombo to Jaffna, and of the interior as far as Kandy, the Catholic missionaries turned their attention to the Sinhalese and Buddhists in the south, west, and centre of the island, and the Tamils in the northern extremity; and the whole extent of the island was thus brought by them under the influence and authority of the Church, In 1548 the Catholics in Colombo numbered 12,Ooo souls. Ceylon was divided into parishes, each of which was provided with a church or chapel, a school, and, where required, a glebe for the residence of the priests and missionaries. By this time the latter, representing variously the Franciscan, Dominican, Jesuit, and Augustinian orders, had greatly increased. In Jaffna itself a college of Jesuits, a church and convent of Dominicans, and a convent of Franciscans were coexistent; and in I658 there were in that town altogether 50 priests of these three orders. In Colombo there were two parishes-those of Our Lady and St. Lawrence-four religious housesof the Cordeliers, Dominicans, Augustinians, and Capuchins-and a college of the Jesuits with seven parishes outside.
There is no proof that compulsion was resorted to by the Portuguese for the extension of the Catholic faith, or, violence employed for the extinction of the national superstitions; and the probability is that the priests and missionaries of the Portuguese were contented to pursue in Ceylon the same line of policy and to adopt the same expedients for conversion which had already been found successful by their fellow-labourers on the opposite continent of India. When King Don Juan Dharmapala died at Colombo in 1597, he made over his dominions to Philip II. of Spain and Henry of Portugal conjointly, and liberty
Page 278
270
was granted to Catholic missionaries to preach the Gospel where they pleased throughout the island.
Dutch Period : 1658 to 1796.
The Dutch made their first appearance in
Ceylon in May, 1602; and their struggle with the Portuguese for possession of the island lasted till 1658, when the latter lost their last footing in Mannar and Jaffna. The conquerors, in their policy towards the Catholic Church, showed that their main object was to banish
the religion from the island. The Reformed ,
Church of Holland was established as the religion of the colony in 1642, and the Catholic priests who were found in Colombo and Jaffna were banished to India. Father Caldeiro, S.J., whom sickness prevented from following his colleagues, was beheaded at Jaffna. A proclamation was issued on September 19, 1658, forbidding, on pain of death, the harbouring or concealing of Catholic priests; and this decree was successively renewed on March 25, 1733, on August Io, I734, and on February 25, 1745. Other proclamations-of January II, 1715, and July 3 I, I75I-forbade Catholic assemblies, whether public or private ; of August 8, 17 I5, and February 25, 1745, the celebration of Mass and the administration of baptism, and of August Io, 1751, the education of any Catholic for the ministry. At the same time the Dutch proceeded steadily and systematically with their work of proselytising the Tamils in the north, and took possession of the Catholic churches in the Jaffna peninsula.
Yet, in spite of all these efforts, the influence of the Dutch form of Christianity declined, while that of the Catholic clergy continued to increase. Among the most distinguished Catholic missionaries was Joseph Vaz, of Goa, whose journeys and imprisonments have gained a great veneration for his name among the Ceylon Catholics. For five years he went about through the swamps and jungles of the island, making converts among the heathen by the austerity of his life and the warmth of his zeal. He visited Vanny, Puttalam, and Kandy in 1692. In Kandy he was imprisoned for two years, and during his incarceration he applied himself to the study of the Sinhalese language. In I694 he was set free; and, a deadly pestilence happening to be raging, he followed the sick into the jungles, performed for them the most menial services, and opened hospitals to shelter them. These devoted services gained for him the confidence of the Kandyan king, Vimala Dharma II. (1688-17oy), who allowed him to rebuild some of the old churches in his kingdom. Father Vaz then undertook a second journey through the island. In 1696 he was made VicarGeneral of Ceylon, under the Bishop of
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
Cochin, and new prie him, foremost among Gonzalvez. Father V 17 II, after a laborious life of twenty-four yea Dutch persecution les Catholic adherents ar Ceylon, yet, owing to panions and successor Church maintained a island, and many of true to their faith.
English Period : fro
When, in 1795, wa; England and Holland, landed at Trincomalee rendered after a siege ( was taken by the Britis year, and Colombo on F the conquest of the who pleted until 1815. The begun the administration when they perceived tha governed on the Dutch the Catholics, “as the shown that they could terrified.' One of the conquerors after they h the island and brought it was to grant the Catholi full liberty and freedom c I8o6, all the laws of til Catholics were repeal Thomas Maitland (18o: representations of the C ander Johnston. The C numerous and peaceable subjects” (words of Sil 1806), were allowed the their religion in every were relieved from all They were admitted to : capacities, and their ma valid, notwithstanding th which had been enacte Catholic natives of Ceylo in the faith to which t remarkable tenacity fo of the enforced converts ment—called “ Governi remained.
The Catholic populati in 1796 amounted to 5 culated at 66,83o, acc returns presented to th the census of I8o9 gav That the religious pro and the conversions fro merely nominal is pro borne to the characte: Ceylon by Sir Alexa Justice of the colony,
MPRESSIONS
ts were sent to help
them being Father z died in Kandy in eventful, and fruitful s' work. Though the ened the number of ong the natives of the zeal of the com
of Father Vaz, the firm footing in the er children remained
m 1796.
broke out between a small English force and this town surf three weeks. Jaffna h in September of that ebruary I6, 1796. But e island was not comEnglish had scarcely of their new conquest ut Ceylon could not be plan of persecuting Catholic natives had neither be bribed nor first acts of the new ad taken possession of into a settled position c Church in the island of action. On May 27, he Dutch against the 2d by Governor Sir -I2), on the urgent hief Justice, Sir Alexatholics, " who are a body of His Majesty's Thomas Maitland in unmolested exercise of part of Ceylon, and civil disqualifications. ill civil privileges and rriages were declared e laws to the contrary by the Dutch. The n were thus confirmed ley had adhered with 3OO years ; while of the Dutch Governent Christians '-few
n of the island, which OOO, was in I8o6 calrding to the official Government; whilst
issions of the natives in paganism were not ed by the testimony
of the Catholics of der Johnston, Chief ho in I8o7 wrote to
OF CEYLON
the Archbishop of Goa : “The propriety of their the Catholics' conduct reflects great honour upon the priests of the Order of St. Philip Neri who have the charge of their instruction. In a circuit which I lately made round the island, I was much pleased to find that there was not a single Catholic brought before me for trial, and not a single individual of your religion was even accused of the smallest misdemeanour.'
When the Emancipation Act, which removed from Catholics all civil disabilities, was extended to Ceylon, the Catholics of the island were released by Propaganda from the jurisdiction of the diocese of Cochin, to which they had been subjected since the erection of that see in I592, with the object of withdrawing them from the pernicious influence of the Goanese schism, and providing for their better spiritual assistance. Pope Gregory XVI. issued, in I834, the brief “ Ex munere pastorali,' by which Ceylon was erected into an independent vicariate-apostolic, with Father Francis Xavier as the first Bishop. This brief, however, owing to Father Francis Xavier's death in the following year without having been consecrated as Bishop, was not put into execution. In 1836 the same brief was re-enacted, and - Mgr. Vincent de Rosario, Titular-Bishop of Tamacene, was appointed Vicar-Apostolic. Some Catholics, dissatisfied with this nomination, sent a memorial to the Holy Father asking for a bishop and some priests of English or Irish origin. They remained, however, under the jurisdiction of Bishop Rosario till his death in I842. But they repudiated his successor, Bishop Caetano Antonio, and, withdrawing from submission to his authority, placed themselves under the jurisdiction of the Archbishop of Goa. Thus commenced a schism in Ceylon. As the number of Catholics was year by year increasing, Propaganda in I845 divided the island into two vicariates-apostolic, namely, Colombo for the Sinhalese population in the south, under Mgr. Caetano Antonio (who died in 1857) and Jaffna for the Tamils in the north. In 1847 the latter division was placed under the jurisdiction of Mgr. Bettachini, who had been coadjutor to Bishop Rosario since 1845. In that year new auxiliaries had arrived in the promising field of the “Gem of the East," under the leadership of their Superior, Father Bravi, O.S.B., who brought with him priests of the Benedictine Congregation of the Sylvestrines. The Church establishment was further strengthened in 1847 by the arrival of Father Semeria with some priests of the Congregation of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, an order which was destined to play an important part in the history of the Catholic Church and her development in the island.
Page 279
TWENTIETH
In spite of the harm done by the Goanese schism to the success of the Church in Ceylon, the Catholic faith continued to spread in the
island. Caetano Antonio in vicariates-apostolic, 33 priests, catechists, 3oo churches, 46 schools, 2,OOO pupils, and some II6,OOO Catholics-consisting of 83,56I Sinhalese, 31,952 Tamils, and I, I4 I Europeans and others. Bishop Caetano Antonio, as already stated, died in 1857, after having entrusted his vicariate (of Colombo) to
The census, as returned by Bishop I849, enumerates two 500 native
the Benedictines of the Sylvestrine Congregation in 1855, and was succeeded by Bishop Bravi, O.S.B., 1857-6o; Valerga of Quilon (as Apostolic Administrator), I860-63 ; Sillani, O.S.B., 1863-1879; and Pagnani, O.S.B., from 1879. After the death of Mgr. Bettachini in I857 the vicariate of Jaffna, embracing the northern part of the island, was handed over to the Congregation of the Oblates, by whom it has been administered ever since, under Bishops Semeria, O.M.I., 1857-68; Bonjean, O.M.I., 1868–83; Melizan, O.M.I., 1883-92; and Joulain, O.M.I., since 1892. In the year 1857 a concordat was concluded between the Holy See and Portugal to regulate the exercise of the Portuguese patronage in the East; but as Portugal was not able or not willing to comply with the conditions laid down, the concordat was of little effect, and was abrogated and replaced by another thirty years later. As the work of the mission grew heavier every year and the missionary districts became over-extended, the vicariate of Colombo was, on April 27, 1883, and at the request of Bishop Pagnani, O.S.B., divided into two separate vicariates, of Colombo and Kandy respectively. There I883 in Ceylon I95,ooo Catholics-Colombo vicariate having II5,OOO Catholics, with 27 priests, and Jaffna 8O,Ooo Catholics, with 36 priests-and Io3 Catholic schools, attended by 7,730 pupils, had been established in the island.
Colombo was entrusted to the Oblates, and Bishop Bonjean was transferred from Jaffna to Colombo, while the new vicariate of Kandy was handed over to the Sylvestrines, with Mgr. Pagnani, O.S.B., as first Vicar-Apostolic of that centre.
were in
In order to improve the schools in his new vicariate, Bishop Bonjean left nothing untried. He appealed to Europe for help, matured the plans for the foundation of a college for the higher education of Catholics, and built a number of elementary schools, both English and Tamil. The progressive number of Schools in the island is conclusive evidence of the zeal and energy displayed by the Catholics of Ceylon within fifty years. In I849 there were 46 schools with 2,Ooo pupils; in IS62, 96 schools with 4,208 pupils; in 1891, 368 schools with 24,Ooo pupils; in 1904,570 schools with 45,549 pupils.
CENTURY IM
In 1886 Pope Leo XII cordat with Portugal, by of the latter, with all exercised over the Churc abolished. In consequer the Pope obtained a free hierarchy in Ceylon. C ingly raised to the rank with Jaffna and Kandy Towards the end of D Agliardi, Archbishop of Ceylon as Delegate-Apc Feast of the Epiphany, a a Synod in the Cathedral when Mgr. Bonjean, of C the dignity of Archbisho Mgr. O.M.I., O.S.B., were appointed
Melizam,
LLLCLSLLSLLLBkLSSSBLBLBkLCCSCCSBBLSSLkLCSLkLkLCCCSLCSBBSBS
RT, REW OR, AN
O.M
(Roman Catholic Arch
Kandy respectively. Agliardi was called awa succeeded as Papal Del by Mgr. Aiuti, 887—9. Zaleski. This latter has Kandy ; and there, by ti Leo XIII., the General native youth in the East established in 1893. It care of the Fathers o This seminary had, in senting 2 I dioceses of the same year (I893) development in its e when the two new Trincomalee were for
divisions of Colombo a by the Holy See to the Van Reeth, S.J., was ap
IPRESSIONS
I made a new Conwhich the patronage the rights hitherto h in the East, was nce of this concordat
hand to establish the
Colombo was accordof an archbishopric, as suffragan sees. ecember, I886, Mgr. Caesaraea, was sent to stolic; and on the nuary 6, 1887, he held of St. Lucia, Colombo, olombo, was raised to p of Colombo, whilst and Mgr. Pagnani, Bishops of Jaffna and
LHONY COUDERT,
I.I.
hbishop of Colombo.)
In April, I887, Mgr. ay to Europe, and was agate of the East Indies 2, and then by Mgr. fixed his residence in he munificence of Pope
Seminary for training for the priesthood was was entrusted to the f the Society of Jesus. 1905, 88 students, repreIndia and Ceylon. In Ceylon saw a further cclesiastical hierarchy, dioceses of Galle and med from the existing nd Jaffna, and entrusted Society of Jesus. Mgr. pointed Bishop of Galle
OF CEYLON 271
in I896, and Mgr. Lavigne, S.J., Bishop of Trincomalee in 1898.
That the Catholic Church is still progressing in the island is made plain by the following figures :-
No. of No. of
Catholics. Priests. I873 1826 Ιο 83 1883 I95,OOO 76 I893 24ό, οOο II7 I904 293,929 п7 п
Archdiocese of Colombo.
The archdiocese of Colombo comprises two out of the nine provinces into which the island of Ceylon is divided, viz., the Western Province (chief town, Colombo) and the North-Western (chief On September 1, 1886, Colombo was erected into an archiepiscopal see ; and by a brief of His Holiness Leo XIII., dated August 26, 1893at the time the two new dioceses of Trinco
Province town, Kurunegala).
malee and Galle were created-the number of suffragan sees under the metropolitan see of Colombo was raised to four, namely, Jaffna, Kandy, Trincomalee, and Galle.
His Grace the Most Rev. Anthony Coudert, D.D., O.M.I., consecrated at Colombo on November 30, 1898, as coadjutor (with right of succession) to the Most Rev, Dr. Melizan, O.M.I., succeeded to the Colombo on June 27, I905. Under his zealous, able, and paternal care and direction the Catholic community and Catholic interests cannot but increase and prosper. His Grace is aided in the task by his Vicar-General, the Right Rev. Father I. Bell, O.M.I., and by the Archiepiscopal Court, consisting of eight Oblate Fathers, mostly superiors of missions and all possessing a wide experience in administrative work. There are in the archdiocese about 97 missionaries, including 9o Oblate Fathers, of whom Io are native, 2 secular European, and 5 secular native priests. The number of churches is almost 3oo; and the Catholic population, out of a total population of I,3OO,OOO, amounts to 206,ooo souls. The Sinhalese form the majority of the Catholic population.
metropolitan see of
Mission Work.
The work of the Fathers in their respective 1missions is chiefly parochial and educational. The administration of education is entirely in their hands, the total number of the schools in the interior being 366. The parochial branch includes the building or repairing of the churches, the conferring of Sacraments, the visitation of the sick, and the usual parish duties. As a rule the Catholics are kind and obedient to their pastors, whose influence with them is often paramount, especially when disputes-inevitable in a country of so many racial and religious differences-arise. On more than one occasion the Government Agent
Page 280
272
and officials have been able to test, use, and admire that influence when they themselves were powerless in the face of perhaps 4,Ooo or 5,ooo rioters. Here thay be mentioned the friendly, sometimes cordial, relations subsisting between the Fathers and the Government Agents, as well as between the Fathers and the European planters in the up-country parts. The Government has placed on record that the most loyal of its subjects are the Catholic missionaries; and more than one Governor of the island has been struck by, and has expressed admiration for, their spirit of organisation. Meanwhile, on their side, the Catholic clergy and laity recognise appreciatively that in Ceylon, as in all other colonies, England wishes her flag to protect every religion.
Religious Communities and Education.
The strongest religious community in the archdiocese of Colombo is that of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. In 1883 the late Archbishop Bonjean, O.M.I., founded, at Borella, Colombo, St. Bernard's Ecclesiastical Seminary, where, under the able direction of two European Fathers, 25 native students prepare themselves for the mission work and the priesthood. His Excellency the Apostolic Delegate, Mgr. Zaleski, never comes to Colombo without visiting the seminary and expressing his utmost satisfaction at the working of this institution, which he holds to be the pattern for all the dioceses of India.
In 1893 Archbishop Melizan founded St. Aloysius's Preparatory Seminary at Union Place, Slave Island, Colombo, for younger students. The 20 boys here follow the classes or lectures at St. Joseph's College, and often shine on the prize-distribution day. A European Father, O.M.I., is in charge. Besides the Oblate community, there are two other religious orders of men, namely, the Christian Brothers, or Brothers of the Christian Schools, and the native Brothers of St. Vincent de Paul. The former number about 5c, divided between their two houses, the Noviciate at Mutwal and their flourishing Institute at Kotahena, Colombo. The native Brothers of St. Vincent de Paul, founded in 1892, number from 15 to 20, and are employed in teaching native children in the vernacular language, and supervising the orphanage and industrial schools at Maggona, about 32 miles south from Colombo, and the schools at Wennapuwa and Chilaw, two other centres in the archdiocese, situated north of Colombo.
The same educational work as that performed for the Catholic boys by the Oblate Fathers and by the Brothers is done for the girls, with equal earnestness, care, and success by several female religious communities. The Nuns of the Good Shepherd, numbering 23, have their most important community at
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
Kotahena, Colombo, a teaching in five high Colombo itself. The schools is at Kotahena school is attended by 39 boarders. This institut one occasion been prais examiners ; and in IgoC went to Kotahena Sacri The second of the inst the Nuns of the Good High School, Pettah, v children; while the t School, Colpetty, in the as the Cinnamon Garde are in attendance. Th Xavier, a native order direction of the Nuns c They number 82, have central house is at Neg no less than 20 vernac ent parts of the archdi children under their cal there are the Nuns o numbering 23, who cor schools-one at Bambal dren; one at Wennapuw gala, the total number of two latter being 35. T the native Nuns of St. P and have the conduct c nacular schools, the num their care being about 3 Franciscan Nuns, Missic duct a growing and alrea tion at Moratuwa, called t of V1ctories, and attendec These various religiou ever, entirely confine the work, but have won the a Protestants, Mahomedan for their almost superh charitable work.
Religious Orders and
tions.
The Nuns of the Hol Kurunegala an' orpha number of inmates bei Sisters are also selected Government hospital. T Shepherd educate in Negombo 55 girls, in girls, and in that at Ko At Kotahena, besides, the school in which a great taught lace-work, embroi accomplishments. The Missionaries of Mary, a flourishing orphanage of where they also conduc industrial school. Theil labour, however, is the
MPRESSIONS
Id are employed in schools for girls in incipal one of these where the English girls, of whom 32 are n has on more than d by the Government the girls' scholarship i Heart High School. tutions conducted by hepherd is St. Mary's hich has a roll of 95 ird is St. Bridget's art of Colombo known s, where 96 children Nuns of St. Francis are also under the f the Good Shepherd. Novitiate, and their pmbo. They conduct lar schools in differcese, the number of e being 3,000. Then f the Holy Family, duct three important apitiya, with Io5 chilra, and one at Kurunechildren attending the his order also controls eter, who number I2o, if no less than 28 verber of children under 205. In addition, the naries of Mary, condy flourishing instituhe School of our Lady
by I6o children. is orders do not, howmselves to educational imiration of Catholics, , and Buddhists alike uman devotedness in
Charitable Institu
y Family conduct at nage for girls, the g 42. Seven of the or special work at the he Nuns of the Good heir orphanage at hat at Kalamulla 16 ahena I34 orphans. conduct an industrial number of girls are lery, and other useful Franciscan Nuns, e at the head of a 25 girls at Moratuwa, a largely attended principal sphere of nursing department
OF CEYLON
of the General Hospital, Colombo, which has been entrusted to them by the Ceylon Government. In this hospital work 32 European Sisters spend their youth with zeal and disinterested devotedness; and, considering the nature of the diseases and the increasing number of sick people they have to look after, it is not to be wondered that the medical authorities and the Government-as well as the people at large-highly prize their assistance as nurses. Their care extends equally to all, heathen and Christians, rich and poor. Then there are the Little Sisters of the Poor, whose work is known all the world over ; and in Colombo, as elsewhere, their special care is the management of a home for the aged. About 20 Sisters are engaged in this labour of love, and the inmates of the home, men and women, number nearly "2Oo. His Excellency the Governor frequently visits this institution, in which he takes a warm interest.
Industrial School and Reformatory.
Perhaps the most interesting (although the least known) of all the Catholic institutions in the archdiocese of Colombo, if not in the whole of the island, is St. Vincent's home, situated at
Maggona, 32 miles south of Colomb), on the main railway line to Galle.
It is an estate of 332 acres, planted mostly with coconut and cinnamon; and scattered over that area stand a number of bungalows, each quite a separate institution, the whole forming a little village of about 35o persons. The principal bungalow shelters two European Fathers, Oblates of Mary, and six European lay brothers, also Oblates, who together hold the direction and management of the whole settlement. The principal branch is a boys' orphanage, in which about II5 children of the poorer classes receive food, clothing, and instruction. Attached to the orphanage and conducted by the native Brothers of St. Vincent de Paul is a Sinhalese school, which is attended in the morning by the orphans. These bereft boys are taught printing, binding, carpentry, tailoring, and gardening under European and native Brothers, and are thus fitted for earning their own livelihood. St. Vincent's Home also includes the Boys' Reformatory. For a great many years the Wesleyans of Ceylon had been entrusted with this reformatory work. In I898 the Government asked Archbishop Melizan to undertake the maintenance and management of a penitentiary for boys of all denominations-Protestants, Buddhists, heathens, Mahomedans, and Catholics. Accordingly, buildings for the purpose were erected or enlarged; and at the present day the reformatory thus established at Maggona contains nearly 200 boys, under the surveillance of two European Brothers and a dozen native watchmen. This establishment is registered by the
Page 281
TWENTIETH
Government as a certified industrial school, and is used for the detention of juvenile offenders up to the age of eighteen years. These youngsters under detention attend the
CENTURY I
Brothers conduct, in normal or training Catholic schoolmasters Some 30 students.
LACE MAKING IN THE CONVENT.
industrial school above mentioned-but not at the same time as the boys from the orphanage -and also have a school of their own. It is worthy of particular remark that this school has been very successful. In I903 it gave the best results of all the native schools in the island, the mark awarded to it by the Director of Public Instruction being 99 per cent. And in the same year the two schools-orphanage and reformatory-sent in 225 boys for examination, with the result that the whole number passed. When ex-Governor Sir West Ridgeway paid an official visit, to Maggona, he expressed his admiration at the spirit of organisation displayed in connection with this institution. The founder of the Maggona, settlement was the Rev. Father Charles Conrard, O.M.I., who conducted the institutions here for ten years, under the guidance and direction of the late Archbishops Bonjean and Melizan. Close to the bungalow of the Fathers is what is styled the “Home," in other words the Mother House, of the native order of the Brothers of St. Vincent, whose members are engaged in the work of the settlement. Three of these
GALILEG
Catholic Union and
St. Joseph's CollegeCatholic institution is tional Section of this lent part of its fine pr Union of Ceylon. This the Catholics of the i purpose is to serve Ca questions, social and pc object of the club is f meet together in a C, recreation and social el usual attractions of a sc are provided with all k ture, in the shape of 1 zines, periodicals, an unobtainable elsewhere
Another noticeable grounds of St. Jose Bonjean Memorial F petuate the memory a Christopher Bonjean, bishop of Colombo. H the late Most Rev. Dr. (who died in I905),
MPRESSIONS
another bungalow, a chool for Sinhalese
which is attended by
OF CEYLON 273
towards the building on the condition that the ground floor should be set apart for the use of the College. The Catholics of Colombo and of other parts of the island also subscribed
慧
,
t
CONVENT.
other Institutions. -an account of which given in the Educabook-has up to now emises to the Catholic is an association of all land, and its general tholic interests on all litical. The particular ) enable Catholics to tholic atmosphere for joyment. Besides the cial club, the members nds of Catholic literaeviews, papers, magaother publications in the island. institution, on the h's College, is the all, erected to perl the life-work of Dr. .M.I., the first Archs immediate successor, T. A. Melizan, O.M.I.
ontributed Rs. 20,000
THE CONVENT PUPS.
generously to the fund for the erection of the building. The hall is a two-storeyed building, I2O ft. in length and 30 ft. in width, not counting the verandahs, which are Io ft. wide. The foundation-stone was laid on March 19, 1902, by His Eminence Cardinal Moran, Archbishop of Sydney, Australia, in the presence of an unprecedentedly large and enthusiastic gathering. The building is designed to continue and develop the three great purposes of Archbishop Bonjean's life, which are specifically defined as education, the uplifting and strengthening of Catholics, and the bringing them together in a Catholic atmosphere. The educative work is carried on in the lower portion of the building, the second line of effort in the upper portion, which is the home of the Catholic Union above mentioned, and the third purpose is served by the Catholic Club, a new twostorey structure built to the north of, and at right angles to, the Bonjean Memorial Hall.
The Catholic Mission of Colombo possesses a printing establishment, situated near Archbishop's House, Borella. From this press,
S
Page 282
r
ST. LUCIA CATHEDRAL-VIEWS OF IN
స్క్రిస్టోజ్జీ
CERIOR, EXTERIOR, AND PLAYGROUND.
Page 283
TWENTIETH
besides religious works in English and Sinhalese, two bi-weekly“ newspapers—the Catholic Messenger, in English, and the Nanartha Pradifaya, in Sinhalese-are issued.
The above particulars suffice to show the general position and activities of the Roman Catholic Church in its archdiocese of
Colombo.
Following is a summary of the Church's educational establishments in the archdiocese and in Ceylon generally : (1) St. Joseph's College, Colombo, with nearly 8oo boys; (2) St. Benedict's Institute, Colombo, with nearly I, Ioo boys--both separately noticed elsewhere; (3) in the archdiocese 379 schools with 35,6oo pupils, 3o of these schools being English and the rest vernacular schools, (4) of 3o prominent boarding schools in the whole of Ceylon 9 are Catholic; (5) of 36 industrial schools in the island 22 are Catholic; (6) of I2O English schools in Ceylon 4o are Catholic; (7) although only two Catholic institutions of the I3 normal or training
CENTURY IM
ST. LUCIA'S
COLO
This cathedral, the R politan Church of Ceyl miles around Colombo or it does in a commanding part of Colombo. This one of the most magnif island. Its length is being I4o ft., while the surmounted reaches a the ground. The arch Venetian Renascence, al there is a crypt. Th accommodate 6,5oo pers this great monument ha years, and the finishing t until 1906.
s
ThE SOUTHER
The diocese of Ga the political portions kr and Sabaragamuwa Pro
TEIE INTERIOR.
schools in the island are registered under this head, the number of passes at the examinations of these two schools is superior to that of all the others
an edict of Pope Leo XIl carried into effect by the in the year I895. At Dr. Joseph Van Reet
MIPRESSIONS
CATHEEDRAL, MBO,
oman Catholic Metroon, is a landmark for every side, standing as position on an elevated edifice is undoubtedly icent buildings in the
25o ft., the breadth
cupola by which it is height of 18o ft. from itecture is that of the d under the sanctuary a interior can easily ons. The building of is occupied thirty-four ouch was not put to it
N PROVINCE.
lle, which comprises nown as the Southern vinces, was formed by
OF CEYLON 275
and one lay brother, arrived in Ceylon and devoted themselves mainly to education. A few comparisons will show the great progress made in consequence of their efforts. Whereas in 1896 only Io Catholic schools existed in the new diocese, with an attendance of 35o boys and 360 girls, a total of 7 Io scholars, in I906 there were 36 schools, with a total attendance of 2,877 scholars. And whereas in the year I896 the number of Catholics in the diocese amounted to 5,466, in 1906 the number had increased, to 9,063. While in I896 there were I3 churches and 7 chapels in the diocese, in 1906 there werc I9 churches and 2 chapels. The staff, which in I896 consisted of 3 priests and I lay brother, in I906 consisted of the Bishop, I7 European and 2 native clergy, and 3 European lay-brothers.
A convent was established at Galle in 1896 by 5 European sisters, which number had increased by 1906 to I5 European, and 3 native sisters. The convent accommodates about 7o boarders and considerably more than that number of day scholars, as well as providing a home for some 5o little orphan children. The education imparted at the
THE ROMAN I CATHOLTO CHURCH, GALLE.
I., in 1893, which was Belgian Jesuit Fathers the end of that year h, with three priests
convent is of the highest standard ; and in connection with this establishment there is an industrial school, attended by the daughters of the poorer classes. Here is made the
Page 284
276 TWENTIETH
beautiful Galle lace, for which the convent received the gold medal at the St. Louis Exhibition, U.S.A., in 1904.
The large and beautiful church of Our Lady of the Rosary at Galle was built in I874, with the aid of funds collected at Manilla, in the Philippine Islands, by the Rev. Father Martin, a Spanish Benedictine.
St. Aloysius's College, which was erected next to the church and the Bishop's house in I902, was formerly an episcopal institution. It was taken over by the Jesuit Fathers in 1905, and has now on the roll nearly 300 boys, who are in the charge of a staff of 5 European Fathers, assisted by 8 native teachers. The school teaches up to the local Cambridge Senior Examination, and being subject to Government inspection, receives a grant in aid from the Government Treasury. Within the diocese of Galle there are also English schools at Matara, Tangalla, Hambantota, Ratnapura, Balangoda, and Kegalla,
奖
CENTURY II.
CEYLON INDEP
CATHIC
The Ceylon Indepen is a body which disse influence of Rome. Th of the Mission only forty-five years previo of the Independent leadership of Dr. John was the Portuguese Cor at the time, banded in vigorously opposing p pioneers, who were kn were publicly branded matics by the Roma the island, and the R forbidden to have an with them. But this break down the Indep some years there was combatants. In 1886,
document, under the til
Vigilantia," was publis Padroadist Mission exti the churches to the R
لاسهـــسهح<
THE WESLEYAN M
SOUTH CEYLON.
BY REv. RoBERT TEBB (CHAIRMAN).
HE Wesleyan Methodist Church has always, from its commencement, been a missionary Church. Dr. Coke, a gentleman commoner of Jesus College, Oxford, an ordained clergyman of the Church of England, when he joined Mr. Wesley in his evangelistic mission, became largely responsible for establishing and superintending Wesleyan Methodist missions. He was, like Mr. Wesley, a lover of mankind on the most extensive scale, and after his conversion ever considered "the world his parish.' Dr. Coke's theatre of missionary operations included the four quarters of the globe. In three of them he was the actual founder of missions, for whose support, after spending two ample fortunes of his own (by patrimony and marriage), he went about begging from door to door throughout the United Kingdom; and that not once or twice, but regularly for several years, until the close of his life. Having established missions in America in 1769, among the enslaved Africans in the West Indies in I778, in Western Africa in II 792, and in various parts of Europe, he had long been impressed that he should preach the Gospel in Asia aiso. He engaged in correspondence on the subject as early as I784, but
many difficulties necessi out his purpose. In opening for commencir which, being under the Office, enjoyed far moi on evangelistic work India under the despc India Company. The ment of the Ceylon Miss
In the year 1809 ander Johnston, the Ch while on a visit to bringing to the peop. blessings of Christiani Mr. Wilberforce, the gr an intimate friend of the Wesleyan Methodis a mission to Ceylon. culties occurred to p adoption, but an appl influential promise of help, was th Coke as an advance O. towards the attainment of an Oriental missi largely financial, and superintendence of the by the Doctor gene guarantee the sum nec the mission, and also conduct the mission.
official, sup
MPRESSIONS
ENDENT LC. MISSION.
dent Catholic Mission ciates itself from the e formal establishment dates from 1888, but 1sly the predecessors Catholics, under - the Boniface Misso, who sul-General in Ceylon themselves together apal authority. These wn as “Padroadists,' as heretics and schisCatholic clergy of oman Catholics were y intercommunication was not sufficient to endent body, and for a truce between the however, a papal 1e Of ** Brief Studio et hed. It declared the nct, and gave over all man Catholics, This
سك2سسسس ھسسسۓ
OF CEYON
work naturally caused a furore in Independent Catholic circles, and on legal advice all their churches were closed against Roman Catholic encroachments on January 2, 1887. At this juncture the Rev. A. F. X. Alvares and Dr. Lisboa Pinto came from India to assist the Independents, and after lengthy negotiations with the Patriarch of Antioch, through his representative Mar Dionysius, Syrian Metropolitan of Malabar, the Mission was eventually placed in the patriarchate of Antioch, and the Rev. A. F. X. Alvares was elected first as Prefect-Apostolic and afterwards as the first Archbishop of Independent Catholicism. Mgr. Vilatte, coming to Ceylon from America, was consecrated a Bishop by Archbishop Alvares and two other Syrian Bishops, and he spread the faith of Independent Catholicism in America and Europe, ordaining, amongst others, the Rev. Father Ignatius, of Lanthony Abbey.
At the present time the Mission, on account of constant litigation, is at a standstill, and its temporalities are administered by three trustees elected annually under the local law
ETHODST MISSION.
tated delay in carrying (8og the way seemed ng a mission in Ceylon, : care of the Colonial 'e liberty for carrying than was possible in tic rule of the East story of the establishions is briefly this :-
the Hon, Sir Alexlief Justice of Ceylon, England, desirous of e of the island the ty, on the advice of eat philanthropist, and Dr. Coke, applied to : Church to undertake Some temporary diffirevent its immediate ication from such an ported by a cordial ankfully hailed by Dr. no small importance of his cherished plan on. The difficulties, partly relating to the work, were overcome rously proposing to issary for the outfit of pffering personally to At the Conference of
1813, held in Liverpool, the scheme was finally sanctioned, and the ministers appointed to accompany the Doctor-viz., Messrs. Ault, Lynch, Erskine, Harvard, Squance, and Clough -left London for Portsmouth on December Io, 1813, and embarked there on the 3oth of that month. Dr. Coke, as is well known, did not survive the voyage : he died suddenly on May 3rd, and was buried at sea. His bereaved companions landed at Bombay on May 2 Ist, and after receiving remarkable kindness there, landed in Ceylon om June 29, 1814.
The special attention shown to the missionaries in India was repeated in Ceylon. They were enabled under encouraging auspices to make arrangements for commencing the work. At the first synod held in Galle it was determined, for purposes of missionary administration, to divide the island into two districtsviz., the Northern District, where, the mass of the population being Tamils, the missionaries would use the Tamil language, and the Southern District, where, the great majority of the people being Sinhalese, the missionaries would use the Sinhalese language. This division into two districts still remains, and it is to the Southern District alone that the following remarks apply. To accomplish the aims of the mission in the most effectual manner, suitable centres were selected, and from the places thus selected villages within
Page 285
TWENTIETH
comparatively easy distance were regularly visited for evangelistic purposes. Soon suitable persons who had been converted were selected as helpers, and thus the nucleus of a native ministry was formed. This enabled additional centres to be occupied and the surrounding villages to be evangelised in a similar manner. By these simple but efficient measures an effort has been made to cover the district with a network of evangelising agencies. Among the fneans used for this end we may mention preaching the word of God. As there were no places provided for regular worship, the open-air preaching, which is still one of our most useful means of reaching the unconverted, was an absolute necessity. The missionaries and their native helpers, where they could gather a congregation in the streets, compounds, or private houses, made known their message. When a few had received the Gospel, an effort was made to erect a building of some kind for regular worship and instruction. The converts were urged to become workers. Thus a band of lay helpers was under constant training. Another effort has been made by opening schools. At the commencement of the mission the possibility of doing good through establishing schools was pressed on the missionaries by the Government. In response to this appeal an English school was opened in every station where a missionary lived. Naturally, as the work extended to the surrounding villages, the children of the converts and the children of non-Christians whose parents desired their instruction became a claim upon the missionaries. Schools for teaching in the vernacular were opened as opportunity offered.
The press has ever been an auxiliary to preaching and educational efforts. Among the fifst missionaries appointed to Ceylon two were practical printers, and since that time, with rare exceptions, there has been at least one printer among the missionaries. Dr. Coke included a printing press and other necessary requisites as part of his missionary equipment. The press thus established has been continued, improved, and enlarged, and is still in active and beneficent operation at the Industrial Home, Wella watte. Thousands of publications have issued from the press. Early in the missionary history the Bible Society placed its printing under our care, and nearly all the vernacular Scriptures from that time to the present have been issued by us Books also have been regularly circulated through the Book-room, which continues its useful ministry at Colpetty. -
Women's work has ever been kept to the front in the operations of the Mission.
Medical, industrial, temperance, and orphanage work has also not been overlooked.
A few statistics taken from the last available
CENTURY
report give the follow present position of the can instruct us. Onl can be selected.
For support of the was given last ye Extension Fund, to s to spiritually destitu Auxiliary Fund, to ministers and wido' Churches and other p Missionaries and mini District agents Local preachers Day schools ... Class-leaders ... Members in full comn
on trial Junior Christian Community School teachers: Mal
Female. ... Scholars : Boys
Girls : v Sunday schools... Teachers... ses
Scholars... Total children under in
Girls pe G
A few sentences ma ganisation of the Chu are being put forth to self-governing, and s central stations abov “ circuits.” Each ciri meeting, more or less ment of its own local in South Ceylon is un District Synod, which work in the circuits development, and m three heads. The fir supporting. The mo port of the ministry a in the circuit and directions of its quart being in no way There are now six sel ing circuits, viz., Col Jampettah Street T. watte, Moratumulle, This pleasing develop greatly lessened the ministers appointed tendents, and manage the general care ol district. These circu sending at least two the General Synod.
A second class of ci is only placed in th; raises a substantial su
IMPRESSIONS
ing informatiom as to the Mission so far as figures r a very few illustrations
ministry there
al «O XO O ... Rs. 18,335 end the Gospel
te focalities
assist saged WS w ... Rs. 943 reaching places I7I sters . pagpo 42
P Po se Ιό eep б4
2I3
I9I 3,613 I,045 I,848 "I2,776
e 8 8 28
299 III,329
0 8
88 б9o 9,247 12, I98 6,5 II
Rs. 2,933
nstruction: Boys
y be added as to the orrch and the efforts which make it self-supporting, elf-propagating. All the e mentioned are called cuit has its own quarterly efficient, for the manageaffairs. The whole work der the supervision of the meets annually. The is in various stages of ly be summarised under st class is entirely selfney needed for the supnd other agents is raised distributed under the rly meeting, the Mission financially responsible. -supporting, self-governs ombo English, Colombo mil, Moratuwa-RawataKurana, and Seeduwa. ment of self-support has work of oversight, as the o them are the superintheir own affairs, under the chairman of the its have the privilege of representatives each tọ
cuit is called aided, and s class when the circuit n towards the support of
OF CEYLON 277
the ministry, and gives promise pf steady approach to the standard of the abovementioned six circuits, both as regards selfsupport and the administration of affairs. The aided circuits are Colombo Sinhalese, Kollupitiya and Wellawatte, Panadure, Kalutara, Kandy, Negombo, Katana, Galle Fort, Galle Richmond Hill, and Matara. A grant in aid for the support bf these circuits is made by the local committee, which is allotted under the direction of the Synod to the several circuits. The principle of distribution is by a regularly diminishing subsidy of not less than 2 per cent. per annum. Each of the grant-inaid circuits is privileged to send one representative to the Synod.
The third class are called mission circuits, and are under the direct financial administrar tion of the local committee, and except for purposes of reportand information their concerns do not come into the District Synod. Every effort is of course made to develop the local income and call out the abilities of all willing to help in administration, so as to bring the mission circuits into the class of aided circuits, which will thus bring them into the care of, and give them a direct representation in, the District Synod. There are 2E mission circuits.
The District Synod has ever sought to extend the work and open up new stations. In 1873 a fund for the purpose was instituted, and has since, with more or less energy and success, been maintained. An influential Extension Fund Committee has recently been appointed by the Synod. It is expected that under improved administration more funds will soon be available and that places now entirely neglected and spiritually destitute will be provided with Gospel ministrations.
NORTH CEYLON.
BY Rev. G. J. TRIMMER (CHAIRMAN).
Under this division is included the Wesleyan Mission work in the Tamil country of Ceylon. It embraces the Northern and Eastern Provinces. There are five principal stations, which are the headquarters of English missionaries, and fourteen sub-stations or circuits. Wesleyan Methodist Missions in the East began in 1814. As has been related in the companion article, they owe their origin to the quenchless zeal and ardent advocacy of Dr. Coke, who, in 1813, sailed for India with a party of missionaries chosen by the British Conference and died on the voyage out. -
It is difficult to summarise the growth of nearly a century in the space which can be allotted to us, The following table shows the progress in members, schools, and schoolchildren by decades :-
Sኝ<
Page 286
278
翡 |瞿|翡 3 O 忍 器 お召 A. 蹈 |露 岛 菇 | °郡
184-25 92 26 m- 795 I826-35 || I 44 || 3o || 975 || II74 || II, I49 1836-45 277 - 84 200 IoI4 1846-55 288 I6 76. I23 884 I856-65 || 4o6 | 3o || 9óo || 234 || II, I94 I866-75 829 83 4,083 909 4,992 I876-85 || III,329 || III29 || 6,343 || I,849 || 8, I92 I886–95 | I,799 | I37 7,74o | 2,37o | Io,IIo I896-o5 | 2,439 || Ióo || 8,984 | 2,9o4 || III,888
Two things are evident from the above table. First, as regards membership the growth has. been continuous; there has never been a decrease in any decade. Second, school work fluctuated more or less during the first fifty years. But between the years 1866-75 the grant-in-aid system was introduced by the Government. At the earnest request of the Governor then in Ceylon, Sir William Gregory, the Mission threw itself heartily into the work of extending education-especially in the vernacular-with the result that in Igos we return ten times as many scholars as we did in 1865.
A few other salient features of our progress may be noted. In all the principal and subcentres property has been acquired, houses, churches, and schools built, and thus the needs of the Mission in regard to plant are met. Continuous expansion and growth leave us invariably a little in arrears in this matter. But our principle, always to own our land and buildings, has, on the whole, been fairly well adhered to.
Education up to the limit of our resources, has always had a prominent place in our work. In 1833 the Jaffna Central School, forerunner of the present Jaffna Central College, was founded. In 1837 the Jaffna Girls' Boarding School was opened.
Tamil workers have been sought out, trained, and entrusted with responsible work as soon and as widely as possible. The first Tamil minister was received into the ministry in 1825. He was the first of a number of devoted and able men who have served and still serve our Church. The period from 1845 to 1855 was a time of great stress and difficulty, but it seems to have been but the “wintering' of our work. Since 1856 progress has been rapid and continuous. To write in detail of growths, developments, reorganisation, and so forth of the forty years would need a volume. The following are some of the chief points to be noted: 1866-75 was a period of great activity in providing buildings and extending our work. The number of schools grew from 30 to 83. Large sums were raised locally to supplement grants from England. In the period I886-95 a Provincial Synod was established to review the
TWENTIETH CENTURY
work of the island. divided since 1819, w again, though retaini authority. To this p mencement of Hom by the various Churc these societies the Mis British missionary ef missionary. During t for women and child The last decade has this work to Kalmun Deaconess Home has Wesleyan deaconesse to work.
The first place in c preaching. Besides our churches (which own Christian peopl services are conducted bungalows. These z Christians. In bazaa services are held wh) interest and not a few often allowed to hold pound or verandah of then invites his neighl present. In all these of music, pictures, and aids and attractions.
Our educational wor place among our agen of all kinds. For then cular day schools, in w the simplest, and is in complete chain, and through our schools fr First in Arts (intermedi Madras University. W our day schools, boar some 5oo children (of are girls) are educatec been established for th two for boys and one f two industrial schools
' black, and tin smithin
binding are taught.
Reference has been work for women and ch sisters at Puttur, and o
our operations. Their c of outdoor dispensary homes of patients. But ward in which urgent c more personal attention The district has a p1 supplies the Mission wit besides doing a great general public. At Trin Soldiers’ Home was est ago. This is for the u
MPRESSIONS
Thus the two districts, are brought into touch g their own status and riod belongs the com
Missionary Societies hes of the district. In sion Church, the fruit of ort, becomes in its turn his decade medical work en began at Batticaloa. seen the extension of li and Puttur, where a een established and two have been appointed
ur methods is given to he regular services in are principally for our e), regular preaching weekly in our school ire attended by nonis and streets open-air ch excite considerable inquiries. We are also a meeting in the com
a house, and our host bours and friends to be meetings we make use the magic lantern as
k occupies a prominent cies. We have schools nost partithey are vernahich the education is of Tamil. But we have a the student may pass om the alphabet to the ate) examination of the 7e have, in addition to ding schools in which whom the greater part
Three schools have e training of teachers, or girls. We have also in which carpentry, g, printing, and book
made to our medical ldren. Two deaconess he at Batticaloa, and a gaged in this branch of uties consist principally work and visits to the each centre has a small ses can be received for
ess at Batticaloa which h much of its literature, deal of work fór the omalee a well-equipped blished about ten years e of the men of botin
OF CEYLON
arms of His Majesty's service, and has proved a great boon to, them.
For the work very briefly outlined above we have the following staff of workers : 9 missionaries, 6 missionaries' wives, 8 lady missionaries, I8 Tamil ministers (3 on the retired list), 22 catechists, 2o Biblewomen, 3 II male and I35 female teachers. These are the staff of paid workers. We have in addition, as unpaid workers, 69 lay preachers, a large number of other lay helpers, and 343 Sundayschool teachers. . Many of the latter are also day-school teachers. We have 18 churches, I6o schools, and I26 school-chapels and other preaching places.
No estimate of the position and outlook of our labours can be formed without some reference to the extent to which our people support the work. In Igos they raised Rs. 7,076 for the support of the Tamil ministry, Rs. 97o for the upkeep of their churches, and Rs. 2,777 for home mission work. The central churches on all the five chief stations are self-supporting and self-governing. We may say, therefore, that the Mission is firmally rooted in the soil. In educational work also a considerable sum is raised locally by means of fees and Government grants in aid. In 1905 the fees amounted to Rs. 16,6Io and the Government grant in aid for the year to Rs. 41,662. The Government grant is a “result grant.' An examination in all secular subjects is held in each school annually. On the results of this examination the grant is paid. Every rupee paid out of the Treasury represents full value received by the Government in the shape of secular education. It is now proposed to introduce a system of compulsory education throughout the island. This should lead to a large extension of educational work. There seems a possibility, however, that the provisions of the new system may be unacceptable to mission managers. If so, we shall take no part in the further extension, and may even retire from some part of the work we are at present doing.
That mission work has profoundly influenced the faith and ideals of the people cannot be doubted. The old, crude forms of superstition are passing away, discredited in the eyes of
the present generation, which may be called an
educated one. The revival of Vedantic Hinduism and the race aspirations of the people is also, indirectly, a result of mission work. Missionaries of experience look forward with great confidence. The Tamils are a conservative race, and move somewhat slowly. But the current of modern thought, aspiration and ideal, if it does not yet reach the goal we aim at, moves in that direction. We may therefore wait with patience the development of the forces -educational, social, and religious - which missions have introduced into North Ceylon.
Page 287
TWENTIETH CENTURY
DUTCH REFO
(INCLUDING THE SCOTCH
ALTHOUGH the Dutch had not finally ex
pelled the Portuguese from Ceylon until I658, the Reformed Church of Holland was formally established as the religion of the colony in 1642, and the first Protestant clergyman commenced his ministrations at Galle in October of that year, in the building which is still used as the Dutch church by the descendants of the original colonists. From Galle southward to Matara and northward to Jaffna, as the Portuguese were ousted their churches and religious buildings were taken possession of by the Dutch, but it was not until they became sole masters of the maritime provinces that anything like a Church organisation was attempted, During the early period of their rule in Ceylon it is admitted even by the warmest partisans of the Dutch that they displayed a spirit of intolerance in painful contrast with the ad vanced liberalism of the national character; but it was an intolerance inspired by fears of political intrigue, and all the edicts issued on the subject were directed against the clergy, while the lay Catholics were left comparatively unmolested. Catholic worship was certainly discouraged, but no Catholics were persecuted to death on account of their religion, and the disabilities imposed upon them were with a view to inducing them to join the Reformed Church. The system adopted by the Dutch Church was to utilise the village school as the nucleus of the future Church. Here children received instruction and adults were taught the leading truths of Christianity. But the measures adopted by the Dutch Government for converting the heathen were hardly calculated to secure that end. The fact is that the Dutch were never a proselytising nation. More conservative than expansive in their
religious aspirations, provide for the religi people and their de case to the present ti fact that, -of their mem 99 per cent. are Burgh Dutch settlers in th duty provided for, the more importance to Holland rather than newly made subjects that the Dutch failed, their efforts at conve: the Dutch Reformed day can hardly be r missionary forces of would scarcely be toc Church has "progress seventeenth century th European ministers at and four at Galle; no isters in Colombo (Rev Rowland), at Galle the one, while the old Dul no longer used as a pla The . VVolfendah1 Cl once the monument a Church. It is a noble shape of St. Andrew's Hill, the highest eminer Built in the year I 749 Dutch architecture, it weather in a remarkal the storms of a century on its sides, it still surv durable structures ere only portion that has any consequence beir teresting to note that
魯
BAPTIST MISSIONAR
HE Baptist Missionary Society, which has been longer established in Ceylon than any other now working there, commenced operations in the island close upon. a century ago. Its first missionary was James Chater, the pioneer Protestant missionary in Ceylon, who landed at Colombo in the year 1812, and commenced to work among the Sinhalese and Burghers of the Western Province. His first convert was a Buddhist priest, named Theophilus, who died soon after baptism, but
was an unshaken Chri years after his arrival Grandpass, and built a there. The Church w was probably the firs' Church in the island. of uphill work, Mr.
leave for England to but he never saw the he died on the hom In the following year
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
279
MED CHURCH
PRESBYTERIAN
heir first care was to us wants of their own cendants. This is the ne, as is shown by the bership of about 3,000, ers descended from the island. This primary y considered it of far impose the laws of ts religion upon their It is certainly true and signally failed, in ting the heathen, and Church of the present ckoned as one of the the island. Indeed, it much to say that the 2d backward.' In the ere were, usually four Colombo, four at Jaffna, w there are two min. D. Tweed and Rev. J. 'e is one and at Matara :ch church at Jaffna is ce of worship, hurch, Colombo, is at nd the nursery of the structure, built in the Cross on Wolfendahl ce within the city limits. with all the solidity of as withstood wind and ble degree; and though and a half have beaten lves as one of the most cted by the Dutch, the undergone repairs of g the dome. It is inhe belfry of this place
鈺
ダー འཛུཚོལ་བ་
CHURCH).
of worship is situated half a mile from the church, as it was erected near the worshippers' residences. In former days the bell was rung as a sort of curfew bell at 9 o'clock every night, and it is still used to call people to service. The other Dutch Reformed churches in Colombo are those at Bambalapitiya and Milagakande, which have been erected to meet the needs of those who have gone to live in those suburban districts. The Church membership in Colombo is about I,ooo. The Wolfendahl Church and the Dutch churches at Galle, Matara, and Jaffna are kept in repair at Government cost, and the British Government has also undertaken the maintenance of the clergy of those churches ever since the cession of the island by the Dutch in I796. In this connection it is a curious fact that a previous minister of the Dutch Church in Ceylon retired on account of ill-health in 1864, and is still living in retirement with his wife in the Isle of Wight. They are both over ninety years of age, and during the last forty odd years they have drawn over goooo in pensions from the Government.
The Dutch Church is governed by a Consistory composed of the ministers, four elders; and six deacons, and this body has legal standing, having been incorporated by an Ordinance.
In the early eighties - the Scotch Presbyterian Church was amalgamated with the Dutch Church, but the Scotch Presbyterians form but a very small proportion of the total membership of the Dutch Church. A large Scotch church, to be known as St. Andrew's, is in course of erection near the Galle Face, and the Rev. A. Dunn is the minister in charge.
Y SOCIETY, CEYLON.
stian to the end. Five
Mr. Chater settled at residence and a chapel hich was formed here native self-supporting After seventeen years Shater was obliged to recuperate his health, old country again, as ward voyage in 1829. (183o) Mr. Chater was
succeeded by Ebenezer Daniel, who was accompanied by his wife and three daughters. He found that consequent on Mr. Chater's departure the work which he had started and carried on single-handed for so long was languishing. But Mr. Daniel’s apostolic fervour soon revived the Mission, and his manifold activities during- fourteen years are recalled with thankfulness by many to this day. He pressed every form of missionary activity into service, and by continually making
Page 288
280
difficult journeys to distant villages, preaching the Gospel from house to house and hut to hut, he earned the name of “the Apostolic Daniel." In 1835, Mrs. Daniel and her three daughters, who had been ceaseless in school work and missionary work among the native women and girls, had to leave the island on account of broken health, and Mrs. Daniel died a fortnight before the boat reached England. In 1836 the formation of new village stations and the opening of fresh schools necessitated a request for another missionary from England, and Mr. Harris was appointed and arrived at the end of 1838. The number of members at this time was I35. There were six stations supplied by two European and five native missionaries, and I7 schools containing about 45o children. In 1839 the rapid extension of missionary labours and their encouraging results necessitated still more help, and a printing press was urgently applied for. This was taken out by Mr. Dawson, who arrived in 184I. He set to work at Kandy, and in a very short time tracts and school-books in Sinhalese, from type cast in the island, as well as in English and Portuguese, were being distributed in large quantities. In 1844. Mr. Daniel died. Nothing could bear better testimony to his worth and excellence than the feverish suspense in which the whole community was placed during the short period of his illness. Persons of all ranks, classes, and persuasions, Protestants of every denomination, Roman Catholics (against whom he had written uncompromisingly), and even Buddhists, either visited his sick-chamber or made anxious inquiry after his state while an immense concourse
HE work of the Salvation Army in Ceylon was started in the year 1883 by Commissioner Booth-Tucker, who, prior to his con nection with this organisation, was a civil servant under the Indian Government. work was first started in Colombo, and in course of time it has extended its borders and has developed itself into the social and spiritual branches. The work of the latter is divided among six chief territorial divisions, namely, (1) Kegalla and Kurunegala; (2) Colombo division; (3) Heneratgoda district; (4) Kandy district; (5) Madampe and Chilaw division; and (6) Jaffna district. These divisions altogether comprise 6o corps and I27 outposts. The social operations are represented by a prison-gate home for the reclamation of the ex-criminals and a rescue home for
The
TWENTIETH CENTURY
attended the funeral. Jacob Davies with hi up the work in Colom Mrs. Allen and Mr. , out, but the latter rem following year. In 18 Home Society were 1 ment necessitated givi Matara district, Kand retained as the only tw this year (1849) Mr. Ja residence of Dr. Ellic year later Mr. Dawse wreck with his wife at on the way to Engla Carter arrived from E the baptized membersh reached 5oo. In 1858 translation of the New TI direct from the Greek ti of the work was issue 1862 Henry Robert Pig Walcock went to Cey good work in Coloml twenty-nine years, and intervals spent in Engl in the island for thirty left his mark as the arcl chapels and mission b including the fine Cinn: In 1864 the Grandpass supporting, and in 18 In 1873 work was start Sabaragamuwa, and it Gardens Church was t the society published translated by Mr. Cart in Sinhalese. Between
2-ܥܓܒܓܝ
THE SALVA
the uplifting of the connection with the dairy is maintained, officially by the munici also a grass farm. ) the jail every Sunda met at the prison gat charge. In the resc and lace-making are carried on by the ir banks have also been es for the purpose of relie classes and to prevel into the clutches of lenders, who are so island. Stranded Eurol and cared for when f are available,
MPRESSIONS
In the same year s wife arrived to take so, and in 1846 Mr. and and Mrs. Lewis came oved to Calcutta in the 49 the grants from the educed, and retrenchng up the work in the y and Colombo being o centres of work. In cob Davies died at the tt in Colombo, and a in was lost in a shipdi three children while ind. In 1853 Charles ngland. In this year ip of the Churches had Mr. Carter began the estament into Sinhalese ext, and the first edition 'd five years later. In ggot and Frederick D. lon. The former did Do and Ratnapura for the latter-excluding and-has been at work y-eight years, and has hitect of many beautiful uildings in the island, amon Gardens Church. Church became self66 James Allen died. ed in the Province of 1877 the Cinnamon built and opened, and the Old Testament, er from the Hebrew, 188o and the present
حصےسےرہے۔ جیۓ
TION ARMY.
fallen women. In prison-gate home a which is recognised pality of Colombo, and Meetings are held in y, and prisoners are e daily on their disue home, needlework the chief industries mates. Three village ablished by the Army ving the less fortunate it them from falling he exorbitant moneygreat a curse to the eans are also received inds for the purpose
OF CEYLON
time a number of missionaries have spent varying periods in the island, including H. H. Lapham, who spent twenty-two strenuous years here, H. Sims, G. Gray, W. Thomson, J. A. McCallum, G. T. Wood, W. D. Hankinson,
B. Etherington, B.A., J. A. Ewing, H. J. Chanter,
B.A., B.D., and S. F. Pearce; and the last four, with Mrs. Etherington, Mrs. Ewing, and Miss Robinson, Principal of the Colombo Girls' Boarding School Mission, constitute the present European staff. The method of the early missionaries of devoting their main strength to the evangelisation of the heathen by the preaching of the Gospel in the vernacular from village to village has been continuously maintained by succeeding missionaries, and the work of the Baptists being still mostly in the vernacular, the proportion of native to European adherents is probably higher than in most other Missions. But the rapid spread of the knowledge of English, which is so marked a feature in educational development in Ceylon, is being met by a new forward movement inaugurated in 1906, which provides for a large increase in the number of European missionaries and the setting apart of two of them, who have been specially trained for the purpose, for educational work. Adjoining the Cinnamon Gardens Church is the Ferguson Memorial Hall, erected by near relatives to the memory of Mr. and Mrs. A. M. Ferguson who for many years were prominent members of the Church. In this building is conducted the Sunday school, with which the Hon. Mr. J. Ferguson, C.M.G., has been connected for forty years. He has been Superintendent for over thirty years, and still holds that office.
A naval and military home is another distinct feature of the work, Here board and lodging for a few soldiers and sailors is provided, also a refreshment bar. This home is situated at De Soysa's Buildings, Slave Island, and meetings are held at this centre every night. The educational work of the Army is also making considerable progress. There are 25 day schools and a boarding school under the control of the Army's officers. The present position of the Army in Ceylon is officially recorded as follows : Number of members, about II,5oo ; officers, I43; number of services or indoor meetings held monthly, about I,ooo; number of hours spent in visiting the people monthly, about 9,000.
Page 289
TWENTIETH CENTURY II
HE American Board of Commissioners for
Foreign Missions, organised in 18Io, early determined to open work in Ceylon. The Rev. S. Newell, one of its earliest missionaries, was refused admittance to India and visited Ceylon in 1813. When Mr. Newell reached North Ceylon there were no missionaries on the field, the London Missionary Society having just withdrawn. Two Protestants only, a Burgher woman and a Tamil man from Travancore, were attempting to give religious instruction. The opening seemed peculiarly inviting. Acting on the recommendations of Mr. Newell, the American Board began its work in Ceylon. The first missionaries from America were the Rev. Mr. Poor, the Rev. Mr. Meigs and the Rev. Mr. Richards with their wives, and the Rev. E. Warren. They were warmly welcomed by Governor Brownrigg and other officials, and, proceeding to Jaffna, they took possession of the old Dutch house at Tillypally Lands, and the remains of the large Dutch churches at several stations were generously turned over by Government to the infant Mission. Work began with great zeal and interest. The first plan of operations was to visit and receive visitors, to explain the object of the Mission, to gather the people into meetings when possible, to preach, to open schools, and to dispense medicines-by any and all means to commend the Gospel of Christ. From the first the people took kindly to the idea of education for their sons, and, as early as I 817, a small beginning was made in teaching even girls to read. Day schools were opened, and were followed by small boarding schools at each of the five stations first occupied. Soon a few little girls were gathered into the missionaries' families to be taught. In 1823 a central seminary for boys was opened at Batticotta, and the next year one for girls at . Uduville, all the station boarding schools being closed. In I820 reinforcements arrived from America. They were just in time, for in that same year began, on the part of the Ceylon Government, a policy of bare toleration towards the missionaries, The Mission printer was refused admittance, and Government officials frankly said that they proposed to let the enterprise die out, and that they would not allow any other Americans to join the Mission. It is a curious fact that from the announcement of this programme till its withdrawal in 1832 the American Mission lost only one man by death and suffered little from sickness. Two members of that company lived and worked fifty years in Jaffna
THE AMERIC
From 1824 on the was greatly strengthe cheered by a series of The Rev. L. Spaulding and found there was a ary work among the district, Mr. Woodw mission of the Mai the Revs. Messrs, Hois sent with some native work of the Ameri Two years later the F and Scudder opened Madras, The former throughout India as the Tamil-English dictiona the founder of a nota of which in the seco tions, several member the American Arcot M. work in North Ceylon there were eight org 2Oo members and ne with more than 4,000 instruction.
A printing establish Manipay in 1834, and agency in the spre During the twenty ye the charge of an Ameri pages of Christian li and distributed. T begun in 184I--a Chri has had at times : good.
A deputation sent f freely revised the plai and determined a new to be cut down to 2O for non-Christians were to be respectfu educational work at M be stopped. The fema was to have no mo supported by the Missi inary likewise was to numbers, and the teac. the training of Mission These drastic char carried out, though at meet the views of the
The Batticotta semir evangelising force, w years later a Tamil Tı Institute was begun need for trained assista Tamil Christians orgar under a separate cha meant to be wholly denominational, Circl
MPRESSIONS
AN MISSION.
work of the Mission ned and the workers very marked revivals. went in 1834 to India n opening for missionTamils of the Madura 'ard secured the perdras Governor, and sington and Todd were helpers to begin the dan Madura Mission. Revs. Messrs, Winslow a similar work in became widely known author of the standard ry, and the latter was ble missionary family, ond and third generas are still at work in ission. Meanwhile the grew apace. In I85o ganised Churches with arly Ioo free schools pupils under Christian
hment was opened at
proved a most useful ad of Christian truth, ars that it was under can printer, I72,000,000 terature were printed he Morning Star was stian newspaper which a great influence for
rom America in I855 is used by the Mission, 7 policy. Schools were 2O for Christians and Government grants lly declined. English sission expense was to le seminary at Uduville re than 35 pupils, all on. The Batticotta sembe much reduced in hing designed solely for helpers. ges were never fully attempt was made to American Board, lary, so long a powerful as closed, and a few raining and Theological :o supply the pressing ints. In 1872 the leading ised the Jaffna College, rter. This college was independent and intermstances, however, have
OF CEYLON 281
brought about a close, though not an organic, connection between the Jaffna College and the American Mission, in whose field it is located.
The medical work of this Mission was begun in a very simple way by two of the first band of missionaries, and was taken up more formally by Dr. Scudder, afterwards of the Arcot Mission. He was followed by Dr. Nathan Ward, who for twelve years carried on a small medical establishment at Batticotta. Dr. S. F. Green, who succeeded him, set about developing a strong medical department, not only to cure the sick who might come, but to send out into the villages Tamil physicians thoroughly trained and equipped. In addition to the care of the hospital of the Friend-inNeed Society, Dr. Green had his own hospital and dispensary, trained 60 Tamil young men as doctors, translated or compiled eight medical text-books, wrote numerous tracts, and was, as well, an earnest and faithful preacher of the Gospel. The American Mission Medical School antedated that carried on by the Government in Colombo, and was largely subsidised by the Government,
From I873 to I893 the work was under the care of the men trained in the Medical School, Then the Rev. T. B. Scott, M.D., and Mrs. Scott, M.D., joined the Mission, and in I896 Miss Curr, L.R.C.P.S., came for special work among women and children. The Mission has now two fine medical establishments, the General Hospital at Manipay and the McLeod Hospital for Women at Inuvil. Both are eminently successful.
So far from “respectfully declining" the Government grants for schools, the American Mission may be said to have operated its educational system in later years almost wholly from funds received from the Ceylon Government. This connection can never be entirely satisfactory from a missionary point of view, and there are not wanting those who would still carry out, if possible, the old programme of 40 schools and no grant,
The number of village vernacular schools and of English schools varies slightly from year to year. In 1905 there were I29 schools of all kinds, having Io,739 pupils, of whom 3, I29 were girls. This number includes the students of the Tellippallai Training School for Teachers and the Uduville and Udupiddi Girls' Boarding Schools.
These boarding schools, which grew out of the female seminary, have long been one of the most potent evangelising forces of the Mission. Hundreds of Hindu girls have professed Christianity while in the schools, and more than a thousand Christian homes are
Page 290
282
witness to the reality of the work done there. The printing establishment was sold in 1855 to Messrs. Strong and Asbury, Tamil gentlemen long associated with it. The business was bought back by the Mission in 1902 and located at Tellippallai in connection with the industrial school. A large printing and publishing business is now being carried on, chiefly Christian text-books and periodicals.
One great object of this Mission, to plant self-sustaining Churches, is being accomplished. Eighteen Churches have been organised, with a membership of about 2,ooo. " The Tamil members pay 95 per cent. of the cost of maintaining the work of these Churches. A native pastorate, begun in I855, has developed, not indeed in sufficient numbers to occupy all the churches,
YOUNG
HE Young Men's Christian Association at Colombo is the most cosmopolitan-institution in Ceylon. Its membership includes all the races and religions in the island-Sinhalese, Tamils, Malays, Moormen, Parsees, Europeans, and Burghers; Christians, Ruddhists, Hindus, Mahomedans, and Zoroastrians. Like the Y.M.C.A. movement all over the world, the Colombo branch of this world-wide institution has grown from small beginnings. It was inaugurated in J882 by Mr. W. Chapman, of Glasgow, who was then an employee of Messrs. Cargills, Ltd., and a few young men of the place, among whom were Messrs. J. A. Rode and J. A. Jansz, who are still connected with the Association. It took its present form in 1894, and in 1897 the first permanent General Secretary, in the person of Mr. Louis Hieb, was appointed, his expenses being wholly provided by the International Committee of Y.M.C.A.'s, New York. This was the commencement of a great development in the work of the Association. Beginning with a membership of about 50, there has been a continual increase during the last eight years, until at the present time its membership numbers 330 and the daily average attendance at the rooms is over a hundred. The present, home of the Association at the Racquet Court, a handsome three-storeyed building, has recently been erected at a cost of Rs. 8o,ooo ({5,333). The provision of the establishment has been made possible by generous friends in America, Ceylon, and Great Britain, and it stands as a monument to the untiring zeal, energy, and faithfulness of Mr. Louis Hieb, the first General Secretary. The site of the building has been leased to the Association by the Government, with the approval of the military authorities. It is
TWENTIETH CENTURY
but honest and able
form a great encoura; missions. The activiti are multiplying. For Evangelical Society
and catechists on the The Christian Ende: societies and 400 me! Society in Asia was or school in 1885, and th on missionary soil is co College. A students' I mission, organised in workers and funds to 1 district nearly opposite coast. The Churches ( have formed recently
一三
MEN’S CHRI
pleasantly situated, an room and library, rec rooms, bath and loc secretaries' office, sm: rooms; hostel to accom at the port, students, anc have not permanent ri
and a large gymnasiul finest in the island, an the latest apparatus,
MPRESSIONS
ind devoted enough to ement to the cause of s of the native Church sixty years the native as supported schools neighbouring islands, vour Society has I4. nbers. The first C.E. ganised in the Uduville : first Y.M.C.A, begun nnected with the Jaffna ission and a women's I899, unite to send ondi, an unevangelised Jaffna on the Indian f the American Mission , tinited Congregational
STIAN
d contains a reading eption and recreation ker room, restaurant, all lecture and class modate recent arrivals l other young men who esidences in Colombo;
OF CEYLON
Church for the development of local evangelistic work and the aid of weak Churches.
In all, including eight now on the field, IO4 missionaries have spent a longer or shorter time in this work, only 38 of them being ordained ministers, Of all these, ten served over thirty years each, six of them more than forty years, and two a full half-century, Among the chief and permanent influences of this Mission must be counted these great lives spent in its service-great in purpose, in character, in length of days, in eternal results: Dr. Poor, “Father and Mother' Spaulding, Miss Agnew, “Father and Mother 'Howlands, Dr. and Mrs. Hastings, Dr. Green -these and many others can never be forgotten by the Tamil people.
ASSOCIATION.
The religious work of the Association is not only its raison d'être, but is also its motive force, and the Y.M.C.A. is the only organisation which tries to break down the racial prejudice that exists in Ceylon and unite all classes into one common brotherhood, and thus help them to work in mutual kindness.
స్క్రి
Y.M.C.A. BUILDING, COLOMBO,
h, which is one of the is well equipped with
On this. account it has the sympathy and support of almost all the British merchants, and its board of directors includes the best men
Page 291
TWENTIETH
in mercantile and other circles-men who are held in the highest esteem and regard by the general public. The membership is of two classes-active members and associates. The latter class of membership is open to all men of good moral character, without regard to race, rank, or religion. Active members must give evidence of faith in the principles of Christianity, acknowledge their willingness to work for the cause, and be in full communion with a Protestant Christian Church.
Aiming, as does the Y.M.C.A. everywhere, at the spiritual, social, intellectual, and physical
YOUNGi WOMEN'S
N the year 1882 a weekly Bible-class for young women was started in Colombo, which in I884 was established as a Young Women's Christian Association Class. Shortly afterwards a second and a third class were formed in different parts of the city, and important mission work was undertaken by some of the members. In 1890 the Association was organised more fully, a President and a Secretary being appointed and Y.W.C.A. literature introduced. By the year 1895 there was need of a secretary who could devote her whole time to the work, and application was made to the Y.W.C.A. headquarters in London for such a worker. Since that time the Association in Colombo has seldom been without a General Secretary.
The management of the Association is vested in a general committee of ladies representing the various Churches, thus ensuring an interdenominational basis for the work. The number of committee members elected annually does not exceed twelve; but the fourteen branch secretaries also are ev-officio members of the committee. The General Secretary is the executive officer of the committee. The number of branches in the Colombo Association has increased to I4, and the total membership is approximately 4oo. Of these branches I2 are English-speaking, I is Sinhalese, and II Portuguese.
The conditions of membership are the same as prevail elsewhere. Any young woman is eligible for active membership who is a communicant member of a Protestant Christian Church, and who wishes to be known as distinctly and avowedly on the side of Christ, while any young woman of good character, who is suitably recommended, may become an associate member. Active members alone have the right to vote and hold office. A small annual membership fee is levied. Meetings for Bible study are held in the different
branches weekly or fortnightly; and evange
CENTURY I
welfare of young men all these heads: Bible-c &c., social hours and “ cricket, football, rambl educational classes, lect throughout the island 1 I900 by the Ceylon Ce is affiliated with the Affiliated to the Cent associations with a tota I,2Oo. The most imp Colombo, Galle, Kandy Quite recently a bung
اسحسسه ܓܓܓܠ
CH
listic meetings, in whi branches unite, are h annual meeting of the the first quarter of th Y.W.C.A. Weck of P. annually in the month gatherings are held frei courses of lectures o secular subjects have be lating library is mainta members, and “Y.W Daily Reading,” in Eng are distributed to the Each member also rec and motto card; and a taken in by members Our Onward Way, Go Y.W.C.A. Magazine, an India and Ceylon, pub The port city of Col opportunities to the A young women who ar the early nineties tra begun by the Associ being met on the boat secured for them by a T Later, a new wing w occupied by the Ger accommodation of suc the Y.W.C.A. Boarding I9o I the committee. to Road, in the Borella di is now occupied as hea work as well as a boa provides room for ab time, including the Ge Home Superintenden nurses, governesses, up ing the city, and others world, are here welc fifty persons have be year. The home, wh tram, borders on Cin the favourite residentia
MPRESSIONS OF CEY LON
there is activity under asses, Gospel meetings, st Homes," gymnastics, ng, and camera clubs, res, &c. The Y.M.C.A. as been directed since tral Committee, which - World's Committee. 'al Committee are 18 membership of nearly rtant branches are at Jaffna, and Batticaloa. low at Bambalapitiya,
ك2سسسسسعسسسسسۓ2
283
a residential suburb of Colombo, has been adapted and opened as a branch of the central Y.M.C.A. There are also branches at Galle, Kandy, Jaffna, and Batticaloa. The President of the Colombo Association is the Hon. Mr. Justice H. L. Wendt, of the Supreme Court, who has occupied this position for ten years, and the Vice-President the Hon. Mr. J. Ferguson, C.M.G. (general European Member of the Legislative Council). Mr. Chauncey A. Adams, B.A., a Canadian, is the General Secretary and Secretary of the Central Committee, and has held this position since I905.
RISTIAN ASSOCIATION.
ch the members of all eld monthly, while the Association is held in e year. The World's layer is also observed of November. Social
uently, and occasional
r classes in practical een instituted. A circulined for the use of all
.C.A. Bible Notes for glish and in Sinhalese, members each month. eives a yearly almanac umong the publications are Our Own Gazettic, Forward, the English d the Young Women of lished monthly.
ombo affords numerous Association for helping e travelling alone. In vellers' aid work was ation, girl passengers s and suitable lodgings ravellers' Aid Secretary. Tas added to the house eral Secretary for the h travellers; and finally Home was opened. In ok a house on Kanatta rision of the city, which dquarters for the general ding home. The house out tem persons at one neral Secretary and the t. Teachers, students, |-country members visitfrom many parts of the omed; and more than in accommodated each ch is easy of access by namon Gardens, one of l districts. The charges
are made proportionate to the income of the boarder and the scale of the accommodation, varying from Rs. 4o per month upwards. By special arrangement, in cases of need, the minimum charge is made still lower. Passing visitors usually pay Rs.3 per day. With capacity so limited and prices so moderate,
the home, even when filled with boarders,
cannot be self-supporting, and friends subscribe towards the payment of rent and other expenses. A fund has therefore been started for the provision of a larger and more central building. The total volume of the Association's business in I905 amounted to about Rs. 35oo.
A flourishing branch of the Young Women's Christian Association exists at Kandy, with groups of members also at Gampola, Nawalapitiya, Kadugannawa, and Matale, in the surrounding districts, the total membership being about 25o. A beautiful little hall has been erected by the Kandy Y.W.C.A. at the cost of Rs.8,000, which was opened in December, 1905, by Lady Blake, the wife of the Governor. Kandy is the headquarters of the Y.W.C.A. Travelling Secretary for Ceylon. At Badulla, in the far hill-country, where a branch was started about three years ago, there are 35 members, at Galle 4r, at Nuwara Eliya and Nanu-Oya 3o and at Heneratgoda IO.
Colombo is the working centre of a "scattered' branch established in 1894 and now composed of about 200 members, who, while living in isolated stations throughout the island, wish to be identified with the Association and keep in touch with its work by correspondence and by receiving the Association literature. The Secretary of this branch sends to its members each month the “Y.W.C.A. Bible Notes' and a printed letter from the Y.W.C.A. headquarters in London, written by different ladies. When a sufficient number of “scattered ' members live in one place to hold meetings, they form what is known as a
Page 292
284
'Scattered Circle.' Such circles' exist at Negombo, Trincomalee, and Veyangoda.
Early in January, Igo6, a separate “student' branch was organised in the Church Missionary Society Ladies' College, with 29 members, and the membership has since increased. This branch is affiliated with the National Student Department of India, Burma, and Ceylon.
All the Y.W.C.A. branches in India, Burma,
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
and Ceylon are united “National Young Wom tion of India, Burma, quarters of which ar Association is affiliate Young Women's Christ has its headquarters in over 370,000 members. in Ceylon, in I906, was
A. Y.W.C.A. Camp C
浚
BUDDHISM, PAST
BY THE ANAGARIKA DHARMAPALA, GENE.
UDDHISM has been the national religion
of Ceylon from almost the earliest times of which reliable records are preserved. To the ancients generally Ceylon was known under several different names. According to the Mahavansa, the ancient Sinhalese chronicle, it was called Tambapanni, Taprobane, Lanka, Ratnadwipa, Sihaladwipa, Serendib, Zeylan, and Ceylon. In the time of the Buddha Kasyapa (the Buddha previous to the Buddha of our age) the island was called Mandadwipa, and in the prehistoric ages it was known as Ojadwipa and Varadwipa. Prior to the advent of the Sinhalese from India the island was inhabited by a non-Aryan tribe allied to the Dravidian race, who were called Yakkhus. The new race came from Bengal as invaders and conquerors. The Mahavansa states that Prince Vijaya with 7oo men, who were banished from India 2,45o years ago on account of their lawless habits, landed in the "division Tambapanni of this land Lanka.' As Vijaya was a scion of the Kalinga royal race, whose ancestral habitation was at Vanga, the present Bengal, the origin of the Sinhalese race may be traced to the Aryan stock. After he had made himself master of Ceylon, Vijaya sent a message to the king of Madura, soliciting the hand of his daughter. The king sent his daughter, together with 699 noble virgins, to Ceylon. King Pandava of Madura was also of Aryan origin, and from the union of two Aryan families there sprang up the Sinhalese race. In habits, manners, customs, features, and language, the Sinhalese are more allied to the Aryans of Bengal than to any other Indian people,
The introduction of Buddhism.
After the death of Vijaya the crown passed on to another Bengal prince named Panduvasadeva, who married the Princess Bhadda Kaccana, daughter of the Sakya prince Pandu, son of Amitodama, of the royal family
of the Sakyas of by this union that Ceylon became relat whose religion was in 236 years after his Pa absolute consummation wisdom, a condition in man and only fully r (saints). Anterior to Buddhism the religio was a form of Saivism The grandson of Par Pandukabhaya, became 437; and this king Anuradhapura, which so famous as the chief Ceylon. In the reig grandson, Devanampiy. the Buddha was intr Arhat (saint) Mahinda famous ruler of Magha and was made the State
From the earliest tin for its pearls, gems, an when Asoka was reig Ring Devanampiya Tis gems and pearls as p emperor, who, in retur the king of the island, in this wise : " I h. Buddha, his religion, a have avowed myself a of the descendant of Imbuing thy mind with truth of these suprem feigned faith, do thou a salvation.' It followed Jeshta, in the 236th yea) Mahinda converted the religion of the Buddha. banished from their ov India, founded a col without foreign interven island a purely religious
MIPRESSIONS
under the name of the en’s Christian Associaand Ceylon,' the heade in Bombay. This With the World's ian Association," which London and numbers The total membership about I,OOO. onference was held at
OF CEYLON
Mount Lavinia from January 3 to Io, 1906, and fifty young women from Ceylon and South India enjoyed a week of Bible study, prayer, and Christian fellowship together at this pleasant seaside resort. The object of the Y.W.C.A. is to promote the spiritual, intellectual, physical, and social welfare of young women ; and wide opportunity exists for the growth and development of the Association in the island of Ceylon.
AND PRESENT
RAL SECRETARY OF THE MAHA BoDHI SOCIETY.
Kapilavastu. It was the royal family of ed to the Buddha,
troduced to the island rinirvana-that is, the of charity, love, and describable by mortal ealised by the Arhats the introduction of |n of the Sinhalese , the worship of Siva. lduvasadeva, by name king in the year B.C. founded the city of subsequently became seat of Buddhism in n of Pandukabhaya's a Tissa, the religion of oduced by the great t, son of Asoka, the da, in Northern India, : religion of the island. nes Ceylon was noted i precious stones; and ning in India-near-by, ssa sent very valuable resents to the Indian 'n, sent costly gifts to as well as a message ave taken refuge in und his priesthood; I devotee in the religion Sakya, ruler of men. the conviction of the e blessings, with unlso take refuge in this that in the month of r of Buddha, the Arhat king of Ceylon to the Thus, the Sinhalese, wn home in Northern ony in Ceylon, and, tion, established in the civilisation, which has
in part survived the terrible shocks which it has received at the hands of different successive invaders, namely, Tamils, Cholians, Keralas, Maghas, Javanese, Portuguese, Hollanders, and-last, but not least-the British ; while other civilisations, contemporaneous at one time or the other with the original Sinhalese dispensation, have all disappeared, leaving little but literary trace of their past greatness. The Hellenes, the Egyptians, the Persians, Babylonians, Carthaginians, Romans, Etruscans, shed lustre on the world for a time, and then vanished. Their glory has departed, and only the record of it remains embalmed in the ancient writings. Modern races, having accepted new theological ideas, acknowledge no debt to all these bygone civilisations. Buddhism remains-but has suffered similarly. India, the birthplace of Buddhism, has no living witness of its forgotten greatness. The ruins of archaic temples abound in various parts of that great country; but no man who has had a training in a purely native school has acquired knowledge of the great heroes who lived when Buddhism was a vitalising power in the land. A thousand years ago the Mahomedan invasion swept like a hurricane over the greater part of India, destroying all the old institutions; and on the sites of the destroyed ancient greatness were built new creeds and alien faiths. But the glorious inheritance of Aryan ancestors, uncontaminated by Semitic and savage ideas, though lost to India, has been preserved by the Aryan Sinhalese in the luxuriant isle of Ceylon.
The Mahavansa tells us that “the lord of Lanka (Buddha) knowing by divine inspiration the inestimable blessings vouchsafed to Lanka, the all-bountiful luminary visited this most favoured land thrice. From this circumstance this island became venerated by righteous men. Hence, it shone forth the light itself of religion." Since the conversion of King Devanampiya Tissa and his court by the Arhat
Page 293
TWENTIETH
Yahinda, the religion began to spread rapidly over Ceylon. Not only were men admitted to the priestly order, but also women, chief of the atter being the queen-consort. To admit her into the order of Bhikkhunis (nuns) a message had to be sent to the saintly Sanghamitta, daughter of the Indian emperor, and sister to the Arhat Mahinda. It is unique in religious history that a son and a daughter of a reigning emperor should be chosen for the conversion of a people. The Sinhalese people, as a whole, have for 2,2I4 years remained loyal to the saintly apostles of Buddhism and to the noble teaching that gave them an individuality so full of vitalising power that they have been able so far to withstand the sledge-hammer attacks levelled at their faith by persistent propagandists of other religions since the year 1505 of Christ.
The first colony of Sinhalese, although in faith Sivite, yet had the tolerant principle prominent in them; for the first lord of the land built for the sectarians different temples for their respective worships. The royal apostle first preached an appropriate sermon showing the supremacy of the Tathagata (the “Great Teacher," i.e., Buddha) as the divine authority, who taught the doctrine of peace and immortality; and the foundations of the faith were by his strenuous advocacy so well laid that for fully I,899 years this teaching held supreme sway. The first paralysing blow it received was from the parricide Rajasinha, who reigned in Ceylon about the year of Christ I552. Having killed his father, he embraced the Sivite faith, and “after that,' so we are told in chapter I3 of the Mahavansa, “he began to destroy the religion of the conqueror by slaying its priests and burning its sacred books and breaking down its temples; and thus did he bar the way that leadeth to heaven.'
During the long period of Buddhist sway temporary outbreaks of this nature occasionally suspended for the time being the religious continuity and prosperity of the people. But it was a common saying with the ancients that “Lanka remaineth not under the rule of kings that are followers of false creeds.'
An Anti-Buddhistic Invasion.
In the year 237 B.C. the Tamil invader, Elala, usurped the Sinhalese throne. But for several years anterior to that event there had been a suspension of religious activities in the northern part of the island. The Tamils, fiercely antagonistic to Buddhism, committed acts of vandalism in the sacred city of Anuradhapura, and —for a time-there was none to deter them. At this crisis there arose a wonderful prince, whose father was then reigning in Southern Ceylon. He was in his previous birth a young Bhikkhu (Buddhist
CENTURY
monk), who, when dyi queen to be re-born in of this phenomenal Mahavansa, chap. 22 Gamini Abhaya, after 1 made war upon the
series of pitched battl defeated Elala in sing on the battlefield. Th magnificent temples, d
the conqueror, who, under one rule, becam renowned ruins of th apura an idea of thei be obtained. The W waged with Elala wa and he made it knowr tion that “this enterpi purpose of acquiring t of royalty, This und
MPRESSIONS
g, was solicited by the er womb. Particulars rth are given in the
This young prince, : had reached maturity, surper, Elala. After a s, the Sinhalese prince e combat and slew him n began the building of gobas (monuments), by
OF CEYLON 285
for its object the re-establishment of the religion of the supreme Buddha. By the truth of this declaration may the arms and equipments of my army in the hour of battle flash, as if emitting the rays of the sun” (Mahavansa, chap. 25). It is said that one day when, after his victorious conquest, the king was reflecting with dismay on the recollection of innumerable lives sacrificed in the attainment of his end, eight holy saints (termed
TEMPLE SCENE, MATARA.
educing Lanka (Ceylon) king. From the worldse dagobas at Anuradhoriginal splendour may Lr that Gamini Abhaya of a religious character, by a solemn proclamase of mine is not for the e pomp and advantages rtaking has always had
Arhats) came to him miraculously and administered spiritual comfort. And the king said, "Lords ! what peace of mind can there be left to me, when I have been the means of destroying great armies?" And the saints answered, “Supreme of men From the commission of that act there will be no impediment in the road to salvation, Herein no more than two human beings have been sacrificed; the rest are heretics and sinners,
Page 294
286
who are on a par with wild beasts. And as thou wilt cause the religion of Buddha to shine forth in great splendour, on that account, 'O ruler of men, subdue thy mental affliction ' (Mahavansa, chap. 25). Thus was the king consoled. It was always a custom with the Sinhalese kings when engaged in wars to take with them the “sons of Buddha,' evidently to show that the wars were conducted in a spirit of religion. To these rulers nothing appeared more supreme than this religion, which was called the “religion of the conqueror,' and was thus completely identified with the racial individuality of the people.
The Zenith of Buddhism.
Impelled by the supreme force of the truth of the Dhamma (as Buddhism is termed in the Pali tongue), the youthful race of Ceylon, in the vigour of renewed vitality, engaged under the 1ew king, in making themselves serviceable to their country and religion-a religion that suggested disinterested activity in the performance of benevolent deeds for the
TWENTIETH CENTURY
good of man and bea: Abhaya, who had drive and as if by the wav temples, tanks, parks, resting-houses for man also for man and beastcolleges for Bhikkhus and public halls were land. Free from forei; by alien customs, with t their guiding light, the a joyously cheerful life Biographical sketches descriptions of gorgeous bulating the city of An in the Mahavansa and kara records. There ʼ ' cence within the sacred nine-storeyed houses; crowded day and night and also traders from known world. The atm with the fragrance of s and delicate perfumes.
INTERIOR OF DAM
MPRESSIONS
Under King Gamini out the Tamil usurper, !g of a magic wand, (ardens, public baths, and beast, hospitalsree almonries, schools, hd nuns, gymnasiums, rected throughout the h influences, untainted e word of Buddha as Sinhalese people lived n those bygone times. f men and women, processions circumamIradhapura, are given the Saddhammalanras dazzling magnificity, which contained nd the streets were by throngs of pilgrims all parts of the then osphere was saturated weet-smelling flowers Elephants, superbly
OF CEYLON
caparisoned and with gilded howdahs on their backs, and chariots drawn by prancing steeds, paraded the wide ways of the city. The glittering spears, burnished helmets, and coats of iron of the cavalrymen, and foot soldiers armed with bows and arrows, were seen in the thoroughfares; and the air reverberated with joyous shouts of "Sadhu ! sadhu !" ("Hail! hail!'). Such was the glorious period of Buddhism in Ceylon in the days when the foreigner was not in the land. Afterwards he was to
come with his licensed opium dens, i arrack
taverns, whisky saloons, and butcher stalls for slaughtering animals. Under the Buddhist sovereignty there was no shedding of blood, and the killing of cattle was prohibited. But fish and game could be obtained and eaten, except on the “poiya' days, which fell four times a month, coming with the changes of the moon. On these “poiya' days the whole city presented a marvellous spectacle. The garb of religion was seen everywhere, and the whole population observed these holy days with fra
ternal rejoicings. The king himself wore the
OOL TEMPLE.
Page 295
'T WIENTIETH
white robe of the ordinary Upasaka (novice) and ate the same food with the rest, thus exhibiting the spirit of brotherhood so much
CENTURY IN
scribed to by nearly fi people in Asia (most o Empire), may be summ
BUDDHIST PRIEST AND YOUNG PUPILS.
emphasised in the Buddhist doctrine as requisite. On' all festive days the king, “ever mindful of the welfare of the people,' provided, at the four gates of the city, “numerous bath attendants, barbers, dressers, clothing, garlands of fragrant flowers, and savoury provisions,” for the free use of his subjects. The dogs and other beasts were fed, and even rice for the ravens was provided. In the Mahavansa mention is made of several kings who gave bulls for the carrying of cripples; while lands were provided for the halt and the blind and the “well-born women who were widows,' and “hospitals for the treatment of pestilential diseases, and dispensaries were also built" (Mahavansa, chap. 41). These and many other things for the “welfare of the people of the land" the kings of old did for the acquisition of that “enviable body of glory that will endure for ever.'
In the eleventh century after Christ the Sinhalese had a regular navy, a fleet of sailing vessels which was used for fighting purposes, and all the country round about the coast seemed “like one great workshop busied with the constant building of ships." In those days the Sinhalese were famous for their knowledge of things that went to make a nation great. Their fleet that went forth to conquer Lower Burma-a most memorable expedition and achievement of bygone days-had a well-fitted hospital ship, and there were “physicians and nurses also." Whatever the Sinhalese accomplished in their days of glory was done by the impelling force of the religion of Buddha, whose fundamental principles, to this day sub
“Avoid all evil; accom purify the heart." In it ever, it is generally a religion is only to be Church of Buddhism, Ceylon.
Definition of Budd
A more comprehen wonderful Eastern do
transcendentalism enur of evolutionary ethics psychology. The pror is known as the Buddh gata, the Sakya Muni. Arnold's description ir Light of Asia':-
“ He is the Saviour of ti
Lord Buddha-Prince
earthIn earth and heaven a All-honoured, wisest, b The Teacher of Nirvar
In the Dhamma or Dh
embodied all that is us
It has ' emancipation." The the Lord Buddha et activity-activity in de in generating good t good deeds-thereby a happiness of Nirvana that ignorance of the tion and of the law that the desire to en happiness, that hatred,
all beings.
MPRESSIONS
ve hundred millions of
f them in the Chinese
ed up in these words:
hplish all that is good; 's primitive purity, howcknowledged that this
found in the Southern
which is identified with
hism.
isive definition of this
octrine is that it is a lciating a refined code s and a metaphysical nulgator of this religion a HBhaghava, the Tatha
To quote Sir Edwin h his great poem, “The
he world,
Siddhartha styled on
nd hells incomparable, est, most pitiful ; na and the law.”
arma (i.e., Buddhism) is eful for the salvation of
one taste-the taste of essential principle that mphasised is ceaseless stroying evil ; activity houghts, good words, chieving the peace and ... Buddhism teaches
scientific law of evoluof causes and effects, joy purely an egoistic ill-will, niride, stubborn
OF CEYLON 287
ness, covetousness, envy, lust, and all selfish passions, produce misery, and that this misery is visible in the several planes wherever the The
living being, so runs the doctrine, is a compound of five skhandas (physical states in
individualised consciousness operates.
which sensations, perceptions, karma-producing thoughts, and totalising consciousness are experienced), and these skandhas are in a state Birth and death is the
law of the “seven states of existence.' An individualised consciousness may last for a
of perpetual change.
moment and die, or it may last for 84,ooo . "
kalpas-a kalpa is an aeon of a million million years-as in the case of those born in the Nevasannanasanna Arupa state-the fourth of
the formless heavens where consciousness operates-and then die, and are re-individualised again according to karma-i.e., the law regulating the future state of each person according to his deserts.
The above are the basic principles ; andif the uninitiated can follow the terms of the exposition—the
elaborate superstructure of
Buddhism is made up as follows. First come the twelve Nidanas, the bases of evolutionary life, which collectively constitute the most subtle phase of Buddhist psychology, namely : (f) Avija-ignorance of the laws of Nirvanic enlightenment, the comprehension of which is possible only for him who understands the twenty-four physical categories; (2) Sankharas -thoughts of threefold kind karmic variations and operate in the realms of good and evil ; (3) Vinnana-consciousness
that produce
A BUDDHTST EIIGEI PRIEST.
operating through the six senses subjectively and objectively; (4) Nama-rupa-' name-andform," the former including sensations, per
Page 296
288
ceptions, and thoughts, while the latter includes the physical organism; (5) Salayatana-the six seats of sense-consciousness, viz., eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, and mind; (6) Phasoocontact caused by the coalition of one of the six senses with an object and the operating consciousness of the subjective sense organ; (7) Vedana-the three states of experiencing sensations either pleasant, unpleasant, or indifferent; (8) Tanha-the three egoistic desires, to live, to die, or to enjoy ; (9) Upadana-the fourfold basis of re-incarnation caused by clinging to base physical pleasures, to undue
metaphysical speculations, to morbid ascetic
habits, to an egoistic personality; (IO) Bhavoninefold realms where consciousness takes birth according to the sum-totality of thoughts; (II) Jati-birth either in a high or low state; and (I2) Jara-marana-decay, disease, and all forms of physical deterioration. Next we
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
tration, and equal-mi attributes of Nirvanathe foregoing principles love and renunciation, speech, right action in a evils, right livelihood (t slavery, selling liquor,
structive weapons), righ and avoid evil, right a trations of the four J the six Ayatanas-seats six Dhatus-elements
matter, liquids, heat, ai consciousness; the four conditions that may be I student who follows the out by the Lord Budd Brahmans.; and the
successive states of p through eight spiritualis
ELEPHANT CARRYING TRIBUTE TO THE TEM
have, in order, the four Satipatthanasanalysis of body from a biological basis, analysis of experiencing sensations, analysis of volition, and analysis of the five obstacles to spiritual development; the four Sammappadhanas-unceasing exertion to cast off existing evil, unceasing exertion not to create fresh evil, unceasing exertion to create good, and unceasing exertion to increase the good; the four Iddhippadas—desire to progress, strenuous ceaseless exertion, analysis of thoughts, and investigation; the five Indriyasphysical bases, including faith, attentiveness, exertion, concentration, wisdom, and such-like; the five Balas—physical powers such as faith, presence of mind, energy, concentration, and knowledge of “the four noble truths"; the seven Bajhangas-presence of mind, analysis - of mind, exertibn, joyfulness, serenity, concen
With cosmic theorie ghostly ego or “soul' and which at death goes has no kinship. It tran of Aryan pantheists, Arabian reformers. It ridicules the existence of counting such theories a sitions upon the creduli argues the uselessness c by means of the parable having thrown a rock in foolishly began praying up, that every man mu salvation. It holds tha bring suffering on the do his good deeds promote So far secure for him according to his deserts,
MPRESSIONS
idedness; the eight ight comprehension of right aspirations after right, gentle, truthful pstaining from the five lat is, abstinence from boisons, flesh, and deexertion to do good nalysis, right concenanas (defined below); of consciousness; the of evolution, namely, , ether or space, and Jhanas-the spiritual ealised by the spiritual virtuous life as pointed na as well as by the twelve Wimokkhasychical emancipation. ing stages.
EPILE.
s of an animistic or that inhabits the body to the gods, Buddhism scends the knowledge Semitic prophets, and gnorcs a Creator and great celestial spirits, s pretences and impoy of the ignorant. It f prayer, maintaining, of a body of men who, to the depths of water, for the stone to come it work out his own : his own evil deeds er, while, correlatively, his own happiness and he delights of heaven Ordinary good deeds,
OF CEYLON
such as giving alms to the poor, observing the five precepts-abstinence from destruction of life, from dishonest gain, from committing adultery, from narcotic drugs and from intoxicating drinks-belong to the domain of good karma, the reward of which is birth in one of the four Maharajikkas (lower celestial spheres) or in one of the six kama heavens. The higher Bramachari life, that of saintly celibacy, is. rewarded by elevation to one of the Rupa Brahmalokas (higher heavens). Those who spend their time in sober asceticism, purifying celibacy, and higher forms of psychical emancipation (the Vimokkhas, mentioned above) are elevated to the Arupa Brahmalokas, or formless heavens. To be raised to any one of these states, the doctrine, as taught by the Brahman Rishis, indicates the spiritualising process. These heavens are not eternal. They belong to the pantheism of the Brahmans; and as they are within the circle of cosmic evolution, they are included in the Buddhist cosmogony. But, being within the limitations of karma, they are consequently repudiated by the Tathagata, as they do not give the highest unchanging happiness. His was the unique discovery of the “Middle Path,' the only way to the eternal happiness of Nirvana. The Middle Path condemns ascetic and painful. practices, as well as sensual, vulgar, profitless and ignoble pleasures. The Nirvana doctrine ennobles and sublimates both body and mind, and produces the calm, cheerful, energetic, analytical life of equal-mindedness which is the ideal that the Lord Buddha held out as the best to those who are inclined to lead a religious life of eternal peace and rest. Death, decay, and disease are, in this way, for ever destroyed; also lust, anger, and ignorance.
In Buddhism there are five unpardonable sins, called the Anantariya, the commission of any one of which sends the doer after death to Avichi-the lowest sphere of torment. All. other sins may be atoned for by good karma; and the highest and best way to atome for the past is to become a Bhikkhu (monk). This is the “new birth' that is spoken of in the Angulimala-sutta, a discourse preached to Angulimala, and recorded in the Majjhimanikaya portion of the Sutta Pitaka, a collection of sacred Buddhist writings. Every good act done with an unselfish motive and without the association of the ego consciousness is helpful to realise the Nirvanic ideal. The ego aspects of consciousness, with all their speculations, are relegated to the limbo of silence. Do good, and no devil can send you to hell ; do evil, and neither prayer nor any one of the gods can send you to heaven. That is the essence of the Buddhist doctrine. Each individual enjoys the reward of his own good deeds, suffers according to his evil deeds. A Buddhist is expected not to believe any revelation, but to
Page 297
TWENTIETH
judge of the results before accepting any theory. He accepts the principle of evolution and its complex changes--the birth of the cell and its developmental changes, its maturity in the human organism, and its dissolution and re-evolution in an unending chain of consciousThe myth of creation was ridiculed by the Buddha, who held that its acceptance retards the spiritual growth of the individual. Similarly, predetermined fatalism and a nihilistic materialism are condemned by the religion he established. The Buddha taught that nothing exists in a permanent condition; and this teaching involves necessarily the elaborate scheme of changes of condition in every individual life which is sketched above. Buddha enunciated the eight cosmic principles of gain and loss, prosperity and adversity, blame and praise, happiness and misery, as the ruling conditions of life. Every individual's ëxperi
SS.
ence must fall within this category.
The Western Invasion and Decline of
Buddhism.
The Sinhalese people for the first time came face to face with a Western race four hundred years ago; and their ancient glory, so closely associated with Buddhism, began to decline simultaneously with the appearance of the Thenceforth, nearly three hundred years, Ceylon became the huntingground of the Portuguese and Dutch, and both these Powers carried out vandalistic work. They destroyed the ancient Buddhist monuments, and forced a Semitic religion down the throats of the Sinhalese. The Mahavansa chronicler (chap. 95) writes: “These men were called Parangis foreigners and were all of them wicked unbelievers, cruel and hard of heart.
invaders. for
And they entered into fruitful provinces and laid waste fields and gardens, and burned houses and villages, and ravished women of rank, and sorely troubled the Sinhalese in this manner. They broke into towns and temples and image-houses, and destroyed Bodhi-trees and images of Buddha, and such-like sacred things.'
Narendra Singh, who died in 1734 after Christ, was the last of the Sinhalese line of kings. Thenceforward the country passed into the hands of the Tamil princes who came from Southern India. In consequence of these foreign invasions and conquests, the Sinhalese of the maritime provinces became alienated, and a new race of Sinhalese, with foreign traditions, customs, laws, and religion, came into existence. The weakening process was consummated by the surrender of the Kandyan
territory to the British in 1815. The “law of
change," acknowledged as inevitable by the Buddhist doctrine, was thus verified ; and the “brave and lion-hearted Sinhalese,' who had enjoyed the spirit of independence for fully
CENTURY I
2,359 years, ceased to e
fa CČ.
The British I have bu ways, and generally it of their materialistic ci and with this inception Aryan Sinhalese has lo become a hybrid. PI abomination to the a have to-day become fluence of Semitic soc complain that opium, ganja, and other poiso' villages by men holding to the degenerating eff human organism. In t kings and under the l was sold, no animals was not sold. The p common, there being
“Rajabhogis,' who r property for having re the country and king. the lord of the soil, is t It is sold to him-his c
is indeed dark.
The Present Posit
The present spiritu dhist population in C to the orthodox follo is very little inclinati clericals or the laity precepts of the “ Nol regards materialistic the Buddhist comin since 1862, been shov with the times. Print and journals devoted
MPRESSIONS
xist as an individualised
ilt roads, extended railintroduced the blessings vilisation into the land; of the modern era the st his true identity and actices which were an ncient noble Sinhalese tolerated under the in‘iology. The Buddhists alcohol, arrack, bhang, ns are distributed in the licences, without regard ects they produce in the he days of the Sinhalese Buddhist rule no liquor were slaughtered; land eople held the land in no landlords except the
OF CEYLON 289
established, and colleges for teaching Pali, Sanskrit, classical Sinhalese, Ayurvedic medicine, astrological mathematics, and kindred subjects have been founded. The Vidyodaya College at Colombo was founded in I873.
The present generation of Buddhists in the maritime provinces of the island are showing remarkable activity in opening elementary schools for children. Several English colleges and about 4oo Buddhist vernacular, schools under Buddhist management have been established, while about 7,90o Bhikkhus (monks) are keeping up the ancient traditions, and new temples are being built in various parts of the island. Ancient historic dagobas (monuments) in the ruined sacred city of Anuradhapura, in the North-Central Province of Ceylon, and in Magama, in the hillcountry, another of the ancient capitals of Lanka (Ceylon), are being restored by Buddhist
BUDDHIST TEMPLE, COLOMBO.
:ceived certain grants of ndered special service to Now the Sinhalese, once ut a stranger in his land. wn land-and his future
ion.
al condition of the Budeylon is causing anxiety wers of Buddha. There on shown by either the to observe strictly the le Eightfold Path.'' As development, however, unity in the island has, ving its ability to march ing presses, newspapers, o the religion have been
contributions. Pilgrims from Japan, China, Cambodia, Burma, Siam, Tibet, and even from distant Siberia, still visit Ceylon in large numbers to worship at the ancient shrines, to adore the Sacred Tooth of Buddha at Kandy, and to ascend the sacred mountain of SamanaKuta (Adam's Peak), a conspicuous elevation of 7,353 ft. in the south-central portion, whereon Buddha left his footprint.
But in spite of the activity of the leaders of the 1,700,000 Sinhalese Buddhists to conserve their ancient religion, the flower of the land, the rising generation of Sinhalese youth, has come under the influence of Christian propagandists. Supported in their efforts by the I2O millions of Christians in England and America, the Christian missionaries are striving to uproot this "noble and aesthetic religion of righteousness.'
T
Page 298
290
An Appeal for Official Countenance.
But it is in the power of the British Government, which now rules the land with absolute sway, to protect the Sinhalese race from further losing its ancient religion by following the ennobling instructions laid down by the Tathagata. Let the Buddhists be given a form of local selfgovernment according to the ancient traditions, based on the beneficent teachings of their
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
Saviour. By nature til “are polite, kind to the learning.' Let the nt eager to do good, prev arrack, and other into Buddhists. Let industri be started in populous ti the methods adopted in good kings of old, like Parakrama Bahu, and o
一考
BUDDS
BY H. SUMANGALA,
HOUGH the Buddha visited Ceylon three times, Buddhism was not introduced into Ceylon till 236 years after the demise of the Great Teacher, during the reign of Asoka (B.C. 3o7) by Mahinda, Ittiya, Uttiya, Sambala, and Bhadda, the great Arhats, and Sanghamitta, the great priestess, who brought with her a branch of the sacred Bo-tree from Buddhagaya. At this time the reigning king in Ceylon was Devanampiya Tissa. The religion spread very fast, and temples sprang up all over the island.
Thuparama. He offer hood, which they con (the place for conductin; In the year of Buddh Suratissa built 500 tel parts of the kingdom. 361) King Duttagamini dagoba, the Brazen Pa and further spread the there were many Par institutes for the priesth
BUDDHIST TEMPLE, KELANI.
In the royal garden, Maha Megha, situated to the south of his capital, Anuradhapura, the king built the Maha Vihara (great temple), Thuparama and Isurumuni temples, and enshrined the relics of Buddha at the shrine of
137) King Saddhatissa yojana.
o The Buddhist era is
nirvana (death) of Buddha, A.B. stands for Anno Budd
VIPRESSIONS
2 Sinhalese Buddhists children, and fond of ble British nation, so nt the sale of opium, icating drugs to the land technical schools wns and villages. Let he ancient days by the
Gamini, Buddhadasa, her rulers, be repeated.
ʼé2SA بسیا
<" معڑتحگ
T SECTS.
OF CEYLON
Let the Mahavansa be a guide, and let the learned elderly Maha Theros (high priests) of the different parts of the island be asked to advise the Government as to the best means to be adopted for promoting the material and moral welfare of the Sinhalese Buddhists. That both the British and the Buddhists may thus thrive side by side in Ceylon is the sincere wish and prayer of the Anagarika Dharmapala.
M.R.A.S., HIGH PRIEST.
ed land to the priestsecrated as Mahasuna priestly ceremonials). a 296 (B.C. 247) King nples in the different In the year. 382 (B.C. built the Mirisaweliya lace, Ruanveli dagoba, religion. At this time
ivenas or educational ood.
In A.B. 4O6 (B.c.
built temples at every
eckoned from the Pariwhich took place 543 B.C. Зl.
In A.B. 454 (B.C. 89) King Vattagamini Abhaya built the Abhayagiri vihara and many educational establishments. The sacred books (Tripitakas) were written in book form for the first time. Up to this time the priesthood was united in one fraternity, known as the Maha Vihara fraternity. It was guided by rules and regulations which had been handed down from the time of Mahinda, the great Apostle. But about this time two secessions of the priesthood took place, forming the Abhayagiri fraternity and the Dakkhina fraternity. The unorthodox Dakkhina Vihara fraternity later became the Jelavana fraternity.
In A.B. 953 (4 IO A.D.) in the reign of King Mahanama the Great, Buddhaghosa arrived in Ceylon from India, and translated the Commentaries (Atthakathas of the Tripitaka) from Sinhalese to Pali, according to Maha Vihara traditions.
In A.B. I600 (A. D. Io57) King Vijayabahu the Great sent an embassy to Anuruddha, the king of Ramanna, and brought down priests and increased the number of ordained priests. The priesthood may be said to belong to the Ramanna fraternity from this time downwards, although it was considered to be a section of the Maha Vihara fraternity.
In A. B. I 698 (A.D. II, 55) Parakrama Bahu the Great united the priesthood in one sect and did away with all dissensions. Many commentaries were also made and educational institutions established. The Tamil invasions, which had done great damage to the Buddhist faith, nearly destroyed Buddhism about the year 176o (A.D. I217), in the reign of Magha. So in A.B. I 785 (A.D. 1242) Parakrama Bahu II. invited many learned priests from the Soli country in Southern India, who brought with them many sacred books that were non-existent in Ceylon, and established the religion and priesthood on a firm basis. A medical book, “Bhesajja Manjusa," was made by a Brahman priest for the treatment of the Buddhist priest
Page 299
TWENTIETH CENTURY IM
hood. Five Parivenas were also established by him, and the united priesthood flourished under the Maha Vihara rules, although the priesthood was composed of the Ramanna and the Soli fraternities.
In A.B. I953 (A.D. I4 Io) King Sri Parakrama Hahu established the Vijayabahu Parivena in the Wellaboda Pattu of the Galle district, Sunetra Parivena in Salpiti Korale, Padmavoti Parivena and the Uttaramula Parivena in Siyane Korale, and Irugaltilaka Parivena in Matara district. At these Parivenas an education corresponding to a college and university education was given.
In A.B. 2oo7 (A.D. I4 Io) King Bhuvaneka Bahu of Kotta sent ordination (upasampada) to the country of Ramanna (Lower Burma). The priests were of the Ramanna-Soli fraternity, but were considered by that king of the Maha Vihara fraternity. In A.B. 2Ioo (A.D. I5o3) King Rajasinha I. adopted Hinduism and
CREMATION OF A
(Before the firi
destroyed the priestho sacred books. At thi invasion of Ceylon by the was in a very backward
In A.B. 2135 (A.D. I5 brought ordained pri (Arakan), and attempte struction with limited (A.D. 1684) Vimala Dhar attempt with priests t In A.D. 1753 Kirti S thirteen ordained priests Dhammika, king of Si Samaneras (novices) of Ten of these Siamese years at Kandy, and he priesthood. The Siame priesthood (Siam Nikay these priests. From thi the thirteen Siamese p1 is known as Upalivans
PRESSIONS OF CEYLON
29
BUDDIIST PRIEST. ng of the pyre.)
od and most of the time, owing to the Portuguese, Buddhism state.
2) Vimala Dharma I. ests from Rakkanga l the work of reconsuccess. In A.B. 2227 ma II. made a further rought from Arakan. ri Rajasinha invited with the aid of Parama lm, and ordained the the Ceylon priesthood. priests stayed for six ped to consolidate the se sect of the Ceylon a) owes its origin to head priest, Upali, of iests, the Siamese sect l (Upali dynasty). As
the ordination ceremonies were held at the Malwatta Temple and Asgiri Temple at Kandy, the Siannese sect is further divided into Malwatta and Asgiri sub-sects. According to old rayal traditions the ordination was conferred on the novitiates after due inquiry into their family and caste.
In 1803 a party of Samanera priests of the Siamese sects from the temples of Welitara and Ambagohapitiya started for Siam. Afterwards another party, consisting of Kapugama Dhammakkandha and several other priests who had received ordination in a manner different from that usual at the hands of Wagegoda, who had left Kandy some time previous to this, contrary to the wishes of the king and the clergy, also started for Siam to be ordained. But at Madras, hearing of the Burmese ordination, these two parties went to Amarapura in Burma, which was then an independent country, and received their ordination at
Page 300
292
Amarapura at the hands of the Burmese Sangha Raja.
These two parties, together with a third from Deundara, who also received their ordination at Amarapura, constituted the Amarapura sect.
In I853, owing to some controversy, the Amarapura sect split into two sections, the Deundara Amarapura sect also separating as a third sub-section. There is, besides, a fourth Sect of the Amarapura priests, known as the Matara Nikaya.
In 1856 some of the priests of Siamese Nikaya, of the Malwatta Vihara section, together with other priests under the high priests of the Western Province then living at Kotta, and some others favouring Rev. Atthadassi of Bentota, owing to some controversy, formed into a sect known as the Kalayna sect.
In 1864 several Samanera priests of the Amarapura sect received ordination from the Sangharaja at Mandalay, and became known as the Ramanna sect.
Such is the brief history of the formation of the different sects of the priesthood in Ceylon. The growth of these different sects is not due
TWENTIETH CENTURY I.
to any difference in the but to some controvers to the functions of the no doctrinal dissimilari the Northern and Sout there any real dissensic different sects working moniously in important of one sect often receive of another sect.
At the present time, census, there are 7, Approximately, there ar Of the different sects, Siamese sect of the belong to the Asgiri s in the Amarapura sec sect, I5o in the Deunc the Kalyana branch The Ramanna sect ( priests.
After the Portuguese educational and relig Buddhist priesthood S the intellectual desolati learned Brahmans had teach in Ceylon. But a
CREMATION OF A
(After the pyre h;
MPRESSIONS
r beliefs or doctrines, al points with regard priesthood. There is y, as there is between hern Buddhists, nor is in among them, all the and co-operating harmatters. The priests education from priests
according to the last 3I Buddhist priests. about 3,000 temples.
3,200 belong to the Malwatta Vihara ; 75o ect. There are ,33o , I5o in the Matara ara sect, and 6OO in of the Siamese sect. ontains nearly I,070
invasion both the ious works of the uffered heavily, and on was so great that O come from India to bout the year 178o the
OF CEYLON
Malwatta and Asgiri Vihara became the centre for the spread of religious and secular education both for the up and low countries. Since 1873 there have been established about 20 Parivenas. Elementary education for the children of the laity was given in the temples till the Government took up the task of education.
The Parivenas are the university colleges of the Buddhist priesthood. At these are taught Oriental literature in all its aspects, the curriculum including logic, prosody, rhetoric, medicine and astronomy, and the Buddhist sacred books. Both the priests and the laity are here educated. The Parivenas, besides, exercise great moral influence on these who come in contact with them. The Buddhist temples, to which more than 2,500,ooo flock every year, exercise great influence on the village population. But the increased sale of intoxicants, which daily become more and more accessible to the poor, largely interferes with the good works of the priesthood. There has been within the last fifty years a revival of Buddhism, and the prospects for the future of Buddhism, both in Ceylon and abroad, are distinctly good.
UDDHIST PRIEST. d been fired.)
Page 301
KANDY AND T
BY MAJOR FRANK
D NCI RC L E D by an žAS amphitheatre of hills, clad in Orient verdure and decked with tropical flowers of varied hue, lies nestled the Queen of Lanka's imperial cities, the last of her historical capitals - Kandy, whose charming beauty is reflected on the rippling waters of a picturesque lake at the base of the surrounding acclivities.
To use the quaint language of Knox, who spent his twenty years of captivity in the Kandyan country, “The first is the city of Candy, so called from Condi, which in the Chingulays language signifies ' hills,' for among them it is situated; but by the inhabitants Hingodagul - neure.” Kandy is called in the books Senkhamda, Saila, Nuyara. In the Mahavansa it is referred to as Senkhanda Sela Sirivaddhana, to distinguish it from Siriwaddhana of Dambadeniya. By dropping the Sen and Sel you get khanda, which the Tamils designate kandi, and the Europeans kandy. There is a rock, in the modern town, which is still known as Sengada Gala, “The Rock of Sengada,' and a tradition about the building of the ancient city and palace is attached to it. Kandy we owe, of course, to the Portuguese, but when the name first appears in Portuguese relations of the island is not ascertained. The “ Kandyan provinces,' as distinguished from the maritime provinces, was a general appellation assigned to such districts in the interior of Ceylon as were formerly under the dominion of the kings of Kandy. Extending from about 6° 20' to 8° 45' North, they lay, according to Davy, between 8o° 8' and 81° 45' East longitude. As an approximation, their superficial contents may be stated at I2,36o square miles-nearly five-eighths of the whole island.
They occupied the whol and a great portion of i and were bounded by district irregularly var. 8 to 30 miles, and ; tremity amounting to 1 maritime district forme island, extending in so 6, in others 30, and C 6o miles into the interic The inland provinces, munication with the se greater part of the isla by the Kandyan monarc The Kandyan kingdo one chief divisions, of w ones were called Di. literally side, says i Dav. situation) and the major or to use Knox's anti is convenient that we this land (the inland cou is now under the king into greater or less s greater part, give me l and the less, counties in England, though no Dissawani was a div a chief or governor c Rate, which may be a district, usually by distinguished by the maya, equivalent to Ireland. These divi long custom, were rarely, altered by the
The Dissawanies we and the districts nine. Kandyan provinces to on February I5, 1815says Knighton, "we Sinhalese independen. dence which had cont
2.
HE KANDYANS
MODDER, F.R.G.S.
e middle of the island ts southern extremity, a belt of maritime ying in width from at the northern exnearly 8o miles. The 2d a belt round the me places more than on the northern side
3.
cut off from all com2a and occupying the hd, were still retained h. m consisted of twentyhich the first principal Ssawaniers (signifying y, perhaps from their ity of the rest rataval; que phraseology, “ It first understand that ntry being that which of Candy) is divided hares or parts. The eave to call provinces, as resembling ours t altogether so big." ision presided over by alled Dissawa, and a properly denominated an officer who was name of atemahata lord-lieutenant of sions, established by occasionally, though reigning monarch. tre eleven in number The cession of the the British took place -the day from which, date the extinction of *e, and the indepeninued without material
3.
interruption for 2,359 years'-so far as the Kandyan Sinhalese were concerned. The Union Jack was for the first time hoisted and the establishment of the British dominion in the interior announced by a royal salute from the cannon of the city of Kandy. All the troops were under arms on the occasion of this important event.
After the British occupation detailed reference to the Kandyan provinces is for the first time made in the Proclamation of November 21, 1818. In order to give effect to the plan for the administration of justice, to collect the public revenue, and to insure the execution of public duties, the provinces were assigned to the immediate control and exercise of jurisdiction of a Board of Commissioners and, under their superintendence, of resident agents of Government. The chiefs and inferior headmen were to perform their duty to Government under the orders of the Board and British agents, and not otherwise.
The Board of Commissioners was abolished in 1833, in which year the island was divided into six provinces, the Dissawanies and districts being distributed among them. On the creation of the North-Western Province in 1845 two districts were included in it. The area covered by the Kandyan provinces was defined in Schedule B of Ordinance No. 3 of 187o. In order to improve the condition of the neglected Kandyan districts it was determined to create them into a new province. The North-Central Province was accordingly formed in 1873.
The district of Badulla was severed from the Central Province and created into the Province of Uva on February I, I886. In I817 the district was the focus of a formidable rebellion against British rule, in the suppression of which many valuable lives were lost, chiefly owing to the insalubrity of the climate, the operations being mostly confined to the
1 ༢༦
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294
unhealthy and low-lying portions of the district. In the course of the military operations villages were burnt, crops and fruit-trees laid low and devastated, and it is doubtful whether even to this day the portions in question have wholly recovered.
For some time petty garrisons were maintained at different posts, but they were all gradually withdrawn, and the administration of the district, which from 182I to 1845 had been entrusted to military officers, was again placed entirely in the hands of civil servants of the Crown. When the Kandyan Board of Commissioners was abolished, Badulla was the seat of an assistant agent, and this arrangement was continued until the district was formed into a separate province.
The Province of Sabaragamuwa was constituted and proclaimed as a separate province on January 4, 1889, a change which has certainly been appreciated by the people, who are now saved the delays and vexations consequent on repeated references to Colombo for decision on matters affecting their interest, and who now find at their own Kachcheri in Ratnapura the facilities for settlement which previously necessitated long and expensive journeys to the metropolis.
“Three hundred years ago,' wrote Davy in 182O, “there is good reason to believe that the Sinhalese were one people, without any points of difference, excepting such trifling ones as might result from the peculiarities of climate and of other physical circumstances of the lowlands and highlands. But since that period-since the maritime provinces have been in the possession of Europeans, a change has been taking place in the lowland Sinhalese, which, though very slow, gradual, and imperceptible in progress, is now obvious in effect and easily discernible in certain alterations and innovations in their language, manners and customs-varying in degree of change, more or less, according to proximity to our, settlements.'
The Kandyans, who are commonly known as the uda-rata people-that is, highlandersare distinguished from the Sinhalese of the maritime portions of the island, who are termed pata-rata people-that is, lowlandersin various ways, more especially with regard to dress, habits, institutions, laws, manners, customs, and usages. The former, by reason of their secluded and exclusive position in the inaccessible rocky fastnesses of the interior, and through not having been affected by the influence of successive European conquests, were estranged from and had very little in common with their sea-board brethren for several decades past. From the little intercourse that subsisted with the maritime provinces, the habits and institutions of the people were of the most simple and primitive
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
kind, exhibiting curiou social condition in re while the low-country changed with the tid European administratio selves to Western mode the Kandyans remained No corresponding ch of has occurred among The probability is that same now as they wer ago, and that they we to what they were in posing this view to interest is imparted t a people by the consic the living examples ol and that they are almost to us as the inhabitan island were to the ear feeling of interest is sur the reflection that this same, have in their turn period of change, so tha probably will no longer of that past, and a goc is still in practice or fres a few years will be alterc not recorded now, lost pe It will not be strictly scope of this sketch to el on all the peculiar cust traits and characteristi people such as the Kai there are ample and v. material sufficient to foi
“A quaint and curious vol
There are, however, call for remark and criti be briefly dealt with.
Are the Kandyans “Nature has given the supply of hair, which t to grow on their face considerable length, bé the beard does not d the face; and certainly, have seen it have the e countenance an air of have disappeared with So wrote Davy, whose perience of the interi chiefly of the Kandyan in point of accuracy Knox's. “But,' says S writing on the same striking peculiarity, pel hairiness of both male a of the man often rese the hair of his head r back, a feature which a the earliest Greek geog
IPRESSIONS
memorials of their hote ages. So that Sinhalese materially of each successive and adapted themmanners, and habits, in statu quo. inge that we know e highland Sinhalese. they are much the three hundred years e then very similar ges preceding. Supe correct, no small the study of such ration that they are a remote antiquity, as fresh and original s of the coast of the ly invaders; and this ly not diminished by people, for ages the arrived at an eventful it the next generation be the exact likeness d deal of that which h in remembrance in :d or forgotten, and if 2rhaps for ever.
within the legitimate nter into a disquisition oms and habits, the cs, of an interesting ldyans are, although uried information and
"
ume of forgotten lore."
some points which cism, and which may
excessively hairy ? Kandyans a liberal ney universally allow s well as head to a ing of opinion that sform but improves in many instances, I fect of giving to the dignity that would he use of the razor.' knowledge and exr of the island, and districts, come next nd extensiveness to r John Budd Phear, ubject, “their most laps, is... the excessive d female. The chest bles a doormat, and aches low down his tracted the notice of aphers.' This extra
OF CEYLON
ordinary capillary development is certainly the reverse of what we see in those Mongolian peoples with whom we are best acquainted It seems, however, that the Ainos, a Turanian race on the extreme coast of Asia, possess it even to a greater extent than the Sinhalese, and that they at an early historical period were widely spread over the islands and tracts of country now covered by the Japanese, Chinese, and Malays. “Can it be," asks Sir John Phear, “that the Sinhalese. are by blood, in a large measure, traceable to an Aino or cognate origin, and that they owe little more than the language, literature, and religion to the invasion of Aryans from Upper Bengal of which history tells us?'
Sir John Phear unfortunately does not mention the source of his information on this point, and his startling conclusion is not based on any data. There are to be met with among the Kandyans, as in every other race, typical representatives of Esau, but they are more the exception than the rule, and the suggested theory that, on the ground of this “extraordinary capillary development,' the Kandyans may be traceable to an Aino or cognate origin cannot be accepted in the total absence of material in its support.
A feature common to both the low-country and the Kandyan Sinhalese is that the hair of his head reaches low down his back. The exceptions to the rule among the males are when the flowing locks give place to the “regulation crop" à la mode, or to the still shorter dressing insisted on by prison discipline.
Seventeen hundred years ago Ptolemy and Agathemerus spoke of this peculiarity. According to the former, the men who inhabit Ceylon allow their hair an unlimited growth, and bind it on the crown of their heads after the manner of women.
Tennent, commenting on this passage, observes that these writers had doubtless been told of the custom by some Grecian seamen returning from Galle, for this fashion of dressing the hair is confined to the southwest coast of the island, and prevails neither in the interior nor amongst the people of the north and east.
The fashion does not obtain in any part of the island among the natives. Both the upcountry and low-country Sinhalese, men and women, roll up their hair into a coil called konde, which is located, not on the crown, but at the back of the head. Some of the illustrations in Knox's book show that the natives fix their kondes on the crown, but this is as much a mistake, evidently of the artist, as the pictorial representation given by Tennent is a faithful delineation of how a low-country Sinhalese wears his hair, and belies the author's own description of it in the letter
Page 303
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
press. There is a difference, however, in the style in which the two classes make up their hair, and in the use of head ornaments. Tle men of the low-country comb up their hair, without parting it in the middle, and coil it into a knot at the back of the head, whilst, as Tennent puts it, “the hair is drawn back from the forehead a la imperatrice and secured on the crown of the head by a circular comb,' known as the nevi or abbreviated pepanava (bent or “crooked ' comb). It also helps to keep the front hair in trim. The official native or villager of position or status, on ceremonial occasions, wears, in addition to the circular comb, a high comb (kelin panava), which is stuck into the back knot at its point of formation. The women wear no combs. They tie up their back hair into a knot like the men, but the chignon is invariably larger, and rendered so by extraneous hirsute contributions (havariya), of which a stock is an indispensable article of every lady's toilette. The short hair over the ears is gathered up in front, waxed and turned up into a circle or concentric circles called tupa, and pasted on the temples. This is a highly prized adornment, and is considered one of the most ornamental items of the coiffure, and the woman who puts it on carefully and tastefully is sure to be an object of attraction among both sexes. Hairpins (kuru), with large heads set with precious stones, are stuck into the back knot.
The Kandyans, male and female, part their hair in the middle. The konde is made up in the same way as in the low-country, but it is fixed and hangs lower down at the back of the head. The men wear no combs. The women wear hairpins and other head ornaInents.
Kandyans living in villages immediately adjoining the maritime districts ape their low-country neighbours in various details of dress and costume. In the Pitigal Korale, Kurunegala district, which borders the Negombo and Chilaw divisions, some of the Kandyans have adopted combs, and affect other articles of dress which are foreign to them. To carry this inquiry further, and to show the extent to which the system of imitation is pushed, it may be mentioned that"Living among the Tamils, the Sinhalese of the Vanni have to some extent begun to copy their customs. They have adopted the Tamil system of proper names : thus, a man has his father's name prefixed to his own, and does not take his own from the village or family he belongs to, or the land he owns, as is the common Sinhalese custom elsewhere. Many of their names, too, are Tamil in a Sinhalese shape; e.g., Vellatte, Kathira-Vellatte, Kathiratte Sinatte, Kandappu, Udayase, Kandate. The older generations have taken to
wearing earrings, but discouraged by the pres The Sinhalese have Hindu god, Pillaiyar ( Tamil villagers. As f cerned, the two races halese girl generally husbands, from the beg life. The Sinhalese has not much to do. Sinhalese keep generall but they often wear th weddi), and fasten the heads after the Tamil and arachchis on duty hat with a flat top (ol which is a badge of districts, and are thu official assemblies amol Udaiyars and Vidanes.'
But it is really pitiful mation scene which is in the Kandyan distric there appears a highlan of Kandyan state-in t muslin, swelled out by put on one over the widened in appearance and puffed out. into gig surmounted by a large Tennent likens to a g tout ensemble comprisi costume. Five minutes an apologetic-looking ir array of miscellaneous E of his dignified musli pincushion hat, his radia jewels, his face hidden of an ancient Elwoodwithout his plumes-in Some officials refuse to ill-clad Kandyans, while with the result that th those who ought to k followed by all ranks way slovenliness is bre elegance of dress and national costume on circumstance which is m It may not be quite g to trace out when the Kandyan Sinhalese in th took place, although et of the steady increase British occupation. Su adoption by the settle even the names of th forcibly reminds the v coincidence with regar dents in the Kurunegala
' ' Manual of Wanni Dis laitiva) of the North Ce Lewis, C.C.S., Colombo,
MPRESSIONS
his practice has been nt Sinhalese headmen. s much faith in the anesa), as have the r as morality is conre On a par. A Sinas a “ succession ” of inning of her married egistrar of marriages As regards dress the to their own customs, : Jaffna cloth (chayalandkerchief on their manner. The koralas wear the round cloth tained from Matale) office in all Kandyan conspicuous at all g the turbaned Tamil
to behold a transforof frequent occurrence its. At one moment der in all the panoply he finest embroidered a number of tuppoti, other; his shoulders by a jacket stuffed got sleeves; the whole pincushion hat, which ioffred Vandyke; the ng a striking national elapse, and in steps dividual in a doubtful uropean clothes, shorn in circumference, his nt jacket, and his state by the depressed brim —a veritable jackdaw his case not borrowed
give audience to such others are indifferent, 2 bad example set by now better is widely of society. In this 'd, and a disregard of the donning of the necessary occasions, a uch to be regretted. ermane to the subject first settlement of the e villages in the Vanni idence is not wanting if the colony since the fice it to say that the 's of the customs and e original inhabitants riter of a remarkable d to the Moorish residistrict. Although they
tricts (Vavoniya and Multral Province," by S. P. 895, pp. Io2-3.
OF CEYLON 295
adhere to the Mahomedan faith, they have by long residence among the Kandyans so habituated themselves to the ways and manners of the latter that it is a common experience to hear of the patronymic given by a Moorman, for instance, as “ Tambi Lebbe Aracci lage,” &c., not to speak of their marrying out their children in diga or settling them in bina— terms peculiar only to the Kandyans, whose laws and usages have, by express statutory provision, been declared not to apply to the Moors.
The Proclamation of 1818 enacted that no Kandyan chiefs should exercise jurisdiction over the Moormen, and that the Mohandirams over the various Madige (bullock-transport) departments should receive their appointments direct from the several Agents of Government. This was in acknowledgment of the fidelity of the Moormen during the rebellion of I817-18. The appointment is often confined to a family, descending from father to son, and a curious circumstance in connection with Madige families in the Kurunegala district is that the officiating member allows the hair of his head to grow long, and wears' it in a konde like the Kandyans-a custom contrary to the habits of the Moors, who shave their heads.
Rambukkandana is a Moorish village, twelve miles from Kurunegala, which has been registered under the Service Tenures Commission as subject to services to the Ridi Vihara, a celebrated temple in the Kurunegala district. The case of the tenants of this village is cited by the Commissioners as a remarkable instance of religious toleration which has become known in the course of the Service Tenures Inquiry. The tenants are all Mahomedans. “The service which they render to that establishment (Ridi Vihara) is confined to the payment of dues and the transport of produce, &c., and has no connection with the services of the Buddhist vihara, and their own lebbe or priest is supported by a farm set apart by the Buddhist landlords for the purpose. There are thus Mahomedan tenants performing without reluctance services to a Buddhist monastery, which is freely supporting a priest for its Mahomedan tenants.' '
Writers on Ceylon display a variety of opinion as to the general character of the Kandyans, and oftener than not their verdict has been unfavourable. Knox, who viewed them through the spectacles of a captive, was naturally prejudiced against them; but it is not generally known that the worst diatribe that could have been levelled at them emanated from the pen of De Quincey. He described the Kandyans as “a desperate variety of the tiger-man, agile and fierce, but smooth, * Administration Reports, I87o, p. 285.
Page 304
296 TWENTIETH
insinuating, and full of subtlety as a snake." As compared with the low-country Sinhalese, whom he painted as “soft and passive,' the Kandyan was represented as “a ferocious little bloody coward, full of mischief as a monkey, grinning with desperation, and laughing like a hyaena.'" The extreme exaggeration and inaccuracy of these passages, as pointed out by Sir J. Emerson Tennent, “are accounted for by the personal inexperience of the author, De Quincey having applied to the normal condition of a race epithets merited by rare barbarities, such as the massacre of Major Davies's companions.'
Similarly, it would be the height of injustice if we were to judge of the character of the Kandyans in general by the cruelties and oppressions which disgraced the reign of the last Sinhalese ruler, and led to his deposition and exile and to the overthrow of the Kandyan dynasty.
Dr. Conan Doyle, in his account of the last Boer campaign, appositely points out the unwisdom of running down a whole race owing to the faults of a few units who are unfortunately included in it. “In every race there are individual ruffians, and it would be a political mistake to allow our action to be influenced or our feelings permanently embittered by their crimes. It is from the man himself, and not from his country, that an account should be exacted.3
As in the Aryan family, to which the Kandyan belongs, exclusiveness is his marked characteristic. In the earliest beginnings to which we can get back, to use the words of a recent historian of Greece, “the house of each man was to him what the den is to the wild beast which dwells in it--something, namely, to which he only has a right, and which he allows his mate and his offspring to share, but which no other living thing may enter except at the risk of his life.' Every hut or cottage is carefully shaded from the view of its neighbour, fairly established on its own account, so much so that it would appear as though the inmates had written up in barbarous Sinhalese characters, “No connection with the house next door." It may or may not. be a superstition among native hut-builders as to the variation in the aspect of their domiciles, but certain it is that no two dwellings face precisely the same points of the compass. You may box your compass round the village, but in vain.5
With the Kandyan "a little learning is a dangerous thing," and the hankering after Government employment a positive disgrace.
De Quincey's Works, vol. xii., p. I4. 2. Tennent's “Ceylon,” 223, in notis. 3 “ The Great Boer War,' Igoo, pp. 4Io-II. 4 Cox's “ Greece," p. 13. 5 Capper's “Old Ceylon," 1877.
CENTURY
A boy whose educa beyond a certain po and will not be conte fathers. Instead of v paddy fields, he prefe courts, taxing his fan he can get some min demand for which is supply. Moreover, thi ment of extensive trac and has given the Gov. of enforcing the very e Waste Lands Ordinan severity.
The Kandyan has migrate under the Tissamaharama, in Ha as an example. The families on the Uva twenty miles of this sl without any regular c from periodic famine, cling to their squalid when they had consul paddy or kurrakan leaves, and roots of w borawewa, in the same irrigation work restore unattractive. The Ka birthplace by an attach allurement can Overcon A distinguishing fe subserviency to the of their chiefs and the with which they wo all real power for opp been abolished under British, this form of remains unaltered an in the national instincts Prior to 1859, there regulate the subject of the Kandyan provinces nection and fitful coha with the paternity of from such pernicious int in a cloud of doubt an
COII1II O OCCUTTCCC. and receiving a woma stitute a union, and th the same class living a looked upon as evidenc
“They called it marriage To veil the crime and
There was no law aga woman was of equal c in fact, such connectio1 some decisive acts on family or by the man h as marriages, and the
* Sir J. Emerson Tennet
MPRESSIONS
tion has been carried nt becomes conceited, it to move as his foreorking in the ancestral is to lounge about the ily for his support, till r Government post, the low far in excess of the results in the abandons of uncultivated lands, rnment the opportunity kacting provisions of the ce in all their rigorous
a rooted aversion to strongest mbantota, may be taken re were hundreds of border living within blendid work who were
inducement.
ultivation, and suffered and yet preferred to homes, supporting life ned their last grain of by eating the berries, ild plants. The Horadistrict, another colossal d in 1869, was equally ndyan is held to his ment that scarcely any
】é。
ature is their feudal conventional authority unreasonable devotion 'ship rank. Although ression or coercion has the mild rule of the traditionary subjection i apparently indelible
of the peasantry.' being no written law to matrimonial alliance in , loose and casual conbitation of the sexesthe offspring resulting ercourse ever enveloped d uncertainty-were of Even the simple taking I was sufficient to confact of the parties of husband and wife was 2 of such union.
by that specious name, sanctify the shame."
inst concubinage, if the ste with the man ; but, s, if not stigmatised by the part of the man's mself, were considered issue of such connec
t’s “Ceylon," vol. ii., p. 233.
OF CEY LON
tions had all the privileges of legitimate children. In short, nothing but a direct declaration disinheriting such issue would have cut them off from the privileges of legitimate offspring.
In order to constitute a regular marriage in the older days, the customs of the country demanded the observance of certain formalities and ceremonies known as Magul-paha, or the “Five Feasts' : (1) First feast, on solicitation of bride and approval of suit by parents; (2) second feast, on the day the horoscopes of the contracting parties are examined and found accordant, on which occasion coconuts are split and muskets are discharged to appease the God of Wisdom; (3) third feast, on the day of the presentation of apparel; (4) fourth feast, on the day of the ceremony of the ligature, which consists of the two little fingers of the right hands of the pair being tied with a gold thread or chain; (5) fifth feast, on the day of the ceremony of bathing.
As the formalities and ceremonies already described could only be observed by the higher, more influential, and affluent classes, a compliance with them was not insisted on as a condition precedent to a lawful marriage, nor was it demanded that they should in every case precede the espousal. Although the five feasts, except first perhaps the marriage feasts, are rarely held nowadays even by the most orthodox of the Kandyans, yet traces of some of the ancient marriage customs survive. The tendency is to conform with Western ideas and ways and modern instances-witness the exchange of rings taking the place of the ceremony of the ligature, and the introduction of the wedding cake à la mode doing service for the sweetmeats.
Registration, as will be seen hereafter, being the chief requirement to the validity of a marriage nowadays, the ceremonial occasions on which friends and relations meet to rejoice with and offer their congratulations to the contracting parties are restricted to the day on which the notice of marriage is given to the registrar, being generally followed by the conducting of the bride to the house of her husband, or the installation of the bridegroom, as the case may be, on the day on which the marriage is registered. Moreover, Christianity to some extent has abolished such heathen observances as the splitting of coconuts, &c.
Polygamy and polyandry were of common occurrence, and prevailed in Ceylon from early times, but received their death-blow in 1859, when the Legislature declared the custom illegal. It is as yet by no means extinct, and still enters as a curious factor in the law of inheritance which has to be administered by the Civil Court. No infamy appears to have attached to the result of such union, and the
Page 305
TWENTIETH CENTURY I.
offspring were regarded as equally legitimate with those born in wedlock.
As regards civil immunities, the conventional law of the country divides marriage into two kinds: (1) Marriage in diga, by which the woman is conducted from the parents' abode and is settled in the house of the husband. A plurality of daughters in a family necessitates this mode of marriage with regard to the majority of them, the common property being too limited in extent to be enjoyed by a numerous family. The marriage of the daughters and their departure from the parental house generally involve a forfeiture of the inheritance, and thereby reduce the number of the shareholders. (2) Marriage in bina, by which the bridegroom is received into the house of the bride and abides therein permanently. This occurs only in cases where the bride is an heiress or the daughter of a wealthy family in which there are few sons. The bridegroom does not by such a union acquire any right to his wife's property, which remains her own and subject to her sole control. He is, besides, bound to obey her, and is subject to all her whims and caprices. She may even order him out of the house at any time that he happens to incur either the displeasure of her parent or, what is more frequent, the jealousy of herself. This right of expulsion was also exercised by the brothers, and at times by the children of the wife by a former bed. The position of a bina husband was under all circumstances a precarious one, whence has arisen the old Kandyan adage that a husband settling in bina should always have ready at the doorway his walking-stick, a torch and a tallipot, articles of travel indispensable in an emergency, for he might be unceremoniously turned out at any moment, no matter at what time of the day and in what weather, and he would have to depart and find his way. On the death of the wife intestate, her children, and, failing them, her collaterals or their heirs, or her descendants, succeed to her property in preference to her bina husband. The only way in which a bina husband may acquire a right to his wife's estate is by gift or by prescriptive possession. A marriage in bina is especially interesting because of the disclosure of it which is given us in the book of Genesis. The law does not recognise community of property between the spouses, the estate of each remaining separate and distinct from that of the other.
As in the case of marriages, divorces took place on the mere whim and fancy of either of the parties to a union who felt dissatisfied with the other, and the wife might dismiss her husband and take unto herself another man as she pleased. The matrimonial tie was contracted and dissolved with such consummate
recklessness and facilit into a proverb that a Kandyans “ was contra dissolved by a kick.’ vague as it was, prov to be made to the won no reason to complain by the husband, for m at the will of either tion was small, sometil wore and a brass po compensation.'
The courts of law tance, and consequently into innumerable unpl difficulty was rendere the prevalence amon polygamy and polyanc task was not simply a
wives a man had, but
woman was wife of terms of the Convent matter for the Governn this aspect of affairs Lo State for the Colonies in opportunity of a repre by certain Kandyan chi of these odious custom his interference Ordina passed, disallowing pol registration as a legal r The law, which does worked satisfactorily, v nance No. 3 of I870, present day. Its main validate the unions cont the Ordinance of 1859 (2) to legitimise the iss to dispense with the n tervention in case of parties to obtain a divo amongst other grounds Government Agent or
The Kandyans are g legal code. The Conv into between the Brit chiefs, secured “to all the safety of their pers their civil rights and to the laws, institution lished and in force a customs or usages w observance in any stał the force of law can be
Mark the close resembl customs and those of the Cf. Juv. vi. I45 :-
“ Fiant obscuri dentes ( “ Collige sarcinulas' di Iam gravis es nobis e Ocius et properti, sicc
Sarcinulae may well stat pot
MIPRESSIONS
that it almost passed marriage among the cted with a wink and The Kandyan law, ded for compensation lan, who, however, had on being sent away arriage was dissoluble arty. The compensanes only the cloth she , but then there was
lad, in case of inherilegitimacy, to inquire asant details, and the 'd greater owing to g the Kandyans of try. The most trying scertaining how many how many husbands a In face of the precise lon, it was a delicate ent to interfere in. In rd Lytton, Secretary of 1858, gladly seized the sentation made to him efs for the suppression s, and as the result of 1ce No. I3 of I859, was ygamy and establishing equisite to a marriage. s not seem to have vas amended by Ordiwhich obtains at the provisions are : (I) To racted before and after came into operation; ue of such unions ; (3) ecessity of judicial inlivorce; (4) to enable rce by mutual consent, ; (5) by petitioning the nis assistant. overned by their own :ntion of I8I5, entered sh and the Kandyan classes of the people ons and property, with immunities, according s, and customs estabmong them.” To no nich have from long 2 or country acquired more fittingly applied,
ince between the Kandyan omans under the Empire.
culique minor
et libertas “exegi
sape emungeris, exi
venit altera naso.” ”
i for the cloth and brass
OF CEYLON 297
than to what is known as the Kandyan law, the lines of Tennyson:
“A lawless science,
A myriad of precedents, A wilderness of single instances."
With the numerous encroachments which the English law has made upon it, the Kandyan law as it obtains in the present day is restricted in its application to the following subjects: (i) Marriage, considerably modified and regulated by local statutes; (2) the rights of inheritance and succession, including adoption, and the right of acquest, mainly on deeds of gift." But these in themselves present án interesting field of research and afford sufficient scope for the devotion of a special study to him who desires to master their intricacies.
The Kandyans were not numbered separately from the low-country Sinhalese in any of the censuses of 187II, I,88 II, or I89 I. Governor Sir Edward Barnes in 1824 directed a return to be framed, and it was published in I827, giving the population of the Kandyan provinces according to the provincial divisions then existing. In 190I a census was taken of the Kandyans as distinguished from their low-country brethren. According to this report the Kandyans numbered 873,58o, nearly four times the population as ascertained by the return of 1827. Of this population the Central Province, which continues yet to be the stronghold of the highlanders, contained 28'2 per cent. ; the Province of Sabaragamuwa 25'8 per cent. ; the North-Western Province 24 per cent.; the Province of Uva 12"9 per cent. ; and all the other provinces 9'I per cent. I,368 Kandyans were enumerated in the Colombo municipality and 3,129 in the rest of Colombo.
From this statement it would seein that the vast and rapid changes which progress and civilisation have effected since British rule, and the facilities of travel afforded by railway extension, have had the tendency of fostering and encouraging the spirit of unrest which is manifesting itself in the most populous parts of the Kandyan provinces, so much so that it requires, as aptly remarked by a local writer, no prophetic faculty to be able to picture that in a not too remote future there will be found, among the grim ruins of a bygone age, happy colonies emulating the industry and
* “Manual of Kandyan Law,” by Frank Modder, Proctor Supreme Court and Notary Public. Albion Press, Galle, I9oI.
Owing to the fact that more than a half of the Sinhalese community was composed of Kandyans, Governor Sir Arthur Gordon (now Lord Stanmore) considered it necessary that the latter should have their own representative in the Legislative Council, and on his recommendation the Home Government duly sanctioned the appointment in 1889.
Page 306
298
prosperity of the generations whose monuments overshadow them."
Very nearly a century has elapsed since the cession of the Kandyan provinces to the British, and manifold though the changes are which have come over the spirit of the Kandyans in general, and particularly in such as have had intercourse with the more enlightened settlers of the maritime borders, yet while conceding the innumerable benefits these have reaped from the civilising leaven, we cannot go the length of asserting that such contact has leavened the whole of the Kandyan population. True to its national characteristics, it has clung most tenaciously to its ancient traditions, from which it will be many an age, if ever, before it is successfully weaned.
Another important factor of conversion and change from the old order of things to the new may be traceable to the settlement in the Kandyan provinces of colonies of low-country Sinhalese, of the trading class generally, who
“Census of Ceylon,” 1891, vol. i., p. 22
"TWENTIETH CENTURY I
have migrated thither out profitable investm fruits of their industry by ingenious tact, cle dealing-traits which the lack-against the result unfortunately for them, to guard.
As a striking contrast there are certain other provinces whose remote sibility of their situatio action of foreign influe safely be taken, even a us with an actual livin an agricultural econc which probably charac early times. Such is th Central Province, who differs from that of th Here the original Orier a pure and simple type
Phear's “Aryan Village in
IPRESSIONS
rith a view of laying nts and reaping the ind labour, supported ær device, and hard indigenous population
of which they are, Iot sufficiently careful
to this state of things, parts of the Kandyan ness and the inaccesfrom the disturbing hce of any kind may this day, to furnish : specimen, typical of my and civilisation erised the Ceylon of case with the Northe political condition e rest of the island. tal village remains in , while in the rest of
India and Ceylon," p. 76.
OF CEYLON
Ceylon it has generally disappeared under the influence of foreign government and the jurisdiction of English courts. If these districts have failed to share in the general progress which has been going forward around them, they have at least this compensation-that that have retained, almost in its pristine purity, the ancient village system of the Aryan races."
But the blessings of peaceful order, the beneficent influence of religion and education, the gradual influx of wealth, and the inestimable benefits of railway extension have not failed to produce their accustomed results; and it is beyond all doubt that the pride of a fabled splendour of a descent from the Sun, and a kindred relation to the Lion, is fast vanishing into the true glory, the real prosperity, and the solid advantages--commercial, moral, and intellectual-which the Kandyan provinces have derived from their connection with the British Empire.
Admin. Repts. N. C. Prov., 1878.
Page 307
NE of the oldest and most important of the sections of the Ceylon administration is the Survey Department. Established just as the n in eteenth century dawned, with a Dutchman as the first Surveyor-General, this organisation supplies an interesting link between the British and the Dutch occupations. Its earliest operations were of limited scope and conducted on unscientific lines. But as the narrative will show, its importance increased with the agricultural and industrial development of the island. Now, under the able direction of Mr. P. D. Warren, F.R.G.S., who has held the position of Surveyor-General since 1904, it is one of the best equipped and most valuable departments of the kind in the colonies.
The foundations of the department were laid by a Proclamation dated August 2, 18oo. By this instrument the special office of SurveyorGeneral was created and the island was divided into its several jurisdictions under five assistant officers, called Principal Surveyors. The circuits then described comprehended respectively the districts between the river of Chilaw and the Kelani Ganga ; between the Kelani Ganga and the river of Galle; between the river of Galle and the north-easterly extremity of the Mahagampattu ; between the north-easterly extremity of the Mahagampattu
Mullaitivu; and the ri the northern extremity river of Chilaw. Theo circuts were severally Surveyors of Negombo, of Trincomalee, and of them assistant and s The first Surveyor-Ge. Schneider, who assume proclamation; but it century later that anyth a proper scientific sur attempted. With the a Gossett, R.E., in 1855, made in the several triangulation of the Neg in hand, The work of next three or four decad to surveys in connectior encroachments and the and cultivation plots. Grinlinton's administ department was entirel more systematic method resulted in an adjustme of affairs, and it was le P. D. Warren, F.R.G.S. General, to continue a f Meanwhile, the mach was considerably aug 8 field and I5 control I32 and 87, respectivel increases have since b
and the northern extremity of the district of partments of the sta
I897. 1898. Ι89). I90c
Acres. Acres. Acres. Acr
Block ... on I28,47I 23І,по8 2Io,862 235, Topographical ... б4,ooo 985„ნOO 2,I27,ვნo 2,628, Applications, &c. e Ιο4, οΙό 38,297 34,228 22, 296,487 I,255,005 2,372,450 2,885;
Rs. Rs. Rs. RS Expenditure ... 48ο,28ο 5б7,бг3 6o8,757 6ვ9,
SURVEY
maining one, between of Mullaitivu and the ficers in charge of these distinguished as the of Colombo, of Matara, Jaffna, and had under ub-assistant surveyors. heral was Captain G. d office in the year of was not until half a ing in the direction of vey of the island was ppointment of Captain marked advances were departments, and the ombo district was taken the department for the es was mainly confined with the settlement of : sale of building sites But under Mr. F. H. ration (1897-1904) the y reorganised, and the ls which were adopted nt of the existing state it to his successor, Mr. the present SurveyorDrward policy. nery of the department mented from a bare ing officers in I856 to ', in I902, and further een made in both deff. Entrance to the
subordinate grades of the department is possible by passing the departmental examinations or by securing a diploma in Civil Engineering from the local Technical College, which has a course arranged for this purpose of three years' duration. Vacancies in the senior grades of the service, however, are filled up alternately from the department and from Cooper's Hill College. Appointments to the office staff are made from the ranks of "volunteers,' who enter the department on probation and qualify themselves for inclusion in the fixed or substantive staff by the aptitude they show in the execution of the work of the department. The field. staff of the SurveyorGeneral consists of four branches-Trigonometrical, Topographical, Application and Block Surveys. The Superintendent of Application Surveys, the Superintendent of Trigonometrical Surveys and Meteorology, and the Superintendent of Surveys, Western Province, have their headquarters in Colombo, where also is the office of the Surveyor-General, while the work of the studio maintained in connection with the department is under the supervision of a European assistant,
The primary triangulation of the island has been now completed, and according to the latest Report of the Surveyor-General, that for I905, all that remains to be done is the computation and scoring of poin's for the purpose of connecting up the old work.
The following table shows the progress of field work since the year 1897 :-
I90I. I902, I903. I904, I905.
. Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. )40 I68,885 22,858 282, І49 - I98,383 I57,348 87 I,87I,36o ),961,6oo 897,920 536,32O 2
4I. }Ι8 4Ι,659 34,293 . 47, I95 33,864 39,030 45 2,081,904 2,208,75I I,227,264 768,567 455,578
Rs. RS. Rs. Rs. Rs, c, '98 656,489 ό4ό,632 651,455 664,137 785,83d 98
Page 308
300 TWENTIETH
Further details for the last year under review are furnished below; and will be found of interest.
CENTURY I
as greater out-turns h new devices for the si or the modification of (
Nature of Work.
Block ...
Applications from the Public and special Questions O
Topographical - - - Triangulation
Southern, North All Provinces ...
At the office in Bambalapitiya, a suburb of Colombo, is housed an important branch of the Record Map Department, the institution being located in this comparatively remote portion owing to the lack of accommodation for its maintenance at headquarters. At this office the topographical record maps are prepared on a scale of 2 ins. to the mile for reduction to I mile; and the I mile maps are specially
besides, greater experi graphic work, and ther have all assisted to co1 system of payment by figures for the remarka The results of land sale below, set forth in re by (a) Europeans and provinces of the island
Europeans.
Province
Lots. Extent. Amಖ್ಖ೩
А, R. P, RS. Western ... poo I56 2,649 3 15 I50,794 Central a 25 4o4 3 8 25 пб,o79 Northern ... v 7 266 o 3'I5 333 I Southern ... on 8 w 2 3O O 35 I,499 Eastern ... I4 73 о І3'5о I,OOI North-western to 4 22 2 679 North-central ... -- VM Uva... O a 37 609 2 25 III,366 Sabaragamuwa I46 3,48I o 37 І46,73о
Total 0 M WM, 40I 7,537 о 289о 33 II,482
drawn up to be photographed down to the 4, 8, or 12 mile scales. According to the latest returns the number of title plans issued by the department runs into something like Io,543 sets in triplicate, covering an area of 5I,446 acres.
With the boom in rubber, applications for surveys were received on all hands, and special arrangements and exertions had to be made to meet the demand, and the preliminary plans were issued on an average of under two months, which is a result that was never achieved before. In fact, in every branch of this important department increased efficiency is revealed in the operations of the survey. As to the work as a whole, the Surveyor-General reports a more than usually brisk and satisfactory year. “I have several times," he writes, "both as head of the department and as Assistant Surveyor-General, drawn attention to the manner in which some or all previous records have been broken, and pointed out that such an event could not possibly occur every year; the top limit must be reached shortly, if, indeed, it has not already been arrived at, But
The Surveyor-Gene worthy comments ol “The amount," he s sale is the most gratify find only two years credits, i.e., I877 and I: of the coffee boom Rs. 420,000 over last result is, of course, due for planting rubber, been said about high some returns to Gove: been arrived at throug of those fortune-hunter price paid for land as in comparison to the from it, with rubber run the prices up at Government is clearly prices being paid un except by exposing la people are determined ing competition.” F it will be seen that t
MPRESSIONS
ave become imperative,
mplification of processes etail have been devised;
OF CEYLON
Europeans during I905 was Rs. 4398 an acre, while lands acquired by natives were alienated by the Crown at only Rs. 2722 an acre.
Province. Nüွငုး of Áဖုံဖုံin Cost
Rs. C western, Uva, and North-central - 157,348 Ι Ιο, ό4ο 3ο
w O O AW 8,094. 39,030 I 17,045 533
- 259,200 38,99I 82 --- - - I8,622 29
Total 455,578 285,299 94}
nce in studio and lithofore increased out-turns, mbine with an extended results in supplying the ble returns during I9o5.” s for that year are given spect of their purchase b) natives in the several
With the development of the country and the maintenance of commercial enterprise at its present high pitch, the work of the Department of Surveys will necessarily be enlarged in the next few years, and will involve further and considerable additions to the controlling staff and to the equipment needed for the more complete and comprehensive demarcation and survey of the island. Whatever the future
Natives.
Average Verage
hd 器 Lòts. Extent. Amount and §
Acre. Fees, Acre.
C. Rs... c. A. R. P. Rs. C. Rs, c. 90 56 90 4,563 8,629 I 4'39 | 32o,925 79 || 33 75 40 39 70 I40 536 I 2935 I8,671 9 34 83 5o I2 52 44ό I,609 3 I9'50 32,002 8o I9 89 5o || 49 62 || III,6I6 3,865 3 37 І29,о4o 32 || 33 38 o | І3 7І 250 807 3 275o I3,357 92 || Ió 53 50 3o 89 528 4238 о 2І 95, IO4 24 22 44 m 35I III,646 I 6 20,302 40 I2 33
2 I8 66 Ιό3 7o2 о 5 7,867 85 20 99 42 I5 288 4,8 Ιο 2 ο 93,590 90 I9 45 9I 43 98 8,345 26,846 I 2974 73o,863 3I 27 22
al makes some notel the above statistics. ays, "realised by the ing item ; and here we on record with larger 378'-during the period -' while it is about
year's takings. This to the demand for land and though much has upset prices,' the hand'nment have, no doubt, h the keen competition s who, looking upon the really a very small item income to be derived over 6s. per lb, have the Crown sales. . . . not responsible for long ier such circumstances, lds for sale that several to have, and thus creatom the figures given le average rate paid by
may bring, the department, we may confidently anticipate, will maintain the great reputation it has secured for efficient and thorough-going work.
The Surveyor-General of Ceylon, Mr. Philip David Warren, F.R.G.S., is the son of the late Mr. John Neville Warren, C.E., and was born in London on February 7, 185I. He was educated at Norwich Grammar School, &c., and after serving articles to a borough engineer he did general surveying and engineering work in South Wales for six years, being employed by the Swansea Corporation engineer, the Landore Siemens Steel Works, the engineers for the Swansea and Neath Tramways Companies, &c. In 1878 he went to Ceylon as Third Assistant Surveyor in the Survey Department. At the reorganisation in 1897 he became Assistant Surveyor-General, and in 1904 received his present appoint
ment. Mr. Warren was for some time a Lieutenant in the 3rd Glamorgan Rifle Volunteers,
Page 309
THE
I N T R O D
BY THE HON. MR. FRA
SHERE is no record of the existence of newspapers in Ceylon before the British occupation. Though adventurous Englishmen found themselves in Kandy about the middle of the seventeenth century, a special mission being necessary for their release from the captivity which rewarded their enterprise, it was not until a. century later that any attempt was made by the British to secure a footing in Ceylon. Two centuries elapsed after their appearance on the adjoining continent before the idea of acquiring Ceylon entered into the minds of the East India Company; and after the British had assumed control of the island, in the last decade of the eighteenth century and the beginning of the nineteenth, there was a considerable interval before the need of newspapers disclosed itself to the colonists. Indeed, it was the local Government which first recognised, in a practical way, that the absence of means for the circulation of information was a hindrance to the progress of the country. The explanation is that for several years after the island had been acquired it was little more than a military station. The revenue it yielded was derived mainly from certain monopolies of products, such as cinnamon, for instance, and fell considerably short of the expenditure.
Immediately after the surrender to the British of Colombo by the Dutch in 1796, the administration of the maritime provinces was at first vested in the Governor of Madras in Council; and this arrangement was continued until October, 1798, when the Hon. Frederick North (afterwards Earl of Guilford) was appointed Governor by the British Government, which then acquired the Com
pany's rights. Governo by four military men in during the rule of th trained English statesm Robert Wilmot Horton, ment dated from Octob of a newspaper was spec result was the publica fournal, in 1832, issued press, and this was th Ceylon. The Governo
facile pen, and he had ir
Mr. Tufnell, who was al and who afterwards b{ Admiralty, an assistant c gifts. Among the civil men with a taste for le Turnour, who rose to b and whose name is s classical prize attached Colombo; and George master-General, the tr “Ceylon" from the works. HBut the Hom approve of the devel enterprise under official their representatives to to the Government Ga tinues to be the ponder receptacle for inform tempts private subscri journalistic pabulum, created, the enterprise chants speedily mani foundation of the O was started in I834, unc some time the editorshi whose name is still pe known local firm of D; present partners of W traditions of independ
PRESS
U CT O RY .
NCIS BEVEN, M.L.C.
North was succeeded
sequence; and it was e sixth Governor, a an, the Right Hon. Sir
Bart, whose appoint2r, 1831, that the need ially recognised. The tion of the Colombo
from the Government e first newspaper in r himself wielded a his private secretary, so his own son-in-law
2came a Lord of the f considerable literary an officers, too, were atters, notably George 2 Treasurer of Ceylon, till perpetuated by a to the Royal College, Lee, who became Postanslator of Rebeiro's Portuguese and other e authorities did not opment of newspaper auspices, and requested confine their energies zette, which still conous official organ, the tion which scarcely ptions. The taste for however, having been of the Colombo mer
fested itself in the lserver. This journal er the control, and for p, of Mr. E. J. Darley, rpetuated in the wellirley, Butler & Co., the hich maintain the old ince and energy. Sub
3OI
sequently, Mr. George Winter (whose name is perpetuated in the firm of Messrs. Winter in Baddegama) was appointed editor by the merchants.
After the maritime districts came under British rule, the cession of the Kandyan kingdom followed in 1815, as the result of military operations which gave the seal to the gradual extension of British power throughout the island. Between I820 and I832 Sir Edward Barnes carried out a series of military roads between Colombo and Kandy, Badulla, Trincomalee, &c. The door was thus opened to commercial and agricultural enterprise in the newly acquired hill territory, under less hazardous conditions than had existed previously, when the country was without means of communication and in an unsettled state owing to successive treacherous outbreaks in the Kandyan territory. Coffee, which had been introduced by the Dutch into the lowcountry in 1740, began to attract attention, and the suitability of the uplands for the cultivation. of the plant was discovered. In I825 the Governor himself (Sir Edward Barnes) embarked in the new industry, and had a plantation laid out near Sinnapitiya, in Gampola. The advance of this promising agricultural industry coincided with the initiation of the newspaper enterprise which it justified. After the short period during which George Winter was editor, the proprietorship of the Colombo Observer, then a small weekly broadsheet, passed from the merchants into the hands of Dr. Christopher Elliot, who relinquished his connection with the Colonial Medical Service in order to become the editor and proprietor of the first newspaper in Ceylon unconnected with the Government; and this he conducted as a small weekly, and then bi-weekly, sheet, with marked ability and independence, for
Page 310
302 TWENTIETH CENTURY
about twelve years, at the same time practising as physician. Indeed, the tone of the journal was of too outspoken and independent a type to please the Government, and by way of counterpoise the Colombo Chronicle was launched under private auspices, but as an official organ. Thus, it may be said, the behests of Downing Street were obeyed in the
THE CEYLON
This brief retrospe ment of unofficial jour and instructive, as e dislike of autocratic a of interference with Alike in the Mother C a hired or inspired national instincts. D
Saeimite øf ze ?ി സ്കീr of كو .
GOVERN
GAZETTE.
జ్ఞప్తి జీ GOVERNMENT. భీభిః సీషోణీజ్ భిజ్ఞ క్ష్మీ జ్ఞ#్య
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is. Existeks: or Govt. Notts being of opi SySyuSSSSSLSYSSyyyZSeTTTiyeyuyye # శీభట్టేళ్లక్ష్ణ్ణి శీ###్య చీ: ಇಂದ್ಲಿ: 瑟餐 Mefisti, Ferre facie
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რაიოა-ww.-2,ახაoი-ა: ફ્રે ઘૂંટ્ર Passa si 'ዩweeኔኝ ኟሚሆጭቱ ( ፒ
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ஆ 蚕至爱蚕桑塞
霧業壊憂藩嚢菱憂 శ్యీకత m፣
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స్టోN MONDAY శిక్షణిజీ $6
|To #ణ్ణి స్ట్యోg##
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జజ్రటీస్లో ప్తి స్టో
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藻愛数数数義蒸。変数
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露籌 స్టీక్షిణ్ణిజ్ఞప్తి స్త్రళ విశ్లోకి హిసిపీడ
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A FACSIMILE OF THE FIRST NUMBER OF THE 'CEYLO
GAZET AK.”
letter while violated in the spirit. After Mr. Stewart Mackenzie became Governor, in 1837, the name of the Government organ was changed to the Herald, but the change failed to prolong the life of this venture, and the Colombo Observer remained sole possessor of the field. In 184o a monthly, afterwards a fortnightly, and more recently a weekly edition for Europe, called the Overland Observer, was started.
régime of the Right Hon. there was less friction
ment and the unofficial enough, Mr. Alastair Ma. came to "Ceylon origina of this Governor in 183 varied experience as pl Customs officer, and m being a frequent contr Obscriver), was, in 1846, i
IMPRESSIONS
ect of the first establish:3 "nalism is both interesting xemplifying the British nd bureaucratic methods the conduct of the Press. country and the colonies,
press runs counter to uting the more tolerant
స్ట్యోణ్ణి 蒸蠶寧藝蠶 緩露警習鑿鑿習囊變露義 露露葛酸籌藝壓愛義壁美
జ్ఞప్తి క్ష్కీ క్షీణిస్తో శక్తి ặẽ ằặẳ * : శీ శిక్ష్మీళీణ్ణి
鬆露 ജ് (ജു. ' స్త్రీక్షిణ్ణిజ్ఞ బ్లమ్డాజ్ల జ్ఞప్తి జ్ఞప్తి జ్ఞప్తి జీస్తోత్తే శ్లో క్షేత్త శ్రీక్ష
స్ట్రో క్ష్యీ, *. *్క
శ్లో ఫీడ్లే ఫ్ట్ క్లిష్ట స్క్రీజ్ల
జ్ఞళ్లీజ్ఞ్కణ్ణి జ్యేష్ణో శీ శ్రీస్లో కీస్మ్కో భీష్టత
je్కస్ట్రీ శ్రీృణ్ణి 釜 ఖై ఫ్రీజ్ల * క్షీణ్ణిశ్లేళ్ళ భ్మీః
്ളൂ. (ജ. ജ శజ్ఞప్తి 琵鷺顯蔓露鬆鬆露
శీజ్ఞప్తి జీప్తిజ్ఞప్తి శీ జీ 藝露義愛鬍籌
தஞ்இேன்ஆத்இந்த
N GOVERNMENT
Mr. Stewart Mackenzie between the Governa.
Press; and, curiously ckenzie Ferguson, who lly under the auspices 7 (after nine years of anter, man of business, agistrate, all this time ibutor to the Colombo invited by Dr. Elliot to
OF CEYLON
become his co-editor. Subsequently, in 1859, when Dr. Elliot was appointed Principal Civil Medical Officer of the colony, and had to sever his connection with the Press, Mr. Ferguson became sole proprietor as well as editor. Thus Mr. A. M. Ferguson, as the editor who first gave his whole time to the work, may be truly described as the Father of Ceylon Journalism.
Naturally, neither the syndicate of merchants who started the Colombo Observer as a small sheet in the early thirties, nor the versatile and capable physician and surgeon who purchased the paper for the magnificent, sum of Rs. II,2oo (a sum equivalent, at the then value of the rupee, to about I2O) devoted themselves or himself entirely to journalism. To do so would not have paid either, and the interests and tastes of both pointed in other directions. The paper was merely designed to form a lever to move the Government in the path of progress, by compelling the recognition of the needs and claims of commerce and agriculture, as well as those of the people of the country generally, whose rights were too often trampled upon by an inexperienced and unsympathetic bureaucracy. Necessarily, Mr. Ferguson's duties and responsibilities extended far beyond those suggested by the title of colleague or assistant, as the proprietor-editor's energies were chiefly devoted to his profession, in which he was an enthusiast, and the calls of which on his time increased as his deep sympathy with suffering and his medical skill became more and more widely known. When, in 1859, the Government invited into the official ranks this merciless critic of Government measures-the arch-rebel (so regarded) of 1848, whom the then Governor, Lord Torrington, would gladly have had tried by court-martial and shot for fomenting the so-called “rebellion' of that year, when the Sinhalese met in thousands along the Kotta road to march to Queen's House and protest against the new taxes then proclaimed, but were turned back by his influence, lest they should be shot down on approaching the Fort -when Dr. Elliot assumed charge of the newly-constituted Civil Medical Department as its first Principal Officer, his connection with the Press had to cease, and he sold the paper to his colleague, who had much in common with his predecessor and chief in fearless independence and a hearty interest in the people of the country.
Born in Wester Ross, Scotland, in 1816, Mr. Ferguson had enjoyed no special educational advantages when he arrived in the island, at the age of twenty-one. But he had early shown a taste for writing, in poetical as well as prose contributions to the Inverness Courier, and these had attracted the attention of the influential family after one of whose members
Page 311
TWENTIETH CENTURY
he was named. Thus it came to pass that he was introduced into the “gorgeous East' by the first of the Seaforths, who had been sent out as the representative of royalty to administer Ceylon. What Mr. Ferguson was able to achieve with the weekly and biweekly sheet which had changed hands in the thirties for (I2O, the influence he personally wielded for a full generation as citizen and editor, the services which his paper rendered in promoting the material and moral advancement of the country--these all testify to his possession of exceptional powers, unselfishly devoted to the public good. Like all strong men, he had the faults of his virtues; and his strong nature and ardent convictions at times betrayed him into action and language which alienated sympathy and even sundered friendships. But, this trait notwithstanding, he was esteemed by all as an honest man and a true friend of the colony; and, while his associates rejoiced with him when his services as the Commissioner for Ceylon at the Melbourne Exhibition in I88I secured for him from his Sovereign the Companionship of the Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George, the general public joined them in testifying to their regard by a testimonial of Rs. Io,000, a gold watch, and a service of plate. Friend and foe alike felt, when his end came, rather suddenly, on December 26, I892, that a good and great man, strong in religious as in political convictions, free from guile, and fearless in the pursuit of what he conceived to be his duty, had passed away,
The story of the Observer-the Colombo Observer till 1867, and since then the Ceylon Observer-would be wholly incomplete without mention of his nephew and successor, whom Mr. A. M. Ferguson called to his aid within two years of his assuming the sole editorship and proprietorship of the paper. Arriving in the island in November, 186I, at the age of nineteen (all but a month), Mr. John Ferguson (though with a brief Press training in Inverness and London) may be said to have started with even less of an equipment for a Ceylon journalistic career than his uncle, who had nine years' experience of the island before becoming editor. But editor never found a safer, a more painstaking, or more loyal fellow-worker than his relative, the youthful assistant-editor, proved. In addition to maintaining the traditions of the paper for courage and principle, and as the chief exponent of public opinion, especially on questions relating to the allimportant industry of planting-for coffee filled even a larger place in the sixties and seventies in the affairs of the island than tea has occupied during the last twenty years, or rubber up to and at the present time, the berry being then not merely one among many great staple products, but practically the sole
mainstay of the is nephew helped to st of the paper by extent its sheets, and incre issue, thus generally p in a way which cam numerous readers. B. and conciliatory dispos holding his own, to a minimum of friction, giving offence to those The measure of the c the public, as estima perhaps best indicate editor (only sixteen m arrival in the island, a attained his majority) first holiday in Europ century's strenuous wo of the paper in the nephew without any the latter's fitness to as what had become the opinion in Ceylon. T Observer during the indeed, ever since, p. was the confidence f principles, and the reso recruit from Scotland. assistant-editor, Mr. Jol joint-editor in I87o, an be a partner, not only paper, but also in the printers and publishers, J. Ferguson. The 1 monthly periodical wil a world-wide celebrit John Ferguson during Australia in I88 II, and became responsible foi of the “Ceylon Handboc which Governor Sir A unique in the whole deneies. Mr. A. M. F the Observer office had thirteen years ol death in 1892. Mr. J practically retired fro the Observer, having : Mr. Ronald Haddon whom he has admitt editor of the paper; ar by two nephews of Mr. Donald-' Hansard' a Ian Shioch Ferguson, the third generation whose name is a house and who are proving t traditions. Meanwhile as a member of the presenting the genera very far from being interests or in those (
MPRESSIONS
and's prosperity-the engthen the influence ing its scope, enlarging sing the frequency of romoting its usefulness : as a revelation to its ing, further, of a tactful tion, he was able, while chieve his ends with a and generally without from whom he differed. infidence felt in him by ted by his chief, was i by the fact that the inths after his nephew's ld before the latter had decided on taking his e after a quarter of a frk, and left the control hands of his youthful misgivings concerning sume the full charge of leading organ of public he history of the Ceylon editor's absence, and, loves how well placed elt in the capacity, the urcefulness of the young From the position of nn Ferguson rose to be d afterwards in I875 to in the ownership of the expanding business, as of the firm of A. M. & ropical Agriculturist, a hich gradually acquired y, was started by Mr. g his uncle's absence in from 1863 onwards he r the annual production k and Directory,' a work rthur Gordon said was range of British depenerguson never attended after 1879, so that he retirement before his ohn Ferguson has now n the active conduct of installed his elder son, Ferguson, B.A. (ILond.), ed into partnership, as ld the latter is supported John Ferguson (Messrs. und chief reporter–and manager), thus forming of a journalistic family hold word in the island, hemselves worthy of its ., Mr. Ferguson, sen. Legislative Council, re1 European interests, is dle, either in his own if his adopted country.
OF CEYLON 303
As a lecturer in the United Kingdom and the United States, as a speaker on influential platforms, as a member of learned societies, (including the Presidency of the Ceylon Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society and Christian Literature Society), as the author of illustrated books on Ceylon issued in several editions, and of many Planting Manuals, as writer of the articles on Ceylon in the “Encyclopædia Britannica,” as correspondent for over thirty years for the London Times, and in other ways, he continues to further the interests of Ceylon, and to make its beauties and its resources known throughout the world.
Passing reference must be made to Mr. Donald Ferguson, second son of Mr. A. M. Ferguson, who was a member of his father's editorial staff for several years, taking his full share of the work in the office, and at times having charge of the Ceylon Observer in the occasional absences of his cousin. But neither the climate of Colombo nor the rough-andtumble experiences of colonial journalism suited his health and literary and antiquarian tastes. He finally left the island soon after his father's death at the end of 1892, and he retired from partnership in the firm a few years later. He now devotes himself to literary work in England, which affords him abundant opportunity for indulging his love of languages and of historical research.
Mention should also be made, in connection with the Observer, of Mr. Wm. Digby, C.I.E., who came out as its chief reporter and subeditor in I87 I, and after six years' good work passed to be editor of the Madras Times, in which capacity and for help in connection with a famine relief fund the Viceroy, Lord Lytton, made him C.I.E. Mr. Digby died in London in I905.
Nor should reference be omitted to the growth of the Observer from a weekly print, first to a publication issued twice a week, and then to a daily journal, the original single sheet having, during this process, expanded to its present dimensions of an eight-paged full-sized newspaper of forty-eight columns, with frequent supplements, The Overland Observer, started in I84o in connection with the original paper for Home subscribers, has grown proportionately, and is now issued weekly to catch the homeward-bound mail steamers of the Peninsular and Oriental and the Orient Shipping Companies; and that other notable publication issued by Messrs. Ferguson, the Tropical Agriculturist, which is perhaps the finest monthly magazine published in connection with tropical products, commands a circulation in every part of the tropical world, being now incorporated with official agricultural publications, as well as being the organ of the Ceylon Agricultural Society. The "Ceylon Handbook and Directory" has already
Page 312
304
been referred to. These are a few of the publications which issue from the Ceylon Observer Press, which, by the by, has the unique distinction of occupying the same premises in the centre of “the Fort," in Baillie Street, though greatly enlarged and improved, from which the original print first emerged. It should here be added that, on the recommendation of His Excellency Sir West Ridgeway, in 1903, His Majesty King Edward conferred the Companionship of St. Michael and St. George on Mr. John Ferguson, in acknowledgment of public services, more particularly through the "Ceylon Handbook and Directory,' the value of which for over forty years-to the local Government as well as to the Colonial Office-had been repeatedly acknowledged by successive Governors and the staff of the Secretary of State.
The thirties seem to have been fruitful in the birth (and death) of newspapers. Besides the Colombo fournal, started by the local Government in January, 1832, and discontinued “by order' in December, 1833, the Ceylon Chronicle, also an official organ, appeared in 1837, only to be discontinued during the following year. The revival of the latter was attempted at the end of 1838, with some success; but its existence, together with that of an overland edition added in I843, terminated in 1846. That was the last attempt at the establishment in Ceylon of official journalism; and the comparative success that attended it for a few years was probably due more to the dissensions among officials than to the paper having supplied any special need, The dissolution, impending and attained, of the official journal was the signal for the birth of other unofficial newspapers. In a varied community it could not be expected that one public organ could reflect every phase of thought, or promote diverse and often antagonistic interests. The Ceylon Advertiser and General Intelligencer enjoyed but a brief existence, from September, 1845, to April, I846, despite its elaborate title. The Examiner, started in Colombo in January, 1846, and the Times, which made its bow on July Ist in the same year, both lived considerably longer, and did excellent service to the public and the country.
The Examiner was intended to be a mercantile organ, and was first owned by a few Colombo merchants. It evidently had to battle against difficulties from the outset. The first authentic information available in regard to this journal is that in 1848 it passed into the hands of Mr. R. E. Lewis, of the firm of Parlett, O'Halloran & Co., who had arrived in the island in 184I as a young man of twentyfour. He advanced his savings on the security of the paper, and was obliged to take it over in satisfaction of the debt. He edited and con
TWENTIETH CENTURY
ducted it himself for fi interest, with a specia of Free Trade, then a he sold the paper whom were Mr. C Supreme Court, and for England in Nove turning to Ceylon in
the firm of Darley, B vicissitudes, he finally He was hale and heal of 1899, but died at A the age of eighty-two as editor of the Eavant an advocate of the Su of Mr. Henry Collings Queen's Advocate (or
island. The subscript tinued to be limited,
manded considerable i it passed from the ha appointment to the Colombo, to those of
at the head of which
then a brilliant young
leading practice in th a seat in the Legislat Member. The other
Mr. (afterwards Sir) Ferdinands, who died Colombo; Mr. Advoca great Oriental scholar;
the distinguished Kand
After a short peri Louis Nell, his bro editor, Mr. Lorenz editorship, with Mr. { Grenier as sub-editoI appointment in I866 the Colombo Municip Messrs. Leopold Ludo" -presently acting as the Legislative Col dividing the duties C they remained in of on Mr. Lorenz's deat
his shares in the Exam terms of his will, and conducted the paper jo Mr. Beven moved to K. his profession there, he in the paper to Mr became sole editor a paper fell on evil tim ties, towards which t caused by the collapse mainly contributed ; a death it was acquir company, which includ of the Burgher, Sinh munities. Mr. Beven, legal profession owi accepted the editorshi
MPRESSIONS
fe years in the mercantile feature in the advocacy new platform. In 1853 ) three friends-two of uffe, Registrar of the Ir. John Selby-and left mber of that year. Re1855, Mr. Lewis joined utler & Co. After many left the island in 187o. ty in England to the end herley in March, 1900, at Mr. Lewis's successor 'ner was Mr. John Selby, reme Court, and brother vood Selby, at that time Attorney-General) of the ion list, however, conthough the paper comnfluence. Early in I859 nds of Mr. Selby, on his District Judgeship of a syndicate of lawyers, was Mr. C. A. Lorenz, lawyer of thirty, with a e Colombo Courts and ive Council as Burgher holders of shares were Henry Dias; Mr. C. L. while District Judge of te James de Alwis, the and Mr. J. A. Dunuwille, lyan advocate. od during which Mr. other-in-law, acted as himself assumed the afterwards Sir Samuel) On Mr. Grenier's to the secretaryship of ality, just established, vici and Francis Beven Burgher Member in Incil-succeeded him, if sub-editorship ; and ice until I87 I, when, ih, they succeeded to liner under the special thenceforth for a time intly as editors. When andy in 1873 to practise transferred his interest , Ludovici, who thus und proprietor. The les in the later sevenhe financial depression of the coffee industry nd after Mr. Ludovici’s ed by a joint - stock ed the leading members lese, and Tamil comwho retired from the ng to deafness, then
once more. In I893
OF CEYLON
he finally relinquished the position, and was succeeded by Mr. J. T. Blaze, who continued as editor for seven years. But the capital of the company proved insufficient to meet the increasing competition in the journalistic field, and the paper, which scarcely ever had been conducted on business lines, having only existed as a political force, stopped publication on December 31, 1900. Ever since its acquisition by the Lorenz syndicate, in 1859, the Eava miner, afterwards styled the Ceylon Eavanniner, was conducted with conspicuous ability, under its successive editors, in the special interests of the Ceylonese (i.e., all the locally-born inhabitants of Ceylon, without distinction of race or colour). It was recognised as the Ceylonese organ, and wielded considerable influence with the Government and in official circles. Its discontinuance was regretted even by the communities outside those it specially represented.
The Ceylon Times, which was started in 1846, a few months after the first appearance of the Examiner, will ever be associated with the name of Capper, as the Observer is connected with that of Ferguson. Like the Examiner, the Times seems to have been established exclusively for the furtherance of sectional mercantile interests, and consequently failed to command a large clientèle. When Mr. John Capper acquired the paper in 1858 it was, as he himself described it," on its last legs." Mr. Capper was then forty-four years of age, with considerable journalistic and mercantile experience, gained in Ceylon and elsewhere. He had been sub-editor in London of the Mining and Steam Navigation Gazette, before he came to Ceylon in I837 as an in the firm of Acland & Boyd, coconut
assistant whose cinnamon cultivation and oil mill business he successfully conducted. In 185I he was sent to England as the representative of the island in the poor show it made at the Great Exhibition; and while there he added to his income by contributing to Household Words, Charles Dickens's new venture of the day, also by sub-editing the Globe and by other literary work. From London Mr. Capper went to Calcutta, and he set in motion the first jute-weaving machinery started there. But the outbreak of the great Mutiny upset all his dreams of prosperity in India, and he returned to Ceylon, in the hope-alas ! not to be realised-of finding success in the island. The Ceylon Times was then in the market, the nominal owners being Messrs. Wilson, Ritchie & Co., a large and influential firm which, among other properties, owned the extensive coconut oil mills at Hultsdorf, Colombo, now in the hands of Messrs. Freudenberg & Co. That Mr. Capper had no capital, as he confessed, made no difference. He had abundant
Page 313
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
credit, owing to the keen competition for business between the local banks; and with the varied experience of the world he had gained in many climes and many pursuits, it is not wonderful that he was full of hope that the exceptional literary gifts and training he was bringing into Ceylon journalism would lead to success. But this expectation, so far as pecuniary results were concerned, was not realised, though the editor worked as hard as he could, and the quiet humour of Dickens's disciple was well set off in his editorials in polished phrases. The Times brought no wealth to its new proprietor; it merely jogged along; and Mr. Capper, after acting as Mercantile Member of the Legislative Council in the early sixties-resigning that position with his unofficial colleagues in 1864 as a protest against the disposal of the revenue by the Government in accordance with the behests of Downing Street--was glad a few years afterwards to accept the paid secretaryship of the Cattle Commission appointed by Sir Hercules Robinson, then Governor of Ceylon. Mr. Keppel Jones, a nephew of Mr. Capper, came out opportunely at that time and assumed charge of the paper, with the result that it put on a spurt for a time in his younger and more energetic hands. In I874, however, the property, when very low, passed into the hands of a limited company, backed by a local bank, and Mr. Allardyce was specially imported from Bombay to undertake the editorship, with Mr. Willoughby (afterwards editor of the Melbuurne Argus) as sub-editor of what was now called the Times of Ceylon. The fates still proving unpropitious, the paper collapsed in 1882, when Mr. Capper, still struggling against adversity, secured the plant, and starting with a single-page print, and with the assistance of his sons, Herbert and Frank, gave new life to the Times of Ceylon, which has since proved a marked success.
The era of the Ceylon Times corresponded with the period when the three principal papers shared the week between them-the Observer appearing on Monday and Thursday, the Times on Tuesday and Friday, and the Examiner on Wednesday and Saturday. This arrangement was not only well suited to the day of comparatively small things, but also contributed to the comfort of the reader, who was thus not compelled, in his daily perusal of the local newspapers, either to gulp down incompatible dishes or merely skim over the surface of questions demanding close attention. But before Mr. Capper finally quitted the island, in 1884, the era of daily newspapers had begun, and soon after he left the Times of Ceylon had fairly turned the corner on the path of prosperity, under the businesslike and energetic control of his
two sons, in whose 1 grow in a fashion th the heart of the fathel his chequered life. England in 1898, at eighty-five.
A still further advanc ism was made when, f daily evening papers in taken which gave Cey paper for the people, th (four-fifths of a penny) a of this enterprise in 188 in the island to witnes them, Mr. Heath, of Ret a stroke of paralysis a fe' venture, the Ceylon Inde I888, and Messrs. Tille: and William Maitland, t the island. The paper into the hands of Mr. H who was fortunate enou for the post of editor the Wall, a colonist of con as planter and merchar occupied a position a Ceylon for more thar collapse of the coffee in Wall's business-that c agency firms in Color while his restless energ dued by failing eyesigh congenial scope for its ship of a daily paper, his misfortunes, and th
able services to the c
support from both Eut for the journal with wh self in his old age. Mr a joint proprietor and Ceylon (ably assisted Mills, formerly of the associated with Mr. Wal the first “ penny ” pap secured prominence for a forcible writer with a work, is now editor of jointly with the propri Cuylenburg).
In 1898 the Ceylon under the auspices of the second morning pa ship of which wealthy or connected with, Mora place. Mr. Windus wa land as editor, but died The sub-editor, Mr. F. come out from Hom
succeeded to the editc
island in I904, joining Australian later on, wit to make the venture a Standard is now own
MPRESSIONS
ands it continued to it must have cheered
in the last years of The founder died in the ripe old age of
in the field of journalom the publication of the capital, a step was lon the first morning e price being 5 cents copy. The originators 3 did not live or remain s its success. One of ter’s Agency, died after w months after the new bendent, was started, in (of the Observer office) he other promoters, left and plant then passed ector Van Cuylenburg, gh soon after to secure services of Mr. George summate ability, who, ut and public man, had mong the foremost in 1 a generation. The dustry had ruined Mr. of one of the leading mbo and Kandy-and, gy, only partially subt, found abundant and exercise in the editorsympathy with him in e memory of his valuountry, insured ready opeans and Ceylonese ich he identified himF. Crosbie Roles, now editor of the Times of by Mr. H. Woosnam
Pioneer, India), was 1 when he gave tone to er in the island, and it. Mr. J. Scott Coates,
immense capacity for he Ceylon Independent etor (Mr. Hector Van
Standard was started limited company as per, in the proprietorSinhalese residents in, (uwa held a prominent s procured from Enghortly after his arrival. J. Wayman, who had : with Mr. Windus, ial chair, but left the the staff of the West out having been able nancial success. The d by a few Sinhalese
OF CEYLON 305
gentlemen and edited by Mr. Gardiner-Brown. A yet further step in journalism was taken when Messrs. H. and F. Capper, F. C. Roles, and A. L. Hutchison, the owners of the Times of Ceylon, started the issue of a morning edition of their paper at a cheap figure5 cents-with features which appeal to a wider class than that which subscribed to the evening edition. Mr. Herbert Capper, with whom the idea originated, happily lived long enough to see his bantling fairly established, but died, much regretted, in 1906 in England. This completes the record of regular daily newspapers published in English in Colombo since I834.
A Roman Catholic press was established in Colombo in 1843, and the first issue of the Catholic Messenger appeared in I869. Since 1873 this leading journal of that Church has been published twice a week. Although its scope as a medium of news is exclusively insular, no English or foreign telegrams appearing in its columns, the MesSenger has been conducted with considerable ability by the Roman priesthood, or by laymen under their direction. As the title implies, this journal specially appeals to those who pay allegiance to the Roman Church. Of newspapers in English published outside Colombo, the oldest was perhaps the Ceylon Freeman, founded in Jaffna in 1862, which became extinct soon afterwards. But its successor, the Ceylon Patriot, founded in 1863, and published weekly in Jaffna, the northernmost town of the island, still survives. In that busy place, practically an Indian centre, inhabited mostly by "Island Tamils," who originally came centuries ago from the mainland close by, the Catholic Guardian (in English, weekly) established in 1876, the Hindu organ (in English, weekly) and the Morning Star, a Protestant organ (in English and Tamil, fortnightly) are also issued; while at Batticaloa, on the eastern coast of the island, an acceptable Wesleyan sheet, entitled The Lamp, periodically sheds its rays abroad.
An account of the extra-metropolitan press of Ceylon would be incomplete without mention of the Kandy Herald, which played a prominent part in the local world of politics during its brief existence. From the time of the united resignation of their seats in the Legislative Council by the unofficial members in I864 until I868, the newspapers, despite their disagreements and bickerings over every conceivable subject, were agreed on the need of legislative reform and loyally supported the Ceylon League, formed to secure that end. Both Europeans and Ceylonese were practically of one mind regarding the main objects for which the League was labouring, save a small remnant of Queen's House favourites and men who were in business or personal
U
Page 314
306
antagonism to the leaders of the movement. Appeals to the Home Government during two or three years having failed to effect the desired reform, a more moderate platform was, as the result of official suggestion, being considered in February, I868, when the Herald was started in Kandy under the editorship of Dr. Bayliss, a learned but erratic planting
doctor, and Arthur Jones, the blind nephew of .
Mr. Capper, a well-informed and accomplished writer. An early number contained the trenchant confidential despatch of Sir Hercules Robinson (afterwards Lord Rosmead), written in 1866, on the League petition, and the publication of this document came as a bolt from the blue. Pacification, then in the air, was thus rendered impossible, as much owing to the aspersion in the paper that factiousness had inspired the resignation of the unofficial members as to the manner of the publication of the despatch, which was ascribed to official connivance, and believed to have been effected through the agency of a Kandy firm whose senior had accepted the planting seat in the Legislative Council at a time when most planters and Colombo merchants refused to serve on that body. The storm of indignation which the incident raised cannot be appreciated at this distance of time; but it was expressed in the rest of the Press and in fiery speeches delivered at a public meeting, and many friendships were sundered in consequence. But the officials were soon dissatisfied with the tone and principles of the weekly organ of which they had thus made use, and the Kandy Herald ceased to exist in December, I869, without having added to the reputation of any of those directly or indirectly connected with its existence, notwithstanding influential support and well-written articles. The Ceylon Native Opinion, first published in I892 and since discontinued, had a spasmodic, but scarcely creditable, career, as its editor made acquaintance with the inside of the jail more than once for criminal libel.
The first paper published in Sinhalese was the Lakminipahana, which made its bow in Colombo in 1862, and is published weekly. And the number of vernacular newspapers since started, from the appearance of the Gnanartha Pradipaya in 1867, and including the Dinakaraprakasa, started in 1885, and the Sihala Samaya in 1904, all three published in the capital, testifies to the spread of education among the Sinhalese, as well as to the growth of a healthy public spirit. Most of the educated Sinhalese read the English newspapers; but the majority of the subscribers to the vernacular papers include the great mass of the native population, who either cannot read English or whose knowledge of that language is limited. A similar remark applies to the Tamil people and the Tamil Press, the first
TWENTIETH CENTURY
newspaper published been the Morning Sta was founded in Jaf flourishing.
THE CEYLON THE “ “ TROPICAI
The Ceylon Observe paper, which was est: motto Fiat 5ustitia conductors continual 5.3o to 6 o'clock p.m. on Mondays only at subscription in adv postage, or Rs. 36 witl al regular extra su single copies being Observer is the only has continually sup European news by te cable was first laid. has very largely incr not only Reuter’s com variety of special cabl a supply from its Li church Street, E.C.), v interest to Ceylon m such as relates to comp and so forth- and special telegrams frc special London cables Bombay, Singapore,
R. H. F" (Assistar
Eastern centres, and graphic service from ents in every out-stati
MPRESSIONS OF CEYION
in that language having above mentioned, which na in 84 I and is still
奖
OBSERVER AND
AGRICULTURIST.'
, the oldest Ceylon newsblished in 1834 under the which has guided its y, is issued daily at from with a morning edition 6 a.m.; and the annual ance is Rs. 32, without local postage, including oplements, the price of o cents each (Id.) The eylon newspaper which lied its readers with legraph since the Indian Its foreign cable service eased, and now includes hplete service, but also a egrams daily, comprising ondon office (52, Gracewhich covers all news of
erchants and planters
any dividends, flotations, the general public, also om Calcutta (including re-telegraphed), Madras, Hong Kong, and other
RGUSON.
Editor.)
very large local teleaccredited correspond1 of any importance in
Ceylon. The paper devotes particular attention to political and planting affairs, and is specially up to date with all news of the Port
J. S. FERGUSON.
(Manager.)
of Colombo shipping traffic, also all that interests business circles, including Chamber of Commerce information, produce market reports, complete lists of prices at local tea sales, as well as Customs and other commercial statistics. As regards planting intelligence, the Observer is recognised as the foremost journal of the island. Up-to-date interviews and articles dealing with all tropical products of local interest are published at frequent intervals, and are acknowledged to be of the highest practical value. Another special feature of the paper is the accurate and careful reports of cases in the Colombo law-courts and those of the various provincial tribunals, according to their importance. It provides daily a complete and officially numbered list of cases decided in the Supreme Court of Appeal, with details of the decisions in each, including the full text of every judgment of importance or peculiar interest.
Every up-country and Colombo sporting or social meeting of any size is fully and brightly described, and every form of sport receives attention; while specially written articles on interesting topics are supplied by well-qualified correspondents, occasional and regular, in different parts of the world, including a weekly London letter, a monthly “Tea Letter' from the City (London), and a “Ladies' Letter.' Subscribers to the Ceylon Observer receive gratis numerous special supplements, including half-tone block illustrations, connected with leading public events, and an annual sheet almanac replete with useful information,
Page 315
Page 316
308
and merchants (European and native)-a host of leading natives, low-country proprietors, farmers, and garden cultivators. The magazine is therefore now seen and read very freely and filed in every district throughout the island. It has, besides, a large circulation in India, the Straits Settlements, Java, Borneo, and all round the sub-tropical world. The foreign subscriptions and advertising department the publishers retain in their own hands, while subscription to the Agricultural Society covers a free copy of the local issue. Several changes
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
the compilation, and s title to its present form. ago, seldom exceeded year it has grown until
to I,8oo pages, filled wi possible subject conne with complete lists of
statistics of the planting Governors have give volume, as also Coloni officials of the Coloni Gordon (now Lord Sta
THE HON. MR. JOHN FERGUSON, C.M.G.
and improvements were then made in the magazine, though it continues. to cater for all tropical agricultural industries as previously.
The “Ceylon Handbook and Directory,' published annually in July, now thoroughly established as the recognised statistical and directory authority on Ceylon, was begun by the late Mr. A. M. Ferguson, C.M.G., as the "Ceylon Commonplace Book' in I859. In 1862 the Ceylon Government was induced to give up the publication of its “Ceylon Government Calendar and Directory” volumė - and confine itself to an annual Civil List and Blue Book, In 1863 Mr. J. Ferguson took charge of
Ridgeway, both of who service, declared that in did they know of so va directory, or such ful Victoria, where a paid
head of a Statistical
mainly on account of hi this annual volume, and labour for tropical ag monthly Tropical Agric Ferguson received from the honour of C.M.G. O. of Sir West Ridgeway volume of the “Ceylon
MPRESSIONS
pon after changed the
The book, forty years
45o pages. Year by t often comprises II,6oo h information on every cted with the colony, all plantations and full enterprise. Successive 1 high praise to the al Secretaries and the al Office. Sir Arthur nmore) and Sir West
m had a very extended no British dependency luable a handbook and l, statistics, unless in public officer is at the Department. It was s forty years' labour on his twenty-one years' riculture through the ulturist, that Mr. John His Majesty the King in the recommendation in I903. The latest Handbook and Direc
OF CEYLON
tory” is for I9o6-7, and covers II,55 I pages. Its price is I per copy, and it is procurable at the Observer office, Colombo.
受
THE TIMES OF CEY LON.'
The Ceylon Times, the forerunner of the pre
sent Times of Ceylon, was started in Colombo in
July, 1846, and the Ceylon Overland Times in 1860. Mr. John Capper, a Colombo merchant, who had been one of the two sub-editors of the London Globe, as well as a contributor to Dickens's Household Words, was the editor and proprietor; but in I874 he sold the paper to a company and returned to England. The venture did not prosper under the company, which soon went into liquidation. Mr. Capper, who had meanwhile returned to Ceylon, resumed control of the paper ; and Mr. Frank Capper, one of two sons of the founder who had shortly before begun life in the hills as coffeeplanters, came down to Colombo to help his father. The elder son, Mr. H. H. Capper, joined them soon afterwards. Great energy was then infused into the business, and the paper, the name of which had been changed to the Times of Ceylon, soon flourished exceedingly, rapidly taking first place in point of circulation amongst the planters and other European residents. In the eighties Mr. Capper, sen., retired to England, but continued his journalistic work as London correspondent -of the paper, a position which he filled until his eighty-third year. The title of the firm is still Capper & Sons.
In 1894 Messrs. H. H. & F. Capper, who had become sole proprietors of the business, built on a prominent site their own newspaper offices, an enterprising example in connection with journalism not even yet copied in Ceylon. A view of the Times buildings is given in an accompanying illustration. In I905 Mr. H. H. Capper unexpectedly died while in London; but in 1904, during the Russo-Japanese war, he had started the Morning Times, which, combining several novel features, including illustrations of local current events, a magazine page, copyright serial and short stories, with accurate and up-to-date news service, has already carved out for itself a position which makes it as indispensable to the Ceylonese as the evening paper is to Europeans. No other newspaper house in Ceylon publishes two daily papers. To this firm belongs the credit of introducing illustrated journalism into Ceylon, and important developments are contemplated in this direction.
The Times of Ceylon is an eight-page paper, and besides being in its ordinary form larger than any other of its local contemporariesthe Morning Times is the same size-it gives
Page 317
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
ten pages once and sometimes twice a week. The price of the Times of Ceylon is Io cents (Id.) and of the Morning Times 5 cents (Ed.).
The complete service of special telegrams from their own correspondents has always been a special feature, besides a special London service. They have correspondents at Calcutta,
Department of Agricul It took a leading part World's Rubber Exhib a special feature of
ways.
The Christmas numb which claims to be th produced east of Suez
بقایای این زبان: ۴
Bombay, Madras, Rangoon, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Melbourne, who keep them thoroughly posted by cable with news of importance. Agriculture being the mainstay of the country, the Times of Ceylon has always paid special attention to this subject in its varied phases, and a large planting circulation -three-fourths of the entire community are its regular subscribers-enables it to keep thoroughly abreast of developments. It is a vigorous advocate of the creation of a separate
*TIMES OE CE
was also started ir preceding years the hausted; and out of Christmas number it v be sold outside of th people and their friel dom, as well as am Malaya, and elsewhe Combined with th various publications office, with the follow
MPRESSIONS
ure by the Government. in initiating the first tion of I906, and made it in a variety of
r of the Times of Ceylon, e best art publication (price R.I., or Is. 4d.),
OF CEYLON 309
Two printing presses, fourteen printing machines, four cutting, three stitching, two perforating, two ruling, one routing, one blocking, one stamping, one punching, one eyeletting, two numbering, and one stereo machines. The firm are printers to, among other corporations, the Planters' Association of Ceylon and the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.
T, ON *
BUILDING,
I904. In the two issue was quickly ex',ooo copies of the I906 jas expected 2,Ooo would island-among Ceylon lds in the United Kingbng residents in India, e in Asia. e production of these is a general printing ng machine equipment :
The whole establishment employs over 220 hands.
The chief members of the staff are recruited in Europe; and, besides Mr. F. Capper, there are Mr. Francis Crosbie Roles, F.J.I., who has been editor for eight years and partner for six; Mr. H. Woosnam Mills, who is now co-editor and holds the firm's power of attorney; Mr. Alfred Scanes, M.J.I., manager; Mr. Tom Jones, sub-editor; Mr. D. Arklay, chief reporter; and Mr. S. R. Thernely, manager of
U米
Page 318
310
the printing department. There is also a full staff of Ceylonese reporters, with Mr. F. F. Martinus as sub-editor of the Morning Times. The Times of Ceylon has always been a recognised organ of sport of all kinds, of the games and athletic pursuits which figure so prominently in Anglo-Indian life, and the popularity of which explains why English people in the tropics maintain their activity and health longer
TWENTIETH CENTURY
published more cabled War than any other n Ceylon enjoys what namely, a foreign pi lasting for forty-eight tıon.
The Times of Ceylo. in London, having as 1 27, Mincing Lane, E.C
·
than tropical colonists of other nationalities. Among the book publications issued from the Times office is the annual “Ceylon Handbook of Sport," edited by Mr. P. L. Bartholomeusz, of the literary staff.
India, Ceylon's huge neighbour, recognises the ehterprise and ability of the island press, and in establishing this reputation the Times of Ceylon has taken a leading part. It is, for example, its well-authenticated boast that it
THE TIMES OF C
who has been associated
youth, while Mr. Alexar recognised planting an whose contributions and
are regularly reproduc South Indian journals. spondent. At the Lonc register of addresses with Ceylon; and there Times of Ceylon public
MPRESSIONS
news of the great Boer wspaper in Asia; and ndia does not possess, ess-message copyright, ours after first publica
is well represented hanager, at its office at Mr. A. L. Hutchison,
OF CEYLON
sulted, and other detailed information about Great Britain's leading Crown Colony obtained at any time.
Frank A. Capper arrived in Ceylon in September, 1875, and was engaged in coffee planting on the Haputale, Kahagalla and Sherwood estates in the Haputale district till November, 188I, when he came to Colombo to
EYLON STAFF,
with Ceylon since his der Bethune, J.P., a ! business authority, exclusive cablegrams d by Calcutta and is London correon office is kept a f people connected files of the various tions can be con
assist his father, the late Mr. John Capper, in
restarting the moribund Ceylon Times as the Times of Ceylon, in which they were joined in 1882 by the late Mr. H. H. Capper. The firm of Capper & Sons was then started, and in 1903 that of Capper Bros., to carry on the London work of the firm at 27, Mincing Lane. Mr. F. Capper worked as sub-editor and manager of the Times of Ceylon till 1886, when, on the retirement of Mr. John Capper, with his
Page 319
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
brother he assumed the joint editorship and control of the Times of Ceylon and allied
FRANK CAPPER.
publications, till the death of Mr. H. H. Capper in I905 left him sole proprietor.
Francis Crosbie Roles, born in 1867, was articled to journalism in England, and went to Colombo when twenty-one years of age as chief reporter of the Ceylon Independent, then edited and managed respectively by the late Mr. George Wall and Mr. C. J. Higgs, now of Madras. Mr. Roles returned to England in I893, but went back to Colombo in 1895 as sub-editor of the Timcs of Ceylon. Appointed leader-writer in 1897 and partner in 19oo, Mr. Roles has had joint charge of. the Times of Ceylon establishment ever since. He was Treasurer of the Ceylon branch of the Royal Asiatic Society for eleven years, and is a life member of that body. A member of the old national Association of Journalists of Great Britain and Ireland, Mr. Roles became an original member of the Institute of Journalists on its formation in 1889, and was elected a fellow in 190I. He is also a life-fellow of the Royal Colonial Institute. He represents the Central News (London). In 1896 he married, in New York, the only daughter of the late Mr. John A. Nichols, a lawyer of that city, and has twice since visited America. On one of these occasions, in 1904, he was an Official Visitor for Ceylon at the St. Louis World's Fair. Mr. Roles drafted the original of the Foreign Press-Messages Copyright Ordinance of 1898, which affords forty-eight hours' protec
tion, and he is in favour C copyright laws to Ceylol may shortly publish a Handbook.” He contr
edition of 'The Law has specially studied t cultivation, and has pul this industry. He is a Malay Estates, Ltd., and Rubber Syndicate, Ltd Nuwara Eliya Hotels
Indo-Malay Estates, L by Mr. Roles at the approval of a number
can own rubber prop
South India, but can
E". CROSBIE II
(Edit
property. Ceylon publ at liberty to take shares, were treated preferen has the further distinctio capitalised limited li formed. Mr. Roles is a mobile Club of Ceylon (c His telegraphic address
Harry Woosnam N the son of a newspaper school he was sent to thi to learn his profession in Dr. Mackie having very a journalist's training sh Mills left the Guardian editorship of the Stock and Cheshire County Nez
MPRESSIONS
of the extension of other
n. He has drafted and
“Ceylon Chairman's ibuted to the second
and the Press.' He he subject of rubber blished a brd.chure on director of the Indoof the Bharu Selangor l, as well as of the
Company, Ltd. The td., was established request and with the of public officers who erties in Malaya and lot own any Ceylon
ROLES, FJ.I.
or.)
ic officers were thus and their applications tially. This company on of being the lowest ability company yet member of the Autowning a “Rover" car).
is Roles, Colombo.
Mills-born in I873proprietor. On leaving a Warrington Guardian the “Mackie School,' definite ideas of what Lould be. In 1894. Mr. being offered the subport Evening Chronicle vs. Six months of the
OF CEYLON 3.
smoke of Stockport proved sufficient, and when Mr. Mills was invited to start a paper for Mr. Cripps and others at Maidenhead, he did so. An opportunity which came to him in I895 was too tempting to be missed, however, even for the attractions of the river, and in the winter of that year he accepted the invitation of the late Sir George Allen and Mr. George Chesney to join the staff of the Pioneer and Civil and Military Gazette. Mr. Mills spent three years in India, succeeding, by the way, to the chair which Mr. Rudyard Kipling formerly occupied at Lahore. The frontier troubles of the late nineties gave him the subject-matter for a couple of books, ' The Pathan Revolt in North-West India' and “The Tirah Campaign,' both of which are still in constant demand for text-book purposes. Returning to Europe, Mr. Mills settled down in the Quartier Latin of Paris, where he spent nearly two years as a student of the language and literature of France. When the desire to return East of Suez came along, Mr. Frank Capper opportunely asked him to join the staff of the Times of Ceylon. Before leaving England, in April, I901, he was married to Kathleen, the second daughter of George Nagington, of Comberley Hall, Staffordshire. In 1903 Mr. Mills became sub-editor of the Times of Ceylon, and he was made assistant-editor before going Home on furlough in Igo5. He was associated with the late Mr. H. H. Capper
ష్ట్ర ణ్ణి
E. WOOSNAM MILS (Co-Editor.)
in the inauguration of the Christmas number of thc Times of Ceylon and the Morning Times,
Page 320
312 TWENTIETH
both of which have been highly successful departures. Mr. Mills is a member of the London Press Club.
Alfred Scanes was born in 1877. He has been a member of the Institute of Journalists since 1897. In 1892 he started journalistic work on the staff of the Devon and Eaceter Daily Gazette, conducted by Major G. F. Gratwicke (President of the Institute of Journalists, 1905-6). He also filled the position of foreign sub-editor of the Western Daily Mercury, Plymouth. He arrived in Ceylon in March, 1899, and joined the staff of the Times of Ceylon as chief reporter. He became sub-editor after two years, and, later, was appointed manager and chief sub-editor.
se
THE CEY LON STANDARD,'
The Ceylon Standard was started in January of the year 1898 as a daily morning paper of eight pages, each consisting of seven 20-in. columns, and soon achieved the popularity which it has since enjoyed. This is not surprising when it is remembered that the paper has followed, throughout the whole of its existence, the policy best explained by a quotation from its first issue, which runs : “With the first issue of the Ceylon Standard the public will naturally expect some statement as to the policy of the new morning journal. To make a brief statement upon this point is,
GARDINER BROWN.
therefore, our first duty. The Standard has been inaugurated with a view to giving full and fearless expression to honest, well-meant
CENTURY
public opinion with ri ment of the island, le and supporting the effo
way endeavouring to this country. In dealin the representation of this journal will be br ing always to voice g and to secure the great number. At the same desire to treat public ; loyalty, and with due
thority. Each of ther of Ceylon-social, offic dustrial-will be car preference will be give detriment of the others. agriculture will alike ré and any assistance wh paper in this work will In short, the object of
MPRESSIONS
erence to the governslative and municipal, s of all who are in any
OF CEYON
work for the general well-being of the entire island.
In the pursuit of this policy, it is hoped
that this journal may receive from the public of
'CEYLON STANDARD ' BUILDINGS.
levelop the resources of g with matters affecting he people, the policy of badly progressive, seekenuine popular feeling, est good for the greatest ime there will be every ffairs in a spirit of true espect to those in auLany important interests
al, educational, and in
fully studied, but no to any of these to the Finance, commerce, and ceive constant attention, ch may be given to the
be heartily welcomed. the Standard will be to
all classes appreciative and cordial support. By devoting itself to the service of the public, by striving to promote healthy progress, and by avoiding petty personalities, the Standard expects to secure a permanent and influential position amongst the journals of Ceylon." A high ideal, truly, but one which the Standard has consistently aimed at.
The Standard is thoroughly up to date, receiving as it does Reuter's full telegraphic service and holding its columns open till the
last moment for the important telegrams, which
leave London just when the newspaper world there is most busy and arrive in Ceylon in the middle of the night. As many keen followers among its readers of Home and foreign events know, the Standard has often been the first to give them important news-such as the result
Page 321
TWENTIETH
of a big race meeting-by reason of the fact that its favourable position in the Fort gives it a great advantage in this direction. No pains are spared to insure that its readers shall have the very latest, both of local and foreign intelligence. Its leading articles on current topics may be regarded as expressions of sound, sober opinion, and their influence has been undoubted in furthering the general weal. Ample reports of all local functions are given; the paragraphing work is attended to with thoroughness and accuracy, whilst every precaution possible is taken to eliminate anything in the contributions submitted which seems to be inspired by malice. The result is that the sales of the Standard go on steadily improving.
The offices were originally situated in Chatham Street, Colombo ; but a move was made during Igo5 to the present site, No. 6, Canal Row. A more suitable building for the purpose it would be difficult to devise. It is conveniently situated, and compact, yet each department has spacious accommodation, with plenty of light and air. The machinery is of the best kind procurable, one machine having only recently arrived from the makers, the type is new, and the paper is as well turned out as any in the island. In addition to the plant for producing the paper, there is an extensive jobbing plant, a large amount of general printing being dealt with. It speaks well for the excellence of the work done in this department that repeat orders are constantly being received. The proprietors of the whole business are Messrs. J. G. C. Mendis, J. W. Charles de Soysa, and F. J. Mendis, who took over the concern in August, 1904, from the limited liability company which previously owned the paper.
A word as to some of those who have been
connected with the Standard. Mr. Maurice Windus was the first occupant of the editorial chair. A London journalist, his career in Ceylon, which opened with promise of great things to be done, was ultimately brought to a sad close some six months after he landed. He was succeeded by Mr. Francis J. Wayman, who caine out to take up sub-editorial duties soon after the paper was started. For seven years Mr. Wayman conducted the journal, doing much by his writing to enhance its popularity, more especially during the South African War, of which he made a careful study. His “Topics of the Hour" attracted a good deal of attention, and for some years were quite a feature of the paper. A successor was appointed in the person of the present editor, Mr. William Smith, who for private reasons was unable to occupy the position at the time, and in the interim Mr. F. Gardiner Brown, who early in I905 had joined the staff as chief reporter, was induced to accept the acting post pro tem. Previous to his coming to Ceylon Mr. Brown was chief reporter of the Leamington Spa
CENTURY IM
Courier, favourably known in C
The present
W. SM
(Edit
resided since the early
until some three and a ha and manager of Queen leading schools for gir first manager was Mr. W afterwards found his w present manager, Mr. W for many years a resid has been connected wi but one brief break, sir
W. H.
(Мапа
The Standard claims in Ceylon which canno
PRESSIONS OF CEYLON 313
editor is well and any specified community. Its sympathies can eylon, where he has be enlisted in no cause whatsoever unless it can be conclusively shown that that cause is a right one. Its columns are kept free from the baneful influence of local prejudices; hence its popularity with its growing circle of patrons.
艾
THE CEY LON INDEPENDENT.'
The Ceylon Independent was the pioneer of the cheap newspaper in the East; and this, the first “penny' newspaper in Ceylon, was started by Mr. Hector Van Cuylenburg and Mr. William Maitland. The venture was an immediate success from the first, and can claim to have “never looked back.' The first number was issued on July 4, 1888, when the evening papers were being sold for I5 or I2 cents. The drop to 5 cents was rather a startling innovation; and not long after, the Observer and Times, the evening 'dailies' of Colombo, IITEI. perceived the advantage of reducing their Cor.) price to the uniform rate of Io cents a copy. The necessity of placing a newspaper within seventies, having been the reach of the people was generally acknowlf years ago proprietor ledged. The Ceylon Times Press Company, Ltd., 's College, one of the which had been floated locally by some wealthy ls in the island. The merchants, planters, and influential bankers of illiam Mackenzie, who the island for the purpose of opposing the lay to Australia. The Ceylon Observer, the oldest of the Colombo W. H. Taffs, has been journals, had come to grief. The plant and ent in the island, and machinery were sold by public auction, and th the Standard, with thus practically dispersed. But, by a peculiar ice I899. irony of fate, a great portion of the type,
together with a famous quad-crown Wharfedale. machine, eventually came into the possession of Mr. William Maitland, who was associated with Mr. Van Cuylenburg in the early days of the Independent. With the equipment thus acquired, a job-printing establishment was started in Chatham Street, Colombo, on the site of the premises now tenanted by Messrs. E. Cahill & Co., and Mr. W. H. Tiller, late of the Obscriver staff, was appointed manager.
The Indefendent made its bow with a subscription list of over I,500 supporters. Mr. Tiller soon afterwards left for South Africa, and was succeeded in the managership by Mr. C. J. Higgs, now a partner in Messrs. Higginbotham & Co., Madras. Later, Mr. E. H. Joseph succeeded Mr. Higgs as manager, and has retained the position since I892. The first editor was Mr. Heath, who had formerly been Reuter's Agent in Colombo. He died shortly after his appointment; and, chiefly DAFFTS. through the good offices of Mr. F. H. M. ger.) Corbet, the services of the late Mr. George Wall were secured as editor in I889. Mr. to be the only paper Wall was a well-known public man, possessing t be said to cater for an experience of the public affairs of Ceylon
Page 322
314
which was probably unrivalled. He had been Chairman of the Planters' Association of Ceylon, Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, also Planting Representative in thc Legislative Council; and what he wrote men read gladly, all classes acknowledging his authority, from the Governor-first, Sir Arthur Gordon (now Lord Stanmore) and, later, Sir Arthur E. Havelock-downwards. So well did the paper flourish under the editorship of Mr.
TWENTIETH CEN
URY I
the paper. Mr. Van editor-in-chief till L898, the active duties of th Coates, the present ed retaining in his hands t and guiding its policy."
The chief feature of t is its outspokenness; claim to popular suppo1 lation of public question
Wall that it became necessary to enlarge the editorial staff, and another recruit in the person of Mr. Francis Crosbie Roles, now one of the editors of the Times of Ceylon, was brought out from England to assist, and rendered good service as chief reporter. Mr. Wall's connection with the paper lasted until his death, which occurred in December, I894. At that time Mr. Roles had also left the staff, and Mr. J. Scott Coates was brought out, in March, 1895, to assist Mr. Hector Van Cuylenburg and Mr. C. W. Gray ("Saxon") in the conduct of
"INDEPENDENT
of public evils. Fol espouses the cause of community, but addr to the necessities of ea
achievements of this
which led to the re in I89o, when Mr. G helm. In 1899 Mr. H as editor and propri action for damages bro C. J. R. Le Mesurier, au in the High Court o
MIPRESSIONS
Cuylenburg remained
when he relinquished e post to Mr. J. Scott itor, always, however, he control of the paper
he Ceylon Independent and it bases its main
it on the fearless ventis and the bold exposure
OF CEYLON
the first trial, in June, I902, before Mr. Justice Grantham and a special jury, a verdict in favour of the plaintiff for I,5oo and costs was returned by the jury. Mr. Van Cuylenburg, nothing daunted, filed an appeal, contrary, it is said, to the advice of many eminent lawyers, who advised him “not to throw good money after bad.' present Master of the Rolls being emphatic in his ruling that there had been a miscarriage of
The appeal was successful, the
PRINTING WORKS.
lowing this course, it
no one section of the esses itself impartially ch. One of the greatest paper was the agitation peal of the paddy tax eorge Wall was at the (ector Van Cuylenburg, tor, had to defend an ught against him by Mr. n ex-Ceylon civil servant, f Justice, England. At
justice, and a second trial was ordered. This second trial took place before Lord Alverstone, the Lord Chief Justice, and a special jury, and ended in a verdict for the Independent after a three days' trial. Sir Arthur Collins, late Chief Justice of Madras, and Mr. Quinton Hogg appeared for the plaintiff, and the late Mr. Macaskie, K.C., and Messrs. Storry, Dean, and F. H. M. Corbet appeared for the defendant, the successful appellant. The average daily circulation of the Independent, as certified by Mr. H. P. Church, incorporated
Page 323
TWENTIETH
accountant, is 3,27o. A notice of the proprietor, Lieutenant-Colonel Hector Van Cuy
ILIT-COL. HECTOR VAN CUYLENBURG. (Proprietor.)
lenburg, appears in the Military Section of this book.
JOHN SCOTT COATES (Editor).
This gentleman, son of Mr. W. H. Coates, of Tunbridge Wells, Kent, is the third of four sons who have all found their living abroadone under the Egyptian Government (since retired), two in South Africa, and one in Ceylon. Mr. J. Scott Coates's journalistic experience dates back to 1882, when, after completing his education at the Brighton Grammar School, he joined the Sussex Daily News in Brighton as an apprentice in the editorial department. In 1888 he was appointed district reporter for the same paper, having his headquarters in Horsham, North
west Sussex. Eighteen months later he
J. SCOTT COATES. (Editor.)
resigned this position to take charge of an Eastbourne edition of the Sussex Express.
CENTURY
Owing to the unpopu paper assumed on th question, Mr. Coates re was next appointed Brighton and Hove Ga vacated, in March, 1895 where he joined the ed Independent in the cap From that position he moted to be sub-editc finally, in 1898, editor. for the last fifteen ye Institute of Journalis hon. secretary of tha district. He is an expe has frequently been Government to take t the Annual Conference and various commissi President of the Ceyl, Association. Under his has witnessed expans but in circulation, the been reached. Mr. January 27, 1867, and on November 24, 1898, elder daughter of the artist, of Preston Park,
ERNEST HENLEY
Mr. Ernest Henley J the late A. O. Joseph, F Court of Ceylon, was b In I88o he left for E education, and entered where he pursued his : He also previously rec Clifton. During his sta success both in footi returned to Ceylon ir years later joined th general assistant, risin to the position of mana office he has retained e leisure hours, sports c especially football and of the Colombo Hocke played at both games Colombo versus Up-co tive years, viz., I892 football forward for th a presentation cap. In for Mr. George Vanders against the English ele was taking, out to Al 1896, playing for eigh the Australian team ca. and which visited E subject of this notice (23) for Ceylon. In 18 averages for the island
MPRESSIONS
Ir attitude which this Salvation Army riots igned his position, and hief reporter of the ette, which position he to come out to Ceylon, orial staff of the Ceylon acity of chief reporter. was successively proI, assistant-editor, and Mr. Coates has been, ars, a member of the S, and was formerly , body for the Sussex t shorthand writer, and commissioned by the he shorthand notes of of Government Agents ons. He is also the on Shorth and Writers charge the Independent ion, not only in size, limit of which has not Coates was born on married in Colombo, Miss Kathleen Cooper, : late Mr. R. Cooper,
Brighton.
JOSEPH (Manager).
oseph, the eldest son of roctor of the Supreme orn in Colombo in 1868. ngland to receive his Bath College, Somerset, studies for three years. eived private tuition at y in England he scored ball and cricket. He April, I886, and two : Independent staff as g afterwards, in 1892, ger of that organ, which During his aim him as a devotee,
ver since.
cricket. As a member and Football Club, he in the annual matches Intry for eight consecuto 1899. As the best e year I895 he received Dctober, I894, he played par's eighteen of Ceylon ten which Mr. Stoddart stralia; and in April, een of Ceylon against tained by George Trott, ngland that year, the made the highest score 9 he headed the batting in cricket,
OF CEYLON 35
Volunteer work also occupies some of his time. He joined the Ceylon Artillery Volun
teers in 1900, and two years later he was made Lieutenant, receiving the appointment of
E. H. JOSEPH. (Manager.)
Captain in 1905. His private residence is "Stockton," Maitland Crescent.
艾
LLOYD'S GREATER BRTAIN PUBLISHING CO., LTD.
Into this section seems to appropriately fall a description of the organisation which has been responsible for the production of “Twentieth Century Impressions of Ceylon.” The company itself has only a temporary foothold on the island, but its work here as elsewhere has been essentially of a local character, and its influence in Ceylon, it may be reasonably anticipated, will be far from transient. Established in Australia in I90o by Mr. Reginald Lloyd, in association with Mr. P. W. H. Thiel, the stages of development, until to-day it is revealed as a flourishing concern, with a business domicile in Durban, Natal, and world-wide activities. But though changes have marked the machinery of the organisation, there has been no departure from the principles originally adopted by the founders as their rule of action. The root idea of the system which they established was the widening of public knowledge of the great self-governing colonies-the "free nations" of Kipling’s poem-and.the. vast, dependencies which, together give such impressiveness, to the British Empire. At the time they embarked upon their task there was much talk of the necessity of the diffusion of full and
company has passed through various
w
Page 324
316
accurate information regarding the component parts of the Empire. Mr Chamberlain had stirred the dry bones of the Colonial Office by his vigorous action, and had evoked interest, and even enthusiasm, in “the Britains beyond the sea' by his eloquent dissertations on the importance of knowledge as a factor in the furtherance of Imperial ideals. The promoters took their cue from the greatest of Colonial Secretaries and the best business man who has ever figured in the Imperial Government. They adopted as their ideal a publication which should deal exhaustively with every phase of the life of a colony or dependency, and which should be as informing.
well They went upon the assumption that there was a public which would welcome a work of this class where
attractive as
TWENTIETH CENTURY
have appealed to th communities which a mercial. In fine, the for itself a distinct pi world, and in doing so public service by addi knowledge of the ou Empire.
In Ceylon the comp: in May, 1906. Mr. manager, who had b the Natal and Orang through the press,
quarters in the Victori gathered about him tl Mr. Reginald Lloyd, was detained in Sout and on his arrival il
LLOYD'S REPRESENTATIVE UP-COUNTRY COLLECTING. I. NATANDIYA, IN THE NORTH-WESTERN PROVI
it would turn with indifference, if not aversion, from a Blue Book or a volume in which facts and figures were set out without the graces of illustration and the lighter features which are possible in a work of a popular type. Events have justified to the full the Soundness of their views. In Western Australia, in Natal, in the Orange River Colony, and lastly and most decidedly in Ceylon, it has been shown by the successful production of volumes in each case that a compilation on the lines indicated is a thoroughly acceptable, and even invaluable, addition to local literature. The magnitude of the literary scheme and the sumptuousness of the artistic features have been appreciated as belonging to a class of enterprise which ordinarily lies apart from Colonial publications; while the thoroughness and comprehensiveness of the operations as a whole
was complete. Thenc ceeded steadily all alon; districts of the island
visited by members of of information dealin; phases of Ceylon life v. use. Meanwhile the
local writers-experts
enlisted to make speci, jects of importance in t This assistance was
rendered, with the ultim of the book are ador: some of which have because of the light thi and interests of the is are of value as author on the subjects treate standing, the work of t
IMPRESSIONS
e business instincts of e above all things com‘ompany has carved out sition in the publishing has performed no small ng to the sum of public tlying portions of the
ny started its operations Somerset Playne, the een to England to see : River Colony volumes established the heada Arcade, Colombo, and nere a staff of workers.
the general manager, h Africa until August, l that month the staff
NFORMATION AT
NCE}.
eforward the work prog the line. The various were mapped out and the staff, and a mass g with the multifarious was garnered for future services of many able in various lines-were all contributions on subhe scheme of the work. freely and generously ate result that the pages hed with monographs,
a permanent interest y throw on the history land, and all of which itative pronouncements d. This aid notwithhe regular literary staff
OF CEYLON
has been very onerous. The task of compiling such a publication as this would be no light one in England or Australia, where every facility is at hand for the purpose. But in a tropical land, where literary work can only be done under many disadvantages, owing to the lack of conveniences, and where the climate is inimical to the constitution, the operations are doubly difficult. This truth forced itself into prominence as the work of compilation proceeded. Eventually, owing to the depletion of the staff through illness, new blood had to be infused from Home. The services of a new editor and two assistants were secured early in November, and with their arrival at the end of that month the work of the office once more dropped into a normal groove. Thereafter, until the final stage was reached early in March, no serious difficulty was experienced. But a constant and vigilant supervision had to be exercised to insure that faith was kept with the public. In particular the photography necessitated continuous watchfulness and unremitting energy. A glance through the pages of the volume will reveal even to the uninstructed the reason for this. The many hundreds of reproductions of photographs which appear there represent the work of months of several firms, whose assistants had to travel in some instances scores of miles to obtain the many beautiful and interesting sun pictures which appear in the work. The duty of registering, classifying, and arranging these productions was no light one. Errors had to be guarded against by an elaborate system of checks; the best use had to be made of the material at hand: so from first to last the photographic work was a source of anxiety and occasionally But the result more than compensates for all the troubles that have been experienced. It will be generally admitted, we think, that the illustrations in point of vivid, living interest and artistic excellence surpass any that have ever appeared in a work of this character relating to the colonies. It may be added that without the backing of a powerful organisation assisted by local goodwill they would not have been possible.
Of the work as a whole it can be truthfully said that throughout it has been received with the most cordial sympathy. His Excellency Sir Henry Blake, the Governor, extended to it his patronage, and showed an interest in the working out of the scheme which was highly encouraging. His Excellency's example was widely followed. From many and diverse sources and in various shapes the staff received encouragement and oftentimes active assistance in the prosecution of their labours. In this way the compilation derived an aspect which differentiates it from publications of an ordinary character, in which the author or editor has to work with no other force
embarrassment.
Page 325
TWENTIETH
behind him than his own enthusiasm and
material interest.
One of the characteristic features of the
organisation of Lloyd's Publishing Company is
that its work knows no break. Long before one,
volume is completed another is sketched out, and ere the editor has set his seal to the last pages a portion of the staff is commencing work upon a new enterprise elsewhere. So it happened that the early days of December saw Mr. Somerset Playne thoroughly equipped in the field at Singapore, laying the foundations of a volume dealing with the Straits Settlements and the Federated Malay States. It is too early yet to speak of this enterprise fully, but it may be said generally that the book will be a worthy successor of the existing volume, embodying all its salient features and its manifold points of interest and attractiveness. After the publication of the work on the Straits Settlements a volume will appear dealing with Hong Kong, and this in turn will be succeeded by Twentieth Century Impressions of other important centres. In this way a library will ultimately be formed which will go far to meet that demand for a comprehensive survey of British possessions
CENTURY I
J. ELLIS E
(Chairman
beyond the sea which
in his historic speech.
The directorate of I
Company, Ltd., incluc
known and most subst:
ILLOYIDʼ
I. J. W. DENNY. 2, ARNOLD WRIGHT.
5. MISS EDITH ASHLEY.
8. E. MANNHEIMER. (Field. Representative.)
Editor.)
6. REGINA (General
Io. S. G
MPRESSIONS
ROWN, J.P.
of Directors.)
Mr. Chamberlain made
loyd's Greater Britain
les some of
the best
antial business men and
S PRESS.
LD LLOYib. Manager.)
SAMUEL.
3. J. ADDY.
OF CEYION 317
financiers in South Africa. Mr. J. Ellis Brown, the chairman of the company, who was Mayor of Durban for many years, is a director of the Natal Trustand Finance Company, Ltd., asis also the deputy-chairman, Sir Benjamin Greenacre, head of the great Durban firm of Harvey, Greenacre & Co., and deputy-chairman of the Natal Bank, Ltd., while the chairman of the Natal Trust and Finance Company, Ltd., Mr. Maurice Evans, C.M.G., M.L.A., is also a member of the Board. The other two directors are the Hon. Mr. Marshall Campbell, M.L.C., managing director of the Natal Sugar Estates, Ltd., the largest concern of its kind in South Africa, and Mr. Alexander Harvey Rennie, resident partner (in Natal) of the “Rennie ' Steamship Company, both gentlemen being also on the directorate of the Natal Trust and Finance Company, Ltd. The secretary of the company is Mr. Henry Ernest Mattinson, F.I.A.N. Club Arcade, Durban, and the auditor is Mr. George Mackeurtan, of that
town.
THE * SANDARESA.”
A quarter of a century ago vernacular journalism in Ceylon was in the hands of one
4. LAwRIE" MUTHUKRISHNA.
7. SOMERSET PLAY NIE. (Manager.)
12. J. HoLDSworTH.
Page 326
38 TWENTIETH
or two private individuals of very conservative ideas, with the result that punctuality, precision, and promptitude, which are essential in this as in other lines of business, were more honoured in the breach than in the observance. Thirty years ago Ceylon possessed the notoriety of schisms unknown cduring the reigns of the Sinhalese kings, for each of the various sects attempted to gain predominance over the others. This was a source of hindrance to united action, and the Buddhists felt the situation more keenly than the other religious denominations. This state of affairs was aggravated by the introduction, later, of other sects of Buddhist monks, who vied with each other to raise their respective schools of thought into prominence. The result was that the laity, who were barricaded by differences, were still more hindered. This trouble naturally affected the journalists, who were under the obligation of taking some side or other. They were thus placed in an awkward position, as they were few in number and had to satisfy the particular needs of their supporters.
With the advent of the Theosophical pioneers in 188o, the position of the Buddhists particularly was thoroughly reviewed, and an organisation called the Buddhist Section of the Theosophical Society was started in Colombo on the 17th of June of the same year, with the following objects :-
(I) The promotion of Buddhism by guarding it from the attacks of those who profess other religions; (2) the strengthening of Buddhists in their faith and in the practice of Buddhist morals; (3) the dissemination of Buddhist doctrines. A large number of prominent Buddhists joined the movement, and then was recognised the absolute necessity for establishing a first-class vernacular newspaper under the auspices of the Theosophical Society of Colombo. The paper was started in December, 188o, as a weekly (published every Friday), and consisted of four pages. But the demand for the journal was so great that in May, 1887, it was converted into a bi-weekly (published on Fridays and Tuesdays). The employment of able pundits on the editorial staff popularised the venture to such an extent that it grew into a leading vernacular organ, and gave an impetus to the study of Sinhalese by the natives. The progress of the paper became manifest in May, 19oI, when the Friday issue assumed the dimensions of eight pages; and in January, I902, the Tuesday issue followed suit.
The remarkable change effected by this Sinhalese paper, with its national aims, in bringing about a healthy union, is attributable to the firmness with which the society which owns the Sarasavi Sandaresa has conducted its business in conformity with
CENTURY
the objects originally commercial success, a recommendable in the weekly circulati while, in reference closely watches, on community, the legis advocates the cause of caste and sect. I before the public, as all needs pertaining the condition of th generally. The Eng the Sandaresa is an started in June, 1905, of its promoters, su bringing before the g grievances of the Bu with a completeness other journals. This lished every Friday, growing circulation. ment is being broug with the developmen primitive hand-press Sarasavi Sandaresa have given place driven by gas-power, has been incurred in posing staff and ti surplus of income ove to the furtherance undertaken by the Col phical Society. This management over 200 ance of over 3o,ooo bo Sarasavvi Sanudaresa cl mouthpiece of the tw of Ceylon, but also to to the education of til lines. There being an income from forei of education would hampered had it not rendered by the Sa paper is conducted b editor-in-chief, and Pundit, assisted by an being Mr. G. H. de Sc
MALAY NIE
The Alamat Lanka Island of Lanka," wa printed in the Malay written in Arabic chai of six letters from existed nine years, from the Wajah Selong, or “ published, its fortnig. largely amongst the M
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
laid down. As regards Ceylon, the Straits Settlements, Java, Batavia, the paper claims to be Holland, &c. These were the only papers edium for advertisers, of the kind that ever existed in Ceylon, and in being 8,000 copies;
to its propaganda, శిక్స్టి behalf of the Buddhist r lation of the day, and f Buddhism irrespective E also aims at bringing well as the Government, to the amelioration of : Sinhalese population glish weekly edition of addition to journalism which has, in the view plied a great want in overning body particular ldhists in a fashion and not to be expected from English edition is puband has a large and The printing establishht up to date, to cope t of the business. The es with which the ཉིན་ཞི་ཉིད་ལྷོ་རྒྱུད་སྐུད་ started in the eighties to improved machines and a large expenditure fully manning the comhe management. Any r expenditure is devoted of Buddhist education ombo Buddhist Theososociety has under its schools, with an attendys and girls. Thus the aims not only to be the o millions of Buddhists have contributed largely he masses on Buddhist no means of obtaining gn countries, this work
B. O. SALDIN. (Editor.)
the latter was published until disease incapacitated the editor. The lithographer, editor, and publisher was the late Mr. Baba Ounoos Saldin, who was a prominent figure among the Malays; and in Mr. Skeen's pictures of Ceylon races
have been seriously been for the support asavi Sandaresa. The y Mr. H. S. Perera, as Mr. T. Karunaratne, able staff, the manager ysa.
受
WSPAPERS.
suri, or 'News of the s the first newspaper vernacular, a language acters with the addition ΜΑΤ.ΑΥ ΡΑΡΕΒ PUBLISHED FORTother alphabets, and it NIGHTLY SINCE 1869.
1869 to 1878. In 1895 Light of Ceylon," was Mr. Saldin's portrait stands for his kinsfolk as tly issues circulating a representative of the Malay. He died in I906, alay-speaking races in in his seventy-sixth year
Page 327
TWENTIETH
HEMENDRA SEPPALE PERERA.
This gentleman was born at Kandy in I868, and was educated at the Kandy Central High School and St. Paul's College, Kandy. The Theosophical Society made him manager of
EL. S. PEREIRA
their press in I890, and in 1903 he was appointed chief editor of the Sandaresa newspaper (of which an account is given elsewhere in this section).
' 'THE && SHALA SAMIAYA.”
The above bi-weekly journal (the Sinhalese Times) was established about the year I902 by Mr. Stephen de Silva, who still continues to conduct it. The paper is an eight-paged one, and is printed in clear type in the Sinhalese vernacular. Supplements are frequently issued with the sheet, a feature of the paper being its illustrated journalism. Cartoons and caricatures of local interest may be often noted in its columns, while cablegrams are taken over from the evening English papers under the
CENTURY IM
usual copyright provis is estimated at about posted to out-station c well as to foreign parts ing residents are to b business Reuter’s Tele distributing agents for is now in the sixth ye; seems to be well in de writing arrangements further development a scope of usefulness, an grow into twelve pag price of the paper is 5 (about five-sixths of a p offices are at 3, Canal Colombo.
s
THE at DINAPAT
Established in I8 Pravrutti (the Sinha constituted itself an ea by the masses, who in the latest news relati
interests of the islan Sinhalese community paper claims to be and works mainly in t ment of the colony's and present editor of Don Bastian, and the at Malibam Street, in The native branches C selves readily of its c advertisement, and rec of far-reaching useful large folio sheet of fo sells at 5 cents. W
the Sinhalese people position to support eve enterprise, there is re. future conduct of the and that developme1 At the present time it
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
The circulation t 3ooo, copies being entres in the island as where Sinhalese-speaka found. In the latter gram Company act as the paper. The journal ar of its existence, and amand. At the time of
are in hand for its
ind the extension of its d the sheet promises to es before long. The cents for a single copy Jenny). The publishing | Row, in the Fort of
HA-PRAVRUTTI.”
95, the Dinapathalese Daily News) has gerly sought for paper may find in its columns ve to the welfare and d in general and the in particular. The entirely non-sectarian, he cause of the betterpeoples. The founder the journal is Mr. C. publishing offices are the Pettah of Colombo. f the trade avail themolumns for purposes of :ognise in it a medium ness. The paper is a ur pages in extent, and Jith the awakening of and the growing disry description of native ason to believe that the a paper is well assured nts will rapidly follow : commands a good cir
ions.
39
culation, and has the distinction of being the only daily vernacular paper in the island.
THE ti MUSLIM FRIEND..”
Although the mass of Mahomedans generally speak the Hindustani language, or dialects related to it, the usual medium of communication amongst the Moors and Mahomedan settlers in Ceylon is Tamil, which, in the case of a good many of the more illiterate classes, is the only tongue they know. A newspaper in the interests of the Mahomedan community has therefore necessarily to be published in the Tamil language if it is to command their attention at all, or in any way cater for their needs. The Muslim Friend, with which is incorporated the Ceylon Mohammedhan, was founded a few years ago by the exertions of prominent members of the community, and is at present conducted by Mr. A. T. Shamsudeen, the publishing offices being at 51, Malibam Street, in the Pettah of Colombo. The Muslim Friend is an exclusively Tamil publication, while the Ceylon Mohammedhan is printed in English and forms a kind of supplement to it. Both sheets are issued bi-weekly, and the subscription is practically the same. The journal is essentially established in the interests of all professors of the Islamic faith, who, in Ceylon, comprise the Mahomedans proper, the Moors (both descendants of the ancient Arab traders and those who have settled down in the coast districts of South India), Malays, Javanese, Afghans, and other minor sections of Mahomedans. The paper aims at conserving the interests and safe-guarding the rights of Mahomedians throughout Ceylon, and its news service is therefore responsible and representative. It is the only Mahomedan paper in the island, and its circulation is consequently well maintained.
Page 328
SPICES
HE “spicy breezes' of
Ceylon are proverbialand mythical-but spices no longer monopolise the field as a mercantile asset. The old order in this matter as in others has changed. Gone are the cinnamon gardens which once spread over a considerable portion of what is to-day the chief residential centre of Colombo, and departed are the conditions of the period of Dutch ascendancy, when a considerable portion of the revenue of the Government was derived from a cinnamon monopoly, and when it was death for a native to even pluck a branch of a cinnamon tree. The name of the reserve survives, and with it a few isolated trees which carry forward the old tradition, but the Government long since washed its hands of the business, and the commodity now, under the overshadowing influence of larger interests, has lost much of the trade importance which belonged to it. Still, it remains a respectable industry. The exports in 1905 amounted to 46,925 cwts. and they contributed Rs. 2,312,464 to the total sum of the island's exports. The United Kingdom took about one-eighth of the whole, Germany about one-third, and the United States and South America each about one-ninth. The area under cultivation is some 44,000 acres. Much of it is on the west coast about Colombo and Negombo, but there are also estates at Kalutara, Galle, Matara, and Kegalla. The tree does not flourish inland. It likes a white sandy soil, such as is to be found about the estuaries and lagoons of Western Ceylon. In the halcyon days of the monopoly era the price of the bark 8s, a pound; now the rate of the best kinds is less than a shilling, and inferior qualities fetch little more than half that rate. The great drop in price was brought about by Competition. An inferior quality was im
reached as high a figure as
AND O
ported into Europe and China also ente the rates were force level, and the probabi will never be reach mentioned before pa that cinnamon iš ex “quills" and “chips.' ordinary cinnamon of are the cuttings from cinnamon branches. used in the manufactu distillation of cinnamo Cardamoms, “the another spice which fi returns. This spice extent until about th but the trade has no dimensions. As agai I24 cwts, there was i Though prices have fi years, the value of the Rs. 583.072. British I the United Kingdon was the next largest to her account. Clo to a small extent, and Pepper is a larger in 769 cwts. valued at I to the amount of 56 Rs. 37,465 was export sively to the United K In the list of 'ot in the heading of important item of es: cinnamon oil worth leaf oil of the value out of the country. product of this clas exports of which aggregated in value ing the citronella oi weera, of Welligam planter and export{ paper which was
HER PRODUCTS
rom the Malabar Coast, ed the lists. Gradually d down to the existing lity is that the old prices 'd again. It should be ssing from the subject Iorted in two forms-as ' The “quills' are the commerce, the “chips' the imperfectly grown The latter are chiefly re of cattle food and the in oil. seed of Paradise," are gures largely in the trade was not grown to any irty or forty years ago, w assumed considerable 1st an export in 1878 of I905 one of 7,888 cwts. illen considerably in late produce exported reaches ndia took 3,90o cwts. and 2,641 cwts. Germany buyer, with I,oIo cwts. es and mace are grown lso ginger and nutmegs. erest, with an export of s. 29,642; while vanilla wts. and of a value of xd in I9o5, almost exclungdom. er products' included his article comes the ntial oils. During I905 Rs. 15,397 and cinnamon of Rs. 5,982 were sent ut the most conspicuous was citronella oil, the the year mentioned Rs, I,041,256. Concernindustry, Mr. B. Samawho is an extensive wrote an interesting ad before the Ceylon
20
Agricultural Society on April 2, 1906. From
this we gather that some 40,000 acres of land
in the Southern Province are occupied with
citronella plantations. Some idea of the
magnitude of the industry, as well as its
steady advancement, may be gathered from the export figures for the years given below.
There are no available figures before I887.
EXPORTS OF CITRONELLA OIL.
lbs. lbs. I887 551,7o6 1896 I, I32, I4I I888 659,967 1897 п, п82,867 1889 64I,465 I898 I,365,917 1890 909,942 I899 1,478,756 1891 όο3,974 I900 1,409,058 1892 844,502 IgoI I,43o, I68 I893 668,520 1902 I,294,750 I894 ... 908,47I I903 I,062,594 1895 . І, 182,255 I904 I, I56,64ό
The history of the citronella plant at present cultivated is shrouded in mystery. It is thought by some to be an indigenous plant which has been improved by cultivation; by others it is considered to have been introduced into Ceylon from India. There is, Mr. Sama weera thinks, an element of truth in either view. Further, he is inclined to: believe that the four different varieties of the plant now existing and classified under the Mahapangeri and Lenabatu groups are the degenerate products of the exotic variety, or the product of a cross-fertilisation between the indigenous and exotic varieties. Or even it may be that the indigenous wariety has been improved as a result of cultivation. The citronella plant is the Andropogon Nardus,
Linnaeus, of the family Graminae, and is ex
tensively grown for the distillation of oil in the Southern Province, on the declivities of hills where the soil is not by any means considered to be rich. There are four different varieties of the plant met with in plantations. They are grouped under two classes, the
Page 329
TWENTIETH CENTURY
Mahapangeri and the Lenabatu. Each group has its advantages and disadvantages. The Mahapangeri gives a larger yield of oil, and a higher percentage of the aromatic constituents which go to increase the value of the oil from this group of plants. On the other hand, its chief disadvantages are that it requires a comparatively rich soil, is not able to withstand prolonged drought, and requires greater attention. Further, it has to be frequently re-planted. The Lenabatu, though giving a smaller yield of oil, is a more hardy plant, thrives in poor soil, requires very little attention, and does not necessitate replanting. The oil it yields contains fewer aromatic constituents, and always obtains a lower value than the oil from the other variety. Since the bulk of the oil in Ceylon is that obtained from the Lenabatu variety of citronella, it is, Mr. Samaweera thinks, on account of its poor quality that Ceylon citronella oil obtains a lower market price than the oil from Java and Singapore. But be is of the view that if greater care is exercised in cultivation there is no reason why Ceylon oil should not command as good a price as that from the Straits. The popular Selief that all Ceylon citronella oil is adulterated is discredited by Mr. Samaweera. That there is adulteration in this as in many
another trade, he sa But -he asserts that til wholesale adulteration represented. The poo due to the bad variet and still more to over that may be, the questi Ceylon citronella oil attention, and no dou attention given, as well the cultivation on the Samaweera, the expor will be largely augm years, Meanwhile, co being given to the cul as an adjunct şf citrol offers promising possib The products of the c dealt with in a special a has so far been mac which bulks very larg industrial life of Ceylo esteemed by the nativ of Ceylon than the ar a leaf of the betel-tree of a little lime to give the whole, it is chewed ditions of men and wi corner almost are to 1 nut, and no row of bo
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
s, is beyond dispute. ere does not exist the which is generally quality of the oil is y of plants cultivated, production. However on of the purity of the s receiving increasing ot, as a result of the as of efforts to improve lines suggested by Mr. ts of this commodity inted in the next few insiderable attention is ivation of lemon grass ella, and the industry ilities. :oconut-palm have been article, but no reference le to the areca-palm, ely in the social and n. No luxury is more es of India as well as eca nut. Wrapped in and with the addition increased pungency to ! by all sorts and conomen. At every street be seen vendors of the utiques, as the smaller
321
shops are called, is complete without an establishment at which the article is sold. The local consumption must be enormous, but that it is only a part of the whole is demonstrated by the Customs returns. In I905 the exports reached 125,565 cwts, and their total value was Rs. 1,525,916. All but about Io,Ooo cwts. went to British India. The areca-palm grows all over the low-country, and has been introduced with success in some hilly districts up to 3,Ooo ft. elevation. In some cases the tree has been planted to mark the boundary between estates, and the step has proved financially successful. The total area under the tree is estimated at 7o,ooo acres.
To other products which are included within the scope of this article, such as croton seed, palm and jaggery sugar, only passing allusion can be made. Nor is it necessary to do more than note briefly that cinchona, which once filled a big place in the planters' horizon, has receded into the background until the exports in 1905 were only I 52,397 lbs., against II 5,892, O78 lbs. in I887, when the industry was at high-water mark; and to record further that tobacco is steadily forging ahead as a crop, though it must be confessed that the “Jaffna cigars,” made of local tobacco, do not find much favour outside native circles in the island.
Page 330
8.
:::
ჯჯ;
፳፻ Xწწ. წ;
స్ట్రీ
ష్టి
Wష్టి
A SINHALESE GIRL, (
E
S.
、漫 蔥。
; 3.3 %;
)F THE RODIYA CASTE.
Page 331
POPULA
THE ISLAND'S RACES, RELIGIONS, L.
BY THE HON,
MR. P. ARUNA
CEYLON CIVIL SERVICE ; MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE CC
SAVINSIRNARN HE total population of s Ceylon returned at the last decennial census (March 3I, 190I) was 3,578,333. Excluding the military, the shipping, and the 49I4 South African prisonersof-war then in the island, the population was 3,565,954. The estimated population at the middle of I906 was 3,968,54I, or close on four millions. The increase of population in the decade 1891-1901 was at the rate of 186 per cent, or double the increase in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland in the period.
The population at the last census was distributed over 28 towns, 12,87o villages, 598,076 houses, and 6643 II families. The area of Ceylon (25,400 square miles) is about the same as Greece, or as Belgium and Holland together, about one-fifth less than Scotland or Ireland, and about one-half the size of England and Wales. The average density of the population of Ceylon at the census was I4I persons to a Square mile, each person occupying an average area of 45 acres, and the average distance Separating him from his nearest neighbour being 159 yards. The conditions of the island in this respect are about the same as those of Scotland or Ireland.
The provinces of Ceylon greatly vary as well in area as in the proportion of the population which they contribute to the island's total, The table annexed (Table A) gives information on this head,
The average size of a province is 2,815 square miles, and the average population 396,217. The bulk of the island population is settled
THE PROVINCES OF CE TO’
Province,
CEYLON ... Western Province Central Province Northern Province Southern Province u Eastern Province North-Western Province North-Central Province Province of Uva Province of Sabaragamu
along the coast. The pro area, the Western Pro capital, Colombo, is situ population. With about area of the island, it hold of the total population. T with 8 per cent. of th, I6 per cent. of the total pc Province, with 9 per cen I73 per cent. of the total p which must be reduced immigrant population, W it is the basis, of the te exceeds the indigenous be excluded. The East Provinces, the largest p which between them co the whole area of the i cent. (5 and 2 per cent
population.
The unequal distributi 32
TION:
ANGUAGES, CASTES, AND CUSTOMS
CHALAM, M.A. (CANTAB.) ;
)UNCIL OF CEYLON ;
BARRISTER-AT-LAw, LINCOLN's INN.
TABLE A.
YLON, THEIR AREA, DENSITY OF PoPULATION, AND PERCENTAGE of TAL AREA AND TOTAL POPULATION-CENSUs Igoi.
Area in Persons Percentage Percentage Square Persons. per of of Total Miles, Square Mule. Total Area. Population.
25,332 3,565,954 I4. - -
I432 92O,683 б43 565 25'82 2,299 622,832 27 I 9ο8 I747 3,363 34ο,936 IOI I328 956 2,146 566,7ვ6 264 8’47 I589 4,03όά I73,602 43 I5'93 487 2,996 353,626 II8 II '83 992 4,002 79, IIo 2O 158 222 a 3,154 I86,674 59 I2'46 523 Wa ... I,90 I 32I,755 Ιό9 75 902
ince with the smallest vince (in which the ated), has the largest 6 per cent. of the total more than one-fourth he Southern Province, e total area, contains pulation. The Central of the total area, has pulation, a percentage
by half if the Tamil hich is the creation, as industry, and which Sinhalese population, rn and North-Central 'ovinces in the island, "er nearly one-third of land, hold only 7 per respectively) of the
n of the population in
the island is chiefly due to the presence or absence of large towns or centres of industrywhich, again, are mainly the result, direct or indirect, of European enterprise-and to the proportion of mountainous area. The Western Province, which contains the metropolis and four other important towns, has the high average of 643 persons to the square mile, and is more than twice as densely populated as any other The only other provinces which contain over 200 persons per square mile are the Central (27I) and Southern (264). From Ioo to 2oo persons per square mile are contained by the Northern (IoI), North-Western (II8), and Sabaragamuwa (169) Provinces; while in the Uva, Eastern, and North-Central Provinces the density dwindles to 59, 43, and 20 persons, respectively, per square mile.
The population, area, and density of population of the various districts are shown in Table B :-
province.
Page 332
324
TWENTIETH CENTURY
TABLE B.
DISTRICTs of CEYLoN, THEIR PoPULATION, AREA, AND DENSIT
District. Population. sqမ်ိဳး
Western Province. Colombo Municipality ... 0. a | 154,69 Colombo District (exclusive of the Municipality) ვ87,886 5 Negombo District u o A a I48,249 24 Kalutara District ... 229.857 6,
Central Province. Kandy District ... 377,591 91 Matale District 92,203 92 Nuwara Eliya District I53,oვ8 4(
Northern Province. Jaffna District ... ... 3oo,85I I,26 Mannar District 24,926 94 Mullaitivu District I5, I59 I, I5
Southern Province. Galle District 8 s 8 258,п пб ός Matara District ... 4M A KO O II e 203,750 48 Hambantota District Io4,87o I,Ol
Eastern Province. Batticaloa District s 8 I45, IóI 2,87 Trincomalee District 28,44I I,I6
North-Western Province. Kurunegala District 249,429 I,84 Puttalam District ... 29,779 88 Chilaw District 74,4Ι8 26
North-Central Province. Anuradhapura District ... 79, Ι Ιο 4,OO
Province of Uva. Badulla District 186674 3, Լ5
Province of Sabaragamuwa. Ratnapura District I32,964 I,25 Kegalla District ... 188,79I б4
Annexed is a map illustrating the comparative density of the population in the different districts of Ceylon. It should be borne in mind, however, that the districts are 'hatched' according to the average struck between the densities of their constituent divisions, and that these densities show great variation. The Jaffna district, for instance, is "hatched' to represent an average density of between Ioo and 250 persons per square mile. But the density ranges in its thirteen divisions from one person per square mile in Tunukkai to 2,469 in Jaffna division, while two divisions (Valikamam north and west) hold each between I,ooo and 2,000 persons, three divisions (Vadamaradchi west, Valikamam east, and the islands) each between 5oo and I,ooo, one between 4oo and 500, two between Ioo and 25o, and three between I and Ioo. Then, as regards the North-Central Province or Anuradhapura district, the average shown of 20 persons to the square mile is apt to mislead, unless it is remembered that the population of 79, IIo persons is far from equally distributed over the
4,ooo square miles w of the district, but is ch space within the outly vast extent and uninha It is interesting t distribution of popula under the native ruler three great divisions Raja rata, so called ancient seats of royalt of the island north o the Ruhunurata (of lingers in Ranna o; district) embraced the the region which ro (rohana) from the v eastern seas, and was the rivers Mahaveli C the Mayarata lay be the mountain zone, an was bounded on the ru-Oya. The Pihiti o roughly, with the pres Central Provinces, the
MPRESSIONS
"—CENSUS I9oI.
in Nಳ್ತಂf Miles. per Square Mile.
O 15469 o 704 7盘 599 3羞 369
I 44 5影 OO 23 33
5 238 3. 26 4影 I3
2 396 423 2羞 IO4
I 5 I 5 24
4g 135 9i 33 2 284
2 2O
43 59
9 Io6 2 294
nich constitute the area iefly fixed in a compact ng forests, which are of bited. ) compare the present ion with that recorded 600 years ago. Of the of the island, Pihiti or from its containing the embraced all that part the Mahaveli Ganga ; which the name still Rohana in Tangalla mountainous zone and e up to it ladder-wise estern, southern, and sounded on the north by nga and Kalu Ganga ; veen these two rivers, the western coast, and orth by the river DeduRaja rata corresponds, nt Northern and NorthPuttalam district of the
OF CEYLON
North-Western Province, part of the Central Province, and the Trincomalee district north of the Mahaveli Ganga ; the Ruhunurata corresponds with the rest of the Central and Eastern Provinces, the Sabaragamuwa and Uva Provinces, and the Southern Province; the Mayarata with the Western and NorthWestern Provinces, exclusive of the Puttalam district.
The Sinhalese chronicle, Rajavaliya, relates that in I3o II A.D. King Parakrama Bahu III., on the eve of his death, reminded his sons that, having conquered the Tamils, he had united under one rule the three kingdoms of the island, the Pihitirata with 450,000 villages, Ruhunurata with 77oooo, and Mayarata with 250,000, or a total of 1,47o,ooo villages. Taking only a million villages, and allowing two houses to a village and five persons to a house, the population would be ten millions.
This can hardly be deemed an extravagant estimate. As Sir Emerson Tennent observes in his work on Ceylon (1859): “The labour necessary to construct one of these gigantic irrigation works' (with the ruins of which the island is strewn) “is in itself an evidence of local density of population; but their multiplication by successive kings, and the constantly recurring record of district after district brought under civilisation in each successive reign, demonstrate the steady increase of inhabitants and the multitude of husbandmen whose combined and sustained toil was indispensable to keep these prodigious structures in productive activity. . . . No one who has visited the regions, now silent and deserted, once the homes of millions, can hesitate to believe that when the island was in the zenith of its prosperity the population of Ceylon must of necessity have been at least ten times as great as it is at the present day." The decline was due to the troublous times of foreign war and internecine strife that preceded the establishment of the British dominion. How rapidly a population may decline was illustrated by Germany during the Thirty Years' War (1618-48 A.D.). The population fell from twenty to less than ten millions in that period.
At the beginning of the fourteenth century, then (according to King Parakrama Bahu's death-bed address to his sons) the population was distributed in the three regions in the proportion of 3I per cent. in Pihitirata, 52 per cent. in Ruhunurata, and I7 per cent. in Mayarata. At present the proportion stands, roughly, as 19, 46, and 35. The most striking change is the advance, by over Ioo per cent., of the last region, the western sea coast and its vicinity, and the decline by almost as much in the population of the ancient kingdoms-a decline more marked still, if, excluding the Jaffna peninsula, we consider the true “royal'
Page 333
Page 334
326
them. The transition is sometimes slow and sometimes rapid. The construction of a new public work or the opening of a new railway station may bring about the change in a year or two, while at times a village may go on increasing in size without ceasing to be an aggregation of hamlets and acquiring an urban character. .
Villages sometimes disappear, especially in those outlying parts of the island where villages shift from year to year, or have been abandoned in the people's search for water
TWENTIETH CENTURY
death. The mode of exploiting the soil in unlike that of Horace's
“ Immetata quibus Fruges et Cer Nec 'cultura pla
Robert Knox, who century spent twenty y island, says in his ver of the Island of Ceylon in I68I) : “And, as I sa
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ジ $ ബ് ...': 'N
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refray . .
琴莺
for cultivation, or in their fear of the genius loci suddenly turning malignant and visiting them, their cattle or poultry, with sickness and
so I must of their town of them here and there by their voluntary forsa
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
fe and the system of hese regions are not rigidi Getæ" –
jugera liberas erem ferunt, et longior annua.”
in the seventeenth ears of captivity in the interesting “Relation ' (published in London id before of their cities
%سم۔
TAMBAPAN NI
YL()N )
huwenhAnais
es fe a 7 /rocÁ,
s, that there are many lie desolate, occasioned king them, which they
often do in case many of them fall sick and two or three die soon after one another; for this they conclude to happen from the hand of the devil: whereupon they all leave their town and go to another, thinking thereby to avoid him: thus relinquishing both their houses and lands too. Yet afterwards, when they think the devil hath departed the place, some will some time come back and resume their lands again.' -
At the census of 1901 there were 28 towns and I2,87o villages. The urban population numbered 418,970 and the rural population 3,146,984. The urban population constituted II-8 per cent. of the total population, and the rural 88°2 per cent. : a great contrast to England, where the proportions are 77 and 23 per cent. respectively.
The population of the 28 towns, their area, and density are shown in the following table. The population varies from over I5oooo in the town of Colombo to less than IOOO in Vavuniya.
Colombo, which at the census of I901 had a population of I55,000 and probably has now close on 200,ooo, is the “Clapham Junction' of ships voyaging in the East. It has been an important city for at least 6oo years. Ibn Batuta, a Moorish traveller from Tangiers, who..visited Ceylon, 1347 A.D., on a pilgrimage to Adam's Peak, speaks of “Kolamba" as “the finest and largest city in Serendib.'
The trade of the island was exceedingly valuable, and embraced not only (as now) pearls, gems, spices, and elephants, for which the island was celebrated from remote times, but the products of Eastern and Southern Asia, brought here by the Chinese to be exchanged for the wares brought by the Arabs from the countries beyond the Euphrates. The Arabs were masters of the Indian seas and trade from the tenth to the fifteenth centuries, when they
were ousted by the Portuguese.
Among the exports of the island, cinnamon was the most prized. It was a luxury so rare as to be a suitable gift for a king, so costly that a crown of cinnamon tipped with gold was a becoming offering to the gods. It is believed to have been originally obtained by the Arabs from Eastern Africa, and to have gained a footing in India and afterwards in Ceylon, where, favoured by natural conditions of climate and soil, the Ceylon variety became the most perfect sample, and grew wild in the woods. Strangely enough there is no reference to Ceylon cinnamon in the account of the travels of Marco Polo, who, towards the end of the thirteenth century, visited Ceylon on his homeward route to Venice from China, where he had for seventeen years resided at the court of the Emperor Kubla Khan.
“And the king of this island," says Marco Polo, “possesses a ruby which is the finest and
Page 335
TWENTIETH
biggest in the world. . . . You must know the great khan sent an embassy and begged the king, as a favour greatly desired, to sell him this ruby, offering to give him for it the ransom of a city, or in fact what the king would. But the king replied that on no account whatever would he sell it, for it had come to him from his ancestors. Furthermore you must know that in the land of Seilan there is an exceeding high mountain. . . . Now it befel that the great khan heard how on that mountain there was the sepulchre of our first father Adam, and that some of his hair and of his teeth and the dish from which he used to eat were still preserved there. So he thought he would get hold of them somehow or another, and despatched a great embassy for the purpose in the year of Christ I284. The ambassadors with a great company travelled on by sea and by land until they arrived at the island of Seilan and presented themselves before the king, and they were so urgent with the king that they succeeded in getting two of his grinder teeth, which were passing great and thick, and they also got some of the hair and the dish from which the great personage used to eat, which is of a very beautiful green porphyry.' '
The earliest reference to Ceylon cinnamon is by Ibn Batuta, the Moorish traveller. He landed at Puttalam and found the shore “covered with cinnamon wood, which the merchants of Malabar transport without any other price than a few articles of clothing which are given as presents to the king. This may be attributed to the circumstance that it is brought down by the mountain torrents and left in great heaps upon the shore.' He found the greatest king in the island to be the Tamil king of Jaffna, Arya Chakravati, who had a powerful fleet commanding the western coast, and under whose protection he accomplished the pilgrimage to Adam's Peak vici Chilaw and “Konakar' (? Kurunegala), extending his journey to the temple at 'Dinaur' (Devinuwara, the Dondra Head of English maps) and returning by way of * Kale" (Galle) and “ Kolamba ” (Colombo), “the finest and largest city in Serendib.''
Galle and Jaffna are still the second and third towns in Ceylon. Far older than these or Colombo is the “buried city' of Anuradhapura, the “Anuro-Grammum" of Ptolemy. It was founded about 500 B.C, and became the capital about 437 B.C., with a fairly complete municipal organisation and excellent sanitary and administrative arrangements, vhich are described in the ancient Sinhalese chronicle, the MahaIts glory increased when the kings of Ceylon embraced Buddhism (about 3oo B.c.), and a branch of the sacred Bo-tree, under which Buddha had attained wisdom, was
Wa1S2.
Colonel Yule's “Travels of Marco Polo," vol. ii., p. 295.
CENTURY IM
TOWNS
Name of Tow
Western Prozvi
Colombo... Moratuwa Negombo Kalutara ... Panadure...
Central Provi,
Kandy ... so
Matale .
Nuwara Eliya
Gampola ...
Nawalapitiya
Noriherra Prova
Jaffna
Mannar ...
Mulaitivu
Vavuniya... .
Southern Prov
Galle
Matara
Welligama
Hambantota
Tangalla ... s 'a
Easternu Prozvi,
Batticaloa a Trincomalee ... 0 0
North-Westepon · Pro
Kurunegala Puttalam ... w Chilaw ...
North-Central Pr Anuradhapura ...
Province of U
Badulla ... «» и в
Province of Sabara
Ratnapura Kegalla ...
brought here from Nor still flourishes at Anu historical tree in the of profound veneration ! throughout the world. Fa Hian, who visited 4I2 A.D. and remain engaged in transcribi describes vividly the s cence of the city and ( and the prosperity of apura remained the c 850 A.D., and Occasion end of the eleventh ce centuries of neglect ma desolation, till thirty Government turned it and district, restoring tl agriculture, establishin saries. The populatic
PRESSIONS OF CEYLON
327
TABLE C.
CEYLON, THEIR PoPULATION, AREA, AND DENSITY.
Population, Igor. sqမျိုီMါးes. | “ါဇိမျိုးမျိုီးစိ”
Ce.
* ட்டி a 154,69 I IO 15,469 o 29, βοο 8품 3,6 Ιο I9,8I9 7 2,734 II,5OO I播 6,9οο 3,845 TI 3,845
Cć.
... ... 26,386 III 2,399 I9,804 5,026 4. I,03I 3,791 5,686 O KO 2,454 붉 8,5O2
C.
33,879 7墨 457
5,332 I,3o8 3 436 566 2 252
Vi662,
37, I65 6. 5,718 II,848 I 7,899 7,583 2 3,033 2,843 I I,895 2,333 I3,998
tCť.
9,969 I 7,975 II,295 I II,295
ነ0፯፶፱ን፬Cé.
6,483 I 4.322 v a 5, IL5 8s 593 - - - 4, τό8 蜀 5,557
ovince.
3,672 58 683
va.
5,924 3 I,954
gатитуа.
4,084 2: I,815 2,34O g 2 674
hern India. The tree adhapura, the oldest world and the object D millions of Buddhists The Chinese traveller,
Anuradhapura about 'd there two years g the sacred books, lendour and magnifithe national religion the island. Anuradhpital continuously till lly afterwards till the tury. The subsequent e it a scene of wildest ears ago the British attention to the town ancient tanks, reviving hospitals and dispen
of the town in 1881
was I,3or, and by I9oI had slowly risen to 3,672.
The sacred tree attracts crowds of pilgrims, especially at the full moons of May, June, and July. About twenty or thirty thousand pilgrims come on these occasions. There are no houses for their reception, but under the grand umbrageous trees of the park-like environs of the city they erect their little booths and picnic in the open air. As the height of the festival approaches, the place becomes instinct with life. Men, women, and children revel in the luxury of the copious streams of water that course by the sides of the streets from the stupendous tanks. The town resounds all day with shouts of “Sadhu sadhu' from relays of pilgrims, as they walk through the ancient streets or bow before the sacred tree reverently with offerings of fragrant flowers. The tree has its trunk enveloped in cloth and its
Page 336
328 - TWENTIETH
branches decorated with flags, while at night countless lamps illuminate the square in which it stands. In a few days the pilgrims are gone,
CENTURY I
estimated for the mide below.
It will be seen that :
蚤
翼
A TAMBY (MOORMAN).
and the city reverts to its normal condition of peaceful solitude.
Of the 3,565,954 persons returned at the census of I9oII, II,458,32o, or 4’o9 per cent., were low-country Sinhalese; 872,487, or 24'4 per cent, were Kandyan Sinhalese; or, in all, 2,33o,8o7, or 653 per eent., were Sinhalese; 95,74o, or 26"7 per cent., were Tamils; 228,034, or 64 per cent., were Moors; 23,482, or o'7 per cent., were Burghers and Eurasians; II,902, or o3 per cent, were Malays; 6,3oo, or o’2 per cent, were Europeans ; 3,97 I, or o'I per cent., were Veddahs ; and 9,7 I8, or o'3 per cent were “others."
The numbers of the various races, and the proportion of each to I,ooo of the total population at the census of 190I, and as
the proportion of the creased, except the
Race.
Europeans Burghers a 4 Sinhalese - o wo a Tamils ... B O O. e os Moors ... op 84 Malays a Others ... is se, o
All Races ..
MPRESSIONS
e of I906, are shown
nce the census of I9OI
various races has deamils, who show an
OF CEYLON
increase of I73 per I,ooo, a result due mainly to the excess of arrivals over departures of Indian Tamil coolies.
The Sinhalese and Tamils are the most numerous races of the island, and together constitute 92 per cent. of the population. They have lived here for over 2,Ooo years, whether in friendly intercourse and the harmonious development of the country or in the fierce conflict of war and devastation. In course of time they have settled in distinct parts of the island, except in and near the larger towns and the tea districts, where they are intermixed, and where the Tamil element is chiefly an immigrant population from India, and sometimes (as in the Central Province) exceeds the Sinhalese. Speaking generally, the Sinhalese inhabit the hilly zone and the fertile and wet Western and Southern Provinces (where they attain their greatest density), in the greater part of the North-Western Province, and in the sparsely populated regions of the NorthCentral Province and Lower Uva. The indigenous Tamils occupy the northern and eastern coasts, and their real centre is the densely populated peninsula of Jaffna, which is nearest to India, and where they live almost to the exclusion of every other race. Mannar and Puttalam are Tamil districts, and there is a large admixture of Tamil blood and speech in the Sinhalese districts of Chilaw and Negombo.
A broad belt of forest separates the purely Sinhalese from the purely Tamil Zone. This belt, almost uninhabited, and in many parts completely so, begins to the east of Sabaragamuwa. It is about 20 miles broad near Lower Uva, and expands to 4o miles in Anuradhapu a district and 6o miles in the north of the island. This forest and the open park country adjoining it on the east is the abode of the Veddahs, a race which, from the low order of its intellectual development, from the defects in its physical organisation, and from its primitive habits, which long isolation in the woods has tended to preserve in a remarkable manner, presents a most interesting subject for the study of ethnography.
TABLE D. RACE DISTRIBUTION OF THE PopULATION.
Proportion to I,oo3. Census, I90I. Middle of Igoó.
Census, Igo. Middle of I906.
6,3oo б,484 I8 6
23,482 24,588 6"6 62
- 2,33O,8o7 2547,355 6537 64І:9 - 951,740 I,I27,978 266 9 2842
• «», «» 228,O34 237,22I 6ვ”9 598 e II,9O2 12,003 33 3ο - I3,689 I2,912 38 33 3,5ნ5,954 3,968,54 I I,oooro I,oooo
Page 337
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
The Veddahs represent the aboriginal population of Ceylon, and are generally supposed to be the posterity of the Yakkhus and Nagas whom, according to the ancient Sinhalese, chronicles, the first Sinhalese king, Vijaya, found on his arrival in Ceylon (circa 540 B.C.). Very little is known of these aboriginal tribes. They were a branch of a prehistoric, probably Dravidian, race which colonised South India and Ceylon. The term “Yaksha,' which is the Sanskrit original of “Yakkhu," is in the Indian epic, the Ramayana, and other Indian traditions, applied to a race of spirits whose chief was Kuvera, king of Lanka, who was dispossessed by his half-brother, the famous Ravana, and is now regarded as the regent of the Northern quarter of the world and as the god of wealth. The Yakshas were akin to, if not identical with, the Nagas, the Dragon race. They appear to have attained a high state of civilisation, and the names of Nagapatam in the Madras Presidency, of Nagpore, in the Central Provinces of India, and of the Naga hills, the north-easterly offshoot of the Himalayas, attest the wide extent of the ancient Naga dominion. Long before the Vijayan invasion Mahayangama (now called Autnuwara), in the Bintenne division of Uva, had been one of their chief cities, and Gautama Buddha, on his first visit to Ceylon, is said to have descended on “the agreeable Mahanaga garden, in the assembling place of the Yakkhus,' a site marked by the ruins of a great dagoba built about 300 B.C., and still a great place of Buddhist pilgrimage. It was the “Maagrammum ' of Ptolemy, who describes it as “the metropolis of Tapirebane beside the great river' (Mahaveli Ganga). The modern representatives of this ancient race are the fast dwindling Veddahs of Ceylon and the Bhils, Santals, and other wild tribes of India. ---.
Vijaya, on his arrival, married (under circumstances" which recall the meeting of Ulysses and Circe in the “ Odyssey ”) Kuveni, a Yakkhu princess of great beauty and much influence among her countrymen. With her aid he suppressed the Yakkhus and established his power, fixing his capital at Tambapanna, also called Tammana Nuwara. He then basely discarded her for a Tamil princess of South India. Kuveni, seeking refuge among her own people, whom she had betrayed, was killed by them. Another tradition says that the deserted queen flung herself, with curses on her husband, from a rock called after her Yakdessagala ("The Rock of the Yakkha's Curse'), one of the hills that give picturesqueness to the town of Kurunegala. Tonigala (“The Rock of Lamentations"), and Vilakatupota (“The Vale of Tears"), both in the Kurunegala district, are also associated with her sorrows.
Mahavansa, i., pp. 32, 33; and “Odyssey," x, 274 et seq.
home.
Kuveni Asna, whic her love and sorrows, shrieks she wailed : “W forlorn, I found thee ; I helped thee t raised thee to be king. thou madest me thy s know then that I was Loving thee with ur living in such love, How canst thou leave The gentle rays of are now to me the l of iron; the cool, sandal groves are hot cuckoo's sweet song p
a spear. Alas! how sh heart?' - Her children, a son
MPRESSIONS
relates the story of says that in agonising When shipwrecked and und thy men food and o rout the Yakkhus and
Pledging me thy troth, pouse. Didst not thou
of the Yakkhu race? quenchable love and I bore thee children.
me and love another ? the rising full moon blaze of a red-hot ball spicy breezes of the
and unwelcome; the ierces my ears as with
OF CEYLON 829
she bore to Vijaya, escaped the fate of their mother by the intervention of their uncle, who fled with them into the forest near Adam's Peak. There the brother and sister are said to have intermarried and founded a wild race, who kept aloof from their neighbours, and from whom the region was called Sabaragamuwa, the land of the barbarian (habara or Sabara). As this tract became colonised by the Sinhalese the Yakkhus retreated into the forests of Welassa and Batticaloa, and became the Veddahs or “hunters' of Ceylon.
There are other legends, curious and extravagant, which assign a different origin. According to one of these, King Vijaya's nephew and successor, Panduvasa, was, as
NATU KOTTE CHIETTIES,
the result of the perjury committed by Vijaya in repudiating his marriage with Kuveni and of her curses, afflicted, like him, with a dire
all I soothe my bleeding
and a daughter, whom
Page 338
330
disease called the divi dosa. The gods consulted on the means of restoring him to health, and found that it could be effected only by one not born of woman. Rahu was commissioned by Sakra, the king of the gods, to find out such a person, and discovered Mala Raja, king of Malawadesa, who had sprung from a flower. Rahu thereupon concerted a plan for bringing him to Ceylon. He proceeded to India, and,
TWENTIETH CENTURY
informed the king of v king, who was a keen
men to surround the
boar towards him. T made directly towards stood. The king shot received not the Smalle his flight. The king, w pursuit. The boar le
A MALAY.
assuming the form of a boar, laid waste the gardens of Mala Raja, to the consternation of the gardeners, who fled to the palace and
Variously translated as “the affliction caused by thegods" (deva) or" by the tiger” (divi, Skt. divpin), which form Kuveni is said to have assumed to wreak vengeance on him, or “the affliction (resulting from) the (false) oath" (Skt. divya, oath, the root of which occurs in Sin. divuruma). The disease is said to have been a compound of cough, asthma, fever, diabetes, and consumption.
landed in Ceylon at Ur chief port of the nort forests and hills, mad negala chain of rock king came up with t
I Called in the Englist Kayts, and usually callec turai being the Tamil write the name as Ur-k guards the country ; rath
MPRESSIONS
that was passing. The sportsman, ordered his garden and drive the "hus pressed, the boar he place where the king his arrow, but the boar st injury, and continued ith his attendants, gave ped into the sea and
tota (“ Hog-ferry ”), the and, traversing the a breach in the Kuruat Uru-pa-kada. The e beast on the hill at
maps by its Dutch name by the Tamils Uraturai, ir ferry. Tamil scholars atturai = the ferry which a forced derivation.
OF CEYLON
Hantane, near Kandy, attacked it sword in hand, and with the first blow inflicted a deep gash. On receiving this wound, the boar became transformed into a rock, now called Uragala ('Hog-rock'), which is said to retain the mark of the wound. Mala Raja, who was unable to comprehend the meaning of the marvels he had just witnessed, received a visit from Sakra and other gods, who explained the mystery, and that the object of drawing him to Ceylon was to break the charm under which Panduvasa laboured. Mala Raja complied with the wishes of the gods, and ordered the Kohomba Yak dance to be performed. This drove the sickness out of the king into a rock to the north of Kandy, still called Divi-dos-gala, or “The Rock of the Diui Sickness." The king thereafter returned to Malawadesa, leaving most of his attendants in Ceylon, at the desire of the grateful Panduvasa, who allotted them the forests as their exclusive possession, so that they might enjoy their favourite diversion of hunting. The Veddahs are said to be their descendants.
Another legend says that a young king of the island was very cruel and addicted to many vices; that he even killed and ate men, a crime held in the utmost abhorrence; that he was taken by his subjects and condemned, together with his ministers, either to lose their lives or to remain so closely immured in the forest as never more to be seen. The second alternative was chosen, and the king and his ministers, in obedience to the sentence, never came forth from the woods, and founded the race now known as Veddahs.
The term “Veddah' means “hunter,' and is indicative of their mode of life. There are two classes of Veddahs at the present day, viz., the Gan (village) Veddahs, who have been domesticated and brought under humanising influences, and the Kele (forest) Veddahs, otherwise called Dada (game) Veddahs, who dwell in the recesses of the woods and subsist upon the fruits of the chase.
The “forest Veddahs' are squalid in appearance, of moderate stature, and of active habits. They are good marksmen, using as weapons bows and arrows, with which they kill the wild boar, stag, and elk abounding in their
forests. They eat meat, either dried in the sun or preserved in honey. They live in rude huts covered with leaves
or grass, prefer caves in the rainy season, and change their residence frequently in the year. Their dress is a string tied round the loins with a thick belt of leaves. With other races they hold no intercourse, and they speak a dialect of their own which is not understood by their Sinhalese and Tamil neighbours, though it contains an admixture of Sinhalese and Tamil words.
They rarely venture out of their boundaries.
Page 339
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
and then only for the purpose of exchanging honey, wax, skins, ivory, or venison for axes, arrow-points, &c. Their mode of trade retains somewhat of the mysteriousness recorded of
old by Pliny from the mouths of the Sinhalese
ambassadors to the Roman Emperor Claudius : these native tribes “go to the further side of some river, where wares and commodities are laid down by the strangers, and if the natives list to make exchange, they have them taken away and leave other merchandise in lieu thereof to content the foreign merchant.” This singular characteristic is mentioned by the Arab geographer of the eleventh century, Albyrouni (who adds that the people who held these mysterious dealings were regarded as demons or savages), by the Portuguese historian Ribeiro, by the Dutch historian Valentyn, and by Knox, the English captive of King Raja Sinha.
Though a wild people, the habits of the Veddahs are thoroughly peaceable, not only among themselves, but also towards others. Conjugal fidelity, monogamy, and love for their children are said to be matters of course among them, though, strange to say, polygamy and even polyandry were till recently prevalent among their more enlightened neighbours, the Kandyans, to such an extent as to call for special legislation to prevent it.
Of the 3,97 I Veddahs entumerated at the census of I90I, the great majority (2,859) were in the Eastern Province (2,345 in Batticaloa district, and 514 in Trincomalee district). There were 529 in Uva, 4o2 in Anuradhapura, I24 in Mullaitivu, 53 in Kurunegala. The purest Veddahs are to be found in the Nilgala and Bintenne divisions of Uva and in the Eastern Province, near the Maha-Oya and the Friar's Hood range. Notwithstanding their degraded condition they are held in high esteem by the Sinhalese. A report of I82o, published in the Sournal of the Ceylon Royal Asiatic Society, says of the Uva Veddahs: “Both the wild and village Veddahs rank with the Vellalas (who claim to be the highest caste). When the more civilised Weddahs go to the house of a district chief of the Vellala caste, they receive water out of an earthen pot with a spout to it, a privilege that belongs only to the Vellalas.' “While the Sinhalese,' says Mr. Nevill (“Taprobanian,” vol. i., p. I93), “held and hold the Weddah race to be most honourable, and had no reluctance to give their daughters to a Veddah (by Sinhalese I here mean the Goyiyas, i.e., Vellalas), and were ready, and often eager, to marry Veddah girls, yet the Veddahs, as a rule, look down upon descendants of these mixed marriages, if sons, because they are not of pure blood.'
The number of the Veddahs, the real wild race, is rapidly diminishing. Civilising influences are being brought to bear upon them,
and they will soon be a of the Sinhalese and Ta
as a distinct race. In fa
have settled down to 2 live in the villages, a Tamils or Sinhalese, ac ality of the people am and with whom they
worthy attempt has b
auspices of the Wesley Veddahs of the Batticalc wandering habits and to culture. Anumber ofVed together and a settleme are fed and clothed a Arrangements have als carpentry to such of the as are not wedded to inc aptitude for industrial e
MPRESSIONS
bsorbed into the ranks mils, and cease to exist Lct many Veddahs, who agricultural habits and lready call themselves cording to the nationongst whom they dwell intermarry. A praise
}een made under the
OF CEYLON 331
The name and origin of the Sinhalese have exercised the ingenuity of historians and antiquaries, and the very etymology of the term “Sinhala' is still uncertain, and has been variously explained. The explanation suggested by the Portuguese historians is as far-fetched and fanciful as it is ingenious. According to them, “The Chinese having been, at a very remote period, the masters of Oriental com
魏
A COLOMBO CBETY.
an Mission to make the
a district abandon their raise them to a higher ldahs have been brought ent formed, where they t the Mission expense. so been made to teach
younger men and boys madic life, but show an ducation.
merce, some of their vessels were driven upon the coast near the district which they subsequently termed Chilaw; the marines and passengers saved themselves upon the rocks, and, finding the island fertile and prolific, soon established themselves upon it. Shortly afterwards the Malabars (i.e., the Tamils), having discovered it, sent hither their exiles, whom they denominated “Galas.” not long in mixing with the Chinese, and from
The exiles were
Page 340
332
the two names was formed at first Chingalas, and afterwards Chingalais' (Lee's Ribeiro's “History of Ceylon," p. 6).
The old Sinhalese chronicle, Mahavansa, explains it thus: “By reason of the King Sinhabahu having slain the siha (lion), his sons and descendants are called Sihala (the lion-slayers). This Lanka having been conquered by a Sihala, from the circumstance also of its having been colonised by a Sihala, it obtained the name Sihala.' Another explanation is that Vijaya's father, Sinhabahu, having sprung from a lion, his descendants received the distinctive appellation of Sinhala. The allusion is to the follow. ing legend. The king of Wanga, a principality of Maghada, had a beautiful daughter, whose union with a lion, when she came of age, was predicted by soothsayers, and who, notwithstanding the strict confinement in which she was therefore kept, contrived to elude the vigilance of her watchers and to run away from home. While passing through a wilderness she was carried away by a lion, and the prophecy was fulfilled. To the lion she bore a son and a daughter (twins), Sinhabahu and Sinhawalli. The son in course of time grew ashamed of his sire, and in the end killed him. Sinhabahu and Sinhawalli intermarried and begot a numerous offspring, of whom the firstborn was Vijaya, the founder of the Sinhalese. The term “Sinhalese' is said to mean lionslayer, a meaning derived from the story in the Mahavansa. But nations have often derived their names from some accidental circumstance, and too much importance should not be attached to ingenious derivations. It is generally believed that the progenitors of the Sinhalese race were Aryan settlers from Maghada (the modern Behar), in North Hindia. “ According to tradition, both Indian and Dr. Copleston, late Bishop of Colombo, and riow the Metropolitan of India and Ceylon, “the Sinhalese are of Aryan race, and connected with the north of India ; and this is borne out by language, customs, and Subsequent history. The ancient North India poem Ramayana (dating from 500 B.C. at least) and the inscriptions of Asoka (23o B.C.) prove early intercourse between North India and the island, and the chronicles compiled in Pali in the fourth and fifth centuries A.D. out of the archives of the great Buddhist monastery at Anuradhapura (it is the peculiar distinction of the Sinhalese among Indian people to possess such histories) describe the establishment of the Buddhist religion in the island by Aryan influences in the third century B.C. These same chronicles ascribe, and with all probability, the previous civilisation of the island to Aryan immigration.' “The Sinhalese language is closely akin to the Sanskrit; that is, it is one of that group of Indo-Aryan languages of which Sanskrit is the It comes nearer, probably, to the
local,' says
literary type.
TWENTIETH CENTURY
Bengali than to any o of this group. In it characteristics are dis of words which it has from the Sanskrit, just of words akin to L from it, is overlaid by instance, “man,'“ name to the older and tru “nomenclature,” “attrac in it. But the Sinhale Sanskrit than the old to the Latin. This o characterised, in comp lightness and brevity, compound consonants, sha ʼ is in Sinhalese “ miniha,” “kshira’ is “ k as “ ma,” ' me ” ; the nu tical with our own; “mi,'osi,'oti'; and not which, in the course o a form like the Englis band, "bind,' &c.-sho language belongs to C “It is probably a mi derivative of Pali, thou, language of Buddhism Sinhaleše. Like Pali, S pounds of r, but, unlik letters, and allows sho the usual sequence of represented by the serie or sreshta, settha, seta.
“During nearly the Ceylon has been in clo hostile through sometimes friendly thro ments, with the Dravidi especially the Tamil; guage has been greatl the later three or four ce of Tamil, from which it words but grammatica of verbs and nouns. plural in the modern S imitation of the Tamil fundamental Dravidian e “Many Portuguese v which the Portuguese ir naturalised in Sinhalese, for table (mese), o brea (karatte), but that of t “hackery, are of this language, coming afterv though a 'verandah' (i English climate obligec
invas
i The name Elu is deri than from the Tamil Ilam was probably as follows:
2 For a long list of Tam Sinhalese language, see pa A. Mendis Gunasekara's “ of the Sinhalese Language.
MPRESSIONS
her of the present forms modern form its true guised by the abundance borrowed in later times as the old English stock tin, but not borrowed a later borrowing. For " and 'draw' correspond Dr Sinhalese ; “ human,' t, to the modern element se is much nearer to the elements of English are d Sinhalese, or Elu, is arison with Sanskrit, by avoiding long vowels, and long words. “ Rak“ raka,” “ manushya' is iri,” &c. The pronouns, mbers, all radically identhe verbal terminations a few common words, f change, have rested in h-such as dora, ' door,” w us that the Sinhalese ur own Aryan stock. stake to call Sinhalese a gh this, being the sacred l, has greatly influenced inhalese avoids all come Pali, it rejects double ort diphthongs. Hence, the three languages is es marga, magga, maga ;
whole of its history pse relations, sometimes ions and occupations, ough alliance and settlean races of South India, and the Sinhalese lany affected, especially in :nturies, by the influence has borrowed not only forms and inflections The most usual form of Sinhalese is probably an plural. But there is no 2lement in the language. words, names of things 'roduced, have become and not only the words d’ (pan), and 'carriage' he now characteristic origin. The Dutch wards, left far less trace, tself a word which the l us to borrow from the
ved from Sinhala rather n. The process of change Sinhala, Sihala, Helu, Elu. il words adopted into the ges 356-368 of Mudaliyar Comprehensive Grammar
OF CEYLON
East) is still called an “istoppuwa' ('stoep at the Cape). The present prevalence of English in the maritime provinces is producing rather a jumble of both languages than a legitimate modification of the vernacular.”
No definite conclusions are possible, however, as to the true ethnic origin of the Sinhalese and their relation to the Veddahs and the Tamils without a more searching investigation than the subject has yet received. The Sinhalese language, especially in its earlier, the Elu, form, has hardly been studied by philologists, much less the language of the Veddahs or of that interesting tribe of Rodiyas, the outcasts of the Ceylon highlands, who hold among the Sinhalese much the same position as the Parias of Tamil-land or the Cagots and Caqueux of the Pyrenees Valley. More important than the scientific study of the language is careful observation by anthropologists of the crania, facial features, bodily structure and proportion, microscopic structure of the hair, colour of the skin, &c., of the Veddahs, Rodiyas, Sinhalese, and Tamils. Studies have been conducted in this direction by Professor Virchow and by Drs. G. F. and P. B.
Sarasin. But much remains to be done. Professor Virchow himself never visited Ceylon. The brothers Sarasin spent but a
few months here, and only incidentally engaged in this inquiry. Better results would be obtained if these investigations, which demand abundance of local material and of time and labour, were systematically conducted by residents of the island, European as well as Sinhalese, and the recorded observations submitted for the opinion of scientists of the eminence of Professor Wirchow. In the present state of knowledge it is possible to express only a reserved opinion that there is a greater affinity of the Veddahs with the Dravidian Tamils than with the Sinhalese ; that the Sinhalese are a mixed race combining Aryan, Dravidian, Veddah, Mongolian, and Malay elements; that the negritic element suggested by the French anthropologists is wanting, whether in the Veddah, the Tamil, or the Sinhalese.
The Veddah himself belongs probably to a proto-Dravidian or pre-Dravidian stream of invaders, who colonised Ceylon from India and attained a high state of civilisation, from which they have retrograded. Evidence of. this is furnished by the reported greatness and splendour of their cities at the time of the arrival of the first batch of Sinhalese under Vijaya (circa 54o B.c.), by the high social status still accorded by the Sinhalese to the Veddahs, by their strict practice of monogamy, and by their use of costly jewels and even golden cooking pots till within recent times
Speaking of their household equipments,
and
Page 341
TWENTIETH
the late Mr. Nevill, of the Ceylon Civil Service, a distinguished antiquary and zoologist, writes (“Taprobanian,” i., p. I88) : “The wilder people will have a few earthen crocks or a copper one, a few bits of cord, some dried skins, and some empty gourds for honey. . . . Sinhalese who are old and intelligent, and who have lived among Veddahs, all agree that in ancient times Weddahs had no more furniture than this, but that they were often very rich and powerful. In such cases their wealth was put into golden cooking vessels and strings of gems, &c., for their women. The last of these gold vessels were lost by them during the long guerilla wars between the Kandyans of Welassa and Dumbura and Europeans, especially the English. The tradition is positive and seems reliable. Nilgala Banda, a splendid old Kandyan chief, now Ratemahatmaya of Lower Bintenne, whose ancestors have lived among the Veddahs of Nilgala from time immemorial, assures me there is no mistake in this, but their former use of gold cooking vessels is clearly true, and that people nowadays have no idea how proud and powerful they were until the Maha Kerella (the long war with the English).” King Duttagamini (circa 2oo B.c.) appointed Veddahs (more probably restored them to an ancient office) as guardians of the oldest shrine in Ceylon, the shrine at Kataragama of the god Skanda, who, according to tradition, headed the first army of invaders to Ceylon and married at Kataragama a Veddah chieftain's daughter, Walli, a name not uncommon among Veddah girls. Both the Skanda purana and the Ramayana represent the then inhabitants of Ceylon as enjoying a high degree of civilisation, with every luxury and refinement. They were worshippers of Siva, but “enemies of gods,' and subjected the latter to grievous hardships, the relief of which was the object of the invasions of both Skanda and Rama. It is not clear how a votary of Siva, admittedly the primal and supreme god, could be an "enemy of the gods." The explanation probably is that these were the tribal gods vhom the Aryan Brahmans of the Rig-Veda used of old to invoke “to slay the Dasyus (the non-Aryan aborigines and protect the Aryan colour' (varna, i.e., caste), much as the Israelites called on their tribal god Jahveh against their foes, and that the authority of the Brahmans and their tribal gods was repudiated by the islanders. The Brahmans have taken their revenge by gibbeting the audacious dissenters for all time as wicked savages and monsters.
The Ramayana, which records the second invasion, relates that after the slaughter of Ravana, his brother Wihisana was installed in his place as king of Ceylon by the victorious
CENTURY I
Rama. Lakshmana ol Rama, still holds an i. worship of the Sinha peak is called after him long interval which s
from the Vijayan in inhabitants no doubt vicissitudes, but they race, and retained si culture and civilisatic submit to or live with they retired into the losing all trace of refi present condition.
Vhether the Sinh language with an A Aryan glossary, or is Dravidian structure a is a question which h; must await a thoroug
MPRESSIONS
Samana, brother of mportant place in the ese, and their sacred Samana-kuta. In the aparates these epochs
OF CEYLON 333
gation. This is a question independent of the origin of the race. “That language does not depend upon race," says Whitney, " is demonstrated by the facts most numerous and various. The African, whose purity of
AN AFGELAN.
vasion the aboriginal
passed through many
remained the ruling omewhat of their old in until too proud to the Sinhalese invaders, forests and, gradually nement, sank into their
alese language is a yan structure and an
a language with a ld an Aryan glossary, is divided scholars, and h philological investi
descent is attested by every feature, is found all over the world speaking just that language or jargon into which the fates of present or former slavery have brought his parents. Every civilised community contains elements of various lineage combined into one by unity of speech; and instances are frequent enough where whole nations speak a tongue of which their ancestors knew nothing. For example, the Celtic Gauls and the Germanic Normans of France speak the dialect of a geographically insignificant district in Central Italy, while we ourselves can hardly utter a sentence or write a line without more or less of the same dialect." As to the contact and mixture
Page 342
334
of races and languages, Whitney adds: "Mixture of race and mixture of speech are coincident and connected processes; the latter never takes place without something of the former, but the one is not at all a measure of the other, because circumstances may give to the speech of the one element of population a greatly disproportionate preponderance, Thus there is left in France only an insignificant trace of the Celtic dialects of the predominant raceconstituent of the French people, French is the speech of the Latin conquerors of Gaul mixed perceptibly with that of its later Frankish conquerors ; it was adopted in its integrity by the Norse conquerors of a part of the land, then brought into Britain by the same
TWENTIETH CENTURY TI
is never a proof of rac or in a community ; it cation of race in the ab tative opposing indic authoritative indications cal character, such as I
The extant literature comparatively recent c having, it is said, troublous times of the includes the Sidat S; grammar of the langu; of considerable literar Kavyasekara, Selalihi) Sandesa, Guttila, Kusaj and Hansa Sandesa.
A SINBALESE OLD WOMAN (HIGH CASTE
Norsemen in the course of their further conquests, this time only as an element of mixture, and thence carried with English speech to America to be the language of a still further npixed cornmunity. . . . . In strictness, language
literature, however, is Prakrits of ancient In in which Buddha pro literature has been tra1 It consists of the Bud
MPRESSIONS
either in an individual only a probable indiince of more authoritions.' These more ire of an anthropologiave referred to above. of the Sinhalese is of te, the earlier works erished during the Tamil incursions. It ngara, the standard ge, and some poems merit, such as the i Sandesa, Paravi takaya, Gira Sandesa, Their most valuable
in Pali, one of the ia, and the language ached. Most of this slated into Sinhalese. hist scriptures called
OF CEYLON
the Tripitakas, estimated to he about elever times the extent of the English Bible, and dating from 3oo B. c.; the commentaries of Buddhaghosa, the ultimate court of appeal on all doctrinal matters; historical, grammatical, and other works, of which the most important are the chronicles called Dipavansa and Mahavansa, the only authentic sources of the history of India prior to the Christian era and of Ceylon up to the arrival of the
Europeans. The ancient Sinhalese works were written in the Asoka or old Pali characters. About 1,20o years ago the
grantha characters of South India were adopted, and, in a modified form, have been in use ever since.
There are material differences of custom and law between the Sinhalese of the lowcountry and those of the highland districts, who have the distinctive name of “ Kandyans." “Seaports," said Aristotle, “are most quickly affected by new doctrines;" and the lowland Sinhalese, being on or near the coast, were the first to come under foreign influences, and by long intercourse with foreigners have lost some of their native characteristics. But the Kandyans, who till 1815 were ruled by their own princes, and jealously kept themselves aloof from the foreigner, are very conservative, and have retained in larger measure the purity of the race and ancient customs.
The low-country Sinhalese occupy the seacoast of the Western and Southern Provinces. They are a handsome and well-made race, and their appearance and character are gentle rather than bold or hardy. Nature has been bountiful to them, and their wants are readily supplied. This very bounty, however, has been unfavourable to the development of active habits and enterprise. The cultivation of the soil is the favourite pursuit of the Sinhalese, and it is in landed property that they best love to invest their money. They are by no means deficient in quickness or talent, and when educated make good scholars. The turn of their minds is metaphysical and speculative. They have naturally a great aptitude for figures, and readily acquire a knowledge of mathematics. Their national religion is Buddhism, though there are many converts to Christianity among them. The ordinary dress of the men is a white or coloured cloth called a “comboy," folded round the lower. part of the body, and depending below the knee more or less, according to the caste of the wearer. The hair is allowed to grow, and is tied in a knot at the back of the head, where it is secured by a large tortoiseshell comb, similar to that worn by European ladies some fifty years ago; a
| small semicircular comb in front of the large
one completes their head-dress. The better
Page 343
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
orders assume the European coat, either of modern cut or of the old Dutch pattern, with gold buttons and gold-worked button-holes, and sometimes the comboy over the trousers. But many of them have adopted the European costume in toto.
The highest rank among them is that of Mudaliyar. It is either borne ex-officio or is conferred by the Governor as an honorary distinction. On State occasions the Mudaliyars attend Government House in full costume, when they wear handsomely ornamented curved dirks, suspended from the shoulder by richly worked gold belts. Some of them wear round their necks golden medals of considerable size, bearing an inscription commemorative of the services rendered to Government by the wearers or their ancestors on account of which the medal was presented to them.
Many of the Sinhalese have Portuguese names, such as De Zylva, De Livera, De Saram, Gomez, Fonseka, Dias, &c. These names were assumed by their ancestors at their baptism, with the sanction of their Portuguese godfathers. The manners of the Sinhalese are gentlemanly and polished in the extreme, and many of them are highly informed and agreeable in conversation, The houses and tables of the higher classes are furnished in English style, and on festive occasions are decorated most tastefully by means of garlands and the young leaves of the coconut, and by transplanting plantain and other trees, which retain their verdure sufficiently long to produce a very beautiful effect when lighted by lamps symmetrically arranged among them,
The Buddhist monks invariably wear a yellow robe, and have their heads closely shorn, in whatever part of the island they may be. They are held in high esteem, and it is deemed meritorious to provide for their subsistence and comfort. Some of the leading monks, such as Sri Sumangala, Abbot of Adam's Peak, are men of saintly character and great learning. In the maritime districts, where they have hardly any endowments, the monks still observe the custom which requires them to go out every morning to beg their meals. It enshrines the ancient ideal of mutual obligation between them and the laity-the monks to give spiritual and intellectual food to the laity and receive from them physical sustenance,
The Sinhalese women generally wear a short jacket and a comboy, and secure their long and glossy hair with gold or silver pins, and sometimes a small prettily worked comb. No covering for the head is used. The wealthier wear European costume and a profusion of jewellery when they go abroad. The Kandyans are, as a body, hardier and
more robust than their country, though of the the bracing air of the constantly ascending limbs are wiry and thei ordinary dress is a c They never wear the c are allowed to grow. themselves in an immel wound again and again allowed to fall in folds t full dress they wear a j sleeves, a ruff, and a somewhat resembling tv the other, with the rims of white or black cloth silver or gold. The consists of a cloth, whi fashion of Hindu wo them; their hair is tic down rather low at the they are fond of jewelle The homesteads of t substantial buildings, f which faces inward thatched with straw, sh trees in a nook of the by tracts of rice land, t bouring hills, and irrig. flow into them, while thi cattle and buffaloes gra some districts, especial comparatively a dry channels for miles alon to irrigate the fields w streams.
The spirit of inde developed in the Kandy in the heroic struggle the Portuguese and Ilu centuries. Their subm I8I4 was voluntary. Til hereditary lands is e will induce a Kandyan and he will spend poun to Secure a slip wort characteristic is not t forming an opinion of strongly developed in peculiarly so in the averse to servile emplo might secure high wag estates, they prefer ea cultivating their own only occupation they w forest trees, at which The tea estates are co Tamil coolies from Soul at the last census near Kandyans have no lit skill, but their arts al large measure crushed competition of cheap
MPRESSIONS
brethren of the lowame race. Breathing hills, which they are nd descending, their habits active. Their oth round the loins. mb, and their beards Their chiefs envelop se quantity of muslin, around the waist and ) the ankle. When in acket with wide gigot beculiarly shaped hat, jo saucers laid one on meeting, made either and ornamented with dress of the women ch they fold, after the men, gracefully about 'd in a knot hanging back of the head, and
ry. he Kandyans are often orming a quadrangle, s, whitewashed and altered by umbrageous valley, and surrounded erraced up the neighited by streams which air herds of small black ze on the slopes. In ly in Badulla, which is one, water is led in g the sides of the hills hich are remote from
pendence is strongly ans, and was exhibited they sustained against toh invaders for three ission to British rule in heir attachment to their Xtraordinary. Nothing to sell his patrimony.; is willingly in lawsuits h a few pence. This o be lost sight of in the people. It is one most Asiatics, but Kandyans. They are "ment, and though they es on the European tea "ning a subsistence by patches of land. The ill undertake is felling they are very expert. nsequently worked by h India, who numbered ly half a million. The le artistic instinct and ld crafts have been in out by the relentless machine-made goods
OF CEYLON 335
from Europe. There lingers in the villages enough knowledge to supply their domestic and agricultural needs But European articles are cheaper and are readily bought.
The Kandyans are fond of burying valuables under the earth in pots. The spot is often known only to the head of the house, and there are instances where he has come to an untimely end and the secret has died with him. Education has not made the same progress among the Kandyans that it has in the maritime districts. The villagers are consequently very superstitious and very credulous. A state of feudal tenure still prevails among them resembling in some respects that which existed in Europe of old. There are chiefs who own tracts of country and whole villages, the inhabitants of which are bound to do certain services for their tenures. In the neighbourhood of Kandy and in the town itself the influences of European civilisation extend to the natives, and there are Kandyan gentlemen whose manners and habits are entirely English.
There are two kinds of marriages according to Kandyan custom : (1) Diga, by which a girl is given away (di, root da, to give) o to her husband with a dowry and passes into his family and loses all claim upon her ancestral property, except for maintenance in case she becomes destitute ; (2) Bini, where the husband enters the wife's family and is dependent on her and her parents, and is liable to be turned out at short notice, and the wife may take another husband more agreeable to her or to the rest of the family. Hence the Kandyan saying that a bini husband should not take to his wife's house any property save a torch and a walking-stick. With these he may at any time depart and find his way. The bini marriage is generally contracted by heiresses, and the name bini seems to be derived from the fact of the husband coming or entering into (ba, to come or descend) the wife is family.
The bini marriage is a relic of the primitive family system of mankind, which was based on "mother-right.' In it the mother belonged to her tribe and lived amongst them, regarding not her father but her brothers and the brothers of her mother as her nearest kith and kin; and her child belonged not to her, and even less to her husband, but to her family. The husband remained unknown outside the family-sometimes he entered it as a sort of slave, performing menial work, sometimes not living in the house, but only paying
* According to some scholars, diga is a derivative of dirga, “long," the bride being sent away to a distance, i.e., to her husband's family.
* Other derivations make biti a contraction of bihini, which, again, is derived from bhagini (root bhag, to divide, to take to oneself, possess, enjoy
carnally); or make it equivalent to bhinna, broken, split, merged, united.
Page 344
386 TWENTIETH
occasional visits, and never regarded by his children as their father.
The conducting of the wife to, and thc living in, the husband's house or in any family resi
CENTURY
friends visit the bride, on the marriageo, parta relation of the bridleg with a “pingo" to the
A SINBALESE (Reputcd to be I 16 years old
dence of his-or if he does not own a house and lands, the taking her as his wife and the conducting her away from her family to a place of lodging-constitutes a diga marriage. For a marriage to be in accordance with the proper customs of the country the following five customary festivities should be observed, and for persons of rank the marriage ceremonies are as follows :-
(1) When a wife is sought for a man the parents or a chief relation of the bridegroom will inform a chief relation of the family of a woman of equal caste that they are desirous of forming an alliance. If the proposed match is approved of by the parents of the bride and her family relations, intimation thereof is given to the bridegroom's family, whereupon his
CENTENARIAN.
when the photograph was take
her horoscope, which the bridegroom's in its a lucky hour for the ma and information there( or the guardians of t necessary arrangement (2) The bridegroom sents, starts with his to conduct the bride, bride's house some o out to meet the part respect to the house. the lucky hour the m relation of the bridegrc of the bride with a cloth) and a suit of a of the bride gives th
MPRESSIONS
und, having determined e of food and betel. A oom’s family then goes ride's house and obtains
հ.)
s then compared with good and bad aspects, riage is determined on, is sent to the parents e bride, by whom the
are made. hen, preceded by pre'lations and attendants When close to the her relations, coming conduct it with due Before the arrival of her, or some other fit m, presents the mother ri-kada-halaya (white arel, while the father bridegroom a suit of
OF CEYION
clothes. The lucky hour having come, the bridegroom, after giving a halaya (cloth) to the bride, throws a chain over her neck and presents her with a set of female apparel. Arrayed in this, she steps on to the magulporuwa (a raised seat) together with the bridegroom. A maternal uncle of the bride or some other principal member of her family then, with a chain, joins together the little fingers of the right hands of the bride and bridegroom, who thereupon turn three times round to the right. The chain is then taken off and the bridegroom takes a seat prepared for him on the magul-poruwa. Some balls of the cakes, rice, milk, &c., kept on the magul-fata (festaldish) are then made by some chief member of the family and handed to the bride and bridegroom, who thereupon exchange them. After the assembled guests have been fed, and the betel and sandalwood paste distributed amongst them, on the bride and bridegroom leaving the bride's house a close male relation of the bride's family accompanies them ; and this relation, on the approach of the party to the bridegroom's residence, is met by an elderly kinsman of the bridegroom and greeted with due respect. At the lucky hour the bride and bridegroom enter the room prepared for them.
(3) The person who came from the bride's house having been hospitably entertained, on the seventh day after, the ceremony of pouring water on the head takes place: a maternal aunt and uncle of the bride together, or some other two chief persons of the bride's family, come to the bridegroom's house, and at the lucky hour the uncle pours water on the heads of the married couple and goes away.
(4) A few days after this the bride's parents or her principal guardian relations pay the husband and wife a visit, according to their means present a dowry of movables and lands, and depart.
(5) After this the husband and wife visit the wife's parents,
Either the diga or bini marriage is dissolvable by mutual consent, or on the ground of the wife's adultery, the husband's adultery coupled with incest or gross cruelty, complete and continued desertion for two years, or inability to live happily together. No wonder that divorces are very common among the Kandyans, the proportion of divorces to marriages in the decade 1891-19oI being 4'46 per cent.
Polygamy and polyandry were till lately not uncommon among the Kandyans. The latter practice is the relic of a primitive culture, of which traces have been found in many nations. In the Indian epic, the Mahabharata, one of the heroines, Draupadi, was the wife of five brothers, who had each also a separate wife. It was an exceptional practice at that period, and needed an elaborate
Page 345
TWENTIETH
linology, which the Brahmans had no difficulty in Imaking. Herodot 113 says of the Agathyrsi, L. Scytli:LI1 people: ; "They have their worllen in c. IIIllin, that they may all be hrothers of El clı ithi : " ( iw, I C4), The custonITı Trewailed, according to liri, Llso a Tong the Nasar:1ries (iv. I 72) and Massaget:te (I, 21ól. According to Mristotle ("Pol," ii. 3-io), the Libyans had their wome in colmo, and distributel. Lhe children by their likeness to the men. The CLIslin prevaillekl a IIncing the iıı habitants of Britain it the time of Julius Cesar's invasion. He says: "Terb or twelve men have wives in collinn, and chiefly brothers share with brothers and fathers with children. If any children are horn, they are decried children of lose who first conducted the Iraidens" " II): Belli G:ll.,” v. c. 4. The fraternal arr:LTigerlierit was, according to Polybias, rhot Link I win it. Tong the Spartaris. It prcy:ils still in ina ay parts of the world. It is "the rule of life Lilong thirty inillions of respectable people" i II Tibet ('''ilson's " ' N, hrade 's 811II'v "| 1111 11IIIng the N:lir8 's Tr:1vailKXJ1'de, a II), IIIg with T1 it h:45, given rise to complicaled rules of succes si in through the iernale, Oj 1lle sl: rules trages are seer in the MIukkulwar Liw i 13:lticalo, i tle Easlern Province of Cylon, So Far fr-111 degrading Woman's stills, polyalldry is reported in Tibet to have "resulted in the issigrinent to the Wife of a pirati um! Ti sition, which it the north-east and east of the country has grown among certain tribes it to il real sovereignty."
This primitive Tractice was, inco III patible: with the highlı civilis. Liiii : t taiıeti Ery" tha: Kidya il sinhalt:se, and was IIIzılinlaired chiedy wing to the necessities if feudal tenure, Eich llelhilder hild le render personal ser. vik' to his Tdi Lt great dista 11ce, il nybe, frill holic. The duty was specially obligatory oil the Thies, littl Tecess: tilted their atter cance Ti thi: king for CJII sidérable peria xls, Turing their absence frill home their family and LLLLLL LLLLL LLtHL lLLLLLL LLLaHLLLaLLLL LLLLLLL EES TH 8-ci il t i kli, IIgg=r, LITıless the riılı Ey of Tirri” te:Li Tıg LLLLLL 0L LLLLLLLCLLLL LaL LLLLLS LlLlLLLLLLL LHH SC LLLLLL LG LHHL HHLa LtLLLLtlS LLLLL LHHL LLLLLLLL by Llı L: HI » Inici i of inter: t : Eiicl affectis T1. The aLCLLH LLStO SaaaSKL SE C aLLLL LL LLLLa ECLSSS000LLLK subdivisio II i II: Tri which Inıtılır:ally CicciIts i II. LggLLLLS LHLLLLHLLLL LLL LLLLLL aa0Laal LtLLLLLLL LLa transmission of parents' properly in equal The British Guy'er. ment, who beca III e II:n:Listers of the Kandyan Provinces upon the deposition of the last king, Sri Wikraıııı: Raja Sinhal, in 185, were hKlindi by treaty to protect "all classes of the people, the safely of their pers ins and properly, with their civil rights and immunities Lccording Lo the laws, institutions, and customs cstablished and in force among thern," and were hardly, therefore, at liberty to interfere with their
sh.L.I.s. li. their children.
CENTURY II
пагriage custom 5. Ви personal servict and th. Government ly the chiefs applied to the ( the practices of which were the freque :Lind crimit: ; al Illey clared illegall, Lill years" rige ITHus imprise Polyandry, though ill
ply
al ning the Karciyan
u rit lliċi polil Islry is eaclial E LIInin at all cor by Teg
iII tlı cist: Cf
ITPRESSIONS.
"",""," ili tle illi Lion of im troduction f scttlecl 3rilista the Kaniyan overnment to prohibit andry and polygaITıy. nt : Lises of litigation were Lccordingly deLuisli: but with three
1111111. gal, continues to exist
OF CEYLON 37
brothc' only. In all cises the cere Illuties of inli"riage are performed with one brother only. The aš sociation of otter husbancis, skollows by CU11 sent of parties, but wher. Once established, hecome5 111íaller rời Tublic moløriety, and nç} disgrace attacles to it. The progcily of the won an is decimed the progeny of each husband individ Lilly', ulti collectively, and the property is thlls conserved in the family. The husbands «lo Ilul call thicmselves, lıtı,-tı,ırıcıl:5, but sily they
SINIHAILESIE AAN.
Bull-ck, tillver.)
pe:Ls: Il try, especially :rs. The law against is not registering the
istering it as with one
"live in orc house," while the wife speaks of herself 15 "cooking rice" for all of the Il. It is trill now as in Knox's time that "the childr:11 dly ackliuwledg: and care for both fathers,
Page 346
338 TWENTIETH
Children born from marriages of this sort call each brother by the common name of father and have no idea of their being more nearly related to one father than another.' The elder father is called “great father' and the younger is called “little father,' and if there was an intermediate father, he would be called “middle father.'
By the same statute (Ordinance No. I3 of 1859, now replaced by Ordinance No.3 of I870) which made penal polyandry and polygamy, registration was made essential to the validity of a Kandyan marriage. This requirement, now fifty-eight years old, is still in advance of the wishes and sentiments of the Kandyan Sinhalese, nor is any other community subject to such a provision, an enactment made in I886 and I895 to enforce it on others having been disallowed by the Secretary of State. Despite the fact that the law makes the issue of their unregistered unions bastards, the Kandyans are indifferent to registration, and are content to contract marriages according to custom. Under the pressure of the Government Agents there is occasionally a sudden rise in the registration, to be followed, when the pressure is relaxed, by the normal state of indifference and an increased number of applications for divorce. The Kandyan marriage is thus a very uncertain and disturbing factor in the marriagerate of the island, and renders trustworthy conclusions difficult,
The low-country Sinhalese, like the Tamils, the Burghers, and Europeans, are subject to the general law, which is now contained in Ordinance No. 2 of 1895 (as amended by Ordinance No. I 9 of I9oo). Registration is not indispensable to the validity of a marriage, but is usually availed of by the well-to-do classes, and universally by the Europeans and Burghers. The solemnisation of Christian marriages is usually performed by a minister in church upon a registraros certificate that al preliminary conditions required by law have been complied with. Non-Christian marriages are solemnised by the registrar himself. Among Buddhists a ceremony similar to that among the Kandyans is usually added at home. The bride and bridegroom, seated on a dais covered with a white cloth, strewn with rice, have the thumbs of their right hands tied together by a maternal uncle of the bride, and water is poured on the tie as a sign of giving the bride over to the bridegroom; and finally the uncle wraps a cloth round them as an additional symbol of their union. Recitation of benedictory verses brings the ceremony to a close. With these ceremonies the Buddhist priest, or rather monk, true to his ascetic ideals and traditions, has nothing to do. But he is indispensable at funerals, perhaps because his testimony to the vanity of the world has a better chance there of making some impression,
CENTURY IM
A third division of t added, viz., the outcas Sinhalese hardly regard For centuries treated w regarded with loathing, shadow, being deemed have sunk to the lowest
and have become hard their hand against every hand against them. Th I5OO persons, the Sabaragamuwa, No1 Central Provinces.
Knox, who was a
and are
Kandyans for nearly seventeenth century, s persons whose duty it w with game; and that produced human flesh. enjoyed so much that procure more of what
A FAKIR OR,
of a wild animal. TI known, however, to t acquainted the king wi king may be imagined punishment he could i he decreed that hence all their tribe, should b society; that they shou pursue any calling, but door to door, and be : This order of things be became no unusual pr punish noblemen and
his displeasure by conc the Rodiyas with th sentence worse than d account for the beauty C class, in spite of the at their degraded positio thought by some that
separate race, in fact,
MIPRESSIONS
he Sinhalese must be it Rodiyas, whom the as fellow-countrymen, orse than beasts and their touch, nay, their pollution, the Rodiyas depth of degradation ened and shameless, 7 man and every man's ley number now about : scattered mainly in th-Western, Uva, and
captive among the twenty years in the jays that they were as to supply the king on one occasion they which his majesty he directed them to he supposed was part
HOLLY MAN,
he deception became he royal barber, who th it. The rage of the ; and as the direst nflict on the offenders, forth they, as well as
e outcasts from other
ld not be allowed to
beg their bread from shunned by all others. ing once established, it actice for the king to women who incurred lemning them to join air whole families--a eath. This fact may f form peculiar to this bject demeanour which It is they were originally a the aborigines. Knox,
l superinduces.
OF CEY LON
who must no doubt have had many opportunities of learning about them, gives in his truthful and quaint way the traditions common in his time. He says that they were originally “Dodda Veddahs, which signifies hunters." Now “dodda' is probably Knox's mode of pronouncing the Sinhalese name for game; they were called “Game Veddahs.” If, then, a branch of the Veddah tribe, most probably they were the descendants of the aborigines; and whereas the other Veddahs, occupying the feverish jungles of Bintenne, and carrying on a hard struggle with privation and hunger, have become more squalid in appearance, these, being recruited by noble families, and living in a healthier part of the island, have improved rather than deteriorated in form.
The Rodiyas live in villages of their own, and obtain their subsistence by begging, their importunity and the aversion with which they are regarded being in their favour, for people are glad to purchase their departure by a gratuity. They have the credit, moreover, of being expert thieves, and on that account, too, the fact of a Rodiya locating himself near a Sinhalese village, which under the present Government there is nothing to prevent his doing, occasions considerable excitement and indignation, something akin to the feeling excited in an English village by a gipsy encampment. Having formerly been debarred from tilling the soil, they have learnt to make articles of handicraft, such as grass ropes, baskets, and mats. They also make strong hide ropes for securing cattle and wild elephants. This was a service they were obliged to render the Kandyan kings; consequently they claimed the carcases of all the cattle that died, and it is said that this is their favourite food, especially when in a high condition. From the fibre of a species of aloe they also manufactured whips, which are carried before the great in processions, and cracked with a noise like the report of a pistol. It is rather curious that rope-making is also the occupation of the outcast Cagots and Caqueux of the Pyrenees valley, and hidemaking of the outcast Paria population of South India.
The women are expert at such feats as spinning brass plates on one finger, tossing balls in the air and catching them, &c. At the great festivals in Badulla, when thousands of persons, both men and women, are assembled, the Rodiyas, who come as spectators, can always be distinguished at a glance. The Sinhalese women on these occasions go hand in hand, some four or five being thus strung together; and the reason assigned is that they are afraid of being kidnapped by the Rodiyas. Their habits of life are said to be unnatural and immoral. In former days the women were only allowed to cover the lower part of the
Page 347
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
person, but this prohibition no longer exists, and they generally wear a coloured silk handkerchief tied round the neck and waist. Their figures are erect as arrows. One can hardly view a race so fine in a physical point of view, so degraded in a moral aspect, without pity, and a desire to see them raised. A Commission was not long ago appointed by Government to consider the question, and made suggestions for the amelioration of their condition. The headman of a Rodiya settlement used a striking Oriental illustration to convey to the Commission the hopelessness of their position; he said it was as hard for them to better their position as for a tortoise to insert its neck in the hole of a yoke rolling in a storm-tossed sea. It will be long before the Kandyans learn to regard them with any other than their present feelings. The men might find employment on the public roads, but they are averse to labour. There are words in use among them not spoken by the Sinhalese generally. Mr. Simon Casie Chetty, in an interesting article on these people in the Asiatic Society's fournal, gives upwards of a hundred words peculiar to them.
The Tamils, who next to the Sinhalese are the most numerous race in Ceylon, are an old Dravidian race, who, before the dawn of history, preceded the Aryans in the colonisation of India, and who, though in later times they adopted Aryan civilisation, have modified it and retained their individuality. As in the case of Sanskrit, it is not possible to say when Tamil became a literary language. But while Sanskrit is a dead language and spoken only by scholars, Tamil, which is so old that its words have passed into the Old Testament of the Hebrews, continues to be the vigorous living speech of eighteen millions of people. From a very early period they have cultivated their language with such earnestness and assiduity that (in the opinion of Bishop Caldwell, the grammarian of the Dravidian languages) “it is impossible for any European who has acquired a competent knowledge of
Tamil to regard otherwise than with respect
the intellectual capacity of a people amongst whom so wonderful an organ of thought has been developed.' Its literature is in its best periods characterised by "enthusiasm for Tamilic purity and literary independence," and “is the only vernacular literature in India which has not been content with imitating Sanskrit, but has honourably attempted to emulate and outshine it.'
The language and literature were under the
Pandyan kings of South India the special
The Hebrew word used for peacock (tuki) is unmistakably the Tamil word tokei, while the word for apes (kapi) is the Sanskrit and Tamil kapi, and the word for ivory (shen habbim, the tooth of the habb) is the Sanskrit ibham and Tamilibami,
charge of an academ analogous to the Acad three epochs of that
landmarks in ancien literature of the first tv save one work, a gram which is to Tamil wha
ahi) is to Sanskrit. Th attributed to the dest successive periods, oft capitals, old Madura
the works of the th survived, the best kn Tiruvalluvar, a poem
MPRESSIONS
of poets and savants mie Francaise, and the cademy are the great
Tamil history. The O epochs has perished, nar called Tolkappian, Paniniyam (Ashtadhy
OF CEYLON 339
ethical value, which has been translated into most European languages.
Of the later literature, the most interesting to Ceylon is the epic called the Chilappadikaram, one of “the five poems' par excellence of Tamil literature. In it a contemporary poet, a princemonk of the ruling Jain family, sings of the life
TAMIL GIRLS.
e loss of the literature is ruction by the sea, at he two earliest Pandyan and Kapadapuram. Of ird epoch which have own is the “Kural” of of singular literary and
and death of Kannakai, the faithful wife, who received the honours of canonisation immediately on her death, and is better known in Ceylon as the goddess Pattini Amman. Gaja Bahu, king of Ceylon (circa Ioo A.D.), was, according to the poem, present at the ceremonies of canonisation. He introduced her
Page 348
340 TWENTIETH
worship into Ceylon, where it flourishes to this day. The symbols of her worship are copies of her golden anklet, which he is said to have brought from India. Oaths are not infrequently taken on them in courts of justice. No oath is more dreaded by the Sinhalese peasant. At the annual perahcra festival at the Temple of the Tooth Relic at Kandy, a festival which has come down from the time of Gaja Bahu, the goddess Pattini holds a high place, Buddha's Tooth Relic, which now heads the procession, being a later addition made a hundred and fifty years ago. In her honour Gaja Bahu established also the great Sinhalese national game of the an-keliya or horn-pulling, held especially on the occasion of epidemics, and conducted on a scale of magnificence and in the presence of thousands of spectators. It concludes with a torchlight procession through the infected villages, which recalls the “need-fires' lighted by farmers in England on the occasion of epidemics among cattle. Many a Sinhalese family traces a hereditary connection with one or other of the rival factions which in times past celebrated this festival with boisterous merriment, and not infrequently with such excess that the king had to intervene and forbid the celebration.
The chief contribution of the Tamils to philosophy and religion is the Saiva Siddhanta system, which the learned Dr. Pope regards as the “ most influential and undoubtedly the most intrinsically valuable of the religions of India.' This attempt to solve the problems of God, the soul, humanity, nature, evil, suffering, and the unseen world has never been fully expounded in a European language except in some measure by Dr. Pope himself, and is little known to Western scholars and divines. There is an extensive literature of esoteric philosophy attributed to an ancient brotherhood of adepts, of whom the saint Agastya is the reputed chief, and whose seat is the mountain of Agastya Kutum in Tinnevelli district. "So great and extensive has been their influence that the Tamil literature is permeated with esoteric truths in all its ramifications, and a vast mass of proverbs and popular songs circulating among the Tamils to-day conceals under frivolous guise profound truths.” The grammar, too, is linked to the occult philosophy of the people. A large number of works on astrology, magic, and other black arts exist, which have a great vogue among certain classes of the population. These works have extended their baneful influence to Ceylon, and are among the chief authorities for the practices of demonism among the Sinhalese.
The Ceylon Tamils are the descendants of
For a description of the game see the Royal Asiatic Society's 3Fournal, Ceylon, vol. viii., pp. 368 εί Sες.
CENTURY
the bands of Tamils
invitation of the first and his successors, to later bands, by whon
overrun, and who on
the supreme power. inhabit for the most Eastern Provinces. T is the chief centre o Sir Emerson Tennent in Ceylon of which one is idle or unprofital is a satisfaction expel of Ceylon in visiting and in witnessing the improved processes ( indigenpus Tamils rec sions from the Tamil together with them a factors of the islan census of Igor, the i population on the tea half a million, and in Nuwara Eliya, was g indigenous population Bishop Caldwell w Ceylon the coolies ir plantations are Tamili money-making classes Tamilians. . . . The n servants of Europeans
TAMIL COO
lowers in every par Madras being Tamil prevailing language it tonments in Southern vernacular language majority of the Kling who are found in the
MPRESSIONS
ho came over, upon the Sinhalese king, Vijaya, levelop the country, and
Ceylon was frequently veral occasions acquired The indigenous Tamils part the Northern and he Jaffna district, which
the population, is (says “almost the only place might be said that no ly employed. . . . There enced in no other part heir villages and farms,
industrious habits and f the peasantry." The eive yearly large acceson the continent, and re among the principal l's prosperity. At the Inmigrant Tamil coolie states numbered nearly some districts, such as reatly in excess of the
rites: “All throughout the coffee (now tea ans ; the majority of the even in Colombo are ajority of the domestic s and of the camp fol
SLLMgMLLALSLLiMMMTSLSLSLCSLSMSeSLSLSLSSSSSASAS
IE WOMAN.
of the Presidency of people, Tamil is the
all the military canIndia, whatever be the of the district. The (Kalingas) or Hindus urther East are Tamil
OF CEYLON
ians; a large proportion of the coolies who have emigrated in such numbers to the Mauritius and to the West Indian colonies (South Africa might now be added) are Tamilians. In short wherever money is to be made, wherever a more apathetic people is waiting to be pushed aside, thither swarm the Tamilians, the Greeks or the Scotch of the East, the least superstitious and the most enterprising and persevering race of Hindus.'
The chief Tamil settlement, which is at Jaffna, is said by tradition to have been founded by a blind minstrel from the Choli country of South India. Being blind, he depended for his subsistence on the earnings of his wife. One day he quarrelled with her and left home. saying he was going to Lanka (Ceylon). "Ah. you are going to Lanka," she said sneeringly, “ to obtain a tusked elephant and a fertile land." On his arrival at the king's court he was refused admittance to his presence, as it was deemed inauspicious for a king to see a blind man. It was, however, arranged that the king should stand behind a curtain and hear the minstrel's song. Unknown to him, the king exchanged his royal robes for an archer's dress, and stood bow in hand. The minstrel, divining the disguise, improvised this stanza, comparing him to Rama, the hero of the Ramayama.
“O Aditya (meaning Rama), whose mighty arms stemmed the sea waves, why have thy hands assumed the bow 2 For prosperous Lanka has neither her king (meaning Rama) nor the stag (meaning that which decoyed Rama away from Sita and left her alone to be carried off by Ravana) nor the seven mara trees (meaning those which Rama shot through with a single arrow) for thee to shoot.'
The king immediately laid aside the archer's garb and successively wore his queen's robes and his own. The minstrel composed extempore a lyric in ten stanzas to suit the different guises, and sang it to the accompaniment of his lute. The king was greatly pleased with the minstrel, and bestowed on him a tusked elephant and the peninsula of Jaffna, thus making true the ironical remark of his wife. The land was mostly uninhabited and covered with jungle, which he cleared with the aid of colonists imported from South India and converted into a rich country. From his professional name (Yal-panar, the lute-minstrel), the land was called Yal panam, the Minstrel’s Land. The Sinhalese changed the name into Yafane, which the British anglicised to Jaffna.
The minstrel invited from the continent a son of the Choli king, and installed him as king under the name Sing Arya Chakravati. The installation is said in the Kailasa Malai to have occurred in the year 3,oooof the Kali Yuga, equal to IoI B.C. If this date be correct, the Ceylon king who patronised the minstrel was
Page 349
TWENTIETH
probably Pulattya, the Tamil who expelled Valagambahu and ruled in his place at Anuradhapura. The capital of the kingdom of Jaffna was fixed at Nallur (“the good city'), and the kings, known under the title of Arya Chakravatis, soon became powerful rivals of the kings of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, It was a scion of this line of “Arya Chakravatis' that Ibn Batuta, the Moorish traveller, found to be the chief king of the island in the fourteenth century.
The north-western ports of Mantotta and Kudurumala (the Hippuros of Pliny), which from ancient times had been the ports of call of Greek, Roman, Arab, Indian and Chinese ships, served as the basis of a naval force which often gave the kings of Jaffna the command of the Ceylon seas and a predominant influence in the island. The Hindus, who constitute the vast majority among the Tamils, attach great importance to the ceremony of marriage, which they regard as a sacrament. The ceremony is performed at an auspicious hour by a Brahman priest before an altar of fire. The bride and bridegroom sit on a dais opposite it, while the purificatory and other rites prescribed in the sacred books are gone through. Often in the course of these rites the couple, with the little bridesmaids and men, and attended by married ladies, walk in picturesque procession round the altar. The bride and bridegroom having signified their consent, the father, or, if he is dead, the nearest male relation, solemnly delivers the bride to the bridegroom with an oblation of water, the bridegroom ties a necklace called tali round her neck, and the fire, the sun, moon, and stars, and all present are called upon to witness that the couple accept each other as man and wife for this world and the next and for eternity. The bridegroom with his hands places the right foot of the bride on a mill-stone. The bride is shown the star Arundati, the perfect wife translated to the skies as a pattern to all women. The priests and elders and all married ladies (no widow may take part) strew rice, symbol of prosperity and fertility, over the heads of the couple and bless them. The tali or necklace above-mentioned is the sign of a married woman, and is never removed till her husband's death. Among the poor who cannot afford this ceremony, or among those living far from Hindu centres (as in parts of the Eastern Province), a valid marriage is constituted by the acceptance of the bridegroom by the bride's parents, by his presenting her with a trousseau, which consists of a cloth some yards long, and being served by her with food at a feast to which the relations are invited.
No divorce is permitted by religion to either party, though it is allowed by the local statute. Re-marriage of widows is not usual among the
CENTURY
better classes of Hin with favour.
The Moors are the in Ceylon, and at th bered 228,o34, or abou and one-tenth of th According to its stric “Moor," which means is misleading when Ceylon who go by tha lay claim to an Africa term is a relic of the who gave to the ( name of his co-religi used to designate a than Malays) born India and speaking tongue. From the tent the Arabs were unc Eastern seas and tra influence in Ceylon t guese. During this p Indian and Ceylon c largely with the nativ Their first settlement (east of Cape Comorin as the fatherland of til one of their tradition from the tyranny of t ben. Merivan in the eig to another they were ( the founder of their cowardice at the battle is said to have arrived district) IO24 A.D.
Whatever may ha origin,* the Moors ha with it, and have per country. They call distinguished from the arrivals from India. and speculative race. is petty trade, and as surpass them. They in the metropolis as They are an exclusiv Even in the case of planted for generatio the Sinhalese languag but Tamil is invariab They seldom mix wit Malays, with whom Moorish women do ni
See an interesting Ceylon" by Mr. P. R R.A.S. 3 ournal, vol. X.,
2 Somna ha is derived fro in India to the Ionian any people who came f in new rites, and fir Sammankara is probabl boat, and apparently m retained in the ordinar
for Moors, Maraikkar ol “ship" being marakkal
MPRESSIONS
us, and is not regarded
ext most numerous race census of I9o numone-fourth of the Tamil Sinhalese population. interpretation, the term un inhabitant of Morocco, pplied to the people of name, and who do not origin. In Ceylon the rule of the Portuguese, eylon Mahomedan the nist of Morocco, and is ll Mahomedans (other n Ceylon or Southern Iamil as their motherh to the fifteenth century isputed masters of the de, and exercised great 11 ousted by the Portueriod they settled on the oasts, and intermarried es, especially the Tamils. in India was Kailpatnam l, which is still regarded he Moors. According to s, their progenitors fled he Caliph Abu al Melek hth century. According 2xpelled from Arabia by religion, Mahomed, for of Ohod. A later colony at Beruwela (in Kalutara
ve, been their place of we now lost connection manently settled in this hemselves Sonahar, as Sammankarar, the later hey are an enterprising Their chief occupation traders it is difficult to re ubiquitous and active in the remotest village. and conservative race. olitary Moorish villages ns in Sinhalese districts, 2 has not been adopted, y spoken by the Moors. other races, except the they intermarry, and tappear in public unless aper on “The Moors of manathan, C.M.G., in the O. ვ6.
Yavana, originally applied 3reeks, and afterwards to pm the north and brought lly to the Mahomedans. from the Malay sampan, a ant a boatman, the idea Sinhalese and Tamil title
Marakkalaha, the Tamil for n, a wooden vessel.
OF CEYLON 341
very poor. Though the Moors are by no means deficient in intelligence, they care little for education, especially education on Western lines. The presence of Arabi Pasha and his fellow Egyptian exiles in Ceylon during the latter part of the nineteenth century has had the effect of stirring up the Moorish community, but this has shown itself mostly in externals, the adoption of the dress of European Turks, &c. There is little sign as yet that they realise, or desire to make themselves worthy of, their great heritage from Islam, whose votaries during the darkness of the Middle Ages kept the lamp of learning and civilisation trimmed and burning throughout the greater part of Europe and Asia.
The Malays, whose numbers are very small, were originally imported to Ceylon from Java by the Dutch for military service, and some were Javanese princes and their attendants deported here for political reasons. When the Dutch rule in Ceylon ended, some of the Malay soldiers, with their wives and children, were sent to Java at the expense of the British Government. Those who chose to remain in the island entered into the service of the British Government, and were formed, with Kaffirs and sepoys, into the Ceylon Rifle Regiment, the last of which was disbanded in 1873. They are Mahomedans in religion, in habits less exclusive than the Moors, and are characterised by a military spirit. On the disbandment of the Ceylon Rifle Regiment a great many joined the Ceylon Police Force, of which they are among the most efficient members. One of their race carried off the Government English University Scholarship in open competition with youths of other races, and had a distinguished career at Cambridge, an achievement of which this small community may well be proud.
The Mahomedans of Ceylon are governed in matrimonial matters by laws and customs of their own. Only a small part of them have been reduced to writing in the Code of Mahomedan Law of 1806, a meagre document, which has to be interpreted and supplemented by the light of the unwritten custom of the community. Under no system of law does woman enjoy more rights and safeguards than under the Mahomedan-an advantage she probably owes to the high regard of the prophet and lawgiver, Mahomed, for his noble and devoted wife, Kadija. But in practice his good intentions have been defeated by man's selfishness. On the day of the marriage the terms of the contract (with special reference to the amount of dowry and to the magar, or compensation, to be given to the wife by the husband in case of divorce) are entered by the priest, in the presence of witnesses, in a register called the kaduttam (apparently a corruption of the
yk
Page 350
342 TWENTIETH
Tamil kaditam, a document). The consent of the parties to the union is signified by the bridegroom, and on behalf of the bride by her father or guardian, who signs the register for her. The priest's benediction concludes this ceremony, which is followed, according to Tamil custom, by the bridegroom tying the tali round the bride's neck.
The marriage may be dissolved by the husband delivering to the wife letters of divorce or addressing her three times “I divorce thee.' The right of divorce is equally open to the wife. The divorce is
CENTURY I
upon at marriage. permits a man to n coupled with the almo that all are treated b partiality. The cust found by the prophe strongly established a rooted out, and he di and reform it.
In Ceylon polygar opposed to the senti the majority of the deplorably prevalent a
A KANDYAN GIRL.
entered in the kaduttam, and can only take effect if the husband returns the magar agreed
the Batticaloa district, ships on the women.
MPRESSIONS
The Mahomedan law arry four wives, but st impossible condition y him with strict imom of polygamy was
Mahomed to be too mong the Arabs to be il his best to moderate
ny and divorce are ment and practice of Mahomedans, but are mong certain classes in
****بین ادویہ
േ
and inflict cruel hardThe largest proportion
OF CEYLON
(I6o per I,ooo) of widowed (which includes divorced) females in the island is among the Moors of Batticaloa district; also the smallest proportion (I7 per I,ooo) of widowed males. Gross frauds having been found prevalent in connection with the kaduttamus or registers kept by the priests, the Ordinance No. 8 of 1886 was passed, on the recommendation of the then District Judge of Batticaloa (Mr. Worthington), giving the Mahomedans the opportunity of registering their marriages in registers kept by officially appointed Mahomedan registrars. In some districts, Puttalam and Galle, the Mahomedans have readily availed themselves of the opportunity,
but in most districts the operation of the law
is impeded by religious prejudice.
The term “Burgher' in Ceylon properly belongs to the legitimate descendants of the Dutch and of the Portuguese who elected to remain in the island after the fall of their respective Governments, and of whom a considerable number eventually took employment under the British. At the time of the capitulation of Colombo in 1796, the Dutch community in Ceylon, which consisted of the European residents and the descendants of the earlier settlers of Dutch, German, and other European nationalities who came out in the Dutch service, had been broadly divided into two classes: “ company's servants' and “Burghers.' The former were the civil and military employees of all grades of the Netherlands East India Company, and the latter included (1) those (also called Vryburgers) who, having obtained their discharge from the company’s service, were permitted to reside and carry on trades and occupations on their own account in the different towns; and (2) the train-band or militiamen of the towns, whose ranks were composed to a great extent of men of mixed Portuguese descent, who practised for their livelihood various handicrafts, and came in later times to be known as mechanics. With this class the Dutch Burghers had little or no connection.
When Ceylon came under the British Government, the distinction between “company's servants' and “ Burghers' lost its significance, and the Dutch community in Ceylon began to be designated the “Dutch and Burgher inhabitants' without any distinction between the elements. But in course of time, with the death of the men who first took the oath of allegiance to King George III., or were permitted to remain in Ceylon on passports, the appellation resolved itself to 'Burghers.” Yet it was always recognised as applicable only to the legitimate descendants of the Dutch and of the Portuguese and other Europeans who had taken service under the Dutch company. Sir Richard Ottley, Chief Justice of Ceylon, in
Page 351
TWENTIETH
his replies to a series of questions proposed
by a Commission of Inquiry in 1830, thus
defines the term “Burgher':-
"The name Burgher belongs to the descend
ants of the Dutch and Portuguese and other
Europeans born in Ceylon; the right to this distinction must be decided by the country from which the father or paternal ancestors came. Whatever the number of generations through which the family has passed in this island, if the male ancestor were Dutch, Portuguese, or other European, whoever may have been the female parents, if the parents were married, the offspring would be Burghers. If the parents were not married, the country of the mother would decide the question. If the right to be denominated Burgher be once lost by the legitimate father being a Sinhalese or other Indian, it cannot be recovered.'
Bishop Copleston has thus described the Burghers: “The descendants of Portuguese who occupied parts of the island from near I5oo to about 165o A.D., and of the Dutch who succeeded them and handed it over to the English a little before 18oo, are alike called Burghers, though the title must have belonged originally to the Dutch. Few of these Burghers are now of unmixed European descent, but most are of unblemished and some of noble origin. The term “Eurasian is not applied to them." The Burghers of Ceylon have thus had an origin quite different from that of the Eurasians of India or of the rapidly increasing half-caste population of Ceylon, although, owing to imperfect knowledge of their history and antecedents, it has become common to speak of these classes together, and to use the words “ Burgher' and “Eurasian ' as synonymous terms. The language how used by the Burghers is English. Dutch has been altogether forgotten, except by the antiquarian. A corrupt Portuguese patois is occasionally used, but is fast dying out.
There are practical difficulties in the way of an enumeration of the “Burgher' population according to the correct and proper acceptation of that term. Many persons called themselves Burghers, and returned themselves as such in census schedules, who had no right to that appellation. As a Burgher gentleman has observed, "It is not an uncommon experience for every nondescript who affects a pair of trousers and cannot with any right be classed under any particular category to call himself a 'Burgher, and to take refuge under that very convenient term.'
Though numerically an insignificant element of the population (about 9 per cent.), the Burghers represent a considerable proportion of the talent of the country. They do not readily take to agricultural or industrial work. But in the learned professions they have done
CENTURY IM
their part with distincti with credit to the col
دي.
backbone of the cleri recently held practica highest posts in that s According to the nur at the census of Igo faiths of Ceylon rank in Buddhists ...
Hindus
Christians Mahomedans
Others
PRESSIONS OF CEYLON 348
on to themsehves and
In other words, out of every roooo of the
ony. They form the entire population 6,oo5 are Buddhists, 2,319
HİCFBI CASTE TAMİL GEIRL.
cal service, and until lly a monopoly of the ervice.
nbers of their adherents I, the several religious n the following order:-
2,414O4. 826,826
349,239 - S X ar 246, II8 --- io | b 2,367
Hindus, 979 Christians, 69o Mahomedans, and 7 “others.'
Of the “others' the great majority are the Veddahs. Their religion, as the religion of most of the forest tribes of India, is what in the science of religion is known as Animism. This is the distinctive philosophy of primitive culture. Every brook and well, every rock and glade, heaven and earth, sun and moon, rain, wind, and thunder are believed to be peopled by spirits, who directly influence the
Page 352
844
lives of men, whether as guardian spirits or hurtful demons, and have to be propitiated. They appear to men either of their own accord or conjured by some spell, and afflict them with diseases, especially convulsions, delirium, madness, The phantom souls of the departed live on as hovering ghosts, continuing a life more or less similar to the present, and able to help or injure the survivors of their kindred or tribe.
There are traces in the Weddah worship of a more highly developed religion, inherited probably from earlier Indian colonists, The kings of Lanka (Ceylon), whose fortunes are told with poetical embellishments in the Skanda purana and the Ramayana, were devoted worshippers of Siva, The oldest shrine in the island, Kataragama, was, as it still is, sacred to his son, Kartikeya or Skanda, god of war and wisdom, and its priests have from time immemorial been Veddahs. Hardly less old is the shrine of Siva on Sami Rock, Trincomalee, on whose summit, since the Portuguese in the seventeenth century destroyed its 'temple of a thousand columns," a picturesque open-air worship is celebrated, and the offerings cast into the deep blue sea beneath. Munisvaram (near the town of Chilaw) was, even in the time of the hero of the Ramayana, an ancient temple dedicated to Siva. Near Mannar there stood another celebrated temple of Siva called Tirukketisvara, which, according to an ancient tradition, was destroyed by an earthquake or sandstorm, and of which the ruins are still traceable at great depths from the surface.
The most widely professed faith in Ceylon, and that which is most characteristic of the country, is Buddhism. It is the national religion of the Sinhalese, and surpasses in the number of its followers all other forms of belief prevalent in the island together,
The essential doctrines of Buddha are known as “The Four Noble Truths." Life, he taught, is sorrow ; desire is the cause of sorrow ; sorrow ceases with the removal of desire; this is effected by a certain course of conduct called the Eightfold Path. This consisted of right belief, right aim, right speech, right conduct, right living, right endeavour, right recollection, right meditation. Desire is the seed of life, and is itself the product of past thoughts and acts, according to the inexorable law of cause and effect, called Karma. What a man sows, he must reap. To use George Eliot's words: “Our children may be strangled, but our deeds never; they live and act apart from our will.” Neither priest nor God can prevent each act bearing its own consequence; nor are the inequalities of this life to be compensated by rewards in the next. Our condition in this life is the result of our acts in past lives, and our future condition is shaped
TWENTIETH CENTURY
by our conduct in this things are imperman the impermanence at is the beginning of the evolution of coun strenuous pursuit of til ceases, its effect, life being enters upon t called Nirvana, the life and of sorrow. attained unaided, and they will, like him, not keep this knowl love of humanity, at sorrow, he “set in m law as a king the tr. kingdom.”
His teaching thus author of the “Light eternity of a universal a boundless love, an of faith in final good, tion ever made of extravagances which c practice of Buddhism that inevitable degrad always inflict upon gr their charge. The p Gautama's teachings s their influence and no nor by that lazy an which has arisen on priesthood or Sangha. The teaching was no India, He himself de taught by numerous Professor Wilson was merely the Sankhya ph turned into a nation: works, the Upanishad doctrines appear, even God. “The purpose C says. Professor Max utter uselessness-nay, all ritual performance sacrificial act which ha or hope of reward; te ence, at least the e: character of the Dev there is no hope of sa except by the individi true and universal self, where alone rest can b history of India such t by the priests, bent of the fetters of ignoranc of caste and an elabo often there were pop despotism.
The tines were not Gautama headed it. has to reassert in som of man, Gautama ac
MPRESSIONS
ce. But all component it. The conviction of vanity of the world iritual life. When in ess births and by the : Eightfold Path desire ceases, and perfected e final emancipation, xtinction of conscious
This goal Gautama
so may all others if persevere. He could dge to himself. For d to release it from tion the wheel of the 1mphant wheel of his
ontained in it, as the f Asia" has said, "the ope, the immortality of indestructible element und the proudest asserhuman freedom. The isfigure the record and are to be referred to tion which priesthoods 2at ideas committed to ower and sublimity of hould be estimated by it by their interpreters, di ceremonious church the foundations of the
e
t in its essence new to clared that it had been Buddhas before him. of opinion that it was ilosophy of the Hindus ll religion. In earlier s of the Vedas, these he denial of a personal f the Upanishads was," Miller, “to show the he mischievousness-of s; to condemn every s for its motive a desire deny, if not the existceptional and exalted as, and to teach that vation and deliverance al self recognising the and finding rest there, : found.” Often in the aching was suppressed keeping the people in and of a rigid system ate lifeless ritual ; and lar revolts against the
ripe for a revolt, and very reformer in India ; form the brotherhood ressed himself not to
OF CEYLON
select disciples, but to all the people, and proclaimed a deliverance from the sins and sorrows of life by self-conquest and universal love, and to his message he added the magnetism of his personality and the undying influence of a noble life. That was the secret of his marvellous success. While denying the existence of any external being or god who could interfere with the immutable law of cause and effect, his teaching linked together mankind as parts of one universal whole, and denounced the isolated self-seeking of the human heart as the heresy of individuality. Its mission was to make men more moral, kinder to others and happier themselves, not to propitiate imaginary deities. It accordingly founded its teaching on man's duty to his neighbour instead of on his obligations to gods, and constructed its ritual on a basis of relic worship, or the commemoration of good men, instead of on sacrifice. Its sacred buildings were not temples to the god, but monasteries (viharas) for the religious orders with their bells and rosaries, or memorial shrines (dagobas, stupas) reared over a tooth or bone of the founder of the faith,
With a zeal that has never been surpassed the heralds of the 'Great Doctrine' went in search of the remotest barbarous or civilised peoples, everywhere proclaiming the good tidings of equality, self-abnegation, justice, and brotherly love, Crossing the Hindu Kush, the Pamir, and Himalayas, they undertook the moral conquest of the regions stretching from these lofty ranges to the Pacific seaboard. Their faith subdued the peoples of Tibet, Mongolia, China, Japan, while their influence was felt, under the form of Shamanism, amongst the Chukches, Tunguses, Samoyedes, and other tribes dwelling along the shores of the Frozen Ocean, Buddhism brought with it the moral and legal discipline of mankind, softening their rugged character, polishing their rough edges, and introducing arts, sciences, and literature to the nations. What Buddhism has done for Mongolian culture cannot be too highly appreciated. Till the middle of the nineteenth century, before the great convulsions in China and the enormous increase of the white race in Europe and the New World, the followers of Buddha were still far more numerous than those of all the Christian sects combined,
At the present day it prevails in Ceylon, Tibet, Nepaul, China, Burma, Siam, Japan, Siberia, &c., and counts probably about 500 millions of votaries. While in other countries Buddhism is more or less subordinate to the national religion or philosophy-Confucianism or Taoism in China, Shintoism in Japan, &c.-- in Ceylon it holds a more commanding place, is of a purer form, and has a longer continuous history. The Buddhism of this island was
Page 353
TWENTIETH
derived from the original stem at a time when it was still but little altered from its primitive form. Centuries afterwards the religion, with the wide divergences that had then arisen, passed into China, Japan, and Tibet, constituting what is sometimes called the “Northern' school.
The introduction of Buddhism into Ceylon occurred, according to the Sinhalese chronicles, about 3oo B.C., in the reign of Devanampiya Tissa, to whom the monk Mahinda was sent by his father, the Emperor Asoka, as an apostle of Buddhism. The Sinhalese king, who was, like his predecessor, of the Hindu faith, became an enthusiastic convert, and the religion spread rapidly. In the work of propagandism Mahinda was aided by his sister, Sanghamitta, who followed him to Ceylon for the purpose of initiating the women of the island. She brought with her a branch of the tree (Ficus religiosa) under which Buddha had sat at the time he attained supreme knowledge, and which is accordingly known among the Buddhists as the Tree of Knowledge, Bodhi or Bo. This branch was planted at Anuradhapura, and the tree that sprang up still stands, the oldest and most venerated tree in the world.
In Ceylon Buddhism has become intermixed with popular Hinduism. “ The historical causes of this," says Dr. Copleston in his work on Buddhism, “are obvious. A large proportion of Hindus from Southern India became mingled with the population of the island. Tamil soldiers were employed as mercenaries by the native kings; alliances in marriage were repeatedly, almost regularly, made with the royal families of the continent. A succession of Tamil conquerors invaded the island and usurped its thrones. All these things, as well as the ordinary intercourse of commerce between neighbouring countries, familiarised the Sinhalese with the Hinduism of the time, Nor was it altogether an alien influence, for it was on a Hindu foundation, we must remember, that all the social system of the Sinhalese had been built, and this Buddhism had not destroyed."
It has thus happened that to every Buddhist temple. (vihara) is attached (though not officially recognised by the Buddhist priests) a Hindu temple (dewale), where the cult of Hindu deities under the names of Natha, Vishnu, &c., flourishes, and shares with Buddhism imposing festivals, the chief of which is the yearly festival and procession held in the month of July at the Dalada Maligawa, Kandy, the temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Buddha, “Buddha for the soul, the gods for this world,' was, according to Knox (the captive of King Rajasinha), the rule of action of the masses of the people in his time (166o-I68o), and it is still
true, Demonism and astrology also play an
CENTURY I
important part in the
better day appears to h Buddhism. Thanks t Madame Blavatsky, Theosophical Society in I88o, truer ideas of been spread, and a r occurred under leader The ordinary pro Buddhist declares tha Buddha, in his law c community of his mon law I have spoken. the long course of th undergone numerous the kings were unable the community, its m till (as frequently reco there were no longer e a chapter; and it eve
s ஜ்ஜ்
鷲 麓?
SINESIALE
(Carrying wate)
was not a single qua community had then king importing monl three ancient orders C of Maha Vihara, the Jetavana, whiçh date : 3oo B.C., IOO B.C., and Their place is taken recent origin-the Si Amarapura, and the Ra
The first named is and dates its origin fro Kirti Sri Rajasinha ( from Siam to revive Amarapura sect, whi I8oo A.D., cones next, is the youngest, as it is
See an interesting ar Witchcraft in Ceylon," i. Society's Sournal, vol. Gunaratna, Mudalivar.
MPRESSIONS
popular religion. A ave dawned for Ceylon o Colonel Olcott and
the founders of the established in Ceylon Buddha's teaching have emarkable revival has s of high character, fession of faith of a it he seeks refuge in or doctrine, and in the ks. Of Buddha and his The community, during he island's history, has vicissitudes, Whenever or unwilling to support embers rapidly fell off, rded in the chronicles) nough members to form n happened that there
SEL GRI.
r vessel om head)
alified monk left. The to be renewed by the ks from abroad. The of monks, the fraternities Abhayagiri, and the respectively from about 300 A.D., no longer exist. by fraternities of quite amese, the Burmese or
ala. the oldest of the three, m about I750 A.D., when obtained twenty, monks : the succession. The ch was founded about
while the Ramanna sect
the smallest. The home
ticle on “Demonology and n the Ceylon Royal Asiatic iv., by Dandris de Silva
OF CEYLON 345
of the Siamese sect is the Kandyan country; but it is largely represented in the low-country or maritime provinces, where about 2o per cent, of the monks belong to it. The Amarapura and Ramanna predominate in the lowcountry, but are little bý little gaining ground in the Kandyan, where they amount together to Io per cent. of the whole. It is roughly computed that of the total number of Buddhist priests about half belong to the Siamese sect, 34 per cent. to the Amarapura sect, and I6 per cent. to the Ramanna. This division into sects, however, does not affect the laity to any great extent. All Buddhists, to whatever sect they may belong, attend the principal places of worship, and a layman gives alms to Buddhist priests without regard to their Sect.
There are many points of difference between the three fraternities, but to an outsider only two or three seem to be important. The Siamese sect admits to the priesthood none but members of the Wellala, caste, the other sects admit members of most other castes. At the present time the Amarapura sect includes a member of the royal family of Siam. Another point of difference is that the Amarapura and Ramanna sects recognise and use, while the Siamese disallow, the chief formula for giving to the priests: “To the Buddha, to the monks, and to the nuns I give.' The reason given for disallowing it is that Buddha is no longer alive and in a position to retceive gifts. The sects which use the formula contend that the absent or deceased Buddha may be represented by his relics, and a casket of them is made to do duty as his representative. The Ramanna monks aim at a more genuine poverty, possess no lands, use no smart robes or silk umbrellas, but carry only the native palm-leaf umbrella; they avoid all association with Hindu rites and temples of Siva, Vishnu, &c., and denounce the worship of all those lower deities which occupy in practice so large a part of the field of popular Buddhism. It is not perhaps surprising that this sect, being so radical, is not influential.
Hinduism is the religion which, next to Buddhism, has the largest number of followers in Ceylon-826,826 at the last census (I9oI), or 2,3I9 in every IO,OOO persons of the population. “Hindu' is a very comprehensive and elastic designation, and embraces great varieties of religious belief and philosophy. The term is in fact a foreign one, and does not exist in the Indian languages. It is used by the Indian Government to mean the large residuum that is not Sikh or Jain or Buddhist or professedly Animistic, or included in one of the foreign religions, such as the Christian, Jew, Mahomedan, or Parsee. “Thus limited,” says Mr. Baines, the Indian Census Commissioner of 1891, “a more applicable title for it would be
Page 354
346
Brahmanism, which connotes its two chief characteristics in the present day, the recognition of inherited social status and the authority of a hereditary sacerdotalism.” Another chief characteristic which ought to have been added is the recognition of the authority of the Vedas, the sacred lore of the Brahmans.
There is a countless multitude of Hindu sects, old and new, but the main divisions are the Saivas, Vaishnavas, and Saktas. The two former are worshippers of Siva or Vishnu, the principal members of the Hindu trinity. The Saktas are worshippers of the female personification of the divine energy (Sakti) :
“ Mother of milions of world-clusters, yet Virgin
by the Vedas called."
Few Hindus of learning will acknowledge themselves to belong to any of the popular divisions of the faith, although, as a matter of simple preference, they more especially worship some individual deity as their chosen or Ishta devata. They refer also to the Vedas, the books of law, the Puranas, and the Tantras as the only ritual they recognise, and regard all practices not derived from those sources as irregular and profane. On the other hand, many of the sects seem to have originated in a great measure out of opposition to the Brahmanical order. Teachers and disciples are chosen from any class, and the distinction of caste is in a great measure sunk in the new one of similarity of schism.
A fundamental distinction must be noted, even among the most orthodox, between the - ritual priest-who is always of a hereditary high caste, a Brahman, and in Tamil-land may be a Vellala-and the spiritual priest, who may be of any caste. This is one of those transcendent things which puzzle the student of Indian life, who is accustomed to associate with it, and in great measure truly, the immutable and depressing barriers of caste. But high spiritual culture is held to overleap these barriers, which are intended, say the Hindu masters, not to cramp and crush, but to safeguard and develop the soul, as a plant is protected by an enclosure, which may be dispensed with as soon as the plant grows out of the reach of cattle. Among the saints of the Hindu calendar worshipped in the temples are men of the lowest castes and even outcasts, and to this day members of the highest castes do not scruple to pay divine honours to living men whom they regard as saints, however low their caste.
Hinduism undoubtedly sought, like all other religions, to conquer the world. It reached the Caspian Sea on one side, and on the other the island of Java. Mighty ruins of temples attest its former predominance, and its influence still survives in the dialects, traditions, manners,
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
arts, and political insti All the languages of at least, the traces of legends disseminated aries. Even among of the Malay islands a forests ceremonies art here and there reca practised in the Punja The extraordinary vi its power of adapting stances have been ofte all the kindred conc with,” says Mons. Bartl which has shown itself so apt as this to assume and so dexterous in re from the most refined idolatry; none has succ ing its losses, no one a high degree the pc reproducing new sects and of resisting by way in this way from itself a destroy it, at once thos and those due to exter dhism is perhaps the mo of a great religion a arose out of Hinduism, absorbed in it so compl are now left on the II once their faith reig Nepaul and Cashmel Evidence of this vitalit furnished, on the one now going on of abso of the forest tribes of their tribal gods and other, by the way in meeting the forces of civilisation.
The explanation is to of dogma. The fundam is thus stated in the B ever men approach m them, for the path men mine” (iv. II). “They with devotion, full of f me. I am indeed the and also the lord. Bu essence” (ix. 23). Th the goal set before ev God is not far off, but i of all beings, like fire i waiting to be manife. ways, short or long, false.
The Hindu sages cl system providing for th of persons in every s spiritual growth, and Sopana Marga, or the soul," it has been said
MPRESSIONS
tutions of the people. Eastern Asia preserve, the myths and heroic by the Hindu missionhe pagan communities ld of the Indo-Chinese : still observed which ll the rites formerly b. tality of Hinduism and itself to new circumIn remarked. “Among 2ptions that we meet , “there is not another so vigorous, so flexible, the most diverse forms, conciling all extremes, idealism to the grossest 2eded so well in repairhas possessed in such wer of producing and even great religions, of perpetual regenesis ll the causes that might è due to internal Waste hal opposition.” Bud}st conspicuous instance ind philosophy which and which has become etely that no Buddhists hdian peninsula, where ned triumphant from “e to Cape Comorin. y and elasticity is still hand, by the process rption by Brahmanism India and Ceylon with spirits, and, on the which the religion is modern science and
be found in the absence ental idea of the religion hagavad Gita : “ Howe, even so do I accept take from every side is who worship other gods aith, they also worship enjoyer of all sacrifices t they know not me in 2 knowledge of God is ery human being, and s' seated in the hearts n wood, ghee in milk,' sted. All religions are to the goal; none is
im to have organiseda e needs and capacities age of intellectual and significantly called the Ladder-way. "Each “is potentially divine.
OF CEYLON
The goal is to manifest the divinity within by controlling nature, external and internal. Do this either by work or worship or psychic control or philosophy, by one or more or all of these, and be free. This is the whole of religion. Doctrines or dogmas or rituals or books or temples or forms are but secondary details." In this process of evolution, which is not limited to one life, but may extend over many lives, the pilgrim soul passes step by step from animism, polydaemonism, idolatry, therianthropic and anthropomorphic polytheism, henotheism, monotheism, to the nost absolute monism. Ekam sat is the last word, "All that is, is one."
“What is here is that there, what is there is that
here,
By the mind this must be grasped: there is not
here many, no, not at all.
From death to death he goes who sees here
many.
Who sees but One in the changing manifoldness
of this universe,
Unto him belongeth Eternal Truth, unto none
else, unto none else.”
Numerically, the Christians occupy the third place among the religions of Ceylon. The earliest reference to Christianity in Ceylon is made by Cosmas Judicopleustes, a Nestorian, who lived in the reign of the Emperor Justinian, and who alludes to a colony of Christians, who were probably followers of the Patriarch of Constantinople, as sojourning in the island for purposes of trade. But no systematic attempt at propagating Christianity seems to have been made in Ceylon until the Portuguese established themselves.
The Roman Catholics were the first in the field. One of the earliest and the greatest of their missionaries was St. Francis Xavier, a native of Navarre, who was one of the seven original members of the celebrated “Company of Jesus," and has been called “the Apostle of the Indies.' He arrived in the island in 1542 and commenced a mission among the Tamils of the district of Mannar. It is a remarkable testimony to the success of his ministrations that Mannar contains, out of a total Christian population of I2,367, as many as III,245 Roman Catholics, and is one of the two districts in the island in which Christianity is the predominant religion, the other district being the almost adjoining district of Chilaw, in which more than half the population are Christians. The Portuguese Government never neglected an opportunity of propagating their faith. The Portuguese navigator Cabral, in the sixteenth century, was instructed by royal commission to conquer territory and to propagate Christianity, beginning the latter task 'with preaching, and, if that failed, proceeding to the sharp determination of the sword." Fortunately for the cause of Roman Catholi
Page 355
TWENTIETH
cism the Portuguese rule ceased, and with it the policy of forcible conversion. The selfsacrificing zeal and devotion of the missionaries has proved a far more potent instrument for the spread of the religion. The result is seen in the fact that of Christians those of the Roman Catholic sect are far the most numerous in the island.
The Dutch, who succeeded the Portuguese in the occupation of the seaboard of Ceylon, were not less ardent in establishing their own religious denomination. They made public offices the monopoly of the Protestant Christians, and withheld other civil privileges from all who had not been so baptized. Proclamation was publicly made (circa I64o) that no native could aspire to the rank of Mudaliyar, or even be permitted to farm land or hold office under Government, who had not first undergone the ceremony of baptism. In I692 Buddhist ceremonies were prohibited at fhe Kelani temple, near Colombo, and the priests ordered to withdraw from the temple. A marriage could not be registered unless the parties were Christians, nor a child's birth registered unless baptized. Very many who were Buddhists at heart made a formal profession of Christianity in order to secure the privilege of duly registered baptism and marriage. These disqualifications remained in force till removed by the English Government. On the cession to the British Crown of the possessions of the Dutch East India Company in I796, the maintenance of their religious establishments was by treaty secured to the Dutch, their ministers being paid by the British Government. The Church of England then became a department of the State, and so continued until the connection between Church and State was severed in 1878.
Of the Protestant Missions now in the island the earliest was the Baptist Mission. The London Missionary Society seems to have sent out to Ceylon in I8o4 three Germans to found a mission, but that body has no footing here now. In 1812 a deputation arrived from the Baptist Mission at Serampur, near Calcutta, for mission work in Colombo. The Wesleyans founded a mission in Ceylon in 1814. The American missionaries (Congregationalists), whose operations have been confined to the Northern Province, were the next to arrive (1815), followed by the Church Missionary Society in I818, and the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in I840. The Salvation Army was first introduced into Ceylon in 1883.
Mahomedanism is professed in Ceylon by Moors and Malays. They are of the Sunni sect-the Shia sect being hardly represented except among Indian Mahomedans-and, though strict in the observance of their faith, are less bigoted than their co-religionists in
CENTURY I
India. The main differ and Sunnis is that the fo Ali, “the Lion of Gc Prophet and the fourth
that part of the divine on him, and refuse to Caliphs. The sons of A were murdered, one by on the field of Kerbela bandit-minstrel of Persi:
his execution, “O de spare? Were even those footstools of the seventh heaven, spare madest them martyr martyrdom of these he brated by the Shias ( festival by most aff
* . See an interesting o acc
Arnold's "Essays on Cri “A Persian Passion Play."
MPRESSIONS
ence between the Shias rmer specially venerate d,' son-in-law of the Caliph. They consider inspiration descended ecognise the first three i, Hassan and Hussein, poison and the other “O death,' cries the in his last song before
OF CEYLON 347
(taeias), at which at frequent intervals all the multitude cry with the actors, "Ya Hassan ! Ya Hussein !” (“ O Hassan ! CO Hussein!"). At the conclusion, stately structures, representing the tombs of the martyrs and crowned with burning candles, circles of light, to show that they have entered into glory, are carried round in procession with the same cries. Hence the Anglo-Indian word “Hobson-Jobson" and the Ceylon word
A SINBLALESE: EAMLY.
ath, whom didst thou Hassan and Hussein, throne of God on the d by thee ? No, thou s at Kerbela.” The broes is annually celeiuring the Moharrum acting passion plays'
sount of them in Matthew ticism,” First Series, vii,
“Jausan" for this festival. The Sunnis are said not to observe the Moharrum except on the tenth day (when they believe Adam and Eve to have been created) and to abhor the taaias. But most of the Ceylon Mahomedans observe it in spite of their being nominally Sunnis.
The following table gives the numbers of the population deriving their livelihood from each class of occupation, with the proportion it bears to the total population :-
Page 356
348 TWENTIETH
CENTURY
TABLE E.
NUMBER OF PERSONS OF EACH SEx SUBSISTING BY EACH CLASS OF PROPORTION of such PERsons To I,ood of THE ToTAL PoP
Occupatión. Persons, Males, Females.
Government ... 6o,883 34,6Ι7 26,266 Agriculture 2,359,57O I,259,23I I,IOO,339 Personal Services . . . . . . . I34,7oό 70,764 63,942 Preparation and Supply of Materiai
Substances ... 6I3,689 || 296,858 316,83I Commerce, Transport, and Storage ... 185,761 III,O59 74,702 Professions Os s" O 7I,43I 44,384 27,047 Unskilled Labour, not Agricultural ... 125,6oό 72,035 53,57I Means of Subsistence Independent of
Occupation ... r O - O I4,3O8 7,264 7,044
It will be seen that the largest proportion of the population-nearly two-thirds-falls under the agricultural class. Ceylon is an agricultural country par excellence. Land here is not the luxury of a few, but the business and concern of the vast majority of the inhabitants. Custom and tradition have assigned an honourable place in society to landholders, and the equal division of property, whether by the operation of the law in the case of intestates or by the force of public opinion and custom, to which, in the few cases where wills are made, testators as a rule conform, has led to a very extensive distribution of property. Not to own land is deemed in the rural parts almost to argue one a vagabond, while the tenacity with which the people cling to infinitesimal interests in land, and the bitterness with which their
than in any other coul great majority of the whether native or imn
labourers.
It is well known that occupation has, by inhi been developed into called “ caste.” The su interesting one, but to treated here. Among a there are certain inevita of society, by whatev called. A large numl must be employed in clothing, shelter, and ot of the community. TI class. Then, there is which gathers the pro
SINHALESE. FAMILY GROUP.
disputes about land are contested, have passed into a proverb. While those who are thus interested in land are probably more numerous
scatters them thírough makes them accessibl. classes carry on their
MPRESSIONS
OCCUPATION AND THE JLATION, I901.
Proportion to I,ooo Persons of the Total Population.
Persons. Males. Females.
17:o7 183 157 6617o 664'I 659'o 37’8o | 37'3 || 38'3
I72 Io. I565 1898 52'09 586 447 2O'o3 234 16'2 352o 38°o 32I
4’OI 38 4'2
ntry in the world, the labourers in the island, nigrant, are agricultural
ín Ceylon, as in India, ritance and endogamy, the peculiar institution bject is an exceedingly ) large to be adequately all civilised communities ble and natural divisions er name they may be per of the population the production of food, her physical necessaries his is the productive the distributing class, ducts of the former and
the community and e to all. These two funetions in peace and
OF CEYLON
safety under the protection of what may be called a guardian class. It includes the soldiers and sailors who protect the people from foreign attack, and the civil officers who preserve internal order, governors, judges, lawyers, &c. Another class is indispensable for the healthy progress of the nation, a teaching class -teachers of science, philosophy, and religion. The principal divisions of the Indian castesystem corresponded to those four great classes. The Sudras were the producers, the Vaisyas were the distributors, the Kshattriyas were the guardians, and the Brahmans the teachers. In course of time these four divisions differentiated into countless subdivisions, each calling itself a caste, and keeping itself exclusive by restrictions on marriage and on eating with other castes, and by rules of ceremonial observance and purity. the original bond of connection between the members of a caste and generally gave it its name, gradually ceased to be of primary importance, and the caste name was retained by members who had abandoned the original caste occupation for other occupations.
Inherited status has prevailed in many countries, ancient and modern. In many European countries sovereignty and nobility still pass solely by right of birth. By right of birth, kings and nobles rule, make laws, take titles. The eldest son of a duke or earl becomes duke or earl on his father's death, and the monent he gets his title, if of age, he goes into the House of Lords and makes laws for the people. The whole British Empire is ruled by that House, in conjunction with the Crown and the Commons, and the order of peers is filled, except in the case of the first generation, not by right of knowledge, wisdom, age, or capacity, but of birth. In an early period of English history the great middle class, which grew up slowly under the shadow of the nobility, devoting itself o commerce and agriculture, and whose achievements are the main burden of English history, formed themselves in the towns into guilds, corresponding to the collegia of ancient Rome, for different kinds of trade and handicraft frr commercial
Inherited occupation, which was
and technical education, for the maintenance of
the tradition of each calling, for protection against the aggression of other classes, and for the kindly charity of mutual help, purposes which Indian castes still sulfil. Below the middle class was the mass of the cultivators and producers tied to the soil, with duties of what are called feudal tenure, bound to discharge these duties in exchange for protection, ever bound so strictly to the soil that even to-day in England, if a man is starving, the first question that is asked is, “What parish does he belong to ?' which means, “Where was he born ?" "Which is the place that is responsible for his maintenance 2'
Page 357
TWENTIETH
Nor are the restrictions on the right of intermarriage and on the right of eating together features peculiar to India or Ceylon. These phenomena have long been known to historians and jurists, and received distinctive technical nanes : connubium and commensality. The connubium was the cause of a long and determined struggle between the patricians and plebeians of Rome. Evidence has been accumulating as to the existence of both kinds of restriction among other Aryan tribes, Greeks, Germans, &c. In fact, rules of endogamy and exogamy, privileges restricted to certain classes of eating together, are not only Indian or Aryan, but world-wide phenomena. Both the spirit and, to a large degree, the actual details of modern Indian caste usages are identical with these ancient and no doubt universal customs."
Russians,
“Public opinion still insists, in considerable circles even in Europe, on restrictions of a more or less defined kind, both as to marriage and as to eating together.'
Aristotle showed in his “Politics,' a work which has been called “ the statesman's manual' and “ the greatest work in political science,' that unless the purpose of a civil and social life is carefully considered and clearly realised by those who desire to improve its condition, no change for the better can result from individual or associated action. The special characteristic of the Indian caste system is that it sought to organise the four indispensable functions of civilised society on a definite pian, so that the nation shall be orderly, not anarchicâl, contented, and not continually at struggle and strife. The system has lasted in lindia longer than elsewhere for this reason, and because the particular group that worked its way to the top based its claims on spiritual culture, not on political power nor wealth.
The underlying ideal was that humanity is a brotherhood in which every one holds his power for the common good, and uses his faculties for the common service. If he is strong, he is strong not to injure and bully the younger mambers of the family, but to defend and guard them, and so to serve the whole. The greater the strength, the greater the duty; the greater the power, the greater the responsibility to discharge. The burden laid on each must be in proportion to his strength, knowledge, and capacity.
For the lowest of the four castes, the Sudras, the great mass of manual workers and the least equipped with knowledge and capacity,
Compare, e.g., Daniel's objection to “defile himself with the portion of (Nebuchadnezzar) the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank" (Book of Daniel, i. 8).
o “Encyclopædia Britannicâ,” vol. xxvi., ed. I9o2, P. 433.
CENTURY IM
the duties prescribed v the duties of subordin;
service. The discipline,
愛
might do almost anyth cupation, and eat, drin they would. On the responsibility of wealt severe restrictions put was to be a faithful s household. By him la to be organised, and that was necessary f national wealth. This
tribute in such imanı poverty, shall become ing and virtue find ar land. The poor and fed and clothed, learr ported, temples, schoo maintained.
Heavier still was Kshattriya. He held service and the natio was danger, it must no Vaisya, or the Bra Kshattriya's privilege fence and give his li people, who looked protector. Then there that of teacher, the Br with hard restrictions, joyment of life, bidde wealth, for wealth be bidden to have no righ for that belonged to not to eat and drink a liked, for these were
MPRESSIONS
were, as for children, ation, obedience, and too, was light. They
OF CEYLON 349
Sudra; but he had the hard life of self-denial, which cut him off from the enjoyment and luxuries of life and marked him to be kept
A RODIYA BAMILY.
ing in the way of ock, and travel almost as Vaisya was the heavy h, hand in hand with
upon him. His duty teward in the national abour and trade were
everything else done or the production of
wealth he was to dismer that plenty,
permanent, and learnabiding home in the
destitute were to be
not
ing and religin supls, and pilgrim-houses
the demand on the nis life for the national nal welfare. If there it strike the Sudra, the hman. It was the to go out for their defe as sacrifice for the to him as ruler and
came the fourth class, ahman. Hedged about
cut away from the en'n to have no worldly longed to the Vaisya ; t to struggle for liberty, the Kshattriya ; bidden and travel about as he
the privileges of the
pure in his magnetism, guarding his magnetism for the welfare of his people, not for selfish pride and conceit, not for personal arrogance or for personal domination, but in order that the gods might have a mouth to speak through to the people, and that the lips of the Brahman might be the lips that should teach the law.
This was the basis of caste, the idea of the ancient order. No doubt through the many centuries of India's life these ideals were often lost sight of, often outraged, and perhaps never more so than in the present age, when caste no longer stands for settled obligation and unrelenting duty, but rather for the assertion and grasping of rights. But even in its embers the ideal is there. It lingers in every village community, the primitive, self-centred, self-governing dėspite domestic anarchy and foreign conquest, has through countless generations preserved its simple customs written only on the imperishable tablets of tradition. Lord Metcalfe
said to a Select Committee of the House of Commons in I832 : “ The village communities are little republics, having nearly everything they can want within themselves and almost independent of any foreign relations. They seem to last when nothing else lasts. Dynasty follows dynasty, revolution succeeds to revolution; Hindu, Patan, Mogul, Marhatta, Sikh, English, are all masters in turn; but the village community remains the same.' It has been truly said that the caste
institution, which,
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350 TWENTIETH
system of the village communities alone has saved the civilisation of India from shipwreck and enabled her to witness the rise and fall of many empires and civilisations.
The evolution of caste has not proceeded on the same hines in Ceylon as in India. The Sinhalese, the vast majority of whom are Buddhists, do not assign to their priests the highest place in their social system. They have, in fact, no priest caste, but only fraternities of monks, which any qualified person may enter and leave at will. Theoretically, at least, birth is not a qualification, but in practice only the higher castes are admitted. Among the Hindus a priest must be by birth of the Brahman caste, and among the Tamils he may also be of the Vellala caste; and he must be a married householder. The status and dignity of a Brahman or Vellala attach to every member of the priest's family. The priest is indispensable to the Hindu social system, for he alone can conduct public worship in temples and can perform the domestic ceremonies which mark every stage of a Hindu's life from the womb to the grave.
Though these ceremonies are designed to develop spiritual life in the laity, the Hrahman is to be regarded mainly as a ritual priest, and must be distinguished from the true spiritual priest, who sows his seed in the soil prepared by the other, and is more highly revered. The relationship of the spiritual priest to his disciple is a purely personal one, and no caste, race, or sex qualification is necessary either for teacher or pupil, for the spirit has no caste, race, or sex. A person of a low caste or even outcast may be a spiritual teacher. This rule has lightened the burden of the Sudra's lot, for it throws open to genius the highest of positions. The best known of modern Hindu sages, Ramakrishna Swami, of Bengal, who died in 1886, and whose life was written by Professor Max Müller, had for his teacher a woman, who was for him what Diotima was to Socrates, and who inspired in him the same devotion, love, and gratitude.
It is related of Sankaracharya, the great Hindu apostle, to whose philosophic expositions and zeal as itinerant preacher is attributed the overthrow of Buddhism in India, and whose successor at the abbey of Sringeri in Mysore is the spiritual head, if there be one, of the Hindus, that on one occasion, while travelling with the pomp suitable to his dignity, he suddenly met on the road a Paria bearing a load of beef fresh slaughtered and dripping with blood. Shrinking from the sight with a holy Brahman's horror, he called out imperiously to the outcast to move out of sight. “Whom dost thou order," answered the Paria with amazing boldness, “to move out of sight, the spirit or the flesh?' Sankaracharya, remembering that the flesh of his own body
CENTURY I
did not differ from tha beef, and realising that of God was equally ir recognised in this outc spiritual teacher, and palanquin, prostrated 1 feet, The Paria, wh other than the lord Siv charya's conversion da and to him Hinduism c other man.
That the Brahmans v confined to ceremonial from a remarkable pass Upanishad of the S escaped the revising h who have for centuries tories of the sacred bo sought instruction in th knowledge from a ki afflicted' by the request reluctantly assented, sa have thus inquired, no before, hence of all pe Kshattriyas alone have this instruction" (Chan The commentator, the charya above-mentione well-known fact that knew nothing of this su guided by this knowle race alone are its posse been preserved among to generation. I shall r and henceforward it w Brahmans.”
Another difference be and Ceylon caste syste
had an ethnological orig
(which is the Portugu caste, from Latin castus, race, and was first used the social divisions of t krit term is varna, co the original ground of
old Aryan invaders of
same stock that founded Greece, and Rome, an forefathers of the Celt Slavs, who people the E and Slavonic countrie The invaders were of
with a noble self-confi aid to national success, c “noble." They found
faced race, probably c whom the newcomers whom they finally dr. into the mountains, or ( of primitive times) red
ing them with the mar devils) and Sudras (v praised in the Rig V
MPRESSIONS
t of the Paria or the he all-pervading Spirit
Paria and Brahman, ast his long-waited-for descending from his imself at the Paria's was (it is said) no a, vanished. Sankaraes from this incident, wes more than to any
rere in the early times
and sacrifice appears age in the Chandogya ima Veda which has nds of the Brahmans,
been the sole reposisks. A Brahman there e mysteries of spiritual ng, The latter 'was and after deliberation ying, ““ AS to what you Brahman ever knew it ople in the world the the right of imparting d. Upanish., v., iii., 7).
celebrated Sankarad, explains : “It is a heretofore Brahmans abject; now were they 'dge. The Kshattriya ssors. Hitherto it has them from generation Low relate it unto you, vill remain with the
ween the North Indian ins is that the former in. The term “caste' ese casta and French pure) means breed or by the Portuguese for he Hindus. The Sanslour, this having been caste distinction. The India belonged to the the nations of Persia, il which produced the Teutons, Goths, and nglish, German, Latin, of modern Europe. fair complexion, and ence, which is a great alled themselves Aryas, in India a dark, squatMongol origin, with long waged war, and ve back before them ccording to the custom ced to slavery, brande of Dasyus (slaves or e). The Aryan poets da (as in like circum
OF CEYLON
stances the Hebrews praised Yahveh) their bright gods, who, “ slaying the Dasyus, protected the Aryan colour' (varna), who “subjected the black skin to the Aryan man." The sacrificer gave thanks to his gods for "dispersing the slave bands of black descent" and for "sweeping away the vile Dasya colour." The aborigines are described as “noseless," and his own gods are described as “beautifulnosed' gods.
At this period there was among the invaders little differentiation of occupation. Each father of a family was the priest of his own household as well as warrior. The chieftain acted as father and priest to the tribe, but at the greater festivals he chose some one specially learned in holy offerings to conduct the sacrifice in the name of the people. Domestic duties were left to the women ; disagreeable or low occupations were assigned to the aborigines. The English word “daughter' (which is the Sanskrit duhitri, Greek 9öyarmp, Scotch dochter, German tochfer, and is derived from the Sanskrit root du, to milk, a root which is traceable in the Hindustani dudh, milk, and English dug, a teat of a cow or other animal) preserves the memory of the time when the daughter was the little milkmaid in the primitive Aryan. household.
In course of time, as the Aryans spread and settled in the country, they were themselves obliged to engage in some of the lower occupations. But they did not deem themselves thereby lowered to the level of the aborigines. Here the feeling of race came in, and an Aryan who became, say, an agriculturist or artizan, though not equal to those of his class who remained warriors and priests, was separated by a gulf from the Sudra who engaged in agriculture or handicraft. At a later period a split occurred between the priests and warriors, and a fierce contest for supremacy arose, which ended, strangely enough, in the all but extermination of the warriors, and the reduction of the survivors to the second position. The priests then manipulated the scriptures to still further establish their predominance. They made codes of laws, imposing on the lower castes (who had by this time become very numerous by differentiation of occupation and by intermixture of blood of separate castes and races) heavy disabilities, and often breathing somewhat of the fierce malignity which characterises the relations of the whites to the blacks in some American States. سمیہ
These Brahmanical laws and institutions were the outcome of race arrogance. But even in these fierce codes the noble ideals of the sages, which I have referred to, and which alone can make caste a useful and beneficent institution, were not ignored. Specially for the Brahman was a severe life of discipline laid down in
Page 359
TWENTIETH
four clearly defined stages of student, householder, forest recluse, and ascetic.
“It may be objected," says Sir W. Hunter, “that so severe a life of discipline could never be led by any large class of men. And no doubt there have been at all times worldly Brahmans; and the struggle for existence in modern times has compelled the great majority of the Brahmans to betake themselves to more practical pursuits. But the whole body of Sanskrit literature bears witness to the fact that this ideal life was constantly before their eyes, and that it served to the whole caste as a high standard in its two really essential features of self-culture and self-restraint. Incidents in the history of Buddha, in the sixth century before Christ, show that numbers of Brahmans at that time lived according to its rule; and three hundred years later the Greek ambassador, Megasthenes, found the Brahmans discoursing in their groves, chiefly on life and death. The Chinese travellers, down to the tenth century A.D., attest the survival of the Brahmanical pattern of the religious life. The whole monastic system of India, and those vast religious revivals which have given birth to the modern sects of Hinduism, are based on the same withdrawal from worldly affairs. At this day Brahman colleges, called tols, are carried on without fees, on the old model at Nadiya in Bengal, and elsewhere. I can testify from personal visits to the stringent self-discipline, and to the devotion to learning for its own sake, often protracted till past middle life, and sometimes by grey-haired students, in these retreats.
"The Brahmans, therefore, were a body of men who, in an early stage of this world's history, bound themselves by a rule of life, the essential precepts of which were self-culture and self-restraint. As they married within their own caste, begat children only during their prime, and were not liable to lose the finest of their youth in war, they transmitted their best qualities in an ever - increasing measure to their descendants. The Brahmans of the present day are the result of three thousand years of hereditary education and selfrestraint; and they have evolved a type of mankind quite distinct from the surrounding population. Even the passing traveller in India marks them out, alike from the bronzecheeked, large-limbed, leisure-loving Rajput, or warrior caste of Aryan descent, and from the dark-skinned, flat-nosed, thick-lipped, low castes of non-Aryan origin, with their short bodies and bullet heads. The Brahman stands apart from both, tall and slim, with finely modelled lips and nose, fair complexion, high forehead, and slightly coconut-shaped skullthe man of self-centred refinement. He is an example of a class becoming the ruling power un a country, not by force of arms, but by
CENTURY I
vigour of hereditary One race has swept ac dynasties have risen a spread themselves ov appeared. But since Brahman has calmly ri and receiving the ho accepted by foreign na of Indian mankind.'
Among the Dravidi Ceylon the caste syst
in origin and chara in India before the whom they subdued
MPRESSIONS
ulture and temperance. "oss India after another, d fallen, religions have r the land and dishe dawn of history the led, swaying the minds lage of the people, and ions as the highest type
ins of South India and m was rather different
OF CEYLON 351
distributed stock, which is sometimes called the Ural-Altaic, Scythian, or Turanian family, It founded the ancient civilisation of Babylonia, and colonised Europe long before the Aryans. Among its descendants are the Lapps and Finns of Northern Europe, the Basques of the Pyrenees, the Magyars of Hungary, the Ottoman Turks, the Ostiaks and other Ugrians of Siberia. Linguistic and other affinities seem to indicate that the inhabitants of some of the islands of the Pacific Ocean and the aboriginal
NATIVE CBILDREN.
ter. This race appeared Aryans or the Dasyus, and belong to a widely
tribes of South and West Australia were derived from Dravidian settlements in India, or from an earlier common source, The Dravidians
Page 360
352
probably once occupied the greater part of Northern India, where traces of their blood and speech are still found, but their seat from the dawn of history has been South India. They are also called the Tamilian race, because the Tamils are the oldest and most influential representatives of the race.
On their arrival in South India they found in possession of the land, and reduced to subjection, a people of whom the modern Parias, the outcasts of Tamil-land, are the representatives. This tribe forms the most numerous section of the population of the Tamil country and derives its name from the use of the drum (Tamil þarai, Sinhalese bera)— they are the drummers at funerals. Curious vestiges of their ancient power survive in the shape of certain privileges, shadows of long departed supremacy, which are jealously cherished. In the great and ancient temple of Tiruvarur, near Negapatam, at the annual festival, the procession is headed by the headman of the Paria caste mounted on an elephant in front of the image of the god. At the Mailapore temple in the city of Madras, when the annual marriage ceremony of the goddess is celebrated and a tali (the symbol of marriage) is tied round the neck of the image in the name of the entire community, a Paria represents the c)mmunity. In many villages of the Madras Presidency the lower village officers are Parias. Their ancient connection with the soil has made them the guardians of the boundaries. Whenever there is a dispute about the boundaries of a field, the Paria walks the boundaries with a pot of water on his head and settles the dispute.
The Paria, as Bishop Caldwell mentions, is, in spite of centuries of cruel servitude, filled, not less than the higher castes, with that compound of pride of birth, exclusiveness, and jealousy called caste - feeling. They have waged a long and bitter contest for precedence with the Palla caste, and they deal to inferior castes, such as the shoemakers and the lowest caste of washermen, the same unjust treatment they receive from the higher castes. They are a hardworking, honest, and simple people, and compare favourably with “the submerged tenth' of any other land. There is apparently a good deal of capacity in them. More than one has risen to be a saint of the Hindu calendar-proof, as creditable to the Paria as to the higher castes, of the impotence of caste barriers in the presence of genius. Under the influence of education, thanks to Christian missionary zeal, some have of late raised themselves to honourable positions in life, and earned the respect of the classes who previously oppressed and trod on them. To Ceylon the Parias and other inferior tribes owe much. They constitute the bulk of the immigrant labourers on tea estates, and of the
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
grooms, rickshaw pull Ceylon. Here they ar to supply their simple savings home, and t valuable educational a From the Ceylon plant of methodical, honest and from the Ceylon la' of justice, humanity, respect and independel least valuable of the home, and should prov the amelioration of til tribesmen.
The next most numer population of India and or caste of cultivators, position, next only to Tamil country. There caste among the Tam appears to have been im. when they adopted t When the Tamils are sp the Vellalas are meant par excellence, both the the modern social syste at the bottom being ex indicate that these two geneous elements not r type. The Aryanisatio carried out, not as in N quest, but by the peacea sation and progressive ci traditions and the n Brahmans are designa (fathers, instructors), fi “ episkopoi ” of Arrian), ones)-tend to show that their ascendancy by hi intelligence, and admini Tamils, while adopting left on it the impress civilisation and of thei earliest recorded sag vhom the Brahmans ( selves but whose nar rather to Accad, the ar. lonia.
The Tamils were, lil “a nation of yeomen, agriculture in the hig pursuits from which Cicero, “nothing is st nothing more producti able, nothing more w, 'The world wheels be the Tamil sage, Tiruv therefore, ploughing is man is the lynch-pin ol maintained by him." ' plough alone live: all service.' In this race ( appear to have early at
MPRESSIONS
rs, and scavengers of
able to earn enough ants and even to send ley are subjected to d civilising influences. r they learn the habit work and discipline, is they acquire a sense und equality of selfce. These are not the cquisitions they carry e important factors in Le condition of their
us section of the Tamil Ceylon is the Vellalas, who hold a high social the Brahman, in the was no special priestls, and the Brahman ported from the north ne Aryan civilisation. oken of in South India, as being the Tamils Brahmans at the top of 'm and the aborigines luded. This seelius to are regarded as heteroeduced to the national n of the Tamils was orthern India by conble process of colonivilisation. All existing ames by which the ted in Tamil-Aiyar urpfar (overseers, the anthanar (the gracious the Brahmans acquired gh spiritual character, strative skill. But the Aryan civilisation, have of their own ancient * individuality. Their
is called Akattiya, laim as one of themLe and history point cient capital of Baby
: the Romans of old,
and like them held est esteem. “ Of all profit accrues,' says perior to agriculture, , nothing more enjoythy of a free man." ind the plough," says luvar; 'of all work, hief.” “The ploughSociety: all others are Those who live by the hers eat the bread of farmers three families ined to a predominant
OF CEYLON
position, and they founded the famous Pandya, Choli, and. Chera dynasties. They were by their Brahmanical preceptors dignified with the Aryan title of Kshattriya (a caste which did not exist in South India), and taught to trace their origin from the lunar race of the Aryans.
In the oldest extant of Tamil works, the Tolkappiyam, which is at least three thousand years old, and is attributed to a pupil of Akattiya, the Wellalas are described as “standing at the side of the king,' and as being employed as generals, governors, ambassadors, &c. Among the ten virtues assigned by tradition and the books to the Vellalas, the first is loyalty to the king. The other qualities are the raising up of the fallen, payment of debts, compassionateness, support of relations, undaunted perseverance, peaceful living, hospitality, and unblemished conduct. The Portuguese historian of India, Faria y Souza, writing of the social divisions of his time (the seventeenth century), says: “The most renowned families are the Rajas, an ingenious people, who would rather lose their lives than their arms in battle; and the Brahmans, who contend with the Rajas for precedence. The Chetties are the richest merchants. The Vellalas, or the country people, are held in such esteem that kings marry their daughters to Vellalas, saying they are the public substance.'
There are two main divisions of the Vellalas from early times : those who themselves cultivated lands and those who had them cultivated by others. There was another division into merchants, chiefs, titled Vellalas and other Wellalas. Together with the priests and the kings they constituted the aristocracy of the land. The order assigned to the merchant indicates the advance of commerce or of Aryan ideas, according to which the Vaisya held the third place. Under the protection of the head of each family lived “in dependent freedom," analogous to the relation of client to patrician in ancient Rome or of vassal to lord in the feudal times in Europe, classes who performed personal and domestic services and laboured for their chief in industrial and other occupations and were called kudi makkal. The chief. was entitled to the service of the feudatory whenever required, and the latter to a share of the produce of the land cultivated, to perquisites at weddings, funerals, &c. These classes were the washerman, barber, potter, gold or silver smith, brazier, mason, blacksmith, carpenter,
* A king of the Pandyan line was the first who sent an embassy from the East to Europe (circa 2o B.c.) to the Emperor Augustus. The second embassy to Rome was from the king of Ceylon to thę Emperor Claudius (circa 5o A.D.).
* Not the Natu Kotte Chetties of the present day (who have within the last fifty or sixty years risen from a humble place in the social system), but the old merchant caste,
X.
Page 361
TWENTIETH
oilmonger, salt dealer, betel seller, garland maker, grave digger, chank blower, fisher, tailor, &c.
After the Aryanisation of the Dravidians was completed, the chieftains, merchants, and titled Vellalas were often called Vaisyas and the untitled Vellalas Sudras, both titles quite inappropriate, as Bishop Caldwell points out. “While it is evident that the entire mass of the Dravidians were regarded by Manu (the Aryan lawgiver) and the authors of the Mahabharata (the Aryan epic) and the Puranas (the Aryan legends) as Kshattriyas by birth, the Brahmans who settled amongst the Dravidians and formed them into castes, in imitation of the castes of the north, seem never at any time to have given the Dravidians, with the exception perhaps of the royal houses, a higher title than that of Sudra. They might have styled the agricultural classes Vaisyas, and reserved the name of Sudra for the village servants and the unenslaved low castes, but acting apparently on the principle that none ought to be called either Kshattriyas or Vaisyas but Aryans and that the Dravidians were not Aryans, they seem always to have called them Sudras, however respectable their position,
“In consequence of this the title Sudra conveys a higher meaning in Southern than in Northern India. The primitive Sudras of Northern India seem to have been slaves to the Aryans, or in a condition but little superior to that of slaves. They seem to have had no property of their own, and can scarcely be said to have had any eivil rights. In Southern India, on the contrary, it was upon the middle and higher classes of the Dravidians that the title of Sudra was conferred; and the classes that appeared to be analogous to the servile Sudras of Northern India were not called Sudras, but Pallas, Pareiyas, &c., names which they still retain. The application of the term Sudra to the ancient Dravidian, chieftains, soldiers, and cultivators does not prove that they had ever been reduced by the Brahmans to a dependent position, or that they ever were slaves, as the northern Sudras appear to have been, to any class of Aryans. The Brahmans, who came in 'peaceably and obtained the kingdom by flatteries," may probably have persuaded the Dravidians that in calling them Sudras they were conferring upon them a title of honour. If so, their policy was perfectly successful, for the title of Sudra has never been resented by the Dravidian castes; and hence, whilst in Northern India the Sudra is supposed to be a low-caste man, in Southern India he generally ranks next to the Brahman. The term Sudra, however, is really, as we have seen, as inappropriate to any class of Dravidians as the term Kshattriya or Vaisya. It is better to designate each Dravidian caste simply by its own name, as
CENTURY I
Vellalas, Nayakkas, &c the usage prevailing an selves in each locality, classify the various cast principles of classificat are quite inapplicable t equally inapplicable to in the North.'
It was the Dravidiar system that found it Vijaya, the founder of is, it is true, described as of Northern India. Bu him, his parents and Mahavansa shows th: have been within the p; caste system. His par
although they were heinous crime against
and they were thems princess who, under grading passion, ran a protection, joined a ca. by a lion (whom I tak woods, called a lion fr and bore him two chi parents of Vijaya. It i that with such antece “a lawless character' banishment from the
his comrades. Arriving a temporary alliance wit and with her aid merc aborigines or drove the and when he had es!
MPRESSIONS
in accordance with ongst the people themwithout attempting to is according to Manu’s ion, which in reality o them, if not, indeed, he castes now existing
not the Aryan caste s way into Ceylon. the Sinhalese dynasty,
a scion of a royal race t what is recorded of
grandparents in the at they could hardly le of the Brahmanical ents had intermarried,
OF CEYLON 353
carded her and obtained wives for himself and his comrades from the court of Pandya, the chief Tamil king of Southern India. Far from his northern home, and separated by an impassable gulf from the aborigines, he and his successors were forced to depend more and more on the Tamil alliance and to employ Tamil colonists in developing the resources of the island by irrigation and agriculture and in establishing the civil and military adminisThe introduction of Buddhism from the north made no difference in the social institutions of the court and of the people. No doubt the influence and prestige of the hereditary Brahman priest was reduced, but this was not repugnant to the Tamil ideals and traditions. The system was perpetuated during
tration.
VEDDAEIS.
brother and sister, a the Brahmanical law, elves the the influence of a deway from her parents' ravan, was carried off a to be a bandit of the "om his fierce courage) ldren, who became the s perhaps not surprising dents he became such
as to necessitate his country with 7oo of g in Ceylon, he formed han aboriginal princess, silessly slaughtered the em into the mountains, tablished himself, dis
issue of a
centuries by the close intercourse maintained with South India by alliances of marriage almost regularly made with its royal families, by the continuous employment of its soldiers and civilians by the kings, by a succession of Tamil kings who invaded and usurped its thrones, and by the ordinary intercourse of
COeCe.
Thus arose the social importance in Ceylon of the Vellala, or Goyi-gama, as the caste is called, in the ancient Sinhalese polity. The order of castes was Bamunu (the Brahman), Raja (the king), and Grahapati, a term which became Goviya. Later, with the development of commerce, the Velenda or merchant was added. The first two castes were of course limited in numbers, and their fluctuated : sometimes
Z
relative precedence
Page 362
354
Raja, Bamunu, and sometimes Bamunu, Raja. The grahapati or goviya class, like the Tamil Vellalas, consisted of the radala or mudali peruwa, chiefs; the sitano, persons nominated by the king as sitano or nobles (Sanskrit sreshthi), titled Vellalas; and the rest of the goviyas. Dependent on them was the class of artizans, &c., corresponding to the kudi makkal of Tamil-land. The manufacturers of cloth were a later importation from India. They were brought in the thirteenth century by Arab merchants alld presented to the king of Ceylon, and were treated with distinction till their numbers and power excited jealousy. For an alleged offence against the king's authority they were deported to the southwest coast and employed in the packing and preparation of cinnamon, which then grew luxuriantly.
With the decline and fall of the native dynasties, the disorganisation of the irrigation system of the island and the consequent decay
TWENTIETH CENTURY
of the national indust the advent of Europ created by them for industries, a change h Population, power, a transferred from the seaboard, new ideals and the daring seame castes, quickened into with Western influenc precedence of the Vel the importance of the s Both the Vellala an pute his precedence ar arrogant to the caste open to the retort when upbraided by a low birth: “My family ends with you.' It is caste” in Ceylon to se members of the other from public offices, but
A KANDYAN CEEE".
IMPRESSIONS
ry, rice cultivation, with eans and the openings foreign trade - and new as come over the scene. nd wealth have been ir ancient seats to the and forces have arisen, n of the coast, and other vigorous life by contact es, naturally contest the lala, who hardly realises struggle. d the castes which dis'e often very unjust and s below them, and are which Iphikrates made young aristocrat for his begins with me, yours compatible with “high rek not only to exclude castes, however worthy, in the rural districts to
-in
OF CEYLON
prevent them from adopting modes of dress. living, or locomotion hitherto used by the higher castes. Serious breaches of the peace and riots have occurred from these causes, to such a level of fatuity has caste been reduced ; and they constitute one of the difficulties of administration in Ceylon.
“Political disturbances," said Aristotle, “may arise out of small matters, but are not therefore about small matters." Caste cannot be abolished; it is too much ingrained in human nature and in the Oriental nature. It is not all affair of religion. The adoption of Christianity makes little difference : Christians in Ceylon are among the greatest sticklers for caste. Its badges of connubium (intermarriage) and contmensality (eating together) are matters of private concern with which a Government cannot interfere. But in public matters, as in selection for public office, treatment at public places, &c., it has been the policy of the British Government to disregard caste as much as possible, and too much firmness cannot be shown in adhering to the policy. The true ideal of caste should be impressed on the people, and they should be made to see that the raison d'être of a high caste is that it has higher ideals, higher spiritual and intellectual culture, higher devotion to duty than other castes, and that the doom of a privileged caste is not far off when it is no longer able to adapt itself to changing circumstances, and loses the resolution
“To build, not boast, a glorious race,
No tenth transmitter of a foolish face."
Neither Buddhists nor Hindus can complain of such a policy. Of the Hindu ideal I have spoken. The Buddhist ideal is contained in the celebrated saying of Buddha :
“ Na jachcha vasalø hoti,
Na jachcha hoti brahmano, Kammana vasalo hoti, Kammana hoti brahmano”-
"Not by birth does one become a vasala (outcast), not by birth does he become a Brahman. By deed does one become a vasala, by deed does he become a Brahman.' '
On the introduction of trial by jury into Ceylon in 18II, jurors were empanelled according to caste, and Chief Justice Ottley in 183o, in his answers to the Royal Commission, deplores the inability of the Supreme Court to override the strong objection of the higher castes to sit with the lower. It was only in 1843 this practice was abolished by the Legislature. See Digby’s “Life of Sir Richard Morgan" (vol. i. p. I2O et seq.) for an account of the discussion in Council on the Bill.
Vasala Sutta. This idea is also expressed in the Kural of the Tamil sage, Tiruvalluvar (chap. 68, v., 2): “By birth are all men equal, by difference of deed unequal."
Page 363
NGRICULTURE is
the staple industry of Ceylon. It employs the great the population, and upon its prosperity depends the general welfare of the island. The soil is generally speaking poor and shallow, but Nature has compensated for its drawbacks in this particular by endowing the country with a fine climate. Droughts are rare, and in the moisture-laden air nearly all products known to the tropical zone flourish. Under the favouring conditions which obtain, tea, cacao, cinnamon, rubber, and other products are yielded in yearly increasing quantities under European supervision and management, and in accordance with the latest scientific principles. But the purely native agriculture is mainly constructed on primitive methods. The system chiefly favoured is that known as chena cultivation. Land tilled under this system is never fertilised. Seeds are sown and Nature is left to do her work without assistance. When, as happens in due course, all the plant food is extracted from the soil, the land is abandoned and the cultivator takes up new ground, there to repeat his shortsighted and objectionable practices. Meanwhile, the abandoned land is given over to jungle, and remains in its wild condition until it is once more required. Then it is cleared and the old process renewed, And so the work of native agriculture proceeds in a vicious circle. Some time since an organisation known as the Ceylon Agricultural Society was formed to educate the natives to better methods. The society has set itself particularly to combat this evil of chena. It is attempting to impress the cultivating community with the value of manure and the advantage and necessity of introducing the principle of rotation of crops. Already its lessons are bearing fruit, and there is reason to
mass of
AGRICU
hope that within a shor improvement will be agricultural conditions
The native village products as are necessa Paddy, their staple it fields, whilst on the hig plants of varying kinds of the former is the coc districts now, the Palm they obtain oil, fibre, t necessaries of life; and are plantains or banana pomeloes, pineapples, oranges, and limes. Th principally yams, sweet beans, brinjal or egg-frui and of spices there are and squashes, and chilli areca-nut palm and bet districts tobacco. The not make the best use They might, with the gi by Nature in this clim prosperous agriculturist of cases they will of for their own private ever, this is in many to risk the outlay rathe of obstinacy.
To turn to agricultur peans, the principal : planters, cultivating m time tea and rubber, t districts there are also industries. The larger of Ceylon-and a great -is dependent on the every improvement in r is welcomed and adop exploited, and experim cultivations. When pl. duced, such Indian pro &c., were vainly tried.
35
JLTURE
t period a considerable visible in the general of the island.
rs all cultivate ry for their sustenance.
such
em, is grown in the hlands grow trees and The most important onut-palm (or in Tamil yra palm), from which hatch, food, and some amongst the fruit trees 3, breadfruits, mangoes, pomegranates, jaks, e vegetables grown are potatoes, cassava, peas it, and bandakai or okra, chiefly pepper, gourds es. There are also the el pepper, and in some fillagers, however, will of their opportunities. “eat assistance afforded ate, become extremely s, but in the majority lly produce sufficient se. To be fair. hovcases due to inability :r than to any feeling
e as worked by Euroagriculturists are the ainly at the present hough in the western
the wheat and fruit )art of the export trade portion of the revenue planting industry, and nachinery and method ted, new markets are ents made with new anting was first introiucts as sugar, indigo, Then came the coffee
boom, and in the year 184I 78,685 acres of land were sold to planters. The industry succeeded, wavered in its prosperity, recovered, and was from about 1855 to 1882 the principal export industry. It reached its zenith when in I875 almost one million hundredweights were exported. But the plants had then been attacked by leaf disease, which, spreading rapidly, throttled the industry. Cinchona followed, and then came the tea industry, which has grown phenomenally and is still progressing. With the collapse of the coffee and cinchona industry came the introduction of many other products besides tea, chief amongst these being cacao or chocolate and cardamoms, and a little later Ceara rubber. The lastnamed, however, has since given place to Para rubber, which promises to become one of the most important of the exports. Nutmegs, cloves, cinnamon, pepper, vanilla, drugs, various dry grains, dyes and tanning substances, oils, camphor, gums and resins are also produced in the island in a smaller way. The agricultural industries are assisted by the Ceylon Government, which maintains an Irrigation Department, and, in addition, a Scientific Department, in which a scientific study is made of the botany, entomology, agriculture, and horticulture of the colony. These departments are dealt with specially elsewhere. There are
also the Royal Botanic Gardens, a Government
department, which provides a bureau of technical scientific information and advice. Another useful organisation, under the Department of Public Instruction, is the school gardens, established for the improvement of village agriculture and gardening. In another portion of this work will be found articles on the tea, rubber, and other industries, and it is
therefore not necessary to deal with them here
at length. The island comprises 16,200,ooo
acres, of which about 3,500,000 are at present cultivated. The chief products and the acreage devoted. , to them are : Rice, 6Io,000 acres;
Page 364
356
dry grain, I2O,Ooo acres; coconuts, 66oooo
acres ; other palms, IIo,Ooo acres ; fruits, 25o,Ooo acres ; vegetables, 150,000 acres; cinnamon, 40,000 acres ; citronella, 35,000
acres ; tobacco, 25,ooo acres ; tea, 385,000 acres ; cacao, 35.000 acres ; rubber, II,000 acres; cardamoms, Io,ooo acres; other spices, 4,Ooo acres; coffee, 4,000 acres; and cinchora, 35oo acres. The first eight represent mainly native industry, and the eight last-named European. In 1905 the export of tea amounted to about I70,183,512 lbs., coffee and cacao 6,686,848 lbs., and rubber I,4OI cwts. The yield of rice is now about 8,5oo,ooo
TWENTIETH CENTURY
cwts. There are ma' nut-palm, and the ex figures are given in appears elsewhere.
ishes best in the we it will grow for a cons and also amongst th it is put to some pro the leaves are made int stalks into fences, br into rafters, beams, c. like; the bud at the ap excellent vegetable.
tapped and a "toddy'
NATTVE AGRICULTURE
BY C. DRIEBERG, SUPERIN
N account of native agriculture or village cultivation must of necessity leave out of cohsideration all estate products - the special concern of the planting industry-viz., tea, cacao, rubber, cardamoms, coconuts, cinnamon and citronella; though a good deal of the land planted with the last three is in the hands of the wealthier natives. The cultivation of cereals consists of paddy growing on the one hand and the raising of chena (prepared jungle land) crops or dry grains on the other.
are two sowing sea: varieties, which gro months, known respe the Maha season, the March-April and the In the case of paddy c the sowing takes place harvest in about the sa September for Yala al Maha. Of so-called " (roughly between thre in most cases the dif
' %M:% ફ્રેં... : 鷺
A PADDY FIELD.
Paddy is more or less an irrigation product, though the variety known as hill-paddy is practically independent of irrigation. There
result of local conditi The variety known as may be said to rank fi
MPRESSIONS
ly products of the cocoort trade is large. The a special article which The coconut-palm fourst coast regions, though iderable distance inland, e hills. Every part of fitable use; for instance, o baskets, mats, &c.; the poms, yokes; the trunk noes, furniture, and the ex of the stem makes an When flowering it is
is obtained from which
*mal
OF CEYLON
sugar may be made. The toddy fermented makes a strong alcoholic liquor, and distilled produces a spirit known as arrack. Further fermentation forms vinegar. The kernel of the nut is eaten, and the liquid inside makes a refreshing drink, whilst oil is also derived by boiling the nut. Elsewhere appear articles treating of spices and other products which figure largely in the list of exports, and it is unnecessary to refer to those articles in detail. Generally it may be said of Ceylon agriculture that it is in a most flourishing condition, and offers a rich promise of future prosperity to the island.
AND IT'S IMPROVEMENT.
TENDENT OF SCHOOL GARDENS.
sons for the loag-lived w for six and seven ctively as the Yala and
former occurring about : latter in July-August. rops of shorter duration, : later, so as to bring the me period, viz., Augustld January-February for varieties there is legion e and four hundred), but ferences are merely the
ons of soil and climate, ma-vi (“great paddy') rst in importance. The
total yield of the island-some 8,Ooo,ooo bushels--is only about half the quantity required for local consumption, so that a great deal of rice has to be imported, most of it coming from India.
The dry grains referred to depend entirely on seasonal rains, and comprise the following :-kurakkan, the ragi of India (Eleusine (Paspallum scorbiculatum), meneri (Panicum militare and Panicum miliaceum), tana-hal (Setaria italica), and kumbu (Pennisetum typhoideum), the bajri of India. None of these is of very high feeding-value ; but in the poorer districts they are the only available cereal food. Dry grains are easily grown, and yield an early harvest; but the system of cultivation in vogue is wasteful, inasmuch as little tillage and no manuring is carried out, the practice being to work new areas and depend on natural fertility till exhaustion of soil suggests abandonment and the seeking of fresh fields, or a return to those that have become renovated by long fallowing. Maize, or Indian corn, is pretty common as a dry-grain crop in some parts of the island-; but this useful cereal has never had fair treatment under the rough-and-ready system of chena cultivation. With the cereals referred to above are generally sown, as a mixed crop, such legumes as mun-eta (Phaseolus mawimus) or kollu (Dolichos biflorus) and species of amaranthus, the fine seeds of which are utilised. Of the fruits chiefly cultivated for sale, coconuts deserve first mention, particularly the golden-coloured variety known as the “king coconut,' grown, not for its commercial products (copra, fibre, etc.), but for use in the half-mature stage, when it is called a “young coconut," which furnishes a soft jelly-like substance, found lining the interior of the
coracana), amu
Page 365
TWENTIETH
shell (endocarp), and a refreshing liquid in the central hollow. This liquid is coconutwater, erroneously called the milk of the coconut, which is the expressed juice of the fresh mature kernel so largely used in Eastern cookery. Other common fruit found in the village fruit-garden are oranges, with a firm skin that cannot be peeled off (sweet limes, they are sometimes called), loose-skinned mandarins or "king oranges,' and other smaller forms of citrus fruits.
par excellence, the fruit of the East, is represented by typical varieties called the Jaffna, parrot, dampara, heart, and rupee mango. These are all of good flavour, and, when well grown, are free from fibre, the last-mentioned reaching almost to the size of a husked coconut. Plantains are common enough, including both the so-called banana or dessert variety and that which is cooked and used as a vegetable. The best kinds are known by the native names of kolikuttu, suwandel, and puwalu. The pine-apple (Ananas sativa) is much cultivated in the Western and Central Provinces, the favourite varieties being the 'Mauritius' and “Kew'; while the papaw (Carica papaya) flourishes in all parts of the island. Other less common fruits are the mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana), durian (Durio zebithinus), sapodilla (Acrassapota), custard-apple (Anona squamosa), rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum), limes, lemons, and a large number of inferior fruits that do not deserve special mention. The bread-fruit (Artocarpus incisa) and jak-fruit (Artocarpus integrifolia), though they must be considered as fruits, are both eaten only in the cooked condition, the latter being of the greatest importance in many outlying districts, where it is the mainstay of the people. There is practically no export trade in fruits, though there is a large demand for plantains and papaws for the passenger steamships calling at Colombo port.
Vegetable cultivation is chiefly confined to the vicinity of towns. Native vegetables comprise beans of sorts (species of phaseolus and vigna); various gourds, such as the bottle-gourd (Lagenaria vulgaris), bitter-gourd (Momordica charantia), shake-gourd (Trichosanthes anguina), loofa (Luffa acutangula and species), ash-pumpkin (Benincasa cerifera), sweet-pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima), the okra or bandakka (Hibiscus esculentus) and-perhaps the two most commonly cultivated-the brinjal or eggplant (Solanum melongena) and the chilli (Capsicum fruiescens and species). The chief * root crops' are varieties of yams (dioscorea), which are largely cultivated and constitute an important article of native diet, besides the cassava (manihot) and the tania of the West indies (colocasia). There is much room for
The mango (Mangifera indica), which may be considered,
CENTURY I
extending the cultivation products much used in ) onions, ginger, turmer
coriander and other so large quantity of which from Southern India.
The extension and im cultivation generally is tion in the gardens schools, which, distribu the country, offer specia At higher elevations th to cultivate with success vegetables. native agriculture, but to above, may be grou laneous (mostly non-ed
Such cro
MPRESSIONS
of a class of vegetable Eastern cookery, to wit, ic, chilli (for drying),
OF CEYLON 357
tobacco is one of the most important, especially in the north and east of the island. Its cultivation is confined to the drier parts, and is
‘‘شائزڈ ڈارمز స్టో'
SOWING SEED.
called "curry-stuffs," a come over every year
provement of vegetable receiving special attenf Government village ed as they are all over l facilities for this work. natives are beginning the commoner English ps as are included in have not been referred ved together as miscelble) products. Of these
mostly in the hands of the Tamils. The plant has undoubtedly taken very kindly to the country; but it has yet to be proved whether the finer varieties of Cuba and Sumatra will thrive as well as the coarser kinds now raised in the country. The manufactured products, which are almost entirely consumed locally, consist of chewing-tobacco and cheap rank cigars, as a rule not much larger than cigarettes, made up in bundles of ten, and priced at a penny the bundle. It is generally thought that much can be done in the way of better “curing” of the leaf, and that this-at least for the present-is the direction in which to
z*
Page 366
358
improve the tobacco industry of the island. Good manufactured articles in the shape of cigars will most probably find a ready sale in the same way that locally manufactured cocoa and chocolate are now doing. It may here be mentioned that the cultivation of cotton is also likely to become a native industry of some importance.
TWENTIETH CENTURY
the timber is the be Both the kitul (as alre produce a commercia ing to note that while is extracted from the nut, that of the kitul from the base of the l are a great many othe
REAFPNG
The kitul palm (Caryota aurens) deserves mention as the tree which takes the place of the coconut at higher elevations where the latter will not thrive. One of the many products of these palms is the sap, or “toddy,' got by “tapping' the unexpanded inflorescence, while still within the spathe. In the unfermented condition (in which if is kept by the addition of certain vegetable anti-ferments) the juice is boiled down to form a crude sugar, called "jaggery," which is most useful in the preparation of native sweetmeats. The fermented juice, on the other hand, is the bane of the villager; it is intoxicating in itself, and when distilled forms a most potent alcoholic liquor. Old kitul trees are cut down for the “sago' found in the pith region (hence the name “bastard sago') as well as for their valuable timber; but the palm is best known outside Ceylon as producing a fibre used in brush-making.
The areca-nut is perhaps the most graceful of the palms of Ceylon, and has been likened by the Hindus to “an arrow shot from heaven.' The nut is exported and chiefly employed for the manufacture of catechu. In the north of the island the Palmyra palm (Borassus fiabilifer) is of the greatest utility to the inhabitants, every part of it being put to some use, while
PADDY.
products of Ceylon p classes of fibres, tanning &c., which, however, therefore cannot be r crops. The gingelly is, however, grown
northern parts of th which yields a valuab and medicinal purpos plant which should no of miscellaneous crop vine (Piper betel), a s common pepper (Pip growing in a semi-will Betel, however, is sy trellises or pergolas ar The leaves are gathere are sold at good price catory in combination (hence called betel-nu piece of chewing-toba catechu. This compo and produces an expec hue, which when pro apt, especially on wh gruesome effect. But preserve the teeth an that on hygienic grou a claim for toleration
IMPRESSIONS
st of all the palm tribe. ady stated) and Palmyra l fibre; and it is interest
the fibre of the coconut husk (mesocarp) of the
and the Palmyra is o got eaf-stalk (petiole). There r miscellaneous economic
lants falling under the g-stuffs, dyeing-materials, are not cultivated and eckoned as agricultural blant (Sesamum indicum) to some extent in the e island for its seed, le oil used for culinary es. There is one other st be omitted in this list s, and that is the betel pecies closely allied to r nigrum), also found condition near villages. 'stematically grown on d most carefully tended. d as they become fit and , being used as a mastiwith sliced areca-nut ), a little slaked lime, a cco, and a fragment of und is chewed to a pulp oration of a sanguineous jected promiscuously is te walls, to produce a the practice is said to l promote digestion, so ds, at least, it may have
though the practice of
OF CEYLON
"betel-chewing' is prohibited in public places, such as courts of law.
The improvement of native implements of husbandry is necessarily slow and gradual. The native plough, made of wood, which has no mould-board, and is more of the nature of a cultivator, is practically only used in paddy cultivation. The points to be considered in seeking to improve this implement are that it should be suitable for use in soft land, easily reparable by a village smith, light enough to be carried to and from the field on a man's shoulder, and capable of being drawn with facility by the ploughing animal of Ceylon, viz., the water-buffalo (Bubalus bubalis). Thrashing is effected by the treading of cattle made to walk round and round a thrashing-floor, winnowing is performed by means of a handwinnow, while hulling is the result of manual labour with mortar and pestle. Such are the primitive methods of the Ceylon paddy-cultivator. In all other forms of land preparation the stock implement is the mammoty, which is the equivalent of the English spade and is very deftly used by the Sinhalese husbandman. Another handy instrument is the cattie, which is indispensable to rural life. A very light mould-board plough, designed by the Superintendent of School Gardens and made by local blacksmiths, has already won approval, Light wheeled labour-saving hand implements of the Planet Junior type are also likely to find favour if they can be cheaply produced locally; while a simple form of drill that can be adapted both for wet and dry cultivation will be of great service when the advantages of regular planting come to be recognised. But, as already stated, drastic reforms are to be strongly deprecated, and improvements and innovations must be gradual, because, firstly, local conditions and requirements almost exclusively understood by the natives have to be fully and carefully taken into account, and secondly, local prejudices demand due consideration. Undoubtedly there is much to admire in the methods of the village agriculturist, however antiquated those methods may be. His skill in terrace-cultivation, seen in the Kandyan districts, and his ingenuity in well-irrigation, as shown in the north of the island, are, considering his opportunities and resources, nothing short of marvellous.
The initiation of local work connected with agricultural education and the improvement of native agriculture must be credited to the late Mr. H. W. Green, who, while Director of Public Instruction in the island, established, under the patronage of His Excellency Sir Arthur Gordon (now Lord Stanmore), then Governor of Ceylon, a School of Agriculture, with a view, as one of its chief objects, to train and send out agricultural instructors to various parts of the island. In spite of a want
Page 367
TWENTIETH
of popular sympathy and support, Mr. Green, entirely by his own personal efforts and influence, carried out the objects he set before him with considerable success from an administrative point of view, and also to a great extent succeeded in drawing the attention of the more intelligent native cultivators, as well as of low-country planters, to the need for a better knowledge of soil and plant in the ordinary practice of agriculture. Perhaps one of the chief defects in this pioneer movement was its too special application to the improvement of paddy cultivation and the rather premature and persistent effort that was made to replace the native digger with an iron plough --an innovation which, if it was to come, should have begun rather with improvement and modification of the implement which had the sanction of the usage of centuries. With the removal of Mr. Green from the head of affairs and a change of Government, the temporary prosperity of the School of Agriculture began to wane, for the want of proper support from the authorities above, and, as a natural sequence, from the students below ; since the class from which the latter were originally drawn, to wit, the youth of the land-owning families, failed to supply vacancies as they occurred. Though it was the intention of the founder of the school that the native 'headmen' (or chiefs of degree) should be recruited from among the men trained in the Government agricultural school-a most excellent idea that might with advantage have been carried into effect in a modified form-this intention never reached practical realisation.
In Igor it was decided-ill-advisedly, as some thought at the time-to close the central educational institution and substitute for it an organisation for carrying agricultural teaching to the doors of the cultivator, particularly the rising generation in cultivating communities. With this end in view, a few schools were first selected which offered special facilities for starting school gardens, and here the raison d'étre of the new scheme was demonstrated. The main idea, stated shortly, is to induce school children, through the medium of the school garden, to take an intelligent interest in Nature around them, and, at the same time, to train them in cultural methods and give them a grounding in the elementary principles of agriculture. The scheme has so far progressed that at present I25 school gardens have been established, the majority of which are operating satisfactorily. Indirectly, through the medium of the gardens, new products are introduced into the villages, and better varieties of existing products are brought within the reach of cultivators. Altogether the scheme has proved itself suitable to local conditions, and is bound to materially benefit rural life. Of late its
CENTURY I
activities have been co-operation of the 1 Agricultural Society, a of the Royal Botanic Indeed, agriculture in receiving the hearty s under the present régi to be hoped, for the we community, upon whi the prosperity of the same policy will be n rulers.
The Government St situated in the south established in I9oI as plants could be grown most convenient way, to school gardens, w
new varieties of plant
and where teachers C. on the most approve consists of two sectio cultivation of flowers, the laying out of gro crops, and, in short, a pursuit of agriculture Superintendent of St within the grounds,
officer (except wher duty) or one or oth is always to be fou the staff a clerk and a while the operatives c and six coolies. T rendezvous for villag with the object of
MPRESSIONS
strengthened by the ewly formed Ceylon well as by the staff Gardens at Peradeniya. Ceylon, as a whole, is upport of Government ne; and it is devoutly fare of the agricultural h so largely depends whole colony, that the aintained under future
ock Garden, which is end of Colombo, was a central depôt where
and distributed in the as seeds, cuttings, &c. here experiments with s could be carried on, ould see cultural work d lines. The garden ns, and illustrates the
vegetables, and fruits, unds, the fertilising of ill that pertains to the ... The office of the chool Gardens stands and here either that
OF CEYLON 359
abstract, ideas and information, and, in the concrete, plants and seeds. Minor industriessuch as apiculture and sericulture-likely to be of benefit to the village population are also fostered and practically demonstrated.
An important line of work which is occupying the attention of the Superintendent of School Gardens and his staff is the trial of fertilising agents, with a view to convincing the native agriculturist of the necessity for manuring his crops, the true object of which is at present little understood by the mass of cultivators. A haphazard system of selection and errors in method of application have, separately and together, done much to make the use of recognised artificial fertilisers unpopular. The adoption of rational manuring as a detail of cultivation may, however, be expected to ultimately prevail, as the result of experiment and demonstration, and a consequent better comprehension of the possibilities of artificial fertilisation.
The present general policy of the Government is directed to concentration and the combination of allied interests, and it may be expected that before long a central Department of Agriculture will be established. The Agricultural Society, which may be looked
SNBALESE POUGENG PAddy FIELDS.
absent on inspection r of his two assistants ld. There are also on foreman-cum-seedsman, onsist of a head gardener he stock garden is a 2 teachers, who visit it carrying away, in the
upon as the nucleus, or at least the forerunner, of such a department, lately decided to appoint a number of agricultural instructors, who receive part of their training at the Government stock garden. Altogether, the agricultural education of the natives of Ceylon may be said to be well in hand.
The staff of the School Gardens Division
Page 368
360
(which is administered by Dr. Willis, chief of the Botanic Department) consists of Mr. C. Drieberg, B.A., F.H.A.S., Superintendent, Mr. H. D. Lewis Wijeyssinghe, first assistant, Mr. Alexander Perera, second assistant and manager of the stock garden, Mr. M. J. Fernando, foreman and seedsman, and Mr. T. D. S. Dharmasena, clerk.
و
CEYLON AGRICULTURAL.
SOCIETY
Necessarily in a country which depends for its prosperity mainly on the products of the soil, especial attention is paid in Ceylon to the promotion and extension of agricultural opera
TWENTIETH CENTURY
lon), Mr. W. D. Gibbo. as additional Vice-Pre: the society are conduc includes, in addition to ti the following ex-officio the Executive and Legis ment Agents of Provini Royal Botanic Gardens troller of the Experime the Superintendent of 1 Maha Iluppalama ; th mologist, the Govern Director of the Mus Public Instruction, the ( Surgeon, the Superinten and the Conservator o nated members for eacl
tions; and in these directions the Government is quick to supply every incentive and give all possible assistance. With the view of developing the agricultural industries of the island the Ceylon Agricultural Society was founded on November, I, I904, following on an inaugural public meeting held on 18th October, which was presided over by the Governor of the colony, Sir Henry Blake. His Excellency, on whose personal initiative it was inaugurated, is President of the society, while the Hon. the Lieutenant-Governor and the Hon... the Colonial Treasurer are ex-officio Vice-Presidents, with the Hon. Messrs. John Ferguson, S. C. Obeyesekere, F. Beven, and Dr. W. G. Rockwood, M.D., Sir William Twynam, Mr. H. T. S. Ward (Director of Irrigation), Mr. W. Forsythe (Chairman of the Planters' Association of Cey
BUFFALOES TREADING OUT PADDY.
are: Central Province,
welle, R.M., Daniel Jose Dr. Valentine de S. Du Messirs, Varitambi Kuru Lienard ; Northern Pro" pillai, W. Wraspillai, Ac Tampaiya, District Muc Province, Messrs. C. J. ( L. B. Nikawewa, Dissav Mudaliyar and J.P., a North-Western Provinc G. W. Dodanwela, and
Sabaragamuva, Messrs. atileke, and J. H. Meed Province, Messrs. C. Gooneratne, Gate Mudal Gate Mudaliyar, and B
liyar; Province of Uva
MPRESSIONS
and Mr. C. P. Hayley, idents. The affairs of d by the board, which 2 officers above-named, embers:-Members of tive Councils, Governes, the Director of the Peradeniya; the Cont Station, Peradeniya ; Le Experiment Station, : Government Entoment Mycologist, the um, the Director of overnment Weterinary lent of School Gardens,
Forests. The nomiprovince of the island
Messrs. T. B. Rambukph, W. Dunuwille, and ke ; Eastern Province, nathapillai and C. A. ince, Messrs. V. Casiigar and J.P. K. U. aliyar ; North-Central . Mee, S. Sampander, a, G. W. Jayawardene; d C. Taldena, R.M.; , J. Clovis de Silva, E. Scott; Province of W. Forsythe, Dan J.Jayniya, R.M., Southern
Simmonds, E. R. yar, D. A. Gooneratne, T. Doole, Gate MudaMesrs. A. T. Rettie,
OF CEYLON
James Duncan, H. O. Hoseason, J.P., and T.B Katugaha, R.M.; Western Province, Messrs. R. Morison, M. Kelway Bamber, Solomon Seneviratne, Atapattu Mudaliyar and J.P., Don Solomon Dias Bandaranaike, C.M.G., Maha Mudaliyar, Dr. H. M. Fernando, M., and Messrs. W. N. S. Aserappa, W. Jardine, and E. B. Denham, C.C.S., late Secretary of the society; while the Secretary is Mr. A. N. Galbraith, C. C.S.
The society has a membership of over I, IOO, with forty-six affiliated branches, covering the whole of the island and situated in the following centres: Anuradhapura, Badulla, Balangoda, Batticaloa, Chilaw, Colombo (Agri-Horticultural), Delft Gansabhawa, Dumbara, Galle District, Gampola, Gangaboda Pattu, Hambantota, Harispattu, Jafna, Kalutara, Kandaboda Pattu, Kandy, Katana, Katunayake, Kegalla, Kudagama, Kurunegala, Kuruwita, Mannar, Matale, Matara, Matugama, Minuwangoda, Mullaitivu, Nattandiya, Negombo, Nuwara Eliya, Panadure, Passara, Puttalam, Ratnapura, Talangama, Tangalla, Telijjawila,Three Korales and Lower Bullatgama, Trincomalee, Vavuniya, Welimada, Wellaboda Pattu (Galle), Wellaboda Pattu (Matara).
The objects and scope of operations of the society are officially stated as follows: (a) To obtain for members the latest information on matters affecting the agricultural interests of the island, e.g., directions for the cultivation of new products, hints as to the best soil, the best manures, and the best markets, the results of experiments in farm products, improvements in live stock, &c.; (b) efforts in pioneer cultivation will be generally assisted by the officers of the Government Botanic Garden at Peradeniya, and, in cases favourably reported upon, Government assistance may be given; (c) suggestions as to improvements in cultivation, &c., will be fully considered, and will obtain the benefit of full publication and discussion at meetings of the board and through the Tropical Agriculturist, the magazine of the society; the latter will enable agriculturists to impart and obtain information and offer facilities for exchange and disposal of farm produce ; (d) members will be taking part in a scheme for the general improvement of agriculture throughout Ceylon.
The following are the rules of the society:- I. The society shall be called the Agricultural Society of Ceylon.
2. The business of the General Society shall be conducted through the Board of Agriculture of Ceylon.
3. The board shall meet for despatch of . business on the first Monday of each month at 2.30 p.m. Seven members shall form a quorum. 4. Notices of motions or questions shall be sent to the Secretary at least one week before
Page 369
TWENTIETH
5. All motions will require to be seconded, and will be circulated before the board
meets.
6. A general meeting of the society may be called by the President at any time, and may be held at any place to be fixed by him.
7. All members of the board will be nominated by the President.
8. Candidates for membership of the society must be proposed by a member of the board for the district in which the candidate resides or owns landed property.
9. Members of the society shall pay a subscription of Rs. 5 per annum.
Io. Payment of the subscription in advance will entitle a member to receive all publications of the society. All subscriptions shall be paid to the Secretary of the board.
II. Lists of members will be published annually in the Government Gazette and in the Sournal of the society.
I2. Local societies may be formed with a membership of not less than twelve members.
13. Each local society should be represented by a secretary, through whom correspondence with the board can be conducted.
14. All local societies will be registered at the local Kachcheri and by the Secretary of the board.
I5. The revenue officers of the province and district shall be ex-officio members of local societies within the province.
I6. Local societies are empowered to make their own rules.
I7. All local societies will be entitled to receive all publications of the society on payment of an individual subscription.
18. The funds of the Agricultural Society will be lodged in the Bank of Madras in the name of the Agricultural Society of Ceylon. The Secretary will be responsible for the accounts, and all cheques will be signed by him and the President or Vice-President of the Board of Agriculture.
I9. A statement of expenditure incurred, &c., shall be tabled at each meeting of the board.
CENTURY IN
2o. All grants in aic special experiment mus board.
2I. All accounts will 1
as
COLOMBO AG) TURAL S
This important orgau Governor of the colony patron, was establishe general object of prom horticulture in the We Province of the island shows of soil products a with the rural and ga cluding the rearing of Colombo, which are alw form useful and instruc Hon. G. M. Fowler, ( President of the societ ment Agent of the ex-officio Vice-President mittees. The executive the Hon. Messrs. H. (Acting Colonial Secreta kere, M.L.C. with Messrs Mayor and Chairman of of Colombo, E. B. Den berg, B.A., F.H.A.S., J. V Solomon Seneviratne, J. James Peiris, J.P., M.A. Jacob de Mel and P. I now one hundred active names on the roll bein leading landed propri district and profession The rules provide that under the auspices of centres in the Western determined by the cor least one-tenth of the fu be annually expended it distribution of seeds a bers. Mr. W. A. de
PRESSIONS
of local societies or be approved by the
e audited annually.
RI-HORTICUL. OOIETY.
isation, of which the (Sir Henry Blake) is l in I87o with the oting agriculture and stern-the principaland with this view ld all that is connected rdening industries, inive stock, are held in rays well attended and tive exhibitions. The 2.M.G., is (1906) the y; while the GovernWestern Province is and chairman of comcommittee consists of L. Crawford, C.M.G. try) and S. C. Obeyse
. B. Horsburgh, C.C.S.,
the Municipal Council ham, C.C.S., C. DrieV. Chas. de Soysa, J.P., P., Atapattu Mudaliyar, , LL.B., S. P. Jeffery, D. Seibel. There are : members, among the g those of most of the tors in the western al men in Colombo.
shows shall be held
the society at such
Province as shall be hmittee; also that at
nds of the society shall the purchase and free hd plants to the memSilva, J.P., of Darley
OF CEYLON 361
Gardens, Colombo, is and Treasurer.
the Hon. Secretary
شوه
THE CEYLON POULTRY CLUB.
Poultry-raising is an important industry in the colony, and the Ceylon Poultry Club was formed in the Coronation year, Igo2. The post of President has been held by the successive Governors, Sir Joseph West Ridgeway and Sir Henry Blake, the latter being the present holder of the office. The club is affiliated with the Poultry Club of Great Britain, and is managed by two vice-presidents, a committee, hon, secretary and hon. editorial secretary. The objects of the club are the promotion of the breeding and exhibition of poultry, the encouragement of the importation of pure-bred fowls into the island, and the arrangement and management of poultry shows. The club issues to members a monthly Poultry Club Magazine, which is greatly appreciated, and the members number some I4o. A chief annual show is held by the club in Colombo every August, when many special handsome prizes are offered by the club in addition to ordinary class prizes; and smaller shows in other centres on the island are conducted under the Poultry Club Rules, which are assisted financially and in other ways by the club. The impetus given to the rearing of fancy poultry since the formation of the club has been very great. The number of importations of pure-bred stock is increasing every year, coming mostly from Great Britain and in a lesser degree from Australia. The work of the club also in improving the poultry in the island is very marked in those districts in which its members mostly reside. Suggestions have been made by the club to the Ceylon Agricultural Society for the formation of a central poultry farm for the purpose of improving generally the poultry stock of the island, and these proposals are expected to bear good fruit.
Page 370
SHE salt industry of the island deserves special prominence in a review of the economic resources of the country, by reason of the fact that it has been pursued time immemorial and has ever played an important part in the trade of the island. Authentic information as to whether the industry received a due share of administrative control in times past, or was looked upon in the light of a royal monopoly, is not available, but it is reasonable to assume that it has at all times contributed largely to the revenue of the country. It was only at the beginning of the last century, however, that systematic measures were adopted for the regulation of the working of the industry and a firmer supervision exercised to prevent illicit opera. tions. Government claimed it as its exclusive right to regulate and dispose of the areas of formation and manufacture; and the beds were farmed out on special licences, the lessees in each case stipulating to sell to Government their entire output and agreeing to receive as remuneration such rate per hundredweight as the latter might deem it just to allow them. This arrangement still holds good in the North-Western and Eastern Provinces, where the salterns are practically private property and worked by private enterprise, though the out-turn may only be disposed of to Government; but in the Southern and Northern Provinces the system has been superseded by a method of exclusive Government control. In the former of these provinces the collections are of manufactured salt, in the Southern Province of naturally formed salt, and in the Northern Province of salt of both descriptions. Naturally formed salt is collected from shallow salt water "lewayas,' or marshy lagoons, while “manufactured' salt is secured by leading the salt water into brine-pits and allowing it to evaporate.
from
The lewayas are in all instances
SA
the property of the Cr are under private ow salt collection are pr following districts: (I Southern Province; North-Western Provin Northern Province; (4 Eastern Province. Th held by Governmen 98o,ooo cwts., or ver equal to two and a ha to which the provinces
North-Western Southern
Northern was Eastern
It will thus be seen Province gives the gre retailing price of G year 1887, has been he cwt., being IO cents in for in the other pro of the North-Wester seven salterns, each o posed of a number of
turing beds. These : title-deeds, certificates the Crown, or on C
jurisdiction is vested under the control of : who draws an aggreg ance of Rs. 3,5óo per police magistrate for charge. Under him are paid salaries ran Rs. 650 a year, and first and second class of Rs. 33o and Rs. I the actual care of the p about six of whom saltern and receive wa to Rs. I8o a year. carried out partly und saltern staff and partly
LT
own, but the brine-pits Lership. The areas of incipally in the four | Hambantota, in 2) Puttalam, in ce ; (3) Jaffna, in ) Trincomalee, in the e usual stock of salt t is something like y nearly a quantity lf years' consumption, contribute as below :-
Cwts. 62o,762 186,804 I29,325 43, IO9
98oooo
that the North-Western atest yield, though the overnment, since the re fixed at Rs. 2'46 per excess of that claimed vinces. The salt area Province comprises f which is again comwaikkals, or manufacLre severally held on against the right of own grants; and the in a Salt Department, , chief Salt Inspector, ate salary and allowannum, and is cy-officio the district under his are supervisors, who ging from Rs. 36o to under the supervisors constables, on salaries 3o respectively, while ts devolves on patrols, are allotted to every ges from about Rs. I 5o the storage work is r the direction of the
under the control of
362
special storekeepers, who, again, have under them constables and patrols for the stricter surveillance against theft and illicit disposal. In the Northern Province the privilege of retailing salt is disposed of in much the same way as the farming out of arrack revenues, and is annually put up for sale and purchased by the highest bidder. The renter pays his instalments of purchase money in exactly the same way as the arrack farmer, and is allowed a certain number of stores and retail shops all over the district, the retailers being in each instance licensed by Government. In the Southern and Eastern Provinces a greatly modified system of supervision prevails, and is administered by the revenue officers of the district, with the aid of special checkers and constables.
Having briefly outlined the measures taken by Government to regulate and supervise the sources of supply, it will be interesting to observe the methods adopted in the various processes of collection and manufacture in the different provinces. Naturally the seasonal tides of the monsoons, as they set in on the west or on the east, have much to do with the collection, and the rains which follow determine, in a degree, the quantity available. The usual method is to throw across a shallow portion of the lagoon an embankment, constructed of sticks and plastered clay, so as to make the enclosed area undisturbed by the waves and violences from without. The water contained within the bund then forms a sort of reservoir for providing the necessary supply to the salterns, and is from time to time replenished by the admission into it of supplies from the lake, generally by apertures cut in it during the rising of the tides. From this reservoir 'the salt water is conducted by means of canals to the salterns, from which, again, smaller conduits carry the brine to warmingpans or “condensers,' and thence to the scores of crystallisers, where, eventually, evaporation occurs. The bottoms of the crystallising beds are generally prepared a few days in advance by trampling, drying, and excavating the soft
Page 371
TWENTIETH
mud which is to be found on them, and spreading over the denuded surface a few layers of clean sand to form a base for the process of evaporation. Salt crystals usually appear within forty-eight or sixty hours of the reception of water, but the formation is not complete until thirty to forty days after that date. The formation is then scooped out-an iron fork, a stick with nails studded across, or, sometimes, even the hand being used for the purpose-and fresh brine is introduced for a second collection, the ripening stage being reached a week or so in advance every time the process is repeated. At the end of the third collection, however, water is introduced direct from the canal to swamp the beds before a formation is allowed to take place, in order to prevent the production of bitter and deleterious salt, which may easily be detected by the appearance of needle-shaped crystals in the course of evaporation. In areas where the salt is 'naturally' formed, the brine is collected in the lagoons and preserved by enclosure, this being effected by blocking the passage of communication at the 'modara' or mouth of the backwater. The bed of these lagoons is said to be old sea bottom, and the salt in the water is supposed to be obtained from the saline mud and by infiltration from the sea. The rest of the process is similar to what occurs in the course of manufacture, except that, while in the former case the production is entirely by means of solar evaporation, in manufacturing tracts Nature is aided and hastened in her work by a resort to artificially made pans, brine-pits, and crystallising beds. There is a distinction and a diference between naturally formed and artificially made salt; the former is undoubtedly purer and safer in use, while the quality of the latter is affected and influenced by the temperature of the warming-pans and other contrivances. In the first case, also, the salt produced is often of beautiful shades of pink and lilac, while that obtained by the use of beds is generally of a snow-white colour. The presence or admixture of iodine or other forms of saline chemicals and constituents must doubtless account for this variety of tints.
The salt manufactured in the Puttalam district is purchased by Government at the rate of 25 cents (about 4 d.) per hundredweight, while the renter of Jaffna is allowed salt from the stores at 4o cents the hundredweight. In the latest (Igo5) Administration Report for the Northern Province, however, it is notified that after the year 1906 the system of renting will be abolished, and Government will sell salt to local retailers at the rate of Rs. 350 per cwt. with leave to them to sell it at their own price to the public. It may be added that the old system carried with it many undesirable features and gave room for the commission of
CENTURY
irregularities of a seri which was the illegal at the close of his rent the incoming renter. revenue derived by th the Northern Province For the same year th Western Province sh Government of Rs. 8 Eastern Province, Rs. the Southern, Rs. 15I, So far, the chief di brought to light in the are the shortage of l. arduousness of transp no time been in propor even the scanty numb has to be secured from ing the timely collecti or less impossible. factured, of course, a su is always maintained; is self-formed and has the direct oversight of officers, the condition enough to draw the n lewayas of the Southe the salt gatherers have of four or five hundr surface of the ridges, v having their feet cut by after they have filled ever quantity they car back to the storing poin This primitive method strongly condemned, a shoots has been project areas. The transport material is also receiv. the dearth of bulls in difficulty of obtaining ti the present unattractiv tion of a mono rail has not supposed that it w proposal for the establis bullock traction seems is believed that its adop utility to all concerned. Report for the year Government Agent of the subject is dealt with very pertinent remarks construction of a tramv bullock-traction,' it is s. to be removed to store now taken, would save now paid by Governm the lewayas, and would the expenditure now roads in a proper stat When salt is issued another, the province i. has to bear all expen
MPRESSIONS
ous description, one of overdraw by the renter in order to interfere with For the year 1905 the e sale of the salt rent in amounted to Rs. 60,55I. : figures for the Northow a nett revenue tO oI,920 ; those for the 435,436; and those for (86.
ficulties that have been working of the industry abour and the extreme brt. The supply has at tion to the demand; and 2r that may be obtained great distances, renderon of the product more Where salt is manufficient supply of labour but in areas where it to be gathered under Government executive s are hardly inducive ecessary force. In the rn Province, in especial, to walk up to distances ed yards on the hard vith the constant fear of the rough crystals, and their baskets with whatcarry, make their way ut, slowly and painfully. of collection has been
nd the erection of wire
2d on the more extensive ation of the collected ing attention, owing to certain districts and the nem, where available, at e rates. The construcbeen discussed, but it is ill be sanctioned. The shment of a tramway by to be in favour, and it tion will prove of great In the Administration Igo5 by the Assistant the Southern Province exhaustively, and some may be found. “The vay for Salt transport by aid, “would enable salt in at least half the time a large sum of money ent to salt watchers at reduce by at least half necessary to keep the e of repair."
from one province to into which it is imported ses connected with its
OF CEYLON 363
weighing and transport, but no further charge is allowable. Under contract with the Government, the vessels of the Ceylon Steam Navigation Company's service transport salt from and to the different collecting and receiving centres at a uniform freight value of Rs. 750 (Ios.) per ton. All charges in regard to the weighing of salt at the time of issue and of removing it to the places of sale are debited to the retailer's aecount; but some recoupment is afforded by an allowance made them for cart hire, and a commission of 5 per cent. is added on the nett quantity purchased; they are also paid a rebate of I2 cents per cwt. to compensate them for selling to the public at Rs. 224, instead of Rs. 236 the cwt. By this latter arrangement the purchasing price of the public is fixed at 2 cents a pound, and they are, in some measure, protected against the fluctuations of the market and the raising by the retailers of the rate to any prohibitive pitch. The contemplated action of Government to do away with the renting system and to fix the sale price at Rs. 350 the cwt. uniformly throughout the larger number of provinces, with sanction to its customers to retail the article at any price they desire, would appear to tend to the harassing of the poorer classes of consumers, who will suffer under the arrangement. But it is suggested that competition amongst the retailers would prevent the exaction of exorbitant selling prices; and if that did not secure redress, as a last resource Government stores might be opened in competition with the retailers. There is no doubt, however, that a better system might be devised, which might lead to results less conflicting and effect a complete standardisation of purchasing and retailing rates, thus preventing the constant fluctuations of price of a commodity which subserves so many useful purposes. In fact, it is considered that the present methods as pursued in the various departments of the industry are far too antiquated, and must sooner or later be superseded by modern equipment and conveniences.
The work of storage at the present time is carried out by collecting the salt into heaps on the banks of the lagoons or in close proximity to the salterns, and covering it with cadjans, or plaited coconut leaves, until its removal to the depôts or the Government stores. In some cases Government constructs raised platforms of earthwork, and supplies timber free of charge for the erection, at the manufacturer's own expense, of kottus, or sheds; for the temporary reception of the collected material. The protection offered by these coverings is of a meagre character, and much wastage is noted as a consequence. The authorised limit of wastage is 2 per cent. in transit and in store for the first eleven months, and about three
Page 372
364
and a half pounds for every cwt. thereafter for forty-four months. Wastage also occurs in another form by the destruction by Government every year of naturally formed salt in or about areas where manufacture obtains. This is primarily to prevent the illicit sale or appropriation of the product by people in the district, though it is also acknowledged that most of these self-formations do not repay the cost of collection. Experiments are being carried out with a view to checking these formations by placing coconut-husks along the marshes where the crystals usually appear. It is not clearly established whether it is the fibre in the husks or some intrinsic property in the produce of the coconut-palm which causes the absence of crystallisation, but, so far, the results have proved eminently successful. The stumps of the ingini tree are also effective in this respect, and such are the strong chemical properties of the tree that a root of it, it is said, placed in a brackish well, will sweeten the water. But, however this may be, the prevention of formation will eventually cost less than its subsequent surveillance and destruction by patrols and cattle, and means to this end will, therefore, be adopted shortly.
The financial results of the industry have
TWENTIETH CENTURY
proved most satisfacto that, with increased ef processes of manufact salt department will most lucrative sourc colony. Hitherto, ap tion for local culinary palate requires very str and seasoning to tick. been any demand for industries, except for a which is carried on on island. The export tra great, and there appe prospects of any circum might contribute to r: value. But with the est: of extensive curing anc preparation and export products, there is the demand being created greater attention being and economic methods present time the one g is the sudden change ( producing districts, this collection of weeks to day and resulting in
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
ry, and it is expected iciency in the different ure and collection, the ioon prove one of the s of revenue to the art from the consumppurposes-the native )ng piquancy, pungency e it-there has hardly he article in dependent mall call for fish curing, the western coast of the de in the article is not ar to be no immediate stance occurring which aise its present market ablishment, as proposed, l tinning works for the
of this country's food
possibility of a keen for the commodity and devoted to improved At the reat unfavourable factor of atmosphere over the s causing the laboured be washed away in a
absolute ruin to the
of cultivation.
capitalists. The effect of such vicissitudes is to damp enterprise and check further cultivation, while eventually Government is under the necessity of offering more favourable terms to manufacturers to induce them to continue their efforts. The rates now ruling are considered by the manufacturers to be wholly inadequate, and an association has been formed under the presidentship of Mr. A. P. Savundranayagam, M.A., for the conservation of their interests, and Government is to be approached with a view to securing an increase of purchasing prices. There is every hope that with individual effort on the part of the manufacturers, a better system of collection, transport, and storage, more modern methods of cultivation, the adoption of more economic and scientific measures generally, the sympathetic co-operation of Government with the manufacturers' endeavours, and the establishment of kindred operations and industries, wherein scope may be found for its use and more extensive appropriation, the salt industry of Ceylon, which already thrives so well, will be susceptible of the greatest possible development, and will yield benefits in incalculable proportion to the care and labour expended on it.
Page 373
CHAMBER OF
SS in the case of other flourishing institutions in the island, the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce started in a very modest way. When the Chamber came into existence
محــــــــــــــــی
3 sessssssss
sixty-seven years agoto be precise on March 25, 1839-it had a roll of only ten subscribing firms as against the seventy-eight who to-day are associated with it. It says much for the transitoriness of things that not one of these firms figures in connection with the Chamber to-day. The first chairman, Mr. Joseph Read, too, has long since passed away. The initial work of the Chamber appears to have been the tabulation of rates of commission and charges then usual for the conduct of business and the preparation of returns of imports and exports. At that time the principal exports were coffee, cinnamon, and coconut oil, and business generally was in a very undeveloped state. The exact position of affairs is strikingly illustrated by a comparison of the figures of the imports and exports for the first year of the Chamber's life with those for Igo5, the last year for which returns are available. In I84o the total imports only reached 368,38o, while the exports stood at the lower figure of 3o8,87I. In 1905 goods to the value of no less than 47,22I,621 were imported, and the exports totalled 46,8I2,647. Thus, the trade has increased twenty-fold since the Chamber's birth,
The records of the Chamber from 184o to 1855, unfortunately, are missing, and it is therefore impossible to see what was its attitude to the total abolition of slavery in Ceylon, which took place in 1844. In I&55 the membership was about eighteen firms, and the Chamber recorded its opinion that the proposed railway to the interior should preferably be constructed by Government and not by a private company under guarantee, and seven years later this suggestion was adopted by the Government.
Little of importance oco of the Chamber until 18 of congratulation was p1 of Edinburgh on the oc the island in that year. years "the Chamber was in agitating for increas modation, and even at question of wharf and h bulks largely in the att ber. In 1872 the Cham Right Hon. W. H. Gre William H. Gregory), up up his appointment as mander-in-Chief, an adic which emphasis was la importance in Ceylon co and improved harbour Colombo," and in the that, as a result of stea extent taking the place resources of the port utmost limit, and repres to the Government with the better working of C year the currency of th from pounds, shillings, and cents, and the comm of Commerce reported
change that has been
attended with great in committee is of opinion be the unit its Indian have been introduced.' mercantile opinion wit changed entirely sho. although it was effec strongest opposition, t been admitted to be a w
CaSC.
In I875 the want c accommodation became
and Mr. W. W. Mitch
Mitchell), who first be the Chamber in 1867, on made by the Chamber,
36
COMMERCE
urred in the annals 7O, when an address esented to the Duke casion of his visit to During the next few principally occupied ed shipping accomthe present time the arbour improvements 2ntions of the Chamber presented to the gory (afterwards Sir on his arrival to take Governor and Comliress of welcome, in lid “upon the great omnnerce of increased accommodation at year it is recorded m vessels to a great of sailing ships, the were strained to the entations were made 1 a view to securing ustoms. In the same 2 island was changed and pence to rupees hittee of the Chamber “That the distasteful effected was found convenience, and the that if the rupee must subdivisions should Curiously enough, h regard to this step tly afterwards, and ed in face of the he change has long ise and statesmanlike
f increased shipping more and more felt, ell (now Sir W. W. ame connected with representations being was nominated as the
first Mercantile Member of the Legislative Council. Two years later the Chamber presented an address to Sir James Longden, K.C.M.G., who became Governor of the colony in that year.
The following year marks an epoch in the history of the Chamber and of the trade of the island. In the report of the Chamber of Commerce for the first half of the year appears the first reference to tea, now the staple export of the island. The committee requested the Collector of Customs to add a fresh column to the export list published by him in the Government Gazette, to include tea, adding the prophecy, which has since been fully amplified, that “the export of this article is likely to assume considerable importance ere long.' Later in the same year a special meeting of the Chamber was held in order to deprecate statements made in England to the effect that the leaf disease, Hemileia vastatrix, had practically brought the cultivation of coffee in Ceylon to an end. At this meeting a resolution was passed vouching for the fact that plantations which had been attacked had completely recovered, and since produced large crops of unimpaired quality, and whilst admitting that serious injury had been effected, the resolution continued : “That the Chamber feels assured by the experience of the last seven years that the coffee enterprise in Ceylon still exists on a sound basis and is in no danger of being brought to an end by the agency of the Hemileia." In the light of present knowledge, one sees how the Chamber, in common with all interested in the industry, were hoping against hope in wording such a resolution.
In I88o the Chamber passed a resolution representing to the directors of the P. & O. and Messageries Maritimes Companies the advantages to the Ceylon community, as well as to themselves of the removal of their headquarters from Galle to Colombo, and this
transference was made early in I882. Pro
posals were also made to the Government in
Page 374
366
that year requesting consideration of the necessity of appointing a Harbour Committee, composed of officers and mercantile men, to consider the general arrangements of all harbour works. Eventually this led to the appointment of the present Harbour Board, and the chairman of the Chamber at that time (Sir William Mitchell) was invited to sit thereon.
In the year 1884 there was a crisis in Ceylon's commercial history. On the 3rd of May the Oriental Bank Corporation, the largest bankng institution in the island, suspended pay
TWENTIETH CENTURY
history of the Chaml when under its aus Tea Traders' Associati building still dccupied acquired from Governr year it was noted at ot the membership had ri of 78, being an increa and that number has n the succeeding years.
necessary funds (Rs. 20 the new building shou of 7 per cent. deber
PROMINENT MEMBERS OF TE CO
F. C. ALLEN.
F. A. SIMPSON.
W. SHAKESPEARE.
ment. The consequent discrediting of some Rs. 3,2Ooooo (A2Ooooo) worth of notes would have caused serious distress, had not the Government, at the instance of the banks and the Chamber of Commerce, promptly guaranteed the notes and thus averted the threatened erisis,
Very little of importance appears in the reports during the next few years, but in 1890 as a result of representations from the Chamber, a reduction of from 25 to 28 cents for postage to the United Kingdom was effected and the parcels post system was introduced. The next important step in the
C. W. SU
ALEXANDEF
Ordinance was mad Chamber. The erectio
was completed toward the Chamber took possi following year. In it the offices of the Chai which are let off, a read and a sale-room, in whi are held weekly by the tion. As much as a mil half pounds of tea are prices obtained being a market rates. In 1905 I906 the average price
MPRESSIONS
was taken in 1894, es was formed the l, and the site of the by the Chamber was int. In the following of the meetings that ched the record total 2 of 27 in ten years, ver been surpassed in t was agreed that the oo) for the erection of i be raised by means ures, and a special
OF CEYLON
pound as against 36 cents in 1904, 38 cents in 1903, 33 of cents in 1902, and 3355 cents in IgCI.
In the latter half of 190o the Chamber of Mines became associated with the Chamber of Commerce, but is now defunct, its functions being performed by the older Chamber as occasion requires.
During Igor the question of the over-production of tea presented itself in an urgent manner, and an attempt was made to arrive at some arrangement for a reduction of the output, but it was unsuccessful. The encour
OMBO CELAMBER OE COMMERCE.
REN.
J. C. NoRMAN.
SIR WILLIAMI MITCHELL.
FAIRLIE.
incorporating the of the new building the end of 1897 and sion of it early in the brovision is made for per and other offices g-room for members, auction sales of tea Tea Traders' Associaon to a million and a old here weekly, the cepted as the current und the first half of tained was 33 cents a
G. H. ALSTON.
agement of green. tea manufacture presented itself as an alternative and the most beneficial measure. The most important decision of the Chamber pf Commerce in the following year was that in which the Planters' Association concurred against the proposal to abolish the duty on tea entering Ceylon.
In the following year a signal honour was paid to the Chamber in the selection of its chairman (Sir Stanley Bois) by the Government as Ceylon Commissioner to the St. Louis Exhibition. The members of the Chamber made a fitting presentation to Sir Stanley upon his return from St. Louis,
Page 375
MEMBERS OF THE COLOM)
I F. N. SUDLOW. 2. W. SEALE. 3. C. E. HASILOP. 4. P. J. PARS 8, WILLIAMI SOMERVILLE, SEN. 9. W. E. DRURY. O. R. W. ForbeS. II. A. H.
15. C. H. WELLARD. 16. D. M. HANNA. I 7. R. M. MEADEN. 8. A
(Secretary.)
BO IBIER,OKIECIRS? ASSOCIATION.
ONS 5. L. O. LEEFE. 6. WILTON BARTLEE. 7. H. B. PHILIPS.
BARBER. I2. W. SOM ERvILLE, JUN. I3. W. E. KEELL. I4. H. E. GUIMARAENS. . F. WEST. I9. W. B. COOKE. 20. G. R, BACOT, 2I. E. MASTERS,
Page 376
368
The Budget of 1904, increasing the duty on tea entering the United Kingdom by twopence a pound, was received with great indignation by the Chamber, which has for some years actively associated itself with the agitation of the Anti-Tea-Duty League in England for the abolition of the duty. Two members of the Chamber were in the same year appointed to attend a conference of Indian Chambers of Commerce in Bengal.
In 1905 H.M.S. Sealark, in response to petitions from the Chamber, was detailed by the Government to commence a re-survey of part of the coast of the island.
His Excellency the Governor (Sir H. A. Blake) intimated in 1906 that he had no objection to the formation of a Port Trust, and in consequence the committee of the Chamber is now formulating a working scheme to be laid before the Government. The most recent important step taken by the Chamber was to send a cable to the Colonial Secretary expressing disapproval of the policy of "marking time' which the Colonial Office had intimated was to be observed in Ceylon. Mr. A. Fairlie is the President of the Chamber at the present time and Mr. F. M. Simpson is the
TWENTIETH CENTURY
Here this outline Chamber of Commerce It will be seen that si caused or accelerated e' for the development o isle, and its value to way can scarcely be c
e
t
THE BR ASSOCIATION
This institution wa the first title being Association '-to cope increasing business Colombo, principally companies. The follow this line of business ( original association, na & Co., Forbes & Walk Somerville & Co., A Armitage & Co., W. Symons. In I9o4 the Sh was dissolved, and the 1 selves into “ The Brok sisting of the following & Co., Forbes & Walk
వీఓ22
MPRESSIONS
i the history of the can be fittingly closed. ce its formation it has ery important decision the commerce of the he community in this verestimated.
m
OKERS” , COLOMBO.
founded in 1896“The Sharebrokers'
in share-dealing in in the shares of tea ring firms engaged in ombined to form the mely, Messrs. E. John er, E. Benham & Co., M. Gepp, George Moir, and C. E. H. arebrokers' Association members formed themers' Association,' confirms: Messrs. E. John er, Somerville & Co.,
OF CEYLON
Gordon & Wilson, C. E. H. Symons, and Keell & Waldock; while in 1906 Messrs. George White, Bartleet & Co. joined the membership.
The meetings of the association are held at the Chamber of Commerce usually twice. and sometimes three times a week, to record Although the bulk of the business transacted is in the shares of tea,
share quotations.
rubber, and general commercial companies, the members of the association have their other departments, confined entirely to the sale of the principal products of the island, such as tea, coconut oil, cocoa, copra, rubber, plumbago, and so forth, as well as the negotiation of bills. With the exception of tea, which is sold by public auction, all sales of produce are conducted privately. The weekly sales of tea-the principal product-range from I,ooo, Ooo to 2,Ooo,Ooo lbs. The transactions in tea form the stand-by of the brokers, though the bulk of business in rubber and tea shares runs that of the tea market very close. The tea sales are held at the Chamber of Commerce weekly. The first Secretary of the association was Mr. W. Moir, while the present Secretary is Mr. R. Meaden, of Messrs. E. John & Co., the committee being composed of a member of each firm.
ܬܐܘܛܥܡܘܢ
Page 377
SHIPPING,
SOLOMBO has sometimes been called “the Clapham Junction of the ocean.” The designation is not inappropriate, for as most of the trains which enter or leave London from the South well-known station, so the
pass through the bulk of the steam shipping going to or from the Far East and Australia puts in at the
capital of Ceylon. Colombo owes her preeminence as a port more to her geographical position than to her natural advantages, She
COMMER
has a splendid harbol product of human ski confer upon her was position, almost athwa ships coming throug proceeding to Easte Straits Settlements, M and Australasia ordina days is the breath of t and the principal poin can be taken on boa unmistakable letters of one of these. Most vi East run as far as Po
CEYLON STEAM N.AVICA
cE, AND
r, but it is largely 1 the l, What man did not
her great strategical rt the route which all in the Suez Canal and rn India, Burma, the falaysia, China, Japan, ily take. Coal in these he nostrils of shipping, Es where the commodity rd are marked out in n the map. Colombo is essels bound for the Far rt Said without coaling,
CUSTOMS
and then replenish their bunkers to a sufficient extent to carry them to Colombo, where special facilities for rapid and economical coaling exist. It was as a coaling port that the centre first attracted the patronage of the long distance ocean traffic. But more and more the port is now becoming a popular place of call for long distance tourists who are either visiting the East or are passing through on their way to China, Japan, and Australasia. Furthermore, a traffic to and from India, and especially Southern India, is being developed by way of Tuticorin (for which port a British India Steam Navigation Company's vessel leaves Colombo
.-ത്തi
ION COMPANY'S STEAMER.
369
Page 378
370
TWENTIETH CENTURY
RECAPITULATION OFo HARBOUR DU.
Yetr, Entering Dues. Over-hour Dues. To
Rs, C) RS. C.
1883 09,o75 o 8,738 75 I884 Ioo,862 5o 8,092 5O I I885 lo3,465 о 8,982 5O I Ι886 IO9,4I2 50 8,826 25 1887 I I 9,645 о 9, I72 5O I I888 І32,бпо о IO,952 50 1889 I40,542 50 II, 5O5 O I I89o Ι49 oό5 ο II,4 I 7 5O I89I I58,967 5o II, I9Ó 25 l892 I59,4IO O I2,343 75 1893 166,5I2 50 IO,958 75 I894 I79,6I2 50 I2,046 25 2. 1895 I89,207 5o I4,OO5 O 2 I896 202,707 5o Ι3,985 ο 2. I897 I9I,255 O I7, I625o 2 I898 2I9,490 O Ió,47 I 25 2 1899 23о,бІ7 5о I.5.375 o 3. 19Oծ 247,907 5O 2O,769 5o 3. IOoI 249,4I85O Ι8, Io8 ο 3. I9o2 258,727 50 16,342 5o 3. I903 255.675 о I7,O63 75 3. I904 273,040 O I5,548 5o 3. I905 274,502 50 2I435 O 3:
Total 4,2 II, 728 5o 3IO,498 50 5,3
at six o'clock every evening); and when the long talked of railway connection between the island and the peninsula is established, there can be little question that the route to India vid Colombo will be a very popular one.
The lines whose steamers regularly call at the port are the P. and O. Company, the Orient Company, the British India Steam Navigation Company, the North German Lloyd's, the Bibby Company, the Messageries Maritimes, the Austro-Hungarian Lloyd's, the “Nippon Yusen Kaisha' (Japan Mail Steamship Company), the Brocklebank Company, the Natal Direct Steamship Company, the Asiatic Steam Navigation Company, the Compania Transatlantica (Spanish mail), the Clan, the Anchor, the Glen, the Star, the Milburn, the Shire, the Harrison, the Shell, the Ben, the City, the Ocean, the Ducal, Holt’s, and the Rafaelle-Rubattino lines. The vessels of the Russian Volunteer Fleet also make periodical calls, and the port, further, is visited by many purely cargo stearners, while there is a constant coming and going of picturesque native sailing craft engaged in the coasting trade of Ceylon and India. War ships of all nations, too, are frequent visitors, and contribute their share to the volume of trade by their coaling and victualling operations. In I905 no fewer than 2,000 steamers, aggregating 5, I29,235 tons, and 465 sailing vessels, aggregating 49,8IO tons, entered the port, and the dues paid in respect of these ships amounted to the large sum of Rs. 1,186,942'52. The figures in both cases show a falling off compared with those for the previous year-in tonnage of 168,8o8 and in dues of Rs. I2 18432. But the check is probably only a temporary one, due mainly to trade disturbance caused by the Russo-Japanese war. However that may be, the growth of
Colombo as a port h
In 1883, when the first established, the Rs. 379,oI8’23. In oth
of the port has increa cent. in twenty-three table, showing the du illustrates the progressi The commanding p revealed even more examine the figures fo the island as a whole. vessels arriving at all th the year was 5,605,664 Colombo's share was Galle, which once thre: rival of Colombo in the co going trade, could only report I5I steamers, ag and 8 sailing vessels of at The nationality of ve wards during the year thus made up :-
ENTERE
NWARD
No T
Britisli I,756 4,04
Colonial I,382 American... I -
Austrian ... 5I (
French I39 4
German I98 75 Japanese ... -
Maldivian... 83 Russian ... 3 Danish ... 3
Spanish 26 6 Norwegian. IO
Italian ... II 2 Dutch ... 2
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
:S SINCE FIRST COLLECTED IN 1883.
nage Dues. Live Stock Dues. Wharfage Dues. Total
RS. C. Rs, C. Rs. С. Rs. Cp8,450 I6 I62,754 32 379,018 23 )47I7 83 −− I62,349 53 37ό, ο22 3ό 4, 32 IO 7,385 8o I60,417 7 394,382 47 6,706 98 9, I98 20 I63,735 7 397,879 o 7,682 8I III,384 8o I85,241 37 443, I26 48 2,8Io 86. I4,оп.9 2о 2Oo,oI2 87 500,405 45 53,OI879 I4, I5o 6o 2o3,684 82 522,90I 7 I 7,151 66 IÓ,352 9o 226,345 53 574,332 59 79,325 98 2І.973 о 248,219 98 619,682 7 I }O,947 32 28.3Io 6o 277,o7 I 98 668,o83 65 )O,38o 56 27,919 6o 278,9Ι2 7 674,683 48 )9.62 I. 'I 24,847 I7 28o,596 3 7o6,722 96 8,874. 27 ვO,Oავ 8o 3I7,206 go 779,377 47 3,2 I5 29 38, II, 5 o 348,5I7 82 836,54ο όI 50,297 21 3ό, I45 όο . ვრ5,8I6 56 87o,676 87 ),582 77 35,923 20 4oI,88o I4 965,347 36 7,7I3 74 46,799 8o 407,707 2 I Ι,oo8,2I3 25 8,913 4 I 5I,72 I 25 457,457 óo I, I46,769 26 56,296 99 49,58I 90 440,022 99 п, І23,428 38 3, III 75 55, I96 35 43ο,635 Ιό I, Io4.oI3 26 $4,677 99 55,8I2 90 4Ó4,96 I III п,Ӏ48, І9o 75 }I,050 77 49, Iol 60 47O,385 97 I,199,I26 84 $7,625 95 5I,779 45 45 II,599 62 I, I86,942 52
22,306 20 675,8o2 72 7,IO5,53I 72 I7,625,867 64
as been phenomenal. harbour revenue was receipts were only er words, the income sed by about 3oo per years. The above es paid in each year, we growth of income. osition of Colombo is impressively when we r the shipping trade of The total tonnage of e colony's ports during tons. Consequently, about eleven-twelfths. atened to be a powerful ompetition for the oceanclaim in the year under
gregating 328,509 tons,
Total tonnage of 6 II tons. ssels inwards and out1905 for the island is
O CLEARE;)
S. OUT WARS.
'oms. No, Tns.
ро,723 | I,749 || 3,998, I58 )7,9OO || II,393 99,990
56, 182 5 166, 182 9, 172 I36 412,290 $1,405 I97 746,445
Ço,O47 82 9,620 7,20I 3 7,2o I 7,332 3 7,332 5,594 26 65,594 9,8oI 9 9, I42 '6,77I II 26,77I 3,536 2 3,536
There can be no doubt that the decrease
in the number and tonnage is mainly due to the Russo-Japanese war. Not a single Japanese vessel entered during 1905, and only three Russian.
Compared with the years.I9oI, I902, 1903, and I904, the result inwards and outwards is as follows :-
INWARDS.
Year Wessels. Tons. Igo.I An increase of 297 I,048,057 1902 An increase of 246 ό24, ο8ο I903 An increase of 2I2 ... 420,974 I904 A decrease of 55 . . . 40,352
OUTWARDS.
I9OI An increase of 226 Ι,ο8I,298 I902 An increase of 233 578,589 I903 An increase of 205 420,213 I904 A decrease of 63 28,322
If we turn to the statistics of trade we find in the figures a striking reflex of the prosperity which is shown in the shipping returns. In I905 the value of the imports, including specie to the extent of Rs. 6,912,907, amounted to Rs. I 15,237,235'27, and that of the exports, inclusive of Rs.3oo,35o in specie, amounted to Rs. I 16,054,839, a balance thus being shown in favour of exports of Rs. 817,60373. The imports (omitting specie) showed an increase of Rs. 2,999,608'90 as compared with 1904, and of Rs. 7,434,955'47 as compared with 1903. The exports (omitting specie and the value of coal) were Rs. 1,08o,833 in excess of the returns for I904, but as compared with I903 there is a decrease of Rs. 38,OI4. In the following table showing the trade of the colony (omitting
Page 379
TWENTIETH
specie) in each year since I894 we have a clear view of commercial development:-
CENTURY IM
Supplementing this ta tion is Table C, showin export the largest numbe
Rs. 1894 ... ... ... I47,62I,6 Ιο in order. I895 ... ΙόI, ο 4ο,346 I896 ... 162,436,216 − п897 ... I68,959,460 U I898 ... I8I,326,925 YEAR. I899 ... 2І3,оо7,87о Imports
900 . . . . . . 22ο,55ο,7 Ιό I90I ... 2o4,232,2об I9OI 3OI I902 . . . . . . 2о8,бІ4,933 I902 268 I903 2I44IO,335 I903 257 I904 26o I904 ... ... 2 I9,834,335 I905 25I 1905 ... 224,078,817
TABL
U
I9C
Cotton Piece Goods- R (1) Bleached ... O 1,64ο (2) Dyed vu or - 416 (3) Grey v o p o w Yn y 685 (4) Muslin ... a - - - 37 (5) Printed ... ... 758 (6) Other * «» и 244 Apparel made up ... 245 Flannel s a 83 Silk and Satin, broad stuffs 85 Haberdashery 745 Hardware ... - O - 791 Cement a a 96 Galvanised Iron 8 532 Hoop Iron ... 69 Cast Steel qe e so o 65 Manures (manufactured) ... 8O Biscuits a a a 2OI Milk (preserved) ... - - - o a 7 Refined Sugar - - 67 Potatoes 3
In regard to the distribution of trade, Table A, showing in lakhs of rupees the imports and exports during the past five years, is instructive.
From this it will be seen that of the total imports65 I came from British Possessions as against I. Germany ...
is a 2. Japan 632 in I904. 3. Russia 233 came from the United Kingdom as against 4. Austria ...
• bws = 5. United States of Am 247 in I904. ĉ6. France ... I I6 came from Foreign Countries as against 7. Holland
I2'I in I904. 8. 醬 id Of the total exports- 8. and s 528 went to the United Kingdom as against II. Sweden ... a
-4 Total of all Forei 5o'6 in 1904 - Countries omitting Sp 286 went to Foreign Countries as against 3I3
in I904. - - I86 went to British Possessions abroad as A companion table {
against I8'I in 1904. Another interesting official statement is given in Table B, which shows the comparative values in round numbers of some of the chief imports.
may be also given.
Finally may be cited
showing the value in
staple exports of the c
IPRESSIONS OF CEYLON 371
ble in a useful direc- In regard to tea the export of 1905 was the countries which I7o, I83,572 lbs. against I57,929,342 lbs. in 1904, of articles to Ceylon the average value being 35 cents per lb. as
against 39 cents in Igo3. Of the total export
TABLE A.
ITED KINGDOM. BRITISH POSSESSIONS ABROAD. FOREIGN COUNTRIES.
from Exports to Imports from Exports to imports from Exports to
5οI 628 I64 II o 2O7 536 599署 IóI. IIoš 284 ፪፻፪ 633 Ι66 II72 3I5 . 5 III 665 I83 I27 316 539 705: | 190 I26 292:
E. B.
IMPORTS FROM
NITED KINGDOM. BRITISHOSSESSIONSABROAD. FOREIGN COUNTRIES.
4. 1905. I904. I905. I904. I905,
. Rs. Rs. Rs. RS. Rs. ооо п,675,5оо 2I5,5OO I57,500 24,5OO I3,ooo 5OO 7I8,ooo I,38o,5oo I,535,5oo бо8,5oo 7245OO . 5OO I, 163,000 Ioooo 28,Ooo 79,5OO по7,ooo OOO 26,5OO 4,000 7,Ooo І,5оо ÓOO Ooo 972,500 26,ooo 20,5OO 22,500 13,500 5OO 4o7,5oo II 7,5oo II 8,5oo 42,500 I535OO 5OO 2O3,5OO 3I,5OO 33,000 I38,OOO 293,OOO OOO 54,000 9,500 I2,2Oo 36,000 6oooo 85o 52,7OO 62,8oo 4,7oo : I54,OOO I78,OOO 2OO 852,OOO 663,OOo 816,OOo III,500 I30,2OO 5OO 894,750 23,5OO 16,Ooo I28,OOO I4 IOOO Ooo IIoooo - 88,Ooo I23,000 OOO 597,OOO Soo 4,OOO 65,000 I22,OOO 5OO 88, Ooo I8,Ooo I4,OOO IO5,5OO I46,500 5OO 72,25O 3,7oо || 2,OOO 62,OOO 127,500 ,ооо 2I3,OOO I,094,500 I, 126,OOo 59 II,50o 555,500 OOO 232,5OO 9,5OO 9,OOO 85,ooo 55,OOO 5OO 9,500 I,33O 2,76o 206,400 265,800 5OO 59,500 I,287,OOO I,605,600 693,OOO 1,051,300 ,8oo : 3,7оо I74, Ioo I73,500 I67,oo 189,500
TABLE C.
IMORTS FROM FOREIGN COUNTRIES. DIFFERENCE COMPARED WITH
1903. I904. I905. I903. I904.
Rs. Rs. Rs. RS. RS. 2,061,008 2,452,637 2,692,913 +63 II,9o5 || --24o,276 I,583,483 I,757,074 I,623,854 -- 4ο,37 I ーI33,22O 897,42I I,445,802 983,29I + 85,87O -462,5II a to a 985,oo6 84I,819 878,26 I — по6,745 十36442 erica 721,887 725,963 8oI, 157 十 79,27O + 7.5, I94 a w 744,550 75ο, ό35 755,239 –!- IO,689 | + 4,6O4 488,582 653,938 677,506 -- 188,924 -- 23,568 469,883 377, Iό2 544,566 || -- 74,683 -- 167,404 370,762 438,662 43 I:SoI —+ 6,о39 - 6,861 369,440 27O,540 322,9ვ6 - 46,504 -- 52,396 25O,442 184,864 I82,330 - 68,112 - 2,534 gn cie... || III,726, I39 || I2,7oo.oo7 || I2,624,888 || +898,749 - 75, II9
D) relating to exports II2 million pounds went to the United Kingdom,
or 77 millions in excess of the amount exported a statement (Table E) in 1904; II 2 million pounds to Russia (an inround numbers of the crease of o'6); 925 to New South Wales (a lony, excluding tea, decrease of O'I2); 8 to Victoria (increase of O3);
Page 380
372 TWENTIETH CENTURY
TABLE D.
ExPORTS TO FOREIGN COUNTRIES. مه" ; D
IQ03. I904. I905.
RS. Rs. RS. I. United States of America 8,545,632 8, I93,536 8,151,82I 2. Germany ... ... | 7,O69,284 666,25I 6,568, 464 . 3. British India. .... ... | 3,656,483 4,708,93I 5,07I,733 - 4. Russia ... " ό,οΙ8,743 4,992,282 4,415,455 5. New South Wales 2,875,oo4 3,5бб,9о7 3,465,672 6. Victoria ... 2,653,OI9 3,ο4ό,823 2,996,746 - 7. Austria ... Ι, Ιό3,37ό I,975,232 2,962,389 | - 8. Belgium ... ... || 2,бб2,б63 2,834,307 I,995,70I 9. China, excluding Hong
Kong ... ... I,886,766 688,096 I,526,36o Io. France п,754,5об I,840,939 I,367,542
TABLE E.
To UNITED KINGDOM.
To BRITISH POSSESSIONS
ABROAD,
I904. I905. I904. I905.
Products of Rs. Rs. Rs. Rs.
Coconut Palm 7,883,5oo 8,963,ooo Ι., οOό,ooo I,439,000 Plumbago I,8oo,ooo I,929,500 40,500 335OO Cinnamon ... 328,Ooo 29ό,ooo 66,5Oo 8I,ooo Cacao I,559,000 І,б I,oоо 225,000 333,500
and 2 to South and West Australia. The total value of the tea exported in 1905 was Rs. 59,564,245 as against Rs. 56,854,563.
A large proportion, nearly one-fourth, of the total revenue of the Government of Ceylon is derived from Customs duties. In 1905 the amount so raised was Rs. 8, 183728-22. This was Rs. 318,553.64 more than was paid into the Treasury in I904, and Rs. 609,922'44 in excess of the sum obtained in 1903. The following table of gross Customs revenue for the twelve years ended 1905 shows that the Customs revenue has more than kept pace with the development of trade :-
Rs. C. I894 ... ... 4,931,907 42 I895 a a 5,770,24I 2 1896 5,550,97I 65 I897 6,278,787 49 1898 a 6,7 Ι4,625 82 I899 a 7, поп,85І 73 I9oo . 7,б2o,432 29 I90 4 7,446,8o7 26 I902 ... ... 7,630, 175 62 I903 to ... 8,043,062 94 I904 a n w 8,334,43 I 74 I905 w w ... 8,652,985 38
A general import tariff and certain export
duties are the sources A duty on rice impo whole system. In I9 from this one source a “Other grain" accoul so that no less than Rs from foodstuffs during The policy of taxing si people has often been
there can be no questi Ceylon indirect taxati needs and habits of being so, there is a gC system of grain duties the most productive so
Spirits
Sugar Cotton Manufactures
Tobacco a Fish Dried and Salted Earthenware and Chir Kerosene Oil
In addition to the an of imports, a consider from duties on certai total sum collected i
ܥܰܠܡܶܚ- ܚܰܠܺ- ܘ
MPRESSIONS
FFERENCE COMPARED WITH
19၀3. I904.
RS. Rs. - 393,8II - 41,7I5 5Oo,820 ー2,O97,787 HI,415,25o -- 362,8O2 — п,бо3,288 | — 576,827 H 59o,668 - IOI,235 H 343,727 - 50,077 HI,799,013 987, I57 - 666,062 - 838,606
- 36ο, 4οό - 838,264 — 386,964 | — 473,397
FOREIGN COUNTRIES.
I904. I905.
Rs. Rs. 5,429,500 I2,046,000 4,6бо,ooo 5,207,500 I,877,5oo I,935,OOO 663,5OO 489,000
of the Customs revenue. rted is the basis of the o5 the amount secured one was Rs. 2,963,07743. hted for Rs. 367,093 o5, , 3,330, 17o'48 was raised the year under report. o heavily the food of the severely criticised. But on that in a country like On is best suited to the the population, and that pod deal to be said for a
Next to these imports urces of revenue are :-
Rs. C.
I,IoI,328 2I
б26,294 о
321,737 о
265,096 5
» • м) om o I73,854. 72 2. Ιοό,455 42 783,594 о
hounts raised on account able revenue is derived in exports. In 1905 the in this connection was
OF CEYLON
Rs. 913,6568, distributed under the following heads:-
Rs. C.
Medical Aid Duty on Tea ... I5I,944 6 Do. Coffee 532 I5
Do. Cacao ... 6,944 3 I
Do. Cinchona 68 I6 Government Cess on Tea ... 509,472 32 Government Cess on Cardamoms 3,052 24 Royalty on Elephants 4OO O Royalty on Plumbago I53,2I6 22 Duty on Arrack ... 68, I58 33 Duty on Chanks ... «» ж. «» a 8 k 5,202. 44 Duty on Deer and Sambur Horn I4,625 45
Total 913,6I5 68
The duties on tea, coffee, cacao, and
cinchona are levied in order to provide funds for furnishing medical aid to immigrant estate coolies. Besides the tea cess under the Medical Ordinance there is a further duty imposed, with the assent of the planters' organisations, “in order that the proceeds of such duty may be devoted to increasing the consumption of Ceylon tea in foreign lands." The amount raised in I905 on this account was Rs. 5C9,472'32. From Ist October last a sum of Rs. 3,052'24 was recovered as export duty on cardamoms, the produce of the colony, to be devoted to a like purpose as regards cardamons.
The duties on plumbago and arrack are imposed for revenue purposes. The impost in respect of elephants, which amounts to Rs. 200 per head, is levied for the purpose of protecting these valuable beasts, of which large numbers still exist in the wilder parts of the interior. A similar explanation may be given of the duty on deer and sambur horns. Without the assistance that the duty affords there would be a danger of the deer of the island being exterminated for purposes of gain.
It is to be noted that the Ceylon Customs Department is exclusively concerned with the collection of sea Customs. The modern history of the department dates from January 6, 1853, when the Customs were transferred to the local governments. At that time four districts were formed, the first consisting of the ports in the Western and North-Western Provinces, the second of the ports in the Southern Province, the third of the ports in the Northern Province, and the fourth of the ports in the Eastern Province. The whole department is controlled by a Principal Collector of Customs, who is also Superintendent of Wrecks and Registrar of Shipping and Seamen.
Page 381
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
CEYLON
BY CAPTAIN J. A. LEGO
HE artificial harbour of Colombo, a magnificent monument of engineering constructive skill, may be termed the 'hub' of the island of Ceylon's prosperity. Without a suitable and safe anchorage, the trade of Ceylon would have been hampered and retarded until it could not have approached its present prosperity and magnitude by a degree that it is, perhaps, even now not possible to estimate. Without a convenient outlet to the sea, the present highly remunerative railway system would not have, perhaps, done more than pay its way; and in many other ways too numerous to mention trade and prosperity would have been restricted.
When Ceylon was first colonised by the Portuguese in I505, the open roadstead of Colombo was used by their shipping; and in 1518 they established a trading depôt and fort on the rocky spit of land that forms the base of the south-west breakwater. In 1656, after a siege of seven months, Colombo fell
into the hands of the D enterprise of the sturdy to require more than p planted that of their pre Colombo. In 1796, the were ousted, and Colo of the British. From th port of Galle became th in Ceylon for shipping, not very safe, harbour, it with submerged rocks a more or less by rocky exposed to the full fo monsoon gales.
In the year 1864 what the first proposal to con at Colombo, either by a or both, was put forwar years rival plans for the Colombo were designed seems to have been the
seems to have clinched
ScALE *~~
rizir ogg Κ9 宣°
GO LO ME B O
@星YL
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
-HARBOURS,
373
GE, MASTER ATTENDANT.
utch, and the shipping Hollanders, too famous assing comment, supcursors on the coasts of : Dutch, in their turn, mbo fell into the hands at date the harbour and e principal port of call being a natural, though s bottom being studded nd its entrance masked r reefs, besides being rce of the south-west
: appears to have been struct an artificial port breakwater or docks, d, and for the next few protection of Galle or For some time Galle more favoured. What the matter, and turned
local opinion finally in favour of the more northern port, was the completion of the railway between Colombo and Kandy. The last Commission on the protection of Galle harbour sat in 1869; and previous to that, from the year 1866, some nineteen papers and reports of the first importance passed between the Secretary of State, the local Government, and the different local authorities on the subject. In the sessional papers of the local Legislature it was recorded, as an argument in favour of a harbour being constructed at Colombo as against Galle, that the former was 30 miles only off the course of steamers from Aden to the Far East, or Calcutta, and only I8 miles off the course of steamers from Bombay, both of which would, in the ordinary course, call at Galle.
In I87I Mr. Townshend, the engineer of Plymouth breakwater, was appointed to report on the practicability of constructing protective works at Colombo. He reported favourably,
HAR BOUR,
SN
A铉X NEで s CAWA
pa V- NG ۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔
به ملاقcu
ନିe୪ F 。愁_婆
Page 382
374 TWENTIETH
and framed estimates and designed plans for effecting the desired object. In 1872 the late Sir John Coode, the eminent harbour engineer, was consulted, and he submitted his first plan,
CENTURY
Dover, and died while
undertaking; and nogi engineer's skill exists Colombo breakwater, {
COLOMBO BARBOÜR E'ROMI TEIE P. ANID. O. O (The Diamond Jubilee Statue of the late Queen Victoria is seen in the f
embracing a breakwater with jetties combined, and reclamation of the foreshore. To Lord Carnarvon, as Secretary for the Colonies, in I866, and to two successive Governors of Ceylon -Sir Hercules Robinson, in 1870, and Sir William Gregory, in 1872, both advised by Captain James Donnan, the Master Attendant, Colombo-belongs the credit for the initiation
most adverse condition ably the record time o average working perioc breakwater of only abol This massive work, knc breakwater,” clamation of four an the first block was se
W318 C0Îĩ
TEIE ARTIETICIAL EIARBOUR.
(Built for the shelter of the native fishing population. The celebrated Ceylon outrig
foreshore.)
of the great works now on the verge of completion. The resident engineer was the late Mr. John Kyle, who afterwards was connected with the construction of the new harbour at
King when visiting Cey in December, 1875. T in width for II,35o liu the remaining 2,862
1PRESSIONS
arrying on that great ater monument of that han the magnificent ected as it was under
FICE.
oreground.)
s, and in what is protf nine years, with an actually on the main ut three months a year. wn as “the south-west lmenced from a reil a half acres, and by His Majesty the
r canoes are seen on the
on as Prince of Wales e great barrier is 5o ft. :al ft., and 40 ft. for , the top being 9 ft.
OF CEYLON
above high water, while the total length is 4,212 ft. The reasons for the extra width are explained by the accompanying plan, which shows that the original design was to moor ships to the breakwater and to two breakwater piers. To any one, however, who has seen Colombo harbour in June, the impossibility of carrying this idea into practice will have been ocularly demonstrated. The breakwater is constructed of concrete blocks, weighing about 2 I tons each, and resting on a rubble mound. These blocks are sloped, bonded and joggled together, the root, or base, being a solid mass of concrete weighing no less than 437 tons in one block.
This magnificent structure was finished in 1883-84. But even from its commencement trade was attracted to the port of Colombo, and began to develop. In June, 1882, this development may be said to have reached the point of full justification; for in that month the Peninsular and Oriental Company's Royal Mail steamships abandoned Galle and commenced using Colombo as the port of call of Ceylon. Their first vessel to use Colombo was the old Rome (now the pleasure yacht Vectis); and the advent of this vessel was made the occasion of a commemorative trip to Galle on her by some of the leading men of the colony.
Sir John Coode's design “B,” dated September 30, I878-which was formulated to coincide with the estimate of cost when the then Chamber of Commerce limited the money to be spent on harbour protection to a maximum of 8oo,ooo, being in favour of a small close harbour of some 400 acres-shows a northern arm enclosing a harbour of 502 acres; and as a completed design this would, though giving Colombo a harbour about one-third smaller than the present one, have given entire protection to the shipping and lighters within the breakwaters. It is interesting to note, however, how soon this design was found insufficient in scale of magnitude. From the year 1883 to 1889 the shipping increased 6o per cent. in value; and a steady, though perhaps not so marked, increase has continued almost without a break ever since. To Sir John Coode, however, the port owes a debt of gratitude for adhering to his design “B,” of which the present south-west breakwater forms the completed part.
In 1891 Sir John Coode was asked to frame further designs and estimate for a northern breakwater. He died very soon afterwards, and the present Consulting Engineer of the Ceylon Government, Sir William Matthews, then took the matter in hand, and formulated the present north-east and north-west breakwaters. The latter is similar in construction to the south-west barrier, but is 23 ft. wide and 2,655 ft. long, the top being 8 ft. 6 ins.
Page 383
SUNSET IN COLOMBO HARBOUR. THE COL(
FISE
THE WESTERN HEAD OF THE NORTH-WEST BREAKW,
(Just before completion. The lighthouse is built of steel. Two British warsl
will be noticed at the moorings.)
OMBO BREAKWATER, DURING THE SOUTH-WEST MONSOON.
ING CANOE.
ATER. LOADING TEA FROM LIGHTERS IIN COLOMBO
ips BARBOUR.
Page 384
376 TWENTIETH
above high water. These works have been
executed by Mr. J. H. Bostock, Resident
Engineer, assisted by Mr. John Kyle, jun.
In the year 1897 the Legislative Council
CENTURY I
the graving-dock, since Henry Blake, the prese be mentioned that th reaped a fair revenue si
COOMBO GRAVING DOC)
voted 318,Ooo cowards the construction of a graving-dock in the harbour, half this cost to be borne by the colony and half by the
The Colombo harbol is an artificial haven enclosed by three brea
S.S. “ MONIKSEATON.”
(Length, 325 ft.; breadth, 40 ft.; depth, 26 ft. 4 ins.; tonnage, 2,772, The first ship to enter October 31, 1906. The photo shows the dock from the inner end and also the entral
Admiralty; and in the following year 33,000 was provided for a patent slipway. On March I, I899, Sir West Ridgeway, the then Governor of the colony, cut the first sod of
south-west breakwater, centre, or north-west b or island work, 2,655 ft. 1 arm, a rubble work, run
MPRESSIONS
officially opened by Sir t Governor. It should e patent slipway has Ice I903.
OF CEYLON
the shore. The entrance between the southwest and north-west works is 8oo ft wide, a concrete lighthouse showing a red secondorder light at night on the extremity of the
K FROM THE BARBOUR.
ur, as it now appears, of 64o nett acreage, kwaters: the first, or
Xolombo Graving Dock on ce to the harbour.)
4,212 ft. long; the eakwater, a detached ng ; and the northern ing out I,000 ft. from
south-west breakwater, and a steel lighthouse showing a green fourth-order light on the western extremity of the north-west breakwater. The minimum depth of water in this entrance is 40 ft. The northern entrance, between the north-west breakwater and the northern arm, is 7oo ft. wide, with a depth of 34 ft. of water, and is marked by a steel lighthouse recently completed, standing on the eastern end of the north-west break- . water, which shows a fourth-order red light. A steel lighthouse is (at time of writing) to be erected on the western end of the northern arm, which will show a fourth-order light, having a green sector from north through west to south, and a red sector from north through east to south. Two red lights in line lead through the southern entrance, and show the
way clear of buoys to the eastern tier of moor
ings. A red light over a green in line leads through the western channel, and a green light over a red through the eastern channel. This latter beacon, though showing rather to the eastward of the centre, may be used as leading lights through the northern entrance. The harbour is dredged to a minimum depth of 3o ft., which is being increased to 33 ft. ; and it can accommodate 46 of the largest sized vessels during the south-west monsoon, and 42 during the north-east monsoon.
In the harbour service there are two twinscrew tugs of 5oo horse-power on each engine, capable of towing the largest vessel afloat. These tugs are also fitted with hydrants to which six hoses can be attached, with a
Page 385
GALER BARBOUR.
JAFFENA ROADSTEAD.
BATTICALOA OPEN ROADSTEAD,
TRINCOMALEE HARBOUR,
Page 386
378
working pressure of 80 lbs. to the inch, for extinguishing fire, one of the tugs carrying a Clayton disinfecting machine as well. Eight small landing-jetties are provided for cargolighters, one excellent jetty for passengers, and eighteen for coal-lighters. It is much to be regretted that as yet no ocean steamer jetties for enabling passengers and cargo to land direct without the inconvenience, cost, and delay of boat carriage have been constructed. Among the machinery equipment are three steam-cranes of 2 tons capacity each, one of 5 tons, one “Fair Brane' of 15 tons, five electric cranes of 2 tons, two of 4 tons, eight
TWENTIETH CENTURY
dock, of 700 ft. on th 32 ft. over all at hig at the entrance of pleted and opened, on the most moder with hydraulic capst appliances.
The patent slip, col is capable of accom I,200 tons displacemer the repair of lighter completed at the sam acres have been reclai foreshore, of which 24
HIS MAJESTY'S SURVEY YACHT
“ SEATAREK.”
(On the patent slip, from the harbour end. The slip will take vessels up to
I,200 tons.)
Grafton hand-cranes of 3 tons, three Gibbins of 4 tons, one Stoddart and Pitts of 3 tons, four ordinary of I ton, and one steam Titan of 40 tons. The landing and shipping arrangements are very contracted in space as regards the foreshore, and serious congestion is a not infrequent consequence. But with the completion of the sheltering work the landing facilities will be largely increased by the removal of all the coal-sheds, stocks, and depôts now occupying this part of the foreshore to a new site farther north in the harbour, thus affording an additional frontage of 2,235 ft. for ordinary wharfage purposes. The graving
new coal depôts. A constructed to the no sheltered by a rubb length.
To complete the pre to construct an outside by the present Mast curve of the south-we in length in a northe southern entrance fr sea that still finds its that spot, and has the work at the I8 new at several of the st
(MPRESSIONS
e floor, with a depth of h water and a breadth 85 ft., recently comis designed and fitted n and approved lines, ns and other up-to-date
npleted three years ago, modating vessels up to t. A sheltered basin for S and Small craft was e time. Altogether 133 med from the sea on the acres are allotted to the
OF CEYLON
vicinity. A survey having the construction of a wet dock of II.5 acres as its object has also been carried out. But the cost of such proposed work has been considered so great as to postpone its consideration indefinitely. Such a dock would accommodate 25 of the largest vessels, and have I3,2Oo ft. of quayage. The maximum rise and fall of tide in the harbour is about 2 ft., and is therefore practically negligible. A scheme for jetties alongside which large steamers may be moored is also under consideration, the adoption of which will insure a most welcome and greatly needed addition to the facilities for.
COLOMBO GRAVING DOCK.
(Looking towards the harbour.
Dimensions: Length, 7oo ft.; width, 85 ft. at
the entrance and 32 ft. on the sill.)
shery harbour has been th of the main harbour, breakwater 8oo ft. in
sent works it is proposed sheltering arm (suggested 2r Attendant) from the breakwater, of 2,Ooo ft. ly direction, to mask the »m the heavy westerly way into the harbour at ffect at times of stopping coaling jetties as well as amer moorings in this
embarking on or disembarking from the ocean liners.
In conclusion, it is desirable to lay stress on the fact that had Sir John Coode in the first instance been commissioned to design a harbour of 646 acres, the protective arm referred to would not have had to be considered. His design 'B' is as near perfect as it is humanly possible for an artificial design to be, and Sir William Matthews has had to labour under the disadvantage of what may be termed altering a coat after it has once been cut to order, with the natural result that its first excellence of fit can never again be attained.
Page 387
TWENTIETH CENTURY
OTHER HARBOURS.
There are two other harbours of Ceylon and two roadsteads on the coast-line deserving mention. The first of the former is Galle, which is a circular-shaped harbour with deep water all round its foreshore and a steep sloping beach of rock and sand. Beautiful from a scenic aspect, the harbour is sheltered in every direction by elevated land, except to the south. In this direction the entrance is open to the wind and sea, especially during the southwest monsoon months. But in this haven there are some twenty-two dangerous submerged rocks; and in consequence of those sources of danger, coupled with its exposed entrance, this harbour is not popular with mariners. The trade of Galle has been stagnant since the shipping was diverted to Colombo, and now hardly three ships a week on the average throughout the year call at the southern port. The exports from Galle are chiefly citronella oil, fibre, cocoanut oil, and copra, and there is a coaling depot on the foreshore. Owing to its geographical position and its configuration, had it been possible to remove the rocks and build a sheltering breakwater at the entrance at a cost Ceylon could have afforded, Galle harbour could have been converted into a fine anchorage, with deepwater wharfs round its extensive shore-line for steamers to lie at, and other advantages and accommodation.
Batticaloa, on the mideastern coast of the island, is an open roadstead off the bar at the outfall of a series of lakes fed, among other rivers, by the Mandeniya Aru. Batticaloa exports much the same produce as Galle; and its shipping consists of two weekly calls of the Ceylon Steam Navigation Company's steamers, besides the native sailing craft, the whole, how
MPRESSIONS OF CEY LON 879
9- 愛とス ever, not amounting to any
quantity.
Trincomalee, on the northeastern coast, is a magnificent harbour, nearly landlocked, and capable of sheltering a very large number of vessels in a safe, snug, and deepwater anchorage. This port,
until last year, was the headqfiarter harbour of the Navy's East Indian station, and large numbers of workpeople were employed in the shipping yard here. It has since been abandoned, and the splendid residences provided for the Naval Commander-in-Chief of the station and the officials connected with the naval yard have been handed over to the tender mercies of caretakers. The impregnable fortifications have been dismantled, the garrison has been withdrawn, and Trincemalee has dwindled into insignificance, being now
nothing more than a veritable “sleepy hollow.' The value of this harbour as a naval station was fully appreciated by combatants on both sides during the French wars of the eighteenth and the early part of the nineteenth centuries, and the place changed hands more than once during the struggles between the French Admiral Suffren and the British Naval Commander-inChief of that period, it being the only safe harbour in which to refit the sailing ships of war on two long coast-lines. The nature of the
trade of Trincomalee is much
the same as that of Galle and Batticaloa, and the shipping consists of the steamers that also call at Batticaloa, farther south, and native craft. As a naval port Trincomalee stocked coal and was visited by steam colliers from time to time, This business has now passed away with the official abandonment - possibly only for a time, possibly for ever; and the visitor to either Trincomalee or Galle cannot contemplate without a pang of regret the effacement of their glory and
Page 388
380
importance in the inexorable march of progress.
Jaffna, the northern port of Ceylon, is a shallow roadstead, only used by shipping during the north-east the south-west monsoon season Kankesanturai, the extreme northern gate of the island, is the port of call on this coast-line. The outgoing trade from Jaffna is mostly concerned with coconuts, fibre, tobacco, and other local products, and the nature of the shipping is the same as at Batticaloa. With the completion of the northern railway connecting Jaffna with Colombo, the produce of the Northern Province, for which Jaffna was previously the main outlet, has been diverted from sea to land transport to a considerable degree.
OSOOI, In
V
P. & O. STEAM NAYIGATION COMPANY.
Ever since the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company commenced to carry English mails to China and Australia the company's boats have called at ports in Ceylon both ways for the receipt and despatch of mails, and a big business has been
స్ట్రీ
స్టీ
ஜீ
COALING JETTIES.
TWENTIETH CENTURY
built up with the isl Point de Galle was tht year the P. & O. Com lines, transferred thei the magnificent break time making it a secu pany has had a rema ship was built in 182c of 206 gross tonnagedates from the yea accession, when mailLondon to Lisbon an tract with Her Majesty course of two or thr extended to Malta a company was incol Charter in I84o, Th from England to India I,8oo tons, which left
1842, and sailed via th Towards the end of I8 a position to underta England to Alexandr Ceylon, Madras, and extension from Ceylor Hong Kong, and Sha passengers, goods, anc
THH: LANDING FACILITIES IN COI
IMPRESSIONS
and. Previous to I88o port of call, but in that bany, together with other r business to Colombo, water erected about that re harbour. The comkable history. Its first -the William Fawcett, -but its regular career
of Queen Victoria's packets were run from d Gibraltar under con
In the ee years the line was hd Alexandria, and the porated under Royal e first P. & O. steamer was the Hindostan, of England in September, le Cape of Good Hope. 44 the company was in ke a mail service from ia, and from Suez to Calcutta, with a further to Penang, Singapore, inghai. In those days l mails were conveyed
7's Government.
OF CEYLON
overland from Alexandria to Suez, and previous to the construction of the railway from Alexandria to Suez this had to be done in a very primitive manner, affording a striking contrast to present-day modes of travel. Caravans numbering no less than 3,000 camels had to be employed to convey a single steamer's load from Cairo (whence it came by rail from Alexandria) to Suez. This system was in operation for nearly twenty years, but it was not until 1888, seventeen years after the opening of the Suez Canal, that the conveyance of mails was made by the canal route. The P. & O. Company now carry the English mails to India, Ceylon, China, and Australia. To India there is a weekly service, and to China and Australia a fortnightly service, and some faint idea of the importance of this postal work may be gathered from the fact that the mails from Brindisi for conveyance by the Indian and Australian steamers usually amount to some 4,ooo bags and boxes. The company's fleet at the present time consists of steamers aggregating 3OO,Ooo tons, and the original cost of these ships amounted to seven millions sterling. Ever since the first English mails were carried by P. & O.
TBE, COLOMBO COALING JETTIES
(Built from reclaimed ground.
The P. & O. R.M.S. Macedonia is conspicuous in
the harbour, with His Majesty's Survey Yacht Sealark away over at the breakwater.)
OMBO HARBOUR FROM THE SEA.
Page 389
TWENTIETH CENTURY IM
DINING SLOON.
boats the company has had two objects in view; the reduction of the time taken on the voyage and a decrease in the cost to the Government. That these have been attained is attested by the facts that the P. & O. have held the Government contract continuously, though it is always open for public tender, and that the price paid by the Government: is a quarter of a million sterling less than it was twenty-five years ago.
Vy
BRITISH INDIA STEAM NAVIGATION COMPANY, LTD.
The British India Steam Navigation Company, which runs some of the most important ocean services in the East, naturally plays a conspicuous part in the shipping trade of Ceylon. Registered over half a century ago, the company now has a fleet of about I2O vessels afloat. Of the services to and from Colombo, perhaps the most important are the daily service between Tuticorin and Colombo and the biweekly service between Tondi, Amnapatam, and Paumban and Colombo, as these are the means of bringing most of the Tamil labour, upon which the industries of the island are so
THE S.S. '
dependent, into Ceylot the Tuticorin service e. reputation of being the of cross-channel service boats were nicknamed
A glance at the accon of the Pundua, which
will, however, show th passed away, and tha things would be hard
The Pundita (Captain J. is 3,305 tons gross, and C. Willis) 3,306 tons g power (nominal) of b the pearl fisheries the As are the boats on the Pass I ban and Marichchukad
Marichchukadde. On t
boats the Calcutta mails
and the company's boa on their four-weekly se and Mauritius. In ado already mentioned, th British India Company Colombo are : fortnight Marseilles, and London basa, Zanzibar, Delagoa
PRESSIONS OF CEYION
38
PUNDUA.”
n. Some years ago njoyed the unenviable most uncomfortable es, and the Tuticorin “the mosquito fleet.' hpanying photograph crosses to Tuticorin, at the old order has
t the new state of
to beat for comfort.
C. Kirkham, R.N.R.) l the Purnea (Captain and the horseoth is 4oo. During ka and Bhadra, which un, sail between Paumde and Colombo and he Tuticorin-Colombo
ΓOSS,
for Ceylon are carricd, s also carry the mails rvice between Ceylon lition to the services e others which the provides to and from ly to and from Aden, ; fortnightly to MomBay, and Durban vid
PROMENADE DECR.
Bombay and Aden; fortnightly to Madras, Coromandel Coast ports, and Calcutta; weekly to Rangoon via Madras, and weekly to Rangoon and Moulmein via Calcutta ; fortnightly to Malabar Coast ports and Bombay; weekly to Arakan, Burma, and the Straits Settlements via Calcutta; fortnightly to Karachi, Persian Gulf ports, and Baghdad via Bombay; and frequent sailings to Java and Queensland direct as inducement offers.
Nb
THE NORTH GERMAN LLOYD'S SERVICE.
Progress, steady and continuous, marks the record of the great marine companies of Germany, and from a position of comparative insignificance they have in the last few decades taken a leading place in the front rank of the world's shipping. In no direction has this advance been more marked than in the Eastern and Australian trade. The North German Lloyd's Company's steamers have become favourites with the travelling public, with British voyageurs in particular, and deservedly so, for the company has shown itself enterprising in the truest and best sense of the
Page 390
THE s.s. “BULOW" UNDER STEAM on THE RIVER, WESER.
LADIES' SALOON ON TH)
FIRST-CLAss conCERT-RooM ON THE S.S. “PRINZ LU
FIRST-CLASS DINING SALOON ON THE S.S. “BULOW.”
S.S. “ PRINZ HEINRICH."
IG.” THE, s.s., “PRINZ LUDWIG ” UNDER STEAM.
Page 391
THE “ GROSSER KURFURSTo ENTERING BREMERHA
FIRST-CLASS SMOKING-ROOM
DRAWING-ROOM ON THE S.S. "GROSSER, KURFUR
VEN. GYMNASIUM ON THE “ PRINZ EITEL FRIEDRICH."
ON TEE S.S. “ KAISER WILHELMI .”
ST. THE S.S. “ KAISER WILHELM. I. UNDER STEAM,
Page 392
384 TWENTIETH
word. Its boats are not only “well found" in the ordinary sense, but they represent the last word in comfort, sea-going qualities, and all that goes to make up the mammoth floating hotel of twentieth-century civilisation.
The Far Eastern and Australian run of the company was commenced in I886, about twenty-eight years after the formation of the company. The German Government, recognising the national importance of the service, gave to the company a contract for the conveyance of mails, and this support was not only valuable directly, but indirectly helped the company materially by conferring a prestige upon the service which it would not otherwise have enjoyed. The service is maintained by a main and branch lines to Eastern Asia, two lines to Australia, one Australia-Japan line, and sixteen branch lines in the coast and island service of the East. The route was commenced with a monthly service of old English-built vessels of the Hohenstaufen class, of about 3,000 tons, but since the institution of the line the vessels and their tonnage have been continually increased, and to-day steamers of the Barbarossa type, up to I3,ooo tons, are running fortnightly. The ships engaged on this line call at Colombo, and the improvements which the company have carried out on these liners have considerably increased both the passenger and cargo traffic to and from Ceylon. A large share of the transport of goods is done by the vessels of the Norddeutscher Iloyd Company, whilst their attention to the comfort of passengers has induced many persons going from India to journey to Ceylon and book by their line instead of sailing from Bombay. It has been decided to accelerate the service to Eastern Asia and Australia from January, I907.
The history of the company is interesting. The Norddeutscher Lloyd, Bremen, was formed in 1857, and now runs steamers to all parts of the world. The backbone of the business is constituted by the Bremen-New York line, on which are engaged the best vessels of the company in a weekly service.
These vessels are amongst the largest and fastest in the world. Besides these there are many twin-screw mail steamers which run to America, five running to North and two to South America, and one to Cuba. Then there is the Far Eastern service to which reference has already been made. Better vessels have been put on this run, others have been materially improved, and a great improvement has been made in the working out of the timetables. The company has paid particular care to the Mediterranean lines, of which five are now worked, amongst these being one in direct connection between Genoa and New York, this being an immensely popular route. The lines of the N.D.L. are particularly adapted
CENTURY
to tours around th excellently arranged vessels of the compa every convenience, a company's desire to the passengers, it ma company was the fi in the cabins free o the names and tonn. company calling at and Australia circuit : tons), Bremen (II,57 Prinzess Alice (Io,9II Königin Luise (Io,71 (Io,695), König Albe Friedrich (8,865), Sc, en alu (8,o8II), Zieten (8, (7,942), Prinz Regent Heinrich (6,263), Sigm, (5,295), Schwaben Westfalen (5, Ioo), L ruhe (5,057), Stuttgar
Sachsen (5,026), Darn
(5,006), Gera (5,oo5), an The agents for the c Messrs. Freudenberg
THE NIPPON
Kaew Agend
Considering that Ja and that therefore he foreign countries are not surprising to find line controlled by a Jal at Ceylon. This line Kaisha, or Japan Mail created in the year I88 of two existing com Kaisha (Three Diamo Kyodo Unyo Kaisha Company), the present to the undertaking. '
practically the
steamship
WS Japanese organisation, in I87 I,
tentative efforts to es munication, but the y regarded in Japan as of Japanese maritime
ern lines. For some t as its rival an official
the Yubin Kisen Kaisha the Government deem draw from the arena, a vessels were handed
Kaisha. The Mitsubi. virtually into comple maritime highways ol supremacy until 1882,
IMPRESSIONS
2 world, and tickets for trips are issued. The ny are well fitted up with ind, as an instance of the obtain every comfort for y be mentioned that this st to place electric fans charge. Appended are age of the vessels of the Colombo on the Eastern Grosser Kurfürst (I3, I82 ο), Βαrbαrossα (Ιο,9 I5), ), Prinzess Irene (Io,88I), 1), Friedrich der Grosse rt (Io,643), Prinz Eitel 'tarnhorst (8, I3I), Gneiso43), Roon (8,o22), Seydlita Luitpold (6,288), Prinz 'aringen (5,7 Io), Preussen (5, I02), Hessen (5, Ioo), pilringen (5, Ioo), Karlsf (5,o48), Bayern (5,o34), 1Stadt (5,012), Oldenburg d Weimar (4,996). ompany at Colombo are & Co., Chatham Street.
Vʼ»
YUSEN KAISHA
; ćorsor ćoća).
pan is an island empire, r communications with entirely maritime, it is a first-class steamship panese company calling , the Nippon Yusen S.S. Company, Ltd., was 35 by the amalgamation panies, the Mitsubishi nds Company) and the (Union Transportation name being then given The Mitsubishi Kaisha pioneer of modern enterprise. Before its there had been some tablish steamship com
ear named is generally
the actual starting-point development on Westime the Mitsubishi had organisation known as t, but ultimately, in II 876, ed it advisable to withund the officially owned over to the Mitsubishi shi Kaisha thus came te occupation of the Japan. It enjoyed its when the Government,
OF CEYLON
deeming it desirable to increase the mercantile
marine of the country, encouraged the formation of a new company under the designation of Kyodo Ninyn Kaisha, or Minor Transportation Company. But a trial of three years demonstrated the inexpediency of having two rival companies in the field, both receiving a measure of State aid, and the amalgamation was carried out as mentioned. A large measure of success awaited the new combination. During the first nine years of its life the bulk of the coastwise carrying trade was worked by means of its fleet, whilst regular services were maintained between Kobe and Vladivostock, Kobe and Tientsin vici Korean ports, and Yokohama and Shanghai. When, in 1892, the rapid development of the cotton-spinning industry in Japan made it necessary to obtain a regular supply of raw cotton, a line of steamers was established to run between Japan and Bombay, and in addition to this emigrant ships under the company's flag made frequent voyages to Australia and Hawaii. A yearly sum of money was received from the Treasury, in return for which the company was pledged to maintain several mail routes to carry mails between the ports to which its steamers plied, and, should occasion arise, to place its fleet at the disposal of the Government for transport purposes. In 1894, when China and Japan were at war, most of the company's large steamers were required by the Government, and had to be detached from public service. As a conSequence it became necessary to purchase mamy wessels, and the capital of the company was increased to twenty-two million yen, and steamship services to Europe, America, and Australia were established. Twelve twinscrew steamers of over 6,ooo tons were built for the European service, and three, ranging from 3,8oo to 5,5oo tons, for the Australian line, The company's fleet now totalled 78 steamers, aggregating 260,000 tons gross. Most of these were new vessels, fitted in an up-to-date manner, everything being provided with a view to promoting the comfort of the passengers and to providing facilities for trade. In addition to its lines between the principal Japanese ports, the company maintains regular services with China, Korea, Formosa, Asiatic Russia, the Straits Settlements, India, the Red Sea and Mediterranean, Europe, Canada, America, and Australasia. Subsidies were granted in 1899 by the Japanese Diet to the company's European and American lines, and thus, with but a few exceptions, the whole of the foreign and home lines are run under mail contract with the Imperial Government. The head office of the company is situate in Tokyo, and at every port of call and some other important points there is an agency. Besides being
Page 393
PROMENADE DECK.
PROMENAD.
RST CLASS SALOON LOOKING ART.
Page 394
THE DECE
ANID TEIE SIMOKING EROOMI.
Page 395
TWENTIETH
a comfortable line to travel by, the Nippon Yusen Kaisha is noted for its cheapness. The employees of the company, exclusive of about 4,8oo representing crews, firemen, &c.; number about I,38o. The late Baron M. Morioka was the first president of the company, he being nominated by the Government in 1885. On his death, in 1894, he was succeeded by Mr. T. Yoshikawa. This gentleman occupied the position for a year, when his death necessitated a further appointment, and the present president, Mr, R, Kondo, was elected. This gentleman's term expired in 1902, but he was re-elected.
Messrs. Carson & Co, agents of the company,
are the Colombo
W
THE CARGO BOAT DESPATCH CO,
Among the principal firms engaged in the heavy cargo work in Colombo harbour is the above company, which was established in 1866 by Ana Ghose Mahamadu, who started business as a landing and shipping agent at the wharf. The present proprietor is Baron de Livera, the manager being Mr. James Gibson, with Mr. James de Livera as first assistant. In all, the company employs some 700 hands, and has a fleet of I2O boats of various tonnages, the average being 20 tons capacity each, the boats ranging from IO to 5o tons each. The company has its own boat-building yard at Matakuliya, near the mouth of the Kelani river, and repairing yard at Kochchikade. Ten water boats, of a total capacity of II3,400 gallons, belong to this company, also an 80-horse-power steam launch, built in 1898 at Stoney Stratford, England, by E. Hayes. The company contract for the landing of cargo for the Hansa Line of steamships, the Hamburg-Amerika Line, the Well line, the Campania-Transatlantica Barcelona (Spanish Mail) line, the Austrian-Lloyd steamers, the Indian-American (Bucknall's) line, the Animal line, and others; and it ships cargo to every line of steamers calling at the port of Colombo. There is also a forwarding branch attached to the business, and the company are special landing contractors for Messrs. Darley, Buller & Co., who are Colombo agents for F. W. Heilgers & Co., of Calcutta, coal merchants, The office premises occupied by the firm are leased from the Government, and all the gear and hoisting used is Government property. The principal local articles shipped are plumbago, coconut oil, tea, copra, desiccated coconut, poonac, coconuts in bags, rubber, hides, and fibres of every description; while on the import side, large quantities of rice
are landed by the firm weekly. The manager,
CENTURY I.
Mr. James Gibson, arri as I 872, and previous position, in 1892, had experience in Dikoya Knuckles districts, hav pioneers in opening Kelani Valley,
Wl
THE 08YL0N WI)}{
The Ceylon Wharfa formed in 1899 for the and extending the old-es Wharf and Warehouse came into being in Jar
pany at its inception le
a large part of the Cust since made extensive i both as regards facil delivering cargo, and increased warehouse ac all rice and bag cargo tensive sandy beach b the water and bringing their heads
All this has now quay walls having b
S.
BARO
MPRESSIONS
'ed in Ceylon as early to taking his present an extensive planting Maskeliya, and the ing been one of the lp the district of the
ARFAGE CO., LTD.
ge Company, Ltd., was purpose of taking over tablished business of the Company, Ltd., which uary, 1875. The comased from Government oms premises, and has mprovements to these, ities for landing and also in the matter of commodation. In 1899
was landed at an exy coolies wading into the bags to shore on
been changed, and een built, the former
OF CEYLON 387
sandy beach has been transformed into a miniature wet-dock, well supplied with steam travelling cranes and all appliances for the rapid handling of cargo. Extensive additions have also been made to the company's fleet of cargo, coal, and water lighters, no less than 48 steel or composite barges, aggregating in all some 3,77o tons, having been built at the company's boat-building yard on the Kelani river since I9o, while additional 24 similar barges, equalling in all I,000 tons, are now in hand. The total tonnage of the fleet of lighters is already close on 8,Ooo tons, with every prospect of a large increase in the near future. For the rapid movement of this fleet the company owns four handy tugs of the latest design. The tonnage of the water fleet amounts to an aggregate of 750 tons, with six steam-pumps and boilers. For the upkeep of this fleet there are two yards, one-the building yard-on the Kelani river, and the other-the repairing yard-on the north-east side of the harbour. At the latter point the company has laid down a small patent slip for convenience in the repair of its tugs and large Ioo-ton barges.
The company lands and ships all coal for the P. & O. Company, the British-India
**ჯჯჯ.
ఇవీషషవీక్షిప్తiు
N DE LIVEIRA
Proprietor.)
JAMES GIBSON.
LOADING TEGA FOR EXPOERT.
Page 396
388
Steam Navigation Company, and the Messageries Maritimes Cie.; and during 1905 it handled no less than 38oooo tons, of which, on more than one occasion, over 20,000 tons
IMPORT WAREHOUSES. PAN OF PREMISES
were boated during one week. The company is also the cargo-landing and boating contractor for the P. & O., British lindia, Orient Royal Mail, Bibby Line, Harrison Line, Messageries Maritimes, Asiatic S.N. Company, Nippon Yusen Kaisha, Clan Line, City Line, Holt Line, Anchor Line, and others; and it ships cargo to every steamer line entering Colombo. The number of packages of cargo boated during 1905 reached the enormous total of 8,146,808, equal, at ten packages to the ton, to 814,68o tons. The quantity of fresh water supplied to steamers during the same period aggregated 8o,ooo tons. To carry out these great undertakings a large labour force is naturally required, and it is estimated that the company's average check roll would show a daily staff of close on 5,000 men. One feature of the company is the successful employment of Parsees for exercising immediate supervision over the labour, eight specially selected men having been engaged in Bombay and sent to Colombo.
TWENTIETH CENTURY
The head office of
Throgmorton Avenue
chairman of directors Mackay, G.C.M.G. K.C
CEYION WEAREA
PATEN
India Council and of managing director of Navigation Company, the British Commissio: tiate the commercial tr in that country. The consultative committee M.L.C., the other men: Buckland, agent for the Skrine, of Messrs. Skrin of Messrs. Carson & C for the Messageries M Waldock, of Messrs. Mr. J. A. Ridge has cha as manager, the assist W. Y, Fleming, th Mr. R. G. MacIver, t Sibbald, C.A., while charge of the bondin warding departments
MPRESSIONS
he company is at 9, London, E.C., the being Sir James L. I.E., a member of the
GE COMPANY, LTD.
T SLIP,
the Suez Canal Board, he British-India Steam &c., and a member of I sent to China to nego2aties after the outbreak chairman of the local is the Hon. Sir S. Bois, bers being Messrs. W. P. & O. Company; E. C. 2 & Co.; W. Shakspeare, ). ; E. Labussiere, agent aritimes Cie., and A. P. Aitken, Spence & Co. ge of the local business nt manager being Mr. superintendent afloat e accountant Mr. J. F. (r. E. E. Powell is in and clearing and for
OF CEYLON
THE BIBBY LINE. Of steamship lines running directly to Ceylon, there is none which enjoys a larger measure of
popularity than that owned by Messrs. Bibby,
BONDED WAREHOUSE. EXPORT WAREHOUSES.
of Liverpool, and familiarly known by the designation which heads this article. The line is synonymous for comfort and expedition, combined with moderate charges.
The steamers take only one class of passenger, and those who travel by them profit by the fact, inasmuch as they have the undivided attention of officers, and, what is highly acceptable to the peripatetic traveller, the run of the ship. The founder of the line was Mr. John Bibby, the grandfather of the present representatives, who, in 18oz, commenced business as a shipowner in Liverpool. Those were days, of course, of sailing vessels, and for many years the firm's transactions oversea were carried through by means of a fleet of vessels which were puny indeed compared with the splendid craft which now fly the company's flag. Steam propulsion was not introduced until 185I, and it was forty years later before the existing service was instituted. Comparatively young as the system is, it has become thoroughly established. The Bibby boats are amongst
Page 397
TEE BIE
THE WARWICKSHRE.'
DXIING SALOOX
3BY LINE.
AT PoRT SAID,
FIRE DRILi.
2B*
Page 398
THE
DRAWING-Roof. LoweR PROMENADE DECK
BIBBY LINE.
SIOKING-Roo.
UPPER PROMENADE DECK,
Page 399
TWENTIETH
the best known "greyhounds of the Indian Ocean.' The company's run is outward from Liverpool to Marseilles, and thence to Colombo and Rangoon; and homeward from Rangoon and Colombo, and thence to Marseilles and London. A regular fortnightly service is maintained both ways throughout the year by a fleet of twin-screw steamers of the highest
class, and specially designed for the Eastern
passenger service. There are seven of these vessels, each named after an English county, the septette being the Cheshire (5,775 registered tonnage, 45oo h.p.), the Shropshire (5,785 registered tonnage, 4,500 h.p.), the Staffordshire (6,oo5 registered tonnage, 4,500 h.p.), the Derbyshire (6,636 registered tonnage, 5,000 h.p.), the Worcestershire (7,16o registered tonnage, 5,5oo h.p.), the Herefordshire (7, 182 registered tonnage, 5,500 h.p.), and the Warwickshire (7,966 registered tonnage, 5,500 h.p.). All the units of the fleet hold the highest class at Lloyd's, and are built and equipped far in excess of the official rules, while they comply with all the requirements of the British Admiralty. They are modelled on identical lines, though they differ somewhat in internal details. All are fitted with watertight bulkheads, and have a double bottom throughout their entire length, an arrangement which reduces to a minimum the dangers of accident, whether from collision or stranding. The risk of fire is provided against by the provision, in the case of every hold, of a powerful injector (controlled from above deck), by which a supply of steam sufficient to choke and extinguish any fire can at once be turned on from the main boilers, without involving the usually dangerous expedient of removing the hatches. Regarded from the point of view of comfort, the vessels leave nothing to be desired. The state rooms are so arranged that each has a port or window giving free access to the outside open air. The method employed to secure this highly valuable, and in the tropics indispensable, condition to perfect comfort is the system of “tandem cabins," which, first introduced on the Bibby boats, is now being adopted in the case of practically all up-to-date steamers. Under the system the inner cabin of the two which constitute the tandem has a port-hole at the end of a narrow way which runs at the side of the outer room; and as it is also in most cases provided with a skylight, which can be opened in all weathers, it is oftentimes preferred by travellers to the outside accom
CENTURY I
modation. Wardrobes cabins, and all are equ: which are maintained Suez. The state room promenade decks, and of the freest possible regards the supply of m are spiendidly equipp powerful freezing mac storage, by the aid of game, poultry, vegetab throughout the voyage, of pure ice is forthc
Apart from the the boats, the service is intending traveller by t the company for bre Egypt and at ports specially favourable terr Officials are able to jou the Government, reco character of the serv company's boats on the
ԱSՇ.
for officers returning testimony to the high pc fact that the steamer Egyptian mails between and between Suez an carry supplementary E
H. P. FERNANDO, BHEAD C
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
are fitted in most of the pped with electric fans, or constant use east of
s are on the main or so have the advantage circulation of air. As aterial needs, the ships d. Each steamer has hinery and ample cold
which English meat, les, &c., are available while a plentiful supply oming for each day's inherent excellence of
recommended to the he facilities offered by aking the journey in en route, and by the Ins extended to families. rney by the line, since gnising the superior placed the list of those available
rom leave. Another
osition of the line is the s carry French and Marseilles and Egypt d Colombo, and also nglish mails between
rice, has
MOEILAN DRAM
EFFECE,
391
Rangoon and Colombo and England. Messrs. Carson & Co., it may be added, are the Ceylon agents of the company.
W'»
HEYYADEWIAGEY PALIS FERNANDO YIMALA GOONIEWIARDENE, Mohamdiram.
This gentleman, the son of Simon Fernando, a merchant of Colombo, was born at Mount Lavinia in the year 1853, and was educated privately in different schools. When he was fifteen years of age he joined his uncle in business, trading as H. A. Fernando, ship chandlers and contractors. After Mr. H. A. Fernando's death, in 1886, the nephew carried on the business-to which is added that of
naval contractor and stevedore. His head office is at No. 39, Chatham Street, Fort, Colombo. The firm have been contractors to the Royal Navy for thirty-six years for the supply of stores, water, provisions, and other requisites. They also contract for the Glen, Orient-Pacific, Shire, and Clan Lines of steamers, as well as other shipping companies and privately owned vessels. They employ 25 lighters and barges, 6 water boats and gigs, and close upon 5oo men. Mr. Fernando was made Mohandiram (Lieutenant) by Governor Sir West Ridgeway in recognition of services rendered by his firm to the Admiralty, as well as to the local shipping community in general.
He owns various estates planted , in coconuts and cinnamon, of which Welikelle, in the Kurunegala district, and Boralesgamuwe are the most important. He also owns large tracts of paddy lands in the Western Province. He is a proprietor of land in Colombo, owning such wellknown city properties as the Lord Nelson Hotel in Chatham Street, and “Conniston' and 'Glenfield' in Cinnamon Gardens, besides various business blocks in the Pettah. He is a Buddhist by religion, and holds the post of treasurer and committee member of the Theosophical Society, being also trustee of the Vidya Lankara Pirivena at the Buddhist temple at Palinagoda. of the Agricultural Society. He owns the Factory Clothing Company, which is a large gentlemen's outfitting establishment in Chatham Street, Colombo, and is the principal partner in the firm of Messrs. Mirando & Co., plumbago and cinnamon merchants. His chief assistantis Mr. T, R. Fernando.
He is also a member
Page 400
import of opium, which is annually increasing in volume, and now amounts to over Io tons a year, is chiefly derived from the neighbouring continent, where the white poppy is extensively cultivated and furnishes a lucrative source of revenue. The customs duty is as much as Rs. 2 (2s. 8d.) per lb., but even under this rate it is found advantageous, from a commercial point of view, to import the drug. The right to expose opium for sale is reserved by Government, and is disposed of under conditions similar
to those obtaining in the farming out of
arrack rents.
Special regulations are in force for the prevention of any adulteration in the article; and, under the ordinance, the drug may not be sold to any person apparently under the age of fifteen years, or allowed to be consumed on the premises. A curious provision in this regard is that the premises licensed to retail opium shall be restricted to the sale of cigars, and shall close at eight punctually at night.
OPIU
The maximum quantity dual buyer at any one tir the possession of the di amount is considered i stringent measures ado illicit traffic in this artic ties are found to occl. occurrence is noted, dire upon the offenders.
Opium forms one of the in the native pharmacop absence of any surgical properties afford a helpfu of difficult treatment. demand for the drug fo there does not appear to to lead to the supposition island are addicted to o the Chinese are. In fa the population which res is the Malay or Javane good proportion of the who visit the island f temporarily settle in it. every form of intoxi enjoined by the local responsible for the sma
JM
allowed to any indivine is 18o grains ; and tug in excess of this legal. Such are the pted to prevent any le, that few irregularir; and where their penalties are imposed
2 principal constituents oeia; and owing to the practice, its narcotic il anaesthetic in cases But apart from the or medicinal purposes be any circumstance that the people of the pium in the sense that ct, the only section of sorts to the drug freely se element, as also a Pathans and Afghans rom time to time or The abstinence from cants and narcotics religious systems is ll demand that exists
for the drug among the Sinhalese and Tamils; but, as pointed out, among the foreign peoples resident in the island, opium, both in its unprepared form and in the form of pastilles, known as “layigium," is much in request. Bhang -the dried leaves and small stalks of hemp (Cannabis indica)-and ganja-its flowering shoots, so much in demand in rersia and other parts of the Mahomedan world as “hashish' -are also included in the provisions governing the sale and possession of opium. At the time of writing a suggestion has been made in the Legislative Council to introduce the system of selling opium as it obtains in the Philippines and other places, where the drug may only be sold by Government officers. It is asserted that by the disposal of licences to private individuals the habit is being fostered, and the retailer does his best to further it. On the other hand, if the right of sale were vested in the hands of specially appointed controlling officers, only registered consumers would be supplied, and then under the strictest supervision of Government. An increase in the import duty of the drug has also been proposed, and every measure will be adopted to check the use of the narcotic.
Page 401
(S N2
2 乞 تينمنت
متعجم
A.
Ceylon, the seat of Government and the principal centre of the colony's commerce and trade, is situated on the west coast of the island, the exact geographical position being 6 degrees 56 minutes latitude North, and 79 degrees 49 minutes longitude East. The magnificent artificial harbour on the Indian Ocean which constitutes the main feature of Colombo from the point of view of the outside world and has made it a port of call of the first magnitude and importance in the East, is fully described elsewhere in these pages. Confining the present description of the city to the land side, we find it situated on a plain, practically at sea-level, but dotted with knolls or small elevations through which, to the immediate north of the city, the Kelani river finds a sluggish outlet to the sea.
The most prominent feature of the city is a large lake or lagoon, covering an area of 4I6 acres, and almost surrounded by buildings, but with open spaces of slightly elevated ground on the side fronting the Indian Ocean. It seems probable that in days gone by an arm of the Kelani river meandered across this flat to the sea, spreading itself slumberously over the site of the present lagoon. But having now neither proper inlet nor outlet, this imprisoned water, although picturesque in appearance, has the disadvantage of being both shallow and stagnant. It is used as the common wash-tub of Colombo; and as the result of the laving in this water of all the dirty clothes, the carts, the draught-bullocks, and the bodies of the natives for generations past, the surface is, for the most part, covered with an evil-looking, thick scum. The existence of the lake in its present condition is therefore recognised to
COLC
be detrimental to the h properly estimated to o tion of its ornamental been prepared by the m extensive improvement reclamation of the more of the lake, the land converted into a public
Within the municipal an area of ten square m a total population-ac returns-of I7,549 SC only a very few, compal the rest being princip
and Moormen, in abo proportions as are main whole of the inhabitant
39
Nష్ణాక్షి ဒွိ\\နဲ
繋。
RS vm 프 ぎ多
)MBO
ealth of the city-a fact utweigh the consideraaspect, and plans have unicipal authorities for is, which embrace the 2 objectionable portions thus reclaimed to be park.
limits the city contains iles, on which is settled cording to the latest Of this number ratively, are Europeans, ally Sinhalese, Tamils,
ouls.
in another section of this book dealing with the population of Ceylon. There a considerable leaven of Eurasians - or “Burghers,' as they are locally termedoccupying an intermediate position between the pure whites and the coloured people proper. Among the Europeans are the principal officials in the Government service and the heads of the large business houses, besides the officers and men of the English army stationed for the time being at Colombo on garrison duty. One feature of interest to the observant visitor to the city from overseas is the heterogeneous mixture of races to be
is also
CELATELAM
but the same relative tained in regard to the s of the island, as given
3.
STREET.
seen on all sides in the streets, the difference between the coloured people of one race and another being generally discernible by some
Page 402
394 TWENTIETH
distinguishing peculiarity of attire or appearance. The Sinhalese, the true son of Ceylon, will be seen wearing his hair long, and held back from the forehead by a high semicircular comb, his nether limbs enveloped in a "camboy," a wrapper resembling a petticoat; the Tamil, from India - the race next most
numerously represented-more scantily clothed,
and, if still professing the Hindu religion of his forefathers, with his head shaven in fantastic fashion; the sedate Moorman, wearing a high
CENTURY
Catholic priest or Prol generally sombre attir with the white and c rest of the perambulat
The present name ol been suggested to t ancient title of Kal; harbour,” given to the settled on the shor and thirteenth centur somewhat later perioc
and coloured brimless head-covering-either a tarboosh, or a fez, or what is locally known as a "tile' cap; the Buddhist priest, man or boy, with clear-shaven poll, and a long yellow toga for his only covering ; the chetty (peripatetic money-lender) also with close-shaven head and who does not advertise his lucrative trade by wearing a superabundance of clothing; the Malay, generally in a policeman's uniform; the Parsee, in his distinctive dress and dignified of mien ; and other varieties of coloured folk in various attire, besides an occasional Roman
sie
NORRS
“the finest and largest Ceylon). Kalambu bec was converted by the subsequently took posse Colombo. Before the a place was known as Ka ferry of the Kelani
designation it figures
chronicle of the ancient although settlement on city dates back to a suf cannot be said that (
MPRESSIONS
estant clergyman, whose contrasts conspicuously oloured costumes of the ing population,
the city appears to have he Portuguese by the ambu, meaning “good spot by the Moors who e here in the twelfth ies ; and a writer of a alludes to Kalambu as
OF CEYLON
charm of antiquity, any more than it can boast of scenic attractions. The little native township, or outer suburb, of Kotta, some six miles to the north-east of the city, is of older origin as an administrative centre, having been at one time, in the pre-European days, the capital of Ceylon. At Kotta some ruins which provided evidences of an interesting past existed up to modern times.
But to-day no traces of ancient or even mediaeval ruins are to be found in or around
.
ー
ROA.
city in Serendib" (i.e., ame Kolambu, which Portuguese, when they ission of the island, into sdvent of the Moors the lan-totta-that is, 'the river' - under which in the Rajavaliya, the , Sinhalese kings. But
the site of the present ficiently early period, it olombo possesses any
Colombo. The only venerable object of special note in the city, and which forms a connecting link with the past era when Buddhism was the dominating religion of the island, is the sacred Bo-tree (or Bodhi-tree, e., tree of Buddha), a species of fig (Ficus religiosa). This tree, by no means of imposing appearance, which stands at the junction of three principal streets of the Pettah, is believed to have sprung from a transplanted branch of the original Bo-tree at Buddhagaya, in India; and under its not overabundant shade the principal gatherings of the
Page 403
TWENTIETH CENTURY
Buddhist natives of Colombo, for either religious or secular purposes, are held. Other Bo-trees of minor importance are also scattered about in the native quarters of the city. Who would, however, see the most famous relics of the ancient days of Ceylon in situ must journey to Anuradhapura, in the North Central Province, or the other “buried cities' in the island, where he can contemplate ruined dagobashuge bell-shaped structures in which were deposited the sacred relics of the Buddhist era -and other interesting antiquities, of which descriptions are given elsewhere in this book. Colombo is comparatively a modern city, and, it may be added, a city still in the making. At the time of its capitulation by the Dutch to the British (February 16, 1796), the city is thus described in Walsh's 'Military Reminiscences': “Colombo, the capital of the Dutch in Ceylon, is a place of considerable consequence and strength from its natural position, as well as from its works, which were numerous and in good condition. The fort, which is extensive, contained many capital dwelling-houses, including the Governor's palace, which is a most superb building. The Pettah had also several good houses, churches, &c., in it; and in the place, altogether, were many respectable inhabitants. . . . Colombo is also a place of great traffic by sea, the roadstead being extremely safe and commodious, particularly during the north-eastern monsoons.'
Thus early, in modern times, was recognised
account of its being ti gate of the island on frequented side. This
led to the constructio which has elevated Co of one of the princip
CHRIST CEIURCB, GALLE FACE.
the value of Colombo as a port; and since, under British rule, the city has gradually grown in size and importance, mainly on
world-' the Clapham it has been aptly dubbec head centre of the railw
IMPRESSIONS OF CEYLON 395
e most convenient seaits western and more advantage of situation
But within recent years the appearance of the city has completely changed from its aspect in the days when the Dutch held sway and it
స్టో
STREET SCEN
n of the fine harbour lombo to the position al ports of call of the
unction of the East,' as -as well as made it the ay system of the island.
was a fortified position with both seaward and landward defences. A few big guns, in charge of the garrison artillery force, are to be found mounted in positions commanding the approach to the harbour. But the landward fortifications have altogether disappeared and the term “ Fort' only serves to-day to distinguish the division of the now wide-spread city which occupies the site of the former circumvallated town, and which, still the main part of the city, is the quarter wherein the Government establishment and offices, together with the banking houses and the principal European places of business, are situated. The 'Fort' forms one of the nine wards into which Colombo is divided for municipal purposes, the area of this division being
22O acreS.
Adjoining the Fort on the northern side is the Pettah quarter, the most densely populated part of the town and inhabited almost entirely by “natives," the coloured people of whatever race being indiscriminately included in ordinary parlance under this designation. Here are the principal business establishments of the native merchants, a few of these buildings being of large dimensions and imposing appearance. The Pettah, too, has been almost entirely rebuilt since the days of the Dutch occupation, few of the congested blocks of small buildings in this quarter being more than fifty years old. Only the old disused cemetery, filled with crumbling tomb
Page 404
396 TWENTIETH
CENTURY
stones, and the old belfry at Kayman's Gate, the centre of the main street, remain to tell of the past sway of the ousted Hollander. The only public building of importance in this division of the city is the Town Hall, which includes the municipal offices and court, and is situated in the centre of the native dwellings, produce stores, large warehouses and multitudinous boutiques (booths or small shops) which constitute the Pettah. This civic building, of quite modern construction, being designed with an eye to use rather than ornament, presents no architectural features worthy of note, and the same must be said of the central municipal market across the Main Street. In fact, unless having business in this part, or curious to see, for once in his life, how Mid-Eastern natives live and move and have their being, the visitor to Colombo will find little to attract him in the Pettah. The tram line from the Fort to the northern suburbs passes along the main thoroughfare which traverses the centre of the quarter, and on either hand branch off narrow and
THE BEI]
tortuous cross streets a as Main Street, are morn until far into the mass of coloured hu purchasing wares of
usual Eastern accom jabbering and gestic heart of the native pa lack of bustle and life never lack of smell. F. specifically known as t from the earliest time has been the principal population. At one tin from this side right up
but the last Dutch GC to be cleared between fortifications as a prev attack from the land s was subsequently mai commanders until m result that to this da business divisions of and the native, rema
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
RA LAKE.
nd lanes, which, as well crowded from earliest night with a teeming manity, proffering and all descriptions, to the paniment of ulation. Here, in the rt of Colombo, is never , and, it may be added, ormerly the Pettah was he “Black Town,' and s of the city this part
centre of the coloured
le the houses extended to the walls of the Fort, vernor caused a Space
the cemetery and the entive measure against ide, and this precaution ntained by the British odern times, with the y these, the two main Dolombo, the European in distinctly separated.
incessant
The word Pettah is derived from "pettai,' in the Tamil language, which signifies an extramural part of a town. Although the Pettah ward comprises an area of only 92 acres, it contains about 8,Ooo inhabitants.
Adjoining the Pettah to the northward is the large and populous Kotahena division of the city, with an area of I,649 acres and over 33,OOO inhabitants. Another large ward of the municipality in an easterly direction from the “Fort' is Maradana, comprising I,297 acres and with a population almost equal to that of Kotahena. The north and northcastern spread of the city, taking the Fort quarter as the point of radiation, also includes the wards of St. Sebastian (area II6 acres, population about Io,ooo), St. Paul's (area. I43
acres, population over 20,ooo), and New Bazaar (area 289 acres, population about 18,ooo). The lake, with its irregular shore
line and various winding arms, intervenes
between the sea-coast and these several
divisions of the native part of the city.
Leaving the Fort quarter southwards by
Page 405
TWENTIETH
way of Queen Street, after passing on the left the extensive group of buildings (enclosing on three sides a spacious recreation ground) erected as barracks for the British troops forming the garrison, the visitor finds himself on the fine open military reservation bearing the world-famed name of the Galle Face. This is a delightful stretch of grass land sloping gradually upwards from the ocean beach on the right hand and falling again on the left to the west shore of the lake. On the sunmit of the gentle elevation thus separating the two waters, and with its front to the sea, stands the building of the Colombo Club, with uninterrupted outlook towards the ocean; while at the far or southern end the grassy expanse is bounded by the huge pile of the Galle Face Hotel, a description of which hostelry appears elsewhere in this book. Along the sea-wall is the Galle Face Walk, a broad carriage-way and promenade some three-quarters of a mile in length, running southwards direct from the end of Queen Street to the hotel. A memorial tablet by the side of the roadway states that the Walk was commenced by Sir Henry Ward (a former Governor of Ceylon) in T856 and completed three years later, being “recommended to his successors in the interests of the ladies and children of Colombo.' This is the Corso of Colombo, along which of an afternoon the principal residents of the city are to be seen driving, or being driven, up and down in well-appointed carriages of all descriptions and smart motor-cars, or being drawn in the all-pervading rickshaw ; while the equestrians enjoy a gallop on the grass alongside and the pedestrians lounge leisurely along the promenade which flanks the roadway on the seaside and is conveniently provided with seats at intervals. The Galle Face, continually swept as it is by the ocean breezes, forms a splendid “lung" for a tropical city like Colombo, with its generally oppressive, warm and humid climate, and is this somewhat of a set off against the insalubrious influences arising from the stagnant shallows of the lake. Round and across this extensive open space are other roadways affording opportunities for pleasant drives, and the national games of cricket and football are played on the intervening stretches of grass. The esplanade on the sea front is brilliantly lighted at night, so that a drive or a stroll may be enjoyed here in the cool of the evening by the side of the murmuring waves. -
South-eastward from the Fort boundary and bordering the lake on the western side lies the quarter of the city known as Slave Island. This ugly and un-British appellation perpetuates the memory of the days when, under Dutch rule, household slavery prevailed, and the native menials were confined at
CENTURY I
night to this part of t within the houses of Fort during the hours ( a source of danger t It is on record that family in the Fort wa by the coloured bondi As a warning to the
Dutchmen erected a h known as “Captain's Is
; it could be seen from a
of those “good old da appeared from the ne: name of the district
from well-merited obliv benighted past. Slave residential and busines but thickly populated
borders of the ubiqui congeries of small anc and narrow and wind
TEIE LIG
MPRESSIONS
e city, their presence their masters in the f darkness constituting o the white inmates. he whole of a Dutch 3 murdered one night hen of the household. subject population, the igh gibbet on what is and' in the lake, where | sides. Ail such relics 's” have long ago disghbourhood, only the remaining to preserve ion the memories of a Island is now both a S quarter, with a small native section on the tous lake. This l'atter miserable tenements ing malodorous streets
OF CEYLON 397
and lanes is marked for extensive improvements by the civic authorities, which, according to the plans prepared, will take the form of new, wider, and straighter streets, the removal of the worst class of native habitations, the erection of a better type of dwellings for the lower classes, and the provision of proper drainage. The sooner these, together with similar improvements in the other native quarters, are effected, the sooner will a serious reproach be removed from the city. Slave Island belies its name in not being an island, but an irregularly shaped tongue of land, almost surrounded by the waters of the lake. It has an area of about 313 acres, with a population numbering some 17,ooo persons, nearly all of whom are coloured. A main thoroughfare, Union Place, traverses the ward in a south-easterly direction, and on each side of this road, as well as in the streets and lanes which branch off on either hand, are to be found substantial residences
ITHOUSE AND CLOCK TOWER, CHATHAM STREET.
Page 406
398 TWENTIETH
surrounded by gardens side by side with large tea factories and packing stores, engineering works, plumbago yards and other business premises. As the eastern extremity of the peninsula is approached the private residences come mote into evidence, and at the point where it touches Victoria Park the commercial part of Colombo may be said to be left behind, the extensive tea-packing stores of Lipton, Ltd., at the top of Union Place, being the last commercial establishment in this direction. On emerging into the park at this corner several public buildings will be found clustered together or within a few minutes' walk of one another, including the Victoria Memorial Eye Hospital (a description of which appears in following pages), the Public Hall, the General
CENTURY
by high-class “native of palatial proportion by well-kept lawns or
The annual shows of Society are held in immediately to the rea institution (described
pages) occupies a fine extremity of this de the park, too, are the several of the leadi Colombo, also descri volume. The park is directions by well-ma thoroughfares in and a are for the most part a constituting a labyrinth
Hospital, the Medical College, and the Government Medical Department's storehouse, from which last-named institution the out-station and village dispensaries throughout the island are supplied,
Victoria Park is an extensive grassed pleasaunce of IOC acres, oval in form and open for the most part, but with trees singly and in groups scattered over its surface; while it is surrounded by the residential quarter bearing the far-famed name of Cinnamon Gardenssomewhat of a misnomer new that only a few cinnamon bushes are to be found in the neighbourhood. This part is the pleasantest, and may be termed the most aristocratic, portion of Colombo, where the houses of many of the wealthiest and most notable of the citizens are situated. Numbers of these residences-most of which are owned and occupied
TEMPLE.
flanked by imposing a Beyond Cinnamon Gar from the city, lies the F chief centre of the Ce during the “August which constitutes the C the great race meeting is held, the principal es for the Governor's Cu on the racecourse w being used for its pl Victoria Park affords football and recreation and adaptability shov relation to the Engli remarkable feature in rule in Ceylon
But Cinnamon Gard prominent and best
MPRESSIONS
' or “Burghers' -are and all are surrounded arefully tended gardens, he Ceylon Agricultural ctoria Park, on a site of the Museum, which n detail in following position at the eastern esne. On this side of houses and grounds of g recreation clubs of ed elsewhere in this intersected in various e roadways, while the }out Cinnamon Gardens enues shaded by trees, of pleasing leafy vistas
d charming dwellings. dens, on the further side avelock racecourse, the ylon Turf Club, where, ortnight' of festivities olombo annual carnival,
of the year in Ceylon ent of which is the race p. Polo is also played ten the ground is not mary purpose, while a field for cricket and generally. The avidity n by the Sinhalese in h national games is a onnection with British
ens, although the most nown, is not the only
OF CEYLON
residential quarter of Colombo. The portion of the Maradana Ward adjoining this premier locality on the north side and known as Borella possesses the same characteristics of shady thoroughfares and handsome dwellings standing in their own gardens, while on the other side-that is, between Cinnamon Gardens and the sea-stretches the populous Colpetty suburb, reaching southwards from the Galle Face to the southern boundary of the municipality. The Colpetty Ward, which embraces the residential suburb of Bambalapitiya, comprises an area of nearly 2,000 acres, on which is settled a population of about I9,000 persons. Possessing the advantage of direct and frequent railway communication with the Fort and the chief railway depôt at Maradana, by means of the south-coast line which runs close by the sea-along the very edge in places--to the southernmost points of Ceylon, Colpetty and Bambalapitiya contain the homes of a large aumber of the people engaged in business in the central parts of the city during the daytime, and the morning and evening trains to and from the Fort Station are always crowded. This suburban traffic, indeed, extends beyond the southern municipal boundary at Wellawatte, and does not entirely exhaust itself until the popular sea-side resort of Mount Lavinia, seven miles from the Fort, is reached, From the Galle Face south this coastal fringe is one succession of bungalows, standing in their own compounds and nestling in the groves of lofty coconut-palms which cover all the maritime country on this side of the island. Southwards, the houses become gradually fewer after Colpetty is passed, until approaching Mount Lavinia they are only found at intervals. Most of these residences are of comfortable appearance, and not a few are of large dimensions, with stables and grounds -including lawn-tennis courts-attached. Substantial dwellings standing in their own grounds also line each side of the portion of the main road to the south of the islandwhich traverses Colpetty and Bambalapitiya parallel with the railway-as well as the thoroughfares which branch off to the northwards from this main artery of traffic and lead to Cinnamon Gardens and the adjoining small residential quarter named Havelock Town. Colpetty possesses also in its centre a native settlement of its own, with a line of boutiques on each side of the Galle Road, a small but always busy municipal market, one or two private medical dispensaries, and the inevitable police-station.
The sea-side suburb of Mutwal, the northernmost portion of the city, also includes a few of the more imposing residences of the richer class of "lative' citizens, conspicuous among which is the famous Whist Bungalow, described elsewhere in this book; while a
Page 407
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
whom are proprietors :ry extensive scale and f large and independent social positions and ablishments. ace, Victoria Park, and ark, Colombo possesses sure-grounds of varying these are the Gordon of nearly three acres, i walks under shady
399
football matches are played. This is also the favourite site of circuses and other travelling shows, as well as the mustering ground of the processions, religious and otherwise, so dear to the Eastern heart. Other public recreation grounds are Campbell's Park, in the centre of the Maradana Ward, the Price Park in the heart of the Pettah, wherein a recently built Tamil theatre stands, and the Rifle Green, at the Fort end of Slave Island, which is used for drilling purposes by the
AQ, KOCAETERNA
ed terraces, and a is a pleasing attraction. the grounds of the in the Fort, and were n 1890 by Sir Arthur inmore), then Governor rsonal contribution to
of Queen Victoria's in there is the Racquet nine and a half acres
from the lake between ah, where cricket and
native regiments forming part of the garrison, and where the annual police gymkhana is held. The band of the local volunteers plays occasionally at all the public grounds in turn.
Colombo being situated on the flat coastal land, with no elevation of the dignity of a hill in the surrounding neighbourhood, there is no point from which a clear panoramic view of the city as a whole, with its leading features and principal buildings standing out in relief, can be obtained. The voyager approaching the harbour from the west will first sight
Page 408
400
TWENTIETH CENTURY
THE NATIVE QUARTER,
the spire of All Saints' Anglican (Sinhalese) Church, which stands on the highest part of the town, namely, the northern portion. He will next perhaps catch a glimpse of the dome of St. Lucia's Roman Catholic Cathedral in the Kotahena division, also northward. And other prominent buildings will gradually come into view, rising above the dense vegetation which surrounds the city. But the most conspicuous object as the breakwater is neared is the whitewashed lighthouse, standing on the most elevated part of the Fort division, which was erected in the year 1857. The revolving dioptric white light at the summit, standing at a height of I32 ft, above the sea-level, and showing at night a triple flash at intervals of thirty seconds, is a safe beacon for ships at sea, being visible at a distance of I7 miles in clear weather. A closer view of the shore will disclose the line of coconut-palms, which extends as far as the eye can see along the coast on both sides of the town.
On landing at the passenger jetty the visitor to Colombo will find himself at the termination of York Street, a principal thoroughfare of the Fort, the upper portion of which is shaded by a double row of ingosaman trees, whose branches, stretching overhead across the roadway, afford a welcome shade. A fine, white marble statue of Queen Victoria, the work of Mr. G. E. Wade, of London, and erected by the colony as a memorial of the late sovereign's Diamond Jubilee in 1897, occupies a space immediately on the lefthand side, while opposite, and directly fronting the harbour, rises the imposing façade of the Grand Oriental Hotel (more particularly
described in following a little way further up Hotel, the other leadi The rest of York Stree principal business emp island. The Arcade modern pile opposite tl contain on the upper of offices-including til Britain Publishing Co premises of the Nation the eastern extremity. lofty new blocks, furth other side and opposite several of the leadin establishments of Ceylc of which, with acco will be found in subs
street also are the attr the dealers in jewellery which Ceylon is famou and the Oriental draper which form so consp feature of all Eastern
the east of the Bristol
of Government buildin the Public Works Dep lishment of the Regis the lower part of Chath sects York Street at ri and leads to the Fort s building of the Goverr one side, confronted, Ol divided in occupation of Commerce, the Gove and the Ceylon Savi tinuation of York Str
IMPRESSIONS
: pages), and on the left, the street, is the Bristol ng hostelry in the Fort. t comprises many of the boria of the city and the Buildings, an extensive he Grand Oriental Hotel, floor an extensive range nose of Lloyd's Greater mpany, Ltd.-while the al Bank of India occupy Two other large and er up the street on the the Bristol Hotel, house g wholesale and retail
mpanying illustrations, sequent pages. In this active establishments of , the precious stones for s, art work of all kinds, ies and wares generally icuously picturesque a cities. Immediately to Hotel is a large block gs, in which are lodged artment and the estabtrar-General ; while in am Street, which interght angles at this point station, is the extensive ment Survey Office on n the other, by a block hetween the Chamber rnment Land Registry, ngs Bank. The coneet eastward, after its
OF CEYLON
intersection with Chatham Street, leads to Slave Island, and in this winding section of the thoroughfare the only notable building is a block on the left containing the offices of the Government Irrigation Department, while the back walls of the garrison barracks-the front entrance to which is in Queen Streetabut on the right.
Queen Street, which runs parallel to York Street, on the left-hand side coming from the jetty, contains the chief buildings of the Governmental establishment. Proceeding up this street from the Customs and shipping offices and the wharves, the Gordon Gardens lie to the right, and next adjoining is Queen's House, the stately and commodious Colombo residence of the Governor, the erection of which was completed in 1856. The house and grounds occupy some four acres. Outside the northern gate stands a fine bronze statue of Sir Edward Barnes, one of the worthiest of the early Governors of Ceylon (from 1820 to I822 and from 1824 to I831), a distinguished administrator and celebrated as a road-maker. Opposite Queen's House is the General Post Office, an extensive modern pile in the style of what is known as the English classical renaissance, and constructed with due regard to the convenience of the public as well as of the officials engaged at the headquarters of the postal and telegraphic business of the colony; while opposite the Gordon Gardens is the long, continuous two-storeyed block in which are housed the Legislative Council Chamber, the Secretariat, and other principal administrative departments of the Government. On the seafront, between the end of this block and the Grand Oriental Hotel, stands the Anglican church of St. Peter, which is used by the military. Occupying the most elevated part of Queen Street and in the centre of the roadway stands the light-tower, already mentioned, not many yards distant from Queen's House. On either side of the continuation of this thoroughfare as it trends from this point towards the Galle Face, as well as in the part of the street intervening between the lighthouse and Queen's House on one side and the lighthouse and the Post Office on the other, are some of the principal banks and business houses and mercantile offices; while at the southern end of the street the military establishment comes into evidence, the garrison barracks, situated on the left-hand side, forming three sides of a huge square, enclosing a spacious parade and recreation ground, occupying altogether an area of several acres. Erected on the site of part of the old fortifications and facing the sea, this handsome range of buildings occupies an unequalled position as regards the enjoyment of the healthy ocean breezes. On the righthand side of the roadway and extending some way back towards the sea verge are the
Page 409
quarters of the married officers, both commissioned and non-commissioned. On the rocky sea-shore immediately behind Queen's House is located the flagstaff battery, the guns of which, with those of the larger battery at Mutwal on the other side of the harbour, command the approaches to the roadstead. On this spot also is a look-out and signalling station, with flagstaff. A branch railway line from the Fort station runs round the barracks to this spot and to the wharves beyond.
Almost opposite the northern gate of Queen's House, Prince Street connects Queen Street with York Street; and in this short thoroughfare on the one side, in a building adjoining and forming the top of the block of Government offices in Queen Street, are the departments of the Auditor-General and the Director of Public Instruction, the rest of the street being occupied by large commercial establishments. Two other short cross streets further east connect Queen Street with York Street, namely, Baillie Street and the main section of Chatham Street, In the former
of these are the premis
offices of a number of Chatham Street is for small shops and restaur of Prince Street after it Street forms the Main through the heart of th on the left, first the larg ment and general sto: Sons, & Co., Ltd., an harbour coal sheds, W side, after leaving York town drainage works recreation ground.
Among the more Colombo outside the tion to the Government previously mentionedSlave Island, used for concerts, lectures, and fine Roman Catholic C the Kotahena Ward; (Christ Church), in t Saints Anglican Churc
MPRESSIONS
es of two banks and the mercantile firms, while the most part lined with ants. The continuation s intersection with York
Street leading to and 2 Pettah quarter, passing e engineering establishres of Messrs. Walker, d them a succession of hile on the right-hand : Street, is the site of the and the Racquet Court
notable buildings of Fort division-in addimedical establishments
-are the Public Hall, in theatrical performances, public meetings; the athedral of St. Lucia, in the Anglican Cathedral he same division; All h in the Hultsdorf dis
OF CEYLON 40.
trict, immediately north-east of the Pettah, in which fane services in Sinhalese are held.; the church of the Dutch Reformed denomination (a form of Presbyterianism) on an eminence at Wolfendahl, in St. Paul's Ward, a fine cruciform building in the Doric.style, and one of the oldest edifices in Colombo, having been erected in 1749 as the place of worship of the Dutch Governors, and where many of them were buried ; Holy Trinity Anglican Church, on St. Sebastian Hill, where the State services are held; the Buddhist temples, the principal of which, with sacred museum adjoining, is in the Kotahena Ward, while three others are to be found respectively in the Kelaniya, Maligalkande, and Maradana districts of the town; the numerous Hindu temples in the Pettah and Kotahena division; the Central Mosque, situated in the Maradana Ward, with a school attached, and two other Mahomedan places of worship-one in the Pettah, the other in Cinnamon Gardens ; the Colombo Museum, with the fine statue of Sir William Gregory in front, in Victoria Park (fully described in a
Page 410
402
following section of this book), the Tamil theatre in the Pettah; the Sinhalese theatre in Maradana; the military headquarters, a series of massive buildings in Slave Island, with
TWENTIETH CENTURY
tectural excellence, b and commanding pos nence - dignified by the the Training College,
Braybrooke Hall, the official residence of the officer-commanding, hard by ; the police headquarters in Maradana, an extensive range of buildings in the form of a quadrangle ; the police training school in the Pettah, a large building in the Corinthian style; and-last, but certainly not least-the fine range of the new Law Courts buildings at Hultsdorf,
As may be gathered from the separate description given in subsequent pages of the various colleges and schools, Colombo is well provided with educational establishments of all kinds, and conducted by various religious denominations, the buildings of some of which rank among the architectural features of the city. Among the Government institutions are the Royal College (formerly the Colombo Academy), a group of old single-storey buildings with no particular pretensions to archi
MAIN STREET
in Cinnamon Gardens from the city's din ; t a new building and on and attractive structur on an elevation in th and the Medical Coll Maradana Ward, opp Hospital, an important ment Medical Depar school of medicine al Among the denomina deserving special mer their educational impo of structural design, a Catholic College, a fi group of buildings, oc position on the easter St. Thomas's College group of single-storey
MPRESSIONS
ut occupying a central tion on the slight eminame of Sebastian Hill; an unpretentious edifice
OF CEYLON
of the Anglican Cathedral in the Kotahena division; St. Benedict's Institute, a college forming an important part of the Roman Catholic head establishment in Kotahena; and
VAXT
THE PETTAH,
appropriately remote he Technical College, 2 of the most imposing 2s in the city, situated 2 St, Sebastian Ward; ege in Regent Street, osite to the General branch of the Government and the chief ld surgery in Ceylon. tional colleges, those tion, owing either to rtance or their claims 'e St. Joseph's Roman he building, or rather cupying a conspicuous n shore of the lake;
(English Church), a uildings in the grounds
the new Wesley College, a large and handsome new edifice on Karlsruhe Grounds, in the Borella residential district of the Maradana Ward, The non-governmental public institutions of note in Colombo include a general library in the Fort, temporarily lodged in the lower floor of the Government buildings in Prince Street, with admission by membership, there being no free libraries in the city; the Pettah library, occupying a two-storeyed building standing in the Racquet Court ground; and the Young Men's Christian Association building, a large three-storeyed brick structure also situated in the same enclosure. Nearby, in Norris Road, Pettah, is the large brick building of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Home, conducted by the Wesleyan Mission. The principal charitable institutions of the city are a Home for the Aged, located in the
Page 411
TWENTIETH
Borella district, and maintained by the Roman Catholic religious order of the Little Sisters of the Poor; the Victoria Institute for ncur. ables, in Base Line Road, Borella, supported by public contributions; and a Prison Gate Brigade Home, founded and conducted by the Salvation Army, and consisting of a number of small tenements situated opposite the general cemetery, in the Borella quarter, The necessary detention and punitive establishments of the Government located in Colombo comprise a lunatic asylum, appropriately occupying a secluded spot near Havelock Town, and two gaols, the main convict establishment being at Welikada, in the Borella district, while on the northernmost shore of the harbour at Mutwal is a prison for the convicts employed at hard labour on the breakwaters.
CENTURY I
buildings and other Works Department, as moulded, put together, a an extensive yard close the city and the premis Bros., which latter inc of the Electric Tram station also supplies t lighting to the princip ness establishments, districts of the city. I distant, are the extens the Eastern Produce Ltd, Out eastwards, to the Government maint: stock-garden for agricu experiments in conne gardens scheme whic public educational syst
In Gasworks Street, in the Pettah quarter, the Government maintains a large engineering establishment, including an ironfoundry, where all the heavy ironwork-for bridges, public
MAIN STREET
the purpose of which of village cultivators
soil from which they living. The principal
MPRESSIONS
works-for the Public well as woodwork, is nd finished. Occupying by are the gasworks of es of Messrs. Boustead lude the power station ways Company. This he current for electric a hotels, leading busiand the residential in Norris Road, not far ive yard and stores of and Estates Company, wards Havelock Town, ains a model farm and ltural and horticultural ction with the school h forms part of the em of the colony, and
OF CEYLON 403
the city is the general cemetery in the Borella district; while a crematorium-which is in general use with the Hindu and Buddhist communities for the disposal of their deadis provided at Madampitiya, in the Kotahena Ward. The Parsees have their own burial ground in the Bambalapitiya suburb. A fountain of Doulton ware, standing in a triangular plot off Union Place, Slave Island, and erected to the memory of a well-known and highly esteemed citizen of the name of George Wall, who died in I894, deserves mention as one of the few memorials to its departed worthies to be found in Colombo. The tablet affixed to the fountain bears the simple inscription: “George Wall, Philanthropist.' But this gentleman is elsewhere described as having been a pioneer, planter, merchant, politician, and journalist as well,
THE PETTAB.
is to instruct the sons now best to utilise the will have to gain their
place of interment in
and “a man justly esteemed in his day for his nobility of character, unselfish devotion to the interests of the public, and the manly independence which distinguished all his
Page 412
404 TWENTIETH
actions.” Truly a fine record, and one constituting an example for the rising generation of the island of Ceylon.
Sసి
COLOMBO
MUNICIPALITY.
Colombo shares with the principal Indian
cities the possession of a municipal constitu
CENTURY I
Mayor, who, as Chai possesses a casting v( balance of power. But as an official majority, elected by popular v perfectly independent he pleases, quite irres' of his election. Furth municipality, though ment, has a distinct It has its own executiv
tion differing widely from that of the cities
and towns of the United Kingdom and of the .
principal colonies. In its broad aspects, the system follows the lines of the general administration of the colony. It may be described as one of representation tinctured with nomination. Every three years the nine wards into which the city is divided elect by popular vote representatives to the Municipal Council, and the Governor in Ceuncil, at the same time, nominates an equal number of citizens. His Excellency also appoints the
PETAE STE
and possesses the pow well defined limits.
had no regular system ment. In that year ar providing for an adın lines. The existing co cipality is governed b in 1887, which confer local government upon with the towns of Ka: this law no person can who does not understar
MPRESSIONS
rman of the Council, bte, and so holds the t there is no such thing A member, whether ote or nominated, is and votes exactly as pective of the method hermore, the Colombo controlled by Governexistence of its own, e, its own departments,
OF CEYLON
and who has not property to the extent of Rs. 5,ooo or, in the alternative, does not occupy a house of a rental value of Rs.500 a year and upwards.
With an area of Ioog square miles and an estimated population, at the end of I905, of 7I,549, the affairs of the capital city of the island are necessarily of considerable magnitude. The municipal revenue of Colombo for the year given amounted to Rs. I,591,742 (6IoóII6), the principal items contributing
REET SCENE,
ter of the purse within Prior to 1865 Colombo h of municipal govern) Ordinance was passed ministration on specific onstitution of the muniy an Ordinance passed red a wider measure of
the capital, in common ndy and Galle. Under be an elected councillor ld the English language
to this figure being the consolidated ratewhich provided some 4o per cent. of the total-licences, market rents, tolls, fines, sale of water and amounts collected for the sanitary work. The total receipts exceeded those for the preceding year by Rs. 23,834, while the total expenditure under the various municipal heads amounted to Rs. 1,387,278, leav
ing a substantial balance on the right side of
RS. 2o4,464 (£I3,63 I). The addition of this amount brought up the total of accumulated surpluses to the credit of the municipality
Page 413
TWENTIETH
to Rs... 936,9r (g62,418). The principal item on the expenditure list for Igo5 was Rs. 417,648 for general public works in the city, such as the construction and maintenance of roads, pathways, culverts, drains, and sewers; while the acquisition of land for recreation and for drainage works was responsible for nearly half of Rs. 95,000 expended under the head of miscellaneous charges. An annual contribution of Rs. I3oooo is made by the municipality in repayment of part of the cost of the original construction of the waterworks. The charge for police maintenance totalled Rs. 6oooo, street lighting absorbed Rs. 6,743, salaries and allowances amounted to Rs. 155,381, the work of the public health conservancy department cost Rs. 147,135 and Rs.78,564 were expended on scavenging
The sum paid during 1905 as interest on
the money raised for carrying out the come prehensive scheme of deep drainage and sewerage designed by the late Mr. James Mansergh, the eminent English sanitary engineer, and adopted by the Council, amounted to Rs. 9,841. This indispensable undertaking was carried on during the year under an arrangement with the Government of the colony whereby the latter advanced the necessary funds at a charge of 4 per cent to the Council, pending the raising of a municipal loan for the whole work. At the end of the year seven miles of the deep system had been completed, II,3oo men having been employed on the works. In consequence of the death of Mr. James Mansergh in June, 1905, some delay was caused in the revision of the original estimates (Rs. 3,oooooo) for the first part of the work, rendered necessary by the discovery of unexpected unfavourable conditions in the sub-soil along the various routes. At the end of the year under review the nett expenditure on the drainage works amounted to just under Rs. II,oooooo; and it is antici." pated that, in consequence of the difficulty mentioned, the original estimate will be considerably exceeded before the whole undertaking, the cost of which will ultimately have to be provided for by a loan, is completed. The work is still under the supervision of the firm of Messrs. Mansergh & Sons. The nature of the constructive operations being carried out, and of the difficulties met with, as well as the progress being made, may be gathered from the following quotation from the Municipal Report for the year I905:- “On June 1, 1904, the street sewers were commenced in the Fort and the Pettah. The work proved to be more difficult than had been expected, owing to the presence of quicksands in the neighbourhood of the lake and Lotus Pond, and of rock all through the centre of the Fort. These trenches run to 17 ft.
CENTURY I
in depth and are only I timbers Work has be confined space at the mile a month, in close foundations of houses, beneath a network of
electric mains and old s
which were in some c hiand. In the Fort mea
was blasted out of som without any serious a notes of the blasting h been the cause of much damage.”
In addition to the g adequate drainage of th improvement is conter
with the Colombo lal of its stagnant nature 2 present conditions, of the town sewage, form the health of the inha largely responsible fo of the city—3 I’I2 pe decided to effect as sy diversion from this b. the sewage from the quarters on its shores portion alone of the is expected to amount while an expenditure mated in connection W of the work. Althou generally providing Co and complete sewerag on persistently, some y
MPRESSIONS
ft. 9 ins. wide between en carried on in this
proximity to defective under tram lines, and gas and water pipes, ewers, the positions of ases unknown before rly 3,000 tons of rock e of the busiest streets ccident, although the orn were said to have moral and intellectual
eneral scheme for the e city, a much needed mplated in connection
OF CEYLON 405
it can be wholly finished. Meanwhile the residents must perforce put up with the present primitive sanitary system of removal of house refuse by night carts and burial of the same in a depôt without the city boundary.
During last year nearly Rs. II,ooo were expended in dredging the Colombo lake. But this work will not do all that is necessary in
removing the unhealthy and obnoxious con
ditions arising from the presence in the midst of the city of a wide stretch of polluted and stagnant water, and plans have been prepared for the canalisation of the lagoon and the reclamation of the most objectionable portions on the north-western side. By the adoption of this scheme the upper reaches to the south-east would be purified, while
ke, which, on account and its reception, under the greater portion of ns a serious menace to bitants, and is doubtless Ir the high death-rate *r Iooo. It has been peedily as possible the road sheet of water of thickly-populated native s; and the cost of this main drainage scheme to some Rs.2,0oo,ooo, of Rs. 5,oooooo is estirith the harbour sections gh the undertaking of lombo with an eficient 2 system is being carried 'ears must elapse before
NEGGOMBO CANAL, NEGAR COLOMBO.
the reclaimed land at the other end, off the Fort, would be converted into a fine open space to serve as a public park. A canal carried through the Fort quarter to the harbour would give water connection between the chief railway goods station at Maradana and the ships, and a western branch would connect this waterway with the factories at Slave Island. This project-which has not yet emerged from the chrysalis stage-would be to the advantage of Colombo in every way. It would immensely improve the general health of the city, besides adding an element of beauty in an extensive public park and serving most desirable utilitarian ends in providing for water conveyance between the Maradana railway depôt and the Slave Island business establishments and the shipping in the harbour,
2 C.
Page 414
406 TWENTIETH
In regard to water supply, Colombo is better provided than in respect to drainage, mains having been laid down to bring water for domestic purposes into the city from a reser. voir at Labugama, and two service reservoirs having been constructed at Maligakande and Elie House, within the municipality, with which the distribution pipes within the city are connected. This undertaking was carried out by the Government at a total cost of Rs. 6,77o,ooo. The waterworks were con
CENTURY
various parts of the te and subjected to cher lysts' reports certifying and wholesome. The Labugama is I6I in Igo.5 it reached 1628) ing area of the reserv sequently the yield ( sufficient to meet pre probably those of the
siderable time. The sa
structed by the Government, and are maintained, and the supply regulated, under the provisions of Ordinance 7 of 1886, the Director of Public Works being appointed as the Colombo water works engineer. The annual cost of the maintenance of the waterworks is about Rs. 5,000, which is borne by the Government. The average daily supply furnished by the Colombo waterworks during 1905 was four million gallons, some three hundred thousand gallons in excess of the average daily consumption. Samples of water from
NEGOMBO CANAL
Rs, I 58,848 to the munic a slight increase on the f year.
From January II, I9o5 has been performed departmentally instead the method up to that da of the new system be disposal of street garl cleansing of the roadw the sweepings as a hands of the Council,
PRESSIONS
n are taken monthly al analysis, the anaat the water is good average rainfall at annually, whilst in ns., and the collectr is 2,385 acres, con
this area is amply nt requirements. and uture for some conof water contributed
OF CEYLON
some Rs. 33,0oo to the cost of scavenging for the year; but this additional expenditure is considered justified by the better results obtained. Under the head of “Lighting' there was an increased expenditure of Rs. II,000 in I905 compared with the preceding year's figure, due to the extension of the gas mains,
and in his annual report the Mayor states
that “the town lighting system may now be looked upon as sufficient for present require
: ments."
-ANOTHER VIEW.
pal revenue for 1905, ure for the preceding
the scavenging work y the municipality
by contract, as was , the chief advantages g control over the ge, ırmore systematic ys, and retention of luable asset in the The change added
The municipality pays an annual contribution of Rs.8,000 to the Government towards the cost of the Victoria Bridge over the Kelani river at the northern boundary of the city, and among the items of miscellaneous expenditure for I9o5 are Rs. 4,5oo as annual contribution to the Volunteer band (in return for which the band plays periodically in the public gardens and parks), Rs. 65,120 for purchase of land for road improvement and for the main sewer, and Rs. 3oooo for land for extension of Havelock Town park, in the southern portion
Page 415
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
of the i municipality. It is satisfactory to find portant question reee that the municipality is evidently not prone careful and continuc to litigation, the total expenditure in law costs deserves, venture to during I905 amounting to only a trifle over Rs. I,ooo, while on the other side the fines recovered for breaches of the civic ordinances totalled over Rs. 32,ooo, The watering of the streets, a very necessary provision for the abatement of the dust nuisance in the hot climate of Colombo, cost some Rs. Io,7oo for the year. But this service is as yet far from meeting requirements, particularly in the suburbs, and it is being extended by means of water-posts, placed at distances of 500 yards apart along the principal suburban thoroughfares, at which the sprinkling carts can readily be supplied. m
Although Colombo can boast of one or two fine streets in the Fort division of the city, hined for the most part by buildings, public and private, that would disgrace no city, the thoroughfares in the various native districts of the metropolis are for the most part both narrow and tortuous, in addition to being flanked by hovels. Large improvements will have to be carried out in the future in the direction of widening and straightening the streets and abolishing the native rookeries in these congested quarters, where whole blocks of crazy, squalid, and crowded tenements await demolition. In connection with the of to-day would be a need for widening the streets in the populous matter of streets to w portions of the town outside the main thorough- legislation, say ten y
ANOTHER COAST SCENE, COLOMBO.
fares in the premier ward, the Mayor makes the Council to fixth the following important pronouncement in prevent encroachmen his official report for Igo5 : “Had this im- compensation for p
MPRESSIONS
ived in the past the bus attention that it say that the Colombo
OF CEYLON 407
would have, at small cost, secured to the public an ever-improving road system, and have saved thousands of rupees in buying up
COAST SCENE, COLOMBO,
different place in the that it now is. Simple ears ago, empowering
e line of streets and to t thereon, paying due rivate rights invaded,
buildings the erection of which ought never to have been allowed. Once started, the system would work automatically without effort or expense to the Council, At the present day small and inexpensive buildings within what should be the line of street are being replaced all over the town by large and valuable structures which the Council will some day have to purchase at enormous cost. Speedy legislation in this direction should be pressed for as a matter of highest importance.”
In regard to open spaces and recreation grounds, the native wards of the city are also sadly deficient, though the European and chief residential quarters are well provided. ” ín the congested portions of the city is emphasised in the annual report referred to, wherein it is pointed out that “there is no time like the present' for acquiring the necessary lands. Including the 52 acres of the grand expanse of the Galle Face and the 92 acres of the fine Victoria Park, the total area of the public parks and gardens and recreation grounds within the ten square miles of the municipality amounts to only something over 200 acres. The upkeep of these in Igo5 amounted in round figures to Rs. I2,ooo, not including Rs. 23,477 expended on the rebuilding of the sea-wall of the Galle Face promenade. The care of the two general cemeteries-at Kanatte and Madampitiya--also lies with the
The want of more “lungs
Page 416
408
municipality, and the maintenance of these burial grounds involved an expenditure of some Rs. 44oo during the year under review.
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
from the figure for airy and generally mor well as improved metho
این ایران به بیش از سیاسی
ܚܝܘܬܐ
་་་་་་་་་་་་་་་་་་་་་་་་་་་་་་་་་་་་་་་་་་་་་་་་་་་་་་་་་་་་་ స్టాక్
ثلاثينيين బ్ప్ర్కైక్కో
A WAYSIDE BOUTIQUE (STORE).
The annual revenue from the markets in the different quarters of the city, which establishments are all under municipal control,
the retail of provisions i to be provided before lon buildings and arrangem
A NATIVE BOUTIQUE.
amounted to Rs. 50,000, as against an expenditure of some Rs. 8,ooo; but this source of revenue showed a slight decline of Rs 1,4oo
cordance with civilised same opinion may be asserted in regard to
MPRESSIONS
I904. Larger, more suitable premises, as ls in connection with
n Colombo, will have g, the present market ents not being in ac
requirements. The more emphatically the slaughter-houses
OF CEYLON
of the city, also under municipal control, the operations at the two abattoirs-at Dematagoda and Madampitiya respectively-being conducted in a primitive, not to say barbaric fashion. A site has been selected near the former slaughter-house for a central cattle quarantine station and market. The total number of cattle, sheep, goats and pigs killed for consumption at the establishments named during 1905 was 86,956. The revenue for the year from the slaughter-houses-comprising charges for feeding and killing, sale of offal and fees for inspection of frozen meatamounted to Rs. 46,614, as against an expenditure of Rs. 8,450 in connection with these establishments, of which sum something less than half was represented by feeding charges. The quantity of frozen meat imported into Colombo during the year and inspected by the municipal officers was 227,206 lbs., as against 226,448 lbs. in I904.
In connection also with the care of the public health of the city is the supervision of the dairies, bakeries, public bathing-places, and laundries exercised by the civic authority. In the native quarters of the city continued vigilance is necessary to maintain a civilised standard of living. In the past, for example, considerable difficulty has been experienced with numbers of owners of dairies within the city bounds who would not keep their premises clean. But the adoption of stringent measures is having the desired effect upon these delinquents, and material improvement has taken place in the sanitary condition of these establishments. In connection with the 41 dairies in the city supervised during I905, prosecutions for breaches of the sanitary regulations were instituted in 71 cases, of which 68 resulted in convictions. Samples of milk are also collected with a view to the standardisation of this article of diet. Laundry-men, locally known as “dhobies," are not allowed to carry on their business within the city unless registered and so brought under municipal control, and the number on the register at the end of 1905 was 444, against 547 a year previously, Dur. ing 1905, 2I convictions were obtained against owners of unregistered laundries, and three against owners of laundries for having filthy premises. In the year under review there were 64 registered bakeries in Colombo, and in 32 cases it was found necessary to prosecute offenders against the by-laws regulating the methods of business in these establishments, 3 convictions being obtained. Colombo is as yet unprovided with public
baths and wash-houses, so necessary in any
large and populous city, and particularly requisite under a tropical climate. The natives use the lake both for bathing and as a general wash-tub, as well as for cleaning
Page 417
TWENTIETH
carts and draught animals, with the result that the shallow and stagnant water, already sufficiently polluted with the sewage which, under present arrangements, is permitted to run into it, is converted into a liquid abomination exhaling pestilential vapours. But, as the Mayor remarks in his annual report for I905, now that a sufficient supply of fresh water is being obtained from the hills, there should be no further delay in providing proper and sanitary public baths and wash-houses in the city. Other operations being carried on by the municipality in the interests of the public health of the city are the destruction of rats, as possible disseminators of bubonic plague (over 42,000 of the rodents being accounted for in 1905), and the prevention of grass lands from being manured from objectionable refuse-an insanitary practice which breeds flies and is fraught with pestilential possibilities; while the employment of six midwives for work among the poorer classes, with a view to the reduction of the excessive infant mortality, and the appointment of a female sanitary inspector in connection with the prevention of infectious diseases among the Moorish community, are further means instituted for combating the conditions among the native3 which favour disease and would, if uncontrolled, decimate the population. An Eastern city, owing to the climatic conditions, the density of the population and the native
ignorance and neglect of sanitation, is pecu
liarly liable to epidemics; and in Colombo special precautions are taken by the municipal authorities against the outbreak and spread of infectious diseases. In June, I905, an outbreak of small-pox, general in all the wards, occurred in the city, the total number of cases being 54, of which I6 resulted fatally. But
the prompt and vigorous efforts of the medical
officer and his staff in isolating the contacts and the stricken stamped out an infliction which might have been very serious for the city. Other zymotic diseases caused (44 deaths during the year, of which enteric fever accounted for 126 and measles I6. To deal with outbreaks of contagious diseases in future, the City Council, in co-operation with the Government, has decided upon the institution outside the municipal limits of a permanent hospital for infectious cases and a separate establishment for contacts. A vote on account in respect of this scheme has been taken in the I907 Budget. The Council has also in view the installation of a modern refuse destructor for the incineration of street rubbish.
A growing need of the city is a new Town Hall to replace the present municipal headquarters building in the Pettah quarter, which, despite continuous enlargements, does not afford sufficient accommodation for the office
CENTURY I
work, and is, moreove architectural standpoin metropolis of Ceylon,
is likely to be provide moval of a leading ed from the centre of the this site will probab
AMSMLMLSCSLSLSSiSiSSiSLCCSkMkSLSLSLSLSLSiSiLCLCiLiLiSLCiLiCSCCS
purpose. A material already effected is the workshops and stores
MPRESSIONS
, unworthy, from the t, of the dignity of the A suitable situation
OF CEYLON 409
the congested native quarter of the Pettah to a more commodious site on waste land that has been reclaimed from the Suduwella swamp.
THE MOSQUE, CINNAMON GARDENS.
2d by the proposed reucational establishment city to the suburbs, and ly be secured for the
The renumbering of the houses was another useful work begun in Igo5. The town was divided into I28 blocks, the houses in each block being consecutively numbered.
HINDU TEMPLE, PETTAH,
work of improvement emoval of the municipal from a confined area in
In consequence of the long immunity of the city from serious conflagration, attention has not been vigorously directed in Colombo to
Page 418
جيجيتنج تحقيقة فق".
FISHING CAN
ES, COLOMBO.
Page 419
TWENTIETH
fire-prevention; and the Mayor, in his annual report for Igo5, insists upon the inadequacy of the local Fire Brigade, a municipal institution, to cope with an outbreak of large proportions; and in this expression of opinion the chief of the municipality is supported by the superintendent of the brigade, The I905 equipment consisted of only one horsed steam-engine, manned by an engineer and six firemen, one
CENTURY I
from the centre of the enterprise, but the
company. The City vested with powers i taking, which are e. interest and to insur There were no extensic during 1905, and there the number of passeng
ALEXANDER. FAIRI.E. W. SHAKSPEARE.
HoN. P. D. wARREN. MI. L. M. ZAINUDDEEN.
HON. F. A. COOPER.
hand-transport fire-escape, with three attendants, and two manuals for use in small fires, None of the twenty-four outbreaks attended by the brigade during I905 was of serious dimensions, though two fatalities were caused. The cost of the Fire Brigade for Igo5 was just over Rs. I5,ooo (41,ooo).
The system of electrictramways in Colombo, which traverses the city in two main directions
JAMES PEIRIS,
1 Y
s
COLOMBO MUN
B. HORSB CHARLES PERERA
(The names on the left run towards, and the
compared with the to being 6,555,338 and 6,5 total mileage run dur 814,725. The minimur English money) for a a half.
The municipality ha presided over by a spel daily at the Town Hall
MPRESSIONS
Fort, is not a municipal roperty of a private ouncil, however, is inregard to the underercised in the public an efficient service. ns of the tramway lines was a slight decrease in rs carried in the cars as
OF CEYLON 411
for offences against the municipal by-laws. The number of cases disposed of before this tribunal during 1905 was 17,123, and fines were recovered to the aggregate amount of Rs. 32,256. The Council also licenses and controls the vehicles plying for hire in the city, an annual tax being collected from each vehicle according to its nature, hackeries and bullock-carts paying Rs. 4 each and jinrickshas
",
esse
CIPAL COUNCIL, RGH (Mayor).
CHAS. P. DIAS.
M. F. KHAN.
R. R. DUNUwпIE (Secretary).
DR. T. C. GRIFFEN. H. A. JAYEWARDENE.
H. TIRUVIIANGAM. DR. C. W, WAN GEYZEL,
L. B. FERNANDO,
se on the right from, the head of the table.)
al for 1904, the figures 9,059 respectively, the ng Igo5 having been
fare is 5 cents (d, in listance of a mile and
s a court of its own, |al magistrate, who sits
) deal with prosecutions
Rs. 250 each. The total revenue under this head for I905 amounted to Rs. I3,65I, the number of hackeries (two-wheeled vehicles drawn by trotting bullocks) being 256, jin. rickshas 2,369, and freight carts drawn by bullocks, under double and single yoke, 1,676
There were also I9I horsed carriages for hire on the streets. Both the vehicles and the draught animals are inspected, and licences
Page 420
412 TWENTIETH CENTURY I
are suspended in cases of either being found unft Dogs, too, are subject to municipal taxation, the impost for 1905 being fixed at one rupee per head, with the result that Rs. 5,382 were collected. As cases of rabies occasionally occur in Colombo-five were reported in I9o5 – the necessity for exercising control over the canine inhabitants and destroying the pariahs is obvious. The number of wandering dogs seized during the year was 2,072, of which 689 only were redeemed, Of the rest, I,374 were destroyed, I9 died in captivity, and 2I were sold. It may also be mentioned that the municipality has its own printing department, the cost of which for I905 amounted to Rs. 74 Ió.
The receipts from licences to sell opium in the city amounted during the year I905 to the large total of Rs. 5I,457, while permits to sell intoxicating liquors realised Rs. 17,2Oo. The revenue from tolls totalled Rs. 138,Ooo, of which amount Rs. 92,676 was collected at the Victoria Bridge over the Kelani river, a main inlet and outlet of the city on the north-eastern boundary,
BUIDDEIST TEMI
and Rs. 43,294 at Bamba extremity. The collect consolidated rate, the
B, EIOR8 (Ma
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
క్యాత్కి
PILE (INTERIOR),
alapitiya, at the southern ions on account of the largest item of the
SBURGH, yor.)
annual municipal revenue, amounting in 1905 to Rs. 637,500, including arrears due for previous years, were made at a cost of Rs. 15,000, and no large balance remained for subsequent recovery.
With the charge of so large a city as Colombo in their hands, a city, too, in which so many improvements are under consideration and great extensions of the residential quarters are annually taking place, the Municipal Council and its officers are continually occupied with important business of various kinds. The ordinary meetings of the Council are held monthly in the Town Hall, the Mayor presiding in his capacity as Chairman; and on these occasions the discussions are often long and animated, civic feeling being keen, and often running high, in the capital of Ceylon. The present Mayor (at time of writing) is Mr. B. Horsburgh, who, since his occupancy of the responsible position, has particularly distinguished himself by energetic efforts to improve the sanitary conditions of the city. During the year Igo5 there were fifteen
Page 421
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"SNIÐICI?IV’s) OEIINIO TIO O NI"SNIÐICIŁ W ŁO NIOCIHO:s)HHĪ.
s
Page 422
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
వ్లో
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VICTORIA MASONO. EMPE.
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COLOMBO VIEWED
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
meetings of the Council, and all the members have a high record of attendances. In addition to the meetings of the full board, the Standing Committee on Law and General Subjects held ten meetings that on Markets and Sanitation eleven meetings, that on Finance and Assess ment eighteen meetings, and that on Works ten meetings; while twelve special committees of the Council appointed to report on various matters requiring particular consideration sat at various times during the year.
Vy
BENJĂ IN HORSBURGH,
Mr. Benjamin Horsburgh, the Acting Mayor, was born on April Io, 1868, and is an M.A. of Edinburgh University. He entered the Ceylon Civil Service in 1889, being attached to the Jaffna Kachcheri, whence he was transferred to Galle in I893 as Acting Office Assistant to the Government Agent of the Southern Province. From I895 he served in various districts of the island as Assistant Government Agent, and also on special duty at the Pearl Fisheries. In 1905 he became an officer of Class II., and was appointed to act as Mayor in March, Igo6.
ETEROM MUITWAL.
Page 423
TWENTIETH
THE COLOMBO MUSEUM,
BY GERARD A. JosepH, AcrING DIRECTOR.
The Colombo Museum, as seen from the accompanying illustration, is a strikingly handsomebuilding of admirable structural proportion and elegant elevation. Designed in the Italian style of architecture, and possessing a fine façade, it is one of the most attractive edifices in Ceylon, reflecting in its appearance the highest credit on the architect, Mr. James Smither, F.R.I.B.A. The Museum was founded by Sir William Gregory, Governor of Ceylon, in 1873, and was opened to the public on January I, 1877. There is a handsome statue of the founder, by Boehm, in front of the building, which was erected by the inhabitants of Ceylon to commemorate the many benefits conferred on the colony by Sir William Gregory during his administration of the government from 1872 to 1877.
The collections of objects exhibited are of a varied nature, consisting of specimens of the old-time famous handicraftsmanship of Ceylon
CENTURY
EIE (GALLERE".
IMPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
415
COOMBO MUSEUM
ää
an
...... ఖ స్తోస్కో
s *
fisi
ACE PROMINADE.
Page 424
416
and of the works of Nature in the island and its dependencies. Additions are continually being made to the collections, and they have quite outgrown the space accommodation which the building affords. The urgent need for extension is recognised, and it is expected that shortly the building will be enlarged to satisfy the daily increasing demand for space in all the departments of the institution, Various publications are issued by the Museum authorities, dealing with the collections; and a well illustrated guide-book gives a description of the general contents of the building.
In the central hall are to be found images of Buddha in various attitudes, executed in metal, wood, and ivory, also a selection of the peculiar Sinhalese jewellery of the Matara district.
TWENTIETH CENTURY
of which fannous reli The original is said Ceylon about 3IO-3I3 swords, with carved Kandyan knives of c shown, many of which by elaborate damasc and bejewelled hilts. is most valuable, an numismatist will be ingly. First he w Sinhalese currency, the kings of Ceylon II 53 A.D., to Bhuvanel he will be interested i coins, chronologically introduced in succes:
The Palmyra and coconut palms have a case each, containing a selection of objects illustrating the uses of the two distinct kinds of palm ; and a collection of articles from the Maldive Islands, which pay annual tribute to Ceylon, is shown. Among these exhibits some beautiful lacquer-work is displayed. The grotesque masks shown here also attract attention, and prove of interest especially to non-resident visitors. Some of these disguises represent various diseases, and are still employed by the devil-dancers to exorcise the demons who occasion the disorders.
The Mediaeval Room contains, in a large case, a varied and valuable collection of ivory-work, including fan-handles, combs, panels, miniature dagobas, and other articles. A model of the “Dalada,' the Sacred Tooth of Buddha, 1s exhibited in this room, the reputed original
- THE MUSEUM STAFF,
traders of all nationa the Roman Emperors of British rule. Amon articles in the mediaev shell work, Kandyan of boxes and implem and tobacco, example and Jaffna jewellery,
attention.
In the Stone Gallery most notable objects in remains and traces o civilisation of two thou. pillars, friezes, and S gneiss which forms the and some of crystallin notice. The lion whic Council or Audience Polonnaruwa is a won
(MPRESSIONS
is preserved in Kandy. o have been brought to .D. Numerous Kaludyan ilts and scabbards, and rious workmanship are articles are characterised ning and highly ornate The collection of coins over this display the empted to linger longll notice the ancient omprising the coins of from Parakrama Bahu, a Bahu, I296 A.D. Then n the display of foreign arranged, which were ion into the island by
lities from the time of down to the beginning g the host of interesting al division, the tortoisepottery, a large series ints used for areca-nut s of Kandyan, Chetty, will command especial
the visitor will find the the museum, including the architecture and and years ago. Statues, abs, carved out of the country rock of Ceylon, 2 limestone, will arrest formerly stood in the Hall of the king at erful and exceptionally
OF CEYLON
valuable and interesting relic of the past. An inscription discloses that this piece of stonework formed the base of the throne of King Nissanka Malla during the years I I87-I I96 A.D. Facing the lion is a beautifully carved stone window, which lighted the hall of the royal palace at Yapahu in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. It consists of a single block of gneiss, cut into the semblance of a frame, which surrounds a composition hieroglyph consisting of forty-five circles in five vertical rows, joined together in a moniliform pattern, each circle containing an emblematic figure repeated on both sides of the stone. The matrix of the slab between the carved portions was removed by the artist who designed and executed this unique triumph of tracery.
A pillar which formerly stood in the Pattini Dewala (temple) at Medegoda is to be seen in one of the accompanying illustrations. It is a beautifully carved monolith, octagonal in shape, rising from the back of a broad-faced couchant lion with frilled mane and raised tail.
The south verandah contains an important
relic of the Portuguese occupation of the
country in the form of a large copper cannon with embossed coat-of-arms, which was dredged up in the Colombo harbour. This cannon most probably belonged to the Portuguese warship commanded by Francisco Pereira which was wrecked in this harbour in 16I3.
The inscribed pillars which form the principal feature of the west verandah show the changes which have taken place in the character and language of the Sinhalese since the end of the first century after Christ. Firstly, the Ruanveli slab relates to the restoration of certain temples during the reign of Gaja Bahu, who was king of Ceylon from I 13 to I25 A.D. The Tissamaharama slab, which comes next, is the finest known specimen of inscription of the fourth century A.D.; while the Dondra slab records the granting of land to the temple of Vishnu in the fourteenth century. The ethnological casts which are shown in the Stone Room include a Ratemahatmaya (Kandyan chief) in national dress, a Sinhalese bride, and a Buddhist priest, the latter dressed in his toga-like yellow robes, forming one of the characteristic elements of the picturesque scenes of Ceylon. There are also figures of a Veddah man and woman, members of the aboriginal hunting caste or hill tribe of the island. These exhibits are especially interesting in view of the fact that this primitive race, which is now only found in the remote eastern parts of Ceylon, is fast disappearing, owing to the inroad of civilisation into their secluded fastnesses, while those that still survive are being gradually reclaimed from the state of their pristine savagery. These hunting nomads are identified with the Yakkus, the aborigines of the island, who, after the conquest (B c. 543)
Page 425
THE COLOM
THE READING-ROOM. THE MINE
THE STONE GALLERY.
%
BO MIUSECUMI.
AL GALLERY,
THE MEDIAEVAL ROOMI. THE NATURAL HISTORY GALLERY.
2 D
Page 426
418 TWENTIETH
of Vijaya, the founder of the Sinhalese dynasty, retired before the invaders into the wilds. In the north verandah, at the back of the building, are tombstones, capitals, inscriptions, and such-like relics.
Copies of the celebrated Sigiriya paintings will be found flanking the main staircase. The originals are in a cave of the ancient fortress of Sigiriya, near Dambulla, one of the Buddhist centres in Ceylon of old. These paintings were executed upon stucco plastered upon the smooth surface of the walls in 475 A.D. They are still to be seen in a remarkable state of preservation. The pic
THE WORY CASE.
tures are said to be the portraits of the wives of the Sinhalese parricide, King Kasyapa, who fled to Sigiriya after the unnatural crime perpetrated on his father, King Dhatusena.
At the back of the Museum is a palm-thatched structure, called the " Buddha shed," which houses, among other stone figures, a large sedent figure of Gautama Sakya Muni (the Buddha), which was dug out of the ruins of the sacred city of Anuradhapura, and is held to be the finest yet brought to light by the excavations of that ancient city. In this shed, also, will be found a beautiful floral moonstone of unique and admirable design, embossed with wreaths, festoons, and garlands, with a pair of fabulous
CENTURY IM
monsters (“makaras') at base a pair of twofold r Sri Patula, or sacred foot The Museum stands in its own, traversed with s seats for visitors. In c Zoological collection, coi animals, such as leopar and other mammals, be tained. In another she skeletons of a sperm w cephalus) and whalebon indica) whose carcases on the western coast C
ق8
THE COLOME
THE WC
huge specimens are awa the Museum to receive the permanent building The Mineral Gallery main building, contain: lection of marine fossil gems of Ceylon, arran; the Mineralogical Surv staff. The rooms facin and the one adjoining a taxidermist, and an acc shows this important m staff and his assistants
The natural history in the upper storey, and
MPRESSIONS
the sides, and at the epresentations of the print of Buddha.
charming grounds of hady walks lined with overed cages a small nsisting of a few live ds, bears, porcupines, 'sides birds, is maind may be seen the hale (Physeter macroe whale (Balaenoptera were washed ashore f the island. These
3O MUSEUM.
RKROOM.
iting the extension of due exhibition within
situated behind the s a representative cols, rocks, minerals, and ged by the Director of ey of Ceylon and his g the Mineral Gallery e the workshops of the ompanying illustration |ember of the Museum
at work.
collections are housed consist of an exhibition
OF CEYLON
of vertebrate and invertebrate animals included in the fauna of Ceylon. Here are to be found representatives of the fishes, amphibia, reptiles, birds, mammals, insects, crustacea and mollusca occurring within the zoological province of the island. The guide-book gives full particulars about the natural history of these specimens.
In a building of two storeys detached from the main structure a duplicate collection of specimens, known as the Student Collection, is kept, and is available for examination on application to the Director of the Museum. This department includes, besides other selected specimens, the Pole collection of Lepidoptera,
KANDYAN SWORIOS AND DAGGERS,
the Swayne collection of snakes, and the valuable Collett collection of land mollusca. In this building also a laboratory is provided for the use of students.
The Museum is visited by a large number of travelling scientists, some of whom remain in the island for short periods while engaged in special study and research. The institution is also a favourite resort of the residents of Colombo, and is one of the principal attractions of the city for non-resident sightseers-visitors from up country, and passengers by the ocean steamers. On the occasion of festivals such as the Wesak (the Buddhist New Year) and the Hadji Perunal (the Mahomedan New Year),
Page 427
TWENTIETH
which are proclaimed public holidays, the grounds, filled by swarms of natives in gay festival attire, present the appearance of a fair. Of all days, naturally, Sunday-a dies non with all classes and communities-is the one which sees the largest number of visitors to the Museum. The labouring classes, taking advantage of their hebdomadal rest from toil, flock to this institution to spend their Sunday afternoon in profitable sightseeing. It is computed that, in the course of a year, the Museum is visited by some I5o,ooo persons.
In the accompanying photograph of the staff, it was, unfortunately, impossible to include the Director of the Museum, Dr. A. Willey, D.Sc. (London), Honorary M.A. (Camb.), F.R.S., as that gentleman was absent from Ceylon at the time the photograph was taken.
Museum Library.
The library of the Colombo Museum, occupying the rooms to the right of the entrance hall, is the only free public library in the colony. Founded at the same time as the Museum (1876), it contains a valuable assortment of books of material assistance in the work of the Museum in illustrating, indexing, and identifying the collections. Apart from fulfilling this institutional purpose, the library affords to students and all classes of readers the opportunity for perusing historical (local), biological, and Oriental literature. Useful works of reference are numerous, and altogether the Museum contains one of the best-if not absolutely the best-collections of books on Ceylon. Since 1885 a copy of every work published in the colony has been sent to the Museum library.
A most valuable collection of Buddhist palmleaf manuscripts, commonly called ola manuscripts, is a prominent feature of the Oriental section of the library, some of them presented by the King of Burma. Much of the important Sinhalese literature of Ceylon-which is of the remotest antiquity, and dates back to several centuries before the Christian Era--is enshrined in the ola manuscripts. This valuable section of the library contains nearly 5oo manuscripts in Sinhalese, Burmese, and Cambodian characters. These documents have been written with a stylus upon the prepared slips of palm-leaves called oias, and chiefly consist of works on the Buddhist religionthe island of Ceylon possessing special interest as the chief seat from the earliest times of Southern Buddhism-but include, besides, some historical, medical, poetical, and other works. It has been well said that “ though the production of a comparatively small nation, the historical works of the Sinhalese far surpass in value any produced in India'; and Ceylon possesses, in the Mahavansa, a metrical chronicle in the Pali language, containing a
CENTURY IM
dynastic history of the centuries-from 543 B. well-known historical w manuscript in the Or library.
The policy of the libra works of reference on Oriental literature as : all other books relatir numerous and costly have been from time shelves. To the student of books and leading periodicals to be found invaluable facilities for Persons desiring to be a required to forward to Museum an applicatio recommendations of tw ability. If the applicati committee of the Mus. is issued to the applica. the library are open to Tuesday, Wednesday, T in each week from Io a Sunday, Christmas Day, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
V
THE COLOM
This institution, whic position with an exten the wide green expan and overlooking the se “for the promotion among gentlemen resi the list of the twenty-t) includes names promii the progress of the isla of Sir Hercules Robin Rosmead), then Gover foundation members v Cross Buchanan, G. V Carver, J. W. M. Coghi J. Duncan, J. L. Gord Thomas Helmer, W. V Wright, Colonel J. G. G. B. Leechman, W. C. Robinson, Hon. F. R. S Saunders, W. Bowden C. E. H. Symons, and many years Colonel C Consul for Japan) a honorary position-anc and devoted service in the success of the club present number of n including the leading official, commercial, Ceylon. The institu premier club of the isl and President being p
IPRESSIONS
sland for twenty-three ... to 1758 A.D. This ork is to be found in
ental section of the
ry has been to acquire natural science and iffecting Ceylon, also g to the island; and works of these kinds o time added to the the general collections scientific and other in this institution offer study and research. dmitted as readers are
the committee of the in supported by the o persons of respecton be approved by the eum, a reader’s ticket nt. The Museum and he public on Monday, hursday, and Saturday .m. to 6 p.m., and on and New Year's Day
f
IBO CLUB.
h occupies a splendid sive lawn frontage to se of the Galle Face a, was founded in 187I of social intercourse ding in Ceylon,” and hree original members lently associated with and-among them that son (afterwards Lord nor of Ceylon. These vere : T. Berwick, H. V. R. Campbell, W. J. ll, Colonel J. F. Drew, on, G. B. D. Harrison, W. Hume, Hon. H. T. Jervois, W. M. Leake, Leechman, Sir Hercules aunders, C.M.G., H. S. Smith, J. G. Smither, Thos. Wright. For
E. H. Symons (now cted as secretary-an to his zealous efforts that capacity much of may be ascribed. The Lembers is about 7oo, representatives of the and circles of tion is, in fact, the and, the post of Patron ractically always filled
social
OF CEYLON 419
by the Governor of Ceylon for the time being, while the general management is in the hands of a committee of influential local gentlemen. Under certain conditions, officers of the Army or Navy serving in or calling at Ceylon are admitted to honorary membership, and distinguished visitors to the island are enrolled by invitation on the honorary list. The club house is open to members from 5.30 a.m. until 2 a.m. ; but the institution also partakes largely of the character of a residential club, bedrooms being procurable by members in adjacent club chambers, a separate building belonging to the institution.
The club house is the old Assembly Rooms, formerly a popular public and society rendezvous in Colombo. Perhaps with equal zest the pursuit of social enjoyment is still continued here under the auspices of the club at fitting times and seasons. Dulce est desipere in loco. The spacious apartments on the first-floor afford every facility for festive gatherings, and the club assemblies held here are very popular, while the Turf Club ball is one of the events of the Colombo festive season every August. But to the true clubman it is sufficient to say that, under a European steward and with
a competent chef, the cuisine is excellent, and
that the fine dining-hall, among the pleasantest of surroundings, and the smoking, billiard and reading rooms are all that can be desired,
Vy
FREEMASON S.
Until 1901 the Masons of Colombo did not possess a proper home, but in 1899 the influential members of the craft met together to discuss the possibility of erecting a suitable temple in the capital of the island. With much effort the necessary funds were raised by subscriptions and debentures, and plans were made and approved, a site in Galle Face being obtained from the authorities. On November 27, I900, at 7.15 a.m., the foundation stone was laid by W. Bro. the Hon. J. N. Campbell, in the presence of a few Masons connected with the undertaking. The building was erected to plans designed in England and adapted to local requirements by Bro. E. Skinner, A.R.I.B.A. The work of construction was carried out, under contract, by the Colombo Commercial Company, Ltd. The temple was completed in August, I90I, and formally opened on the Ist of September in that year. An opening ceremony and dedication on a big scale was planned, and Grand officers from India were to have come to Colombo for the occasion; but owing to the plague and consequent restrictions on travelling, this programme had to be abandoned. The trustees of the debenture holders were W. Bros. J. N. Campbell, H. J. Scott, and E. J. Hayward. Of
Page 428
420
these, W. Bro. Scott has passed away, and the trust is now in the hands of the remaining two appointees.
All the Lodges, Chapters and connections in the island are associated in the Temple and are represented by a committee, the latter body being composed of the following : W. Bros. G. H. Alston, 18°, P.M., E. J. Hayward, P.M., J. W. S. Attygalle, P.M., M. Burge, P.M., J. N. Campbell, 32°, P.M., Lieut.-Colonel F. McCarthy, P.M., and T. C. Huxley, 3o°,
In Colombo there are five Craft Lodges, viz., St. George's Lodge, No. 2, I7o, E.C., W. Sutherland Ross, W.M.; Connaught Lodge, No. 2,940, E.C., J. Crowe, W.M.; Sphinx Lodge, No. 107, I.C., A. C. Edwards, W.M.; Leinster Lodge, No. II,5, I.C., M. Wilson, W.M.; and
TWENTIETH CENTURY
Adam's Peak Chapter Royal Arch Chapter, Eliya Lodge, at that
and K. S. and Sec. formed, and a disper for the establishment Grand Lodge of Eng tary to the Grand Co W. Bro. E. J. Hayw there existed in Colol Lodge of Ceylon, wo Constitution. It was went into abeyance in
GERMA
Those excellent c
TEE GERMAN CLUB.
Bonnie Doon Lodge, No. 6 II, S.C., U. Viney, W.M.; two Craft Chapters, viz., Hercules Royal Arch, No. 2,17o, E.C., C. Henly (Z.), E. J. Hayward (H), E. E. Powell (J.), and Lanka Royal Arch, G. W. R. Willicott (Z.), A. C. Edwards (H.), H. Wilson (J.); two Mark Lodges, viz., St. George of Colombo, No. 464, E.C., C. Henly, W.M., and Lanka Mark Lodge, No. Ioz, I.C., G. W. R. Willicott, W. M. ; two Preceptories, viz., Colombo Preceptory, John Walker, E.P., and Ceylon Preceptory, C. Henly, E.P. ; also a Provincial Priory, H. Byrde, P.P., the Lanka Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine and K. H. S., No. I56, W. H. Figg, M.W.S., and the Allied and Cryptic Councils, G. H. Alston, W.M. In other parts of the island there are the following Congregations: Grant Lodge, Galle; St. John's Lodge and Henry Byrde Mark Lodge, Kandy; Adam's Peak Lodge, Dimbula Lodge,
know well how to ma able, and wherever
themselves in any pa niatural clubbable instil tution of meeting-pla intercourse. In Colom German Club-or “De it by its national nameof the social life of the as it does a most char mon Gardens, fronting The club was founde and the handsome but inaugurated on Novem Prince Adalbert, the C son. Mr. Philipp Fre German Consul for
patron; while Mr. A known Colombo firm & Co., is the Presider
MPRESSIONS
Rose Croix, Campbell atton, and the Nuwara entre. Councils of T. et Monitor are being sation is being sought in Ceylon of a District and. The Hon. Secrehmittee of the island is rd, P.M. At one time mbo a Provincial Grand rking under the Irish formed in 1877, and I89O.
lv
N CLUB.
lonists, the Germans,
ke themselves comfortthey have established rt of the world their ct has led to the insties for pleasant social bo, as elsewhere, the utscher Verein,' to call -is a prominent feature
community, occupying ning situation in Cinnathe Colombo Museum, on December 7, I900, ldings it occupies were ber 13, I903, by H.R.H. erman Emperor's third ldenberg, the Imperial Ceylon, is the club's
Schulze, of the wellf Messrs. Schulze Bros. , and Mr. H. Behring
OF CEYLON
the Hon. Secretary. The club buildings include a handsome billiard-room, a large and beautifully furnished drawing-room, a readingroom, retiring-rooms, refreshment-rooms, bathrooms, and-most important departments of all with many-a well-appointed bar and wellequipped kitchen. There are also stables for members' horses and a garage for motor-cars. A principal attraction of the club is formed by two spacious tennis-courts in well laid out grounds covering some two acres of land. The number of resident members is about forty, but the club is largely patronised also by hundreds of visitors from all parts of the island, as well as by over-sea travellers passing through Colombo. It is, in short, an ideal rendezvous at which to spend one's leisure hours-those hours that often lag so drearily in a tropical country.
Vy
THE CEYLON SOCIETY OF ARTS.
This society was founded about sixteen years ago as an amateur art club. The object of the society was then, as it is mainly now, the encouragement of pictorial art in Ceylon;
and for this purpose annual exhibitions of
amateur productions have been held from almost the first year of the foundation of the society, with, on the whole, encouraging results. The original displays were held in a small store on the site of the present Times of Ceylon buildings in Main Street, Fort; but the space there proving quite inadequate to house the number of exhibits, which increased year by year, the Public Hall and the School of Agriculture were successively tried. In recent years the exhibition has been held in the Chamber of the Legislative Council. Consequently, every year the Parliament Chamber blossoms out into a miniature Burlington House. Mr. E. O. Walker, a former Director of Telegraphs, and Mr. C. Drieberg, B.A., Superintendent of School Gardens, have successively acted as hon, secretaries of the society. But on the arrival of Mr. A. Bartlam in the island in I902 as instructor in drawing at the Technical College, Colombo, that gentleman undertook the by no means invidious duties of the unpaid post, which he still fills. Being, however, an ardent votary of pictorial art beyond his own special branch of lineal representation, Mr, Bartlam has laboured earnestly and zealously for the local Society of Arts, which, under the guidance of its president, vice-president, and committee, has endeavoured, whenever possible, to recognise deserving productions, and thus assist the tyro. The quality of the exhibits shown at the 1906 exhibition, as compared with that of those sent in on previous occasions, testifies that improvement has been effected in the
Page 429
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
period of the society's existence in Ceylon; and Mr. Bartlam is of opinion that, with proper encouragement and the co-operation of the Government in establishing a picture gallery in the island, where aspirants might study works of art by leading masters and derive practical help in the pursuit of their ideals, the artistic instinct in the Ceylonese, so long dormant and neglected, is susceptible of cultivation. What has hitherto been wanting is the incentive to high aspiration that can only arise from knowledge of what is really good and sound art. At present the knowledge of technique even is generally rudimentary.
In order, therefore, to help the society in the accomplishment of its object, a number of prominent European and Ceylonese ladies and gentlemen have volunteered to offer prizes for the best work; and this has persuaded many amateur artists to take to their studies with greater zest and keenness. The society is also receiving very satisfactory general support, about a hundred members being on its list, while fresh members are being continually enrolled. The patron of the society has always been the officer administering the government of the colony, and the committee is composed of several well-known local artists, including ladies. The one great difficulty the society has to cope with at present is the want of a proper habitat, and its present efforts are directed towards supplying this want and establishing an art gallery containing a small diversified collection of standard works to serve as an educative influence and provide models for imitation. In spite of present disabilities, however, the committee of the society has never failed to make the art exhibition one of the most interesting events of the annual August festivities in Colombo. An attractive feature of these exhibitions is a nine display of photographic views of the interesting scenery of Ceylon by local photographers, which are always of a highly artistic order.
Vy
THE VICTORIA MEMORIAL EYE
| HOSPITAL
Although the idea of establishing an eye hospital in Ceylon had been mooted for a number of years, it was due chiefly to Her Excellency Lady Ridgeway that the memorial to the late Queen Victoria took the form of this institution as it exists at present in Colombo. On the suggestion of Lady Ridgeway, Dr. (now Sir Allan) Perry and Dr. W. H. de Silva sent out a joint circular, stating the need that existed for the establishment of an ophthalmic institution, and suggested that the proposed hospital should be associated with
the name of her late existing eye ínfirmary, ł Samuel Grenier (late A provided for out-patier the appeal made by Dr promises of contributio prominent citizens of the late Mohandiram N few years previously ha the sum of Rs. 5ooo as for the establishment of of the eye. Other hanc by some of the more gentlemen, assisted to proper execution. On Lady Ridgeway address of Ceylon, in which sh proposed to have a ll great Queen, surely it form, or one that woul to her kind heart, than t The idea was warmly st and being accepted w by the community in gel was held in the Legislat under the presidency of then Governor of the I902, at which almost : and unofficial sections o sented. Thenceforth th popularity. More than R up to the date of the mee generously pledged the whatever sum the pu Thus the amount promi to over Rs. 6oooo, the ce. afterwards until they Rs. IOoooo. It was littl the estimate would n doubled to meet the ge public. It may be men lence of the public had b a short time earlier by co of the famine-stricken p that urgent appeals we behalf of the various especially for the Ceylo Fund. But the revered proved one to conjur mittee of the Eye Hospi their work of initiatio source of public genero tapped, and the aid o official, commercial, rel: enlisted. Mr. (now proached the heads of t and mercantile houses a large measure of unst help. Every other com exploited, the very Na infected with the enth of Rs. 4ooo odd consti unique and memorabl
TIPRESSIONS
Majesty. The then uilt in memory of Sir torney-General) only s. As the result of , Perry and De Silva, s were received from ceylon, among them S. Fernando, who a | offered Government a nucleus for a fund a hospital for diseases some donations, given prominent Ceylonese carry the idea into February 15, 1902, :d a letter to the Press : stated: "If it is still cal memorial to our could take no better d be more acceptable nis” (the eye hospital). upported in the Press, ith ready enthusiasm heral, a public meeting ive Council chambers, Sir West Ridgeway, :olony, on March 18, ill the leading official f Colombo were repree scheme never lacked 's. 3oooo were collected :ting, and the Governor Government to double blic might subscribe. sed was at once raised intributions continuing reached a total of e anticipated then that ed to be more than herous response of the ioned that the benevoeen severely taxed only ntributions for the relief opulation in India, also e still being made on war funds, and more 1 Contingent Memorial name of Queen Victoria with, and the comal Memorial carried on with vigour. Every sity was systematically every public bodygious, and social-was ir) Stanley Bois ape various commercial in the Fort, and won nted and large-hearted munity was thoroughly 1 Kotte Chetties being usiasm, their donation rting one of the most features of the cam
OF CEYLON 421
paign. The ladies of Ceylon also employed persuasive eloquence with effect. Mrs. James Peiris alone collected over Rs. 5ooo. There never had been so popular a movement in Ceylon before, never a public subscription of such magnitude. An executive committee was appointed, consisting of the LieutenantGovernor, Mr. (now Sir) Everard im Thurn, Mr. (now Sir) Stanley Bois, Messrs. A. S. Pagden, the Hon. Mr. F. A. Cooper, the Hon. Mr. S. C. Obeyesekere, Messrs. F. Dornhorst, K.C., James Peiris, S. M. Burrows, P. Coomaraswamy, and Dr. Chalmers, with Mr. D. R. Marshall as treasurer, and Sir Allan Perry and Dr. W. H. de Silva as hon. secretaries. On the two last-named fell most of the burden of organising the subscriptions, which continued to flow in until the highest anticipations were surpassed. Then arose the question of a site for the building, which, it was recognised, must be in a central part of the city, also within easy reach of the General Hospital, so as to answer the object of training medical students and of attending to any cases that might be transferred from the General Hospital. Sir West Ridgeway particularly pointed out in his speech at the inaugural meeting of the movement that the hospital
was intended, not only to deal directly with
eye diseases, but also to equip medical men for ophthalmic work in other plaees. It was necessary, therefore, that the institution should be within easy reach of the Medical College. The selection of a site, therefore, involved anxious and careful deliberation. It had to be borne in mind that the hospital was not to be a private institution, nor even an official establishment, but a public memorial of the great name it bore.
Lady Ridgeway laid the foundation stone of the hospital on August 6, 1903. By that time the estimates of the cost had undergone many changes, and the original modest computation of Rs. 5o,ooo had become a jest. The further extended estimate of Rs. Iooooo had also been discarded, the total of the subscriptions having surpassed that amount by several thousands. Among the largest subscribers were Mr. N. S. Fernando, who gave Rs. 7,50o; Mr. Charles Peiris, who gave Rs. 7,500, in memory of his late only daughter Elsie, to establish a children's ward; Mr. H. J. Peiris, who gave Rs. 5,000; the Municipal Council of Colombo, who subscribed Rs. 2,ooo; Mr. Tyagaraja, Rs. 1,500; and the family of the late Mr. D. S. Cargill, Rs. I,5oo.
A suitable site having been obtained, the preparation of the plans was entrusted to Mr. Edward Skinner, Associate of the Royal Institute of British Architects, a well-known Colombo architect. The style of architecture is that known as the Hindu-Saracenic, and according to Mr. Skinner's preliminary estimate
2 D*
Page 430
THE VICTORILA MEMORIA
TING ROOM.
OPERA
E
TH
MALE WARD
THE
EYE HOSPITAL.
THE TESTING ROOM
TE WICTORIA EYE HOSPITAL.
Page 431
TWENTIETH
the work was reckoned to cost not less than Rs. 168,000. The Department of Public Works was instructed by Government, at the request of the committee, to undertake the work; and the officers more prominently associated with the building were the Director of Public Works, Hon. Mr. F. A. Cooper, C.M.G., Mr. E. C. Davies, Mr. G. H. M. Hyde, and Messrs. Ohlmus and De Saram. In design the building is a copy, with modifications, of the central portion of the public building at Kuala Lumpur, in the Federated Malay States. In equipment and appliances and in the arrangement of light and air, and in all its aspects, the Victoria Memorial Eye Hospital of Ceylon is hardly equalled in the colonies, and only surpassed by a few institutions of the kind in England. The building has a frontage of 200 ft., with a depth of 97 ft. from wall to wall, and 38 ft. at the façade, the inside height of the wards being I4 ft. Accommodation is provided for 45 patients.
The handsome entrance hall is adorned with a large painting of her late Majesty Queen Victoria, specially presented by the Hon. Alexander Yorke, Equerry to her late Majesty, and below is a miniature marble bust of Her Majesty enclosed in brass railings. side wall is a large portrait of Lady Ridgeway, presented by Mr. Simon Fernando Sri Chandrasakara Mudaliyar. The walls of this hall as well as of all the rooms are enamelled, and tiles of a special type of glass and enamel arranged in pretty patterns cover the floors. Branching from the entrance hall on either side are two corridors, the one on the left leading to the house-surgeon's rooms and the preparation and operating rooms, that on the right giving access to the office of the surgeon-in-charge, the matron's rooms, the nurses' dining-room, and the hall porter's room. Next to these is the surgical operation room, with walls of white enamel and a blaze of light which can be regulated with accuracy, according to the requirements of each case dealt with. This apartment is fitted with electric light, and a variety of electric and other appliances, forming the most modern equipment for eyework, including electric sterilisers and boilers.
On one
Having no angles or corners, every square inch of the ceilings, walls, and floor of the operating room can be sprayed and washed with the hose, and thus thoroughly cleansed and disinfected. From the main hall a broad staircase takes the visitor to the paying patients' ward, and on one side of the staircase hangs a portrait of the late Mohandiram N. S. Fernando, who, as already stated, initiated the fund for the Eye Hospital with a large donation, afterwards substantially increased. Accommodation is provided upstairs for six paying patients, the rooms being fitted up luxuriously with all manner of appliances and accessories for the
CENTURY IN
comfort of their occupat cluding electric fans a bells. There is also a v room for patients. The 1 are also located upstairs. In the block forming building is the men's de sists of two wards with te
other wards of two bed ments are equipped in of the building, and fur room as well as a room dants, the windows of overlook all the wards. the way of bathrooms vided in these quarters buildings, which forms t space, contains the kitch dants' rooms, and other the hospital terminates in out-patient infirmary, w ferred to the institutior partment of the instituti dispensary and waiting h operating room and a wing of the main building Ward and children’s El referred to, which are, in similar to the male ward ten beds for women pa children, a dining-room, and minor offices.
In the centre of a beau enclosed by the inner ve fountain, which has rece Mr. Peter de Abrew in in
The total cost of the equipment, will represen lakhs (250,000) of rupees Government of the col now in full working orde ornaments and applianc land, being required to c A pathological room fC diseases in Ceylon is to clock in the tower is a d
to the time of the establi most of the eye cases curative methods. The 1 in Ceylon is about 8,0 the statistics of civilise ought not to be more t for econfidently hoped of the Victoria Memc Colombo, with the far establishment througho stantially reduce, if not enormous difference, crowded, and numbers attention are frequently of room. The number creased by about 25 number of operations
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
hts, the equipment inhd electric light and well-furnished sittingnurses' sleeping rooms
the left wing of the ¿partment, which conen beds each, and two s each. These apart keeping with the rest nished with a diningfor the nursing attenwhich enable them to Ample provision in and lavatories is proAnother range of he base of a triangular Len, storerooms, attenoffices. This part of l the Grenier Memorial
hich has been transl. This auxiliary deon is furnished with a hall for out-patients, an ilark-room. The right g contains the women's sie Peiris ward above general arrangements, s opposite. There are tients and six cots for nurses' room, scullery,
ltifully laid out garden, randah, is to be fitted a ntly been presented by hemory of his father. hospital, with site and ut about two and a half to the public and the ony. The hospital is :r, only a few additional ’es, ordered from Engomplete the equipment. or investigation of eye be established, and a lesirable addition. Up shment of this hospital were treated by native number of blind persons boo ; yet, according to 2d countries, the total han 2,ooo. It is therethat the establishment orial Eye Hospital in -reaching effects of its ut the island, will subaltogether abolish, this The hospital is always of sufferers requiring I kept waiting for want of out-patients has inper cent., and a large are always being per
423
formed. The following constitute the staff of the hospital : Consulting Surgeons and Physicians, Sir Allan Perry, M.D., M.R.C.S.; T. F. Garvin, M.B., C.M.; A. J. Chalmers, M.D., F.R.C.S. , H. M. Fernando, M.D., B.Sc, ; Surgeon-in-charge, W. H. de Silva, M.B., C.M., F. R.C.S. (Edin.); House Surgeon, A. Nell, M.R.C.S.; Matron, Miss Fraser ; Apothecary, Miss Siebel. As a centre of teaching the hospital is fulfilling a great purpose. Medical students attend the lectures given here and study the curative work as part of a regular course, thus becoming specially trained in the treatment of ordinary eye affections.
Vy
THE CEYLON BRANCH OF THE ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY.
BY GERARD A. JosEPH, HoN. SEc.
The Ceylon Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society was started in I845, and in I846 was incorporated as a branch of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland. The society has its office and library in the
Colombo Museum. Under the Museum Ordi
nance No. III of I873, a special room is provided in that institution for the use of the society to hold its meetings and to house its books. Indeed, the Museum chiefly owes its existence to this society's having advocated the founding of the institution. When the Colombo Museum was opened in I877, it started with the nucleus of exhibits belonging to the society's museum, and with a large number of books presented by the society to form the museum library. The society played a particularly important part in the formation of the colony's natural history collections. Before the different scientific departments of the Ceylon public service had been fully developed the society anticipated their work, and drew attention to the necessity of their establishment. It has been laid down that the design of the society is to institute and promote inquiries into the history, religions, languages, literature, arts, and social condition of the present and former inhabitants of the island, with its geology and mineralogy, its climate and meteorology, its botany and Zoology.
The society has issued fifty-five numbers of its fournal, forming eighteen volumes and containing papers on a variety of subjects, many of which display much learning and research. An elaborate index accompanies these publications up to the year 1890. The society's 3 ournal is highly prized by students and scientific workers, and the older issues are considered to be of special value, being difficult to obtain, in spite of the reprints that have been issued from time to time. The value placed on the society's publications is shown from the frequent applications from learned societies all
Page 432
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*ஜ் స్టో
*怒 ----
స్టో
BOIS BROS. & CO.'S ESTABLISHMENT-OFFICES, TEA
MANUFACTURI)
A-PACKING DEPARTMENT, GREEN-TEA MACHINERY, NG TEA TINS.
Page 433
TWENTIETH
over the world to be placed on the exchange list. Many of these applications the society is obliged to refuse, owing to the large number of such requests received.
The library of the society contains, besides many valuable books on Ceylon, works on archaeology and Oriental literature, also a large collection of the publications of learned
-سسسسسس گحح -ബl تحصیسے
CENTURY I
societies with which th publications. It is ri voyages, which consist Churchill, Pinkerton, a Indian subjects are als the collection of books.
In short, the Ceylon Asiatic Society can cl;
NSA.
COLOMBO COMMERC
BOIS BROS 8 CO.
This well-known and leading Ceylon firm of general merchants, exporters, and estate and commission agents was founded in Colombo in I89I, in succession to the firm of Messrs. Alstons, Scott & Co., which at that time ceased to carry on business. Mr. Percy Bois, the senior partner of the present house, came out from England to Ceylon in 1873, and entered the service of Alstons, Scott & Co., wherein he rose to the position of senior assistant. Those were the halcyon days of the coffee-growing industry in Ceylon, and the plantation agencies formed a principal part of the business. The other head of the firm, now Sir Stanley Bois, followed his elder brother out from the Homeland in 1882-the year in which Colombo became the port of call for the ocean mail steamers instead of Galle-and also became an assistant in the same establishment. In taking over the general business of Messrs. Alstons, Scott & Co., the brothers Bois also acquired the local agency of the British India Steam Navigation Company, which is now the main branch of their business, having expanded, with the growth of the port of Colombo, to very large proportions. This shipping trade includes a daily service between Ceylon and Tuticorin (south of India), a service twice weekly between Ceylon and the South Indian ports of Tondi, Pamban, Ammapatam; afortnightly service between Colombo and London, Madras and Calcutta; steamers to and from Mauritius monthly and a ten-daily service in connection with Coromandel and the Malabar Coast ports. As many as 6,Ooo coolies per week are conveyed each way by the British India steamers plying between Ceylon and the ports of Southern India; while on the London fortnightly service a high class of vessel is employed in the conveyance of both passengers and cargo, among them the Rewa and the Rohilla, two fine new ships, each of 7,ooo tons burden.
Besides being agents for the Roeberry Tea Company, Vellekelle Tea Company, Patiagama Cinchona Company, Ltd., Tyspane Tea Com
pany, Ltd., St. Heliers Lindoola Tea Company Company, Ltd., Palm Ltd., Macaldeniya Tea and the Rubber Plantat Messrs. Bois Bros. own Colombo, where they ca as tea-packers and ship office is at II, Queen They are also agents Assurance Company, W Ltd., Chas. Kacinlay & Railway Company, Im Company, Royal Exch poration, the Petroleun Company, Drexel, Mor Ceylon Company of Pea European assistants of E. John (chief assistant), White, O. Spain, and A. The senior member brother, Sir Stanley BC visit England. The fir of the two brothers on was subsequently adm. He, however, died d January I, 1907, Mr. W brother-in-law of Sir the firm.
In addition to his leading house of busi is an influential man Ceylon, having filled ma credit. He was for ma the committee of the Ce merce, becoming vice-cl filling the post of chair tive years (1891-92-93). the Colombo Municipal acted as Mercantile Men Council in 1903 and Eut 1906. His knighthood him for his special wi General for Ceylon at til of I904, as well as fo generally. He is a mer clubs of the island.
MPRESSIONS
institution exchanges ch in its records of ; of those of Hakluyt, nd others. India and ) well represented in
branch of the Royal im to have played a
望一 S
恋
2つ
OF CEYLON 425
considerable part in the development of the colony by the circulation of interesting and instructive literary information regarding both its past and present history. The accumulated results are to be found in the society's journals, which contain learned contributions from competent authorities in various departments of scientific and general knowledge.
AL FORT SECTION.
Tea Company, Ltd., ", Ltd., Craighead Tea erston Tea Company, and Rubber Company, ions of Kalutara, Ltd., the Hunupitiya Mills, rry on a large business pers, while their head Street, Fort, Coloninbo. or the Standard Life Wm. Younger & Co, Co., Canadian Pacific perial Fire Insurance ange Assurance Corand General Storage gan & Co., and the rl Fisheries, Ltd, The
the firm are Messrs. T. H. Tatham, Neville G. T. Hyde. of the firm and his is, take it in turns to m originally consisted ly, but Mr. J. E. Alston litted to partnership. uring Igo6, and on V. Sutherland Ross, a Stanley Bois, joined
connection with this less, Sir Stanley Bois in the public life of ny high positions with ny years a member of ylon Chamber of Comhairman and ultimately man for three consecuHe was a member of Council in 1899, and ber of the Legislative opean Member during was conferred upon }rk as Commissionerhe St. Louis Exhibition r his public services nber of all the leading He divides his leisure
hours between music and motoring. His private residences are Hunupitiya Cottage, Colombo, and Silha, Nuwara Eliya, in the hill country. S.
FINLAY, MUIR & CO.
The firm of Finlay, Muir & Co., carrying on an extensive business as general exporters and importers, produce merchants, and estate agents, was originally founded in Glasgow, under the style of James Finlay & Co., with offices in London and Liverpool. With the rapid development of the business, branches opened in Calcutta, Bombay, and Karachi, in India, and a Ceylon house was established in 1893 at Io, Queen Street, Colombo, which still constitutes the head office of the business in the island. The Glasgow house was founded over a century ago, and the prosperous continuance of the business to the present time speaks for its solid nature, and the importance and standing of the firm in the mercantile world. The local 'go-downs' and factory of the firm are situated in Vauxhall Street, Slave Island, Colombo; and there the tea, coconut, rubber, and other produce brought from the estates under the firm's control are stored, and the processes are carried on of blending and packing black tea and of finishing green tea for export to the markets of the world. Finlay, Muir & Co. also represent in Colombo the Clan Line of fifty steamers trading between Great Britain and Eastern and South African ports, and Archibald Currie & Co.'s steamers, which ply between Australia and India.
The director-in-chief of the firm's operations is Sir A. K. Muir, Bart., of Deanston House, Perthshire, Scotland; while the manager of the local business is Mr. Alexander Fairlie, who came to the island some twelve years ago and is an eminently qualified business man. He is at the present time Chairman of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and connected institutions. Mr. Fairlie is a
Wee
Page 434
FINLAY, MU
THE OFFICES.
THE GREEN TEA FACTORY,
[IR & C0.''S ESTABILISHIMENT".
THE SOREs. TEA AND RUBBER PACKING,
Page 435
*。送ぶ。 Ÿጳ( ኳኳኳ **wーマー 'Y Wau '... ... :P
V
UNLOADING COPRA AT FRECUDENBERG'S MILLS.
ટ્ટબ્યકલ્જિ
BUILTSDORP MILLS. HULTSDORP MILLS.
(From the Law Courts.)
(From Skinner's Road.)
Page 436
ENTRANCE, HULTSDORP MILLS.
(As seen from the oil mill.)
MAIN ENGINE, FREUDENBERG & CO.'S OIL MILLS.
OIL YARD AND OIL, MILLS. (From the entrance of the Hultsdorp Mfills.)
Page 437
TWENTIETH
member of the Golf, Tennis, and other local Clubs. His private residence is Calton Lodge, Turret Road, Colombo.
S
FREUDENBERG & CO.
The firm of Freudenberg & Co. founded on July I, I873, by Philipp Freudenberg, the present senior partner. He came to Ceylon to buy coffee and to develop direct trade between the island and the Continent of Europe, the opening of the Suez Canal suggesting the diversion of Colombo shipments from London to other ports. As coffee went down the firm gradually took up other lines, and it is now carrying on business in banking, exports and imports, owns the “Hultsdorf' Oil Mills and Manure Works and the “Kotahena' stores, has the agency of the Norddeutscher Lloyd, the Deutsche - Australische Dampfschiffs-Gesellschaft, the Deutsche Ost-Africa Linie Steamship Companies, represents the Kali-Syndicate, Stassfurt, the Aachem-Munchen and Magdeburg Fire Insurance Companies, the Deutscher Lloyd, and is the correspondent of the leading German Banks.
Mr. Philipp Freudenberg was nominated German Consul in 1876, and is the senior Consul in the island. His son Reinhart (German Vice-Consul) is his partner. The staff numbers
W2S
office and superintendence 22 Europeans and 7o Ceylonese clerks.
The “ Hultsdorf ' Mills are the oldest industrial establishment in the island, having been founded in 1835 by the late Mr. Wilson in connection with Price's Patent Candle Company, Battersea, London. They were worked by Freudenberg & Co., on behalf of the then owners, Messrs. Antony Gibbs & Sons, London, from 1886 to I895, when Mr. Philipp Freudenberg bought the concern. In 1898 the old oil mills were burned down. A new, enlarged and quite modern plant has since been erected. The mills are I3 acres in extent within the walls. One part forms the oil-crushing department with its adjuncts, such as copra stores, oil yard, cooperage, &c. Another is devoted to extensive manufacture of artificial manures. Early in the nineties experiments with Freudenberg & Co.'s artificial manures for tea were first made on a scientific basis, and from that time onward the demand has steadily increased. About
8oo hands are employed in the Hultsdorf mills.
s
WHITTALL & CO.
This important business house was started in Ceylon in 188o by the late Mr. James Whittall, who came to the island from China to look
CENTURY IM
after the affairs of Mes then largely interested : trade. On the founder
business came under t A. Thomson and G. V G. H. Alston and the l joined the firm in 1896, became a partner in I9 Carlyon retired. Mess Figg, and Huxley, the firm at present. Besid all kinds of Ceylon pri of all requisites for til estates as well as of va commerce, Whittall & secretaries for a large companies which they h these concerns have 1
returns to the shareho also lately floated sevel cultivation of rubber, w to show a good profit invested. It is thus operations embrace fina mercial business in con cipal productive industr the local operations of from the head offices of Mercantile Bank of Indi Street, Colombo, whe Europeans, in addition ployed, with about 25 clerks. There is also a at 135, Front Street, Ne the firm's London agent & Co., Lyall, Anders Alston & Co., and J. Wh
The factory premises
at Mortlake, Slave Islan a mille from the head of consist of sixteen separat a compound of about sev branch of this establish where the tea purchase sent down from the various processes of pré being fired, when neces and packed in successi several departments of t with the regularity of c ing from hand to hand regard for absolute cle the visitor a most inter methods of preparing the world's markets. Ir attached to the factory tea is to be packed car of rapid manufacture, th constantly at work in ment. Especial attentic ing of the product and packages. The labels on the premises, a c
MPRESSIONS
srs. Matheson & Co., in the coffee growing 's death in I903, the he control of Messrs. V. Carlyon. Messrs. Hon. Mr. W. H. Figg and Mr. T. C. Huxley o6, in which year Mr. rs. Thomson, Alston, refore, constitute the es being exporters of oducts, and importers he work on planting rious other articles of Co. act as agents and
number of planting have floated. Many of made very handsome lders. The firm has al companies for the hich product promises on the capital thus seen that the firm's
incial as well as comnection with the prinies of the island. All
the house are directed the storey above the la's premises in Queen re a staff of to the partners, is em
Burghers and native branch of the business w York, U.S.A., while s are Messrs. Matheson
SᏋᎳᎾeIl
on & Co., Thomson, hittali & Co., Ltd. of the firm are situated l, at a distance of about ces in the Fort. They e buildings standing in en acres. The principal ment is the tea factory, il at public auction and estates undergoes the aparation for shipment, sary, bulked, weighed, The work of the he factory is carried on lockwork, the tea passswiftly, and with due 2anliness, affording to esting insight into the this staple product for a wood-working shop the boxes in which the
O
be viewed in course ree circular saws being his subsidiary departon is paid to the weighl the labelling of the are printed in colours omplete plant for the
OF CEYLON 429
purpose-consisting of six presses, three ruling machines, two guillotines, and a bronzing machine, all driven by a Crossley gas engine of 16 horse-power-having been installed. The printing equipment also includes a stereotyping outfit, many founts of type, and all necessary appliances for impressing the firm's stationery.
An important branch of the business conducted at the Mortlake establishment is the preparation of cardamoms for the market. The spice, which is handled in large quantities, passes through several processes in order to obtain the requisite bleached appearance. A great number of women and children are employed, in the work of clipping off the ends of the capsules containing the seeds, and they are sorted into sizes by a large revolving cylindrical separator. Another division of the business which is growing with the rapid development of the rubber industry in the island is that devoted to the preparation of this product for shipment. It is first sorted, then cleaned, and finally packed for export. Altogether some 3oo to 4oo coloured labourers, with two Europeans, are employed in the factory establishment, which is under the control of Mr. J. S. Collet.
Among the numerous agencies held by Whittall & Co. should be specially mentioned that of the well-known Orient-Pacific Royal Mail Line between London and Australia, owned conjointly by the Orient Steam Navigation Company, Ltd., and the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company. The steamers of this line, which maintain a fortnightly service between London and Australia, calling at Colombo, are the Ormah (twin-screw), 8,291 registered tonnage ; Ophir (twin-screw), 6,9Io ; Oricni, 5,385; Ormuz, 6,387 ; Ortona (twin-screw), 7,945 ; Oroya, 6,297 ; Oruba, 5,887 ; Orontes (twinscrew), 9,ooo; and Oratava, 5,857. The firm is agent also for the Glen Line of steamers, for tea, coffee, and rubber estates, too numerous to specify, and for a number of leading insurance Companies.
s
CARSON & CO.
One of the most important mercantile companies in Ceylon is that of Messrs. Carson & Co., and they have an enviable record of fifty years' standing, having been established in 1857. The house was founded by Mr. R. B. Carson, and is an illustration of the gradual development, under vigorous and efficient management, of a small business into one of large proportions. It is now one of the leading and most substantial business houses in Ceylon. The senior partner, Mr. Geo. J. Jameson, represents the firm's interests in London at Leadenhall House, E.C.; while the resident partners in Ceylon are Messrs. W. Shakspeare,
Page 438
LAKE VIEW TEA STORES.
LAKE VIEW TIMBER STORES.
LAKE VIEW TEA STORES.
(Another view.)
Page 439
TWENTIETH
E. R. Waldock, and H. C. Bibby. The offices
are in the Australian Buildings, Colombo, and Messrs. E. J. Weatherall, Alfred Warden, J. W. Mitchell, A. Pelly Fry, and H. Tindall are the European assistants. The firm is intimately connected with shipping interests, being agents for the well-known Bibby Line, also for the Nippon Yusen Kaisha (Japan Mail Steamship Company). Both these lines of steamships are favourites with Ceylon shippers, owing to the regularity of their respective services, and they annually convey a very large proportion of the island's produce to the foreign marts. With all other branches of the island's trade the firm is also closely identified, it being one of the largest importers of Manchester piece-goods in the colony, and holding a very considerable tea-estate agency. Messrs. Carson & Co. are also importers of Welsh and Indian coal for supplying ocean-going steamships.
The firm's Lake View Stores are situated at Kew Lane, Slave Island, Colombo, where extensive packeting and blending of Ceylon tea is carried on for export to all parts of the world, and this business is under the supervision of two tea-experts. Here also is the depôt of Messrs. Millar's Karri and Jarrah Company's well-known Westralian hardwoods, for which Messrs. Carson & Co. are agents. Messrs. Carson & Co. are also agents for, besides several others, the three largest rubber companies in Ceylon, which together have a total of over I2,Ooo acres of plantations. Following are the principal shipping and mercantile agents and correspondents of the firm: Bibby Bros. & Co. (the Bibby Line), Liverpool; Nippon Yusen Kaisha (Japan Mail Steamship Company), Tokio; Ismay, Imrie & Co. (the White Star Line), Liverpool; the Cunard Line, Liverpool ; Alexander Howden & Co., London ; Arakan Company, Ltd., Rangoon ; Macleod Company, Calcutta; Horrockses, Crewdson & Co., Ltd., Preston and Manchester ; James Burton & Sons, ManF. Steiner & Co., Ltd., Church, Lancashire; Beith, Stevenson and Co., Manchester; Alexander Drew & Sons, Manchester; Lomitz & Duxbury, Manchester. Messrs. Carson & Co. also hold the local agencies for the London Assurance Corporation; Fire, Life, and Marine, London; Phoenix Assurance Company, Ltd., London; Union Marine Insurance Company, Ltd., and Tokio Marine Insurance Company, Ltd., Tokio. They are, further, agents in Ceylon for Messrs. W. H. Tindall & Co., London; Rowe, White & Co., London; J. A. Bell & Co., London; General Ceylon Tea Estates, Ltd., London; Gona Adike Tea Company, Ltd., Manchester ; the Kelani Tea Gardens Company, Ltd.; the Kandyan Hills Company, Ltd.; the Donnybrook Tea Conpany, Ltd.; Messrs. Millar's Karri and Jarrah
chester;
Company; the Raneegunee Coal Association,
CENTURY IM
Ltd., Calcutta; the "Gou Calcutta; the Grand Cer Ltd.; the Durampitiya F the Hinwerelle Rubbe Weyganga Rubber Co Wemiwella Rubber Con
s
COLOMHB0 COMME)
L
It was in 1876, the yea which the export of c reached its greatest volu was founded, in Londo acquiring estates in Cey of the berry and carry curing and exporting decline of this then s colony, in the succeedi spread of the coffeevastatriv), the Colombo in common with the corporations engaged ir in Ceylon, found their s time, in the growth o phenomenal rise of the time, in the early “eig premier place among island has been reflecte Company's business, wil the largestand most im varied, in the colony. only concerned with th its own estates, but, a shows, acts as agent owners of tea estates i purchases largely for its teas offered on the loca the company holds a insurance, and engine panies, and, besides, large engineering busi machinery for the com factories, bo:h on its ow properties. A speciali branch is the manufac rollers, and sifters; and machines are turned ( the island, but also for € of India and Java. So the patent machinery company for treating that the workshops fil pace with it, even by although the engineeri continually been largel
The scene of the c Slave Island, about a II centre of the city, is a v Altogether the premise I3 acres; and even the series of large buil
MPRESSIONS
repore Company, Ltd., tral Rubber Company, Rubber Company, Ltd.; Company, Ltd. ; the mpany, Ltd.; and the mpany, Ltd.
s Šh.
RCIAL COMPANY., TED
r following that during offee from the island Ime, that this company n, with the purpose of lon for the production ing on the business of this product. On the staple industry of the ng years, owing to the leaf disease (Hemileia Commercial Company, rest of the firms and n the planting business salvation, in the nick of f tea for export. The tea industry from the hties," it assumed the the products of the :d in the growth of the nich now ranks among portant, as well as most The company is not e production of tea on is the list given below. for a number of other in the colony, and also export trade from the l market. In addition, gencies for shipping, ering firms and comcarries on a very ness in manufacturing plete equipment of tea
yn estates and on other
ty in the engineering ture of tea desiccators, large numbers of these out, not only for use in xport to the tea planters great is the demand for manufactured by the the all-important leaf, ld difficulty in keeping running overtime and ng shops and plant have y increased. ompany's operations at nile and a half from the eritable hive of industry. s cover an area of some a casual tour through dings in which the dif
OF CEYLON 43.
ferent branches of the business are carried on is sufficient to give an insight into the manner in which the premier productive industries of the colony are prosecuted, as well as a good idea of the wide scope, immense volume, and up-to-date methods of the company's business. The administrative offices are located on the groundt floor of a palatial two-storeyed bungalow, one of the largest in Colombo, substantially built of cabook, and containing spacious and lofty apartments. Here a clerical staff of 5o persons is busily employed; while the upper storey is occupied by the manager as a residence. This building, known as 'Acland House," was purchased from the Ceylon Company. It was originally the mess-house of the Ceylon Rifle Regiment, consisting of Malays, and since disbanded, and stands in the centre of park-like grounds, extending over
Seven acres,
As may be imagined from the number of important agencies held, the financial business of the company is very considerable, and requires highly skilled ability in the managerial department. The present manager, Mr. John G. Wardrop, has occupied his responsible position for thirty years past. Being also a member of the London board of directors, he spends six months of each year in England. The other members of the directorate are Mr. Alfred Brown, the chairman (son of Mr. John Brown, the founder of the company), and Messrs. P. C. Oswald and J. Alec Roberts. The latter gentleman also occupies the post of secretary, the head offices being at 5, Dowgate Hill, London. As indicating the prosperity of the company, it may be mentioned that the profits for the year ended September 30, 1905, as certified on the annual balance-sheet, returned a dividend of 6 per cent. on the preference capital of £18, I85 (paid-up), and 8 per cent. on the ordinary capital of £70,000 (paid-up), while a substantial contribution was also made to the reserve fund.
In addition to the other lines of business in which the company is operating so successfully earnest attention is being given to the cultivation of the rubber-tree, and the treatment of the product which is (at time of writing) advancing by leaps and bounds to a foremost place among the staple products of Ceylon.
The mills and stores, with spacious yards intervening, which form the manufacturing division of the business, are situated on a block of land adjoining that on which the administrative building stands, and cover an area of six or seven acres. Of the mills, the engineering shop is the most important, and here may be seen, in process of construction, the various machines for the tea factories, also other work in iron; while in the adjoining carpentry shop huge balks of teak-wood, principally from Burma, are cut to required sizes in planks by
Page 440
PREMISES OF THE COLOMBO COMMERCIAL COMPANY., LT
AND ENGINEERING
D.-TEA PACKING, LOADING TEA, ERECTING YARD, DEPARTMENT.
Page 441
TWENTIETH
powerful steam-driven frame saws, and then worked up by hand. Besides manufacturing machinery for tea treatment, the engineering branch carries out important contracts for building and structural work. In this department the dredger for the lake was constructed for the Colombo Municipality, being the largest piece of work of the kind ever turned out in Ceylon by a private firm. Harbour barges and lighters have also been built by the company, the cast-iron in the rough being imported from Scotland. Structural works of this nature form a special feature of the business, and all the shops in the yard were built on the spot. In the carpentry shop woodwork of all descriptions for offices, bungalows, and other buildings. is turned out, and among the large contracts carried out in the construction departments, the rebuilding of the Chartered Bank and the building of St. Paul's Church and the Wesley College, all three in Colombo, deserve special mention. The last is an extensive and highly finished edifice, the work on which occupied nine months. A brass foundry for small work is also included in this branch of the establishment. The driving power for the workshops is mainly derived from a Marshall's high-speed horizontal engine, of I5o horse-power, served by a Babcock's watertube boiler; while a smaller engine of 95 horse-power is ready for emergencies, and there are two spare boilers. A pneumatic plant is used for riveting, drilling, and caulking. Altogether some 35o to 4oo hands are employed in the engineering and carpentry shops and yards, including seven Europeans in controlling positions, two of the latter being engaged in erecting machinery and fittings at the factories up country. The bulk of the men are Sinhalese machine men and Malabar coolies. Two cranes, respectively of 5-ton and 4-ton lifting capacity, are used in the yards for lifting the balks of teak, timber, and other heavy articles. The company also carries large stocks of machine parts, pulleys, shaftings, and all other engineering requisites for the factory.
Another important branch of the company's business is the tea-buying department, which occupies separate offices, situated in Queen Street, Fort, in the centre of the tea market. The business transacted in this department is quite distinct from that of the estates agency. Orders are received from Australasia, America, Africa, and various other quarters of the globe, and are filled from the teas which are put up for sale at the weekly public auctions in Colombo. Three expert tasters are engaged in this work. In many instances the teas are blended and repacked into lead packets, fancy tins and boxes, and only those who are familiar with the tea trade can appreciate the care and expert knowledge necessary in order to carry out this work satisfactorily. The volume
CENTURY I
of the trade controlled ment is now very consi increasing.
Coming to the stora, very long building wil rows of tea chests piled ready packed for shipm world. The product is rail and boat from the the leaf has been gro consumption. Immense for tea packing, includi from Japan, and the mo Venesta boxes from lining, are also stored on the premises. A la supplying artificial mai In a fully equipped lal part of the premises w was the site of the bal
various fertilisers are te
ness for the different soil. Castor poonac, grc cake from Southern Inc extraction of the differe of the manures. Spec imported from Europe, of soda from the west co
The refuse cakes from I by huge revolving wheel the premises. The stud stored ready for despat are employed in the stor. the extensive transport b necessitates the empl carters and -3o pairs of
On adjoining premist Mills roll imported pig. which the linings of cut. This business is
Sinhalese machine men coolies, under two Eurc A branch office is r Street, Fort, for shipp
purposes.
The following are the the staff: Manager, M sub-manager, Mr. A. A. Messrs. C. E. Stevenso Cary, G. R. Marnoch, G. A. Rettie; accountant analyst, Mr. J. O. Ferri ment, Messrs. F. N. Ma J. W. Cock; engineering H. J. W. Oxlade, J. G D. W. Waddell, R. F. F and G. W. Johnson, C.E. wella, Mr. C. J. Donald Joseph Fraser (reckoned manuring in Ceylon).
艾
MPRESSIONS’
by the purchase departderable, and is steadily
ge department, in one be found rows upon high upon one another, ent to all parts of the thus brought down by estates inland where wn and prepared for stocks of all requisites ing momi-wood boxes ore lightly constructed Russia, jute and lead in different buildings ge business is done in nures to the planters. boratory, Occupying a which in earlier days -becues for coffee, the sted for their suitableclasses of up-country ound-nut cake and rape lia, the refuse after the nt oils, form the bases cial manures are also and guano and nitrate past of South America.
ndia are crushed small ls in large mortars on if is then bagged and ch. About 6o coolies age departments, while usiness of the company oyment of some 35
bulls.
es the Colombo Lead -lead into sheets, from the tea chests are worked by some 7o and 30 to 5o Indian opean superintendents. maintained in Queen ing and tea valuing
principal members of r. John G. Wardrop ;
Prideaux ; assistants, n, J. W. R. Still, M. J. Wm. Simmons, and t, Mr. A. Young, C.A.; er, F.C.S. ; tea departackie, O. M. Ash, and department, Messrs. . Benzie, C. P. Hall, Browne, H. A. Dixon, . ; agent at Bandara; visiting agent, Mr.
the first authority on
OF CEYLON 433
WEBSTER UTOMATIC PCKETING FACTORY, CO-OPERATIVE TEA GADRENS COMPANY, and MARAYILLA CEYLON TEA COMPANY.
The origin of this extensive tea-growing and shipping business, or combination of businesses, is traceable to the fact that the proprietor, Mr. Roland Valentine Webster, sent in his resignation as superintendent of the Opagalla and Nargalla Tea Estates on April 1, 1889, and, with a capital of only £50, started business under the name of the Cooperative Tea Gardens Company. Having appointed a local firm as agent for his new venture, Mr. Webster sailed for Africa, and there planted the first seeds of his new enterprise, which grew by leaps and bounds until the Co-operative Tea Gardens Company became known not only in Africa, but even in remote corners of the globe. The now famous “Bee" brand of teas were the first thus introduced to the world, followed by the Ugalla, Voonia, Temple, Wigwam, Rajah, Tusker, Queen Bee, Jaya, and Quaker brands, the different qualities being obtained by careful expert blending of various Ceylon teas. In 1894. Mr. Webster purchased the Maravilla, Ancoombra, Ugalla, and Jaya tea estates, starting at the same time a second business under the title of the Maravilla Ceylon Tea Company. The shipments during the first twelve months of the new venture totalled only 6oooo lbs., as at that time Ceylon teas were little known outside Great Britain, and it was only with the greatest difficulty Home firms could be persuaded to take small experimental shipments. By perseverance and judicious advertising, however, the exports of the various brands enumerated above soon ran into millions of pounds weight. In 1898, having completed his twelfth tour round the world, and having arrived in Cairo from Turkey in Asia, Mr. Webster took his first holiday, and, being asked to organise the civil transport from Cairo to Berber, joined the Sudan Expedition under Lord Kitchener -then Sirdar Sir. Herbert Kitchener. Mr. Webster was present at the Battle of Atbara, where he acted as assistant to the officer commanding the Army Service Corps, and also as special war correspondent for the London Morning Post, receiving the Sudan medal and clasp, British-Egyptian medal, and Royal Humane bronze medal. In I90o Mr. Webster was in Paris, where he acted as Assistant Tea Commissioner at the Paris Exposition of that year. At the close of the Exposition Mr. Webster formed the Ceylon Tea Pavilion, Ltd., and Tea Planters, Ltd., with the object of developing the sale of Ceylon teas on the Continent, more especially packet teas exported by the Co-operative Tea Gardens Company
2 E
Page 442
WEBSTER AUTOMATIC PACKETING FACTORY-MA PACKER, PACKETING-ROOM, O)
IN BUILDING, MACHINE-RooM, WEBSTER’s PATENT FFICE, AND CARPENTERS' SHED.
Page 443
TWENTIETH
and the Maravilla Ceylon Tea Company-the businesses of his own creation.
In I9oI Mr. Webster started for the Boer War in South Africa as special war correspondent for the London Daily Express, but shortly after his arrival on the field he accepted a commission as lieutenant in the Cape mounted troops. Two months later Lieutenant Webster went to Pretoria as Organising. Secretary to the Transvaal Land Settlement Board; and within three months he was appointed Financial Adviser for this Board, under Lord Milner. In January, 1902, Lieutenant Webster was promoted to a captaincy and given command of General Barton's scouts, the duties of which position he performed in addition to his civil duties on the Land Settlement Board. In September, I9o2, Captain Webster was invalided to England on board the transport Apoca, as the result of his attempt to save life during a hurricane at Port Elizabeth, for which act of bravery he was awarded the Queen's medal and five clasps, also the Royal Humane Society's silver medal. When convalescent, he was transferred to the City of London (Rough Riders) Imperial Yeemanry, with the rank of captain.
In January, 1905, finding his business growing to very large dimensions, and having decided to build a tea-factory in Colombo on the latest improved American labour-saving lines, Captain Webster sailed for Ceylon in the Ophir, arriving in Colombo on February 6th. Within twenty-four hours of his arrival, and before any one had the least idea of his intention, he had purchased a valuable piece of ground known as the Staples property, situated within a mile of the landing jetty at Colombo, and in the midst of the largest tea warehouses of Ceylon. Without disturbing the historical bungalow and garden on the site, Captain Webster laid out the ground plan for what is now among the first and largest tea-factories in the East, if not in the world. Two months later contractors in Colombo were flashing cables to England for the massive steel columns and girders required for the building, to Germany for the corrugated iron, to America for machinery, and to Burma for teak joists and flooring. Nine months later the Webster Automatic Packeting Factory was complete, and hundreds of busy hands were employed there executing orders for tea from various parts of the world.
The main building of the factory, in which tea only is treated, is 390 ft. long and four storeys high; while running at right angles is a second building, 200 ft. long, where the boxes for holding the packets are made. At the further end are the coffee department, the rubber department, and the spice department, The box-making department 1s equipped with
CENTURY I)
a 30-horse-power gas panel-plaining machine and other apparatus. the main building is the equipped with a 20-h (fed by a suction gas dynamo, Switch-board
Adjoining is the elect
taining cells capable O horse-power also a 2 tons, and numerous a packeting machines, in packer. On the secon rooms and the office, counter 6o ft. long, ele most modern improve contains one of Bartli bulkers; also tea-cut polishing machines, an
ALFRED CBIA)
(Man
sirocco. The top floor storing tea, at times cor of the leaf. Some it quired to run this gi gathered from a glar rooms, in which are a amounting to over decorated tins numbe the extent of 200 tons packing weighing IOO nails, and advertising the extent of some 20t surrounding compounc Colombo, together with yielding tea, coffee, si (the latter planted on tion to considerable in sent the result of Mr. he started in the tea account eighteen yeal
only 50.
The Webster Autom
MPRESSIONS
engine, circular saws, s, dovetailing machines, Dn the ground floor of
engine-room, which is orse-power gas-engine - generating plant), a , and fitters' bench. ric-storage room, con f storing 3o electrical ift, capable of raising utomatic weighing and luding Davidson's bulk d floor are the storeitted with a tea-tasters' :ctric fans, and all the nents. The third floor :tt & Sons' largest tea ters, sifters, green tea d a full-size down-draft
RLES C.R.A.MIER.
ager.)
especially arranged for tains over Iooo,ooo lbs. lea of the capital re
gantic concern may be
ce through the storêreserve stock of labels 3o,ooo,ooo in number, ring I,ooo,ooo, lead to paper and tin-foil for
tons, besides hoop-iron,
matter; and timber to ,000 ft. is stacked in the
This great factory in the gardens up-country ices, cocoa, and rubber )00 acres), and in addi2rests in Europe, repreWebster's efforts since business om his own ago, with a capital of
tie Paeketing Factory,
OF CEYLON 435
Colombo, act as estate agents as well as buyers, packers, and exporters of tea; and they also effect insurances at special rates. Mr. O. C. Cramer is the superintendent of the business, with Mr. P. J. Farrin as assistantsuperintendent, both of whom are expert teatasters, having served for many years with the English and Scottish Wholesale Co-operative Societies, Ltd., of London;
Correspondence is maintained by the firm with business houses in all parts of the world which are either already engaged in trade with Ceylon or are seeking commercial intercourse with the island, particularly in connection with its principal product, namely, tea.
艾
Bos ANQUET & CO.
The well-known house of Bosanquet & Co., merchants, estate and general commission agents, was founded in Colombo in 1879, at which time it took over the business of the famous old firm of George Wall & Co., in their day the largest agency house in the island. Messrs. Bosanquet & Co. are exporters of tea, cocoa, coffee, cardamoms, and other lines of Ceylon produce, and are largely interested in the import of cotton piece-goods of all descriptions, while as sole agents for Nobel's Explosives Company, Ltd., they control the main share of the dynamite trade in Ceylon, besides holding other valuable connections. They are also agents in Ceylon for the Australian Timber Export Company, Ltd., of Sydney. The firm consists of Messrs. R. A., Bosanquet, Gilbert F. Traill, H. W. Unwin, and D. W. Watson. At their extensive 'Blomendahl' Mills, comprising a ground area of over I4 acres and located in Mutwal, the northern suburb of Colombo, a room 300 ft long is devoted to turning out tea in packets for all parts of the world; and in their capacity of estate. agents, as well as merchants, the firm deals with over ten million pounds weight of tea on their premises annually, exclusive of other produce. At this establishment, also, cocoa is prepared for the market, and cardamoms are bleached, cured, and sorted by experienced hands, though these processes are necessarily of minor importance compared with the handling of the staple-tea. The aggregate area of the estates for which Bosanquet & Co. are agents amounts to 33,445 acres, comprising many of the finest tea properties in the island; and the visiting agents are the Hon. Mr. Edward Rosling, M.L.C., and Mr. W. D. Bosanquet.
The head office of the business is at I7, Chatham Street, Colombo, and the office staff consists of five Europeans, together with 3o clerks and assistants, while a large number of labourers are constantly employed at the mills. The London house of the business is Messrs.
Page 444
MESSRS. BOSANQUET & CO.'s GENERAL OFFICE, D
YNAMITE MAGAZINE, AND GENERAL VIEWS.
Page 445
TWENTIETH
R. A. Bosanquet & Co., of 2, Fenchurch Avenue, E.C., and the firm have, in addition, correspondents in all parts of the world.
AITKEN, SPENCE & CO.
This firm of general merchants, exporters, importers, agents for shipping companies and representatives for various other concernsnotably Lloyd's-was founded early in 187o. The general executive offices are situated in Prince Street, in the Fort of Colombo; and branch houses and connected establishments are maintained at Galle, under the style of Clark, Spence & Co., and in London in the name of Spence, Wallis & Co., while the New York agents of the house are Messrs. Chevalier Bros. The partners of the firm are Messrs. E. Aitken, P. G. Spence, A. S. Berwick, and A. P. Waldock; while the principal European assistants are Messrs. C. S. Burns, R. Fowke, B. F. H. Armitage, H. S. Jeaffreson, and W. E. M. Paterson. This firm are the largest plumbago exporters in Ceylon, shipments of the mineral being made regularly to almost every part of the world. The house is in the front rank of European mercantile enterprises of Ceylon.
艾
J. M. ROBERTSON & CO.
This, one of the leading businesses of the colony, was founded in I845 by the great house of Baring Brothers, London, and originally embarked in the business of coffee cultivation, the mainstay of Ceylon agriculture from 1840 to 188o. The first partners were Messrs. J. M. Robertson and George Christian. On the retirement of these two gentlemen, Mr. J. T. White assumed the control of the business, he being later joined in partnership by Mr. H. Bois, father of Messrs. H. G. and Herbert Bois. Thus the family which now owns the business was brought into connection with it, the partners being Messrs. Henry Bois, F: W. Bois, H. G. Bois, and Herbert Bois.
Ever since its foundation the firm has been identified with the principal industries of the colony. With the decline in the production of coffee, the firm embraced dealings in tea, cocoa, and rubber in its sphere of operations; and the principal business at the present day is the management and superintendence, on behalf of owners who are absent in England and elsewhere, of estates in the island on which these three latter products are cultivated. All kinds of requisites for tea estates are also imported by this house. The business of tea-packing is not carried on to any large extent by the firm; but cocoa is prepared for shipment, the useless beans being picked out
CENTURY I
by hand and the rest In handling rubber til Sinhalese, although use will prove expert, and in this new and imp business, promising to an extensive scale for r projected.
Another branch of t portation of teak wood building purposes. T agents for Baring Br Caledonian Tea Es
Farquhar & Co., Glyr London; P. J. Landry States Mortgage and ' Hope & Co.
York;
Plantations Company, Company of Ceylon, Lt. District Tea Company, Company, Ltd., Temples Ltd., Wm. McEwan & Brewery, Edinburgh; North British and Company (in which Universal Life Assura Mutual Steam Navigatic Eila Tea Company of Wester Tea Company Company of Ceylon, Lt. pany of Ceylon, Lt. Company, Ltd., Galkand Ltd., Monerakella Estat Lunugalla Tea and Rub Appropriately, in vie
MPRESSIONS
the product re-dried. e firm expect that the ess for tea cultivation, xtensive developments rtant line of planting
give employment on tive labour, are being
e business is the imin logs from Siam, for he firin also acts as ps. & Co., Ltd., the ates, Ltd., Herries, Mills, Currie & Co., ; the Hague United rust Company, New Amsterdam ; Lanka
OF CEYLON 437
of the firm, the business premises (No. 6, Prince Street, Fort) comprise one of the oldest buildings in Colombo. The accompanying illustration gives a view of this interesting relic and reminder of bygone days and other rulership. Although the title-deeds of this property only date from I8o5, it is established that the house was in the occupation of the Burgomaster a good many years previous to that time.
s
WALKER, SONS & CO., LTD. In essaying to give a comprehensive description of the business of this prominent Ceylon firm, of Colombo and Kandy, it is difficult to
AN OLID COLOMBO BUILDING.
tod., Pundaluoya Tea l., the Bogawantalaga Ltd., New Dimbula tone Estate Company, Co., Ltd., Fountain un Insurance Office, fercantile Insurance s now merged the hce Society), China n Company, Ltd., the Ceylon, Ltd., Great Ltd., Uvakelle Tea ..., Doomoo Tea Com., Kotmallie Valley swatte Tea Company, s Company, Ltd. and per Company, Ltd.
of the old standing
decide with which branch of the subject a start should be made-so numerous and varied are the operations of Walker, Sons & Co. in engineering, contracting, and general commercial directions. More than half a century has elapsed since this now extensive business was founded in Ceylon by John Walker, a native of Perthshire, Scotland, who came to the island in 1842. An engineer and inventor of superior attainment, he commenced business in I854 as a manufacturer of coffee-treating machinery at Kandy, a main centre of the then staple industry. To John Walker and to his brother William, who joined him in partnership in 1862, the planting industry of the colony owes a deep debt of gratitude, for to their efforts much of the prosperity. it has enjoyed, and is enjoying, is due. To keep
2E *
Page 446
4.38 TWENTIETH
pace with the rapid extension of coffee planting in the fat year of 187o, Messrs. Walker opened branches in Badulla and Haldummulla, and subsequently, in 1873, at Dikoya and Dimbula ; and when Colombo began to attain supreme importance as the sea-gate and capital of the island, the brothers decided to remove their headquarters from Kandy to the port city. In 188o the transfer was effected, and premises were acquired in a central position. From these beginnings the business of the house has expanded with the industrial development of the colony, and despite the temporary but severe check caused by the collapse in coffee production, to its present enormous dimensions, When the business was started in Kandy, the total number of employees did not exceed 50. To-day, besides a staff of 35 Europeans, no less than 1,300 Eurasians and natives are employed in the different departments at Colombo and Kandy, the other up-country branches having been separated from the parent house.
In 1891 the firm was converted into a limited liability company, under the title of Walker, Sons & Co.; and with the continuous growth of the business, additional area has been repeatedly acquired, on which new buildings have been from time to time erected. The general offices, engineering works, and retail store in the Fort section of Colombo occupy a large extent of ground, of which the machinery department alone covers two acres, Being fully equipped with the latest and most approved machinery, the engineering shop is equal to dealing with work of the heaviest type. Two massive steam-hammers and other iron-working plant-including lathes, drilling, and planing machines, and all the ingenious apparatus for cutting, turning, and shaping iron-are located on the ground floor; while the upper storey comprises large showrooms, where various types of tea, coffee, and fibre machines, steam and oil engines of different patterns, turbines and other machinery are on exhibition. The well-found draughtsmen's office adjoins the showroom; while the foundry, saw-mills, and carpenter's shop occupy a site on the Reclamation Ground, about a quarter of a mile away. In the retail store, housed in a handsome three-storeyed building recently erected on the west end of the main block at Colombo, are displayed large stocks of furniture, tools, arms, and ammunition, and general ironmongery for up-country estates, as well as the household; and adjoining is a building entirely devoted to the exhibition of motorcars of different makes, a branch for the supply of these vehicles, as well as all motoring accessories, having been established to meet the growing demand in the island. Bicycles
sof every description are also on view. Cone
spicuous among the various types are the
CENTURY
famous “ Rover” anc latter being manufact Walker, Sons & Co. suppliers to the Autol which already number cope with the growin department of the b garage has been prov lishment, as well as modation of the same large store in Darley duct of the engineerin rickshaw manufaeture principal feature of wl bicycle-wheels to the for which conception in charge of the m patents in Ceylon and At the foundry, ca weight are turned ou shop and sawmills ar date machinery capablt of woodwork, includi highly finished furnit timber yard, large stoc and other timbers are mises at the Reclamati pumps are always in meet any cases of ac vessels, and a slip for is located here; while of the engineering bra to despatch a staff of with any emergency w repairs to ships. In company has carried operations, including repairs executed in th complete success, La and lakes are also b shops; and all machi with the tea industry, ready for erection, is t in stock; also coffee sifters, either for horn America, Java, Africa World.
An important and the business is the bu erecting their own sto company have put up most important edific them the handsome : Hotel, the Australia F Arcade, the National E Hotel, and Cargills' branch of the com equipped workshops a same lines as the wa on a smaller scale. T of all the Ceylon bu hands of Mr. E. J. Ha in Colombo, Mr. D. K
MIPRESSIONS
the “Serendib," the ured on the premises. have been appointed nobile Csub of Ceylon, 20o members; and to g requirements in this usiness a commodious ded in the main estabsupplementary accomkind at the company's Road. A special prog shop is the pneumatic by the company, the ich is the adaptation of ordinary carriage body, dr. Gnapp, the engineer otor department, holds
other colonies. stings up to IO tons t; and the carpenter's 2 equipped with up-to; of executing any class ng the manufacture of re. In the adjoining ks of teak, pine, Johore, maintained. On the preon Ground also salvage immediate readiness to icident and damage to taking up small craft the marine department .nch is always prepared skilled hands to cope fork in connection with this line of work the out most important some of the heaviest le East, with the most unches for the harbour uilt in the engineering nery used in connection together with factories urned out here and kept : pulpers, peelers, and use or export to India, or other parts of the
growing department of ilding branch. Besides bres and workshops, the some of the largest and es in Colombo, among nd colossal Galle Face uildings, the Fort Land ank of India, the Bristol imporium, The Kandy pany consists of fully nd a retail store on the ‘ehouse at Colombo, but he general management siness is centred in the 7ward, at the head office . Michie controlling the
OF CEYLON
engineering department and Mr. Hunter the retail store in the capital; while at the Kandy branch, Mr. W. A. Goodman is in charge of the engineering business and Mr. R. Wilson of the retail stores. The registered office of the company is at 36, Basinghall Street, London, where Mr. Frank Walker, the chairman, controls the affairs of the corporation. Among the fifty important businesses for which the firm act as agents, the following may be specified: Marshall, Sons & Co., Ltd., William Jackson, Campbell Oil Engine Company, North British and Mercantile Insurance Company, Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States of America, and “ Locomobile" Company.
The company are also agents for the Ceylon Steamship Company, which was founded in I889 to furnish an up-to-date service of steamers round the island. The round trip is performed in eight or nine days, and the vessels maintained are continually travellingone in each direction-calling en route at all the ports of the island.
艾
LEECHMAN & C0.
This firm was established in the year I866 by Mr. George Barclay Leechman, who was subsequently joined in partnership by Mr. Christopher Anderson Leechman; and it has
since been continuously engaged in business in connection with estates, as proprietors or
agents, and in buying and exporting tea and other articles-the produce of the island and of the adjacent coast of South India-to England and to the Continent of Europe, as well as to Australian and American ports. On the failure of coffee, owing to the leaf disease, the firm were among the pioneers who introduced cinchona cultivation and the cultivation of tea. Similarly, they are now among the first to interest themselves in rubber both in Ceylon and in the Federated Malay States. Mr. C. A. Leechman retired in 1898, since which time Mr. Robert Farquhar Spottiswood Hardie has joined the firm, being still a partner. The firm are agents for the Carolina Tea Company of Ceylon, Ltd. the Nuwara Eliya Tea Estates Company, Ltd., and other estates privately owned ; also for the Norwich Union Fire Insurance Society, the New Zealand Insurance Company, Ltd., the London and Lancashire Life Assurance Company, the Batavia Sea and Fire Insurance Company, the Norwich and London Accident Insurance Association, and the Beverlac (Selangor) Rubber Company, Ltd.. Their principal correspondents and friends in London are Messrs. Frith, Sands & Co. and Messrs. Grindlay & Co.
The firm of G. & W. Leechman was likewise formed in 1866 by Mr. George Barclay Leech
Page 447
PREMISES OF WALKER, SONS & CO., LTD., SHOW ExTERIOR, CYCLE DEPÖ)
VING MOTOR DEPÔT, FOUNDRY, AND TIMBER YARD,
C, AND ENGINEERING SHOP,
Page 448
440
man and Mr. William Carey Leechman, to lease and work the Hultsdorf (Coconut Oil) Mills in Colombo, which business they carried on for about twenty years. Since 1888 Messrs. Leechman have been the agents of the Colombo (Coconut) Oil Mills Company, Colombo. Mr. W. C. Leechman retired from the firm of G. & W. Leechman at the end of 1899. The two firms have their offices together at 13, Queen Street, Fort, Colombo, and their principal European assistants are Mr. W. A. Jones, Mr. G. A. Ginn, and Mr. Barclay Leechman.
R
MESSRS. LIPTON & CO., LTD.
Familiar as a household word in the United Kingdom, the name of Lipton in Ceylon enjoys a distinction of another kind. In the island the firm is very little of a retailer, and very much a producer and exporter. It is the proprietor of great estates, the grower of vast quantities of tea, and the operator in produce on an extensive scale, The thousands of passengers who drop in at Colombo en route
TWENTIETH CENTURY
for the Far East or A impression of the impo business as they saunt note the extensive pri which constitute the C the firm. If curiosity the building they find try, in which a conside the preliminary operati provision for the home of Ceylon tea, which other article has contril success of the great Thomas Lipton is th course, in the interioreye of the globe-trotte that the real strength ( good many years have Thomas Lipton, with tl which is his most dis practical force in Ceylo which the firm's tea b furnishing the consumi from the estate, and C added to another until
PLUCKING TEA, ON LIPTON'S
MPRESSIONS
ustralia catch a fleeting rtance of the company's r through the Fort and mises in Prince Street olombo headquarters of prompts them to enter t a great hive of indusable staff is engaged in ons associated with the
market of the supplies )erhaps more than any buted to the remarkable business of which Sir 2 head. But it is, of
-far removed from the
or the casual visitorof the firm centres. A
now elapsed since Sir lat business prescience tinguishing trait, gave n to the principle upon usiness is conducted of ær with the leaf direct fne property has been the company possesses
OF CEYLON
a very considerable area of tea land. This land is of the best, and that is tantamount to saying that it is situated at a high elevation, for the most part removed from the beaten track of tourists. The company's principal estates are in the Haputale district, in the province of Uva-a glorious upland country with a dry, invigorating air, which is not only peculiarly health-giving, but is exceptionally favourable for the production of tea of the highest quality. Here is situated the famous Dambatenne group of estates, which contribute so largely to the company's supply of tea. The group consists of Dambatenne, Maha Dambatenne, Bandara Eliya, and Sunny Peak. It has a total acreage of 1,099, and of this 944 acres are under tea. Another and even more extensive property in Haputale is the Monarakande group, including Leymastotte, Nahakettia, and Upper Lyegrove. This group has an acreage of 2, IoII, and of that area III,389 acres are under tea. Also in the Haputale district are Messrs. Lipton's Keenapitiya estate, with a total acreage of I87, of which I45 acres are under tea, and the Oakfield
TAHLA DAMIBAENNİK ESKA TE,
Page 449
DESPATCHING TEA FROM THE FACTORY ON THE
COOLIES MUSTERING FOR MORNING W.
"; *“ „წესი
ή ές
STATE. BULLOCK CARTS ON THE ESTATE. ORK ON LIPTON'S. DAMBATENNE ESTATE.
Page 450
TWENTIETH CENTURY
LOADING TEA. INTO CARTS AT LIPTON
estate, with an area of 452 acres, 242 of which are under tea. Other estates owned by. the firm are the Pooprassie group in Pussellawa, with an acreage of I,365, of which 866 acres are under tea; the Karandagalla estate in Dumbara (16o acres); and the Panilkanda estate, in the Morawak Korale, with an area of 852 acres, of which 663 acres are under tea. All the estates are under the supervision of experienced planters, and the cultivation is conducted on the most approved scientific principles. It follows that the equipment is of the most up-to-date description. At Dambatenne the bulk of the tea land is on the upper slopes of lofty hills, upon which there is no room for buildings. The difficulty of preparing the tea on the spot has been overcome by the provision of an aérial tramway, which transmits the produce as gathered from the gardens to the factory in the valley below. The baskets, as filled, are put upon the wire,
and whizz through spa to a standstill at the fa situated 2,000 ft. below subjected to the usual cesses, and, when duly wooden cases for ship of the produce from til of the bullock carts w feature of the Ceylor The labour force on other similar propertie Tamil coolies. They upon the estates, and needs are attended t carefully devised wit servation of health. body they for the mos pickers are women a picturesque sight is gardens in early moi full swing. The cool
MPRESSIONS
OF CEYLON
X。 స్గట్లో
... ... &ર્ડફ,
y
PS LEYMASTOTTE FACTORY, HAPUTALE.
ce until they are brought ictory building, which is On arrival the tea is drying and other proprepared, is packed in ment, In the transport he estate a large number hich are a characteristic 1 roads are employed. he Lipton estates, as on s, is mainly composed of are comfortably housed their medical and other o under arrangements h a view to the preA happy and contented E part are. Many of the ld children, and a very
presented by the tea ning when work is in e muster at commence
ment and close of the day's labours is an indispensable part of the routine of an estate. In one of the accompanying illustrations we have a representation of a muster on the Dambatenne estate, and the reader may obtain from this a very fair idea of the appearance of the body of industrious labourers who perform the initial operation in the preparation of the leaf for the market.
Lipton's teas have carried the name and fame of Ceylon into the remotest villages of the three kingdoms and to the furthest corners of the Empire. It is a moot question, indeed, whether it is not the splendid advertisement Messrs. Lipton have given the Ceylon leaf that is mainly responsible for the present flourishing condition of the trade. However that may be, it is certain that no other undertaking has more popularised Ceylon tea or has won for it a higher reputation in the world's markets.
Page 451
TWENTIETH
REUTER’s TELEGRAM coMPANY, LTD.
The ramifications of the wonderful system of telegraphic intercommunication instituted by Baron de Reuter, and by means of which all parts of the world are brought within speaking distance of one another of necessity embrace so important a ganglionic centre of Eastern commerce and travel as Colombo. At this port large steamers as well as smaller craft call on their way East and West, North and South; and the movements of all the more important vessels are flashed over the earth in several directions. Some forty years ago a branch of Reuter's famous telegraphic agency was established in Galle, on the southern coast, then the principal port of Ceylon. On the removal of this outpost of the business to Colombo, some ten years ago, the material progress being made by the colony was naturally reflected in a large increase in the volume of messages received and despatched over the far-reaching wires converging at this centre; and the business has grown, until at the present time the number of cable messages handled in the Colombo office of Reuter's Telegram Company, situated in the Victoria Arcade, amounts to the enormous figure of 50,000 annually, while the company's cablegraphic code for the use of the public embraces no less than a quarter of a million words.
The present manager of the Colombo branch is Mr. Percy A. Griffiths, who came from the London headquarters on his appointment to this post six years ago, after serving a short term of six months in the Calcutta office of the company; and the staff under Mr. Griffiths' control consists of ten hands. Besides supplying all the Ceylon newspapers with the cablegrams which form generally the most attractive feature of the daily print, and in connection with which information the name of Reuter is deservedly celebrated all over the world, the company carries on an extensive business in the remittance of money to any part of the globe at specially low rates, thus providing a much-appreciated convenience for the travelling public and the commercial come munity generally. Their system of registered addresses for the use of the public, whereby many pounds per annum may be saved in the cost of cablegrams, is also a boon of which those for whose benefit it has been instituted are not slow to avail themselves. Any two addresses may be registered free of charge, thus establishing a means of intercommunication at reduced rates between cable correspon dents. Yet another advantage in lessening the cost of messages is provided by the company's method of issuing passenger tickets, by means of which persons travelling homewards may announce by cable their safe arrival at their destination.
CENTURY IM
The company include tions the agency for a newspapers for the a also the local agency of New York for there business.
s
THE KRAWEH, CO
(The Ceylon Branch (
This important com Liverpool in the early was established in Egy able while before the Canal. The head offic Lancastrian seaport, wil are at 5o and 5 I, Lime branch was formed in I889, and the Ceylon of Victoria Arcade, wher. conjointly with Mr. W the operations of the fiu controlling the busine other's absence from t cipal line of business di Cardiff steam coal in l; purpose of bunkering sh and the firm has stand Norddeutscher-Lloyd, t the East Asiatic Compa Austrian-Lloyd, and C panies for the supply o these respective lines They are also contracto of France and Italy fol warships of these tw employ some 300 h department of their storage capacity in the 60,000 tons, The fil lightering work, mair pose, two steam tugs a their own. In addition Messrs, Redemann and Belgian Government a
The firm also pul journal Out and Hom circulation throughout detailed information o the mercantile shipp world. Distributed da and în monthly form the ports of the East, încluding the vast fie Out and Hone has makes it a valuable m nation of commercial a The matter published view to the requireme travelling public, and paragraphs written i. style.
IPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
s in its scope of operall Home and colonial dvertisement branch; or the Oriental Bank mittance branch of the
9b
LL COMPANY, LTD, f Wills & Co., Ltd.)
pany was founded in sixties, and a depôt pt in 1865, a consideropening of the Suez e is still in the great hile the London offices Street, E.C. A local Colombo in the year ices are located in the 2 Mr. A. Redemann, V. F. Diacono, directs 'm, the two alternately :ss, each during the he island. The prinone is in the import of arge quantities for the ips calling at Colombo, ing contracts with the he Hamburg-Amerika, ny of Copenhagen, the other steamship comf coal to all vessels of touching at the port. rs to the Governments supplying coal to the o nations. The firm ands in the coaling business, and have a cir coal-yards for over m also contract for taining, for this purnd other small craft of to their other duties, Diacono represent the 3 Consuls for Ceylon. olish the well-known e, which has a large the East, and gives f great importance to ing, and commercial ily on the Suez Canal throughout Egypt and as far as Japan, and ld of Australasia, the a wide scope, which edium for the dissemind general intelligence. is well selected with a nts of traders and the is presented in crisp eminently readable
house fifteen years ago.
443
The important department of the business, however, is comprised in the Ceylon agency for the great house of Wills & Co., Ltd., of Liverpool and London, which supplies Aust tralian frozen meat and other colonial produce, besides travelling outfits and requisites of all kinds, and has extensive refrigerating stores at Port Said, Gibraltar, and Malta, also coaling depôts at Port Said and Suez,
艾
CROSFIELD, LAMPARD & CO.
A century has elapsed since this mercantile house was founded in Liverpool, England, by Daniel Harrison, whose youngest son, Charles, is one of the present partners, and has been connected with the firm for over fifty years. The founder was subsequently joined in partnership by Messrs. Joseph Crosfield and Smith Harrison; and two sons of the former of these two gentlemen, namely, Mr. J. B. Crosfield and Mr. G. T. Crosfield, are also included in the firm as at present constituted. Messrs. Charles Heath Clark and C. A. Lampard joined the In I84o the headquarters of the business were removed to London, and a few years later the present premises in that city, at 3, Tower Street, E.C., were built. The London branch trades under the style of Harrisons & Crosfield, while the branch at Calcutta is Lampard, Clark & Co., and those at New York, Montreal, and Chicago are entitled Crosfield, Lampard, Clark & Co. During the present year (1906) the firm has
opened a branch in the Straits Settlements,
where it holds large interests in rubber estates. The Ceylon business was established twelve years ago; and Mr, George Croll, who became a member of the firm in 1903, is the managing partner, the offices being at 2I, Baillie Street, Colombo. The tea and other products dealt in are treated and warehoused at the firm's Victoria Mills, Hyde Park Corner, Colombo. The principal department of the business is the export of tea, and the firm has agencies all över the world in connection with the supply of this staple article of consumption. Rubber and other products of the Malay States, India, and Ceylon are also exported to different parts of the globe.
The Victoria Mills consist of four main buildings, the premises occupying a spacious site of eight acres, surrounded by a wall. This was formerly the scene of coffee treatment, and the old barbecues are still to be seen. The establishment is a large one, some 200 to 300 coolies being employed, the number varying according to the press of work. But the machinery is always in full operation. In one of the two principal buildings the black tea is treated and stored, in the other the green variety. On these premises there
Page 452
444 TWENTIETH
is also a branch office with a staff of Burgher clerks, the whole establishment being in the charge of two Europeans. Large consignments of the well-known “Nectar' blend of tea, both in bulk form and in packets, are shipped by the firm. On the upper floor of the black-tea warehouse at the mills the packeting is performed, in which class of operations numbers of women and boys are employed, besides the men engaged in the heavier work. The packets of this company are hermetically sealed, so as to prevent admission of air or moisture to the contents,
The principal machinery is installed on the upper floor of the green-tea warehouse, this variety of leaf requiring more treatment than black kinds. As they come to the mills in the unfinished state the different kinds of green teas are sorted into sizes, and undergo a finishing process before being put up separately for the market. Besides the mechanical screens, hand-sifters of various meshes are in use in this department; and if speeial small sizes of tea are required, the leaf is cut accordingly by machinery. The whole of the machinery in this factory is driven by a Robey engine of I5 horse-power, which has, on occasions, worked continuously
CENTURY III
night and day for failing. In this way gunpowders, hysons, are differentiated for varying from coarse leaves plucked from size of the leaf being In a small room on t the various kinds ar blended; and here all size, and colour of t open for inspection, th ance of the green t conspicuous. A featul hydraulic machine, fi for compressing the t the Russian market. by a Marshall horizo! type,
In one of the two on the premises is the the various téa boxe from the different kin here the resiliency of tops and sides may be ing department the packets are made up iron applied with g.
CLARK, YOUNG & CO.'S COAL WHARVES,
THE S
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
hree months without the different kinds of and other green teas he market, in classes ) very fine, from the the same bush, the the determining factor. he floor of the factory e tasted before being the variations in form, le treated article are e pale yellow appearea in the cup being e of the factory is a om Middleton & Co., 2a into brick form for This machine is driven ital engine of superior
one-storeyed buildings
carpentry shop, where 's are fitted together ds of woods used ; and the three-ply Venesta tested. In an adjoinead-foil cases for the
by the aid of a hot seat manual dexterity.
TORES,
The other one-storeyed building is used as a general store; while in the cartage departmen fifteen bulls are maintained. Crosfield, Lampard & Co. are agents for the Manchester Assurance Company, the Commercial Union Assurance Company (Marine Department), the English and Scottish Co-operative Wholesale Societies, and the Bambrakelly Tea Estates of Ceylon, Ltd. in addition to their branch houses mentioned above.
艾
CLARK, YOUNG & CO.
This firin was established in Ceylon in 1894 by Messrs. T. S. Clark, S. D. Young, and E. S. Clark, who continue to be the present partners of the business. The importation of coal from Bengal and Cardiff, for bunkering purposes, is the principal line of the business, and the firm usually carries a stock of about I5,000 tons of this fuel, which is stored at their coal-grounds at Kochchikade Island, Colombo. These grounds cover an area of nearly one and a half acres, and here some 3oo coolies, under European supervision, are busily engaged in storing and shipping coal for steamers' bunkers. The firm is staffed by five Europeans,
PLUMBAGO YARDS,
Page 453
CROSFIELD, LAMPARD & GENERAL View Còk VICTOIRIA MIELIILS. TEA TASTING ROOM.
CO.S ESTABLISHMENT.
BLAck TFA FACTORY, VICTORIA MILLs. PACKING STORE, INTERIOR,
Page 454
446
who conduct the business in the city offices at I5, Baillie Street, in the Fort of Colombo, where a staff of twenty assistants is maintained. The managing partner at present is Mr. Young, who came out to Ceylon in 1879, after an experience of six years in Burma; and the business, under his direction, has grówn considerably. Among the large number of wellknown businesses for which the firm acts as agent are the Bengal Coal Company, Ltd., and the Colombo Coaling Company, besides life, fire, marine and accident insurance companies. The business operations of the firm also embrace the export of plumbago, tea, citronella oil, oyster and tortoise shells, while the chief article of import is teak logs for building purposes. The oyster-shells are exported mainly to Hamburg, where they are manufactured into the well-known mother-o'-pearl buttons, and a considerable business is done in this line. The manufacture of citronella oil, in which the firm deals largely, is carried on at Galle, where the oil is extracted from the citronella grass, distilled, and bought by the firm in bulk, being subsequently filtered and packed in drums and cases for shipment to, practically, all parts of the world. The firm also handles the milk of the papaw-fruit (Carica papaya), for export, in dried form, to America and London, where a large demand exists for this medicinal product in the manufacture of papain and pepsin. In the export of tortoiseshell a great deal of care has to be exercised in sorting, sizing, and classifying the article for shipment, and the firm gives special attention to these necessary operations. The supply of plumbago for export is obtained principally through native firms and producers. It may be mentioned that the firm was one of the first in the island to make shipments of indiarubber -a product which has come into so much notice of late and promises to become one of the staple articles of the commerce of Ceylon.
艾
THE ORIENT COMPANY, LTD.
The Orient Company, Ltd., was originally launched by a London syndicate in 1889. The venture proved successful beyond all anticipations, and the business was converted into a limited liability company, with head offices at 7, East India Avenue, London, while a local branch was established in the Chamber of Commerce Buildings at Colombo. The firm is engaged principally in the curing and export of desiccated coconut, copra, and fibre of every description ; but other articles of produce are also handled and shipped to order. The company's principal desiccating mills are situated at Veyangoda, on the main line of railway, some 22 miles from Colombo, where heavy machirery has been installed, and a
TWENTIETH CENTURY
small army of about in deạling with the pro they enter the factory to the final stages baling, and transpor shipment to all parts o is furnished with its ow and dynamos, which considerably to the do articles treated are ha and yards are spaciol about 6 acres. The v are under the direct co who is resident mana, company also owns Madampe, where 200 under the superintend Mr. J. C. Norman, wl the London office for f to the island in 1896, is branches.
q
TARRAN
Founded in 895 as importers, produce in agents, this firm has business operations, un it ranks amongst the mercantile and comme establishing a reputatio for the excellence of its all the staple articles many other Ceylon bu is chiefly occupied with and export of tea to Australia, United State and various other part these purposes they m factory, supplied with a at Union Place, Slave the leaf is blended to abroad. In the carpel mises any description C either chests, half-ches adjoining this branch i room, where the fea either by hand or macl European supervision.
One of the princip; ported by the firm is c Manchester and other factured for local rec office of the busines Island, while the pieceon in the Fort at No. partners of the con Tarrant, who cane C twenty years ago anc perienced business maI who has been connecte formation, and was ad ship in I903. Mr. Fig.
MPRESSIONS
oo hands are engaged lucts from the moment in their raw condition of treatment, packing, tion to Colombo for the world. The factory n electric-lighting plant equipment contributes spatch with which the idled; while the stores s, covering an area of hole of the operations trol of Mr. F. Maxfield, er of the mills. The he Horrekelly Mills at
hands are employed, nee of Mr. Van Dort. to was connected with ve years and came out manager of the Ceylon
R
" CO.
general exporters and erchants and shipping rapidly expanded its til, at the present time, foremost of Colombo :rcial houses and is fast in throughout the world exports, which include of the island. Like so siness houses, this firm the blending, packing, the United Kingdom, is of America, Canada, of the globe; and for aintain a well-equipped 11 the latest miachinery, (sland, Colombo, where suit the various markets ter's shop on the prefpackage can be made s, cases, or boxes; and a spacious packetingis put up in packets, inery, under immediate
1 lines of articles im
otton piece-goods from
places, specially manuuirements. The head
is located at Slave oods business is carried 2, Baillie Street. The ern are Mr. Herbert it to the island over
is an eminently exand Mr. A. Odell Figg, with the firm since its hitted into the partnerundertakes the buying
OF CEYLON
of general produce, while Mr. S. F. O. Lovell, who was for many years on the London tea market, has full control of the tea department. The firm has also a London house, which operates under the style of Herbert Tarrant & Co. The local establishment holds agencies in Ceylon for the following: The Western Assurance Company, of Toronto; the China Mutual Life Insurance Company, Ltd.; the National Guarantee and Suretyship Association, Ltd.: Foucar & Co., Ltd., Rangoon (Burma); and Rowbotham & Co.
艾
RPLEY & MARSHAL.
The firm of Messrs. Ripley & Marshall, general merchants in all products of Ceylon, importers and exporters, is of recent foundation. The offices are situated at 3, Baillie Street, Fort, Colombo, and the firm's large mills at Maradana, Colombo, where the Ceylon produce is prepared for export. The over-seas trade is a very large one, the exports being carried to all parts of the world, principally the United Kingdom, and various parts of Europe, America, and South Africa. Messrs. Ripley & Marshall are the sole agents for the Ammonial Explosives Company, and for a valuable anti-fungus stain called “Solignum,' which is manufactured by Messrs. Major & Co., of Hull, England. This stain is a preservative of wood, stone, and brickwork, and protects
against decay, fungus, dry rot, the ravages of
insects and vermin, as well as the action of the weather. “Solignum' is especially adapted to the climate of Ceylon, where the ravages of the white ant in woodwork are particularly destructive. The firm also hold the local agencies for J. G. Thompson & Co.'s wellknown brand of whiskies, the marine insurance department at Lloyd's, and the South British Fire and Marine Insurance Company. The firm's corresponding houses are Ripley & Co., Bimlipatam; Ripley & Hartley, Cochin & Alleppy, Southern India; and Sydenham & Pound, London. Mr. A. H. Marshall is the managing partner of the Colombo business.
艾
SGHULZ BROS. t G0.
This firm of general produce and import merchants was founded in the year I887 at Colombo by Mr. Adalbert Theodor Schulze. The firm does an extensive business in the export of Ceylon products and import of Manchester and continental goods, and is represented by agents all over Europe, Japan, Australia, Canada, and the United States of America. Among these agents the chief are Messrs. Kaltenbach & Schmitz, London, Liverpool, and Hamburg; Messrs. Smith, Smith & Co.,
Page 455
TE STORES
TEAROOM.
CO.S ESTABLISHMENT.
LAKESIDE STORES
THE OFFICE.
NTERIOR,
Page 456
448
Glasgow ; Messrs. James Williamson & Son, Lancaster; Messrs. L. Permezel & Co., Lyons; the Portland Cement Fabrik & Ziegelei Actien
TWENTIETH
CENTURY I
Munich ; the “ Schweiz rungs Actien Gesell “Alianz" versicheru
A. SCHULZES RESIDENCE,
Gesellschaft, Pahlhude ; and the Red Star Glass Works Company. Ltd., Marchienne-auPont. Messrs. Schulze are also experts in marine insurance, and represent the Board of Hamburg Underwriters and the Joint Underwriters' Union of Amsterdam, being agents as well for the Federal Marine Insurance Company, Ltd, Zurich, the Norddeutsche Insurance Company, Hamburg, and the Manchester Assurance Company. The firms also are average commissioners for the Universal Underwriting Association, London; the Patriotische Assecuranz Compagnie, Hamburg; the Mit- und Ruck Versicherungs Gesellschaft Kosmos, Hamburg; the Allgemeine Seeversicherungs Gesellschaft, Hamburg; the Radische Schiffahrts Assecuranz Gesellschast, Mannheim; the Fonciere Pester Versicherungs Anstalt, Buda-Pest ; the Providentia Allgemeine Versicherungs Gesellschaft, Vienna; the Salamandra Insurance Company, St. Petersburg; the Société d'Orient, St. Petersburg, the “ Rhenania' Versicherungs Actien Gesellschaft in Köln on Rhine; the Frankfort Marine Insurance Company, of Frankfort-on-Maine; the “Fortuna' Allgemeine Versicherungs Actien Gesellschaft, Berlin; the “Deutscher Lloyd' Transport Versicherungs Actien Gesellschaft, Berlin; the Eastern Carrying Insurance, Storing and Warrant Company, St. Petersburg; the Internationaler Lloyd Versicherungs Actien Gesellschaft, Berlin; the Bayerischer Lloyd Transport Versicherungs Actien Gesellschaft,
theilung Transport Ver Versicherung Gesellsch the Forsakrings Aktieb holma; the Comitato de curazioni Marittima di Dusseldorfer Allgemein schaft, of Dusseldorf, an
Mr. A. Schulze, the has resided in Ceylon is the local Consul for is a gentleman held in commercial and mer principal European a the Colombo busines Behring and A. B. Sav are: at 25, Upper Chath the stores for the treat articles dealt in are sit land Lane, Captain's G: firm has been operating twenty years, and has itself on a substantial being in the front ran enterprises.
T s
C., M. W'R {
lin connection with t tea industry in Ceylo established in 1902 by The firm are buyers a represent Messrs. Nelso Colombo, who are by f:
MPRESSIONS
' Allgemeine Versicheschaft, Zurich; the
gs Gesellschaft,
sicherung, Berlin; the aft “Jakor,” Moscow; olaget “Hansa,” Stock
clle Compagnie d'Assi- : .
Genoa, Genoa; the e Versicherungs Geselld others.
head of the firm, who for over thirty years, the Netherlands, and n high esteem in local cantille Te ssistants employed in s are Messrs. Hans
The head offices lam Street, Fort, while ing and packing of the uated at No. 2, SutherThe in Colombo for nearly successfully established and permanent basis, k of local commercial
沿B氹 & éQ。
he development of the on, this business was 7 Mr. C. M. Wright. nd shippers of tea, and n, Moate & Co., Ltd., in ar the largest importers
circles.
W€r.
ardens, Colombo.
Ab
OF CEYLON
of tea in New Zealand. They have offices, packing and blending stores at Ambewatta, whence they export over I,5oo,ooo lbs. of tea every year, principally to Australia, New Zealand, and America. Having found the buying of whole crops on estates unsatisfactory, they now purchase almost entirely in the local auction market. They employ some 5o hands, and their packing stores cover an area of 6,ooo square ft. In the stores the tea purchased is blended and put up in packets and boxes for shipment. Mr. Wright had five years' experience as a tea-broker in Mincing Lane; and on arrival in Ceylon, in 1893, became a planter for some time in order to get an insight into the growing of tea before embarking in the export business. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and Tea Traders' Association. His firm are also importers of Clement-Talbot motor-cars and the well-known Continental tyres, for both of which lines of goods they are sole agents in
Ceylon.
s
HAROLD MONTGOMERY MOORE,
Mr. Harold Montgomery Moore, son of James Moore, was born in 188o at Belfast, Ireland. He was educated in the Royal Belfast Academical Institution (of which he was elected a Governor in 1902), and also at the Polytechnical College, Zurich, &c. He commenced a business career in 1895, serving
BAROD. M. MOORE.
his time under his father, a leading printer and publisher, &c., in Belfast. During the six years he was in the Belfast business he gained
Page 457
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
considerable experience in mechanical matters, and subsequently he laid the foundation of a good commercial training in the firm of Marcus Ward & Co., Ltd., the well-known London publishers. He entered the firm of Davidson & Co., Ltd., “Sirocco." Engineering Works, Belfast, in 1903, and came out almost immediately to Ceylon to manage the Colombo depôt of the firm, who cater on an extensive scale for tea estates both in Ceylon and India, supplying “Sirocco' machinery and all engineering requisites. His chief pastime is sailing, and he has been an active member of the Colombo Sailing Club since his arrival in the island, has sailed in the majority of their races, and been successful in winning a number of “ firsts.' Clubs-Colombo Sailing Club, Ulster Reform, Belfast, Royal Ulster Yacht Club.
S
W. S. KING,
This firm of tea-buyers was established in Colombo about four years ago, and it acts as agent in Ceylon for the firm of S. W. Litvinoff & Co., Hankow and Kiukiang, also for King, Son & Ramsay, of Hankow, Shanghai and Foochow. The firm's head offices are in Shanghai, where a staff of I7 Europeans is maintained. Tea of every grade and description is handled at the Colombo business house, and exported to all parts of the world. The Colombo business is under the management of Mr. Stanley H. Dyer, who came to the island
E. B. CREASY, SIEN.
in the beginning of 18, for nine years before position. Mr. Dyer w partly educated on the
STANLEY
connected with the t fourteen years. Ur Colombo business is
port and supply of es
འཚལ་ཙག་ཤད་ཐལ་བར་འཐབ་ཐག་གཞན་
MPRESSIONS
2, and was a tea-planter taking up his present
as born in London, and
Continent, and has been
H...DYER.
ea industry for the last der his direction the steadily developing, imtate requisites also being
,፤፤{mm፣፣፣:
SAN
OF CEY ON 449
included in its operations at the present time. The headquarters of the firm are at the Times of Ceylon buildings, Fort, Colombo.
艾
E. B. CREASY.
The business of E. B. Creasy, general merchant and importer, was established in Colombo, Ceylon, in 1882, by Mr. E. B. Creasy, sen, who is still the proprietor, the office being at 12, Baillie Street, Fort, Colombo. The London and Colombo forwarding agency was subsequently formed in connection with the main business. Mr. E. B. Creasy; jun., is now managing the whole business, which includes that of shipping, clearing, general express agents, general commission agents and merchants, as well as estate agents. A principal line is the importation of tea boxes from Japan, and the firm are agents for Messrs. Okura & Co., of Tokio, in this branch of trade. They have corresponding agents in their general business in every port, in Europe, the United States of America, and South Africa. In Colombo they employ two Europeans and 20 Burgher and native hands, the latter mostly at their stores at St. Sebastian Hill. Mr. E. B. Creasy, junior, who has recently been appointed Consul for Norway, is a member of most of the principal clubs in the island. The firm is always ready to answer queries regarding Ceylon on any subject, from any one in any part of the world. Mr. E. B. Creasy, sen.
S AAAAA AAASSAAAeSeASSSgMieieeBeeBeBe SAeSeeBe
SEBASTIAN STORES.
2F
Page 458
450 TWENTIETH
is a member of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce. -
C. A HUTSON & CO.
Founded in I886, this firm, who own the Ceylon Engineering Works, Colombo, with a branch at Kandapola, have recently erected new and commodious premises at Mutwal, immediately facing the entrance to the harbour, having outgrown their old premises on the seashore. This well-known landmark had to be removed owing to the harbour improvements. The firm's new engineering shop is fitted with the latest machinery, also with the electric. lights for the nightwork rendered continually necessary owing to the large amount of ship repairs undertaken. The firm engage in engineering work of all kinds. They have built the large oil tanks seen from the harbour, also several of the launches and tugs for use in the harbour and many of the factories of the island. They are agents for Messrs. Ruston, Proctor & Co., of Lincoln, England, and Messrs. Crossley Bros., Ltd., of Manchester. Their fine new foundry has a moulding floor of 4,500 sq. ft., and contains three cupolas as well as three brass furnaces, and can turn out castings up to IO tons each in weight. A full
CENTURY I
set of propeller blades for the s.s. Istria, may piece of work turned
a smithy, with forge bending-rolls, and a enabling the firm to ta work. The business i Mr. C. A. Hutson and
Burnett, assisted by fi and about 35o native are on the Army and A of undertaking contr departments of State.
es
COLOMBO APOTHE
LIMI
This important mer its present extensive pr Colombo, had its origit instituted by Mr. W. M Smith Finlay in the De Island, Colombo, in 188 two founders moved ir junction of York and P1 these small beginnings commensurately with th capital of the colony.
TE COLOMBO APOTE
THE PHARMACY,
MPRESSIONS
each weighing 2 tons, be specified as a typical but here. There is also s, steam-hammers, and carpenter's shop, thus ke up any construction s under the direction of his manager, Mr. W. R. fe European engineers employees. The firm dmiralty lists as capable acts for those great
CARIE COMPANY, TED.
cantile company, with emises in Prince Street, in the chemist's shop . Smith and Mr. James Soysa Buildings, Slave 3. Four years later the to a small store at the ince Streets ; and from the business has grown he rapid progress of the Although still retaining
OF CFYLON
the title of “apothecaries,' the conductors of the business decided to extend the scope of operations so as to embrace other branches of retail trade. Accordingly, an oilman's store and wine and spirit departments were added in 1889, and subsequently stationery, china, fancy goods, photography and photographic supplies, electro-plated ware, boots and shoes. A further extension took in drapery, outfitting, hardware, toys, games, and athletic goods. In connection with the dispensary an optical department, in charge of trained experts, was established. The company, under its present designation, was founded in 1892, and this step led to further extension of premises and business. The photographic studio was moved to more suitable quarters at Kandy, where climatic influences are more propitious for high-class photographic work than in Colombo. At this studio views are turned out by thousands and sent to all parts of the world. They include representations of the famous Buried Cities of Ceylon, concerning which the company publishes a very interesting catalogue; while at the Colombo store is a dark-room, where all conveniences are provided for the use of amateurs, passengers, and others, and a large stock of photographic materials is kept. A
ECAERIES”
COMITEPANY.
DRAPERY DEPARTMENT.
Page 459
TWENTIETH CENTURY
ફલ્જ - на- ss سے ہے۔
LLLLSLLLLS LLLLLLOi iL MMeeieMeM eSLLSZ YLLL Wწწწწწწწწ
F. SEKEEN & CO’S PREMISES.
completely fitted job-printing department has also been added, having electricity for its motive power.
In the Baillie Street branch the company carries on a large business as outfitters and tailors, as well as manufacturing saddlers and shoemakers, employing some 3oo hands in this department alone. Again, this many-sided company exports tea to China--which sounds something like carrying coals to Newcastle - and as wholesale and retail chemists and druggists it ranks among the largest houses in the East. The present chairman is Sir W. W. Mitchell, C.M.G., Mr. C. Davidson being the general manager of the company.
艾
F, SKEEN & CO,
The business of Messrs. F. Skeen & Co., who are in the front rank of Colombo photographers, and have taken large numbers of the photographs reproduced in this volume, was established by Mr. Parting in the early sixties, and was purchased by Mr. W. Skeen, then the Government printer, for his son, Mr. W. H. Skeen about ten years later. In those days the only system of photography was the daguerreotype, by which the photograph was taken upon a silver sensitised plate, and
developed by being ful tomers had to pay as
the single photograph, of printing or reproduc continued to manage death in 1903, and it i that time. The particu gentleman was lands the firm still has a this class of work, ar finest collections of la Ceylon. of photography has b business done include landscape, architectu. slide-making work, an an important feature is on by the firm. Fort own plant, and it pra this department in Surveyor-General's De own proeess work I made a large propor Government publicat shortly to inaugurate
making, and a Europe; order to superintend Skeen, the present hea business first in 1878, for nine years. He
In the course
IMPRESSIONS
med in ammonia. much as two guineas for as there was no system Mr. W. H. Skeen the business until his increased greatly during lar forte of the deceased Cape photography, and large connection in ld possesses one of the .ndscape photographs in of the years every form een added, and now the es indoor and outdoor, ral, enlarging, lantern d picture framing, whilst the process work carried his work the firm has its ctically leads the way in the island. Until the partment undertook their ecently, Messrs. Skeen tion of the blocks for
ions. It is intended a new system of blockan is to join the firm in his department. Mr. F. d of the firm, joined the and assisted his brother then went to Burma,
ction.
Cus- o
OF CEYLON 451
ܠܬܬ
E. SKEEN.
and established a large business at Rangoon, and returned to take charge of the Colombo concern in I903.
BRODE & CO.
Under the name of Messrs. Brodie, Bogue & Co., this business was established in Colombo, as far back as I846, by the late Mr. W. C. Brodie. In 1867 the name of the firm was changed to Brodie & Co.; the present partners are Messrs. C. B. Brodie and W. C. Brodie, junior. The firm's premises at 26, Chatham Street have been occupied by Brodie & Co. since 188o. The firm deals only in imports-as wholesale wine and spirit merchants and suppliers of estate requirements. The premises comprise cool cellars and stores, covering several hundred feet, and bottling is performed on the premises. The house carries on a large trade, having business connections all over Ceylon. For thirty-five years Messrs. Brodie & Co. have acted as sole agents for W. & A. Gilbey, Ltd, and they have been members of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce since the foundation of that institution in the island. They are agents for Cutler, Palmer & Co., London; Jas. Aitken & Co., Falkirk; Robert Porter & Co., London; Jas. Saunders & Co., London ; Morgan Bros. & Co., Oporto; Robert
Page 460
452
Brown, Ltd., Glasgow; George Younger & Son, Ltd., Alloa ; Jules Mumm Company, Reims ; Justerini & Brooks, London ; and the Bremen Brewery, Bremen. They correspond with leading houses in Great Britain, Australia, the Straits Settlements, the United States of America, and China.
受
E. CAHILL & SONS
The firm now trading under the above title as gentlemen’s complete outfitters and manu
facturing tailors, at 44 and 45, Chatham Street, Colombo, was first established in October, 1887, at Galle Face Cottages, by Mr. Edward Cahill, sen, an Irishman, who received his training in London. In January, 1891, Mr. Cahill removed his business to the Bristol Hotel, where he remained for eleven years. He then assumed occupation of the present premises in Chatham Street, where the firm own large showrooms, consisting of two floors, and containing woollen, cotton, and silk materials for suits, as well as hats, shirts, under-wear, hosiery, boots and shoes, and, in fact, every requisite in the gentlemen's outfitting line. The present proprietors of the firm are Messrs. Edward Cahill, sen. Patrick Cahill, Edward Cahill, jun., and John
TWENTIETH CENTURY
Cahill ; while the nun is 30. They supply all wear, and have a larg the premises, all the wo supervision, and the ci trained hands of Mr. E firm also undertakes
shortest notice with Hesides being direct i. India, and the United S & Sons carry on a larg feature of this firm is receiving every attentic
THREE VIEWS OF MESSRS
the reputation of whi island.
e
GRAND ORIE
The “G.O. H.,' as it
and wide, was the firs' imposing hotels erecte towering front facing shipping and its main a few yards from the p occupies both a comm position ; and passeng who are passing throug catered for at this es
best style. The hotel
MPRESSIONS
ber of hands employed descriptions of tropical e staff of workmen on k being under European utting itself being in the dward Cahill, sen. The o supply outfits at the he best style and fit, mporters from England, tates of America, Cahill e local trade. A special hat visitors can rely on
in at their establishment,
OF CEYLON
visitors to Colombo from various parts of the island, while it is a favourite place of resort with the residents of the city. An exceedingly pleasing feature of the establishment is the tropical garden, where the guests may rest in charming surroundings while listening to the hotel band. Of an evening the grounds are illuminated by electricity. Here also various kinds of musical and theatrical entertainments are given. The building contains I54 bedrooms; and special arrangements can be made as regards board and apartments by those making a stay of over a few days in the city.
. CAHILLS ESTABLISHMENT.
ch extends all over the
s
NTAL, HOTEL,
is familiarly known far t of the modern type of d in the East. With its
the harbour and the )ortico separated by only rincipal landing-stage, it handing and convenient ers by the mail steamers gh the port are specially tablishment in the very is also largely used by
The hotel is lighted throughout by electricity, and all the public rooms and bedrooms are kept cool by means of electric fans. A lift gives easy access to the upper floors, and the telephone connection is a convenience that meets with high appreciation. On the ground floor of the large building are the entrance hall, with the manager's and the inquiry offices, spacious lounge verandahs, a billiard-room (with four first-rate tables by Burroughs & Watts), the palm court, and the grand diningroom. The latter is recognised as one of the largest, best appointed and coolest in the East. It is fitted with electric lights and fans, and
is capable of seating 3Oo persons; while the cuisine is under the control of fiffiး
Page 461
THE GRAND ORIENTAL HOTEL-THE DININC. El
PORTRAIT OF THE
ALL, EXTERIOR, AND GARDEN, TOGETHER WITH A
MANAGER (G. LOOSEN).
*
2
F
Page 462
454
chef. The plm court is another special feature of the establishment. Here visitors may receive their friends and enjoy their afternoon tea in surroundings of Oriental luxury, or pass out into the hotel garden, with its wealth of tropical plants. Upstairs there are numerous suites of private apartments, commanding fine views of the coast and sea. On the first floor also is the ladies' drawing-room, which opens on to a charming fernery: while writing, reading, and
W. T. S. SAUNDERS
(Managing Director.)
music rooms, as well as private dining-rooms, overlooking the harbour, with its interesting spectacle of stately ships ever passing in and out, are provided for the use of visitors and The tariff for neals and apartments is comprehensive and carefully varied
their guests.
SO as to suit all classes of travellers, whether voyagers by land or sea; and special arrangements are made for the accommodation of parties, families, children, and servants. Mr. G. Loosen, the present manager of the hotel, took charge in October, I904, and he was immediately struck with the promising and great possibilities there existed for developing the business into one of the largest of its kind in the East. Mr. Loosen's long and varied experience in the hotel world stood him in good stead in this work of development, he having conducted the management, successively, of some of the leading catering institutions in London during the past twenty-five years, including the Hotel Belgravia, the R.A.M.C. College in connection with St. Ermyn's Hotel, the Gaiety Restaurant, and the Savage Club. With this experience, and with the assistance of his wife, a very capable and accomplished lady, as manageress, Mr. Loosen lost no time in availing himself of the resources of the Grand Oriental Hotel, with the result that it
TWENTIETH CENTURY
now occupies a pren. hotels of the East. Til pany which owns the l The managing dire Stephen Saunders, whi 1848, and was educate He arrived in Ceylo coffee-planting in the Saunders continued h the coffee collapse ru then purchased the F tea estates in the Dik properties he subseque Tea Estates Compan managing director. settled down in Colom in starting the Bristol the first managing Bristol Hotel in the ν managing director of t which position he ha Saunders is also the n Ceylon Railway Refre the Hatton Hotel, an Nuwara Eliya, as numerous other com the visit of the Prince was appointed comp House. He is olle of t the island, having in ardent cricket, football is patron of the Dimb Club, of which he was dent for eighteen ye; Justice of the Peace fo
GEO. STTE
This prominent Co attorneys and estate, c agents, whose offices Fort, was founded in The business is carried by Messrs. William Grigson, Edward S. C. M. Gordon, principal line of the b
and
agency for a very la tions both in the te districts of Ceylon. nections with leadin different parts of the
G. H.
Mr. G. H. Alston is family, and was born : shire, in the year I85 legiate career at Marl where he was a meml in 1877. His business
MPRESSIONS
ier position among the he secretary of the comhotel is Mr. R. E. Pineo.
ctor is Mr. Wm. Tudor
o was born in London in
:d at Blackheath School. n in 1868, and started Morawak Korale. Mr. is planting career until ined that industry. He Iornsey and Aberlerney oya district ; and these ntly sold to the Hornsey y, of which he is the Shortly afterwards he bo, and was instrumental Hotel, of which he was director. Leaving the ear I9o I, he became the he Grand Oriental Hotel, Mr. lanaging director of the
S held ever since.
}shment Car Company, d the Grand Hotel at well as a director of anies. In 190I, during of Wales, Mr. Saunders troller of Government he keenest sportsmen in his early days been an l, and tennis player, and la and Maskeliya Cricket active captain and presiars. Mr. Saunders is a r the island.
s
JART & C0.
lombo firm of private :ommission, and banking are at I4, Queen Street, 844 by George Steuart. i on at the present time Anderson, Thomas S. 3rigson, John Paterson, T. L. Villiers. The business is the Colombo irge number of plantaand rubber growing The firm has also cong business world.
艾
ASTON.
houses in
a member of a Scotch at Uddingstone, Lanark9. He passed his colborough Coliege, Wilts, ber of the cricket eleven
career was commenced
OF CEYLON
in London, and having received a training with several firms there, he, in 188o, joined the family firm of Alstons, Scott & Co. in Ceylon. spent a few years in business in Southern India. Returning to Ceylon, he became connected, in 1894, with Messrs. Whittall & Co., of which firm he has been a partner since July I, I896. It was in I903 that he was first nonminated a member of the Municipal Council, whilst in Igo6 he was elected as the Fort Ward representative of the same body. He is a member of the Thirty Committee for the distribution of the tea cess, of the Chamber of Commerce Committee, and of all the principal clubs. Mr. Alston is also a Freemason (Eighteenth Degree), and has passed through He has always been a keen sportsman, though, perhaps, with the exception of shooting and fishing and golf, he does not now take an active interest in any branch of sport.
艾
H. W. CAVE & CO.
Mr. H. W. Cave, M.A., F.R.G.S., who has obtained wide fame by his well-written and
After serving here for a period, he
all the chairs but one.
H. W. CAVE.
finely illustrated works on Ceylon, came out to the colony from England as secretary to the Anglican Bishop, and started literary work by editing the Ceylon Diocesan Gazette, the first Church paper in Ceylon. In 1876 he opened business in Chatham Street as an importer Of religious books, and subsequently moved to his present premises, a spacious double-storeyed
Page 463
H. W. CAVE & CO.S BUILDINGS.
MUSIC DEPARTMENT.
BOOK DEPOT.
PRINTING WORKS.
Page 464
456
building, with a frontage of 4oo ft. H. W. Cave & Co. are booksellers, stationers, printers, and publishers, and also stock sporting goods; in addition, they are agents for Henry S. King & Co., and the total strength of the establishment is 35o hands.
After writing several books on the Colony, which were well received at Home and have become standard works in their line, Mr. Cave started photography in order to illustrate his works. Undertaken first as a hobby, this line of work has proved very useful to him in the illustration of his books and as an aid to his lectures. In his youth Mr. H. W. Cave was at Oxford, and after fourteen years of successful business life in Ceylon he returned to England arid took his degree, his college being Queen's, Oxford. The partners in the present firm are Mr. H. W. Cave, the founder and senior ; Messrs. A. E. and S. Cave, his brothers; and Mr. Walter A. Cave, his nephew. Mr. C. A. Cave, who joined the founder in 1878, remained in the firm until his death, in April, I906.
The firm have large stocks of pianos and American organs of various makes; and they have a fancy goods department, where perfumery, smokers' requisites, and all the usual articles in this line can be obtained. Cave & Co. pride themselves on their up-to-date stock of pictures, which may be framed in any style on the premises. Silver and leather goods are also a feature of the business; and a large stock of books and stationery is kept. In the sporting goods department, rickshaws, billiardtables, Singer and Alldays' cycles, and appliances for every sort of game and pastime are to be found. The firm have held the Singer agency for twenty-five years. The printing and bookbinding department of this large establishment is also very extensive, the equipment including six cylinder and four platen machines, besides ruling and cutting machines. A minor branch of this department is half-tone block-making; while cycle repairs, racquet stringing, and cabinet work are executed on the premises.
In connection with Mr. H. W. Cave's literary career his book “Golden Tips,' a brightly written description of Ceylon in especial connection with its staple industry of teaproduction, and containing numerous interesting illustrations, deserves particular mention. This literary work, which passed through four editions, received high encomiums from the leading journals of England. Reviewing the book, the London Athenaeum says : “ Mr. Cave seems to hold a brief for the whole island of
. . The charm of Sinhalese life and nature is depicted with glowing colours and interesting details. . . . The simple, peaceful village life, and the more stirring existence of the townspeople, with their varied avocations, are equally well described.'
Ceylon, with its varied attractions. .
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
WHITEAWAY, L.
The name Whiteawa household word throug domain of retail busir east of Suez which ha
or a more extensive
ments in connection W found at Colombo, Calc Rangoon, Lucknow, Ka jeeling, Poona, Moulmeir Naini Tal, Mussorie, IL The Colombo business building in the best p
there a very consideral all classes of goods w be obtained at a first-cla headway has been ma last few years, that it ample accommodation command in Australia cent new building is for the firm in Prince
business will be trans building operations ar.
s
MPRESSIONS
DLAY & C0.
, Laidlaw & Co. is a out the East. In the ess there is no firm
s wider ramifications
clientele. Establish
th the firm are to be utta, Bombay, Madras, rachi, Mandalay, DarSimla, Murroe, Prome, hore, and Singapore.
is housed in a fine art of the Fort, and
2S2S2s2SE
III
OF CEYLON
MILLER & CO.
Among the principal firms of general importers in Ceylon is the well-known one of Miller & Co., founded over forty years ago in Kandy by the late William Crammond Miller, and still carried on by members of the deceased gentleman's family. Messrs. Miller & Co. import all kinds of merchandise (with the exception of soft goods), winesthe firm doing a large business in Australian wines-spirits, and oilmen's stores being the leading lines in which they deal; and they are the local representatives of the Distillers'
W
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s
籌
ܕܩܝܣܐ
'EAWAY, LAIDLAW & CO.S NEW PREMISES.
ole business is done in hich are customarily to ass general store. Such ade by the firm in the has outgrown even the which it has at its Buildings. now under construction : Street, and there the sferred as soon as the 2 completed.
芝
A magnifi
Company, Ltd., of Edinburgh, St. Pauli Brewery Company, Ltd. At the Colombo headquarters of the business in York Street, Fort, of which Mr. W. Philps is the mafager, no less than 42 assistants are employed in the retail and household departments, and extensive cellars in Australia Buildings are in the occupation of the firm for storage purposes. To meet the large demand existing for household requisites, Messrs. Miller & Co. find it necessary to carry large stocks of china, glass, and electro-plated goods, as well as of every description of household sundries. In cutlery and silver goods none
and the
Page 465
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
but articles of the best English manufacture can be found on the premises.
The branch establishment at Kandy, where the business originated, is under the management of Mr. R. Gordon.
艾
CARGILLS, LTD.
Messrs. Cargills, Ltd. - whose name, as practically “universal providers,' is a household word throughout Ceylon and a synonym for quality-is a development of the firm of
progress of tea the í the leading distributors it was converted into a company, under its p! cipal departments, wh ladies' drapery, dressm; hold furnishing, wines horse-feed, gentlemen's and drugs and dispensa The magnificent blo Messrs. Cargills, Ltd., Street, Colombo, was and was completed in
MILLER & CO.'S COLOMBO PREMISES, INTER
Milne, Cargill & Co, which started business in Kandy in 1844. When Colombo became a port of call, that firm followed the trend of business thitherward, and steadily grew in importance in the city, retaining, however, the Kandy establishment, which is still extant. Later the designation of the firm became “Cargill & Co.," and it continued to prosper through the halcyon days of the coffee industry. With the failure of coffee, in common with practically every other Ceylon firm, it underwent severe vicissitudes. One of the few enterprises which weathered the storm attendant upon the collapse of the then staple industry of the island, with the rise and
KANDY B
are deservedly consider kind east of Suez, and installation of hydraulic
Since the firm became a have absorbed the busin McLaren & Co., of Nuw Neil S. Campbell & Co., Colombo, and they hav branches at these res) gether, in their four es Cargills have an execul peans, and in Ceylon t hands. The registered is in Glasgow ; and the ness was the late Mr. D
MPRESSIONS
irm eventually became in the island. In 1896 private limited liability esent title. The prinolesale and retail, are king, millinery, houseand spirits, groceries, tailoring and outfitting,
гу. :k of buildings which now occupy in York commenced in I902 I906. These premises
OF CEYLON 457
years chairman of the Burma Oil Company, Ltd. The present managing director is Mr. W. Jenkins, and the general manager for Ceylon is Mr. James Mathieson.
艾
'COLOBO ADVERTISER AND SHIPPING
GAZETTE'-H. C. HITCHINGS & CO, PRINTERS AND PUBLISHERS.
Mr. H. C. Hitchings, the principal of the firm, came to Ceylon in I899 for Messrs. Capper & Sons.
After being manager of
IOR AND EXTERIOR, AND VIEW OF THEIR
ERANCIBI.
ed the finest of their possess an extensive lifts and electric fans. limited company they esses of Messrs. James ara Eliya, and Messrs. of Cinnamon Gardens, e established thriving pective places. Altotablishments, Messrs. tive staff of 32 Eurohe firm employs 6oo office of the company : founder of the busi. S. Cargill, for many
their printing office for about four years, he paid the firm liquidated damages as agreed and commenced a new general printing business in the Victoria Arcade Buildings, putting down an entirely new and most modern plant for the purpose. In I904 the Colombo Advertiser and Shipping Gazette was undertaken-a weekly journal devoted to shipping and commercial interests, and observing a strict line of impartiality in its editorials and notes. It possesses a guaranteed circulation of 2,500 copies a week, which are distributed in a manner calculated to attract the tourist and passenger and benefit the trade of the port. The Colombo
Advertiser is edited by a European journalist
Page 466
458 TWENTIETH CENTURY
9
PRINTING. ESTABLISHMENT (INTERIOR), TRAM ADVERTISEMENTS.
of long standing in the island, and the generous support accorded the enterprise of the proprietor by all classes of advertisers is the best proof of the popularity of Colombo's first English weekly paper and the recognition that it fills a needed place. The photograph shows a portion of the works. These have the advantage of being under one roof-span, an arrangement which enables more efficient supervision to be exercised. The motive power in the works is gas, and the printing machinery, guillotine, punkah, and fans are all driven by this means from one engine. The staff consists of over 5o hands, with Mr. J. Hitchings as assistant manager. An adjunct of the business is the carrying out of the contract for advertisements on the Colombo tramcars. It will be seen from the illustration that the contractors enjoy the support of the leading firms in England.
艾
THE ROYAL PHARMACY.
By the enterprise of Mr. F.A. Palewandrem, a
local medical practitioner, the Royal Pharmacy was established in 190I at 14, Chatham Street, within easy reach of the business places of the Fort. The Pharmacy has, in its short
existence of five ye; reputation for busine: siderate treatment anc
MPRESSIONS
S
ars, earned for itself a sslike methods and conattention to all callers;
OF CEYLON
and its central position makes it possible for the working classes and others engaged in the Fort to procure their medicines here without any inconvenience to themselves. Prescriptions are dispensed at all hours of the day, and a special feature of the establishment is the supply of drugs and medicinal requirements to the shipping. As a pharmaceutical chemist's establishment it carries on an extensive business and has a large and appreciative number of patrons. Mr. Palewandrem is helped in business by his brother and five other assistants.
艾
C. MATHEW & CO.
Necessarily in connection with the shipping of so important a port as Colombo there is a large field for the business of ship chandlers and stevedores; and Messrs. C. Mathew & Co., the leading local firm in this line, conduct operations on an extensive scale. This business was established nearly a hundred years ago on the present site, near the British India Hotel, in the Fort of Colombo, by a Mr. Bastian. It came into the possession of the Mathew family some fifty years ago; and Mr. C. Mathew, the father of the present owner, died in 1892. His son, Mr. C. J. Mathew, who was born in 1875, at Galle, and educated at the Royal College at Colombo, in 1892 took over his father's business in Canal Row,
where the present fine buildings of the firm
were erected in 1896. Mr. Mathew employs about 6oo hands, and stevedores for the Peninsular and Oriental Sean Navigation
THE ROYAL PHARMACY.
Page 467
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
TOIPUNSING MOTOOMIUL
Company, Messrs. Delnege, Delmege, Forsyth & Co.,
Clark, Young & Co., steamship lines.
Mr. Mathew also owns coconut estates in
C. J. MIATEW.
the Kalutara district and landed property in Colombo. His private residence is “ GlenCinnamon Gardens,
dale,” Barnes Place,
Reid & Co., Skrine & Co.,
8, CO.S ESTABLISHM
Colombo, and his fav sailing and billiards.
s
TOPUNSING MO
This firm, founded in the first house in the is in the import and sale curios, and it continu nearly half a century's position among simila colony. The firm's ge are at Hyderabad, Sil head offices and princi Ceylon business are lo Buildings, in the Fort establishments are to b Japan, and in Bombay, firm has also a branch two others in Kandyand at the Queen's Ho of showrooms in vario city, namely, at 5, Gra Verandah, 5 and 6, Vic 82 and 83, Main Street, comprises, chiefly, the Japanese, and Chinese
- Burmese carvings, Pers
embroideries; and these
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
459
MENT-—VIEWS OF EXTERIOR, AND INTERIORS.
'ourite recreations are
OOMULL & CO.
1 Ceylon in 1864, was land to engage largely
of Eastern ware and les to maintain, after existence, a premier ar enterprises in the eneral executive offices indh (India), while the pal showrooms of the cated in the Australia
of Colombo. Branch e found in Yokohama,
India. In Ceylon the
in Nuwara Eliya, and in Trincomalee Street tel-besides a number us parts of the capital nd Otiental Hotel and toria Arcade, Fort, and
Pettah. The business : import of Indian,
art-ware and curios, ian rugs, and Kashmir , together with Ceylon
made articles, of tortoiseshell, ivory, ebony, silver, and gold, are to be seen displayed in Oriental fashion in the showrooms of the firm. Silks and fabrics, set jewellery and precious stones, ornamental and antique ware, and bric-a-brac generally, are dealt in ; and at all the firm's establishments brisk business is carried on. Orders for any of these wares are executed by rail or steamer to suit the convenience of patrons, and the firm has gained a wide reputation for strictly honest and business-like dealings. Distinguished visitors who pass through Colombo make it a point to visit the magnificent showrooms of the firm ; and on the occasion of the recent visit to Colombo of the Prince and Princess of Wales the firm received a large order from the royal visitors, who expressed satisfaction at their purchases, through their private secretary. The following is a sample of the testimonials received by the firm : “This is to certify that Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York inspected and made purchases from the curiosities, embroideries, and silverware exhibited by Messrs. Topunsing Motoomull, of Colombo, and were much pleased with the same.'
Mr. Topunsing Motoomull, who founded the firm and continues to direct its operations in
Page 468
460
Colombo, is assisted in the business by a large number of hands, in addition to his partners. Mr. Topunsing Motoemull and his colleagues and staff are all Hindus by persuasion and are liberal supporters of local charities and charitable institutions. A little more than ten years ago the business was converted into a company, but the lines on which it is conducted remain the same, and under the new style the old traditions of the business continue to be
upheld
S.
M, AO MARAM,
One of the largest and best fitted Oriental shops in Colombo is that of Mr. M. Atmaram, tailor, outfitter, silk merchant, jeweller, and dealer in curios, brass, copper, bronze and china ware, also Indian and Kandyan work in gold and silver. Mr. Atmaram commenced business in the capital as a Bombay merchant eighteen years ago, first establishing himself in Chatham Street. Thence he moved to the Galle Face Hotel, where he conducted his increasing business for eight years ; and in January, I906, he took possession of his present premises in Cargills' Building, York Street. The showrooms here are lofty and capacious. A conspicuous feature is a wide staircase in the centre of the lower floor leading to the upper storey. The premises are kept cool by electric fans. They are also artistically adorned
TWENTIETH CENTURY
in approved Oriental :
magnificent silks and f: while large show-case other attraçtive article visitor's attention, and with at every turn. Th silks, shawls, rugs, at Assam, Bokhara, Chin well worth a visit of i
these are to be seen a precious stones of Indi in gold, silver, copper, b work in ivory and sanc and enamelled ware, lace and the old embi
the wholesale and reta
and set and unset st goldsmith's work to s design is carried out b furniture of all kinds is emporium ; while in tl a special feature is th orders for costumes sl climate for travellers ar
To acconnodate trave exchanged on the prer Mr. Atmaram employs fine establishment.
s N., D. H., ABD Mr. Caffoor is a pearl and dealer in precious s
ફૂઠ્ઠક્રેિકે
M. ATMARAM'S ESTABLISHMENT-EXTERIOR
MPRESSIONS
style with a display of brics of varied colours, filled with curios and of all sorts arrest the beautiful vases are met e profusion of splendid ld carpets from India, a, and Japan are alone inspection. But besides emarkable collection of a and Ceylon, fine work brass, and bronze, carved lalwood, exquisite inlaid also Ceylon hand-made 'oidery. In addition to il dealing in jewellery ones, gem-cutting and )ecification and in any y the firm. Household also supplied from this he tailoring department e prompt execution of itable for the tropical ld others, of both sexes. llers, foreign money is mises at moderate rates. a dozen assistants in his
OO CAOOR.
and diamond merchant
tones, and also a manu
OF CEYLON
facturing gold and silver smith. He gained a gold medal for precious stones exhibited at the St. Louis Exhibition of I904. His showrooms, attractive with glittering jewellery, are at 9 and Io, Bristol Buildings, York Street, Colombo, and form one of the chief attractions for tourists and visitors to Colombo. The business is represented in London by Messrs. Neresheimer & Co., 27, Holborn Viaduct, and Mr. Benjamin Warwick, King William Street, City. Mr. Caffoor also has correspondents in every part of the world. Although this establishment was only started in 1893 by its present proprietor, he has by businesslike acumen and enterprise brought it to the forefront of similar establishments in Colombo. The precious stones displayed are all found 1n Ceylon, coming from the chief gem-mining districts of Ratnapura, Morawak Korale, and Rakwana. By special command, this firm was allowed the privilege of exhibiting its precious stones and art-ware to the Prince and Princess of Wales at the Pavilion, Kandy, in 190I, during their royal visit, and large sales to the royal visitors and their suite resulted. Regardless of expense and trouble, the proprietor, Mr. Caffoor, has secured a superb collection of antique Kandyan jewellery, one that any of the museums in the world would be proud of, and it forms a gorgeous display, truly Oriental in design. A noticeable article of this collection is the headpiece of a crown lavishly set with diamonds, rubies, and emeralds.
Page 469
ABDOOL CAIFFOOR. THE SHOW
"ROOM. AN EXHIBIT OF PRECIOUS STONES.
Page 470
青 必 な
%
|
9. L. M. MACAN
MARKAR.
XERIOR,
INTERIOR
JEWEL, EXHIBIT,
Page 471
TWENTIETH CENTURY
J. - N. RAMISAMMY & BROS.—INTERIORS OF TEE GALI
Another valuable work of art is an elephant richly carved in ivory, with gold trappings and a howdah crusted with Ceylonese precious stones. Among the large precious stones exhibited by the firm the following are particularly noticeable : a magnificent Ceylon ruby, rich in colour and weighing 20 carats, considered to be the best stone of its kind ever found, having no defeet whatever, and valued at £5,000; an alexandrite, a stone peculiar to Ceylon, whose colour is a fine green by day and a bright red by night, also a perfect specimen of its kind, and valued at I,5oo; a cat's-eye weighing 57 carats, egg-shaped, and of the rich colour of honey and milk, with a silver centre line and beautifully marked; a fine blue sapphire of 25 carats; also some excellent king topazes, and a beautiful star sapphire of I70 carats.
Another feature which arrests the eye of the visitor to this establishment is the immense variety of sterling silver and electro-plate ware in rich, rare, and artistic designs. Art-ware and curios from India, Burma, China, and other important centres are also given prominence in the show. The workshop of the establishment is replete with every accessory for smiths, lapidarists, and other craftsmen in the jewellery and art-work trades.
艾
J. N. RAMSAMMY & BROS.
Messrs. J. N. Ramsammy & Bros., silk, silver
and gold, and general precious stones, manu ladies and gentlemen, Hotel Buildings, Fort, C in Karachi Camp, Indi they opened in Chatha eighteen years ago the present quarters. He extensive import trad Afghanistan, and the C a large export trade is ( Australia, and the Unite of tropical outfits are m own premises, the loc, tensively catered for. business, Naroomal Dh Hyderabad in 1859, and received his business t subsequently he came the Colombo firm. Naroomal Dharamanc his private residence is Colombo.
This important firm Galle Face Hotel, tl Verandah, and at 9 a. Colombo; and at the the same class of good
headquarters in the For
workshops and factori ing in all about 75 ha. privilege of boarding all
MPRESSIONS
LE FACE HOTEL, AND THE FORT ESTABLISHIME}NTS.
merchants, dealers in facturing outfitters for of Nos. 7 and 8, Bristol elombo, started business a, about 1850. In 188o m Street, Colombo, and
firm removed to their re they carry on an e with India, China, finited Kingdom; while lone with Egypt, China, d Kingdom. All kinds ade by the firm on their al population being ex
The proprietor of the aramandas, was born at educated in India. He raining at Karachi, and to Ceylon and founded
By persuasion, Mr. las is a Hindu, and No. 7, Hospital Street,
! has branches at the ne Galle Face Hotel hd Io, Victoria Arcade, branch establishments is is supplied as at the t. They also own large es in Colombo, employnds. The firm has the Lincoming and outgoing
OF
CEYLON 463
3
steamers to supply goods of every description to the passengers. Their goods, which were exhibited at the St. Louis Exhibition (1904) by Sir Stanley Bois, C.M.G., of Ceylon, were greatly admired. Queen's House and King's Pavilion were supplied by this firm with some exquisite carpets of Eastern manufacture for the occasion of the Prince of Wales's visit to the island. The royal visitor also purchased many of the beautiful goods stocked by this wellknown firm.
受
OTHMAN LEBBE MARKAR MAGAN MARKAR
Dealing in jewels and precious stones is a much favoured line of business in Ceylon, and this is the trade carried on by the firm of O. L. M. Macan Markar, whose establishment, with its glittering contents, is conveniently situated on the Grand Oriental Hotel premises, York Street, Colombo. This is the oldest established jewellery business in the island, it having been founded at Galle in 186o by the late Othman Lebbe Macan Markar, the father of the present proprietors. He started as a gem-trader in a small way, buying and selling single stones. Finding that the results were satisfactory, he removed to Colombo ; and when the latter place became the port of call for the island, he began to reap the rewards of
Page 472
464 TWENTIETH CENTURY
THE BUNGALOW.
his enterprise. He started in Colombo, at I, distinction, the Duke of
Grand Oriental Hotel Arcade, and by 187o his peers among them. TI business had attained large dimensions, being when staying at Queen's patronised by British and foreign visitors of Ceylon as Prince of Walc
DON TEIEODO
D. N. SINHO HAMY. R. DO, ALWIS
TEE SHOWROOM.
MPRESSIONS
AqAALLAAAALALALLAqASLLAgggSqSLLMLSSALALLSASLLLLLAS
Manchester and other he present King, too,
House on his visit to 's, bought largely from
OF CEYLON
the firm, members of the suite, Lords Carrington and Suffield prominent among them, following suit. Likewise, on the occasion of the visit of the present Prince and Princess of Wales in I9oI, the firm's representative attended by special request at the King's Pavilion, Kandy, where several special articles were bought by the royal visitors; and a letter certifying to the great satisfaction afforded them by these purchases was subsequently received by the firm. The Duke of Roxburgh and other members of the suite also gave the firm their patronage on this occasion.
The firm claims to do more than any other in Ceylon in the way of exporting cut and polished stones to the London market, the monthly sales in that great centre averaging thousands of pounds sterling. The present large premises and splendid showrooms have been occupied since October, I905, and here may be seen a world-famed cat's-eye, one of the largest and best ever found in Ceylon, weighing Io5 carats, of green sheen with white centre-line, and valued at (3,Ooo. This stone was found by a coolie on a tea estate near Ratnapura, and was sold by the finder to aboutique-keeper for only Rs. Io; and it was not until it had passed through six hands that it reached the firm. Some 5o men are employed
TS & CO.
E. D. H. WEERASIRIE.
D. E. WEERASIRIE,
Page 473
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
D. J. DEI: SILVA.
in the factories of the firm, the senior partner being Mahomed Macan Markar Effendi, Consul for Turkey, whose private residences are at Colpetty, Colombo, and Sea-view House, Galle.
Mr. Markar has founded a school for Arabic at Galle, which the firm maintains. He is a keen cricketer, and a member of the Galle Municipal Council. In connection with the business, the firm owns lands in the gem district of Ratnapura. A special feature of the showroom in Colombo is the magnificent display of antique Kandyan jewellery, consisting of the most delicate specimens of the goldsmith's art, thickly crusted with magnificent jewels of all descriptions. These heirlooms of former Kandyan chiefs have been in the possession of the Markar family for about three For the excellence of specimens of fine jewellery shown the firm obtained medals at the Colonial, Indian, Chicago, and St. Louis Exhibitions.
艾
DON THEODORS CO.
generations, and are of inestimable value.
Like so many other of the now flourishing business houses of Colombo, this of Don Theodoris & Co. has grown to its present eminence from small beginnings. It was
W. D.
TEE SEO
founded at Galle, then t island, in 1865, by Mr.
started in business as a curios, and jewellery.
the business were rem that city became the p though the establishmer and with the new pro expansion proceeded, u Don Theodoris & Co.
first of local jewellers : stones, articles in torto wood, and ebony, car brac, articles of vertu, a all kinds. There are at of the firm, the managi Hendrick Weerasirie ; Colombo about 70 m the workmen being tra their exhibits at the Pa the firm received a priz and at the St. Louis Exh in I904 they won sil diploma for ivory carvi the exhibit being a hu ebony covered with bi silver trappings and be containing a reproducti of Buddha. In 190I the Prinçe Waldemar of D
MPRESSIONS OF
PROLIS.
WROO.M.
he chief entrepôt of the
D. T. Weerasirie, who dealer in tortoiseshell, The headquarters of oved to Colombo when port of call for Ceylon, ut at Galle was retained ; gress of the city rapid ntil at this day Messrs. rank among the very and dealers in precious iseshell, ivory, sandal
ved curiosities, bric-à-.
nd ornamental ware of present five members ng partner being Don and at Galle and en are employed, all ined by the firm. For ris Exhibition of 1900 e medal and diploma; hibition (United States) ver medals, besides a ng, a special feature of ge elephant carved in :autiful hand-chiselled aring a silver howdah on of the Sacred Tooth
: Prince of Wales and anmark, when visiting
CEYLON 465
THE LATE D. F. DIE SILVA.
Ceylon, made large purchases of the firm, who received signed photographs from the royal visitors. The firm carries on a large business as working jewellers, cutting and polishing stones obtained by their own agents direct from the mines. They also export gems to England, Germany, and France, and import silver-ware from India, Burma, and China, and jewellery from England. A special branch of the trade of this house is dealing in Kandyan and Indian antiques, arms, coins, and other curios. The members of the firm are all followers of
Buddha.
艾
D. F. DE SIYA & CO.
Conspicuous among the attractive jewellery establishments of Colombo are the showrooms at 7, Chatham Street, and 2, Grand Oriental Hotel Arcade, of D. F. de Silva & Co., jewellers and dealers in precious stones, working gold and silver smiths, tortoiseshell ivory and ebony carvers. The business, which has, in the course of years, attained a forefront position, was started in a small way in Colombo in 1870 by the late Devendera Frederick. de Silva (who died in October, 1904), in partnership with Messrs. P. L. Don Juanis de Silva and W. A. Don Prolis, the present managing partners; and
2 G
Page 474
466
the firm employs about 75 hands. They have supplied jewellery to Queen's House, Colombo, from the commencement of their business; and when the Prince and Princess of Wales visited Ceylon in I90I, the firm attended at King's Pavilion, Kandy by special order, and the royal visitors bought largely from them. The articles which mainly form the glittering display in the showrooms are manufactured from gold and silver. The firm also cuts and polishes stones bought by their own agents at the mines direct, and exports them, mostly to London. Amongst the articles they showed at the St. Louis Exhibition of I904 was a beautifully carved ivory casket, mounted in gold, which was specially commended. They recently sold for a large amount a Sapphire
SNST
TWENTIETH CENTURY
weighing 122 carats, reckoned one of the l Among the fine sam work executed by th (I887) presentation cas Victoria by the Ce Jubilee (1897) casket presented to the lat mounted in gold and made to the order of th a Coronation casket supplied to the Gove Settlements; and a n sented by the Planters to the present Prince ( last article was made o set with pearls and a
COLOMBO COMMI
GALLE FACE HOTEL.
This superb and extensive establishment, with its magnificent position, lavish decorations and equipment, and high-class accommodation, is renowned, not only throughout the Orient, but also wherever travellers who have passed through Colombo are to be found. It occupies the whole of the southern side of the famous Galle Face Promenade, which runs along the sea-front, with its adjoining open expanse so aptly termed the "lungs of Colombo,' and thus rounds off and fitly completes a pleasure-ground and fashionable resort that is only equalled in the East by the Maidan of Calcutta or the Esplanade of Bombay. Here is ample provision for equestrian, carriage and pedestrian exercise, and here the leading inhabitants of Colombo, European and native, are wont to ride and drive, and, in the old-fashioned phrase, “take the air." It is the sea air undiluted; for the waves wash the wall of the Promenade along its whole length of nearly a mile, and the spray will, under a strong wind, sprinkle the roadway. Occupying so delightful and so healthgiving a site, and one which is the centre of fashionable resort, it is no wonder that the Galle Face Hotel is so popular a place of entertainment, and has the world-wide reputation it possesses.
The architecture of the huge building is in the Renaissance style, and the interior arrangements are on a scale befitting the imposing exterior. The lofty reception hall leads into the various wide verandahs which abut upon the spacious ground-floor apartments; and through this hall the principal dining-room is reached, which has a verandah facing the sea
and is fitted with ele largest hall in the islan 76 by 39 ft. and 3o ft. h. 350 diners. There is room, with a verandah Esplanade, which is l parties and banquets, t are 54 by 25 ft. and I7 size is the ball-room, verandah facing the where weekly dances a the “August week," th of Colombo, this finely is the main scene of th lavish entertainments period of Ceylon's cap and library, which fac situated room in the liberally with English The drawing-room, als Galle Face Esplanade, and contains a Bechst the public billiard-rool Burroughs and Watts appointments in the be of this room are 6o b and there is also a sm for the use of ladies a bar has a length of 52 and is well equipped a imported wines, spiri in fact, that a thirsty require.
The hotel possesses high order in an exter and electrically illun performs twice a we
MPRESSIONS
in. by II: ins., and est stones of its kind. ples of manufactured 2 firm are a Jubilee (et, presented to Queen lon Government; a in carved ivory, also Queen, which was
set with jewels, and e Ceylon Government; or the present King, rnment of the Straits agnificent casket pre
Association of Ceylon f Wales in 190I. This carved ivory and gold, 1 the different Ceylon
森下2/2
SNs
OF CEYLON
gems, numbering about 384. The firm has also manufactured many ornamental silver trowels for use in the ceremony of laying foundation stones for public buildings. Specimens of Messrs. D. F. de Silva & Co.'s work have been awarded many prize medals at exhibitions in different parts of the world, including the following: Melbourne International Exhibition, 188o; Agri-Horticultural Society, Ceylon, 1883, for precious stones, pearls, ebony, and carved works; Colonial and Indian Exhibition, 1886; Agri-Horticultural Society, 1887; diploma for gold medal, Earl's Court, London, I896, for jewellery; République Française Exposition Internationale, 190o, and gold, silver, and bronze medals at the United States Universal Exposition, St. Louis, I904.
ERCIAL : GENERAL.
tric fans. This is the d, the dimensions being igh. It accommodates also a smaller diningfacing the Galle Face used for private dinner he dimensions of which ft. high. Of the same
also provided with a Galle Face Esplanade, re usually held. During Le annual festive season proportioned apartment he leading festivities and which mark the gay ital. The reading-room es the sea, is the finest hotel, and is provided and foreign newspapers. o with a verandah facing is handsomely furnished, in Grand piano; while In is equipped with four tables and all the usual st style. The dimensions y 39 ft. and 30 ft. high; all private billiard-room nd parties. The saloon ft. and breadth of 36 ft., nd stocked with specially s, and cigars-with all, yet fastidious man may
exterior attractions of a sive lawn facing the sea inated, where a band k, and in a swimming
bath-the only one in Ceylon-which is 50 ft. long and 20 ft. broad, and laid with alabaster tiles. Here fresh-water showers are provided, also an Atmerican bar.
That very important branch of a hotel business, the culinary department, is in charge
of a French chef, assisted by a large staff, and
the kitchen is the largest in the island. Carriages and riding-horses may be engaged from the stables, and motor-cars can be obtained at short notice. The electric light is installed throughout the whole of the premises, and a lift gives convenient access to the different floors of the huge four-storeyed building. Suites of rooms with private bathrooms attached and elaborately furnished apartments are provided on every floor, while over 20o bedrooms are included in the sleeping accommodation, also bathrooms for ladies and gentlemen on each floor. The management is entirely European. Established over twenty years ago, the hotel was entirely rebuilt on an enlarged scale in I894, and now it can claim to be provided with every comfort and convenience. The hotel porters meet all steamers on arrival as well as the principal trains arriving in Colombo.
Wv
CONRAD PETER.
Mr. Peter, the manager of the Galle Face Hotel, Colombo (of which establishment a description is given elsewhere in this section), was born in the year I877 at Salzbrunn, near Breslau, Germany. He was educated at the principal town school in Breslau, and at the
Page 475
GALLE FACE HOTEL-EXTERIOR, DINING
HALL, GARDENS, AND SWIMMING BATH.
Page 476
468 TWENTIETH
age of sixteen left his native land and went to London. In that great centre he obtained large experience in the management of hotels, and for three years he held the position of head reception clerk at the Charing Cross Hotel, in the Strand. He was then appointed to a responsole post in a leading hotel in Scotland. Mr. Peters next move was to New York, where he accepted a similar position. After sojourning for a period in the United States, he received a hotel engagement in
France. Eventually he came to Colombo as
assistant-manager of the Galle Face Hotel, in
year I902.
the On May I, 1906, Mr. Peter
CENTURY I
trade with which th case in point is the
concern which, in add: undertakings, carries on merchants and export island. This engineer established in Coloml taken over by Mr. Cha the present sole propr Mr. Duckworth was bo was educated in that c his training in mechal Messrs. John H. Wilso contractors to the Bri
was promoted to the position of acting headmanager of that well-known establishment, and on January 1, 1907, the appointment of
manager was confirmed.
V
FAIRFIELD IRONWORKS
Owing to the interdependent and conjoint nature of the larger commercial businesses carried on in Ceylon, several of the leading houses are found operating in more than one field of industry, and it therefore becomes impossible to classify them definitely and exclusively according to the branches of
THE MANAGER, GA
came to Ceylon in Augu and joined his present of manager, afterwards on his own account. A are employed at the wo of work is done in the and tea machinery, pun as well as other branche the machinery used of mainly of English and . During I903 bulk oil (p motive power for the co but since I905 liquid fu Akroyd oil engines, has
power. Machinery of all
MPRESSIONS
by are concerned. A Fairfield Ironworks, a tion to its engineering the business of general rs of products of the ing business was first O in I867, and was les W. H. Duckworth, etor, in January, I9O4. in in Liverpool in 188o, ity, and, later, obtained lical engineering with n & Co., engineering tish Government. He
OF CEYLON
factured on the premises, and the firm send their own engineers as required to any place in the island to examine and report on machinery, and to erect plant, and structural works generally. A speciality of the business at Colombo is the packing and baling of fibre of every description by means of a very powerful hydraulic baling-press, manufactured by Mills, Huddersfield. The firm exports tea, fibre, coir, plumbago, and all other local produce, the principal markets being Great Britain and Germany, and acts as local agent for John Birch & Co., London Wall, E.C., engineers; also for De Grelle, Houdrit & Co.,
LLE FACE EHOTEL.
1st, I903, for his health, usiness in the capacity aking the concern over bout a hundred hands rks; and a great deal manufacture of estate ping and mining gear, s of civil engineering, the premises being American manufacture. atroleum) was used as nstructing machinery; :l, used with Hornsbysupplied the necessary | descriptions is manu
London Wall, E.C., general merchants and exporters, and G. D. Jennings & Co., London. The Fairfield Ironworks are situated in Union Place, Slave Island, Colombo.
V
PLáTE & CO.
This well-known firm of photographic artists was originally established in 1890, under the title of A. W. A. Platé, in a small studio at the Bristol Hotel, Mr. and Mrs. Platé then representing the whole staff. From the very outset the business progressed rapidly, and in I892 the proprietors moved into more commodious
Page 477
FAIRFIELD
W. H. DUckworTH. BALING DEPARTMENT.
PLATs AND CO.--THE STUI
RON WORKS.
PoRTION OF HEAVY MACHINE SHOP
SMALL MACHINE SHOP.
D (EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR).
Page 478
470 TWENTIETH
premises at Colpetty. Soon after this Mr. Heinemann joined the firm as managing partner, and the business continued to steadily expand, with the result that the present staff of the establishment comprises ten Europeans and over 6o natives. Besides their Colpetty studio and several others in Colombo, Messrs. Platé have a branch establishment at Nuwara Eliya, in the hill-country, and, in addition, book-stalls at the Queen's Hotel, Kandy, and the Galle Face Hotel, Colombo. The Colpetty studio and office practically represent the headquarters of the firm, and here are located extensive work-rooms, dark-rooms, show-rooms and other adjuncts to a photographic establishment, in addition to the spacious studio, reckoned one of the finest in the East. On these premises almost all the printing and finishing work of the firm is carried out, and thence pictures are despatched to all parts of the world.
The firm is now styled Platé & Co., and is the property of a small private company, the alteration from the original style having been effected in I90o. In connection with this change the scope of the business was considerably enlarged, and the firm embarked in dealing largely (both wholesale and retail) in all kinds of photographic supplies and apparatus. A little later, when picture postcards came so universally into vogue, the firm again extended its trade to embrace this new line of business, being the first in the island to supply the demand for this novelty. Messrs. Platé & Co.'s output of picture post-cards now reaches half a million each year. Their numerous series of views of Ceylon are well known, and are ever in increasing demand. The portrait work of this firm has gained a wide reputation, and they have, during the past sixteen years, photographed many celebrities (including members of the Royal Family) from all parts of the globe. The variety and high quality of the photographic pictures make the galleries at the different studios well worth a visit
KEARLEY & TONGE, LTD.
This well-known house of tea-shippers and importers of food produce, whose head office is in Mitre Square, London, E.C., and who have an Indian branch at 2, Mangoe Lane, Calcutta, carry on a large business in Ceylon in buying and shipping tea to their London house direct, also to all parts of the world, their Colombo depôt being at Stratford House, Union Place. Kearley & Tonge are the proprietors of the popular “ Ceylindo' brand of tea. The manager of the Colombo branch is Mr. A. Hudson, and the nature of the main operations carried on at the Ceylon establish ment is the blending and packing of teas of all sorts for export.
CENTURY I
THE CEYLON M
This business was o Cramer's Lanè, Pettah, Baur, the present prop to the inadequacy of the extensive operations rer steady growth of the b moved to Kelaniya, the country railway line : where the working pla spacious ground of fol Kelaniya railway stati measures 60,000 square ings are constructed o firm has its own private more convenient and s loading of the trucks, firm's weighbridge. Til loaded into trucks at the into the firm's premise: the various planting di destination direct fro
where the material is supervision of railway c used for the manipulat the manure is thoroug sists of four powerf mechanical sifters atta grators, two large sidesifters, one bone-break bone-steaming boilers apparatus, two fish-dry; apparatus. The motiv a 200-horse-power steal by Gebruder Sulzer, of In addition to the mech the firm employs over
The firm is the only to concerned with the m possesses by far the 1 Ceylon. The rapid ( Baur's business speak and the demand that sold by the firm. A used kinds of manur ground-nut cake, rape unsteamed bone meal, slag, sulphate and mit phosphate and conce: sulphate of ammonia, meal, nitrate of soda, phosphate of lime. manures, Mr. Baur special fertilisers for t nuts, and other Ceylon are in great demand. the preparation of th and special study for firm's constituents are estate agencies and the companies of Ceylon. are always kept on ha demand that may
MPRESSIONS
ANURE YORKS.
riginally established in Colombo, by Mr. A. rietor, in 1897. Owing e premises there for the idered necessary by the usiness, the works were : first station of the Upafter leaving Colombo, it has been erected on a ir acres, adjoining the on. The storage floor : feet, and all the buildf brick and iron. The 2 railway sidings for the peedy loading and unwhich are run over the he imported manures are 2 wharf and run straight s; and the manures for istricts are sent to their in this private siding, loaded under the direct officers. The machinery tion and manufacture of hly up to date. It conul disintegrators, with ched, two small disinterollers with mechanical ing machine, five large with a powerful drying ing machines, and other e power is derived from m engine, manufactured Winterthur, Switzerland hanical appliances used, }oo hands. ine in Ceylon exclusively lanure industry, and it argest manure works in levelopment of Mr. A. s to the popularity of, exists for, the manures mong the more widely 2 sold are castor-cake, cake, fish, steamed and burnt coral lime, basic triate of potash, superntrated superphosphate, nitrate of potash, bloodkainit, and precipitated In addition to these makes a speciality of ea, rubber, cacao, cocogrown products, which He has been making ese fertilisers a close years past. Among the most of the Colombo majority of the planting Large stocks of manure und to meet any possible pe made beyond the
OF CEYLON
average quantity taken. A chemical laboratory is attached to the works, where soils are analysed and suitable manure mixtures recommended.
Mr. A. Baur, who is a native of Switzerland, is the sole proprietor of the concern, while the local manager is Mr. J. Haemmig, who is assisted by Mr. T. Wagner and a large staff of native employees. The head offices are at Prince Street, in the Fort of Colombo.
Vy
THE GALAHA CEYLON TEA ESTATES AND AGENCY COMPANY, LTD.
The head office of this business, which is extensively engaged in the cultivation, preparation, and export of tea and produce of all kinds, as well as in acting as shipping and general agents, is at 4, Lloyd's Avenue, Fenchurch Street, London, with Messrs. Rowe, White & Co. as secretaries, while the Ceylon offices and stores are in Union Place, Slave Island, Colombo. The managing director in England is Mr. C. E. Strachan, and the manager in Ceylon is Mr. G. Hathorn. The largest tea factory in Ceylon, namely, that at Galaha, in the Kandy district, is owned by the company, and here just under 2,Ooo, Ooo lbs. weight of tea is turned out per annum. Besides Galaha, a large number of tea and rubber estates belong to the company, including Kitoolamoola, Maousakelle, Vedehette, Goorookelle and Kirrawana and Dunally, all belonging to the Galaha group, of which Mr. L. Carey is the resident manager. agents for the Ragalla and Halgranoya estates, which belong to the Ragalla Tea Estates Company, Ltd., and manage the Campion, Cottaganga, Freshwater, Hauteville, St. George, and Katoolooya estates, personally owned by Mr. C. E. Strachan. They are agents for the Associated Tea Company, Horagoda, Chesterford, Doragalla group, and Silverkandy estates; for the Dimbula Valley Tea Company, who own the Eladuwa, Bearwell, Belgravia, Elgin, Langdale, Lippakelle, Mousa Ella, and Tillicoultry estates ; for the Matale Ceylon Rubber Company, who own the Ambaganga group, comprising Ambaganga, Arolsen, and Waradaminie; and they are also the shipping agents for the Ceylon Tea Plantations Company, which is the premier planting company in Ceylon. Further, they are the agents for the rubber, cacao, and tea properties of the Rubber Estates of Ceylon, Ltd., which are situated in the Kegalla and Kurunegala districts, and comprise Morankande, Maousava, Muvakande, Udahena, Kalugala, and Debatagama. They are agents for numerous other individual estates as well as for the Goomera Estates Company, and the Maturata Estates Company, and are local agents for the
The company are also
who own the
Page 479
ÇEYLON MANURE woRKs, sHow ING T
HE WARIOUS DEPARTMENTS OF THE BUSINESS,
Page 480
472 - TWENTIETH CENTURY
Imperial Tea Chest Company, and co-agents GEORGE RO for the Guardian Assurance Company, while This firm of merch their London correspondents are Messrs founded in the year 19t
EIE GALASA CEYLON. TEA ESTATES AND AGENCY COMI
Rowe, White & Co., 4, Lloyd's Avenue, and 5 and 6, New Moor S. Messrs. M. P. Evans & Co., 3o, Mincing Lane. The business done on ti The Galaha Company was originally estab- the baling of coir al lished in London in June, 1896, both the estates presses, the installatior property and the Colombo business being ing machinery, the im owned at that time by Mr. C. E. Strachan, with Mr. Hathorn as manager of the com
pany.
All tea and other products from these numerous estates pass through the Colombo stores of the company; and practically every kind and class of tea manufactured finds its way to the various markets through the channels of the company. In the Colombo stores 70 to 8o hands are employed. The buildings, covering nearly three acres of ground, afford a flooring storage of 35o ft. by 38 ft. The tea is packed in the factories on the estates, and then brought to the Colombo stores ready for shipment. Cardamoms are also cured locally, and exported to the United Kingdom. All the tea estates are supplied with their stores, foodstuffs, and other requirements through the Colombo office. The European assistants at the Colombo establishment are Mr. W. E. Gildea and Mr. H. W. Crabbe, and I5 clerks are also cmployed there. The codes used by the company are the A B C, Western Union, and Lieber's.
GEORGE
ware, and estate requis of all kinds of Ceylon p. which include the gen
Wy
MPRESSIONS
BSON CO. ants and engineers was 3 on its present site, at
PANYS ACTORY.
treet, Pettalh, Colombo. hese premises embraces nd fibre by hydraulic of factory and pumpport of dynamite, hard
ROBSON.
sites, and the shipment roduce. The premises, eral offices, baling and
OF CEYLON
engineering departments and stores, have a ground area of 20,000 sq. ft.; and the plant and appliances used are of the finest British make. Messrs. Robson & Co. are agents for Thomas Firth & Sons, Ltd., engineers, of Sheffield; William Bennett, Sons & Co. (safety fuse makers), of Camborne; the Actien-Gesellschaft Siegener Dynamit-Fabrik, of Cologne.
Mr. George Robson, who was born at Aberdeen in 1864 and trained in various technical schools in Scotland, came out to Ceylon in 1892 as... manager of Messrs. W. H. Davies & Co.'s business (mentioned elsewhere in this section of the book). After ten years' connection with that house, Mr. Robson started business on his own account, and the present
flourishing firm bearing his name is solely
controlled by him. His private residence is Augusta Cottage, Ward Place, Cinnamon Gardens, Colombo.
Vy
FRANCIS F, STREET.
This firm, engaged in the tea industry, was cstablished in Colombo in 1885 by Mr. Francis F. Street, who was the first tea-buyer in Ceylon. The firm now carries on a large export in tea, their packing and storing offices being situated at Ambawatte Mills, in Slave Island, Colombo. The firm also makes a speciality of reporting on and valuing tea, while other kinds of Ceylon produce are shipped to order. The boxes used for packing tea are manufactured on the premises, sapu-wood being employed for the 5-lb. and Io-lb. boxes in preference to any other, for its light weight, whiteness, and absence of any disagreeable smell.
Wv
LOUIS SIEDLE
Mr. Louis Siedle, who came to Ceylon some thirty-five years ago, was born at Woolwich in the year I852, and started his business career at an early age, apprenticing himself to the well-known firm of Siemens Bros., engineers, Charlton, Kent. With strong inclinations for travel and adventure, he left England in 1872, and settled himself in Ceylon, where he has been engaged in the gemming industry and in the purchase and export of precious stones and pearls. With his long experience he may be considered an expert in this special line of business. So comprehensive is his knowledge of everything connected with precious stones that he is often consulted by intending purchasers for purposes of valuation and advice. On the occasion of the Prince and Princess of Wales's visit to Ceylon, Mr. Louis Siedle met the royal visitors by special request, and was commissioned to value and select precious stones for them. His operations in the gem
Page 481
TWENTIETH
business include mining, polishing, and the export of precious stones to London and the Continent, and the import of stone-set jewellery for local requirements. He has been con. nected with the pearl fisheries of Ceylon from almost the time of his arrival, and visits the annual pearling station for personal inspection and selection of specimens.
Mr. Siedle's chief recreation is shooting, and he is an exceptionally good marksman. He has great musical talent, and takes part in local concerts and the performances of amateur orchestral societies. He was Bugle-major of the Ceylon Light Infantry from 1881 to I889. Subsequently he joined the Ceylon Planters'
LOUIS SIEDLE
Rifle Corps, and has since been placed on the reserve. His private residence is Egerton House, Kollupitiya, Colombo.
Vy
W. H. DAVIES & CO.
This house was established in Colombo twenty-seven years ago by the present head of the firm (Mr. W. H. Davies) for import business; but since that time an export trade as well has grown up and developed, until now the firm ships Ceylon products to all parts of the world. Dealing first with the original side of the business, the chief among the articles imported are machinery, galvanised and other iron, metals, general hardware, cement, lubricating oils, materials for light railways, momi-wood tea-chests, and lead for
CENTURY IM
lining the tea-cases, the in the last-named comm & Co. also hold the Australian produce from conceded to them ten y consisting principally o Other cattle foods are which “Cattleoid' is quantities for use at the dairies and throughout has also been entrusted v ment contracts, includi sleepers, and another, completion, for telegraph Explosives form another these are stored in the fi zines, having a capacity Cases. The well-know sporting powders is als also holds the sole ager many kinds of special n to-date tea treatment, cutters and Barber's sif and boilers of Messrs. the well-known Englis. stocked.
In connection with th to tea estates, the fir engineering works at F Colombo, some fifteen since erected and equi other produce factories while nearly all the ownc have been supplied from pumping plant and other The export business of embracing trade in all t of Ceylon. Besides own the firm is agent for n green varieties of the le American markets, receiv of the firm's estates being class of the staple prod in large quantities are shipment at the firm's o' watte, where every fac processes, as well as for cardamoms, kapok, cov ducts. Messrs. Davies & output of two mills tu coconut, the brand of known in the English an To cope with the incre article the mills are now firm exports sapu-wood, and is sole shipping ag. pared' cocoa in the isl out from the factory es Messrs. C. C. Barber & cacao estate, Uku wella. have their own establis curing plumbago, and 1 mineral are here prepare
PRESSIONS
firm dealing largely dity. W. H. Davies Ceylon agency for the State of Victoria, ears ago, the import compressed forage. also handled, among imported in large various Government he island. The firm “ith extensive Governng one for railway now in course of and telephone poles. class of imports, and m's four large magaof from 3,000 to 4,Ooo 1 Cooppal brand of o stocked. The firm cy in the island for achinery used in upincluding Parnall's ers; and the engines E. R. & F. Turner, h engineers, are also
e supply of requisites m established large airfield, Slave Island, years ago, and has ipped many tea and in the low-country,
}rs of plumbago mines
'the same source with
mining machinery. the house is extensive, he principal products ing several tea estates, Lumerous others. The af, in request for the "especial attention, one entirely devoted to this luct. Copra and fibres cured and baled for wn stores at Panchikaility exists for these manipulating tea-fluff, vries, and other pro& Co. also control the „rning Out desiccated the firm being well d Continental markets. asing demand for this being enlarged. The satinwood, and ebony, ent for the only 'preand, which is turned stablished in I9OI by Co. on their “Grove' Messrs. Davies & Co. hment at Kanatta for arge quantities of the :d and put up for ship
OF CEYLON 473
ment to England, America, and the Continent of Europe.
Besides the line of operations above specified, the firm-whose offices are in Baillie Street Colombo-has been for eleven years in succession sole agent for advertisements on the Ceylon Government Railway, and also represents the following firms: The Yorkshire Fire Insurance Company, Messrs. E. R. & F. Turner's engines, the Imperial Jarrah Timber Company, the Globe Oil Engine Company, Messrs. McLean & Co., “Coronet' cement, the 'Blickensderfer' Typewriter Company, Messrs. Phillips & Sons (safes), Messrs. Wm. Edward & Sons (edge tools), the Challenge Air Propeller Company, the Midland Gun Company, Sir William Burnett & Co., and Gould's Manufacturing Company (pumps).
V
HENDERSON & CO.
Mr. J. A. Henderson is at the head of this Colombo firm. He received his early training in the tea trade with Messrs. Lloyd, Matheson & Carritt, the well-known London brokers, and counts nearly twenty years' experience in this particular line. The export to all parts of the world of tea, cinnamon, desiccated coconut, fibres, and other Ceylon produce constitutes the principal business in which the firm of Henderson & Co. are engaged; while they also import cotton goods and other commodities falling within the category of general merchandise. As regards the exportation of tea, the packet business forms a special feature in which this firm are particularly interested. They have their own proprietary brands of tea labels, chief among
which, and very attractively got up, are the “Corona,' 'Elixa,” “Pearlana,' and “ Vittana.”
The firm's Nilwatte tea factory is located in the suburb of Colpetty and is fully fitted with all the latest machinery, this equipment insuring rapid, though regular and well-executed work. Packets of tea are here turned out in great numbers, in different sizes and description, labelled with variegated designs of wrappers, and cased for shipment, the cases being put together in a woodworking shop on the premises. In other departments of the factory cinnamon, cocoa, and other articles of produce raised in the island are prepared for the market with due attention to obtaining the best results, The firm have published a handy little pamphlet on “ Tea Cultivation and Manufacture in Ceylon,' descriptive of the growth and manufacture of tea in the island. Messrs. Henderson & Co. are agents in Ceylon for a number of important firms in Great Britain and elsewhere.
Page 482
474
HARRY ERNEST BROCK.
Mr. Harry Ernest Brock was born in 1882 at Newport, Isle of Wight, and educated at Margate College. On leaving school he was apprenticed to Messrs. Walker Bros., and served his time at their engineering works,
n
EI. E. BROCK,
Bouverie Street, Fleet Street, London. After his apprenticeship he received a practical training in the mechanism and working of motor-cars in connection with the well-known Kingston Motor Works, the Flight Motor Company, of Hornsey, London, and the Beaufort Motor Company, of London and Germany. In I905 he came to Ceylon, and occupied the position of chief engineer of the Ceylon Motor Company, Ltd., Colombo, until that corporation was wound up in the first half of I906. Mr. Brock then proceeded on a visit to England. Football and cycling claim the greater part of his leisure. He was a member of the Hornsey Park Football Club -the holders of the North London Football Cup and winners of the North London Football League continuously since I90I.
| ub
A. RANDEL.
This business, of the European Cycle and Motor Engineering Works, which was established in Colombo in 190o by Mr. Arthur Randel, is solely concerned with the sale and repair of cycles, motors, and rickshaws, and is housed in the Hamidia Buildings, Union Place, Slave Island, Colombo. Mr. Randel was educated at Berlin, and after passing through the Handelsschule, joined the engineering firm of Messrs. Wolff & Co., Magde
TWENTIETH CENTURY
burg, which he left to staff of Albrecht & Co. an extensive training mechanical engineeril perience with English he came to Ceylon a business. The depot
accessory for cycles, I cular conveyances; a on view is Mr. Rat rubber-tyred ricksha certain special feature ning. The motor del of Mr. Nietzschmann, engineer; and the n
various processess (
the best manufacture.
A. R
the only one of its 1 ducted solely by Eut central position nake for cyclists and motor
N, S). FE
An example of w joined to honesty of is supplied by the pa position of the busing Ceylon as N. S. Ferna late Mr. N. S. Fernand business originated
MPRESSIONS
ake up a position on the , Braunschweig. After
in all departments of g, and many years' ex
and Continental firms, nd started his present s equipped with every notors, and other vehind among the articles |del's patent (No. 75o) w, which possesses s insuring smooth runartment is in charge who is also an expert achinery used in the of engineering is of
The business is about
ಕ್ಲಕ್ಹಳ್ಲ
SMSMSSSLSSLSLSSLSLSSLSLSSLSLSSLSLSSLSSSMSSLeLeSMSMMMMSLLL
ANDE.
ind in the island conopean labour, and its s it a convenient resort ists.
RNANDO,
hat native enterprise, lealing, can accomplish it progress and present ss popularly known in hdo, and founded by the o in 1875. The present in a humble boutique
OF CEYLON
in Bankshall Street, Pettah, Colombo, the stock comprising little more than a miscellaneous assortment of curry stuffs, relieved with a modest stock of groceries. But there was that about this Sinhalese trader which marked the rising man, and which produced the prosperous merchant and native philanthropist. In the first year he opened his boutique he commenced importing foreign merchandise. For a time Fortune refused to smile upon him. Perseverance, however, conquered. Mr. Fernando continued his importations from Europe, and was the first native to introduce paper into the island. The business flourished and expanded in various directions, and in twelve years Mr. Fernando's position and reputation as a business man had become thoroughly assured. His operations having far outgrown the premises in which he made his humble start, the original premises were demolished, and on their site the present large and handsome establishment was erected and opened in 1887. The enterprise displayed in the costly extension of premises was abundantly justified. From the start Mr. Fernando had laid himself out to win the confidence and secure the goodwill of European houses of business, and the result is seen in the magnitude of his dealings abroad. It is estimated that in the first twenty-four years of the firm's existence over 200,ooo packages of foreign merchandise, covering a value of some Rs. 6,ooo,ooo, were imported, out of which
the amount paid for duty alone came to nearly
three lakhs (3oo,ooo) of rupees. The late Mr. N. S. Fernando was not content with importing from abroad the articles required to improve the standard of living locally. He resolved to build up an export trade also, and set himself, with characteristic energy, to bring the island's products to the notice of foreign countries. Commencing with India, he gradually enlarged and extended his operations. This Pettah house was awarded a medal in the International Exhibition held at Calcutta in 1884 for native products, another at the Ottawa Exhibition in 1883 for Ceylon drugs, and a third for similar products at the London Exhibition of 1885. At all local exhibitions Mr. N. S. Fernando has also been represented, and with never-failing success. With the object of encouraging other native merchants and imparting a needful impetus to trade, he started in I885 a journal published in the Sinhalese vernacular, entitled Welanda Mithraya, or the Merchant's Friend. This proved a useful publication as long as it lived, but it had to be discontinued owing to other demands on Mr. Fernando's time.
The late Mr. Fernando was also a devoted Buddhist, and the present partners, together with all the employees, belong to the same faith. He did much to encourage the loyal
Page 483
تمبتنتيتيت
༈ \
A.
કે,
Α
y
N. A. WIJEYESEKERA.
LOADING GOODS. H.
BANKSHALL STREET ESTABLISHMENT. THE LAT)
(Mohandirann N
INTERIOR OF CASH DRAPERY STORES.
| S. FERNANDO, SKETCH OF NEW PREMISES.
E N. S. FERNANDO. BRANCE ESTABLISHMENT,
V. S. Fernando Vijeyesekera.)
Page 484
476 TWENTIETH
observance of Buddhist ceremonies and festivals, and was always on the look-out for opportunities of benefiting his countrymen and serving their needs. He was instrumental in having "The Arabian Nights Entertainments' translated into Sinhalese for the benefit of his countrymen. In 1898, in conjunction with a co-religionist, Mr. Fernando built a rest-house at Anuradhapura, the ancient capital of Ceylon and a city sacred to Buddhists, for the convenience of pilgrims, which establishment his widow maintains. Mr. N. S. Fernando may also be considered to have been the originator of the Victoria Memorial Eye Hospital, and his portrait in oils hangs at the entrance hall of that institution. He had given a substantial subscription in aid of any movement to ameliorate the condition of the blind, and when Ceylon's Memorial to Queen Victoria took its present shape and form, Mr. Fernando not only readily consented to his subscription being devoted to this object, but supplemented it with another handsome contribution. For his generosity and munificence Sir West Ridgeway, then Governor of Ceylon, honoured him with the rank of Mohandiram; and the native merchants showed their cordial approval of the honour conferred upon Mr. Fernando by presenting him with a gold sword and an illuminated address. To general regret Mr. Fernando did not live to see his self-denying efforts come to fruition. He left a name which will always be held in respect by the Sinhalese, and an example which all classes of the community might follow. The business which Mr. N. S. Fernando built up with so much care is being carried on by the present proprietors, Messrs. N. A. Wijeyesekera, son of the founder, and H. S. Fernando, his son-in-law, on the same progressive lines. The younger generation have already shown themselves to be shrewd business men, also that they are animated by the high principles which distinguished the late Mr. N. S. Fernando.
The firm not only transacts the general business of export and import merchants, but carries on a large wholesale trade in stationery and paper. They are importers of drapery, native drugs (musk, bezoar, and camphor), and exporters of tea and coconut oil, being owners of coconut estates in the Kurunegala district. The drapery and millinery are imported from Europe direct and the silks from India and Japan. The cash drapery warehouse, which the late Mr. N. S. Fernando started, continues to be a popular institution of one of the busiest business quarters in Colombo, the system of cash sales adopted being a strong element in its success. The new building in which the drapery branch is located is fitted throughout with electricity, the showrooms are spacious and well ventilated, and the inspection of the large and varied stock, which is continually
CENTURY I
being replenished fr houses, may here be
comfortable condition warehouse supply a
native classes, but it increasing measure o In the stationery dep; has one of the largest wholesale character is the business by the fac retail firms purchase t from this house. The are excellent, its fina tioned, its connection wide and extensive Scotch, and Continer sented, and the firm agencies : William I Wiggins, Teape & Co., Lloyd, Ltd., London; London; the Rosmari pany, London; A. B. burgh; Alexander Aberdeenshire; Colga and F. M. Clements bankers are the Merc Ltd., and the Chari Australia, and China.
BI., DON CAR
This extensive furnit largest and best appoin by Mudaliyar Don Ca passed away in Februa of seventy-three... Li undertakings, this bus very modest way, its fi a small house in the c Pettah, Colombo, w started in 1860, when the palmiest days of that time Mr. Don Car bility of supplying the artistic furniture in th and at moderate pric the purpose a small b Moratuwa, a township of the island, which ti carpentry and joiners woods used in the man by this firm are nadur ebony, calamander, assumes with age a In 1886 Mr. Avery, an introduced Ceylon fur in 1895 an Indo-Africs London to carry on a with South Africa. led to the establishm furniture works in Sla 25o skilled workmen a
MPRESSIONS
om ne best European undertaken in cool and s. Not only does this long-felt want for the is securing an everf European patronage. artment N. S. Fernando stocks in Ceylon, and a given to this branch of that most of the native heir stock of stationery traditions of the house ncial standing unqueswith European houses celebrated English, tal houses are repreholds the following Duff & Co., London; Ltd., London; Edward Scott & Bowne, Ltd., ne Manufacturing ComFleming & Co., EdinPirie & Sons, Ltd., te & Co., New York ; , Sydney. The firm's antile Bank of India, ered Bank of India,
ROLIS & SONS,
ure business, one of the ited in Asia, was founded rolis Hewavitarne, who ry, I9o6, at the ripe age ke so many successful siness was begun in a rst habitat having been orner of Keyzer Street, here operations were
Ceylon was enjoying the coffee industry. At Dlis, seeing the practicaplanters with solid and e best European styles es, brought together for and of carpenters from on the south-west coast hen had a reputation for
work. The principal ufacture of the furniture (Ceylon walnut), satin, and jak-which latter rich mahogany colour. Australian horsedealer, hiture to Australia; and yndicate was formed in large furniture business This latter undertaking nt of the firm's steam ive Island, where about re daily employed. By
OF CEYLON
the enterprise and energy of which this development afforded an instance, the firm has acquired a preponderance of the local trade in this line; and improved methods of manufacture, combined with novel designs and a general go-ahead policy, soon spread its fame, not only throughout the island, but also through the neighbouring continent. The firm is now carrying on business with the Straits Settlements, Australia, South Africa, India, Burma, England, and the United States of America; and on the British military occupation of South Africa this firm, among others, was selected to supply furniture for the Government buildings of that country.
The main premises of the firm are at 54, Keyzer Street, and at 52-56, First Cross Street, both in the Pettah quarter of Colombo. The extensive showrooms at these centres occupy a space of nearly three acres, and are replete with furniture of every description, from the finest and most delicately hand-carved cabinets, overmantels, and drawing-room suites to plain solid household and office furniture of every kind. The showrooms, fitted throughout with electric lights and ventilated by electric fans, form quite one of the sights of Colombo. This extensive business is managed by two of the late Mr. Don Carolis Hewavitarine's sons, aided by a large staff of welltrained and experienced assistants. Mr. Edmund Hewavitarne, the present senior partner, has spent some time in Japan, studying the industrial and commercial methods of that country; while Mr. Simon Hewavitarine has introduced many improvements consequent upon a visit to England and the Continent of Europe. About 75o workmen are employed in the different departments of the business, of whom many are well-trained handicraftsmen ; and the principal branches of the business are concerned with the supply of furniture, upholstery, rattan and cane goods, and coir matting. The firm imports large quantities of bentwood furniture, lamps, crockery, cutlery, iron beds, spring mattresses, marble clocks, hardware, carpets, plated ware, Chinese matting in short, all the essentials necessary for the “house beautiful.' The Japanese department is one of the largest in Ceylon, and the collection contains exquisitely artistic work. The firm also undertakes house-building and other contract work, both public and private. Messrs. Don Carolis & Sons have obtained gold and silver medals for furniture exhibited at the Ceylon Agricultural Exhibitions, the Indian Industrial Exhibition of I90I, the Paris Exhibition of Igoo, and the St. Louis Exposition of I904.
The timber used for the manufacture of the furniture is obtained locally, and is brought by carts, rafts, or padda boats to the steam mills, which latter are prettily situated on the banks
Page 485
INTERIOR OF WORKSHOP
EDMUND HEWAVITARNIE. THE LATE MUDALIYAR DON CAROLIS HEWAVITAF
SMON HEWAVITARNE.
INTERIOR OF SHOWROOM.
NIE. XTERIOR OF WORKSHOP.
Page 486
478 TWENTIETH
of the Colombo Lake, not far from the Galle The steam factory, where a 30-horsethe motive
Face. power steam engine supplies power, consists of the two departments of furniture making and timber sawing. A free Industrial School is attached to the works, where a large number of boys are taught carpentry. In all Messrs. Don Carolis & Sons pay about Rs. 25oooo (I6,666) a year in wages, and proof that the workmen are well looked after and contented is supplied by the fact that some of the employees count from sixteen to thirty years' service with the firm.
The founder of this large business, the late Mr. Don Carolis Hewavitarne, was a gentleman of pure Sinhalese and Buddhist origin and culture, having received his education at the Buddhist monastery of Raja Maha Vihara, near Matara, in the south of the island. He was an expert in astrological mathematics, and was the first to print the Sinhalese 'Astronomical Year Book.' He was also a student of Brahmanical and Buddhist spiritual literature. A predominant feature of his life was his devotion to his religion. A staunch Buddhist, he was one of the founders of the Vidyodaya College-an institution for training Buddhist monks-which he supported throughout his life. He was also a large-hearted, open-handed man, the poor, the sick, and the needy finding in him a ready and kindly benefactor. His munificence, in spite of himself, eventually came to the notice of the Ceylon Government, and he was honoured with the rank of Mudaliyar. The last generous act of his life was the setting apart of property worth Rs.30,000 for the spread of industrial education in Ceylon among Buddhists, by sending suitable Buddhist young men to Japan to learn Japanese industrial methods.
EDWIN PHILIPS
Mr. Edwin Philips is an instance of a man born in Ceylon, but who has found success in planting pursuits in a neighbouring portion of the British Empire. He first saw the light in Colombo in 1869, and received his education in Ceylon. In 1893 he left his native country for the Straits Settlements, and there secured a position with the Straits Trading Company, Ltd., which has branches all over the Federated Malay States. Some time later he embarked in tin-mining on a small scale. But his true bent was towards the planting business; and when the superintendentship of Tambun Estate, which was planted with Liberian coffee at that time and is now the site of the wellknown Tambun mines, became vacant, he managed to secure the appointment. Subsequently he purchased the Plang Estate, which was planted with coffee, from Mr. F. G.
CENTURY
Bosanquet for the n dollars. Yet, owing to coffee and the unheal
this was considered the part of Mr. Phili he took up his residen thinking that two strin; than one, he planted P coffee at various dista
at that time was entire new departure proved
Seven years later Mt tion to place a consign) the Singapore market, V price of 425 dollars a that is, at the rate of 6s, to the London rate of This is the highest p
EDWIN
sheet rubber from the l
and the transaction in attention of capitalists many offers for the esta Mr. Philips resisted all after a while, owing malarial fever he ha absolute necessity for a tinued hardships he h; against single-handed, his mind to part with property to the Asiati Company, Ltd, for (I made a tour through shattered health, and seeking with a visit to nearly thirteen and a labour in the most u Federated Malay State the proprietor of the Estates in Sungei Siput
MPRESSIONS
nodest figure of 3,OOO the declining price of thy state of the district, a bold speculation on ps. Shortly afterwards ce on the property, and gs to a bow were better ara rubber between the nces. Rubber planting ly experimental, but this very successful.
. Philips was in a posiment of sheet rubber in which fetched the record picul (about I.33 lbs.), II d. per lb., according exchange at the time. »rice yet obtained for
PELIPS.
Federated Malay States; laturally attracting the , Mr. Philips received ute. For the time being these temptations. But to the many attacks of ad sustained, and the a change from the conad endured and battled he eventually made up the estate, and sold the c Rubber and Produce Oooo. Mr. Philips then Japan to recruit his concluded his healthhis native land, after half years of strenuous nhealthy parts of the s. Mr. Philips is now Eastfield and Kanthan , Kuala Kangsar district,
OF CEYLON
Perak, in the Federated Malay States, which he intends to fully utilise by planting both properties with rubber as the main product, and coffee, cacao, and different other products as catch crops. Mr. Philips has large interests in agricultural and mining companies in Malaya, and owns several valuable houses in the State
of Perak.
W
MOUNT LAYINIA GRAND HOTEL
This hotel, owing to its elevated situation on a knoll at the extremity of a projecting point of the sea-beach on the west coast, about seven miles by rail or road from Colombo, commands a grand view, and is a favourite seaside resort with visitors to Ceylon, the residents of the capital, and the public generally. The sea-bathing in perfectly safe conditions to be enjoyed off the rocks and sandy beach at this spot forms a special attraction. The building is commodious, and comfortable in all its appointments, and the establishment is noted for the excellence of its cuisine - a major consideration with visitors whose appetites are whetted by the sea breezes. A specialty of the management is the provision for the needs of travellers in the form of tiffins and dinners, and the wants of these are catered for with particular care. Situated on one of the healthiest spots in the neighbourhood of Colombo, the hotel, with its up-to-date arrangements, is peculiarly suited for the rest and recuperation of invalids and sufferers froRn the debilitating effects of the city climate. The spacious verandahs in front of the building directly face the ocean and receive the full benefit of the prevailing inshore breezes. The internal disposition of the establishment also ensures coolness as well as comfort, the apartments all being spacious and well ventilated. In the large and lofty principal dining-room I5o guests can be accommodated with ease at one time; and the drawing-room and other public rooms are all on the same scale of amplitude, while the private apartments and bedrooms are airy and comfortable, and in all their appointments up to the standard of a first-class hotel. The building is lighted throughout by electricity, the current being supplied by a small power station in the grounds. Visitors in search of recreation will find that the fine billiard-room contains two excellent tables, or they can take more vigorous exercise in the tennis-court, or scramble about the rocks, or indulge in a stroll along the smooth sandy beach. There is also good seafishing to be obtained at the very doors of the hotel, adjoins the grounds of the establishment, and
The Mount Lavinia railway station
a frequent service of trains is maintained between this point and Colombo, the journey either way occupying from fifteen tu thirty
Page 487
TWENTIETH CENTURY IM
MOUNT AVINIA GRAND HOTEL
minutes; while, if the road route be preferred, it will be found to pass through picturesque and interesting native villages, being flanked also for the greater part of the seven miles by the superior residences of the wealthier citizens of Colombo. The management of the hotel is in the capable and experienced hands of Mr. C. H. Link, who has a wide and well-deserved reputation as a caterer.
GEORGE FREDEROK NELL
Motor-cars and cycles have for some time past taken a place in the popular pastimes of the more affluent members of the different communities in the island, but not until recently has their importance as a safe and speedy means of locomotion when travelling on business been recognised. With their introduction the necessity arose for establishments for the repair and maintenance of motor vehicles, so that the motor and cycle trade of Colombo is of some importance. Notwithstanding this, there are only a few motor and cycle engineering works of any consequence in the town, and of these the one owned and directed by the subject of our notice has gained a foremost place as a result of the exercise of industry combined with the possession of
the advantages of natu thoroughly practical t the eldest son of Mr. P tea expert, Ceylon), ar Louis Nell, retired
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON 479
ജ
TE DINING SALOON.
ural intelligence and a raining. Mr. Nell is 'aula. Nell (engineer and ud a grandson of Mr. Queen's Advocate (in
NELL
Switzerland). He was born in 1879 at Matale, and was educated at Trinity and St. Paul's Colleges. After completing his education he joined his father's engineering business at Nawalapitiya, and went through a course of training in mechanical engineering, adding to this by further experience gained in India. He then became junior partner and working manager of the firm of P. Nell & Son, proprietors of the Ceylon Cycle Works, Slave Island, Colombo, and in I898 he started in engineering business on his own account, and from a comparatively small beginning lhis business increased rapidly to what it is to-day, and at his works, which are situated in Union Place, Colombo, all manner of engineering is carried out in all its branches. He is the sole proprietor and working manager, and, as he resides on the premises, is in a position to devote personal attention and give supervision to all work entrusted to his firm. His principal assistant is Mr. W. O. Edema, late of the motor staff of Sir Thomas Lipton, while in addition he employs over a score of well-trained and experienced mechanics. In the motor, cycle, typewriter, and general engineering departments every make of machine is being dealt with, from small repairs to the practical rebuilding of motor-cars, cycles, &c. all work being done entirely on the premises.
Page 488
480
Up-to-date machinery is frequently introduced, and recently a specially imported screw-cutting and surfacing turning lathe for motorcar work was added. The future prospects of the “Union' Cycle and Engineering Works are very bright, and there is every likelihood of its becoming the most important of its class in the island. The question of extending the premises has already forced itself upon the proprietor's consideration.
Vl»
F. X. PERERA & SONS
The business of direct importation of drapery and millinery from various European countries, under the above title, is carried on at Ridgeway Buildings, Pettah, Colombo. The firm was founded in 1888 by the late Francis X. Pereira, a native of Tuticorin, Southern India, in Main Street, Pettah, in a modest way. The premises were afterwards enlarged with the growth of the business, and in November, 1905, the firm removed to Ridgeway Buildings in First Cross Street, where some 45 hands are now employed. The firm was specially appointed drapers to Sir West and Lady Ridgeway when the former was Governor of Ceylon. This business, now one of the important native houses of
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
Colombo, is the outco industry, and was built and great difficulties a tion of Moorish shopk honesty, sterling busiu variable courtesy soon however, and Mr. Perei satisfaction of feeling til the keen rivalry. Unde ment the establishment minence, attracting th patronage not only of but even of the Europs Ridgeway was a reg establishment during h term of governorship, a she caused a testimoni Mr. Pereira, expressing with her dealings with
Some conception of th yet commodious, premist the accompanying illusti may be seen that the b scope for the demands equipped establishment. men’s tailoring departme supervision of able an Downstairs there is a department; adjoining
EXTERIOR.
TEIE IATE F, X, PEREIRA,
MPRESSIONS
e of adaptability and p in the face of many l the fierce competipers. The founder's ss qualities, and inbrought their reward, a, before long, had the the had succeeded in his energetic manageforced itself into proattention and the all classes of Ceylon, an community. Lady lar customer of the husband's six years' hd on leaving Ceylon 1 to be forwarded to her entire satisfaction his establishment.
present well-stocked, s may be derived from ations. From these it uilding affords ample of a large and fullyUpstairs is a gentlent, which is under the experienced hands. gentlemen's outfitting is a fancy-goods de
OF CEYLON
partment, also displays of electro-plated ware and jewellery; while the rest of the building is occupied by the ladies' drapery and millinery departments, the ladies' dressmaking branchwhich is a special feature of this establishment-and the well-stocked stationery department. The various showrooms, one of which is shown in the accompanying illustrations, are stocked with the latest and most attractive goods, imported direct from Europe.
In March, I906, Mr. F. X. Pereira died at his native place, leaving his business in Colombo to his five sons. The business is consequently now carried on under the title of F. X. Pereira & Sons, the el dest son, Mr. I. X. Pereira, conducting the business. The portraits of the partners are reproduced elsewhere.
VM
S. K. LAWTON & CO.
The photographic business of Messrs. S. K. Lawton & Co., now carried on at Jaffna and Colombo, was established by Mr. S. K. Lawton, a Tamil of Jaffna, in that town in 1876. For some years before that time, however, he had been an amateur photographer, and had acquired some knowledge of the photographic process of that time, in spite of great obstacles,
I. X. PEREIRA (PRESENT OWNER).
INTERIOR,
Page 489
TWENTIETH
K. R. LAWTON.
for he resided in a village 200 miles from the nearest photographer. The first few years after the establishment of the business was uphill work, but gradually Mr. Lawton's work became appreciated outside Jaffna, a branch was opened at Colombo, and the business has steadily progressed. Mr. Lawton was the first to introduce the half-tone process into Ceylon, and in this branch of the business the firm's customers are not confined to the island. Mr. Lawton has been joined in the business by his sun, Mr. K. R. Lawton, and has from time to time contributed articles describing some of his inventions and improvements to British The firm has
photographic publications.
S. K. LAWTON.
CENTURY I
now a large connectic considerable number reproduced in this vol
V
VI. E BAS
This firm of whole merchants, stationers,
C. MA
porters and importers. Colombo in I904 by tv Messrs. W. E. Bastian al of the well-known firm
& Co., Colombo-and
tinue to be present prop. of the business. The C
are under the direct con tian, assisted by his br
MPRESSIONS
bn, and has supplied a of the photographs lume.
IAN & CO,
sale and retail paper commission agents, ex
OF CEYLON 481
Bastian, and a staff of seven hands. The lines the import of paper, printers' stores, and office accessories on an
of business include
extensive scale, Japanese curios and artware, soaps, perfumery and toilet requisites, patent medicines, watches and jewellery, china and crockery, toys and fancy goods. The firm makes a specialty of paper and general stationery, which are supplied to the whole
THEW, W. E. BASTIAN ANID W. M. BASTIAN.
established in vo natives of Ceylon, hd C. James Mathewof Messrs. C. Mathew these gentlemen conrietors and conductors perations of the firm trol of Mr. W. E. BaSother, Mr. W. Martin
WaS
sale trade as well as retailed. The legal and notarial professions particularly patronise this firm, and the specially prepared brief-paper with Messrs. Bastian’s “ three-star” watermark is much in demand with them. Printing is also undertaken by the firm.
A fair export business is also carried on by the firm in Ceylon produce, which is consigned to different parts of the United States
2H
Page 490
TWENTIETH CENTURY
A. E.
DE
of America, Japan, and other centres of the world. Messrs. W. E. Bastian & Co. are, besides, importers of goods from various parts of the globe. Their bankers are the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation. The showrooms of the firm are at No. 84, Four Cross Street, in the Pettah of Colombo.
Mr. W. E. Bastian was born in Colombo in 1876, and, after receiving his education at the Ananda College, in his native city, joined a local mercantile firm of paper-merchants in the capacity of manager, which post he held for a number of years and relinquished only to set up in business on his own account. The rapid growth of the present business under his management, within the short period it has existed, is an indication of his capacity and integrity. Mr. Bastian is a Buddhist by religion, and enjoys an important standing in the local community.
A. E. DE SLYA & CO.
This business was originally established in the year 1877, under the style of U. D. S. Gunasekere, the offices being located in the Pettah, Colombo. In 1887 Mr. A. E. de Silva joined Mr. Gunasekere in partnership; and on the death of the latter he continued to carry on the business under the old name. The alteration to the present title was made only
SILVA, HIS RESIDE)
two and a half years 2 every description of C pally plumbago, des cinnamon, and tea. Til is done with the Un Continent, through thi don, Hamburg, and The firm's stores are s Borella, Colombo, whe handled for shipment Mr. de Silva, who of the business, is the and town properties. over II, 5oo acres, the under this head beir and Kirivaula (325 ac district, and Koshena (; district. In cinnamo acres, and in rubber I,ooo acres in the Ka owns about 200 acres manufacture of brus Mr. de Silva is erectil mills.
Mr. de Silva is a m and a committee men He is also a member chants' Union and of His Colombo reside Flower Road, Cinna country seat is Aniak
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
NCE AND PLUIMIBAGO STOIRES.
go. The firm deals in eylon produce-princiiccated coconut, fibre, he main export business ited Kingdom and the 2 firm's agents in Lonther European ports. ituated at Castle Street,
're plumbago is largely
abroad.
is the sole proprietor owner of large estates In coconuts he owns more important estates g Delgolla (650 acres) res), in the Kurunegala 40 acres), in the Chilaw h he owns about 4oo he is opening up about utara district. He also pearing cacao. For the h and mattress fibres g some fully equipped
mber of the Turf Club ber of the Orient Club.
of the Plumbago Merhe Agricultural Society. nce is "Stephanotis,” non Gardens, and his ande, near Ragama, on
the main railway line and in the Western
V
YAYI D. CAROLIS.
Founded on a small scale in 1879, at Welikade, Colombo, by Mr. W. Don Carolis, the tannery has, in course of time, grown to be the largest of its kind in Ceylon, and by dint of industry and perseverance its proprietor became one of the leading native merchants and landed proprietors in the island. Owing to want of space for extension, the establishment was removed to Tannery Lane, Bambalapitiya, where the present buildingscomprising three drying-sheds, a general store, tanning factory, fancy leather factory, material store, and salt and raw hide stores -cover nearly five acres, the whole representing a flourishing industry. The skins are procured from all parts of Ceylon, the butchers of Colombo supplying the bulk of the pelts. The hides are placed in lime-pits, and then scraped, scoured, and wrangled. In the next and principal process-that of tanning-four kinds of native bark are used, namely, ranauara, rewa-which is found in Ceylon as well as imported from India-the mangrove bark, and the ehela bark. Both the latter kinds. are collected by the villagers in the country districts and sold to the works.
Province.
Page 491
FANCY LEATHER, TANNING SHED.
THE LATE. W. D. CAROLIS, W. D. CAROLIS,
THE LEATHER STORE.
BAMBAL.APITIYA TANNERY DRYING SHED.
JUN,
THE TANNERY,
Page 492
484
The leather turned out consists of grey leather (cowhide), sole-leather (buffalo), prepared goat-skins, sheep's skin and fancy leather. The latter is peculiarly suitable for boots and shoes, and a great deal of it is sold in Colombo. A total of about IO,OOO skins are treated every month at this tannery, and a large export trade with London, China, Germany, and America is transacted. In I9OO the firm exhibited at the Paris Exposition and obtained gold, silver, and bronze medals for their leathers, while at the St. Louis Exhibition
of I904 they won two silver medals. They
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
The firm claim to b of English and Contin materials in Ceylon. October, I903, and the on by his eldest son, M and his younger brothe the former of whom
the firm. Besides the
firm owns the Black Pe Valley, planted with co and the coconut estat Kalutara district ; also house properties in the
PURE ICE AND AERATED WATER MANUEFACTORY-J. W
have also been awarded various silver medals at local exhibitions. The firm's head offices are at No. 34, Second Cross Street, Pettah, Colombo; and they possess a leather store at 18, Kayman's Gate, Pettah; a store for hardware, paints, building requisites and ironware -all imported direct from manufacturers in England and the European Continent-at 16, Sea Street, Pettah; and the Oriental Boot Depôt-where boots and shoes are manufactured on the premises and sold retail—at 33, Main Street, Pettah. They have also a branch at 33, Colombo Street, Kandy, a leather store and tannery at Deiyana willa, and a general store-for leather and hiardware-at Galle.
OE TELE E
agents in Ceylon for the ings for the Nubian Ma Ltd., London.
M
THIE PURE ICE AND MANUFA
This business was fou on the existing site, as a factory, and an ice-maki. I9o II. About 5o hands al in the various depnrtmen ether process is adopté while the aerated water. machinery of the latest
MPRESSIONS
e the largest importers ental leather and shoe
The founder died in
business is now carried r. Charles Don Carolis, er, Mr. W. D. Abraham, is the present head of
tannery business, the arl estate in the Kelani conuts, tea, and rubber, e of Hediyatte, in the a large number of
town. They are sole
OF CEYLON
used in the manufacture of mineral waters are of the best quality, and the chemicals employed have been declared by the local analysts to be absolutely free from all organic matter, the popularity of the beverages manufactured testifying to their wholesomehess and excellence. Mr. James Walter Fernando, the managing partner of the business, was born at Colombo in I86o, and was educated at St. Thomas's Boys' School, in the city. He was for some time on the staff of the New Colombo Ice Company, and latterly joined Messrs. J. P. Morton & Co., in the business of the Galle Face
. FERNANDo, AND vIEws (INTERIoR AND EXTERIOR) ACTORY.
boot and shoe dressnufacturing Company,
AERATED WATER
CTORY.
inded seven years ago,
mineral-water manuոՋ plant was added in re at present employed its of the factory. The 2d in making the ice, s are bottled by steam design. The essences
Ice Factory, which he left to take charge of the above concern. Four other partners are associated with him in the business, which has now developed into a sound and substantial being under the distinguished patronage of His Excellency the Governor. The Offices and factory are situated at Union Place, Slave Island, Colombo.
condition,
. r uy
ARTHUR J. FERNANDO & CO.
The firm of Arthur J. Fernando & Co. was established in 1891 at Norris Road, Pettah, Colombo, by Arthur Joshua Fernando, as
Page 493
TWENTIETH
auctioneers and brokers. This business was continued for three years, when the present mercantile concern was started. Messrs. Arthur J. Fernando & Co. deal in all kinds of Ceylon produce which is brought on the local market, and export largely to the United Kingdom and all parts of the Continent of
A. J. FERNANDO.
Europe, where the firm have their own agents. Mr. Arthur J. Fernando, who is the sole proprietor of the business, was born in 185o at Colombo, and educated privately. He com
menced his business career with Messrs. J. M. Robertson & Co. as chief clerk, and left that
CENTURY I
firm to start on his ow and broker. At Fern: Norris Road, cocoa is and fibre and coir is about 5o hands being ei Mr. Arthur Fernand estates, notable among the North-Western Pri dent being Mr. G. H. in the North-Western tended by Mr. Vande Arthur's Seat, near Col. intendent is Mr. G. A Fernando, who is a Colombo and Nuwara the Agricultural Society is “ Dorlynn," Haveloci
SAMSON A. GUNA
This firm of general agents, exporters and i not long ago by Mr. Sa who continues to man showrooms and gener at 74, Second Cross S Colombo, while a stor tained at Wattala, in th city, and at Galle. The
THISTILE COURT, GALLES,
MPRESSIONS
1 account as auctioneer
indo & Co.'s stores in prepared for shipment, baled ready for export, nployed in this work.
owns several coconut which are Diyature, in ovince, the superintenHindle; Metiwela, also Province, and superinrwall Fernando ; and ombo, where the superBartholomeusz. Mr. landed proprietor in
Eliya, is a member of
His private residence Town, Colombo.
V
YARDANA & CO
merchants, commission importers, was founded mson A. Gunawardana, age the business. The all offices are situated
treet, in the Pettah of
es department is maine neighbourhood of the business is both large
OF CEYLON 485
and varied, and includes the export of every description of Ceylon produce, and the import of soft goods, piece-goods, crockery, china, porcelain, cement, hardware, cutlery, estate requisites, and wines and spirits. The firm is agent for the celebrated brand of whisky, “House of Lords," bottled by MacDonald & Muir, Glasgow, and also represents a number of leading companies and mercantile concerns in different parts of the world. It has agencies in the United Kingdom, the Continent, the United States of America, and other centres of the globe. Among the exports of the business are plumbago, gems, coir yarn, fibres, coconut, copra, cinnamon, cardamoms, spices, essential oils, rubber, and tea.
Mr. Gunawardana, the manager and proprietor of the firm, was born at Galle in the year 1868, and after receiving his early education at Central School, Galle, entered the service of Government, which he left to set up in business. He is a Sinhalese by nationality, and belongs to a respectable and ancient family of the Southern Province. Mr. Gunawardana's private residences are River View, Wettala, Colombo, and Thistle Court, Galle.
SAMSON A. GUNAWARD.A.N.A.
2 H
Page 494
TWENTIETH
486
CENTURY
'BUGGALOWS.'
A. PATE & SON.
This business of carriage-builders, veterinary surgeons, saddlers, and mail-coach proprietors is carried on by Mr. C. H. Pate, under the above title, in Union Place, Slave Island, Colombo. This business was established as long ago as I855 by Mr. A. Pate, father of the
C. H.
PATE
present proprietor. There is stabling for 8o horses on the premises, and loose boxes are also provided. Mr. Pate is an importer in a large way of Indian and Australian horses, and
ABDUL HUSEIN SHAIKIH JE EVU NJE
employs about 150 m establishment. The fir tracts between Ratnapul and Kegalla. They Kandy and Nuwara E & Son are coach-build the Governor of Ceylor the following awards f goods : Three gold and the best four and two. the best leather work, i. and shoes, at the Agri Colombo, 189I; and Nuwara Eliya Agri-Ho) for the best harness, firm keeps a register C men throughout the cc of purchasing or of Special attention is also department, and a lar; done.
V
Á. H. S. JEE'
Messrs. Abdulhusen importers, exporters, a started in business at 14 Colombo, in I903, the h being at Musjid, Bu partners are Messrs. Mahomed Ally, & F of whom the first
MPRESSIONS
OF CEYLON
men altogether in his m holds the mail conra, Rakwana, Balangode also have branches in liya. Messrs. A. Pate ers to His Excellency , and they have gained or vehicles and leather
two silver medals for wheeled carriages and ncluding harness, boots, Horticultural Show in a silver medal at the ticultural Show in 1897 oots, and shoes. The f the names of gentlelony who are desirous disposing of horses. given to the veterinary e farriery business is
UNJEE & CO.
heikh Jeevurjee & Co., ld general merchants, , Keyzer Street, Pettah, adquarters of the firm nder, Bombay. The
Noorbhoy, Tyebally, ussenally Abdulhusen,
named is the senior
**
THE STORES.
Their consists
business of the importation of rice, suitable to the
partner. mainly
requirements of the Ceylon trade, from Indian ports, Burma, and the Straits, which is distributed among native and European merchants and estates in the island. Close upon 200,000 bags of this commodity are turned over every year. Dried fish in huge quantities is imported from the firm's branch at Male, in the Maldive Islands, the sales amounting to 6o tons a month. This is carried in the firm's own native sailing vessels, known as “buggalows." In addition, every description of grain and cereals is imported for the native trade. Flour comes from Bombay
The exports comprise areca nuts, tea, cardamoms, coconut oil, and Ceylon produce of every description. All the partners are members of the Borah community and Mahomedans. They have branches at Calcutta, Cuttack, and Jatni in India, and Male in the Maldive Islands.
DON DAYIT & SONS.
The firm of Don Davit & Sons was founded by A. W. P. Don Davit de Silva, in 1875, at Galle, for the importation of spice and foodstuffs from India. At the commencement only a small trade was done, but after four or five years the business
Page 495
FORAGE WO
SIMON DE SILVA,
TE
OEECE ST
RIKS, COLOMBO. JDON DAVIT.
FAMLY.
AFE, COOMBO.
Page 496
THE BUNG ALOW AT, G INTOTA, NEAR G ALL
OEFFICE
COCONUT OIL YARD.
- INTERIOR,
E. FORT OFFICE, GALLE
STAFF, GAL.E.
EXTERIOR OF STORE, GALLE.
OF STORE, GALLE.
Page 497
TWENTIETH
became firmly established, and the importation of rice from Calcutta was also undertaken. By degrees the business was extended, and soon the trade mark of the firm became well known all over the country, and a very large trade was done in rice, imported from all Indian ports, as well as from the Straits Settlements and the Federated Malay Straits. Sugar, another article in which the firm deals largely, comes from Austria and Hamburg; while flour is imported from Victoria and Southern Australia, all kinds of grains and cereals from India, and coconut oil is largely dealt in. Another commodity in which the firm does a big trade is barbed wire for fencing purposes, and they have made a specialty in horse-food, of which they are the largest native importers. Some idea of the magnitude of this business can be gathered from the fact that they import, on an average, 5o,Ooo bags of rice a month and 4o,Ooo bags of horse-food a year. In Galle High Street, Messrs. Don Davit have a rice depot and grocery store, and the general store and head office are also situated in that town. They have branches at 49, 5 I, and 69, Fourth Cross Street, Colombo, and at Lower Chitpore Road, Calcutta, and also at Cocanada.
At Galle the firm has a large yard where coconut oil, which is bought up from various small dealers, is filtered by special machinery, after which it is exported to England, the United States, and the Continent of Europe generally. Other articles of export dealt in by this firm are desiccated coconut, citronella oil, cinnamon oil, coir yarn, rope, poonac, fibres, and copra, principally to Denmark, the United Kingdom, and the United States. At Hikkaduwa, in the Southern Province, the firm O WIS large coconut estate.
The founder of the firm was the son of a local merchant, who started business with his
father at Tangalla, in the Southern Province.
He is an ardent Buddhist, and renewed and equipped the temple at Ahangama, as well as the school at Gintota. He is a great friend of the poor, and is ever ready to help deserving cases which call for the exercise of charity. An admirable feature of the business is that there is a benevolent fund made up from a certain percentage of the general turnover, and every year some 5,ooo poor people are clothed and fed on a special almsgiving day. Mr. A. W. P. Don Davit, the senior partner, presides over the Galle House, Mr. A. W. P. Simon de Silva manages the Colombo branch, and Mr. A. W. P. Baron de Silva is general manager for India. The junior partners, who are smart business men, were educated at local colleges, and Mr. Simon de Silva is a member of the Theosophical Society, besides being a keen sportsman.
goods.
CENTURY IM
A. S. I.
Mr. A. S. Idroos, me fitter at the Galle Fai business in and outside way twenty-five years large connection, supply but travellers making Co and among the latter members of the nobili He employs about 2c and supplies all kind
military and civil ; anc to lind
made clothes
Australia. His represer arriving at the port t the passengers.
V
CEYLON SPINNIN ML
Although Ceylon is country, by the enterp1 energetic and coln linerc for the conversion of ra of local consumption h; and about Colombo. C
successful businesses e
facture is that carried the Ceylon Spinning Wellawatte, on the sc near Colombo. These at this spot in 1888 by Co., under the manag Mitchell, for the pur weaving different kind Here Colombo drills, shirtings, sheeti tents, awning, and mar goods are made for t
PRESSIONS OF
DROOS.
rchant tailor and out:e Hotel, commenced
that hotel in a small ago, and now has a ing not only residents, lombo a calling-place, his customers include y of various nations. experienced hands, s of garments, both l also exports readylia, the Straits, and
DROOS.
tatives board all ships o obtain orders from
G AND WEAVING LS.
not a manufacturing ise and forethought of ial men, large factories w material into articles ave been established in conspicuous among the ngaged in local manuon under the title of and Weaving Mills at uth coast railway line mills were established Messrs. Darley, Butler & ennent of Sir William Jose of spinning and is of cloth and cotton cloth, Lanka tweeds, ngs, towels, tarpaulins, y other kinds of cotton he local market. The
CEY LON 489
cotton in its raw state is chiefly imported from the cotton-growing centres of Tinnevelly, Adoni, and Coimbatore and districts, Southern India. The factory employs about 6Oo Sinhalese, Tamil, and Mahomedan workpeople, who are brought over from South India. The mill contains 9,60o ring spindles and preparation from Messrs. Dobson & Barlow, of Bolton, Lancashire, and 250 looms manufactured by Messrs. Wim. Dickinson, of Blackburn, and Messrs. Henry Livesey & Co., of Blackburn, while the engines and boilers come from Messrs. A. W. Smith, of Glasgow. All these rank amongst the best makers of machinery for cotton manufacture and steam driving.
The present owner of the mills is Mr. Ahmedbhoy Habibbhoy, who acquired the business in 1899 from Messrs. Darley, Butler & Co. Mr. Habibbhoy resides in Bombay. He was born of a rich family, and his father was the leading member of the Khoja community. He is a Jamindar, and sole proprietor of several villages in the Salsette district. He owns very large and valuable landed properties in India and Ceylon, including more than a dozen ginning and pressing factories in Bombay and Madras Presidencies and the North-West and Central Provinces of India.
firms
He is the sole proprietor of the Victory Spinning Mills in Bombay, besides owning the Ceylon Spinning and Weaving Mills at Wellawatte. In addition to his other businesses, Mr. Habibbhoy is the managing director of the Bank of Bombay, having been connected with the direction of that institution since the founding of the new Bank, in 1867, and at present fills the office of vice-president. Besides being the head of the Sunni Khoja community, and a liberal Mahomedan, he is the managing trustee and chairman of the school founded by his brother, the late Mr. Khan Mohammed Habibbhoy, who endowed it with three lakhs and a half of rupees, in addition to a house worth more than a lakh. At this institution about 7oo boys are given free education, without any distinction of caste or creed.
The mills at Wellawatte and the general management are in charge of Mr. James Hatton, of Bolton, Lancashire, England, in which industrial centre he received his training; and the chief accountant and general assistant is Mr. Sulahuddin A. S. Tyabji, of Baroda, India. The factory buildings cover five acres, and about twenty acres of compound are attached, on which latter the firm has been carrying on extensive cotton-growing experiments. The seeds used for this purpose are those known as Sea Island and Egyptian cotton seeds. The firm pays about Rs. 75,000 (15,000) per annum in wages, the daily rates ranging" from 12 cents to 25 cents
Page 498
CEYLON SPINNING AND WEAVING MILLS AH) (MANAGER, SULA HUIDDIN A. S. TYABJI A AND ENGIN E-ROOM,
EID BHOY HABIBBHOY I PROPRIETOR , JAS. HATTON SISTANT MANAGER, GENERAL VIEW OF MILLS
Page 499
CEYLON SPINN ING AND wEA VING MILLS CARDIN ROVING AND RING ROOM, AN
G ROOM, SHOWING MACHINES, BLOWING ROOM,
ND WEAVING
DEPARTMENT.
Page 500
492
(2d. to 4d.) for boys and girls, 3o to 5o cents (about 5.d. to 8d.) for women, and for men 50 cents to one rupee (8d. to Is. 4d.). Most of the present workpeople have been trained by the firm; and they soon attain astonishing dexterity, while, the employment being steady and constant all the year round, they remain with the firm for years. Although the manufactured cloth is mainly sold locally, a portion of the output is also exported to Madras and Calcutta. All the principal stores used in the mills and by the hands are imported from England and Bombay. To guard against fire, the manager has formed a welltrained fire brigade from amongst the workpeople, who act under the directions of the engineering staff in case of an outbreak. The firm contracts with the Ceylon Government for the supply of cotton goods, providing all the materials used by the Prison and Convict Departments. The town office and showroom are at No. 35, Main Street, Pettah, while the 1mills are accessible from the Wellawatte railway station. These mills constitute the only spinning and weaving works in the island, thus solely representing an important industry.
Va
H00SENBHAI MAHOMEDBHAI MOOSAJEE.
Mr. H. M. Moosajee, a member of the Borah community and by faith a Mahomedan, was born in Karachi, Bombay Presidency, in I874. The name of Moosajee is a well-known and familiar one in India, Moosajee & Co.'s livery stables and posting yard in Karachi being considered one of the finest in the country. The business has been in existence
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
They invariably furnis conveyances for hig functions, their attentic testified to by this fa & Co. are also contra dubashes, and did busil with the Mombassa-U Railway Company, whi -at the time Mess:’s. their Ceylon agents-th of Indian and Ceylon South Australia. They livery stable business a Island, Colombo, of wil jee is the owner. He is the firm, Mr. M. Moosa mandvi, and has had the business. He entere ment at the age of sever of years he managed ti has found it necessary cope with the public c importer of Sindh ca commence business in C and dubash, a line in \ siderable experience. Bombay Union Club accompanying photogr shown seated in his ca
(CARIMJEE
The extensive range under the above na scattered field of operat offices and the firm' matches are at Fourth
THE LIVERY STABLES.
since 186 I. The establishment covers over four acres of ground, and Iso horses and I25 conveyances of all descriptions are stabled there. The company has also a carriagebuilding establishment, in which they employ over 200 men and where carriages are
built according to all up-to-date styles.
H. M. MOOSAJEE.
THE CA
oil is stocked at Kochcl Bros.' stores, specially
cipality for the storage stores are at Prince St1 stores in Bambalapitiy
tile stores in Wolfenda
are branches at Galle,
w
MPRESSIONS
in State carriages and in civil and military n to customers being t. Messrs. Moosajee ctors, stevedores, and less in this connection ganda South African st for a lengthy period Adamjee & Co. were ey were large exporters
produce to Adelaide, have a branch of their 9, Union Place, Slave nich Mr. H. M. Moosa, the son of the head of ee (a native of Cutchthorough training in "d his father's establishteen, and for a number he whole concern. He to increase his stock to lemand, and is a large ttle. Shortly he will eylon also as stevedore which he has had conHe is a member of the of Colombo. In the aph Mr. Moosajee is urriage.
ό
JAFFERJEE.
of business conducted me has a somewhat While the head
s Colombo
ions.
store for Cross Street, kerosene
RRIAGE YARD.
hikadde at Messrs. Bois set aside by the muni
of oil. Then the rice eet, Pettah, the cracker a, and the Mangalore hl Street. Again, there Tuticorin, and Calcutta,
latter place was made the port of call.
OF CEYLON
as well as at Male, the capital of the Maldive Islands, and St. Louis, Mauritius; also agencies at Bombay, Karachi, Cutchmandvi, Mangalore, Calicut, Cochin, Cocanada, Gopalpore, Cuttack, Puri, Rangoon, Penang, Singapore, Hong Kong, Kobe, Yokohama, and Adelaide. The firm exports coconut oil, cardamoms, tea, copra, coir, cowries, shells, areca nuts, nutmegs, and other produce to Bombay and Calcutta; and imports rice from India, Burma, and Penang, also beet-sugar, ready manufactured for the market, as well as sugar-candy, from Austria and China. Groceries of every description are imported from Bombay; cereals, grain, moong, and such-like articles fron India, Singapore, and China; flour from Adelaide and Southern Australia generally; paper, for packing and wrapping purposes, from Liverpool and Bombay; dry fish from the Maldive Islands, as well as coir, shells, tortoiseshells in their raw state, coconuts, copra, oil, and other products of the coconut-palm from the same source. Similar products are also received from the Nicobar Islands; and the firm employs its own fleet of six ships, called “buggalows," to carry these products from the islands to Colombo. Some 75 hands are engaged in their stores.
Mr. Jafferjee, of Cutchmandvi, Western India, originated the firm in Ceylon in 183 I, and was the pioneer of the Maldive Island trade. His business was first established at Galle, and he removed to Colombo when the On his death, in 188o, his son, Mr. Carimjee Jafferjee, who had travelled extensively in India and the eastern islands, took over the business. Mr. Carimjee Jafferjee was born at Cutchmandvi in I85o, and joined his father's business when quite a boy. He is now the sole proprietor of the firm, being assisted in the business by his eldest son. The latter was born at Karachi in the year 1884, and educated at the Royal College, Colombo. Both father and son belong to the important community of the Borahs, and are devout Mahomedans. Mr. Carimjee Jafferjee built the Karimee mosque at Fourth Cross Street, Pettah, Colombo, and has founded various schools in his native town of Cutchmandvi. One of the leading men of the Mahomedan community, he is pioneer of various native societies. He is also a large contributor to charities, both public and private, and subscribed liberally towards the Lady Havelock Hospital His private residences in Colombo are at Fourth Cross Street, Pettah, and Essai Villa, Bambalapitiya.
V
S. L. NAINA MARIKAR...
The business of the Victoria Drapery Stores, Turret Road, Cinnamon Gardens, Colombo,
Page 501
CARIMJ EE JAFFERJEE.
COUNTRY
THE OFFICE.
萌辑辑”
INTERIOR OF OFFICE, RESIDENCE, JAFFER VILLA, NUWARA ELIYA.
* BUGGALOW.”
Page 502
494 TWENTIETH CENTURY
S. L. NAINA MARIKAR, HIS VICTORIA DE
was started a few years ago by Mr. Sulyman Lebbe Naina Marikar, who was born in Colombo in 1868, and educated at Wesley College, in his native city, and it is now carried on as a proprietary concern. In 1888 Mr. S. L. N. Marikar took over the management of the drapery and outfitting business of his late father, Mr. M. L. M. Sulyman Lebbe (who died in 1892), in the Main St., Pettah, a business started as early as 1856. Under the present owner the business has increased largely, that circumstance necessitating the opening of a gentlemen's outfitting
and drapery establishment at Nos. I 5, 15B, and
36A, Main Street, Pettah, where also are sold piece - goods, wholesale and retail. The Victoria Park branch is a high-class ladies' outfitting establishment, carried on entirely on European lines. The firm imports dress goods and all kinds of drapery and mercery from England, Germany, Hong Kong, and Japan; and the stock carried is valued at 13,ooo. Altogether some 25 hands are employed. Mr. Naina Marikar is patron and principal supporter of the New Moor Street “Madrasey Mohamedhan" School, Colombo, for the teaching of Arabic, Tamil, and English. His private residence is “Muirburn,' Turret Road, Cinnamon Gardens. All the premises occupied by the firm are the owner's private property.
JANOO
The firm of Janoo H which is at Khand Ba
JANOO
established there form The Colombo branch a
IMPRESSIONS
OF CEYLON
RAPERY STORES AND PRIVATE RESIDENCE.
HASSAN.
assan, the head office of zaar, Bombay, has been
EHASSAN.
9 and Io, Keyzer Street,
was only started in 1808. The other branches are at Akyab, Amritsar, Alleppy, Balasore, Berhampore, Bimlipatam, Bodasakurru, Bezwada Bardoli, Calcutta, Chittagong, Cuttack, Chandbali, Calingapatam, Cocanada, Cochin, Calicut, Cuddalore, Dhoraji, Delhi, Dhamtari, Gopalpore, Haveri, Jellasore, Jharsuguda, Jatni, Karachi, Masulipatam, Madras, Midnapur, Navsari, Negapatam Puri, Rangoon, Rajahmundry, Sambalpur, Secunderabad, Soro, Trivandrum, Vellore, and Vizianagram. The firm is among the largest importers of rice in the island, its turnover totalling some 400,000 bags per annum. Besides rice, which comes from India, Burma, and the Straits, all kinds of grain, paddy, and gram are imported from India, as well as bones for. purposes of manure and poonac for cattle food. Among the principal exports of the firm are coconut oil, areca nuts, cardamoms, and tea.
V
A. E. S. JEEYUNJEE.
Mr. A. E. S. Jeevunjee, who was born, educated, and trained in Bombay, carries on business as a general agent, importer, and exporter at 37, Keyzer Street, Pettah, Colombo, his head office being at 65-67, Satar Oosgali,
Mandvi, Masjid Bunder, Bombay, where he
trades under the name of Esmailjee Sheikh
Page 503
TWENTIETH
Jeevunjee. Operations were commenced in Ceylon in Igoo, and the business consists of the import of rice (especially coolie and raw rice from the Indian coasts), which is supplied largely to the tea estates of the island, and of
consists mainly of transactions in areca nuts, tea, cardamoms, coconut oil, and practically every other kind of Ceylon produce. The firm's import of rice now reaches close upon 36o,ooo bags per annum. Mr. A. E. S. Jeevunjee is a member of the Borah community.
V
H. A. MALLUM.
Mr. H. A. Mallum, of Nos. 58 and 59, Fourth Cross Street, Colombo, is the local representative of Mr. Issup Ahmed Mulla, a leading importer and general merchant, doing an extensive business all over the East. The head office is at Cuttack, and there are branch offices at the three capital towns of the respective Presidencies of India, also at Balasore, Puri, Rahama, Jatni, Delang, Bhutmandy, Chandbally, False Point, Jambo, Kopelas Road, Kenderpore, Kendrapara and Jalpore Road. The business includes the import of rice, principally from Calcutta, Rangoon, Cocanada,
CENTURY I
Penang and Singapo, coconut oil, coir, yar Mauritius and the So
H. A. M
large business is also da the tea estates (Ceylo Colombo merchants. M
C. AMJo. INTERIOER O OEFETICE. Aܝ
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON 495
e, and the export of of a respected Mahomedan family in Rander, l, fibre and copra to in the district of Surat, in Bombay Presidency, rth African ports. A and has a fair knowledge of English. His forefathers served as captains and chief officers on sailing ships all over the world, long before the introduction of steamships or steamers. Mr. H. A. Mallum is the agent of "Anjumane Islama ” of Rander.
Ž
NATIONAL DAIRY COMPANY.
The National Dairy Company, whose head office is at Kalbadevi Road, Bombay, was established in 1898 by the proprietors, Messrs. P. V. Dalvi, S. J. Pandia, and V. V. Vasanjee. The firm are manufacturers of butter and cream. Their dairy farm is situated in Gujerat, in the Bombay Presidency, where all the latest and most up-to-date machinery is used in the manufacture of the cream. After the cream has been prepared at Gujerat it is forwarded by train to Bombay, where it is made into butter and packed into 3-lb., I-lb., 7-lb., I4-lb. and 28-lb. tins ready for export, the monthly output being ALLUMI. 40,000 to 45,000 lbs. A very large and important trade is carried on by the firm with London, one in supplying rice to South Africa, Mauritius, Bangkok, Hong Kong, n), and to the other Shanghai, and the East generally. Mr. H. A. Mallum comes Mr. P. V. Dalvi is the managing partner of
E. S. JEEVUNJEE.
TEIE STORE.
Page 504
496
the Colombo branch, which is situated at No. 7o, Second Cross Street, Pettah. In Ceylon alone the monthly consumption of the firm's dairy produce is between Io,ooo and I2,000 lbs. In January the sale amounted to I7,296 lbs. ; while in Rangoon, where another branch has been established, a similar amount is sold monthly. Merchants, hotels, and upcountry estates throughout the island are supplied by the National Dairy Company. The company was awarded a silver medal in the Bombay Art and Industrial Exhibition of 1904 for the excellence and purity of its butter. Besides the increasing trade in Ceylon, an extensive business is carried on in India, where, besides providing many of the merchants, the company holds the contract for the supply of butter to the Imperial forces.
MOOSAJEE MOOLA EBRAMJEE.
Moosajee Moola Ebramjee was born at Karachi, India, in I869 (the year I288, Zilkad 7, of the Mahomedan Era). At the age of eighteen he left his home and commenced his commercial career at Quetta, Beluchistan, where he remained for one and a half years. Finding the place overcrowded, and that there was not much scope for business, he left the city in August, 1889, and came to Colombo and
వ్లో زبان نیز از
ჯ. لينيكي
THE BUTTER STORE.
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
started business in a sin end of seventeen years trading transactions to necessitate his having t One is at I22, Banl
M. M. EE
Colombo, where Mr. E of merchandise, such
haberdashery, biscuits, goods, clocks and watcl England, Germany, Al his other shop (No. 9.
THE NATIONAL .
R,
MPRESSIONS
all way. Now, at the
he has increased his such an extent as to vo places for his trade. shall
Street, Pettah,
ERAMJEE.
bramjee sells a variety as cutlery, stationery,
confectionery, fancy hes, &c., imported from ustria, and Japan. In 2A), also in Bankshall
OF CEYLON
Street, he stocks very largely raw rice, grain and foodstuffs of all descriptions, sugar, crackers, dates, &c., imported from India, Rangoon, and the Far East. These he sells only wholesale. He is also the largest inporter of dry fish from the Persian Gulf and India. His European correspondents are Messrs. Stafford, Hill & Co., London, and Messrs. J. Jacobi & Co., Vienna, and he is also the sole agent in Ceylon for these firms. Mr. Ebramjee is a member of the Borah community, and a Mahomedan in faith.
v
GULAM HossEN SHAIKHTYEB & Co.
This firm owns the Mohamedi oil mills, which are situated at I93, Grandpass, Colombo, and are the principal native mills of the kind in Ceylon, the working premises covering three acres of ground. The business was established in 1890 for the manufacture of coconut oil and poonac (a cattle food and a by-product of the oil manufacture). The produce of the coconut-palm, in the shape of copra, is bought in the planting districts, principally in Negombo, Kurunegala, Galle, and Matara, and brought by rail and canal to the mills. There a miniature railway carries the copra from the huge padda boats at the landing stage across the extensive yard to the cutting machinery on the ground
DAIRY COMPANY.
2. GEORGE.
THE GROUP.
Page 505
TWENTIETH CENTURY
G. H. SHAIKEHITYEB.
floor of the huge mill buildings. Here it is cut into fine pieces. The pieces are taken up by screw elevators, and brought overhead into huge hydraulic presses, in which they are subjected to a pressure of 2 tons. After passing through several further squeezing processes and being filtered, the pure oil for the market is obtained. This is then bulked in huge barrels (which are made on the premises, of teak imported from Burma) and is then shipped to England, America, and India ; while the residue is worked into poonac, or cattle food, and packed into bags of about I cwt. each for despatch to all parts of the world.
The oil mills give employment to some 300 hands; while the power is supplied by an engine, made by Marshall & Sons, of 90 horsepower, and deriving steam from water-tube boilers which work to a pressure of Ioo lbs. to the square inch. A repairing shop, fitted with lathe, drilling machines, and other appliances, copes with all difficulties arising from mishaps to the machinery and necessities for renewals.
Mr. G. H. Shaikhtyeb, the father of the present proprietor of the business, Mr. S. T. Abdoolaly, was one of the first members of the Borah community, an enterprising mercantile section of the Ceylon Mahomedan population. He came to Colombo about I860, where he started business in Fourth Cross Street, which was afterwards transferred to the existing premises at Grandpass.
TEE MOHAME
P. N.
Mr. P. N. Kapadia Street, Pettah, Colomb thirty years ago as a porter, and exporter.
P. N. EK
principal items of impo Australia, India, and C oil from the Standard
Over in these commodit and I2O,OOO gallons p Other articles of impol
IMPRESSIONS OF CEYLON 497
CDI OIL MILLS. S. T. ABDOOIALY.
from India, oilmen's stores from England and the Continent, sugar from Austria, the of II2, Fourth Cross imported goods being supplied to local mero, commenced business chants and estates and to the military and general shipping in wholesale quantities. At the present time the The firm exports chiefly cardamoms, which are bought direct from local brokers and shipped to Bombay on a very large scale, sometimes to the extent of 3oo,Ooo lbs. a year. A big trade is also done in tea, the
KAPADA.
firm exporting close on I,ooo,ooo lbs. per annum. Mr. Kapadia is a Parsee and a native of India. His early business training he received as accountant to Messrs. Hapty Bros., Ltd., at their flour mills in Bombay, and he took the Ceylon business over from his father in I891.
V
M. K. SALDIN & Co.
This firm, which carries on business as importers, exporters, and commission agents, at 94, Fourth Cross Street, Pettah, Colombo, APADIA. was established in 1896 by Mr. M. K. Saldin, son of Mr. O. Saldin, who died in the present rt are wheat flour from year, and was formerly well-known as the California, and kerosene editor of the Malay newspapers, the Alamat Oil Trust. The turn- Lankapuri and the Wajah Selong. The firm has ies averages 5oooo bags agencies all over the United Kingdom, the er annum respectively. Continent of Europe, China, Japan, &c., and it are bran and pollard imports largely cotton and woollen goods of
2
Page 506
498 TWENTIETH
every description, iron and metals, haberdashery and other fancy goods, &c., mostly from the United Kingdom, Belgium, Germany,
M. K. SALDIN.
Holland, and Japan. An extensive trade is also done in crockery and glassware, the
CENTURY IN
whole of the native being supplied by this l of Ceylon produce are bought in the cheapes firm also owns the M at 2 I, Main Street, Pet of ladies', gentlemen's, is supplied and tailo Mr. Saldin, who is a community, is the granc of the Ceylon Rifle Regi
V
R. PEST
Mr. Ruttonjee Peston Parsee community, ha carries on business as commission agent at I6, Colombo, and the variety he deals is remarkable. in I899, he is now a lar, Australian, and America plied to local bakers a rice from India and B in American pepperil d material used in the clothing universally wi
THE STORE.
R. PE
OFFICE S
PRESSIONS OF CEYLON
rade in these goods ouse. Different kinds exported, these being i local market. The lsom Drapery Stores ah, where every class and children's outfits ing is carried on. member of the Malay son of Captain Saldin, ment
)NJEE.
jee, a member of the iling from Bombay, general merchant and Keyzer Street, Pettah, of the goods in which Commencing business ge importer of Indian, in flour, which is supld merchants, and of urma. He deals also rill, which is the chief
manufacture of the Drn in the colony, in
STONJEE.
TAFE.
American carriages, Japanese rickshaws, wines, spirits, beer, &c., while the principal articles of export are cocoa, cardamoms, tea, desiccated coconut, and fibres, which are sent to the United Kingdom and Germany. The London agents are Jeremiah Lyons & Co., 4, Lombard Court, E.C., and Messrs. Oldridge, Salmon & Co., Ltd., Fenchurch Avenue, E.C., the New York representatives being the New York Export and Import Company, Front Street.
YWI. TAMBIPILLY & CO.
This firm of general merchants and manufacturers' representatives was founded at Kandy in the year 1876. After four years of brisk business there, the establishment was removed to Colombo, where it continues to the present time, the offices and showrooms being located at I9 and 20, Keyzer Street, Pettah. A branch establishment at Jaffna was opened in 1895, and continues in a flourishing condition. The principal line of business is the import of Manchester piece-goods and fabrics, also hardware, and the export of Ceylon produce. The firm is agent for Messrs. Goodlass, Wall & Co., Ltd., paint
THE STORE INTERIOR.
Page 507
TWENTIETH CENTURY
manufacturers, Liverpool; Messrs. John More- & Co., papermakers ton & Co., Ltd., hardware manufacturers, other business house European Continent
cities of the world.
MAG ANILA
This firm, the only the rice trade in Ceylc at 36, Keyzer Street, in 1905 by five part1 is at I6, Amratollah imported in large qu: on the Indian Coast and from Burima, fo chants and others. T to embark largely i flour trade in additic partners are trained the trade.
J. RU:
The business carrie London and Wolverhampton; Messrs. S. and J. Rustomjee at II.3, B C. Nordlinger, Manchester ; Messrs. A. Binda was established in
V. TAMIBIPILLY.
MAG-ANILAL NATBATAL INTERIOR OF GRAIN STORE.
IMPRESSIONS
Milan, Italy; and many in Great Britain, on the in Japan, and elsewhere; chants in all the principal
V
NATHALAL.
Bombay Hindu firm in n, has its Colombo branch ettah. It was established ers, and the head office Lane, Calcutta. Rice is ntities from various ports
the Straits Settlements, sale to Colombo mer
n to the above. All the
Va
STOMJEE.
d on under the name of ankshall Street, Colombo, I883 at Colombo and
OF CEY LON 499
Bombay. Originally the firm, who are general merchants, commission agents, importers and exporters, traded under the style
J. RUSTOMJEE.
of Adamjee Lukmanjee & Co., and the alteration to the present name was made in
TEIE STORE,
Page 508
5OO
ISMAIL VILLA.
I905. Grains of all descriptions are imported from India and China, sugar from Austria, and sugar-cane and candy from India, while the principal export is tea. The firm has branches at Bombay, Calcutta, Rangoon, Cocanada, Hong Kong, and Singapore, and supplies kerosene oil to the Government by contract.
V
MOH:AMED LEBBE MARIKAR HADGIAR MOHOMED SMAL.
This gentleman was born in Colombo in I869, and educated at the Wesley College in that city. He commenced his commercial career as an exporter of Ceylon produce to European and foreign countries and importer of foreign and English goods, which combined business he carried on for fifteen years. He retired from commerce in 1904, on the death of his father, of whose estate he was appointed executor, and recommenced business in I905 by becoming the broker for Messrs. Service, Reeve & Co., of Colombo and London, for whacn firm he buys all kinds of Ceylon produce, such as desiccated coconut, plumbago, copra, fibres, and cardamoms. He also acts, generally, as guarantee broker for the native merchants, with whom he has built up a large and substantial trade for Messrs. Service, Reeve & Co., in piece-goods, hardware, and other commodities.
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
IMOBI
Mr. Ismail owns var the Mirigama, Ratna Kelani Valley district property in many parts inherited large valuab father, Mr. I. L. Moh Hadgiar. He is the b Zainu Deen, M.M.C., Hon. Mr. Abdul Rehim of Mr. M. I. Mohar Consul in Colombo. E Orient, Lawn and Rei as of the Havelock C connection with whic Championship Cup for time a prominent figu) retains his interest in ra billiard player, and ha well as Egypt and I dence is Ismail Villa, suburb of Colombo.
T. A. J. NOC This important firm importers, exporters, owners, well known ti originally started by grandfather in Bomb Colombo branch in premises in Keyzer St form the head office
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
AMED LEBBE MARIKAR. BADGIAR, MOHOMEID ISMAIL.
ious coconut estates in pura, Hanwella, and S, as well
of Colombo. He also le properties from his amed Lebbe Marikar rother of Mr. M. L. M. brother-in-law of the an, M.L.C., and nephew ned Alie, J. P., Persian e is a member of the reation Clubs, as well Folf Club, Colombo, in h latter he won the
I905. He was at one 'e on the Turf, and still cing. He is an excellent s travelled in Europe as Idia. His private resi
in the Bambalapitiya
RBHAI & CO.
of general merchants, shippers, and shiproughout the East, was the present owner's y, and he opened the (889, in the present 'eet, Pettah, which now for Ceylon. The firm
as house
are amongst the largest grain importers in the island, as well as being extensive importers of piece and cotton goods from India generally; while they export all kinds of Ceylon produce to India, the Continent of Europe, and the United States of America, as well as to the various British colonies, all produce being shipped on the firm's own account. Messrs. Noorbhai were the first to open up steam navigation between Ceylon and the Maldive Islands; but the service was discontinued on account of political differences and the want of encouragement from the Government. The firm also at one time owned the Ceylon Spinning and Weaving Mills at Wellawatte; and they are now about to open up, in Colombo, a large, cotton mill, on up-to-date modern lines, in anticipation of the development of the cotton-growing capacities of the island. For this purpose the firm have already acquired large tracts of land in the North Central Province. The firm owns stores in Keyzer Street Fourth Cross Street, and Maliban Street, in the Pettah quarter of Colombo; and altogether about I5o hands are employed in the business. The firm also have their own fleet of sailing vessels, with which trade is carried on with the neighbouring islands.
Mr. Noorbhai is a liberal supporter of schools and charities, and one of the bestknown figures in Colombo commercial circles
Page 509
TWENTIETH CENTURY
NAMASYAYAN MUJ) ALIAR RATNASABAFPATHY.
Mr. N. Ratnasabapathy is the son of Namasivayan Mudaliar, of Colombo, who was at one time a member of the defunct firm of Messrs. Wilson, Ritchie & Co., besides being the owner of large property in Colombo. Allied by birth with some of the leading Tamil families of Ceylon, he was born at Colombo in 1858, and educated at the Colombo Academy (now the Royal College). He started business as a broker in connection with the Colombo firm of Messrs. W. M. Smith & Co. in 1882, and in 1886 joined Messrs. Bosanquet
still employed as chief broker and confidential adviser to the latter firm. He has an expert and unique knowledge of all Ceylon produce, and conducts all transactions for the firm in the sale and purchase of piece-goods and produce. Mr. Ratnasabapathy holds a half share, with his brother, in the valuable Kadukande estate, of some 8oo acres, in the Western Province, and wholly owns, besides, several estates of over I, Ooo acres in the NorthWestern Province, all fully planted with coconuts. The produce of these estates is sold locally. He is also a landed proprietor in Colombo and Jaffna, and has travelled all over India. Mr. Ratnasabapathy is the father of ten sons and two daughters. The eldest
son is now being trained in Manchester for
a commercial career, while the second is
studying at New College, Oxford, with the
view of entering a learned profession. Mr. Ratnasabapathy is married to a daughter of the late Mr. E. Dorosamy, Proctor of the Supreme Court of Ceylon, and son of a late well-known member of the Legislative Council. Mr. Ratnasabapathy père is a trustee of various leading Hindu temples, and a member of the Ceylon University Association. His father was instrumental in the erection of a large Hindu temple at Jaffna, which he endowed with a large sum of money for the feeding of the poor. All Mr. Ratnasabapathy's children have been educated locally at the Royal College, Colombo. His private residence is Jaffna House, Ward Place, Colombo.
M. L. M. ZAINU DEEN.
This Moorish gentleman, who was born in Colombo, received his education at Wesley College in that city. He is a general merchant and commission agent, as was his late father, I. L. Mohamed Lebbe Marikar Hadgiar. Mr. Zainu Deen started business in 1886 at Io5, Main Street, in the Pettah quarter of Colombo, and has since removed to IOI, Ic2, and Io3, Hamidiah Buildings, Pettah, where he has his office and extensive showrooms for ex
hibiting various sam Continental goods. He goods, haberdashery, crockery, glassware, general merchandise f Austria, Japan, and O for his numerous native he has extensive deal large consignments of as hides, horns, cocoa products of the cocon which come from vaI dealers. These export signed to Messrs. Dura 5 & 6, Billiter Avenue, Mr. Zainu Deen’s agent been a member of the Colombo for the Pett: centre Of native mer
having been thrice sele his numerous constitue:
MOOSBHOY SHAK
ABDUJ
This firm of general have their business p1 Fourth Cross Street, proprietor, Mr. M. educated in Bombay, a the year 1875, where h father's business-that Io8, Io9, Fourth Cross afterwards took overth
MPRESSIONS
les of English and imports largely piece
millinery, hardware, enamelled-ware, and Dm London, Germany, her parts, on orders customers, with whom ngs. He also exports Ceylon produce, such
fibre, oils, and other ut-palm of the island, ous estates and local s are principally connt, Radford & Co., Ltd., London, E.C., who are S. This gentleman has Municipal Council of h Ward (the business :hants) since 19oo, he
OF CEYLON 501
name in 1882. His father died in 1897, and Mr. M. S. H. Abdulally then started the present firm of M. S. H. Abdulally, general buyers of all Ceylon produce. The principal articles imported by the firm are rice from Calcutta, Burma, the Straits Settlements, China, and Karachi, grain and curry stuffs from India generally, sugar from Austria, and fish, cowrie and tortoise shells, raw coconuts, and copra from the Maldive Islands. The trade with the islands is carried on by the firm's own fleet of “buggalows ' (sailing vessels of about 3oo tons burden). The export trade of Ceylon produce is also important, being mainly transacted with Penang, the United Kingdom, India, Africa, and Mauritius. Branches of the business have been established at Male (Maldive Islands) and Calcutta, while agencies exist in India, Burma,
Hong Kong, Yokohama, Kobe, Singapore,
M. I.
cted for the honour by hts.
H HIPTULLABEOY ALLY.
mporters and exporters 2mises at IoI and Io2, ettah, Colombo. The S. H. Abdulally, was d arrived in Ceylon in
joined his uncle's and of S. T. Abdulally, of Street, Pettah-and he
business in his father's
M. ZAINU DEGEN AND FAMILY.
Penang, Zanzibar, Mombassa, Mozambique, Delagoa Bay, St. Louis (Mauritius), and at Durban, Natal.
Valuable estates planted with rubber, tea, coconuts and cinnamon are owned by this firm, the principal property being Gulshenna Ally in the Kelani Valley, consisting of 300 acres. In the management of his business Mr. M. S. H. Abdulally is greatly assisted by his eldest son, who was born in 1886 and educated at St. Thomas's College, Colombo. Mr. M. S. H. Abdulally is also a landed proprietor in Colombo and Kurunegala (Ceylon) and India. He is a keen supporter of all Mahomedan schools and charities. His private residence is in the Bambalapitiya suburb of Colombo.
21 ཀ་
Page 510
5O2 TWENTIETH CENTURY I
* W°°w ( ̊፣ኔጅ
TE BAKERY INTERIOR TEA SALO
PRESSIONS OF CEYLON
D
ASSENAY DAYWOODBOY.
Mr. Hassenally Dawoodbhoy, whose head office is at No. 44, Fourth Cross Street, Pettah, Colombo-with a branch at Bombay-is a wholesale merchant and commission agent, dealing in various classes of English and foreign commodities, such as piece-goods, stationery, cutlery, haberdashery, jewellery, perfumery, hosiery, glassware, hardware, clocks, watches, umbrellas, soaps, playingcards, musical instruments, oilmen's stores, iron safes, toys, carriage bells and lamps, harness, and Japanese goods. He is a native of Morvi, a first-class State in Kathiawar, India. Like all the other Indian merchants in Colombo, he first started business in Ceylon on a small scale. Owing to his ability, insight, and perseverance in his line of business during the twenty years it has been established in Colombo, he has succeeded in converting a small business into a large and flourishing one. He has agencies in London and Paris, Milan, and Solingen; also in Japan. Mr. Dawoodbhoy accepts agencies for the sale of manufactured goods, and invites correspondence in connection with that line of business.
RUSTOMJEE AND CO.
The firm of Rustomjee & Co., bakers and confectioners, was established in Colombo
:::::::::::::
ON.
RUSTOMJEE AND CO.S BUILDING
Page 511
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
in I875 by Mr. Rustomjee Muncherjee. In 1884 the business was taken over by Mr. L. P. Billimoria, and became known as the Ceylon Bakery. The head office and bakery are at 38, Chatham Street, Fort, Colombo. The firm are well-known manufacturers of all kinds of biscuits, confectionery, and bread, and possess the only electrically driven machine for the manufacture of biscuits in the island, the latter comestibles being turned out in many shapes, varieties, and sizes. The bread, made by hand, not only has an extensive local sale, but is also supplied to far up-country districts. Large contracts are also held with the various local
stevedores and ship-chandlers for the supply of
bread to the shipping of Colombo. Messrs. Rustomjee & Co. are noted for their catering for weddings and entertainments of all kinds, wedding-cakes being a speciality of the firm's manufacture. They are also bakers and confectioners to His Excellency the Governor of Ceylon. Altogether the firm employs from 8o to IOO employees; and besides the central factory in the Fort, the firm has a branch at Rifle Street, in the Slave Island quarter of the city. The whole concern is under the managing directorship of Mr. Cowasjee Merwamjee Nilgiria, who was born at Ootacamund, Madras, was educated in India, and came to Ceylon in the year 1896. He is a member of the National Association of Master Bakers and Confectioners
of England and Ireland is at 45, Union Place, C. he is a devotee of sp favourite pastime, and Bloomfield Cricket Clul
E. G. ADAM
This important firm landed proprietors, in and agents in Ceylo Government. The pa are Esufali Mohamedb
hussen Mohamedbhoy
Mohamedbhoy Allibho firm are the largest in rice, sugar, flour, matc divian produce, and g tions of rice alone for t to nearly 400,000 bags, parts of India, Burma, ments. Many landed p1 wards of Colombo, Kai are owned by the firr growth of their busines: chased the Smallpass Aitken, Spence & Co., adjoining their office a for the sum of Rs. 60,00c tively. The Smallpass
SMALPASS BRANCE OF ADAMALY AND CO.S B
TRADING VITEI MI
MPRESSIONS
His private residence olombo. In his leisure ort, cricket being his he is a member of the
).
(ALY & C0,
are general merchants, porters and exporters, n for the Maldivian rtners in the business hoy Allibhoy, GulamAllibhoy, and Adamaly y, all brothers. The mporters in Ceylon of hes, kerosene oil, Malrains. Their importahe year I905 amounted )btained from different and the Straits Settleoperties in the different ndy, and Nuwara Eliya n; and, owing to the s, they have lately pur
Stores from Messrs. also two more houses it the Pettah, Colombo, ) and Rs. 75,000 respecestablishment will be
OF CEYLON 503
converted into a rice store, equipped with machinery and with all the appliances for cleaning, sieving, and whitening the imported rice for local marketable purposes; while the newly-acquired premises will provide more
M[OHILAMIEIDBEHIOY ALLIBIHOY.
extensive offices for the various departments of the business. The firm owns, in the Avisawella district, the Fairfield estate of about 3oo agres in extent, where rubber, tea, and cinnamon are planted.
USINESS, ALSO OUTBUILDINGS AND BUGGALOW AOIVE ISLANDS.
Page 512
504 TWENTIETH
Messrs. E. G. Adamaly & Co. transact a very large export and import business with the Maldive Islands, and own several “buggalows" for carrying cargoes to and from these centres of settlement. The proprietors' grandfather was the first to institute trade between this outlying group of islands and Western India some seventy-five years ago. The firm also has large interests in the Nicobar Islands, from which coconut and other produce of the Coconut-palm are obtained in exchange for the necessaries of life, the business being entirely transacted by barter, there being no money currency in these islands.
CENTURY I
first and second floors, doirs, dressing-rooms, A tower rises from th to a height approachin which a fine view of til of the principal buildi obtained. The woodw teak, imported from I tastefully fitted throug gas lamps. It is one ( built edifices in the P one of the most pleasi
conveniently in the bus
In Ceylon, Messrs. E. G. Adamaly & Co. the monopoly of the supply of sugar manufactured by the China Refinery Factory of Hong Kong. Branches of the business have been established at Male, in the Maldive Islands, Bombay, and in the Nicobar Islands, and agencies throughout India, Burma, China, and the Straits Settlements. The
firm contributes to the revenue of
possess
the Ceylon Government, in the shape of Customs duty, as much as Rs. 6oooo monthly.
The new premises of Messrs. E. G. Adamaly & Co., situated in the heart of the city of Colombo, embrace all the requirements of a town and country house as well as a business establishment. They are isolated from other buildings by two main thoroughfares, as well as by lands belonging to the firm on either hand, and therefore receive light and ventilation from every side. The building is almost entirely rock-work, and presents a bold aspect, the appearance of solidity being combined with graceful design. The façade is that of a two-storeyed building. From the basement rise pillars of hewn granite, on which arcades of Porebunder rock are turned. The first and second storeys also rise arcade above arcade, and the edifice is crowned with balustrades and cornice. The house occupies a frontage of 80 ft. with a depth of 20o ft., and the basement contains offices, apartments, and stores. A corridor runs through the centre of the basement-with the offices at the
entrance and store-rooms to the right and left-and finally leads to a space from which rises a richly designed staircase. On the
THE HEAD
MIPRESSIONS
re drawing-rooms, bouand other apartments. centre of the building 5o ft., from the top of e Colombo harbour and ngs in the city may be ork of the building is of dia, and the interior is hout with incandescent if the most substantially ttah quarter, as well as ng, and is situated most iest quarter of Colombo.
OF CEYLON
R. J. W. DE S. WIJEYERATNE.
Mr. Lindemullege Richard Joseph Victor de Silva Wijeyeratne is the son of Mr. Robert de Silva Wijeyeratne. Mr. Wijeyeratne, sen, was a Notary Public of Colombo, but did not practise his profession, preferring to adopt a commercial career. In doing so he followed the traditions of his family, for his ancestors on the male side for several generations were timber merchants. The subject of this sketch was born at Colombo on September 12, 1879, and received his education at the Royal and St. Joseph's College. In 1900 he passed the examination of the London Col
lege of Preceptors. In I9o I he joined his father in business, and upon the death of his father in I904 he started on his own account, his operations being mainly confined to contracting for timber, building materials, &c. He is one of the largest contractors for the supply of these goods, and amongst his transactions is the supply of timber and building materials to His Majesty's Government Stores, Ceylon Government Railway Department, the Colombo municipality, &c. His stores, which cover nearly five acres of ground, are situated at St. Joseph's Street, Grandpass. To this centre all kinds of local timber are brought by canal and road from the upcountry and low-country forests, and there it is sawn into the requisite sizes. At Mr. Wijeyeratne's stores boats used for conveyance of heavy goods, &c., by canal and river, called padda boats, are built.
In the canal which runs through the premises where he has his stores there are docks constructed for the purpose of storing timber which requires to be kept in water for the purpose of seasoning the wood. Bricks and tiles are made at kilns at Wellampitiya, Ambatella, and other places, and are brought down to this centre in the firm's own padda boats by the canal.
Mr. Wijeyeratne is the co-proprietor of the Central Grocery and Wine Stores, II4, Main Street, Pettah, where all kinds of oilmen's stores, Continental wines, spirits, fancy goods, &c., imported from Europe and other places, are disposed of. It is intended shortly to open up an export trade in local produce. Mr. Wijeyeratne
1 orrircEl.
is one of the part owners of the
Page 513
IPARTNERS IN THE FIRM OF ADAMAILY AT
ND CO., ALSO HEAD OFFICES AND OFFICE STAFF,
Page 514
BRICK AND TIMBER YARD. R OFFICE AND TIMBER SHED. R. J. W. DE S.
3. IDE S. WIJEYERATINE. “CLIFTON.'
WIJEYERATN.E. SAV PITT,
Page 515
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
well-known coconut estate Hapugahatenne, F. YMI. R of nearly 700 acres, in the Veyangoda This gentleman is district, besides owning various properties in hotels in Colombo, nar Colombo and elsewhere. Another of Mr. Wijeyeratine's interests is a plumbago business which he started this year in conjunction with Messrs. P. D. S. and F. G. S. Wijeyeratne, his cousins. He is a member of the Catholic Union of Ceylon, the Catholic Club, and the Ceylon Agricultural Society. His residence is “Clifton," Horton Place, Colombo,
JAMES DE ALYIS.
Mr. James de Alwis, son of Abraham de Alwis, late actuary of the Ceylon Savings Bank, was born at Colombo in 1878, and educated at St. Thomas's College. Entering the Government service, he was, and still is, attached to the Colombo Kachcheri, but in addition he is a planter and owner of coconut estates in the Western Province, as well as of house property in Colombo. He is a member of the Turf Club and an honorary member of the Sinhalese Sports Club. His
private residence is “Milview," Skinner's Road F. w. RC South, Colombo. the Royal, the Metropo V Hotels. The British I
A
JAMES DE A
TEIE TURNOUT,
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON 507
DDRIGUE. he proprietor of four Lely, the British India,
IDRIGUE.
litan, and the Mansion hdia Hotel, the largest
TWIS.
of these, is situated in Upper Chatham Street, and commands a fine view of the Indian Ocean, while at the same time being one of the most comfortable hotels in the Fort. The site being suitable, but the building not being all that the proprietor would like, Mr. Rodrigue intends to pull down the building and replace it by one of the most modern and up-to-date edifices in the city. With the idea of obtaining as much up-to-date information as possible in regard to the building of a first-class hotel of the most modern style of architecture, and replete with the latest improvements relative to ventilation and general convenience, Mr. Rodrigue recently visited the Homeland. VA’hen the proposed rebuilding is completed, this establishment will be one of the handsomest and most comfortable of its kind in Colombo.
The Royal and Metropolitan Hotels are both situated in the Pettah quarter of Colombo, the former standing at the corner of Main Street. At both a brisk trade is carried on, the management of each sparing no pains to ensure the comfort and tastes of its patrons, both as regards accommodation and the supply departments.
The Mansion Hotel, situated in the Grandpass suburb of Colombo, is a thoroughly up-to
TEIE RESIDENCE,
Page 516
508
date establishment, containing a large range of bedrooms, retiring rooms, a fine billiard-room, a smoking-room, and an extensive diningroom. A feature of this hotel is its wide and cool verandah-so desirable a provision in the East. Another attraction is the grounds, planted with handsome ornamental plants, fruit-trees, and flowering shrubs, and containing a spacious tennis-court. The electric tramcars halt at this hotel. On Saturday evenings a band is engaged to play at this establishment during dinner.
Besides being the proprietor of these four hotels, Mr. Rodrigue carries on the business of a caterer, having had wide experience in this line and holding the contract for supplying the Army and Navy. He also owns several large rubber plantations in the Kelani Valley, not far distant from Colombo.
WILLIAM DIAS.
Mr. William Dias is the head cashier of the Mercantile Bank of India, Ltd., Colombo. He was born in Colombo on March 24, 1863, and is the son of the late Mr. Don Julius Dias, military contractor and landed proprietor, of Colombo. He was educated at the Wesley College, Colombo. On leaving school in I884 he entered the Chartered Mercantile Bank of
TWENTIETH CENTURY
India, London, and C rising through all the he acquired an entire In 1903 he was appo position of head cashi This was then a uniqu that time the post hac to Jaffna Tamils. He Sinhalese shroff in Co
Mr. William Dias is valuable planting esta being in Salpiti Ko Province. He is also properties in the city bungalows in Cinnamo residence is Beatrice Bambalapitiya, a south Mr. Dias is a membe Christian Association, ciety, the Gnanaprob mittee member of the dent Association, and Wesley College Old B being connected with several benevolent ins ber of the Wesleyan Sophia, daughter of Perera, of Navala, a v prietor and arrack-ren
WILLIAM DLAs, MAITLAND HOUSE, BEA.
MPRESSIONS
hina, as a clerk ; and,
various departments, knowledge of banking. inted to the important ær, which he still holds. e appointment, as up to been confined strictly was the first and only lombo.
the owner of several tes, the most notable rale, in the Western the owner of several of Colombo, including in Gardens. His private House, Retreat Road, ern suburb of Colombo. r of the Young Men's Sinhalese Literary Sobdha Association, com: Ceylon Mutual Provihon. treasurer of the oys' Association, besides the management of titutions... He is a memChurch. He married the late Mr. Abraham well-known landed proter.
OF CEYION
A. S. F. WJIGOONERATNE.
Mr. A. Simon Fernando Wijigooneratne, Mohandiram, was born at Mount Lavinia. He commenced business in I876 as a wine merchant and dealer in oilmen's stores at 63, Main Street, Pettah, and he now imports every variety of wine, spirit, &c., from France, Spain, England, and Germany. The principal commodities dealt in by the firm are jams, butter, tinned fish, tinned meat, and biscuits. Barbed wire, Portland cement, and iron safes are also sold in this cosmopolitan store. Mr. Wijigooneratne, who has branches at 3 I, Kayman's Gate and Union Place, Slave Island, in 1899 built and fitted up a library for medical students and presented it to the Government. In 1899 he was made Mohandiram by Sir West Ridgeway, and he is the owner of a good deal of property in the Fort, the Pettah, and the Cinnamon Gardens, Colombo. In referring to his many charities, mention should be made of the fact that he contributed most of the cost of the large preaching hall at the Hendala Leper Asylum, is a warm supporter of Buddhist temples and schools, and contributed handsomely to the Victoria Memorial Hospital Fund. He resides at Catherine Villa, Kynsey Road, Colombo. Mr. Wijigooneratne was married in 1895 to a young lady of a respected family named Hewadewagi Ango Fernando, and the issue of the union is five children, of whom
CRICE HOUSE, AND LAUREL COTTAGE.
Page 517
MEDICAL LIBRARY. TE
A. S. F. VVIJIGOONERATNE. ST
HE BUNGALOW. THE FAMILY. ORES INTERIOR. STORES EXTERIOR.
Page 518
51O. TWENTIETH
the eldest is a son named Peter. The other four are daughters, named Catherine, Roseline, Eugine, and Agnes.
V
ADRIS MENDIS WOKREMESINGHE SENANAYAKE, Mohandiram.
This gentleman, generally known as Adris Mendis, is a native of Kosgoda, near Galle, having been born in the year 1855, and received his education at the Wesley College, Colombo. Starting business in I876 as a general merchant at Maradana, he afterwards removed to his present residence, Pretoria Villa, De Saram Place, Cinnamon Gardens. He deals largely in cinnamon, coconut, copra, and cinnamon oil, which products are mostly grown on his own estates in the Southern and Western Provinces. Mr. Mendis is the Government lessee of the Maradana cinnanon gardens belonging to the Crown, and also owns several planting estates with fully equipped and residential bungalows, stores, distilleries, and factories. He is one of the wealthiest landed
CENTURY
MOBILANDIRAM
MR, AND MERS, LUCAS F,
IMPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
A MENOS
proprietors in Colombo, owning many houses, some of which are amongst the best-known residences in the city. He also owns considerable property at Galle, Kalutara, Bentota, and other places in the island, and is the managing director of the firm of Adris Mendis & Co., Kosgoda. On all occasions of loyalty being celebrated by public demonstrations, Mr. Mendis has taken a prominent part ; and during the last twenty years or more he has spontaneously, and often at great expense, contributed largely to the adornment of the city, notably during the Queen's Jubilee celebrations and the welcome to the Duke and
Duchess of Cornwall. Mr. Mendis is known as an able snake-doctor, and has saved many lives. He takes a keen interest in the Colombo Agri-Horticultural Society, and during recent years has carried away over a hundred prizes at the different shows. He is an ardent Buddhist, being a prominent member of the Buddhist Defence Society, Vice-President of the Theosophical Society, and the Manager of the Rajapakse Buddhist College at Kosgoda.
ERNANDO AND FAMLY.
Page 519
TWENTIETH
In 1903 the titular rank of Mohandiram was conferred upon him by His Excellency the Governor in recognition of his many public
w
R. G. KOELMAN.
This gentleman is an auctioneer, broker and commission agent of Colombo. The business he conducts was founded in the city in I872 by his father, Mr. E. J. Koelman, under the title of Jensen & Co. Mr. R. G. Koelman joined the firm in the year 190I, and the entire management was taken over by him on the death of his parent in the year I904. The present head of the business was born in Colombo in 1885, and was educated in Ceylon.
W
TAMBO SOCKANÅTHAN.
Mr. T. Sockanathan was born at Colombo in 1863, and is the son of Mr. M. Super Tambo, of Colombo, a broker and landed proprietor. Mr. Sockanathan was educated at St. Thomas's
services.
CENTURY IM
T. SOCKA
“NORWOOD
MPRESSIONS
NĀTEAN,
OF CEYLON i51.
College, and, on leaving school, started in business in 1883 as clerk with Messrs. Mackwood & Co., Colombo. In 1885 he joined the firm of Messrs. Charles Mackwood & Co. as broker, and in I899 joined the Bank of Madras as head cashier, which position he has filled ever since. The staff under his personal supervision includes about twenty shroffs and tellers. Besides being a landed proprietor in Colombo, Mr. Sockanathan is the owner of estates in the Hendala district and other parts, which are principally planted with coconuts. He is a member of the Hindu Sivite community, Agricultural Society, and the Social Reform Union. His private residence is in, Checku Street, Colombo.
FELIX JOSEPH LUGAS FERNANDO.
This gentleman is the son of Hettiacandege Joseph Fernando, of Moratuwa, a descendant of a much respected and rich family of the Wellando Kula caste, who was one of the chief arrack-renters and landed proprietors
BUNGALOW.
Page 520
512
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
of Colombo, Kandy, and other places from the year 186o, and held the Colombo arrack rents for nearly thirty-five years. Mr. F. J. L. Fernando was born at Moratuwa, and educated privately and at St. Thomas's College, Colombo. He joined the Ceylon Medical College and passed his first professional examination. He then discontinued his studies, to assist his father in his large and growing business. He began planting coconuts in 188o, and, on his father's death in 1890, he took over the deceased gentleman's affairs. At the present time he is one of the leading planters and landed proprietors in Ceylon. It is notable that nearly all the estates he owns to-day have been planted by himself. Rukkatene and Pathara estates, in the North-Western Province, which extend over more than 3,Ooo acres of fully planted land, are convincing proofs of Mr. Fernando's energy as a culti
MR. AND MIRS.
WIJEYERATNE.
vator. Yadehigedere, and Katukande, in the others of his best-kno his Kingswell Park es there is a residential bu of his estates, mostly tea, and cinnamon, is SO He intends embarking rubber-trees in the Kuu
Besides being a pla Mr. Fernando also ow mines in the Pasdun K and Kurunegala, which He also owns house and Kurunegala, of whi -" Norwood,' Layards -and “ St. James,' C important. In I886, h of Adittawanse Lindar Mudaliyar, of Moratuwa
MPRESSIONS
Yalawe,
Kahatawille, salme province, are wn estates, while on late, near Veyangoda, galow. The produce consisting of copra, ld in the local markets. lpon the cultivation of unegala district. ter on a large scale, 'ns several plumbago orale, Kalutara district, are worked by lessees. roperties in Colombo h his private residence Road, Havelock Town olpetty, are the more 2 married a daughter ullege Juan de Silva, and later of Colombo.
OF CEYLON
Mr. Fernando's eldest daughter, Mary Catherine Jane, is married to Mr. E. R. F. de Silva Wijeyeratne, a rising junior in the legal profession in Colombo.
V
JOHN CARL KOELMAN.
Mr. John C. Koelman, son of Mr. E. J. Koelman, planter and estate-owner of Kalutara, was born at Colombo in the year 1879. After receiving his education at the Royal College, Colombo, he started learning planting under Mr. Edwin Koelman, on Ossington Estate, Kalutara. Having thus acquired the requisite knowledge, he took charge of his father's property in that district, and remained a planter for eleven years. On the death of his father he sold the plantation to the Dimbula Valley Tea Estates Company and removed to Colombo, where he has since Set up in business as broker and commission agent. He is the proprietor of an estate in the Kurunegala district and owner of landed property in Colombo. He is a member of the Turf Club, and at one time ran his own horses both at Colombo and in Nuwara Eliya. His recreations are chiefly riding and hunting. His private residence is “Airydale,' Havelock Town, Colombo.
CATHERAWIALOE GNANASAKARAM.
Mr. Gnanasakaram, son of the late Mr. Suppramaniam Catherawaloe, was born in
CATHERAWALOE GENANASAKARAM.
Colombo in 1861, and was educated at St. Thomas's College in that city. He commenced his business career in 1879 as assistant cashier
Page 521
T W
NTIETH
of the Oriental Bank at Kandy, and some little while after was transferred to Colombo as assistant to his father, who was chief shroff (cashier) of the Colombo Bank. Subsequently he became joint head cashier of the new Oriental Bank at Colombo, then head cashier of the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, in the same place. Twelve years ago he joined the staff of the National Bank of India as chief cashier, which position he continues to occupy. He is a Hindu by birth, and a landed proprietor in Colombo and other places in the island. He is also a member of the Turf Club. His private residence is “ Mangalagiri,' Kynsey Road, Cinnamon Gardens, Colombo.
PETER DE ABREW.
Mr. Peter de Abrew, son of William de Abrew, was born on April 2, 1863, in Colombo. He was educated at the Colombo Academy
CENTURY I
PETER. D.
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON 513
E ABREW.
(now the Royal College), and joined his father in business, with whom he had his commercial training. He then started in business on his own account as a produce merchant, and in I904 was appointed by the Government of Ceylon to the office of Assistant Commissioner at the St. Louis Exposition, U.S.A., of I904, for the purpose of specially looking after the development of commerce. He returned to Ceylon in 1905 and joined the firm of Messrs. Volkart Bros. He is a Member of the Royal Asiatic Society, Fellow of the Imperial Institute, manager and one of the trustees of the Musaeus School for Buddhist girls, and secretary of the Ceylon Social Reform Society. Mr. de Abrew has travelled much, having visited Europe in I894 and in I903, when he toured Italy, Germany, and Austria. His private residence is in McCarthy Place, Cinnamon Gardens, Colombo.
Page 522
514
MICHAEL J. DE JONG. Mr. Michael J. de Jong, dental surgeon at the Colombo Dental Surgery, Norris Road, Pettah, Colombo, proprietor of the City Perfumery at the same address, and of the Arcade Pharmacy, in the Fort of Colombo, received his early education at the Royal College and St. Benedict's Institute, Colombo. He proceeded afterwards to the Edinburgh University in order to complete his course of study in dental surgery at the Edinburgh Dental Hospital. He returned to Ceylon in I902, where he established a large practice in the particular branch of the medical profession for which he qualified. The City Dispensary was originally founded by the firm of Philip T. de Jong & Sons. But since Mr. Michael de Jong took over the business in Norris Road in I903, he has started a branch in the Fort, known as the Arcade Pharmacy; and in both of these establishments every description of chemical and druggist's sundries are stored, and a large wholesale and retail business is carried on. The City Dispensary is one of the oldest establishments of its kind in Colombo, and has a considerable share of the wholesale druggists' trade of the island. Mr. de Jong is a member of the Orient Club, the Catholic Club, and the Automobile Club of Ceylon. He is a keen motorist, and possesses an 8-horse-power Darracq and a 12-horse
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
power four-cylinder residence is “St. Jose Cinnamon Gardens, Co
DON PHILHP A.
Moham
The timber trade of (
One. It cannot well growing town, which i all round, and is at th the single-floored bui. with modern ones of ar In this trade, among t not absolutely the chi Wijewardene's timber situated in Seddewatte
the timber trade. Mr. photograph we give, is but brings considerabl business acumen to his good college education apprenticeship under hi Philip, Mohandiram, wh further on. He started
with everything connect he easily keeps the posi himself as the chief sul Government, including t Works Department, and
MICHAEL J. DE JONG IN HIS MOTOR-CAR, AND
MPRESSIONS
Ot His private h's,' Rosmead Place, ombo.
C2.
WIJEWARDENE, liram.
olombo is an extensive pe otherwise with a extending its borders same time replacing lings of a past age hitectural pretensions. e most prominent, if f, are Mr. Alexander yards. These are the headquarters of Wijewardene, whose very young in years, e natural talents and work. He has had a and has served an s father, the late Don Ose career is dealt with thoroughly conversant ed with the trade, and Eion his father won for pplier of timber to the he Railway, the Public the Harbour Works.
OF CEYLON
But the timber trade, large as it is, has not been enough to fill all the energies of the present youthful proprietor. He has in consequence started brickmaking works, and has very extensive kilns. His is just now the largest brick and tile store in Colombo. Among the more prominent buildings for which Mr. Wijewardene supplied the timber, brick, and tile are the Victoria Eye Memorial Hospital, the administration block of the General Hospital, the Technical College, the new Supreme Court buildings, and the Public Works Offices now in course of construction. Even this scarcely ends the list, for Mr.
Wijewardene has found the means to embark
upon a contract to supply bulls and cartdrivers to the municipality. He has in consequence over 20o draught bulls in his yards for everyday use, and nearly 4oo coolies are engaged every day in driving the carts and in other works connected with this contract. Into the day's work, too, come the concerns of a coconut estate, a young plantation of 600 acres.
Mr. Wijewardene was, in 1905, given the rank of Mohandiram, in recognition of the good work done by him in his dealings with the Public Works Department.
V
霹彗
ॐ
INTERIOR VIEW
OF THE CITY DISPENSARY.
Page 523
DON PHILIP A. WIJEWARDENE.
ER YARD, SEDDEWATTE.
TIMB
BRICK STORES, GRANDPASS, MUNGEILWELI ESTATE, PUTTALAM.
Page 524
516
CATHIRAWALOE NAMASIWAYAM.
Mr. Cathiravaloe Namasivayam is the chief cashier of the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, Colombo. He was formerly connected with the Ceylon Govern
CATEIERAVALOE NAMASIVAYAM.
ment Railways as head shroff of that department. He comes of an old and respected Tamil family, and his father, Mr. S. Cathiravaloe, was connected with banking business for nearly half a century, having been the chief cashier of the old and new Oriental Bank Corporations. Mr. Cathiravaloe was the founder of the Chattrum (curative home for the poor) at Keerimalie-which place is wellknown for the curative effects of its mineral springs-and also of a vernacular school in Jaffna. Mr. Namasivayam is a wealthy landed proprietor, and owns extensive estates in different parts of the island. He recently published a book of “Interest Tables,' which has
a large circulation in mercantile circles,
THOMAsz coRONALIsWIJEYEWARDENE.
Mr. Wijeyewardene, son of the late Don Elias Wijeyewardene, Mohandiram of Gonawella, Sina Korale, was born in I863, and was educated at the Royal College, Colombo. After completing his school career, he took to planting at an earlier age than usual, under his father's direction. Afterwards, in company
TWENTIETH CENTURY
with Mr. J. D. Vanc Coconuts for about father's death, in 18 Solely to the planti recently commenced of 5oo actres, called tuawa, in the Sabara owns the coconut es the Western Provinc North-Western Provi his estates was forme tion to the merchants but is now sold in th local markets.
Mr. Wijeyewardene fields in the Sina up to very lately, wer He also owns lands a mile in length, be: crop of plumbago, v mining and bringing and finished. He o
Gonawella, where the “ Homewood”—is situ. Louisa, second daugh Mudaliya
Jayatillike, Baddegama.
M
J, Y. ATAPAT" This gentleman, who and onerous position C Colombo Fort Railway is a descendant of one of Kandyan families. He I7, I868, and was educat
IMPRESSIONS
2rstraaten, he traded in
wo years. After his 2, he devoted himself g business. He has
pening a rubber estate Brooks Mere,” at Kalagamuwa Province. He tates of Gonawella, in 2, and Alauwa, in the hce. The produce of ly supplied for desiccaof the Fort of Colombo, e shape of nuts in the
owns extensive paddy Corale district, which, e cultivated by himself. nearly three-quarters of ring an extensive outthich he now intends
to Colombo to be cured wns house property at
old family residenceated. In 1898 he married ter of James Edmund r, late President of
OF CEYLON
-then the Colombo Academy. He entered the Government service in I879 as a clerk in the Railway Department, and proving himself eminently satisfactory in the discharge of his duties, he rose rapidly to the position he now holds. In this post Mr. Atapattu enjoyed the rare opportunity of having charge of the arrangements on the occasion of the arrival at
and departure from the Fort Station of the
Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York (now the Prince and Princess of Wales), when these royal persons, on their visit to Ceylon in 1901, journeyed by train to the interior of the island. On that occasion the station was superbly decorated according to Mr. Atapattu's own design, and under his personal direction, the beauty of some of the devices, the quaintness of others, and the strikingly brilliant and pleasing effect of the tout ensemble, eliciting the admiration of the royal visitors, to whom he was presented by the then Governor (Sir West Ridgeway), and by whom he was highly complimented. Mr. Atapattu's decorative work was also warmly eulogised by the local Press, each of the local newspapers devoting considerable space to appreciative and detailed description of the gorgeous and emblematic display
ఫ్లస్ల##
TU, Mudaliyar. has filled the responsible of station-master at the Station for ten years, the ancient aristocratic was born on November ed at the Royal College
UDALIYAR. J. W. AAPATTU AND FAMILY.
at the Fort Station. No less than forty “living pictures' were included in a scene representative of Sinhalese typical characters. An illustration in the section on Railways conveys an idea of the magnificence of the display. For his services in connection with the visit of the Heir Apparent and his spouse, Mr. Atapattu
Page 525
T. C. WIJ EYEWARDENE AND FA
T. C. WIJEYEWARDENE.
THERASHING EP
MIIILY.
888
THE BUNGALOW.
REAPING PADDY.
ADDY.
Page 526
518
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
N. D. S. SILVA, HIS RE
received the rank of Mohandiram, having then, as the Governor remarked on conferring the honour, rendered “excellent and efficient service' to the Government in the Railway Department for twenty-two years, “ and especially useful service in connection with the recent royal visit." Mr. and Mrs. Atapattu had the honour of being invited to the reception held at Queen's House in connection with the visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York. On Coronation Day the Fort Station was again decorated by Mr. Atapattu in similarly gorgeous fashion, and a photograph of the display sent to the Prince of Wales was acknowledged by Mr. Chamberlain (then Secretary of State for the Colonies) in appreciative terms.
In I903 Mr. Atapattu was advanced to the rank and dignity of Mudaliyar, when he was again highly complimented by the Governor (Sir West Ridgeway) on his length of service, and upon having gained “the esteem and regard of the merchants and the rest of the community of Colombo." It was a sad blow to Mr. and Mrs. Atapattu to lose their only daughter, Edith, in 1904. The child had taken a prominent part in the reception of the Duke and Duchess of York at the Fort Station in I9oI, by strewing flowers and burnt paddy in
the path of the royal her sympathy with th reavement, Lady Wes she well remembered 1 girl performed her pa illustration showing th, family includes six son promising boys of scho Victor, Guy and Berti three years of age resp
Once again, in Janual burst out into a blaze occasion being anothel Mr. Atapattu repeated the result elicited gen to his presentation by t Blake) to the august Connaught. The Mud gardening, evidence o the attractive collection fruit-trees, besides veg attached to the Fort widely-known person; esteem of the commun position and his priva Atapattu is, no doubt further promotion in th
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
SIDENCE AND TURNOUT.
visitors. In expressing 1e parents in their bet Ridgeway wrote that now gracefully the little rt. The accompanying e group of the Atapattu s-Douglas and Edgar, pol-going age, and Eric, e, eight, five, four and ectively. ry, I9o6, the Fort Station of decorative glory, the r royal visit to Ceylon. his past successes, and 2ral admiration, and led he Governor (Sir Henry visitor, the Duke of aliyar has a passion for f which is afforded by of flowers, shrubs, and getables, in the ground Station. Possessing a ality and the general ity-both in his official te capacity-Mudaliyar t, on the high-road to le Government service.
N. DON STEPHEN SLYIA,
Mr. Nanayakarage Don Stephen Silva is the second son of the late N. D. P. Silva, to whom lengthy reference is made in another part of this work. He was born at Colombo in 1881, and educated at St. Thomas's and St. Joseph's Colleges. Entering his father's office in Colombo he received a business training there, but when Mr. Silva, sen, died, the subject of this sketch went in for planting coconuts, rubber, tea, and cacao. His best-knowrn estates are Bambarabotuwa in the Ratnapura district, planted with tea, and Ambatella and Wanaskelle in the North-West Province, planted with cacao and rubber respectively. In addition, he owns extensive house property in Colombo, and will shortly go into partnership with his elder brother under the name and style of N. D. P. Silva & Co. He is a member of the Orient, Turf, Catholic, and Lawn Clubs, and of the Catholic Union, and he lives at the Orient Club, Colombo.
Vh
FRANGIS JOSEPH ALLES.
This gentleman is the chief cashier of the Colombo branch of the Chartered Bank of
India, Australia, and China. He was born on
Page 527
FRANCIS JOSEPH ALLES, COLOMBO VAISYA.
AND
CHETTIES (LADY AND GENTLEMAN), TERNON HOUSE,
E BUNGALOW.
Page 528
THE HON. MIR, AND MRS. S. C.
* HILL CAS
OBEYESEKERE AND FAMILY. STE?
Page 529
TWENTIETH CENTURY IN
October 4, 1868. A member of the Vaisya Chetty community, the smallest of the various communities of the island, and the majority of whom are Roman Catholics, Mr. Alles is the only son of Anthony Alles and Lucia Rosairo. He was educated privately and at St. Benedict's Institute, Colombo. Having obtained at the latter institution a sound commercial education, he left school in December, 1884, and in the following month began to help his father, who was the guarantee broker to Messrs. Whittall & Co., one of the leading commercial houses in Ceylon. The young fellow's abilities were soon discerned; and in a few months he was offered, and accepted, the storekeepership of the firm, in conjunction with the post of assistant-broker. On the death of his father on February I4, 1889, Mr. F. J. Alles assumed the sole management of the broking branch of Messrs. Whittall & Co.'s business. On February 4, 1895, he married Theresa, youngest daughter of the late Simon Nonis, of the Colombo Customs. On July 1, 1892, the Chartered Bank opened a branch in Colombo, and, on the recommendation of Messrs. Whittall & Co., Mr. Alles was appointed to the important and responsible post of chief cashier of that bank in Ceylon.
Since his elevation to notably extended the business of the bank. the Vaisya Chetty cor to obtain a post such shroffships in Colomb viously monopolised by tial Jaffna. Tamils. He Catholic,
A. S. F. JAYASEK
Aluthewhee Seadoris
is a native of Kalut: business as a general his cousin, and is to-day partner of the firm c the well-known stevedor
as well as of the firm merchants and general Cross Street, Pettah, C Bridge Road, Kalutar: plantations and padd property in the Kalut appointed Arachchi in I899, and Mudaliyar in . of the Agricultural and and also of the Sinhale
Sa
COLOMBO: PROFESS
THE HON. M.R. S. C. OBE YESEIKERE, M.L.C.
Mr. Obeyesekere, is a scion of one of the oldest and proudest of Southern Province families, the members of which have invariably held high office, and have been leaders of native society for generations. He is a son of the late D. B. F. Obeyesekere, Mudaliyar of the Talpe Pattu in the Southern Province, and Cornelia Susannah Dias Bandaranaike, and younger brother of the late Hon. James Peter Obeyesekere, M.L.C., and was born on February 12, 1848. His education was obtained at the Colombo Academy (now the Royal College) and St. Thomas's College, where he passed through a highly successful collegiate career. He carried off the majority of the first prizes, and in 1866 he achieved the then rare distinction of passing in the first class the entrance examination of the Calcutta University. He obtained the first-class diploma two years later. Completing his course at St. Thomas's College, he was apprenticed to the late Advocate C. A. Lorenz as a law student, and at the Proctor's examina
tion in 1872 he headec candidates in every s complimented by the
Sir Ed excellence of his pa ability. In addition to the Legislative Counci a member of the Cer
and also a member C
Institute and of the CO branch of the Royal
does not practise, but tending his various pro agriculture and cattle
followed both with pra He favours old farmi carding these for moc they show a distinct ad
of Examiners,
circumstances into co prominent in the move ment of an agricultu opinion that such an
the means of bringing peasantry who had m He has estates and lan
MPRESSIONS
that position he has very profitable native
He was the first of mmunity in Colombo as he holds, all bank O having been prewealthy and influen
is a staunch Roman
ERE, Mudaliyar.
Fernando Jayasekere ara, who commenced merchant along with y proprietor and senior f C. Mathew & Co., "es and ship’s chandlers, of A. S. F. Jayasekere, importers, of 7, Fourth 2olombo, and Railway a. He owns coconut y lands, and house ara district. He was
1897, Mohandiram in 1905. He is a member Theosophical Societies, se Sports Club, and a
总
རྗོད་ཕལ་
OF CEYLON 52
liberal supporter of other sporting organisations.
ൾ
MUDALIYAR. A. S. FERNANDO
JAYA,SEKERE.
IONAL AND SOCIAL.
il the list of successful ubject, being specially President of the Board lward Creasy, on the bers and his general
being a member of l, Mr. Obeyesekere is ntral Irrigation Board, of the Royal Colonial Immittee of the Ceylon
Asiatic Society. He
occupies his time in perties. His hobby is breeding, and he has ctical business results. ng methods, only dislern innovations when vantage, taking tropical insideration. He was
ment for the establishral society, being of organisation would be back to the land the nigrated to the towns. lded properties all over
the island, and the former are model places, to be found principally in the Western and NorthWestern Provinces. His town residence, Hill Castle, is well known, and his country seat at Badulla is of a truth the residence of an old Ceylon squire. He is a supporter of practically all Ceylon charitable institutions, and is a patron or office-bearer of almost every club and association, learned or social, and the leader of the Sinhalese community. He is a member of the Legislative Council and of the executive committee of the Ceylon branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, an incorporated trustee of the Church of England in Ceylon, a member of the executive committee of the Friend-in-Need Society of Colombo, and VicePresident of the Board of Agriculture-Ceylon. He was also one of the party who proceeded to England to present the address of the Legislative Council to His Majesty King Edward on the occasion of the Coronation. Mr. Obeyesekere's wife is the second daughter of the late Hon. James Alwis, M.L.C., and Florence Dias Bandaranaike, who was a sister of the late Sir Harry Dias. His eldest daughter
Page 530
522 TWENTIETH CENTURY
married Don Solomon Dias Bandaranaike, the DON SOLOMON DIA Maha Mudaliyar ; his second is wedded to Dr. JAYATILEKKE S) W. C. Pieris, whilst the youngest assists her KUMARUN KADU mother in doing the honours of the house. NAIKE, C.M.G. He has one son, Forester Augustus, who is a This gentleman, b graduate of Trinity College, Cambridge, * Solomon Dias Bandar, member of the Inner Temple, and reading liyar of Ceylon, is a leac for the Bar, ۔۔۔۔
halese community. H Governor, and in this c * an intimate member o:
MAHA MUDALIYAR IDON SOLOMON DIAS BANDAF
IMPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
S ABEYE WICKREME NYRATNE RAJAKERALU BANDARA
etter known as Don unaike, the Maha Mudaing member of the Sine is aide-de-camp to the apacity he is necessarily the Governor's house
ANAIKE.
hold. He is a direct descendant of one of the most ancient families of the island, represented by the first six of the names he bears, the next two having been assumed by special authority of the Government in 1882, to commemorate his investiture with the rank of Mohandiram of the Governor's Gate by His Royal Highness the late Duke of Clarence, when, as Prince Albert Victor of Wales, His Royal Highness visited Ceylon. Mention is made of this incident in the famous ' Cruise of the Bacchante.'
The Maha Mudaliyar is the son of Don Christoffel Henricus Dias Abeyewickreme Jayatilekke Senewiratne Bandaranaike—who was Mudaliyar of the Governor's Gate and of Siyane Korale East, also Justice of the Peace and Unofficial Police Magistrate-and grandson of the Don Solomon Dias Bandaranaike who is mentioned in the second volume of Tennent's “ History of Ceylon.” The Maha Mudaliyar was born at Veyangoda in 1862, and educated at St. Thomas's College, Colombo. At the age of nineteen, his collegiate course being completed, he betook himself to the study of public affairs. Having been, as already stated, invested with the rank of Mohandiram of the Governor's Gate in 1882, he made himself thoroughly acquainted with the duties of a chief towards the Government and of a Sinhalese gentleman towards the people of his country, and eventually succeeded his father in the office of Mudaliyar of Siyane Korale East. Nine years later he proceeded to England on six months' leave, this being his first trip to Europe. On his return the then Governor of the island, Sir Arthur Havelock, invested him at Queen's House with the rank of Maha Mudaliyar. He is also a Justice of the Peace for the whole island.
In 1897 he again visited England, this time as an official representative of Ceylon at the Diamond Jubilee celebrations, and received the medal awarded in commemoration of this event. In 1902 he once more figured as a representative of Ceylon in England, the occasion being the Coronation of the present King, and then received his C.M.G. and the Coronation medal. Since his return to Ceylon he has fulfilled his numerous public duties as well as followed agricultural and stock-raising pursuits. As a breeder of large stock he is prominent throughout the island.
The Maha Mudaliyar owns extensive coconut plantations in the Western Province, and has opened a traet of land for rubber-planting. He is also the proprietor of considerable house property in Colombo, Nuwara Eliya, and Veyangoda. In 1898 he married Daisy Ezline, eldest daughter of the Hon. Mr. S. C. Obeyesekere, M.L. C. He is a Fellow of the Royal Colonial Institute and of the Imperial Institute, life-member of the Royal Asiatic Society, also a member of the Board and the Committee of
Page 531
TEE MAHIA MU
“ HORAGALLA” WALAUWA.
THE MAHA MUDALIYARS RESIDENCE.
TDALIYAR, HIS WIFE AND FAMILY.
Page 532
524 TWENTIETH
WEHITE EHOUSE.
the Agricultural and Horti-Agricultural Societies and the Turf Club. He is, besides, a member of the Orient and Kennel Clubs, Vice-President of the Sinhalese Sports Club and the Poultry Club, committee member of the Nuwara Eliya Gymkhana Club, and a member of the Sports Club, St. James's Square, London. His recreations are riding and shooting, while his hobbies are horticulture and agriculture, which latter occupations, however, he pursues in practical fashion. His country residence, “Horagalla," at Veyangoda, is the hospitable home of a thorough country squire, and typical of the first native gentleman of Ceylon.
அே
SOLOMON SENEYIRATNE.
Mr. Solomon Seneviratne is the son of Don Hermanis Seneviratne, Mohandiram of Siyane Korale, and grandson of Don Carolis Seneviratne, Mudaliyar of Kalutara, while his great-grandfather was Don Louis Seneviratne, Mohandiram of the same place. Our subject was born at Colombo in 1849, and educated at Queen's College and the Colombo Academy, after which he entered the Government service and was attached to the accountants' branch of the Audit Office as early as I874. Five years later he became head clerk of the Grain Com mission, and in 1883 Mudaliyar of the Ratna
CENTURY I
pura Kachcheri. In I88 of Pasdun Korale, and ir while a year later he wi Police Magistrate and A the Western Province. appointment of Atapattu and the Western Provir liyar of the Governo faithful services in dif he has been awarded Government. In I89 I youngest daughter of C J.P. for the island an Korale, and sister of th liyar. He resides at W Colombo, and his count Veyangoda. He is a me and Horticultural Socic his leisure hours in stuc of Ceylon.
e!
YWILLIAM CHR
SIRYWIA]
Dr. William Christof the son of Mr. J. M. P. wardhane, J. P., and Mu Gate, was born in I} Street, Colombo. He tion at St. Thomas's ceeding afterwards to
MPRESSIONS OF
CEYLON
MUDALIYAR AND MIR.S. SOLOMON SENEVIRATNE.
7 he became Mudaliyar 1890 of Salpiti Korale ; as appointed Itinerating cting Deputy Fiscal for In 1893 he received the , Mudaliyar of Colombo nce, and in 1895 Muda's Gate; and for his ferent official positions a gold medal by the
he married Charlotte, . H. Dias Bandaranaike, i Mudaliyar of Siyane Le present Maha Mudahite House, Ward Place, ry seat is " Kandehena,” mber of the Agricultural ties, and he delights in lying the ancient history
STOFFEL PERS RDHANE,
fel Pieris Siriwardhane, Pieris Samarasinhe Sirilaliyar of the Governor's 367 at 4o, Silversmith eceived his early educaCollege, Colombo, prothe Marischal College,
Aberdeen, where he became senior medallist
in pathology and bacteriology, obtaining at the
same time a certificate of highest distinction in the same subjects, and gained distinctions in materia medica and physiology under such well-known masters as Professors Hamilton, Cash, and McWilliam. He also gained a diploma in mental diseases from the MedicoPsychological Association of Great Britain and Ireland. In 1894 Dr. Pieris Siriwardhane graduated as M.B., C.M., after which he had charge, as Medical Officer, of some of the Orkney Islands for about one year. He then returned to Aberdeen University and walked the chief Scottish hospitals. In 1895 he returned to Ceylon, where he became Senior House-Surgeon of the Colombo General Hospital for one year. He afterwards successively filled the positions of District Medical Officer at Dikoya (1897), District Medical Officer at Rakwana-which post he filled with great credit for five years-Deputy Assistant Colonial Surgeon, District Medical Officer at Panadure, Third Visiting Physician of the General Hospital, Colombo, Lecturer in Clinical Medicine at the Ceylon Medical College, and District Medical Officer at Haputale. In I905 he returned to Panadure, where he took charge of the hospital and district, and also became Judicial Medical Officer, in which latter office he experienced very heavy criminal work. He
Page 533
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
ሶን
DR. AND MIRS, WILLIAM CHRISTOFFEL PIERIS SIRIW
is a member of the British Medical Association, a contributor to the Ceylon Medical journal, and a member of the Turf Club. Dr. Pieris Siriwardhane is a keen sportsman, his chief recreations being hunting, angling, and cricket. He married Ethel Mildred, the second daughter of the Hon. S. C. Obeyesekere, M.L.C., and is the father of one son. The doctor's private residence is “ Homeleigh," Panadure.
அே
J. F. D. BANDARANAYKE.
Mr. Johannes Franciscus Dias Bandaranayke comes of a family which may be said to be one of the, if not the oldest of the noble families of Ceylon. Mention is made of members of this family in the very earliest Dutch and Portuguese records, and references to their descendants are frequent in later documents. The family was founded by an Indian officer of high standing who, serving under the kings of Kandy and bearing the name of Nilaperumal, was made high priest and ordered to take the name of Bandaranayke as early as I454. The Bandaranayke family appears in practically every record existing, but it will suffice to state that Don Franciscus Bandaranayke was made Mudaliyar of the four Pattus after the original Mudaliyars had
fled to Kandy in the w East India Company at married the mother of I Maha Mudaliyar of the his son, Don Conrad Pe Wijeyewardene, was M Governor's Gate and united Pattus, and mar He also was the recipie from the Dutch Govern his services. Don C Franciscus Dias Ban Mudaliyar of the Gove in I789 and marriec daughter of the Maha His son, Don Conrad Pe was born in 1827 and Alutkuru Korale South 1iyar of the Governo Mudaliyar. He marr Valentine de Saram, the the subject of this sket sons. Born in 1862, h Thomas's and Royal C took charge of his fathé has been engaged in pl since. He administers at the present time. belonging to the fami Siyane Korale, compri
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
2
\
WARIDEIANIE,
far between the Dutch nd the Kandyans. He ouis de Saram, second Governor's Gate, and ter Dias Bandaranayke Maha Mudaliyar of the Governor of the four ried Louise Jeronimus. nt of two gold medals ment in recognition of onrad’s son, Johannes daranayke, rnor's Gate, was born l Louisa de Saram, Mudaliyar of the day. ter Dias Bandaranayke, | became Mudaliyar of and afterwards Muda
or’s Gate and Maha ied the daughter of e Maha Mudaliyar, and sh is the sixth of their
he was educated at St. olleges, and in 1888 he ar's planting affairs and anting operations ever the whole of the estate The principal estates ly are Udupila in the sing 5oo acres planted
who was
525
with coconuts and fully equipped ; Bandarawatte in the Heneratgoda district, 3oo acres in extent; and various other estates in the neighbourhood as well as house property at Colombo, Peradeniya, &c. The family resides at the Maha Walauwa, Green Street, Colombo, but Mr. Franciscus Bandaranayke, who married in I902 Somawati, daughter of Kepitipole Ratemahatmaya of Matale, resides on the Udupila estates.
அே
MUDALITYEAR JOHN LOUIS PIEIRIS
SRY ARDHANA
This gentleman is the son of Mr. J. M. P. Pieris Sriwardhana, Mudaliyar of the Gate and of Siyane Korale West, Justice of the Peace for the Western Province, landed proprietor, and estate owner. Mr. John Louis Pieris Sriwardhana was born in Colombo in 1852, and educated at the Colombo Academy (now Royal College). He entered the Surveyor-General's office in I876, and was favourably mentioned by that officer in his Administration Report for 1885 in connection with the maps drawn for the London Exhibition. Mr. Pieris Sriwardhana became Mohandiram (Lieutenant) of the Gate 1882, Mudaliyar (Captain) of Alutkuru Korale North in 1887, and Mudaliyar (Captain) of the Gate in 1902. In 1892 he acted as Deputy-Fiscal of Negombo, and in 1894 was appointed Shroff of the Colombo Kachcheri.
Mr. J. L. Pieris Sriwardhana is thc author of
MUIDALIYAR JOHN LOUIS PIERIS SRIWARDELANA.
several Sinhalese works, amongst which “Giniwura'–Sinhalese folk-lore in verses–“ Malpata'-stanzas on various topics-and a play entitled “Sanduwati,' are the most important. Both his father and grandfather held the offices
Page 534
526
of Mudaliyar for Siyane Korale, and his ancestors are descended from the chiefs of Deraniyagala. In 1895 he married his cousin, Florence Eliza, younger daughter of Maha Mudaliyar Conrad Peter Dias Bandaranaike ; and he retired on a pension from the Government service after twenty-nine years of work, He is a landed proprietor and estate owner in the Western Province. His brother, Mr. IPaul E. Pieris Sriwardhana, is the wellknown scholar and District Judge of Kalutara.
عى
TWENTIETH CENTURY
(now K.C.), son of th and was called to ti Inner Temple in 188 in 1888, he was adm the local Bar, and sho1 was appointed Polic missioner of Requ Nawalapitiya. In Jan
member of the Atto ment, and was confirm the island in July, 189 Judge of Colombo frc Additional District Jud which latter appointm
MER. AND MRS, DON WILLIAMI CHAPMAN DIAS WIJE
FEIX R DIAS BANDARANAKE.
Mr. Felix Reginald Dias Bandaranaike, second son of the late Rev. Canon Samuel William Dias Bandaranaike, of Colombo, and Cornelia Susanna, daughter of Don Solomon Dias Bandaranaike, Mudaliyar of Siyane Korale East, was born at Colombo on July 26, 186I. He was educated at St. Thomas's College and the Colombo Academy, and proceeded to England in 1882. He entered Trinity Hall, Cambridge, where he graduated as B.A. LL.B. (Law Honours), in 1885, and took the degrees of M.A., LL.M., in 1889. He read in the chambers of Mr. H. F. Dickens
nent one as from July I of the Royal Colonial In and Ceylon Turf Club riding and boating, an rowed in the college interested in agricultui coconut planting. In Annie Lucy, third dau Mr. James Alwis, M.L. Bandaranaike, and Reginald Felix, Annet James Felix.
MPRESSIONS
: distinguished novelist, e English Bar at the '. Returning to Ceylon tted as an Advocate of tly afterwards (1889) he
Magistrate and Com2sts of Gampola and lary, I893, he became a rney-General's Departed as Crown Counsel for . He acted as District m August, 1897, and as ge from December, I898, ent was made a perma
OF CEYLON
DON WILLIAM CHAPMAN DIAS WIJE
WIARDHANE BANDARSANAYAKA
Mr. William Chapman Dias Wijewardhane Bandaranayaka is the eldest son of the late Rev. Canon Samuel William Dias, and nephew of Sir Harry Dias, Puisne Judge of the Supreme Court of Ceylon, and stepbrother of the late Hon. James Peter Obeyesekere. He was born on June 9, 1860, and educated at St. Thomas's and Royal Colleges. He first intended joining the legal profession, but abandoned this idea and took charge of his ancestral estates, which include Pinnagolla,
WARDHANE BANDARANAYAKA AND FAMILY.
I906. He is a member stitute and of the Orient s. His recreations are d at the University he eight. He is largely e, particularly tea and April, I890, he married ghter of the late Hon. C., and Florence Dias has three children, te Lena, and Samuel
Puwakwatte, and Udagama, all planted with coconuts, in the Veyangoda district, of which the produce goes to the desiccating mills at In addition he owns the Maligatenne estate at Kadugannawa, planted with tea and cacao, and estates in the Kalutara, Kurunegala and Matara districts, and house property in Colombo. He lives at o Buona Vista,” a stately old Dutch residence at Mutwal, Colombo. In I896 he married Rachel Lelavati Asmadale, niece of the late Hon. T. B. Panabokke, Kandyan Member of the Legislative Council, and
Veyangoda.
has two children, Copleston and Rani.
Page 535
“ ROTUNDA” THE LATE MRS. S. W. DIAS BANDARANAIKE. MR
THE LATE CANON DIAS BANDARANAIKE. AND MRS, FELIX R. DIAS BANDARANAIKE AND FAMILY.
Page 536
528
TWENTIETH
CENTURY I
PETER, DE SARAMI.
CLARICE VILLA, WELISARA
PETER DE SARAM.
Mr. Peter de Saram comes of one of the most ancient and honourable Sinhalese families, and is the son of Johannes de Saram, Mudaliyar of the Governor's Gate and Interpreter to His Excellency the Governor, and Henrietta, daughter of Godfried Philipse Panditeratne, Maha Mudaliyar of his day and first Sinhalese representative in the Legislative Council upon its formation. The De Sarams have been Maha Mudaliyars in the annals hundreds of years, and at the inception of the English rule Louis de Saram, a member of the family, held that position. Numerous medals, diplomas, and grants from the Government, signalising the excellence of the services rendered to various administrations by their ancestors, are in the possession of the present members of the family. Mr. Peter de Saram was born at Colombo in I852, and educated at St. Thomas’s College under the Revs. — Bennett and James Bacon. In 1873 Sir Charles Peter Layard took him into the Colombo Kachcheri, where he remained two years, after which he became Acting Mudaliyar of Alutkuru Korale South. In 1876 he was confirmed in that appointment, and nine years later Sir Arthur Gordon appointed him to a cadetship in the Ceylon Civil Service. He was then attached
of Ceylon for
to the Colombo Kachch
Office Assistant to the
acted on several occas and Police Magistrate ( and as Municipal M During his occupation Arthur Havelock speci all gambling cases in member of the Com cocoa thefts, together Government Agent of and Chairman of the C tion. In 1902 Mr. de Itinerating Police Mag Province, and is still manent Civil Service. Royal Asiatic Society Society. He owns til called Florence Estat
trict. His town reside Colpetty ; and his cour Welisara. In 1877 he eldest daughter of the Alwis, M.L.C. and F nayke. Of his family, Saram, is a Proctor c Colombo; whilst his d Dr. Valentinė Gooner; Atapattu and Gate M second daughter, Beat
MPRESSIONS
OF CEYLON
MIER. AND MRS. PETER, DE SARAMI AND FAMILY.
L. W. DE SARAM.
eri until I89I, was Extra Government Agent, and ions as Office Assistant
of the Western Province agistrate at Colombo.
of these positions Sir ally selected him to hear
Colombo. He was a mission to inquire into with Mr. Lascelles, the
the Central Province, eylon Planters’ Associa
Saram was appointed istrate for the Western a member of the perHe is a member of the and of the Agricultural he beautiful plantations e, in the Welisara disnce is*The Synagogue," try seat is Clarice Villa, married Ellen Florence, late Hon. Mr. James de lorence Dias Bandarathe eldest, Mr. Lionel de if the District Court of aughter Clarice matried atne, son of the veteran daliyar of Galle. The rice, married Mudaliyar
Louis Arthur Dassenaike, of Hapitigam Korale and Mirigama.
نوٹ
LOUIS ARTHUR DASSENAIKE, Mudaliyar.
The Dassenaike family is an ancient one, and for many generations its members rendered valuable assistance to the Dutch East India Company, for which they received due recognition. The heads of the family for five generations have in turn been Mudaliyars of Hapitigam Korale, and the subject of this sketch is still the Chief Headman.
Henricus Lucius Dassenaike, the father of Mr. L. A. Dassenaike, served the Government for a period of over thirty-five years, and in I895 acted for the Maha Mudaliyar. Mr. Dassenaike's grandfather, Don Cornelis Dassenaike, held the appointments of Mudaliyar of the Hapitigam Korale, Mudaliyar of the Governor's Gate, Justice of the Peace, Deputy Coroner, Interpreter and Translator to the British Resident, Mudaliyar of the Residency, and chief of the Dalada Maligawa. To go back still farther, his great-grandfather was Don Johannes Dassenaike, while his great-greatgrandfather, Samaradiwakara Wickremesinghe Dassenaike, was the recipient of two gold medals from the Dutch East India Company
Page 537
TEIE R:
MR. AND MRS, L. A. DASSENAIKE AND CHILD.
MUDA LIYAR. L. A. DASSENAI
SIENCE.
THE LATE MUDALIYAR. H. L. DASSENAIKE, KE AND STAFF OF HEADMEN
2L
Page 538
530
for faithful services rendered to the Company on various occasions. Mr. Louis Arthur Dassenaike was born in Colombo in 1869, educated
MUDALIYAR L. A. DASSENAIKE,
at the Royal College, and entered the Government service in I89I, being engaged at the Colombo Kachcheri. Previous to 1896, when he was appointed to his present position as Mudaliyar of Hapitigam Korale (Mirigama), he worked in different capacities, and in 1905 he was appointed Mohandiram of the Governor's Gate. His district covers some 84 square miles. He has charge of the police in his district, is Inquirer into Crimes, Chairman of Village Committees, and Revenue Officer, and in 1903 he acted for the Deputy Fiscal of Colombo. He is a member of the Agricultaral Society, Horticultural Society, Turf Club, and Sinhalese Sports Club, owns various coconut estates at Mirigama (where he has his residence), and in other districts. . He also possesses house property both at Mirigama and in Colombo. Mr. Dassenaike has one son, Arthur Lee Dassenaike, who was born on May 12, I903.
9
EDWIN DE LEYERA,
The family of which Dr. de Livera is a descendant is an ancient one, and members of it have held high and important positions. One of its members was David de Livera, Mohandiram of Hewagam Korale. This gentleman had a son Franciscus, who was Mudaliyar of Alutkuru Korale North, and who married Charlotte Fredericka, daughter of Simon de Livera, Mudaliyar of Hewagam Korale. The issue of the marriage was Edwin, the subject of this sketch, who was born in
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
Colombo in 1849. career at the Colon Livera won the Jijeeb Calcutta University in to Glasgow, graduated returned to Ceylon in Assistant Colonial Surg various medical appo the last one being in geon of the North-We Sabaragamuwa. He r on pension in Decembe is a member of the Brit and of the Kurunegal In 1897 he married E
G
winde, daughter of D Batticaloa, and is no Dene, Kandy.
se
DON E. W. DE L.
SENEYERATNE
Mr. Don Edwin Will wickreme Seneveratne diram of the Governc son of the late Julius E cheri Mohandiram of Cc daughter of Louis de J
MPRESSIONS
During his scholastic bo Academy Dr. de hoy scholarship of the 87o. In 1873 he went
as M.B.C.M., and he 878 and was appointed 'on, Puttalam. He held ntments subsequently, Igoo as Colonial Surstern Province and of
tired from the service r, I906. Dr. de Livera sh Medical Association Agricultural Society. iza Alexandra Spelde
OF CEYLON
liyar, Colombo Kachcheri, and Mudaliyar of the Governor's Gate, and granddaughter of Don Carolis de Livera, First Atapattu of Colombo. a gentleman who, in addition to the distinction named, held the rank of Maha Mudaliyar of the island, and who was decorated in 1804 by the first Governor of the colony, Sir Frederick North, with a large gold medal and chain for useful services rendered to the British authorities. On the paternal side the grandfather of the subject of the sketch was Don David de Livera Tennekoon, Chief Translator of the Colombo Kachcheri and Mudaliyar of the Governor's Gate.
Mr. Tennekoon was born at Atapattin
IDR, AND MERS,
'. J. A. Maartensz, of W residing at Castle
WJEYEWICKREME * TENNEKOON,
iam de Livera WijeyeTennekoon, Mohanr's Gate, is the third Ernest de Livera, Kachblombo, and Jane Maria, Livera, Atapattui Müda
E, DE LIVEIRA
Walauwa, Barber Street, Colombo, and educated at St. Thomas's College. From 1894 to 1897 he administered his father's planting and other properties, which are situated in all the Korales of the Western Province. In the latter part of October, 1897, he entered Government service, being appointed First Native Writer of the Colombo Kachcheri by the Hon. Mr. A. R. Dawson, the Government Agent. In 19oI he acted as Second Translator and Shroff Mudaliyar of the Colombo Kachcheri, and in 1902 he was appointed Chief Shroff of the Ceylon Savings
Page 539
TWENTIETH CENTURY
Bank by Mr. R. W. Ivers, the Acting Colonial Secretary, which position he still occupies. On November 9, 1906, on His Majesty's birthday, he was honoured by Government with the
Louis Arthur Dassenai and Gate Mohandira children-viz., Nelly M Myrlin, and William
స్ట్రీ
FHE RESIDENCE.
DON EDWIN WILLIAMI DE LIVERA WIJE
distinction of Mohandiram of the Governor's Gate. On the occasion of his investiture His Excellency Sir Henry Blake gave him permission to wear the gold medal awarded to his grandfather on all public occasions. His Excellency addressed him as follows on the investiture: "Mr. de Livera, you have rendered long service in a responsible office, and you have always been a thoroughly good and faithful member of society. I have much pleasure in conferring on you the rank of Gate Mohandiram.' Mr. de Livera is a member of the Ceylon Turf Club and of the Poultry Club, and resides at the old family seat called the “ Deweni, Maha Walauwa” at Wolfendahl. This historic residence has been occupied by three successive Maha Mudaliyars of the De Saram family, who were all Mr. de Livera's maternal ancestors. He married on November 9, Igoo, Venetia Nillie Theodora, second daughter of Henricus Lucius DasseMaaike, Mudaliyar of Hapitigam Korale and of the Governor's Gate, and sister of Mudaliyar
(Mohandiram of 1
has three brothersTennekoon, Mudaliy; West; Julian Richart draughtsman, Surveyo Henry Stewart de l Court, Colombo; and Annie de Livera.
L. C. DE F. W.
In the Saka year A.D. 1750, in an accC Sri Rajasinha, of Kan Peiris, N.A.C.C.S., bar record of the return the king had sent to officers delegated to figures the name of gampaha Adigar, fro this sketch is descen scendant was Johan de Seneviratne Samarakk liyan of Hewagam K
IMPRESSIONS
ke, of Hapitigam Korale m. They have three (argaret Evelyn, Venetia Vernon. Mr. de Livera
OF CEYLON 53]
administration. His eldest son, Paulis, was Mohandiram in the same Korale, and his second som, Andris, who marrıed the sister of Don Abraham Dissenaike, second Mudaliyar
MIR, AND MRS. EDVIN DE LIVERA.
YEVICKIIREME SENEVERATNE TENNEKOON.
the Governor's Gate.)
—viz., Louis de Livera ar of Siyane Korale i de Livera Tennekoon, fr-General's Office ; and tivera, Proctor, District
two sisters, Jane and
அே
T. SAMARAKKODY.
1675, corresponding to sunt given of King Kirti dy, translated by Paul E. rister-at-law, appears the
of the embassy which Siam, and amongst the meet these ambassadors Samarakkody, the Udam whom the subject of lded. The Adigar's de. Fonseka Samarasundere ody, who was the MudaKorale under the Dutch
MUDAIYAR. L. G., SAMARAKKODY.
Page 540
582
of Hewagam Korale, was Atapattu Mohandiram of Colombo in the same government. Louis, grandson of Johan de Fonseka Samarakkody, was attached to the Colombo Kachcheri as Clerk and Commutation Assessor. He married Francina, daughter of Paules de Livera Weerakon, Mohandiram of Hapitigam Korale, and their son, Louis Charles de Fonseka Wijeyewickkrame Tillekeratne Samarakkody, whose name heads this sketch, was born at Colombo in 184o. at Colombo Academy and St. Thomas's College, and entered the Government service in 186I, attached to the Court of Requests, Colombo, as
He received his education
TWENTIETH CENTURY
was Maha Mudaliyar) marriage, Charles Hen of Pasdun Korale East; diram of the Governor' is married to Anne
John Nicholas Dissen. liyar of Matara ; Char of the District Court of
William is a senior st
Colombo, Mr. Samar
ters-Charlotte Henrie Jane Cicilia. Mr. Samarakkody treas to his uncle
Amongst
Carolis d
Sworn Translator. He also served in the Colombo Kachcheri, and became Mohandiram of Alutkuru Korale, South, and then was appointed Mudaliyar of the Kegalla Kachcheri. He was President of six Village Tribunals in three different Korales, and was appointed Mudaliyar of the Governor's Gate in I883. Twelve years later he retired from Government employ, after thirty-eight years of continuous service. In 187I he married Cornelia Fredrica, the daughter of Jacobus Dionysius de Silva Siriwardene, Atapattu Mohandiram of Colombo (whose grandfather, David de Silva Siriwardene, was Mudaliyar of Rayigam Korale, and whose father, Simon de Silva Siriwardene,
THE SAMARAK
SamarakkOdy, Mudaliy Robert Brownrigg in I services to the British Kandyan rebellion, an presented to him by Go way. He resides at Street, Colombo.
ఢ
HENRY A PERE
Colo
Mr. Henry Aloysiu: Palhiyawadana Wijey known as Henry A. Pe of an ancient family, v
MPRESSIONS
, Of the sons of this y Augustus is Mudaliyar Charles Peter, a Mohans Gate, is a planter, who Kathereen, daughter of like Tillekeratne, Mudales Edwinois a Proctor
Colombo ; and Charles dent of Wesley College, kkody has three daughtta, Mary Elizabeth, and his family possessions, ures a gold medal given e Fonseka Tillekeratne
OF CEYLON
emigrated during the time of the Portuguese occupation from Matale, in the Central ProHis father was Abraham Perera Seneviratine Palhiyawadana Wijeyegunawardana, planter and estate owner, of Colombo, vhose father vas a Mohandiram of Alutkuru Korale ; while his mother was the daughter of Mohandiram Abeyasingha, of Alutkuru Korale North. Born at Colombo in 1855, Mr. Perera was educated at St. Benedict's Institute and St. Thomas's College. Entering the Government service in 1876, he was attached to the Colombo Kachcheri, and became Kachcheri Mohandiram in 1884 and Mudaliyar
vince.
KODY FAMILY.
ar, by Governor Sir 818 for his meritorious Government during the i a Jubilee gold medal vernor Sir West Ridgeʻʻ Lovedale,ʼ Jampettah
RĂ, Mudaliyar of mbo.
s Perera Seneviratne better rera, Mudaliyar, comes which is said to have
"egunawardana,
in 1889. In 1894 he was appointed Mudaliyar of Colombo, Salpiti Körale North, and Ambatelempahala, and to act as Atapattu Mudaliyar until 1895. In April, 1899, the Ceylon Government presented him with a gold medal for services rendered in repressing crime in his district, and in 1903 he was conferred the rank of Mudaliyar of the Governor's Gate. He is a wealthy landowner, owning coconut estates in the Siyane Korale and other parts of the Western Province, and house properties in Colombo. In I886 he married Emily Josephine, youngest daughter of Paulus G. Abeyasinghe Weerakoon Basnayake, Mudaliyar of the Guards, Colombo. He resides in
Page 541
THE PERERA FAMILY.
H. A. PERERA. (Mudaliyar of Colombo)
LA WALAUWA.
H. A. PERERA. MR. F. R. ELLIS, C.M.G., MRS. ELLIS,
(Government Agent, Western Province.)
MUDALIYAR PERERA, AND HIS STAFF.
* - 2 L., **
Page 542
i534 TWENTIETH CENTURY
Palihiyawadana Wasala. Walauwa at Kotahena, is a member of the Agri-Horticultural Society and of the Poultry Club. He is also a member of the Catholic Union and Chairman of the Village Committees of Salpiti Korale North and Ambatelempahala.
്
JOHN ATT TYGALLE.
The family of Attygalle is very ancient. It was settled in Madapata for many generations, the whole of Madapata being until recently owned by the family. The name is derived from Atigale, a village near Henwille, in Hewagam Korale. On the maternal side Dr. Attygalle is descended from the well-known Kotalawale family of Rayigam Korale, one of whom was Atapattu Mudaliyar of Colombo about 178o. This family traces its origin to a high personage who came to Ceylon during the time of King Rajasinha, the particide. He appears to have rendered some important service to the Sinhalese in connection with the building of Nalha Devala in Kandy, and he was well rewarded and appointed to a high office in Sabaragamuwa. Dr. Attygalle was born on January 13, 1842, at Madapata, and was educated at St, Thomas's College and the Royal College, Colombo. After his course at these institutions he proceeded to Calcutta, at the expense of the Ceylon Government, to study medicine. He afterwards went to Eng
land, and obtained the London and M.D. of Al cally the first Sinhal
JOEN AT
medicine. Returning
accepted a Governmen served the Governmer he retired from the posi in 1898, after continuo years, receiving a we hobby has always be
J. A. COREA.
TEE ATTYG
MPRESSIONS
degrees of M.R.C.S. of berdeen, and was practiese to study Western
TYGAL.
to Ceylon in 1866, he tappointment. Having it in various capacities, tion of Colonial Surgeon as service for thirty-two ill-earned pension. His en the study of native
OF CEYLON
medicine and matters connected with Sinhalese history and literature. He married Charlotte, daughter of Philip Karunaraine, the Interpreter Mudaliyar of the District Court of Kandy, whose ancestors received the Brownrigg medal during the Kandyan hill campaign. Of his sons, Dr. J. W. S. Attygalle, now at Gambulla, is a well-known member of the medical profession; while Messrs. Theodore and Henry Attygalle are officers in the Ceylon Police Force; Mr. R. V. Attygalle is a Proctor of the Supreme Court of Colombo ; and the youngest son, Clarence, is studying medicine. The eldest daughter married Mr. Thomas Dunuwille, son of the Colombo Advocate; and the second daughter, Adeline, married Mr. Harry Ellawalla, son of the late Kandyan Member of the Legislative Council; while the third daughter, Eugenie, married Mr. James Alfred Corea, Mohandiram of Madampe. The family residence is now “Eversleigh," Kuruwe Street, Colombo.
لو
DONALD OBEYESEKERE
The son of the late Hon. Mr. J. P. Obeyesekere, Member of the Legislative Council, Mr. Donald Obeyesekere, was born at Battadolla Walauwa, Weyangoda, in 1880. After attending St. Thomas's and Royal Colleges, he went to Trinity College, Cambridge, in October, 1898, where he studied
ALLE FAMILY,
E. ELLAVVALLA.
Page 543
TWENTIETH CENTURY IM
DONALD OBEYESEKERE.
especially law and moral sciences, passing the first part of the law tripos in 1900 and the political economy special in 19oI, and the second part of the moral sciences tripos in Igo2. He was President of the Indian Majlas at Cambridge during the October term of 1901. Entering the Inner Temple, he was called to the Bar in November, I903. During his stay in England Mr. Obeyesekere spent a considerable time at the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester. In 1904 he was one of the official visitors of the Ceylon Government to the St. Louis Exhibition, and on his return to Ceylon he was admitted an Advocate of the Supreme Court, and has practised as such at Colombo ever since. He is a thoroughgoing sportsman. While in England he won the Freshmen's Boxing Tournament at Cambridge, took a keen interest in all sporting matters, being an enthusiastic rider to the South Devon Hounds and Holcombe Harriers, and went in largely for riding and cricket. The variety of his interests can be judged when it is stated that he is a member of the Turf Club, of the Agricultural Society of Ceylon, a Fellow of the Royal Colonial Institute, a member of the Royal Agricultural Society of England, and the originator and chief promoter of the Social Reform Society, which aims at the retention of old customs,
habits, and characteri Ceylon civilisation, wi only such Western me to prove unmixed be his legal practice, M planter on a very larg interests himself in all development and impro methods in the island. Victoria Park, Colombo married Edith, eldest John Henry Perera, of Wolfendahl, Colombo.
ه
TUDOR R
Few men have been than the late Sampsol ratne Rajapakse, Muda Gate and Justice of the is the father of the subj late Mudaliyar did mo perhaps any other nat educational charities re ment to him. He was Welitota, in the South scended from B. D. Mudaliyar of the G father and grandfathe
PRESSIONS OF CEYLON
535
THE BUNGALOW
stics of the ancient
th the admission of thods as are expected nefits. In addition to r. Obeyesekere is a ge scale, and actively matters relating to the ovement of agricultural He resides at “Ascot," and in May, 1906, he daughter of the late Kuruwe Walauwa and
JÄPÄKSE.
better known in Ceylon L d'Abrew Wijegooneiyar of the Governor's
Peace for Ceylon, who ect of this sketch. The ire for education than ve of Ceylon, and his main a perpetual monu
born in the village of ern Province, being de. Rajapakse, who was and Ronda, and his r and other ancestors
were Mudaliyars before him. On his mother's side his ancestry may be traced to Carlo de Meranda, who was the first interpreter and Chief Mudaliyar of the Maha Badda. The Ceylon Medical College, amongst other educational institutions, owes a great deal of its success to the late Mudaliyar, and practically every college in the island has some prizes and scholarships given by him; while his name was always associated with important public movements in the interests of education or of Buddhism, and his purse and personal influence were ever ready to facilitate such movements.
Mr. Tudor Rajapakse was born at Wellitota in 1868, and educated at St. Thomas's College and afterwards under the private tuition of Mr. Cull, the Principal of the Royal College. In 1889 Sir Arthur Gordon appointed him Mudaiyar, and in the following year he was elevated to the position of Mudaliyar of the Governor's Gate. He is a planter on a very large scale, owning estates at Negombo, at Welitara, and in various parts of the Western Province, which are planted with coconuts and cinnamon and fully equipped with bungalows, stores, &c. He also owns much house property at Colombo, and his own residence in that city is “Gatherum,' De Saram Place. He has two country seats, one the Maha Kappina Walauwa
Page 544
T. D. N. D'A. W. RAJAPAKSE. MIUT. MAHA KAPPINA WALAUWA. THE GA
TTUVADIYA BUNGALOW, NEAR NEGOMBO, CHERUM' BUNGALOW.
Page 545
TWENTIETH
at Welitara, and the other near Negombo. In 1898 he married Frances Lily, second daughter of J. D. S. Rajapakse, Mudaliyar of Negombo. He is a member of the Royal Asiatic Society, sits on the committee of the Colombo Museum, is a member of the Agricultural and Horticultural Societies, and of the Orient, the Turf, the Lawn, and the Nondescripts Cricket Clubs, as well as Vice-President of the Sinhalese Sports Club. He is an ardent horseman. A Buddhist by faith, he built and endowed the temple at Welitara and the assembly of the Amarapura sect of Buddhist priests, of whom he is a most benevolent patron. He is the founder of the Rajapakse College, which he built at his own expense on his own land and freely endowed. Recently he spent a year in a visit to England and the Continent.
The Mudaliyar's pedigree as quoted from “Ceylon in the Jubilee Year' is as follows :-
Genealogical Table showing the descent of S. D. A. Rajapakse, Mudaliyar of His Excellency's Gate and Justice of the Peace for the island. B. D. A. Rajapakse, Mudaliyar of the Grand Ronda.
A. D. A. Rajapakse, Mahawidana Mudaliyar of Welitara District, married daughter of
CENTURY
Lewis Mendis Wi Mudaliyar of Maha
A. D. A. Rajapakse, l Welisera District, m Vijayasirivardana.
S. D. A. Rajapakse, lency’s Gate and Jus island.
Genealogical Table S. D. A. Rajapal to Carlo de Me and Chief M
Badda. Carlo de Meranda Chief Mudaliyar of
Solomon de Meranc Chief Mudaliyar of
Susana de Merand Sosa Rajapakse, Ka
Caroline, married A. liyar of Mutwal and
S. D. A. Rajapakse, ) lency’s Gate and Jus island.
MUIDALIYAR, T. D. N. D'A. W. RAJAPAKSE.
MPRESSIONS
kramanayaka, Atapattu Badda.
sudaliyar of Mutwal and irried Caroline de Soysa
Mudaliyar of His Excel. ice of the Peace for the
tracing the descent of se (through his mother) anda, First Interpreter daliyar of the Maha
First Interpreter and
the Maha Badda.
a, First Interpreter and the Maha Badda.
l, married Solomon de ppina Mudaliyar.
D. A. Rajapakse, MudaWelisera Districts.
Mudaliyar of His Exceltice of the Peace for the
OF CEYLON 537
S. R. DE FONSEKA.
Simon Richard de Fonseka Warnasuriya Wijeyatunga Samaranayaka is the son of Carolis de Fonseka, Mohandiram, who was married to Welhelmina de Fonseka, a member of the same family. She was the daughter of Selestinus dé Fonseka, Mudaliyar of Kalutara, whose father was Johannes de Fonseka, Mudaliyar, the recipient of a gold medal from Governor North, in 1819, for meritorious services rendered during the early period of the British occupation of the island. Carolis de Fonseka, above-named, was the son of Solomon de Fonseka, who was married to Selestina, the daughter of Renoldus de Anderado, Mudaliyar, and grandson of Pedru Fonseka, Mohandiram and Interpreter to the Oppertroofd of Kalutara in the Dutch service in 176o. Simon Richard de Fonseka was born in 1854, and entered Government service in 1873. In 1886 he was appointed Chief Clerk of the Provincial and District Road Committees, Western Province. He married, in I883, Louisa, the eldest daughter of Juan de Silva Jayasingha, and has six children, viz. : Simon Richard, law student, Lydia Florence, Lionel Stanley, prosecuting his studies in England, Muriel Letitia, Louisa Bridget, and May Elain. In 1892 he was invested with the rank of Mudaliyar by Sir Arthur Havelock. He lost his wife in I902. The
TIE LATE MUDATIYAR S. D'A. W. RAJAPAKSE.
Page 546
TWENTIETH CENTURY
TE. FAMLY.
GOLD SHIELD.
family is descended from Don Michael de Fonseka, Adigar. Don Michael de Fonseka is mentioned in Baldeus' ' Description of Ceylon, I672,' and was married to the daughter of Don Manuel de Anderado, Adigar. In I658, under Admiral Ryckloff van Goens, Don Michael de Fonseka accompanied his father-in-law in the expedition under which Jaffna was taken by the Dutch. Baldeus and other early writers speak of Don Manuel de Anderado as having rendered signal service to the Dutch.
தி
A NATYE PHILANTHROPIST-THE LATE CHARLES HENRY DE SOYSA, J.P.
The De Soysas of Ceylon are a family of philanthropists, held in the highest esteem by their countrymen especially, and generally by all in the land. At Moratuwa, where is the country seat of the family, there is no institution, whether religious, educational, or philanthropic, but owes its origin and maintenance mainly or wholly to their largeheartedness. Nor are their benefactions merely parochial or confined to one community, but are designed for all sorts and conditions of men, and have their objects throughout the island. The Alfred Model
Farm, the De Soysa Medical Museum, an Institute in Colombo, Church and Prince a Colleges at Moratuwa, to the De Soysa f Marawila, and Hangu
hospitals, and schools,
Numerous roads and in various parts 9f th beneficent origin. Ir flood and during epid been to the fore in the and their munificenc extended to deserving
The most prominent was the late Charles 1 Alfred House, Colomb 1836, he was the only Dissanayake, Mudaliy Gate, and Francesca (née Coorey), of Mora was never very robust early training under th he was placed for a fe' College, Colombo, un subsequently Archdea leaving college the y apprenticeship on h
(MPRESSIONS OF CEY LON
IMIUIIDALIYAR, S. R. IDE} F'OINSIE}K.A.
“ STI KEVINS ”
Lying-in Home and d the Bacteriological and Holy Emmanuel hd Princess of Wales's all owe their existence amily. At Panadure, rangetta are churches, built by the De Soysas. wayside resting-places island have the same times of famine and ‘mics they have always support of relief funds, e has been at times institutions abroad.
member of the family enry de Soysa, J.P., of D. Born on March 3, on of Jeronis de Soysa r of the Governor's de Soysa Lamaetenie uwa. His constitution from childhood. After : Rev. Dr. J. MacVicar, 7 years at St. Thomas's er the Rev. J. Bally, On of Calcutta. On bung man served an father's coffee and
BUNGALOW.
coconut plantations, which were then managed by his uncle, the late Mudaliyar Susew de Soysa. It is said that even at this time his meagre allowance of pocket-money was often spent in benefactions-an indication of his inborn charitableness. At the age of twentyseven he married Miss Catherine de Silva, the only daughter of Mr. Jusey de Silva (afterwards Knight Chevalier of the Order of Gregory the Great), of Moratuwa. The alliance was in every way happy, and the union of the sole heirs of two wealthy families contributed to the expansion of the resources of an already considerable estate.
Although shy and reserved by nature, Mr. de Soysa was, at the age of thirty, already a prominent man in the island. His modest disposition and kindly hospitality, coupled with a generous enthusiasm for good works, had gained him the love and esteem of all classes of a somewhat heterogeneous community. Europeans, Burghers, Tamils, and Moors were counted among those who learnt to appreciate the worth of this model Sinhalese gentleman. In a sense, Mr. de Soysa was a public man of the first degree, in that he was one who devoted his energies and wealth to the good of the people. The amelioration of the conditions of life in Ceylon was his chief care and ambition.
Page 547
TWENTIETH
To elevate the masses by providing them with education, to relieve suffering humanity by supplying medical aid, to advance the material prosperity of his countrymen by the introduction of new methods and scientific appliances, were no inadequate manifestations of patriotic feeling. And it is surprising that so much of this good work was accomplished within the brief space of ten years; for Mr. de Soysa conceived and carried through his best and permanent work within the seventies. At his old college, of which he lived to be a trustee, he not only endowed a Chair of Divinity, but also gave an impetus to the teaching of science by providing the necessary apparatus. At Moratuwa, for many years, he liberally supported the parish schools. In 187I he established the Alfred Model Farm in Colombo, an experiment which proved fruitless from various causes. On September 14, I876, he founded the Prince and Princess of Wales's College at Moratuwa, an institution which to-day affords efficient instruction to about a thousand scholars of both sexes. In the alleviation of suffering Mr. de Soysa never tired. During an outbreak of enteric fever in an outlying village, he himself supervised the distribution of food and medicine supplied at
his own expense. Numerous poor patients
THE LATE MUDALIYAR SUSEW DE SOYSA. LADY DE SOYSA.
CENTURY I
were supplied with m did much to create Sinhalese midwives, ar suffering womanhood in 1879, the De Soysa I. He was a patron o liberally encouraged n: and other craftsmen
For the be carpenters he was inst 1879, the Moratuwa Co institution which, for
execution.
had to be wound up ir he formed the Ceylon A continuing to act as it transformed into the N
its older form the assC useful, if unostentatiot motion of scientific cl capitalists, and thus b the Ceylon Agricultur recently been inaugurat of Sir Henry Blake.
On its private side, t grew ever more and m pre-eminently the coun bourhood. His affabil was accessible to his the brute creation was
TIESE DE SO
THE LATEMUDALIYAF ERNESr (Youngest som of the late
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
nedical aid gratis. He a supply of trained nd as a further aid for he opened at Colombo, ying-in Home. f letters and arts, and ative carvers, sculptors, with commissions for nefit of the Moratuwa rumental in starting, in -operative Company, an want of management, h a few years. In 1884 Agricultural Association, s president until it was ational Association. In )ciation had done much us, work. in the proultivation among native ecame the precursor of al Society, which has ed under the presidency
he life of Mr. de Soysa ore charming. He was try squire of his neighity was proverbial ; he boorest fellow-man, and always his care, while
539
nothing gave him greater pleasure than the sight and company of children, Many a man now remembers with gratitude what a day at Alfred House meant for him in his childhood, At Christmastide in Morattuwa this children's
seventies--Mr. de Soysa and his family of seven sons and seven daughters regularly spent the season at their country-house, the Walauwa, and all Moratuwa and his wife visited them, bearing the customary offering of a handful of betel leaves, a mark of the highest respect in Ceylon. For days high festival was kept ; the callers were legion; there was open table; and the children's hearts were made happy with toys. To the villager a visit to the Walauwa was in itself a liberal education, for there he had plenty of sights to see-the curios, the furniture, the horses, the cattle, the poultry.
. Mr. de Soysa was a lover of animals. His stud contained some of the finest horses in the island, and his experiments in stock-breeding produced some of the best results locally obtained. He owned several elephants, too, which were trained for useful work. In his menagerie of pets almost the only remarkable omission was the dog, a significant fact in
view of his untoward end. Such was his
YSA FAMILY
JERONIS DE SOYSA. DE SOYSA. C, H, and Lady de Soysa.)
THE LATE C. H. DE SOYSA.
J. W. C. DE, SoYSA (Eldest som of the late C, H. and Lady de Soysa.)
Page 548
540
influence ever animals, that once, with umerely a bunch of plantains in his hand, he placated and got under control an infuriated elephant which had broken loose from its keeper.
Next to his humanity and humility, the predominant traits in Mr. de Soysa's character were his broad-mindedness and intense loyalty. A zealous member of the Church of England, his sympathy was not confined to that comMany a Buddhist priest was his friend, and all Christian denominations shared in his benefactions. In 187o he entertained in lavish style the Duke of Edinburgh, the first Prince of the blood royal of Britain that
munion.
TWENTIETH CENTURY I)
Unhappily, Mr. de S mad dog, and died of tember 29, 1890, in the be inferred from this sho man's life, the mournii national. A correct est grief was made by Dr. Colombo (now Metrop Ceylol), when from th in the words of King that there is a prince a this day in Israel ?' So death his relict was r widow of a Knight B;
**
ALFRED HOUSE. THE BACTERIOLOGICAL INSTITUTE.
visited the shores of Ceylon, and the Alfred Model Farm was so named in honour of the Sovereign's sailor son. The college at Moratuwa commemorates the visit to Ceylon of his present Majesty when Prince of Wales; and in the local celebrations of the Jubilee of our late Queen-Empress' Mr. de Soysa took a prominent part.
Mr. de Soysa visited England in 1886, and during a six months sojourn in Europe he put his time to the best use in sight-seeing, and in the inspection of farms, manufactories, and philanthropic institutions, making substantial donations towards the last named.
of her deceased husband de Soysa, with her eldest de Soysa, J.P., Mudaliy Gate, still carry on the by the late philanthropi of the family.
29ه
JERONS WILL DE. S.
This scion of a prom the son of the late Mr. C and Lady de Soysa, a De Soysa Walauwa (a
IPRESSIONS
lysa was bitten by a hydrophobia on Seprime of life. As may t account of this good g for him was truly mate of the universal Copleston, Bishop of olitan of India and
pulpit he exclaimed, avid, “Know ye not id a great man fallen on after Mr. de Soysa's ised to the rank of chelor in recognition
OF CEYLON
tuwa, in May, 1865. He was educated at the St. Thomas's and Royal Colleges, Colombo, and Trinity Hall, Cambridge, England. He took his B.A. degree in 1889, and on a visit to England ten years later became an M.A. In 1890 he returned to the island to manage, in conjunction with Lady de Soysa, the 'affairs of his late father. Mr. de Soysa conducts one of the largest businesses in Ceylon, he being a planter of coconuts, cacao, tea, rubber, and cinnamon, as well as an exporter, importer, and general merchant. The head offices of his business operations are at No. 4 Queen Street, Fort, Colombo. On her own part Lady
INTERIOR OF THE INSTITUTE. DRAWING-ROOM, ALFRED HOUSE
's life-work; and Lady son, Mr. J. W. Charles 'ar of the Governor's
good work initiated st and previous heads
A CHARLES DYS.A.
inent Ceylon family is harles Henry de Soysa nd was born at the ncestral home), Mora
de Soysa owns a large number of coconut estates in practically every part of the island, and her son is hardly behind in the number of estates under his own control. The products of the coconut estates are, for the most part, either copra or desiccated coconut, which latter are treated in large desiccating mills at Slave Island, Colombo. Of the De Soysa tea estates, that of Maturata, near Nuwara Eliya, under the superintendence of Mr. W. K. G.
de Soysa also started rubber-planting at Kadugannawa and at Kosgama on the Ratnapura road, as well as on his Paradise Estate in the
Page 549
J. W. C. DE SOYSA's CINNAMON MILLS, AND VIEW THE PRODUCT, AND TE
VS OF THE DRYING PROCESS, THE CUTTING OF
E. DSICCATING MILLS.
Page 550
VIEWS OF J. W. C. DE SOYSA'S CINNAMON OPERATIONS
-THE PEELING, THE STORES, AND THE QUILLING.
Page 551
TWENTIETH
Sabaragamuwa Province, and at Galpotagama. He was the first to start cotton experiments in the island, having introduced the Caratonica cotton-bush from Queensland, and he intends to start planting this variety on a very large scale in the North-Western Province. The improvements he has carried out during the past three years have given him confidence that cotton will more than merely succeed in Ceylon. Then, again, his firm owns the largest cinnamon plantations in the island, and plants this spice by itself only, having nearly 3,000 acres under cultivation aear Moratuwa, as well as areas at At stations on all
ready for transport.
The late Mr. Charles Henry de Soysa, the founder of the business owned by the family
Salawa and Kuruwitta.
bearing the name, was a great believer in coffee, and owned some I5o estates, of which nearly Io, Ooo acres had been cultivated when that industry collapsed. He was, of course, very hard hit, but with characteristic energy he started planting coconuts, tea, and cinnamon, and more than re-established himself in a very short time. Formerly the coconuts and copra from the De Soysa estates were exported, but now the produce is sold locally. Fibresbristle, mattress-and, in fact, all kinds of produce of the coconut-palm are dealt in, and the firm has started very large and extensive rope and cable making factories at Negombo, for which expensive and up-to-date machinery has been introduced. Mr. de Soysa also owns very large and valuable plumbago mines in the North-Western Province, among them the famous Sir Visto mine at Dodangaslanda.
Mr. de Soysa is a Justice of the Peace for the whole island, and a Mudaliyar of the Governor's Gate, as well as the officer commanding “R” Company of the Ceylon Light Infantry. He is a trustee of the Prince of Wales's College, Moratuwa; Warden of the Church of Holy Emmanuel, Moratuwa; Patron of the Mora
Sunday School Union; Patron of the Colombo Friend-in-Need Society; and also a member of the Orient Club. He represented the Ceylon community at the Diamond Jubilee celebrations in London in I897, and in the same year founded and endowed the De Soysa Bacteriological Institute, Colombo, which is now presided over by that eminent scientist, Dr. Aldo Castellani. Mr. de Soysa is now building the Princess Louise Hospital at Moratuwa, of which the foundation-stone was laid by Her Royal Highness Princess Louise of Schleswig-Holstein early this year (1906). His Colombo address is Alfred House, Colpetty, and his country seat is the De Soysa Walauwa, Moratuwa. Shooting and racing are the sporting pastimes most favoured by this gentleman. He ran horses extensively between 1890 and
CENTURY I
I895, winning the Gove Eliya, and was the ow horse Melrose. He Ceylon Chamber of C noted as an interesting rise of value in the De Soysa family, that the Government offer cinnamon gardens to de Soysa at 5s. an ac of the land on which to-day would alone
I,000 sterling an acre
ര
AFRED JOSEPH R
Mr. Alfred Joseph R second son of the lat de Soysa, J.P., and Lac House, Colombo, and House, Bambalapitiya, He was educated at Colombo (1878), Princ Moratuwa (188o), and Colombo (1884-1886). ceeded to England to the private institute of Leonards-on-Sea, wher self as a runner by winn cup for the 220 yards r school sports in 1888. interest in school theatr House he proceeded, i. Cambridge, with a view in music. He had to re after his father's unexp( in the management of period he became a 1 Asiatic Society. He is estates, covering in a with coconuts, rubber, Western, Central, and vinces, viz., Kirimetian pola, Diadora, Parag: Madawalatenne, Tatuv and Kottugoda paddy f tent. He is also part-o of Hapugasmulla and M Province, and of the k the Western Province, cinnamon and coconut the Colombo Harbour nominated to that posi the Governor in 1898, of the Turf Club of Cey and endowed the Juse Lady Havelock Hospit late Chevalier Jusey ! grandfather. He was ( tributors to and coll Famine Fund in 1897, a to the Inundation Rel
MPRESSIONS
}rnor's Cup at Nuwara
is a member of the ommerce. It may be fact in regard to the lands owned by the about the year 186o ed the whole of the the late Mr. Jeronis tre, whereas the value Alfred House stands pe reckoned cheap at
兆
CHARD DE SOYSA
ichard de Soysa is the e Mr. Charles Henry ly de Soysa, of Alfred was born at Brodie on February 15, 1869. St. Thomas's College, e of Wales's College, the Royal College, In July, I886, he pror further education at Highbury House, St. e he distinguished himning the silver challenge ace at Highbury House He also took a great icals. From Highbury in I888, to Trinity Hall, v to obtaining a degree turn to Ceylon in I89o, 2cted death, and assisted the estate. About this member of the Royal the sole owner of large ll 3,2Io acres, planted and tea, in the North| Sabaragamuwa Prola, Keenakelle, HorataMedarawakka, welakande, Kuda Oya, ields of 79 acres in exwner of the tea estates Marigold in the Central Kuteriyawalla Estate in the latter planted with S. He is a member of Board, having been tion by His Excellency and is also a member lon. In 1893 he founded y de Silva ward at the al, in memory of the de Silva, his maternal pne of the largest con
und subscribed Rs. 5,000 ief Fund of Colombo,
amana,
OF CEYLON 543
I904. On February 4, 1892, he married Mary Margaret, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. L. David de Silva, of Henley House, Cinnamon Gardens. Mr. de Soysa's private residence is “Glen Aber,' Bambalapitiya, and his Colombo office is at No. 4, Queen Street, Fort, while he has a country residence on the Kirimetiana Estate, Kurunegala. He is a landed proprietor in Colombo and Kandy, and is a gentleman held in high esteem throughout the island. He is an ardent motorist.
e岁ó
EDWIN LONEL FREDERICK DE SOYSA.
This son of the late Mr. Charles Henry de Soysa and Lady de Soysa was born at Alfred House, Colombo, in 187I. He was educated at the Royal College, Colombo, and at Scaithliffe, Egham, Surrey, England. After his training at the latter institution he proceeded to Trinity Hall, Cambridge, and there finished his education. He returned to Ceylon on the death of his father to assist in the management of the family estate. During his Cambridge course he rowed, hunted, and went in for racing, taking part, as a gentleman rider, in the Cottenham races, near Cambridge. Soon after his return to Ceylon from England he started racing on his own account, his first horse being an Australian filly named Effie, of I4 hands, which won his first race in a field of seven horses. Afterwards he owned many horses which made themselves famous on the Ceylon turf. Amongst the various winners owned by Mr. de Soysa, Jack o'Lantern annexed the Governor's Cup in I896, also the Turf Club and the Fort Plate in the same year, and again won the Governor's Cup in 1897; while his horses also ran first for the Governor's Cup at Madras and the Cooch Behar Cup at Calcutta. Other lights of his stable have been Midget, Portion, Magna Charta, . Ena, Leah, Comewell, Young Surprise, North Britishwinner of the Governor's Cup in I809-and Merloolas. The last-named was the best horse of his year in Australia, and won the Sydney Cup there. He was bought by Mr. de Soysa for 2,ooo sterling, and the bargain proved a good one, for he won the Governor's Cup, Ceylon, in 1900. Mr. de Soysa built his new racing stables at Colpetty in the year 1905, and at present has a number of horses in training there, among the most important of which are Footprint, Semele, Wizard, Reply, and Ural. He is a very popular sportsman and a member of all the racing institutions in Ceylon. In regard to breeds of horses suitable for racing in the island, Mr. de Soysa is strongly in favour of English griffins in preference to Arabs, maintaining that English horses can run in more than one class, whereas Arab griffins can only be entered in one. He hopes to see the English griffin scheme introduced by the Turf
Page 552
MR, AND MRS. A. J. R. DE SOYSA AND CHILDREN,
MOTOR-CAR, AND VIEW OF COCO)
THEIR RESIDENCE 'GLEN ABER,’ CARRIAGE AND NUT ESTATE WITH BUNGALOW;
Page 553
MR. AND MRS. E. L. F. DIE SOYSA, T.
RACIN
HEIR RESIDENCE, BUNGALOW, STABLES, AND
NG TROPEIES.
Page 554
546
Club before long. Mr. de Soysa's racing stables are prettily built, and contain luxuriously fitted loose boxes, as well as sheds for carriages, hacks, saddlery, and so forth. It may be mentioned that in the first year of his racing career Mr. de Soysa won 23 out of 25 races, and in the second year 19 out of 2I.
This gentleman has very large interests in the planting line, he being the owner of the coconut estates of Karakuwe, Potuwille, Dunkannawa, Wellihena and Keenakelle in the Western Province, and Gladyland, Hempitagedera, Boddimulle, and Heinulle in the North-Western Province, as well as the tea and rubber estate of Lantern Hill, in the Dolosbage district. He is also part owner of Marigold tea estate in the Maturata district; and in the Kandy district he owns Nyanwatte, Tennekumbura, and Lechnini estates. His tea estates, which are fully equipped with modern factories, are superintended by Mr. J. D. Mendis. merchant, and owns various mines in the Southern Province. He was married at St. Michael's Church, Colombo, in 1898, to Caroline, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Jeronis Pieris, of “ Elscourt," Cinnamon Gardens, Colomb). His private residence is “Rheinlands,' Colpetty, Colombo; and his business address 4, Queen's Street, Fort, Colombo.
Mr. de Soysa is also a plumbago
அே
THOMAS HENRY ARTHUR DE SOYSA,
Mr. T. H. A. de Soysa is the fourth son of the late Mr. Charles Henry and Lady de Soysa, and was born at the De Soysa Walauwa, Moratuwa, in I874. After being educated at the Prince of Wales's College, in his birthplace, and the Royal and St. Thomas's Colleges, Colombo, he joined the office staff of his late father in I892. In 1898 he took over the management of the Kandy agency of the business, but started on his own account in Mr. de Soysa is a proprietary planter, general merchant, and mine-owner, and his estates produce coconuts, tea, rubber, cinnamon, and citronella. He owns plantations practically in all parts of the island, and on his Keenakelle estate, in the North-Western Province, is one of the largest and best equipped fibre factories in the island. The Keenakelle fibre mark and the Kadirane cinnamon mark rank high in the market in Europe. He has now also recommenced plumbago mining on a large scale, having equipped his mines with powerful steam pumping and lifting gear. At the Diyatalawa Mills, Slave Island, Colombo, and the Carbon Stores, Wellawatte, all the yield from these mines and his estates is being stored prior to being made ready for shipment. Mr. T. H. A. de Soysa is the sole proprietor of
the same year.
TWENTIETH CENTURY IM
this business, the head No. 2, Canal Row, Fo exports, which mainly cinnamon, cinnamon c nut, copra, coconuts, p cardamoms, cocoa, citi bristle and mattress fi
the civilised world.
Mr. de Soysa’s resi Brodie House, while F are on his Attiville, K estates, Negombo. Mr. of various local clubs. the only daughter of Abeyawardena, M. M.C.
Y 2
YAL TER
This gentleman is a
Charles Henry de Soysa
MR, AND MERS. W.
was born in I88o at th
Moratuwa. education at the Royal
He receive
after private training
England, proceeded t bridge. the Inner Temple. H
He afterwards
coconut estates of Keen
Micadawatte,
Limpias-watte, at Pana copra is exported. MI proprietor in Kandy, ar ardent sportsman. W played cricket for Trin well known in the hun address is 16, Kensingt.
district,
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
office of which is at rt, Colombo ; and his consist of coconut-oil, hips, desiccated cocolumbago, tea, rubber, "onella oil, coir yarn, bre, reach all parts of
dence in Colombo is his country residences alutara, and Kadirane de Soysa is a member In 1899 he married the late Mr. S. P. , of Galle.
总
DE SOYSA
Son of the late Mr. and Lady de Soysa, and
ALTER, DE SOYSA
Le De Soysa Walauwa, d his earliest scholastic College, Colombo ; and at Fermain, Hastings, o Trinity Hall, Cams became a member of
e is the owner of the akelle, in the Negombo
at Weyangoda, and dure, from all of which ... de Soysa is a landed ld has always been an hen at Cambridge he ity Hall, and he is also ting field. His London Om Hall Gardens, S.W.,
and his Colombo habitat is Alfred House, Colpetty. He married, in 1904, Maria Micada Piedra, daughter of Señor Don Agosto Albo, of Limpias, Santander, Spain, and Señora Dona Catarina de Gruchy (Crimca). Mrs. de Soysa is a grand-daughter of Señor Don G. de Bernales-Albo, Carlist banker, General of the Revolution and Grandee of Old Castile,
அே
A. W. A. DE SOYSIA.
Mr. Lambert Wilfred Alexander de Soysa, sixth son of the late Charles Henry and Lady Catherine de Soysa, was born at Alfred House, Colombo, in I884, and educated first privately, and afterwards at the Royal College, Colombo, and Prince of Wales's College, Moratuwa. In I903 he went to England to take a course of studies at the Royal Agricultural College at Cirencester, Gloucester, and there he graduated M.R.A.C. in December, Igo5. Mr. de Soysa was President of the Royal Agricultural College International Club for two years in succession. On leaving the college he travelled extensively in Europe, especially investigating agricultural He returned to his native land in the middle of I906, and has taken up planting, bringing the extensive knowledge gained in Europe to bear upon the cultivation of Ceylon products. It should be mentioned that during his stay in England he took a certificate in chemistry, and at his present home he intends to have a laboratory fitted up in connection with his planting operations, which will be carried on upon an up-to-date, scientific basis. The estate of Olaboduwa, in the Rayigam Korale, planted with coconut and rubber, is his property, as well as portions of the well-known estates of Keenakelle and Dambuwa. Mr. de Soysa is a member of the Royal Agricultural Society of England as well as of the Ceylon Agricultural Society, and also the Social Reform Society and the Ceylon National Association.
அே
SOLOMON FERNANDO.
Dr. Solomon Fernando, son of Silvester F. Karuneratne, of Moratuwa, was born in that place in 1850, educated at Kotta Christian Institute, the Colombo Academy, and Queen's College. Afterwards he studied medicine at Calcutta, where he received a gold medal for botany. Proceeding to Aberdeen University, he graduated M.B., C.M. and L.R.C.P., and L.R.C.S. of Edinburgh. After working for some time in the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary he returned to Ceylon and entered the Government service as assistant to the Principal Civil Medical Officer at Colombo. He paid a second visit to Great Britain, this time as delegate to the International Congress on Hygiene, where
methods in various countries.
Page 555
ESTATTE
ESTATE VIEW. WILFRED
THE BUNGALOW.
BUNGALOW.
I DE SOYSA.
DR. AND MRS.
ANOTHER ESTATE VIEW.
S. FERNANDO AND FAMILY.
Page 556
548 TWENTIETH CENTURY I
he read a paper on Ceylon sanitation, and was presented to the late Queen as well as to the Prince and Princess of Wales. Returning to
S. FERNANIDO.
his native island, he took over the medical charge of the jails in Colombo, was lecturer to the Ceylon Medical College in botany and zoology, and finally retired from his profession in 1898. Settling in the capital, he became a member of the Municipal Council for the Kotahena ward, and sat for two terms. On his retirement in I906 the Council passed a
special vote of thanks t He owns coconut est Chilaw, and Puttalam of the British Medical A Asiatic and Agricultural the Colombo Y.M.C.A., of the Wesleyan Cong married Fanny Georg daughter of Lady de S. ʻʻ Sigiriya,ʼ Bagatelle Rc
او
CHARLES MATTH
The career and po Fernando, Crown Couns of a man who has won in the premier Crown C worthy employment of bl He is the son of Andrew
· of Andrew Fernando, M
He was born in the chie educated there, first at S afterwards at the Royal ( career was characterise ancy. Among other di Fifth-form Scholarship, bridge Local Examinat speare and Turnour Pria and gained the Governm Scholarship of the valu
C. M. FERNANDO AND FAMILY, AND TWO
MPRESSIONS
him for his services. es in the Negombo, istricts; is a member sociation, of the Royal Societies, a director of and a local preacher egation. In 1887 he na Catherina, eldest ysa, and he resides at ad, Colombo.
EW FERNANDO.
sition of Mr. C. M. el, affords an instance his way to distinction lony of Britain by the illiant intellectual gifts. ernando and grandson udaliyar of Colombo. city in 1866, and was t. Benedict's Institute, 3ollege. His scholastic
i by exceptional brillistinctions he won the was first in the Camion, won the Shakees open to all Ceylon, ent English University e of 2oo per annum,
YYYYLz0LLLYzzLLLLYYzLLLLLYLL0LLYYzzLeLeeLz ۔.................
District Judge at Kurunegala.
OF CEYLON
and lasting for three years. In 1883 he passed the London Matriculation First Division, and the Intermediate in Arts of the London University, First Division, in 1885, being the first Ceylonese student to pass that examination. In the same year he proceeded to England, joined St. John's College, Cambridge, and was entered as a student at Lincoln's Inn. In 1886 he won the prize for law at St. John's College, Cambridge, and in 1888 passed the Law Tripos with honours in the second class. Having obtained the Cambridge degrees of B.A. and LL.B., he was called to the Bar in London in I888. In the following year, on his return to Ceylon, he was admitted an Advocate of the local courts. In these courts he practised until I897, when he was appointed Acting Owing to illhealth he removed to Kandy, where he was appointed Crown Advocate. In 190I he became Acting Crown Counsel at Colombo, in which appointment he was confirmed in I903. He is in charge of the administration of the new Waste Iands Ordinance, as legal adviser, and has appeared in all the principal cases in connection with this legislation, notably the Dehigama and Adipola cases. He has also appeared with success in some of the most important criminal trials in Ceylon within the last six years, notably the Ambalayoda riot and the Mavanella murder cases.
s
i
器
VIEWS OF HIS RESIDENCE, "NETHERTON."
Page 557
TWENTIETH
In 1893 and 1894, in conjunction with Mr. Walter Pereira, K.C. (now Solicitor-General), Mr. C. M. Fernando edited the reports of the cases of the Supreme Court of Ceylon. Mr. Fernando was one of the founders of the Ceylon Law Students' Union. For six years he was a member of the Colombo Municipal Council, and for two years served on the Kandy Council. He was Secretary of the Ceylon National Association from I892 to 1895. He was created a Justice of the Peace of the Western Province in 1896, and is now, by virtue of his office, a J.P. for the whole island. He is a member and Councillor of the Royal Asiatic Society both of Ceylon and England, a member of the Provisional Road Committee of the Western Province, President of the Maradahana Literary Association, member of the Orient Club, and a committee member of the Catholic Club. In historical research Mr. Fernando has made a unique name for himself, and is one of the best authorities in Ceylon on cognate subjects; and in this connection it may be mentioned that Mr. Fernando is the author of the “History of Ceylon' included in
this volume. In 1904 he proceeded to Europe
as the bearer of a special communication from the Catholics of Ceylon to the Duke of Norfolk to protest against the religious terminology of the King's Oath, and was received in special Besides contributing
audience by the Pope.
CENTURY I
to the fournal of the Spolia Zeylanica, and translator of the “ Nik able Sinhalese history the fifteenth century.
married Jane Maria, th late Charles Henry an hobbies are music and
PAZ
HILARION MAR
Dr. H. M. Fernand 1medical men of Colom Andrew Fernando ar well-known Advocate, concerning whom a Dr. Fernando was bor and educated at St. and the Colombo Aca Royal College). His afterwards at the U ceptional brilliancy, having attained distinct At the Academy he Scholarship of the fift) first scholarship in t Local; in I882 the Turnour Prizes; and University Scholarship, honours in the Senio
'THE PRIORY."
MIPRESSIONS
Ceylon Asiatic, Society, ther journals, he is the ya Sangarawa,” a valuof Ceylon, written in In I9oI Mr. Fernando : third daughter of the i Lady de Soysa. His
numismatics.
US FERNANDO.
o, one of the leading bo, is the son of Mr. d a brother of the Mr. C. M. Fernando, notice appears above. n at Colombo in 1864, Benedict's Institute demy (afterwards the career at school, as hiversity, was of exvery few Ceylonese ion in such a measure. gained the Queen's n form; in 188I, the he Junior Cambridge Mathematical and the in 1883 the English obtaining first-class * Local Examination,
༦.
DR. AND
OF CEYLON i549
with other distinctions. He obtained twentyseventh place in honours in the London Matriculation, and was awarded one of the
H. M. EFTERNANDO.
Gilchrist Scholarships for Indian students. In I883 he entered University College, London, and was second in the Medical Entrance Scholarship for 1884. He obtained the gold
--- .منسسنس با است
MRS. H. M. FERNANDO AND FAMILY.
2M
Page 558
550 TWENTETH
medals for physiology, medicine, forensic medicine, and midwifery, and the Tuke medal for pathology, as well as a silver medal for materia medica. He was Atchinson Scholar in 1888, and was elected a Fellow of University College in I890. At the London University he passed the preliminary scientific examination for the M.B. degree, also the intermediate scientific examination in 1884, and obtained Second place in first-class honours in zoology, as well as third place in honours in botany. He passed his intermediate M.B. examination in I886, obtaining a gold medal, besides firstclass honours, in physiology, and first-class honours in organic chemistry; also the degree of Bachelor of Science with first-class honours in physiology. Graduating as M.B. at the London University in 1888, he gained second place with first-class honours in medicine, as well as the gold medal, and second place with first-class honours in forensic medicine, also a gold medal. In 1889 he passed the M.D. (Lond.) examination, qualifying for the gold medal. -
Dr. Fernando returned to the island in 1890, and was appointed Registrar of the Medical College and Government Analyst in 1891. He also became Superintendent of the De Soysa Lying-in Home, and carried on his duties at that institution until 1897. He then proceeded to Bombay to study and to report on the bubonic plague for the Ceylon Government, with a view to organise preventive measures. On his return he was appointed Second Physician to the General Hospital. In 1898 he again visited England, this time for the purpose of studying bacteriology; and on his return to Ceylon in I899 he became Senior Physician to the General Hospital and Lecturer in Medicine at the Ceylon Medical College. He first started and opened the De Soysa Bacteriological Institute, and was Director of that institution for some time. He reported to the Government on the outbreak of malarial fever in Galle, and has read and contributed various papers to the British Medical Association, both in England and Ceylon, on “Malaria and its Prevention," also on leprosy, dysentery, and other subjects of interest in tropical medicine. He is also the author of various medical reports. He is a Council member of the British Medical Association, and was at one time Hon. Secretary and President of the Ceylon Branch of that body. He is Vice-President of the Ceylon University Association, and a member of the Royal Asiatic Society, also of the Orient and Turf Clubs, and is on the Board of both the Agricultural and the Horticultural Societies. His hobby is agriculture, and on his Notting Hill estate, in the Kurunegala district, he carries on the cultivation of cotton from Sea Island seed on a large scale. In 1891 he married Mary Frances, second daughter of the
CENTURY IM
late Mr. Charles Henry His town residence is Place, Colombo, and Boragodde, Negombo.
அே
FRANCIS )
Mr. Francis Perera is late Mr. Simon Perera being the daughter of one of the largest capital Southern Province of Ce Galle in I875, and educa mond College in that ce the Royal College, Color ness as a planter and plu early age, but has now branch of production entirely to the supervis He owns coconut prope district, and the fine esta the Southern Province, planted with tea, cinna comprising a fine bung fully-equipped factory, stores-as well as the 700 acres in coconuts a various other plantation tracts of paddy lands in In conjunction with M visiting agent of his pri fully employed in sup these estates, besides loo
house properties in G.
member of the Munici
as well as of the Galle C Clubs, also of the Turf
FRANCIS
Agricultural Society of married the fifth daugh Henry and Lady de "Closenberg,' which
IPRESSIONS
and Lady de Soysa. “The Priory,' Union is country residence
PERERA
the eldest son of the M.M.C., his mother Mudaliyar Wijesekera, ists and planters of the ylon. He was born at ed, firstly, at the Richtre, and afterwards at mbo. He started busimbago merchant at an abandoned the latter and devotes himself ion of his plantations. irties in the Negombo te of Wallahandua in ‘onsisting of 800 acres mon, and rubber, and alow, on which are a peeling station, and Bedikantotal estate of t Hambantota, besides s in rubber and large the Southern Province. r. Joseph Frazer, the operties, Mr. Perera is ervising the work on king after his numerous alle. Mr. Perera is a pal Council of Galle, 3ricket and Gymkhana Club, Orient Club, and
EPERERA.
Colombo. In 1906 he ter of the late Charles Soysa. His residence, stands on a peninsula
OF CEYLON
jutting out into Galle Harbour, is one of the beauty spots of the Southern Province.
چلاوه
YWILLIAM HENRY DE SILYA
This gentleman, who takes a most active interest in the municipal affairs of Colombo,
i
V. E DE SILVA.
was born at Moratuwa in I868. He is the son
of Lindemullege Andris de Silva and Varneku
lasooriye Mahapata bedi Lindemullege Bastrana Silva, and is descended from Thakura Arthedevage Aditya (the Colonel of the Guards), who was granted Moratuwa by King Bhuvaneka Bahu VII. This warrior's son became a Christian, together with King Don Juan Dharmapala, and was known as Pedru de Silva, Mudaliyar. He is mentioned for gallantry, by the Portuguese historian Delonto. during the siege of Colombo by Mayadunna. Dr. W. H. de Silva was educated at the Prince of Wales's College, Moratuwa, and St. Thomas's College, Colombo. He subsequently studied for two years at the Ceylon Medical College; and in 1889 he proceeded to Marischal College, Aberdeen, Scotland. Having determined to devote himself and his talents to the medical profession, he pursued his studies at the Scottish University with ardour, and became senior medallist in bacteriology and practical pathology, besides obtaining first-class honours in eight subjects and second-class honours in seven subjects of study. Having obtained the degrees of M.B. and C.M. (Master of Surgery) in 1892, also a diploma in medico-psychology, he spent a year in London and Paris, during which time he officiated as Clinical Assistant at the Royal Eye Hospital in the former city and at the Pasteur and Galezoski Eye Institutes
Page 559
MR, AND MRS
THE FERNERY,
RUBBER ESTATE,
F. PEIREFRA AINID FIAMILY.
“ CLOSENBERG.”
BUNGALOW.
FRANCIS PERERA'S RESIDENCE,
Page 560
552
in Paris. He returned to Ceylon in 1893, and was appointed Lecturer to the Ceylon Medical College, in connection with which he at present holds the lectureship in materia medica and ophthalmology. Dr. de Silva was the Secretary of the Ceylon Branch of the British Medical Association, and held office as Vice-President of that body last year (1905). He was married, in 1896, at St. Michael's Church, Polwatte, to Julia, daughter of the late Mr. C. H. and Lady de Soysa. He took a prominent part in the establishment of the Queen Victoria Memorial Eye Hospital at Colombo, acting as joint-secretary, with Sir Allan Perry, of the public fund raised for founding the institution, and collecting the largest subscription ever got together for any
TWENTIETH CENTURY
holding that position,
obtaining for the sou
sion and laying out of
known as the Haveloc
ing himself energeti matters, such as sew supply and dust ques looked upon as the rel sanitary progress in th ber of the Standing and Markets. Among other directions, he is the local branch of th Association, is a Co branch of the Royal A British Medical Assoc Orient and Turf Clu
*NELLIDITHI...?
charitable purpose in Ceylon. The first meeting with the object of founding this memorial was held in I902, the foundation-stone was laid in 1903, and the building was completed in 1905, at the cost of nearly two and a half lacs of rupees. Appropriately enough, Dr. de Silva was appointed Senior Surgeon in charge of the hospital, a post he still retains. Dr. de Silva proceeded again to Europe in 190I, this time as representative of the Medical Association on the occasion of the annual meeting of that body held at Cheltenham, England; and, taking the opportunity of continuing his studies in Edinburgh, he obtained the degree of F.R.C.S., afterwards visiting several eye clinics on the Continent. He has been a member of the Colombo Municipal Council since 1902, representing the Colpetty Ward, and, whilst
the Anglican Synod, a Ceylon Volunteer Med Dr. de Silva owns est
cinnamon, rubber, an
principal ones are Pal Negombo, and Monra trict. He is also prop Kandy and Colombo, ** Nellidith,” Bambalap houses in Colombo, o is given above.
LOUIS H.
Mr. Louis Henricus at-law and Advocate o Ceylon, was born at C
MPRESSIONS
he was instrumental in hern suburbs the extenhe piece of open ground
Park. Always interestally in public health ge disposal and water ons, he has come to be resentative of up-to-date : Council, being a memommittee on Sanitation his varied activities in one of the Directors of
Young Men’s Christian Incillor of the Ceylon iatic Society and of the ation, a member of the is, a representative of
nd a Lieutenant in the ical Corps. ates planted in coconut, cacao, of which the anchena Farm, in the ia, in the Kegalla disietor of large areas in His private residence is tiya-one of the finest which an illustration
S. PERS.
Susen Pieris, Barristerthe Supreme Court of ldecott, in the Colpetty
OF CEYLON
division of Colombo, on June 4, 1879. He is the son of Louis Pieris and Cecilia Elizabeth de Fonseka, the latter a direct descendant of Anderado Adigar, mentioned in the history of the Dutch period in Ceylon. The family, on the side of both parents, is closely connected with some of the best-known names in the island, and, through Eugeltina, the wife of the late Mudaliyar Susew de Soysa, came into direct touch with the family of that name, as mentioned in the life-sketch of the late Charles Henry de Soysa, under the heading “A Native Philanthropist,' given in another part of this book. Mr. L. H. S. Pieris was educated at St. Thomas's College, Colombo, where he studied under Dr. Copleston, the present Metropolitan of India. Mr. Pieris then proceeded to London, and entered Gray's Inn, and he was called to the English Bar during the Michaelmas term of I9oo. In the following year he returned to Ceylon, and was sworn in an Advocate of the Supreme Court of the island. Being heir to broad acres, he divides his time between the law and the supervision of his many plantations. His country residence is Grosvenor Gardens, Kandy. Having devoted the last eighteen months of his stay in LCndon to the study of the conditions and requirements of the Eastern market, he obtained an insight into these subjects, which he now utilises in his business as a producer. In particular he has given great attention to rubber, which he has planted extensively.
Mr. Pieris is a member of the Ceylon Turf Club and the Orient Club, and is a very popular young man in the local community, a popularity largely shared by his wie, Selina, a particularly gifted young lady, the youngest daughter of Lady de Soysa, of Alfred House, Bambalapitiya, Colombo. Of this union there are three children.--Phoebe Catherıne Cecilia, Louis Charles de Soysa, and Beryl Selina. Mrs. Pieris's work with the brush is among the choicest attractions of the Whist Bungalow, the celebrated residence of Mr. and Mrs. Pieris at Mutwal. It deserves mention that she was the first Sinhalese lady to compete in the annual exhibitions of the Ceylon Society of Arts. She studied painting-in oil and water-colours-as well as sculpture, under Messrs. Ortel, Miller, and Rost, and from 1896 has been a regular exhibitor at the “salons' of the Ceylon Art Society, by which body she has been awarded no less than eighteen certificates, prizes, and medals for her work. That her tastes are distinctly creative no better evidence could be afforded than her “Wedding-Cake," a most unique and ingenious specimen of artistic and mechanical work in fine wood and glass work, which, as will be seen from an accompanying illustration, is unrivalled as regards originality of design. The chief feature of this marvellous chef d'aeuvre is the representation of the historic
Page 561
WHIST BUNGALOW. INTERIOR MR. AND MRS, LOUIS H. S. PIERIS AND FAMILY.
OF WHIST BUNGALOW. MRS. PIERIS AND BABY.
THE DERAWING-ROOM.
Page 562
554
TWENTIETH CENTURY
MRS. OUIS I, S. PIEERISS SUDIO
satin-wood bridge at Peradeniya, Kandy, but recently dismantled, and it may be left to the imagination to conjure up the ever-memorable and consecrated associations this bridge has for the young couple. This model spanned the spacious reception hall at Alfred House from side to side. neath the bridge is most artistically conveyed by a paving of huge mirrors, out of which grasses and moss seem to grow. Swans gliding among lotus flowers or preening their feathers on the bank give realistic touches to the scene, which is rendered vivid by electric lights. The cake itself, the bridal emblem, is ensconced in a huge pearly nautilus, which is drawn by a pair of white swans, Cupid being the ciiarioteer ; and by means of a hidden mechanical contrivance, the Swans glide over the water to greet the bride and bridegroom (Mr. and Mrs. Pieris) amid an outburst of music.
The suggestion of water under
شوه
THE WHIST BUNGALOW.
No description of Colombo would be complete without reference to Whist Bungalow, Mutwal, the Colombo residence of its proprietor, Mr. Louis H. S. Pieris. Away from the stir and bustle of the business quarters of the city, and occupying an ideal site in the
northernmost suburb,
also has local histol praises have been rep Digby, and Cordinor written of the beauty
the times when this h the heyday of its glor in surroundings of tı house combines histori taste, comfort, and co enchanting to the visit It was designed on a
cious reception-rooms
our ancestors knew rously and the motto w “ the more the merrie the doings in that roor of yore-the early tim tion of Ceylon-and n only for the majesti card-rooms, but also fo wine and provision cel which are still in a st tion. Capacious, too,
ments, to which the fir long bygone time reti prolonged merry-maki rarily to a close. The -the latter now filled type of carriages, whil
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
THE WEDDING CAKE.
this delightful residence
ical associations. Its eatedly sung, Tennent, among others, have of the situation, and of istoric dwelling was in y. As it stands to-day, 'ue tropical charm, the c tradition with modern invenience in a manner or to this beautiful spot. large scale, and the spaspeak of the days when how to entertain gene'ith regard to guests was r," Merry indeed were ny residence in the days es of the British occupaeed there was then not c banqueting-halls and r the large, old-fashioned ars of solid construction, ate of perfect preserva are the sleeping aparte old roysterers of that red, when at last their ngs were brought tempostables and coach-houses
with the most modern e in the former ace to be
in the broad mouth of the Kelani river northward, and the coconut groves that stretch
seen the best breeds of horses-are all on the same scale of magnificence. Then glance over the ten acres of ground attached to, and surrounding, the bungalow, and the ravished eye lights upon handsome trees and ornamental shrubs and masses of many-hued flowers spread out in gorgeous and dazzling profusion, yet in orderly design, among which the regal rose is especially conspicuous; while equally pleasing to the sight is the fruit-garden with its wealth of tropical trees and shrubs, each bearing its own luscious and richly coloured burden, An exquisite lawn hems the majestic Kelani river, with all its seductive suggestions of pleasant boating parties. What could be more delightful than this outlook over the expanse of water, shimmering under the almost too brilliant sunshine, which stretches away westward and on the shore of which the house stands ! On this side you see the broad delta of the Kelani river, while yonder is the shining sea. And surely that is an enchanted islet which lies, crowned with a wealth of foliage, Turn
along the coast in that direction come into the range of vision. Or look southwards, and admire the picturesque disorder of the fishermen's huts grouped under the tall coconut palms, with a small Buddhist temple in their
Page 563
TWENTIETH
midst. The spot is truly a haven of peace and retirement, in which the jaded and overwrought mind is soothed and lulled into contentment with the very monotony of the rank luxuriance of its natural beauty.
Professor Ernst H. Haeckel, the great naturalist, in his book “A Visit to Ceylon,' published in 1883, devotes a considerable portion of one chapter to a rapturous description of the attractions of this beauty-spot of Colombo. He also explains that “the bungalow derived its extraordinary name from the circumstance that its first owner, an old English officer at the beginning of the century the nineteenth, used to invite his friends out to this remote villa to indulge in whist on Sunday evenings. As the strict observance of the English Church is, of course, strongly averse from such an employment on Sunday, these jovial meetings were kept a profound secret, and the whist parties and drinking bouts in the isolated bungalow seem to have been uproarious in proportion to the satisfaction of these jolly comrades at having escaped the dreary tedium of an English Sunday and orthodox society.' The Whist Bungalow was, in short, a convenient retreat for these roystering Sabbath-breakers. Later on the bungalow was enlarged and decorated and the grounds laid out in ornamental style by a subsequent owner, the well-remembered Sir Richard Morgan. The place is reminiscent of the life of that versatile genius, one of the group of meteoric men that shot into local prominence in the early fifties-C. A. Lorensz, James Stewart, and men of their ilk. Professor Haeckel, with portentous gravity, states that on the decease of Sir Richard his spirit refused to quit the scene of his former glories. The bungalow thus added to its historic fame by becoming haunted, and fearsome scenes were rumoured to take place in the building every night. With bated breath the tale was told of uproarious ghostly revels, of which the spirit of Sir Richard was master and in which winged demons and fiends with fiery eyes participated. Owing to these nightly performances the bungalow remained empty and shunned until a certain Stipperger acquired it, Being of a practical and non-superstitious turn of mind, the new owner at once set to work and routed the supposed ghostly denizenswhich proved to be beings no more supernatural than wild cats, bandicoots, and flying foxes. Stipperger restored the neglected house and garden, and it was in its condition of renewed order and beauty that Professor Haeckel saw the spot and became enchanted with it. As the guest of Stipperger at the bungalow for a fortnight, he enjoyed every opportunity, not only for becoming imbued with the beauty of the place and studying the flora and fauna of the vicinity, but also
CENTURY
for learning the trad house.
A far earlier accol dwelling is given in a ing old book entitle Ceylon,' of which only said to be extant. It w James Cordinor, M.A., v the garrison of Colom in London in 1807. man gives the following Club,” from which name: “The bungalo Club is held is beauti miles north-east of Co the Calamyganga, whi name of Mootwal. Th members, chosen from : able inhabitants of t dinners in rotation, ; twelve strangers. So whose characters are hospitality, assemble a guests. The entertain and the assembly nev with the highest shar The company repair o'clock in the afternoo or otherwise enjoy the dinner is announced. A o'clock, they rise from their carriages or om their respective houses Among the more Whist Bungalow was Right Hon. Henry Matt passing through Ceylon spot to renew his acqua where he was born an Lord Llandaff was, as delighted to revisit thi in every gnarled trun recollections and a bea
memories where none His visit gained for
a very useful friend,
acquaintanceship was
to Mr. Pieris during England.
e
YAVI., G. RO
One of the most brill of the sons of the soil o Rockwood, who has fo maintained the high re. most in the island botl a physician. What is mention, his reputation to his native land. Bot tinent and in England h: and is held in high re. are themselves eminen
MPRESSIONS
itions attached to the
unt of this remarkable n exceptionally interestd “A Description of a very few copies are was written by the Rev. who had been chaplain to mbo, and was published The reverend gentleg account of the 'Whist the house derives its w where it the Whist fully situated about four lombo, at the mouth of ch there receives the e club consists of twelve among the most respecthe place. They give and generously invite Ome of the members, relebrated for extensive still greater number of ment is always liberal, er fails to be animated e of convivial delight. to the villa about one n, and play cards, read, Country until four, when it half-past five, or at six table, make a circuit in horseback, and reach before it is dark.' recent visitors to the Lord Llandaff (the hews, Q.C.), who, when n, found his way to the intance with the house ld spent his childhood. may be well expected, 2 Scene, and he found k a source of happy uty born of cherished ill then was suspected.
he present proprietor for Lord Llandaff's
of the utmost service the latter's stay in
CKYOOD.
iant and most popular f Ceylon is Dr. W. G. r the last forty years putation of being foreh as a surgeon and as still more deserving has not been confined h in the adjacent conis name is well known pute among those who t in the medical pro
OF CEY LON 555
fession. Appreciation from such men as Beck and Stonham, Sutton and Barlow, Lord Lister and Sir Frederick Treves, must be reckoned praise indeed. And such appreciation has fallen to the lot of the distinguished, yet reticent and retiring, subject of this notice. This same characteristic of reticence has rendered it difficult to obtain at first hand full particulars of Dr. W. G. Rockwood's remarkable career. But though he will not speak of himself, his achievements are widely and generally known, and there are many who are eager to sound his praises. At a time when grave illness has rendered necessary the complete retirement of this master of medical science from the active practice of his profession and the discharge of the duties he
W. G. ROCKWOOD.
has so long, so faithfully, and so skilfully performed, it is especially fitting that his great services should, to some extent, be recorded in permanent form. The following particulars, though not giving a complete picture of the man and his history, are in every respect accurate and authentic.
Dr. Rockwood was born in Jaffna, in the northernmost province of the island, on March I3, 1843. After some four or five years' attendance at the Vimbadi Boys' School in the place of his birth, he went over to India and entered the Presidency College at Madras. Having passed the matriculation examination of that institution and gained a scholarship, he entered the Madras Medical College. Five years later-that is, in June, I886–he graduated in medicine and surgery, and then returned to Ceylon. He had hardly been two
Page 564
556
months in the island when he was admitted to the Government Medical Service and appointed medical officer of Puttalam. Two months later he was sent to his native district (Jaffna) on special duty in connection with an outbreak of cholera. In 1867 he returned to Puttalam as medical officer, and remained there until about the middle of I.875. During this term of service two notable events of his life took place. One of them was his marriage with Miss S. Muttukumara, which took place in 1871, and this accomplished and popular lady happily still presides over the doctor's household. The other was his gaining the
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
ments; and I fully belie or Scotch University h the highest honours. one, and I expect our be glad to get hold o posts in Southern India happily for so many ii devote his conspicuous of the land of his birt from taking his degre stationed at Hambanto months as medical offi to Gampola in the sam In January, 1878, can
degree of Doctor of Medicine of the University of Madras. This degree was not only a high distinction in itself, but it brought him special honour, inasmuch as he passed in the first class and received a rare compliment from the Board of Examiners. “I have lately had,' one of them wrote, “on behalf of the Madras University to examine a man of the name of Rockwood, from Ceylon, for the degree of Doctor of Medicine, and certainly was quite unprepared to meet a candidate for medical honours of this country so remarkably proficient. My fellow-examiners concur with me that two-thirds at least of the students at home do not come up to Rockwood in their attain
DR. DAVID ROCKW
his professional caree on the death of Dr. son of Ceylon), he beca of the General Hospit pointment in which h five years, adding to it office of Lecturer in S at the Ceylon Medical duties of Surgeon-in-C in the offi
The follow to England on leave, the opportunity of obt M.R.C.S. and M.R.C.P.
Honours of another
continued hospital.
MIPRESSIONS
fe that in any English 2 would have carried he man is no ordinary inspector-General will him for one of our " But Dr. Rockwood, Ceylon, preferred to abilities to the service 1. When he returned at Madras he was a for some eighteen er, and was then sent 2 capacity. e the turning-point in
OF CEYION
Upon his retirement from the Government service, in March, 1898, Sir West Ridgeway, then Governor of Ceylon, in recognition of his long and distinguished services in connection with that institution, appointed Dr. Rockwood Consulting-Surgeon to the General Hospital, an office which was specially created for the occasion and to which Dr. Rockwood is, up to now, the only person who has received an appointment. As a further mark of appreciation, Sir West Ridgeway appointed Dr. Rockwood a member of the Legislative Council of Ceylon, the highest honour of a public kind that can be conferred in the
OOID'S BUNGALOW.
, for in that month, Coch (another eminent me Surgeon-in-Charge al of Colombo, an ape continued for some at the same time, the urgery and Midwifery College. In 1883 his harge ceased, but he e of surgeon of the ing year he went and while there took ining the diplomas of
kind quickly followed
island, and one which is eagerly resought whenever the term of appointment expires. In Dr. Rockwood's case, when the period of five years was completed, the Governor appointed him again for a further similar period, thus stretching the gubernatorial prerogative to its utmost. Dr. Rockwood proved a wise and useful councillor. He took a wide interest in all public questions, especially those connected with sanitation and railway extension. He spoke but seldom, but then always with point and effect. At the beginning of 1906 failing health compelled his retirement from the Legislative Council.
Dr. Rockwood was a frequent visitor to
Page 565
TWENTIETH
Europe, his trips thither, however, being taken for purposes of health rather than holiday-making, and for purposes of study and observation more than either. He was President of the Ceylon branch of the British Medical Association, and in 1902, during a visit to England, represented the local branch at the annual meeting of the parent Association, held that year at Manchester. This sketch may appropriately conclude with the hope that Dr. Rockwood, though compelled to give up the active discharge of duties and responsibilities, may long be spared to his family, his friends, and his country.
அே
WILLIAM PAUL RODRIGO
This well-known medical practitioner and specialist is a son of Mr. Hendrick Rodrigo, of Kotta, and was born at that place in I868. He received his school education at the Royal College, and subsequently pursued his special studies at the Ceylon Medical College. He graduated as licentiate in I887, and in April, I893, was appointed Ho... of the Kandy Hospital. He has also filled various offices under the medical department at Medagama, Kitulgala, Welikade, and elsewhere. In 1896 he resigned the Government service and commenced private practice at Dehiwela, and in I9oo he proceeded to England, and in the following two years obtained the degrees of D.P.H. (Cantab.) and M.R.C.S. and L.R.C.P. (Lond.). At King's College Hospital he engaged in special work in bacteriology, at the Chelsea Hospital in special diseases of women, at the Westminster Hospital in eye diseases, and at the City Royal troubles. Returning to Ceylon in I903, he was nominated Director of the Colombo Bacteriological Institute. This appointment, however, was not confirmed by the Governor, and, in conjunction with Dr. Gandevia, Dr. Rodrigo was instrumental in working a movement for the construction of a consumptive hospital as a memorial to the late Queen Victoria, in opposition to the eye hospital then proposed. Dr. Rodrigo is a specialist in consumption, and in connection with his bacteriological researches has studied leprosy. In December, I903, he proceeded to Bangkok, Siam, and practised there in partnership with Dr. Tilleke. But ill-health obliged him to return to Ceylon in the following year, after having made a study of the Ross cure for leprosy at Rangoon; and he has since practised his profession at Colpetty and Bambalapitiya, Colombo. In I898 he married a daughter of Mr. M. Goonetilleke, Chief Mudaliyar of the Kandy Kachcheri, Mudaliyar of the Governor's Gate, and Justice of the Peace, the lady being also a sister of Mr. H. E. Tilleke, Attorney-General
Hospital in chest
CENTURY IM
of Siam. Dr. Rodrigo British Medical Associ Royal Institute of Pub of the Turf Club, and P Cricket Club. His priv Shrubbery,” Bambalapit
اقم
CHARLES WALTE
Dr. Charles Walter V Dr. John William Van G Thomasz, was born at family residence, in Colombo, in 1853, and Colombo Academy (no in that city. After his tion he studied medi (I872-75) at Calcutta. Edinburgh University, v I878, obtaining the deg his return to Ceylon he practice. He obtained I88o, and has now been physician for nearly th sive practice did not p any Government appoi He was nominated b member of the Municip in Igo3, was renomina position he still retains Emma Eliza, daughter c Proctor of Kandy, anc District Judge of Colon bert Ferdinands. His “The Grange,' Union was one of the first m
Medical Association of resign owing to the str; At one time also he w Orient Club, Colombo. Dutch Presbyterian Cl and, on the side of s member of the Colts C
2
GEORGE T
This gentleman is t manuel Thomasz and John Taylor, late chief a of Public Instruction in in Colombo in 1861, Colombo Academy (now College). After his col he entered the Medical and passed out as a l proceeded to Edinbur L.R.C.P. and S. in 8 took up work as a sur, in the Scotch capital. same year to Ceylon, Resident-Surgeon of t
MPRESSIONS
is a member of the ation, Fellow of the lic Health, a member
•esident of the Colpetty ate residence is “ The tiya.
R YAN GEYZEL
Van Geyzel, the son of Feyzel and Anne Ursula “The Surgery," the Prince Street, Pettah, was educated at the w the Royal College) course at this institucine for three years He then proceeded to where he graduated in ree of M.B., C. M. On entered upon private his M.D. Edinburgh in practising as a general irty years. His extenpermit him to take up ntment or lectureship. y the Government a al Council of Colombo ted in I906, and this In 1882 he married of Mr. J. H. Ferdinands, l a niece of the late mbo, Mr. Charles Lamprivate residence is Place, Colombo. He embers of the British Ceylon, but had to ain of private practice. was a member of the He is an elder of the hurch at Wolfendahl; port, is an honorary Bricket Club.
THOMASZ.
he son of Henry EmFrances, daughter of ssistant to the Director Ceylon. He was born and educated at the known as the Royal urse at this institution College at Colombo, icentiate. In 1883 he gh, and qualifying as 84 at that University, geon at the infirmary He returned in the and was appointed he Colombo General
OF CEYLON 557
Hospital. He also administered the hospitals at Galle, Matara, Hambantota, and Kandy, had charge of the medical work of the jail as well as the judicial departments, and the sanitary supervision of the districts. In 1897 he proceeded again to Scotland to pursue his medical studies, and worked at the London, Bath, and St. Peter's hospitals. He applied himself especially to the investigation of calculose diseases at the Chelsea Hospital, the diseases of women at the Middlesex Hospital, London, as well as to the study of cancer and ear, nose, and throat affections. On his return to Ceylon in I898 he was appointed Senior Surgeon of the Colombo General Hospital. In 1905 he again visited England to represent Ceylon at the Leicester Medical Congress, and on his return to the island retired from the public service on a
pension. He now carries on private practice
MRS. GEO. TEOMASZ AND CHILD.
in Colombo. Dr. Thomasz is the author of a treatise on the “Causes of Elephantiasis in Ceylon,' and through the medium of the British Medical Association, of which he is a member, he contributed a paper on “Badges on the Cord,' a subject which had hitherto not received treatment at the hands of any writer. During his six years' service at the General Hospital he performed some four thousand major and minor operations. In I89o he became Surgeon-Lieutenant in the Ceylon Light Infantry, and later obtained his Captaincy. In 1905 he was appointed SurgeonMajor commanding the Medical Staff Corps. Dr. Thomasz is a member of the Orient and Turf Clubs and patron of the Colombo Rovers' Cricket and Athletic Club. His recreation is golf. In 1890 he married Blanche, daughter of Charles Vanderwall, of Kandy. His private residence is “Corona,' Colpetty, Colombo.
அே
JONATEAN HOMER.
Dr. Jonathan Homer was born on September I3, 1878, at Jaffna, and educated at St. Thomas's
Page 566
558
College, Colombo, where he had a brilliant career. He was Duke of Edinburgh's Scholar, Victoria Gold Medallist, and held other distinctions. Entering the Ceylon Medical College as a Rustomjee Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy scholar, he was successful in obtaining his licence in medicine and surgery, also taking the medal in medical jurisprudence. He was appointed Senior House Physician at the General Hospital, Colombo, and after two years' service was transferred as first medical assistant to the Superintendent of the Lunatic Asylum, Colombo; he resigned his Government appointment to adopt private practice, and is at present so engaged at Borella, Colombo.
அே
E. Y. RATNAM.
This medical gentleman is the son of Inspector S. Elliyatamby, of the Public Works Department, Singapore, and was born at Jaffna in 1876. He was educated at the Central College, Jaffna, and the Jaffna College, and at the former he won the Junior Wesleyan Mission Scholarship of his year. He then entered the Ceylon Medical College, became a licentiate in I9oo, was successively appointed Second House-Surgeon at the General Hospital, Colombo, Resident Surgeon at the Kandy
མ་ཉམས་
TWENTIETH CENTURY
Hospital, Resident M Borella Convict Hosp Resident Surgeon of Colombo. In 9o5 h. ment service, and com by opening a hospitz capital, together with branch establishment the Pettah quarter. become extensive.
He married a daug a landed proprietor member of the Britis
Vice-President of th
Association, member Cricket Club, and
Rovers' Cricket Club. are cricketing and rid
W. O.
Dr. Victor Oswald John Wright, head Police Department, w, May 8th, and was edu College, Colombo. O educational career he to of study at the Ceylon 1890 went to Aberde
E. V. RATNAM, HIS RESIDENCE, A
MPRESSIONS
edical Officer of the tal, and, in U9o2, Senior the General Hospital, : resigned the Governmenced private practice l at Maradana, in the a dispensary, with a at Old Moor Street, in His practice has now
ter of Mr. C. S. Chitty, f Colombo. He is a h Medical Association, e Maradana Literary of the Tamil Union Vice-President of the
His favourite pastimes ng.
அே
YRIGHT.
Wright, son of the late clerk in the Colombo as born at Colombo on cated primarily at Royal n the completion of his ook a three years' course Medical College, and in en University. In 1893
OF CEYLON
he graduated M.B., C.M. there, became assistant to an Aberdeenshire practitioner, and - afterwards walked the London hospitals. He returned to Ceylon in 1893, and in the following year became House Surgeon at the Colombo Hospital. After holding this position for about twelve months he paid a short visit to England. Ever since his final return to Ceylon in 1894 he has been in private practice and has also taken a great deal of interest in the Ceylon Volunteer Medical Corps, of which he became Surgeon-Lieutenant in 1895 and SurgeonCaptain in 1902. He is a member of the British Medical Association and of the Catholic Club. He is a good musician, and is the conductor of the Glee Club, and his other recreations are cricket, tennis, and billiards. He married, in 1897, Eleanor, daughter of the late Charles van Langenberg, of Colombo. He resides at "Bon Accord," Bambalapitiya, and has two sons and four daughters.
அே
WILLIAM A. PASSÉ.
Grandpass is a thickly populated native suburban quarter of Colombo, consequently the Grandpass Dispensary, founded by Dr. Passé in 1894, and owned and conducted by
him, is a busy resort for the afflicted. A large
ND THE MARADANA DISPECNSARY.
Page 567
WILLIAM. A. PAssÉ, HIs AssISTANTS, Two VI -- SEOVING EI
EWS OF GRANDPASS DISPENSARY, AND A VIEW
S BNGALOW.
Page 568
560
crowd of poor people is always to be seen waiting here at all hours of the day and night for their turn to be treated by the doctor. As he himself is a native of Colombo, having been born in the city in I860, he is especially qualified for dealing with local cases. Dr. Passé is a general practitioner, and treats all kinds of diseases. He is a licentiate of the Ceylon Medical College, also L.R.C.P., L.R.C.S. and L.M. of Edinburgh, and L.F.P. and S. of Glasgow. In January, 1889, he entered the Government service of Ceylon as Sub-Assistant Colonial Surgeon, from which position he was promoted, four years later, to that of DeputyAssistant Colonial Surgeon. On December 31, I893, Dr. Passé resigned his Government appointment.
தி
P. M. MUTTUKUMARU, M.B., C.M.
Dr. Muttukumaru was born in November, 1865, and was educated at St. Thomas's College and the Medical College, Colombo. He graduated M.B. and C.M. at Aberdeen University in 1893, and was awarded the medal in practical pathology, as well as first-class certificates of merit in practical zoology and
P. M. MUTTUKUMARU.
clinical (surgical) note-taking; also secondclass certificates in anatomy, embryology, and osteology, operative surgery, and practical physiology. On his return from England in 1894 the doctor settled in Colombo, and he now has an extensive practice in the city as well as in the adjacent villages. His address is Colombo.
The doctor is especially proud of having received the following testimonial from the
TWENTIETH CENTURY
Institute of the Brot
School :-
'M. PHILIP MAR
M.B.
'The Brothers of the it to be a duty of gratit to offer up fervent pi every perfect gift, in upon them the blessi and the rewards of the fore, as a token of charity and devotedne of Colombo, the Novit and knowing that you all spiritual goods, W you that your name the roll of Benefactors are, by this letter, m. prayers recited daily their pupils for living death you shall also suffrages offered daily, made each month, b. Institute, in favour o “Given at Paris
October in the thousand nine 1 hand and the si (Signed) ‘‘ FFA
THE LATE PH BR
On April 9, Igo6, thi Ceylon lost one of its m and the Tamils one C death of Dr. Philip Philip Britopulle, Shoff Public of Puttalam, a Christopher Brito, ret Batticaloa-a man wel his legal acumen and h Dr. Brito may be reckc of that rapidly increas who win distinction, sional, in a European cated at the school of and at the Royal Co Ceylon for Great Brit at the Aberdeen Univ a most brilliant one, fo1 the honoursman of the his M.B., C.M., but he positions of Emeritus strator in Practical Professor of the Insti London Dr. Brito be Royal College of Su competed with succe: he being the first C. secure this high profe:
MPRESSIONS
hers of the Christian
AN MUTTUKUMARU, , C.M.
Christian Schools deem
ude to their benefactors ayers to the Author of order to draw down ng of the present life e life to come. VVhereour gratitude for your SS to our Communities iate, and St. Benedict’s, ir piety sets value upon fe beg to announce to has been entered upon s of our Institute. You hade participator in the by the Brothers and Benefactors; and after partake of the pious and of the Communion y the members of our f deceased benefactors. this eighteenth day of year of our Lord, One hundred, as witness our eal of our Institute. THER GABRIEL MARIE, "Superior-General.'
தம்
LR SEBASTIAN ITO.
e medical profession of ost prominent members, of their leaders, by the Sebastian Brito, son of Mudaliyar and Notary nd brother of Advocate ired District Judge of ll known in Ceylon for is profound scholarship. ned one of the pioneers sing body of Ceylonese
academic and profesfield. After being edu
the Christian Brothers llege, Colombo, he left ain and entered himself ersity. His career was not only did he become e University, and obtain
was selected to fill the
Lecturer and DemonAnatomy, and Regius itutes of Medicine. In
came a member of the urgeons, England, and ss for the Fellowship, 2ylonese to attempt to ssional distinction. Un
OF CEYLON
fortunately he was unable to complete the full course owing to ill-health, which necessitated his return to Ceylon. Prior to this Dr. Brito, in conjunction with Dr. W. Sterling, M.D., D.Sc., wrote an original dissertation on the digestion of blood by the common leech, and on the formation of haemoglobin crystals. Arrived in Ceylon after an absence of ten years, the late Dr. Brito was appointed Lecturer in Physiology, Biology, and Histology at the
THE LATED PHILIP BRITO.
Ceylon Medical College. He made a most successful lecturer, and carried forward on local ground the brilliant reputation he had made in the West. A striking mark of his independence of mind was a successful attempt . he made at this period to harmonise Eastern and Western systems of medicine. A profound knowledge of Ceylonese drugs, derived from a long course of study, led him to the conviction that there were many purely indigenous drugs worthy of the notice of European practitioners. His views had considerable weight with the profession, with the result that his specific for malaria and other native drugs are now regularly made in Europe, and are obtainable in the Ceylon pharmacies. On relinquishing his post of Lecturer at the Ceylon Medical College, Dr. Brito undertook the duties of Assistant Colonial Surgeon of Puttalam. Here he suffered from repeated attacks of fever, and these led to complications which ended a valuable life at the age of forty-nine. Dr. Brito, it may be added, was born at Madampe on April 7, 1856. He came of an ancient Tamil family of the Colombo Chetty community. He married first Miss Cecilia Charlotte Rajamuttamma Savundranayagam (eldest daughter of Mr. G. P. Savundranayagam, of the Madras High Court Bar), by
Page 569
TWENTIETH
whom he had four children. By his second wife, Miss Harriet Ondatie, a sister of Mr. N. N. S. Aserappa, police magistrate of Negombo, he had two children.
அே
JAMES RICHARD WEINMAN.
Mr. J. R. Weinman, the subject of this sketch, is the son of the late Mr. John Weinman, who married a Miss Julia de Wolf. Johannes Weinman, the grandfather of John Weinman,
3:
MRS. J. R. WEINMAN.
was a native of Potsdam, and took service under the Dutch East India Company in Ceylon. Jan de Wolf, whose great-granddaughter Julia was, was a native of Amsterdam, and arrived in Ceylon on December 15, 1783, on board the ship called the De Zao. Mr. Weinman was born at Peradeniya, and educated at the Colombo Academy. He read law under the late Charles Ferdinands, SolicitorGeneral, and the late Hon. James de Alwis. He practised as an advocate for many years in the Metropolis, but since Igo2 has filled high judicial office. He was for one year Commissioner of the Court of Requests, Additional
Police Magistrate, and Additional District Judge,
CENTURY I
Colombo, and for the l small break, has be Colombo.
In 1883 he married late Charles Johnson. F walking. Lives at Ba has three sons, amongs young sportsmen in pr sport in the island.
څه
J. R. WEINM
THE BUN
FREDERICK ) Mr. Frederick Dorn the Burgher communit descended from ancesto ality who settled in th was born on April 26, 1 at the Colombo Acaden He commenced life as a ing staff of his alma ma his pupils some of th and prominent men o! entered the legal prof of the Supreme Court, fested the brilliant a which have marked h
IPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
st three years, with a District Judge of
aude, daughter of the ecreations-tennis and nes Place, Colombo; the keenest and finest ctically every field of
AN. MR. AND MRS. J. GALOW.
)ORNHORST. orst is a member of y of Ceylon, having rs of German nationisland in I 79 II. He $49, and was educated y, now Royal College. member of the teacher, and counts among e most distinguished Ceylon. In I874 he ssion as an Advocate and very early manild versatile qualities is career as a lawyer
561
and public man. He acquired an extensive practice almost immediately, not only competing successfully with the leaders of the day, but soon rising to the highest eminence in the profession. There has been no cause célèbre during the last twenty-five years and more in which he has not appeared as counsel; and by force of his varied learning, great powers of advocacy, and extraordinary personal magnetism, he occupies a commanding position both at the Bar and in the general community. He is extremely popular throughout
R. WEINMAN AND SONS
the island, not the less so because he has consistently rejected the allurements of office. One of the objects of political ambition in Ceylon is a seat in the Legislative Council, but Mr. Dornhorst, to the regret of his countrymen, has resisted every attempt to send him there. Nevertheless, his brilliant talents and caustic oratory have always been at the disposal of the public whenever any great emergency required their exercise. He was called to the English Bar, the Benchers of the Inner Temple having, in view of his distinguished career as a lawyer, granted him a dispensation from several terms. One of the New Year Honours
2N
Page 570
i562
conferred by His Majesty the King in I903 was the appointment of four members of the Ceylon Bar as King's Counsel, and Mr. Dornhorst was, of course, one of them. His years sit lightly upon him, and it will be a long time yet before the people of Ceylon will cease to benefit by the exercise of his great abilities and the example of his unique personality.
அே
ANTONY PETER SAYUNDRANAYAGAM.
To Mr. Antony Peter Savindranayagam belongs the honour of being the first Ceylonese to obtain the degree of Master of Arts of the London University, and indeed the whole of his educational career was one of marked distinction. He is a scion of one of the ancient families of Jaffna, several members of which were notable scholars. His grandfather, for instance, was a Tamil Pundit and grammarian, and was the Interpreter Mudaliyar of the Supreme Court, while his father, Mr. G. P. Savindranayagam, of the Madras High Court Bar, was not merely well versed in law, on which subject he published several works, but was also a Tamil poet and grammarian. The legal traditions of the family are also noteworthy. They are not only sustained by the career of his father, who was an Advocate
TWENTIETH CENTURY
of the High Court of M Examiner in Law, b M. G. S. Arianayagam, High Court of Travan M. A. M. Mutunayagam: General of that State. I88o, that the suibject c He attended first the Brothers, and afterwar College. Mr. Savindra lity is shown by the f Junior Cambridge Lor only twelve years old, a obtained first-class honc At sixteen years of age University Matriculatior year later the Interme in the first class, while a he obtained his Bach close of his course at th he was successful in ca among them being the ' the most advanced stude for the year, Mr. Savi England as a Governm and became the research in the comparative philo of University College, which he had to writ entitled “Representatio
AVONDALE HOUSE, EXT
MIPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
adras and Government ut also by his uncle, who was a Judge of the core, and by his cousin, the present AttorneyIt was on February 27, f this sketch was born.
;chool of the Christian ds the Colombo Royal nâyagam’s natural abiact that he passed the cal Examination when ind in his fifteenth year urs in the first division. he passed the London in the first division, a liate Arts Examination it nineteen years of age elor's degree. At the e Royal pollege, where trying off seven prizes, Turnour Prize, given to int in the whole college indranayagam went to
ent University Scholar,.
prizeman and scholar logy of Latin and Greek London. The thesis e in this competition, in the Oratio Obliqua
of Cæsar,” in the opinion of Dr. J. P. Postgate, M.A. D.Litt., Lecturer in Classics, Trinity College, Cambridge, and examiner for the scholarship, “seemed to be of a soundness and value that would justify its being given to the world.' It was in 1904 that he gained the distinction mentioned in the opening sentence, and the same year he was called to the Bar at the Inner Temple. At the close of his four years' stay in England Mr. Savindranayagam returned to Ceylon and became an Advocate of the Supreme Court. He is also engaged at present, with the approval of the Government, in translating into English the untranslated portions of Voet's “Commentaries on the Pandects.'
அே
CHARLES PERERA SENEYVRATNE GOONETILLEKE.
This gentleman, best known as Charles Perera, is the son of Paulus Perera and Dona Maria Pinto. Mr. Paulus Perera was a member of the Municipal Council for the Maradana Ward of Colombo, Notary Public, and President of the Notaries' Association. Mr. Charles Perera was born in Colombo in I860, and was educated at Professor Bernard's private academy, afterwards passing successively through the Wesley College, St. Thomas's College, and
ERIOR AND INTERIOR,
Page 571
TWENTIETH CENTURY
MIR AND MIRS. JAMES
Royal College (then the Colombo Academy). After his collegiate course he took up the study of law, and was articled to Mr. (afterwards Sir Charles) Layard, formerly Chief Justice of the Colony. In 188o he became Proctor of the District Court of Colombo, and two years later a Proctor of the Supreme Court and Notary Public. He has since practised for the most part in Colombo, In 1883 he succeeded his late father as elected member of the Municipal Council for the Maradana Ward of Colombo, and has since sat in the Council continuously. He was a member of the bench of magistrates for the city, since abolished. Senior member of the Municipal Council, Mr. Perera has always figured as a staunch champion of public opinion, and the acknowledged spokesman and leader of the elected, or unofficial, party in the Council. Having a thorough knowledge of municipal finance, sanitation, and civic affairs generally, and possessing the confidence of the ratepayers, his public utterances are always received with attention. Essentially combative, he has, on more than one occasion, fearlessly opposed single-handed the whole of the Council. He was a member of the Standing Committee of the Council on Public Questions from 1887 to 1902, and is now on the law and various other committees. He is a member of the Royal
PEIRIS, AND VIEW
Asiatic Society, a m. Institute of Health of G1 member of the Orien Sports Club, and vario tutions, as well as a cor Maradana Industrial Avondale House, Marac bungalows in the city, most modern improver lighting, including a sp and a special cool-air the air in the house and Mr. Perera owns vario Western Province, and in the development c Few of the citizens C popular, more progress touch with the mas Perera of Maradana.
e
JAMES
This gentleman, whi honours in England, i. the legal profession o. owner of considerable is the son of T. Martin (née De Soysa), and w December, I856. At t
MPRESSIONS
OF CEY LON 563
S OF THEIR RESIDENCE,
ember of the Public eat Britain and Ireland, t Club, the Sinhalese is other sporting instimmittee member of the School. His residence
lana, is one of the finest being fitted with all the hents in ventilation and 'cial electric installation chamber for purifying | manufacturing ozone, IS coconut estates in the also takes great interest f the cotton industry. f Colombo are more ive in ideas, or more in es than Mr. Charles
PEIRIS.
gained high scholastic a leading member of Ceylon as well as an planting estates. He 1s Peiris and Apolonia as born at Colombo in e Royal College, then
“ RIPPLEWORTER.”
known as the Colombo Academy, where he received his schooling, he became prize scholar, and won the English University Scholarship in 1878. Proceeding to England, he pursued his studies as foundation scholar and exhibitioner at St. John's, Cambridge, and graduated first-class in both law and moral science, being shortly afterwards elected McMahon Student of Law. He became President of the Cambridge University Union Society, and took an active part in the debates of that body. Having chosen the law for a profession, he was called to the Bar of Lincoln's Inn in I88I. He returned, however, to Ceylon in 1883, and has practised at Colombo ever since. He acted as Crown Counsel of the Western Province of his native island for some time, and as District Judge at Galle; he has been a member of the Colombo Municipal Council since I898, as representative of the Slave Island Ward, being an active worker on the Public Works Committee of that body. When residing in England he was a member of the National Liberal Club, London. He is a member of the Orient Club, Colombo; Vice-President of the Sinhalese Sports Club; Vice-President of the Ceylon Social Reform Association; Treasurer of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, Ceylon; and member of the Standing Committee of the Church of England
Page 572
564
Synod. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Colonial Institute. His chief recreation is taken on horseback.
As a planter, Mr. Peiris owns a half-share of the Vilpotha and Walehena estates in the Chilaw district, of 4oo and 3oo acres respectively, planted with coconuts; also Nadukelle, in the Chilaw district, of I4o acres; and Palangamuwe, in the Ruanveli district, of Ioo acres. He is, besides, part-owner of Dambakande in the Western Province, of 250 acres, which is planted in coconut, tea, and cinnamon; while, in the Ratnapura district he owns the coconut and rubber estate of
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
a little over four acres in Ward Place, Cinnal -was born in 1859, in ( of Namasivayam Mudal and in his day one of
among the Tamils, be in all Tamil movemen educated at St. Thoma and in 1881 he procc entered Christ’s Col January, 1888, he was Lincoln's Inn. In Apr returned to Ceylon, ar Ceylon Bar in May. H
Kandegame, as well as the tea and coffee estates of Ellawatte and Kahambeliya, in the Haputale district. All the copra and tea from these estates is sold locally. Mr. Peiris's country seat is Ellawatte Bungalow, Haputale, and his Colombo residence is “Rippleworth,' Turret Road, Cinnamon Gardens. In 1889 he married Grace, eldest daughter of Jacob De Mel, and has four children. He is a Justice of the Peace for the whole island.
وع
NĂMASYI AYAM MUDALIYAR TYAGARAJA. Mr. Namasivayam Mudaliyar Tyagaraja, of Tyaga Nivasa-a beautiful residence, occupying
N. M., "YAGARLA
actual practice at the his time to the mana property. He is the c the Negombo, Chilaw and part-owner of ext Kurunegala district. latter properties are acres, in the North-W with coconuts , Williog in the North-Western of 3oo acres, in the Ch of 200 acres, in the k Battulua, in the Puttala Mr. Tyagaraja owns se besides his private re
MPRESSIONS
of ground, and situated mon Gardens, Colombo Colombo. He is the son iyar, a landed proprietor the leaders in Colombo ing always prominent ts. Mr. Tyagaraja was as's College, Colombo; eded to England and lege, Cambridge. In
called to the Bar at il of the same year he ld was admitted to the
(e has now retired from
OF CEYLON
namely, at Cargills, Cinnamon Gardens, "Fern Bank' and “Fern Lodge' in Rosmead Place, and a building plot in Barnes Place. He is a member of the Hindu community, President of the Tamil Union Cricket and Athletic Club, President of the Colombo Vivekananda Society, and was also a member of the Royal Asiatic Society, Mr. Tyagaraja took a prominent part in connection with the Jaffna Railway. When a candidate for the Legislative Council he was strongly supported by a large majority of Hindus and Tamils of Ceylon; and he will probably again appear in that character.
Never backward in the support of charitable
TA'S BUNGALOW.
Bar in order to devote gement of his landed wner of large estates in and Puttalam districts, insive properties in the Principal among these
Kattukande, of 8oo :stern Province, planted ama, of 300 acres, also rovince; Sindiriamulla, law district; Giviwella, urunegala district; and m district. In Colombo eral valuable properties, idence in Ward Place,
institutions, Mr. Tyagaraja was one of the prominent speakers at the meeting held in
Colombo to consider what fitting form the
intended local memorial to Queen Victoria should take, and is a committee member of the Victoria Memorial Hospital. He was the largest contributor among the Tamils towards that institution, as well as towards the establishment of the Lady Havelock Hospital. His father built one of the best and largest temples in Jaffna, and contributed extensively to several
local charities, principally in Jaffna. His son is now a trustee of the Jaffna temple. Mr. Tyagaraja has travelled in Europe and
India.
Page 573
TWENTIETH CENTURY
BENJAMIN WILLIAMI BAWIA.
This gentleman, whose father was the late Mr. A. Bawa, Proctor of the Supreme Court, was born at Galle in I865. He attended St. Thomas's and Royal Colleges, where he was successful in gaining the Ceylon Local Scholarship in 188o, and one of the Junior Cambridge Local Scholarships in 188I, as well as the Rajapakse Shakespeare Director's and Turnour Prizes. He passed the Senior Cambridge Local Examination in I882 and 1883, obtaining a second class on each occasion, and was second to Dr. H. M. Fernando when he took the University Scholarship. Upon the completion of his college career he studied law under the
legal-Company. Whi the School of Instru« Forces at Chelsea. Rec
cricket, and golf. He l Darley Road.
ئه
J. A. YAN L.
Mr. James Arthur Va of the Hon. Mr. Jar Advocate of the Supren member of the Legisla until his death in I88 Toussaint, was born a I866. In 1885 he bec:
H. A. IOOS.
Hon. Mr. James Van Langenberg, M.L.C., and was called to the Bar in August, 1887. For some time he practised at Kegalla and afterwards at Colombo. In 1903 he went to England, entered the Middle Temple, and was called to the English Bar in June, I904. He is a member of the Council of Legal Education, and a member of committee of the Orient, Turf, Lawn, and Nondescript Clubs, as well as of the National Association. For many years he has actively interested himself in the Volunteer movement. When at college he was a member of the cadet corps, and in 1899 he received his commission as Second Lieutenant in the Ceylon Light Infantry, being promoted Captain in I905, in command of '9'-the
Inner Temple, and a ye College, Oxford. He w Bar in January, 1888. F was admitted an Advo Court, and has practise ever since. From I90. Solicitor-General, and i of the Legislative Coun connection with the Vo obtained a second lieu Light Infantry on Feb. Lieutenant in January, 1 pany a year later, and he has commanded the ( honorary rank of Majc daughter of J. W. Va
MPRESSIONS
lst in England he passed tion for the Auxiliary reations-riding, tennis, „ves at Chapman House,
ANGENBERG.
n Langenberg, the son nes Van Langenberg, he Court of Ceylon and tive Council from 1876 6, and of Maria Susan t Kandy on March 2, ame a member of the
OF CEYLON 665
member of the Orient Club and of the Council of Legal Education. His residence is “Merton,' Guildford Crossing, Colombo.
அே
H. A. LOOS.
Mr. Hermann Albert Loos, son of the Hon. Mr. F. C. Loos, Member of the Legislative Council, to whom allusion is made in the Legislative Section, was born at Colombo in I865, and after being educated privately in Ceylon he went to England as early as I879, entered the City of London School, and afterwards studied at University College, London,
THE BUNGALOW.
ar later entered Merton as called to the English eturning to Ceylon, he cate of the Supreme d as such at Colombo 5 to I906 he acted as in 1904 was a Member cil for six months. In
olunteer movement he enancy in the Ceylon ruary 20, 1899, became 902, obtained his comsince February, I905, adet battalion with the r. He married Ethel, n der Straaten; is a
and Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, where he graduated in 1887. In the same year he was called to the Bar at the Inner Temple, and returning to Ceylon he was admitted an Advocate of the Supreme Court, and became private secretary to Mr. Justice Clarence. He commenced practice on his own account in I89o, then joined the Attorney-General's Department as Acting Office Assistant and Additional Crown Counsel, and in I899 he was appointed Additional Crown Counsel for the island. In 1903 he was permanently appointed Office Assistant and Crown Counsel and is now the senior Crown Counsel of the colony. In conjunction with Mr. Hector Jayewardene he edited the Supreme Court
2 N*
Page 574
566
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
C. TIRU-NAVUK-ARASU.
Reports. He is a contributor of reports of important cases of general interest of the Supreme Court of Ceylon, and of the legislation of the year to the Society of Comparative Legislation of England. In 1906 he acted as District Judge of Colombo. He is a member of the Voetlights, Orient, Lawn, and Turf Clubs, and has been captain of the Nondescripts Cricket Club almost from its very beginning, and is a keen cricket and tennis player. In 1891 he married Minnie Evelyn, eldest daughter of Dr. E. S. Gratiaen, Colonial Surgeon, of Colombo, and he resides at “ Glenesk,' Flower Road, Colombo.
്
CARTEGESAR TIRU-NAYUK-ARASU.
This gentleman, son of Cartegesar of Kokvil, Jaffna, was born at Jaffna. His father was employed as a clerk under Government in the Jaffna Courts. He received his early education in the Jaffna Central School; and while he was a student there, in the year 1879, he won a Queen's Scholarship tenable for three years in the Royal College, Colombo. He passed the matriculation examination of the Madras University in 1879. Early in 188o he joined the Royal College (then the Colombo Academy) and won another Queen's Scholarship in 1881, tenable for three years, by securing a high
position in the Junior amination. In 1884 he tion examination of th He was a law-stud Mr. P. Ramanathan, C enrolled as an Advoca tised for several year: 1906 he has settled Colombo.
The subject of this sk an ancient and well-k His father was the your and a grandson of Rája in his turn, was the so1 the grandson of Tillai his mother's side, he is palam, the grandson of was the great-grandson In 1896 Mr. Tiru-Nă Colombo, Taiyal-Nayak the Hon. Dr. W. G. Rod who was twice nomin of the Legislative Cou a great student of Sansl study being the Bhag exposition of the Hinc Mr. Tiru-Năvuk-Arasu for several years at J have permanently set at their residence, “M. Cinnamon Gardens.
PRESSIONS OF CEY LON
“ MAHENDRA ” BUNGALOW.
Cambridge Local Ex- WILLIAM ALFRED GOONE-TILLEKE. : passed the matricula
e London University. ent under the Hon. 2.M.G. K.C., and was te in 1892. He prac
at Jaffna, and since . lown permanently in
Mr. William Alfred Goone-Tilleke-or as he prefers to call himself, Mr. Tilleke-is the
etch is descended from nown family of Jaffna. gest son of Coomáravél Láyaga Mudaliyár, who, of Sangarappillai and áyaga Mudaliyar. On he grandson of SittamVeerakatti Udayar, who of Peria Tamby Udayar. ruk-Arasu married, in the eldest daughter of kwood, M.D., M.R.C.S., ted as Tamil Member !cil of Ceylon. She is it literature, her special vat-Gita, which is an , Vedantha philosophy. actised as an Advocate W. A. G. T.L.C. fina, Since I9o6 they ed down in Colombo eldest son of the late Chief Mudaliyar, Mr. endra," Barnes Place, Moses Goonetilleke, of Kandy, who was a Justice of the Peace for the Central Province
Page 575
TWENTIETH
and also held the high rank of Gate Mudaliyar. On both sides of his parentage he has inherited the turn for scholarship, being descended from two of the ablest scholars that Ceylon produced in the last century. His father's brother, the late Mr. William Goonetilleke, was wellknown as a linguist, being master of the French, German, Dutch, Italian, English, and several Asiatic languages; and was also an able lawyer. This uncle was, however, best known as editor and proprietor of the Orientalist, and he was twice nominated by the Kandyan people, at monster meetings, as the Sinhalese Representative in the Legislative Council of the island. Mudaliyar Louis Wijesinghe, a maternal uncle, was also a distinguished Oriental scholar, and has often been referred to by European Orientalists, including Professors Childers and Rhys Davids, as having been of great assistance to them ini their works. He is perhaps best known as the translator of the Mahavansa (the ancient Sinhalese Chronicle) from the Pali text into English prose-work undertaken and completed by him at the request and cost of the Ceylon Government, Sir Arthur Gordon (now Lord Stanmore) having specially selected him for the task.
Mr. W. A. G. Tilleke, the subject of this notice, was born in 1860, was educated at St. Thomas's College, and was subsequently
CENTURY IN
an undergraduate of t He was for some tim magazine as well as a the College Debating C college, he entered upc and in June, 1884, h severest examinations
legal profession, Chief directed the tests, b raising the standard o of nineteen students wh at this particular exam factorily answered the Chief Justice preparato) tion. After admission
Tilleke practised in Ka was elected a Municip during the two years
of the Municipal Col Ceylon about sevent travelled through In Straits Settlements, fin Siam. At the present
portant position of Att which he has now filled
HECTOR ALFRED
The senior of six brot entered the legal profe
JAYEGWARDENIE WALAU WA, GRANDPASS, TBIEG AN
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
he Calcutta University. e editor of his college
prominent member of lub. Soon afterleaving in the study of the law, e passed one of the for admission into the
Justice Burnside, who eing then bent upon f legal education, Out o presented themselves ination only two satis
questions set by the y to the final examinato the Ceylon Bar, Mr. ndy, where, in 1885, he al Councillor, and was, following, a Magistrate
urt. Mr. Tilleke left een years ago and dia, Burma, and the
ally settling down in time he holds the imorney-General of Siam, il for ten years.
அே
| JAYEWARIDENIE.
hers, of whom five have ission, Mr. H. A. Jaye
567
wardene was born at Colombo in July, I870. He received his education at the Wesley and
Royal Colleges, and was afterwards articled to
the Hon. A. de A. Senewiratine, M.L.C., and Advocate of the Supreme Court. Having been called to the Bar as an Advocate of the Supreme Court in May, 1893, Mr. Jayewardene chose his native city as the sphere for the practice of his profession, and has since worked his way up in the Colombo Courts. He is the President of the Law Students' Union and a member of the Council of Advocates. He was appointed Editor of the New Law Reports of the Supreme Court of Ceylon on the retirement of Mr. P. Ramanathan, K.C., C.M.G., in I905, which are issued under the authority of the Government. In 1899 Mr. H. A. Jayewardene was elected member for the New Bazaar Ward in the Municipal Council of Colombo, following on the retirement of Mr. Walter Pereira, K.C. He is the author of “Law of Mortgage in Ceylon,' a member of the Orient and Turf Clubs, President of the Grandpass Literary Association, member of the District Road Committee of the Western Province, and member of the Friendin-Need Society. His private residence is Jayewardene Walauwa (ancestral home), Grandpass. He owns the well-known Mudukatuwa estate of 8oo acres, near Negombo, which was granted by Government to his greatgrandfather, Don Adrian Jayewardene, for military services
CESTRAL, HOME OF THE JAYEWARDENE FAMILY.
Page 576
MR. AND MRS. E. W. J.AYEWARDENE.
THE BUNGALOW,
E. W. JAYEWARDENE IN EIS OFFICE.
MOHANDRAMS WARRANT,
Page 577
TWENTIETH CENTURY
rendered to the first British Governor of Ceylon.
அே
EUGENE WILFRED JAYEWARDENE.
Mr. Jayewardene is a son of James Alfred Yaşovardene, Proctor, and a great-grandson of Don 'Adrian Wijesinghe, Mudaliyar, who rendered signal services to the English during their wars with the Kandyan king (18oo-1815). This scion of a well-known Sinhalese family of Colombo was born at Kalutara on June II, 1874, and was placed at the Royal College, Colombo, at an early age, where he had a very successful career. He left college in 1893 to follow the profession which his brothers and father before him had chosen to adopt-the profession of the law. His term at school was remarkable for the brilliant distinctions which he successively achieved, first showing promise of great talents and parts by winning the Queen's Scholarship in I888, whilst in the fifth form, and adding to this success in the years that followed by gaining the Cambridge Junior Local Exhibition in I889, the Turnour Prize in 1891, the prize offered by the Director of Public Instruction, also in 1891, the Todd Prize in 1893, and the prize subscribed to by the Old Boys' Association of the college in 1892. Mr. Jayewardene was engaged in editing the Royal College Magazine while at that scholastic establishment, and also enrolled himself in the cadet battalion attached to that institution. He still interests himself largely in the affairs of his alma mater, and is the hon. secretary of the Old Boys' Association, which includes a number of distinguished alumni of the college. Passing out of the school in I893, Mr. Jayewardene read for the law, and qualified himself as a studentprofessional by successfully taking up the preliminary examination in 1894, with a "special mention" to his credit. After a further course of study he passed his intermediate examination in 1895; and two years later he graduated in law by passing the final examination, with similar results as in the case of his first venture, the Council of Legal Education on this occasion commending him highly for the excellence of his papers. He was called to the Ceylon Bar, and admitted and enrolled an Advocate of the Supreme Court of the island in August of 1897. During his apprenticeship for the usual six months preceding his enrolment, he acted, part of the time, as private secretary to Mr. Justice Grenier; and he entered upon practice at the Bar immediately upon his admission.
Mr. Jayewardene has since worked his way to the forefront of the legal profession in Ceylon; and by his forensic eloquence and sound knowledge of the various systems of law which obtain in the colony he has constituted himself one of the luminaries of the Bar, not only of the metropolis, but of the island's courts
in general. He is w combatant, a finished expounder of legal pe: time and again retainec in remote parts of th causes célèbres in the le; in which Mr. Jayewa figured may be mentio in which property to million rupees was und murder case, and the case, which last-name three years. In 1897 the engaged Mr. Jayewart in the revision and c Criminal Procedure Cc of 1883 and the corre and to collate law and duties and responsibili He is a member of the Bar, and has often been of candidates for both profession. In 1906 h Additional District Juc and Commissioner of R
Mr. Jayewardene is Colombo, and owns the gahawatte in the Chil baloluwa (20o acres) in He married, in-I905, Ag the late Don Philip Wij
of Seddewatte, who owr
tations and residential parts of the island.
Mr. Jayewardene rece Second Lieutenant of th ('F' Company), in Aug himself for a captaincy year, being attached at p of the local Volunteer member of the Ceylon tion. A man of man apparently inexhaustibl President of the Sinh member of the Orient ( Lawn Club, the Victo Colombo-and the Gall has an honorary conn scripts Club and - the E Sports Club of Colomb chiefly golf, tennis, an residence is Park House Gardens, Colombo.
Ca
LIONEL
Dr. Lionel Wright, o of versatile talents. He
to take to music as a p.
for quite another call I86o, and received his in Ceylon, first priva Colombo Academy and
[MPRESSIONS OF CIEYLON
'll known as a keen 'speaker, and a lucid plexities, and has been as counsel by litigants 2 island. Among the al history of the colony dene has prominently ned the Peiris will case, he value of nearly two er dispute, the De Mel amous Dehigama land | dragged on for over Government of Ceylon ene's services to help mparison of the new de with the old edition ponding Indian codes, statutes referring to the ies of native headmen. General Council of the appointed an examiner branches of the legal was appointed Acting ge, Police Magistrate, equests for Colombo, a landed proprietor in coconut estates of Talaw district and Kumthe Veyangoda district. ines Helen, daughter of wardene, Mohandiram ned very extensive planproperties in numerous
ived his commission as e Ceylon Light Infantry gust, 1904, and qualified in July of the following resent to 'F' Company
force. He is also a Volunteer Rifle Associay-sided activities and e energy, he is Vicetalese Sports Club, a 2lub, the Turf Club, the ria Gölf Club-all, in : Gymkhana; while he action with the Nondeloomfield Athletic and ). His recreations are d riding.
Park Street, Cinnamon
--
WRIGHT.
Jaela, is a gentleman was the first Ceylonese ofession after studying ng. He was born in early school education ely and afterwards at Wesley College. His
His private
569
father was the late Mr. John Wright, who carried on business as a dispensing chemist in Colombo, and whose name was a household word amongst the Burghers, rich and poor alike. Upon the completion of his college course in Ceylon Mr. L. Wright entered Edinburgh University in 188o, and was so thoroughly painstaking whilst there that his note-books on chemistry, botany, and physiology were in common use by the students “cramming' for exams. From his boyhood days he displayed an intense passion for music, and during his residence in Edinburgh he composed the “Dalmeny Waltz," dedicated to the late Countess of Rosebery, and another composition of his, “ Humoresque,' was played by the Lyceum orchestra. He also organised an orchestra of his own and conducted others
L. WRIGHT.
in different parts of England, where he lived for some years after the completion of his
University course. In 1895, after an absence of fifteen years, he returned to Ceylon at the request of his aged father, and served as relieving Medical Officer in various up-country stations, and on three occasions acted as Sanitary Officer
of Colombo. He was, however, being graduahy wooed back to music, and finally threw in his lot with that aft entirely by becoming Professor of Music at St. Joseph's College. Whilst there he trained an orchestra, composed a Mass and several beautiful hymns, and did much for the choir. In 1902 he resumed the practice of medicine at Jaela, and has beer. there ever since. Mr. Wright is also an expert amateur photographer and a keen chessplayer. He is a member of the Royal Photo
Page 578
57O
graphic Society of England, of the Hale Chess Association, and of the local Photographic Society. In I902 he married Antoinette Gertrude, daughter of the late Mr. Austin Fernando, planter, of Kurunegala, and he has one son and one daughter.
لو
A. M. MAARTENSZ.
Lewis Matthew Maartensz was born in 1876 and educated at St. Thomas's College. He studied law under the Council of Legal Education, and in 1898 was admitted and enrolled an
G. S. SCENEDER.
Advocate of the Supreme Court, and practised in Colombo. From July, 1901, he acted as Crown Counsel, and was confirmed in that appointment in 1906. His private residence is “St. Leonards," Flower Road, Colombo.
அே
G. S. SCHNEIDER,
Mr. Gualterus Stewart Schneider, son of G. Frederick Schneider, of Colombo, and grandson of Captain G. Schneider, a military officer in the service of the Dutch East India Company, and afterwards the first SurveyorGeneral of the colony under the British administration, was born in Colombo in 1864.
TWENTIETH CENTURY
He received his edu. College, and was an as nearly thirteen years, law, and was admittec called to the Bar in Colombo, where he is known figures in legal appointed Law Lecture Education, and he ho
present time. He is a
of Advocates and of
Clubs, and in 1904 he m eldest daughter of Mr. Engineer of the Publi
"LAKSHM
His Colombo house is Road, and he owns t Fullarton, in the Kalut
e
WILLIAMI YA
Mr. William Wads born on November youngest son of the lat Wadsworth, who wa C.M.S. Training Instit Mr. Wadsworth, jun., Grammar School at C. College, Jaffna, where Bachelor of Arts of t
MPRESSIONS
ation at St. Thomas's sistant master there for fter which he studied
an Advocate, and was 1898. He practised in
now one of the bestircles. In Igoo he was
to the Council of Legal ds that position at the member of the Society the Orient and Turf arried Glencora Barnes, Henry Potger, District 3 Works Department.
OF CEYLON
in March, 1897. Having passed the examination for clerical service under the Government in I895, he was appointed to a post in the General Treasury, Colombo, in I897. This post he resigned after three months, and was admitted a student-at-law. He won the scholarship awarded on the results of the intermediate examination by the Council of Legal Education. In September, I9o, he was called to the Ceylon Bar, and is now practising his profession in Coombo. He acted as Crown Counsel for the island for three months from November, 1903. In April, I904, he married Clarissa Alagamuttu, youngest daughter
INIE.”
“Lakshminie,” Kynsey ne fine rubber estate ara district.
AIDSWORTH.
vorth, of Jaffna, was 8, 1875. He is the : Charles Mailvaganam
headmaster of the tion at Copay, Jaffna. was educated at the pay, and at St. John's he took his degree of e Calcutta University
MRS. G. S. SCENEIDER.
of the late Mr. Arthur Edwards, of Vadukoddai, Jafna.
அே
FREDERIC JOSEPH DE MEL.
This son of Mr. Jacob De Mel, a scion of the well-known Vidanelage family, was educated at the Royal College, Colombo, and St. John's College, Cambridge, at which latter University he graduated with honours in arts and law in 9oo. Passing his final examination, he was called to the Bar at the Inner Temple in January, 1901, being then the youngest member of that branch of the legal profession. As junior counsel to Sir Robert Reid, the present Lord Chancellor of England, Mr. De Mel held
Page 579
TWENTIETH
his first brief in the case of Beale v. the Great Western Railway, which was heard before Lord Chief Justice Alverstone. After
making a prolonged tour in Europe, where the picture galleries proved a great attraction, Mr. De Mel returned to Ceylon and started legal practice. In I905 he took the degree of Master of Arts of Cambridge.
Mr. De Mel is a member of the Voetlights, the Agricultural, and the Asiatic (Ceylon) Societies, and of the Turf, Orient, Kennel (Ceylon), National Liberal (London) and Cambridge University Liberal Clubs. In keeping with the family traditions, he is a 1member of the Synod and a strong supporter
CENTURY I
munity approached Sir a memorial desiring til Arthur Alvis to represer tive Council, they deem in the course of two bri
than that he was a re. Burgher community, co and confidence of that a ties in the colony, and 2 the legal profession.
Alvis's career is at on
lt is also : Ceylonese, unaided by
inspiration.
times thwvarted by ir Mr. F. Dornhorst, K.
MRS. E. J. DIE MIEL IN SINEHALESE
of the Church of England. His main recreation is riding. In 1905 he married Cissy, the daughter of Mr. Louis Peiris, of the Whist Bungalow, Colombo, and Bowelikada, Kandv. Mrs. De Mel is well known in Ceylon art circles, being an exhibitor in water-colours and sketches, for which she has obtained numerous prizes. member of the Poultry Club, besides being one of the finest pigeon fanciers in the island.
அே
ARTHUR WILLIAM ALVIS.
Prolixity is the common failing of memorials in the East; yet when the Burgher com
She is also a prominent
NATIONAL DRESS.
given in Mr. Alvis's hol a few years ago, bore v Mr. Alvis is a type of a that is hopeful in the ( belongs.
Arthur William Alvi June I6, 1856, is the e child of Francis Dat Queen's Advocate's De Louisa de Run. Both t
the oldest and most munity. He was edu College, where his pi Bacon, “ was most mar the Warden thought
MPRESSIONS
West Ridgeway with he appointment of Mr. ut them in the Legislaed itsufficient to urge, ef paragraphs, O OC spected member of the ommanding the respect und the Other communiman of prominence in To the Ceylonese, Mr. ce an example and an a guarantee of what a
patronage, and Solmeifluence, may achieve. C., at a public dinner
OF CEY LON 571
publicly compliment him. on the excellence of his papers. In I87 I he passed the matriculation examination of the Calcutta University. In 1873 Sir Edward Creasy broke the old, easy current of admission into the legal profession by prescribing a preliminary examination of a high standard for proctor students. Mr. Alvis was the first subject of the experiment. The Chief Justice on this occasion made the following note in his own hand, and directed the Registrar to have it recorded : “Mr. Arthur Alvis.--This gentleman has passed, his examination in English, History, and Virgil very well, and is quite fit to be a law student." In 1878 Mr. Alvis was enrolled a Proctor of
MIR. AND MRS. E. J. DE MIEL.
hour at the Orient Club, villing testimony to this. ll that is best and much community to which he
s, who was born on lder and only surviving niel Alvis (late of the partment), and his wife he families are amongst respected in the comcated at St. rogress, wrote Warden tked '–so much so that it his pleasant duty to
Thomas's
the District Court.
A PRIZE WINNER.
He subsequently became a Proctor of the Supreme Court. In January, 1879, he was appointed Notary Public. He was for many years Examiner in Conveyancing of candidates for the rank of proctors of the Supreme Court and notaries, and has been and is still a member of the Ceylon Council of Legal Education. Mr. Alvis made his entrance into municipal life in I889. Mr. H.J. C. Pereira, the well-known Ceylonese Barrister-at-Law, one of his oldest friends, proposed his election as member of the Municipal Council for the Kollupitiya Ward. Mr. H. H. Cameron, Mayor and Chairman of the Municipal Council, thus refers to this incident in his Administration
Page 580
EXTERIOR AND INTERI
... NEWLANDS,
ARTEUR ALVIS IN HIS LIBERARY.
Page 581
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
Report: “On April 25, 1889, Mr. Arthur Alvis was elected in Mr. Maitland's place. On this election both the Council and the ward which Mr. Alvis represents are much to be felicitated, and, indeed, the general admission of the acceptability of the candidate may be taken as a sufficient reason in this instance for the absence of competition.' The Ceylon Eva miner, referring to the election, said: “Mr. Alvis is a young Proctor of proved ability and probity, and commands an extensive legal and notarial business.'
Failing health compelled Mr. Alvis in 1890 to abandon Colombo for a time for the drier atmosphere in the north of Ceylon. Very shortly after his arrival in Jaffna the Government appointed him Police Magistrate and Commissioner of the Court of Requests of Jaffna and Mallakam. He also acted on several occasions as District Judge. Ira I893 Mr. Alvis resumed his practice at the Bar, and was soon plunged into public life once more, he having been elected member of the Municipal Council for the Fort Ward. He remained in charge of those interests till 1902. Whilst a member of the Council he was selected to sit almost in every committee, and he was for many years also member of the Council's Standing Com
mittee. During his visit to Europe in 1897 he
devoted time to the study of what is latest in sewerage schemes, the modern
sanitation,
methods of housing th retired from the Coun urged that his experie find greater scope for lative Assembly. The dorsed the suggestion, man in Colombo who h for probity than Mr. A honourable gentleman. well that the work C Council has been but th to those who have ol confined to the majorit which are brought be was wasted at the To Observer suggests that fitted for work as a Mer Council. We fully endc opinion.'
Mr. Alvis is an enthus was initiated in I88o Master's chair, Sphinx the oldest Lodge in Ce He was one of the fi Lodge, No. 2,940, E.C Lanka Chapter, Mark Excellent Master, Roy Excellent Master, Cey (Cryptic degrees). He degrees of St. Lawren of Constantinople, Knig
MRS. J. A. ST. V.
JAYEGWARDENEG.
“ CHÂTEAU
MPRESSIONS
e poor, &c. When he cil the Ceylon Observe nce and ability would sefulness in the LegisCeylon Standard enand said: “There is no as a higher reputation rthur Alvis. He is an
We know perfectly f the local Municipal e very smallest of beer binions which are not y of the trivial matters fore them. Mr. Alvis
wn Hall.
he would be better nber of the Legislative rse our contemporary's
siastic Freemason. He and has filled the Lodge, IO7, I.C. (about ylon), more than once. Dunders of Connaught 3. He is Comp, R.A.
Master Mason, Most 'al Select, and Supertlon Council, No. 2 I has received the allied ce the Martyr, Knight ht of the Red Cross of
JUBILEE.
The Ceylon
OF CEYLON 573
Babylon, also the I8° at the Victory Chapter, Rose-Croix (London). He was installed Preceptor and Prior, Colombo Preceptory, I64, E.C., in 1902, acted as such during the whole of I903, and has been elected again to fill that office. He is also Vice-President, Ceylon Law Students' Union, member (one of the original) of the Orient Club, one of the oldest committee members of the Ceylon National Association, Vice-President of the Chums' Athletic Club, one of the three directors of the only Ceylonese motor-car company in the island, and committee member of a number of institutions, e.g., St. Thomas's Old Boys' Association, Colombo Library, Colombo Law Library, Law Society of Ceylon, &c. In 1882 Mr. Alvis married Madeline, fourth daughter of Mr. J. B. Daniel, of “The Grove,' Madampitiya; and of his two daughters-both of whom were educated in England-the elder is married to Mr. Thomas Forrest Garvin, Advocate, Supreme Court,
Ceylon. Mr. Alvis resides at “Newlands,' Pol watte, Colombo.
نوش
JOHN ADRIAN ST, WALENTINE
JAYEYARDENE
The third of five brothers who have entered the legal profession, Mr. J. A. St. V.
Jayewardene was educated at the Royal College, after which he studied law and passed
J. A. ST. W. JAYEWARDEN.E.
Page 582
M. R. AND MIRS. CHAS. PEIRIS.
“ C.A.R.L.SHOLM
"HIGH CROSS ' BUNGALOW. THE MILLS.
AIE * BUNGALOW.
Page 583
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
C. DE S. BATUVANTUDAV.
the Bar final examination in 1900, heading the list of the successful candidates in both tests. He won scholarships both at St. Thomas's College and as a law student, besides carrying off the prize essays of his year. He was admitted an Advocate of the Supreme Court in March, I90I, and practised for three years at Galle,
In Igo4 Mr. Jayewardene proceeded to England, and, in April of the following year, appeared before the Privy Council in the case of Poonma v. Arumogan (Ceylon). He joined the Inner Temple, and was called to the English Bar in July, I905. After travelling on the Continent, he returned to Colombo, where he has since practised. Mr. Jayewardene is a Fellow of the Royal Colonial Institute, a member of the Society of Advocates, President of the Smallpass Association, a former secretary of the Law Students' Union-which presented him with a valuable set of law works on the occasion of his being called to the Bar. He is a member of the Orient Club. His recreation is tennis. In I906 he married Ethel Charlotte Irene, only daughter of Mudaliyar and Mrs. Francis William Tillekeratne Dyssanayake, of Matara, and a descendant of one of the oldest Southern Province families in Ceylon. His private residence is “Chateau Jubilee,' Ward Place.
DON ANDRIES DE
He owns coconut and
the North-Western an Besides being the aut Partition of Ceylon,' ar of Ceylon," Mr. J. A. St tributed the able review laws of Ceylon which part of this book.
அ
G DE SILYA BA
Mr. Charles de Silv of the late celebrated ) Batuvantudavè, was bor in 1874, and educated Colombo. After study isle, he went to Englan law there, and was calle Inn in June, I90I. O1 he was admitted and of the Honourable th Ceylon, and practises member of the Royal A. Committee of Oriental the Orient and Turf Clul Maradana Literary Asso of the Colombo. Theoso of the Hardwicke Societ of the Social Reform S secretaries of the Ceylo
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
575
S. BATUVANTUDAWE.
paddy plantations in d Southern Provinces. hor of “The Law of ld "Roman-Dutch Law . V. Jayewardene conof the constitution and is published in another
TUVIANTU DIAYE.
a Batuvantudave, son .
Pundit, D. B. de Silva n in Colombo, Ceylon, at the Royal College, ng law in his native d in 1897 and studied d to the Bar at Gray's his return to Ceylon enrolled an Advocate e Supreme Court of in Ceylon. He is a iatic Society, is on the Studies, a member of s, vice-president of the ciation, vice-president hical Society, member in England, secretary ociety, and one of the National Association.
TEHE BUNGALOV.
He is a student of the Sanskrit and Pali languages. His recreations are golf and tennis.
தி
CHARLES PEIRIS,
Mr. Charles Peiris was born at Colombo in the year I86o, and was educated at the Royal College, then known as the Colombo Academy. After leaving school he studied law, and articled himself to Mr. A. O. Joseph, a leading legal practitioner in his time. Mr. Peiris was enrolled a Proctor of the District Court of Colombo in 1882, became a Notary Public in the following year, and in I902 was admitted a Proctor of the Supreme Court of the island. He commands a large practice, and is well known in the metropolitan Bar, as well as in several out-station courts.
Mr. Peiris is the proprietor of large property in Colombo, and is also the owner of several coconut and rubber estates in the Western, North-Western, and Sabaragamuwa Provinces, of an aggregate acreage of over 2,Ooo. The more important of these plantations are: Serapis, Orange Grove, Carlsfield, Mukalane, Galmoruwa, Sunnymead, Fruithill, and Duncannaike. The produce from these estates is generally sold locally, and one of the principal lines of business transacted is in the manufac
Page 584
576 TWENTIETH
ture of fibre and yarn, a well-equipped factory being erected on Serapis estate for this
purpose.
Mr. Peiris is a member of the Orient Club, the Turf Club, Colombo Poultry Club, Ceylon Agricultural Society, Colombo Agri-Horticultural Society, and the Planters' Association of
CENTURY IM
E. R. F. IDE SILYI
Mr. Edward Robe Wijeyeratne is the sor Wijeyeratne, Notary
Born at Moratuwa in at the Royal and S
MR. AND MRS. E. R. F. DIE S. WIJEYERATIN
Kurunegala. He is also a committee member of the Incorporated Law Society of Ceylon. He married, in 1887, Annie, eldest daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Jeronis Peiris, of Colombo, and on her death he married Maude, third daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob De Mel, of Villa De Mel, Colombo. Mr. Peiris's private residence is “Carlsholme," Cinnamon Gardens.
studied law, and beca
District Court of Colc
and has practised his
In 1906 he m Jane, eldest daughter of of Norwood, Haveloc coconut estates at Wey. is a member of the Cath
since.
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
YEYERTNE Union, and his town residence is “ St. James,'
Colpetty. rt Francis de Silva لو
of Robert de Silva Public, of Colombo. Ä. C. G. YJEYEKOON, I878, he was educated Mr. Abraham Charles Gerard is the son of
t. Joseph's Colleges, Mr. Abraham Andrew Stephen Wijeyekoon. He was born on May 5, 1878, and educated at Royal and Wesley Colleges. He proceeded to England in 1898, and was called to the Bar at Gray's Inn in IgoI, and returned to Ceylon the same year. He was enrolled as an Advocate of the Supreme Court in I902. He was appointed to act as Municipal Magistrate and Additional Police Magistrate of Colombo in 1903, Acting Police Magistrate of Colombo, I904, Acting Crown Counsel, I905, and Additional Crown Counsel, 1906. His recreations are tennis and walking. He lives at “Ballater, Castle Street.
لو
LAMBERT LOUIS PERIS.
This scion of a well-known family, the son of the late Mr. Jeronis Pieris, was born at Colombo in 1867 and educated first privately, afterwards at St. Thomas's College, Colombo. He joined his father in planting in the Negombo District and afterwards in Kurunegala, thus enjoying opportunities for acquiring a thorough knowledge of planting in all its branches. In 1896 he started as a planter on his own account, and now owns the estates of Danawkande at Heneratgoda, which is planted with coconuts and tea to an extent of 5oo acres and contains a tea factory ; also the Halwatte, Kehelkande, and Udupila estates, all near Heneratgoda, where rubber has been opened up to a large extent. He owns, besides, coco nut estates in the Chilaw District. The produce - of all these estates is sold in the local market.
Mr. Pieris has extensive house property in Colombo and Dehiwela, his city residences being “Fern Bank,' Park Street, and St. Cuthbert's, Dickman's Road. He has travelled extensively in England, France, Switzerland, and Italy. In I900 he married a daughter of “Gate Mudaliyar J. A. Mendis Jayawardene, of Moratuwa. He is an amateur photographer, and is also fond of shooting and hunting.
éوه NIE.
E. A. A. J. JAYEYCKREME.
me a Proctor of the Mr. Edmund Alexander Amadoru Jayesuriya
ombo in August, Igor, Jayewickreme, of “The Firs,' Gregory's Road, profession there ever Cinnamon Gardens, Colombo, was born at arried Mary Catherine Hambantota on May 4, 1872, and educated at F. J. Lucas Fernando, Trinity College, Kandy, and Royal College, k Town. He owns Colombo. In I894 he joined the Surveyorangoda and elsewhere, General's Department and resigned the holic Club and Catholic Government service in May, I903, after
Page 585
ΟΟι
LAMBERT L. PIERIS.
ESTATE BUNGALOW.
CONUT ESTATE.
MR. AND MRS, L. L. PIERIS AND DAUGHTER.
“FERN BANK."
Page 586
578
serving as an officer of the fixed establishment at various stations in the Southern Province. He is now in practice as a surveyor and leveller, besides owning and superintending coconut estates in the Chilaw District, and coconut, cinnamon and rubber in the Kelani Valley. He is a member of the Ceylon Poultry Club and of the Ceylon Agricultural Society. He is the eldest son of Samuel Harmanis Jayewickreme, retired Mudaliyar, late Shroff of the Kurunegala Kachcheri, and Caroline Sophia, eldest daughter of the late Christian Samaraweera Jayesuriya, Mudaliyar of Magam Pattu, Hambantota district. He married, on
TWENTIETH CENTURY
this work. On Decem Nancy, daughter of C pakse, Ayurvedic me Oriental scholar, of CO Charles Andrew, was
College, and is now a second son, James, is t the business of the
Company. Altogetherl daughters, of whom
ceased. Mr. de Live “The Anchorage," at
the finest buildings in t and he also owns Ede
E. A. JAYEWICKREME.
May 7, 1903, Helena Margaret, fourth daughter of Mr. Jacob and the late Mrs. De Mel, of Villa De Mel, Cinnamon Gardens. They have one child, Helena Marjorie De Mel Jayewickreme, born April Io, I904.
شوه
BARON DE LIVERA
Baron de Livera, son of the Rev. Andrew de Livera, C.M.S., of the Southern Province, was born at Colombo in 1853, and educated at Kotta Christian Institute. He commenced business at the Colombo Wharf, and to-day owns the Cargo Boat Despatch Company, which is fully described in another part of
MR. AND MIR.S. E. A. JA
Gardens mansion, as property estates in different par
in Colombc
merly he was a me Committee of the Ang treasurer and a commi Church and St. Luke Livera is also a memb Society.
Q
RICHARD STE
Mr. Richard Steuart son of the late Mr. Jeror Cinnamon Gardens, C I894-was born at M
MPRESSIONS
per 29, 1877, he married harles de Abrew Rajalical practitioner and lombo. His eldest son, educated at the Royal
law student ; and his le principal assistant in Cargo Boat Despatch e had five sons and five wo daughters are dea's private residence, Wellaw atte, is one of he suburbs of Colombo, in Grove,' a Cinnamon
OF CEY LON
received his early education at the private academy of Professor R. Burnett, at Colombo, and shortly afterwards proceeded to England, where he entered the Chiswick Collegiate School, London, whence he passed into Cheltenham College. Returning to Ceylon in 1877, on the completion of his studies, he started to learn planting on his father's estate at Maturata, and at the end of three years established himself as a planter on his own account, going in largely for the cultivation of tea, Liberian coffee, and coconuts. He is the owner of the estates well known as the Maragolla group, in the North-Western Province
YEWICKREME AND CEIILD.
well as other house
). He has coconut ts of the island. Formber of the Standing lican Synod, and is the ttee member of Christ 's Church. Baron de per of the Agricultural
岁
UART PIERIS,
Pieris, who is the oldest mis Pieris, of “The Firs,” Solombo-who died in oratuwa in I858. He
"THE FIRS" BUNGALOW.
which are nearly IOOO acres in extent, and
where tea, cacao, coconuts, and rubber are produced. He also owns the coconut estate of Bullanella, of 200 acres, in the same district, and is part-proprietor of the Agra Elbedda tea estate in Agrapatna, Dimbula district, of 276 acres, superintended by Mr. A. Ashton, as well as Of the Agratenine estate in the Badulla district, of about 90o acres, of which Mr. J. Duncan is the superintendent. He is also the proprietor of several other coconut plantations of varying areas, from 75 to 3oo acres each, scattered in the Chilaw and Kurunegala districts. Cinnamon is grown on some of Mr. Pieris's low-country estates, and this spice, as well as the produce from his other
Page 587
BARON DE LIVERA.
THE FAMILY.
'THE ANCHORAGE.'
'EDEN GROVE.'
Page 588
58O TWENTIETH
properties, is generally disposed of in the local market.
In addition to owning the above plantations, Mr. Pieris also controls several large plumbago mines, of which the better known are those of Walpolla, Meegahatenne, and Wandagahena, the former being situated in the Wattagama district, while the latter two are in the Kalutara district of the Western Province. The plumbago from the mines, like all other products of Mr. Pieris's properties, is sold in the local market; but until recently this mineral output was exported in large quantities to the Continent of Europe.
CENTURY
I889, and educated at som proceeded to Engl his further studies at bourne, and has now Glen Almond, where Oxford. Mr. Pieris” Fonseka, who is at p. of instruction at the Tra also expects to comple in England.
RICHARD LOUIS DE EFONSEKA PIERIS,
“BROOMIEHILL”
Mr. Pieris' private residence in Colombo is at “Broomhill," Green Path, Cinnamon Gardens, while he has country seats at Agrapatna and Bandarawala. He is the proprietor of a good deal of land in the capital city. member of the Church of England, while, as a keen sportsman, he belongs to the Turf Club. He was an ardent cricket and football player in his younger days, and is devoted to hunting and shooting. In 1886 he married Adeline Winifred, daughter of the late Mr. Simon Reynold de Fonseka, Proctor and landed proprietor, of “River View,” Kalutara South. The eldest son of this union is Mr. Richard Louis de
Fonseka Pieris, who was born at Colombo in .
He is a
BUNGALOW.
DON PHILIP MOH
FA) The municipal lim northern side end at th
this extreme limit run the river, and this roac watte, or Orta de Sedd in older times. This name implies, is one days when sericultur than it is now. The i out in Seddewatte, anc up the timber trade. down the river in temporary home in Se
MPRESSIONS
Queen's College. This and in I900 to prosecute Hartfield College, Eastentered Trinity College,
he is preparing for ; second son, Lionel 'esent pursuing a term ining College, Colombo, te his higher education
OF CEYLON
by building contractors to all parts of the town. The timber king here was Don Philip Mohandiram, who died in 1903. He built up an enormous trade in timber. He was the chief purveyor to Government, and his yards supplied all the wood required by the Public
Works Department for bridges all over the
island. He supplied also all the building timber wanted by the military garrisoned here, and he, besides, undertook enormous contracts for timber during the building of the southern arm of the breakwater. This last contract was a hard one to fulfil, but Don Philip never once failed, and the success with which he dis
ANDIRAM AND HIS VILY. its of Colombo on the le river Kelani, and from is a road, inwards along l is the centre of SeddeLewatte, as it was known “garden of silk," as the of the survivals of the 'e was more prevalent ndustry has entirely died in its place has grown Huge logs are floated rafts, and these find a idewatte till carted away
R. S. PERS
charged his liabilities earned for him the honorary title of Mohandiram from the Government.
In private life Don Philip Mohandiram was a quiet and unobtrusive man. He was possessed of a large amount of house property in Colombo, and he was the soundest man, financially, of all the wealthy natives. Nevertheless, he lived a most retiring life. A staunch Buddhist, he observed the rigorous requirements of that religion as to almsgiving most rigidly. His charities knew no bounds, and among his many unostentatious works of the kind is a Buddhist temple which he built for the use of the many hundreds of indigent
Page 589
THE LATE DON PHILIP W.I.JEWARDEENER.
(Mohandiram.) 'KOHOMBE'' ESTATE, CELAW.
WALAUWA, SEDDEGWATTE.
MIRS... IDON PEHILIP WIJEWARDENEC.
2 Ο
Page 590
582
people who lived around his mansion and his timber-yards. He was heartily seconded in all his efforts by his wife, a lady of most estimable and attractive personality. She survives him to-day. His business has passed into the hands of his eldest son, Mr. Don Philip Alexander Wijewardene, who was created a Mohandiram in 1906. Mr. Wijewardene, jun., has brought a college education to help him in his work, and while keeping to the place in the timber trade his father earned by dint of hard work and shrewd calculation, he has added to that business by opening a brick store, which already is the largest in the island. The second son of the family, Mr. Louis Wijewardene, is of a mechanical turn of mind, and has considerable working knowledge of electricity. He has his engines and dynamos to help him in this hobby. He has just fitted a coir fibre mill at Mirigama, one centre of the coconut industry, and has some fine machinery there. The rest of the family number five sons and two daughters, one of the latter having just been married to Mr. E. W. Jayawardene, one of the rising young advocates of Colombo. Mention should also be made of the third and fourth son, Messrs. D. R. and D. E. Wijewardene. The elder of the two is reading for the Bar, while the other means to adopt medicine as his profession.
“ROSEBANK.”
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
HENRY .
Prominent among t Colombo and various Mr. Henry A. Pieris Road, Colombo, where in pleasant sylvan surr largely interested in th coconuts-the '' Consols having an estate of 800 : district devoted to the duct. This property is soil being fairly drained to become arid. Here plants, at intervals of , the acre. The nuts ar months, and the resul about 20O,OOO nuts. A been dried on the e obtained is sent in
Colombo brokers for sa of Kurunegala, on the N tant not more than 2 mi The plucking is done being performed by T from India. It is satisf trouble is experience labourers. The Sinhale who are occasionally er to be reliable. Mr. Pieri
“FNCASTLE."
MPRESSIONS
PIERIS.
he owners of land in country districts is “Elscourt," Turret he resides, is situated bundings. Mr. Pieris is erindustry of growing of Ceylon planting '' cres in the Kurunegala cultivation of this proa model of its kind, the without being allowed the average number of 4 ft. apart, is sixty to e plucked once in two t of a "plucking" is ster he kernels have state, the copra thus bags by rail to the le, the railway station orthern line, being disles from the plantation. by contract, the work amil - coolies imported actory to learn that no with this class of
se villagers, however,
mployed, are not found is visits his Kurunegala
OF CEYLON
estate once in two or three months, and a report on the operations carried on there is prepared every month. Under the will of his late mother Mr. Pieris inherited several other valuable properties situated in various parts of the city of Colombo, also coconut estates in several plantation districts. As the coconut industry promises to continue in its present flourishing condition-a ready market existing for all that can be supplied in this leading line of production-the outlook for this gentleman's planting business is very promising.
Mr. Pieris also owns considerable house property in Colombo, consisting principally of bungalows let on monthly tenancies, mostly to Europeans. Among these properties are “Rosebank', and “Fincastle'. in Cinnamon Gardens, also a block of 19 acres in the samle locality. He is, besides, the owner of “The Firs' (now St. Bridget's Convent), “The Tent" (the habitat of the Girls' Friendly Society), and, in Colpetty, of “Fairlight" and “Leyland House,' a seaside boarding establishment; also of “Luke Place' and “Bon Accord," two bungalows near the Wellawatte tollbar. Under his mother's will Mr. Pieris is also entitled to certain large mills, covering about six acres of land, called the Victoria Mills, now in the occupation of Messrs. Crossfield, Lampard & Co., with the adjoining bungalows,
'FAIRLIGHT.'
Page 591
THE COPRA. SHED
A PIERIS’S
H. THE ESTATE BUNGALOW.
VIEW FROM “THE UPLANDS' BUNGALOW. ESTATE RESIDENCE.
"THE UPLANDS" BUNGALOW, KANDY
Page 592
584
one of which is the Chemical Laboratory of the Government Analyst, Mr. Kelway Bamber. He has, besides, proprietary interests in other residential blocks of land; while at Kandy he owns the well-known health resort “The Uplands,' for many years the residence of the late Mr. Alexander Philip, who was secretary of the Planters' Association. This bungalow commands a fine view of the charming surrounding hill-country at this celebrated beautyspot. Mr. Pieris is in the prime of life, and is a man of great energy and strenuous business habits; but he finds his hands too full with his own business to have time for taking part in public affairs. His hobby is horticulture, and he is a member of the Agri-Horticultural Society of Ceylon,
TWENTETH CENTURY I
PRINS AN The legal gentlemen still carry on the firn legal practitioners, nota are Francis Albert Prin Maloji Brito, The for well-known Mr. F. A Proctor, J.P. and U.P.M born at Colombo in educated privately he study of law under M burg. In May, 1892, Proctor of the Distric and was admitted a P Court and Notary Publ Brito is the son of Advocate of the Supri He was educated at til received his legal tr Rainlanathan, K.C., late
J. W. N
MPRESSIONS
D BRITO.
who established and of Prins and Brito, ies, and conveyancers, jun., and Christopher ner is the son of the Prins, the veteran "., of Matala. He was 1869, and after being was articled for the . Hector • Van Cuylenhe was enrolled a Court of Colombo, octor of the Supreme ic in 1897. Mr. C. M. Mr. Christopher Brito, me Court of Ceylon. he Royal College, and aining under Mr. P. Member of the Legisla
OF CEYLON
tive Council and Solicitor-General. He became a Proctor of the District Court in 1893 and of the Supreme Court and Notary Public in п9об.
அே
J. Y. NUGARA
Among the medical practitioners of Colombo is Dr. J. V. Nugara, of 96, Fourth Cross Street, Pettah, who founded his practice in the year 187o, having previously held an appointment in the Ceylon Medical Service for five years. At the present time Dr. Nugara is practising in Colombo and its suburbs, having an extensive connection among the Parsees and Bombay merchants. Dr. J. V. Nugara was born in Ceylon in the year I848, and was educated at St. Thomas's College, Colombo. He is a practitioner in all ordinary diseases, and is also a Registrar of Births and Deaths,
Page 593
LUMBAGO, which is tle Latim term for graphite, has, during the past few years, come into considerable pro
minence in Ceylon, and to-day forms the chief product for purposes of export, and ranks fifth in the list of articles which help to make up the outward trade of the island. The mineral is a form of carbon constituted largely of matters of organised nature drawn principally from the vegetable kingdom, and really represents vegetable growth, which, through various actions and forces of nature, such as moisture, heat, friction, pressure, electricity or magnetism, has in course of time become mineralised. It is found in various shapes and conditions more or less definitely crystallised, foliated, columnar, needle-shaped, or of massive substance ; in fact, it may be said that graphite, next to the diamond, is the most highly crystallised form of carbon, and even the diamond when burned will become pure graphite. It is found in various places in the island, and occurs mostly in the granulites and some of the crystalline limestones of Ceylon, but only when it is discovered in beds or veins running parallel to the foliation planes of the virgin rock does its quantity, substance, and quality make it of use It is often found
mineral
for commercial purposes. mixed with quartz, mica, felspar, and pyrites of various descriptions, but more often in its pure natural state, the veins running from two inches to over six feet in thickness. Before going into the history of the plumbago industry in Ceylon, it may be stated that Ceylon is by no means
PLUME
BY E. MANNHEIM
the only place in the wi is found and worked fol
Cumberland at one tin ducing Country for grap land black lead and pen name for excellence and especially the Passau United States of Ameri ally the Ural Mountain the Biakal ranges of lastly, Canada, furnish mineral, but in no case that any of these cou: article of the purity a plumbago. Although g only come into promi twenty-five years, it I understood that the mi former days. As far as concerned, we find th: wrote in I68, mention mineral ; whilst even ; period the Dutch Gover) in 1675, writing to his General Jan Maatsuyker, of veins of “potloot' i parts of the maritime p as a product of quicksil was deemed so importal was placed over the m have existed in the vic also appears that the la the possibility of draw mining of plumbago, a his officers superintendi mineral near Kegalla S direction.
There is no record t
58.
BAGO
MER, A.M., T.I.M.E.
orld where this mineral commercial purposes. he was the maín prohite, and the Cumbercils attained a universal purity. Bavaria, more district, Bohemia, the ca, Mexico, and especis of Russia, as well as Central Siberia, and, an abundance of the has it yet been shown intries can produce an and quality of Ceylon graphite in Ceylon has nence within the last must by no means be neral was unknown in European records are at Robert Knox, who s the existence of the
at a somewhat earlier nor, Ryklof Van Goens, successor, Governormentions the existence in the hills and several brovinces, describing it „ver, and the discovery ht that a military guard ine, which was said to inity of Colombo. It st king of Kandy saw ing revenue from the nd the fact of one of ng the working of the eems to point in that
hat the mineral was
5
exported from the island earlier than 1825, and the first known shipment consigned to Mr. Joseph Dixon, the founder of the great American Crucible Company, left the island in 1829, and Colonel Colebrooke, one of the Commissioners in Ceylon affairs, stated in his report that provision had been made for the delivery of cinnamon and black lead in the Kandyan provinces (which then included the seven Korales) at fixed rates. The first official mention of plumbago occurs in 183I, when it was included in the list of articles liable to export duty, the rate being Iod. per cwt., and in the year 1832 the revenue accruing to Government from that source amounted to 22 18s. 6d. sterling. There are various causes which combine to make the Ceylon plumbago a profitable article for commercial enterprise, and there are several reasons why the mineral obtained from other countries cannot successfully compete with it. One of these reasons may be that the cost of labour in mining, cleansing, and forwarding the mineral must be far more excessive in foreign countries, but the very fact that Ceylon plumbago is so much superior to any other turned out gives it an undoubted advantage over everything else in the market.
The Ceylon article is very refractory. One might take a piece of local plumbago with sharp needle-like projecting angles and subject it to heat which would melt steel, and yet one would find that the very finest points after that trial would not have been affected in any way. The sight of the mineral in its virgin bed in a plumbago mine is an exceedingly striking and pretty one. It is found in beds in a pure state, removed in lumps, and a selection
Page 594
586
of these forms the “prime lump' of commerce. The formation most common in a pure state is that of laminated crystals elongated at right angles to the side of the vein, if that vein is not more than four to six inches wide; but when the vein widens the crystallisation often radiates from numerous centres, and the sight then is a very beautiful one. The foliated variety is equally valuable and more brilliant, but it is rarely found in any quantity. The acicular form of crystal is not apt to be as pure in the lump, but is useful for most purposes. The granulite variety, the purest of all, is of little use for crucibles, but with suitable manipulation produces the finest grades for electrotyping and lead pencils, and is unequalled for lubriCating purposes.
Pure plumbago is free from grit when pulverised and rubbed between the fingers, and the polish, used in the same way, is instantaneous and very bright, being like a darker shade of polished silver.
Turning to statistics, we find that in the year 1834 plumbago to the quantity of 2,582 cwts. was exported, valued at Rs. 12, ooo. In 1836 the quantity had risen to 12,644 cwts, valued at Rs. 14,663; in 1839 it had dropped to 423 cwts, valued at Rs. 490; whilst in 1846 it was again some 25,OOO cwtS., valued at Rs. 3O,Ooo. The highest export of this early period was obtained in I869, when the amount despatched reached 226, 13 I cwts., valued at Rs. 890,ooo. During the subsequent years up to I884 the industry kept on fluctuating, and whilst I883 saw the then high-water mark with 262,773 cwts., valued at Rs. 2,627,737, it dropped the following year to I82,000 cwts., valued at Rs. I,825,OOO.
As graphite is principally used in the manufacture of crucibles as well as stove lead and pencils, the expanse of the British and American steel trade, the introduction of the steel and wire gun, the steel armour of the modern warship, and the numerous steel machinery built up for the purposes of peaceful construction or military and naval armaments, naturally necessitated an increased amount of plumbago
for purposes of crucibles, and spurred the
industry in Ceylon to greater effort. We find the output steadily rising, until the remarkable boom of the last year of the nineteenth century saw the export of 616,38o cwts., or nearly 31,000 tons, and fortunes were made; but, sad to relate, more fortunes were lost in the wild and mad speculation which followed that period. It should here be stated that the figures of value given before the period of 1884 are calculated on the reckoning of Rs. Io to the pound sterling. After the excitement of the close of the nineteenth century the inevitable slump followed; numerous mines closed down, and in 1900 the shipments fell to 383,240 cwts., or I9, I62 tons, showing a decrease of 233, I40
TWENTIETH CENTURY
cwts., or III,657 tons, This naturally had t steadying the market and, of course, incre following figures mor for themselves:-
Year. 1901
I902
I903
I904 I905
Prices, too, although figure of Rs. I,ooo per to the pound) of I899, ably, and have been v. from Rs. 525 to Rs. 65 and Rs. 205 to Rs. 420 the article. The Gove: exacted royalties at d export of plumbago, bu been Rs. 5 per ton o The island's best cust been the U.S.A., with t fair second. The foll the principal countries the periods I905 and
Country. United Kingdom Belgium Germany
America ... I
France
Russia Japan. . .
Plumbago is mined island, the principal n the Pasdun and Rayigar district and in the Kela Province, the Dodanga and the Ragedere, as W Galagedara portions of of the North-Western Ambalangoda, Morawa other portions of the the Kegalla and the R. Sabaragamuwa Provir Matale district and th
the Central Province employment to, roug 3,750 females, with another I5,OOO, making people. There are int all over the island, but proper mines on a lar speaking, mining is ca. tive lines, and is ope improvement in every
MPRESSIONS
on the previous year. e result of materially restoring confidence, asing exports, and the than eloquently speak
Export. 22,663 tons . . . 24,775 , . . . 23,943 25,787
3I,395 35,Ӏ83 y
not reaching the fancy on (at this stage Rs. 15 have steadied considerery satisfactory, ranging ) in the higher grades, in the lower grades of inment at various times ifferent rates from the t latterly the royalty has all graphite shipped. omers throughout have he United Kingdom as a owing table will show s of distribution during I906 :-
I905. Igo6.
8,256 tons 9,383 tons 2,763 , 3,2OI 5,534 6,362 ., 3, I 16 I5,495
I47 y 239 yy I43 , 62 ,
I, I55 y y I3o 9 »
in various parts of the (nines being situated in n Korales of the Kalutara ni Valley of the Western slanda, the Maduragoda, tell as the Paragoda and the Kurunegala district Province, at Udugama, k Korale, Welligama, and Southern Province, in atnapura districts of the ce, in portions of the e Maskeliya district of The industry gives hly, I6,7oo males and dependents numbering a total of about 36,000 umerable so-called pits only comparatively few ge scale, and, generally rried out on very primi-n to a great deal of direction. Wherever
OF CEYLON
an outcrop of plumbago or mica occurs on the surface, the procedure is to sink a trial shaft in the shape of a parallelogram, varying in size, generally 8 ft. by 6 ft., which traverses the soft shale and earth formation, following the vertical vein until it strikes the solid rock. This portion, of course, necessitates timbering, and this is carried out by means of roughly sawn planks which, placed against the sides of the shaft, are held in position by vertical pieces, which in turn are supported by transverse quarterings either drawn from centre to centre or dovetailed along the corners of the shaft into the vertical supports. After a certain depth has been reached in this fashion, and rock has been met, timbering is done away with, and a tunnel is driven at right angles from the shaft in almost any direction in which a vein of plumbago may appear. This tunnel, again, will end in a small platform, from which a second shaft is sunk to a lower level, and in this manner, sinking and driving on various levels, a depth of nearly 800 ft. has been obtained in some of the principal mines. It is, however, to be regretted that in most mines no system whatever is followed, and when a vein is struck it is the miner's sole endeavour to follow up that vein, work it out in the quickest time possible, not paying the slightest regard whether his drive may go upwards or downwards, whether it may contain sufficient fresh air or not, whether it may be 7 ft. or 2 ft., and in this fashion most of the older pits are a collection of rabbit warrens, adits, tunnels, drives, shafts, jumbled together without rhyme or reason, and the labour wasted and time, thrown away must have been enormous, The rock is drilled by hand in the vicinity of a vein in holes varying from I ft. to 6 ft. in depth. These holes are fired by means of blasting powder or dynamite charges, and after allowing sufficient time for the fumes to clear away, the debris clearers will swarm in, remove the loose matter to the foot of the nearest shaft, where two barrels on a chain drawn round a wooden winch or roller supply the means of hoisting it to the next level, when it will be carted along the tunnel to the foot of the next shaft, again hoisted, and thus, in a succession of cartage and hoisting, go to the mouth of the pit.
In fairness to the industry, it must be stated that the Sinhalese mine owner of to-day (provided he is of progressive mind and educated) is fully alive to the wastage of time and labour going on, and a great deal of money has of late been spent in steam hoisting, lifting, and pumping gear of elaborate description, and on light trolley lines for the conveyance of matter from inside the pit to the sheds at the foot of the mine.
The greatest enemy of the miner in Ceylon is water, either from internal springs in the
Page 595
TWENTIETH CENTURY
rock or from the effects of the monsoon rains, and this water is apt to rise with alarming suddenness, driving the men from their work, flooding the mine, and suspending operations for almost half the year. If there is no pumping gear and the season keeps wet, and no appreciable impression can be made by mere baling by hand, the mine is abandoned, and there are to-day hundreds of valuable properties which might be worth millions to the owners if worked on proper scientific lines. With the introduction of steam machinery and powerful pumps, the aspect of mining in Ceylon will soon be changed, the cost reduced considerably, and the output increased in proportion; and it is encouraging to note that the younger generation of mine owners are steadily working in that direction. The industry is practically in native hands, and that is Sinhalese. Most Europeans who have tried have failed by going at it on too big a scale, from want of knowledge and from totally misunderstanding the ways of local labour. Yet there are several European mines, or, at least, under European management, which are very flourishing to-day.
The labour employed in the Sinhalese throughout, and the best workmen
mines is
are those drawn from the Southern Province,
where the occupation is practically hereditary in the family, the father teaching the son as he has been taught by his own father before. The labour is mostly drawn from villages surrounding the mines, and in most cases these men own small paddy fields which have to be cultivated; and this was responsible for the introduction, years and years ago, of the twenty-four hours' shift: that is to say, a man would be sent into the mine at six o'clock in the morning, would work till six at night with one interruption of one hour only, and then after a further hour's rest was supposed to work right through till six o'clock the following morning. As the atmosphere inside these mines, which are extremely badly ventilated, was anything but pleasant, it could hardly be expected that a labourer could do justice to his employers in the second half of his twenty-four hours' shift, and it is to be hoped that mine owners will learn to see the iniquity and useless
ness of a system which from the working men man could do justice to of the progressive ow with this and are nov shifts of twelve hours.
Wages vary very muc underground-section ca. thing from 75 cents to of twelve hours; stril 45 to 7o cents, and ger
Women an
50 cents. engaged in sorting anc the sheds outside the m relatives and dependent are paid from I5 to 3o
The work undoubte changes of temperature heat at the workhead the upper - level galle draughty and cold, an are apt to ruin the bes
4Հ0 sණුමද් - - -
THE MINING
THE PLUMBAGO MERCHANTS UNION.
The history of this Union is synchronous with the growth and development in Ceylon of the plumbago industry--that is, mining, curing, and shipping of the mineral known as plumbago. This mineral, since its first appearance
in the form of an articl as is shown in Captai slowly developed until extensive native indust employment to a large
labour force available. bago gradually came t
IMPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
calls for impossibilities
and under which no his employers. A few hers have done away working the men at
h. The head cooly, or tain, may be paid anyRs. I 5o cents per day ers and drillers from eral hands from 3o to
587
there is comparatively little illness amongst the workpeople, and phthisis or pneumonia is almost unknown. Formerly the mines used to be the gathering-place of criminals of the worst type, but this has been checked of late by the owners, and is not nearly as bad as the local public is apt to believe. It is not necessary to go into the method by which the plumbago is cleaned and freed from mineral substances after it leaves the mine, as this is fully illustrated in the numerous photographs
PLUMIBAGO
.d children, who are sizing the material in ine, and are mostly the s of the mine workers, cents per diem. dly is very hard ; the from the stifling, moist at the lowest level to ries, which are very d the dry heat outside, t constitution ; and yet
22 S.
婚、
MERCEANTS.
which follow this article, and which are fully described under their respective heads. It only remains to be added that the industry has received a new impetus from the formation of the Plumbago Merchants' Union, which is fully described elsewhere. This organisation tends to safeguard the interests of the industry, which undoubtedly has a tremendous scope, and which in the future is sure to expand on lines to-day practically undreamt of in the island of Ceylon.
G INDUSTRY.
e of export in 1832, has,
Mannheimer's article, it has become the most ry in the island, giving proportion of the native
As the trade in plumO be recognised as an
important asset by the native capitalists of Ceylon, the necessity for safeguarding their interests became obvious as a matter of course. A beginning being made with informal meetings of the leading merchants, held when permitted by the fluctuations of the market, an association of plumbago merchants was
Page 596
588
TWENTIETH CENTURY
formed, which first met in 1888 to consider how best the interests of the trade would be conserved by united action. This association continued its scope of usefulness until Igoo, when, under the name of the Plumbago Dealers' Association, it formally espoused the welfare of the industry, under the beneficent influence of the phenomenal rise of the value of the mineral in that year, which averaged as much as Rs. 1,2OO (18o) for a ton of the best quality. Thereafter, the association did useful work until I905, when it assumed the name of the Plumbago Merchants' Union, and established itself on a footing firmer than before. The Union holds meetings at regular intervals, the Scope of its business embracing all practicable measures to insure fair and just treatment to all engaged in the trade. It is supported by all interested in the industry; and, judging from the whole-hearted energy with which the work of the Union is carried on and the enthusiastic welcome with which it has been received by the general public, it
PLUMIBAGO MIER
promises to continue as the plumbago merchar In justification of its r the Union is under the p, S. C. Obeyesekere, rep country Sinhalese in t the President being M veteran in the local other officials are Mr. President, and Messrs. A. Mendis, hon. Secreta ship of 82 well-known miners, the Union has Street, one of the pri the Fort of Colombo, a tutes a convenient b interested in the trad Silva, W. A. Fernando, kara are the acknowle
movement which cond of the Plumbago Merch Jacob De Mel's connec buted not a little to
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
CHANTS' UNION.
a tower of strength for hts, epresentative character, atronage of the Hon. Mr. resentative of the low . he Legislative Council, Ir. H. B. Fernando, a plumbago trade. The R. A. Mirando, ViceC. P. Seneviratne and ries. With a membernative merchants and its Office in Chatham cipal thoroughfares of location which consti
usiness centre for all
e. Messrs. N. D. P. and U. D. S. Gunase'dged pioneers of the aced to the foundation ants' Union, while Mr. tion with it has contriadd to its present
A representative association of this nature in connection with a staple industry fulfills an important purpose and may be regarded as indispensable to the prosperity of an industry upon which, as is the case with plumbago, depends, in part, the welfare of the premier Crown Colony. As the sphere of the Union's usefulness widens with the passage of the years and the development of the plumbago industry of Ceylon, it may be relied upon to continue to exert a useful influence in promoting the best interests of those engaged in the business of winning this mineral from the earth and preparing and shipping it for the world's market.
奖
DON CHARLES GEMORIS ATTYGĂLILE, Mudaliyar.
popularity.
The late Mr. Don Charles Gemoris Attygalle was born at Madapata, in the Salpiti Korale of the Western Province, in the year 1834. When
Page 597
THE LATE D. C. G. ATTYGALLE, MUDALIYAR, THE ERECTED TO HIS ME
WALAU WA AT COLAMUNNE, AND THE MONUMENT MORY AT COLAMUNNE,
Page 598
COCONUT ESTATE, DODANGASLANDA. PIT E
THE POLWATTEPITIYA STORES.
HEAD AT KAHATAGAHA MINE, DODANGASLANDA.
KURUNEGALA REST-HOUSE.
(Presented to the Headten of the North-Western Province by the late D. C. G. Attygalle, Mudaliyar.)
Page 599
TWENTIETH
only twelve years old he joined the staff of the Royal Botanic Gardens at Peradeniya. He remained six years in this employ, at first earning botany, and then engaging himself in practical work at the experimental station. Having proved himself efficient and expert in matters agricultural, he was sent by Government to the Hakgala Gardens at Nuwara Eliya, where he was placed in charge of the cinchona plantation. He spent six years in this new position, vacating it at the end of that period to start planting on his own account. In partnership with one or two others, he purchased and planted some properties in the Kadugannawa district with coffee. The profits accruing from the business becoming considerable, Mr. Attygalle, in company with Mr. D. T. Jayetilleke, and, later, with Mr. N. D. P. Silva, embarked in plumbago mining, and acquired large tracts of plumbago-bearing land in the North-Western
Here several were opened by the combination, which have still a large annual output. Mr. Attygalle then leased from Government the rents for farming
Province. well-known mines
arrack in the North-Western Province, and also planted extensively the properties he had acquired with coconuts, cacao, cinnamon, and cinchona, becoming eventually one of the largest landed proprietors in the NorthWestern Province. Dodangaslanda, in the same province, which was only a small village at the time he opened up estates and mines in the vicinity, is now a neat little town, and is commonly called “Attygalle' town, on account of his owning so many of the buildings. Chief among other edifices he erected is the bungalow he had designed and built at his expense in the heart of Kurunegala for the convenience of the headmen of the NorthWestern Province, which is at present one of the architectural features of the town. He has also built many ambalams (halting-places) for the convenience of the public at various places.
Mr. Attygalle the founder of a number of schools in his province, and he has liberally supported every local charity and charitable institution. Being an ardent Buddhist, he built the temple of Colamunne in the Salpiti Korale, which is one of the grandest of its kind, and to which many thousands resort annually for worship, and built and endowed a large number of other temples in the districts wherein his interests lay. For his philanthropy and public-spiritedness he was created a Mohandiram in I885, and promoted Mudaliyar in 1900, by Governor Sir West Ridgeway. He married, in 1872, Peternella, daughter of the late Mr. Fonseka Abeykoon, and died in December, I90I, leaving one son and three daughters.
Mr. Francis Dixon Attygalle, who is the
WaS
head offices are
CENTURY I
third of the family an late Mr. Attygalle, now of Mrs. D. C. G. Attyga executrix of her late extensive business fo Mr. Attygalle, jun., W. Walauwa, the ancest family, in the year 18 at Wesley College, Col father's business in I9 charge of all the ope of the firm, including and planting, has grow sions, the produce fron generally being sold lo the following mines (Maduragoda), Haulip, Wawelhena, Miniranha ragaha, Ragedere, and depth from 5oo to 80 ployment in the aggre. The mines are all equil pumps, Babcock & Wilc and other necessary gear, añd the minera and transported to t Kurunegala, where it i by public auction. In the following estates a talawa, planted in cacao Moragolle, Ratenamad dangadlande, Balawatal Koulwcwe, Nakiyapott the North-Western Pri coconut; the coconut and the cinnamon plar Baruhatia, Millewe, au Western Province. T lease from Government land in the above p recently been brought firm's collecting and Polwattepitiya, Dodang in the North-Western
loca Colombo, with a bra Kurunegalla.
Mr. Francis D. Attyg: has shown marked abi this large business, whi is steadily developing private residence is C. Salpiti Korale. He Sinhalese Sports Club Colombo, and a keen
NoTE.-As these page the press we received Francis Dixon Attygal mation arrived too late to corrections being made
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
d the only son of the carries on, on behalf lle, who was appointed husband's estate, the unded by his father. as born at Colamunne
ral residence of the 84, and was educated ombo. He joined his O4, and is now in sole rations. The business both plumbago mining 'n to very large dimenn the mines and estates ocally. The firm owns Kahatagaha group atala, Walakatahena, nda, Dematagaha, MaaParagoda, varying in o ft. and giving emgate to over 2,5oo men. bped with Worthington :ox's water-tube boilers, steam machinery and al raised is collected he Central Stores at s sold in its raw state the planting business ure included : Dodangand rubber; Yagapitiya, de, Battalagodda, Dole, Katala, Garuhadola, e, and Kirindigala, in ovince and planted in estate of Kahathuduwe utations of Madapatha, nd Batakattera in the he firm also holds on several tracts of paddy rovinces, which have The stowing stores are at aslanda, and Paragoda, Province, while the ed at Punchikawatte, nch establishment at
inder cultivation.
ille, though still young, lity in the conduct of ch, under his direction, and expanding. His blanunne Walauwa, in is a member of the and the Lawn Club, ill-round sportsman.
's were passing through the intimation of Mr. e's death. The inforallow of the necessary in the text.-EDITOR.
591
NANAYAKKARAGE DON PAULIS SILYA
The late Don Paulis Silva, “the Plumbago King' as he was called, afforded a conspicuous example of a successful man among the native (Sinhalese) community of Ceylon. He came from an old and distinguished family, the Nanayakkaras of the Galle district of the Southern Province of Ceylon. The father of the late Mr. Silva formerly bore the title of the Ven. Sri Sumangala, the Buddhist High Priest of what is known as the Siam sect of Baddegama, who subsequently, however, became a convert to the Christian faith. He married a Sinhalese lady of that district. The second child of this marriage was the late Don Paulis Silva, who was born in the year 1838 at Baddegama, a village about twelve miles from Galle, on the banks of the Ginganga or Gindra At the age of eighteen he lost both his parents and was left an orphan. He remained for some time in his native village, and afterwards he sold the small family possessions, and in the company of his brother and two sisters made his way to Colombo, where they have since resided. Hearing of the prospects of the Kurunegala district, Mr. Silva proceeded thither to try his luck. After a few months he went to We-uda, a neighbouring village, where he opened a store for coffee, then the leading product of the island. After spending a few years in this line of business, during which he greatly increased his small capital, he embarked in mining for plumbago. The first mine he opened turned out to be very profitable at his hands, and he subsequently bought many other plumbago lands and opened mines, which all became exceedingly profitable. He next acquired large tracts of land, which he planted with coco
river.
nut, cacao, tea, coffee, cinchona, manilla, pepper, cinnamon, and cardamoms. And Fortune smiled unceasingly on all his ventures.
He was twice married, his second wife being Pagoda Wijeyasinghe Aratchige Dona Isabella Wijeyasinghe, a descendant of one of the oldest Kotta families, whose ancestor held the office of Adigar (king's chief minister) to his Majesty Dharma Parakrama Bahu IX., king of Jayawardhanapura (Kotta). To this ancestor the king granted a sannas (a royal grant of land) in the year A.D. 1505 in recognition of his services. This sannas is still in possession of Mrs. N. D. P. Silva, the widow of the subject of this sketch. Reference to this sannas is made in the Mahavansa, the ancient Sinhalese chronicle.
Mr. Silva was characterised in business by tireless energy and great ability. But in his sixty-third year his health began to fail, and he passed away in May, 190I. The funeral procession was representative of all the
Page 600
“WIESBADEN,” THE OFFICE, AND TE
[E PLUMBAGO STORE.
Page 601
MRS. IS
MRS. N. D. P. SILVA AND FAMILY.
SABELLA SILVA.
THE LATTE N. D. P. SILVA.
2 P
Page 602
594
communities of Ceylon, and was upwards of a mile in length.
Don Paulis Silva was both a friend to the poor and a father to his people. He was an ardent Roman Catholic, and a member of all
the Catholic institutions of the island. A mere
mention of a few of the numberless good acts done by him would testify to his generous, kind, and charitable character. He founded and endowed a ward in the Lady Havelock Hospital, which is still named after him. The Home for the Aged found in him a staunch supporter ever since it was started. He was one of the principal benefactors of St. Joseph College, the leading Catholic College in the island. He built several churches and schools, and liberally subscribed to every public beneficial institution. The Good Shepherd Convent always found help at his hands. Ever ready to assist the needy and oppressed, he supported about 150 old pensioners month by month during his life. Mrs. N. D. P. Silva, in addition to controlling her late husband's large mining interests, carries on unabated the charitable work of which he was the originator. He was a man who did not in the least care for honours, and thrice refused the distinction of “Basnayake Mudaliyarship."
Of the children of the second marriage, the
eldest son is now preparing for the medical profession at the London University, while the Second is a student-at-law.
As stated above, the affairs of the late Nanayakkarage Don Paulis Silva, embracing plumbago mining, the cultivation of plantations, and general merchant's business-all on a very large scale-are under the direction of his widow, and Mrs. N. D. P. Silva is the first Sinhalese lady who has assumed the control of so vast a concern, which employs altogether some 7,ooo persons. In managing the estate and the various industries connected with it she is assisted by her late husband's two sons by his first marriage. The real property consists of twenty large fully-equipped plumbago mines in full working, many smaller mines and plumbago lands, and numerous plantations of coconut, tea, coffee, cacao, rubber, cinchona, vanilla, pepper, cardamom, and cinnamon, besides other landed property. The “N.D.P.S." brand of plumbago, founded by the late Mr. Silva, is highly appraised in the market.
The head offices of this business are at “ Wiesbaden,” Colpetty, Colombo ; and the local and general stores at New Moor Street, Pettah, Colombo. The plumbago stores and curing yards are at Panchikawatte, Kotahena, and Kurunegala, where 5oo hands are employed in sorting, sizing, and curing plumbago, and the general preparation of the mineral for the foreign market. The plumbago is brought to Colombo by rail and by road, the latter transport service being the firm's own
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
property. The large pl owns are distributed int principal is the Dodang ing of ten mines, and in Andris Silva, Kosgaha agaha, Ratamirishena mines have been active fifteen to thirty-five ye ment to nearly 4, ooo pec to a depth of 700 ft., a gear is employed to cop there are the Paragod mines-the Suriagaha Cottagaha, and Raml altogether nearly 1,500 gala Group, including gaha, and Galipatala, an hands. The two form
North-Western Provinci Sabaragamuwa Provinc mines the firm owns war plumbago lands in the Provinces.
The plantations of t throughout several pro' Western Province there of Gorakadola, consisti largest estate in Madura the Malkaduwa, and estates, besides many s the Western Province belonging to the firm a Irahandayawa, Willimb Kitulakelle, and cinnam tions of Rathmalgoda district. In the Henera Negombo divisions are ( planted with cacao, rub pepper, vanilla, and ci Woodslie estate is one O Korale, while the Amb We-uda Korale. In the the firm owns the Pind is planted in tea, cacao, on which there is a fully also the New Bambar; I,025 acres at Ratnapu sive landed property a Kalutara, Galle, Kurun We-uda. The histori situated at Kalutara, in was the health resort a late Mr. N. D. P. Silva; firm owns and conduc store in the island, with capacity of 5,000 gallons Charles Perera Sene Perera Senewiratne, M born at Pussellawa in the Royal College, Colc Mr. N. D. P. Silvas prin and since the founder's has been the general ma
MPRESSIONS
imbago mines the firm ) groups, of which the slanda Group, consistluding the well-known Patale, Dehigaha, SuriNos. I and 2. These ly worked for the past ars, and give employple. They are worked nd powerful pumping with the water. Then a Group of five rich Kosgaha, Nelaula, ukkewala-employing men, and the Wallathe Pandenia, Kahatai employing about 75o *r groups are in the 2, and the latter in the e. Besides these large ious smaller mines and Southern and Western
he firm are scattered vinces. In the Northare the coconut estate ng of 7oo acres, the goda, the Hollongolla, the Paragahadeniya smaller properties. In , the coconut estates re the Maliduwakanda, pula, Mandawala, and on and coconut plantaestate in the Panadure tgoda, Panadure, and other estates of the firm ber, coffee, cardamom, inchona, of which the f the largest in We-uda atale estate is also in 2 Kelani Valley district leni-Oya estate, which and Para rubber, and t-equipped tea factory; abotuwa tea estate of ura, as well as extent Colombo, Negombo, egala, Ratnapura, and c “Teak Bungalow,' the Western Province, nd country seat of the while at Kalutara the its the largest arrack forty vats, each of the
wiratne, son of B. J. ohandiram, who was 1864, and educated at ombo, became the late cipal assistant in 1893;
death this gentleman nager of the business.
OF CEYLON
He is one of the secretaries of the Plumbago Merchants' Union.
奖
N. D. BERNARD SIYA,
M. N. D. Bernard Silva is the eldest son of the late Mr. N. Don Paulus Silva, the mining magnate whose career has just been sketched. He was born at Mahara in 1875, and educated at the Royal and St. Thomas's Colleges, Colombo. In 1894 he joined his father in the latter's mining business, and after the latter's death in 1901 he commenced operations in partnership with his brother Stephen. The brothers trade as general merchants and mine owners, under the style of N. D. P. Silva and Co., and their office is at No. 1, New Moor Street, Pettah, Colombo. Mr. Bernard Silva owns the estates of Miris
N. D. B.; SILVA
watte, Madampe,
Udalawella, in the Chilaw, and Negombo districts respectively, and is also part owner of the Corokadolle estate in the Kurunegala district, planted with coconuts, as well as the Ambatale estate, in the same district, planted with cacao.
Mr. Silva also recently opened plumbago mines at Mabogodda in the Kalutara district. The produce of his estates and mines, such as copra, cocoa, and plumbago, are sold in the local market. Mr. Silva's favourite recreations are motoring, riding, and shooting. He has travelled in India, England, and the Continent of Europe, and is a member of the Orient, Turf, and Catholic Clubs, Colombo. In 1893 he married Christiana, the daughter of A. Isaac Perera, of Kandana, in the Alutkuru Korale of the Western Province, and his eldest son is Stephen Stanislaus Silva. Mr. Bernard Silva's private residence, Guildford
and Paradise,
Page 603
MIR. AND MRS. N,
MASTER STEPHEN SILVA.
B. SILVA ANO FAMILY,
D.
THE BUNGALOW.
Page 604
596
House, in Cinnamon Gardens, Colombo, is one of the show-places of the suburbs of the city. He owns various other house properties, both in Colombo and Kurunegala.
奖
GAMAMEDALIYANAGE GABRIEL PHILIP PERERA SENARATNIE.
This gentleman, a Mohandiram, better known as G. Philip Perera, is a son of Eusabi Perera, of Pamunugama, an owner of landed properties and plumbago mines, and the sixth great-grandson of Hendrick Perera, Lekama, who lived
TWENTIETH CENTURY
of Anuradhapura and
Colombo district. Mr. supporter of St. Jose Sinhalese grant-in-aid : whilst at his Own ( equipped the English
will and pleasure of the named village, Mr. P. year after year as P marakshita Association Pamunugama). He tal the reading-room of th most of the religious b
him. In 1906 the ran
2.-పీతజ్
VIEW OF THE TUNNEL TO THE MINE A.
IDAMUNAG-AHIA, MAIDUIRAGOIDA.
about 231 years ago, and was much respected by the Dutch Government and the inhabitants of that period of the above-mentioned village. Mr. Perera was born on November Io, 1877, and educated at the Government Training School in Kandy, St. Benedict's Institute, and St. Thomas's College. He owns the coconut estates known as the Dammadda Group, Mellowapitiya, and Badagomuwa, in the NorthWestern Province, and numerous plantations and paddy fields in the Western Province. He also owns three plumbago mines at Maduragoda, in the North-Vestern Province, vhere he employs about 500 men, the arrack rent
conferred on him by Governor, Sir Henry Ar tion of services rendere of education. He imarr Theckla, daughter of Raphial Appuhamy, of
three sons and two daug
JACOB D
The head offices of M Grandpass, Colombo, an at Nos. Io and II, Gran
MPRESSIONS
ome toll rents in the Perera is a generous h's Church and the chool at Pamunugama, pense he built and school. By the goodresidents of the aboveera has been elected esident of the Dhar(social union club at es a great interest in above association, and Doks were supplied by of Mohandiram was
OF CEYLON
side and Alston stores, at Hunupitiya, Colombo. The firm owns and manages a large number of coconut, cinnamon, and tea estates in various parts of the island, with an aggregate area of 4,792 acres; also large fibre mills at Madampe, in the Chilaw district. The produce from the coconut estates is converted into copra on the plantation, and in this form transported by canal on the firm's own boats to Colombo. The mark “J.D.M." is a well-known one in the copra world, and always fetches high prices.
Mr. De Mel is also the owner of many of the largest plumbago mines in the island, having started as early as 1870 to acquire and work
isibilitiపీకేజీవీ
G. P. PERERA SENARATNIE’S WORKIMIEN AT DAMUNAGAHA MINE, MADÜRAGODA.
his Excellency the hur Blake, in recogni
by him in the cause ed in I 897 Miss Dona yacodiaratchige Don amunugama, and has ters,
MIEL.
. De Mel are at I95, he stocks his products pass, also at his Lake
graphite properties. Some of his principal mines are at Dematagolla, Ragedera, and Maduragoda in the Kurunegala district of the North-Western Province, and these have been worked for over thirty years. They are the deepest in the island, running down to 8oo ft. in depth. It was at one of these mines that steam-gear for pumping and hauling was first erected in Ceylon. As much as 8oo tons of graphite ore have been extracted from the pits in one year. The Thitewelgolla mine at Maduragoda, seventeen miles from Kurunegala, has been worked for over twenty-three years, a depth of over 6oo ft. having been attained,
Page 605
G. P. PERERA SENARATNE, MOHANDIRAM, AND MERS.
CHILDREN OF MR, AND MRS. G. P. SCHI
PERERA SENARATNE
SENARAT NIE. FLORA VILLA.
DOL AT PAMUN UGAMA, WESTERN PROVINCE.
(Erected by Gabriel Philip Perera Senaratne, Mohandiram.)
2 IP །
Page 606
598
and this was the first mine in Ceylon where artificial ventilation was introduced. The firm also owns a further group of ten mines in full working order in the same district. When raised from the mine, the plumbago is forwarded to the railway station by the firm's own transport, and thence trucked to Colombo. After arrival at the Colombo stores it is cured, sized, and sorted, some 500 hands being employed in these operations. The plumbago thus made ready for the market is exported to London, the United States, and elsewhere, as well as sold in the local market.
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
Various other cinnamo)
and Colombo districts :
some of whicl. were in when the price of the IOoo acres in these under cultivation wit
factories have been est
and at Kadirana bark
siderable amount of the
to London and HBremen
Mr. De Mel is one of labour in Ceylon, havin
women working in h
PT-HEAD AND MACHINE-ROOM AT THITEWELGOLLA MIN
ESTATE CATTLE ON INEGOMBO
At the Wattaraka mine, in the Kelani Valley, a twin-shaft section is being worked by very powerful pumping, hauling, and ventilating machinery; and specimens of the ore from this property have been proved by analysis to contain as much as 95 per cent. of carbon, Numerous plumbago lands and mines are also owned by the firm in the Pasdun Korale of the Kalutara district.
The well-known cinnamon plantation at Kadirana in the Negombo district was acquired by Mr. De Mel in 1872 for 15 ooo sterling ; and subsequently he purchased the Ekelle estate of some 3oo acres in extent for 22,ooo.
COCONUT ESTATE,
estates, and 5OO at ht Colombo, making a total The wages paid per
amount to Rs. 25O,OO Rs. 20O,Ooo ; and in the ments, Rs. 40,000; maki bill of over half a million feeding this small army by the firm direct from gained by the firm at va hibitions include meda plumbago and cinnamc Colonial Exhibition, Lo Columbia Exposition, C
MPRESSIONS
n estates in the Kalutara are also owned by him, terplanted with coconut article fell. More than
wO districts alone are h this spice. Peeling ablished on the estates, oil is distilled. A con2 cinnamon is exported
the largest employers of lg some 3,ooo men and is mines, 2,500 on his
OF CEYLON
tion Universelle, Paris, Igoo; and St. Louis Exposition, U.S.A., I904.
The proprietor of this large and varied business, Mr. Jacob De Mel, son of Francisco De Mel and Leonora Peiris, was born at Moratuwa in the year I,839. His father, Francisco De Mel, was also born at Moratuwa, The De Mel family come of an old and respectable lineage, which can be traced back to the year 1534. The Walauwa (ancestral home) and garden occupied by Mr. De Mel's ancestor, the Mahavidana Ralahami of Laksapathiya, in the
just thirty years previously.
NIE.
is various stores in I of 6,OOO hands in all. annum in the nines o; on the estates, e Colombo establishng a total annual payrupees. The rice for of workers is imported India. The honours
rious international exls and diplomas for n at the Indian and Indon, I886; World's hicago, 1897 ; Exposi
GENERAL VIEW OF MINES AT MAIDURAGEOIDA,
year I6 Io, is now the property of Mr. Jacob De Mel's eldest grandson, Henry Leslie Jacob De Mel. In his time Mr. Francisco De Mel paid rent amounting to more than 50,000 sterling, for which security had to be given in landed property. During his lifetime this gentleman acquired numerous coconut estates, and he died in 1896 at the ripe age of eighty-six years. The son, Jacob, was educated at both Thomas's and Royal Colleges, and subsequently practised as a Notary Public. He started his successful business career by becoming proprietor of the famous Ragedere mines in the Kurunegala district. By sterling worth and honesty,
Page 607
THE LATE JACOB DE MIEL, HENRY DE MIEL, O)
FFICE AND STAFF, AND VIEWS OF PLUMBAGO YARDS.
Page 608
600
coupled with high business capabilities, he increased his business until to-day he owns one of the largest commercial houses in Ceylon. He has now retired from active participation in the management of the business, which is carried on by his son and nephew. Mr. De Mel was married, in I869, to Dona Helena Ferdinando, at Holy Emmanuel Church, Moratuwa, and has a family of nine daughters and three sons. One of the best known and highest esteemed gentlemen in Sinhalese society, he is an ardent member of the Church of England. He is also a member of the Anglican Synod and of the Sunday School Union. One of the largest supporters of various charities, he is on the committee of the Victoria Home for Incurables. He endowed the “De Mel Ward' at the Lady Havelock Hospital, and contributed largely to the Victoria Memorial Eye Hospital. He is also on the committee of the Horti-Agricultural Society. Mr. De Mel has trained his own employees, and some of his servants have been with him from thirty to forty years.
Mr. De Mel's second son, F. J. De Mel, was educated in England, and is a B.A. and LL.B. of Cambridge, and a barrister of the Inner Temple. On the day he was called to the Bar he was the youngest barrister in the United Kingdom. Mr. Jacob De Mel's eldest daughter is married to Mr. James Peiris, B.A., LL.M., of Cambridge, who gained first-class honours in Law and Moral Science, and was President of the Cambridge Union Society.
艾
HENRY LAWSON DE MEL.
The legal profession has great attractions for the educated among the rising generation in Ceylon, as affording promising scope for their cultivated talents, and many of the sons of leading merchants of the island are to be found among those enrolled in the ranks of the learned profession. Mr. Henry Lawson De Mel, the eldest son of Mr. Jacob De Mel, is one of those who chose the law for their walk in life. He was born in 1877 at “Villa De Mel,' Colombo, and after the usual course of study at St. Thomas's and the Royal Colleges in his native city, read for law. He was admitted as a Proctor and Notary in 1898, and became a member of the legal firm of Peiris and De Mel. He was appointed a Proctor of the Supreme Court in I904, but retired from active practice in the law to assume the direction of his father's extensive business. He married, in 190o, Elsie, daughter of Mudaliyar S. H. and Mrs. Jayawickrame, of Kurunegala. Occupying a prominent position in the community, Mr. De Mel is a member of the Orient and the Turf Club, a committee-man of the Ceylon Kennel Club, a member of the Ceylon Poultry Club,
TWENTIETH CENTURY
chairman of the Social Men's Christian Asso Literary Committee, Anglican Synod and Horti-Agricultural Soc Kurunegala Plainters' Colombo Plumbago I private residence, "E. Cinnamon Gardens, C hospitality among nur and motoring are his and he has covered th island on his “Cardil always driven himself. his father's large busin cousin, Mr. J. Matthias
es
J. C. DIE S
This firm carries on b shippers, and general office at 4, Queen Stre branches at Kurunegala the North-Western P. owner, who is the foun John Clovis de Silva. and proper name is Ta Gaidivasam Lindemull De Silva was taken b. year I534, on embraci
, the Portuguese rule of
of Ceylon. Mr. J. C. de from the business, whic son, Mr. D. J. Clovis de Mr. P. R. Mendis, as jo The firm mines and
the local market, and
the following coconut Western Province : Clo group, John s Land, E Christie's Land, Mary also the tea estates o Kehelwatte, and Hulu
Province. These four being planted with rub factories in connection have been erected on E In the Western Provi Gulunegoda rubber est mon estate. Their desi gala manufacture fine, strips, and other des coconuts, fibre. The firm sells
locally, whilst the de ported direct to the U. Continent of Europe.
are situated in the Do the North-Western Pro Kodigaha, Galwanagol shena, and Andris Sil been worked for abou
as well as
MPRESSIONS
ommittee of the Young ation, member of the so a member of the f the Agricultural and :ties, as well as of the Association and the erchants' Union. His ' Horton Place, lombo, is a centre of erous friends. Riding favourite recreations ; usands of miles in the ac” car, which he has
In the management of ss he is assisted by his )e Mel,
Smere,
s ܝܪS
LYA & CO.
usiness as mine owners, merchants, with a city et, Fort, Colombo, and and Dodangaslanda in 'ovince. The present der of the house, is Mr. This gentleman's full kuratha Deveaddithiya ege. The surname of y his ancestors in the ng Christianity during the maritime provinces Silva is about to retire :h is carried on by his Silva, and his nephew, nt-managers. oroduces plumbago for Wr. de Silva also owns estates in the Northvis, St. Clothilda, Galla "nest Wood, Henrietta, lount, and Potuwewa ; Watumulla, Bodawe, Ganga in the Central latter estates are now ber, and well-equipped with the new industry Odawe and Watumulla. ce the firm owns the te and Regidale cinnacating mills at Kurunemedium, coarse chips, iptions of desiccated bristle and mattress S copra and black tea ccated coconut is exted Kingdom and the The plumbago mines 'angaslanda district of
ince, the names being
, Dehigaha, Ratamiti... These mines have twenty-five years, and
OF CEYLON
at present give employment to about 1,500 people.
Mr. John Clovis de Silva was born at Moratuwa in 1852, and was married in 1877. He started coconut planting at the age of eighteen; and then successively took over the arrack rents of the North-Western Province, bought the mines at Dodangaslanda, opened estates in tea, and, in 1890, founded the present business. He is a member of the Catholic and Orient Clubs and treasurer of the Catholic Union of Ceylon. Histown residence is 'Lynn Bank," Cinnamon Gardens; and country seat, “Green Bank,” Moratuwa. Mr. D. John Clovis de Silva, son of the founder of the business, and now principal joint-manager, was born in 1885, and was educated at St. Benedict's Institute and St. Joseph's College. He plays cricket and tennis, and is a member of the Nondescripts and Sinhalese Sports Clubs and the Lawn Club. The firm's visiting agent for the producing estates is Mr. B. H. C. Mendis. The firm was awarded a silver medal and diploma at the St. Louis Exposition, 1904, for black tea and desiccated coconuts.
斐
H. BASTIAN FERNANDO.
Mr. H. B. Fernando is one of the most influential members of the mining community of Ceylon. He was born in the year 1859 at Moratuwa, and is a son of H. Abraham Fernando and Nathalia Fernando. After being educated at Moratuwa and at St. Thomas's College, Colombo, he started business in a small way at 76, Colpetty, Colombo, as plumbago' merchant, the year being 1877. In course of time he acquired mines, coconut, tea, and rubber estates in various parts of the island, and became one of the leading operators in the plumbago industry. In 1890 he married Emily, daughter of Proctor D. M. Arseculeratne, and retired from the active management of his business in I905. Mr. Fernando's private residence is at Deyn Court, Colpetty, Colombo. He is a Roman Catholic, and a member of the Catholic Club and of the committee of the Catholic Union. belongs to the Orient Club. Mr. Fernando has always interested himself largely in all local charities, and has been one of their principal supporters.
The head office of the business of H. B. Fernando, where are the main stores for the purpose of curing plumbago, are at “ Barendeniya,'' 43, Colpetty, Colombo, and his other establishments in Colombo are Walstan Stores, Borella, and Havelock Park Stores, Bambalapitiya. At all these establishments plumbago from the mines is cured, sized, and sorted, preparatory to export to different parts of the world. The business is managed by Mr. James
He also
8
Page 609
J. CLOVIS DE SILVA AND D. J. DE SILVA, AN
BUNGALOW, THE MANAGER'S BUNGALOW,
D VIEWS OF THE CLOVIS ESTATE, THE ESTATE
AND THE INTERIOR OF THE FIBRE MILL.
Page 610
602
Peter Fernando, nephew of Mr. H. B. Fernando, who is now a partner of the firm. He was born at Colombo in 1879, educated at the Royal and St. Joseph's Colleges, joined his uncle's business in I898, and took over the whole management at the beginning of I906. His private residence is “Wilhelmsruhe,” Moratuwa. His recreations are billiards, cricket, and tennis, and he is a member of the Sinhalese Sports Club, as well as a member of the Catholic Club.
COPERA DRYING.
The firm owns and works some important plumbago properties. At their Kurunduwatte mine in the Galle district, near Dodanduwa, a depth of some 200 ft. has been attained, and nearly 20o people are employed. Here, also, steam-pumping gear is in operation. Other mines belonging to the firm are Mahagama, in the Kalutara district, and Nape, in the Galle district-which latter is reckoned to produce the best plumbago in Ceylon, and has been worked for over twenty years. The Kadirandola group of mines in the Pasdun Korale,
TWENTIETH CENTURY
where some 3oo peop which had an annual C was at one time un Besides dealing with
mines, the firm buys v plumbago market as v stores alone some 4Oc in curing and sortin of the mineral. This in large quantities t Germany, and the U
COCONUT H
KANATTE S
exhibits of plumbago, t medal at the St. Louis and a bronze medal at t
1902.
The coconut estate Letchimi, and Nullunwe area of I2OO acres, and and Negombo districts, Fernando ; while rubb{ on the firm's Hathmath: district, and Dikhene, P dupitiyagodde estates in
MPRESSIONS
2 were employed, and tput of about 500 tons, er the firm's control. he ore from its own ry largely in the local ell. In the Colombo people are employed the various grades product is exported the United States, ited Kingdom. For
JSKING.
ORS,
he firm won a gold Exposition of I904, e Paris Exhibition in
of Walahapitiya, la, with an aggregate tuated in the Chilaw are owned by Mr. and tea are grown estate in the Kelani ragahahene, and Unthe Kalutara district.
OF CEYLON
The vegetable products of all the estates, whether tea, coconuts, or copra, are sold locally. Although plumbago is the principal line of the business, general mercantile dealings are also transacted. Seventy-five per cent. of all the firm's exports go to the United States of America; and its New York agents are Messrs. Henry W. Peabody & Co., 17, State Street, New York, while its agents in England are Messrs. Arthur Bramwell & Co., 44, Great Tower Street, London, E.C., and Messrs. H. L.
COLFPETTY STORES.
Tottenham, 2, Fenchurch Avenue, London, E.C. The import division of the business includes dynamite and detonators from the United Kingdom; and the firm holds the local agency for the National Explosives Company, and also for the British and Foreign Safety Fuse Company. Hoop iron in large quantities is also imported from the United Kingdom. Altogether the firm gives occupation to about I,200 employees, and the amount paid in wages per annum amounts roughly to Rs. I25,000.
Page 611
THE BUNGALOW.
JAMES FERNANDo.
H. BASTIAN FERNANDO.
THE FAMILY.
Page 612
604 TWENTIETH CENTURY )
JOHN KOTA LAWALA.
Mr. John Kotalawala, mine and plantation owner, born at Bandaragama, near Palnadure, in the year 1865, is the son of Mr. J. A. Kotalawala, Notary Public. He was educated at the Royal, St. Thomas's, and Wesley Colleges, Colombo, and, having completed his course of studies, joined the office of the Director of Public Instruction as a clerk. Thence he was transferred to the Police Department; and for saving two lives from drowning while in his new sphere he was complimented by His Excellency Sir Arthur Gordon, then Governor of Ceylon. In 1890 he proceeded to New South Wales to study gold-mining. Returning shortly afterwards to Ceylon, he rejoined the police force, worked his way up, and became the head of the Criminal Investigation Department. In 1896 he married Alice, daughter of Mudaliyar D. C. G. Attygalle, and he resigned his official post to take over the management of his father-in-law's affairs. After the latter's death he continued to manage the estate for the widow. He has now, however, handed over the management of the late Mr. Attygalle's affairs to his son, and commenced business on his own account. He owns large plumbago mines in Rambukewella, Paragoda, Hikkaduwa, and other places,
where thousands of . he works another min the Kelani Valley distr
JOHIN KOT,
the plumbago land we kande,” in the Kandy d limited company, called
Ceylon. A large quar
“FELLOWS
MPRESSIONS OF CEYION
in are employed, and plumbago is dug out here, and hundreds of at Bandigahawatte, in coolies are employed in the work. Mr. Kotala. He is the lessee of wala owns coconut and tea estates in the Kurunegala, Kelani, and Kandy districts, of which Pillewe, Padukka, and Godapola are the principal.
Mr. Kotalawala is the largest producer of thorianite in Ceylon, and at his mines in the Galle and Kalutara districts heavy steam machinery is employed for the extraction of this valuable mineral as well as plumbago. He owns I,ooo acres of forest in the vicinity of Galle, where timber is felled and then cut up in large sawmills driven by steam, the logs being hauled to the mills by elephants. This timber is used for the manufacture of plumbago barrels, also for tea chests for estates and building purposes, in which supply trades Mr. Kotalawala is largely interested. The stores in Colombo are situated at Panchikawatte and Kanatte, where some two hundred men and women are employed; and here is brought all the plumbago intended for export. But both plumbago and tea are sold on the ALAWAIA. local market.
Mr. Kotalawala is also the managing director Il-known as “Moran- of the Ceylon-Japan Trading Company, Ltd., istrict, belonging to a which has been recently formed for the the Rubber Estates of purpose of opening up trade with Japan in tity of very superior Ceylon products; and he is now on the point
EIGE.”
Page 613
THE SAWMILLS.
INTERIOR OF THE SAWMILLS.
FOREST.
ELEPHANTS AND MAHOUTS.
ELEPHANTS MOVING TIMBER,
Page 614
606
of visiting that country to study its commercial institutions. A many-sided man of varied activities, Mr. Kotalawala is a member of the Rational Association of England, and he was a
TWENTIETH CENTURY
mines: The Pushena
three Korales of the VM to a depth of 450 ft.; in the Kegalla distric
prime mover in the foundation of the Plumbago Merchants' Union in Igo5, on the committee of which body he retains his membership. He is a devotee of physical exercise and a pupil of Sandow, and he sees no reason for being ashamed of a proficiency with the gloves. He owns large property in Ceylon, and his offices are at Panchikawatte, his private residence being “Fellowsleigh," Bambalapitiya, Colombo. 艾
A. FERNANDO & CO.
The important native firm of A. Fernando & Co. plumbago mine owners and merchants, have their head offices at Buller's Road, Jawatte, near Colombo. On the retirement of the original proprietor, Mr. A. Fernando-better known as Mr. M. A. Fernando--from active participation in the firm's operations, Mr. Jacob Abraham Fernando, his son-in-law, succeeded to the business, and the latter continues to be the sole managing partner. The firm is extensively engaged in the plumbago mining industry, having under its control the following
IPANCEIIKAVATTE:
Province, which has years to a depth of 2( being employed in the the group ; the Meda same district, which ha a depth of over 20of and where about 6oc Panangala, in the K Western Province, wi years and having a c 2oo hands being emp machinery (Worthingt power boilers) havin Kurunduwatte group Southern Province, w for two years, where a attained and 2oo ha: machinery including t pumping engines of group of mines at Pa district, is being now s centre of operations B; tube boilers of 96 hors ton pumps, I4 ins. b 20,ooo gallons lifting
IMPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
roup, the deepest in the astern Province, worked e Aruggammane group, of the Sabaragamuwa,
necessary appliances have been installed, the whole constituting the most powerful pumpinggear plant in Ceylon. The firm also owns various other mines in this district, as well as
PLUMBAGO STOREs.
been worked for two o ft., nearly 3oo hands various pits comprising ode group, also in the s been recently opened, ... having been reached,
men are employed; alutara district of the irked for nearly three epth of about 240 ft., oyed and heavy steam in pumps and 8o-horseg been installed; the (partly owned) in the nich has been worked lepth of 240 ft. has been ds are employed, the to Worthingtom steamo horse-power; No. 2 angala, in the Kalutara Ink. At this last-named bcock & Wilcox water-power, and Worthing
7 ins. by Io ins., of
capacity, with other
in the Hewagam Korale of the Western Province. All the plumbago from these mines is brought to Colombo, part of it being sent to the stores at Jawatte to be cured. Here 250 men and women are employed in curing, sizing, and sorting the mineral, the premises and yards covering an area of nearly two acres. The rest of the crude mineral is sold to local curing yards. Coopering is also done at Jawatte, and the cured plumbago is casked ready for shipment or local disposal. In addition to the mines, the firm owns more than a hundred plumbago - yielding lands, some of which are being worked by themselves, while the others are leased to the villagers for working, the firm retaining the ground lease.
Mr. A. Fernando owns several large coconut estates, of which Wewagedera (600 acres), in the North-Western Province, and Kiribaththuduwe and Pitipana (of 300 acres each), in the Western Province, are the most important -the two latter planted partly with cinnamon. At Panaluwa (I25 acres), in the Western Province, rubber has been planted, while in the Kurunegala district further coconut-planting
Page 615
AN
J A W AT'TE FPL, UMA BA (; () ST’ () RHES
J. A FERNANDO,
O (OFFICE. A FERNANDO.
:LEANING PLUMBAGO, JAWATTE STORES.
Page 616
機籌數鯊
JAMES FERNANDO, NATIVE WOMEN WORKING IN
HYDE PARK PLUM
IS PLUMBAGO YARD, AND TWO VIEWS OF EIS
BAGO STORES,
Page 617
TWENTIETH
operations have been started. Mr. J. A. Fernando is a member of the Church of England, and a liberal supporter of Sunday schools and other religious institutions. His private residence is “ Fern Dale," Moratuwa, while Mr. A. Fernando resides at Meth Madura, in the same town.
奖
JAMES FERNANDO,
Mr. James Fernando, who succeeded to the business of plumbago mine owners, merchants and exporters established in 1856 by Simon Fernando, Mudaliyar, was born at Moratuwa in the year 1868. After receiving his education at the Royal College, Colombo, he joined the business in 1887, and took over the sole management some six years later. The original premises of the business were situated at Vauxhill Street, Slave Island; but recently the head offices have been removed to 5, Hyde Park Corner, Cinnamon Gardens, though the stores for curing, sizing, and sorting plumbago are still located on the former site. Mr. Fernando's principal mines are situated in the Western and Southern Provinces, and among the more important of these properties are the following: Alukatiya group, worked for three years and having a depth of 150 ft., equipped with Worthington's steam-pumping gear and
CENTURY I
Babcock & Wilcox's tube boiler, the oper, giving employment t Rambukpotta group, Ki gala, and Tun haula min depths from I5o to 3 opened within the past employment, in all, to O These and some 20O owned by Mr. Fernar various parts of the W in the southern district man owns a number lands, which are being by private prospectors mines in the Kegalla dis of Mr. Fernando, and him by Mr. A. N. de hands and steam pum ployed in the operations all these mines is brou the Colombo stores, v shipped to the United K United States of Amer
sold in the local mark quality of the plumbag Fernando's mines, he v silver medal at the Colo a gold medal at the S I904, and another silve
ERCNRY JOSEPE EPECIRS
MWWWWWWW
IPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
'5-horse-power watertions at these mines ) nearly 500 hands; ibathera group, Annasies, which have varying o ft., and have been five years or so, giving ver another 5oo hands, other smaller mines do are scattered over estern Province, while s of Ceylon this gentleof plumbago-yielding worked on his behalf The Arukgammana trict are also properties are being worked for Silva & Co., over 2oo ping gear being emThe plumbago from ght by cart and rail to here it is cured and (ingdom, Germany, the ica, and elsewhere, or et. For the excellent go extracted from Mr. was awarded a special mbo Exhibition in 1893, t. Louis Exposition of r medal in Igo6.
609
Mr. Fernando also owns several coconut estates in various parts of the island; while rubber has been planted on his Morankinda property, of I5o acres, in the Kelani Valley and on anothel plantation of 250 acres near Padukka. Mr. Fernando is a member of the Plumbago Merchants' Union, also of the Turf Club. His private residence is “Sirinevasa,' Moratuwa. He is assisted in his business by Mr. M. P. Dissanayake.
艾
HENRY JOSEPH PEIRIS.
Mr. Henry Joseph Peiris, who is the son of the late Mr. Hanvadige Andris Peiris, who died in I895, was born at Moratuwa in the year I858. On completing his education at St. Thomas's College, Colombo, he joined his father in business in I880, and established himself as a general merchant and arrackrenter, owning, at that time, some of the largest arrack farms in the island. When the elder Mr. Peiris retired from the business in I89o, his son assumed sole control of the firm, moving his offices to Consistory Buildings, in the capital, in order to be in a better position to cope with the extensive operations rendered necessary by the growth of the business. With the same purpose, stores for the handling
| VIEW OF EIS RESIDENCE.
29
Page 618
(FO)PLERING
LL SLLLL LLLLL LLH S LLLLLLLL0LGLLLLSS S LLLLLLLLSELLL YS
! H" եւ 1
TMIEB ;) ;) ; GEBERITEL FERNANI).
KILLNING FILTTE. G.
Page 619
TWENTIETH CENTURY IMP
of plumbago and other Ceyloi produce havc beel establishtet i Kizulu wkoll : il IIIA velock Tawn, Colurnho. Mr. Peiris is the owner of largc plantations inil 1:roperties in many parts of the island, sonnet of the better known beirg Mathat Indicy (300 acrc5), Leeli erley a g:LIT1;a (400 :Lcres), Dunka Illa ([[x] acres), Tanba palnil ( i5o acres), Gallunteera (Lux acres, Darwille | 50 acres), Kilimbukkuliya 500 acres), and Kildc* ille (4CC) acrçs), all planticci v'itli cxxx ILLLL :LLind sitted in the Chili yw und F’uttal 11 listricts of the Western Province ; Illinbadeniya (200 acres), Muwahhell (goo acts), also planted witlı cıHL:Cymut, in the KurLLegal: klistrict cuf the North-Wester Princi: ; the Mellewill gro Lip, li solmic: 2000 acre:si, pilla Tilel wit li l-ca :Lnd rubber; Yahala.kelle, if I,000 acres, planted with te;, Coconut, arid cinnamo II ; l'Encl Bellapitiya, (if 50L acres, planted with tea and rLibher, ill the Kalutara district of the Wester) Province. All these estates Ltc. completely 2 qılı ipped witlı up-to-date: Th;chillery" zalıd Inc.cessary applinces for the trica liment is the pridice, whilic oil a large Illumber of the 11 fine residences lind Ellingali:ws hit vc been erected. All the products from Mr. Peiris's slales are bTought to the Colu-LLubo storcs, where dhey a1': cured and ihade re: dy for displicisill, the either sold in the la Hill Tilarket or expirled to Engll ind, Messrs. It crt & Co., of Ashton Lodge, Talwistock Road, Croydon, ict as the firin's agents for the United Kingdom. In addition to owning the above-tinum cratetl long list of lea, coconLit, and rubber estates, Mr. Peiri8 i8 zllsulargely interested in plumbago, alti is the proprietor of the well-know II mies of PLIssaliena, in the Kigalla district, which have becil worked for the last fiteen years, the present depth being 35 ft. Here it werful stealm pumping gear with Worlhington pumps ind hauling Inachingry are used the whole of the operations giving employment to over 3X IIle11. At all ther of Mr. Peiris's Illi11's Pınarıgüla, in the Kalutırı district, whiclı has bcc worked for upwards of ten ye:Lts Lild to a depth of 3oc ft., heavy stean pumping ge:T-cl:Lilled to be the largest instill:Lion of the lithid in the island, with billcrs of IQ5 h{T8-L-pQwer–is cmployed. Mr. Peiris also owns and works Warious minics in the Gille, Kulutara, and KITLII1egalla districts, tlhe produce fru IL1 all of withich is hrought by thc Colombo stores and cured, sorted, and sized for lisposal in the local Ilarket.
Mr. Peiris is a lenber of the Plumbago Merchants' Union of thc Orient Club, and of the Agricultural Sucicly. He is also Warden of Holy Emirtlanuel Church, Muratuwa trustec and treasurer of the church fullds, Ltd lay representative to the Synod. He is a Justice of the Peace for the Western Province. His private residence is Oliver Castle, Grcgory Ruatl, Cinnamon (Gardens, Coloriulio. ; and his
country selt "Sury: Peiris foundical tille ** irm the Wictorill Meetin Illic Ithory of this lat.: sat a tahl.ct is erected in a lilrge subscriber to cine of the princip:Ll su in-Neecil StJciety, HL: Marawila, in the Chil grounds a Titl properlieg Clı Lurch Lt MoO3, LI YA'H. Na Ilıcy Chazırlı bilte, cd:Lig Jollannes de Mel of M
T
ఆ
GABREL
Mr. Ghric| Ferflä11 Muratuw: in 18f7, is o'r WILer, plumbago II herit; prietir in Colombo and Üı bu sinc55 li 74, Co Colonha, where lhe esta He is the s T1 of Mistri: lcher -f MIT. H. El: I'e L'eived lı is education tute, atind afterw:urdis eInt lhis Limacle, Mr. Bastiaan hic received his training mimitig, LI d giet T1 : Tall of In 1893 he wils admitted uncle; lul in IJO he s in Corder txi set up in bu: Whicll liIne he ha5 ligt his Killupitiyil store 0. ployed in Luring plultila slı ippile:-ci iılır.Çzad Qimi ia lalrı in the lic:ll milrkets. T. ow Il Coopering shells
11: de in Wolhich the pli LxpOrt. At Mr. No, 14 Hun Lupitiya la El curing store, where employed. Mr. Fernand plumbago propertics sit Kalularl district), also Chief arnøng the latter : pl:L Inilalin of 485 3LCI'lės, estate, Kui rl I Illegali, iI1 ll vince, the superintende Percra, atıkları est:Lte of : in the Wesler Tı Proviç cili i 11:11 llon, but which is the growing of ruhher, is the superintendent of Feila Trio il 5 Wris
the Wister cinnaillor alofie is cul there is also a peeling st properties.
Besides plumbago, Il locally, also citlamor. at the present title in
FTIT
:Lcres in
RESSIONS OF CEYLON
dc," MIJTitul vival, MT. Andris Peiris Ward,' rial Eyc Hospital, in let to whose 111 elliry lhalt institution. He is, local chilrities, at d is *pitters of the Friendbuilt the paraon:lge of lw listrict, and gave this th: Holly. Ennillmann Liel In 1888 lle IIIuliaTricid lLLcer of Mr., Lrld Mir5, elvillic, Moratuwa.
"ERNANDO,
., Who Walls Erl at :L Wicil='kilt) yw 11 LL minile hant, anal lantled pro. Moratuwa, and carries petty Road Colpctly, blished himself in 1902. Il l'erIl:LIlslo ||the oldt:st stian Fcrnado). He at St. FeII:li's listiered ill thusics: with Ferinia India, with yw'll corn girl planting pr:Luticall ifice :ını xil export warlı, as a partner with his evered this collection siness for himself, since :Il very successful. At er 250 hands 1re grng, which is afterwards ge: Scale, As well ELS 58 ll 1: establishi Ilent hills its where the barrels are LITmbigo iš packed for Lindo's establishment, ket ROakl there is als) SO II e IX) pg.ople are o ovilš8evtral valLille |al, teitl i:11, Pasdlu In Korale 84everal large eslates. rc: ELL) extensive co HCC:In Liit
C North-Wesler. I Prokt If wlich is MIT. A. I53Cres at Homagama, hå Cicaçon Luts alınd Int yw bicing devolted to Mr. 1), C. Wijesingha hi5 latter Estilte. Mr. asha wa State of 1"-
Province, on which wated, arid on which tion and some smaller
ts and copra are 5 ld y Mr. Ferrando; and lIT10Il ClpTä, CHC011 Llls
511
Cocoa, cardamoms, fibre, and tea arc being shipped by him direct to various oversea courhtries, the chief ports of destination being Lincion, Liverpol, Marseilles, Hamburg Aillwerp, New York, Wancouvet Adelaide, Brisbanc, Zarzihar, and Odessa. Mr. Fernando is also a direct importer of hardware and cotton IIllnufactures from Germany, the United Kingdom, Holland, Lind the Inited Slales of Americal. At the St. Louis Exposition of 1904 he secured a diploma and silver Illell for his plាmbago.
Mr. Gabricl Fernando's country resiclence is "Fair Law," which was huilt in 1855 by his father Lind has cover since Tetlail el the family Tesicle 11te. His to Wil residence is "Bill Wood, Barmbxall:upitiya, Hic is a member of the RoLimial Cılbıcılic Clılı'th, Lnd il*cı : TILethber of tht I'lunbago Merclaints' Union. He married, in I & 5, Joscphine Mary, secord daughter of the |ale Mr. L. MI. ArscClleTalne Practer AT1l Not;aro Public.. Mr. Feto Liu Ido is assiste:d iri. his business by Mr. ). C. W. Obeyeseker.
芷T
DON SPATER SENANAYEKE, Mudaliyar.
Mr. Don Spater Senanayekc, Mudaliyar, is a a0L LL LLL LLL LLLS LL LLLLLLaHHS Senanayeke, who died in the year 1878. The for ILimer was bir Trı zıt 13 tale, in the Hupitig-LIII] Korale of the Negombo district in the year 1847. Aster being Lcducatec at wärious sch Kl5 in Ceylon he started business on his own account, in the plumbago-Imining lite, at the early age of eighteen years. He now alrries or business as plullibago title owner, Incrchill Int, est: te proprictor, at ikli generall plaLIntęT. His offices :Lire sit Li:Lite« il "Siri Mladı.Lr,” CLstle Street Cinna III Girles, Lili his storc5 are located al Kitulatta, Kathatte Colombo... Mr. Scalatlayteke is home of tlhc largest Tine owners in the island, and controls the Irines of Antlepussa, which have been workeci for twenly years, and at which stearn pumping gear of + hurst-power is used. These Inimes give employment to about 3, ouo pgople. Mr. SenanayEkg has also LQ1ilrnéricEd perations in mining at Miriga 11 til a Lld l’ussehenii in the Regiulla district, and the graphic extracted froii) these ind other nines under his control is collected al Art bepussia, or the main line of railway, and thence for WiTded to Col } Il-LP, with :: it Li de Tgg7 25 the the Ces8;LI" process ini cLiring at the stores, being fler YY:LTls still il the local L 11: Trket, Mlır. Senanayeke is the Uwcher of large coconut estales, principally Deobrolnaya, DeagLmpola, Lower Kudawe and Botale in the Negomlix district, and II) ittawa, Golwenia, NebČIdaWaldura, Nagahatipalawa, and Boyalwalatla in the Kurunegali district, which aggregate soIIll: 2,000 acres in extent, while he is also
Page 620
IE,
LLLLLL LaLLLLLLL0LS S L0LLLL YLLL LLLSLLLLLL
N
ΤEHE REE IIIENCE,
| FAMILY.
Page 621
ML)ALTAR. DON. S. LLLLLL LLLLLLLaaaaLLL LLLLtGLEE LLLL LLL LLLLGL LLL LLLlLLLLLLL OT L TLTLLLlLlLLLS LLLLLLalSLLL LLL
PATHER BENA N.AL'EEE.
LL LS LLLLLLLCCCa S LLLL S SLS LLLCLL LLLlLlTaLLL HLLL LLLS LLSa E LSaLaS aLLLL LL LLL Lilii III. II. i
* לי 4.
Page 622
64
proprietor of other plantations in various parts of the North-Western Province. He owns, besides, a large number of residential properties in Colombo and Kandy.
Mr. Senanayeke was a liberal contributor to the Victoria Memorial Eye Hospital and the Indian Famine Relief Fund, and is a very large supporter of local charities. It was in recognition of these benefactions that Sir West Ridgeway, then Governor of the Colony, conferred on him the titular rank of Mudaliyar. Mr. Senanayeke's town residence is “ Siri Madura,” one of the most beautiful bungalows in the suburbs of Colombo, while his country seat is Botale Walauwa, in the Ambepussa district. He is a member of the Plumbago Merchants' Union and several other local institutions.
奖
D, D. PEDIRIS,
Mr. Pedris, who is a native of Galle, commenced his business career in 1872, interesting himself from the very beginning in plumbago, and starting a drapery establishment later, at Cross Street, Pettah, in Colombo. The latter business soon attained such large proportions that it had to be housed in the extended premises in use at present. Here a brisk business is being done in the sale of piece
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
goods and in the o Mr. Pedris's operations reSS 2e extensive, 2c sale, and export of plul handling the mineral ar Hunupitiya, Colombo, a I888. Here the plumt mines belonging to M and some I 25 men and in sorting and sizing it the Kalutara district, M practically one of the C which has been work years, a depth of 5 IO ft Up-to-date machinery fo including Worthington pumps, has been introd ing gear, with two 20-h one of I6-horse-power, 5oo men are maintained treating the plumbago ( railway station at Alu distant. Mr. Pedris also
lands in the Galle distric
to commence active O date. He is, besides, t sive paddy fields in th and of residential quar of that province and Western Province.
Mr. Pedris is a staun
“D. D. PEDRIS AND ALSTON
MPRESSIONS
tfitting line generally. in the plumbago busi. comprise the curing, hbago. The stores for at No. 3, Alston Place, nd were established in ago from the different . Pedris is conveyed, women are employed At Anasigalahene, in . Pedris owns what is ldest mines in Ceylon, 2d for over thirty-one having been reached. pumping and hauling, and Smith-Vale sinking iced, and powerful liftorse-power boilers and is employed. Nearly at this mine in either or transporting it to the gama, some 2o miles owns other plumbago ct, on which he intends perations at an early he proprietor of extene Southern Province, ters in both the capital the metropolis of the
ch Buddhist, and is on
O FN CEYLON
the committee of the Theosophical Society. He is also a liberal supporter of the Friend-inNeed and other local charitable societies. He is a member of the Plumbago Merchants' Union. His hobby is photography; and, as an amateur, he may be well considered an adept in this line of work. He married, in 1882, the daughter of Margris Fernando, Peace Officer of Karandeniya. He is assisted in his business by Mr. W. P. Rupesinghe. His offices are at Alston Stores, Hunupitiya, while his private residence is Vimal Villa, No. 9, Turret
Road, Cinnamon Gardens. Colombo.
罗
L. B. A. DE SILVA & Co.
Established at Galle in 1896, the headquarters of this business were removed to Colombo in I899, the Galle branch, however, being still continued. The firm is chiefly concerned with the mining and exportation of plumbago and Ceylon precious stones; and the present proprietors, Mr. Lianage Bennet Andris de Silva and others, own mines of this mineral in the Ratnapura district, of which the principal are Verellugaha Patalaya, Wadia Patalaya, and Diya Patalaya. These three mines are worked to a depth of about 200 ft., and give employment to some 3oo men. The firm also owns and works the Udedeniya plumbago
PLACE PLUMBAGO
STORE.
Page 623
L. B. A. DE SILVA, L. B. J. DE SILVA, F. E. DA BAMBAL.APITIYA PLUMBAGO STORES, LOADING PLUM
NTANARAYANA, THE OFFICE STAFF, AND VIEWS OF
BAGO FOR EXPORT, AND L. B. A. DE SILVA'S RESIDENCE.
Page 624
616
R. A. MIRANDO, PLUMBAGO Y
mine at Ambepussa, in the Colombo district, and the mines called Dilgaha Patalaya and Kosgaha Patalaya in the Galle district, on each of which several hundred men are employed. In the Colombo stores, where all the plumbago is sorted and sized and cleaned, some two hundred men and women are engaged in the various operations connected with the industry, and the firm does its own coopering, or barrelmaking, for storing and packing the cured graphite. The latter is exported largely to the United States and England. The firm's London agents are Messrs. Arthur Bramwell & Co., Ltd., 43-45, Great Tower Street, London, E.C.; while their American agents are Messrs. Kern Commercial Company, I57, Cedar Street, New York. Messrs. de Silva & Co. also export large quantities of Ceylon precious stones to England. Exhibits of Messrs. de Silva & Co.'s plumbago were awarded honourable mention at the Exposition Universelle, Paris, I900, and the firm gained diplomas at the Galle Exhibition of 1898, as well as a bronze medal and diploma at the St. Louis Exposition of I904. The head office of the firm is at “Inverberi,' Bambalapitiya, Colombo.
MIRANDO & CO.
The offices of this firm are located at 76, Dam Street, Hultsdorf, Colombo, and the
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
principal branches of handling of plunnbago for sale on the local to the various continer stores are situated at D where about Ioo peop in dealing with the through various proces shipment.
The firm was origi: Richard Adrian Miran whose operations were plumbago and cinnam carried on business as of the above-mentioned years it has become a market of cured arti the Oolooambalama c Negombo district, plar well, and having an a Ratgama, in the Galle acres; and one or two in the Western and Sou peeling stations have b estates, the prepared sent to the Colombo st or shipment Oversea.
Mr. Mirando was bo was educated at the known as the Colombc business in 1879. He
MPRESSIONS OF
CEYLON
ARD AND CINNAMION STORES.
their business are the
and cinnamon, both market and for export tal ports. The firm’s emettegodde, Colombo, le are busily engaged products, which pass ses in preparation for
nally founded by Mr. do, in the year II 879, mainly concerned with on. At first the firm plainters and producers product; but of recent large buyer in the local les. The firm owns nnamon estate in the ted with coconut as rea of 800 acres; the district, containing 8o other minor properties hern Provinces. Large en established on these innamon quills being ores for disposal locally
n at Colombo in 1854, Royal College - then Academy-and started s the Vice-President of
the Plumbago Merchants' Union, which was founded, in 1905, for the mutual protection and safeguarding of the interests of the local plumbago merchants. He is also President of the Buddhist Theosophical Society, whose object is the propaganda for the spreading and teaching of Buddhism. This society has established one college at Colombo and one at Kandy, and has some 3oo schools in different parts of the island under its immediate direction and control. Mr. Mirando's private residence is "Siriwimana,' Third Division, Maradana, Colombo.
艾
W. J. FERNANDO,
Mr. W. J. Fernando, who was born at Moratuwa in the year 1842, entered into partnership with Messrs. W. A. & W. M. Fernando in 1867, merchants and plantation owners, under the style of W. A. Fernando & Bros., on the basis of the business that had been established some fifteen years previously by Mr. Philip Fernando, the father of all these gentlemen, at Moratuwa. After continuing in partnership for upwards of twenty-five years, the brothers separated, and Mr. W.J. Fernando set up on his own account at Hultsdorf, afterwards removing his business to Hunupitiya, a suburb of Colombo. The business under his control increasing rapidly and quite out
Page 625
FERNANDO, AND TV
J
ܬܐܬܐ
露
تستنشنسْتَسْتَسْتَسْتَسْتَطْتَكُنْتُضة
VO VIEWS OF HIS PLUMBAGO YARD.
Page 626
618
growing the inadequate premises in which it was housed at Hunupitiya, Mr. Fernando removed his establishment to Jawatte, near Colombo, in 1899, where it now remains, still expanding in its scope, and employing some 4oo men in the operations of the different departments. The stores and yards cover an area of 2 acres, being replete with every appliance and necessary for the proper handling of the products dealt in, the principal line of business being the curing and exporting of plumbago.
Mr. Fernando owns numerous mines in the Western and Sabaragamuwa Provinces of the island, among the better known of which may be included the Galwallagodelle group of four mines in the Kalutara district, where powerful machinery of 4o horse-power (Worthington pumps) has been installed and about 5oo persons are engaged in handling the mineral and extracting it from the pits, which have now attained a depth of 225 ft. Another
large mine under Mr. Fernando's control is
Kudumirishena, which gives employment to over I50 men. Mr. Fernando also owns a number of other plumbago lands of minor importance in the Sabaragamuwa Province, and also contracts with private mine owners for the output of their pits, while some of his mines are being worked on his behalf by other prospectors. All the plumbago from Mr. Fernando's mines is brought down to the Jawatte stores at Colombo, the transportation being effected either by boat on the Kelani river and Kalu Ganga, or by road direct. Mr. Fernando is chief supplier to the Morgan Crucible Company, of London, of Ceylon graphite, and an extensive business is done in this mineral through Messrs. Aitken, Spence & Co., of Colombo, who are the local agents for the English firm. The commendations which Mr. Fernando has received for his exhibits of plumbago at various exhibitions in London, Melbourne, and elsewhere, testify to the excellence of the quality of the mineral extracted from his mines. His exhibit of plumbago at the Colombo Museum is especially deserving of notice.
Mr. Fernando has also large interests in the planting line, and owns the estates of Alakolladeniya in the Kurunegala district of the NorthWestern Province. He is the proprietor as well of smaller plantations in the Sabaragamuwa Province, and is engaged at present in opening up an area of I75 acres in rubber on the property known as Beruwan, Mukulana, in that part. His private residence is “ Ferndale," Moratuwa, He is a member of the Church of England, of the committee of the Friend-in-Need Society, of the Moratuwa Sunday School Union, and of a number of other public benefit societies. connections in the plumbago business are
While his
TWENTIETH CENTURY
varied and extensive,
Ceylonese gentleman
himself with the Plum of Colombo, or in any its membership. He is his son, Mr. P. E. Ferr Mr. James Abraham Fe
لیے
WI, A, F
The late Mr. W. A. gentleman, who died I90I, was one of the pi trade of Ceylon. In ti business as a plumbag where he opened the Browning Street, now Place, in the Cinnair small beginning, the Fernando's careful gu: the most extensive in t dealings in the local varied and comprehens of the direct export bl the shrewdness of its at the present day larg to Europe and Ameri Commonwealth of Au shown in the accompa a good idea of the natu on, as well as the ex The firm of W. A. Fern of the largest buyers market, also owns and the principal ones bei Kurunegala district, C Galle district, and I Colombo district, The mines, after extraction forwarded, by the firr road to the railway stati to Colombo, where it stores-of which the Rosmead Place, while “Bremen Stores,' is i At the stores some 3OO
are busily engaged in
cleaning the plumbago f this process the miner divisions according to
again subdivided into f ing (i.e., barrel making packing the plumbago, premises, and forms an
industry, That Mr. W. bago is of sterling qu. awards granted to his
national and local exl Diploma and medal, St.
diploma, Exposition Uni and medal, Chicago Exp and medal, Indian anc
(MPRESSIONS
he is about the only who has not identified bago Merchants' Union way been associated in assisted in business by lando, and his nephew, >rnando.
ERNANDO,
Fernando, a Sinhalese so recently as the year oneers of the plumbago he year 1854 he started o merchant in Colombo, * Greenside Stores' in v known as Rosmead on Gardens. From a business, under Mr. idance, became one of he line; and its present plumbago market are ive. The rapid increase usiness speaks well for present managers; and ge shipments are made ca, as well as to the stralia. nying illustrations give ire of the work carried
The premises
tent of the enterprise. ando, besides being one in the local plumbago works mines of its own, ng at Hikgaha, in the Golu wanmulle, in the Himbutamulle, in the
plumbago from these in the usual manner, is n's own transport, by ions, and thence by rail into thé
principal one is at another, called the in the Jawatte suburb. o 4oo men and women sorting, sizing, and
is received
or the market. During al is divided into four size, each of which is Cooper), for the purpose of
is carried on in the interesting part of the
· A. Fernando's plumality is shown by the firm at various interhibitions, as Louis Exhibition, 1904; verselle, 19Oo; diploma osition, I897; diploma il Colonial Exhibition,
Our qualities.
follows :
OF CEYLON
I886; diploma and medal, Melbourne Exhibition, I884; silver medal, Governor Gregory's Exhibition, held at the Colombo Museum, I886; silver medal, Prince of Wales's Exhibition, held in Colombo, 1875; and silver medal, Duke of Edinburgh's Exhibition, held in Colombo, I86o.
On the death of Mr. W. A. Fernando, the business passed into the hands of his son-inlaw, Mr. Edmund Clarke de Fonseka, a Proctor of the District Court of Colombo, who resides at “Arcadia,' Rosmead Place, Cinnamon Gardens, Colombo, adjoining the principal stores, and in whose capable hands the traditions of the late Mr. W. A. Fernando are worthily upheld. Mr. Don Andris Fernando, who entered the firm’s employment in I898, is the working manager of the business, being assisted in his duties by Mr. Edwin Solomon Rodrigo.
要
U. D. S. GUNASEKARA & CO.
This firm was originally established in 1877 at Colombo, as plumbago merchants, general produce exporters, and shippers. Mr. U. D. S. Gunasekara, the founder, continued to be the sole proprietor of the firm until his death in I894, when Mr. A. E. de Silva continued the business till I904. At the latter date the managerial duties devolved on his son, Mr. Dionysius Bernard Gunasekara, and Mr. Amadoris Mendis, the present directors of the firm's operations. Under their control is the Boreluketiya group of mines, in the Kalutara district, which has been worked for over twenty-five years, and where a depth of 2IO ft. has been attained, some 20O hands being employed in extracting and handling the mineral; and Kokkumbera group, also in the Kalutara district, which has been worked for upwards of thirty years, and where a depth of II5 ft, has been attained. All the plumbago from the firm's mines is brought to their central stores, Maradana, Colombo, where nearly 70 hands are engaged in curing, sorting, and sizing the plumbago for local disposal and shipment abroad. For the specimens of plumbago displayed at the Indian and Colonial Exhibition in 1884 the firm was awarded a diploma and bronze medal while at the later exposition in Paris in I90o their products again
who are
elicited admiration and were awarded prizes.
Mr. D. B. Gunasekara has also under his immediate control several cinnamon and coconut estates in the Western and Southern Provinces, of which Kudapalugaswewa (I5o acres), in the Chilaw district, planted in coconut, and superintended by Mr. E. A. de Silva, and Nape, in the Matara district, planted in citronella, are the most important. He also owns several minor cinnamon estates in the
Page 627
THE LATE. W. A. FERNANDO, E. DE FONSEKA, E. C
LIF"TING AND PREPARING
DE FONSEKA, AND VIEWS OF PICKING, SORTING, LUMBAGO FOR SHIPMENT.
Page 628
A. MENDIS, D. GUNASEKARA, PLUMBAGO YARD, OF
FICE AND STORES, AND PRIVATE BUNGALOW.
Page 629
TWENTIETH CENTURY
Ambalangoda district of the Southern Province, while, as trustee of the estate of the late Mr. U. D. S. Gunasekara, a number of valuable plumbago lands in that province have come Mr. D. B. Gunasekara, who was born at Colombo in 1882 and educated at the Royal College, joined his father's business in 1901.
under his supervision.
He is a keen sportsman, well known in the local cricket world, and a member of the Nondescripts, Sinhalese Sports, Chums' Football and Athletic Clubs of Colombo, while he has also enrolled himself under the artillery section of the Ceylon Volunteer Force. His partner in business, Mr. Amadoris Mendis, is
ಫ್ಲಿಕ್ಹ s
গুঞ্জ
YY. JOSEPH AND
This firm of plumbago business in 1894 at Ros Gardens, Colombo, und Joseph De Mel, but ha stores to the present partners in the busine: Peter, and Abraham De born at Moratuwa. educated at the Prince that town. The firm bt the mines direct, as wel the interior and in the l
THE BUNGALOW.
a son of Mr. Endries Mendis, of Galle, and was born at Ratgama in 187o. After receiving his education at Galle, and latterly at the Royal College, Colombo, he joined the firm as partner in I904, and has been actively connected with the operations of the house ever since. In addition to his official business, Mr. Mendis also discharges the duties of secretary of the Plumbago Merchants' Union. The head offices of the business are located at Jail Road, Maradana, Colombo, while Mr. Gunasekara's private residence is “Kittyakara,' and Mr. Mendis's “The Nook,' both in the Maradana quarter of the metropolis.
THE HEADS OF THE FIRM OF
mineral has been bro Ioo men and women a sizing, and generally pr Most of the plumbago known Panangela, Ku Korale mines. The par and at Melton, Moratuv Besides plumbago la also owns the Damune; De Mel Thenne and several other propertic Province, and is now plantation in the Sam doing business, in part
IMPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
A. P. DE MEL.
merchants commenced mead Place, Cinnamon er the direction of Mr. re since removed their site at Kanatte. The s are Messrs. Joseph, Mel, all of whom were The two latter were of Wales's College in Iy their plumbago from
as from the dealers in ocal market. After the
621
forwarding and commission agent and general merchant, under the name of Messrs. Mel, Mendis & Co. at Talawakele, Agrapatna, and Lindula, in the Central Province. In the North Central Province the firm own large steam sawmills, where all kinds of Ceylon wood, more especially satin and mille wood, are dealt in. In various parts of the NorthWestern Province also their sawmills turn out staves for barrels. These articles are sold in large quantities to various dealers in Colombo. At the Kalaoya sawmills sleepers are shaped for the Government Railway Department.
W. J. AND A. EP. DIE MIEL
ght to the stores some re employed in curing eparing it for shipment. comes from the wellrunegala, and Pasdun ners reside at Villakone
a. nds, Mr. Peter De Mel olle coconut estate, the Godagama estates, and s in the North-Western opening up a rubber province. He is also ership with another, as
THE PLUMBAGO STORES.
JOHN HENRY ARSECULERATNE.
Mr. J. H. Arseculeratne, the third and youngest son of the late Mr. D. M. Arseculeratne, and well-known Proctor and Notary Public of Colombo, was educated at St. Thomas's College, and joined the well-known firm of his brother-in-law, Mr. H. Bastian Fernando, plumbago merchant, as assistant in I898. In I904 he started business on his own account as plumbago curer and exporter, bringing with him a wide experience in every detail of the graphite trade. Plumbago, bought at the pit's mouth as well as in the open
Page 630
ANING YARD.
PLUMBAGO CLE
CLEANING PLUMBAGO.
స్ట్రాల్లో
TEMPLE, ROAD STORES.
TIE BUNGALOW.
THE PLUMBAGO YARD,
Page 631
TWENTIETH
market, is brought to Colombo in padda boats on the canals, and then conveyed to stores in carts. Mr. - Arsecuieratne has two stores for curing plumbago-at the Temple Road Stores in Maradana and the Lake View Stores at Hunupitiya-both in Colombo, where some Ioo men and women find employment. The mineral, being cured under skilled supervision, is worked into the various grades. The cured plumbago is sold locally, as well as exported to London, Antwerp, Bremen, Hamburg, New York, and other great trading centres, in all of which Mr. Arseculeratne has his own agents. He is a member of the Plumbago Merchants' Union and the Catholic Club, and resides at “ Watersmeet,” Mfutwal, Colombo.
DANGE, DNS ME,
Mr. Widanelage Johanis De Mel was born at Moratuwa, a town south of Colombo, in 1856, and started business as a plumbago merchant in 188o, in partnership with another member of that well-known family. But, severing his connection with that relative in 1884, he started a business on his own account at Maradana, Colombo, in a modest way, which has now, however, grown to be one of the most important of its kind in the island. A number of
WIDANELAGE
CENTURY I.
stores în Colombo, pri Stores-where the hea Hunupitiya suburb, F Kanatte Stores, Borella Mel. At all of these e operations are carried ( bago from the time it uncured condition, thr and curing processes, for shipment. In th some 4oo hands in all plumbago cured by the Mr. De Me is
of the mineral in its 1 dealers, who sell the their pits to him, but mines in the Mirigam; bago from these, as fr forwarded to the Colom and disposal.
In addition to bei plumbago merchant, M
market.
prietor of various coco and Puttalam districts, fine houses in Cinnan But his own country Melbourne House, is s district, I2 miles south
is a supporter of the
Association. besides be
JOHANIS DEG MEL, R. A. J. DE
MPRESSIONS
incipally the Melbourne Ld office is situated-im unupitiya Stores, and l, are owned by Mr. De stablishments extensive on in dealing with plumreaches the yards in its ough the sorting, sizing, until it is finally ready ese various operations are employed. All the firm is sold in the local not only a large buyer rough state from minor whole of the output of he also works his own a district, and the plumom the other mines, is (nbo stores for treatment
ng a mine-owner and Mr. De Mel is the pronut estates in the Chilaw and also owns several non Gardens, Colombo. residence, known as ituated in the Moratuwa of the city. Mr. De Mel Young Men’s Christian ing a liberal subscribcr
OF CEYLON 623
to all Church and charitable institutions. He is also a member of the Plumbago Merchants' Union. His eldest son, Mr. Richard Abraham Johanis De Mel, who manages all his father's business, was born at Moratuwa in 1885, and educated at St. Joseph's College, Colombo, and joined his father's business in I903. Young as he is, he displays a keen business ability. He is a staunch Churchman, and a member of the choir of St. Peter's Church, Moratuwa.
R. MIRAN DA & SONS,
This firm, carrying on the business of plumbago and bone-manure merchants as well as of mine owners at 83, St. Joseph Street, Grandpass, Colombo, come from Tuticorin, India, in which town, at 95, Great Cotton Road, they had established a large wholesale and retail business both in oilmen's stores and chemicals and apothecaries' requisites, directly imported from English and American houses, which they still conduct. In 1899, Rius Miranda, the eldest son of Rosario Miranda, Tuticorin, set up at Colombo as a plumbago merchant buying the mineral in the local market as well as treating the output from his own mines in the Ratnapura district. The plumbago from these and other mines is
| MEL, AND VIEWS OF HUNUPITIYA STORES.
Page 632
624 TWENTIETH CENTURY
PUMBAGO YARD.
brought by boats to the firm's own wharf on the Colombo Main Canal, and there unloaded and prepared for shipment, some 150 men and women being engaged in the work. All the barrels in which the plumbago is packed are made on the premises. The bone-manure, the business in which is some twenty years older than the firm's plumbago trade, is imported
direct from Madras, : various local manure f: is the only Indian g plumbago-mining in Ce the prime movers in esta Merchants' union, and member of that organi in the business by his
MR. AND MERS. S. D. S. GUNASEKERE AND FA
IMPRESSIONS
OF CEYLON
TAZARUS SALEAS
MERANDA.
PIUS MIRANDA, OF R. MIRANIDA & SONS.
and then supplied to actories. Mr. Miranda entleman engaged in 2ylon. He was one of blishing the Plumbago
is still a prominent sation. He is assisted
brother, Mr. Lazarus
XMEIILY.
Saleas Miranda, who is a medical man by profession.
s. D. S. G.NASEKERE & CO
Mr. S. D. S. Gunasekere is the sole partner of the firm of S. D. S. Gunasekere & Co., and up to I898 he was a partner also in the firm of U. D. S. Gunasekara. In 1899 he commenced business on his own account under the name and style of S. D. S. Gunasekere & Co., at Dematetoda, and in 1901 removed to his present premises at Borella. He was born at Galle, and educated at the Royal College. His parents were Emans de Silva Gunasekere and Soyso de Silva Gunasekere. He had five brothers, one of whom was the late Mr. U. D. S. Gunasekara, the founder of the firm of that name, and five sisters, one of these being the wife of Mr. A. E. de Silva, general merchant and estate proprietor. Mr. Gunasekere is now a large dealer in plunbago, cinnamon, coir, fibre, and cardamoms. He buys plumbago in the local market and cures it at his own stores at Borella, ready for shipment. He employs about 5o men and women at these stores. He has a number of fully equipped cinnamon estates in the Negombo and Galle districts and in the Hewagam Korale. The produce from these is sold at the local markets
Page 633
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
and the fibre exported to Germany. In 1889 he married Eugenie, daughter of Bastian de Silva Cumarasinghe, general merchant, of Colombo. He is a member of the Plum bago Merchants' Union and of the Ceylon National Association. His residence is Praeminie Villa,
Borella,
奖
A. L. MENDIS APPUHAMY
Allegiawannegey Louis Mendis Appuhamy is a member of the Salagama community, and is a native of Mutwal. He is a descendant of the illustrious poet Allegiawannegey Mobabbale, who flourished during the early part of the sixteenth century, during the reign of the Sinhalese king Senerat, and whose contributions form a valuable addition to the literature of the Sinhalese language. In the latter part of the seventeenth century the family incurred the displeasure of the Sinhalese king then ruling, on the conversion to the Roman Catholic Faith of the representatives of the family by the Rev. Father Joseph Mendez, whose surname those members of the family who were converts then adopted-Mendis being the Anglicised form as it exists now. The converts, having had all their lands confiscated by the king, left the Cena Korale,
A. DE L.
where they were resid at Mutwal, Colombo. . Mendis Appulhamy, bett Louis Mendis, left Mu districts during the pa was the principal plan viving the crash which
A. DE L. MENDIS AND FAMILY.
MPRESSIONS
MENDIS,
ling, and settled down Allegiawannegey Louis er known as Mr. A. De Itwal for the planting lmy days when coffee ting industry, and surfollowed the failure of
OF CEYLON 625
the coffee industry, built his fortunes anew upon the foundations of its substitute-tea. He owns the tea estate known as Handungala estate, situate at Nawalapitiya. A photograph of the bungalow standing upon the estate appears elsewhere. Mr. Mendis owns besides several mining properties, upon which he is prospecting for plumbago, Mr, Mendis is president of the St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, Nawalapitiya.
奖
S, SANMOGAM & CO,
Among the very few firms of native merchants of Ceylon who transact their business directly with foreign countries is that of S. Sanmogam & Co., which, unlike other local native firms, deals both in the export and import of goods. Although the firm was established so recently as 1898, owing to the sound manner in which it transacts business and the great satisfaction it gives to its foreign customers, it has already extensive dealings both in export and import lines with the following countries : South Africa, Australia Austria, Belgium, England, France, Germany Holland, Italy, Japan, and the United States.
The firm deals in cardamoms, cinnanon
jii
THE RESIDENCE. .
2 lR
Page 634
S. SANMOGAM 8, CO.S ESTABLISHMENTH-BALING
AND OEE
PRESS, PRIVATE BUNGALOW, FIBRE WORKS
ICES
Page 635
TWENTIETH
citronella oil, cocoa, coconut oil, coconuts, desiccated coconut, copra, fibre, coir yarn, coir rope, mattress fibre, coconut fibre, kitool fibre, Palmyra fibre, plumbago, sapuwood, tea, and other commodities. The telegraphic address of the firm-' Plombagine'-alludes to the mineral which forms a staple product of the island. In this line the firm was awarded a bronze medal for its exhibit of plumbago at the last St. Louis Exhibition. The Colombo offices and general stores of the firm are situated at First Cross Street, Pettah, Colombo; and a good idea of its extensive dealings in the way of fibre is conveyed by witnessing the work carried on in these premises by the enormous number of men and women who are daily employed here through
CENTURY
out the year in order ready for weekly and
RP. TI
Mr. Daniel Ponnusa of Mr. T. M. Tampoe, r of Jaffna. He was bor received his education : Jaffna. The first part c he spent with Messrs. with whom he stayed then spent two years Western Province, an business in Colombo
and broker. Since the
EI, O,
POP)
MPRESSIONS
that the goods may be bi-weekly shipment.
芝
AMPOE.
my Tampoe is the son etired police magistrate, 'n at Jaffna in I872, and at St. Thomas's College, of his commercial career
Aitken, Spence & Co., from I894 to I903. He planting in the Northd in 1905 commenced
as commission agent 2 latter part of I905 he
PENBEEK.
OF CEYLON 627
has been the official auctioneer of the Plumbago Merchants' Union, and in this capacity the bulk of the Ceylon plumbago Irade passes through his hands. In addition to this business he has coconut and cinnamon estates at Chilaw, Jaffna, and Kalutara, and at the lastnamed estate he is now commencing to grow rubber, His offices are in Chathan Street, Colombo, and he resides at Horton Lodge, Horton Place. He is a member of the Turf and Orient clubs, and of the Old Boys' Associations of various leading Colombo colleges. In 1894 he married Charlotte, daughter of Mr. S. T. Muttiah, late of Messrs. Aitken, Spence & Co. His principal assistant in his important business is Mr. H. O. Poppenbeek, of Trinity College, Kandy.
இ
N
Page 636
THE PUBLIC WO
O impressions of Ceylon would be complete which did not include a summary of the history of the evolution of the Public Works Department, next to the railway the most costly and responsible machinery in the island, which has during the last ten years, under the administration of the present Director, the Hon. F. A. Cooper, C.M.G., been brought to a state of the highest development. Indeed, Ceylon owes much of its material prosperity to the thoroughness with which communication was opened up before the advent of the railway by the construction of good main roads. If this development has not been so rapid as some would wish, if it has not exactly kept pace with the impatience of the early pioneers in the planting enterprise, it has been sound. "Slow but sure' is the motto that can be applied to the work of the early days of the Public Works Department. Its road-makers and its bridge-builders understood their business and made the most of the materials at their disposal. In those pioneer days, when Ceylon was in the condition of a rich undeveloped estate and when railway communication was in its infancy, the pioneer and the Government servant living in remote parts of the island were dependent upon three sources of communication-the sea, canals, and the large trunk roads which intersected the country from north to south and from east to west. And the great bulk of the produce had to be transported by road by means of the heavy and cumbrous bullock-carts, the beginning of whose death-knell the twentieth century has sounded. It therefore became a matter of primary importance that the work of road-construction should be thoroughly done, and that the
system should be cap not only the stress of w increasing heavy traffic or what are called th this work was compal easy description, but i engineering difficulties of our road-makers we of the most importan had not only to be cut o but provision had to b continuous rainfall, inct intensity on the occas burst of the monsoon danger of soil-subside) had equally to endure drought. When these borne in mind, the su they were scribed as marvellous. thanks to the energy V the policy of Governn trative efficiency to Cooper has brought satisfactory progress 1 finality, Shortly after Public Works enterec reported that the sur in recent years had to maintain the roads and that on many of little or no metal left.
of the roads were in condition that they r re-metalled-that is t in the ordinary way, on them here and the The total amount spé the seven years Rs. 7,688,864, or an not quite eleven lakhs strong a case did the
a very large increase v 6
OW8'COII
RKS DEPARTMENT
able of withstanding eather, but the strain of ... In the low-country, e maritime provinces, ratively of a light and in the hill-country the presented to the earliest re considerable. Many t roads in the island ut of the mountain-side, e made for heavy and easing in severity and ion of each successive carrying with it the nce or land-slip ; they spells of prolonged natural difficulties are ccessful way in which can only be de
In the present day, which has characterised nent and the adminiswhich the Hon. Mr. his department, very has been made toward the present Director of i upon his duties he m allowed for upkeep been quite insufficient ; in an efficient state,
the roads there was In other words, many such an unsatisfactory equired to be entirely o say, not re-metalled with a little metal put "e, but relaid altogether. 2nt on maintenance in receding 1896 was average expenditure of of rupees a year. So Director make out that
was necessary to enable 28
the roads to be kept up in a condition fit for traffic, that in 1898 no less a sum than about I3 lakhs, or 2 lakhs above the previous average, was allotted for the purpose; since then each year has seen an increase, and the total amount spent on maintenance during the seven years preceding the administration of Sir Henry Blake as Governor was Rs. Io,oII,853, or an average of over 14 lakhs per annum. This cost, though somewhat in excess of that obtaining in 1885, is still considerably below the expenditure of 188o, the year preceding the introduction by Mr. Cooper's predecessor of what is generally known as the MacBride system. That the money was well spent, and that it rescued the state of the colony's roads from any reproach of neglect, is generally admitted. In fact, Mr. Cooper's administration may be said to have synchronised with the opening of a new era in road-construction, in which attention was paid, not only to the increase of the mileage of roads of all descriptions, but the existing system was thoroughly overhauled and strengthened and brought up to date, wooden bridges were replaced by iron-work, and everything done compatible with the island's resources to introduce a system of uniformity. The large extensions in railway communication which took place during the administration of Sir West Ridgeway threw additional responsibility on the Department of Public Works in the provision of “feeder roads' for those new railways, and everything was done to increase as far as possible the facilities for using the new railways.
衡、
HISTORY.
If railways generally serve the same purposes as arteries in the human system, roads may equally be regarded as the veins, which
Page 637
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
enable those arteries, in this matter of communication, to discharge their important functions. We discover this correlation existing in the Ceylon Government Railway and the Public Works Department, the expensive and most responsible departments in
two most
the progressive development of the colony. The history, or evolution, of the Public Works Department, therefore, is interesting as well as We find that in the year 1815, when the whole of the island of Ceylon came under British rule, there was included in the civil establishments of the colony the Civil Engineer and Surveyor-General's Office. The establishment of that office consisted of the Civil Engineer and Surveyor-General, Mr.
instructive.
Gualterus Schneider, one clerk, one overseer,
and six district surveyors. To-day there exists
succeeded by Mr. F. E appointment till 1850. Skinner, who afterward, and who gained consic Road-maker of Ceylon
missioner of Roads. (No. 16) was enacted “f improvement of streets and public places wit public roads, navigable of this island.' This certain powers upon C Surveyor-General, Civi missioner of Roads, an General's Office became In 1848 an Ordinance ( the purpose of making protection and mainter
TABLE A.
Year. Maintenance. Construction. Total.
RS. Rs. RS.
I88O I,932,734 „586,o66 3,518,8oo 88 I,688,o4o 569,238 2,257,278 882 I„ნ56,343 336,05I I,992,394 1883 I57,054 305,913 1,822,967 1884 I,350,767 350,370 I,70I,I37 1885 I, I35,697 78o,43o I,916,127 886 f,069,or 8 I,247,785 2,3I6,8oვ J887 I,058,582 I,213, 120 2,27I,702 I888 I,I34,80I I, IIo,265 2,245, οόό 1889 I,254,907 I,352,683 2,607,590 1890 I,3I8,457 I7I2,444 3,030,901 І89І I,438,574 II, 539, I79 2,977.755 I892 I,638,690 2,052, 3,691,596 I893 1,7 I II,oIII 2,295,976 4ooό,987 I894 І,7 о,625 720,743 3,431,368 I895 I,75ó,oo I п,286,889 3,042,890 1896 I,823,558 I,219, Ioó 3,ο42, όό4 I897 I,726,669 I,8ვ8,65O 3,565,3I9 I898 I,900,307 I,879,467 3,779,774 E899 2,o4o,684 2,957,244 4,997,928 I9oo 2,029,279 2,684,926 4,714,208 Igo 2, II, 2,905 2,оІ4,обо 4,126,965 I902 2,163,394 2,020,634 4, п84,o28 I903 2,24ο, ο8ό 2,615,667 4,855,753 I904 2,286,812 2,477,932 4,764,744 I905 2,324,805 I,966,043 4,290,848
a perfectly organised department, or, rather, out of this modest beginning has sprung three important departments, with which the permanent welfare of the island is more intimately bound up than with any other portion of the administrative machinery. From the Civil Engineer and Surveyor-General's Office has sprung the Public Works Department, the Surveyor-General's Department, and the Irrigation Department, each adequately equipped for performing the work that falls to its portion. In the earlier days of British rule, when the island was under military administration, such road-construction and buildings as were required were executed by the Royal Engineers or other military officers. Mr. Gualterus Schneider filled the office of Civil Engineer and Surveyor-General till I833, when he was
the improvement of the tion by land and by wa the provisions of this ( tion, improvement, an means of communicat provincial and district which the Commissic representative, was a mc the Road Ordinance was
able-bodied man betwe years of age to give si few shillings as comm tenance of the roads.
ceded Mr. F. B. Norris
Commissioner of Roa offices of Civil Engin of Roads were amalg Ordinance (No. 16) it
MPRESSIONS
... Norris, who held the
In 1842 Captain T. ; became Major Skinner, erable renown as "the ," was appointed ComIn 1844 an Ordinance or the preservation and roads, thoroughfares, hin towns, and of the rivers, lakes, and canals
Ordinance conferred overnment agents, the 1 Engineer, and Comd in 1846 the Surveyor2 a separate department. Wo. 8) was enacted "for better provision for the hance of roads, and for
Establishment.
Rs. 336,054 3 II, I 83 292,575 268,95o 278,550 273, 5 I 283,819 315,239 3H7,835 299,8б4 345,68I 338,358 337,005 340,779 38ο ο27 402,OI9 385,268 383,682 400,848 4 I5, I26 462,262 428,948 439,038 463,488 422,009 40,304
means of communicater in the island.” By Ordinance the construcd maintenance of the ion were controlled by : road committees, of ner of Roads, or his ember. In the same year spassed, requiring every 2en eighteen and sixty x days' labour or pay a mutation for the mainCaptain T. Skinner suc
as Civil Engineer and is in I85o, when the eer and Commissioner amated. In 1867 by
was enacted that "the
OF CEYLON 629
office of Civil Engineer and Commissioner of Roads shall henceforward be termed the Department of Public Works, and the chief officer shall be termed the Director of Public Works.' In the same year Major Skinner retired, after forty years' residence in Ceylon, from the public service, and lived to enjoy his wellearned pension for ten years to the very month. Mr. (now Sir) G. L. Molesworth, M.I.C.E., was appointed Director of Public Works in 1867, and held the appointment till the year 1871. The Technical Staff of the Public Works Department at this time consisted of the following: Office Assistant, Financial Assistant, Architectural Assistant, Officer Commanding Pioneer Force, Irrigation Assistant, Second Financial Assistant, seven provincial assistants, six draughtsmen and framers of estimates, twentyfour superintending officers, seventeen Officers Commanding Pioneers, and one road-tracing officer. On Mr. (now Sir) G. L. Molesworth's retirement, in 1871, Mr. J. R. Mosse, M.I.C.E., was appointed Director of Public Works, which office he held till 1882, though during a portion of this period he was in charge of the Railway Department, Mr. J. F. Churchill, M.I.C.E., acting as Director of Public Works, to which appointment he succeeded in 1882. Retiring in 1885, he was succeeded by the late Mr. R. K. MacBride, M.I.C.E., who held office till 1897, when he was succeeded by the present holder, Mr. F. A. Cooper, M.I.C.E. Mr. MacBride was promoted to a seat in the Legislative Council in 1894, and since then the Director of Public Works has always been included in the official members of Council. Previous to the year 1889 the construction, restoration, and maintenance of irrigation works were under the control of the Public Works Department. By Ordinance No. 23 of 899 all such works were vested in the Central and Provincial Irrigation Boards, of which the Director of Public Works was car officio a member, and the officers of the Public Works Department rendered the Central and Provincial Irrigation Boards such professional assistance as was required. In Igoo the officers of the Public Works Department were relieved of all executive duties connected with irrigation, and a separate Irrigation Department was formed.
舒、
ORGANISATION.
The Public Works Department is in charge of the Director of Public Works. It is one of the scientific or professional departments, and, as distinguished from the Civil Service, its ranks are filled exclusively by officers who have received a distinctly scientific training, and who come out to Ceylon after having obtained some experience in their profession. The Provincial Engineers, whose charges are
2 R*
Page 638
63O
generally coterminous with the Revenue Provinces, are authorised by the Director as official members of the Provincial Road Committees, of which he is ex officio a member himself, though as a matter of fact he never acts as such. The Provincial Engineers of the
TWENTIETH CENTURY
Anuradhapura, Badull spectively. The Di charges not necessarily other division. Those quarters are Local Boa members of those Loca
TABLE B.
Building. Cost.
Coloтbo. Rs.
General Post Office *α φ : 3534 Custom House ... A» QO «» II2,268 Mutwal Jail - - - 65,890 Supreme Court... 4A - 9 · · · AO A «6 8I,885 District Court ... a XXX A 7o,200 Law Offices ... 54„856 Museum ... * R * as I99,994 Kachcheri - - - 46,550 Surveyor-General's Officc 65,993 Agricultural School ... a - - - 52,669 Lady Havelock Hospital «» » AX & & 32,400 Police Barracks, Cinnamon Garden 447OO Lunatic Asylum a - a 400,000 Victoria Bridge... w a (about) 507,43 Police Headquarters ... (about) 90,000
Киrитеgala. Kachcheri 4I,752 Agent's Residence 50,676 Hospital ... 30,350
Puttalam.
Kachcheri 8 a · · · 28,8ვo Jail a KO O O - e es « 40 23,734
Chilazov. Jail 2II4O
Anuradhapura. Hospital ... 34,889
Badulla.
Kachcheri - 25,68o Court ... 35,8o5 Hospital ... 99,540
Haputale. Hospital ... б9,575
Ratnapura. District Judge's House I9,320
Rakvara. Hospital ... 3,358
Avisauvella. Hospital ... . 27,684
Maiurata. Hospital... ... w 81,997
| Dimbula. Hospital ... y wo 8o,86ვ
Central and Southern Provinces are nominated official members of the Municipal Councils of Kandy and Galle, and the Provincial Engineers of the Eastern, North-Western, and NorthCentral Provinces, and of Uva and Sabaragamuwa are nominated official members of the Local Boards of Batticaloa, Kurunegala,
ment has charge of th and maintenance of all tural and engineering ', mechanical, other than t of the Railway, Irrigat graphs Departments, a as the Colombo Harbo
MPRESSIONS
a, and Ratnapura restrict Engineers have y coterminous with any of them whose head
rd towns are nominated al Boards. The Depart
1887 1872
1892
I89I 1892
I890
1895
I893
I894
I89.
п9o2
I9OI
e design, construction,
Government architecworks, both civil and hose under the control ion, and Postal Telend such special work ur Works, now being
OF CEYLON
carried out by Messrs. Coode, Son & Mathews. The work of the Public Works Department is conducted at the head office, Colombo, and at the following provincial and district offices :-
PROVINCIAL ENGINEERs' OFFICES.
Colombo, Western Province. Kandy, Central Province. Jaffna, Northern Province. Galle, Southern Province. Batticaloa, Eastern Province. Kurunegala, North-Western Province. Anuradhapura, North-Central Province, Badulla, Uva. Ratnapura, Sabaragamuwa.
FACTORY ENGINEER's OFFICE.
Colombo, Western Province.
DISTRICT ENGINEERs' OFFICES.
Colombo, Western Province. Negombo, Western Province. Kalutara, Western Province. Kandy, Central Province. Matale, Central Province. Katugastota, Central Province. Pussellawa, Central Province. Nuwara Eliya, Central Province. Dimbula, Central Province. Dikoya, Central Province. Jaffna, Northern Province. Vavuniya, Northern Province. Mannar, Northern Province. Pallai, Northern Province. Galle, Southern Province. Matara, Southern Province. Hambantota, Southern Province. Batticaloa, Eastern Province. Kalmunai, Eastern Province. Trincomalee, Eastern Province. Kurunegala, North-Western Province. Puttalam, North-Western Province. Chilaw, North-Western Province. Dandugama, North-Western Province. Anuradhapura, North-Central Province. Mihintale, North-Central Province. Maradankadawela, North-Central Province. Badulla, Uva.
Koslande, Uva.
Passara, Uva. Ratnapura, Sabaragamuwa. Avisawella, Sabaragamuwa. Kegalla, Sabaragamuwa.
The Assistant Director of Public Works, Mr. C. A. Lovegrove, A.M.I.C.E., has immediate charge of the work at the head office, which is divided into the following branches: Drawing Office (in charge of a head draughtsman), Correspondence, Accounts (in charge of a financial assistant and accountant), and Store.
Page 639
TWENTIETH
For years past the necessity for larger accommodation and better equipped premises has manifested itself, but owing to other more pressing demands on the public purse the construction of new central offices for the Public Works Department has been postponed to this year. This is now being undertaken, and in a short time the department will be housed in a building worthy of its importance. The Factory Engineer, Mr. E. C. Davies, assisted by Mr. G. H. M. Hyde, M.I.M.E., A.M.I.C.E., Mechanical Engineer, has immediate charge of all mechanical and electrical works and the staff of the Government Factory at Colombo. There is also a Superintendent of Works. The 9 provincial engineers are the representatives of the Director of Public Works in the several provinces and, assisted by the 45 district engineers, have immediate charge of all works in the provinces, and in such capacity render assistance to local municipalities, road committees, Local Boards, and other quasi-Government departments. These district engineers are divided into grades : I5 first grade, 26 second grade,
CENTURY I
6 third grade. A engineer is employed seconded for duty in waterworks scheme. spectors and I5 over of the Public Works classified as follows: tenance of roads, ca. works, drainage-works installations, and the r tugs, launches, ferry cranes, and other mac by Government depart use as plant in the con works undertaken by t carrying out of mino methods adopted by extent prevail, whilst of the larger works s steam-rollers, cablewa and other modern a introduced and put to
The expenditure of th fied in the annual estii. Annually Recurrent (I
MPRESSIONS OF
upernumerary district in place of the officer connection with the Lastly, there are 7 ineers. The operations Department may be construction and mainals, harbours, waterbridges, electric light laintenance of harbour -boats, steam - rollers, hinery in general use ments or in temporary struction of the various he department. In the works the ordinary he natives to a large in the construction team cranes, dredgers, is, pneumatic riveters, ppliances have been effective use.
le department is classi
mates as Public Works
r
maintenance of roads,
ડુિં
CEYLON 631
maintenance of inland navigation, repairs to buildings, additions to buildings, repairs to bridges, miscellaneous) and Public Works Extraordinary (new works and buildings, alterations and additions to buildings, special repairs to buildings, new roads, new bridges, repairs of bridges, lands and buildings to be acquired, miscellaneous).
In Table A is given a statement of the expenditure of the Public Works Departmen for the years 188o to Igo5 inclusive, under the headings Maintenance, Construction, and Establishment.
During the period that Mr. Cooper has been the administrative head of the Public Works Department over a hundred new buildings have been completed, and others, including the erection of new central offices for the Public Works Department, and a new central railway station for Colombo, are now in course of construction.
Table B gives a short list of some of the principal buildings erected by the Public Works Department, and the cost of the
Sac.
Page 640
dealt with in a special article by Mr. James Hornell, constitutes the most important, as it does also the most picturesque, feature of the fisheries of Ceylon. But outside this great industry there are several branches of enterprise which, from their interest and value, call for more than passing reference. A sea-girt isle,
numerous bays and lagoons swarming with
with
fish, and with, in many parts, a well-to-do population near the seaboard to supply a lucrative market for the catches, Ceylon furnishes exceptional opportunities for the practice of the fisherman's calling. It cannot
FISH)
be said, however, th utilised to anything like direccions, indeed, ther shown which would a did not recall that the
instinct and tradition enterprise, and that t of the island supplies h upon vhich lhe can s land without excessive industry flourishes best on the vestern seab
where there is a heav
all kinds.
Centres.
Negombo an The fisherme) hardworking and enter reputation extends far The main fishing seas
ERES
at the advantages are a full extent. In some 2 is a degree of apathy ppear remarkable if we Sinhalese is by religious , averse from marine he remarkable fertility im with many products ustain an existence on exertion. The fishing , as is perhaps natural, board about Colombo, y demand for fish of ld Chilaw are important In at these places are a prising class, and their beyond local limits. on is from October to
In the other months of the year operations are fitfully conducted owing to the prevalence of the south-west monsoon, which prevents the boats from putting to sea. At this season the men transfer their operations to the rivers and lakes, where an abundance of fish for the most part exists. The system followed on the west coast is described by Mr. S. M. Burrows, Acting Government Agent for the NorthWestern Province, in his Administration Report for Igo5. The chief implements employed are nets known as ma-dicl, kan 1ui-del, katla-del, pulun-del, Suda-del, kumbala-del, and Sola-del, which are spun by the people themselves. The ma-del is used in catching fish of all kinds-big and small. It is usually taken to the sea in a small-sized padda-boat known as the madel paruwa, which is specially intended for it. One ernd remains ashore and the boat rows in a semicircle of about half a mile radius, letting the net into the sea as it goes. The other end is brought ashore. Miniature buoys are attached to a side of the net to make it float, whilst the two ends are fastened on to long thick ropes for the purpose of drawing it ashore, when about fifteen to twenty men are engaged at a time. These men are remunerated weekly according to agreement entered into, whilst they are given small quantities of fish proportionately as an inducement. The net called kanni-del is employed in catching large kinds of fish only, such as the shark tribe, Rhinodon typicus. The fish anjilawa, katuwalla, huralla, anguluwa, and pannawa are caught by means of the net known as pulun-dela. Fishermen who catch fish in rafts called teppan make much use of the nets known as kata-del,
April, during the north-east monsoon.
pulun-del, suda-del, kumbala-del, and sala-del.
At Udappu, Karukkuponai, Toduwawa, and Chilaw much of the fish caught is cured, whilst a large quantity is removed by sea to Colombo by boats which come for the purpose. The rest of the fish is either taken fresh or salted to Kurunegala in pingoes or consumed in the
Page 641
TWENTIETH
district or converted into kara wala (dried fish) and jadi (pickled fish). Rod and line fishing is largely and widely practised along the coast. A quaint spectacle to be daily witnessed on the Negombo lagoon is a figure wearing a broad-brimmed hat and submerged to the waist, patiently practising the gentle art. Equally familiar are the anglers who post themselves amid the surf on the Colombo foreshore and cast their line just beyond the break of the waves. The favourike quarry of these disciples of Isaac Walton is a small fish which frequents shallow water; but the mora, an eatable shark, is sometimes fished for with rod and line. Nets and baited pots are also resorted to in thc pursuit of this fish. The most curious method of fishing, however, is that practised on the lake at Pambala. A net called hin-del is spread in the lake either by day or night. A canoe is rowed towards it, and meanwhile the occupants of the craft tap the woodwork with a stick. The fish, frightened by the noise, swim off and are caught by their gills in the meshes of the net.
We have spoken of the Negombo fishermen as an enterprising class. The fact is borne out by official records, which tell of long journeys undertaken by these men in pursuit of their calling. One distant centre favoured by them is Mullaitivu, on the extreme northeast coast. A party of from 4OO to 5oo men annually resort to this part, where, with other fisherimen, mainly from Pesalai, in Mannar, they conduct extensive operations. The men are organised in gangs of from twenty-five to fifty, each under a chief fisherman (Mudalali). Each Mudalali brings about ten men with him and employs about the same number of Mullaitivu men. They encamp at various places along the coast. Some of them purchase land near their temporary encampments and plant it with coconuts, but these plantations are not so successful as they might be, as they suffer much from neglect during the part of the year when the fishermen are away in their own districts. The boats used are generally their own, but some are hired. They are chiefly large ballams about 40 ft. long, and pathai boats (flat-bottomed boats Öf a rectangular shape and about 12 ft. long). The crew of a balla in is six or seven men. The nets used by the visitors are a large drag-net, a small drag-net, and two drift-nets. The fish caught are salted and dried, each Mudalali buying about Ioo or 150 cwt. of salt for the purpose. When fully cured the goods are sent to Colombo by a native sailing craft, to be sold by the fishermen's Negombo partners, Onethird of the profits goes to the principal who advances the money, and two-thirds to the fishermen, any loss in the trade, which is rare, being shared between the Mudalali and the fishermen in the same proportion as the profit.
CENTURY II
It is supposed to be a the capital invested ea It is
per cent, interest.
is any loss in the trade, this fishery it may be occasionally found in the systematic efforts are, h them, and turtle flesh is in the local bazaars.
The large tanks and characteristic feature C island teem with fish, stitute a commercial ass case is cited by Mr. C. Administration Report Province for I905, of a v getting low sold the ri Rs. I4o. “A more extr kind than the quantities and removed from Kala says Mr. Vigors, “ I h The villagers were ca. catching the fish with ba bits of hoop-iron or stic to the surface. The c dried on the spot and p pingoes and in carts to to be dried at hone."
Some further intere subject of tank fish are of the North-West Pro Government in 1899.
'Manual of the Wanni
of the Ceylon Civil Service,
IPRESSIONS
profitable investment, h year yielding I5o only rarely that there
OF CEY LON 633
the tanks fails," says the writer, “the villagers assemble with fishing baskets and catch immense quantities of fish, and this is divided
NEGOMBO FISHING BOAT.
In connection with added that turtle are : large drag-nets. No owever, made to trap never exposed for sale
lakes which are a f many parts of the and the catches conet of some value. A T. D. Vigors, in the of the North-Central illage which on a tank ght to catch fish for aordinary sight of its of fish being caught wewa in September," ave never witnessed. mped all round and skets or by blows with S as they rose gasping toh was being partly artly hurried away on neighbouring villages
sting details on the given in the 'Manual rince '' issued by the “When the water in
Districts," by J. P. Lewis,
with good-sized fish when filled."
among them according to the village pangal (share). The fish seem to have the power of burying themselves deep in the mud or they would soon be exterminated in tanks. I have been astonished to see tanks which a few months before were perfectly dry stocked Dealing further with the question of tank fishing, the writer says: “Immense quantities of sprats are caught and dried. There are several fish which are bony and disagreeable. The best kinds are the lulla and walaya. The former is an eel-like fish and grows to about 8 lbs. or Io lbs. in the rivers and averages I lbs. to 2 lbs. in the tanks. The walaya is a fine fish which grows to an immense size and is generally caught with a line and live bait. It has a faint taste of salmon, though the flesh is not firm and flaky. It has a broad. flat head and long, beard-like threads about the mouth, which is furnished with several rows of formidable teeth. I have never heard that any fish here are unwholesome at any time of the year, as Some kinds are in the up-country streams.' Besides the fish mentioned by the writer, the tanks supply the kokassa, an excellent fish for the table, and occasionally the Roraliya, a fish with the flavour of a good mullet. There are also found there two varieties of stinging fish—the hunga and the ankatta. Villagers are very frequently stung
Page 642
Page 643
ARRACK A
ONSPICUOUS amongst the varied uses of the coconut - palm is the drawing out, by means of tapping, of the juice contained in its inflorescence for the manufacture of arrack and toddy. The former is an ardent spirit, and the latter is to the Ceylonese what whisky is to the people of the United Kingdom. Toddy, on the other hand, is a refreshing beverage, non-intoxicating and pleasant, if taken when freshly drawn, and, like the liquid found in the tender coconut, furnishes some measure of relief, not to say sustenance, to the thirsty traveller wandering under the fervid heat of a tropical sun. In some country parts of Ceylon, indeed, the wayfarer is offered a drink of the freshly drawn toddy gratuitously, and in the unpretentious circles of village life it often forms the one medium of conviviality, a medium which is no less appreciatively accepted than liberally and cordially given. With the addition of a little sugar to the liquor, a flavour is given which may be likened to a species of natural aerated water, mild and extremely agreeable; and for this reason it generally goes by the name of “sweet toddy.'
But evidently the lack of stimulation and the tameness of this method of dispensing hospitality suggested the fermentation of the juice and the enhancement of its value as a marketable article; and the demand created for it among the peasant and labouring classes encouraged the undertaking of operations on a larger scale. Coconut plantations were leased out and systematic tapping was connmenced. Ultimately a firm taste for the liquor was acquired, with the result that the arrack and toddy industry now extends practically all over the island, and may safely be said to be one of the most flourishing trades pursued in Ceylon. It must, however, be
noted that the right to for purely scientific and
-is reserved by Gover under conditions and b highest bidder. For th vince is divided into
farms, and the purchas has the exclusive right
within the area which h are the possibilities of profitably that there is the bidding, and often ( the rents at phenomen of purchase is by the de officer of the province security for the prope stipulations laid down,
after on account, unti amount has been liquida attaching to the rent h filled, the renter gets allowed to draw his
irregularity is noted, ti and the moneys paid o to the Government. T contradistinction to the
is only permitted to deal of over 35 gallons-kno and it is his duty to a list of the places at liquor to be sold. Whe centres of retail-'tave: -are specified; and t issues a licence to per: renter to carry on busir cated. According to th the retailer may only
at a fixed price, the rat usually Rs. 4'48 per g pence per pint. He is
pact to sell two quarts C on demand. The rente trade in his district, an over the sale, possessic
Wholesale tran 6ვ
spirit.
ND TODDY
distil arrack-except experimental purposes nment, and disposed of, 7 public auction, to the his purpose each proa certain number of ær of any one of them to engage in its traffic e leases out. So great
working these farms keen competition in 3overnment parts with al prices. The system posit with the revenue of a large amount as r performance of the and instalments therethe entire purchase ited. If the conditions ave been properly fullhis discharge and is deposit; but if any he rent is confiscated, in account are forfeited he arrack-renter is, in wholesale dealer-who in liquor in quantities wn as the retail trader; ubmit to Government which he desires the h the rent is sold, these ns,' as they are called he Government Agent ons nominated by the ess at the places indie regulations in force sell arrack and toddy : for the former being allon, or about ninealso bound by his comf the liquor to any one monopolises the retail i has absolute control n, and removal of the sactions, on the other
5
hand, are attended to by the Government Agent of the province. Illicit distilling and sale of arrack and toddy being rampant, the strictest measures are adopted for the proper checking of all liquor passing into and out of a district, certificates and written orders from the seller, renter, and Government officers being insisted upon for any transportation of the spirit whatever. In this work of supervision the Government is assiduously assisted by the renter, who, having purchased the sole right of retail trade within his district, exercises the utmost care to prevent that right being infringed by others. The system pursued by the renter in the disposal of privileges to tavern-keepers is by accepting security against payment of the instalments, and then supplying the tavern-keeper with liquor at prices varying from Rs. 4'5o to Rs. 6 per gallon, of which Rs. 35o is placed to the credit of the
quantity of the liquor sold and the balance
reckoned on account of the instalments due. Thus, when a few thousand gallons have been furnished to the tavern-keeper, and payment recovered at, say, Rs. 5 per gallon, the excess amount of Rs. I'5o on each gallon is credited to the purchase-amount of the rent, and the complete sum due for the right of retailing is liquidated. Once this has been effected, the tavern-keeper continues to draw from the renter supplies at the normal price of Rs. 350 per gallon, and profits by the difference between the purchase-price and the sellingrate, which, taken in the aggregate on monthly sales, is very considerable. Where the tavernkeeper, however, fails to pay his dues promptly, the renter immediately puts the price up and secures himself by recovering at once the current amounts payable and the arrears by the enhanced rates. Under the Ordinance regulating this industry the possession of arrack in a quantity in excess of one gallon is declared to be illegal, unless the possessor is protected by a Government licence.
The industry, as stated before, is not con
Page 644
636
fined to any particular part of the island, but the greatest activity seems to prevail in the western districts, where some of the largest distilleries are to be found. No restrictions are placed upon the drawing or possession of sweet toddy, but fermented toddy comes in under the regulations of arrack. The process of extraction may be thus described : The flower of the kitu l-a species of indigenous palm-or the coconut, as the case may be, is bruised and pared at the end, and tied up with strings to keep the pieces together. As the ends become parched, fresh slices are cut off, so as tò preserve the bud in a “raw" or open condition. When this has been done two or three times, a little earthenware pot is hung beneath the inflorescence, into which the juice exuding from the bruised flower collects. The instruments usually employed consist of a little wooden mallet for tapping and a small curved knife, which the drawer secures to his person by a belt across his waist. Though the operation appears to be of a very rude and primitive nature, the drawers are particularly dexterous in their work, and often go through a large plantation in the course of a single day. A tight rope connects the trees, which are always planted at equal distances from one another, so that the drawer has no need to descend every time to tap a fresh tree. If the vessel attached to the tree is clean, the juice remains in a pure condition for several days; if a piece of rind from the bark of a hal-tree be placed in the pot, fermentation will still further be protracted, or may never occur at all. On the other hand, if a small quantity of the fermented juice be admitted while the liquid is being collected, it will turn the whole liquid sour and fermented. This juice is known as toddy. It is reckoned unlawful to distill liquor from anything but the palm and sugar-cane in this country; and the
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
strong spirituous ferme tained from rice and otl
Sea Islands and elsewhe favourite beverages and are practically unknow arrack are the national Sinhalese, though the fic of very much greater s than the refined liquors intoxicant properties. facture are as yet in a where in these pages v the apparatus and stills tilleries throughout the The chief use to wh mented toddy is put is species of crude sugar c is in great request in Ceylon in the preparatic and delicacies. The p fermented toddy are to of the poorer population upon it as a necessary hard labour and toil. T principles of the faith seems to be a growing masses to indulge in all at every social functio liquors are freely ser anti-drinking societies temperance crusades ha to check the evil in cer
interests of their busine
associated with them in opposed the movemen these conflicts of religic serve a neutral attitude tions with the purcha when the position of t severely threatened, it renter half way by the
MPRESSIONS
entations which are obher cereals in the South :re, and which constitute ongst the poorer classes, vin here. Toddy and beer and whisky of the ormer may be said to be strength under analysis of the West in point of The methods of manurude stage, and elsevill be seen pictures of used in the larger disisland. ich the sweet or unferin the manufacture of a :alled "jaggery,' which the interior districts of bn of native sweetmeats principal consumers of be found in the ranks 1 of the towns, who look stimulant after a day's hough contrary to the of the Sinhalese, there g tendency among the coholic beverages, and in native and imported ved. The formation of and the organisation of ve, it is true, conduced tain measure, but in the ss the renters and those the trade have firmly t. Government has, in on and business, to prein terms of its stipulasers of the farms; but he latter has been very has had to meet the adoption of an excise
OF CEYLON
system, by means of which the officers connected with the special establishment are remunerated by the renter, and Government waives its instalments and recovers on the quantity sold an amount pro rata. The conditions at present would appear to indicate a period of great prosperity for the arrack trade, as, owing to the undertaking by Government of heavy public works and railway constructions, the renters are offered a fruitful field for the disposal of their liquid among the large labour forces maintained in connection with the works.
The following table details the amounts received in each year during the past decade by the Government on account of arrack :-
Rs.
I894 2,358,669-86 I895 2,479,539'65 1896 ... . . . 2, 48776975 I897 ... ... 2,812,324'55 I898 2,96I,58876 I899 3, I2,324'64 I9oo 3,233,57374 I9OI 3, 185,694'94 I902 ... 3,378,2I9'39 E903 ... 3,413,745"OO
The gress receipts of these earnings total up to over Rs. 3o,oooooo, or nearly two million pounds sterling, a fact which strongly demonstrates the value of the arrack industry as a source of revenue to the Government. So far, the liquor manufactured has only sufficed to supply local demands; but with more modern methods of distillation and bottling, “ Ceylon" -as the popular brand of arrack is calledmay yet be expected to create for itself a position in foreign markets and a reputation in the great and growing liquor traffic of the East.
Page 645
THE PROVINCILAL, A
UCH of the wealth, enterprise, and intellectual and educational effort of Ceylon centres in the capital. But as Paris does not constitute France, so Colombo is far from being Ceylon. Indeed, those who know Ceylon only from a visit to the famous port of call which is the principal seat of government are ignorant of perhaps the leading characteristic features of what is, all in all, the most interesting of the colonies under the direct government of the Crown. They know nothing of the matchless scenery of the mountainous region which covers so large an area in the centre of the island. The vast planting industry which has been built up with British enterprise and capital, and which has brought the island to the highest stage of prosperity, is for them a sealed book. Equally they are shut out from knowledge of the “buried cities," the stupendous tanks and irrigation-works and other remains of the past which attest the grandeur of the ancient Sinhalese civilisation. Nor are they acquainted with the country life of the Sinhalese, which differs as widely from that of the Colombo population as does the life of the Londoner from that of the people of Somersetshire and Devonshire. The whole country teems with special points of interest to the traveller in search of novelty, as well as to the business man seeking fresh avenues for the utilisation of his capital ; and for a proper understanding of it, it must be dealt with comprehensively. In this section of the work an attempt will be made to give a picture of each separate administrative portion of the island. For that purpose we
shall call to aid all ava tion and supplement it been collected from of means it will, it may to bring home to tho: Ceylon some idea of th interest of its separate p Before we proceed ministrations individuall description of the syst provincial government i politically divided into are administered by G{ have under them assi centres and subordinal diction is limited to Pattuwas, or Peruwas c Arranged in the official the nine provinces will
Province. (I) Western ... (2) Central ... (3) Northern ... (4) Southern ... O (5) Eastern ... ۔۔ (6) North-Western .. (7) North-Central . (8) Uva (9) Sabaragamuwa ..
In order of size the appear as under :-
(I) Eastern ... م ما (2) North-Central (3) Northern ... (4) Uva - - (5) North-Western .. (6) Central ... (7) Southern ... (8) Sabaragamuwa .. (9) Western ... a
\DMINISTRATIONS
ilable official informa
with facts which have ther sources. By this be hoped, be possible se who do not know
e manifold beauties and
rovinces.
to deal with the adly we may give a brief em under which the s carried on. Ceylon is nine provinces, which bvernment Agents, who stants at the principal te officers whose juristhe various Korales, ver which they preside. order of administration, rank as follows :-
Capital. ... Colombo
Kandy Jafna Galle
Batticaloa Kurunegala w ... Anuradhapura
... Badulla
Ratnapura
ir arrangement would
Sq. Miles. 4,036 ... 4,002 ... 3,363 3, I54 2,996 2.299塾 2,4б:
I,90
432
A further adjustment of the divisions in respect of population gives the following results :-
Population. (i) Western 92ο,683 (2) Central ... 622,832 (3) Southern 566,736 (4) North-Western 353,626 (5) Northern 340,936 (6) Sabaragamuwa .32 ... ع» ۔ مهI,755 (7) Uva w - 6 - & was ... I 86,674 (8) Eastern ... 4 w8 п73,бо2 (9) North-Central ... 79, Ι Ιο
Assistant agencies are maintained in the Western Province at Kalutara and Negombo, ịn the Central at Matale and Nuwara Eliya, in the Southern at Matara : in the NorthWestern at Chilaw, in the Northern at Mannar, in the Sabaragamuwa at Kegalla, and in the Eastern at Trincomalee. Each province is divided into a number of Korales, which are under the jurisdiction of “Mudaliyars,' or native headmen, and the districts under their control are again subdivided into minor groups of villages, under the supervision of “ Vidanes” and “Arachchis.”
颌、
THE EXECUTIVE.
With the inception of British rule representatives of the Crown were stationed at Kandy and the other centres of the island for purposes of conserving the interests of the sovereign Power and of developing the resources of trade and commerce. As during the earlier period of the British occupation the utmost importance was attached to the establishment and building up of a substantial and advantageous intertrade, , as the basis of
Page 646
638
sound and friendly relations with the subject races, the officers of the Government stationed at the various places were naturally designated "Commercial Residents,' and were granted Assistants and Deputies to represent them at minor centres in the districts. After a time, however, the title was changed to that of “Collector,' the description being borrowed from the neighbouring continent of India. At the beginning of the last century the title was again changed to "Agent of Revenue and Commerce,' the representative at Kandy being distinguished as “Revenue Commissioner.' About eight years later the terms “Collector' and “Collector of Revenue' were reintroduced ; and some time later the title “Agent of Government' was uniformly employed, to be changed, by Regulation No. 6 of I833, to “Government Agent," which continues to be the official designation. The duties of Government Agents are multifarious, and embrace practically every detail of supervision over the districts they control. They are defined thus in a recent Blue Book : to collect the revenue; to suggest improvements in the mode of collecting it; to superintend agricultural pursuits and the sale of Government waste lands; to hear and settle all disputes arising in the management of the different revenue farms; to exercise a general control in their provinces; and to communicate to the inhabitants the Orders of Government. It is also insisted that the Agent shall, from time to time, make circuits through the whole of his province, and acquire a thorough knowledge of the character of the headmen and the situation of the country over which he presides. By the adoption of these measures correct information in respect of the actual state of affairs in every district is obtained, and it is rendered possible for Government to formulate a policy for the more efficient and economic development of the resources of the land. The information
obtained in this manner is embodied in the annual Administration Reports of the provinces, by the perusal of which a deep insight is afforded into the present condition of the country. Every Government Agent is, by law, Provincial Registrar of Births, Marriages, and Deaths, Chairman of the Provincial Road Committee and of each District Road Committee, and, by virtue of his appointment, Government Agent in charge of Police, Fiscal of his Province, and a Justice of the Peace for the island. Government Agents of provinces in which Local Boards are established are, by law, Chairmen and Treasurers of the Boards, and those of provinces where a municipal constitution has been introduced Chairmen of the Councils. The only exception is in the case of the Western Province, where a special civil servant does duty as Chairman
TWENTIETH CENTURY
and Mayor. The Go North-Central Provinc executive functions; a Northern, Southern, ; are also the Collector provinces. Every Go addition Chairman of Health, The Governm
ternand Central Provin of the Legislative Cour. Every Government work by an officer cal to the Government Agt cadets, who on joining attached to the Kachche revenue offices, and Government Agents-t liarise themselves with
of official work. W Agent is in immediate circumscribed by the l Kachcheri, he has as centres, who act as his the execution of his or of taxes and general S the rural and outlying d All the Government A meet annually at 9ueel a durbar presided ove which questions of eve the interests of the po ment of the country, a institutions and the ut natural and otherwise, cussed, and lines laid do suitable and necessary 1 methods of control.
簽
THE NATIVE SYSTI
The native headman perhaps, the one relic which has survived the
innovations that have be country with each succ presided over the destini at once an archaic and el trol, and had the sanction sovereignty, the tolerar and Dutch régimes, and, the hearty acceptance British Government. It priately compared to the England, for the essentia economy are the sam system there is the dist element, which elects a 1 by virtue not only of we also of age, respectability it now exists, of course
(MPRESSIONS
vernment Agent of the e combines judicial with Lnd the Agents of the and Eastern provinces 's of Customs of those vernment Agent is in the Provincial Board of lent Agents of the Wescesare ex officio members cil of the island. Agent is assisted in his led the Office Assistant ent, and by one or more g the Civil Service are ris-the local treasuries, headquarters of the o help them to famithe duties and routine
hile the Government
control of the district imits of his provincial ssistants at the minor deputies and attend to ders and the collection upervision of work in listricts. Agents of the provinces n's House, Colombo, at r by the Governor, at ry description affecting pulation, the developnd the maintenance of tilisation of resources, of the island, are diswn for the adoption of measures for improved
പ്പു
E TEADMAN
EM.
system of Ceylon is, of ancient government changed policies and en introduced into the essive Power that has es of the country. It is laborate system of conis of the early Sinhalese ce of the Portuguese in our own times, has
and approval of the E may not be inappro: old Feudal System of ll principles of political e; but in the local inguishing patriarchal man to rule his fellows
alth and influence but ', and social status. As , the system has been
OF CEYION
considerably modified, and the right of election, or rather of selection, is vested in the Government, which, by means of its agents and other officers, conducts inquiries into the claims of the candidates, and appoints the one who, in its opinion, is best suited to fill the vacant post on the score of ability and personal popularity with the village or district inhabitants. The fact that those with local influence and landed interests are able to command greater respect than those appointed from outside the district is recognised, and wherever possible full importance is attached to it. It will thus be found that in the ranks of the native headmen a good many will be discovered who have had interests in the districts over which they preside for generations past, and who constitute the influential lairds of the land.
The native headmen are in rank immediately subordinate to the Assistants to the Government Agents, and are concerned in carrying out in detail the orders of the Government in areas which cannot be reached by the European officials owing to difficulties of access and kindred hardships. Their chief duties comprise the supervision of agricultural pursuits ; the collection of rates and taxes; the apprehension of criminals or other accused persons who may be “wanted' by the police; the checking of illicit sales of arrack, opium, and other licensed commodities; the suppression of crime; the maintenance of roads and buildings in proper repair; and a general oversight of the people of the place and public affairs. These are, of course, the wider aims and purposes of the system; and, under the organisation, these duties devolve distinctly and separately upon various minor headmen, who are held directly responsible for the performance of their share of work.
The head of the native headman system of the low-country is the Maha Mudaliyar, who generally combines the functions of a native aide-de-camp to the Governor upon State occasions with those of his own duties, Next to him come the ' Mudaliyars of the Gate' or "Guard.' This term, though peculiar in its English form, is quite common in the East as the designation of a superior officer of the royal household, Cases in point are the expressions “Pharaoh' and “Mikado," which in their respective languages are said to have a root significance of something of the nature of "Sublime Porte." In the local title “Gate' has reference to the Governor's household, and not infrequently it is found in its full form as “Mudaliyar of the Governor's Gate.' Ranking below the Mudaliyars of the Gate are the Mudaliyars of the Atapattu, Mudaliyars of the Kachcheris, Mudaliyars of the Korales, and all the other heads of the minor departments of the public service who are entitled to the rank by right of office. Next come the Mohotti
Page 647
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
Mohandiram, Mohandirams of the Governor's Gate, Mohandirams of the Atapattu, Mohandirams of the Korales, and all the other ex-officio Mohandirams of the various public departnents. There are also several other distinctive ranks for special officers, such as "Gravets Mudaliyar,' whose limit of jurisdiction is the town and Gravets of the place to which he is appointed ; Basnayaka, Padikar, Dadayakkare, and Liyana Mohandirams, whose duties are varied, and who are usually attached to the Governor's establishment. Below the several classes of Mohandirams are Arachchis of the Guard, Arachchis of the Atapattu, Vidane Arachchis, Maha Vidanes, and Vel-Vidane Arachchis ; and next to them Kanganies of the Guard, Kanganies of the Atapattu, and Kanganies of the Korales, Last in the scale come Lascoreen attendants of the Guard and Lascoreen attendants of the Atapattu, The titular ranks of Mudaliyar of the Governor's Gate, Mudaliyar, Mohandiram of the Governor's Gate, Mohandiram, and Arachchi are also conferred by the Government on deserving officers of the public service, who then rank with the official holders of the title in the respective classes. The rank of Maha Mudaliyar is hardly anything more than nominal, although at public celebrations and upon State occasions it devolves on the holder of the title to present to the Governor the various native dignitaries. Several of the minor offices are also mere sinecures, and in other cases gratuitous services are rendered by the recipient of the honour in return for his appointment to a post. The officers attached to an “Atapattu' have their jurisdiction over a province, in subordination to the Assistant Government Agents or other officers of the Civil Service; a Mudaliyar presides over a revenue district or “Korale," as it is usually called; a Mohandiram is usually the lieutenant of a Mudaliyar ; Arachchis are set over Peruwas, or subdivisions of a district; and Vidanes have charge of a numbered group of villages, In towns where there is a municipal constitution there are Arachchis over the several municipal wards who act as peace officers and are concerned with the collection of commutation and other taxes. Lascoreens are practically a survival of the ancient militia, and are organised on a military scale, with batons and banners and crude "war-music." They are usually requisitioned to attend at the embarkation of the Maldivian Ambassador who annually brings the Sultan's tribute to the Government of Ceylon, and on levee days as personal attachés of the Maha Mudaliyar. Their uniform consists of coat and cap of scarlet or blue cloth, trimmed with yellow or scarlet loops, facings, metal buttons, sword-belt, waist-belt, and hilt and scabbard of tortoiseshell or horn. The Mudaliyars usually wear a long tunic coat buttoned up to the neck, with
gold loops and buttoi sword-belt and sword bard of silver inlaid Mudaliyar's uniform is liyars', except that he the silk garments doni Mohandirams. The M forms similar to the M their sword-belt is of spangled. The Arachc silver loops, buttons, : for the superior ran hilted scabbards. The a coloured silk ribb flowers of silver thre tomary silver or gold
In the Kandyan distr. native headmen are e corresponding to Muda low-country being te1 and those immediately Koralas, In the Nortl vinces these terms are Chief Mudaliyars, Mal The official dress of consists of a white tu long tunic coat of whit and buttons; a sash o a sword-belt of gold la shoulder or girded ro sword of silver inlaid and boots or shoes, wound round the legs skirt, with sandals. M wear practically the Tamil Mudaliyars, wit Turkish turbanis donné headgear, and that a loose cloth is wrapp portion of the body. T chieftain has that sari gives him an extremel Over a pair of tight p edges, they have wou white muslin and goldand cumbrous folds, a broad gold belt, in wh with carved hilt and large flattened cap of the head-dress. The Vandyke pattern, mad material, with short slet by a richly embroiderec Massive gold chains, al tions, and a profusion o stones complete the St hatmaya, and make object to behold.
Native headmen of , to wear, with the san medals or similar deco inherited from their an
in these pages will b
MPRESSIONS
s, gold lace spangled with gilt hilt and scabwith gold. The Maha :he same as the Mudayears welvet instead of led by Mudaliyars and bhandirams wear uniudaliyars, except that plain gold lace, not is and Kanganies have nd trimmings of gold ks, and carry silverlast-named also wear in embroidered with ld instead of the cusace sword-belt. cts the designations of ntirely different, those liyars of districts in the med Ratemahatmayas below them in rank lern and Eastern Prosubstituted by the titles niagars, and Udaiyars, these Tamil headmen iban with silver lace; e silk with gold loops f any optional colour; !ce worn over the right und the waist, and a with gold; trousers or the national cloth, after the fashion of a oorish chief head men same uniform as the h the exception that a d instead of the Tamil white “ sarong' or ed around the lower he dress of a Kandyan orial amplitude which 7 ungainly appearance. antaloons, with frilled nd round a number of figured cloths, in heavy nd held together by a ich is struck a dagger rich damascening. A white calico constitutes coat or jacket is of a e of thin transparent ves, and is surmounted and gold-edged tippet. mulets, charms, decorajewellery and precious ate dress of a Ratemanim an awe-inspiring
Ill kinds are permitted :tion of the Governor, ations which they have estors; and elsewhere
found representations
OF CEYLON 639
of some typical ones, as also illustrations of the warrants and acts of appointment granted to them in the periods of the Portuguese and Dutch or early British occupations.
In the lower ranks of native headmen no salary, or a very insignificant amount if any, is paid; but rewards, from the proceeds of fines of accused persons arrested, are offered them for special services. The Mudaliyars and Ratemahatmayas draw salaries and receive commissions on reporting on Crown lands for sale, on executing cattle vouchers in cases of disputed ownership, and sometimes on collections of taxes and assessment rates. Percentages are also paid on every road-tax detaulter brought to book, for each birth and death reported to the registrar, for pointing out boundaries of Crown lands sold, and on police assessment and sanitary rate recoveries. In addition there is also a “Headmen's Reward Fund,' out of which awards are made in recognition of signal and exceptional services in the checking of crime and the maintenance of peace and order,
Side by side with the native headman system is a method of judicature by means of village courts, known as Gansabhawas, councils, and tribunals, under the jurisdiction of presidents and itinerating police magistrates, whose duty it is to hold inquiries into minor cases of hurt, offence, or dispute, and thus save the established courts of law much unnecessary work with trivial and vexatious complaints. The attempt to govern the maritime and interior Sinhalese otherwise than through their own agency has at all times proved difficult, and the necessity for the maintenance of the present system, improved and reorganised as much as possible, is daily increasingly felt. Nor does experience dictate otherwise; for nothing so much pleases the native mind, or goes farther to conciliate it, than the retention of its ancient and time-honoured institutions, of its past sanctions and constitutional usages, and a general and generous recognition of its rights, privileges, and liberties. On the other hand, to meet modern requirements, there is also the necessity for modifications and improvement, That the Government is fully alive to this fact, and is energetically and wisely working towards its fulfilment, there can be little doubt ; and the circumstances attending the annual investiture of ranksusually on the King's birthday at Queen's House-when the Governor personally compliments the recipients and impresses upon them the need for active continuance in their good efforts, tend to point out that due and just recognition follows the labours of the headmen in their spheres of work. In fact, it is not too much to say that the system now forms an indispensable and essential part of the constitution of the country.
Page 648
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
WESTERN
pTHOUGH smallest in area of the whole of
the nine administrations into which the island is divided, the Western Province is the most populous and important. It embhaces within its limits the capital, which, with its outlying suburbs, now constitutes “no mean city.' But apart from the special prestige attaching to the province by virtue of this circumstance, there are favouring conditions which contribute
The greatest asset of is the coconut. Its ub
the new-conner even W acquaintance with the t he lands on the shore, plantations, until he cro, province he has ever b fan-like foliage of this bearing trees. Of a to
to its pre-eminence. Its extensive seaboard is the centre of a flourishing fishery, with wide commercial ramifications in other parts of the island; the great coconut-planting industry reaches within its limits its highest development; the lucrative arrack-distilling industry has its principal seat within the province ; and some of the most thriving agricultural enterprise (apart from planting) is conducted in districts which are a part of the area. other province is there such a wide diffusion of commercial enterprise; in none is the population more advanced and prosperous,
In no
THE LOCAL BOu
under cultivation, no fe are given over to coco over-estimate the influ mountcy of the coconu of the people. The fri never-failing supply of abundance of lucrative l; Destitution, as the te Western countries, is “For those who desire obtained at good wag The Road Committee person now thinks of w
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
PROVINCE.
the Wester Province iquity is astonishing to here he has had prior ropics. From the time margined with coconut sses the boundary of the efore him the graceful
king of tropical fruittal acreage of 396,ooo
obligation to labour being invariably commuted, for 25 cents is still reckoned as a man's wage, and the commutation is calculated on that basis. If there were any difficulty in obtaining work at a reasonable wage, the poorer classes would elect to labour on the roads in preference to paying Rs. I5o.'' province is reflected in the revenue returns for Igo5, which were the highest on record. The
The prosperity of the
ARD, NEGOMBO.
wer than 28o,ooo acres nuts. It is difficult to ence which this parait has on the condition uit furnishes at once a wholesome food and an abour to the inhabitants.
is understood in practically non-existent.
it, work can always be es along the - seaboard.
returns show that no 'orking on the roads, the
amount
collected during the year Rs. 2,725,697, a sum Rs. 454,562 in excess of the receipts for I904 and nearly a million rupees above the return for the year 1888, when the province included the Kegalla and Ratnapura districts, the former of which is now a part of the Central Province and the latter of the Uva Province.
Outside Colombo the most important centre in the Western Province is Kalutara, a thriving town in the heart of an important planting
WS
Report for 1905 of the Hon. Mr. F. A. Crawford, Acting Government Agent.
Page 649
TWENTIETH CENTURY IM
area south of the capital. The Assistant come about that the Government Agent has his headquarters in the planters of Kalutara have town and controls the affairs of the adjacent great rubber speculatio district, which has an area of 623 square miles and an estimated population of a quarter of a million.
Kalutara has sometimes been called “the Richmond of Ceylon.” Parallels of this kind are often amusing, and sometimes irritating ; and in this instance more than ordinary violence has been done to artistic truth by comparing this Ceylonese town at the mouth of a great tropical river with the bustling outpost of London, which is built about the “silvery Thames,' at this point a sluggish, winding fresh-water stream. Still, it may be admitted that Kalutara is beautifully situated. A long bar intercepts the flow of the river to the sea, and the stream widens out into what to the eye appears to be a considerable lake. The banks of this expanse are covered with tropical vegetation, and the whole scene is most attractive. The view up-river is particularly fine, especially on a clear day, when Adam's Peak shows up in imposing outline in the background.
Kalutara is the seat of the arrack in
dustry. The numerous distilleries contributed Rs. IO2,73832 to the revenue during I905, an MR. AN amount which represents nearly one-third of
the total receipts of the district. Plumbago in the past few years h; mines are also numerous, and a large number surveying and parcelli of the population are engaged in them. But suitable for the tree wh agriculture is the mainstay of the district. The such a large place in th
THE LOCAL BOARD, KALUTARA
prevailing love of the coconut as a profit- world. How far the sp making agency is here tinctured with a desire in this instance has to be to try new avenues of investment. So it has to the report of the
MPRESSIONS
hard-headed native
been drawn into the n, and the authorities
OF CEYLON 641
Association for I903, it is in the district" that, Para rubber has found exactly the conditions of soil and climate that it requires'; and if
D MRS. A. DE A. SENEVIRATNE AND FAMILY.
ave been kept busy in ng out Crown lands ich is just now filling e eye of the investing
beculation will succeed seen. But according Kalutara Planters'
that be the case, rubber may in course of time vie with coconuts in its power of attraction for the native investor.
At the northern extreme of the province is Negombo, the centre of a fishing trade of considerable importance. The town occupies a somewhat isolated position on a tongue of land thrust out from the mainland towards a narrow, low-lying piece of coast which forms the western embankment of a great lagoon stretching for about a dozen miles in the direction of Colombo. This lagoon is connected by means of a canal with the Kelani Ganga at a point near its mouth, and with that river constitutes the most popular means of communication between the capital and the town. It is certainly a pleasant alternative route to the dusty coach-road along which the visitor perforce must travel if he wishes to proceed by land. The lower reaches of the Kelani river through which the steam-launch passes are very beautiful. The river sweeps to the sea at this point in majestic volume through banks rich in tropical verdure. Villas of wealthy natives peep out amid the trees, relieving by their bright colour the dark green masses of the coconut-palm which here as elsewhere dominates the scene. A turn in the river brings into distant view the masts of vessels riding at anchor in the harbour, with beyond the waters of the Indian Ocean flashing in the sunlight. Another turn, and the launch digs its nose into what at first sight appears to be a dock, but which in reality is a canal some
2S
Page 650
642
twelve miles in length. The work is for the most part a relic of the Dutch occupation. Mynheer, inspired doubtless by the memory of the waterways of his beloved Holland, saw possibilities in this low-lying land with the river as a boundary on one side and the lagoon on the other, and he built the canal with all his native directness. But in the tropics Nature clothes even the straightest lines with grace and beauty, and so it happens that this prosaic canal supplies the medium of one of the most charming water trips that the low-country supplies. The boat passes through plantations whose luxuriant tropical verdure runs to the very water's edge and above furnishes an umbrageous awning through which even the
TWENTIETH CENTURY
prepare poles to prev which would be cau launch if these prec. Eventually the launch and then full speed is or more the passenge run against a stiff bree the sea. The bellyin native craft coming u touch of picturesquen otherwise somewhat in palm-clothed land har low sand-banks, above with tropic intensity. spire of a church is v. from amongst the tree
FISHING BOATS AT NEGOMBO,
fierce noonday sun cannot pierce. At places where the launch stops crowds of children come with kurumbas, or green coconuts, which they offer for sale, and for a few cents there is provided a drink, bright, cool and invigorating, a veritable nectar to the voyageur jaded by the torrid heat. About the banks, ahmost buried in the masses of verdure, are villas of native planters, with here and there a cluster of boutiques, the nucleus of a little settlement. The strenuous life is not for the inhabitants of this favoured region. They lie amid the shade of the palm-groves, looking with lazy curiosity on the launch as it glides along at a rate which never exceeds four miles an hour. The only display of animation is when a barge laden with produce is met with in the canal. Then there is a scurry of feet to tighten hawsers and
at that point breaks t other buildings are di pretty little town of Ne head of a creek into A quarter of an hour ashore at the wharf a road which leads to th Negombo has an in goes back to the very pean occupation. Th importance as an ou maintained a strong ga day evidence of which condition, occupying a an eminence between to the west of the tow British dominion is a command of the sea
MPRESSIONS
int the violent collision ed by the wash of the utions were not taken. merges into the lagoon, but on, and for an hour s enjoy an exhilarating e which sweeps up from sails of a number of ) with the wind lend a ss to a scene which is onotonous owing to the ing now given place to which the sun shimmers Soon in the distance the sible ahead, peeping up of a peninsula which
he sky-line. scernible, and soon the gombo is revealed at the which the launch turns. ater the passengers step di pass along the shady
town,
Gradually
teresting record which arly days of the Euro: Dutch recognised its post of Colombo, and rison there, the presentis a fort in a fairly good dominating position en the creek and the sea . Nowadays, when the solute on land and the is insured by an over
OF CEYLON
whelming fleet, Negombo no longer possesses any strategic value. But what it has lost in military and naval importance it has gained in commercial influence. The interests of the place centre in a thriving fishery. As has been stated in the special article on Ceylon Fisheries, the Negombo fishermen are famed throughout the island for enterprise and skill. Numbers of them migrate annually at certain periods to other parts of the island, and the profits on their ventures go to swell the wealth of what is, all in all, a highly prosperous community. The fish locally caught is mostly sent to Colombo, where it commands a ready market. The industry has been greatly hampered in the past by the Jack of expeditious means of communication with the capital; but quite recently sanction has been given to a longprojected line of railway which will deprive Negombo of its position of splendid, and undesirable, isolation. The new line will branch off the main Kandy line at Ragama, a station about nine miles from Colombo, and will pass through Ja ela. Eventually it will probably constitute a section of an important railway which will link up Chilaw and Puttalam with the main railway system. Even as a simple branch line it will doubtless serve a very useful purpose by stimulating trade in districts which are languishing for the need of better communication.
Ragama, which has been mentioned as the starting-point of the new railway to Negombo, has an importance of its own from the fact that the place embraces within its area the observation camp for coolies entering the island. On arrival by steamer in Colombo the coolies are at once conveyed to a depôt at the breakwater and are there bathed and fed. Afterwards they are despathed by train to Ragama, where they are detained for forty-eight hours before being allowed to travel to the up-country estates on which they are to be employed. In cases in which the voyageurs have come from infected areas in India the detention is for a longer period. The camp is well planned and well serves the purpose for which it is designed-the prevention of the introduction of disease. In 1905 no fewer than 132,690 coolies passed through the camp. This is a far larger number than usual, but there seems every prospect of the stream of immigration being maintained in something like this volume owing to the flourishing condition of the planting industry. Most of the coolies who come over are old hands. The proportion of new labourers in I905 is stated by the Superintendent of Immigration to have been not more thản I per cent. This fact shows how popular Ceylon is with the Tamils as a field of labour, and incidentally disposes of the stories sometimes circulated by the ignorant and ill-informed or malicious as to the bad
Page 651
TWENTIETH
treatment meted out to labourers on the Ceylon estates. Ragama, it may be added as a concluding note, was used temporarily for the
TEIE HION, MIR. E. L. CRAVIFORID.
internment of some of the Boer prisoners who were sent to Ceylon during the South African War.
From the standpoint of local government the Western Province is a good deal ahead of the other provinces, as is perhaps natural in view of the influence of the life of the capital. There are Local Boards at Kalutara, Negombo, and Minuwangoda, and all are working well. Panadure, a growing town on the coast south of Colombo, should also have a local authority, but the inhabitants shirk their responsibilities, and it seems likely that they will have to be coerced into the acceptance of the rights and privileges of a civilised community. In pleasing contrast to their lack of public spirit is the action of the inhabitants of many of the purely agricultural districts, who have adopted with eagerness and even enthusiasm the system of village Gansabhawas, or village councils, to which special reference is made in the article on Local Government. Animated by this spirit the inhabitants of the Western Province may be expected to maintain the reputation which the area enjoys for advancement and enterprise. There remains, however, one blot upon the fair fame of the province which must be removed before it can enter into the comity of fully civilised communities. That is the exceptional prevalence of serious crime. In Igo5 there were 34 cases of homicide as against 23 in I904, and there were 1,372 serious offences reported as against I, I47 in the previous year. In only 258 cases were there
CENTURY
convictions. The situ figures is disquieting. racteristic in a measur country as a whole being urged to introd Andamans or elsewh those convicted of st not unlikely that this eventually.
THE HON. M.R.
GRAV
The Hon. Mr. Hel Government Agent an Province and Member C is the son of the R Church of England cl at Jerusalem on Nove being educated, first afterwards at Corpus bridge, he entered th went out to Ceylon in to the Colombo Kach ceeding three years h Badulla, and Galle Ka Acting Police Magistra Matara, Balapitimoda I883 he was promoted at Kalpitiya and Acting Government Agent of
TIE C
In 1887 he was made and in 189o Second Assi In addition to the du
MPRESSIONS
tion disclosed by these Unhappily, it is chaof the condition of the The Government is (ce transportation, to the re, as a punishment for rious crime, and it is step will be adopted
奖
ENRY LEIGHTON IFORD,
ny Leighton Crawford, Fiscal for the Western f the Legislative Council, iv. Henry Crawford, a rgyman. He was born mber 16, 1855, and after at Clifton College and
Christi College, Came colonial service and 877 as a writer attached cheri. During the suce served at the Kandy, chcheris, and was then te of Kegalla, Balapitiya, ra, and Tangalla. In to be Police Magistrate Office Assistant to the the Western Province.
OF CEYLON 643
acted as Secretary of the Central Irrigation Board in 1893, and in the following year he became Acting Principal Assistant Colonial Secretary, being confirmed in this appointment in 1896. Four years after this he became Commissioner under the Buddhist Temporalities Ordinance of I889, and in I904 he was appointed Government Agent of the Southern Province. His present appointment dates from December, I905. He takes a keen interest in many kinds of sports and games, is the President of the Colombo Cricket Club and of the Chess Club, and for three years he was the croquet champion of the Garden Club, Colombo. Of tennis and rowing he is also
very fond. ,
舒、
COLOMBO DISTRICT.
THE COLONIAL PHOTOGRAPHC COMPANY.
This popular and flourishing establishment was founded as recently as the beginning of I903, under the management of Mr. Philippe Erdös, who still continues at the head of the firm. The company's premises were specially built to their own plans by the Fort Land and Building Company, and situated as they are just at the rear of the Victoria Arcade, the position is a most central one, alike for
ٹھیٹھیٹھیجئیے مخختھیئت
DI ( ALE ) I RECUS
ܘܡܘܼܚܕܗܚܚܚܚܚܚܚܚ
OLONIAL PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPANY, COLOMBO.
Acting District Judge, stant Colonial Secretary. ies of this position he
residents or visitors to the island. The spacious studio and showrooms are fitted
in the latest modern style, and are equipped
Page 652
THE CREMATION OF THE L
MRS. J. KOTALAWALA. MERS. T. G. JAYEW
MI.R.S., D. C. G. AT TY GALL.E.
ATE E. D. ATTYGALLE.
WARDENE, MISS ELLEN ATTY GALLE.
THE LATE F. D. ATTYGALLE.
Page 653
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
with electric fans, private dark-rooms, and every possible convenience for the requirements of their many customers. The principal business they carry on, in addition to portraiture, enlargements, picture-framing, &c., is the supply of all Kodak goods and photographic materials generally, a complete and up-to-date selection of such being stocked. From the very outset the company have gained great popularity, and they now practically hold the monopoly in the island for this class of business. In addition, they do an extensive trade in the developing and printing of plates and films for the many amateur photographers, both resident and tourist, who have occasion for these services. With the rapid increase of business, the staff has needed strengthening from time to time, until at the present it comprises about eighteen hands, which number includes two Europeans.
அே
THE LATE FRANCIS DIXON
ATTYGALLE
A melancholy interest attaches to the views which accompany this sketch. The gentleman whose name figures in the headline, and whose business enterprises are dealt with in another part of the work, was fatally shot on the evening of December 9, 1906, in circumstances which are under judicial investigation at the time of writing. The event caused a great sensation throughout the island, as the murdered man, though quite young, was well known and highly esteemed. Letters of condolence poured in to the deceased's relatives from all parts and from all sections of the community. Amongst others His Excellency the Governor wrote to the unfortunate man's mother deploring his untimely death and tendering sympathy. The public interest in the affair was manifested in the enormous attendance at the funeral. Rarely, if ever previously-in recent years at all events-had such crowds of mourners been seen at the obsequies of a private member of the community. The body was cremated amid all the pomp and impressiveness of the Buddhist ritual. Elsewhere particulars will be found of the late Mr. Attygalle's career; but it may be stated briefly that he was born in 1885 at Cotamunne and educated at the Weslev College, His educational career was cut short by the early death of his father, this event rendering it necessary for him to take over his share of the management of his father's estate. Notwithstanding his absorption in business affairs, Mr. Attygalle's interest in his alma mater was maintained, and he, besides, continued to show the keenest interest in every form of sport. Although possessed of considerable wealth Mr. Attygalle was most unassuming, and he
was liked and respect came in contact. Alto engaging personality,
forms one of the da modern history of Cey
THE HOPETOUN STU
COLO
Mr. Adolphus Willian proprietor of this, the graphic business in the success he has achiev industry and enterpris nephew of the late Mi mother a member of family, and the subjec
జ్ఞత్తి ఆ
A.
was born in Jaffna in Government service to photographer, and his s predilection and, in I8 studio, which was ope in Chatham Street, as ch there until the business the experience thus opened a small studic Norris Road, but this p. means of livelihood, he ment his income by Colombo branch of til India, Ltd. In 1893 Mr started business afresh Union Place, which bus a few years, he transfo well-equipped studio, hi. his brother, Mr. Bertie studio is two-storeyed in
MPRESSIONS
2d by all with whom he gether his was a most
and his tragic death rkest chapters in the lon.
蛇
"DIO, SLAYE ISLAND,
MIBO.
h Andree, the managing largest native photoisland, owes whatever ed in life to his own e. His father was a ', C. A. Lorenz and his a well-known Jaffna :t of our brief sketch
KONAW
} تمتي
OF CEYLON 645
reception and show rooms on the ground floor and a handsome and spacious studio 5.oft. by 25 ft. on the upper floor, with dressingroom attached, and from this studio he has during years turned out much excellent work, which has gained for its proprietor medals and diplomas at the Paris Exhibition and World's Fair held in 19oo and I904 respectively, while at every Art Exhibition held in Colombo of recent years the judges have marked the good quality of his work by conferring upon him certificates of merit. Mr. Andree makes a speciality of portraiture, and mention should be made of his large and varied stock of Ceylon views and pictorial postcards. He is equally efficient in work by the platinotype process, black and white, and colours. The quality of the studio's carbon workin standard brown, en
W. ANDREES PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO.
1869. His father left become a professional on inherited the same 87, joined a ferrotype :ned by an American ief assistant, remaining 1 was given up. With gained young Andree at his residence in roving insufficient as a was forced to suppletaking service in the he National Bank of ... Andree married, and as a photographer in iness, in the course of rmed into the present s chief assistant being Andree. The present height, containing the
graving black, sepia, sea green, and red chalk, is also recognised by the increasing popularity of the establishment. On the occasion of the visit of T.R.H.. the Duke and Duchess of York (now the Prince and Princess of Wales) to Ceylon Mr. Andree was permitted to accompany the royal train. He holds the sole American rights for photography in bas-relief, and he has also extended his business in the direction of executing half-tone process blocks, blocks on copper, &c., for the pictorial press and book illustrations. During the time of the internment of Boer prisoners-of-war in the colony he brought out a very interesting booklet of views illustrating their life during captivity in the principal camp at Diyatalawa. A similar booklet of views was issued by him in connection with one of the later Pearl Fisheries, before these had passed out of the hands of the Ceylon Government to the Ceylon
2 St
Page 654
TWENTIETH CENTURY
LORD NELSON BOTTEL.
M. C. AMOO.
Company of Pearl Fishers, Ltd. Another speciality of the Hopetoun Studio is enlargements, which are executed under his personal supervision and are artistically finished by hand or by the aerograph. In fact, his business is well equipped to execute orders in all branches of the photographic art, including picture-framing in American carved wood mouldings and indigenous woods which specially lend themselves to produce artistic results, such as the rare calamander, ebony, and coconut wood.
لو
M. C. AMOO AND J. A. CUTTLAN.
Messrs. M. C. Amoo and J. A. Cuttilan, proprietors of the Lord Nelson Hotel, Chatham Street, Fort, and of King's Hotel, Kandy, are
lineal descendants of the first batch of warlike
Malays brought over from the Straits Settlements by the Dutch when they owned Ceylon. These Malays afterwards composed the Ceylon Rifle Regiment. The ancestors of Messrs. Amoo and Cuttilan did yeoman service both for the Dutch and the British in quelling the formidable Sinhalese rebellions and in insuring the final conquest of Kandy. Messrs. Amoo and Cuttilan started business together twenty-five
A. J. CUTLAN.
years ago as general
ment, the municipality later opened two hotc business Capacity, en their never-failing coi whom they had dealin; and Messrs. Amoo a themselves in a positic enterprises with whic Their hotels to-day, th King's, are two of th serais in the island elaborately fitted and
most capable manag resorted to by passe the better class of res
HENDERSO
This firm of gener and importers, carryin, and having agencies was established by M. who was later joined Henderson, a partner & Co. The specialit cocoa, cinnamon, fib the principal impor
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
TEIE RESDENCE, KINGS HOTEL, KANDY.
contractors for Govern', &c., and a few years :ls of their own. Their rgy, and industry, and rtesy towards all with gs, brought their reward, hd Cuttilan soon found in to expand the various in they were connected e Lord Nelson and the : most popular caravan-excellently furnished, quipped, and run under ment-and are largely Ingers and tourists and idents in the island.
岁
& NEWTON.
commission exporters on business in Colombo, in up-country stations, Edward Wylie Newton, by Mr. William Edward the firm of Henderson 's of the firm are tea, es, and plumbago, and
are piece goods and
hardware. They hold the agencies for Ceylon for the English Thread Company, Ltd., the Scottish Amicable Life Assurance Society, the General Accident, Fire and Life Assurance Corporation, Ltd., the Oliver Typewriter Company, Ltd., and the Addressograph, Ltd. The firm has special agents in London, Liverpool, Manchester, Glasgow, Hamburg, Amsterdam, Antwerp, Paris, and in other towns in Europe, in North America, South Africa, and New Zealand. Among the registered brands of tea and other food products in which the firm deals are the AI, Regal, Perfection, Orange, Sportsman, Peacock, White Label, White Seal, World, Stag, Gold Label, Gold Packet, Silver Packet, Anchor, Sunset, Dawn, Castle, and Sun, and the Phoenix brand of plumbago.
لو
HENRY PERS.
To be a Government contractor in Ceylon is a valuable qualification, and is generally the hall-mark of efficiency of workmanship. Among the best known of Government contractors in Colombo is Mr. Henry Pieris, the subject of this sketch. He is the son of the late Mr. W. F Pieris, who established the business in 1864 and was entrusted both by Government and
Page 655
HENRY PIERIS.
s 哆
' DONINGTO
GROUP OF STAFE. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUILDINGS, COLOMBO.
Page 656
648
the general public with works of considerable importance. Among the monuments of the deceased gentleman's skill are the Chamber of Commerce buildings, the Attorney-General's offices, certain wards of the General Hospital, and the Lunatic Asylum; St. James's Church, Kotahena; St. Mark's, Dandiyama; and the Scott and Matthew Memorial Halls. Born in 1879, Mr. Henry Pieris was educated at the Royal College, Colombo, and afterwards he went through a thorough apprenticeship with his father. After a few years he became a partner in the concern, and upon the sudden and untimely death of his father, in 1904, he succeeded to the business. Among the contracts which he has undertaken mention should
be made of the Wellawatte Church. He employs about sixty masons and carpenters, and the public and the Government have entrusted him with important works. His first work for the Government was the alteration, improvement, and enlargement of the Government Printing Office. Since (904 Mr. Pieris has been assisted in his business by his brother, Mr. John Gilbert Pieris, a clever young engineer. He owns a small estate-Talahena -at Kirilapona, near Colombo, planted with rubber, and he has also commenced experimenting in growing cotton there. He comes
TWENTIETH CENTURY I.
of a family long ide Methodism in the islan Church, and was forr Colpetty Wesleyan Chu and resides at “Don
Colombo.
A. ఢ
EMINUE DE S.
Mr. E. de S. Wijey de S. Wijeyeratne, was 1857, and received his dict's Institute and St. T
his school career he c
a timber merchant in subsequently he becan Government and the 1 various departments, su the Colonial Stores, a timber for use in th
Colombo breakwater. carting contractor. H situated in Skinner's R about an acre of ground in Crown forests in
Western Province and by rail, road, and canal, sizes and logs. The 1 ployed is between fifty
TIMBER YARD.
MR, AND MIR.S. E. DE S. W.
MPRESSIONS
tified with Wesleyan l, is a member of that herly steward at the rch. He is un married, ngton," Ward Place,
る
Y.A. YEYERATNE
eratne, son of Bastian born in Colombo in education at St. Benehomas's College. After om menced business as Colombo in 188o, and he contractor for the municipality, supplying ch as the railways and nd furnishing besides 2 construction of the
He is timber yards are oad South, and cover The timber is felled iifferent parts of the conveyed to Colombo and is sawn into stock number of hands emand sixty. Mr. Wije
is now also a
''»
ν
OF CEYLON
yeratne is also a landed proprietor, owning the estates Winifred-about 3oo acres, planted with coconuts-and Keenewinne, both in Alutkuru Korale North, of the Western Province. In addition he owns tracts of paddy-land and considerable house property in Colombo. He is a member of the Catholic Union and Club, and his residence is Havelock Villa, Havelock Road, Colombo. In I886 he married Michaela Justina, daughter of William Peter Mendis, late of the Ceylon Public Service, and landed proprietor of Negombo, and granddaughter of Joseph Mendis, Mudaliyar of Alutkuru Korale North. In 1897 he was married a second time, on this occasion to Anne Claribel Mary, daughter of Frederick de Fonseka, Superintendent of Minor Roads, Negombo, and granddaughter of Manuel Fonseka, Mudaliyar of Kalutara. He has seven sons and two daughters, and his son Edmund John Stanislas assists him in the business.
شوه
BASTIANKORALLAGEY JAMES AURELIEUs o RODRIGO WEERESINGHE
GOONEYWARDENE
This gentleman, better known as J. A. Rodrigo, is a leading member of the Sinhalese community
CLIETON VILLA.
JEYERATNE AND FAMILY.
Page 657
::::ಜ್ಜ* #Â
g :
శ్ళి
際
ჭ
„წჭჭ;
ವ್ಹಿ.
The group above represents MRS. (LIANA 1)E S. Lv \ \VARNEst RIY A CUR(cULE VII EYEE WiJEYERATNE (third som of the late LINDE MULLEGE JACOB DE SILVA VARNESt. RIY A unique group, as it consists of fifty-nine members of this ancient Sinhalese family t. Warnesuriya Curucule Wijeyeratne at her res Bastian de Silva Wijeyeratne, born June 12, 1812; died March 14, 1860. Mr.
Each row reading from left to right, commencing u
I. MISS LOUISA DE SILVAWIJEYERATNE (granddaughter). 23. MISS LILIAN VIOLETCLARI 2. MASTER WICTOR DE SILVA WIJEYERATNE (grandson). (granddaughter). 3. MISS, ELLEN MARY PEREIRA (granddaughter). 24. MRS. CILARIBEL ANNE MAI 4. MASTER MICHAEL FRANCIS PEREIRA (grandson). (wife of No. 22). 5. MASTER JOSEPH DE SILVA WIJEYERATNE (grandson). 25. MR, JosEPH BoNIFACE M 6. MASTER BERTRAM ROBERT FREDERICK DE SILVA S. C. (grandson).
WIJEYERATNE (grandson). 26. MISSANGELINA ARSECUL 7. MASTER CHRISToPHEREMANUEL DE SILvA WIJEYE- 27. Miss AGNES DE SILVA VVIJ кAтNE (grandson). 28. Miss JCLI E MARIA PERE I 8. MASTER JosEPH LIoNEL ANTHONY PERERA JAYA- 29. MR. BASTIAN FERNANDo,
SINGHE (grandson). daughter). chants' Union (husband 9. Miss FLORENCE HELEN PERERA JAYASINGHE (grand- 3o. Miss CLARI BEL FRANCES Io. MR. DoN JOSEPH ARSECULERATNE, Proctor S.C. and (great-granddaughter).
Notary (grandson). 3I. MRS. ANNE EMILY FERNA 11. MR. JACOB DE SILvA WIJEYERATNE, Proctor (son). 32. MR. GABRIEL FERNANDo, I2. MRS. ISABELLA DE SILVA WIJEYERATNE (wife of band of No. 34).
No. II). 33. MASTER GABREL LEO 13. MR. MICHAEL FRANCIS PEREIRA, Accountant, Prisons grandson).
Department (husband of No. 14). 34. MRS. JOSEPHINE MAKY F I4 MRS. MARIA PEREIRA (daughter). 35. MSS CHARLOTTE MARY I5. MRS, AIPROGINIA ARSECULERATNE (daughter). RATNE (granddaughter) I6. MRS. JULIANA DE SILVA WiJEYERATNE (wife of thę 36. Miss MARY RosALINE late Bastian de Silva Wijeyeratne). (som). (granddaughter).
17. MR. RoBERT DE SILVA WIJEYERATNE, Notary Public 37, MISS GRACE MARY PE 18. MRS. CAROLINE DE SIL-vA WIJEYERATNE (wife of 38. MISS WINEFRED CLEMENT
No. 17). (granddaughter). 19. MRS. VICTORIA DE SILVA WIJEYERATNE (wife of the 39. MASTER CYRIL SIMION
late Mathias de Silva Wijeyeratme). (grandson). 20. Mr. JosepH FRANCIS PERERA JAYASINGHE (husband 40. MR. EDMUND JoHN STAN
of No. 21). (daughter). RATNE (grandson). 2r. MRs. CARoLINE ANASTASIA PERERA JAYASINGHE 4 I. MR. EDwi ARD ROBERT E 22. MR. EMANUEL IDE SILVA WIJEYERATNE (son). RATNE, Proctor (grands
ADDITIONS TO THE FAMILY BY MARRIAGE ANO THE CH 6I. MR. LEO PETER FERNANDO (husband of No. 36). 67. MR. VINCENT FERNANDO 62. MASTER LEO BERTRAM FERNANDO (great-grandson). 68. MISS STELLA WICTORIA F 63. MASTER ANDREw HILARION FERNANDo (great-grand- 69 MASTER JOSEPH MARSH: 64. MIss EUGENIE DE SILVA (married to No. 55). [son). grandson). 65. MIss VENETIA DE SILvA WIJ EYERATNE (great-grand- 7o. MASTER LION EL PETER daughter). (great-grandson). 66. MASTER FRANCIS MATHIAS CORN ELIS DE SILVA 7. MIASTER RICARD AUG) WIJEYERATNE (great-grandson). sooRIYA (great-gramdso
NAMES OF DECEASED MEMBERS OF THE FAM 76. MR. MATHIAS DE SILVA WIJEYERATNE (eldest son). 84. MRS, MARG ARE I HENRIE 77. MR. GABREL, DE SILVA WIJEYERATNE (grandson). wife of No. Io). 78. MR. ALFRED CYPRIAN DE SILVA WIJEYERATNE 85. MISS JOSEPHfN E MARGAR
(grandson). granddaughter). 79. MR. DoN MARSAILLES ARSECULERATNE, Proctor and 86. MR. CHARLES FELIX LUC,
Notary (husband of No. 15). (grandson). 8o. MISS ANGELINA ARSECULERATNE (granddaughter). 87. MR. JoHN ALEXANDER 8. MISS ROSALINEARSECULERATNE (granddaughter). (grandson). 82. MISS ALICE ARSECULERATNE (granddaughter). 88. MR. ALEXANDER John 83. MISS MARY ARSECULERATNE (granddaughter). (grandson).
NAMES OF DECEASED MEMBERS OF THE
I. MRs. JULIANA DE SILVA WIJEYERATNE (wife of the late 2. MR. RoBERT DE SILVA WIJEYERATNE, Notary Public. 3. MRS. VICTORIA DE SILVA WJEYERATNE, wife of the lat
:ATN E, vife of the late IINi) Eyıt’I.I. EGE BAS’ CURUCULE WIJEYERATNE), children, gr:undchildren, and great-grandchildren.
AN II)E SILVA VV.ARNES RY.A CUERUCULE It is a
aken after the fortieth annual Christmas breakfast given by Mrs. Juliana de Silva idence, “Clanmorris.' Grandpass, Colombo. s. Juliana de Silva Wijeyeratne, born December 26, 1825; died February 26, 1905.
'ith the row of young children in the foreground.
BEL DESILVA WIJEYERATINE
RY IDE SILVA WIJEYERATNE
(ICHAEL PEREIRA, Proctor
ERATNE (granddaughter). EYERATNE (granddaughter). RA (granddaughter).
President Plumbago MerI of No. 31). MARGARET WEERASOORIYA
NDO (granddaughter).
plumbago merchant (hus
MARCUS FERNANDo (great
ERNANDo (granddaughter). CIARA DE SILVA WIJEYE
DE SILVA WIJEYERATNE
daughter). RERA JAYASINGHE (grandINADE SILVAWIJEYERATNE
DE SILVA WIJEYERATNE
ISLAUS DE SILVA VIJEYE
RANCIS DE SILVA WIJEYEson).
ILDREN BORN AFTER
(husband of No. 56). ONSEKA (married to No. Io). AL ARSECULERATNE (great
JosePH WEERAsooRIYA
USTUS n).
BERNARD WEERA
42.
43. 44. 45.
46. 47. 48.
49. 50.
5. 52.
53.
54.
55.
56.
57.
58,
8
59.
6o.
THE
72.
73.
74.
7
5
LLY WHO DO NOT APPEAR
;TTA ARsEcULERATNE (first
ET ARSECULERATNE (great
AS DE SIIWA WIJEYERATNE
DE SILVA WIJEYERATNE
DE SILVA VIJEYERATNE
89. QO. 9. 92.
93. 94. 95.
96.
MR. JOHN HENRY ARsEcULERATNE, plumbago merchant (grandson). (grandson). MR. THOMAS AUSTIN DE SILVA WIJEYERATNE MR. ALFRED WINCENT MICHAEL PEREIRA (grandson). MISS MARY PRISCILLA DE SILVA WIJEYERATNE
(granddaughter) MR. OSMUND DE SLVA WIJEYERATNE (grandson). MIss EvELYN FERNANDo (great-granddaughter). MR. JoséPH REYNoLD DE SILvA WIJEYERATNE
(grandson and heir). MISS DAISY FERNANDO (great-granddaughter). MR, RICHARD JoSEPH VICToR DE SILVA WIJEYERATNE
(grandson). MRS. Lot'ISA WEERAsooRIYA (granddaughter). MASTER HENRY WINFRED ROBERT WEERASOOR1YA
(great-grandson). MR. HERMAN PETER WEERAsooRIYA, Proctor S. C.
and Notary (husband of No. 51). MISS MILIDRED FELICIA MARGARET IDE SILVAWIJEYE
RATNE (granddaughter). MR. ALFRED JoHN MATHIAS DE SILVA WIJEYERATNE
(grandson). MISS GRACE HARRIET WICTORIA DE SILVA WIJEYE
кAтNE (granddaughter). MR. FRANCIS BENJAMIN IDE SILWA WIJEYERATNE
(grandson). MISSADELINEMARGARET PERERAJAYASINGHE (grand
daughter). MR. JAMES EMANUEI, MAXIMIAN DE SILVA WIJEYE
RATNE (grandson). MR. DoN PETER ARSECULERATNE (grandson, does not
appear in the group, being away in England).
PHOTOGRAPH WAS TAKEN.
MISS MARY JANE CATHERINE FERNANDo (married to
No. 41).
MISS CECILY HEATRICE MARY PEREIRA WIFERATNE
(married to No. 25).
MASTER JoSEPH HILARION DE SILVA WIJEYERATNE
(grindson).
| MASTER TITCS CYRIL MICHAEL IDE SILVA WIJEYE
RATNE (grandson).
IN THE GROUP.
MR. JAcoB DE SILVA VIJEYERATSE (grandsön). MISSANE MARIA PEREIRA (granddaughter). MISS ELLEN MARIA PEREIRA (granddaughter). MR. CHARLES MAURICE MICHAEL PEREIRA (grand
son). MR. JoHN STANISLAUS MICHAEL PEREIRA (grandson), MR. EMANUEL CYRIL MICHAEL PEREIRA (grandson). MRs. MICHAELAJUsTINA DE SILvA WIJEYERATNE
(first wife of No. 14). MR. MARCUS JoHN PERERA JAYASINGHE (grandson).
FAMILY WHO APPEAR IN THE GROUP.
Bastian de Silva Wijeyeratne).
Died July 16, 190 e Mathias de
Died February 26, Igo5. 4. Silva Wijeyeratne, Died April 1, 1904.
Page 658
*
*殘****
RODRIGO,
A.
J.
AND MIRS.
MIR.
“ VILLA THEODORA.”
J. A. RODRIGO'S MOTHER. RODRIGO AND FAMILY.
J. A. RODRIGO'S FATHER.
Page 659
TWENTIETH
of the Govi Wansa (caste). He was born on October I2, I862, and is the eldest són of B. Johannes Rodrigo Weeresinghe Goonewardene, Mohandiram, and of Hallehapperumegey Lucia Fonseka Goonesekere, who is the eldest daughter of Hendrick Fonseka Goonesekere (Peace Officer, Hendella Peruve) and Agida Fonseka. Mr. Rodrigo's grandparents were B. Jaconis Rodrigo and Suraweera Aratchigey Dona Helena, whilst his great-grandparents were Bastiankorallagey Juan Rodrigo and Paliawadene Aratchigey Christina Perera. Mr. Juan Rodrigo is a son of Davit Rodrigo, who was popularly known as Kahene Seeya, grandson of Isaac Rodrigo, and great-grandson of B. Bastian Rodrigo. Amongst the offices which Mr. B. J. Rodrigo W. Goonewardene, father of the subject of this sketch, held, in addition to the titular rank of Mohandiram, were Fiscal's Officer, Vidane Aratchi, Registrar of Births, Marriages and Deaths ; Division Officer, inquirer into crimes and sudden deaths in his district; and Moopoo of the Roman Catholic churches of Uswetekeiyawe and Nyacakande.
Mr. James Aurelieus Rodrigo, the subject of this sketch, was educated at St. Benedict's Institute, and on completion of his scholastic career he officiated for his father in various
D. J. GOONATILLAKE.
CENTURY I.
capacities, afterwards c. a general merchant and he joined Messrs. Don A. J. Perera, a firm e Government arrack ren rents at Jaffna, Manna Negombo, and Kurunt will be added at Trinc and Puttalam. In ad Mr. Rodrigo owns ext such as Galpotte (in th Ambecadeville (Chilaw (Puttalam district), (Hendella), and sever various districts. He at Hendella and paddy in other parts of the V manufactures copra an 1892 Mr. Rodrigo mal eldest daughter of . D Bastiankorallagey M. Messrs. Don Joseph and in Pamunugame, and h having died in 1897) “ Villa Theodora,” H. Korale South, is his re.
MPRESSIONS
mmencing business as planter. Subsequently Joseph, Don Paul, and tgaged in farming the s, which now owns the , Mullaitivu, Vavuniya, gala. Shortly others omalee, Anuradhapura, lition to this business insive coconut estates, 2 Kurunegala district), district), Mundalam ind Julean Estate al smaller estates in as a cinnamon estate lands at Bopitiya and Western Province. He i sells it locally. In "ried Dona Theodora, ... Don Hendrick and Rodrigo, sister of Don Paul of Boditiya, le has three sons (one
and two daughters.
endella, sidence.
in Alutkuru
ATILAKE.
| DONNA ANNA
OF CEYLON 651
ABERAHIAM PERERA GOIONATILLAKE. .
Mr. A. P. Goonatillake is the son of D. J. G. Goonatillake Dadayakkara, Mohandiram of Halgampitiya, near Veyangoda, and Donna Anna, daughter of D. Carolis Kahandawa. He was born in 1872 and educated at the Royal College. He entered the service of the . Government in 1895, being attached to the Deputy Fiscal's Office at Colombo. He resigned in order to take over his father's planting business in 1897. Amongst his
coconut estates are Higgolla, Fancy Field,
and Indigolla, in the Veyangoda district, as well as the fine estate of Kolongasyaya, in the North-Western Province, which comprises about 300 acres fully planted and equipped, and on which he is about to plant rubber. Copra is at present turned out from this estate, whilst the produce from the other estates is sold as nuts to the Orient Mills, Veyangoda. About Ioo hands are employed by him, and he is personally engaged in supervising the work. He has, in addition, about 3o acres of paddyland, both at Halgampitiya and Metiangane (adjoining the Kolongasyaya estate), in the Kurunegala district; and at the Paris Exhibition in I9oo he was awarded the gold medal for
paddy and dry grains. He obtained a similar
KAHLANDAWA GOONATILLAKE.
Page 660
“ FANCYFIELD” APIARY.
“FANCYFIELD.”
藏 必
/* //
凝
%
溶
Źź
/
ぶ
o ox
PADDY FIELDS.
Page 661
TWENTIETH CENTURY
medal at the St. Louis Exhibition in I904, a silver medal as an extra award for paddy at the Colombo Agricultural Show in I899, and in the same year, at the Agri-Horticultural Show, a silver medal as first prize for dry grains. He also won a silver medal, second prize, for coconut oil at the Colombo Agri-Horticultural Show in 1899, and a bronze medal at the Paris Exhibition for the same product. Mr. Goonatillake is a member of the Agricultural Society and the Kennel Club. His hobby is beekeeping, and he has over fifty hives, including two colonies of Italian bees. From these hives he obtains about 200 lbs. of honey each year. He takes a keen interest in his hobby, and is always experimenting for new results. He is fond of shooting, and finds plenty of scope for this sport on his Kolongasyaya estate.
அே
W. A. DEP.
Mr. William Alfred Dep, of Kurikotuwa estate, Veyangoda, is the eldest son of the late Mr. Charles Dep, and grandson of the late Mr. Arnolis Dep (Reuter) of Colombo. He was born at Weyangoda on June 4, 1882, and was educated at St. Thomas's College, Colombo. On the completion of his educational career in I899 he studied coconut planting, and at present he is a coconut planter and owns landed properties. He is a keen agriculturist and has been the lucky recipient of many prize medals
鯊 s 鷺
W. A. DIEP.
at various agri-horticultural shows held in the island, notably obtaining awards for his fine exhibits of coconuts, of which he is the possessor of a good selection. Mr. Dep
joined the Ceylon Wo cyclist and signaller, a C.V.R.A., and a mark He has offered a valua
sentation for target-s members of the Cey under favourable condit December 12, 1906,
Tudugalle, eldest daug Don Abraham Tudugal late Mr. Don Philip Wije of Seddewatte, Colombo
舒
MORATUWA
CHARLES PETE
This gentleman, a bro Dr. W. H. de Silva, M. born at Moratuwa in 18 at St. Thomas's College of Wales's College, Mor Ceylon Survey Depar became Assistant Surv post under Government the Ceylon Survey Age at Moratuwa, which is its kind in Ceylon. Th consists of 7 field surve 8 draughtsmen, and a nu 5o other hands. The pro all trained at the Techni instructed directly in t Silva himself, under wł
MPRESSIONS
1nteers in I899 as a ld is a member of the man in rifle-shooting. le silver cup for pre
OF CE. YLON 653
the business is carried on. Work is being performed by the agency practically in every part of the island Mr. C. P. de Silva is captain of the Moratuwa Cyclists' Union, Vice
hooting among the lon Volunteer Force ions. He married, on Miss Louisa Susana hter of the late Mr. le, and a niece of the wardane, Mohandiram
DISTRICT.
ER DE SILYIA.
her of the well-known M.C., of Colombo, was $66, and was educated
Colombo, and Prince atuwa. He joined the tment in I888, and eyor. Resigning his in 1892 he established ncy, with head offices the only institution of e staff of the agency yors, 2 civil engineers, mber of clerks, besides ofessional assistants are cal College and further heir work by Mr. de ose personal direction
m
President of the Rawatawatte Association and a committee member of the Moratuwa Sunday School Union. He is also Lieutenant of 'R' Company of the Ceylon Light Infantry, and is an all-round sportsman and athlete. His private residence is Carlton House, Moratuwa. He
owns various estates planted with coconuts,
cinnamon, and rubber, of which Silvatenne, Johanawatte, and Mellewagare, in the NorthWestern Province, and Ekele and Batapandura in the Western Province, are the more important. He is also a partner of the well-known Kudaganga tea and rubber estate in the Kalutara district. In 1892 Mr. de Silva married Johana Josline, daughter of Mr. Manuel De Mel, of "Melrose," Moratuwa.
لو
PHILIP PERERA SENEYIRATNE ABEYESINGHE PALIHIYAWIADENA WIIJEYEGUNAWIARDENA,
Mr. Philip Perera Seneviratne Abeyesinghe Palhiyawadena Wijeyegunawardena, better known as Philip Perera, Mudaliyar, comes of an ancient Vellala Sinhalese family, which is said to have emigrated from Matale in the Central Province during the time of the occupation of Ceylon by the Portuguese. His father was Abraham Perera Seneviratne Palhiyawadena Wijeyegunawardena, planter
Page 662
654 TWENTIETH
and estate owner, of Colombo, and his grandfather was a Mohandiram of Alutkuru Korale. His mother was the daughter of Mohandiram Abeyesinghe, of Alutkuru Korale North. Born at Colombo in I85I, he was educated at St. Benedict's Institution and the Colombo Academy (now Royal College). In 187I he entered the Control Department of the Military Establishment at Colombo, and two years later he was attached to the Colombo Kachcheri as translator. In 1885 he was appointed Mohandiram of Salpiti Korale, and in 1892 was promoted to be Mudaliyar of Salpiti Korale. From 893 to Igo5 he was Deputy Fiscal of the same district, and in 1897 was Acting Atapattu Mudaliyar. In July, 1897, the Ceylon Government presented him with a gold medal for meritorious services, and in I902 the high rank of Mudaliyar of the Governor's Gate was conferred upon him. He is a wealthy landed proprietor, owning coconut estates in the Colombo and Kalutara districts, and house properties there and in Colombo. In 1882 he married Clementina Matilda, the only daughter of John Henry Corea, Abeyekoon, Justice of the Peace and Mohandiram of Kalutara. He resides at Salpiti Korale, Wasala Walauwa. He is Chairman of the village committees of Salpiti Korale and a member of the Horticultural and Agricultural
CENTURY
MUDALIYAR PE
Societies. He is in
medals and other award and other local products.
الاق
MR, AND MRS. I. B. PEIRS AND FAMLY.
MPRESSIONS
ILIEP PERERA,
bossession of several s for exhibiting fruits
OF CEYLON
H. B. PEIRIS.
Mr. Hanwedige Bastian Peiris "comes of the well-known family of that name, and is the brother of Mr. H. J. Peiris, of whom an account appears in another part of the volume. He was born at Moratuwa in I860, educated at Holy Emmanuel Church School and Prince of Wales's College, and articled as student-atlaw with Mr. A. O. Joseph, Proctor of the Supreme Court at Colombo, but gave up his studies to take up planting under his father, his first appointment being that of superintendent of Yahallekegalle estate, of which he opened up the greater portion. In 1897, a year after his father's death, he took over the management of his own estates, and having acquired extensive knowledge in the cultivation of coconuts, cinnamon, and tea, he planted the whole of his father's properties. His own estates are Katubette, where he usually resides, Neeamba and Walpitemulle in the Veyangoda district, and Ekela in the Ja-ela district, the last-named having always turned out the best known cinnamon in the market. Other estates owned by this gentleman are Kumarekatuwe in the Chilaw district and . Mandalay in the Puttalam district. In 1891 he married Jane
Helena, eldest daughter of Mr. Joseph
Mendis, manufacturer and timber merchant, of Moratuwa.
ଛୁଞ୍ଛି
KATUBETTE BUNGAILOW, MORATU WA
Page 663
TWENTIETH
W. R. DE SIYA,
The late Mr. William Robert de Silva, the son of Jasentu Liane Don Arnoldis de Silva, teacher of the Wesleyan Mission, was born at Ambalangoda in I865. After his scholastic training he became land registrar of Kegalle Kachcheri and subsequently was transferred to Kalutara as second clerk, but resigned the Government service in I897 to look after his wife's estates. He owned Graceland estate, Kadigamuwe, Budankumbure, and Negaviluwė, planted with coconuts and situated in Chilaw and Puttalam districts, besides much landed property at Colombo, He married, in 1897, Caroline Engeldina Francesca, youngest daughter of the late Mr. H. Andris Peiris, and it is sad to have to state that both Mr. and Mrs. de Silva died within two years of each other-in. I904 and I906 respectively. They left a family of four young children, three sons and one daughter, who now reside at “Grace Lyn, Moratuwa, under the care of their uncle and guardian, Mr. H. Bastian Peiris. -
அே
HUGH DE MIEL
Dr. Hugh De Mel, a leading Moratuwa medical practitioner, is the son of the late
CENTURY I
H. DE
Rev. Francis De Mel, i Church, Panadure, and duwa. He was edu College, where he p. Cambridge examinatio) the Ceylon Medical C
THE CHILDREN OF THE LATE. W. R. DE SLWA
“ GRACE LYN,
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON 655
MIEL.
ncumbent of St. John's Christ Church, Horetucated at St. Thomas's assed the senior local n in 1893. He entered
ollege during the same
year, and went to Edinburgh for further study in 1899. There he graduated as L.R.C.P. and L.R.C.S., as well as L. F.P. and S. of Glasgow. After working at Edinburgh Infirmary and London Hospitals he returned to Ceylon in 19oI, and was appointed District Medical Officer of Dolosbage. In the following year he resigned this appointment and took up private practice at Moratuwa, where he has been ever since. He is a member of the British Medical Association and of No. I, St. Mary's Chapter of
the Grand Lodge of Scotland, and of the
Moratuwa Association.
அே
YI, A. PEIRIS,
Mr. William Augustine Peiris, youngest son of Mr. H. A. Peiris, and younger brother of Messrs. H. J. and H. J. J. and Bastian Peiris, was born at Moratuwa in 1880 and educated at Prince of Wales's and St. Thomas's Colleges. In I900 he went to England and travelled extensively both in the United Kingdom and Europe. Upon his return to Ceylon he commenced planting on Yakahelle estate as well as on his late father's properties in the Chilaw district, where he acquired knowledge of coconut, tea, and cinnamon planting. He is now
THE LATE MR. AND MRS. W. R. DE SILVA. ” MORATUWA.
Page 664
“ BELVEIDERE ” BUNGAILOW.
TEEE DIRAWING-ROOMI. MIR AND MIRS. W.
THE RECEPTION-ROOM
A. PEIRIS AND INFANT.
Page 665
TWENTIETH
managing his own estates, the principal of which are Yahalakelle, 20o acres in extent, Ratmalwewe and Millawa, of 150 acres each ; and all these are planted with coconuts and fully equipped with bungalows and stores. He intends opening up some 200 acres of rubber, and owns house property at Moratuwa and Colombo. His beautiful residence, “Belvedere,' Moratuwa, lately completed, is one of the finest and best appointed country seats of the Western Province. The interior arrangements are on the latest English lines, the walls, dado, and floors being formed of a most delicate and pleasing series of pictures in mosaic, for which the materials were specially imported from England. For the way in which the designs have been carried out credit is due to Mr. A. L. Marikar, the architect. Mr. Peiris is a member of the Agricultural Society, and captain of the Moratuwa Cyclists' Union and corporal of the “R”
“ METHIMEDURA. ”
CENTURY I
Company, Ceylon Lig and takes a keen inte nected with cycling. Fanny Ada Caroline,
late S. P. Soyza, of M
M. ARNOIS
Mr. M. Arnolis Fe business man whose loped in proportion t the son of Marreyeke Silappu Perumage An; born at Moratuwa on was educated at the
native town and ther
the different departm Mr. Hendrik Cooray, Rayigam Korale. Abo
ness on his own accoul
BU
MPRESSIONS
ht Infantry, Moratuwa, est in everything con
In 1903 he married eldest daughter of the oratuwa.
奖
FERNANDO.
nando is a successful philanthropy has devehis business. He is
Juanis Fernando and gela Fernando, and was
August 12, I85o. He Buddhist school in his had instruction in all ints of planting under
at Panadure, in the ut I 886 he started busiut, and is now the senior
OF CEYLON 657
partner in the firm of A. Fernando & Co., of which a sketch appears on another page. Mr. Fernando is the largest and most influential plumbago merchant in the island, and the firm owns the largest and deepest mine in Ceylon, which is situated at Pusihena and is 4oo ft. deep. Mr. A. Fernando is a staunch Buddhist, and has done much to improve Buddhist education. He built entirely the Lunawa Buddhist temple, and generously supports the Buddhist school at Peliandelle, near Moratuwa, to which he has also presented a set of manuals of Buddha's teaching, whilst the road from Lunawa station to Princess Louise's Hospital, which he built at a cost of Rs. 2,OOO, is a permanent and useful monument to his philanthropy. He married, in I886, Wanaku Wattewaduga Angela Fei -
nando, and their family consists of two
daughters and two sons, and they have also
“Methmedura,”
adopted a daughter. Mora
NGALOW, MORATUWA
Page 666
658 TWENTIETH CENTURY
THE BUNGALOW.
tuwa, is their residence. He is a member of the Buddhist Association and Vice-President of the Moratuwa Association.
அே
JAMES SOLOMON GUNESEKERE.
Dr. J. S. Gunesekere, L.M.S., is the eldest son of Mr. D. J. R. Gunesekere, of Ambalangoda, Ceylon, and was born in 1858. He married, in 1893, Lucie Dora Amadore Jayasuriya, eldest daughter of Mudaliyar S. H. Jayewickreme, of Kurunegala, and granddaughter of the late Mr. Christian Amadore Jayasuriya, Mudaliyar of Magam Pattu, in the Southern Province of the island, and has a daughter and son. Mr. Gunesekere entered the Ceylon Medical College, Colombo, in 1879, and having passed out as a licentiate, he was appointed medical officer in charge of the outdoor dispensary at Moratuwa in I886, and Sub-assistant Colonial Surgeon in 1889. This position he resigned in 1896 and then established himself in private practice in Moratuwa. The doctor owns landed property in the Kurunegala and Galle district. He is a member of the British Medical Association and of the Ceylon Agricultural Society,
G. M.
Mr. Gregory Marc S. Andres Silva, plun
IMPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
DER AND MRS. GUINESEEKERE AND CHILDREN.
chant, of Moratuwa, was born in 1866, and educated at St. Mary's School and the Royal College, Colombo. He was articled as studentat-law with Mr. H. J. Canakeratne, barristerat-law, and was admitted a Proctor of the District Court in 1889 and of the Supreme Court and as Notary Public in 19oo, since which time he has practised as such in Colombo. In conjunction with the late Francisco De Mel he was instrumental in - founding the Moratuwa Association, of which
he was the first secretary and is still an active member. He owns coconut estates in the Western Province and plumbago mines in the Avisawella district and the Kelani Walley, and is also a member of the Colombo Arrack Syndicate, of the Ceylon National Association, and of the Ceylon Planters' Association. His
residence is 'Roseville,' Moratuwa.
NESEEXERE. - چلاوه . په
அே J. S. DE SLA.
SILNYIA. Dr. Joseph Sebastian de Silva, the son of
T. A. A. G. Lindemullege Jacob de Silva, leine Silva, the son of merchant and landed proprietor, of Moratuwa, bago and timber mer- was born there in 1873. His scholastic
Page 667
TWENTIETH CENTURY I.
DR. AND MERS. J. S. DIE SILVA AND NETANTI.
training he received at St. Sebastian's School, Moratuwa, and the Royal College, Colombo. Commencing in I892, he took a three years' course of study at the Ceylon Medical College, at the completion of which he went to Aberdeen University, where he graduated M.B.C.M. He next attended University College, London, and obtained the D.P.H. of Cambridge, and from I9oo to January, 190I, he worked at the Pasteur Institute in Paris. He further studied at the Lister (then Jenner) Institute of Preventive Medicine at Chelsea. Returning to Ceylon in I90I, he was appointed Acting Third Physician of Colombo General Hospital, and afterwards Director of the De Soysa Bacteriological Institute. Later he was Assistant Medical Officer of Health of Colombo and Lecturer in Hygiene at the Ceylon Medical College until 1904. In August of that year he again visited the United Kingdom, this time going to the Rotunda Lying-in Hospital in Dublin, where he made a special study of midwifery and diseases of women. In the following year he returned to Ceylon, and has been in private practice at Moratuwa since that time. He is a member of the Ceylon branch . of the British Medical Association and of the Catholic and Turf Clubs, Colombo. In 1905 he married Gala Lily Beatrice, fifth daughter of Mr. John Clovis de Silva, of Colombo. He resides at “Green Bank,' Moratuwa.
J. S. DE
اوه
SOLOMON PE
The late Mr. Solomo son of Domingo Soysa renter, of Moratuwa (w Jeronis de Soysa, Mudal Gate), and was descen oldest Moratuwa famili was born on July 17, I
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
659
TER SOYSA
Peter Soysa was the l, planter and arrack ho was the brother of iyar of the Governor's ded from one of the es. Mr. S. P. Soysa 854 and was educated
THE BUNGALOW.
at Royal and St. Thomas's Colleges, and then joined the business of the late Charles Henry de Soysa as assistant. By steady application to his work he was raised to the position of general manager of what was then the largest business concern in the island, and was ehtrusted with a general power of attorney over the whole of the proprietor's affairs. He assisted in building up this huge concern, and for many years was practically Mr. de Soysa's tight-hand man. On his death he was appointed the guardian of his minor children; he was also the executor of the will of the late Mr. Susew de Soysa, Mudaliyar. Mr. S. Peter Soysa took a business trip to Europe in 1889, returning on the death of Mr. Charles de Soysa, in 1890; and after five years he commenced business on his own account at No. 2, Canal Row, Fort Colombo, as a planter and general plumbago merchant and arrack-renter, holding the reints for the Uva Province and several parts of the Western Province. He married, in I883, Dora Caroline, the eldest daughter of the late Mr. A. T. Weerasooriya, Proctor of the Supreme Court of Galle. Mr. S. Peter Soysa died on June 15, 1906, and was accorded one of the most imposing funerals in the recent history of the island. His eldest son, Wilfred Leopold Peter, was born in 1885, and educated at Prince of Wales's and Wesley Colleges, and commenced a planting career under his father. On the death of the latter he
Page 668
S. PETER SOYSA.
THE BUNGALOW.
TEA FACTORY.
THE FAMILY.
TEA ESTATE,
Page 669
TWENTIETH CENTURY
DR. H. I. AND MRS. FERNANDO AND CHILD.
took charge of his father's business affairs. The second son, Albert Hildebrand Theodore, is still a student at Trinity College, Kandy, while Fanny Ada Caroline, the eldest daughter, is married to Mr. William Augustine Peiris, of whom a biographical sketch is given elsewhere in the volume. There are two other daughters, Ellen Maria Adaline and Elsie Lilian Charlotte, both being minors. On the estates of the late Mr. Peter Soysa are grown tea, coconut, rubber, and cinnamon. Of the properties the best known is Ingiriya, in the Rayigam Korale of the Kalutara district, which covers an area of I,6oo acres and is equipped with tea factory, bungalows, stores, peeling station, &c. A large area of Para rubber is now being opened up. The Carolina estate in Dodanduwa district of the Southern Province, and Dangomu Kanda in the same province, as well as Lapotawa, near Negombo, are some of the best-known coconut estates. Besides these he owns a considerable amount of house property in Colombo and valuable plumbago mines and smaller plantations in various parts of the island. His residence, “Lynn Grove,' Moratuwa, is a fine one. He is a member of the Kalutara Planters' Association, of the Agricultural Society, of the Moratuwa Association, and of the Friend-in-Need Society, and is also a member of the Turf Club, Colombo.
HENRY ISA
Dr. Henry Isaac Fe son of Mr. W. A.
.
E. I. FEE
contractor, of Moratuwa that place in 1875. His
IMPRESSIONS
OF CEYLON 661
THE RESIDENCE.
AC FERNANDO.
rnando is the youngest Fernando, Government
۔ ہپسبرسومبرہمسایہینسٹمستعم*
BN ANIDO.
l, and he was born at education he received
at the Prince of Wales's College, where he won an exhibition in connection with the Cambridge Junior Local Examination in 1890, and two years later he passed first class in the Matriculation Examination of the University of Calcutta. Entering the Ceylon Industrial College in the following year, he became a licentiate there. In 1899 he was appointed First Assistant at the De Soysa Bacteriological Institute, under Dr. H. M. Fernando, M.D., B.Sc., when that institution was first opened. After occupying that position for two and a half years, he became House Surgeon of the Civil Hospital, Kandy, and resigned the Government service in order to practise privately at Moratuwa. In I903 he married Gresilda Leonore Wilhelmine, eldest daughter of Mr. W. J. De Mel, of “Melbourne, Moratuwa. He is a member of the Moratuwa Association and of the British Medical Association, and is chief Circuit Steward of the Wesleyan Methodist Church at Moratumutta, Moratuwa, and General Secretary of the Ceylon Methodist Union. He is a lecturer of the St. John Ambulance Association at Panadure and at the Moratuwa Women's Union.
Page 670
662
N, D, D. H. THIOS, WIJEYESEKERE APPOIOHAMY.
The family of Nayakkariyawasan Daluwattetama Don Henry Thomas Wijeyesekere Appoohamy has for some generations past been connected with the maritime customs
of the Southern Province in the Dutch and early British administrations and with the arrack and areca nut industry. The grandfather of the subject of this sketch was Don
TWENTIETH CENTURY IM
lands and house prope Colombo. In 1885 h Laura, second daughter of Melville, Moratuwa churchwarden and men St. Peter's Church, Kor, of the Moratuwa Associ cultural Society, and res Moratuwa.
e
Matthys Wijeyesekere Appoohamy, dealer and general trader of Tellewatte, and his father, Don Cornelis, carried on business on similar lines.
Don Henry Thomas Appoohamy was born at Ambalangoda in I855, and educated at St. Thomas's College, after which he entered the Government service, being attached to the Kegalle Kachcheri in 1876. After holding various other appointments he retired in 1897 and is now a planter and landed proprietor, owning estates in various parts of the Western and Southern Provinces, as well as paddy
WJEGYESEKERE A
HANYADEGE JOE
Mr. H. J. J. Pieris v in 1863, and received the Church Missionary wards completing his of Wales's College, M his father in the plantin opened up the Talaga Korale, which produc cinnamon. In I892 h farming, acquiring t Badulla, Colombo, Kal
MPRESSIONS
rty at Moratuwa and e married Elizabeth of Johannes De Mel, . He was formerly nber of the synod for alewelle, is a member ation and of the Agriides at Elizabeth Villa,
OF CEYLON
other places. Since 1896 he has conducted business on his own account as planter, estate-owner, arrack-renter and landed proprietor. He owns a number of planting estates in the North-Western Provinces; and he is also one of the foremost horticulturists in the Western Province, being the proprietor of a fine model fruit garden of some 20 acres at Kanangwille, where the various kinds of fruits, both tropical and others, are grown. At the present day he owns the arrack rents
PPOOEIAMY"S
IN JACOB PIERIS.
was born at Moratuwa his early education at
School at Kotta, after
studies at the Prince Moratuwa. He joined g business in 1884, and la estate, in Rayigam ed coconuts, tea, and le commenced arrack
he arrack rents for Indy, Kurunegala, and
RESIDENCE.
for Colombo and the Siyane and Hewagam Korles, and farms the arrack rents for Kandy for the years 1907-8. He is also a part owner of the Panangkelle and Pusihena plumbago mines.
Mr. Pieris married a daughter of Mr. D. J. J. Goonewardene, of Galle, whose father and grandfather were both Mudaliyars of the Governor's Gate. Among his benefactions is the presentation of a ward to the new Princess Louise's Hospital at Moratuwa. His private residence is Wilmott Lodge, Moratuwa, and he is a member of various
Page 671
*
MR. AND MERS, H. J. J.. PIERIS AN.
THE BUNGALOW.
D FAMILY,
BULLOCK HACKERY,
Page 672
664 TWENTIETH
local and horticultural and agricultural
societies.
அே
K. J. DE SILYA.
Dr. K. Justin de Silva, of Moratuwa, is the son of K. Selaris de Silva, merchant, of Amba
CENTURY I
Colombo, and in IQ05 Officer of Moratuwa, holds, besides practisin
place. He is a membel
Association and of the and he is an enthusia married, in 1903, An
DR. AND MRS. K. J. DE SILVA AND FAMI
langoda. Born in 1868, and educated at Wesley College, he entered the Ceylon Medical College in 1889, and in 1894 was appointed District
K. J. DE SILVA,
(Now established in private practice at Moratuwa, after twelve and a half years' service in the Ceylon Medical Department.)
Medical Officer at Narammulla. After holding various appointments he became Assistant
Superintendent of the Lunatic Asylum,
daughter of W. J. Fer and his residence is “
29م
J0SEPHI MATT)
The scion of one of t of Panadure and Morat is the grandson of Mr. is still known as the Moratuwa and who w Francisco De Mel fo Association and becar He was a staunch mer England, warden of Church, Moratuwa, fro secration, and the b Church, Moratuwa. M. father of the subject o brothers, Jacob and Joha in coconut, cinnamon, his retirement, in 1898 Matthias, assumed cont
Mr. J. M. De Mel educated at St. Thom: and at Trinity Culle England. After comp visiting thc Continent, where he took over th father's affairs and bec
MPRESSIONS
was appointed Medical thich position he still privately in the same of the British Medical Moratuwa Association, tic tennis player. He nie Helena Margaret,
nando, of “Ferndale," Milliville,” Moratuwa.
IIAS DE MEL.
he best known families uwa, Mr. J. M. De Mel Francisco De Mel, who “ Grand Old Man ” of as born in 1809. Mr. unded the Moratuwa he its first President. nber of the Church of the Holy Emmanuel m the day of its conLuilder of St. Peter’s -. Manuel De Mel, the f this notice, like his innes, dealt extensively and plumbago. On his only son, Joseph rol over his affairs. was born in 1867 and s's College, Colombo, ge, Stratford-on-Avon, leting lhis studies and he returned to Ceylon, e managemcnt of his ame joint-manager of
OF CEYLON
the firm of Jacob De Mel. He is the owner of Heenmeliagera, Horagasoya, Kolamunuoya, and Isabelwatte estates, planted with coconut, consisting of 47o, 275, 250, and 64 acres respectively; Imbulgaswadia estate, planted with cinnamon, covering Io5 acres; and Davelendiri Mukalana, planted with rubber, containing 292 acres; and part owner of Pambela, Pamblea Pahalawatte, and Thoduawe estates, planted with coconut, containing Io8, 90, and 500 acres respectively, and Kudaganga estate, planted with tea and rubber, containing 186 acres. In 190o he married Lizzie, the daughter of Francisco Fernando, a brother of the well-known mining magnate, H. Bastian Fernando. The Church of St. Luke's, Moratuwa, which was built by his father, is Mr. Matthias De Mel's special care. In 1906 he opened a large plumbago yard and stores at Moratuwa, chiefly to provide employment for the poor, and several men and women find work there in the various branches of preparing plumbago for shipment. Mr. De Mel's private residence is "Melrose," Moratuwa.
அே
THE MORATUWA CYCLISTS' UNION.
The formation of this organisation dates back to 1898. It was established primarily for the purpose of encouraging cycling in the Moratuwa district and neighbourhood, and the promoters also had as one of their aims the drawing together socially of the members, who are recruited from both sexes. The club has been a great success, and as the members wear uniform consisting of white coat buttoned to the neck, white trousers, white shoes, black cap, black and red corded, with club monogram on cap and club badge on the top pocket, they present quite a picturesque appearance when on parade. Since the club's formation the members have on several occasions escorted notabilities who have visited Moratuwa, including Sir Joseph West Ridgeway, G.C.M.G., K.C.B., K.C.S.I., P.C., &c., Sir (then the Hon. Mr.) Everard F. im Thurn, C.B., C.M.G, in I9o2, and His Excellency Sir H. A. Blake in I904. The club gatherings, including picnics and other social functions, form a very popular feature of the club's operations. The principal officials of the Union are: Patrons, His Excellency Sir Everard F. im Thurn, C.B., C.M.G., Mr. J. W. C. de Soysa, M.A., J.P., and Mr. E. L. F. de Soysa ; President, Mr. J. G. C. Mendis, M.A. Cantab.; Vice-Presidents, Mr. Solomon Fernando, J.P., U.P.M., and Mr. W. H. Soysa ; Senior Captain, Mr. C. P. de Silva; Captains, Messrs. W. A. Pieris, C. E. A. Dias, and H. E. de Alwis; Honorary Treasurer, Mr. C. M. A. Soysa; Honorary Secretary, Mr. Henry M. Pieris.
Page 673
THE BUNGALOW. PUMBA
ST. LUKE'S CHURCH. J. M., DE
GO YARD. J. MATTHIAS DE MIEL, SIEN,
MIEL, JUN. J. FRANCISCO DE MEL.
Page 674
666
PETER DE SLYIA WIJEYERATNE
Mr. P. de Silva Wijeyeratne, son of Mr. Gabriel de Silva Wijeyeratne, Government contractor, was born in Colombo on January 2, I868, and was educated at the Royal College, Colombo. At the conclusion of his scholastic career he opened a business as Government contractor for thc supply of building materials for the Government Stores, the Army Ordnance Department, and the Royal Engineers. His business progressed, and in IQo5 he commenced the additional business of a Government landing and shipping contractor. In I907 he still further extended his interests in the commercial world and entered the plumbago trade, joining Messrs. F. G. de Silva Wijeyeratne and R. J. V. de Silva Wijeyeratne at 3, Castle
TWENTIETH CENTURY
Street, Colombo, refer is made in the sketch C named gentleman. Ih married Eleanore Ann Mr. and Mrs. J. C. de Alston Place, Colombo. leigh," Castle Street, C to which the subject o traced back to Matthe Moratuwa in the far. now thriving suburb o cluster of houses. M
Buddhist, but, influenc his sister, who abjured anity on her marriage, time afterwards he ma Mutwal, of the Karawe Silva had as issue a
THE DESCENDANTS OF THE LATE: GABRIEL, DE SILVA. W.
The names are given in the order of back.row right te
contractor, MRS, ELLEN AGNES DHARMARATNE (granddaughter).
3. ANTHONY PERERA DHARMARATNE (husband of No.
2), Notary.
4. JAMES BERNARD MENDIs (son-in-law, husband of No.
3o), Pension Clerk, Treasury, Ceylon.
2.
5. FRANCIS GABRIEL DE SILVA WIJEYERATNE (son),
merchant and contractor.
6. Dr. CHARLEs GABRIEL PERIES, M.B., C.M., L.M.
(grandson).
7. CHARLES STEHEN LEITAN (husband of No. 27),
Notary.
8. LEo HUGo PERIEs (grandson).
9. JoHN FRANCIS PERIES, GUNAWARDENE, Mudaliyar
(husband of No. 26), Shroff, H.M. Customs.
10. EMMANUAL FRANCIS PERIES GUNAWARDENE (grand
son), Landing Clerk, H.M. Customs.
II. Josep GABRIEL DE SILVA WIJEYERArNE grandson
and heir), student-at-law.
2. MASTER GERALD ANTHONY DE SILVA WIJEYERATNE
(grandson), 13. MASTER AUSTIN BERNARD DE SILVA WIJEYERATINE
(grandson). I4. Pಖ್ಖ NERI DE SILvA WIJEYERATNE (son), mer
chant,
I5. PETER PERERA (husband of No. 20), assistant,
tutorial staff, St. Joseph's College.
I6 JoHN BoNIFAcio FERNANDo (son-in-law), dealer ..n
oilmen's stores, liquor and wine merchant.
. PETER DE SILvA WIJEYERATNE (son), merchant and
I7. JosEPH LoUIS FERNA
student.
18. MIss ELIZABETI JUs
daughter).
I9. MIss JosEPHINE MARY 2o. MIRS. LUCY MARY PERE
2I. MRS. LUCY PHILOMEL
(wife of No. 14).
22. MISS AGNES MARY AI
daughter).
23. Jose PHI DE SILvA WIJ.
heir), merchant.
24. JUSTINE DE SILvA WIJ SISTER MARY MOUNT Good Shepherd Conven
25. MRs. MARIA DE SILVA
late GABREL DE SILV of St. Joseph's Church,
26. MRS, ENGELTINA PERIE
27. MRS. CECILY MARY LEI 28. MRs, JosepHINE PERIES
29. MRS. HENRIETTA LAUR (wife of No. 5, daughte KIRTISINGHE, Negombe
3o. MRS. MARY IGNACIA M
3I. MRS, ELEAMORE AN WJEYERATNE (wife of
MPRESSIONS OF CEY LON
ince to which business the career of the lastI9oI Mr. Wijeyeratne 2 Eveline, daughter of Silva, of “Lynnbank,” He resides at ' Homeolombo. The family the sketch belongs is w Silva, a resident of away days when that Colombo was a mere atthew Silva was a 2d by the example of Buddhism for ChristiLe was baptized, Some rried a young lady of community. Matthew on named Pedro and
a daughter. Pedro de Silva also married a young lady of Mutwal, and had as issue four sons and nine daughters. The eldest was named Paules Silva, who was President of St. John's Church, Mutwal, the second was Jacob de Silva, the third Miguel de Silva, and the fourth Augustino de Silva. Jacob de Silva was given the rank of "Patabendi' in recognition of services rendered, by letters patent dated January 25, 1828. The letters patent were signed by the Hon. Robert Boyd, Commissioner of Service. Lindamulegey Jacob de Silva Warnasuriya Curucula Wijeyeratne (Patabendi) was twice married, first to Balapuwadugey Isabella Mendis, by whom there were two children, Adrian and Augustino, and second to Bodiabaduge Agida Perera, by whom he had the following children: Pedro,
JEYERATINE ANO MIRS. MARIA DE SILVA VIJEYERATINE.
left, middle row left to right, front row right to left.
Noo (grandson), medical
TINA FERNAN Do (grand
FERNANDO (granddaughter). RA (granddaughter).
DE SILVA WIJEYERATNE
ELINE DE SILVA (grand
EYERATNE (eldest son and
EYERATNE, now known as CARMEL (daughter), Nun, t, Kotahena.
WIJEYERATNE (wife of the A WIJEYERATNE, President Grandpass).
(daughter). CAN (granddaughter).
(wife of No. 6).
A E SLVA WIJEYERATNE of DR. CHARLES STEPHEN
). :NDIS (youngest daughter).
E EVELINE DE SILVA
No. I).
32. JosEPH EGBERT THoMAs PATRICK DE SILVA
WIJEYERATNE (grandson).
33. ERic FINBAR PATRICK THOMAS MENDIs (grandson).
34. BURTYL MARY Gw ENDoLYN FRANCES MEN DIS
(grandidaughter).
35. ELSIE LEITAN (great-granddaughter). 36. JAMEs VIVIAN HERBERT MENDIs (grandson). 37. WILFRED PIUS PERIES (grandson). 38, DUNSTAN MAURICE LEANDER MENDIs (grandson).
39. IRENE BLANCHE MARY ELIZABETH PERIES (great
granddaughter).
4o. ETHEL PHILoMFL DE SILVA WIJEYERATNE (grand
daughter).
4. ELDRED VERNoN PHILIP DE SILvA WIJEYERATNE
(grandson).
42. EUGENIA MARY CONSTANCE PERERA (great-grand
daughter).
3. GIADYs MARY URSULA DE SILVA WIJEYERATNE
(granddaughter).
IDEATHS IN THE FAMILY.
MR. GABRIEL DE SILVA VIJEYERATNE, President of St. Joseph's Church, Grandpass, and son of . WARNASURIYA CURUCULA WIJEYERATNE LINDAMULEGEY JAcoB DE SILVA, Pattangethyn of Mutwal. MRs. CATHERINE FERNANDo, wife of J. B. FERNANDo. MRS. MARIA PAVISTINA DE SILVA VIJEYERATNE, wife of JosEPH DE SILVA WIJEYERATNE,
Page 675
TWENTIETH
ప్తి
........... ...હં..........:
CENTURY
స్క్రిస్క్రి; திண்மீ if
CARGO BOATS.
“ HOMELEIGHI.”
Anthony, Bastian, Gabriel, and three daughters. About the time of his second marriage Jacob de Silva Warnasuriya Curucula Wijeyeratne (Patabendi) left Mutwal and went to Grandpass, where he started business as a timber merchant, continuing his operations until his death, on February 12, 1830. His business is being carried on by most of his descendants to this day.
The portrait group accompanying this sketch includes forty-three members of this ancient Sinhalese family, the picture having been taken after the thirty-sixth annual Christmas breakfast given by Mrs. Maria de Silva Wijeyeratne in 1906, at “ Ellerslie," Rosmead Place, Cinnamon Gardens, Colombo. In the group are Mrs. Lindamulegey Maria de Silva Wijeyeratne, daughter of Thakura Artha-Deva Aditya Guardiawasan Lindamulegey Pedro de Silva, born on August II, 1836, wife of the late Lindamulegey Gabriel de Silva Warnasuriya Curucula Wijeyeratne (born December 3o, 1816), President of St. Joseph's Church, Grandpass, and fourth son of Lindamulegey Jacob de Silva Warnasuriya Curucula Wijeyeratne (Patabendi), children, grand-children, and greatgrandchildren.
Three members of the family do not appear in the group, namely, Edward Joseph Peries
(grandson), an enginee Charles Wolston Perci son), son of Dr. C. C Charles Hector Leita of Charles Stephen L. 31 ΙΥYS,
AN HIST(
Around the wester cluster many traditic came to the island ei servants or guests of One story worth the of the diverse distant of the inhabitants tra to the family of Thal Guardiawasan Lindam of this family are the of Kshattriyas of the in Rajputana in Indi Jeypore, settled in C century. The Sinhale Kshattriyas in militar the above names rep distinguished warrior so employed during di ing to the custom in names of great ancest
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
リ
667
RS, PETER DE SILVA WIJEYERATINE ANO CELO.
, at present in England, val Peries (great-grand. Peries, and Dunstan n (great-grandson), son
itan, who are infants in
ge
RIC CLAN.
seaboard of Ceylon ns of foreigners who her as invaders or as the reigning dynasty. 'lling as an illustration ources to which some : their ancestry relates ira Artha-Dewa Aditya lagey. The members scendants of a colony reat Aryan race seated who, migrating from flon in the thirteenth kings employed these positions of trust, and Sent the names of the of the particular clan erent periods, accordeylon of prefixing the to individual names.
PLUMBAGO STORE.
"Thakura," the first prefix, is taken in colnmemoration of the great warrior Thakura, who slew the usurper of a Sinhalese throne (Mahavansa, pp. 312, 313, 314). The Sinhalese king Bhuwaneka Bahu VII. granted to Aditya, one of the ancestors of the clan, and a descendant of Thakura, by a Maha Sannasa, certain fields and appurtenant high land, and the Moratuwa proper, now an industrious, populous, and wealthy suburb twelve miles from Colombo (see drawing marked A), to enable Aditya to take charge of the outpost, and to guard the coast against the landing of the South Indian Moors to help Mayadunna.
The son of Aditya, Thakura Artha-Deva Aditya Guardiawasan Lindamulagey Pedro de Silva, was baptized in the Catholic Church by the Portuguese military chaplain (A.D. 1538I545), and was given the surname of De Silva by his sponsor, Captain de Silva, of the Portuguese army. It may be explained that the giving of Portuguese surnames by the military officers was a general custom in Ceylon during the Portuguese occupation,
The flag (marked B) is the flag of the Kshattriyas, and is retained by the clan. Up to the present time the flag is used by cavalry regiments in Rajputana. The crest (marked C) is the crest of the clan, and represents the five
Page 676
668 TWENTIETH
The accompanying translation of an ola document
weapons of war of the ancient warriors.
sheds light on the history of the clan, and is of historical value, The full history of the clan
CENTURY I
which has conferred C and lands upon sanna:
The above and what
be committed to writi:
A DIAGRAM SHOWING THE ORIGINAL SET
B. BANNER OF THE ARYAN KSHATTRIYA ADITY
(I, Blue; 2, Gold; 3, Red; 4, White; 5, Purple.)
appeared in a brochure called “Aditya Wausa,' in the Sinhalese language, printed by Messrs. H. W. Cave & Co., in 1903, at the cost of Mr. Thakura Artha-Deva Aditya (Guardiawasan Lindamulagey John Clovis de Silva, of Green Bank, Moratuwa, and edited by Mr. Thakura Artha-Dewa Aditya Guardiawasan Lindamulagey Gabriel de Silva.
THIE Translation OF THE OLD OLA.
The following instructions were given to us by our father in his old age, complaining of loneliness, when lying ill with a pain in his right arm, consequent, according to him, on an arrow-wound received in battle.
The Portuguese at present are once more the trusted allies of us Sinhalese people. There may come a time when these relations may give place to enmity. It is right and proper and due to our family honour that we should be loyal to our Sinhalese kingdom-we who, coming from afar, have received support from 'the royal treasury-and to the royal dynasty,
A colony of Kshatt came over from the
India and settled in a
Hastisailapura ; they W the treasury (mint), an for service in their fi
At this time, an a Malays, having com worshipping at the sh the country. Upon tl 1krama Bahu, Prince the Kshattriyas to des the Northern outposts. further invasion.
Thakura, usurper Mitta, was em to instruct and train th
Of his descendant grandfather, who is of Artha-Deva, was marri of the Rankotdivela Korales. I was the
mother.
the war.
MPRESSIONS
in us rank and honours
S.
follows he ordered to
Ing.
IN DAN OCEAN,
محمير da క్ష్ ܚ
سَتَقْفُفَتَيَمَّسَحَةَ
محہ ۔ سم عصبح سب۔بہت؟
OF CEYLON
On the day I was first fed with rice, the five kinds of weapons were placed around me, and I was given the name Aditya, belonging to the nobles of the Suriyawansa of the Arya
"TLEMENT AT MORATUWA OF THE ADITY.A.
A.
riyas of the Aryan race Rajput city of Jeypore in village in the vicinity of vere being supported by d employed Nilakarayas 2lds and granaries.
army of Mallawas and e under the pretext of hrines, began to plunder ne orders of King ParaVijaya Bahu employed stroy them and to guard from time to time against
rior and slayer of the ployed by the next king he army in warfare. s, in later times, your the line of the Kshattriya ed in binnato (a member Walauwa family in Four only child born to my
C. CREST OF TEE ADITYAS.
Kshattriya race. This my mother told me. I grew up, known as Aditya Bandara, and was taught in my youth the art of war by my father. At this time a prince, who had quarrelled with his royal father, came from Yapahu, and lay concealed in the Rankotdivela Walauwa, and together with me learned the art of war.
On leaving, this prince took away with him his wife and his daughter Chandrawati, and with them my maternal uncle's daughter, Siribara Kuda Menike. After some time a messenger brought a letter to my grandfather, and took me away to Jayawardhanapura, where I was placed under the king abovementioned, who had succeeded to the throne under the title of Bhuvaneka Bahu. At this time it was found out that Mayadunna and Rayigam Bandara, the brother princes, had sent men in disguise to Jayawardhanapura to assassinate the king. I took my oath, and was appointed to guard the royal dwellings and palace, and in the course of this employment
Page 677
TWENTIETH
it was my duty to accompany the king, armed, wherever he
Now the son of the Princess Chandravati, who had married Prince Vedhaya, grew up and dwelt in the palace. The fair princess, his mother, was accompanied by my cousin Siribara Menike on her way to and from the baths, but I had no opportunity of open converse with
went.
my cousin. In some of these visits I was ordered to go as escort.
The verses which we wrote one another from time to time, compiled in the work known as Siribara Malaya, together with the Maha Sannasa, I entrust to your care. In order to prevent the succession to the throne of the son of the Princess Chandravati, fortresses were built at Sitawaka, and on the banks of the Kelani Ganga. During this time, when making search for gifts of cloth which had been presented by the Portuguese to the members of the royal household, the king came upon our love-letters in verse, and showed his favour to me by getting us married, and invited my grandfather, father, and relations to his court.
While they were in Jayawardhanapura, hearing that Mayadunna was about to invade Jayawardhanapura with an army of Moors and Sinhalese which he had got together, the Portuguese and the Sinhalese armies, in which were my grandfather, father, and myself, fought them a great battle at Gurubabila, and proceeding to Sitawaka, burnt down the fortress, and gained a great victory; in this battle, however, both my grandfather and father were killed. At the request of a Portuguese gentleman, Captain de Silva, whose friendship I had made in battle, you, who were born when the flag of victory was raised, were baptized by the name of Pedro de Silva, being called Pedro after the priest who baptized you, and De Silva after the Captain.
While the Portuguese were in alliance with the king, a great feast was held in celebration of the victory, and on the suggestion of Captain de Silva I was invested with a sword at the royal palace, and the wearing of the sword was made hereditary in my family. The flat and meadow land of Moratuwa lying between the sea, the river, the grove, and the ferry as the four boundaries, Mahakumbura, Bogahakumbura with its appurtenant high land of Mahawatta, our Sovereign Lord Bhuvaneka Bahu granted to me upon a Maha Sannasa.
At this time I was appointed head of the regiment told off to protect the palace to insure the security of the king and Prince Dharmapala, and this regiment was called by the Portuguese name of “ Guardia.”
Some time after the termination of the war, when I was occupied in digging the well for your sisters, I failed to promptly carry out a royal order, and was condemned to death. You will remember how my family in fear
CENTURY IM
carried to the king in water of the new well, your father's brave de obtained for me pardo) then named me Lindam
I charge you to send performing military ser to cultivate and improve
the sannasa, to live
brothers and sisters, an
die in this Mahawatta nother's grave.
لاين
PANADURE
ARTHUR HIECTOR
This gentleman, son Proctor, of Kalutara Sc
MPRESSIONS OF CEYION
procession the new
and reminded him of eds in the past, and n from the king, who ulegey.
for my sons, who are vice at Ruanveligoda, the lands held under in peace with your d to bury me when I
at Kalutara in 1899.
669
and educated at St. John's School, Kalutara, and St. Thomas's College, Colombo. He read law under the Council of Legal Education, and, after being articled for three years, was called to the Ceylon bar in 1895 as Proctor of the District Court. He commenced practice In IQoo he removed to Panadure, where he continues to practise, and has built up a large practice. In 1902 he became a Proctor of the Supreme Court and
MR. AND MIRS, A.
by the side of your
DISTRICT.
G00 NETILLEKE.
of Simon Goonetilleke, outh, was born in 1875,
H. GOONETILLEKE,
in 1903. Notary Public. Mr. Goonetilleke is a member of the Panadure Association, the Ceylon Law Society, the Agricultural Society, and the Orient and Turf Clubs. He owns several coconut and rubber estates, as well as considerable house property at Kalutara and Panadure. In 1902 he married Alice, third daughter of Mr. D. J. Wijesinghe, of Colombo, landed proprietor and mine-owner.
Page 678
67O TWENTIETH CENTURY
MR. AND MRS. J. W. DE SILVA AND EAM
WARNAKULASOORIYA MAHAPATEBENDY meetings, a testimony
INDAMULLAGE JOHN WILLIAM DE a Christian as well as t SILYIA, He is one of the best k This gentleman was born on August 18, 1855, of the public speakers at Moratuwa, and is the fourth son of the late Mr. Abraham de Silva, landed proprietor, and the late Mrs. Balapuwaduge Justina Mendis. He was educated, firstly, at the Moratuwa Wesleyan and the Government Central Schools, Kandy, and lastly, at Wesley College, Colombo. At the last-named institution he pursued a brilliant career, winning-besides many college prizes--the “Gogerly Scholarship,' tenable for two years. He is also an undergraduate of Calcutta university. On February I6, 1887, he married Cecelina Leanora, daughter of Mr. M. S. Goonewardana, of Westland House, Panadure, and is now the father of five daughters and two sons. Mr. de Silva was a teacher at the Wesley College for some time, but afterwards chose the law for his profession, and was called to the Ceylon Bar in November, I885. In 1893 he was granted a warrant to practise as a notary in English and Sinhalese, and in the year I904 was admitted a Proctor of the Supreme Court. He is now one of the senior members of the Bar at Panadure, and commands a good practice. Mr. de Silva takes an active part in religious matters, being a prominent member of the Wesleyan Methodist Church and a lay preacher. He is a Sunday-school superintendent, and was for some time a circuit steward. He has also often sat as a lay representative in the annual synods of his Church. He is frequently invited by the clergy of other churches to address public P.
(MPRESSIONS
ILY.
to his broad views as o his oratorical powers. nown and most popular amongst the Sinhalese,
A. GOONERATNE AND ALFRED COTTAGE,
OF CEYLON
and has many times, from religious, temperance, and political platforms, addressed large audiences with great persuasive effect. He is the editor, proprietor, and publisher of a Sinhalese monthly religious magazine styled the Golden Garland, which is supported by the clergy and laity of almost all the Christian Churches in the island.
அே
PETER ALFRED GOONERATNIE.
Mr. Peter Alfred Gooneratne, son of Moses Pieris Gooneratne, Mudaliyar of Panadure, was born in Colombo in 1862. At the close of his scholastic career at the St. Thomas and Royal Colleges in that city, he was articled to Advocate and Crown Counsel P. D. M. Ondaatje, with the view of following the legal profession. After three years of preparatory work he was admitted to the Ceylon bar in I885 as Proctor of the District Court, and commenced practice at Panadure and Kalutara. He is now the senior member and leader of the Panadure bar. On various occasions he has acted as Police Magistrate and Commissioner of Requests at Panadure. He was one of the founders, and at one time the President, of the Panadure Association. Being an ardent follower of Buddha, he takes great interest
ls
Page 679
TWENTIETH CENTURY
in Buddhist education and charities. Mr. Gooneratne owns five estates, planted in cinnamon, coconuts, and rubber, in the
Western Province, as well as house property at Panadure and Colombo. His private residence is Alfred Cottage, Panadure.
அே
F. A. YEYESEKERA
Francis Alfred Wijeyesekera is the son of Don Arnolis Andris Vijeyesekera, Interpreter of the Honourable the Supreme
Ceylon,
Mudaliyar
Court of and Johanna Victoria,
MIR.
daughter of Manuel de Fonseka, Mudaliyar of Kalutara, of whose family sketches appear on another page. He was born in I867, and educated at St. Thomas's College, where he passed the Cambridge local examinations, junior in 1882 and senior in 1884. In the former year he took the proxime accessit to the Government exhibitioners. He went to England in 1888, and studied there for eighteen months. After his return he served as senior French lecturer at the Royal College, under Principals Marsh and Harward. In I894 he was appointed Inquirer and Fiscal's Officer in the Pitigal Korale, and in the following year Justice of Peace and Unofficial
Police Magistrate, and Inspector and Deputy next appointment was Siyane Korale West added Alutkuru Korale I902 he became Acting Commissioner of Req Mara wila, President o same year, and Itiner, for Negombo and Kalut Judge for these places He is now President of Salpiti Korale. Im visit to England, and is
AND MIRS. F. A. VVIJEYESEE
Page 680
672
TWENTIETH
CENTURY I
THE FAMILY GROUP.
gift of the outdoor dispensary at Panadure to the Government, which establishment has been the means of supplying a long-felt want to the public of that place. He is a member of the British Medical Association, the Panadure Association, and the Agricultural Society. Dr. Fonseka is the owner of two estates, one at Panadure, on which cinnamon is grown, and the other, named Higahalande, in the district of Ratnapura, which produces rubber. He is a landed proprietor in Colombo and Panadure, the premises now occupied by Messrs. Lewis Brown & Co. belonging to him.
அ?
DANIEL JOHN FERNANDO,
Mr. Daniel John Fernando, the son of Johannes Fernando, of Miniwangodde and Wellawatte, was born at Miniwangodde, in the Negombo District of the Western Province of the island, in the year 1854. He received his education at the Government and Wesleyan Schools, Negombo, finally finishing at the Wesley College, Colombo. Passing out of the region of pupilage, he continued at the college as a teacher for some time. Later he erected buildings in Colombo and Colpetty, the administration of which took up so much of his time that he found himself compelled to relinquish his teaching duties.
In 1898 he removed te started desiccating mil all modern steam m 12-horse-power engin factured by Turner. the only manufacturer in this district, and, as a large and importar employing in all about nuts are brought fron from outside estates, estates being Delduwe ing of about IOo a various smaller estates
Mr. D. J. proprietor in Colomb vvangodde. His priva address is Mill Cott; a member of the Pal of the Anglican Chu I882, Maria, daughter of Colpetty, and the is two sons and one daug wife of Mr. D. L. W. Attorney-General's de
Panadure.
DON JAMES ALF
This medical gentle Abeyratne, Mohandira
1PRESSIONS OF CEYLON
}
BONSEKA.
Panadure, and there ls, fully equipped with achinery, including a e and boiler manuMr. D. J. Fernando is of desiccated coconut may be imagined, does ut trade in that line,
75 hands. The coco
his own as well as
hief among his own near Kalutara, consistcres. He also owns near Wellawatte and Fernando is a landed ), Colpetty, and Minie residence and office ge, Panadure. He is adure Association and ch. He married, in of George Felsinger, sue of this marriage is inter. The latter is the ickramasinghe, of the artment.
品
RED ABEYRATNE.
nan, son of Don David m of the Governor's
BIE BUNGALOV.
Gate, of Colombo, was born in the capital in 1874, and was educated at the Royal College in that city. He subsequently entered the Ceylon Medical College, Colombo, where he qualified as licentiate in the year 1900. He was appointed House-Surgeon of the General Hospital, Colombo, and afterwards successively filled various medical posts at Kandy, Badulla, Negombo, Avisa wella, and other centres in the island. In 1904 he resigned from the Government service to commence private practicc at Badulla. A year later he removed thence to Panadure, his present habitat. Dr. Abeyratne is a member of the Ceylon Agricultural Society and of the Panadure Association. His private residence is "Ferndale," Panadure; and he owns various small estates in Salpiti Korale, Alutnuwera, and at Badulla, as well as house properties at Colombo. Dr.Abeyratne's younger brother, Don Herod Stephen, was also educated at the Royal College, Colombo. He afterwards entered the Vidyodaya Oriental College, Maligakanda, where he made a special study of the Sinhalese language, with the result that he became sub-editor of the Sinhalese newspaper Lakrivikirana. He is the author of several books, among which may be mentioned “Jinarajawansa,' an account of the life of Gauthama Buddha; “Buddha-Edahille,' the Buddhist hymn-book; and "A Treatise on Medical, Social, and Sexual
Page 681
EXTERIOR OF MA INTERIOR OF DESICCATED COCONUT MILLS AT EPANA
D. J. FERNANDO.
NICA MILLS, PANADURE. ADURE. THE BUNGALOW.
* MR. AND MRS. D. J. FERNANDO AND FAMILY,
2
Page 682
674
Sciences." He has also annotated the following books of Sinhalese literature : “ Kusa Jataka Kawya,” “ Ummagga Jataka,” and
"Pujawaliya,' for the use of higher classes
TWENTIETH CENTURY IM
ing times of the coffe up and collected all the
i from the Uva Province
a warehouse in Colom
in vernacular schools. Other literary work in which he has engaged includes a fully illustrated treatise on the science and practice of midwifery, dealing with Eastern and Western methods of treatment, and a series of text-books of geography in Sinhalese, with maps and diagrams, for the use of vernacular schools; also a comprehensive EnglishSinhalese dictionary,
چلوي
G. DON JULIS APPU HAMI.
This gentleman, the son of a native agriculturist of the Salpiti Korale, was born at Kesbewa in 1853. Having completed his Schooling, he commenced to trade in a humble way by collecting cardamoms and selling them in the local market in Colombo. Endowed with keen commercial instincts, he prospered, and subsequently opened trading stores at Ratnapura and Badulla, and supplied rice to a number of planting estates. In the flourish
DISPENSARY, PANADURE,
THE BUNGALOW.
the leading firms of th This business spelt p Julis, and he purch property both in the His office is in Gaswo where a large impo general merchandise i Julis owns some valu and about Colombo, w; and coconut estates Kurunegala, and Veya He started plumbag owns the Kutikande gamuwa Province, als in the Rayigam Koral He is the well-known Panag
Some 450 men.
a charming town re Villa, in Maitland Cr country residence at
Mr. Don Julis is a Plumbago Merchants' dure Association. A he founded a school
MPRESSIONS
: industry he bought coffee he could obtain and having acquired bo, supplied some of
OF CEYLON
he presented to the Theosophical Society. He is entirely a self-made man, having built up his present fortune by his own unaided efforts.
DON JAMES ALERED ABEYRATNE AND DON
HEROD STEPHEN ABEYRATNE,
e Fort with this article. rosperity for Mr. Don ased a great deal of town and the country. rks Street, in Colombo, rt trade in rice and S carried on. Mr. Don able house property in arehouses in the Pettah, at Pitigal Korale, in ngoda. o-mining in 1896, and mine in the Sabarathe Kottiyawatta mine e, employing altogether , besides, part-owner of ala mine. He possesses sidence named Charlie
scent, Colombo, and a
Panadure.
member of the Ceylon Union and the Pana
s an ardent Buddhist, near Panadure, which
A UNIQUE ASSOCIATION.
Of the many time-honoured associations in Ceylon, the Rodrigo Family Friend-in-Need Society of Panadure is, perhaps, the most unique. It is sixty-seven years of age, and its existence has welded the family together, and strengthened that kinship with the bonds of a common interest. The membership roll contains the names of 57 members of the family, who take an active interest in the work of the society, and the fact that 90 per cent. of the annual expenditure is on account of those outside the family strikingly demonstrates the broad philanthropy which underlies the movement.
The founder was Johannes Rodrigo Lokumahatmaya, whose name is revered by many who are acquainted with the society's energies. After working out the details he called together other members of the family, who enrolled themselves as members. The society was formed with a threefold purpose, viz., to help the poor and the members of
Page 683
<. კუჭზე so ":
*ჩყვა,
THE FAMILY.
THE BUNGALOW.
G. DON J. APPU HAMI.
THE RESIDENCE, COLOMBO,
Page 684
676
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
MEMBERS OF THE RODRIGO FAMILY F
the Rodrigo family in their distress, to render pecuniary assistance towards the education of the children, and to promote a sense of unity in the Rodrigo family.
To start the society on a sound basis, the original members contributed 4O6 pagodas (Rs. 3o45o) as donations, and fixed an annual subscription. The funds in freely, having regard to the circumstances of the afterwards the
Ca
colony sixty years ago; necessary legal formalities were undertaken and a notarial deed attested by Carolis Rodrigo was drawn up. The names of all the original members of the society are inscribed on this document, with the addition of a few others, and it is a matter for regret that not one of these gentlemen is alive to affirm the usefulness of the society. As the society progressed, its funds were increased with a view to extending its usefulness. Money was lent to outsiders at I2 per cent, and was readily taken, the usual rate of interest at that time being from I5 to 3o per cent. The income of the society was composed of the interest on the moneys lent, produce of the society's landed property, and donations and subscriptions of the members.
It was felt that there was a larger sphere of usefulness before the society, and, therefore, in I854, the members made use of
the reserve funds in t and paid double the paid, besides their re Small sums of mone lent the poor, to kee or in the various ent were engaged. The its bad debts, and on anniversaries several Rs. 5,051'44, were allow have ever been sold il nor has anyone been stance of the Society. in spite of these losses, beginning the pension I,5oo per annum. In these pensioners with r the children of the poc have been educated daughters have been traders have been help and in all cases of d even been ready wit kind.
Two of the outstan tory of the society m 1866, when the famine society spared no pai books, be
م
all on its
thousands of others.
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
RIEND-IN-NEED SOCIETY OF PANADURE.
heir private enterprises rate of interest others spective subscriptions. y at low rates were p them in their work erprises in which they society, of course, had its fiftieth and sixtieth of these, totalling ed to lapse. No goods n distraint of payment, sent to jail at the inThe income increased, and from a very small list has grown to about addition to providing ice, clothes, and money, r in the Rodrigo family by the society, their assisted in marriage, ped in their businesses, istress the society has h aid in money and
ding events in the hisay be mentioned. In
oppressed Ceylon, the ns to afford relief to sides helping several The other instance was
in 1897, when a relief fund was opened for the famine-stricken in India, and the Society was enabled to forward a handsome donation.
Duting its existence Rs. 35,16237 have been expended on the poor, and at the close of the year 1905 the credit balance stood at Rs. I6,594'83. Eleven members of the Rodrigo family have been educated through the instrumentality of the society and all hold responsible positions under Government,
The society has acquired a burial-ground close to the Panadure Courts for the exclusive use of the Rodrigo family, and this will serve as a perpetual memorial of the family. Mr. David Rodrigo is the present President, to which office he was called in 1885, and Mr. Thomas Rodrigo has been its Secretary and Treasurer since 1894. By ardent and willing work the latter has, to a great extent, raised the society to the position it occupies to-day. His term of office marks the halcyon days of the society's life; its has extended and its financial position has been placed on a far sounder basis than was formerly the case.
usefulness
Page 685
TWENTIETH CENTURY
CYRIL CHARLES ARNOLD JANSZ.
This gentleman, the second son of the late Mr. J. W. Jansz, of the Ceylon General Treasury, was born at Colombo in 1856, and educated at St. Thomas's College in that city. After passing the first examination in arts of the Calcutta University, he left college and was for some time engaged in educational work in Colombo. In 188o he was appointed First Assistant-Master at St. John's School, Kalutara, becoming Headmaster of that institution 188I. In the following year he accepted the headmastership of St. John's School, Panadure, which institution, at that time, was conducted under the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Heathen
in
Lands. In 1887 the school was registered as a High School. Since then it has been steadily advancing, and now occupies
a prominent position among the educational establishinents in the island.
In 1883 Mr. Jansz married Amelia, daughter
High School. In the the Boys' School ove and has since then be two schools. The nu Boys' School is 375 a I5o. There are two lishments, one for boy The prominence to w attained is evidenced Cambridge Local E December of last y leading Colleges and competing-St. John' secured a First Clas first place in the ord in the Senior Examin
in Honours with the th merit in the Junior; Schools, St. John's Girl the second and third p. the Senior Examinati in the Junior. The se
the schools are, in
MR.
THE RESIDENCE,
of Mr. Hilary Donald Jansz, late Crown Proctor of Galle, and in 1885. Mrs. Jansz opened a Girls' School in Panadure, which has gradually grown into the present Girls'
AND MRS. C. C.
English subjects, hist Latin, Greek, math graphy, botany, and dr been won at the Cambr
MPRESSIONS
year 1891 Mr. Jansz took r as a private concern, in the Principal of these mber on the list in the nd in the Girls' School eparate boarding estaband the other for girls. nich these schools have
by the result of the xaminations held in at which-all the High Schools in Ceylon Boys' High School in Honours and the er of merit for Ceylon ation, and a First Class ird place in the order of while, among the Girls' s' High School obtained aces in order of merit in on and the third place cular subjects taught in addition to the usual
ar,
OF CEYLON 677
in religious knowledge, English, arithmetic Latin, mathematics, geography, physical geography, and botany. An interesting feature of Mr. Jansz's work is that in the highest form the two sexes are taken in one class. This, we believe, is the only attempt at co-education in Ceylon. While a student at St. Thomas's College, Mr. Jansz was the editor of the college magazine. He has been a churchwarden of St. John's Church, Panadure, for nearly twenty-five years, and has been a member of the Standing Committee of the Ceylon Educational Association ever since its inception. We may mention, in passing, that Mr. Jansz's eldest daughter, Miss Evelyn Jansz, is a pianist of some repute and an Associate of Trinity College, London.
。岁
ANDREW SIMON GOONEWARDENE.
Dr. A. S. Goonewardene, M.R.C.S. Eng., L.R.C.P. Lond., is the fourth son of Mr. M. S. Goone wardene, planter and landed proprietor,
წჭ:
A. JANSZ AND FAMILY.
ST. JOHN'S COLLEGE, PANADURE.
Ory, geography, French, ematics, physical awing. Distinction has idge Local Examinations
geo
and one of the most respected citizens of
Panadure. The doctor was born in 1873 at
Westland House, Panadure. He was edu
cated at St. John's School, Panadure, and
2 U *
Page 686
678 TWENTIETH
CENTURY IM
A. S. GOONEWARDENE AND FAMLY.
entered the Ceylon Medical College in 1893, winning a Government Scholarship at a competitive examination. He thus followed the same professional course as his eldest brother, Dr. J. H. S. Goonewardene. After a successful career at the Medical College, the subject of this notice obtained the diploma of licentiate
A. S. GOONEWARDENE.
in medicine and surgery, and succeeded to the post of House-Surgeon and House-Physician of the General Hospital, Colombo. In 1898
he started as a priva native town. He proc I904, and entered Univ. After a course of stud he obtained the diplor and L.R.C.P. Lond. Ireland, and spent som Hospital, Dublin. Ret 1906. he resumed prac is a Wesleyan Metho
address is “The Eclips
شے
MRS. JEREl
Pattinihannedige Wa suriya Selestina Rodrig Mr. P. Jeremias Dias, is Solomon Rodrigo-rent tor, and a prominent known Rodrigo family born at Nalloor, in Pa was a member of the family of Panadure, and two sons of the late M well-known and respec his time. Mr. Jeremias the local Government
started a business of h capital when he was a r and by sheer hard wor ance, added to those hi; essential to a successful which he possessed in a to the enviable position of his death, which too
MPRESSIONS
te practitioner in his :eeded to England in 2rsity College, London. ies at that institution, mas of M.R.C.S. Eng. He then proceeded to e time at the Rotunda urning to Ceylon in tice at Panadure. He dist, and his private e,” Panadure.
IAS DIAS.
ırmadeeptya Kurukulao, widow of the late a daughter of the late er and landed propriemember of the wellof Panadure-and was nadure. Her husband old and respected Dias l was the elder of the Ir. Haramanis Dias, a led native merchant of
Dias was educated at
English School, and is own with a limited nere youth in his teens, k and steady persevergh qualities which are | man of business, and n eminent degree, rose he enjoyed at the time place in March, 1902,
OF CEYLON
at the comparatively early age of fifty-four. Mr. Dias was a manufacturer of arrack and renter throughout the island, and farmed the arrackrents of Colombo, Panadure, Kalutara, Kandy, Badulla, Nuwara Eliya, Anuradhapura, Siyane and Hewagam Korales, Negombo, Puttalam, &c. He was one of the largest shareholders in the arrack farms syndicate, in the formation of which he took a leading part, and for the success of which he was mainly responsible. He was also the owner of valuable house property in the towns of Colombo and Panadure, and of several planted estates, besides plumbagolands in Kurunegala, Ratnapura, and Ruanwella. He took a prominent part in the formation of the Panadure Association, of which he was President at the time of his death. Mr. Dias was a staunch Buddhist, and by his death the entire Buddhist community of Ceylon has lost a warm supporter and ready helper and Panadure one of her greatest sons. He was well known for his liberality, and as a supporter and contributor to all funds for the spread of Buddhism, a cause to which he devoted thousands of rupees annually. He took a keen interest in all public charities and charitable institutions, was the head “dayaka' of Rankot Vihara, the beautiful temple at Panadure, and did a good deal towards the improvement of that temple. Finally, he established a “Parivena," or college for the education of priests.
Mrs. Dias continues to take a keen interest in religious and charitable institutions, and has given a valuable plot of land for additional buildings for the Rankot Vihara besides undertaking to build a Dharmasala or preachinghall in it.
The renting portion of the business has been taken over by the eldest son, Mr. Harry Dias; but the manufacture of arrack, which is carried on in all its forms, in addition to the management of the estates, is still under the control of the widow. The store-houses, capable of storing over 6oooo gallons of arrack, are situated at Panadure. Among the more important estates belonging to the family may be mentioned the following: Horeketta, at Horana, planted with coconuts and cinnamon; Good-hope and Pinehill, in the Panadure district, both planted with rubber; Sirikandura estate, in the Kalutara district, planted with tea and rubber, covering 65o acres, on which also is a fully-equipped tea factory; Pelpola Kumbura, a paddy-field of over I2O acres, near Panadure ; besides a considerable number of valuable smaller lands and fields. The produce of all these estates is sold locally.
Mrs. Jeremias is the mother of four sons and four daughters. The sons are: Harry, born in 1875; Arthur Vincent, born in 1886; Edmund Wilson, born in 1888; and Charles Martin, born in 1898. The eldest daughter,
Page 687
TE BUNGAOW.
THE DISTILLERY.
THE ARRACK STORE. INTERIOR OF THE BUNGALOW.
Page 688
68O
Lilian Vilisia, is married to Mr. Abraham Perera, landed proprietor and estate owner of Panadure; the second daughter, Ellen Maria, is married to Mr. Thomas de Silva, B.A., of the Kandy Kachcheri. The sons
were educated at St. John's School, Panadure, and afterwards at St. Thomas's College, Colombo, and they are now assisting their mother in the management of the family The eldest son, Mr. Harry Dias, who
estates.
married, in 1903, Milly, daughter of Mr. S. T. Gunawardana, Mudaliyar of Pasdun Korale, Kalutara, is manager of all the Buddhist Schools in the Panadure district, is a member of the Theosophical Society and the Young Men's Buddhist Association, and President of the Panadure Association. He is also part owner of the arrack-rents of the Colombo district, in conjunction with Mr. H. J. J. Peiris. His favourite pastimes are tennis and cricket. The second son, Mr. A. W. Dias, is
TWENTIETH CENTURY
the Treasurer of the gama, a society for gospel of Buddha;
Edmund Wilson Dia
CHARLES EDY
Mr. Charles Edwau son of Arnold Dias ;
MRS, ARNOLD D
born at Panadure in education at St. John town and St. Thoma After his school care with the firm of Colombo, with whom mercial training. On in I900, he assumed co gentleman's affairs. Beatrice Frances Cath Mr. and Mrs. Jacob De
IMPRESSIONS
Panadure Buddha Santhe propagation of the while the third son, Mr. , has taken to planting.
அே
RO ARNOLD DIAS,
d Arnold Dias, the eldest ind Apalonia Soysa, was
OF CEYLON
Colombo. Of this marriage there are two children, a daughter and a son. His father, Arnold Dias, who was born in I849, was the second son of Haramanis Dias, the leading arrack-renter and citizen of Panadure. Mr. Haramanis Dias was mainly instrumental in building and endowing the Buddhist temple, Rankot Vihara, in Panadure. He possessed considerable landed property, and dealt largely in arrack. His charitable works included the
IAS AND FAMLY.
1878, and received his s High School in that s's College, Colombo. r he was apprenticed lessrs. Volkart Bros. he received his comhe death of his father, ntrol over the deceased In 1903 he married :rine, fifth daughter of
Mel, of Horton Place,
establishment of the public dispensary at Bandaragama and the public baths at Panadure. He also constructed several minor roads in his native district, and always contributed handsomely to public charities. On several occasions he declined public honours. The late Mr. Arnold Dias, besides being a merchant carrying on a large arrack export trade with Madras, was an arrack dealer on a large scale. , He also owned valuable landed properties, the principal being Midellamullahena and Maha
Page 689
\,.; , : '',૬:૪૬, ફિફાસ્ટ્રદ્ધ:
盏、
S: స్ట్రీ' ܐܸܬ݂ܵܐ
'િ\\#', , ......... }:::::::.:.::ڈینیڈین پیپلزئی نینتز,:کیمڈن نژ
CHARLEY VILLA. MONUMENT ERE
BE LATE B. DLAS. OF TEE LAE MEMBERs oF THE DIAs FAMILY.
TED TO THE MEMORY
BARAMIANIS DIAS. TBIE LATE ARNOLD DIAS.
ARRACK EREADY ETOR EXPORT,
Page 690
−
682
wela, planted with coconut and cinnamon, both in the Kalutara District. His arrack exhibits always attracted attention, and won him silver medals at the Paris and Colombo Exhibitions in 190o and a gold medal at Galle in the same year. Besides these, he was awarded several other medals at different times for arrack and other agricultural products. He was a publicspirited gentleman who evinced a keen interest in public affairs. He died on the eve of being created a Justice of the Peace and being included among the recipients of the following Birthday Honours. A fine polished Aberdeen granite and marble monument, erected to his memory, adorns the churchyard of St. John's, Panadure, of which he was a warden for several years.
Mr. C. E. A. Dias carries on the arrack trade built up by his father and grandfather, subsidising annually fourteen arrack distilleries. He has gained silver medals for arrack and spirits at Colombo, Heneratgoda, and Moratuwa. Exhibitions, and was awarded a special silver medal for these manufactures at the St. Louis Exhibition in 1904. All these were the highest awards for arrack. He is also engaged in planting and general mercantile business. Taking a more than ordinary interest in agriculture, which is, indeed, his hobby, he has established an experimental garden at
his Wavulugala estate, Horana, where he is
and
planting rubber. Mr. Dias is the Vice-President of the Panadure Agricultural Society, a member of the Colombo Agri-Horticultural Society, Colombo Agricultural Society, the Ceylon Turf Club, and the Ceylon Poultry Club. He has won several medals and prizes for agricultural products and poultry at the shows and exhibitions held at Colombo, Kandy, Galle, and Heneratgoda. He is captain of the Panadure section of the Moratuwa Cyclist Union. His recreations are tennis, cycling,
shooting. His private Charley Villa, Panadure.
Mr. Vincent Silvester Apalonius Dias, brother of Mr. C. E. A. Dias, and born in 188o, is a licensed surveyor and leveller, having been trained at the Technical College, Colombo, also a partner of the Ceylon Survey Agency. Mr. H. W. J. Dias, another brother and born in 1883, is a broker for Messrs. Peak Bros. & Winch, of Colombo. These two latter members of the family were educated at St. John's High School, Panadure, and Prince of Wales's College, Moratuwa. Both are enthusiastic volunteers, being members of the 'R' Company (Moratuwa) of the Ceylon Light Infantry. Their favourite recreations are cricket, tennis, shooting, and cycling.
residence is
شوه
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
S. H. B. Simon Hendricus B son of Don Hendrick F and Registrar, of Band Caroline Kotalawala, w I863, and educated at ( St. Thomas's College, Junior Cambridge Lo subsequently took ove assistant to the editor Wijeyesinghe, the wel the Mahavansa), and c to 1887. He served art Seneviratne, late M.L. Judge, and in I903 bec district of Kalutara, pra
S. H. B. .
and then at Panadure, his profession. Mr. K. Buddhist Temporalities vince, a member of the the Advisory Board, a Association. He is als owning house property and rubber plantations the largest of the latt estate. He married, in daughter of Cornelis W Mudaliyar, Matara Co “Piyarance.”
MAHAWIADUGE C
This son of the w prietor and arrack-rent Perera, of Panadure, Ceylon, in 1872, and and afterwards at the He studied planting o the Rayigam Korale, complete knowledge coconut cultivation. I
MPRESSIONS
URUPPU, rtholomeus Kuruppu, (uruppu, Notary Public aragama, and of Dona as born in Panadure in 3olombo Academy and where he passed the cal Examination. He the appointment of of the Buddhist (Mr. l-known translator cf ccupied it from 1885 icles with Mr. A. de A.
C. and now District
ame a Proctor of the ctising first at Kalutara
EURUPPU.
where he still carries on uruppu is Chairman of s in the Western Proe Royal Asiatic Society, ld the Ceylon National so a landed proprietor, and coconut, cinnamon, in the Rayigam Korale, er being the Stagmoor | 1898, Violet Rosalind, "ijeyesinghe, Interpreter urts. His residence is
அே
ORNELIS PERERA
sell-known landed proer Mahawaduge Mathes was born at Wekade, educated first privately Royal College, Colombo. in the Sorane Group in and soon acquired a of tea, cinnamon, and in 1893 he started plant
OF CEYLON
ing on his own account, and in 1896 engaged in the distillation of arrack. He now owns two large distilleries at Wekade and wholesale stores at Panadure. The manufacture of arrack is carried on at Wekade in all its stages, and from Mr. Perera's stores in Panadure the spirit is distributed among the leading arrack-renters. To supply the large demand for the spirituous beverage, he is obliged to buy large quantities from various other manufacturers in addition to the output from his own distilleries. In fact, he is one of the largest dealers in arrack in Ceylon. He owns parts of the arrack-rents of various districts.
In the vicinity of Panadure Mr. Perera owns some fifty coconut and cinnamon properties, including the large tea estate of Cecilton in the Balangoda district, where a large factory for making up the leaf has now been put up, and another estate, Rosemont, on which there is a fully equipped factory, which not only deals with the tea grown on the property, but also with that of surrounding estates. All the produce of the estates is sold in the local market, and some 6oo hands are employed on the plantations. Mr. Perera is Vice-President of the Panadure Association and a member of the Agricultural Society. He is of the Buddhist persuasion, and is the founder several Buddhist schools. In 1896 he married Cecilia, fourth daughter of Mudaliyar Simon Fernando Sri Chanderasekera. His private residence is “Mentmore,' Panadure.
and supporter of
அே
MERENNEGE MATHES SALGADO.
Mr. M. M. Salgado, arrack-renter and general merchant, is the son of Abraham Salgado, merchant, of Pingwella, near Panadure, on the coast south of Colombo. He was born in I860, and educated at the Wekade Industrial School. At an early age he joined his father in the produce business and for nearly ten years carried on operations at Kandy. In I887 he obtained the local military contract for food-stuffs. He commenced the farming of arrack-rents, in company with others, in I897, and subsequently successively acquired the rents for Anuradhapura, Ratnapura, and Panadure. Mr. Salgado stills carries on a large contract business with the military authorities, besides having bakeries at Kandy, Nuwalapitiya, Hatton, Talawakelle, Diyatalawa, Badulla, and Kurunegala. At the last-named place he has also opened a well-equipped medical dispensary. His arrack stores at Panadure have a storage capacity of nearly 50,000 gallons, and the arrack is collected here and sent out to the various centres as required. Besides the military department, Mr. Salgado also supplies, on contract, various
Page 691
THE PRIORY.
M. C. PERERA, ARRAC)
ARRACK
THE BUNGALOW, PANADURE. K STORES. MR. AND MIR.S. M. C. PERERA DISTILLERY. AND FAMILY.
Page 692
*
ୋଷ୍ଟିଜ୍ଞ;
స్లే
დჭვჭჭ:
ჭ
THE FAMILY. M. M. Su
INTERIOR OF ARRACK STORE,
ALGADO EXTERIOR OF ARRACK STORE.
THE BUNGALOW.
Page 693
TWENTIETH CENTURY IM
hospitals and jails with rice, bread, and vegetables, spirits, and oilmen's stores. Mr. Salgado's Colombo office is at No. 16, Prince Street, Pettah; his private residence is Salgado Villa, Panadure, and he owns houses in Kandy and other places. He is, as well, the proprietor of many coconut, tea, and cinnamon estates, chief of which are the Richarddale and Graceland. He is, besides, a part-owner of the Royal Hotel, Kandy. Mr. Salgado is a committee-member of the Panadure Association and the Ceylon Agricultural Society. A subscriber to the Buddhist belief, he built the temple at Pingwella, of which he remains the
respectively Jinoris : Jeremias, his five sis Leanora, Selestina, Missi Dias, Mr. P. D. Dias in 1853, and received
local Government school Dovisina Leanora, sister and the only daughter C Cooray, a mime-owner
tractor of Horetuduwe.
Mr. Dias started busin his father. Subsequent in the toll, arrack at opened several hotels
MER. AND MRS. P. D. DAS AND DAUGHTER
principal supporter and director. He married the sister of Domingo Dias, of Panadure, and has four daughters and two sons.
அே
PONNAHANNEDIGE DOMINGO DAS
This gentleman is the third son of the late Covis Dias, a vell-known general merchant of Panadure, near Colombo, and a grandson of the late Cornelis Dias, also a merchant and influential resident of the district. His mother was Hewa Fonsekage Hellena Fonseka ; and his three brothers are named
THE
the latter the principal
Hotel at Nawalapitiya, sole proprietor, the Ca at Kandy, and liquor-s Hatton, of which four he is the principal own he was general manag the arrack-rents of the since 1898 he has beer renter of the Panadur
turned his attention als is now the owner of
with tea, coconut, and 1 Province and the Kur
MPRESSIONS
Samuel, Andris, and sters being Solona, ona, and Jane Isabella was born at Panadure
his education at the . In 1895 he married of Dr. Henry Cooray, of the late Mr. Mendis and Government con
At the age of twenty ess as an assistant to ly he acquired shares ld liquor rents, and and liquor-shops. Of
OF CEYLON
685
Dias also owns house property in Panadure and Kandy, five plumbago-lands in the Ratnapura district, and other plumbago-lands and mines in Pasdun Korale, in the Kalutara district. Of his plantations the chief are Monera-endu-kanda at Kalupahana, Batalawattegode at Pelpola, Titte-eta Mukalana, in Salpiti Korale, and Helgama, in Kurunegala. “ Siri-madura,” his beautiful residence at Panadure, standing in seven acres of ground, was built by him in I9oo.
Mr. Dias is Treasurer of the local Agricultural Society, and a member of the Panadure Association and of the Ceylon Agricultural
DRAWING-ROOM.
ones are the Hill View
of which Mr. Dias is stle and Royal Hotels hops at Maskeliya and latter establishments dr. From 1883 to 1897 er and shareholder of
Central Province, and n the principal arracke district. In 1896 he so to planting, and he several estates planted "ubber in the Western unegala district. Mr.
TEIE BUNGALOV.
Society. A staunch Buddhist, he is a trustee of several Buddhist temples, also founder of the Dharmasala (preaching-hall) of Uduwatte in the town of Kandy. Besides having spent large sums of money on schools, he contributed a sum of Rs. I,ooo towards the acquisition of Buddhagaya in India, now the centre of Buddhist activity, where stands the sacred Botree under which Prince Siddhartha became Buddha (the enlightened). Mr. Dias is also a leading supporter of Rankot Vihara, the principal Buddhist temple in Panadure. Large sums of money were contributed by him towards the building of this vihara, and
Page 694
GIKIYANAKANI
I. TEA FACTORY.
3. TEA PLUCKERS AT WoRK. 4. View oF TH
DE ESTATE.
2. THE BUNGALow.
ESTATE, 5. COOLIES
Page 695
TWENTIETH
the “simawa' (monks' confession - hall) appertaining to it was erected solely at his
expense.
衡、
KALUTARA DISTRICT.
JOHN EDYARD DIE SILYA SURIYA BANDARE GOONEWARDENE
Mr. John Edward de Silva Suriya Bandare Goonewardene, known as J. E. de Silva, is a son of Gabriel de Silva, merchant, of Colombo, and Caroline, daughter of Dr. Cornelis Werakoon. An early member of the family was Balthazar de Silva, Mudaliyar, who a Thombo - holder and Sabandu in the beginning of the Dutch occupation. This Mudaliyar was a direct descendant of Suriya Bandara, a general in the army of King Rajasinha, of Sitawake, and fought in the battle at Mullanyuwa with the Portuguese forces at which the commander Diego de Mel was taken a prisoner. The subject of this sketch was born in Colombo in 1853, and educated at St. Thomas's College. He studied law under the late Mr. C. D., Lorenz, Advocate, and entered the Government service in 1873 as a translator in the Colombo Kachcheri, under
WS
CENTURY IM
Sir Charles Peter La
became Mohandiram of as Mudaliyar of several he was appointed Pri tribunals of Alutkuru South and Hapitigam K training in the Colomb Frederick Richard Sal I896 he was created a Governor's Gate. In Police Magistrate of was created a Justice District of Negombo Joseph West Ridgeway honour of his Majesty that year. Since July, I Magistrate and Commis Requests of Kalutara. Maria, daughter of John of H.M. Customs. H. Colombo and Negomb residential property. F Royal Asiatic and Ag Ceylon. In religion h country house is Cecil pitiya. He belongs to (Vellala) family.
TEE RE MR, AND MRS, J. E. DE SILVA AND FAMILY.
MPRESSIONS
yard, K.C.M.G. He that office and acted Korales, after which sident of the village Korales North and orale. He had a good ) Kachcheri under Sir nders, K.C.M. G. In Mohandiram of the I900 he was Acting &alutara. In 1903 he of the Peace for the by the Governor, Sir , G.C.M.G., K.C.B., in the King's birthday of 906, he has been Police isioner of the Court of He married Cecilia Perera, Tide Surveyor e owns properties in o districts as well as He is a member of the ricultural Societies of e is a Buddhist. His ia Cottage at Wellaman ancient Goigama
OF CEYLON 687
THE GKYANAKANDE ESTATE.
This fine estate is the property of the Right Hon. Lord Elphinstone, in whose family it has been since the land was first purchased, in I844, by the Right Hon. John Lord Elphinstone. The development of the estate to its present high state of perfection has been gradual. In 1879 a small portion of the estate-six acres--was under Liberian coffee, I,446 acres were citronella grass, scrub, &c., and I,750 acres forest. The remaining 28 acres represented cleared but unplanted land. In 188o the coffee area had extended to 162 acres, 6 acres were planted with tea, 4 with cocoa, and 6oo with citronella grass. There were also 800 acres of abandoned grass and I,6oo acres of forest. By 1894 the tea area had increased to 552 acres, and Liberian coffee (partly interplanted with tea) covered only 30 acres. The remainder of the estate was thus apportioned: clearings, I5 acres ; guinea grass (for cattle), I5 acres ; forest, about 1,435 acres ; and scrub, I, I83 acres. The late Lord Elphinstone visited the estate in 1881 and made a careful inspection of the whole. In a memorandum which he made at the time appears the following note : “India Rubber-Evidently suits soil and climate. This now to
CSIDENCE
J. E. DE SILVA,
Page 696
GEKYAN
I. VIEW of 2. MICHIE-GoLLEDGE RUBBER MACHINE. 3. TA
AKAND ESTAT.
NEW RUBBER CLEARINGs. PPNG RUBBER-TREEs.
4- RUBBER CLEARINGs.
Page 697
TWENTIETH
be tried (Mr. Porter considers the Para variety might succeed)." This reference to the product which is now playing so important a part in the development of Ceylon was almost prophetic. The estate to-day takes a leading place amongst the rubber-producing properties of the tropical world. Some of the rubber-trees upon the estate are fourteen years old, and the yield has attained very considerable proportions, while the quality is attested by the facts that at the St. Louis Exhibition in 1905. “Gikiyanakande' was awarded a silver medal for its exhibit, and that at the Peradeniya Rubber Exhibition in I906 one gold and two silver medals were given in respect of the rubber produced on the estate. regards rubber cultivation is as follows :-
The exact position to-day as
Para rubber-trees planted through the ten
fields from four to fourteen years old I8,339 DO. do. I903 I5,576
Do. do. I904 7 I2I4
Do. do. I905 III,437
Do. do. Ι9οβ 27, I49
Total 243,7I5
The tapping of the rubber-trees commenced on February I3, 1902; 63o trees were tapped during that year, and some 3OO lbs. of dry rubber were harvested. In 1906 no fewer than 8,258 trees were tapped, and the total yield of dry rubber was I6,221 lbs. able quantity, but it is not merely the volume of the output which gives the rubber cultivation of the estate a leading place in the rubber world, for the prices obtained for the Gikiyanakande produce have always ruled high. The estate produces annually about 37oooo lbs. of tea; but to how great an extent the tea interests overshadowed by rubber will be seen by the following table representing the acreage as it is to-day :-
This is a consider
have become
Acres.
Area planted with tea 543 Area planted with rubber ... I,Ooo Area planted with grass ... 27
Total . . . II,57O
The manager of the estate is Mr. G. H. Golledge (Mr. A. Glennie, acting), and Lord Elphinstone's agents in Ceylon are Messrs. Leechman & Co.
شوه
JOSEPH VICTOR WEERASINGHE,
Mr. Joseph Victor Weerasinghe, District -Engineer, Kalutara, member of the Local Board and District Road Committee, Kalutara, is a son of D. H. Weerasiınghe, of Kalutara, and Sophia, daughter of Don Nicholas Abeysekere. He was born in 1874, and was educated at St. John's School, Kalutara, and St. Thomas's College, Colombo. He entered the Public
CENTURY IM
Works Department as Government factory in
came head overseer. In and during I90o was Aci Ambanpitiya, and later was District Engineer at served in the same capa following year. Subsec short time in the Provin
Colombo, and became
Kalutara in 1905, a pos In 1902 he married Maria D. C. Tudugalla, of Sedd
அ
E. E. M.
Dr. Eugine Ellis Mod William Modder, late pl
PRESSONS
apprentice in the I89 and in 1895 be1899 he was Inspector, ing District Engineer, of Dandugama. He Mannar in 1903, and ity at Diyatalawa the uently he was for a cial Engineer's Office,
OF CEY LON 689
Face and Royal Hotels, Colombo, and Caroline Frances Anjou, whose father was formerly Secretary of the Court at Jaffna. Born in Colombo, in 1855, he received his education at Colombo Academy, and studied medicine at the Ceylon Medical College. After graduating as licentiate of that institution he became successively House Surgeon of the Colombo and Kandy Hospitals, and was Medical Officer
ND MIRS, J. W. W.E}ERASINGEIR} AND FAIMILY.
District Engineer of ition he still occupies. Caroline, daughter of ewatte.
ODDER.
der is the son of John roprietor of the Galle
at Gampola and Matale during the outbreak of cholera. Later he held appointments at Colombo, Chilaw, and Kurunegala, after which he proceeded to the Royal and Western Infirmary, Glasgow, and in 1885 he took the degree of L.F.P.S. there. Upon his return to Ceylon he held numerous appointments in the Civil Medical Department, and in 1904 he was appointed medical officer of the first
2X
Page 698
690
grade and given charge of the Kalutara district, and this position he still occupies. He has been a member of the British Medical Association for more than twenty years, both in England and in Ceylon, and he is a member of the Orient Club. A valuable treatise on the native disease known as paranghi written by him was published by the Government, and he has also contributed articles to the journal of Tropical Medicine and the British and Indian medical journals and Ceylon medical journals on the bacteriology of paranghi, and other medical subjects. In 1882 he married Elizabeth Sofia, daughter of Charles Kalenberg, Proctor of Negombo, and in I896 he married a second time, the lady being Edith Alice Maud, daughter of Mr. James Hugh Spronle, of Kandy. His eldest son, Wyvil, is in the Locomotive Department of the
~
E. E. MIODDER.
Ceylon Government Railways, and his second son is in the Bengal Forest Department. Dr. Modder resides at "Bridge View,'" Kalutara.
அ
J. Y. G. A. JAYEWARDENE.
The first authentic record of the family from which Mr. John Vincent Gomis Abeyesinghe Tayewardene comes occurs in the name of Weerakonhettige Marthalis Gomis Abeyesinghe Jayewardene, his great-great-grandfather, who held the office of Director of the Government Gardens in 1796, and received the rank of Malwatte Mohandiram from Governor Sir Frederick North. His son Matthes served under General Steuart on a monthly allowance of five pagodas of gold, and accompanied Sir Frederick North to the Kandyan Court at Dambadeniya with a retinue of fifty followers. This officer conveyed letters seventeen times
TWENTIETH CENTURY. I
to the court at Kandy, : panied Collector Wood fighting against the inst and he and his men sub
Colonel Hook at Kurune office of Dadayakkare Robert Brownrigg on for the services above with a sword of hono authenticated by the H. missioner of Revenue in
Succeeded him as Dadi: receiving the appointm Barnes in December, Mudaliyar's father, Sim I867 as Mohandiran of Sir Hercules Robinso Johanna Christina, thi Joseph de Silva Wijay. Mudaliyar of the Atapat Mr. J. V. G. A. Jaye Colombo in I86I, and ed Institute and the Colom
he was attached to th Office as acting Mudal terpreter of the Supreme after he held various oth Government, and was terpreter of the Supreme I900, he was appointed Korale by Sir West Rid deputation as Deputy Fi March, 1902, he was tri of the Panadure and When Mudaliyar of Ra presented by the plante in the district, under Excellency the Govern set in jewels for his valu planter of coconuts an cultivator of paddy, and ing of Egyptian, Austr His estate, Llewellyn, i. as well as his family yakkara Walauwa,' in planted with rubber anc man of nine village col the Ceylon Branch of th of the Ceylon Agricultu local Eriend-in-Need Sc
魏 భ
CYRIL. A.
Cyril Albert Ledulx C Surgeon who came to ( forces in 1796, and wa His father is Edward mother Eliza, daughter Customs, Colombo. H in 1871, and educated a He studied law, and b Supreme Court and Not
MPRESSIONS
nd afterwards accomwith a body of his men, rgents at Attenegalle, sequently served under gala. He received the Mohandiram from Sir April 22, I8I2, and stated was presented ur, duly inscribed and on. Robert Boyd, ComI 824. His son Paulus uyakkare Mohandiram, ent from Sir Edward 1824 and the present on, was appointed in the Padikare Nile by i. His mother was rd daughter of Don usundara Goonesekera, u of Colomho. wardene was born at ucated at St. Benedict's bo Academy. In I88 I e Queen's Advocate's iyar, and acted as InCourt in 1884. ThereLer appointments under In 1895 appointed In: Court. In November, Mudaliyar of Rayigam geway, and also held a scal of that Korale. In ansferred as Mudaliyar Kalutara Totamunes. yigam Korale he was rs and other residents the authority of His or, with a gold medal lable services. He is a ld Para rubber, and a goes in for the growalian, and local fruits.
in the Kalutara district,
seat known as "DadaSiyane Korale, is fully l coconut. He is chairmmittees, a member of Le Royal Asiatic Society, ral Society, and of the }ciety.
总
| L. ORR.
Drr is a descendant of a Deylon with the British S stationed at Colombo. Orr, Proctor, and his of John Ledulx, of the e was born at Kalutara, t St. Thomas's College. became Proctor of the ary Public in I902, and
OF CEYLON
practises at Kalutara. He is an unofficial member of the Local Board, a member of the District Road Committee, and captain of the
CYRIL. A. ORR.
Kalutara Town Cricket Club, as well as an honorary member of the Kalutara Sports and Cricket Club.
அே
ALFRED JAMES BAWA
Mr. Alfred James Bawa, the third son of Mr. Arthur H. Bawa, Proctor of the Supreme Court, and Georgina Matilda, daughter of
ALFRED JAMES BAWA,
J. T. Ablett, Esq., of Colbrooke Row, Islington, London, was born in 187o at Kandy, and was educated at St. Paul's School, Kandy, and at
Page 699
MR. AND MRS. J. V. G. JAYEWARDENE AND FAMILY.
THE MUDALIYAR'S SWORD AND MEDAL.
TE BUNGALOW.
MUDALIYAR, J. V. G. JAYEcWARDEGNE. MUDALIYAR, J. V. G. JAYEVWARDENIE ANID EHIS
STAFE OF NATIVE HEADMEN.
Page 700
692 TWENTIETH CENTURY
ஜ் 蒙
彎囊
MR. AND MRS. H. A. PIER
MUDALIYAR. E. A PIERIS.
the Royal College, Colombo. He commenced his commercial career as an assistant with Messrs. Lewis Brown & Co., but his inclination was towards the study of the law, which he, however, was unable to follow owing to the death of his father at that time. In 1889 he began planting on the tea estate of Lavant, in the Kelani Valley district, under Mr. F. J. Wright, and here he continued for thirteen years. He then joined the Galatura group of tea estates in the Ratnapura district, conducted under Messrs. Finlay, Muir & Co., of Colombo, and afterwards was Assistant Superintendent on Maddagedera, Bentota, estate belonging to the same firm. In July, IQo5, Mr. Bawa took charge of the Elladuwa estate in the Kalutara district. This property, consisting of 596 acres, and planted with tea and rubber, belongs to the Dimbula Valley Tea Company. It possesses a fully equipped factory, with a Hornsby-Akroyd oil engine and sirocco drying machine. Black tea, which is the special product of this estate, is shipped to the United Kingdom in large quantities, the trade mark “Elladuwa’ being well known in the tea world, and the annual output is about 70,000 lbs. Mr. Bawa has already opened up 396 acres in Para rubber, and the area planted for this product is steadily increasing. Mr.
Bawa also grows coco tea. In I905 Mr. ) Elaine, the second da Twest, of the Custo very fond of sport, e tennis, and hunting.
Kalutara Cricket and Kalutara Planting ASS.
H. A. PEIRIS SIR YNFI.
Mr. Henry Ashmor Mudaliyar, is the son Pieris Siriwardhana, J. Korale and of the Gov Elizabeth, daughter C Bandaranaike, Mudali Gate. Heneratigoda, and M Eliza Harriet, daughte naike, Mudaliyar of th of Hapitigam Korale, a and One daughter-E Augustus, and Eliza Siriwardhana, who is . Korale, is one of five distinguished themselv John Louis Pieris Sirix
He owns consid
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
IS AND FAMILY.
onuts, interplanted with Bawa married Martha Lughter of Wilfrid Van ms, Colombo. He is especially cricket, golf, He is a member of the
Sports Club and the ociation.
s
ARDHANA, Mudaliyar. e Pieris Siriwardhana, of the late Mr. J. M. P. P., Mudaliyar of Siyane ernor's Gate, and Susan if Don Solomon Dias yar of the Governor's erable estates at Kelani, irigama. :r of Mr. H. L. Dassae Governor's Gate and nd they have two sons Henry Ashmore, Louis
Irene Augusta. Mr. Mudaliyar of Hewagam sons, all of whom have res. One of them, Mr. wardhana, is Mudaliyar
هو ما يوج z;rzy z:
ve
He married
ww ay পল গল। সৰু গণ ১৫
THE DRAWING-ROOM.
of the Governor's Gate and an author of several Oriental works ; Mr. William C. Pieris Siriwardhana holds the degree of Bachelor of Mediçine ; Mr. P. E. Pieris is a Master of Arts, Cambridge, Barrister-at-law, and District Judge of Kalutara ; and Mr. D. G. Pieris Siriwardhana is a Mohandiram of the Governor's Gate and a proprietor planter.
لو
T. PIEIRIS MUDALIYAR ARSECULERATNE DISSANAYAKA
Mr. Theodore Pieris Mudaliyar Arseculeratne Dissanayaka was born at Kalutara in I845, and educated at St. Thomas's College, Colombo. He entered the Government service as a volunteer attached to the district court of Kalutara and filled various positions until in 1878 he became Deputy Fiscal of Panadure. He was head clerk and Deputy Fiscal of Kalutara from 1881 to 1905, when he retired from the service on pension. He married, in 187o, Anastasia Juliana, eldest daughter of Mr. Perera, Interpreter of the district Court of Kalutara, and in 1895 he married a second time, the bride being his first wife's sister. His eldest daughter, Anna Regina, is married to Nichol Francis Fernando, contractor, and
Page 701
MUDALIY AF THEODORE PIERI
S. TEE BUNGAOW.
Page 702
J. B. M. PEREIRA,
RICE GODOWN.
ARRACK STORES.
o ALIVERSTONE
J. B. M. PEREIRA.
MRS.
Page 703
TWENTIETH
proprietor of the Empire Hotel, Kandy. The subject of this sketch resides at Nutmeg Grove, Kalutara.
لو
JOSEPH BONIFACE MICHAEL, P.EREIRA.
Mr. J. B. M. Pereira is the eldest son of Michael Francis Pereira, accountant in the Prisons Department, and of Maria de Silva, daughter of the late Lindamulage Bastian de Silva, general merchant, of Colombo, and grandson of Martinus Pereira, Mudaliyar of Kalutara. He was born on May I4, 1878, in Colombo, and educated at St. Joseph's College. Deciding to adopt the legal profession, he studied law, and was admitted a Proctor of the District Court of Colombo in 1902. In 1906 he was enrolled a Proctor of the Supreme Court, and practises in Colombo, being the senior partner of the firm of proctors practising under the name and style of Pereira & Perera. In addition to his professional duties Mr. Pereira carries on the business formerly owned by his father-in-law, the late Mr. W. J. B. Chas. Perera. This business is arrack-renting, dealing in precious stones, rice importation, &c. and is an extensive one, carried on in various parts of the island, but principally in the Kalutara district. Mr. Pereira is the present renter of the Three Korales arrack farm, and is co-proprietor of the Kalutara and Ratnapura arrack-rents. As regards the rice business, a large trade is done with Southern India, the bags of rice being conveyed to Beruwela in Mr. Pereira's own schooners and sold locally. In the precious stone department Mr. Pereira has dealings with some of the leading English jewellers and dealers and also most of the leading local firms. Mr. Pereira owns several small coconut estates and some paddy-land, besides house property of considerable value in Colombo. In I905 he was married to Cecily Mary Beatrice, elder daughter of the late Mr. W. J. B. Perera, a well-known general merchant and arrack-renter of Kalutara. Mr. the Agricultural Society, the Ceylon Law Society, the Catholic Union and Club, and a director of the Central Grocery and Wine Stores, Ltd. His offices are No. I26, Hultsdorf, Colombo, whilst his country residence is Walgama Estate, Pannipitiya, about fifteen miles from Colombo, and his town residence is "Alverstone,'
Colombo.
8ཚོ །
NEGOMBO DISTRICT.
WALTER NICHOLAS STRAUBE
ASERAPP.
Mr. W. N. S. Aserappa, son of P. L. Aserappa, of the Public Works Department, and of Mary Magdalene, daughter of Peter Jurgen Ondaatje,
Pereira is a member of
Temple - road,
CENTURY IM
landed proprietor, was educated at St. Thomas's law under Mr. T. E. d
MIR. AN
became a Proctor of
I892. In the following practice in Colombo, an as Deputy Fiscal and M as Public Prosecutor :
Colombo, in the Supren
W. N. S. AS
parts of the island. Tamil Member of the during the same year
MPRESSIONS
; born in 1867, and College. He studied
e Sampayo, K.C., and
OF CEYLON 695
Magistrate of Negombo and Kalutara, whilst since January, I9o5, he has been Police Magistrate and Commissioner of Requests, Negombo
TID MIRs. w. N. s. ASERAPPA AND DAUGHTER.
the Supreme Court in g year he commenced ld has acted frequently unicipal Magistrate and in the District Court, he Court, and in various
ERAIPPA, P.M.
In I904 he was Acting Legislative Council, and was Itinerating Police
He is also Additional District Judge of Negombo and Visitor to the jail there. He is a member of the Y.M.C.A., and was Recording Secretary until 1904. Formerly, too, he was President of Voetlights (an association of advocates who have joined the Bar since 1889). He is at the present time a member of the Colombo Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society and of the Board of Agriculture Agricultural Society. In I893 he married Julia, daughter of Advocate Samuel Arnold Allegakoon, of Jaffna. He is a Tamil, belonging to the Colombo Chetty community (Vaisya caste). He has in his possession a sword presented by H.E. Governor North (afterwards Earl of Guilford) in I8oo to Abram Rodrigo Muttukrishna, Mudaliyar of the Governor's Gate and head of the Chetties (Tamils) in Colombo, this gentleman being an ancestor of Mr. Aserappa on the maternal side. The social parties and balls given by Simon Chenniah, Mudaliyar, one of which was honoured by the presence of H. E. the Governor (Sir R. W. Horton) and family, were mentioned in the official Gazette.
JAMES GRENER DRIEBERG
Mr. J. G. Drieberg, son of Mr. J. S. Drieberg, Commissioner of Requests and Additional District Judge, Colombo, was born in 1872, and educated at St. Thomas's College, where he passed the Cambridge Local Junior Examina
Page 704
696 TWENTIETH CENTURY IN
tion and the entrance examination to the Calcutta University. In 1886 he went to Glasgow, and was apprenticed to Messrs.
J. G.R.E}NIER DIRIEBERG.
Nevin and Hadden, civil engineers, with whom he served three years. Returning to Ceylon, he was appointed to the Public Works Department, and held the positions of District Engineer at Puttalam, Anuradhapura, and Kalutara, and since 1902 has been District
Engineer at Negombo. member of the Orient C tennis player. In 1904 Eleanor, daughter of Grenier, Attorney-Gener
அே
M. B.
Magina Marcelis Hen of Magina Andrew Paul and Anna, daughter of V Silva, planter, of Negon Marcus Mirando, medica galle, in Galle district. and educated at the We School in Negombo anc 1896 he entered the Go' tached to the District C native writer, and beca same court two years lat was appointed Mohandira North, and is Inquirer judicial division of Nego coconut estates in lhis K ties at Negombo, and a Megalle in the Southern lhe married Nancy Maria of Hundiram Simon de
ه
M. H. MIRANDO, MOHANDIRAM. MR. AND MIR.S. M. H. M.
PRESSIONS
e is an A.M.I.C.E., a ub, and a cricket and he married Agnes Le late Sir Samuel
of Ceylon.
ANDO.
Mirando is the son Mirando, Mudriliyar, alisinghe Juannis de bo, and grandson of practitioner of MeHe was born in 187o, sleyan Mission High Royal College. In ernment service, atourt of Negombo as me translator to the 'f. In June, 1904, he m of Alutkuru Korale into Crime for the bo. orale, house properncestral holdings at Province. In 1902 , the eldest daughter Zylva, planter and
He has various
ANDO AND FAMILY.
OF CEYLON
plumbago merchant, of Kurunegala. He is a Buddhist and the Secretary of the Negombo branch of the Agricultural Society.
g
WILFRED MARTIN RAJAPAKSE.
Mr. Wilfred Martin Rajapakse is the second son of Mudaliyar John de Silva Rajapakse, of whom a biographical sketch is given on another page. He was born at Colombo in 1868 and educated at Royal College, after which he was articled for the study of law to Mr. Fredk. Dornhorst, K.C. In 1890 he became a Proctor of the District Court, and in I894 of the Supreme Court, and a Notary Public. He has practised his profession at Negombo ever since, and has on various occasions acted as District Judge, Commissioner of Requests, and Police Magistrate at Negombo. He is a member of the Agricultural Society, and resides at “The Retreat," Negombo.
In 1892 Mr. Rajapakse married Catherine, daughter of B. Mendis, of Colombo. Amongst his possessions are the coconut estates of Pothode, Walahapitiya, and Bandirippua in the Negombo and Chilaw districts.
THE RESIDENCE,
Page 705
THE RESIDENCE.
W. M. IERAJAPAKSE. MR. AND MERS. W. M
THE ESTATE BUNGALOW. M. RAJAPAKSE AND CHILDREN.
Page 706
698
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
"KIRTHINWASSA."
C. L. DE ZYLIVIA,
Mr. Charles Lionel de Zylva was born at Negombo in 1876, and educated at St. Thomas's College. After a short mercantile career he took up planting, and is now visiting agent of the estates of the late John Leo de Croos in the Negombo and Chilaw districts as well as general manager of the planting operations. He resides at Palansane Mill estate, near Negombo. Mr. de Zylva is a keen volunteer, and in 1894 joined “A' Company of the C.L.I. as private. He transferred to 'B' Company at Negombo as lance-corporal, and after passing the N.C.O.'s examination, was promoted sergeant in I898. Going to England with the Coronation contingent, he obtained the Corona
tion medal. In I902 he was appointed second
lieutenant, passed his examination for captain
in 1903, and was promoted Lieutenant Commanding Negombo Detachment, or what is now 'M' Company, of the C.L.I. He was the first Ceylonese Volunteer officer to take part in the Staff ride of 1905, and he passed the D.I. examination in topography, tactics, and engineering. He is the grandson of Edward Lorensz de Zylva, who took part in quelling the Kandyan rebellion, and now holds as an
heirloom the sword pr by the British Governi
KURUKULA SURIYA
KIIRTH
Dr. Kurukula Suriya thisinghe is the son o Fernando Kirthisinghe Negombo, and K. S. and the grandson of merchant, of Negombo and educated at St. T which he took a cours College, and having d medicine and midwife Negombo in 1882. H of the Local Board t I903, and was on the sions previously. He Agricultural Society : Negombo Union Club K. S. Marie Josephine, Leitan, Mudaliyar, of daughter, Laura Henr Francis Gabriel de Si proprietor and contrac
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
MRS. KIRISINGE. K. S. KERISINGE.
B., G. WIJEYERATNE.
MRS. VYERATN.
ORAWING-ROOM,
esented to his ancestor
ment.
2
CHARLES STEPHEN SINGHIE.
Charles Stephen Kirf K. S. Philip Gabrielle e, Korale Mudaliyar of Pholorencia Fernando, K. S. Susey Fernando, He was born in 1856 homas's College, after e at the Ceylon Medical istinguished himself in ry, started practice at e has been a member here continuously since Board on several occa
is a member of the
and President of the ... In 1883 he married daughter of K. S. John Chilaw, and his only tietta, married, in I906, lva Wijeyeratne, landed
tor, of Colombo.
D, DON JOSEPH.
Mr. Dekirikawege Don Joseph, son of D. Don Henrik, of Bopitiya, Pamunugama, Ja-ela, was born in 1818, and educated at St. Patrick's, Jaffna, and St. Benedict's, Colombo. He then joined his father in business, and very early took over the arrack-rents for Mannar and did a large trade in dried fish. After rcmaining there for two and a half years he went to Kurunegala to superintend his father's estates and plantations, and when his father died, in 1899, he took over his own share of the
estates and of the arrack-rents. To-day he owns the rents for Manabar, Mullaitivu, Vavuniya, Negombo, Kurunegala, Trinco
malee, Anuradhapura, and Puttalam. In all the afore-mentioned places Mr. Don Joseph has his own stores for the distribution of arrack. His principal store is an enormous building at Kalutara, and from there and from Panadure arrack supplies are principally drawn. He also owns numerous estates all over the country, of which Dangolle, Kotakanda, Galgoda, and Wyandane, in the North-Western Province, fully planted with coconuts, are the chief. There are also tracts of paddy-land and other similar plantations as well as house
Page 707
D, OON JOSEPEL MER. AND MI
THE R
O O LSSSSSSSLSLSSLSLMMMTTMLSSLSLSSLSLSSLSLCLLCLLSS
RS. D. DON JOSEPH AND DEFAMILY.
ESIDENCE:
Page 708
இர7 སྤྱི་ «g"x" : r* :8: : ...$ ص
GROUP OF D. DON JOSEPH'S MANAGERS,
ARRIACEK EXHIBIT,
ARRACK STORE AT KALUTARA,
Page 709
TWENTIETH
property at Mannar, Trincomalee, and Kurunegala, belonging to Mr. Don Joseph. He has a magnificent country residence, called Henry Villa, at Bopitiya, in the Alutkuru Korale South. In 1899 he married Victoria, daughter of Mr. Domingo Rodrigo Weerasinghe Goonewardene, and the youngest sister of Mr. Nicholas Rodrigo Weerasinghe Goonewardene, of Bopitiya. He is a Roman Catholic, and his recreations are fishing and motoring. The joint managers of his business are J. Don Manuel and J. D. Nicholas.
స్ట్ర్యో
MUDALIYAR J. DE S. RAJAPAKSE.
J. DE S. W. S. RAJAPAKSE.
Mr. John de Silva Wijeyegooneratne Samaraweera Rajapakse, Mudaliyar and Justice of the Peace, is the son of Augustine de Silva Rajapakse, planter and landed proprietor of Mutwal, and Celestine, daughter of Simon Mendis Amarasekere, and the grandson of Simeon de Silva Samaraweera Rajapakse, Mudaliyar, of Naotunna, Galle district. He was born at Mutwal in 184I, and educated at St. Thomas's College, after which he entered the Government service and was attached to the Kurunegala and Negombo Kachcheris, where he reached the position of Shroff Mudaliyar. After twenty-two years' service
CENTURY IM
he retired in I892. Fo an elected member of mittee, and member of for twelve years, of N years of the District Colombo. He now di supervision of his esta with coconuts, cinnam comprise the estates C Agarag group in the
475 acres in extent, ar. dale, as well as four sm. Negombo district. He
property in Colombo. F
and in 186I he mari granddaughter of Fra kere, Mohandiram, of N the eldest, Alexander and a proprietary plant fred Martin a Proctor o Negombo, and Walter the Negombo district. Jemima, married Fred notary, of Colombo. Frances Lily, married Mudaliyar, of Colombo daughter became the de Zoysa, Proctor of Negombo.
MPRESSIONS
r twelve years he was Ehe District Road Comthe Local Board, also egombo, and for three Road Committee at
evotes himself to the tes, which are planted on, and paddy. These yf Koshena and Andi Pitigal Korale South, d' Horahena and Lilyaller plantations in the also owns some house He is a Roman Catholic,
OF CEYLON 701.
Á• E. DE S. W. S. RAJEPAKS)3.
Alexander Edmund de Silva Wijeyegooneratne Samaraweera Rajepakse is a son of John de Silva W. S. Rajepakse, Mudaliyar, J.P. He was born in Colombo in I866, and received his education at the Wesley and Royal Colleges, Colombo. He attended the Ceylon Agricultural School for a period of three years, and, selecting agriculture as a profession, commenced work on his father's Horahena estate. He experimented largely with manure on several coconut estates in
different parts of the island, and the results of
زرته)
క్క ఆశ్కీ
ضخميد
'(
Α
MIAGEDALENE HOUSE.
ied Mary Magdalene, ncis Mendis Abeyeseegombo. Of his sons, Edmund, is Mudaliyar er at Katunayake, Wil( the Supreme Court at Benjamin a planter in His daughter, Agnes de Zoysa, Proctor and His second daughter, Tudor Rajapakse, Gate ; whilst the youngest wife of John Edward the District Court at
these experiments are published by Messrs. Freudenberg & Co., of Colombo, in pamphlet form. At present he is buying artificial manures alone to the value of over Rs. I0,000 annually, and a similar quantity is purchased for his father's estate. Mr. Rajepakse is considered by Government to be the only graduate of the Colombo School of Agriculture who has actually carried out successfully the aims of the school, viz., up-to-date planting on scientific lines. Besides his own estates, Amandolame and Hebilbaddere in the Negombo district, Bathgampola and Tabbowa in the Chilaw district, Irebadegame in the Kurunegala district, and several small plantations, he holds
Page 710
702
TWENTIETH CENTURY
MR. AND MRS. A. E. DE S. RAJEPAKSE AND FAMILY.
leases of several well-known and extensive estates, amongst the principal ones being Kadirane estate (cinnamon and coconuts), comprising about I, Ooo acres, and Kalu Kenda estate (coconuts), in the Negombo district, and Kakiriscanda and Kohilewagure estates (tea and coconuts) in the Southern Province. Mr. Rajepakse manufactures copra and the famous S.D.A.R. Kadirane brand of cinnamon, the former being sold locally and the latter exported to England. He has obtained numerous medals of gold and silver, and certificates for his produce at local and foreign exhibitions, the principal being two medals and diplomas each for cinnamon and cinnamon oil at the St. Louis Exhibition (I904), and the special gold medal offered by the Ceylon Agricultural Society at the Agri-Horticultural Society's Show held in June, I906, for the best collection of products of the district which could be sent to London by the Ceylon Government as the Ceylon Imperial Institute exhibit. In recognition of his having adopted agriculture as his sole pursuit after leaving the School of Agriculture, he was awarded the rank of Mohandiram in 1903, by the then Governor, Sir West Ridgeway, whilst in 1906 His Excellency Sir H. Blake elevated him to the rank of Mudaliyar. In doing this His Excellency said: "I have had yourname brought
TBE RES
before 1me for the excell in your district. You and your money in the
I consider the most il
Ceylon, that is, the imp amongst the people O great pleasure to me to work by conferring or bestow, that of Mudal will live long to con you have done befor Chairman of the Katu Ceylon Agricultural So the Colombo Agri-Hor married, in 1889, Alexa daughter of John Alexa Mohandiram. He has country residence, the fo Walauwa,” Mattakulle, at Kadirane.
WILMOT EDGAR
The family of Le settled in Ceylon for years. Henricus Leem Leembruggen, of Ley Bloteling, was born
MPRESSIONS
OF CEYLON
t
శత్ర-ఆe - -- హోు لی۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔
MUDALLYAR A. E. D.R. S. R.A.JEPAKSE.
SIDENCE.
ent work you have done have given your time encouragement of what mportant work done in rovement of agriculture f the country. It is a acknowledge your good you the rank I now iyar. I hope that you tinue the good work e." Mr. Rajepakse is nayeke branch of the ciety and a member of ticultural Society. He undra Alece Engeltina, nder Mendis Rajepakse, both a town and a ormer being “Rajepakse Colombo, and the latter
奖
LEEMBRUGGEN.
embruggen has been
nearly two hundred nbruggen, son of Johan yden, and Wilhelmina in Leyden in August,
1721, and died in Colombo in 1782. By his fourth marriage, with Susanna Maria Runsdorff, he had a son, Casparus Henricus, who was born on June 21, 1782. Casparts married Maria Elizabeth Adelaide, daughter of Count
W. E. EEMBRUGGEN.
Guillame Joachim du Bois de la Saussage, a Captain in the Wurtemburg regiment, and afterwards Magistrate of Ambalangoda. These
Page 711
TWENTIETH
were the parents of Gerrard Hendrik Leembruggen, who married Elizabeth. Gertrude Ribey, and the subject of this sketch is their son. He was born at Jaffna in I856, and educated at Jaffna College and at Matara, after which he entered the Ceylon Medical College in 1875, and became a licentiate in 1878. He was then appointed Sub-assistant Colonial Surgeon at Avisa wella, and served in various other medical appointments in the island. In I889 he went to Edinburgh, where he obtained the degrees of L.R.C.P. and L.R.C.S., as well as L.F.P.S. of Glasgow. He worked for some time at the Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, and Middlesex Hospital in London, and returned to Ceylon in 1890, when he was appointed District Medical Officer of Moratuwa and afterwards Assistant Colonial Surgeon at Gampola. In I9oo he accompanied the Ceylon contingent to the South African War as Medical Officer. On his return to Ceylon he was appointed Assistant Colonial Surgeon of Negombo, in medical charge of the judicial district as well as of the civil hospital and jail. He is a member of the British Medical Association, and an official member of the Negombo Local Board. In 1882 he married Ruth, daughter of the former Crown Counsel, Louis Nell, of Ceylon, and now of Switzerland; and their eldest daughter, Lucilla Gertrude, in I903
CENTURY IM
DR. A
married Arthur, son ( Smith, P.C., late Go Settlements.
MR. AND MIRS. J. E. DE 2OYSA AND FAMILY.
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON 703
No MRS. W. E. LEEMBRUGGEN AND FAMILY.
of Sir Cecil Clementi JOHN EDWARD DE ZOYSA.
vernor of the Straits Mr. J. E. de Zoysa was born in Colombo on July 26, 1878, and is the son of the late Edward de Zoysa, Mohandiram and Superintendent of Colombo Cinnamon Gardens, and Superinten
'GRACE YNN.
Page 712
& x -: , 8 १.** १:१*१ 4 ४ ४ **** を & *
TIE WALAUW THE CARRIAGE.
MER. AND MRS. JAMES PERER
TEE MILLS.
AND FAMILY.
Page 713
TwFNTIETH
dent of minor roads in the Cinnanon Gardens, and Sophie, daughter of William Mendis Karuneratne, brother-in-law of the late Sampson Rajapakse, Mudaliyar of the Governor's Gate, of Welitara. The family have held this rank and office for three generations, Mr. de Zoysa's father, grandfather, and great-grandfather having all possessed the distinction. Mr. de Zoysa was educated at the Royal College, and after passing his junior and senior Cambridge Local Examinations he read law, and was made a Proctor of the District Court of Negombo in 1902. He is now in practice at Negombo. He is a member of the Ceylon Law Society and of the Agricultural Society, and is treasurer of the Negombo Union Club. He married, in I903, Lucy Grace, daughter of J. de S. Rajapakse, Mudaliyar and J.P., of Negombo. He has his residence at “Grace Lynn," Negombo.
அே
CEGIL JERONIMUS EDERISINGHE.
Mr. C. J. Ederisinghe is a son of Mr. B. J. Ederisinghe, who was formerly Coroner of Alutkuru Korale, and Rupina, daughter of P. Perera Amoratunga, of Kandane. He was born in the year 1877, and was educated at
პზწ కో ՀՀ* క్షి
THE RESIDENCE.
CENTURY IM
ృష్టిలో శిక్టీ
SLLLLLSLLLLLSLLLTLALeAAAL
St. Benedict's Institute.
in 1898 became a Procto. and is now in practic residence is “ Casa N
owns a coconut estate i a member of the Ceylo
9ع
AMES PERERA AM
RATNE SIRI
Mr. James Perera Al Siriwardene, Mohandira Korale South, generally Appuhamy, is the son ( hamy. He was born at educated at Colombo, menced coconut-planti that pursuit ever since. are Miriswelwaite at watte at Chilaw, Labbo North-Western Provinc planted and equipped, also close upon two h tions in other parts of At Welligampitiya he plantation, called Kapt for the working of cinn:
LPRESSIONS OF CEYLON O5
He studied law, and r of the District Court, *e at Negombo, His ova,' Negombo. He in the vicinity. He is in Law Society.
ARATUNGE ABEYEWIKARDENE
maratunge Abeyeratne m of Kandana Alutkuru known as James Perera f Isaac Perera AppuKandana in 1876, and after which he comng, and has followed His principal estates Madampe, Udullewelale and Bopitiya in the e. All these are fully and Mr. Perera owns undred smaller plantathe Western Province. has a fine cinnamon lwatte, fully equipped amon, as well as large
སྤྱི་ 羲
C. J. EDERISING-BIE.
areas of paddy-land and house property at Ambalandegge. He is a partner in the arrack
JAMES PERERA, MOHANDIRAM.
renting business of his brother-in-law, D. Don Joseph, and on his Kandana estate there are
2 Y
Page 714
7O6 TWENTIETH
mills for the manufacture of fibre of every description. In 1904 Sir Henry Blake appointed him Mohandiram in recognition of his many public charities. He gave the school at Mattumagalle, and is a generous supporter of the Church. In 19oI he married Dona Victoria Beatrice, daughter of the arrack-renter Hendrick Appohamy, of Bopitiya, and he resides at Amaratunge Walauwa, Kandana.
وه
M. P. GOMEZ & CO.
This is a firm carrying on business at various centres, the head branch being at Ratnapura. It was founded in 1889 by M. P. Gomez and Caitan Silva, natives of Tuticorin, in India, who came to Ceylon and started business on a small scale as wine and spirit merchants and proprietors of oilmen's stores and a bakery. Later, branches were opened at Balangoda, Avisawella, and Negombo. The business gradually increased, and now the firm main
CENTURY
dashery, besides main manufactory and boo about to add a bak another branch at Pe and oilmen's stores, & from England. The b time at Negombo and I mercantile concerns respective districts. store at Colombo wh despatched to its di partners are M. P. Silva, junior; M. G. P. G. Gomez. They Negombo, Chilaw, Ra
T. PERERA,
Mr. Thomas Perera Mr. Thomas Perera, M of Veyangoda, and w He received his educa
M. P. GOME2 & CO., NEG
tains a well-equipped, attractive restaurant and oilmen's stores, and deal in glass-ware, crockery, electro-plate, patent medicines, drapery and outfitting, millinery and haber
M. P. GOME2.
after which he devot pursuits. He resides near Weyangoda, an properties of which t
MPRESSIONS
:aining an aerated water t emporium. They are ery at Negombo and madulla. Fancy goods
zc., are 'imported direct
usinesses at the present atnapura are the largest of the island in their he firm has a general ere goods are kept and ferent branches. The Gomez, senior, Caitan Gomez, Gabriel Gomez, own house property at tnapura, &c.
岁
Mohandiram,
Wijeyerathe, known as Iohandiram, is a native as born there in 187I. tion at Wesley College,
OF CEYION
of coconuts is sold locally. In I903 Sir West Ridgeway appointed him Mohandiram. He is a staunch friend of Buddhist education, and has founded two Buddhist schools of which he is the manager and the principal supporter. He also built a school and presented it to the Government. He married the daughter of Mr. D. T. Jayewardene, Chief Vidane Arachchi of Galgamuwa. He is a member of the Committee of the Theosophical Society, and of the Buddhist Defence Committee, and has contributed articles on various topics to the Sanderesa,
لويه
D. L. WIJEWARDENE.
The Mirigama district is one of the centres of the coconut industry, but the desiccating and fibre mills there have not been always a great success. To Mr. Louis Wijewardene, a young and energetic planter, has fallen the task of reviving this backward industry there. He comes of a family already famous for
OMBO, STAFF AND STORES.
ed himself to planting
at Pattalagere estate, i has various smaller le produce in the shape
making rapid progress in the business world, for he is the son of Don Philip, Mohandiram, the "timber king" and millionaire of Seddewatte, and the brother of Mr. Alexander Wije
Page 715
THE MILLs (INTERIOR).
TEE ENGINE-ROOM
D. Le WIJEWARDEN.E.
THE MILLS.
Page 716
708 TWENTIETH
wardene, who manages his father's timber business. From a very early age Mr. Louis Wijewardene showed an aptitude for engineering and mechanics. While still at school he was a proficient photographer, and as soon as opportunity presented itself he devoted himself to practical electrical work, with the result that he has his own generating station at his home at Seddewatte, from which the house and grounds are extensively illuminated. His taste for machinery led him to establish mills at Mirigama, which have already received a large share of patronage. At the time of writing 8o cwt. of coir fibre is the normal weekly output, and this will probably be considerably increased as time goes on. In a short period the mills, which are used only for the fibre trade, will be utilised for desiccating purposes Every modern appliance, including electric light and all the latest machinery, is in operation there.
Born in 1885, Mr. D. L. Wijewardene was educated at St. Thomas's College, and started in business about a year ago. It is interesting to note that Mr. Wijewardene is a proficient artist in etching and silvering on glass, and has frequently exhibited specimens of his work at the annual shows of the Ceylon Art Exhibition, carrying away prizes of Rs. 5o each on two occaOne particular piece of his handiwork, comprising the emblem of the country and group of Ceylon-grown fruits, silvered on glass, was highly commended.
also.
sions.
。岁
W. S. W. SOYSA.
Mr. Warusahenedigay Samuel William Soysa is the son of Varusahenedigay Andris, of Panadure, and Kariyakarawana Patabendi Maha Widanelagay Dona Augustina Ferdinando, daughter of Kariyakarawana Patabendi Maha Widanelagay Isaac Ferdinando, of Moratuwa. He was born at Colombo, in 1872, and educated at Prince of Wales's and St. Thomas's Colleges. For some time he was manager of Diyatalawa Mills, Slave Island, for Lady de Soysa, where he superintended the copra-manufacturing and cocoanut oil departments. In 1899 he joined Mr. T. H. A. de Soysa as partner in his business, but left him in I903 to devote himself to planting. Amongst his estates, Catherine Valley in the Welligama district, and Maeliya and Ja-ela estates in the Ja-ela district are the most important. The latter is a specially fine estate, and the produce from it is of exceptional quality. Copra and cinnamon from his properties are sold at local markets. Mr. Soysa is a member of the Agricultural and Horticultural Societies and of the Turf Club; he is also a member of the Church of England Diocesan Temperance
CENTURY
Committee and Relig He built and equipp Vernacular Mixed Sch
w. s. W
Kate, daughter of Mr. wera, of Welligama
they have two sons an country residence is at house Montague Hous
N. E. D.
Nicholas Emanuel d of the late John de C and merchant, of N originally came over f and settled at Colomb time of the Dutch oc John de Croos, who merchants, landed p! renters of Ceylon, was ness circles, a pillar ol Catholic Union, and u his innumerable cha schools, and assistanc rally. He died in Nicholas Emanuel, w; 1880, and educated at and St. Thomas's and He commenced busing renter of Ratnapura, rents for Chilaw as Colombo rents. He h
MPRESSIONS
ous Inspection Board. d the Maeliya Anglool. In 1900 he married
". SOYSA,
John William Samaraand Dodanduwa, and d two daughters. Their Ja-ela, and their town e, Bambalapitiya.
岁
E CROOS
e Croos is the only son roos, landed proprietor egombo. The family "om Tuticorin, in India, o and Galle during the :upation. The late Mr. was one of the largest oprietors, and arrackwell known in all busi
the Catholic Club and niversally respected for ities, contributions to e to the needful geneune, I906. s born at Negombo in St. Mary's High School
St. Joseph's Colleges. ss operations as arrackand to-day owns the well as a share of the is huge arrack stores at
His son,
OF CEYLON
Kalutara and at Chilaw, and draws his supplies from the former place. His main possessions are coconut estates, and he is one of the largest landowners in the Western Province. His principal properties are St. John's Yaya, I,3oo acres in extent, in the Western Province ; Kandangamuwa and Dewilapitiya in Mirigama; Noel's Meed at Katukenda; and Kahateville in the Chilaw district. Close to his town residence at Negombo are the Nicsford group and Thornwood estates, and on the latter he has one of the finest country residences ever erected in the island. His plantations in cinnamon and coconuts are ninety-two
N. E. DE CROOS.
in number, besides which he owns a large amount of house property at Colombo and Negombo. Mr. de Croos's grandfather in former years used to export the world-famed brand of " Ekella' cinnamon, but the produce of the estates at the present time is sold locally. As many as 6oo men and women are employed daily in Mr. de Croos's operations. Since I905 he has been an elected member of the Negombo Local Board, and he is a member of the Catholic Club and of the Catholic Union, and President of the Negombo Town Cricket Club. He used to play tennis and football, and has lately become a keen horseman. In I904 he married Mary Agnes, daughter of Anthony de Croos, of Negombo, and has one daughter, Barbara Noeline. His town residence, “Barbeton,” is one of the finest residences in the Western Province.
舒、
Page 717
THE LATE JOHN DE CROOS.
MR, AND MRS. N. E.
MRS. JOHN DE CROOS.
DE CROOS AND CHILD.
Page 718
THE DRAWING-ROOM, "BARBETON."
“EARBETON.” COCONUT-PALM AT NOEL’S MEED.
Page 719
TWENTIETH
KELAN VALLEY, &c.
J. P. ANDERSON.
Mr. James Patrick Anderson, planter, in charge of Glassel estate, Dehiowita, and visiting agent in the Kelani Valley and surrounding districts, is the son of Mr. James Anderson. Born on October 26, 1865, near Newcastle, he was educated at St. Andrews and Edinburgh Academy, and he went out to Ceylon when he was twenty-one years of age. He bought a share in the Glassel estate, a property of 870 acres, which was afterwards sold to the Panawal Tea Company. Situated at an elevation of only 200 ft., the average annual crop is 3Io,ooQ lbs. of tea, and the coolies employed on the estate number 8oo. He is the Chairman of the Kelani Valley Planters' Association, and a member of a number of the clubs of the island. In addition to his interest in the Glassel estate, on which rubber has been planted during the last few years, he owns half-shares in the Maldeniya and Aludiniya estates, and is financially interested in others. He is fond of golf, shooting, and fishing.
" ضو
S. E. O. RANSOM,
Mr. Spencer Edward Oliver Ransom, Superintendent of the Atherfield estate, is the som of the late Mr. O. Ransom, formerly of Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, but latterly a Ceylon planter. He was born on August 13, 1882, at Deltota, in the island, and received his education at St. Edward's School, Nuwara Eliya, and at Richmond, Surrey. He learnt planting under Mr. E. M. le Feuvre, Midlands estate, Rattota, and afterwards was on the Delta estate, Pussellawa, before taking up his present position. The Atherfield estate embraces 54o acres, of which 3oo are planted with tea, half that area with rubber, and the balance is jungle. Three hundred and fifty coolies are employed upon it, and the annual crop of tea is estimated at 140,000 lbs. The estate is owned by the Atherfield Tea and Rubber Co., Ltd., of which Messrs. Bosanquet & Co. are the Colombo agents. Mr. Ransom's recreations are golf, cricket, and shooting.
شوه
DOUGLAS GEORGE LUMSDEN.
The son of Mr. J. J. F. Lumsden, senior Member of the Legislative Council of the North-West Provinces, India, Mr. Lumsden was born on September 28, 1874, at Gorakpore, North-West Provinces. He was educated privately, and came out to Ceylon in 1898, and learned tea-planting under Mr. John Fraser, of the Abbotsford estate, Nanu
CENTURY I
Oya, with whom he re Afterwards he was fo Mr. G. D. Brabazon, estate, and he then Dehiowita estate, as estate, which is ownec R. V. Millington an acreage of 348, of whic with tea and 52 acre labour force consists
Lumsden's recreations shooting. He was one to London by the Cey Corps on the occ Coronation.
ANDREW DU
This son of bonnie
varied career. The Jamieson, of the C. was born in December
Kincardineshire. He at the public school He next served for so Royal Mail Steamer M return to Scotland h
service of the Caledon
and remained with th years. At the expirat I9oI, he accepted a po! Government Railway. work on the Coast line Northern line, and at holds a responsible p Valley line.
EDMUND ING-0
Mr. E. I. Massy was
at Tipperary, Ireland, a College, Stratford-on. For three years after learned land agency wo out to Ceylon in I897.
on the Chapelton estat after staying there fo sinne dorai (assistant) Udapusselawa. Havin, contingent who went away from the island fo received a medal with tein, Johannesburg, anc return from the war h returned to Ceylon all charge of Wellington { Massy again went to Er tion contingent, and, was appointed assistant He held this position which he went to Sur Walley, for nine montl
MIPRESSIONS
'mained for seven years. ir sixteen months with
om the New Peacock took charge of the superintendent. This 1 by Messrs. J. F. and l R. Asplane, has an h 26o acres are planted es with rubber. The
of 28o coolies. Mr. are football, tennis, and of the detachment sent lon Plantersʼ Volunteer asion of the King's
奖疗
FF JAMIESON.
Scotland has had a
Son of Mr. Thomas aledonia Railway, he , I872, at Laurencekirk, received his education in his native place. me time on board the tagellan, and upon his he again entered the ian Railway Company, at company for three ion of that period, in sition under the Ceylon He first commenced ', was two years on the the present time he osition on the Kelani
鳞
DSBY MASSY.
born on April 26, 1875, nd educated at Trinity -Avon, Warwickshire.
his school career he ork in Dublin, and came He went as a creeper e, Bogawantalawa, and r six months went as on St. Leonards estate, gjoined the first Ceylon to South Africa, he was or eighteen months, and three bars for Dreifonl Cape Colony. On his e went to England and ter six months to take state temporarily. Mr. gland with the Coronareturning to the island, of Haldummula estate. for thirty months, after any Croft estate, Kelani hs, and finally obtained
OF CEYLON 711
his present position as superintendent of the Pambagama estate. This estate of I,44o acres-of which 607 are planted with tea and I93 with rubber, and 4oo acres of which it is intended to plant with rubber-yields an annual crop of 370,000 lbs. of tea, and employs about I,ooo coolies. It is 8oo ft. above sea-level and belongs to the Sunnygama Tea Estates Company, Ltd. The local agent is Mr. W. Forsyth. The subject of this sketch is the son of the late Colonel George Eyre Massy, of Limerick, Ireland. He is a member of the Kelani Valley Planters' Association and Club and the Ruanwella Club, and a corporal of the Ceylon Mounted Rifles. His recreations
are cricket, tennis, and golf.
தி
A. H. ROE.
Mr. Alfred Henry Roe is the superintendent of the Dewalakande estate, Dehiowita, Kelani
A. H. ROE.
Valley. He is the son of the late Mr. Peter Roe, of Queen's County, Ireland, and was born in Ireland on January 31, 1858. He was educated at the Abbey, Tipperary, and at Watts's College, Portarlington, and in 1877 arrived in Ceylon and joined the Kalaboda group of estates, Kotmale, as a creeper (pupil), and successfully served on estates in the Elkadua and Dimbula districts. He has been during the past twelve years in the employ of the Ceylon Tea Plantations Company, Ltd., lowcountry estates. Dewalakande estate is about 9oo acres in extent, consisting of 552 acres of tea and rubber, and 348 acres of rubber only, and has a labour force of 8oo coolies. Mr. Roe is a keen sportsman, plays golf, tennis, and cricket, and is fond of shooting. Formerly he was a member of the Ceylon Planters' Corps.
Page 720
72
G. H. A.L.
Mr. George Herbert Hall was born at Lancaster on February. I6, 1877, and received his education at King's School, Warwick. Intending to enter the medical profession, he studied medicine and chemistry for a few years, but relinquished the 1dea and came out to Ceylon to learn tea-planting in February, 1898, as a creeper, under Mr. J. I. Hall, his brother, of Ernan estate, Kelani Valley. He remained there nearly a year and then spent a few months on Yogama estate, and subsequently was upon Polatagama and Weoya estates. He is now the superintendent of Erracht estate, Dehiowita, Kelani Valley, which comprises 744 acres, of which 5ol have been opened up and planted with tea and rubber, gives employment to about 6oo coolies, and belongs to the Clunes Estate Company of Ceylon, Ltd. He is also a member of the Ceylon Planters' Rifle Corps.
لو
E. KYN.ASTON.
Mr. Edward Kynaston is the son of Mr. E. Kynaston, of London, and was born on March 5, 1860, at Sydenham, Kent. He received his education at Tonbridge School, and went out to Ceylon in the year 1879. He first worked on one of Messrs. Carey, Strachan & Co.'s estates, and took up planting as a profession, and has been engaged on various estates all over the island. He is now the superintendent of the Lavant estate, Yatiyantota, Kelani Walley, and has also charge of Taldua tea estate. The area of the former is I, Ioo acres, fully planted with tea and rubber. About 7oo coolies are engaged in producing the annual output of 260,000 lbs. of tea, and Messrs. Gordon Fraser are the Colombo agents. Mr. Kynaston is a member of the Kandy Club, Ceylon Turf Club, the Kelani Valley Planters' Association, and the Kelani Valley Club, and is a part shareholder in the Sitawika Rubber Estate, Kelani Valley.
அே
HARRY DE MIEL
This gentleman, who is a Proctor practising at Avisawella, was born on February 5, I869, at Moratuwa, and educated at the Royal College. Adopting law as a profession, he was articled to Mr. Walter Pereira, K.C., and called to the Bar in June, 1897. He practised in Colombo for a short time, but in 1898 migrated to Avisawella, and has remained there ever since. He is married to Laura, daughter of Mr. D. J. R. Goonesekera, and has three children - two sons and one daughter.
TWENTIETH CENTURY
PRIDEAU
The superintendent ( Avisawella, in the West is the son of Mr. F. planter. Born on Fet bula, Ceylon, he was Combe College, Bath, of his school career he planting under his fath estate of which he now ten years. The acrea; elevation is from 200 t which 425 is planted v while the remaining jungle state. The co to 3oo in number.
YA A :
Mr. William Arthur of the Sapumalkande ( son Of Mr. R. R. EIwe
He was born on March Wiltshire, and received William Borlase Schc to Ceylon in Octobel creeper under Mr. J. golla, Udaipussellawa. year he became assis Allakolla estate, Madu been upon the Elstone Allakolla estate, and Maturata, before taking ment. The Sapumalika finest properties in the owned by Messrs. W It is I,2oo ac 5oo acres are fully plar planted with rubber, planted with rubber; ployed upon the estat
Harries.
of tea is 231,500 lbs.
FRAINK HEN
Mr. Frank Henry La the Ganapalla estate, on April 18, 1872, at CC Elizabeth College, Gu Redhill. He studied mately abandoned the a legal career, and ( November, 1888. He Mr. E. P. Willisford, pitiya, for one year, an on the Mahaousa est wards he had charg Blackwater estate, Ga estate, Avisawella. F with his present char acreage of II,o84. Of planted with tea and
EMPRESSIONS
X BRD
of the Avisawella estate, ern Province, Mr. Byrde W. Byrde, a veteran bruary 3, I879, at Dim
educated at Monkton England. At the close came to Ceylon to learn er, and has been on the 7 has charge for the last ge of the estate, whose o 7oo ft., is 6OO in all, of with tea, 75 with rubber, bortion of land is in a olies employed amount
தி
LYNELL. Elwell, superintendent estate, Dehiowita, is the ll, an English solicitor. 2, 188o, at Lighworth, | his education at the Sir
bol, Marlow. He went г, 1897, and became a M. Patterson at AllaAfter remaining there a tant superintendent at ulkelle, and has since :state, Puwakapitiya, tithe the Kabragalla estate, up his present appointinde estate is ene of the e Keiani Valley, and is 7. J. Smith and S. L. res in extent, of which hted with tea and interand 7oo acres are fully 7oo coolies are eme, and the annual crop
தி
RY L.Y.RO.
yard, superintendent of
Yatiyantota, was born lonbo, and educated at ernsey, and St. Anne's, law for a tinne, but ultiidea of embarking upon came out to Ceylon in learned planting under Hangran Oya, Nawalad then spent three years ate, Madulkelle. Aftere of a division of the lboda, and of Penrith nally he was entrusted ge. The estate has an this area 62o acres are 3oo acres with rubber;
is 150 ft. above sea-level.
OF CEYLON
the remainder is uncleared land. Some of the rubber-trees are over three years old. The estimate of the crop of tea on the estate this year is 340,000 lbs. Eight hundred and seventy coolies are employed on the estate. Mr. Layard, it may be added, is the son of the late Mr. Henry William Layard, one of the pioneers of coffee-planting in Ceylon. He is married and has two sons, both of whom are being educated at his old school-Elizabeth College, Guernscy. Mr. Layard is a Justice of the Peace and Unofficial Police Magistrate for the Kegalla district. He is a member of the Kelani Valley Club, of the Colombo Club, and of the Ceylon Turf Club. His recreations are riding, tennis, cricket, golf, and shooting. He is also an ardent Volunteer, having served for fourteen years in the Ceylon Mounted Infantry, and since then in the Ceylon Planters' Rifle Corps.
அே
ALBERT JAMES MARTN.
This gentleman hails from Australia. Born at Coburg, Victoria, on July 24, 1869, he was educated at the Church of England Grammar School at Melbourne. Leaving school, he joined an insurance company for six years, after which he served in a sawmill for two years in the Australian bush. Mr. Martin then left his country, arriving in Ceylon in August, 1894, to enter the Farnham estate, Kelani Valley, as a creeper, and stayed there for a few months. Afterwards he went to Laxpanagalla, and later still to Benachie estate. He stayed at the latter estate for a year, and then went to the Veralupitiya estate, where he worked for two years. In I898 Mr. Martin was made the superintendent of the Penrith and Logan estates in Pumakpitiya, Kelani Valley, where he has been ever since. The estates consist of 722 atcres planted with tea and 55 acres with rubber, and the elevation The number of coolies employed is 750. The proprietors of the Penrith and Logan estate are the General Ceylon Rubber and Tea Estates, Ltd., whose general manager in Ceylon is Mr. W. Forsythe.
The subject of this sketch is the son of the late Mr. John Martin, insurance manager, of Melbourne.
and cricket.
His recreations are golf, tennis
அே
J. A. ANDERSON.
Mr. James Alexander Anderson, superintendent of the Yogama estate, Dehiowita, is the son of Mr. James Anderson, a well-known Ceylon planter, and was born on November 5, I879, at Maskeliya. He was educated at Gordon College and Marischal College, Aberdeen, and came out to Ceylon in I898, and was assistant on the Bandarapola estate, Matale, and was
Page 721
TWENTIETH
afterwards on the Atherton estate, Kotmalie, and the Rondura group, Wattawella, before going to the Yogama Estate. The last named property embraces I,38o acres, of which about 45o are fully planted with tea and 8oo with rubber, and the remainder. has been cleared for tea-planting. The annual tea crop is 230,000 lbs., and in gathering this and attending to the rubber a thousand coolies are employed. The estate belongs to the Panawatte Tea and Rubber Estates Company, Ltd., and Messrs. Whittall & Co. are the Colombo agents. Mr. Anderson is a member of the Kelani Valley and Kandy Planters' Associations, and of the Kelani Valley Club and the C.M.R., and his recreation is tennis.
அே
A. L. BANES.
Mr. Alexander Lachlan Baines, the superin* tendent of the Densworth estate, Dehiowita, is the son of Mr. Henry Baines, solicitor, of Oxford, and Alice, daughter of Mr. John Browning. He was born at Oxford on October 14, 1877, and received his education at King Henry VIII. School, Warwick. He came out to Ceylon in 1896 as a creeper under Mr. John Tilley, Galkandewatte Estate, Talawakelle, and remained there about twelve months. Subsequently he was four years S.D. on the Le Vallon group, Nilambe. During the late war in South Africa he served for eighteen months with the first Ceylon contingent, and received a medal with bars for Dreifontein, Cape Colony, Johannesburg, and Diamond Hill. Hethen returned to Le Vallon estate, and was afterwards on the Peacock Hill estate for three years before taking up his present appointment. The Densworth estate is 547 acres in extent, 346 acres being planted with tea and interplanted with rubber, and the annual estimate is (at present) 16o,ooo lbs. of tea and 2,000 lbs. of rubber, in obtaining which over 4oo coolies are engaged. The estate is the property of Messrs. Cooper, Cooper & Johnson, for whom Messrs. Gordon Fraser are the Colombo agents. Mr. Baines is a keen sportsman, and is a member of the Gampola Club, the Taldua Club, and the Kandy Sports Club. He is captain of the Taldua Cricket Club, and has played in Association and Rugby football for Kandy and Gampola Clubs.
தி
ARCHIBALD COCHIRANE.
Mr. Archibald Cochrane owns and has charge of the Kitulgala estate, Kelani Valley, and is also the superintendent of the Gonagamma estate. He was born on February 21, 1876, at Galashiels, Scotland, and educated at the Edinburgh Academy and in France. He came
CENTURY I
out to Ceylon in 1897,
group of estates as as: Palmer. After a train years, he took charge
for seven years, and tl the estate with which ated. The estate em planted with tea, 40 acI and 20 acres which a opened up. The ar Ioo,ooo lbs., and 200
The Gunagama estate i 2oo acres being plante remainder is being oper are tennis and shooting
A 47
RAWLEIGH MA]
Born in April, 185I, Dawkin, manager of til
Yatiyantota, was educate School and at Bath. He law in lhis business as merchant and came ou travelling round the C. sailing ship, an Italian was to embark upon a co visit to the planting dist that life on an estate wo desk work in Colomb offering, he took charg in the Kandy district.
associated with estates
Dimbula and Dolosbage
MPRESSIONS
nd joined the Fordyce istant under Mr. J. G. ng extending over two of the Fruitlhill estate en assumed control of e is at present associpraces 265 acres fully es planted with rubber, e in course of being nual crop of tea is coolies are employed. s 3oo acres in extentwith rubber, and the ed up. His recreations
NSEL DIAWIKIN.
at Cardiff, Mr. R. M. e Eila Tea Company,
OF CEYLON 713
to the Kelani Valley, and has been in the district ever since. The Eila estate, of which he now has charge, has an acreage of 7I6, fully planted with tea and interplanted with rubber, 25 acres fully planted with rubber, and two other clearings, about 83 acres in extent, in course of preparation for rubber planting in the coming season. The crop of tea this year is estimated at 25o,ooo lbs. Seven hundred Tamil coolies are employed upon the estate. Mr. Dawkin also has eharge of the Kanangama estate, Dehiowita. He is a member of the Kelani Valley Club. His recreations are golf, tennis, and cricket.
அ
WILLIAM AUGUSTUS WEEREK00N.
Mr. W. A. Weerekoon, son of John Weerektoon, Mudaliyar, of Kurunegala, was born 1878, and educated at St. Thomas's College, where he was successful in the
MR. AND MRS. W. A. WEEREKOON.
d at the local Grammar joined his brother-in
ship broker and coal
t to Ceylon in 1877, pe by the Negrizolla vessel. His intention mmercial career, but a icts suggested to him uld be pleasanter than O. The opportunity e of Uplands estate, Subsequently he was n the Deltota district,
In 1885 he migrated
local Cambridge senior examination. He also secured the Victoria gold medal and mathematical prize (for the whole of Ceylon), and in 1899 passed the subordinate examination for the Civil Service. He first entered the Colonial Secretary's Office, afterwards being attached to the Batticaloa Kachcheri. In 19oo he became Acting Office Assistant to the Government Agent of the Southern Province at Galle. Subsequently he occupied similar positions at Ratnapura, Batticaloa, and in the offices of the Government Agent of the NorthWestern Province and Northern Province, and in I904 was again transferred to Ratnapura. In
Page 722
714 TWENTIETH
I906 he married Cecilia Augusta, daughter of D. S. Daundesekera, Mudaliyar, of Ratnapura, who is a grandson of the second Mudaliyar of the Guides to the British Army in 1815.
அே
BOMBAY UNION CLUB,
From Bombay to Colombo is a somewhat far cry, but the inhabitants of the great capital of Western India are enterprising, and they go far afield in search of trade openings. So it happens that there is a pretty considerable community of Bombay merchants and traders in Colombo and they are able to form their own institutions of a social or religious character. One of the former class is the Bombay Union Club, which was organised in I905 by some prominent members of the community for purposes of social intercourse and recreation, and for discussions on trade matters. The club, which is open to all races and creeds-Hindus, Mahomedians, Parsees, etc.- received in its initial stages generous support from leading Bombay merchants, including Messrs. Framjee Bhicajee & Co., Carimjee Jafferjee, E. C. Adamaly & Co., T. A. J. Noorbhoy & Co., J. Rustomjee, and others. The club-house is in Prince Street, Pettah, in the heart of the native business quarter. It is a
CENTURY I
E. DI
(Sec
commodious building, usual requisites for co1 and having, besides, : reading-room, furnish periodicals and papel
THE MEMBERs, B.
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
meetings are held periodically, and in additien to these gatherings excursions are organised to points of interest in the neighbourhood of Colombo. The club membership numbers thirty-five and additions are constantly being made to the roll. Mr. H. Dinshaw acts as the secretary of the club, and to him and a few other members, notably Messrs. J. C. Thakore and C. H. Bharucha, the credit for its successful organisation is due. It should be added that additional members are elected by the votes of the existing members.
அே
D. DON PAUL.
Dekirikawege Don Paul, second son of D. Don Hendrick Appuhamy, brother of Don Joseph, was born at Bopitiya in 1882, and educated at St. Benedict's Institute and St. Joseph's College. He then joined his brother in business, taking charge of the arrack-renting NSEAW. department at Trincomalee and Jaffna, and is 'etary.) now a full partner in the concern. His own principal estates are Hendala in the Western supplied with all the Province and Diyabawa and Labukande in the mfort and entertainment, North-Western Province, and he has smaller an excellent library and estates in the Western Province and near led with all the latest Mannar, as well as tracts of paddy-fields and is. At the club social house property elsewhere. He is a member
OMBAY UNION CLUB.
Page 723
MITLAND COTTAGE.
*్మ్క *్మ ఢ్మికి #్మt #Aక్ ** ** ** ** **
* عجمية 袭 , ペ
..發了 ★ 彝 素系霉 ** 碧彦曼 拳系擎 تمعة في صحXص حتی حX X
#్య ్మ *. *. *. *. *. *. *. *
*. *్మ *్మ క్మ* ** ** ** *్క ** *
D. DON PAUL AND FAMLY.
Page 724
71.6
of the Catholic Club, of the Sinhalese Sports Club, and of the Negombo Union Club. Whilst at college he was a noted football player, and he continues to be an enthusiastic cricketer and tennis player. He lives at Mitland Cottage, Bopitiya.
。岁
THEODORE PENNYCUICK ATTYGALLE.
This gentleman, who is a son of Dr. J. Attygalle, retired Colonial Surgeon, M.D. Aberdeen, enjoys the distinction of being the only Sinhalese who occupies a position in the higher ranks of the Ceylon Police Force, as a Superintendent of Police, Unofficial Police Magistrate,
TWENTIETH CENTURY
and a Justice of the P 1876, at Puttalam, and
St. Thomas's Colleges, Cambridge Local Exar he joined the Ceylon P. on August 22, I899, II for meritorious service inspector of the third g Assistant Superintende Criminal Investigation years later he was ag. to the rank of Superinte in charge of the We Stations. When Their Prince and Princess of
ܘܠܶ- ܚܰܠܺ- ܘ
NORTHWESTE)
HIS province shares with its southern neighbour the advantages which proximity to the premier province and an extensive seaboard confer. In area it is only fifth on the list and in population fourth ; but judged by the criterion of revenue collections, it occupies third place - and this despite the fact that a greater part of the area is without railway communication, while the roads, apart from the coast
one, and in the second fisheries, which give lu large numbers of the railway is extended, as no distant date, to Putta administrative area, a
given to trade, and the increasingly important
development of the isl of the disadvantages
THE CHILAW OCAL BOARD.
road, are not of the best. The prosperity of the province is due in the first place to its coconut industry, which is a great and growing
progress is being 1 revenue collections w Rs. I4 II,384’33 in exce
MPRESSIONS
ace. Born on May 3, :ducated at Royal and where he passed his ination with honours, lice Force as inspector I903 he was promoted
from the rank of an ade to the position of nt in charge of the
Department. Three in promoted, attaining ident, and being placed stern Province Police Royal Highnesses the Wales visited Ceylon
兹一逗
O
OF CEYLON
he was placed in charge of the personal bodyguard of police which accompanied the royal visitors while they were in Ceylon. He has been frequently commended and rewarded for useful service rendered in the suppression of crime in Ceylon. Mr. Attygalle is a member of the well-known, influential and ancient family of the same name in the Salpiti Korale. He married, on December 13, 1906, Constance Valerie, daughter of J. Abeysekere, Mudaliyar of the Governor's Gate, and of Alutkuru Korale, South-Western Province. His recreations are tennis, billiards, and riding. As a member of Bonnie Doon Lodge (S.C.) he is one of the very few Sinhalese Masons in the island.
RN PROWINCE.
place to its flourishing crative employment to
opulation. When the
it probably will be at lam, in the north of the great impetus will be province will play an part in the commercial and. Already, in spite
referred
to, marked
ade. In I9o5 the 'e Rs. I,760,704'48, or of those of the pre
vious year. This figure constitutes a record, and the fact that the position was reached is the more remarkable as the year was one of serious drought. In his Administration Report for 1905 Mr. S. M. Burrows, the Government Agent, asserts that the coconut enterprise is the source of this prosperity. “The rush into coconuts throughout the year,' he says, “has been astonishing, and not confined to capitalists and outsiders. The villager is beginning to appreciate the value of his high lands, and is
--- موسميتشستميتيا
R. N. THAINIE. (A.G.A., Puttalam.)
slipping into coconuts after his own fashion.' The outward evidences of the improvement in the condition of the people are very marked,
Page 725
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
"Nearly all the large bazaars are growing; and in many cases more pretentious and capacious boutiques are taking the place of humbler
town-in July, I905, a vegetables, and fish, excluding the value of
A CHILAW VIEW,
ones. This is obviously an important criterion of prosperity, and it is occurring in spite of a long drought, which shows that the purchasing villager is not so dependent on his grain as he was, and finds paying employment on coconut gardens and estates.' Side by side with “the rush into coconuts,' there has been, Mr. Burrows notes, a rush into rubber. “It is early yet to say what the position of rubber is to be in this province. If a rainfall of 8o ins. is required, it is obvious from the excellent rainfall chart published by the Surveyor-General that only a small portion of the province falls within the required zone, for the 8o-in, limit passes diagonally across the province from south-west to north-east, and Kurt negala is barely within it; but that it will do splendidly in the south-east and south sections of the Kurunegala district seems to be proved by the success of Delwita and Muwankande estates, and a great deal of land in that direction is being placed under rubber as rapidly as labour and drought will allow ; but the latter part of 1905 was disastrous to rubber plantation, and some plantations have had to be planted three and four times over."
The chief centres in the province are Kurunegala, on the eastern confines of the area, Puttalam in the north, and Chilaw in the south. Each constitutes the headquarters of a revenue district. Kurunegala, the largest of the three towns, had a population, in I901, of 6,483. Its affairs are directed by a Local Board. Recently some important works and improvements have been carried out in the
the markets a new par and fully planted up w and selected ornamel capable superintendenc Hakgala Gardens. A sc has also been carried
lake at Kurunegala is (of flat formation, in 9 ft. thick). This i
MPRESSIONS
new market for meat, cOsting Rs. I I, I65ʻo7, the land. Adjoining
k has been commenced iith a variety of palms ntal trees under the te of Mr. J. K. Nock, of heme of town drainage out. A feature of the
OF CEYLON 717
ways, and its removal by mechanical means is being effected. Puttalam, the second of the three districts, covers an extensive area, and its interests are largely maritime. In the great expanse of the Puttalam lake-so-called although it is in reality a vast lagoonfisheries are prosecuted by a hardy and intelligent race of fishermen, who are, to a large extent, adherents of the Roman Catholic Church, which, planted here in the days of the Portuguese occupation, has gained a strong hold on the inhabitants. On the low-lying marshy lands which fringe the coast hereabouts there are extensive lewayas in which vast quantities of salt are annually produced by means of evaporation. The salt in its turn is used for the curing of fish, and thus strengthens what may be regarded almost as the staple industry of the district. But here, as elsewhere, homage is paid to King Coconut to an increasing extent and annually great tracts of land are being taken up for this most productive of tropical fruits. “The demand for land suitable for coconut-planting,” says Mr. F. Bowes, the Assistant Government Agent, in his report on the district for 1905, “can be estimated by the fact that the average price of the 1,207 acres sold during I905 was Rs. 335-8 per acre, while the highest price realised was over Rs. 202 per acre. It is only twenty years since persons planting coconuts on the mainland were regarded as pioneers, and encouraged by a generous system of leases.' The salt collection to which reference has been made is
LOCAL BOARD, PUTTALAM.
a growth of “ weed' great islands 7 ft. to s obnoxious in many
the main source of the revenue of the district. In 1905, of a total sum of Rs. 962,090'8o collected, no less than Rs. 8oI,92O6I was m
Page 726
: ୋଽନ୍ଧ 激 థ్రో ୋ;
స్టేస్తే
*VTIV ĐÐIN O HQ XI ‘GINGIOS XIN VI,*VTIV {OGIN/m^{(n>I ‘KONGICIISRITMI THHJ,
Page 727
TWENTIETH
respect of salt. The total collection for the year was 313, II4 cwts, but large as that amount is, there is no doubt that it falls very far short of the quantity that might be secured if a more scientific system of collection and improved conditions of storage were introduced. The third district, Chilaw, differs little in its general features from its northern neighbour. The town of Chilaw is a centre of considerable historical interest. It was an important place in ancient times-the seat of a petty kingdom. From the period of the Portuguese occupation onward it has figured conspicuously in Ceylon annals. But these are faded glories, and Chilaw now bases its title to fame upon the fact that, like its southern neighbour, Negombo, it is an important fishing centre, and contributes no small share of the fish supply of the capital.
The North-Western Province has an evil reputation for unhealthiness. Malarial fever, to adopt the words of Mr. S. M. Burrows, the Government Agent, is “the curse of the countryside." Periodically epidemics sweep through the villages, causing heavy mortality, and paralysing the activities of the community. The Government have done much by the estab
* Administration Report, North-Western Province, for Igo.5, p. F. 2.
CENTURY Il
lishment of dispensari distribution of quinine other influences appe improved conditions. Burrows, " that our education, conducted O lines, is having, and wi future, a marked effec people. It gives the b a day; it teaches them. shape of drill and ga hoped that gardening to the curriculum; an rudiments of hygiene latter subjects will doub better trained masters
should like to see a
inculcate the evils of ( can nearly always, in a pick out those who g who do not by their Still, the situation ca satisfactory when we 153 births and 182 dea and that the Assistant C yet say that “the healt good throughout the ye
vé
JOEN GRAELAM JAYETTLEIEKE
EIULUGAILTE.
MPRESSIONS
es and the gratuitous to lessen the evil, and ar to be producing “I believe," says Mr. system of elementary n increasingly sensible ll have still more in the on the health of the Dys a good walk twice manly exercise in the mes, while it may be vill gradually be added d they are taught the and sanitation. These tless be taught better as come forward, and I special effort made to rinking. As it is, you crowd of village boys, o to school from those physique and bearing.' innot be regarded as find that there were ths in Chilaw in I905, overnment Agent could h of the town has been ar, except for fever.”
OF CEYON 719
KURUNEGALA DISTRICT.
S. N. B. M. T. B. LEWIS MOONEMALLE.
Semasinghe Navaratne Basnayeke Mudianselage Theodore Barcroft Lewis Moonemale is a descendant of Basnayeke Mudianse, who was Rate Lekam (which means Chief Collector of Revenue) at Moonemalle, in the Kandyan provinces, and son of John Marcellus Lewis, a Proctor of the Supreme Court and landed proprietor. This gentleman married Mary Ann, a daughter of that well-known figure in Kandyan life, John Graham Jayetileke Hulugalle, who also was a Proctor of the Supreme Court and landed proprietor, Kurunegala, and whose wife, Dorothea Peternella, was a member of the Tennekoon family, who were Ratemahatmayas of Pannala, in the Kandyan provinces. Mr. Moonemale was born in Kurunegala, educated locally by the Rev. H. C. Hancock and at Trinity College, Kandy, studied law under the well-known K.C., Mr. T. E. de Sampayo, and became a Proctor of the District Court, Kurunegala, in I89o, of the Supreme Court in 1897, whilst he has on several occasions acted as District Judge and Police Magistrate. When only thirty-eight years of age the Secretary of State appointed him a member
8388: 98
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క్ష్
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స్లోన్డో
MARY ANN MOONEMALLE. DOROTEIEA PRTERNELLA HULUGALLE.
Page 728
720 TWENTIETH CENTURY
TEE RESIDENCE,
of the Legislative Council to represent the Kandyan community, and he took his seat in July, 1906. He is President of the Kandyan Association in the North-Western Province, is on the Board of the Agricultural Society, and a member of the local branch, honorary treasurer of the Kurunegala Library, and Justice of the Peace and Inquirer in the Kurunegala district. He came into prominence in public life in connection with the agitation for the Waste Lands Ordinance in 1896, and headed a deputation to the Governor and procured some important land concessions for the Kandyan people of the North-Western Province. In I898 he married Enid Jocelyn Catherine, daughter of Frederick Jayetileke, late District Judge of Kalutara. The Hon. Mr. Moonemalle's ancestral seat is the Walauwa at Moonemalle, and his town residence is Mitford House, Kurunegala.
GODFREY EDWARD MADAYELA,
Mr. Godfrey Edward Madawela is the son of Madawela, Basnaike Nilame, notary public and landed proprietor, of Madawela, in the North-Western Province, and Ranmenike, daughter of Chandarasekere Gooneratne Tenekoon Herat Mudianselage, Banda of Walgama. Born in 1878, he was educated at St. Thomas's College and Trinity College, Kandy, where he passed first in the arts examination of 1897.
He then studied law under the Council of
Legal Education, and of the District Court ( and has practised as
MR.
since. He owns cocon of paddy-lands at Mah in the district in which He married, in 1903, F.
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
THE HON. M.R. MOONEMALLE AND FAMILY.
was admitted a Proctor second daughter of Mr. C. E. Tenekoon, reof Kurunegala in 190I, sides at Florinda House, Kurunegala, and has such in that town ever one son and two daughters. He is keenly
AND MIR.S. G. E. MADAWELA AND FAMLY.
ut plantations and tracts interested in agriculture in the island, and is akeliya and Madawela, a member of the Agricultural Society. he has his legal practice.
rances Alexandra Elsie,
Page 729
TWENTIETH CENTURY I.
球
E. G. GOONEWARDENE AND FAMILY.
R. E. DIAS BANDARANAYAKE. Mr. Reginald Edward Dias Bandaranayake is the son of Dr. William Dias Bandaranayake, of Heneratgoda, and nephew of the late Maha Mudaliyar Conrad Pieter Dias Bandaranayake. He was born in Kandy in 1878, and received
his scholastic educati College, and afterwards in surveying at the TI coming qualified as a
then joined the Irriga sub-inspector, but resig
MIER, AND MERS. R. E. DIAS BANDARANAYAKE AN
IPRESSIONS OF CEYLON 721
※s...x父s父°:
on at St. Thomas's took a course of study 'echnical College, besurveyor in 1902. He tion Department as a ned that position two
) INFANT.
“OLID PLACE.”
years later in order to commence practice as a surveyor at Kurunegala, and during the past three or four years his professional connection has developed considerably. He owns several coconut estates as well as tracts of land in the North-Western Province, and resides at Dambaliyadda, near Wariapola. He married Flora Ethel, eldest daughter of C. E. Tenekoon, R.M., in I906.
EDWARD GREGORY GOONEWARDENE.
Mr. E. G. Goonewardene is a son of Don Johannes Goonewardene, landed proprietor, of Galle, whose ancestors are said to have come from the Ratnapura district of the Sabaragamuwa Province, and who married Donna Johanna Wickkramanayake. He was born in Galle in October, 1858, and received his education at Galle Central School and at St. Thomas's College. After passing the Calcutta University Matriculation Examination in I875, he was articled to Mr. F. W. de Vos, Proctor of Galle, for the study of law. In 188o he was enrolled as a Proctor of the District Court of Galle, and in 1884 of the Honourable the Supreme Court of the Island of Ceylon and a Notary Public, whilst in the following year he transferred his practice to Kurunegala. Now he is one of the most respected in
2 Z
Page 730
722
habitants of the district, and has a very large practice there. He acted in 1905 as District Judge, Commissioner of Requests, and Police Magistrate of Kurunegala, and also as Additional District Judge of Kegalla. Mr. Goonewardene is the senior unofficial member of the Local Board, on which he has had a seat for the last twenty years, a member of
(Mother of C. E. Tennekoon.)
THE LATE DINGIRIKUMARIHAMY.
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
country Sinhalese wit Kandyan nobility. It 1 that he is the only b Goonewardene, J.P., U trate and Crown Proct
THE LATE MRS
CHAS. E. TENNEKOON AND FAMILY
the District Road Committee, a Committee member of the Kurunegala Planters' Association, and a member of the Agricultural Society and of the Ceylon National Association. On his estate, Bambaragodde, he has planted coconuts and rubber, and in addition to this property he owns others in different parts of the district. He married, in 1885, Mary Evangeline Ada, sister of the Hon. Mr. Moonamalle (daughter of the late Mr. J. M. L. Moonamalle, Proctor, and granddaughter of the late Graham Jayatilake, Proctor, who was at one time Hullugalle Ratemahatmaya). His eldest son, Mr. E. G. M. Goonewardene, is a student at St. Thomas's College and captain of the College Cricket Eleven. It is a notable fact that when Mr. Goonewardene married his was the first known marriage of a low
WJEYESUNDARPA G
KOON HERAT CHARLES EDW ENNARUWA. Mr. Tennekoon was I85I, educated at St. entered the Governmer attached to the Registr He became Presiden Tribunals in the provi Wanni Hatpattu in 18 held the appointment Dewamedi Hatpattu. for his district, Inqui. member of the Agric well-known pillar of in the district. In 188 Florinda, daughter of th
MPRESSIONS
a daughter of the may also be mentioned rother of Mr. D. G. nofficial Police Magisor of Galle.
2、
OF CEYION
Mudaliyar of the Governor's Gate and J.P. of the district of Kurunegala. His only son, Charles Wilmot, is now studying law, and of his three living daughters, the eldest, Flora Ethel, married Reginald Edward Dias Bandaranayeke of Heneratgoda, and the second, Frances Alexandra Elsie, married Godfrey Edward Madawela, Proctor of Kurunegala.
. S. JAYETIILILEKE.
UNARATNA TENNEMUDIYIAN SELAGE IARD TENNEKOON
born at Ennaruwa in Thomas's College, and it service in 187I, being ar's Office, Kurunegala. t of various Village İnce, Ratemahatmaya of 76, and since 1879 has
of Ratemahatmaya of He is Revenue Officer er into Crime, &c., a
ultural Society, and a
he Church of England o he married Elizabeth Le late Mr. S. Jayetilleke,
THE LATE MRS. C. E. TENNEKOON.
THE LATE S. JAYETILLEKE. (Mudaliyar of the Governor's Gate.)
HENRY LEONARD COX,
Mr. H. L. Cox, who has charge of the North-Western Rubber Company's property, was born at Rugby, and is the fourth son of Arthur Russell Cox, of Old Bank, Rugby. He was educated at the public school, and commenced his with a West II Indian Lane. He came to Ceylon in 1896, and spent six years learning the business of a planter under that veteran, Lieut.-Colonel Gordon Reeves, at Madulkelle. with the treatment of rubber on the estate Kepitigalle, of which he had temporary charge, and since I904 has had charge of the property named above. At an early age he joined the 2nd Warwickshire Volunteer Regiment, and became a member of the Ceylon Planters'
business career
merchant in Mincing
He then acquainted himself
Page 731
TWENTIETH
Rifle Corps on its formation in 1900, being one of the second contingent which went to South Africa for active service. After the disbandment of the force he remained in South Africa, and on visiting England later was attached to the Gloucestershire Regiment. He returned to Ceylon and resumed his planting occupation, and is now a keen member of the Ceylon Mounted Rifles. He is very fond of hunting, although his duties do not permit of his following the sport. He is a committee member of the Kurunegala Planters' Association and a delegate to the parent association at Kandy.
KANDEGEDIRA WIIJESUNDERA GUNERATNA TENNEKOON HER AT MUDIYANSILAGE JOHN GRAHAM TENNE
KOON. This gentleman is the Ratemahatmaya, Inquirer, Registrar of Marriages, and Chairman of Village Communities, Hiriyala Hatpattu. He is the son of Tikiri Banda, Korala of Angomu Korale, and of Bogolle Dingiri Menika Kumarihami, and was born at Agaranda in I863. He was educated at St. Thomas's College, Colombo, where he passed the Cambridge Junior Local and the Calcutta Matri
CENTURY I
culation Examinations,
of his education in 1887 ment service as extra Kurunegala. The fo appointed assistant Ga. Kurunegala Kachcheri,
ment clerical examinal In 1889 he was app Kachcheri, and in I89 Kegalla Courts. Two
was appointed second Kurunegala, and Pres Tribunals, Hiriyala Ha in 1900 he was made
WEHARA, WA MR. AND MRS. J. G. TENNEKOON AND FAMILY.
I889 he married Ellen Joseph de Silva Jayasu of Denagomu wa Walau He has nime children daughters. Mr. Tenn Wehera Walauwa, Kui
THE NORTH-WE COMPAN
This company, found over the Pitiakande gro
IPRESSIONS
and at the completion he entered the Governclerk, Land Registry, Owing year he was sabhawa clerk at the nd passed the Governon in the same year. inted to the Kandy became chief clerk, years subsequently le clerk, District Court, dent of the Village pattu in 1898, whilst
Ratemahatmaya. In
AUWA.
Georgiana, daughter of ndera, Mudaliyar, and va Tikiri Kumarihami. -three sons and six 2koon's
unegala.
residence is
'Y
TERN RUBBER (, LTD.
'd early in I905, took p ofestates, compris
OF CEYLON 723
ing some I,67o acres of land situated on the Kandy - Kurunegala road, in the district of Kurunegala, North-Western Province, at an elevation ranging from 3oo to 1,5oo ft. above sea-level. A considerable acreage was opened up in coconuts and cocoa, also tea, some ten to thirteen years ago, and the trees made very . considerable growth, especially the coconuts, the soil being for the most part of that light and sandy nature which is suitable for these products. About 4oo acres of tea were planted at the same time. This grew well from the commencement, and has paid for the upkeep of a large acreage planted with coconuts. The
J. G. TENNEKOON,
latter are now partly in bearing, and are giving a very fair annual crop of good nuts, which are turned into copra on the estate, the produce selling at top prices. Owing to the increased demand for oils for edible and other purposes in the home market, this product now forms a very valuable asset of the estate. In regard to cocoa the crop harvested during the past four or five years proves this to be a further source of income. In IOO4 a small experimental clearing of thirteen acres was planted with Para rubber, and the trees have shown remarkable growth, the land being suitable for the tree,
Page 732
724
"TWENTIETH CENTURY I.
s
Wტჭწჭწ Y-M
PITIAKANDE ESTATE.
PITIAKANIDE TEA FACTORY.
At two and a half years of age the majority of the trees measured from I2 to I 5 ins. in circumference 3 ft. from the ground. As soon as the new company took over the estates the felling and clearing of heavy forest reserve was put in hand, and during the south-west monsoon of I905 some 7o acres were planted with Para rubber from plants and seed obtained from one of the best estates in the Kalutara district, the old cacao-fields being at the same time interplanted with rubber, which made good growth from the first. were laid down about this time, and early in I906 large tracts of forest land on the south side of the estates were felled, cleared, and planted, the total area amounting to some 430 acres. Favoured with good rains, the rubber in these clearings made very rapid growth. It being an understood thing that young rubber grows faster and better in clean land, weeding has all along been paid special attention to. This has in no slight measure helped to produce the good results indicated. It may be stated that these clearings have been reported upon by leading valuers and planters as comparing very favourably with the best in the island. At the commencement of 1907 the remaining forest reserve, together with
Extensive nurseries
other recently purchas estates, amounting in all been cleared, and will approaching monsoon There is a large per labour, numbering close have their work :ut out estates in good orde: supervised by a Euro under the manager. again under his cont1 tors andi mative clerk details of the numero a good factory for th which turns out some A dispensary, with a situated in the middle C means of keeping the health during the tryi The company also ow property. s e
JONATHAN EDM JAYASU
Mr. J. E. de Silva Jaya well-known planter, DC at Kurunegala on June
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
TEE ESTATE BUNGALOW.
ed land adjoining the to about 300 acres, has be planted in the near in April and May. manent staff of Tamil upon 7OO coolies, who day by day to keep the These coolies are ean assistant working This assistant has ol numerous conduc, who attend to the us works. There is 2 manufacture of tea, 12o,ooolbs. per annum. resident dispenser, is f the group, and is the labour force in good ng season of the year. ns other up-country tea
d
UND DE SILWA NDERA,
undera, a brother of the enagomuwa was born 28, 1872, and educated
at St. Thomas's College and Wesley College. He read law under the Council of Legal Education, was admitted a Proctor in I898, and practises at Kurunegala. He is also a planter, and owns the estate Royston in Ranawana, besides other properties planted with coconuts, and stretches of paddy-land in the district, and house property in Kurunegala. He is fond of sport, is a member of the Kurunegala Tennis Club, and of the Library. His wife, Alice Maud, whom he married in 1896, is a daughter of Henry Karnaratne, Mudaliyar of Kurunegala (a native of Bentota, in the Southern Province), and his fine residence, ' Park View,' is one of the show places of the district.
Ă. A, DE ZILVA,
Mr. Alfred Adam de Zilva (born October 22, I865) is the only son of Francis Ebenezer de Zilva, at Galle,
Government schoolmaster
Kurunegala, Kandy, and Colombo, who in turn
was the second son of Adam de Zilva, one of the best known merchants and exporters of Ceylon produce, and also a resident of Galle. Mr. de Zilva was educated at the Central School, Galle, and at the Government School,
Page 733
MR, AND MRS. J. DE SIVA JAYASUNDERA
AND CHILDREN. PARK WEW.'
2 z **
Page 734
726
Kandy. He commenced his career as a planter on June I, I884, on Nella Oolla Estate, in the Galagedara district, under Mr. W. H. Cowley.
TWENTIETH CENTURY
Province, held at K secured no less than best tea and the best
DYNEVOR ESTATE BUNGALOW.
In March, 1885, he went as assistant to Mr. P. A. Brain, and in July, 1886, he transferred to Dynevor Estate as assistant to Mr. Edmund Scott, where he worked for over ten years. In December, 1896, he took over charge of Pitiakande estate, and worked there till March 31, 1904. On February I, 1904, he took over charge of Dynevor estate-the property of the Bambrakelly Estates Company, Ltd. Dynevor is situated on the Kandy-Kurunegala main road, about eight miles from Kurunegala. It comprises 343 acres, fully planted with tea, rubber, coconuts, cacao, and several other minor products. On the property stand a beautiful hungalow and large stores equipped with machinery for curing crops. The labour force employed on Dynevor numbers about 200 Indian coolies, and in addition a large force of Sinhalese labourers. Mr. de Zilva has been twice married. On October 15, 1896, he was united to Julia Sophia, eldest daughter of the late Mr. James Vanderslott, then Superintendent of Dea Ella Estate, in the Galagedara district, and sister of Mr. W. L. Vanderslott, present superintendent of Dea Ella estate. His second wife, whom he married on May 5, 1904, was Daizy Marian, daughter of Mr. C. F. Van Buren, a well-known Proctor of Galle. By his first marriage he has three children-two daughters and one son; and by his second marriage he has three sons. Mr. de Zilva is an ardent horticulturist, and at the last AgriHorticultural Show of the North - Western
duce, and seven bronze poultry, &c. He is an the Kurunegala Plante a member of the Ag North-Western Provin ing planter and a keen
e
GEORGE WIM DOD
ATAPATTU WIAE ANSILAGE UKKl
This gentleman, kn Dodanwela, is a son of Dodan wela Walau Kumarihamy, and w educated at Trinity and He entered the servic as early as I869, holdi the Land Registrar's I as translator of sanna ments. Later he bec village tribunals of W Dewamedi, Hiriyala, pattus, and Ratemahal in 1885 Ratemahatmay pattu, retiring on pens three years' unbroken s time he holds the offi Provincial Committee nance. Mr. Dodanwg in the first instance Walauwa Kumariham
MPRESSIONS
urunegala in 1906, he wo gold medals for the collection of estate pro
KW - "
: medals for vegetables, enthusiastic member of
rs' Association and also ri-Horticultural Society, ce. He is an enterprissportsman.
ANYELA GOONERAT
A IERAT MUD
UBANDA,
own as George Wm. of Kiri Banda, Korala wa, and of his wife as born in 1849 and | St. Thomas's Colleges. xe of the Government ng various positions in Department, and acting S and other old docu
ame President of the "anni Hatpattu, part of and Weudawili Hattimaya of Hiriyala, and a of Dambadeniya Hation in IQo2, after thirtyAt the present ce Of President Of the
under the B. T. Ordiela was twice married, to Ranawana Palihana
service.
y, and a second time
OF CEY LON
to a sister of the Hon. Mr. Hulugalla, Adigar. By his first wife he had one son, Matthew, who is now President of Gangaboda Pattu, in the Southern Province, whilst by his second wife he had one daughter, Helen, who married Mr. B. Holangoda Nugawela, grandson of the Dissawe of Harispattu. She died on May 27, I905, leaving one daughter, Muriel, who is at present at the Hillwood Girls' School, Kandy. Mr. Dodanwela owns various estates planted with coconuts, and tracts of paddy-land in the North-Western Province. The more important properties are Dikirilawa, of 3oo acres, and Deduruoya, of I25 acres. Mr. Dodanwela is President of the Provincial Committee on
DODANTWEILA RATTEMAHATTMAYA.
Buddhist Temporalities of the North-Western Province and a member of the Agricultural Society. His Helen House, Kurunegala.
residence is
Page 735
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
CHARLES PETER MARKUS.
Mr. C. P. Markus, son of Dr. Markus, M.R.C.S., Assistant Colonial Surgeon, Kandy, and of Agneta Charlotte, daughter of Ferdinand, head clerk of the Kurunegala Kachcheri, was born in 1854. He was educated at St. Thomas's College, passing in the first class the Calcutta University matriculation, and was later articled for the study of law to Mr. Gerald de Livera, B.A. Oxon., barrister-at-law and Deputy Queen's Advocate, North-Western Province. He was made a Proctor of the District Court in 1886, and on different occasions acted as District Judge, Police Magistrate, and Commissioner of Requests. Formerly Mr. Markus was an elected member of the Local Board, and at the present time is a member of the Provincial Road Committee, a member of the Ceylon Law Society, a committee member of the Agricultural Society, and honorary treasurer of the Agricultural Shows. He owns the cacao and coconut properties of Rhenil and Hewapole. In 1879 he married Eveline, daughter of Mr. J. V. Daniels, Secretary of the District Court of Kurunegala, and resides at Carlsruhe. His eldest son, Chas. Hugh, who was educated at St. Thomas's College, is now a Proctor of the Kurunegala District Court and in partnership with his father. Of his daughters, Helen
married Proctor Alf
Markus was instrumer worker, in getting th on to its present footi secretary of the institu
A. DE SILVA
Mr. Alfred de Silva J. son of Joseph de Silva J of Kurunegala, and Kumarihami, daughter of Kempitiya Walauwa, This was one of the earl a low-country Sinhalese of the Kandyan aristoc Jayesundera, Mudaliyar de Silva), was a respec halese of the Colombol settled down. in the Ku in the fifties, and serve ment faithfully in diff period of nearly forty y detective, and rendered Government, as the fol show :-
TRUE “Joseph de Silva Jay, preter for the three yea
C. P. MARKUS AND FAMILY.
MPRESSIONS
red Schokman. Mr. tal, and the principal Kurunegala Library ng, and was honorary tion for several years.
JAYESUNDERA.
yesundera is the eldest ayesundera, Mudaliyar, of Denagamuwatikiri of Lokubanda, Korale in the Kegalla district. iest marriages between gentleman and a lady racy. Joseph de Silva better known as Joseph table low-country SinDistrict, who came and runegala district early :d the British Governerent capacities for a ears. He was an able meritorious services to lowing testimonial will
CoPY. asundera was my interrs during which I was
OF CFYLON 727
Magistrate of Kurunegala. I found him to be one of the most active and useful native officers I have ever met; indeed, without his assistance it would have been almost impossible for me to do the work which had been entrusted to me. Although frequently exposed to considerable hardship and privation, he always carried out the instructions given to him honestly and thoroughly, and I should be sincerely glad to hear that Government had recognised his services by giving him a promotion which I can honestly say I believe to be well deserved.
“(Signed) F. R. Ellis. “ Fanuary 6, I88o.”
The ancestors of Mr. Jayasundera on his mother's side originally came from India in the year 236 of Buddha, i.c., 3o8 B.C., when a slip of the historic Bo-tree was brought over to Ceylon from India to be planted at Anuradhapura. They settled in the village Bodhipala Game, now called Denagomuwa, from dena, a coffin. (There is a tradition that the coffin containing the corpse of Maliya Dewa Tera, the last of the Arhats, was halted here on its way to Raja-maha Vihara for the cremation ceremony.) The surname of the family, Bodhi-Guptha (bodhi, a bo-tree ; guplha, guardian), supports the above statement. One of the ancestors of the family was Dena
THE BUNGALOW.
Page 736
JAYESUNDERA
DE. S.
A.
༩ གུ་༡༡ག་ན། །
MRS. J. D.E. S. JAYESUNDERA.
ALFRED BIOUSE,
Page 737
TWENTIETH
gomuwa Dissawa, under the Kandyan rule. His son, Kempitiye Mohatallehami, was concerned in the Kandyan rebellion of 1818, and was, in consequence, banished for high reason in 1819. His lands at Denagomuwa were confiscated, but he was subsequently pardoned, and his lands restored to him in 1826 by Governor Sir Edward Barnes. This Kempitiye Mohatalehami had only one son, who was Lokubanda Korale of Keumpitiya Walauwa, the maternal grandfather of Mr. Jayesundera. Mr. Jayesundera was born at Wehera Walauwa, Kurunegala, in I868, and was educated at Matale and St.Thomas's College, Colombo. He entered the Forest Department of the Government service in 1890, and was Forest Officer at various places in the Central Province until 1892, Government clerical examination, and obtained employment in the Accountant's Office
when he passed the
in the Ceylon Government Railways. He resigned his Government post in 1893 to take over his mother's estate at Denagomuwa. He has devoted his time to planting ever since. He plants coconuts and catch crops, such as plantains, country vegetables, &c., and has lately been experimenting with cacao and Para rubber. His magnificent estate at Denagomuwa, extending over 5oo acres (including paddy-lands), fully planted with coconuts, is one
CENTURY I
of the finest and hea Polgahawela. He ma with cow-dung and as curable on the estate, a is the safest manure for it is not so rich as artifi
of the estate are some and sold to European
at present he suppli Company mills at Vey of the nuts is done on permanent staff of co Indian Tamils and lov the greater part of the the neighbouring villa about 15o acres or mor “ M
in the months year. Some of the mo are at times cultivated the “ Yale ” and “o Mah: granaries at the old W numbering about fiftee
cultivated for the
done
Mr. Jayesundera is on gentlemen in the isla country rice. Another owned by this gen in the Weudawili H
Westerill Proville. H
THE FAMILY,
MPRESSIONS OF CEY ON 729
siest-bearing estates at nures the trees solely h, which are easily prohd which in his opinion coconut-trees, although cial manure. The nuts times turned into copra buyers in Colombo, but to the Orient angoda. The plucking e in two months. The olies on the estate are
s nuts
t-country Sinhalese, but labour is procured from ges. The paddy-lands, in extent, are regularly alha season,' which is Df June and July every ire fertile fields in them twice a year—both for The paddy Walauwa, Demagomuwa,
' seasons.
n, are always full, and te of the few Sinhalese nd who uses his own large estate of 200 acres Katupitiya, of the Northc owns house property
tleman is atpattu
at Polgahawela, is a member of the AgriHorticultural Society, Kurunegala, and manager of the Polgahawela Buddhist Mixed School. He was formerly Inquirer into Crimes, Daunbadeniya Hatpattu (his district). In 1898 he married Madugalle Tikiri Kumari Hami, youngest daughter of Madugalle Basnaike Nilame, of Eriagame Walauwa, Peradeniya, and grandniece of the late Advocate Dunuwille, of Kandy. Walauwa, Polgahawela.
E. G. DE SILVA JAYASUNDERA,
Mr. Everard Graham de Silva Jayasunder a, known as E. G. de Silva, is the brother of Mr. Alfred de Silva Jayasundera, of Denagomuwa. He was born in 1875, and educated at St. Thomas's College, after which he studied surveying privately. In 1894 he joined his brother as a planter, and five years later he entered the Government service as a clerk attached to the Kurunegala Kachcheri, and had charge of the Land Acquisition Department for the Northern Railway construction. In 1901 he was permanently appointed to the native department, and since 1904 has been President of Dambadeniya Hatpattu, and holds
His residence is at Denagomuwa
O MIRS. E. G. DE SILVA, JAYASUNDERE.
Page 738
730 TWENTIETH
his two courts at Polgahawela and Naramnulla. He is an Inquirer into Crime, a member of the Agricultural Society, part owner of the estates under his brother's management and of house property at Polgahawela. In 1899 he married Ada Emily Beatrice, the eldest daughter of Graham de Silva Seneveratne, Mudaliyar, and they reside at Polgahawela.
CENTURY
his brother Frank are contemporary Ceylon 1 valuable military servic rebellion of 1848 by
and from Kandy and a to Kurunegala. On A Daniels, son of the f was educated at Trini
MR. AND MIRS, FRED DANIELS AND CEI
FREDERICK NELL DANIELS, M.L.B., M.D.R.C. James Valentine Daniels, formerly the Secretary of the District Court, Kurunegala, and
later at the Royal Col serving his articles student-at-law under George Schokman, Cr
MPRESSIONS
well-known figures in istory. They rendered es during the Kandyan arrying despatches to :companying the troops bril 9, 1867, Fredk. Nell ormer, was born. He y College, Kandy, and
ege, Colombo, and after f apprenticeship as a his brother-in-law, Mr. wn Proctor and Justice
OF CEYLON
of the Peace, Kurunegala, he passed out as a Proctor of the District Court, started practice at Kurunegala in December, 1889, and soon gained a lucrative business. He passed out as Proctor of the Supreme Court in 1897, and was admitted Notary Public in 1905. He is an elected member of the Local Board, nominated member of the District Road Committee, a committee member of the Library, Tennis, and Cricket Clubs, Secretary of the Law Library, and Honorary Treasurer of the Agricultural Society, Trustee and Hon. Secretary of Trustees of Christ Church, and a manager of schools. He joined the Volunteer force as a private in 1886, resigned owing to his inability to attend drills, rejoined in 1892, obtained his commission in 1893, and since 1903 has been Captain commanding the 'G' Company of the Ceylon Light Infantry. In addition to his legal profession he is a planter of coconuts, cacao, and rubber, and his estates, Elogowapitiya, Wehera, and Delta, are well known in the district. He is also part owner of the Kurunegala Dairy, which supplies the hospitals and town with milk and butter. He married Eileen, daughter of Mr. J. H. Sproule, the well-known lawyer, Justice of the Peace, and member of the Municipal Council of Kandy, and resides at “ Eastfields,” Kurunegala.
$്
PUTTALAM DISTRICT.
, RICHARD CHARLES DE SILYA,
Dissanayake Mudaliyar.
Mr. R. C. de Silva is the only son of Sellahewage Don Bastian de Silva, landed proprietor, of Matara, and Dona Carlina, daughter of Mr. Don Mathes Jayawickreme, landed proprietor, of Matara. He was born in 1864, and educated at Galle Central School. In 1888 he entered the service of the Government in the Fiscal's Office at Kurunegala, and became Shroff Mudaliyar of Kurunegala Kachcheri in I 9oo, whilst in I9o6 he was appointed Mudaliyar of Puttalam Pattu. He is Revenue Officer and Inquirer into Crime, &c., for a district of nearly 122 square miles in area and 9,000 inhabitants. In 1885 he entered the ranks of the Ceylon Light Infantry, and became Lieutenant in 1904. He is the only native and administrative chief who is also a Volunteer officer. Mr. de Silva owns the Balnunugedere estate in the Kurunegala district, and several others, fully planted, and some house property. He married, in 1899, Alice Grace Amadore Jayesuriya, second daughter of S. H. Jayawickreme, Mudaliyar. of Kurunegala. He has the Coronation medal. His residence is “ The Walauwa,” Mundel, Puttalam.
Page 739
MUDALIYAR. R. C. DIE SILVA. PATTUWE WALAUWA, MUDAILITY A. R. R. C.
MIR. AND MRS. R. C. DE SILVA. DE SILVA AND ELIS STAFF OF NATIVE HEADMEN,
Page 740
MR. AND MRS. CASIE CHITTY AND FAMILY.
A. M. C. CA:
THE RESIDENCE. J. W. P. SENA
CARME COTTAGE.
SIE CHITTY.
TERAJA.
MR. AND MRS. SENATHIRAJA AND FAMILY.
Page 741
TWENTIETH
A. M. C. CASE CHTY.
Mr. Aloysius Mount Carmel Casie Chitty is the son of Simon Casie Chitty, of the Ceylon Civil Service, District Judge of Chilaw, and author of the Ceylon Gazetteer and other publications. He was born in 1853, and educated at the Colombo Academy and St. Thomas's College. He was then articled for the study of law to Mr. John Ferdinand Prins, Proctor, Supreme Court, Colombo. In 1877 he became a Proctor of the EDistrict Court of Chilaw, and is now practising his profession at Puttalam. In 1882 he was admitted as Notary Public in English and Tamil, and was for many years an elected member of the Local Board of that town. He owns the Palachola, Perukkuvattan, Periyakulam, and Mary Ann coconut estates, besides extensive paddy-fields at Pallankandel and Ponparippo in the district. He married, in 1878, Isidora, great-granddaughter of Simon de Rosairo, merchant, of Kalpentyn, and again, in I889, Mary, daughter of Manuel Muttukumara, and he resides at Carmel Cottage, Puttalam.
台
J. W. P. SENATEIRAJA.
Mr. John Wirt Ponniah Senathiraja, younger brother of Advocate Senathiraja, of
CENTURY IN
Colombo, was born i educated at St. John's he passed the Madras tion, and was readil Examination for nearly the meanwhile passed Examination, he was il ment for about two y ment service, he was al Ranesinghe, os Coloml his brother, Advocate admitted a Proctor Colombo, in I893, and Puttalam, in 1894. In enrolled a Proctor S. and is now a Justice of official Police Magistra ber of the District Road Ceylon National Assc Society; Agricultural Sc in-Need Society, Puttala He married, in I898, AI of Mr. John Caitan de storekeeper at Puttala the leading Proctor at t owns, amongst other Sirambiadi (20o acres); district.
S. M. P. VANDER3OEN.
IPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
1 Jaffna in 1863, and College, Jaffna, where Matriculation Examinag for the First Arts two years. he Government Clerical
the service of Governars. Leaving Governticled to Proctor W. P. o, and read law under
Having in
Senathiraja. He was of the District Court, became Crown Proctor,
the year 1897 he was C. and Notary Public, the Peace and an Un
te. He is also a mem| Committee, Puttalam; ciation; Ceylon Law ciety, Puttalam; Friendm; and a Prison Visitor. line Sellamma, daughter Coste, Government salt m. Mr. Senathiraja is he Puttalam bar, and he s, the coconut estates and Katekadu, Puttalam
733
SUSIEPILLAI MUDALIYAR P, YANDERKOEN.
Mr. Susepillai Mudaliyar Philip Vanderkoen, son of Susepillai Mudaliyar, of Mannar, and Mary, daughter of Savarimuttu Superanamiam, Mudaliyar, of Jaffna, was born in 1864, and educated at St. Patrick's, Jaffna, and St. Joseph's College, Trichinopoly. Upon the completion of his college training he took charge of his father's planting and farming affairs at Mannar, but in 1888 he entered the Government service as Udaiyar (Mohandiram) of Mantac North (Mannar), and general storekeeper there in I894. He became salt storekeeper at Kalpitiya and Puttalam, and in I902 was made District Mudaliyar of the former place as well as Salt Superintendent there. He is a Justice of the Peace and Unofficial Police Magistrate, and a member of the Agricultural Society and the Public Service Mutual Provident Association. He married, in 1889, Ann, daughter of Emanual Sinnatambi, of the Jaffna Kachcheri, and resides at “ The ' Kalpitiya. His eldest daughter, married Francis Xavier
Mansion, Gertrude Sophia, Nicholas, of Jaffna.
THE BUNGALOW
Page 742
734 "TWENTIETH CENTURY
LONGINUS ANTHONY DE ROSAIRO,
Mr. L. A. de Rosairo, son of John Louis de Rosairo, of the District Road Committee of Puttalam, and of Mary, daughter of Emmanuel David, a landed proprietor of the district, was born in I859, and educated at St. Mary's School, Negombo. Previous to adopting coconut-planting he assisted Mr. D. M. de Rosairo, who was Mudaliyar of Kalpitiya, in his official duties, acting for him on various occasions. He eventually commenced coconut-planting, and owns Mutwal, an estate at Kalpitiya, which is famous throughout the island for the excellence of its copra. In addition he is the owner of some house property. In 188o he was appointed Registrar of Births, Marriages, and Deaths. He married in the following year Seraphina, daughter of D. M. de Rosairo, District Mudaliyar, Kalpitiya, and has one son, who assists him on the estate. His residence is “ Rosebank,” Kalpitiya.
ADAM MUTTUKUMARA,
Mr. A. Muttukumara, son of Robert Melho Muttukumara, Assistant Shroff of Puttalam
L. A. DE TROS.A.I.
Kachcheri, and Johann Pulle, and grandson of
E. A. M.U.I.
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
R,OʼS IBUNGALOW.
(, daughter of Kurunata Mudaliyar of Kalpitiya, was born at Mampuri Adam Cadiravela Pulle, in 1872, and educated at the Royal College. He read law and became a Proctor at the District Court, Puttalam, in 1897, and in 1898 was elected a member of the Local Board. He -- is also a member of the Ceylon National Association and the Agricultural Society. He owns the Serambiadiutcham estate, fully planted, and resides at “Cyrillhurst." He married, in I903, Sarah, daughter of the Hon. Dr. Rockwood, Colombo. Mr. Muttukumaras cousin, Emmanuel Anthony, who was the son of Solomon Foenander Muttukumara, Notary Public and landed proprietor of Puttalam, and Mary, sister of the well-known Advocate Brito, was educated at the Royal College, and after serving articles with Advocate Brito and Proctor Edward Prins, became Crown Proctor, Puttalam, and Justice of the Peace in 1889. His career, however, was cut short by his comparatively early death in 1895.
WILFRED ADAM MUTTUKUMARA.
Mr. W. A. Muttukumara is a son of Manuel UKUMARA. Muttukumara, salt storekeeper and proprietary
Page 743
TWENTIETH
planter, Puttalam, and of Cecilia, daughter of Manuel Davidupulle, of Katakadu. He was born in 188o, and educated at St. Benedict's Institute and afterwards at St. Joseph's College. He studied law privately and under the Council of Legal Education, and became Proctor of the District Court, Puttalam, in 1903. He is a member of the Ceylon National Association, the Catholic Union, the Catholic Club, and is Secretary to the local Agricultural Society. His residence is Cecilia House, Puttalam. Mr. Muttukumara, jointly with his brothers and sisters, is the owner of several coconut estates, notably the one at Alancuda, of 4oo acres more or less, fully equipped. He also owns tracts of paddy-lands and house property. The family of, which he is a member is much respected,
-
W. A. MUTTUKUMARA
and his sisters married to Proctor A. M. C. Casie Chitty and Mr. M. J. Paul de Coste, of the Forest Department, respectively.
舒、
CHILAW DISTRICT.
JAMES E DYARD COREA
The Corea family is descended from Vikrama Sinha Mudaliyar, who was the Commander-inChief of the forces of the great king of Sitavaka, Mayadunna, in his wars against the Portuguese, which nation had been given a footing in Colombo by the weak-minded king of Kotta, Bhuvaneka Bahu, brother of Mayadunna. When the Portuguese commander, Don Diego de Ataide, was besieged in Colombo in 1564 A.D. by Mayadunna and his son Rajasinha (called by the Portuguese writers Raju), the Portuguese chronicler. De Couto says that his countrymen were reduced to great want by the tactics of Vikrama Sinha Mudaliyar, who in
CENTURY I
tercepted all their su marshal (Mestre de repeatedly cut off the despatched by Don Die VIII.). After the death ( Sinha Mudaliyar was t on the secret orders of De Couto, in recordin Vikrama Sinhaas Rajas and Master of the Can learnt the art of war, him. such faithful servi of Vikrama Sinha his in Colombo, where k reigning over the kin the protection of the commanded by an off Corea de Baretto. Th under the names of Simmon Corea, and recei tion, and grew up amor company of the young dara, whose father, Vi Peradeniya, had also orders of Rajasinha, a tized in the name of DC became king of Cey Vimala Dharmasuriya was laying vigorous s prince volunteered to v to espouse the cause of Donna Catherina (who her kingdom by Rajasir under the protection Mannar), and to cause from the hill-country. been totally defeated 1 in battle (A.D. 1592), ceived the idea of marr" queen to a Portuguese Sousa), in order by t mastery of the whol naturally resented by Kandyans, who, led by arms against the Port rina was rescued frol
Don John, received with acclama At this crisis Dominicu and his brother offered their services t youth, Don John Vima welcomed them with cus to the rank of a “History of Ceylon,' c him a State Secretary Dominicus Corea succe Vimala Dharmasuriya commander, Don Jeror sequently, in 1597, he and quartered as a rebe Decade XI, Fana y younger brother rose t
1married
Sin
MPRESSIONS OF CEY LON
plies. "Raju's FieldCampo), Bicaruasinga, convoys which were go” (De Couto; Decade if Mayadunna, Vikrama teacherously murdered Rajasinha (Rajavaliya). g this event, describes nha's ''Chief Mudaliyar up, from whom he had ind who had rendered ce." Upon the murder wo sons sought Safety ing Dharmapala was gdom of Kotta under Portuguese, who were icer named Don John ere they were baptized Dominicus Corea and ved a Christian educag the Portuguese in the Prince Konappu Banrasundara Bandara, of been murdered on the ld who had been bapin John, and afterwards lon under the title of ... When Rajasinha iege to Colombo, this vin over the Kandyans their lawful sovereign, had been driven out of nha, and was them living of the Portuguese at them to harass the king When Rajasinha had by Don John and slain the Portuguese conying the young Kandyan officer (Pedro Lopes de hat means to gain the e country. This was Don John and the Don John, turned their uguese. Donna Cathem the Portuguese and who was thereupon tion as king of Kandy. s Corea Vikrama Sinha on left Colombo, and o the comrade of their la Dharmasuriya, who oy, and raised Dominiprince (see Philalethes' hap. vi.), and appointed 7 (Mohottala). In I594 ssfully led the forces of against the Portuguese ymo de Azevedo. Subwas captured in battle l by Azevedo (De Couto,
Sousa, Ribeiro). o great eminence under
The
735
Vimala Dharmasuriya. De Couto narrates (Decade XII.) that the king in directing a campaign "in the direction of Galle and Matura . . . despatched a prince of his named Madune Pandar and the rebel Simao Correa (brother of Domingos Correa Bicarnasinga, whom Don Jeronymo had ordered to be executed), who had assumed the title of king of Sitavaka.' Later, when Vimala Dharmasuriya's successor, King Senerat, made peace with the Portuguese in 1609, Simon accepted service under the Portuguese Governor, and was specially nominated by the Viceroy of India (Azevedo), for his “experience and valour," to the command of the native troops of the Portuguese, and was appointed the Dissawa of Seven Korales (Antonio Bocarro’s “ Decada I 3 da Historia da India.” See also Ceylon Review, vol. iii., p. 9, and the Rajavaliya), in which post he died in 1615. The present members of the family trace their descent from Dominicus Corea Vikrama Sinha, aster whom three generations attained to high rank in the Sinhalese Government. In 1619 Vikrama Sinha Mautri was created a prince, and appointed to the Governorship of Uva. His Vikrama Sinha, Mudaliyar of Peliyagoda in I63o, after whom came (A.D. 165O) Vikrama Sinha, Dissawa of Puttalam (see “Parangi Hatane," a Sinhalese poem commemorating the Portuguese wars). When the Portuguese were finally displaced by the Dutch, Christoffel Corea-Vikramasinha entered their service as Mohandiram of Hapitigam Korale. Louis was Padicara Mohandiram, an officer appointed by the Dutch Government to arrange for the safe conduct and provisioning of their frequent embassies to the Kandyan court. A Dutch act of appointment, under the hand of Governor Van der Graaff, dated March 2o, I 788 (now in the possession of C. E. CoreaVikramasinha, Proctor, of Chilaw), records the nomination of Christoffel Corea to succeed his father, Louis Corea. Christoffel Corea, the Padicara, was invited to Kandy by the Sinhalese king at the commencement of hostilities with the English in 18o3, with promises of favour and promotion to high rank, but died shortly after he reached Kandy, leaving three children, of whom the eldest, Abraham, became Mohandiram of the Chilaw district. The second, Johannes, was Mudaliyar of Alutkuru Korale, and was included in the list of “Firstclass Sinhalese ” prepared under the regulations for the selection of jurors when the system was first introduced in Ceylon; the third was Simon, who succeeded his brother as Mudaliyar of Alutkuru Korale, and was also appointed a Justice of the Peace. Abraham's son Christoffel was Mudaliyar of the Chilaw District, and has left four children : James Edward, Mudaliyar of Chilaw ; Allan and Jumeaux, proprietary planters; and James Abraham,
SO WaS
His son
Page 744
MUDAILYAR. J. E. COREA. MR. AND MIRS. J. E.
THE MOTHER, OF MIUDAILYAR, J. E. COREA, M
彎。
い x : :
قانوني.
. COREA AND FAMILY. THE RESIDENCE.
IUDALYAR. J. E. COREA AND INATIVE HEADMEN.
Page 745
TWENTIETH
Proctor. Johannes had one son, Simon, who was Mohandiram of the city of Colombo. His only surviving child is a daughter. Simon Corea-Vikramasinha, J.P., Mudaliyar of Alutkuru Korale, had five children, of whom Charles Edward was Proctor of the Supreme Court, Henry Richard was Mudaliyar of Alutkuru Korale, George Edmund was a Master of the Royal College. The other two, Jumeaux and Simon, have left no descendants. Charles Edward has left three sons, the eldest of whom, Charles Edgar, Proctor, is the unofficial leader of the Chilaw Bar, a member of the Royal Asiatic Society, and Chairman of the Chilaw Association. In 1899 he was elected by the various native associations in Ceylon and a public meeting in Colombo to proceed to England as a delegate of the people of Ceylon to lay before the Imperial Government a representation against the Waste Lands Ordinance. The second son, Alfred Ernest, is a physician, and the youngest, Charles Edward Victor, is an Advocate of the Supreme Court. The Mudaliyar Henry's only son, James Alfred, is Mohandiram in the historic town of Madampe, in the Chilaw district. Winzer, the eldest son of George, is an officer in the Government Police, and the second son, Frederick, is a Proctor at Negombo.
In addition to the hereditary rank of Prince conferred on Dominicus Corea-Vikramasinha by King Vimala Dharmasuriya, the family have acquired from the Dutch and English Governments the following Patabendi titles: Abhayaratna, Gunasekera, Vikramasundara, Vijayasekera. The living members of the family, however, only use the simple surname Corea, and sometimes Corea-Vikramasinha.
James Edward Corea Abhayaratna Vijayasekera, Mudaliyar, Pitigal Korale, North Chilaw, was born on December 2, 1865, and educated at the Colombo Academy, now the Royal College, and entered the Government service in 1887, being attached to the Provincial Road Committee at Kurunegala. In I888 he was appointed to the District Road Committee, Chilaw, and in 1899 became Mudaliyar, Pitigal Korale North, and has held that office ever since. He is also the Inspector of Coaches and Inquirer into Crimes of the Chilaw District, and in charge of the rural police in Pitigal Korale North. He is the Chairman of the Village Committee and President of the Council of Irrigation, and is a landed proprietor and planter, owning extensive estates. Among others he possesses the Karrukkuwa, Tittakada, and Tambagalle coconut estates in the Chilaw District, as well as large tracts of paddy-lands. He is a member of the Committee of the Agricultural and Horticultural Society. In 1888 he married Frances Eleanor Terentia daughter of D. C. Ameresekera, Proctor of the Supreme Court of Kurunegala.
CENTURY
His ancestral home is the Walauwa at official residence is til Chilaw.
JUMEAUX ARTE CO Jumeaux Arthur
third son of the la Corea, Mudaliyar, Chi in I873, and educated In 1893 he entered the ment, and four years 1 surveyor's examinat practice at Chilaw a
MPRESSIONS
und Country residence Karukkuwa, whilst his e Korale Walau wa at
MIR AND MIRS, J. A.
UR CHRISTOFFEL REA. Christoffel Corea, the e Johannes Christoffel aw, was born at Chilaw at the Wesley College. Ceylon Survey Departter passed the licensed Ο 1. He commenced licensed surveyor and
OF CEYLON 737
leveller, is holder of the Surveyor-General's special licence to survey Crown land and fiscal's licensed surveyor for the districts of Kurunegala and Chilaw, and is a member of
C. COREA AND FAMILY.
the Chilaw Association and the Chilaw Tennis Club. In I902 he married Adeline Beatrice Lucy, daughter of the late Don Condrad Ameresekera, Proctor, Supreme Court, Kurunegala, and their children are (I) Ordella Beatrice Claribel ; (2) Eulalie Hypatia Adelaide. Mr. Corea is interested in and owns coconut estates in the villages Puliyankadawara Alut kurumulla and Villattawa, Karukkuwa, Ernuwila, and Kirimetiyana, tracts of
3A
Page 746
788
fields in Kirimetiyana, and building lots within the Local Board limits of Chilaw.
PERCIWAL ALLAN COREA.
Mr. P. A. Corea is the second son of the late Johannes Christoffel Corea, Mudaliyar, Chilaw, and brother of Mudaliyar. J. E. Corea, Chilaw He was born at Karukkuwa, in I87o, and He is a planter,
educated at Wesley College.
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
London College of E and winning the juni He read law, was adr District Court in I906 Chilaw. He is a m
National Association a1 ciation, Vice-President Association, and sub-ca Cyclists' Union.
蔓。 مسلمانه شته -
MR. AND MRS. IEP. A. COREA AND FAMILY.
owning a number of coconut plantations, including Mugunuwattewara. He is also proprietary superintendent of the ancestral property called the Karukkuwa Walauwa estate, and is a member of the Chilaw Association. He married, in 1899, Cicely Augusta, daughter of the late George Edmund Corea, Secretary of the District Court of Negombo.
THOMAS MATTHEY FERNANDO.
Mr. T. M. Fernando is the son of the late Romuald Fernando, landed proprietor, of Mount Lavinia. He was born in 1883, and educated at the Royal and St. Joseph's Colleges, passing the Cambridge Local Junior Examination, the
sinha II.
J. C. A. E.
Charles Ar
known as
James
Kullatilake; Mudaliyar, is a descenc who was one of the n Attanayika” Ekainayika and Amara of Protector of the
Sinhalese and Dutch G yake Nilame of Kelai Their descendant, Fr mentioned in records a the Dutch régime, at succeeded by his son, Hapitigam Korale in was Mudaliyar of the but his son did not ho
MPRESSIONS
"receptors' examination, or mathematical prize. mitted a Proctor of the and now practises at ember of the Ceylon ld of the Chilaw Assoof St. Mary's Literary ptain of the Moratuwa
OF CEYLON
grandfather of the subject of this sketch, who was born in 1848. Mr. Amarasekere was educated at the Colombo Academy, and learned administrative and revenue work under his uncle, Johannes Christoffel Corea, Mudaliyar of the Pitigal Korale. He was appointed Deed Clerk, Puttalam Kachcheri, in 1872, and held acting appointments as Mohandiram and Kachcheri Mudaliyar from 1873 to 1874. In 1874 he was Mohandiram, Kurunegala Kachcheri, and in 1881 he was President of the Village Tribunals
赛
T. M. FERNANDO.
KULATILAKE., marasekere Ekanayake s J. C. Amarasekere, lant of one Attanayika, ninisters of King Rajas sons and grandsons, sekere, held the office Boundary between the rovernments and Basnani Dewale respectively. ancis Amarasekere, is s a Mohandiram, under Gotatuwa, and he was who was Mudaliyar of 1760. The latter's son same Korale in I785, old office. He was the
THE BUNGALOW.
of Weudawili and Dewamedi Hatpattus, NorthWestern Province. He became Mudaliyar of the Pitigal Korale South in 1885, in 1899 was appointed Inquirer into Crimes, and in I903 Justice of the Peace and Unofficial Police Magistrate, Chilaw district. He is Revenue Officer for his district and Chairman of the Village Committees. He owns a great deal of property, amongst his coconut estates being Peniheleyagama, Dunkanawe, and Dampitiya, fully planted and equipped, whilst he has paddylands and house property in the Chilaw district. Mr. Amarasekere is on the committee of the Agricultural Society, and greatly interested in education. In 188o he married Louisa Lily, daughter of Cornelis de Silva Munesinghe Dessanayake, Mudaliyar of Kandy Kachcheri,
Page 747
FAMILY GROUP. THE BUNGALOW,
MUIDALIYAR J. C.
MUIDALIYAR J. C. AMARASEKERE. AMARASEKERE AND HIS NATIVE HEADMEN.
Page 748
740 TWENTIETH
and a second time Margaret, his deceased wife's sister. He has three soms and three daughters. He resides at Natandiya Walauwa, Pitigal Korale Central.
T. J. COOKE.
Mr. Thomas James Cooke is the son of Nathaniel James Cooke, who was formerly
THOMAS JAMES COOKE.
Government doctor of Chilaw and afterwards Government Proctor and Justice of the Peace, and Louisa Arnoldina, daughter of Johannes Nicolas Pieris, Deputy Fiscal of Chilaw. He is the grandson of James Cooke, of H.M.'s Ioth Regiment of foot, stationed at Colombo, who married there in I806. Born at Chilaw in I849, he was educated at Colombo Academy,
NATHANIEL JAMES COOKE,
after which he was articled for the study of law to Mr. Cecil Morgan, Government Proctor of Colombo. He became Proctor of the district
CENTURY
Court of Chilaw in 18 Court in 1877. On var as District Judge and became Crown Proctol Peace and Unofficial P and retired from activ was formerly a memb and of the District Ro he married Emma, Carron, of Negombo, the district, and is a District Court.
M
JAMES ABR Mr. James A. Corea i Corea, of whose family on a preceding page. and educated at the W passed the Calcutta examination. He read of Legal Education, an the district in I902 at He is a member of Society and Chilaw. A his cousin, Agnes Eve Proctor Charles Edwa owns coconut estates
THE LATE. W. DE
By an instrument d Dutch Governor, Lul
MPRESSIONS
o and of the Supreme ous occasions he acted Police Magistrate, and in 1883, Justice of the lice Magistrate in 1888,
practice in 190I. He er of thc Local Board d Committee. In 1876 laughter of Alexander wns coconut estates in Proctor of the Chilaw
OF CEYLON
appointed Anthony Rowel Maha Vidane and Mohandiram of Alutkuru Korale, and in the same year, for services rendered in the Kandyan expedition, he was, on the recommendation of Jan Jurgen Faber, made Mudaliyar of the same district. Miguel, the third son of Anthony, succeeded his father as Mohandiram of the same district, and Waruakulaweerasuriya Jayatilleke Elias Waruakula Aditiya Arsenelaitta Ambrosius de Rowel, the subject of this sketch, was the son of
Miguel's son Carolis, Notary Public. He was
R. AND MRS. J. A. COREA AND CHILD.
HIAM COREA.
s a brother of Mudaliyar a full account appears He was born in 1875, sley College, where he niversity matriculation law under the Council i became a Proctor for d practises at Chilaw. he Chilaw Agricultural sociation. He married ine Rhoda, daughter of rd Corea, in I9o2. He in the Chilaw district.
2
E. W. A. A. A. OWEL.
ted Colombo, 1763, the bert Baron Van Eck,
born at Waikkal in 1844, and after being educated privately, he assisted his father in his notarial duties and in the supervision of his coconut and tobacco plantations. In 187I he succeeded his father as Notary Public, was appointed Mohandiram of Pitigal Korale South in 1876, Titular Mudaliyar . in I887, and Mudaliyar in 1895. Two years later he became Justice of the Peace and Unofficial Police Magistrate of Chilaw, and in 1902 was made Mudaliyar of the Governor's Gate. He was a member of the Agriculttural Society and of the District Road Committee, and before his death, which took place in November, 1906, he was specially commended by the Governor for his faithful services. He married, in I872, Maria, daughter of Robert Lowe, of Marawila, and their eldest daughter, Dorothy Juliana, married F. A. Wijeyesekere, J.P. and U.P.M. and Presi
Page 749
MIUJIDALIYAR, . WV. M. IIDABEREBRA MUD THE LATE: GATE MUDALIYAR IDE ROWEL.
ALIYAR. W. M. DABERERA AND NATIVE HEADMEN.
TE RESIDENCE
3 A*
Page 750
742 TWENTIETH
dent of the Village Tribunals of Salpiti Korale, while Rosalind, the second daughter, is married to W. Martin Daberera, Mudaliyar of Pitigal Korale South, for a notice of whom see p. 745
J. A. E. COREA, L.M.S.
Dr. James Alfred Ernest Corea, of Chilaw, is the son of the late Charles Edward Corea, Abeyeratne Wijeyesekere, who was a Proctor at Chilaw, and the grandson of the well-known Mudaliyar. of Alutkuru Korale. He was born at Chilaw in 187o, and received his education at the Royal College, after which he took a course
CENTURY I
Kandy, but he resi service in I899, and h; his profession privately I897 he married Letitia of Mudaliyar J.C.H. Sei
GAMAMEDELIANAG
Mr. G. S. Perera, a n Negombo district, was dict's Institute, and join Appoohamy, in the a becoming manager of
J. A. E. COREA AND FAMILY.
of study at the Ceylon Medical College, extending over five years. After he had qualified at that college he held Government medical appointments successively at Elkaduwa and
elsewhere. In 1895 he mencing in the Chilaw owner of Rajakadalu acres, and owner of
MPRESSIONS
gned the Government as since then practised at his native town. In
Grace Alice, daughter
neviratne, of Marawila.
m
E SIMON PERERA.
ative of Talahena in the
educated at St. Beneed his uncle, K. D. Juan rrack-renting business, the rents at Jaffna and
2 took up planting, comdistrict, and is now part wa, an estate of 250
Naladarankaduwe and
OF CEYLON
Market View estates, which comprise about 35o acres, Ferry estate and others, in addition to about 5o acres of fully-bearing paddy-lands.
G. S. PERERA.
The whole of the estates are fully equipped, and copra is manufactured for the Colombo market. He was appointed in 1896 Registrar of Births, Marriages, and Deaths for Pitigal Korale North. Mr. Perera married twice, his first wife being the widow of the late G. D. Miller, and his second wife a daughter of the late Proctor Nawaratua, Supreme Court, Negombo, and granddaughter of Nawaratua, Mudaliyar of Puttalam. He takes a keen interest im educational matters and founded the Benedicta Girls' School at his Rajakadaluwa estate.
JAMES ALFRED COREÄ, Mohandiram.
Mr. J. A. Corea, a descendant (eleventh generation) of Wickremasinghe Bandara, chief of Seven Korales under the Kandyan emperor (I 52o-6o), is the son of Henry Richard Corea, Mudaliyar of Alutkuru Korale North, and Cornelia Wilhelmina Perera, and the grandson of Simon Corea, who was a younger brother of Abraham and Johannes Corea, whose ancestry is given in the sketch of Mudaliyar J. E. Corea. The subject of this notice was born at Negombo on November 23, 1871, and received his education at St. Thomas's College, Colombo, after which he learned planting under his father. In 1899 he became Mohandiram of Madampe (Pitigal Korale Céntral), and still holds that office. He owns Potuwille and Mugunuatuwane, both fully planted with coconuts, as well as house
Page 751
GOVERNMENT AGENT COREA. AND IN
COREA.
J. A.
AND MERS.
MR
AWE HEAOMEN.
COEREAT COURIT.
MOBIANDIRAM. J. A. COEEA.
(Government Agent.)
Page 752
744
property at Madampe and Colombo. He is a member of the Chilaw Association and the Agricultural Society. On June 7, Igo6, he married Eugenie Sarah Matilda, third daughter of Dr. John Attygalle, retired colonial surgeon, of Colombo, and resides at Corea Court, Madampe.
Y. A. J. FERNANDO.
Mr. W. A. J. Fernando, Notary, of Chilaw, is the third son of the late Mr. W. A. Fernando, who was a descendant of a respectable Karawa family of Chilaw who lived in the early forties. His father having died when he was an infant three months old, he was brought up as the youngest of a family of three children by his mother, the late Maria Madelena Fernando. When he was old enough to attend school he was admitted to St. Mary's School, Chilaw, where he acquired a thorough knowledge of the Tamil language, which helped him in a considerable degree in after-life. On leaving school young Fernando was apprenticed to the then practising notary of Chilaw, but this gentleman died within a very short time, and his successor in office was entrusted with the care of the young notarial student, and by him
TWENTIETH CENTURY
he was trained. On the Mr. Fernando appliec Havelock, the then ( pointed a Notary Pu Chilaw on August II married Miss Lucy
daughter of Mr. W. C a native medical prac resident of Chilaw. M neat and commodious of the Colombo-Chilaw Villa, where Mr. and their seven children, a Fernando is an unoffici Board of Chilaw, whi popularity and esteem
all classes of residents Mr. Fernando's lande( Kanpiculia are the pri deals in copra on a lal ways contributes to the of Chilaw.
J. P., F.
Mr. Joseph Peter F Manuel Joseph Fernar and peace officer of C.
LAURA VLA.
MPRESSIONS
death of his last master to Sir Arthur Etibank overnor, and was aplic of the district of 189I. Mr. Fernando Fernando, the eldest Santryago Fernando, itioner and a wealthy . Fernando has built a ouse at the Chilaw end road, known as Laura Mrs. Fernando, with e now residing. Mr. l member of the Local h fact testifies to the n which he is held by of Chilaw. Amongst estates Pulwalle and ncipal ones. He also ge scale, and in many rosperity of the people
RNANDO.
ernando, son of Mr. do, landed proprietor hilaw, at a very early
OF CEYLON
age commenced coconut-planting, and now owns some of the best known estates in the Chilaw district. Amongst these, Ellapahale, of 436 acres, Kohungahakotuwe, of I.20 acres, and Winifred Willa estates are the most important. He has numerous other smaller plantations, both near Puttalam and Chilaw, and on all his properties copra is manufactured. He is also a partner in the arrack-rents for the Chilaw district together with Mr. N. E. Croos, of Negombo, and he has fine arrack stores at Chilaw, from which the spirit is sent all over the district. He is the senior elected member of the Chilaw Local Board, and has been Coroner for the district for fourteen years. He is a member of the Roman Catholic Church, and married a daughter of the well-known planter Mr. Philip Perera. His town residence is Sandringham House.
J. C. H. SENEWIRATNE.
James Caulfield Herat Seneviratne, Mudaliyar, comes of a very ancient Sinhalese family, whose members have held the Mudaliyarship of Madampe (which originally had jurisdiction over the whole of the Pitigal
ä蕊擬排
W. A. J. FERNANDO AND FAMILY.
Page 753
TWENTIETH
MER. AND
Korale), from the time of its establishment to the life of the father of the present sketch. Every member of the family has held the office. During the Sinhalese monarchy the Senewiratne Mudaliyar was greatly esteemed by the king, as is evidenced by the fact that in 1758 the then head of the family was rewarded for his services with a large grant of lands in Madampe, lands which are still in the possession of the family. He was also given the title of “ Hami,' and shortly afterwards the Madampe Korale, of which he was the Mudaliyar, and which embraced the whole of the present Pitigal Korale and parts of the Kurunegala and Puttalam districts, became a Dutch province. In 1764 he was succeeded as Mudaliyar of the Korale by his son, who was, by a Dutch Act dated July 2 I, 1764, made an officer of the Dutch Governument, with the title of “Moodliaar in Koraal van de Pittigal Corle in van de pattoes naggam, mendi Pattoe, oothere, Yatugaha, Makandura, Ratdolane in Welpalle," by which it will be seen that his jurisdiction extended over the entire Chilaw district and a considerable portion of the Kurunegala district. This Mudaliyar was succeeded by his son, who is called Don Gerrit Senewiratne in an old Dutch document
CENTURY I
MRS, J. C. E. SENEVRAN
of I773. His son was Senewiratne Mudaliy Barend Herat Senewire
Korale and Demala H of the present holder Thus has this office b succession by membe family from the til kings.
James C. Herat Se Madampe in 185o and Academy under Dr. B Registrar's Office, Colo and in 1881 was Sh Kegalla Kachcheri. Il in I902, having been with the rank of Mu
recommendation of s Civil Service, includi (who is at present Gov and Mr. Bertram Hill tant Government Ag former wrote officially follows :-
' I now renew .
mendation that the bestowed on Mr. J. C. certify that in pers ( means, ancestry, and
MPRESSIONS
OF CEYLON
745
Don Johan Carlo Herat ar, whose son, Don utne Mudaliyar, of Pitigal at pattu, was the father
of the Mudaliyarship. een held in hereditary rs of the Sene viratne
me of the Sinhalese
newiratne was born at educated at the Colombo soake. He entered the imbo Kachcheri, in 188o, roff Mudaliyar of the He retired from service shortly before invested Idaliyar for life, on the everal members of the ng Mr. W. E. Davidson ernor of the Seychelles) who were both Assisents of Chilaw. The to the Government as
. . my strong recomrank of Mudaliyar be H. Sene viratne . . . I nal character, private connections Mr. Sene
THE RESIDENCE.
wiratne is eminently worthy of the rank of Mudaliyar.”
And Mr. Hill, in recommending Mr. Senewiratne for appointment as Mudaliyar of Pitigal Korale, placed on record that he “is a trustworthy officer of good family and qualified both by education, birth, and territorial influence to hold the place so long held by his ancestors.'
He married Nancy Gertrude, daughter of Philip Panditisekere, Mudaliyar of the Salpiti Korale and the Governor's Gate, Mr. Senewiratne resides at “ The Towers,' Marawila, and is one of the largest lando wners in the district. He has the coconut estates of Marawila (7oo acres), and Irenawila (820 acres), and the Iratakulana estate (5oo acres), the Henepole estate (400 acres), and many others in the Chilaw district, fully planted and equipped. He also owns Balabowe, in the Veyangoda district, and extensive paddy-lands, as well as house property, &c. He is a member of the Chilaw Association and of the Royal Asiatic Society.
YWI. M. DABERERA.
Waruakulasuriya Martin Daberera, Mudaliyar of Pitigal Korale South, is the son of
Page 754
746 TWENTIETH
W. Sylvester Daberera, landed proprietor of Marawila, and Celestine, daughter of Carolis de Rowel, Notary Public. He was born in 188o, and educated at St. Joseph's and Central Colleges, Colombo. In 19oo he was appointed Fiscal Marshal of Pitigal Korale South, and Inquirer into Crime and Death for the same Korale two years later. He acted as Mudaliyar on various occasions, and father-in-law in that position in November, I906, and is at present the youngest Mudaliyar in the service. In I902 he married Rosalind Prudentia, youngest daughter of the late Ambrosius de Rowel. He is Deputy Fiscal for his district, Chairman of Village Committees, Revenue Officer, &c. He owns some fine coconut estates in the Chilaw district, and manufactures copra there. He has also a fine modern steam fibre mill at Talwille, in Pitigal Korale Central, where sixty men are employed in the manufacture of all kinds of fibres, rope, and yarns. He owns house property and stretches of paddylands in various parts of the island, and his official residence is Wasali Walauwa, Waikhal district, Chilaw. He is fond of cricket and football.
succeeded his
CENTURY
YAVI. L. F
Mr. Waruakulaweera Registrar, is the son o registrar and landed pro Celestine Lowe, cousin liyar ; and his grandf father were both Moha
in I858, became Regis
and Marriages for Aj. and held that office u signed his official posit planting. He is one ( and best known men
His properties include
tuloya, Dunkanawe,
and Weerahena, all in well as Kunbukgamul district, and some fift all fully planted and ( facture of copra, whi Colombo, where it is : European firms. He
forest lands and house
a large tract of land Convent at Marawila Emerintina, daughter
Arasanilaitta Alvino Lo
Mohandiram of the Nor in 1854, Mohandiram C
THE LOWE WALAUWA.
MPRESSIONS
BRNANDO.
suriya Lodvin Fernando, f W. Roman Fernando, prietor of Marawila, and
of the late Gate Mudaather and great-grand. indirams. He was born strar of Births, Deaths, atacalau Pattu in I884, ntil I899, when he reion to devote himself to of the leading planters in the Chilaw district. } Kudamanewaria, BatNarawila, Bandurawe,
the Chilaw district, as le in the Kurunegala een smaller properties, 2quipped for the manuh is sent by canal to supplied to the leading owns also paddy and property, and presented for the erection of the . He married Agnes of Warunakula Aditta we (who was appointed thern division of Chilaw
f the Southern division
OF CEYLON
and Coroner in 1858, Mudaliyar of Pitigal Korale North in 1869, and Mudaliyar of the Governor's I88I), and Michaela, daughter of Manuel Fonseka, Mudaliyar of Kalutara Totamune, and a descendant of the Andrado family, of which the history išgiven in the biographical sketch of Mudaliyar Simon de Fonseka. His eldest son, William Rovino, born in 1883, was educated at St. Joseph's College and Lorenz Tutory at Colombo, and now assists his father in the planting business. The second son, Alfred, is attached to the Treasury Department at Colombo, and the third son, Cyril, is a student at St. Joseph's College. The eldest daughter, Winifred Charlotte, married W. Timothy Fernando, son of W. Savriel Fernando, planter, of Marawila. Mr. Fernando resides at Winifred House, Marawila.
DE. S. W. GOONESEKERE,
Gate in
J. A.
James Alexander de Silva Wijeyetunge Goonesekere is the son of J. J. de Silva, Gravet Mohandiram of Colombo, and Johanna Dias Bandaranaike, daughter of the wellknown Gate Mohandiram Malwane, Don Adrian Dias Bandaranayke. He was born in
1867, and educated at the Royal College. He
THE LOWE
FAMILY GROUP.
Page 755
關 ಫ್ಲ:
မ္ဘိဒိုးရှိိ၊
- W. L. FERNANDO.
W. L. FERNANDO AND FAMILY.
TIMOTHY FERNANDO,
WINIFRED HOUSE,
Page 756
748 TWENTIETH CENTURY I
THE BUNGALOW.
commenced coconut - planting in 1890, and now owns several coconut lands in the villages of Marawila and Mudukatua. He is also superintendent of Mudukatua, an estate of 3oo acres, fully planted and equipped. He manufactures copra, which is sent along the canal to the Colombo market, and buys coco
nuts in large quantities from neighbouring plan
tations. He is a member of the District Road Committee, the Chilaw Association, and the Agricultural Society. He married, in 1891, Evangeline Henrietta, sister of Proctor C. E. Corea, of Chilaw, and lives at Mara wila Walauwa, Marawila
MI. A. LUD0WYIK.
Dr. Martin Alexander Ludowyk, son of M. A. Alexander Ludowyk, late head clerk of the Galle Municipality, and of Juliet Eleanor, daughter of Jacob Jerard Kern, postmaster of Galle, was born in I867, and educated at Galle Central School and St. Thomas's College, Colombo. He entered the Ceylon Medical College, I888, and passed out licentiate in 1893. Subsequently he held various medical appointments, amongst them being that of Medical
Officer in charge of the at Hambantota. In I District Medical Officer
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
J. A. AND MISS DE SILVA GOONESEKERE.
: Boer prisoners-of-war charge of the hospital and of the medical 906 he was appointed judicial work of the district. He is a member , Chilaw, where he has of the Local Board of Chilaw and of the
DR. LUDOWYK°S BUNGALOV.
Page 757
TWENTIETH
British Medical Association. He married, in I894, Joyce Constance, daughter of Vincent Van Dort, deputy postmaster, Colombo.
C. V. MUNASINHA
Mr. Charles Welikole Mumasimha Dissanayake, Proctor of the District Court of Chilaw and Vice-President of the Chilaw Association, was born in 1864. He received his education at Trinity College, Kandy. From 1882 he was engaged for ten years in the planting industry, after which he was apprenticed for the study of law with Mr. J. R. Weinman, now District Judge of Colombo. In 1895 he became a proctor, and has practised his profession as such ever since. He is a member of the Polonnaruwa Munasinha family. His grandfather, Don Simon, was the son of Polonnaruwa Munasinha and the sister of Panditharatna Appuhamy, who was selected by Rajadi Rajasinha, king of Kandy, as tutor to Prince Muttusamy ; and he afterwards became Dissawa of Uva district. Don Simon Munasinha Dissanayake went to the Kandy district in the year of Waterloo, and was
CENTURY IM
selected by the Englis with Dassanayake Muda conciliating the people the rebellion of 88. and Don Simon only e artifice of the woman
resided. She rolled hi placed this in a corn another rolled mat on escaped detection. He of the Kandy distric Cornelius de Silva Muna father of the subject of English Government fo years, and has lived pension for the last tw 1848 he served in the Mudaliyar to the officer in the rebellion of 184 duties to H.R. H. the Du
the occasion of his visit I87o. He still holds th liyar, Mr. C. W. Munasi mina Welikole, daught and granddaughter ol Welikole, Mudaliyar, a c Ralahamy. He holds the Chilaw and Putta
FAMILY GROUP.
PRESSIONS OF CEYLON
h Government along iyar for the purpose of of the Uva district in The latter was killed scaped because of the of the house where he m in a large mat and er of the room with it, and in this way he was appointed Lekalm t, and his son, Don sinha Dissanayake, the this sketch, served the r forty-five consecutive in retirement on his enty-seven years. In capacity of Interpreter commanding the forces 8, and fulfilled similar ke of Edinburgh upon to the Kandy district in e titular rank of Mudainha's mother is Wilheler of David Welikole, f Kirawella Anthony lescendant of Kira wella extensive properties in
Iam districts. Francis
CHARLES MUINASINHA.
749
Welikole Munasinha Dissanayake is one of the five sons of Cornelius de Silva Munasinha Dissanayake, Mudaliyar. He was born in 1866 and educated at Trinity College, Kandy. Until I904 he was engaged in mercantile pursuits, but since that date he has been engaged in planting in the Chilaw district. He married Angilina Elizabeth Ameresekere Ekanayake Teulabilleke, sister of James Charles Ameresekere Ekanayake, Mudaliyar.
P. J. M.; FERNANDO
Ponanperumage John Mariano Fernando is the son of Miguel Fernando, President of St. Joseph's Church, Wennappuwa, and peace officer. His grandfather, Andrew, held the same position, as did also his great-grandfather, Daniel Fernando, brother of Eustacius Mohandiram of Wennappuwa. He was born in I876 and educated at St. Patrick's, Jaffna, where he was a theological student. He then joined his father in planting, and after the latter's death, in 19oo, he was appointed Constable Arachchi of Wennappuwa, and still holds that position. He is the owner of some fine coconut, estates,
FRANCIS MUNASINHA.
Page 758
P. JOEN MARIANO FERNANDo.
GROUP OF TENNIS PLAYERS.
MR. AND MRS. P. J. M. FERNANDO.
Page 759
TWENTIETH
the principal ones being Issanmeditte, in the Chilaw district, and Wanamewala and Kattinahana, in the Kurunegala district. He also has paddy-lands and house property at Wennap
CENTURY I
puwa, and manufactur in I9o2, Bertalina, dau Fernando Muppu, and pointed as the Presiden
- Z & TT
SOUTHERN
N its broad aspects the Southern Province closely resembles its Western neighbour. It is a coast province, with as its chief centre an important port-Galle-and having within its limits large areas of fertile land upon which important planting enterprises are conducted. Progress, however, has not been so rapid nor are commercial interests so highly developed as in the case of the Western Province. Indeed, judged by the standard of revenue, the Southern Province has actually retrograded in the past few years, as the following table clearly shows:
Year. Revenue.
I894 ... RS. I, I50,759'70 I895 o I,502,6826 I 1896 a I,525,656'9I 1897 0 00 1,536,421:57 1898 a w Ι,5 Ι4,4όοό8 I899 w 0 U Ι,659,44ο 47 1900 m ab I,599,48III 19oI - o P I, I64.042' 12
I902 - - - I,354,723'23 I903 o І,382,о4o'57 1904 8 І,275,223"25 п9o5 v a I,450,224"I2
Various causes have contributed to the shrinkage of revenue receipts revealed above, but the main cause undoubtedly has been the diversion of trade to Colombo. Tine was when Galle challenged the maritime supremacy of the capital, and seemed likely to beat it in the struggle, but with the completion of the harbour works at Colombo trade was gradually but surely drawn westwards, to the detriment of Galle, whose trade in time was reduced to very insignificant proportions. Now her wharves are deserted and “Ichabod' seems to be written upon a shipping trade whose traditions go back to the days of Solomon. If Galle's state is a perilous one from the standpoint of marine commerce, there is no reason to be despondent as to the position of the province. In the last five years the revenue has shown a marked tendency to increase, and this, it is believed, is no transient phenomenon. The great possibilities of the country are being recognised, and industry is feeling the vitalising influence of new capital. Rubber prospectors in particular have been quick to discover the
advantages which the exploitation of this mos agricultural products. taken up at various where the climatic ar. exceptionally favourab land sales in 1905 we years. In that year 2, of, and the revenue p Rs. I75,9o37 by the tral still continues, and it within a few years the become one of the mos the new industry.
In the matter of gene of the Southern Prov promising. The plum vancing by leaps and words of Mr. C. M. L. Agent. Not merely in along the roads converg roads leading to the v seen the sheds and sto bago is picked, sorted “The stores," says the a have quoted, “are of all humble shed of the vill: of the wholesale dealer plumbago is picked, s bags and barrels, and ou emerging long lines of children, whose faces, in the sunlight from th dust with which they ai Another thriving ind with the preparation ( In the coast villages heard the 'hammer, women employed in be along the roads may b children cleaning or
At some places t stout cordage for shipp
yarn.
the yarn is woven into part of the material is e Fishing gives full em boys all round the coast on by the women, ar
* Administration Report for 1905.
MPRESSIONS
es copra. He married, ghter of the late John l in 1906 he was apt of St. Joseph's Church,
PROVINCE,
province offers for the st promising of tropical Land has been eagerly points along the coast ld other conditions are le. The Government e the largest for many 162 lots were disposed irofited to the extent of nsactions. The 'boom' seems probable that Southern Province may st flourishing centres of
2ral trade the prospects ince are also distinctly bago industry “is adbounds,' to use the ushington, Government the town of Galle but ing on Galle, and along arious stations, may be res in which the plumand packed for export. uthority from whom we | sizes, varying from the tger to the large stores and exporter in which orted, and packed into ut of which may be seen grimy men, women and arms, and bodies shine e coating of plumbago'e covered.' ustry is that associated of coir for the market. "all day long may be hammer, hammer' of ating the husks, and all 2 Seen men, women and :wisting the coir into he cord is twisted into ing purposes, at others natting; but the greater Xported in great bales. ployment to men and ; lace-making is carried d gemming and gem
of the Southern Province
OF CEYLON 751.
Wennappuwa. He is patron and founder of the Wennappuwa Tennis Club, and has lately presented the members with a fine tennisground and pavilion.
polishing are also practised. The arrack industry, too, is an important one. In the Galle district there are 33 distilleries and there are 5 in the Matara district. The quantity of arrack distilled in Igo5 amounted to II4,215 gallons, of which 81,46 gallons were removed to other districts. The industry gives employment to І,32o men.
The coast scenery of the Southern Province is very fine. It struck Haeckel, the great German naturalist, who visited Ceylon in 1881-82, more than anything he saw outside the beautiful hill districts. In his work 'A Visit to Ceylon" he paints in glowing colours the picture which is unfolded to the traveller on the road between Colombo and Galle. "A
most beautiful feature of the Galle and Colombo
road," he says, “are the numerous river mouths which intersect the cocos wood, and the wide lagoons which stretch between them, particularly along the northern portion from Colombo to Kalutara. The former lords of the island, the Dutch, were so delighted with these waterways, which reminded them of their native land, that they adapted them to a regular system of canals and neglected the land roads. . . . Since the English made the capital highroad, the water traffic has fallen into desuetude. But they still afford a succession of pleasing pictures to the traveller as he is hurried by, with their banks covered with dense thickets of bamboo and lofty palms, and their pretty little islands and rocks; the tall coconut palmstower above the undergrowth like a forest above the forest, as Humboldt aptly describes it. The undulating hills in the blue distance supply an appropriate background, while here and there the high heads of the mountains are visible, and loftiest of all the noble cone of Adam's Peak. At the mouths of the larger rivers, several of which are crossed on the road, the smiling landscape assumes a graver character; the sombre mangroves are a particularly conspicuous feature. The shore of these estuaries is generally thickly covered with them, and their aerial roots form an impenetrable Formerly they used to be infested with crocodiles, but the progress of civilisation and agriculture has driven these reptiles up the rivers. The finest of the rivers is the noble Kalu
tangle.
Page 760
752
Ganga or black river, which I afterwards explored for the greater part of its length. The lower reaches are as wide as the Rhine at Cologne. At the mouth stands Kalutara, a large village and the terminus of the railway. At the southernmost end of Kalutara a magnificent banyan-tree grows across the high-road like a triumphal arch. The aerial roots of this huge tree have taken hold on the soil on the
TWENTIETH CENTURY
they look like a close labyrinth.'
To the south-east of little to the westward C southerly point in Ce times was an import attracted to it much of the Southern Provi the Hollanders are s
opposite side of the road and grown to be large trunks, and these and the main trunk form a lofty Gothic vault, which is all the more striking because a number of parasitic ferns, orchids, wild vines, and other parasitic plants have overgrown the stems. Not far from the shore near Kalutara I found on a subsequent visit another wonderful tree, an indiarubber tree, of which the snake-like roots, twisted and plaited till
THE FORTIFICATIONS, GALLE
an old Dutch redoub the Nilwella Ganga, w Matara still retains its and about the town plantations. Dondra montory covered wi famous as a place of thousands of natives temples. "These san
MPRESSIONS
lattice, form a perfect
Galle is Matara, lying a Dondra Head, the most lon. Matara in Dutch unt trading port, and of the cinnamon trade ces. Many remains of ll to be seen, notably
msummirumam
on the right hand of nich here enters the sea. commercial reputation, are many flourishing Head, a long proh coconut palms, is pilgrimage, and yearly are attracted to its tuaries," says Haeckel,
OF CEYLON
“have been alternately dedicated to Buddha and to Vishnu, varying with the supremacy of the native Sinhalese or their Malabar conquerors. Only three centuries ago the principal temple was an Indian structure of great magnificence, and so large that, as seen from the sea, it looked like a town of some extent; it was decorated with thousands of columns and statues and with gold and precious stones of every description. In 1587, however, all this splendour was destroyed by the Portuguese barbarians, who sent home enormous quantities of the precious spoil. It is possible to judge of the vast extent of this gigantic temple from the quantities of broken pillars which stand up from the soil. In one corner of the precincts a large dagoba is still standing, and close to it several Bo-trees, or sacred fig-trees. The remains of a smaller temple are to be seen at the extreme end of the narrow tongue of land which forms the southerly termination of Dondra Head. These are octagonal porphyry pillars, standing up lonely and neglected on the bare granite soil, and sprinkled by the spray from the ocean
surf which breaks all round them. Looking
westwards from this advanced foot of rock, the eye glances along the palm-grown strand towards Matara, eastwards towards Tangalla; on the north the view is shut in by the dense forest, while to the south it is unlimited over an infinite extent of ocean. The ship our fancy sends across the waters to the South Pole will find no land that the foot of man has ever trodden, and beyond that land again it would have far, very far, to sail before it reached another shore. If the ice-bound continents of the South Pole did not lie in the way, it would navigate unhindered the whole Southern hemisphere of the globe, and see no land till it should reach Mexico, near Acapulco, on the northern side of the equator.' Beyond Dondra Head a tract of hot, barren shore begins, varied by stretches of salt marsh which extend beyond Hambantota as far as Batticaloa.
The Southern Province is divided into three districts, each named after the town at which the official headquarters are established. These divisions are Galle, Matara, and Hambantota. The Galle district, the largest of the three, has an area of 652 square miles, and an estimated population, on January I, I905, of 607,602. Its interests are mainly agricultural, but, as has been indicated, manufactures are extensively pursued, and sea fisheries are actively prosecuted along the long line of sea coast which the district possesses. The fishery enterprises have markedly increased in importance since the completion of the railway opened distant markets to the Galle fishermen. Indeed, such has been the impetus given to local effort, that the complaint is made "that it is getting very difficult for residents of Galle and other towns
Page 761
TWENTIETH
to secure fish of good quality for local consumption, and that the prices paid at Galle (at all events for the European population) are quite as high as those paid in Kandy, Gampola, Nuwara Eliya, and Badulla, to which the choicest fish are transported by rail. It is not possible now to obtain a good piece of sea fish for less than 5o cents per pound, and I believe the price in Kandy is only 30 cents.'" In the Matara district the agricultural interests are of the first importance. It is estimated that about one-fifth of the total population (estimated at 2I3,840) are engaged on the land. About 40,000 acres are under rice, and there are 20,000 acres under citronella. The Welligam Korale is the seat of the citronella oil industry. In this area there are no fewer than 276 distilleries. Sea-fishing here, as in the Galle district, gives employment to a large number of people during the north-east monsoon, and is highly profitable. The Hambantota district is the least promising and most sparsely populated portion of the province. With an area of I,OI3 square miles its estimated population in I9o5 was only III, Io7. Agriculture here largely takes the pernicious form of chena cultivation. This wasteful system flourishes in spite of all official efforts to discourage it. In the more legitimate walks of agricultural enterprise the district makes but slow progress. Nevertheless, land is being taken up, chiefly for coconut, citronella, and paddy cultivation, and it is estimated that there are now altogether 25,OOO acres planted with coconut, areca-nut, and other fruit-bearing trees. The citronella industry here, as in the adjacent district, flourishes. There are 16o distilleries in the area, affording occupation to a large number of people. The sea also brings its harvest, while on the marshy lands of the coast salt is collected in considerable quantities by primitive methods. The last mentioned industry is hampered by the lack of proper appliances, and annually great stores of salt are wasted simply because it cannot be gathered in in sufficient time. Yet, in spite of all shortcomings, the collection in 1905 amounted to I64,532 cwts, and in the ten years ending 1905 the gatherings yielded 699,624 cwts.
In the Southern Province the system of
village tribunals and councils has worked well, and a really intelligent interest is taken by the inhabitants in the work. There appears to be much encouragement for the future in the way in which these local governing organisations are being worked. On the other hand, the black shadow of criminality which overhangs a considerable part of the island is here seen in its deepest shades. Commenting on a report furnished by the Superintendent of Police of the province, Mr. C. M. Lushington,
Mr. C. M. Lushington, Government Agent Southern Province, Administration Report for Igo5.
CENTURY I
the Government Agent tration Report for 1905 of Galle and the four districts) the proportic serious crime-that is, found on investigation basis-was as I to , community. In other of serious crime in a forty-nine males betwe and fifty-five living wi “Is it possible for ar. the mind a more lur: asks Mr. Lushington. this excessive criminal of the Police in his Lushington comments cant remarks: “The of the villagers, especia has been accompanied in the power and in men. For many year through causes beyonc growing less and less maintaining order. Lav result and, being ver naturally bred and incr village population has i lawless, partly in self places it is necessary í armed and to be ready his property, especially bad characters who ab this lawlessness and the headmen are well illust the constable arachchi o headman who has been ; against the bad characte a view to their success Section 83 of the Crim Elsewhere no witnesses forward.' This reads li report of a resident I during the land war. markable statement to document relating to a is often cited as a model Until a radical change will be impossible to ta the future of the conn lawlessness as that desc
6$šÑK
CiAL
There is hardly a pl: in connection with possesses so much inter fruitful field for the studi history of this island as of Galle. For Galle has
MPRESSIONS
shows in his Administhat in the municipality 3ravets (or surrounding n of true cases of
of cases which were
to have a substantial 9 of the tax-paying words, there is one case single year for every 2n the ages of eighteen thin the four Gravets. y words to convey to d picture of crime?' As to the causes of ity, the Superintendent report on which Mr. makes these signific growing independence ly of the lower castes, by a steady decline fluence of the head's the headmen have, l their control, been equal to the task of
wlessness has been the .
y little checked, has eased until the whole n many places become -defence, for in such or the villager to be to defend himself and at night, against the ound. The extent of powerlessness of the rated by the fact that f Ratgana is the only able to collect evidence irs in his district, with ful prosecution under inal Procedure Code.
; have dared to come
ke an extract from the magistrate in Ireland It certainly is a refind in an official British colony which of good government, has been effected it ke a hopeful view of nunity in which such ribed exists.
LE
ace in Ceylon which, European occupation, est and offers such a ent of the more recent
the sleepy little town seen many vicissitudes
OF CEY ON 7:53
and has changed hands more than once. First the Portuguese established themselves here, after many a hard fight with the natives; and then, just as the settlement had begun to prosper under this rule, the Dutch ousted the previous invaders. The Dutch held the place
LOYDS SIGNAL STATION AT GALLE.
for over a hundred and fifty years, to lose it in turn to the English at the time of the initiation of the present rule in the island.
The present town of Galle consists of two parts, the one situated within the belt of the
E. R. COCHRANIE.
(Galle Manager, Alercantile Bank of India, Ltd.)
old fortifications, known as the Fort, the other embracing the outer town, and populated solely by the native section. The fortifications of Galle, as erected by the Portuguese and Dutch, even to-day, after a lapse of over three hundred and fifty years, present a grim, warlike, and imposing appearance, affording no room for doubt that the sea-rovers of these two
3 B
Page 762
754
nations knew how to build. The stone facing of the bastions, harassed by wind and waves for centuries, is in as good preservation as at the time of the erection of these massive
defences.
From the present jetty, which juts into the harbour from a point of the fortified part of the town, the whole of the Master Attendant's shipping stock-in-trade may be seen in picturesque disorder. The main gate of the “water bastion' forms the principal point of admittance within the walls. On the side facing the water a British coat-of-arms of comparatively recent date, wreathed in fine representations of maidenhair fern and ivy, surmounts the ponderous stone gateway of some 45 ft. in thickness; inside, and above the interior gateway, is another finely executed coat-of-arms, dated 1668, and consisting of a shield with the letters V.O.C. (Veveenigde Oost-Indische Companie-Dutch East India Company). This shield is supported by two lions rampant, and is surmounted by a cock, the emblem of the town of Galle, the date being MDC.
To the left of this gateway is the old Dutch storehouse (Packhuis), where now the District Court, the club, and various Government offices are domiciled. The present police-station occupies the exact spot where the first Portuguese fort, “Aleza," used to stand, of which now only the upper and lower bastions, the covered way, and the portcullis remain. This fort was called by the Dutch “ Swart Punt,” which became “Schwartz Bastion' in English. This part of the fort dates from the year 1580. Where, in former days, tier upon tier of threatening guns pointed out to sea, an old muzzle-loader of King George's times, on a crazy layette, and two more modern muzzleloading four-pounders now form the whole armament for the defence of Galle. O tempora ! O mores !
After Fort Aleza, the next bastion, described as “Acker's Sloot,” was built in the year 1789, and named after the birthplace of William Jacobzoon Coster, who took the fortress of Galle from the Portuguese in the year I64o. The whole of this bastion, together with the houses facing it, which formerly comprised the factory surgeon's house, hospital, and invalids" garden, is now occupied by the offices of the Master Attendant, the Kachcheri, and other Government departments. Further along the sea-front are the Eolus and Utrecht bastions, at which latter spot is a magazine in perfect preservation, and bearing the inscription, “A. J. Galle den Ist Z.B.E.R. (September) I787." Next is a minor bastion on which now stands a windmill, by means of which seawater is raised into a small reservoir, from which the carts for watering the streets are filled. Close by, and inside another bastion, is
TWENTIETH CENTURY I)
located Lloyd's Signalli tapering shaft, to which vessels report themselv. year. The finest sectio the 'sea bastion '-was Portuguese in the shap afterwards enlarged by verted into a formidable and fort from the land account of its size, was into three parts, known and “Star' bastions, the to the present day. The solidity of this work, wit slopes, and cunningly c. striking. In the centre quaint clock-tower—forı mark of Galile—was rai subscription “to the Peter Daniel Anthonis Galle, in testimony of hi in relieving human suffe
Modern-day requirem cutting of a new gatew, walls at the end of the land side, and this openi principal entrance to th the reclaimed land whi race-track, just outside gateway, and stretches the railway station, used former times. Thus, th practically surrounded being only connected narrow strip represente road.
Դ SN
GALLE MU
In common with th “mountain capital' C chief town of the Southe a municipal constitution in existence now for ov proved of the greatest ment and developmer constitution is governe Ordinance No. 7 of 188 purposes are practically sister councils. As ex Government Agent of th ex officio the chairman O. and the Council compr nated and five elected under the control of extent a little bellow se a population, according 37,165. This area is d viz., Fort, Kaluwella, ( and Kumbalwella. Th mileage of thirty, and principal residential wa
MPRESSIONS
ng Station, with a tall, thousands of passing es in the course of the h of the fortificationsoriginally built by the 2 of a single wall, and the Dutch, and condefence of the town side. This bastion, on divided by the Dutch as the “Sun,” “Moon," :se titles being retained ! beauty, grandeur, and h its glacis, embrasures, overed ways, are very of the "sea bastion' a ming a prominent landsed in 1883 by public perpetual memory of Z, M.D., a native of s skill and benevolence ring.” lents necessitated the ay through the massive "Sea Bastion' on the ng now constitutes the e fort. The whole of ch now comprises the and over against this in a green expanse to to be under water in e fortress of Galle was by water in those days, with the land by the d to-day by the Matara
NICIPALITY.
le metropolis and the if Ceylon, Galle-the rn Province—possesses The system has been er forty years, and has utility in the improvet of the town. The d by the terms of the 7, and its objects and the same as those of its plained elsewhere, the Le Southern Province is the Galle Municipality, ises besides four nomi
members. The area he municipality is in ven square miles, with to the last census, of ivided into five wards, íalupiadda, Hirimbora, e roads have a total in the Fort and in the rds lighting by means
OF CEYLON
of kerosene oil is in vogue, though recently it has been proposed to erect a gas plant by subsidising a private company. The Fort Ward is supplied with good water from the Bikke reservoir, about two miles distant from the fort, while the other wards are supplied with drinking water from wells situated about three miles from the fort. The bed of the Bikke reservoir is 3o ft. above the level of the Fort Ward, has a depth of 3o ft., and covers 2 acres. The work of construction began in 1890, and was completed about twelve years later, the total cost being Rs. 73,44864. There are 3 hydrants and III standposts in the fort, which are open from 5 a.m. to III a.m., and from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. The system of drainage is poor, but sufficient for local needs, surface drains connected with underground barrel drains, which open out into the sea, existing in the fort, and surface drains leading into artificial canals, which again finally empty themselves into the sea, serving the other parts of the town. •
The chief officers connected with the Council are the Secretary, the Superintendent of Works, and the Sanitary Officer. Important works are in hand for the supply of water, the lighting of streets, the establishment of mortuaries, maintenance of burial-grounds, roads, and buildings in proper repair and condition ; and for these and other projected schemes loans have been taken from time to time from Government to finance the constructions. The revenue for the year 1905 amounted to Rs. 104,897.25 and the expenditure to Rs. IIo,4735o. The following comparative statement is useful as showing the receipts and disbursements for the ten years
previous :-
Revenue. Expenditure. Year. Rs. Cts. Rs. Cts. I894 ... 77,47I 96 73,4I7 68 1895 ... 70,905 96 75,572 I5 1896 7o,oog 98 68,o53 28 I897 ... 72,OI4 I4 79,32I 69 1898 ... ... 8ο,797 Ιό ... 83, Ιό4 72 1899 ... ... 83,862 45 ... 79,923 25 Igoo 95,249 I9 8I,923 92 I9OI ... 83, I92 74 ... 94„OO9 28 I902 ... . . . 91,052 67 ... 92535 45 I903 ... ... 92,886 64 ... 88, II5 8I
s
EDMUND ROWLAND JAYETLK
GOONERATNE.
The family of which this gentleman is a descendant was one of the oldest Sinhalese families in the Southern Province, originally coming from the hill-country in the interior. Don Bastian Jayetilleke Gooneratne, who was the last Atapattu Mudaliyar of the Southern Province under the Dutch rule, was appointed
Page 763
TWENTIETH CENTURY
THE FAMILY.
by Governor North to the same office under the British His son, Don David, the father of the present Mudaliyar, was the Mohotty Mudaliyar of the Galle Kachcheri. On his mother's side Mr. Gooneratne is descended from the late Maha Mudaliyar Conrad Peter Dias, his mother having been Miss Catharine Cecilia Dias Bandaranaike.
Mr. E. R. J. Gooneratine Colombo on May 6, I845, and was educated at St. Thomas's College, shortly after that institution was founded by Bishop Chapman. The young mall entered the Government service in the year I865, as translator at the Galle Kachcheri, and rose steadily through all ranks. He was appointed Acting Extra Assistant to the Assistant Government Agent at Matara, and also held an appointment as Police Magistrate at Balapitiya. Subsequently he became Registrar of Lands at Galle, and he retired in 1897, after thirty-two years of unbroken, honourable service in the employment of the Government. In 1883 the Governor, in recognition of his services, appointed him Mudaliyar of the Governor's Gate, and a Justice of the Peace in 1896. During the year 1887 he travelled
rule.
was born in
MUDALIYAR, E.
CERTIEICATE
extensively in Ceylon, I I897 he proceeded to representatives of the ( the Jubilee celebratio coirection with this sented to the late Q present King. After returned to Ceylon, a himself to literature an
He is a life membe Society, the secretar London Pali Text Soc
several works in Pali. gaged in writing an . one of the Sacred Te is a manager of a Bu built, at his own expe for priests of the anci residence is known Walauwa, a building the eighteenth century Mr. Gooneratne first daughter of Mudaliyar
Weligam Korale, sec keratme. He has t daughters. He owns
MPRESSIONS
*
OF CEYLON 755
R. GOONERATNE.
OF APPOINTMENT
ndia, and Siam ; and in England as one of the Jeylon Government for ns of that year. In occasion he was preleen Victoria and the a visit to France he
nd has since devoted d planting. r of the Royal Asiatic y in Ceylon of the iety, and the editor of At present he is enEnglish translation of xts of Buddhism. He (ddhist school, and has nse, several residences ent faith. His family as the Atapattu 2rected at the end of by his grandfather. married (in 1873) a ... W. Ilangakoon, of the ondly a Miss Tillehree sons and two several coconut, cinna
THE BUNGALOW.
mon, and tea plantations in the Galle, Matara, and Hambantota districts.
奖
FREDERICK E. ABEYESUNDERE.
Mr. Frederick Emmanuel Abeyesundere is the son of Don Pemyano William Abeyesundere, who was one of the leading native planters and landed proprietors of the Southern Province, also contractor to the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company when Galle was still the port of call of Ceylon. He was a member of the Municipal Council of Galle. In 1898 he was invested by the Pope with the Knighthood and Insignia of the Order of St. Gregory the Great, and the inhabitants of Galle presented him with a gold shield, set in rubies, in honour of the occasion. The family formerly resided at Bentota, but during the Dutch occupation lived at Bope, in the Galle district. Mr. Frederick Abeyesundere was born at Galle, in I868. He was educated at the Royal College, Colombo, and afterwards joined his father in the business of a marine contractor, whose office is in Prince's Street,
Page 764
THE LATE CHEWALIER W. ABEYESUNDERE.
F. E. ABEYESUNDERE. MR.
PRESENTATION GOLD TABLETI,
VILTA ÜCITTA.
AND MIRS. F. E. ABEYESUNDERE AND FAMILY.
Page 765
FRE
ESTATE BUNGALOW.
)'S RUHE.
CITRONELLA FACTORY.
E CHURCII. TEA FACTORY
3B *
Page 766
758
Pettah, Colombo. On the death of his father, in 1899, he took over the management of the business.
Some of the best estates of the Southern Province are owned by Mr. Abeyesundere, amongst which are Diwulana, in the neighbourhood of Galle, where coconuts, tea, rubber, and cinnamon are grown, and Fred's Ruhe, in the Dodenduwa district, of 1,200 acres in extent, which contains a fine estate bungalow, a fully equipped tea factory, and a citronella oil factory. On the same estate is the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes, which was built by his father, and where the latter lies buried. Mr. Abeyesundere's Malambekelle and Kahambilliagodakelle estates in the Kalutara and Ambalangoda districts are now being opened up in rubber. The produce of all these estates is sold in the local market. Mr. Abeyesundere owns extensive house property in various towns in the island, principal amongst which are Villa Lucilla, his private residence, as well as William’s Lodge, and the Britannia Restaurant at Colombo. Mr. Abeyes undere is a member of the Municipal Council, Galle, Southern Province; and he also belongs to the Agricultural and Horticultural Societies, the Royal College Union, the Catholic Club, and the committee of the Galle Gymkhana Club. In 1892 Mr. Abeyesundere married a daughter of Proctor Adrian Sirimane, Justice of the Peace and Unofficial Police Magistrate of Balapitiya.
TWENTIETH CENTURY
CHARLES EDY
This well-known G the late Mr. Andris prietor, of Mirissa, The doctor was born was educated successiv Galle, and St. Thom; He joined the Ceylo 1886, and in I89o where he studied at castle associated wit He then obtained the of Durham, and L.F M.R.C.S. of England of work in the Newc turned to Ceylon in 1 ing year was appointec Officer to the Galle Mu to his official occupa private practice at Gal Dr. de Silva resides “The Firs,' Middle S member of the Britis the Galle Gymkhana Agricultural Society. daughter of Proctor “River View," Kalutar the cocoanut, rubber, an Pleasant and Kadalbedo and Welligama districts
MRS. C. E. DE SILVA
TBIE: BUNG
MPRESSIONS
ARD DE SILYA
lle medico is a son of de Silva, landed prothe Matara district. at Mirissa in 1868, and ly at All Saints' School, s's College, Colombo. n Medical College in roceeded to England, the College at NewDurham University. degrees of M.B., B.S. .C.P. of London, and n 189I. After a term astle Infirmary, he re91, and in the followto the post of Health nicipality. In addition ions he has a large
C.
in his own house at reet, Galle. He is a 1 Medical Association, Club, and the Ceylon n 1896 he married a S. R. de Fonseka, of a. Dr. de Silva owns d tea estates of Mount dewatte, in the Galle
韋響彰 ... "
శ్లో
OF CEYLON
ALEXIKAN DER REGINALD SENEWWIIRATNE
This gentleman, who is the son of the Rev. A. C. Senewiratne, of the Church of England at Hambantota, was born at Galle, in 1863, and educated at Richmond College, in 1895, and Royal College, Colombo, from 1896 to I902. He passed the Cambridge Local Junior and Senior Examinations with honours, and joined the ranks of the Royal College Cadets in 1899. On the formation of the Richmond College Cadet Corps, in I902, he became Second Lieutenant, and was promoted First Lieutenant in 1903. He is at present one of the Assistant Masters at Richmond College.
要
EUGENE GODFRED DIAS ABEYSINGHE.
This gentleman is a son of the late Rev. Abraham Dias, advocate of the Supreme Court of Ceylon, and who was a direct descendant of Maha Mudaliyar Nicholas Dias Abeysinghe, who flourished about the middle of the eighteenth century. Mr. E. G. Dias Abeysinghe was born in Colombo in 1868, and was educated at the St. Thomas's and the Royal Colleges in that city. He joined the Surveyor-General's Department in 1887, and remained in that employ for eleven years. He was then appointed District Mudaliyar of Bentota, which position he has held ever since. In 1903 he was made J.P. for the district,
C. E. DE SILVA,
Page 767
TWENTIETH CENTURY IN
TEHEF LATE MUIDALIYAR DILAS ABEYSINGHIE. THE I
and he acted as President of District Tribunals on various occasions. Mr. E. G. D. Abeysinghe has been twice married, successively to daughters of Mr. A. J. Perera, of Kotugoda Walauwa, in the Negombo district. He owns coconut estates and house property in the Kalutara, Negombo, and Colombo districts. He is a member of the Galle Agricultural Society; and in his capacity as Mudaliyar of the Bentota-Walallawiti Korale he exercises fiscal jurisdiction over a district of some I46 square miles, containing a population of 42,000 people.
奖
CHARLES EDWARD DE VIOS.
Mr. C. E. de Vos is the eldest son of the late Mr. William Edward de Vos, Crown Proctor at Galle, and was born in that town in 1871. He was educated at the Central and All Saints' Schools, in that centre, and afterwards at the Royal College, Colombo, where he won the University Scholarship of I888, and left a brilliant college record behind him. In 1890 he proceeded to University College, London. He afterwards joined the Middle Temple, and matriculated at St. Peter's College, Cambridge, where he graduated in mathematics in 1894. He was called to the Bar in June of the same
year. In 1895 he return admitted an advocate C He practised for two y
THE CHURI(
now carries on his le where he was appoint 1899. He is Presiden steward of the Gymkha
IPRESSIONS
OF CEYLON 759
FAMILY. MUDAILYAR. E. G. DILAS ABEYSINGESIE.
ed to Ceylon, and was of the Supreme Court. ears at Colombo, and
EI TAELET.
al business at Galle, d Crown Advocate in
of the Y.M.C.A. and la Club. He is a keen
chess, tennis, and billiard-player. He is a landed proprietor, and resides at No. 26, Middle Street, Galle.
e
HENRY DE SILNYIA AMARASURIA.
Mr. Henry de Silva Amarasuria, the son of Thomas de Silva Amarasuria, Mohandiram, of Galle, landed proprietor, planter, mine-owner, and arrack-renter, and Donna Christina Jayasooria, was born at Unawatuna, near Galle, in 1872. His education began at All Saints' School, Galle, and was completed at the Royal College, Colombo. He then, for one year, served as Assistant Master at the Mahinda College, Galle. His next step in life was to engage in planting on the Monrovia estate, under his father. Having thus acquired a thorough knowledge of the methods of cultivating tea, coconut, and cinnamon, he took over the charge of the well-known Citrus group of estates in 1894. These properties he planted fully with the above-mentioned three products, and here he has also essayed the cultivation of the rubber-tree. Mr. Amarasuria personally superintends the work on these various estates, some of which are his father's properties.
The more important of these properties are
Page 768
MRS, HENRY DE. S. AMARASURIA. MERS, T, DE S.
AMARASURA. HENRY DE. S. AMARASURA. T, DE. S. AMARASURIA, MOHANDIRAM.
Page 769
MONROVIA FACTORY, THE
TEA FACTORY, AND TEIE WALAUWA,
Page 770
762
the Citrus group, of some 75o acres, of which about 15o acres are planted with Para rubber; Olympus, in the Baddegama district, of 243 acres, planted with tea, coconut, and rubber; Monrovia, in the Dodanduwa district, of 95o acres, planted with tea, coconut, cinnamon, and rubber; Belligalena and Koorooloogalle, in the Morawak Korale, of 24o and 62o acres respectively, planted with tea only. All the estates have residential bungalows, also stores and manufactories, turning out black teas, which are sold in the local market, where the marks of the various estates, are held in high esteem. The boxes
TWENTIETH
in which the teas are
CENTURY
published in I906 or Freudenberg & Co. w public. In Igor he youngest daughter of merchant, of Galile ar
THE ALBION PRE
This establishment September 2, 1867, the being felt at that tim principal port of call O was pregnant with
G
聆
R
ひ
f
TBIE ALBION PRESS.
packed are also put together on the estates. The factory on the Citrus estate is an especially fine building, entirely erected of stone, and fitted with most modern machinery. The products of the coconut-palm collected on the estates are sold in the shape of nuts, while the cinnamon is peeled and baled ready for the market. Mr. Amarasuria owns considerable house property at Galle. He is a member of the Galle District Planters' Association, the Galle Gymkhana Club, and the Ceylon Agricultural Society. He was elected an Honorary Member of the Committee of Oriental Studies in I906. Mr. Amarasuria is recognised as an authority on coconut cultivation, and his notes
INTERIOR.
The start was made w sions, supported as t was by local patrona Galle has since fallen
in the eye of the shipp transference of the seathis press, through di won its way steadily ir mercantile and plantir out the island, as well circles of the southern claim to be the prem kind in the south of
tinues to extend the rc itsehf. With a machin
MPRESSIONS
this subject by Messrs. :re well received by the
married Caroline, the
R. C. Juanis de Silva, d Gintota.
SS OFFICE, GALLE.
came into existence on want of a printing-office 2, when Galle was the f the island, and as such mercantile importance.
o
%కి
እma
9
rith but modest pretenhe establishment then ge only; and although in value and estimation ing public owing to the borne trade to Colombo, nt of perseverance, has to the patronage of the g communities throughis that of the mercantile port, until it may now er establishment of its Ceylon, and daily con putation it has made for !, a press, three hands to
OF CEYLON
work them, and a binder, the originator, Mr. M. Armstrong, entered upon his printing business; and, with the hope of extending his operations lucratively, he shortly afterwards exhibited for sale stationery, fancy goods, electro-plated ware, and such-like commodities. This auxiliary business proving remunerative, it has been gradually extended. Mr. Armstrong was assisted in his initial work by a Mr. H. J. Barton, both being present on the opening day. The progress of the establishment was gradual, but steady, and dated from the moment the presses first began to work.
Mr. John G. Bogaars, a nephew of Mr. Armstrong, and the present managing proprietor, was introduced to the establishment in I882 by his uncle; and when the latter died he left in his relative an able and energetic successor. Mr. Barton continued in the business until his death, in I894. The Albion Press now gives employment to nearly thirty hands, chiefly drawn from the surrounding villagesall skilled workmen; and many of the hands now holding service in the smaller printinghouses in the south were trained in this establishment. The printing department has grown in working capacity and efficiency, and has not only found favour with the local mercantile firms and the planting community of the island, but has also secured the patronage of the Galle Municipality, as well as that of many of the Local Boards and Road Committees of the colony. The bindery branch is well equipped and ably worked, while the stationery and fancy goods department supplies many of the needs of the Galle public. The Albion Press is situated at the junction of Lighthouse and Pedlar Streets, the principal thoroughfares of the town. Arrangements are being made to work the machinery with steam
power.
受
K. C. JUANIS APP00.
This firm of general merchants, importers, exporters, and commission agents, who have their head offices at 92, 93, and 94, High Street, Galle, was established in 188o by the present proprietor. The firm imports rice and flour from India and Burma, sugar from London and Bombay, dry fish from Bombay and Pondicherry, and exports coconut oil and coir yarn, mainly to India. They are the Galle agents for Messrs. E. G. Adamaly & Co., and several other Calcutta and Coconada mercantile firms. They import about IOO,Ooo bags of rice annually and employ about Ioo persons. Their branch in Colombo is at No. 92, Fourth Cross Street, Pettah. Mr. Juanis Appoo is an earnest Buddhist, and has built a Buddhist school at Gintota, which he solely maintained for three years and afterwards handed over to the Government. He also built a Buddhist temple
Page 771
JUANIS APPOO, THE BUNGAC
JUANIS APPOO AND FAMILY.
Page 772
764
at Ginfota. His eldest daughter married Mr. W. J. de Silva, Proctor, of Ambalangoda, and the youngest married Mr. Henry Amarasuriya, the well-known Galle planter. Mr. Appoo owns considerable house property at Galle, as well as two fine estates in the Matara district, planted with tea and rubber. He resides at Gintota.
艾
PATRICK FRANCIS XAVIER ANANDAPPA,
This gentleman was born in Colombo, on March 17, 1867, and was educated at St. Benedict's Institute, Colombo. He joined the Colombo branch of the Mercantile Bank of India in 1887, and remained in the city office of that institution until 1896, when he was
ANANDAPPA.
P. F. X.
appointed Shroff (Head Cashier) of the Galle branch, which latter position he still holds. He is the secretary of St. Paul's Reading Room, Galle. Mr. Anandappa's private residence is Ananda Villa, Calegana, Galle. In 1897 he married Clara, the daughter of Antony de Rosairo, Mudaliyar of Puttalam, and granddaughter of Simon Cassi Chetty, late district judge of Chilaw.
艾
ARTHUR ALFRED DIAS ABEYSINGHE,
Mr. Abeysinghe is a scion of an illustrious family of the Southern Province, being the great-great-grandson of Don Nicholas Dias Abeysinghe, Maha Mudaliyar of Ceylon in the Dutch period. His great-grandfather, Don Abraham Dias Abeysinghe, rendered invaluable services as Guard-Mudaliyar of Galle during the early part of this century; and his grandfather, also Don Abraham Dias Abeysinghe, ruled with considerable ability the people of Wellaboda Pattu and Welligam Korale. His father, a distinguished detective, who died in 1905, was Administrator of Police
TWENTIETH CENTURY
for the whole of the S period of over twenty The subject of this s on February 2, 188o, a I892 to 1897, at the R where he passed the aminations with great c obtained the diploma Department of Public the staff of the Richm institution he is now a In 1893, while at the F the Cadet Battalion as on the formation of Cadet Corps, he bec succeeding to his cap now commanding a co five cadets. Mr. Abey ing certificate from C Commandant of the C
“ Mr. Arthur A. Dia an officer in the Cadet Infantry since the bal November, I902, and Richmond College Co the rank of Captain, s Abeysinghe has taken camps of exercise an officer who takes an i in the company he co, in his drills.
“ (Signed) A. C.
“ Lieut.-Col
鳢 C “ 18th August, I905.
HUGH HAMILTON
This scion of a le Proctor John Daniel B. was born at Haldu educated at the Ro
E. H. BAR
MPRESSIONS
outhern Province for a
years. ketch was born at Galle nd was educated, from oyal College, Colombo, Cambridge local exredit. He subsequently for teaching from the Instruction, and joined ond College, of which Senior Assistant Master. 'oyal College, he joined a private, and in I902, the Richmond College ame First Lieutenant, taincy in 1903. He is mpany of about seventysinghe holds the followolonel Vincent, C.M.G. eylon Volunteer Force :
s Abeysinghe has been Battalion Ceylon Light talion was formed, in has commanded the impany at Galle, with ince March, I9o3. Mr. part in many annual d is a keen Volunteer nterest in his work and mmands, and is well up
VINCENT, onel, Commandant . V. Force, Colombo.
艾
BARTHOLOMEUS.Z.
gal family and son of rtholomeusz, of Badulla, mmulla in I884, and yal and St. Thomas's
"HOLOMEUSZ.
OF CEYON
Colleges, Colombo, where he passed with honours in the Junior and Senior Cambridge Local Examination. He was editor of the St. Thomas's College Magazine, and assistant secretary of the College Debating Society. In Igo2 he began to read law under the Council of Legal Education. He was admitted an Advocate of the Supreme Court of Ceylon in April, 1906, and commenced practice at Galle. He is one of the most zealous workers on the committee of the Y.M.C.A. and the I.O.G.T.
艾
JAMES SAMUEL EDMUND PERERA.
This gentleman, son of Mr. S. Perera Abeyewardene, of Galle, and Matilda, daughter
JAMES E. PERERA.
of the late Christian Jayasuriya, Korale Mudaliyar of Magam Pattu, was born at Galle in I88o. After being educated at the Richmond College, Galle, and the Royal College, Colombo, he read law, and subsequently became Proctor of the District Court of Galle in I904, commencing practice in his native town the same year. He is a member of the Galle Gymkhana Club and the Ceylon Agricultural Society, also a sergeant in the 'I' Company of the Ceylon Light Infantry. On his estates, Janbugaha, Karayaldeniya, and Kitulagoda, in the Galle and Matara districts, coconuts, citronella, cinnamon, and tea are grown, and he also owns large tracts of paddy-fields in the Tangalla district. His private residence, Herton Lodge, Magalle, near Galle, is the site of the residence of a former Dutch Governor.
艾
HENRY ARNOLD KEEGEL.
Dr. Keegel is the son of the late P. L. Keegel, of the Ceylon Police, who was descended from a Dr. Keegel, who, under the early British rule, was Medical Officer of
Page 773
TWENTIETH
Jaffna. His mother was the daughter of the late John Giffening, first Burgher Member of the Legislative Council of Ceylon, and a Proctor and Public Notary of Colombo. Dr. Keegel was born at Colombo on December 31, I854, and was educated at the Central School at Galle, afterwards being a private pupil, at Kandy, of Professor John Hill, formerly of the Training College at Winchester.
H. A. EEEGEL.
finally entered the Ceylon Medical College in I872. At this last-named institution he won the Gomaraswamy Prize in 1873, the Government Prize in 1873 and 1874, and the Rajapakse Prize in I875. He became a licentiate of medicine, surgery, and midwifery, and was appointed a Sub-Assistant Colonial Surgeon at Kandy in the same year. After holding several appointments under the Government, he proceeded to Edinburgh in I883, where he obtained the diplomas of L.R.C.P. (Edin.), L.F.P., and S.G. After walking the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and the Western Infirmary, Glasgow, the young medico returned to Ceylon in 1884. He was appointed a Deputy-Assistant Colonial Surgeon in 1885 and an Assistant Colonial Surgeon in 1887. In the island he successively held various posts at Kalutara, Colombo, Anuradhapura, and Jafflua ; and on the outbreak of plague in 1896 he was appointed to the chief medical and sanitary charge of Colombo Harbour, remaining Port Surgeon and Assistant Colonial Surgeon until 1903. On many occasions he received the thanks of the Government for specially excellent services. In 1904 he was appointed to the charge of the Government Civil Hospital at Galle, and subsequently acted as Colonial Surgeon of the Southern Province, being stationed at Galle.
Dr. Keegel is the Foundation Secretary of the Ceylon Branch of the British Medical
He
CENTURY I
Association. He was Medical journal fron been a contributor to
tions. By virtue of h a member of the G A Mason of the eig been admitted a mem del ” Chapter, No. 27. of the Grand Lodge is a Past Master of
6II, S.C., also a Pas Grand Lodge of all S
India, besides being
Allied and Cryptic C is also a Knight of J. His hobby is literature
JUSTUS SEXTUS
WAR)
The youngest of the brothers of whom M
J. S. JAYE
the Jayewardene was born He was educated at the he pursued a most disti ing off nearly all the p scholarships of his President of the Royal he was
Jayewardene is
co-editor of Magagine. He left the read law under the Co tion. He passed out,
Advocate of the Supren is now practising at Ga has published an ana Elements of Jurispru
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
editor of the Ceylon 1887 to 1889, and has "arious medical publicas official position he is lle Municipal Council. hteenth degree, having ber of the “CoromanE.C., he is a founder f Masons at Galle, and Lodge Bonnie Doon, Grand Officer of the cottish Freemasonry in a Past Master of the uncils of Ceylon. He rusalem and of Malta.
YIJESINGHE JAYEDENE
talented group of six . Advocate Hector A.
WARDENE.
senior, Mr. J. S. W. at Colombo in I88I. 2 Royal College, where nguished career, carryprizes, exhibitions, and time. Besides being College Literary Club, the Royal College 2 college in 1900, and uncil of Legal Educaand was admitted an ne Court in 1904. He lle. Mr. Jayewardene lysis of “ Holland's dence,” and he is
765
rapidly becoming one of the leading legal practitioners in the Southern Province. He is a member of the Grandpass Association He owns estates in the Marawila district as well as various house properties in Colombo.
s
EDWIN LUDOVICI.
This medical gentleman of Galle is the son of Mr. Edwin Ludovici, retired secretary and assistant-chairman of the Colombo Municipality, whose ancestors came from Amsterdam, in Holland, and Mark Elbeck, in Germany, and emigrated to Ceylon during the reign of the Dutch East India Company. One of these progenitors became a military surgeon after the British forces completed their occupation of Ceylon, at the beginning of the nineteenth century. Dr. Ludovici was born at Colombo in I865, and was educated at the Colombo Academy (afterwards the Royal College). He studied medicine in the Ceylon Medical College, Colombo, and became a licentiate in medicine and surgery in 1887. He was appointed District Medical Officer at Teldeniya, then Sub-Assistant to the Colonial Surgeon at Colombo, and subsequently, in 1894, Assistant-Superintendent of Vaccination at Galle. He resigned from the Government service in I897, and commenced private practice at Galle, which he still carries on at No. 20 and 20A, Middle Street, where there is also a large dispensary. The doctor is a member of the British Medical Association and the Galle Agricultural Society, and is secretary of the local Gymkhana Club.
E. LUDOVICI.
Since 1899 he has represented Ward No. I, the Fort, as an elected member in the Municipal Council of Galle.
艾
Page 774
766
FRANGIS ALLES.
Dr. Francis Alles was born at Galle in 1869, being the second son of the late Mr. Marian Alles, the broker of Messrs. Vanderspar & Co., who carried on an extensive business at Galle during the seventies. Dr. Alles's grandfather held the position of head of the Christian Chetties at Galle. The doctor was educated at the Catholic School, Galle, and afterwards pursued a course of studies at the Royal College, Colombo. At the latter institution he obtained distinction in Latin and English in the Cambridge Local Examination. Joining the Ceylon Medical College in 1888, he became a licentiate in I893. Then followed appointment by the Government to the position of House Physician of the General Hospital, under Dr. Gavin; and subsequently Dr. Alles held the following appointments from time to time, viz., Resident Medical Officer, Convict Hospital, Colombo; Medical Officer, Welikade Jail ; Additional Port Surgeon, Colombo ; and Medical Officer, Agrapatna. In 190I Dr. Alles proceeded to Europe; and in the following year he obtained the triple qualifications of Edinburgh and Glasgow, After gaining a practical knowledge of his profession in different hospitals in Europe, he returned to the island, and was then appointed
TWENTIETH CENTURY
Port Surgeon at Gali Medical Officer at Gal that of District Medica is a member of the Br and of the Catholic Ur In 1899 he married
Chevalier William Ab
DAVID GEORGE
Mr. D. G. Goonewa lawyer of Galle. H Johannes Gooneward of that town, and a Goonewardene, a w Kurunegala, in the Ni He was born at Galle at the Galle Central S wards to the Royal C short period he was in attached to the Ka Provincial Office) at this position to take u was articled to his brot was enrolled a Proctor Galle in 1888, and b and Proctor of the Sup was appointed Crown
THE BUNGALOW.
DR.
AND MIR.S. FRAN
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
, and, in 1905, Judicial 2. His present office is Officer at Badulla. He ;ish Medical Association on and Club, Colombo. , daughter of the late yesundere, of Galle.
e
GOONEWARDENE.
rdene is a well-known 2 is the son of Don ne, landed proprietor, brother of Mr. E. G. ell-known lawyer at orth-Western Province.
in I863, and educated chool, proceeding afterillege, Colombo. For a the Government service, thcheri (Administrative Badulla. He resigned p the study of law, and her at Kurunegala. He
of the District Court of ecame a Notary Public reme Court in 1897. He
Proctor in 1899, which
office he still holds, besides engaging in private practice at Galle. He is a senior Proctor of the Galle Lower Bar, as well as the senior member of the Municipal Council, on which latter body he has represented various wards since 1893. He has acted on different occasions as Police Magistrate, and is a J.P. and Unofficial Police Magistrate for Galle district. He is a trustee of All Saints' Church, a member of the Galle Agricultural Society, besides being vice-president of the Galle Reading-room. In 1897 Mr. Goonewardene married a daughter of Mudaliyar Adrian Peries, of Kalutara. He is the leading resident of the Sinhalese community at Galle, and is closely connected with the progress and general welfare of the town. His private residence is “The Mound,' Galle.
奖
CLARK, SPENCE & CO.
This, the chief of the European mercantile firms in the Southern Province, was established in Galle in 1860. The business, consisting of the export of all kinds of Ceylon produce at the southern port, as well as the import of coal and other articles of commerce, is one of the most extensive in the island. The principal articles of export are plumbago-which
DIS ALLES AND FAMILY.
PORCE.
TEE
Page 775
THE BUNGALOW. MBS. D. G. GOONEWARDENE.
D. G. GooNEWARDECNE) TEIE OEEC,
Page 776
768 TWENTIETH CENTURY
the firm collect in their large stores on the outskirts of Galle, where it is prepared, graded, and classified according to quality-coir yarns, cit
and the firm have ac
for the excellence of employ some 5o ha
EXTERIOR OF CLARK, SFPENCE & CO.'S ST
ronella and coconut oils. These materials are shipped mainly to the United Kingdom, the Continent of Europe, the United States of America, and Australia. Besides carrying on the business of general merchants, the firm are agents for Lloyd's, as well as for numerous shipping, underwriting, and insurance companies. They are affiliated with the wellknown business firm of Aitken, Spence & Co., of Colombo.
S
E, COATES 8 CO,
This, one of the oldest mercantile firms of Galle, was originally established in that town under the title of Charles Shand & Co. About the year 186o it became Alexander Reid & Co., who traded as general merchants, exporters, importers, and ship-brokers. Messrs. Reid & Co. in their turn were succeeded in 1866 by Delmege, Reid & Co. In 1893 Mr. E. T. Delmege became the sole proprietor of the business, and the present firm succeeded him in I897. The firm, besides holding various other agencies, are the Galle representatives of the British-India Steam Navigation Company and of the Asiatic Petroleum Company. Messrs. E. Coates & Co. export coconut and citronella oil, the latter of which is manufactured by the planters in the province, collected at the firm's stores, and, after being thoroughly filtered, made ready for shipment. The test used for oil is the well-known Schimmel's spirit test,
The partners of the f Chamber of Commer
Mr. Edward Coates
E. C
having received a co Liverpool firm, came joined the firm as a jt
IMPRESSIONS
quired a high reputation their oil exports. They nds on their premises.
ORES.
irm are members of the
C
the senior partner, after
OATES,
mmercial training with a : to Ceylon in 1876, and unior assistant, eventually
OF CEYLON
purchasing the business right out in 1897. Mr. Samuel Hage Titley is also a partner in the concern. The exports are principally shipped to the United Kingdom, New York, Hamburg, and various Australian ports.
艾
ABRAHAM DIAS ABEYESINGHE.
This Proctor of Galle is a son of the late Rev. Abraham Dias Abeyesinghe, who was Colonial Chaplain and Rector of All Saints' Church, Colombo. The latter reverend gentleman was a direct descendant of Nicholas Dias Abeyesinghe, who was Maha Mudaliyar under the Dutch Government about the middle of the eighteenth century. The present Mr. Abeyesinghe was born in Colombo in I874 and was educated at St. Thomas's College. He then read law under the Council of Legal Education, and passed as a Proctor of the District Court in 1899, being now engaged in legal
A. DIAS ABEYESINGHE.
practice at Galle. In 1903 he married a daughter of Gate Mudaliyar E. R. Gooneratne, of Galle, and resides at Guardia Walauwa, in Galle, the ancestral home of his family, erected
in I7I2.
CHARLES P. HAYLEY & CO.
This firm, which is one of the few European concerns in the town of Galle, was established in 1878, and carries on business as exporters of Ceylon produce, general shippers, and estate agents. They export plumbago, tea, cinnamon, cinnamon oil (both from leaf and bark), citronella oil, lemongrass oil, coconut oil, rubber, and coir yarn. Of the last-mentioned article they are the largest exporters from Ceylon. The coir yarn shipped by the firm is principally directed to their London correspondents, Messrs. Harrison & Johnson, of
Page 777
CHARLES
I. C. P. HAYLEY. 2. COIL) 4. CoIR YARN BALING PRESS. 5. COIR 7. RUBBER MANGLE, HIILI.SI DE ESTATE. 8. TAPP
鷲
EP. HAYLEY & CO.
NG COR YAR.N. 3. CoIR YARN FoR SHIPMENT. YARN STORE. 6. RUBBER NURSERY, HILLSIDE ESTATE. ING RUBBER. 9. YoUNG RUBBER TREES.
3C
Page 778
770
No. 9, Trinity Square, E.C.; and their marks are well known in Hamburg, Genoa, Venice, Trieste, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Antwerp, Havre and Marseilles. In addition, Messrs. Chas. P. Hayley & Co. maintain direct shipments to Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Dunedin, Christchurch, Lyttelton, Hobart, and Shanghai. They count the chief and oldest importers throughout Australasia among their regular correspondents. The coir yarn is received from native dealers, who, in turn, collect it in small quantities from the villagers.
TWENTIETH CENTURY IN
1848, and came to Cey and I9oI respectively, Hayley and Stewart Pic him as assistants, and beginning of I905, was the firm. Mr. C. P. H.
ested in the Southern C Company. He is Consu Hungary, a Governmen of the Galle Municipal the committee of the G
tion and of the Ceylon
MUDALIYAR. D. A. GOONERATNE AND SONS.
After being sorted and classified, it is packed into ballots, coils, or bales for export. 2Oo men and women are engaged in the operations of the firm. Messrs. Hayley & Co.'s private test for citronella oil enables them to
Some
aim at a higher standard of quality than that required to satisfy the ordinary well-known Schimmel test; but adulteration is so freely practised by the natives that unfortunately they have often to be content with the minimum standard of purity. Their exhibits for yarn and essential oils at the Chicago, Paris, and St. Louis Exhibitions have, in all cases, been awarded gold medals.
Mr. Charles Pickering Hayley was born in
and a member of many island. The firm are me bers of Commerce of bot) Mr. Hayley also owns tea the vicinity of Galle.
舒、
MATARA D
DAVID ABRAHAM W. GOONERATNE, As early as in I706, registration book kept by in which names of pers
MPRESSIONS
ʻlon in I869. In I893
his sons, Alec C. kering, Hayley joined
the former, in the admitted a partner in ayley is largely inter2ylon Tea and Rubber lar Agent for Austrot nominated member Council, a member of alle Planters' Associa
Agricultural Society,
OF CEYLON
ticulars regarding them were entered, there appears the name of Gooneratne, that of a respectable and well-known family of Matara, in the Southern Province of Ceylon. In the year 1792 the Dutch Government appointed a member of the family Mudaliyar of a division of the Matara district in that province, and in 18oI the British ruler (Governor North) appointed another member of the family a Pattu Mudaliyar in the Hambantota district. Don David W. Gooneratne, who was a landed proprietor on a large scale, and a respected
TEIE RESIDENCE,
of the clubs in the 2mbers of the Chamh Galle and Colombo. and rubber estates in
ISTRICT.
JEYEWICKREMIE
Mudaliyar. in the Thombo, the the Dutch authorities, sons and other par
resident of Matara, in the south of the island, died there in 1846; and his son, the subject of this sketch, was born there in 1835. The latter was educated at the Government school at Matara, and afterwards at St. Thomas's School, Colombo, under the late Mr. J. R. Blake. He entered the Government service at an early age, and held appointments as Interpreter to the Courts at Matara and Tangalla, and that of the Deputy Queen's Advocate at Galle. He was head-clerk of the Fiscal Office of the latter town in 186I. Three years later he was made Mohotty Mudaliyar of the Galle Kachcheri. He filled the office of Deputy-Fiscal at Matara, held the additional appointment of Kachcheri
Page 779
TWENTIETH
Mudaliyar and Assistant Superintendent of the prison at Matara, and on Queen's birthday, 1892, was made a Mudaliyar of the Governor's Gate.
In 1898 Mr. Gooneratne retired from the Government service, after forty-four years of unbroken, faithful performance of his duties, during which he won the universal respect of both the Government and the public. He now resides at the well-known Walau wa of the family at Matara, where he is a warden of St. Thomas's Church at Nupe (Church of England). He is a member of the Irrigation and District Road Committees of Matara.
Mr. Gooneratne owns estates planted with cinnamon and coconut in the Matara district. In I872 he married Georgiana Caroline, daughter of Hendrick de Saram Wijeysisiwardene, Mudaliyar of Welligam Korale. One of his sons is a Proctor of the District Court
at Matara, and the other a President of
the Village Tribunal, Wellaboda Pattu. His daughter is married to a grandson of the late Mudaliyar of Welligam Korale. In 1904 Mr. Gooneratne was honoured by a special visit from H.R.H. Princess Louise of SchleswigHolstein, accompanied by Sir Henry and Lady Blake.
S
CENTURY IM
EDWARD JUSTI)
The son of Proctor Joh in the south of Ceylor
E. J. BUTU
D, M., SAMABAVVEEBAS CITRONELLA
IPRESSIONS OF CEYLON 771
| BUULTJENS. Buultjens was educated privately under the n Buultjens, of Matara, Rev. J. S. Lyle, and subsequently at St. Thomas's , Mr. Edward Justin College, Colombo. At the latter institution he won the Calcutta University entrance prize. Leaving school, he was articled to Mr. J. H. Ernst, of Matara, for the study of law, and became a Proctor of the District Court in 1886. He has practised his profession at Matara ever since. He was on the Local Board for that town for some time. Mr. Buultjens owns extensive estates planted with coconut, cinnamon, and citronella, as well as tracts of paddyfields. He is now opening up plantations in rubber.
奖
DAWID MARTIN SAMARAWIEERA.
Mr. David Martin Samaraweera, the sixth son of Welligama Samaraweera Patabendige Don Theodoris de Silva, notary public and estate owner, and Donna Carlina Abeyewickreme, is one of the most important planters south of Galle. He was born at Ahangama in I855, and after a private educational training he acquired a thorough knowledge of coconut, cinnamon, and citronella planting on his father's properties, the Induramawille and Rosmead estates. In I882 he took over from his father the LTJENS. Mulanehewa Udukare estate, quite a small
IELDS, ENGINE TANK, AND BARRELS,
Page 780
MOHANDIRAM. D. M. SAMARAWEERA AND F"1
MILY, THE RESIDENCE, AND MOTOR CAR.
Page 781
TWENTIETH
property, and started planting on his own account. In course of time he has acquired considerable properties, and now owns the Charley Mount estate, I,ooo acres in extent, at Udukare in the Welligam Korale; the Hulandaivu estate of 7oo acres in the Morawak Korale; the Johnny Dale estate, 75 acres, at Malinbedde, in the Welligan Korale ; and the Mirisvate estate of 300 acres at Tangalla, as well as various other smaller properties in the Southern Province. Upon these estates are grown coconut, cinnamon, and citronella principally, but also a small amount of tea. At Charley Mount gumming has been carried on with great success, alexandrites totalling 2,856 carats having been found there, including the largest stone ever found in Ceylon, which realised Rs. 50,000. His father was the first planter to grow citronella in the Southern Province, and the subject of this sketch has gone in largely for cultivating this commodity, and was awarded a silver medal at Matara and at the St. Louis Exhibition for exhibits of citronella and citronella oil. Sir Arthur Gordon appointed him Mohandiram in recognition of his services in the organisation and distribution of relief to the distressed after the flood at Denepitiya in 1889. He has been Deputy Coroner of Welligam Korale since III 884, and became inquirer into death for the same district in I897. He has now, however, resigned all his official appointments, and devotes himself entirely to planting affairs. He is a Buddhist, and is the manager of the Siddaritta Buddhist School at Welligama and of the Mirissa Buddhist School for Girls. He is also a trustee of several Buddhist temples, and a member of the Theosophical Society and the Ceylon Agricultural Society. He married in 1882 Widanege Donna Gimara, daughter of Widanege Don Danister de Silva, planter and merchant, of Nalalagame, and they reside at Sirimadura, which was built by Mr. Samaraweera ten years ago. Their only son, John Martin, who was born in 1889, was educated at Royal College, Colombo, and is now undergoing private tuition preparatory to taking up planting, and their daughter, Lydia Margaret, married Walter Jayawickreme, Proctor of Galle.
s SS
SAMSON ABEYESOORIYA.
Samson Abeyesooriya is the son of Thepanis Abeyesooriya, planter, of Welligama, where the family has been resident for generations past. Born at Welligama in 1881, he was educated at Richmond College, Galle, and privately by Mr. Lee, of the City College, and Mr. Harry Fernando, B.A. (Lond.). He entered the Ceylon Medical College in 1899 for the pur
CENTURY IM
pose of studying med father died, in the sal relinquish his studies
management of the estates. He plants ( properties in the Ma Talgahawatte, and citr He also has large tracts cultivation, and the pro
MIR, ANI
estates, as well as large buys from other plante disposed of to merchar has also established a re produce with New Z Ceylon lace, which is n local women and export Wellington. Recently prospecting for precio
PRESSONS
cine, but when his le year, he had to and take over the eceased gentleman's )conuts on several ara district and at nella at Mahahena. of paddy-lands under duce of all his own
OF CEYLON 773
purpose he has leased valuable land in the Morawak Korale. In Igo4 he married Winifred hannah, only daughter of J. A. Lewis, formerly Assistant Colonial Storekeeper at Colombo. The beautiful little planted island known as Ganduwa, in Welligama Bay, belongs to him, and it is his intention to build a bungalow on it.
| MRS. SAMSON ABEYESOORIYA AND INFANT.
quantities. which he s in his district, are s in the island. He gular trade in Ceylon aland, especially in ade to his orders by d to D. O. Mackley, he has commenced s stones, for which
GERALD EDMUND KEUNEMAN.
This gentleman is the son of Jurgen David Bartholomew Keuneman, Proctor, of Matara, in the Southern Province of the island, whose ancestors arrived in Ceylon some two hundred years ago, in the days of the rule of the old Dutch East India Company. The members of this family have followed the legal profession for
3 c *
Page 782
774 TWENTIETH
several generations. Mr. G. E. Keuneman was born at Matara in 849, and was educated at the Government school in that town, also privately, finishing his school career at the Colombo Academy (now the Royal College), Colombo. He was then articled to a local practitioner for the study of law, and became a District Court Proctor in 1874, and a Proctor of the Supreme Court in 1877. He has practised his profession in his native town ever since. Mr. Keuneman has acted as District Judge and Police Magistrate of that place on various occasions, and was the senior member of the Matara Local Board till I903, when he resigned. In 1876 he married Alice Harriet, daughter of John Henry Ernst, of Matara. Mr. Keuneman's eldest son, Gerald Percival, who
CENTURY
YALENTINE DAY
This gentleman, the E. R. J. Gooneratne, I874, and was educate Galle, and at St. Thor He joined the Ceylon and passed out in I9 entered the Governme: the post of House-Sur pital. In 19oI Dr. Go
Government service a practice at Matara, whe leading practitioners. Clarice, daughter of Itinerating Police M Dr. Gooneratne OWnse
G. R. KEUNEMAN.
was born in 1882 and educated at the Royal College, Colombo, as well as under the Council of Legal Education, has been a member of the Bar since I904, and has joined his father in practice. While at the Royal College, Mr. Keuneman, jun., was captain of the College Football Club, and is a good tennis player. Mr. Keuneman's (sen.) daughter married Crown Counsel L. Maartensz, of Colombo. The second son, Arthur Eric, who was bern in I885, is now at Pembroke College, Cambridge, and has entered Gray's Inn, London, for the study of law. He was the University scholar for the year 1905. Mr. Keuneman, sen., was the first elected metaber of the Local Board of Matara. He is also a member of the District Road Committee of that place.
ERIC KEUNEMAN.
tions and paddy-fields in
of the island.
ALFRED ERNS
This, the younger sor of Matara, was educate Lyle, and afterwards a Colombo, at which inst the Government Unive various other prizes. ) in 1884, he entered St bridge, and took the Arts in 1887. He retun and was appointed Pr: College, the Buddhist founded in the previ
لاسـسهكــــــــــــــــــدخدح٦
MPRESSIONS
TD GOONER.ATNE
eldest son of Mudaliyar of Galle, was born in d at All Saints' School, mas's College, Colombo. Medical College in 1894, po as a licentiate. He nt service by accepting geon of the Galle Hosoneratne resigned from nd commenced private re he is now one of the In 1906 he married Mr. Peter de Saram, agistrate of Welisera. xtensive coconut planta
OF CEYLON
Manager of all the Buddhist Theosophical Schools in the island at that time. During his principalship of the college the attendance was more than quadrupled. He was editor of the Buddhist, the official organ of the Theosophical Society; but in 1899 he resigned the post and started planting coconuts and citronella on his Silverdale estate, in the Matara district.
Taking up the study of law in the following year, he was called to the Bar in 1904, sworn in as an Advocate of the Supreme Court, and commenced practice at Matara. Mr. Buultjens has acted on various occasions as Police Magistrate and Commissioner of Requests. He has temporarily retired from legal practice and recommenced his planting pursuits on his
OLD CENAWARE.
the Southern Province
s
T BUULTJENS.
of Mr. John Buultjens, 2d under the Rev. Mr. t St. Thomas's College, itution, in I883, he won 2rsity Scholarship and Proceeding to England . John's College, Camdegree of Bachelor of ned to Ceylon in 1888 incipal of the Ananda institution in Colombo, ous year, as well as
كمعسعسلسط
G. P. KUNEMAN.
Silverdale and Batadela estates in the vicinity of Matara, and now cultivates coconuts and citronella, from which latter product he manufactures oil on a large scale in a well-equipped factory on the latter estate. He also owns house property and tracts of paddy-lands in the Matara district. Mr. Buultjens is a lifemember of the Royal Asiatic Society, and has contributed to its literature various papers, mainly Dutch translations. He has also translated portions of the Visuddhi Magga from the Pali tongue into English. He is also a member of the Ceylon Law Society and of the Agricultural Society. In 1897 he married Sylvia Blanche, daughter of Mr. H. D. Andree, accountant of the Savings Bank, Colombo. His town residence is “ Berylyn," Matara.
Page 783
V. D. GOONERATNB. THE ORAW
CTRONELLA FACTORY AND FIELDS.
ING-ROOM. MRS. W. D. GOONERATNE,
MR. AND MRS. A. E. BUULTJECNS AND FAMILY,
Page 784
776
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
NORTH - CENTR
N area, this is the largest of the nine provinces; in population it is the smallest. A vast proportion of the 4,047 square miles which constitute the administrative area is covered with forests or “park country' in the north-west, tricts, and this territory is almost uninhabited. The general surface of the province consists of gentle undulations, with here and there isolated peaks or short ranges of hills. The south of
north, and south-east dis
goldsmith, a potter, a beater. None are de for a living, and it named castes who di their hereditary busine: remunerated by land. Vellala village will gi some d'hobies on con
for them and attend mony; so it is with
LOCAL.. BOARD, ANUIRAIDHAPUIRA.
the province forms the extreme north-eastern verge of the great central mountain zone of Ceylon, of which Ritigala (2,536 ft.) may be taken as the extreme sentinel, and is the highest ground intervening between the mountains of the Central Province and the very similar hills of Southern India. The inhabitants, about 7oooo in number, are Sinhalese, “approximating in manners, feelings, and appearance to the Kandyan Sinhalese. All the castes common to the Kandyan kingdom are to be found, with one or two castes peculiar to this province, Every man is a cultivator or proprietor of land, whether by caste he is a blacksmith, a
The Kandyan Sinhale a cultivator; all shop produce is in the ha low-country Sinhalese, tous Moors.**
Historically, the Nor the most interesting
As the g Sinhalese civilisation
divisions.
country of intense student of the past. T its web amid the ruin of Anuradhapura and
“Manual of the
Ceylon," p. 89.
MIPRESSIONS OF CEYON
RAL PROVINCE.
washer, or a tom-tom bendent on their craft is only the two lastvote any attention to ss. They are generally Thus the people of a ve a piece of land to dition that they wash On Occasions of cere
the tom-tom beaters.
se is before all things keeping and trade in ands of settlers, either
Tamils, or the ubiqui
th-Western Province is
of the nine territorial reat centre of early
and power, it is a
attractiveness to the he spider now weaves s of the ancient palaces the temples of Polonna
North Central Province,
ruwa, and ancient Mihintale, which once looked down on a scene of teeming life, is now the centre of a wide-spreading jungle. But even time and the influences of the weather in a tropical country have not sufficed to wipe out the evidence that this country once supported a vast population. Not only do the immense ruins, fully described by Mr. J. Still in the special article on Archaeology, attest this, but we have convincing proof of the fact in the marvellous irrigation system, monuments of which, after the lapse of centuries, still exist in the shape of stupendous tanks and mammoth embankments. This irrigation system was of great antiquity. Careful students of ancient. Sinhalese history consider that there is strong reason to believe that in the fifth century B.C. Vijaya and his followers found irrigation works formed by the aborigines (Yakkus) who preceded them. However that may be, there can be no doubt, says Mudaliyar Wijesinha, the translator of the Mahavansa, “that the country was everywhere studded with tanks and ponds in the days of the former kings, and that there was neither lack of water nor population to till and cultivate the land.' The ancient Sinhalese irrigation system is lucidly described by Mr. R. W. Ievers, M.A., in the valuable official Manual of the North-Central Province. “As the North-Central Province, although apparently flat, is in reality undulating," says this writer, "the ancient tank - builders took advantage of this conformation to make The bund, or embankment, was made to run into high ground on each side of a valley, the capacity of the tank depending not only on the catchment area, but also on the height of the high ground on either side, so far as it allows the embankment (re-kanda) to be raised. The spill (vana) was usually placed at the extremity of the embankment, and was either 'natural' (i.e., where the surplus water flowed over rock or the natural surface of the high ground at the end of the bund), or "artificial, where an outlet was provided of masonry or rough-hewn stone. The surplus water from the spills of the upper tanks, and from the fields cultivated under them, supplied the lower tanks. The smaller tanks were fed either by canals of varying length, leading from the great storage tank, or from anicuts on the rivers, or by rain-water drainage. The great storage tanks of Nuwarakalawiya (such as. Kalawewa, Padayiya, Huruluwewa, Maha Villachchiya, Maha Kanaderawe) were formed by throwing an embankment across the valley 'of some large stream or streams, and dam
chains of tanks in the valleys,
Page 785
TWENTIETH
ming up the waters. All the storage tanks in Tamankaduwa (e.g., Minneriya, Giritale, Kawduluwewa, Topawewa, Demitelakulam) were supplied by great canals taking the water from the Matale hills. In case of many, if not all storage tanks, it has been found that canals supplied them, even where they dammed rivers and streams. Many of these canal systems remain to be investigated.' In process of time these splendid works fell into disrepair. Much controversy has arisen from time to time as to the causes which produced the decay of this wonderful system which the genius of the ancient Sinhalese built up. The Central Irrigation Board, in their elaborate report issued in 1888, expressed the view that the ruin resulted from the abolition of the rajakariya or forced labour system. But Mr. Ievers, after a careful examination of the subject, asserts emphatically “that it was the perversion of compulsory labour from one of its chief original purposes, and the neglect to enforce it for legitimate works under the later kings, and by the British Government adopting their system, which occasioned the decay of agriculture and the wasting of population.'
Whatever the source of the mischief may have been, the deplorable effects of the neglect were beyond dispute, and the Government took a very wise step when they took the question of tank restoration in hand. It is not necessary here to detail the various stages of the prolonged and somewhat tedious discussions which preceded the adoption of a definite policy. It suffices for our purpose to note that the culminating point in the movement was reached in February, I888, when Sir Arthur Gordon, the then Governor, in the presence of a great assembly of the leading men of the province and many visitors, laid the foundation stone of a memorial commemorating the restoration of the Kalawewa. tank of the Yoda Ela canal, at a total cost of Rs. 645,833. This great public work has restored to usefulness one of the most splendid and historic of the ancient reservoirs. Walawewa has been identified with the Lake Megisba of Pliny, though it is thought that Minneriya may dispute the claim. It is mentioned in the Mahavansa as amongst the tanks which King Parakrama Bahu I. repaired in the twelfth century. The modern history of the tank begins in 1832, when an official inspection of the work was made by Major Forbes and Mr. George Turnour. Mr. Turnour subsequently described the ancient "spill wall as “one of the most stupendous monuments of misapplied human labour in the island.' But he wrote without adequate knowledge, and the best refutation of his view is the fact that in the restoration work the ancient spill has been “Manual of the North-Western Province," p. 14o.
CENTURY IM
retained untouched. An the tank was given by M Agent, in a report writ the restoration. “This occupies,' he wrote, " position in the south just to the north of th receives the drainage o mountainous country streams-the Belligamu, goni Oyas—which com great breach forming Kala Oya river, which v flooded. The rills of above sea-level, and a both banks of the river, is practically within thi irrigating power being discharge of the sluice water stored. The bur is 5 miles in length, valleys of the three s tioned. It is of stupel in places being 65 ft. and the top width 20 f the bund is covered b appropriately designa “ripple band' by the being to resist the action which would inevitabl any dam not similarly is pierced by four sluic Kala wewa and one in The first of these suppl north to Anuradhapura Vilachchiya Korale ; t lands lying immediate of the tank; the third level to water about 8
also in front of the supplied from Baluwev leading in a westerl: I6 miles, and irrigatir lying on the left bank down to its junction w Oya. . . . The area of t of water is 4425 acre Igo7,ooo,ooo ft. and it Outrivalling the Wal charm is the famous M in the south-east portic sylvan beauties were ac Tennent, who likened water, with its hills a to Killarney “warmec Eastern Sun.' The Maha Sen, A.D. 275, ground were brought scheme. The whole ( system of the North C worthy of attention, point of the scientifi curious traveller who
PRESSIONS OF CEYLON
interesting account of r. Fisher, Government tten at the period of magnificent reservoir a very commanding of the province, and Le Dambulla rock. It f 240 square miles of by three inflowing Dambulu, and Mirisbine and issue at the from this point the widens to 8oo ft. when he sluices are 4oo ft. ll the land lying on till the sea is reached, 2 scope of the tanık, its only limited by the s and the quantity of ld of the tank, which is thrown across the treams already menIndous size, the height the base width 250 ft., it. The whole face of by a stone revetment, ted relapanawa, or Sinhalese, its purpose of constant wave play, y eat into and destroy protected. The bund res, three placed in the the Baluluwewa bund. lied Yoda Ela, running and beyond into the he second served all ly below and in front was placed at a higher O0 acres of high land, tank; and the fourth wa a second Yoda Ela, y direction for about lig some thirty villages of the Kala Oya river ith the Siyambalagamu he tank with 20 ft. head 2s, its cubical capacity s contour 32 miles.' lawewa tank in natural inneriya Lake, situated on of the province. Its claimed by Sir Emerson the great expanse of nd overhanging woods, | and illumined by an tank was formed by and 200,000 acres of within the scope of the of the ancient irrigation :entral Province is well alike from the standC investigator and the wishes to make him
777
self acquainted with the monuments of an
ancient civilisation.
The capital of the province, the headquarters of the administration and the chief centre of what business life there is, is Anuradhapura. This is now an insignificant town, with a population only of 3,672, but it is a centre of absorbing historical interest. Its many splendid relics of antiquity are described at length by Mr. Still in the Archaeological section of this work, and it is not necessary to deal further with the subject here. A brief reference may, however, be made to the history of the city as the seat of the Sinhalese power.
. Authorities are divided as to the exact date
at which Anuradhapura was founded, but there is little question that it must have been very considerable in size when fixed upon as a
W. C. PRICE. (Provincial Engineer)
capital, 437 B.C. “For the king appointed a Nagaraguttika to regulate municipal affairs, under whom were 5oo low - caste men as scavengers, with 200 night watchers or guards, whilst I5o others superintended the carrying of dead bodies, with as many more at the cemetery.'" Fa Hian, the Chinese Buddhist pilgrim who visited the city in the reign of Mahahama (415-434 A.D.), describes it "as being inhabited by numerous magistrates, nobles, and merchants engaged in foreign commerce. The houses were handsome, and the edifices well ornamented. The streets and roads were broad and straight, and at all the crossings were built lecture rooms or halls for preaching in.' In the ninth century the city was seized and plundered by the Malabars, but the damage done was to some extent repaired. In the reign of Mahinda V. (IooI A.D.) the invaders
“Manual of the North-Central Province," p. 23.
Page 786
778
from India sacked the city, and from this attack the place never entirely recovered. Knighton, in his “History of Ceylon,' cites the following poetical description given by a native writer of
G. S. SAXTON
(Government Agent.)
the aspect of the city before this second assault upon it: “This magnificent city is refulgent from the numerous temples and palaces, whose golden pinnacles glitter in the sky. The sides of its streets are strewed with black sand, whilst the middle is sprinkled with white; they are spanned by arches of bending wood bearing flags of gold and silver, whilst vessels of the same metals containing flowers are observed on either side. In niches placed for the purpose are statues holding lamps. Elephants, horses, carts, and multitudes of people are ever to be seen passing and repassing. There are
dancers, jugglers, and musicians of all kinds
and of all nations, the latter performing on chank shells ornamented with gold. The city is 4 gaze's (I6 miles) in length from north to south, and the same in breadth from east to west. The principal streets are Moon Street, Great King Street, Bullock Street, and River Street, all of them of immense extent, and some containing II,Ooo houses; to enumerate the smaller ones would be impossible.” King Parakrama Bahu restored the city in the twelfth century, but the seeds of decay had been sown, and the efforts of this resourceful ruler only tended to prolong for a time the active life of the place. Its deposition from its high estate was doubtless hastened by the growth of the rival capital of Polonnaruwa. With the record of Parakrama Bahu’s restorations Anuradhapura vanishes practically from "The date of its actual abandonment A few scattered notices of its
history. is unknown.
TWENTIETH CENTURY
name occur in conne around which a few continued in residence as we found them wh settlement was made a officer camped in the capital.'
At festival times-th June, and July-great c all parts of Ceylon Anuradhapura to wor Bo-tree. “There are reception, but under trees of our park-like ( little booths and picnic the height of the festiv becomes instinct with no room left to camp unceremoniously take p
dahs of the public bl
their conduct, howevel disturbing them. . . from all parts of the annually without a s here; and, as the ina I can only say that ar decorum and sobriety sible to conceive.' Th the peacefulness of th Mr. Liesching, a p
official, in 187o, were
when a serious riot, res of much property, brok grims. The outbreak c at the time, but inves was the work of a fe associated with the soand the general body o part in it. Nevertheles putation for peacefulnes always enjoyed was s authorities have deeme a careful eye on the religious pilgrims An visited by increasing from all parts of the by the same of the “bul ment rest - house suppl the visitors, and the r lishment are about to establishment of a rel railway station.
In a recent Admini Government Agent is description of the pro of view of material pr condition of the prov "may be described as now, with every pros prosperity in the not present, with the exce Anuradhapura, and a
I “Manual of the North
MPRESSIONS
ction with the Bo-tree, priests are said to have much in the same way 2n, in I833 A.D., a small nd a resident European
ruins of the ancient
e full moons of May, rowds of pilgrims from and from India visit ship before the sacred
no houses for their he grand umbrageous nvirons they erect their : in the open air. As al approaches the place life; and when there is in, the later comers ossession of the veranildings. So orderly is , that no one thinks of
These 20,ooo people country come and go ingle policeman being gistrate of the district, ything to surpass their of conduct it is imposnese words in praise of e pilgrims, written by rominent Government rudely falsified in I902, ulting in the destruction ce out amongst the pil:aused a great sensation igation proved that it w agitators, who were alled Buddhist revival, pilgrims had no lot or s, the commendable reis which the festival had hattered, and since the d it necessary to keep gatherings. Apart from radhapura is annually numbers of travellers world, attracted thither ied cities.' A Governies accommodation for sources of this estab
be reinforced by the reshment - room at the
stration Report of the
given an admirable vince from the point gress. “The general says the writer,
nce, moderately prosperous )ect of much greater ery distant future. At ption of the town of ew bazaars here and Central Province," p. 30.
OF CEYLON
there along the principal roads, which are inhabited by mixed populations of Tamils low-country Sinhalese, and Moors engaged chiefly in trade, the province is inhabited by an agricultural population collected together in small communities called 'villages, each under its tank, and each separated from the other by a more or less extensive tract of
forest and jungle. These communities are at
once primitive and exclusive; the customs and ideas of hundreds of years ago still prevail : the 'village' is the villager's world, and all intrusion from outside is regarded with the utmost jealousy. There are about I, Ioo of these villages in the province, with an average population of about 75 in each. Owing to the care which Government has bestowed upon the province since its creation, some thirty years ago, and more especially to the restoration of the village tanks, which has afforded a fairly constant and abundant supply of water both for cultivation and domestic use, the ravages of disease have been arrested, the people have been rescued from starvation, and they are now well-nourished and thriving. It is true that the climate is still unhealthy, the death-rate high, and that fever and parangi in their various forms still prevail; but these diseases are no longer so severe as once they were, and the people have more stamina to resist them. There is no destitution, and even the pinch of want is rarely felt. In most villages there are considerable surplus stocks of food-stuffs. The people possess large numbers of cattle, of which, however, they make but little use. A certain number of the buffaloes are trained for ploughing, and a small proportion of the black cattle are sold to traders for the Colombo and up - country markets; but, generally speaking, the cattle roam about untended and uncared for. Practically no use is made of the milk, which might be a valuable source of food supply.
“It is obvious that the future large development of the province cannot be expected from this primitive and conservative population They have all they require to satisfy their simple wants, they are perfectly contented and happy with their lot, and it is well that they should remain so, Besides, even were they energetic and progressive, their numbers are too few ; they have at the most liberal computation not more than 75,000 acres under permanent cultivation under them, and there are upwards of 2,000,000 acres of forest and jungle still to be reclaimed. It is rather to the enterprising Tamil and to the intelligent low-country Sinhalese, from the congested
districts of the north and south respectively,
as well as to capitalists, both native and European, that we must look in the main for the opening up of the country. With rich soil to tempt them, and so many fields of enterprise to
Page 787
TWENTIETH
be explored, there is every ground for hope that men of the right stamp will begin to be attracted as soon as the Northern Railway has made the country accessible and the restoration of the magnificent ancient irrigation works-with which the country is intersected in all directions-has made appreciable progress. One or two of these, such as Kalawewa and Minneriya, have already been restored; others, such as Nachchaduwa and Maha Galkadawala, are under restoration, and several others have been, or are being, surveyed. No sudden transformation is to be expected, but progress can hardly fail to be sure and steady. Already the population and trade of the town of Anuradhapura have increased enormously, while the numerous inquiries regarding lands available for Sale or lease which are received from outside the province prove that its possibilities are attracting attention in many quarters.'
స్వసి
HORATO THOMAS CARTWRIGHT,
Mr. H. T. Cartwright is a son of Mr. William Joseph Cartwright, who has settled at Bordeaux, France, since I870, and is interested in the wine business there. The subject of this sketch was born in March, I876, at Bordeaux. After receiving his education partly in France, partly in England and in Germany, and his technical education at the Ecole de Commerce et d'Industrie, at Bordeaux, he joined the engineering department of the Great Northern Railway, King's Cross, London, where he worked and received his training as an engineer for a period of five years. In 1899 he came to Ceylon to fill the position of Assistant Engineer of the northern extension of the Ceylon Government Railway. After the completion of the line Mr. Cartwright was made a District Engineer of the railway. Availing himself of a six months' furlough on October 3, 1905, he went home, and returned on April 3, I906, and was appointed Acting Resident Engineer of the Northern line-which is his present position.
This line is now open.
CENTURY IM
SINN ACUTTY
Mr. S. Sampander, Anuradhapura, is a na
Born in 1865, he was edit Mission School at th:
the matriculation exam University. He studied to Advocate Allegakoor his test for proctorsh. Proctor at the District
he practised for a sl Mr. Sampander went
practise, and in the fo appointed Crown Procto a daughter of Kuttutam Jaffna. He is a membe the District Road Comm tural Society. Mr. Sam various occasions-for
as Police Magistrate a
装
SOORYAKUMARA. W. YANSERIALAHAMILLA
Requests.
In the year 1683 of reigning king of Kandy by a royal sannas, to ancestors, known as Pal consideration of the va. dered by him in defeat Southern Province. In king granted to Sooriya Nuwarawewa Bulankul great-grandfather of t sketch, a vast tract of Central Province, calle Pattuwa, as a nindagan The family of Loku Ba on the land granted to Loku Banda, vhose fa Mohandiram of the Anu and grandfather, Ekana mahatmaya of Kalagam Bulankulame Walauwa ceiving his education at T he entered the public s attached to the Anuradh was appointed Deputy
PRESSIONS OF CEYLON
SAMPANDER
Crown Proctor of
tive of Trincomalee. cated at the Wesleyan at town, and passed ination of the Madras law, articling himself l, and having passed ip, he was admitted Court of Jaffna, where 1896 to Anuradhapura to
nort time. In
llowing year he was r. In 1892 he married bi, saltstore keeper of *r of the Local Board, littee, and the Agriculhpander has acted on nearly eight yearsund Commissioner of
ANNSINGHE MUDIAGE LOKU BANDA,
the era of Saka the granted certain lands, ome of Loku Banda's ipana Loku Nilame, in luable assistance rening aggressors in the 176o the then reigning akumara Wannisinghe ame Mudiyanse, the he subject of this land in the Northd the Nuwasagama na by a royal sannas. hda to this day reside their ancestors. Mr.
ther was the Shroff radhapura Kachcheri, yaka Bandara, Rate| Palata, was born at in I863. After reTrinity College, Kandy, service in 1883, being hapura Kachcheri, and Coroner eleven years
been in his family. In
779
after in recognition of faithful service rendered. In the following year he filled the position of Ratemahatmaya of Nuwaragam Palata and Inquirer into Crime. Mr. Loku
S. W. M. BUILANIKULAMIE LOKU BANDA,
RATEMAHATMAYA.
Banda is now Chairman of the Village Committee and member of the Provincial Road Committee, member of the Agricultural Society, and holds the important and responsible office of President of the Atamasthana Committee, under the Buddhist Temporalities, by right of being the head of the Nuwarawewa. family, as provided by the Ordinance. The sacred Bo-tree planted at Anuradhapura, it may be mentioned here, was brought from Magda (India) to Ceylon in 289 B.C. by an ancestor of Mr. Loku Banda amongst others, and the chiefship of the district has ever since I884 he married Kahanda Tikirikumarihami, daughter of Veragama Kahanda Punchi Bandara, Registrar of Matale (East). Having taken a prominent part in the construction of the Northern Railway, the Government of Ceylon was pleased to present him with a medal worth Rs. I,ooo.
Page 788
780
WING to the difficulty of communication, the Eastern Province is one of the least known portions of the island. There is no railway nearer than the mountain line of the Central Province, and the only roads of
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
EASTERN
province rejoices in a s seems likely to become Trincomalee has been station. The province character. Its seaboarc
ROCKS IN DUTCH BAY, TRINCOMALEE.
importance are from Badulla to Batticaloa, and from Anuradhapura and Dambulla to Trincomalee. Visitors from Colombo to Batticaloa, the capital of the province, if they are not wealthy motorists, have to choose between a long railway journey to Bandarawela, followed by an exhausting coach journey over many miles of dreary road, and a trip by sea occupying about three days. In the circumstances the
in the north to the
South. It has an are: and a population of 18 purposes the provinc districts——Batticaloa, ' square miles and a p Trincomalee, with an a and a population of 29
Batticaloa first figui
MPRESSIONS
PROVINCE,
plendid isolation, which more marked now that abandoned as a naval is largely coastal in i extends from Kokkilai
Kumbukkan river in the of 4,036 square miles ,237. For administrative e is divided into two with an area of 2,871 opulation of 153,522, and rea of I, 65 square miles 75.
es in history in connec
OF CEYLON
tion with the arrival of the General Joris Spilbergen in Ceylon, when, on May 3I, I602, he landed in the neighbourhood of this town and made it the base of his operations. The fortress built by the Portuguese was taken in the year I638 from the Lusitanians by the General Heer Adam Westerwolt, and delivered to the emperor of Ceylon. It is probable that in the period prior to the advent of the European Powers very little was known of these districts of Ceylon, and the description by one of the Dutch Governors of Trincomalee of this portion of Ceylon as a totally uncultiwated and wild solitude, and the suggestion that it should be colonised by Chinese and Japanese immigrants, serve to indicate that, with the wave of civilisation and foreign influence advancing rapidly over and across the west, the aboriginal tribes of the island were forced to seek shelter in the fastnesses of the Eastern Province, where, to this day, may be seen all the rough and untamed works of Nature-the dangerous denizens of the forest, the gigantic, but valueless, forest trees, and the “wild man' of Ceylon-growing and flourishing side by side in all their pristine savagery. Indeed, long years of occupation have made the eastern districts of Ceylon the home of the Veddah, where he still lives the primitive life uninter
ruptedly, except for the visitation, sometimes, of a “cute' and commercial Tamby, who seeks to barter the honey and the products of the chase which the Veddah trader specialises for the cheap gewgaws and imitations of German manufacture which are the stock-in-trade of these pedlars.
Trincomalee is mentioned in Johann Jacob Saar's “Account of Ceylon' (1647-1657 A.D.) as a well-fortified place with an excellent harbour. In 1639 a fortress was raised there, which was carried by the British in their second war. From the earliest times its advantageous position on the great sea route has made it a well-known port of call, and successive Powers which aimed at the conquest of the island first directed their attention to the capture and retention of this strategic base. There is a tradition that the Hindu temple there, which juts out into the sea, has within it a via sacra to the world beyond ; and until recently fanatics, in the excess of their zeal, were wont to cast themselves into the abyss of the ocean below, from the terrace of the shrine, in the belief that they would thereby attain their emancipation. A strange superstition is that in the time of British conquest a foreign soldier, who had made his way into the "holy of holies' without the necessary purification, was hurled into the waters below,
Page 789
TWENTIETH CENTURY IN
and may still be seen at certain times cursing mained for Sir Henry W his fate and striving to return. of measures which, carr; Trincomalee, as has been noted, has been term of office of later G deposed from its once proud position of the the system to something premier naval station in Indian waters. Its The Government Agen downfall has been brought about by “the new vince, in a recent report strategy, which demands the relinquishment of an interesting refere: isolated outposts which in time of peace are a quoted: source of expense and in time of war a cause “Most people in Cey of weakness.' However much force there may heard of the great irr be in the theories underlying these principles, Batticaloa district, and it is a subject of regret that this splendid posi- paddy-land irrigated b tion, with its grand harbour, should no longer requires a personal visit be actively identified with the Navy. Time one to realise what figur will probably bring its revenges, and Trin- mind. A drive along comalee will once more take its place on the from Kalmunai to Karu list of Navy stations. Meanwhile, the place Pattu, a distance of may be commended to visitors as one of the along the road to Sakam most beautiful and interesting spots in the as a revelation. On th whole of Ceylon. are densely populated The Batticaloa district is famous for its coconut gardens, with h irrigation system. Within the area are situ- estate. On the west si ated many fine tanks, which for many centuries as far as the eye can rea have played a leading part in the agriculture paddy-land extending of the area. The Dutch recognised their value merely for the 14 miles and improved them in many ways, but they and south of that dista suffered from subsequent neglect, and it re- only stretch of paddy.
c食一港轰
NORTHERN
NE of the five original revenue divisions, spicuously marks this pr
minus only Nuwarakalawiya, added in of successful missionary 1873 to the North-Central Province, the In the prehistoric ag Northern Province, from its commanding north-western portions position, close to India, has played a prominent part in the history of Ceylon. Successive waves of conquest have broken upon the island from this quarter, and through its ports have proceeded some of the earliest European adventurers who were the pioneers of the movement which finally resulted in the “all British" occupation. Religious zeal, too, has set its stamp upon the area. On these northern shores landed Buddha when he came from India to preach the doctrine of Renunciation, and in his footsteps followed many of his leading disciples. Christian missionary effort many centuries later took the same line of advance. St. Francis Xavier's assistants planted their flag here, and afterwards the great missionary himself prosecuted his self-sacrificing labours on the inhospitable coast of the Jaffna peninsula. Still later the leading Protestant - missions established themselves in the area,
founding on enduring lines great colleges and F. E. P. schools, and adding to the tradition which con- (Governmen
MPRESSIONS
ard to initiate a series ed to completion in the overnors, have restored like its old usefulness. Et of the Eastern Proon this subject, makes
nce, which may be
lon,' he says, “ have igation works of the of the vast extents of y those works, but it to the district to enable es fail to convey to the the south-coast road
nkoddittivu in Akkarai (4 miles, and thence am tank, comes to one e east side of the road villages situated in Iere and there a large le of the road, almost ch, is a vast stretch of without a break, not mentioned, but north nce. Nor is that the land. All along the
الاسم
"43ŞA
OF CEYLON 78.
western shore of the Batticaloa lake are vast tracts of paddy; along the north-western side of the Badulla road are the tracts irrigated by Rugam tank and its connected works, extending practically to the Naddur lake."
The Eastern Province is a paradise for the
Game of all kinds abounds in The topic is of such
sportsman. almost every part of it. perennial interest that it even peeps up at times in the prosaic pages of the official report. Thus, the Assistant-Government Agent of the Trincomalee district in his report for 1901 wrote:
"Game seems as plentiful as ever; elephants, buffaloes, sambur, spotted and red deer, and pea-fowl are met with in almost every jungle throughout the district. It is remarkable that though year after year the number of snipe shot in the Tamblegam tract of paddy-fields is counted by the thousand couples, the number of these migratory birds never seems to diminish, and I think there have been more snipe during the present season than in former years. Bears and leopards are also numerous, one young sportsman bagging four bears and one leopard at a water-hole in a single night's watch."
PROVINCE,
ovince out as a centre
effort.
es the northern and of Ceylon were in
RICE. t Agent.)
habited by the Nagas ("serpents'), on whose account that portion of the island acquired the name of Nagadipa, or the peninsula of the Nagas. Recent investigations have served to establish the fact that the word “Naga" did not apply so much to a species of the serpent tribe as to a race of people who deified the reptile and practised ophiolatry, and who were, therefore, contemptuously or otherwise, distinguished from the rest of the island's inhabitants by this generic term.
From the account in the Mahavansa, the Sinhalese metrical chronicle mentioned in the Historical portion of this work, of a visit to Buddha by a deputation of Nagas, it is reasonable to assume that they possessed an advanced and a complete social and political organisation with distinct and independent kings of their own, who sat on “gem-set thrones,' and constituted an important power at that early period of the island's history (circa 58I B.C.).
In the reign of the king Devanampiya Tissa (307-267 B.C.) the branch of the sacred Bo-tree is said to have been debarked at the haven of the north and a magnificent vihara erected on
Page 790
782 TWENTIETH CENTURY
STREET IN JAFENA.
the spot where the relic rested, and Prince later (A.D. 1795), the E Rama, one of the escorts of the mission, was from the victors, it sou granted the whole of the districts of Jaffna and the Dutch power in Ce: Trincomalee in recognition of his services to The latter-day Jaffna the church in this connection. to the Jaffna of even a í According to local traditions it is believed is circulating and diff that a certain princess of the Choli dynasty of pendence amongst “th South India, who was born with a horse's is touched upon in this head, was advised by the sages to repair to Administrative Report Keerimale, near Kankesanturai, the present Agent :- terminus of the Northern railway line, where, having bathed in the sacred springs, she recovered her human shape. Subsequently a minstrel named Yalpannen came over from the continent and was granted the whole of the northern districts, which he called after himself, the term “Yalpana' being afterwards corrupted by foreign invaders into “Jaffnapatnam"-the city of Jaffna. In the hymns of Sampanta-murti and Suntra-murti, entitled Tevaram, reference is constantly made to the prosperous and flourishing condition of Jaffna in the early days of Sinhalese sovereignty, and it is said that “gold, pearls, precious stones, areca-trees, mango-groves, plantain-bushes, peacocks and apes' abounded everywhere. The first comprehensive account of the peninsula, however, is to be found in Mayilvakanam's “ Yalpana Vaipawa Malai.”
Jaffna has been, with few breaks, an exclusively Tamil country, and even when Sinhalese invaders carried their arms into the country they did not long possess it, but were repulsed by reinforcements which arrived from the neighbouring continent. It was the last stronghold of the Portuguese, the capture of “Great changes a which by the Dutch brought to a close the native society, which Portuguese era in Ceylon; and when, I75 years the conservative part
ཀ རྒྱད་སྐུ་ན་ཀུན་ལ་འགན་ཀུ་ཀུ་ཏ་རྒྱལ་པོ་ཤལ་ལས་ལ་
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
British wrested the fort nded the death-knell of ylon. is a very different place ew years ago. Wealth using a spirit of indee masses.' The matter passage from a recent of the Government
(so-called) "low castes' are becoming more rich, and having acquired property, most of them naturally decline to follow the old customs, by which they were prohibited from wearing jewels, riding in carriages, using tomtoms for marriages, and other social functions. Many of the low-caste Nalavalas and Covias become converts to Christianity, and the Vellalas know that the next step in the progress of the converts will be that of wearing jewellery and assuming Vellala customs. Hence arise petty prosecutions and squabbles and cases in court and demand for police prosecution, and often real riots and bloodshed."
That the improved condition of the people, of which these ebullitions are the outward and visible sign, is not confined to the capital is attested by the observations of the Government Agent in another report : “The villager in the Mannar district would a year or two ago,' he writes, “have been unable to give the name of any article of food outside the very limited list of food stuffs which he and his forefathers have depended upon for centuries. The very existence of other varieties was unknown, even in the Mannar town, until quite recent years. An increased standard of comfort has, however, spread in the district, and 'luxuries' are now known and appreciated. The Moormen are the commercial travellers, and appeal successfully to the popular change, exchanging biscuits, condensed milk, and aerated waters for paddy, tobacco, and chillies." In a subsequent report the same point is emphasised : mud huts, we are informed, are being replaced
THE LAGOON, JAFFNA.
2 going on in Jaffna re bitterly resented by if the population. The
by stone houses, more jewellery is worn than of yore, there are more vehicles in use and money generally is more plentiful. One idio
Page 791
TWENTIETH CENTURY
syncrasy of the people is their fondness for tea. At Jaffna there are tea shops (three) at the station, at the market, at the Courts, at the Kachcheri, and they are run at the festivalsin fact, wherever people congregate. The charge for a cup of tea is I cent, or 3 cents if more than the usual quantity of milk is required.
Next to the food supply, tobacco cultivation ranks highest as the most important interest in the province. “Jaffna cigars' are a byword amongst the European residents of the island; but the locally grown tobacco, during the period of the Dutch occupation and also in the early period of British rule, had a good market in spite of a duty of 25 per cent. per candy, with an additional charge of ten janams for brokerage. In an official letter dated October, 1798, Colonel Barbut, the Collector, mentions that “tobacco purchased here last year at 3o rixdollars the candy was sold by merchants at Nagore at a profit of 50 per cent." He adds: “I leave you to judge on the profits that may arise from sending the Jaffna tobacco to Achen and Pulo Pinang, where I am informed the Malays overrate it so greatly that keeping the cigars for they will not purchase any other tobacco so. In I902 a trial was mac long as there is a pound of it to be had.' In tobacco to suit Europ recent years, practically the only demand for experiment does not ap Jaffna tobacco has emanated from India, and encouraging results. N even that has fallen off. Experts express the lieved that there is a g opinion that the locally grown leaf is of tobacco if the right met excellent quality, and that the methods of the requisite amount of planting and irrigation are sound, but that put into the enterprise,
THE FORT, JAFFNA,
the plucking is erroneous and the curing The Northern Provi; injurious to flavour. The leaf is actually made * Administration Repor rotten, and hence the difficulty experienced in Province for Igo.
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON 783
ECCLESIASTICAL SEM.INARY, JAFENA.
any length of time." le of curing the Jaffna ean markets, but the pear to have had any Nevertheless, it is bereat future for Ceylon thods are pursued, and
capital and energy is
nce is divided into
it on the Northern
three districts-Jaffna, Mullaitivu, and Mannar. Mullaitivu is comprised in the district historically known as the Vanni, a great tract of forest-clad country I,864 square miles in extent, 7I miles long, and 6o miles broad. After the break-up of the Sinhalese power the Vanni was under the dominion of a number of petty kings of Tamil origin. These princelets maintained their independence in the face of the aggressions of the Portuguese, but the country succumbed to the Dutch, though the conquerors found their new subjects very troublesome ones. The Hollanders established a fort and founded a town at Mullaitivu, and this became the headquarters of the British administration on the transfer of the Dutch sovereignty in I796. In the earlier years of British rule the Vanni was administered by means of Aumildars, and for some time it was under the charge of an officer subordinate to the Collector at Trincomalee, a Madras civilian whose title was “Collector of Trincomalee, Batticaloa, and the Wanny." In 1806 the Vanni was separated from Jaffnapatam and Mullaitivu was established as the capital. The administration underwent various changes until it was finally settled on the existing lines.
The Vanni country is thinly populated, and its interests, apart from the fisheries, which are conducted by outsiders, are entirely agricultural. The area is almost entirely covered with jungle. “Viewing the country from the top of one of the high rocks . . . nothing is seen but a sea of forest on all sides of different shades of green, with here and there a dark mass rising out of it, indicating the site of another rock of the same description. On the horizon are the outlines of one or two
Page 792
784
blue hills-Mihintale or some other rock of the North-Central Province. Not a village is to be distinguished, but in some places a slight break in the forest shows the position of a tank and its paddy-fields. Travelling along the roads, which for the most part pass through thick jungle, one is sometimes oppressed with the monotonousness of the forest, particularly where it is, as in some places, composed almost entirely of one or two species of sombre-looking trees, such as palai and virai. This is especially the case on the main road to Jaffna, where, as the jungle has been cleared back to some distance on each side of the road, there is little shade. The forest scenery on some of the minor roads, however, and on the old road to
TWENTIETH CENTURY. I
with clumps of trees in mid-air, the gene much that of a mirage seen across this fiat
fine, '''
The chief characteri
of the Vanni is w; never think of manuri ploughing is done in fashion, and, except in of the maritime Patt cannot be got to work he may be in want (
siders it beneath his c
extremely conservative sometimes plainly to begin sowing their
KING'S HOUSE, JAFFNA.
Mullaitivu is often very picturesque, with long vistas through trees standing like a series of columns on either side of the road, some of them with curiously twisted trunks. Every shade of green, from the darkest in some of the foliage trees to the brightest in the grass which covers the road, flecked with sunlight, combines to add to the effect. . . . As a rule it is impossible to get any extensive view of the landscape owing to the thickness of the forest. The exception is the maritime Pattus, where there are lagoons and plains bordered by large stretches of paddy-fields. . . Looking across the lagoons one sees a long stretch of water bordered on the horizon by a line of forest, to which distance gives a bluish tint. Sometimes in the bright sunlight the atmosphere seems to dance, and sky and water to merge into one in the far distance,
date than that fixed b impossible to get the mot the custom,” ar quite sufficient reason
people, too, are intense. is considerable belief .
craft. Ulcers and othe buted to sorcery. Or was found fixed on a
to Siva vritten under object of the charm b tion between the inma wife. Mr. Price reco kind are of frequent village people fully bel He appears to have
a serious one, and to
“A Manual of the by J. P. Lewis, of the C
MIPRESSIONS
suspended as it were ral effect being very
A sunset or sunrise country is often very
stic of the inhabitants ant of energy. They ng their fields. Their
the most perfunctory
the populous villages
us, the Vanni villager for hire, even though of money, as he conlignity. They are also Even though it is their advantage to fields at an earlier
ly custom, it is almost m to do it, as “it is ld this is considered for their neglect. The ly superstitious. There in charms and witchr diseases are ills attri
l one occasion an ola gate with an invocation
a mystical figure, the eing to cause a separate of the house and his ords that “acts of this
and the lieve in their efficacy.”
thought the practice have endeavoured to
occurrence,
Wanni Districts, Ceylon," eylon Civil Service; p. 9.
OF CEYLON
put a stop to it, for not long afterwards he seized what he calls “about 90o diabolical olas' in the possession of a man addicted to witchcraft, and bound him over to keep the peace for it.'
The Mannar district of the Northern Provinces, like the Vanni, presents many points of peculiar interest. The district has an area of 4oo square miles. It includes the island of Mannar, which is separated from the mainland by a narrow channel, and seems to be a prolongation of the reef which, extending from Teniturai on the Indian coast, forms Ramisseram and Adam’s Bridge. The history of Mannar is interesting. There must have been Tamil colonies at a very early period, and somewhat later, though still early in the history of the island, there was a Sinhalese colony at Mantottai. “There is a tradition of an Arab conquest of Tirukesaram, as Mantottai was called before the Sinhalese era, and there is no doubt that in very early days indeed-perhaps as early as the time of Solomon-Arab traders frequented the sacred city. Mr. Nevill
says (I do not know on what authority) that
from IOO B.C. to 7oo A.D. this part of the world was ruled by the Maharajahs of Zabedj; and it is not improbable that Sinbad himself may have seen the temple, which is said to have rivalled that at Ramisseram, but of which now very few traces are left.' * The Portuguese effected a settlement in Mannar, and it was here that in I545 the great massacre of Christian converts made by St. Francis Xavier took place at the bidding of the fanatical king of Jaffna. In 1658 the Dutch captured the island from the Portuguese, and were in turn ousted by the British in I795 or 1796.
The district is divided into three administrative areas—(I). Mannar Island, (2) Mantai, (3) Musali - each under a superior headman, called Adigar. Each of these is subdivided into two or more, and each subdivision is placed under an Udaiyar, who is the immediate superior of the police, Vitanais-officials who exercise the functions of both police and revenue officers over one or more villages, according to their size or importance. In the Musali district is situated Silavatturai, the headquarters of the Pearl Fishery. “In ordinary times there are only a few boutiques and fishermen's huts and double rows of tuliptrees which mark the streets of the town which spring up when there is a fishery. . . . The only existing public building is a large store, part of which is used as a rest-house-a single room. There is a vault, or strong room, in which to lodge the rupees collected during the fishery. . . . There are several wells and an
“Manual of Vanni," p. 263.
“Mannar," a monograph by W. J. S. Boake, C.C.S., Assistant Government Agent of the district, р. “б,
Page 793
TWENTIETH
experimental coconut garden, which bears well, and there is no reason why it should not be extended. The land here is somewhat raised above the sea, and the deposits of oyster shells are in many places several feet in thickness. An attempt was made some years ago to utilise these deposits, and a shipload was
HINDU TEMPLE, JAFFNA.
exported to England, but the venture was not repeated. The Persian Gulf oysters are larger and thicker and better adapted for the button trade than our oysters, and they are not worth removing for making lime, even for manureat least, I suppose this to be the case.
Mannar has come prominently to the front of late in connection with the scheme for linking up the Ceylon railway system with that of India. The subject has for years been under consideration, and many schemes have from time to time been mooted. The latest, which is still under consideration by the authorities, contemplates the eonstruction by the Ceylon Government of a line from Madawachi or Vavuniya on the Northern line to the end of the island of Mannar. To meet this line the South Indian Railway Company would extend their existing line on the island of Rameswaram to the end of the island, a distance of I3 miles. The bridging of the intervening space between Rameswaram and the island of Mannar, it was suggested by the company,
ty
should be accomplished by means of a steam.
ferry, which would take the train bodily across from the terminus of one line to that of the other. But this proposal does not seem to commend itself to the consulting engineers of the Colonial Office, and has been abandoned. An earlier proposal, which emanated from the Ceylon Government, was that a viaduct should be built over Adam's Bridge, and a material link be thus forged with the Indian peninsula. But the South Indian Railway Company rejected this scheme on the score of the enormous cost it would involve. It is estimated by Mr. Neville Priestley, the agent of the South Indian Railway Company, that an expenditure of at least 300 lakhs would be involved in the construction of the 2-mile viaduct that would
Mr. W. J. S. Boake's monograph on “Mannár," p. 70.
CENTURY I
be necessary, and tha charges on this sum a Rs. 2,2Oo a mile a week have to be earned. T the probable earning The earnings of the S. 1905 were Rs. 222 a m busiest section of on Trichinopoly sectionexceed Rs. 355 a mile
the bridging of Adam' the help of the Govern of the possibilities of th that day arrives Manna Northern Province, wil commercial prosperity rulers of the provin One result of the cai
modified scheme will range of the programm the world-famed Hindu of Rameswaam, whit difficult of access. frO.
THE BISHO
The Right Rev. Dr. Roman Catholic Bisho Poitiers, in France, on received his educatio
and Poitiers Seminarie gregation of Oblates of ordained priest at Poiti
RT. IREV, DR. H
(Bishop
in Ceylon as a missic that year until the laboured unremittingly Bishop of the diocese
Memorandum On th
Connection, by Mr. Nevi South Indian Railway Co
MPRESSIONS
t to cover the interest n income equivalent to for the 2I miles would his is a rate far beyond capacity of the line. outh Indian Railway in ile a week, and on the e line--the Cuddalore-the earnings do not a week. Nevertheless s Bridge, probably with ments interested, is one e near future, and when r, and indeed the whole l enter upon a career of undreamt of by early >e, Dutch and British. trying out of even the be to bring into the les of visitors to Ceylon u temples of the island ch at present are very n the Ceylon side.
* OF JAFFNA.
Henry Joulain, O.M.I., p of Jaffna, was born at September 24, 1852, and n at the Montmorillon es. He joined the ConMary in I88o, and was ers in I875. He arrived
зеза.
. JOULAIN, O.M.I. of Jaffna.)
onary in 188o, and from present time he has y as such. He has been
since I893.
e Proposed Indo-Ceylon
lle Priestley, Agent of the mpany, Ltd.
OF CEYLON 785
WILLIAM RUTHERFORD BOGLE SANDERS
Mr. William Rutherford Bogle Sanders, the District Judge of Jaffna, was born in Calcutta on October 29, 1856, and educated at St. Peter's School, the Collegiate School, Edinburgh, and the Edinburgh University. He was appointed
W. R. B. SANDERS.
to the Ceylon Civil Service in 1879, and on December 15th in that year arrived in Ceylon, and was attached to the Galle Kachcheri. On August 4, 1881, he was transferred to Kandy. In May, 1882, he was made Extra Assistant at Badulla to the Government Agent, Central Province. In the following year he officiated aS Acting District Judge. Subsequently he filled positions at Batticaloa, Anuradhapura, Gampola, Colombo, and Haputale. On January 1, 1888, he was appointed Police Magistrate, Chilaw, and in March of the same year was Acting Police Magistrate, Jaffna. After serving here and elsewhere in a magisterial capacity, he was, on May 1, 1896, gazetted District Judge, Ratnapura, Subsequently he officiated at Kegalla and Negombo, and after a period of leave was appointed District Judge, Jaffna. In 1902 he acted for a time as Government Agent in addition to discharging his other duties. He went on leave in 1904, and on his return served for a time as Commissioner of Requests. On April I4, 1905, he was appointed District Judge, Kalutara, but on December 7th of the same year he reverted to his old post at Jaffna.
Wy
THE HON. MR. AMBALAYI ANAR KANAGASABA.
The Hon. Mr. Ambalavanar Kanagasabai, son of Superamaniam Ambalavanar, was born at Telepalai, in the Jaffna district, in 1856, and educated first privately and afterwards at Madras University, where he graduated in Arts in 1878 from the Christian College. He then studied law under Mr. C. L. Ferdinands, Deputy Queen's Advocate, and was called to the Bar in August, I882, when he commenced practice at Jaffna. He is now the leader of the Bar there, and has always identified him
3D
Page 794
786 TWENTIETH
CENTURY I
HION. MR. A. KANAGASABAI AND E'AMILY.
self with movements of every description for the welfare of the people of Jaffna. As an instance of this it should be stated that he was largely instrumental in bringing about the construction of the Northern Railway. In February, Igo6, the Secretary of State appointed him member of the Legislative Council for the Tamil community, in which capacity he represents the interests of one million people. In 1885 he married Kamatchi Ammal, daughter of Sangarapillar Kanagasabai, and his residences are Kailaiwalauwa at Tellepalai, Jaffna, and “Green Bank," Jail Road, Colombo. He is a member of the Royal Asiatic Society and of the Agricultural Society, is on the Board of Education of Ceylon, President of the Board of Directors of the Hindu College, Jaffna, a member of the committee of the Victoria Home for Incurables, and the President of the Board of Directors of the Jaffna Commercial Corporation.
J. M. HENSMAN, B.A., Fellow of the University of Madras.
Mr. James Muthiah Hensman was born on November 24, 1849, at Jaffna, and is the son of the late Rev. John Hensman, incumbent of the C.M.S. Church at Kopay, Jaffna. He was educated at Chundicully Seminary, Jaffna, and Kumbakonam College, Madras, where he passed the B.A. degree examination of the Madras University in English, mathematics,
ethics, history and T W. A. Porter, M.A. joined the Madras G
J. M. H.
service as assistant i College at Calicut. headmaster of vario Schools and Second which he was promol
MPRESSIONS
OF CEYLON
THE RESIDENCE.
“amil, under Principal Cantab. In 187o he overnment educational
ENSMAN.
in the Second Grade Subsequently he was us Government High
Grade Colleges, after ted to the first lecture
ship in English and mathematics in the Government First Grade Colleges, Rajahmundry and Kumbakonam, successively. He also held for considerable periods the acting principalship of the foregoing two colleges. He then became Inspector of Schools for a short time, and retired from the service in September, I904. He has returned to Jaffna, where he has lived in retirement ever since. He is the first President of the Jaffna Association. He married Elizabeth, the eldest daughter of the late Mr. E. Rogers, Arasaratna Mudaliyar of Jaffna, and resides at Sandilipay, near Jaffna. He has three sons and two daughters.
Wž
KANAPATHYYPILLAI SYIASTHAMPARAM.
This gentleman was born in 1877, and educated at Trincomalee Wesleyan Mission High School and the Hindu College, Jaffna. After passing the entrance examination for the Calcutta University at the last named institution, he entered the Ceylon Medical College in 1899, and passing out in 1904, became House Surgeon at the Kandy Hospital. Later he acted as Medical Officer at Anuradhapura
and he is now House Surgeon at Badulla.
He is a member of the British Medical Association and of the Local Board at Anuradhapura.
W
Page 795
TWENTIETH
YVISUYIANATHER CASIPPILLA.
Mr. V. Casippillai, Proctor of the Supreme Court of Ceylon and Notary Public of Jaffna, was born at Jaffna on February 12, 1849. He is the son of W. Visuvanather, landed proprietor, and Aiyathaippillai, daughter of C. Visuvanather, of Jaffna. Having been educated at the Chundicully Seminary, Jaffna, he became an undergraduate of the Madras University in 1867. He was articled to Mr. Advocate C. Brito, B.A., with the view of qualifying himself as proctor. He passed as Proctor of the District Court of Mannar in I876, and was admitted at the Supreme Court of Ceylon in 1879. He practised in Mannar till 1882, when he began his practice in Jaffna, where he still practises. He was admitted a notary public authorised to practise in the English and Tamil languages. Mr. Casippillai married in 1882 Parupathippillai, daughter of C. Mootatamby, and has by her (who died in 1893) a son named Arulambalam, who is a law student, and a daughter named Rasamma. In addition to the practice of law, Mr. Casippillai is a planter and agriculturist, and owns two fully-planted coconut estates, viz., Ariyalai estate, of about 5oo acres, and Vettilaikkeny estate, in Veddukkadu, of about 3oo acres. He has also another estate at Pallai, which is
CENTURY I.
just being opened and coconuts. Besides thes I5o acres of paddy-la
V. CASI)
coconut and Palmyra director of the Jaffna C
DR. AND MRS. F. G. SPL AND AMLY.
MPRESSIONS
is to be planted with è estates he owns about nds and several other
PPLILLAI.
gardens. He is a Sommercial Corporatiọn
OF CEYLON 787
and the Jaffna Trading Company, Ltd., Manager of the Hindu College, Jaffna, and Secretary of “Saivaparipalana Sabai' (a Hindu society), and Vice-President of the Jaffna Association.
V
F. G. SPITTEL.
Dr. Frederick George Spittel, Provincial Surgeon of the Northern Province, stationed at Jaffna, and residing at Abbot's Lodge, was born in Colombo on January 26, 1853, and educated at the Colombo Academy (present Royal College). After obtaining the licence of the Ceylon Medical College, and having served as SubAssistant Colonial Surgeon, he proceeded to Scotland and obtained the diploma of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, Edinburgh, and of the Faculty of Physicians and Surgeons, Glasgow. Returning to Ceylon, he was appointed Deputy-Assistant Colonial Surgeon in 1885, and afterwards served as Assistant Colonial Surgeon at Gampola, Kurunegala, Matara, Galle, Anuradhapura, and Colombo. He was afterwards appointed Colonial Surgeon of the Northern Province. He married Zilia Eleanor, daughter of Henry Frederick Jansz, of Galle. He has three sons and five daughters, and of these the eldest son, Richard Lionel, obtained the licence of the
E. G. SEPITTEL.
ABBOT's LODGE.
Page 796
788
Ceylon Medical College, and after being appointed House-Surgeon of the General Hospital, Colombo, proceeded to London to obtain British qualifications there. The second son, George Knox, is qualifying as a surveyor in the Technical College, Colombo.
JOSEPH CHERUBM.
Mr. Joseph Cherubim, commission agent, is a well-known Jaffna personality. He is a son of the late Mr. M. B. Cherubim, who was also a commission agent, and was born on September 23, 1868. He received his education in St. Patrick's College, Jaffna, and since he commenced business, in I890, has taken up agencies for the British India Steam Navigation Company, Ltd., the Standard Life Assurance Company, the British Dominions Marine Insurance
JOSEEPH CEIERUBIM.
Company, Ltd., the Ceylon Company of Pearl Fishers, Ltd., and Cameron & Co.'s Tile Works, Travancore. He has two brothers, Messrs. Norbert E. M. Cherubim and Victor E. Cherubim, who assist him in the business. Mr. Cherubim married Anne Magdalene, daughter of the late Mr. P. S. Sandrasagra, agent B.I.S.N. Company, Ltd., Jaffna, and resides in Main Street, Jaffna. Mr. and Mrs. Cherubim are grandchildren of the late Mr. Don Philip Sangarapillai Mudaliyar Cherubim, and grand. nephew and niece of the late Mr. Sandrasagra Mudaliyar Saverimutto, Mudaliyar, Mudaliyar of the Governor's Gate and Knight Chevalier of the Order of St. Gregory the Great.
T. NAGALINGA, Mudaliyar.
Mr. T. Nagalinga, Mudaliyar, of Point Pedro, in Jaffna, was born in 186I, and received his
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
TIBIEYVAMI INAGALI
education in the Gran Pedro. His father, Th not only a leading mer Point Pedro, but one « planting industry of th great friend to the Eu north of the island.
father, Theyver Kanag the Maniagar of Point great-grandfather, Var
STEAMPARA]
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
NGA MUDALTY.A.R.
mmar School at Point eyver, was in his day chant and shipowner at of the pioneers of the e Jaffna district, and a ropean planters in the
His paternal grandaraya, Mudaliyar, was : Pedro. His paternal unakula Sooria, Muda
MI MIANICCUMA.
decorated by Pope Leo XIII.
liyar, his maternal grandfather, Kathirkama Singa, Mudaliyar, and his maternal greatgrandfather, Kathirkama, Mudaliyar, were also titular Mudaliyars, and the present occupant of that title is following in his ancestors' footsteps in setting an example of loyalty and public spirit. Upon the completion of his scholastic career he entered commerce, and is now a leading merchant, shipowner, and landed proprietor of Point Pedro. So great has been his financial success that he is said to lbe the richest man in the Northern Province, and it is gratifying to be able to state that he has been both judicious and generous in giving of his means for public objects. He is the largest contributor to the proposed Ridgeway Memorial Hall in Jaffna. He has been the leading supporter of the reading-room in his native town. He has for long played a conspicuous part as a peace-maker in his district, successfully averting strife in caste and other disputes on many occasions. He was raised to the rank of a Mudaliyar on November 9, 1903, in recognition of his public spirit and valuable services. It is worthy of mention that Sir West Ridgeway paid a visit to Point Pedro on March I2, I902, at the instance of the Mudaliyar, who accorded His Excellency a magnificent reception, with which he was so much pleased that he expressed his personal thanks to the Mudaliyar, adding that he would have been very sorry if he had left Ceylon without seeing so The Mudaliyar and his brother-in-law, Sithamparam Maniccum, are in partnership, and own a large fleet of boats which trade between Jaffna and India. These include the barques Pakialetch my (about 3OO tons), Thirunadarajasivakamasundary (about 25otons), Dhoney Dyalnayagy (about 150 tons); schooners Parupathapakialcichmy (about IOO tons), Sinnaparupathan (of about 50 tons); and brig Sivagangapuravy (about I2O tons). Mr. Nagalinda in 188o married They vanaipilly, daughter of the late Punniar Sidamparam, a leading merchant and shipowner, and they have three sons, named Sithamparappilly, They vapilly, and Krishnapilly, and seven daughters.
important and prosperous a town.
Wy
HENRY ALEXANDER PATRICK SANDRÁSÁGRA.
Mr. H. A. Patrick Sandrasagra is the son of Mr. J. N. Sandrasagra, Superintendent of Minor Roads, Jaffna. His grandfather was the first Gregorian Knight in Ceylon, having been He was a personal friend of Sir Wm. Gregory, the Governor of Ceylon, and possessed several medals and other decorations conferred upon him at various times, The subject of this sketch was
Page 797
TWENTIETH
born on June 12, 1875, and educated at St. Patrick's College. He afterwards studied under the Council of Legal Education, and was called to the Bar in I898 as an Advocate of the Superior Court, Jaffna. He has been practising there ever since. Mr. Sandrasagra is married to Josephine, daughter of the late Mr. Simon Cherobin.
ISAAG TAMBYAH.
Mr. Tambyah is a son of Mr.T. A. Tamby Pillai, head clerk of the New Dimbula Tea Company, Ltd., Agrapatnas. Born on August I9, I869, at Jaffna, he was educated at St. John's College, Jaffna, and St. Thomas's College, Colombo. He held the Divinity Scholarship from 1877 to I891, and was Liturgy Prizeman. During his sojourn at St. Thomas's Mr. Tambyah edited the college magazine. On the termination of his collegiate career he studied under the Council of Legal Education, and was called to the Bar in 1899. He practised in Colombo until 190I, when he removed to Jaffna, where he has been ever since. Mr. Tambyah, besides being a brilliant lawyer, is a well-known writer. He was the founder of the Ceylon Review", and edited that publication until it was sold. He is at present editor of the Ceylon Law Revicw and Tambyah's Reports. He is the author of the " Digest of the Law of Contract and Commentary on the Ceylon Penal Code." Besides, he has edited collections of poems by various writers and the 'Garland Verse Collection" of Ceylon. Mr. Tambyah is married to Mangalanayagam, daughter of Mudaliyar J. W. Barr Kumarakulasinghe. Mr. Tambyah is proprietor of Burleigh House, Jaffna, an old Dutch residence built I5o years since.
Vy
YENASITAMBY MURGASUPILLAI.
Mr, Venasitamby Murgasupillai, planter, of Jaffna, is the son of Venasitamby, property owner of that town, and Kathergasi Pillai. He was born in Jaffna in I865 and educated at Batticotta College. Upon the completion of his scholastic career he went to Singapore, and spent twenty-one years there in the service of the municipality, commencing as Inspector and rising to be Chief Inspector of Roads. He then retired on pension and returned to his native town, where he is at present engaged in the superintendence of his estates. He was also President of the Hindu community of Singapore for a period of eleven years, and represented them on the occasion of the visit of Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of York in 190I. He married Selvakan many, daughter of J. Tillainather Pillai, Mudaliyar Maniagar of the Jaffna district. He resides at Sherman Lodge,
CENTURY I
Vanarponai, Hindu Tow family consists of three s valupillai, and Kathirav
CATHIRKAMAR MUR
Muda
This gentleman, wl Jaffna Kachcheri, is th Murugaser, landed pro was born in 1854 and the Batticotta High Sc at the Kumbakonam C. Upon the completion o entered the Ceylon Gov the necessary examinati a clerk in the Public at Ratnapura. After
MUDAILYAR CATTE
GASER SI
MPRESSIONS
SUPILAI.
n, mear Jaffna, and his sons–Valupillai, Ratnaalupillai.
UGASER SINNAYAH, liyar.
no is Shroff at the le son of Kathirgamar prietor, of Jaffna. He was educated, first, at hool, Jaffna, and then ollege, in South India. f his college career he 2rnment service, passed
on, and in 1876 became
Works Department holding various other
ERKAMAR MITURU
NINAYAE
OF CEYLON 789
Government appointments he was promoted to his present position. He is also an Inquirer into Crimes, hon, treasurer of the Jaffna Agricultural Society, one of the directors of the Jaffna Hindu College, a member of the executive committee of the Jaffna Friend-in-Need Society, manager of an Anglo-Vernacular School at Anacotta, and a member of the District Road Committee, Jaffna. He married Sivagamy Pillai, daughter of Kartegasa Udiyar, and he has one son and one daughter, the latter being married. His residence is named “Srivasa," Anacotta, Jaffna.
y
WILLIAM MATHER.
This gentleman was born at Jaffna on May Io, 185I, and received his education at
the Vaddukodde English High School in that town. Entering commercial life, he worked his way by dint of diligence and perseverance through the positions of clerk, book-keeper, and accountant and cashier, and finally commenced business on his own account under the style of William Mather & Son, and the firm now holds the agencies for the Ceylon Steamship Company, Ltd., the Basel Mission Tile Works, Messrs. Walker, Sons & Co., Ltd., and the Oriental Government Security life Assurance Company. Mr. Mather is also the managing director of the Jaffna Commercial Corporation, Ltd. of which he was the founder. He married Eliza, daughter of Mr. J. R. Arnold, editor of the Jaffna Morning Star, and author, poet, &c., and their family consists of six sons and four daughters. Of these the eldest son, Edward Mather, is a partner in his father's business, and married a daughter of Dr. William Paul. Solomon Mather, the second son, who is a merchan,
3D *
Page 798
790
married a daughter of Proctor S. T. Arnold. The eldest daughter, Margaret Thangamma, married Mr. R. M. Rajasooryar ; the second daughter, Jane Nallamma, married Mr. R. N. Samuel ; Harriet Muttaparanam, the third daughter, married Mr. C. T. Hastings; and the youngest daughter, Alice Anna, married Mr. S. M. Edwards.
Vy
R. H. LEEMBRUGGEN.
Mr. Robert Henry Leembruggen is the son of the late Mr. G. H. Leembruggen, retired Inspector of Police, and was born at Jaffna on November 12, 1844. He received his education at the Wesleyan Central College, Jaffna, and entered the service of the Education Department of the Government in March, 1866, his first appointment being that of headmaster of the Matara boys' English school. This posi...tion he filled with great success for thirteen years, and he then became Principal of the Female Seminary, Colombo. In 1885 he
職雛
R. E. LEEMIBRUGGEN.
ceased to be a schoolmaster, and between that year and 1889 was successively chief clerk in the Chief Resident Engineer's, the Attorney-General's, and the Colonial Secretary's offices; and in February, 1892, he was appointed Inspector of Schools, a position from which he has now retired. He is a member of the Friend-in-Need Society, Jaffna, and Vice-President of the Jaffna Central College Old Boys' Association, and was at one time an honorary member of the Colts' Cricket Club. As recreations he is fond of boating and fishing, &c., and he resides at “ The Nutshell,' Jaffna. He married Helen Catherine Mabel, daughter of John Arnold Wakefield Vanzyl.
V
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
YWI. M. MUTT
Mr. Vyra Muttu Mut the Local Board of He of Jaffna, is the second kumaru, of Anaikkodda muttu, daughter of S. M of Vannarpannai, Jaffn December II 5, 1875, an scholastic career at (Jaffna), Royal College Xavier's College (Calcut the Cambridge Junior being the first in Ceylol and book-keeping. In t only passed, but also ob
W. M., AND IMRS.
the following year he
Senior Local Examina the only distinction of in all the colonies. I First in Arts Examir University in the Firs a Government Scholars two silver medals for
the junior and senior Xavier's College, Calc
MPRESSIONS
UKUMARU,
ukumaru, Secretary of lth and Improvement son of Dr. V. Muttu, Jaffna, and Thaiyalerwin Murugasapillai, L. He was born on i had a distinguished St. Patrick's College
(Colombo), and St. a). In 1892 he passed
Local Examination, to pass in shorthand he latter subject he not tained distinction. In
MUTUKUMARU.
passed the Cambridge tion, when he gained the year in arithmetic in 1897 he passed the ation of the Calcutta
Division, and gained lip. He further gained general proficiency in
F.A. Classes of St. utta, respectively, and
OF CEYLON
a gold medal in the B.A. Class for English, mathematics, and science. In 1898 he became Acting Assistant-Master of the Royal College, Colombo, and three years later became first assistant to the Principal of the Central College, Colombo. In August, 1906, he was appointed Secretary of the Local Board of Health and Improvement of Jaffna, and he still holds that position. He is the proprietor of a coconut estate 186 acres in extent and of 4o acres of paddy-land. He married Soma Suntharavally Ammal, daughter of the late Dr. M. Candyah, of Nallur, and they have one daughter, Siva Yogavally Ammal. Their residence is at Temple Villa and Chilambu Walauwa, both at Nallur.
Va.
TAMBIAH STRONG COOKE.
Mr. Tambiah Strong Cooke, Proctor, of Jaffna, was born on November 13, 1863, at Batticotta, Jaffna. He was educated at Jaffna
TAMBLAB STRONG COOKE.
College, and after being a student there he became a master of the college, and occupied that position for some time, assisting in the meanwhile his grandfather, Mr. N. Strong, in his printing establishment at Manipay. Abandoning these appointments, he was articled for the study of law, and was called to the Bar in August, I9oI, and since that date has practised his profession in his native town. He has varied and extensive interests, being director and secretary and proctor of the Jaffna Trading Company, director and proctor of the Commercial Corporation, and proprietor of the Jaffna Morning Star, as well as owner of several paddy-fields and coconut plantations. He is an ardent Wesleyan Methodist, and is a local preacher, circuit steward, and Sundayschool superintendent for that Church in Jaffna.
Page 799
TWENTIETH
In addition he is the Treasurer of the Y.M.C.A.,
and member and Treasurer of the Law Library. He has been twice married, and he has five sons and one daughter-Franklin Kunaretnam and Thomas Jeyaretnam by his first wife, Harriet Tampoe ; and Magonin Durairetnam, Albert Arasaretnam, Anna Retnam, and Parson Chelvaretnam by his Ethel Rosammah Tambiah.
second wife,
Lø
M. G. GEODES.
Mr. Melville Gordon Geddes, planter, of Pallai, N.P., near Jaffna, is the son of the late John Gordon Geddes, proprietary planter and manager of many of the leading estates in the peninsula, who arrived in Ceylon half a century ago and joined Messrs. J. W. Ritchie & Co. Born at Jaffna in 1867, Mr. Geddes, jun., went Home for his education, which he received at Wickham Park School and the Academy, Edinburgh. He returned to Ceylon in 1886
一淳
CENTURY IM
and commenced cocol made consistent progre large proprietary plante makenny estate, 32o ac planted with coconuts, a for Major Forbes, the
and Karandi estates, ea 3oo acres. He has bec twenty-one years, durin made two visits to Eng to note that Mr. Geddes the Jaffna district who h rubber. The plants are old, and the older trees Geddes employs a go permanently, and durin village labour is employ daughter of Henry Ra London, and he has daughters, the eldest
being at present at Ha He is a member of th Society and resides on
SABARAGAMU
HE province of Sabaragamuwa occupies a
position sandwiched in between the NorthWestern, the Western, and Southern Provinces on the one side, and the Uva and the Central Provinces on the other. It is last in the order of official importance, eighth in size, sixth in population, and seventh in revenue-earning capacity. It derives its chief interest in the eyes of the outside public from the fact that it is the great centre of the gemming industry for which Ceylon has been famous since the The gems are found in the detritus in the rivers and brooks, and in the peaty soil of the valleys. The system of mining is primitive. The earth, when dug up, is put into wicker baskets and washed in wooden troughs, under the vigilant supervision of a foreman, who is usually the proprietor of the mine. The industry is for the most part in the hands of Moormen, and fabulous stories are told of the wealth which has been amassed by these individuals, but it is believed that the mines are not so productive as they once were. Rubies and sapphires are the chief stones sought for, but nearly all precious stones except diamonds, emeralds, and turquoises are found. The general belief is that the mines are not so productive as they once were ; but that there are still unrevealed possibilities in mining in the province is indicated by the recent discovery of thorianite in the vicinity of
earliest times.
Ratnapura. This valua so far not been found and it is early yet to
industry can be establ experts, however, are e. upon them licences ha
MPRESSIONS
nut-planting, and has 2ss until now he is a er, and owns the Tanres in extent, and fully hd, in addition, manages owner, the Mogamally ch of which embraces
en resident at Pallai for g which period he has: land. It is interesting is the first planter in as tried planting Ceara from one to two years are 9 ins, thick. Mr. od number of coolies g the cultivation period yed. He married Lilie, yner, Esq., of Ealing, two Sons and two son, Douglas Gordon, Lrrow, Rickmansworth. he Ceylon Agricultural
his estate.
རྫོཛུལ་བ་
OF CEYLON 791
GURUSWAMY NATHANIEL BUNT
TAMPOE
Mr. Tampoe is a son of Mr. T. M. Tampoe, retired Police Magistrate and Acting District Judge. Born on June 21, 1879, at Jaffna, he was educated at the Central College, Jaffna, St. Thomas's College, Colombo, and Trinity College, Kandy. At the last-named institution he passed first in arts at the Calcutta University examination. He studied under the Council of Legal Education, and passed as Proctor of the District Court, Jaffna, on March 26, 1902. He is still practising in Jaffna. Mr. Tampoe is married to Mary Rutnam, daughter of the late Dr. Wm. Paul, resident surgeon of the Friendin-Need Society, Jaffna. There are two children of the union-one son and one daughter. Mr. Tampoe is a brother of Mr. S. D. Tampoe, Advocate, of Jaffna, and of Mr. D. P. Tampoe, of Colombo. A third brother is Mr. A. McGown C. Tampoe, I.C.S., the first Ceylonese to pass the Indian Civil Service Examination.
WA PROVINCE,
ble mineral product has in very large quantities, say whether a paying ished. The reports of ncouraging, and acting lve been taken out by
Colombo firms for working the nuineral. The initial mining operations have been fairly successful. Mr. G. S. Saxton, Government Agent, in his Administration Report for I905, speaking of the mining work, says: “I went to see the working on and near Kondaragala,
THE RESIDENCY, RATNAPURA.
Page 800
792
and it was interesting to see the mineral found within 18 ins. of the surface soil in one particular place. The deposits seem to be in patches here and there, which are very difficult
TWENTIETH
CENTURY
fascination of gemmin, valuable deposits may land prevents owners permanent products.
VIEW IN THE RATNAPURA DISTRICT.
to locate in dense jungles.' Mr. Saxton also mentions that agents of Colombo firms were buying quantities of thorianite from villages, “of which,' he adds, “I have no doubt a great deal came from Crown land." The gemming in the province is worked under a system of Government licensing. In I905 the number of licences issued was 455, a figure which represents an increase of I62 over that for the previous year. Crown land were sold for Rs. 5,042, that sum
During I905 sixteen leases of
representing one-fifth share, which, according to the custom of the country, is the proportion of the value of the proceeds rightfully belonging to the proprietor of the soil.
Gemming and mining by no means absorb all the commercial activities of Sabaragamuwa. The province is rhore and more coming to the front as a field for planting enterprise. The plantation of rubber here, as in the adjacent provinces, proceeds apace. The following figures, supplied to the Government agent by the Sabaragamuwa Planters' Association, of land to be opened during the season I905-6, show how extensive are the operations in this direction : Rakwana I,223, Balangoda 38o, Ratnapura and Pelmadulla 6,037-7,640 acres planted through tea; Rakwana 555, Balangoda IIo, Ratnapura 2,361-3,026 acres. It is probable that the figures for the Ratnapura district would be even larger than they are were it not for the
Ratnapura, the capit town of about 4,000 in centre of a picturesq. district on the banks ( The scenery in the in town, especially on the beautiful, and has been that of North Wales. somewhat disappointin in the heart of the tow headquarters of the a and some pretty bung the park-like valley cor The river is a fine sti this point. There is a it, barges being floate Kalutara at the moutl the journey down stre: visit, gives an enthusi river scenery. “The hanging dark green tre given by the fringing t the banks have given Ganga, or Black River. the river is low, is a when it is full the colot brown, in consequenc yellow or reddish loa rains. On the shore grotesque groups of boughs, and trees torr
IMPRESSIONS OF CEYION
g. The expectation that 7 some day be found on from planting it up with
al of the province, 1s a habitants, situated in the 1e and highly cultivated »f the Kalu Ganga river. inmediate vicinity of the : Pelmadulla side, is very likened by travellers to But the town itself is g. A charming old tank n, an old Dutch fort, the dministration, a bazaar, alows scattered about in stitute its chief features. eam and is navigable to considerable traffic upon i down with produce to . Haeckel, who made m on the occasion of his astic description of the sombre masses of overes and the black colour hicket to the water near its name to the Kalu The water itself, when lark, blackish green, but r is yellowish or orangee of the quantities of m brought down by the itself abrupt rocks and stones, overhanging up by the roots, supply
a marked and delightful foreground to the landscape. The distance is filled up by the sublime outlines of the mountains, swathed in blue mist and appearing much higher than they really are. The chief part of the river's edge looks as if it consisted entirely of vegetation; aralia and terminalia, dillenia and bombax, rubiaceae and urticaceae predominate. The dark green of this thicket is pleasingly varied by the bright green of the bamboos; their orange and yellow canes stand in thick clumps from forty to fifty feet high, and the elegant feathery leaves hang over the water like tufts of ostrich plumes. Cocoa and areca palms, tallipot and kitool, with here and there a plantation of banana and cassava, betray the existence of inhabitants, and prove that the shores of the river are not such a wilderness as might be supposed from the thicket that fringes its bank. Occasionally, though more rarely, solitary native huts stand on a rocky promontory of the shore; and more rarely still the white cupola of a dagoba reveals the existence of a village."
The Kegalla district, which is an Assistant Government Agent's charge, has an area of 642 square miles and a population of 188,79 I. About one half the Sinhalese population is engaged in agriculture, chiefly paddy, chena, coconut, plantain, and areca-nut cultivation. Mining here, as in the Ratnapura district, is an important industry. There are in the area 34 plumbago mines, nearly all of which are in
H. B. HELLINGS. (Government Agent.)
the hands of low-country Sinhalese. Plumbago coolies are usually men from the low-country, and have earned a bad reputation for lawlessness. Kegalla is the only town in the district
Page 801
VIEWS IN SA
I. RATNAPURA. 2. THE SHADow of ADAM's PEAK-SUNRISE VII 4, 5, RIVER SCENES AT RATNAPURA
ABARAGAMUWA.
EW FROA. THE SUMMIT. 3. ADAM's PEAK-ANOTHER VIEW FROM THE SUMMIT. kę 6, RUCANWELLA.
Page 802
794
in which there is a local Board of Health. Dehiowita and Yatiyantota are “small towns' under the control of the Board of Health.
*念守や
RATNAPURA DISTRICT. -
WILLIAM DAYID CONSTANTINE SAMARADIWIAKARA ABAYAGUNASEKARA TILLEKERATNE
This gentleman, who is more generally known as W. D. Tillekeratne, Mudaliyar, is the son of Don Moses Tillekeratne, who held the offices of Kachcheri and Court Mudaliyar of Ratnapura, and was born in I85o. After receiving his education at St. Thomas's College and having passed the Government Clerical
Examination, he entered the service of the
Government at the Ratnapura Kachcheri in 187o. Subsequently he held the offices of Record Keeper, Native Writer, and Head Clerk of the District Court, and in 1887 was appointed Kachcheri Mudaliyar, which post he fills at the present time. He is Secretary of the Friendin-Need Society, Sabaragamuwa, Treasurer of the Local Agricultural Society, a member of the
تنتشذ منتشتيتيتيتيتياطيسين
W. D. TILLEKERATNE.
District Road Committee, and a landed proprietor owning coconut plantations, paddylands, and house property.
அ?
G. M. CRABBE.
Mr. George Mortimer Crabbe was born at Elkaduwa, near Matale, Ceylon, but was educated
TWENTIETH CENTURY
in England, privately
Devon. Before coming was for two years enga Zealand. Upon his arri
G
聆
$1
coffee and tea planting l Mackie on the Great We and he opened up El TI estate. In 1895 he went land as Manager of th Company, but he returne later, and since then up has been in charge of Ratnapura. Formerly Chairman of the Ratnap tion, and he is now Ch Sabaragamuwa Planters having taken a strong in the neighbourhood, he movers of the agitation f pura. He is a member C Ceylon Planters' Assoc Planters’ Labour Comm Road Committee, and Committee, and he is land settlement arising ( Ordinance.
The Mahawella esta Kuruwiti Korale of the
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
nd at Dawlish, South
to Ceylon, in I887, he ed in farming in New al in Ceylon he started
M. CRABBE.
inder the late Thomas stern estate, Dimbula, eb, Captain Gordon's to Malangi in Nyassae Nyassaland Coffee 'd to Ceylon two years o the present time he the Mahawella estate, le held the office of ura Planters' Associaairman of the United Association. Always
terest in the welfare of
was one of the prime or a railway to Ratnaf the Committee of the lation, of the Ceylon ttee, of the Provincial of the District Road a great advocate of
ut of the Waste Lands
e is situated in the :: Sabaragamuwa Pro
vince, two miles from Ratnapura. It was planted with tea in 1897 and has now 650 acres under cultivation. By systematic and careful cultivation the estate has continued
స్ట్రీ
THE ESTATE BUNGALOW.
yearly to give increased yields, and the yield is now 600 lbs. of tea per acre, and Mahawella now ranks as one of the cheapest producing estates in the low-country. In 1899 rubber was planted in a small way, but the trees that have been tapped have given good results, and since 1902 rubber has been systematically planted, and now 35o acres have been covered with the product. Thus there are altogether I,Ooo acres cultivated, and the prospects for the future are very bright.
لو
CHARLES FREDERICK DHARMARATNE
The son of Mr. John Alexander Dharmaratne, Proctor of the District Court, Kalutara, the subject of this sketch, was born in 1870, and educated at St. John's School, Kalutara, and St. Thomas's College, Colombo. He was articled to the study of the law to Mr. George Alexander Dharmaratne, Proctor, of Colombo, and became a Proctor of the District Court,
Page 803
TWENTIETH CENTURY IM
GEMI PITS,
Kalutara, in I895. In 1897 he transferred to PETER CHARL) Ratnapura, where he stili practises. Mr. WANGESEKERE (
The subject of this Mudaliyar T. F. W. Go dure. Born in 1879, h John's, Panadure, and t passed the Cambridge L.
C. F. DEARMARATINIE,
Dharmaratne is a member of the Local Board and of the Agricultural Society. P. C. E. GOO]
IPRESSIONS OF CEYLON 795
WASHING GRAVEL FOR GEMS.
ES FERNANDO GOONEWARDENE.
sketch is the son of ponewardene, of Pana2 was educated at St. he Royal College. He ocal Examinations, and
NEWARDENE),
took a first class in the London College of Preceptors' Examination. Adopting the law
as a profession, he became a Proctor of the
District Court, Ratnapura, in I904, and still practises there. He is a member of the Ceylon Agricultural Society, as well as of the local Agricultural Society.
شوه
MAHIPALA NAKRAKKURUPPU WICKREMESINHE BASNAKE MUDIANSE IRALAHAMILEGE YWILLIAM AILEX ANDER ABRAHAM EKNELLIGODA.
The subject of this notice is the son of Mr M. A. W. B. M. R. J. W. Eknelligoda, whose family sketch appears in another portion of this volume. Born in January, I826, he received his education at the Colombo Academy under Rev. Dr. Boake. After his school career in 1847 he was made Ratemahatmaya in the Sabaragamuwa Province, a position which was held by his grandfather and father before him. Later he was appointed Deputy Coroner for the Nawadun and Kukulu Korales, and subsequently Ratemahatmaya of Kuruwiti Korale when the final division of the province took place. In 188o he was appointed Dissawa by Governor Sir Arthur Gordon. Mr. Eknelligoda retired from public service a short time after.
Page 804
WM. ALEXANDER A, EKNELLIGODA, DISSAWA. PEI
MOILLAMURA EK
my
THE STORE,
ILIP A. CHAS. EKNELLIGODA.
KUMLARIHAMIY, DELWALA KUMARIHAMY.
MR. AND MRS. P. W. DLAS AND FAMILY.
Page 805
TWENTIETH
He was presented with a special medal for services rendered by him to the Prince of Wales when in Ceylon by arranging an elephant kraal in the Kegalla district for His Royal Highness's amusement. He is also the possessor of a beautiful ring given by the Tsar of Russia when the latter paid a visit to Ceylon, and of a gold medal presented to his ancestors by Sir Robert Brownrigg in 188 during the last Kandyan rebellion. Mr. Eknelligoda is at present residing at Eknelligoda Walauwa, Kuruwiti, in the Sabaragamuwa Province, looking after his ancestral plantations and properties. In 1854 he married a daughter of Delwala Wijeyekoon, Mudianse Korala Mahatmaya, a landed proprietor of Nawadun Korale, and his only daughter is married to Mr. Abeyekoon Rajapakse Dissanaike Mudianse Mollamura, late Police Magistrate of Gampola. Mr. Eknelligoda has an adopted son, Philip Andrew Charles, who is Kachcheri Mohandiram at Anuradhapura. Mr. Eknelligoda was made J.P. and U.P.M. for the province on his retirement, and is Basnaike Nilame of the Maha Samas Dehiwale (temple) near Ratnapura. He is also a trustee of Buddhist temporalities in the province.
அே
P. W. DIAS F 0,
This business was established at Ratnapura in Igor by Mr. P. William Dias, a native of Panadure, who had formerly carried on business as a general merchant at Matale and Kandy. At Ratnapura a large trade in wines, spirits, oilmen's stores, drapery, planting requisites, &c., is done with the planting community and the general public of the neighbourhood. In 1903 the firm opened a very fine billiardroom in the town, containing an excellent full-sized Thurston table, and it now forms a popular resort for all sections of the community. The business was started in a very small way, but by careful attention to details Mr. Dias has already worked up a splendid connection. In addition to this business he owns coconut plantations in the Rayigan Korale and in the Panadure district, as well as house property. He married, in I9oI, Cecilia Violet, daughter of L. Francisco Fernando, of Panadure. The manager of the Ratnapura store is Mr. D. L. Wanigaratne.
அே
J. VAN DENBERG.
Mr. James van Denberg is the son of Mr. Charles van Denberg, late Crown Proctor of Ratnapura. Born in 187I, he received his education at St. Thomas's College, Colombo, where he passed the Senior Cambridge Local Examination, obtaining second class honours and distinction in mathematics. For some time he was an Assistant Master at the Royal
CENTURY I
College, but later he s the legal profession, be District Court in 1899.
Crown Proctor of Ratn;
of the District Road Sabaragamuwa Lawn Clubs, and he resides
pura. * 鳞
KEGIALLA
FRANKLN
Mr. Franklin Lushi. dent of the Houpe est
E’. LOUSE
MPRESSIONS
tudied law and entered coming a Proctor of the
Since Igo6 he has been apura. He is a member
OF CEYLON 797
son of the late Sir Franklin Lushington. He
was born on December 28, 1876, in London, and was educated at Charterhouse School and Jesus College, Cambridge.
On quitting the
BAR HOUSE.
Committee and of the
Tennis and Cricket at Bar House, Ratna
FN
DISTRICT.
LUSE NGTON.
ngton, the superintenate, Pelmadulla, is the
INGTON.
born at
University he adopted a medical career, but after studying for some time abandoned the medical schools, and came out to Ceylon in 1897 and joined the Kellie group of estates at Dolosbage. Subsequently he became associated with the Ceylon Tea Plantations. The last estate on which he was employed was Mundumana,
He quitted this to take up his present appoint
ment on the Houpe estate, the acreage of which is II,5oo. The area is all unopened ground, and the intention is to clear it for the planting of rubber.
Mr. Lushington's recreations are tennis and cycling.
தீ
MAPITIGAMA KULATUNGE WIJEKOON MUDYANSELAGE WILLIAM TUDOR MAPTIGAMA BANDA
This gentleman, who is the Ratemahatmaya of the Galboda and Kinigoda Korales, was Dilkandura, and educated at the Buddhist English High School at Colombo and at Trinity College, Kandy. He joined the Government service as third clerk in the District Road Committee's office at Kegalla
and was then appointed engineer and lock-up keeper at Pelmadulla.
Afterwards he filled a Government office at Balangoda, and finally received his present position. Mr. Mapitigama is a son of Edwin Francis Mapitigama, Rate
Page 806
798
.?م ق.
წ% 3: ( స్థీక్లీ
TWENTIETH
سعد صحمحب۔ کتابی۔....................>~~حفظمضسیسی ہی۔ مسلم
CENTURY I
WILLIAMI TUDOR MAPITIGAMA, MIRS
mahatmaya of Mardaniela, and of Muthumenike, daughter of D. D. M. Delkandura, Korale of Nawandum Korale, in the Sabaragamuwa
HETHER regarded from the standpoint
of historical association, wealth, or attractiveness, the Central Province is the most important of the nine administrative areas into which the island is divided. It includes Kandy, the capital of the ancient Kandyan kingdom, and embraces the richest portions of the area which owed allegiance to the later Sinhalese dynasty. On the commercial side the great planting industry, which finds its principal home in the districts hereabouts, gives the province a proud preeminence. As a health centre, too, the province is famous. In the glorious mountain region stretching away to Adam's Peak in one direction and Pidurutalagala the other is found a climate bracing and
Ol
He is m: Nawaratne Wanniayak Amma" Kumarihame, .
Province.
on ~-- as
CENTRAL
exhilarating, in conj scarcely to be equal romantic beauty.
The early history of at some length in the l work, and it is unnec the ground. Nor is called for to the nat view of the admirab of Kandyan life and article by Major Modc elsewhere. Our conc the modern aspects o First to call for notice which has covered a for the most part an resort of herds of wilc
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
. MAPITIGAMA AND FAMILY GROUP.
arried to Semasinghe S. N. W. Hullugale, Adigar. Mr. Mapitigama a Mudiyanselage Dingri owns paddy-fields and coconut estates in the daughter of the Hon. Sabaragamuwa and North-Western Provinces
موسس-استحساس سمجیحه
PROVINCE.
unction with scenery plantations which give constant employment led in the world for to tens of thousands of labourers. To Sir Edward Barnes belongs the honour of being the province is treated the pioneer of planting in the Central istorical chapters of this Province. That shrewd and far-sighted ruler, :ssary to again traverse having opened road communication between any detailed reference the hill country and the coast, was not conve life of the area, in tent to allow his labours to be barren of results. e and exhaustive view. In 1825 he opened a coffee plantation near manners in the special Kandy, and his example was followed by Mr. er which will be found George Bird, who the next year started coffee :rn must be chiefly with planting on extensive lines near Gampola. the Central Province. Little further was done for some years, but is the planting industry, in 1837 great activity was shown, and soon ountry which was once the country was in the thick of a “boom.' mpenetrable jungle, the There was mad speculation in land on the elephants, with smiling part of all sorts and conditions of people,
Page 807
KAIDUGALA TEMPLE, PERADENIYA. WATEBFALL AT RAMBOIDA, KIRKoswa
MATURATA.
D FALLIS, BOGAWANTALAWA, MATURATA.
(Another vitw.)
Page 808
800 TWENTIETH
CENTURY
THE LOCAL BOARD, MATALE.
from the Governor downwards. In 1845 the financial crisis in England reacted gravely on the planting industry, and widespread ruin was wrought. Not for ten years did
Pearls'-Dimbula, Di under the auspices of led to the highest lev reached in 1868, 1869,
THE RESERVOIR, KANDY.
the country recover from the blow, and then, confidence being restored, the coffee industry took a new and vigorous lease of life. The opening of “the Wilderness of the
which years the ex) IOOO,OOO cwts., of
markets of not less t against 34,000 cwts.
MPRESSIONS
koya, and MaskeliyaSir Hercules Robinson, rel of prosperity being
and 1870, in each of
orts slightly exceeded | value in European lan 44,000,000 sterling,
valued at I2O,ooo,
OF CEYLON
exported in 1837; a marvellous development in thirty years of a tropical industry." The opening up of the famous Dimbula district took place as early as I843. It was begun from Nuwara Eliya by Captain Pallisser, of the Ceylon Rifles, who had a hunting box at Radella, and who planted there a few coffee bushes by way of experiment. The growth of the plants was so good that the plantation, which was at first merely a plaything, became a reality. Meanwhile a second sapping had begun from another direction, and overlapped the ridge, and a third party had followed the river from the low-country. These three focuses of action were gradually extended, and the jungle was, so to speak, eaten away. The progress made was rapid,
H. J. P. SAMARASEKERE.
and it was the more astonishing as there were no roads, and Kandy, 40 miles away, was the nearest place at which provisions could be purchased. “Between 1869 and 1879,' says Mr. John Ferguson in his valuable work from which we have already quoted, “over 4oo,Ooo acres of Crown land were sold by the Ceylon Government, bringing in more than I,ooo,ooo sterling to the revenue, and of this loo,ooo acres were brought into cultivation with coffee, at an outlay of not less than from 2 to 2 millions sterling, almost entirely in the upland districts referred to.' The appearance of the leaf disease, a fungoid growth dignified by scientists with the imposing name Hemilcia vastatrix, worked a disastrous change in the situation. The story of its discovery as told by a leading Dimbula planter is interesting. “The disease,” he says, “began in 1869, curiously enough in one of the most outlying districts of the province, upon the estate of Mr. Keith McLellan. This gentle* “Ceylon in 1905," by John Ferguson.
Page 809
TWENTIETH CENTURY IMP
man, after walking through his estate, noticed some orange-coloured dust on his coat. He thought nothing of it at the time, and on arriving at his other estate near Kandy got his servant to put the coat out to air on the tea bushes, which at that time were planted quite up to the bungalow. It was afterwards noted that this estate was the first on the Kandy side to be attacked. No doubt Mr.
THE JUBILEE MEMORIAL, KANDY.
McLellan's coat was the medium which conveyed the disease to the estate. Once the disease got hold, it spread like wildfire through the country. Nevertheless, the coffee industry was not for a time markedly injured. In 1878, a dry season well suited to the coffee growth, the planters picked a bumper crop in spite of the disease. By 188I, however, all was dust. You might say that the depreciation of property in eighteen months, divided amongst 1,Ooo proprietors, was (I2,000,000 sterling. The blow was a tremendous one, but we recovered from its effects, thanks to tea. It was in the early eighties that we
THE LAKE AT KANDY.
began to experiment with tea in large quantities, mostly in the lower districts. By 1883-84 it was made clear that we would have to go into it in Dimbula, and by 1890 we could see our way quite clear to handsome profits. The years 1890-96 were a period of abounding prosperity. In 1896 the fixing of exchange came as a severe blow to us, and this, with over-production, led us to consider measures for the protec
KANDY
tion of our interests. Thirty Committee was movement. This bod
the duty of taking s
introduction of tea in its recommendation the -this being, I imagine record of a trading co
RESSIONS OF CEY LON 80
తకీకతకడికీ క్షేత్త క్షీడ్హక్లిక్స్
క్లేక్యైక్తి
XAN CHIEET WITTEI ELIS HEGADMEN AND STAFF.
The formation of the
the outcome of the y was charged with teps to promote the
selves for purposes-which were outside the scope of their ordinary operations. Between the failure of coffee and the absolute success of tea we had been planting cinchona as
GENERAL VIEW OF KANDY,
O foreign parts. On tea cess was imposed
the only instance on mmunity taxing them
an experiment, and the history of the cultivation of this tree is perhaps one of the most extraordinary things in the history of agricultural operations, because the cinchona is
3E
Page 810
802 TWENTIETH
a delicate growth, very liable to damp off, and it was never supposed that large areas could be cultivated profitably. However, as events proved, the assumption was erroneous. Great tracts of land were planted with remarkable results. In 1887 the output of cinchona bark reached I5,ooo,ooo lbs., the result being that we knocked the price of manufactured quinine from a maximum of 24s, down to a minimum of 8d. I have no hesitation in saying that the history of rubber will to a very large extent repeat the history of cinchona, excepting perhaps that we shall have a little more prescience in dealing with the inevitable over-production."
Regarded as a playground and health resort, the hill districts of the Central Province are without a superior in the tropics. The Ceylon Government Railway, which traverses the area from end to end, smooths the path of the intending visitor, who in a few hours of comfortable and even luxurious travel can pene
CENTURY I
trate to the heart of a cc ago was a land of terrot later period was regarc
THE LAKE
(Another
wilderness. The train most interesting in th fron the palm groves tropical heat to a col and other typical Eng
THE HON. M.R. J. P. LEWIS (GOVERNII
MPRESSIONS
untry which a century and which at a much ed as an inaccessible
AT KANDY. views)
journey is one of the Le world. You pass of Colombo and its Intry where the rose lish flowers grow in
OF CEYLON
profusion, in a climate which resembles that of a perfect English summer. En route you have a glorious succession of panoramas of mountain and vale, of tea gardens and forestclad slopes, of winding silvery rivers and turnbling waterfalls. The very cuttings of the line on the higher ground contribute to the interest of the traveller, for they are covered with a soft green mantle of maidenhair and other delicate ferns, which in England are usually associated with the carefully tended stove-house.
There are many centres of attraction in this beautiful land, but pride of place belongs to Nuwara Eliya, the great sanatorium of the island. The district in the early part of the century was only known to the villagers of Uva, who resorted there to search for gems and work iron ore. In 1819 some Europeans visiting the locality for purposes of sport were greatly struck with the beauty of the scenery and the excellence of the
MENT AGENT) AND KANDYAN CHIEFS.
Page 811
I. CHLDREN PLAYING. 2. A STREET WATER STAND. 3.
5. THE MARKET. 6. BY THE LAKE. 7. A LAKE SCEN)
KANDY,
ELEPHANTS HAVING THEIR MORNING BATH. 4. ELEPHANT AND ATTENL)ANT. E. 8. IN THE BAZAAR. 9. ELEPHANT RETURNING FROM WATER.
Page 812
804 TWENTIETH CENTURY I
SUPERINTENDENT's BUNGALOW, HORNSEY ESTATE, DIKOYA.
climate, and their fav 1828 to the establishm present town of a m sanatorium for the 1 place was adopted as the administration of til
district. Thereafter its
it the size of the towns built, shops were open adjuncts of a popular one added. Now the
several first-class hotel for European lads-the -a pretty English chu of worship, clubs, gol. croquet and hockey g rooms and libraries.
lake, named after S during whose govern structed, is another o place. Finally, there
the modest summer Governor. Many bea open to the visitor to may, if a mountaineer
DOLOSBAGE, VIEW FROM DATIE O'
KNUCKLES.
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
ourable report led in nt on the site of the ilitary station and a roops. In 1833 the the headquarters of ne then Nuwara Eliya fame grew, and with hip. Bungalows were ed, and all the usual resort were one by station can boast of s, a residential school only one in the island rch and other places i-links, racing, tennis, rounds, and readingA pretty ornamental ir William Gregory, orship it was conf the features of the is Queen's Cottage, residence of the
utiful excursions are » Nuwara Eliya. He ', climb False Pedro,
YA. RIVIER SCENE AT GAMPOLA.
MATURALA
Page 813
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
or essay Pidurutalagala, the highest peak in Ceylon; if less active and ambitious, he may wander amid the sylvan beauties of the forests which environ the place about, or he may drive to the Rambodda Pass, 7,ooo ft. above the sea, and feast his eyes with a view of incomparable loveliness. Also within compass of a morning's excursion is a visit to the Hakgala Botanical Gardens. The gardens are situated at an elevation of 5,6oo ft. in a beautiful position about 6 miles from Nuwara Eliya on the Badulla road. The view from a vantage point in the gardens is one of the grandest in Ceylon, extending over the tva amphitheatre to the Haputale, Namunukula, and Madulsima ranges. Immediately at the back of the gardens the grand Hakgala rock rises I,3oo ft. above the surface
COLONEL BYRDE.
of the gardens, and forms an imposing background. On the whole there are few places which have within easy reach so many points of interest as Nuwara Eliya.
The province generally has greatly prospered in recent years. Its revenue has increased by nearly Rs. I,OOO,OOO in the last decade. In 1905, the total amount paid into
the Treasury was Rs. 3,890,350, a record
collection. For administrative purposes the province is divided into the following three districts : Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, and Matara. The town of Kandy is the only populous centre in the province which is endowed with a full municipal constitution. The larger towns of Gampola, with a population of 3,791, Nawalapitiya, with a population of 3,454, and Hatton and Dikoya, with a population of 2,34I, are under the administration of a Local Board in each place, The affairs of Nuwara Eliya are looked after by a Board of Improvement, while Matale has a Local Board.
KANDY
COLONE,
There are few bette: the Kandy district thal the subject of this sk
TELE DUIK
either as a leading pl has been a conspicuous community. His care varied character. Edu College, Guernsey, he Military College, Sand and went satisfactor examination there in
MPRESSIONS
DISTRICT.
I. BYRDE.
known public men in the gentleman who is toh. For many years,
OF CEYLON 805
IIth following he was gazetted ensign in the 57th Regiment (West Middlesex), and joined the depôt at Birr and Parsonstown, Ireland. In January, 1854, he proceeded to Malta with the draft, and joined the reserve companies, and on June 2nd in the same year proceeded to headquarters in the Crimea in charge of a
ES FACE FROM THE HORNSEY ESTATE, DIKOYA.
anter or an official, he figure in the life of the :r has been of a most cated at the Elizabeth passed into the Royal hurst, in January, 1853, ly through his final fully, I854. On August
draft. He served in the trenches before Sebastopol, and was present with his regiment at the attacks on the Quarries on June 7th and 13th, and shared with the storming party in the attack on the Redan on June 18th. He also participated in the second attack on September 8th. In October he proceeded with his regiment to Odessa, and was present at
3E *
Page 814
806 TWENTIETH CENTURY I.
the bombardment and capture of Kinburn, at the mouth of the river Dneiper. In November he returned to camp in the Crimea, and after the signing of peace on March 30, 1856, embarked with his regiment for Malta. He was promoted Captain in 1857, and received the Crimean medal with clasp and the Turkish medal. In May, I858, he proceeded with headquarters, vici Suez, to Aden, and joined the left wing, the headquarters going on to Bombay. In January, 1859, he joined the Staff College at Sandhurst, and retired from the service in January, 1860, by the sale of his commission as Captain. In March of the same year he proceeded to Ceylon and engaged in the cultivation of coffee until 1867. Afterwards he was in business until 1873. In I861 he was elected Secretary of the Planters' Association and he was Chairman during the years 1862, 1863, 1864, 1866, 1867, and 1868. In February, 1869, he was re-elected Secretary, and continued in that office until June, 1873. In 1866 he was elected a member of the Kandy Municipal Council, and continued to serve on that body until June, I873.
In July of that year he was appointed Secretary of the Council, and held that position until August 31, 1906. In 1883 Colonel Byrde, in addition to his duties as Secretary, acted as Superintendent of Works, and in that capacity was in charge of the works for the supply of water to the town. In I88I Colonel Byrde joined the Ceylon Volunteers as Captain. Subsequently he was promoted Major, and he became Lieut.-Colonel in 1892. He retired from the corps in 1904 with the rank of Honorary Colonel.
Vy
THE HON. MR. E. ROS LING.
The Hon. Mr. Edward Rosling, the Planters' Member of the Legislative Council, is one of the best known and most popular members of the planting community. Like many other men who have made big reputations on the island, he "drifted into
HAN WELLA RUBBER RAMBONGRUBBER. TAPPING
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
AND TEA, ESTATE.
RUBBER.
THE BUNGALOW.
planting.' Horn in December, I863, and educated at Queenswood College, Hampshire, he studied for the Indian Civil Service, but owing to ill-health failed to pass the examination. In 1886 he went on a pleasure trip to the colonies, visiting in turn the Cape, Tasmania, New Zealand, New South Wales, and Victoria, Returning to England, he started away again almost immediately for Ceylon, where he proposed to enter upon a planter's career. He landed in Colombo in January, 1887, and worked upon an estate as probationer until May in the following year, when he went home and married. In December, 1887, he was once more on his way to Ceylon, and has been associated with planting enterprise on the island ever since. In 1897 he became Chairman of the Dimbula Planters' Association, and in I90o was elected Chairman of the parent Association. In the following year he was re-elected, and in November, I902, he was chosen as the Planters' Representative on the Legislative Council. In March, I9oz, Mr. Rosling proceeded on a well-earned holiday to England.
Wv
ATGALLA TEA ESTATE.
The Atgalla estate, Gampola, is owned by the Ceylon Tea Plantation Company, Ltd., and the resident manager is Mr. G. C. Bliss, who has been there since 1893. It is situated be. tween I,7oo ft, and I,8oo ft. above sea-level, and comprises 450 acres under tea cultivation, of which 200 acres are interplanted with Para rubber, as well as 75 acres planted with rubber only. The yearly output from the estate is 250,000 lbs. of tea, and another I5o, Ooo lbs. made from leaf bought from small growers also passes through the estate factory. Mr. Bliss has recently returned from Burma, where he visited the only rubber estate in that country, and was much impressed with the good growth of the rubber planted there.
Page 815
TWENTIETH CENTURY
EDGAR TURNER.
The twenty-fourth Chairman of the Planters Association, and its Secretary for several years, Mr. Edgar Turner's is a well-known figure in Ceylon planting circles. I862 in Ipswich, of a family which has played a great part in the modern history of the Suffolk town, Mr. Turner, after an education received at the Ipswich School, went to Mincing Lane to learn tea-tasting. A heavy premium was demanded in those days; but in the spring of 1884 he had to leave London owing to an accident at athletics, and three years elapsed before he was allowed to do any work. Mr. Turner came out to Ceylon in 1887, and lived for five nonths with Mr. N. M. Home, on He then took up
Born in
Woodstock, Ambegamuwa.
E., TURNER.
(Secretary, Planters' Association, Kandy.)
a billet on Rahatungoda under Mr. P. E. Sewell, and has lived in Upper Hewaheta ever He helped to start the Maturata and Hewaheta District Planters' 1896, and became Hon. Secretary in 1897, Chairman in 1898, and again served as Hon. Secretary in 1899. He has been a member of the Thirty Committee since 1897, and last year he visited South India as one of the two Labour Commissioners sent over by the AssoMr. Turner married, in 1889, the daughter of the late Mr. R. J. Ransome, of Ipswich. Mr. Turner is giving up the secretaryship of the Planters' Association to take up the visiting agent's work for Messrs. Bosanquet & Co.
Vl»
NEW PERADENIYA ESTATE
This is an important estate owned by the Ceylon Land and Produce Company, Ltd., and
since.
Association in
ciation.
managed by Mr. R. An the property. It consi situated near Peradeni
cultivated. Here tea mixed, and there are plantation. The yield (
275,Ooo lbs., whilst a averaging about 75o,oo from the smaller g machinery on the estat with 3,Ooo lbs. of leaf
The company own formed in I884, and si property from private C many changes. Sugar to be discarded in favou turn was superseded b resident manager, Mr twenty-six years' ex
twenty-two of these 1
this estate. He is a H dineshire. He came o planting in 188o.
W
YILLIAM... DU
For over half a cen has been a planter in the oldest in the island jubilee of his local re janded on Ceylon shore September 24, 1855, anc neither telegraph nor and passengers alike v horse coaches for Colombo, Kandy, and hotels, with the excepti in comfort and cleanli. rate rest-house of the pi then the great produc area was small in comp; is. Mr. Gibbon is a S
born at the Manse of L
in July, I837. His fath of the Established Chuir three years, whilst hi grandfather (Duffs) had church near Banff for Gibbon was educated
Aberdeen Grammar
there to Marischall Col
of Aberdeen. He was age when he left coll with his brother-in-law his planting career w, Madulkelle estate, in under “ Donald Stewa became the planting " Gibbon subsequently t ment of Oonoonagalla later date added to management of Madu took charge of Hoola
IMPRESSIONS OF CIEYLON
derson, who resides on sts of 454 acres of land iya, 4I4 of which are and rubber are inter
a few acres of cacao of tea annually is about large amount of leaf, o lbs. yearly, is bought rowers. The factory e is capable of dealing daily. ning the estate was nce they took over the wners there have been was planted first, only ur of coffee, which in its y tea and rubber. The Anderson, has had of planting, having been spent on ighlander from Kincarut to Ceylon to take up
perience
JFF GBBON
tury Mr. W. D. Gibbon Ceylon, and he is now having celebrated the sidence in 1905. He es at Point-de-Galle on at this time there was
letters were dependent on the
conveyance Galle. ion of those only equal ness to a very secondresent day. Coffee was it, though the planting arison with what it now
railway, and
between
There were no
cotchman, having been onmay, Aberdeenshire,
er had been a minister
'ch of Scotland for fiftys mother's father and been clergymen of a ninety-five years. Mr. at Banff Academy and School, passing from lege and the University only eighteen years of ege to sail for Ceylon , Mr. R. B. Tytler, and as con menced on the the Kelebokka district, rt," who subsequently King of Coorg.' Mr. ook over the manageestate, and at a still his responsibilities the ilkelle. In 1858-59 he nkanda, of 8oo acres,
807
for Mr. Tytler, remaining there until 1864, when he moved to Oodewelle in the Hantane
district.
residence in this district Mr. Gibbon was appointed visiting agent for Messrs. J. M. Robertson & Co. to the estates in their books in the neighbourhood, and also attorney for Mr. R. B. Tytler, and agent for his properties. In consequence of the heavy and continuous work he removed to Kandy, where he became agent for the British North Borneo Company and for Messrs. Dent Bros. & Co., of London. Mr. Gibbon is still an active worker, visiting estates in the remotest quarters of the island. Mr. Gibbon is one of the oldest members of the Planters' Association, and a quondam Secretary. He was elected Chairman in 1878
After a period of about six years'
W. D. GIBBON.
and Acting Secretary in I899. He has been a member of the Provincial and Road Committees and of the Kandy Municipal Council, whilst during the period of Sir West Ridgeway's governorship Mr. Gibbon was made a Justice of the Peace, and was also nominated to act as Planting Member of the Legislative Council. He married Katherine, daughter of the late Mr. Andrew Murray, of Allatuan, Aberdeenshire, and has three sons and three daughters.
Vw
HINDUGALLA AND SIRUBS HLL ESTATE
This estate, situate near Peradeniya, is owned by Mr. H. A. Webb, and consists of 643 acres. Of the area 543 acres are planted with tea, and in addition a few old rubbertrees (about sixty) on the estate being planted between. There is a factory on the estate to
Page 816
808
TWENTIETH
TBIE FACTORY.
deal with the output, which, including bought leaf, amounts to about 300,000 lbs, yearly. An interesting feature of the estate is the bungalow, which is a very old one, its history dating back to the old coffee days in 185o. Mr. Webb, who is a Gloucestershire man, has been out since 1884, but previous to that he was for three years in Assam. His brother, Mr. E. Webb, is a partner in the estate.
Vy
NORWOOD ESTATE,
The Eastern Produce and Estates Company are the proprietors of this estate at Dikoya, which is under the management of Mr. R. H. Eliot, who also inspects the other estates of the company. This company is the largest in the island, owning a gross acreage of 16,Ooo acres, I2,000 acres planted with tea, 2,000 with rubber, also cloves, nutmegs, pepper, vanilla, cinchona, &c. The company owns eighteen estates. They are in thirteen different districts of Ceylon, three being in the low-country. The acreage of the Norwood estate is 88o acres, 73 of tea and the remainder jungle. The output is about 400,000 lbs. annually, the whole being dealt with at the estate factory. The total annual output from the whole of the estates is 46ooooo lbs. of tea and 25ooo lbs. of rubber.
CENTURY I
TE BUNC
NORTH COY
The North Cove es talawa district, near Ha Thomas Farr, who wal whose ancestors built C was educated at Faucon Beccles, and at Upping came to Ceylon in 18,
TEOMAS FARER,
ELK H
friend in the island or Haputale district. Late 'George Steuart. & Co., being then Mr. Alfred W the bungalow in which factory and machiner. four years earlier. He Government land, wil
PRESSIONS OF CEYLON
ALOW.
E ESTATE.
late in the Bogawantton, is owned by Mr. born in Norfolk, and ove Hall, Suffolk. He berg Grammar School, ham and London. He o and joined his only
AND PACK OF
) UNIDS.
a coffee estate in the he worked for Messrs. the head of the firm se, and in 1891 hebuilt he now resides. The
were erected some had purchased in 1879 ch he planted with
HINDUGALLA ESTATE, PERADENIYA.
coffee, cinchona, and finally tea, 240 acres of which yield about 5oo lbs. to the acre. In 1897 he sold a quarter share of this. He is very fond of big game hunting, and has a large and varied collection of trophies. A fact which is interesting is that Mr. Farr came out to Ceylon before the opening of the Suez Canal. He journeyed from England to Alexandria by the P. & O. Pera, went by rail to Suez, and from here he proceeded by P. & O. boat Modilfanu to Galle.
už
DARAWELLA ESTATE.
The Anglo-Ceylon and General Estates Company, Ltd., are the proprietors of this cstate, of which Mr. E. Hamlin is the resident manager. The estate is situated above the village of Dikoya, and encloses an area of about 596 acres of tea plantation, 31 acres of timber and grass, and 48 acres of waste land. The average output of tea annually from here dealt with at the estate factory is about 298, ooo lbs. Mr. Hamlin has been in Ceylon since 1887, and previous to that he was twenty-three years in India, where he still owns property. He has been on the Darawella estate for the past twelve years. He is an all-round sportsman and an enthusiastic follower of golf, of which game he is an adept,
Page 817
TWENTIETH
he having won the Championship Cup in 1893. He is President of the Dikoya and Maskeliya Cricket Club, and also the Ceylon Nursing Association, and is an artist of repute, his excellent work with the brush having won for him many medals. He has over I2o watercolour pictures hung in his bungalow. He has taken great interest in rifle shooting, and was commandant of one of the best shooting battalions in India, and which won the Bangalore Cup in 1881.
KUDA OYA ESTATE.
The Kuda Oya estate, Dikoya, within about 3 miles of Hatton, comprises 522 acres under cultivation of tea, 34 acres of fuel, and I77 of waste land. An average of about 200,ooo lbs. of tea is obtained yearly, a large and complete factory having been erected on the estate for the purpose of dealing with this. The estate belongs to the Tea Corporation, a London Company, and is managed by Mr. Alex. Wardrop, who resides on the estate. He has been in Ceylon since I 878, but on the Kuda Oya estate only about a year. He is a member of the Kandy and local clubs, and J.P. and U.P.M. for the Hatton-Nuwara district,
CENTURY I.
YANARAJ
This estate at Dikoya rajah Tea Company o by Mr. Keith Rollo. I acres on which tea is
forest and timber. Th with at a very fine an the estate. In earlier C of the best in Ceylon fo is a native of Aberde
whence he came to C agg for coffee planting. tried cinchona, and fina
V
B, ATTALGAL
Mr. G. C. R. Norma estate for the Battalgalla who are the proprietors in the Dikoya district, a the Hadley estate, of wh manager. He came out has been on these esta
Previous to that he w planting until that indu bined estates are compo plants and 4 acres of The average annual ol
TEIE BUNGAOV
TEIE FACT
MPRESSIONS
H. ESTATE.
is owned by the Wanaf Ceylon, and managed t has an area of II,o6o planted and 7o acres of e output of tea is dealt d up-to-date factory on lays this estate was one or cinchona. Mr. Rollo enshire, Scotland, from eylon thirty-nine years
When coffee failed he ly tea.
ky
LA ESTATE,
in manages the above Estate Company, Ltd., . The estate is situated nd about a mile away is ich Mr. Norman is also
to Ceylon in I872, and tes for thirteen years. "as engaged in coffee stry failed. The comsed of 635 acres of tea grass and timber land. utput of tea is about
ABBOTSLEIGH ESTATE,
OF 'CEYLON 809
250,000 lbs., and this is dealt with at a beautifully equipped factory on the estate.
V
DIKOYA ESTATE,
The Dikoya estate is owned by Messrs. T. L. and G. R. R. Villiers, for whom Mr. W. H. Graham is the resident manager. There are about 353 acres of tea plantation on the estate, which produce about I70,ooo lbs. of tea annually. There are also 45 acres of jungle and timber. Mr. Graham first came to Ceylon, in 1877, in the old coffee days, and returned home in 188o. He came again to Ceylon, however, in 1890, and has resided here since. He is an ardent golf player, and is the hon. sec. of the Dikoya and Maskeliya Cricket Club.
Vy
ABBOTSLEIGH ESTATE.
This estate in the Dikoya district, about three miles from the town of Hatton, is surrounded by pretty scenery, one of the 1nany vistas being a glimpse of the famous Adam's Peak which is to be obtained a few yards from the bungalow. The estate is managed by Messrs. E. F. Fuller and J. E.
v« స్కో
HLATTON,
Page 818
8O TWENTIETH CENTURY I
C. J. ACTON'S BUNGALOW.
Biddell. The yearly output of tea from the 824 acres set apart for its cultivation is 35o,ooo lbs., and is of a fine quality. In addition to this land there are 179 acres of jungle and timber and 63 acres of grass. All the tea is prepared in the local factory.
Va
GONAGALLA ESTATE,
The Lanka Plantations Company own the estate of the above name in the Dikoya district, and Mr. J. G. Palmer resides there and manages for them. There are 850 acres of tea plantation and 88 acres of jungle. The average output of tea from this estate each year is about 4OO,Ooo lbs, and all of this is made in the factory on the estate, Coming to Ceylon in I877, Mr. Palmer first took up coffee planting, later trying cinchona, and for the past eighteen years has tended the Gonagalla estate.
Wv
ORYELL GROUP ESTATE,
At Gampola there are two estates which form the above group, and these are under the management of Mr. C. J. Acton, who resides on the spot. Mr. Acton came out to Ceylon in I892, and has held this group for the past six years. He is a native of Worcestershire. The estate comprises about 430 acres, and yields an anual output of about I7o,ooo lbs, of tea. This is from 4Io acres, the remaining 20 acres being planted solely with rubber. With the tea are planted 25,000 rubber-trees. In addition to the output from the estate close upon 25o,ooo lbs. of leaf are annually purchased from
small growers, and the the factory on the estate
۔۔۔۔
KEITH ROI. WM E. G, PALMIER
MPRESSIONS
whole is dealt with at
OF CEYLON
THE SCOTTISH CEY LON TEA COMPANY.,
TD.
This company, whose London office is I6, Philpott Lane, E.C., owns seven estates, most of these being in the vicinity of. Dikoya. Mr. David Kerr is their manager and resides on the Strathdon estate, Dikoya. The estates, districts, and acreage are: Invery and Waterloo, Dikoya district, area 513 acres, planted area 483 acres; Strathdon, Dikoya district, total 304 acres, planted 292 acres ; Abergeldie, Lower Dikoya district, total 193 acres, planted 18o acres; Benachie, Lower Dikoya, total 338 acres, planted 297 acres; Lonach, Lower Dikoya, total 42 I acres, planted 3OI acres; Mincing Lane, Maskeliya district, total I94 acres, planted I83 acres; total area I,963 acres, planted I,736 acres. On the Invery and Waterloo, Strathdon, Lonach, and Mincing Lane estates there are factories. The average output annually per acre is 450 lbs., the total being 778, Ooo lbs. Of the total acreage I,720 acres are planted with tea, 27 with timber, &c., and 216 are covered with jungle, &c.
Mr. Kerr has been associated with the company since it was formed in 1889. He first came to Ceylon as a coffee planter in
DIKOYA EPITANTERS. Lo, Wanarajah. H. ELLIOTT, Resident Manager, Norwood Estate,
, GRAHAM, Dikoya Estate.
Gonagalla Estate.
G. C. R. NoRMAN, Battalagalla Estate.
E. HAMLIN, Darawehla Estate.
Page 819
TWENTIETH
1874. He is a general visiting agent for other companies in the island both in tea and rubber, is a member of the Royal Colonial Institute, and a member of the Nuwara Eliya and all the local clubs.
Vy
JAMES ROBERT WIGHT,
Mr. James Robert Wight, Manager of the Kandy Branch of the National Bank of India,
J. R. WIG-EHT. (Manager, National Bank of India, Kandy.)
is the son of Mr. Thomas Wight, of Dumfriesshire. He was born in 1867 in that county,
and at an early age entered the Inspector's
CENTURY
TEIE
Department of the Ro In this capacity he se at Sanquhar and at th burgh, thus gaining v banking. In 1888 he Bank of India, and Ceylon served for fifte In I9oo he came to til the position he now married Edith, daugh Sanderson.
NATIONAL BANK OF INDIA, LTD., KANDY
PRESSIONS OF CEYLON
811.
BUNGALOW, FRUIT HILL ESTATE, HATTON.
yal Bank of Scotland. 'rved for three years e head office at Edinaluable experience in joined the National before coming to :en years in the East. he island and took up holds. In 1906 he ter of the late Mr.
FRUIT HILL ESTATE.
In Dikoya, near Hatton, the Lanka Plantations Company, Ltd., own the above estate, Mr. Gerald P. Walker being the resident manager. The area of the estate is 237 acres of tea plantation, which yields about 95,000 lbs. of tea annually, this being made at the estate factory, which is equipped with a plant of the most modern design. Mr. Walker came out about four years ago. He is a member of the Ceylon Mounted Rifles and the local clubs.
W. J. NOBLE.
The Rev. Walter J. Noble is the Wesleyan Methodist minister at Hatton, his special work being performed amongst the Tamil coolies engaged on the numerous tea estates in the district, which is a most important one, more tea being forwarded from the station at Hatton than from any other district in the island, and the goods traffic is second only to that of Colombo. The church, which was established in 1890, had a small beginning, but it has progressed rapidly, and to-day the services (English) are attended by Protestants of all denominations. An excellent work is being done on broad-minded principles by the staff, which consists of five catechists. There are about 22 schools, with about 8oo children on the books, in the district, whilst the membership in this particular section is I60, most of whom are converts, or children of converts, from Hinduism. From Mr. Noble's
Page 820
82 TWENTIETH CENTURY I
bungalow a clear view is obtained of Adam's occupation. He was Peak, which is some I3 miles distant. at Colombo, and rece
CHAS. WANDERWIALL
Mr. Chas. Vanderwall, who is of Dutch descent, was born in Kandy in 1848, and is the son of a leading advocate in that town. On completing his education, which he received at the Colleges Trinity (Kandy) and St. Thomas (Colombo), he adopted his father's profession. He passed his tests, and became a Proctor in 1869. For the first two years he practised in Nuwara Eliya, afterwards going to Kandy, where he is still in practice. He is noted for the manner in which he handles land
C2SCS
By the death of Mr. Vanderwall's father in
1869 the profession suffered no slight loss, as he was at that time looked upon as the leading advocate of Ceylon.
Wy
H, B[UYBERTSZ.
Dr. Henry Huybertsz, of Kandy, is the son H. EUY of Mr. J. E. Huybertsz, landed proprietor, and is descended from a Danish naval surgeon the Royal College. In who settled in the island during the Dutch Edinburgh for further
H. HUYBERTSZ’S BUNGAILOW, KANDY.
MPRESSIONS
born on May 13, 1861, ived his education at
BERTSZ.
I879 he proceeded to medical study, and in
OF CEYLON
1885 took the degree of L.R.C.P., and afterwards practised for some time in Edinburgh and the Shetland Islands. Upon his return to Ceylon in 1887 he entered the Government Medical Department as Sub-Assistant Colonial Surgeon. He became successively Assistant Colonial Surgeon at Haputale and Kandy, and since I902 he has been Assistant Colonial Surgeon at the last-named place. He married Miss Noble, daughter of Mr. David Noble, during his stay in Scotland. He is a member of the British Medical
Association.
V
JOHN WILHELMUS SAMUEL ATTYGALLE.
Mr. Attygalle, M.B. and C.M. (Aberdeen), D.A.C.S. Civil Medical Department, District Medical Officer, Gampola, is the eldest son of Dr. John Attygalle, M.D. (Aberdeen), M.R.C.S. (Eng.), retired Provincial Surgeon, Southern Province of Ceylon. He was educated at St. Thomas's College, Colombo, and after his course there e11tered the Ceylon Medical College in 1888. He passed the first professional examination and proceeded to Scotland to join the University of Aberdeen, where, after obtaining honours in zoology, materia medica, anatomy, surgery, pathology, and medical jurisprudence, he
TEIE OFEICE.
Page 821
DR. AND MERS. J. W. S. ATTYGALLE AND
CHILD, THE BUNGALOW, AND THE DRAWING-ROOM.
Page 822
814 TWENTIETH
graduated as Bachelor of Medicine and Master in Surgery. Later, after attending a course of lectures at the Royal Asylum, Aberdeen, he obtained the diploma, by examination, in psychological medicine of the Medico-Psychological Association of Great Britain and Ireland. He held several posts, subsequently, as assistant to medical men in the Midlands of England, and was afterwards appointed junior house-surgeon to the Northampton Infirmary, which post he held for eighteen months. He is a member of several medical societies, chief of which are the British Medical Association and the Röntgen Society, London.
The doctor returned to Ceylon in August, I897, and joined the Civil Medical Department on January I, I898. He was appointed Surgeon-in-Charge of the Police Force, Colombo, and Honorary Surgeon to the Victoria Home, with the rank of Deputy Assistant Colonial Surgeon. At one time he was a lecturer at the Ceylon Medical College, and also held the lecturership in pathology and the post of anaesthetist to the General Hospital, Colombo. He was also lecturer in biology, medical jurisprudence, toxicology, and demonstrator of anatomy on various occasions, After eight and a half years' service in Colombo, Dr. Attygalle was sent to Kandy as Assistant Superintendent of Vaccination for the Central Province, which office he held for three months, being then appointed District Medical Officer, Gampola, and ranking as officer of the first grade in the Civil Medical Department.
The subject of this sketch is one of the committee of management of the Victoria Masonic Temple, and is a prominent and high Mason, being a Past Master of Lodge Bonnie Doon, 6II, S.C., Past King of the Royal Arch, Chapter Io7, S.C., Past Worshipful Master of the Cryptic Degrees Council, No. 23, Past Thrice Illustrious Master of the Allied Degrees Council, No. 2 I, of England and Wales. He is also a member of the Preceptory and Priory, holding high office. He was one of the founders and first secretary of Grant Lodge, Galle, 2,862, E.C.; founder and First Senior Warden of Connaught Lodge, 2,940, E.C.; and is a nember of Sphinx Lodge, Io, T.C. in connection with which he held the office of organist for several years. He is also Past Grand Steward and Past Director of Ceremonies of the Grand Lodge of all Scottish Freemasonry in India. His chief recreation is music.
t
EDWIN BEVEN.
Mr. Edwin Beven is a lawyer, and, with one exception, is the oldest practitioner in Kandy.
CENTURY
Born at Chilaw, in the of the island, he rece
Thomas's and the Roc
menced to practise
Court, Kandy, but late the Supreme Court. 1 a member of the Tow a seat at the presentti continuously for a thir the Ceylon Light In private, he was stea I905, he retired with
Colonel. He holds th the V.D. Mr. Beven
vincial Road Committ the Civil Service, one
EDWIN
district judgeship anc gala, and the other Assistant to the Gove caloa.
GEORG
Dr. George Powell Eliya in 1874, and rec at St. Thomas’s Colle entered the Ceylon having passed out as s.s. Valdivia as surge Sea Expedition, und Leipsic. In this cap of the Indian Ocean Africa. After this he graduated L.R.C.P. a L.F.P. and L.F.S. of He practised at Blan Scotland, and visited I9oo. Returning to C he started as a priva Dr. Hay is a membe: Association, the Oriel
MPRESSIONS OF
North-Western Province ved his education at St. yal Colleges. He comin 1864 at the District he became a Proctor of n 1872 he was appointed n Council, and occupies ne, having served almost i of a century. Joining antry Volunteers as a lily promoted until, in the rank of Lieutenantlong service medal and s a member of the Pro‘e. He has two sons in
holding the additional
BEVEN.
! magistracy of Kurunethe position of Office rnment Agent of Batti
y
P. HIJAY.
Hay was born at Nuwara :ived his college training ge, Colombo. He then Medical College, and, a licentiate, joined the on to the German Deep
er Professor Cuhn, of
acity he made a cruise and the East Coast of went to Edinburgh, and ld L.R.C.S., as well as Glasgow with honours.
yre and other places in
he Straits Settlement in eylon in the same year, : practitioner in Kandy.
of the British Medical t Club, the Automobile
CEYLON
Club, and the Kandy Sports Club, and is also President of the Kandy Rovers' Club and of the Kandy Cyclists' Union. He married, in 19oo, Ernestine, daughter of Mr. B. O. Dias, Proctor of the Supreme Court. As early as 1891 he joined the Ceylon Medical Staff Corps as a Volunteer, and became colour-sergeant; but after ten years he transferred to the combatant ranks, and is now Lieutenant of the Ceylon Light Infantry and attached to 'H' Company, Kandy. Dr. Kay's residence is Fountain House, Kandy.
V
THEODORE CECIL WAN ROOYEN.
Mr. T. C. Van Rooyen, Notary Public, Proctor of the Supreme Court and Justice of the Peace, was born in Colombo. After being educated at the Wesley and Royal Colleges of his native city, he was articled to the late Hon. James Van Langenberg, father of the present advocate of that name. On the completion of his articles, and having passed his examinations, he commenced practice in Hatton in the year 1885, and at the present time he commands an extensive practice, numbering amongst his clientèle the majority of the tea-planters of the district, He is a member of the Local Board (senior unofficial), and holds a commission in the Ceylon Light Infantry as Lieutenant, and is the officer in command of the Hatton detachment,
Vy
SAMASTA WICKRÄMÄ KARUNATIAAKA ABHAYAWARDIANA BHUWIANAISEIKERA JAYASUNDARA MUDIYANSE RIALAHIAMILLAGE TIFKIRI BANDA PANAIBOKKE.
This gentleman, a descendant of one of the most ancient of aristocratic families in the island, was born in I846 at the ancestral residence, Panabokka, a village in Kandupalata, Udunuwara. He was educated at the Kotta Institute and the St, Thomas's College, Colombo, and entered the Government service at the age of twenty-two as an officer in charge of the rural police in the Central Province, Four years later, on March 4, 1872, he was appointed Ratemahatmaya of Udunuwara, the InspectorGeneral granting him a year's leave of absence to take up this appointment provisionally, on account of meritorious services. About this time he was also selected to commence the working of the village tribunals, this district being the first in which this system was tried under the British Government. Mr. Panabokke in I873 was made President of the Village Tribunals of Udunuwara, and a year later of the more important division of Uda and Pata Dumbara. This appointment he held until February, 1881, when he resumed his former post as police1nspector. During a two years' leave he
Page 823
TWENTIETH CENTURY
THE RESIDENCE.
T. B. PANABOKKE, JUN.
availed himself of the opportunity to study law, and in 1886 was appointed Ratemahatmaya of Pata Dumbara. Two years subsequently he was transferred to Udapalata. In I889 he was selected to represent the Kandyans as an unofficial member of the Legislative Council, and in I897 he was chosen by the same community to represent them at the Jubilee celebrations of Queen Victoria. On his retirement he was appointed Police Magistrate and Commissioner of Requests of Gampola, afterwards being transferred to Matale. He retired from service in I899, and died in December, 1902. Mr. Panabokke was responsible for several literary He edited the text of the “Niti Nighunduwa,' a treatise on Kandyan law, translated into Sinhalese from the original, the “Megadhuta' of the famous Indian bard Kalidasa, was the author of a review of Sir dwin Arnold's “Light of Asia," and a contributor to the Orientalist. He came of a very old family, one of his ancestors having received royal recognition during the reign of King Parakrama Bahu for services rendered to the court of Goa. The family own several temples which are richly endowed. The best known of these is the Pusulpiti Vihara.
Tikiri Banda Panabokke, son of the late Hon. T, B, Panabokke, M.L.C. was born in March,
works.
MRS. T. B. PA
1883, and was educat Kandy, and Royal Colle to 1906; he read for th carried off the first scho
intermediate students.
first in order of merit examination, and later is a Proctor of the Distric is now in practice at Ga lhe married Keppitipola daughter of Monarawill hatmaya.
JAMES ROBERT
Mr. James Robert J Kandy Municipal Cou teacher of mathematic 1872, and it was whil Royal College that his mathematics first show that period he was t exhibition Prize, a
Government
Mathematical
honours in -the Cam Examination, with disti mathematics. At the co training he received til ment of Senior Mathen
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
85
TEIE LATE HION. M.R. T. B. PAN.A.BOKK.E.
NABOKKE.
ed at Trinity College, ge, Colombo, from I902 he Bar, and in I904 he larship for the Proctors'
In June, I906, he was
in the Proctors” final n the year was admitted t Court of Kandy. He impola. In June, I906, Mantri Kumarihamy, a a Keppitipola, Ratema
JAYETLEKE.
ayetileke, Secretary of ncil, started life as a S. He was born in st attending Colombo s special aptitude for fed itself, and during he winner of several
ls and the Ceylon and took first class bridge Local Senior
nctions in classics and onclusion of his college he important appointnatical Lecturer at St,
Thomas's College, a position which he held from 1893 to 1906, during which period St. Thomas's College held the reputation of being
|
雪
J. R. JAYELEKE.
the leading institute in the island for mathe
matics.
Mr. Jayetileke vacated this position
to take up the secretaryship of the Kandy
Page 824
816 TWENTIETH
Municipal Council in the latter year. He is a devotee of chess, the “king of games," and won a correspondence game, which lasted
CENTURY I
wards went to Madras graduated L.M.S. three he entered the Ceylon
DR. AND MRS. E. C. SENEVIRATNE AND DAUG
nearly two years, against the Ceylon Chess Club, the only chess club in the island.
Viv
H. C. SENEVRATNE
Dr. H. C. Seneviratne, of Kandy, was born at Matara in I859. He is a son of II. de S. Seneviratne, headman of Kandy, and was educated at Colombo Academy, now Royal College, where he passed the Calcutta matriculation examination in 1877. He studied for a year at the Ceylon Medical College, and after
Service, and five years ) deen, where he gradual 188g. Upon his return Government service unt he commenced private p married, in 1897, the C. Jayetileke, Proctor, C
V
NEYAL BUD
Mr. Jansze was born educated at St. Thoma
IPRESSIONS
University, where he years later. In 1883 Government Medical
HETER,
ter he went to Abered M.B. and C.M. in he was again in the
the year I906, when actice at Kandy. He
eldest daughter of
Kandy.
) JAN SZE.
Kandy in 1879, and S College, Colombo,
OF CEYLON
His education complete, he studied for the legal profession, and having successfully passed his final examination, was admitted a Proctor of the District Court of Kandy in March, 189I. He became a Proctor of the Supreme Court in May, I906. His favourite recreation is tennis, and he is the Vice-President of the Rovers'
Club, Kandy.
V
EDWARD LONEL WIEGOONEY HARDENE.
Mr. E. L. Wijegoonewardene, a Proctor and member of the Town Council, Kandy, is a native of Colombo, having been born there on December 8, 1879. After the completion of his scholastic course at Trinity College, Kandy, he studied law, and became a Proctor of the District Court of Kandy in 1903. His father, who was also a native of Colombo, became a planter at Kandy, and subsequently owned many estates in different parts of the island. Mr. E. L. Wijegoonewardene, in addition to his legal practice, is also a planter, is the owner of considerable house property in Kandy, and is now starting rubber-planting. He takes a prominent part in the public life of the town, was at one time President of the Kandy Temperance Society, and is a member of the University Association of Ceylon. Being a staunch Buddhist, Mr. Wijegoonewardene takes a strong interest in all works connected with Buddhism, and is a member of the Central Provincial Committee under the Buddhist Temporalities Ordinance, while a good deal of his spare time is devoted to cricket. He is in partnership with Mr. F. L. Goonewardene, a Proctor
E. L. WIJEGOONEWARDEN.E.
of the Supreme Court and Notary Public, and they confine their practice to the Kandy district.
Page 825
TWENTIETH
CENTURY I
J. W. DE HOEDT AND FAMILY. BHE BU]
Mr. Frederick Llewellyn Goonewardene, Mr. Wijegoonewardene's partner, is a Proctor of the Supreme Court of the island and a Notary Public. Born on September 16, 188o, he was the youngest Notary Public and Supreme Court Proctor when he was enrolled in June, Igo6. His education he received at St. Thomas's College, where he was junior and senior classical prizeman, and acted as editor of the college magazine and captain of the college cricket club. He was articled for the study of law in October, 1899, was called to the Bar in 1903, and was enrolled Supreme Court Proctor and Notary Public three years later. He is the youngest son of Mr. J. R. Goonewardene, who was formerly in the Government service, and is the owner of considerable house property in the Central Province. He is keenly devoted to sport, and at the present time is a member of the Ceylon Colts' Cricket Club and of the Sinhalese Sports Club. In Igor he was one of the players selected to take part in the Colts v. Hon. H. L. Wace's XI.
Va
J. W. DE HOEDT,
Dr. T. W. de Hoedt is the eldest of the two sons of Mr. James Peter de Hoedt, head
master of St. John's ( accomplished scholar, facility for coaching
WA
MPRESSIONS
NGALOW.
College, who was an well known for his upils for the clerical
OF CEYION 817
and Civil Service. He was born at Jaffna on September 22, 1856, and after he had been educated at St. Thomas's College, Colombo, he entered the Medical College there. Upon the completion of the collegiate course he obtained his licence, and occupied a position in the Government service for eight years. He then proceeded to Aberdeen University to prosecute his medical studies further, and in 1891 he took the degree of Bachelor of Medicine and Master in Surgery with second-class honours. Shortly afterwards he returned to Ceylon, and went to Haputale, and then Lindula, and eventually he was Assistant Colonial Surgeon in charge of Kandy Hospital. He married, in 1881, a daughter of Proctor Charles Strantenberg, and has three sons. The eldest of these is studying electrical engineering in London, England, and the other two have taken up planting in the island.
WALKER, SONS & CO., LTD.
The Fairfield Ironworks, Ward Street, Kandy, belonging to Messrs. Walker, Sons & Co., Ltd., is the oldest business firm in Kandy, and has been established since 1854. The firm opened business in Kandy, afterwards branching off into Colombo. They have several departments, including engineering, printing, stores, general, and motor garage. The comanagers are Messrs. R. Wilson and W. A. Goodman, and the staff consists of three Europeans and 89 natives.
KER, SONS & CO., LTD.-KANDY PREMISES.
3 F
Page 826
818 TWENTIETH
YETTIYELU SARAYANAMUTTU, Mudaliyar. Mr. Saravanamuttu is a Proctor in practice in Kandy. He is a native of Jaffna, where he
CENTURY I
Chief Clerk, P.W.D. was educated at Trinit afterwards at a priva Colombo Technical (
V. SAIRAVAINAMIUTTU’S BUNGAILOW, WALTER ]
was born in 1876. He was educated locally and in India, and passed his University examination in I898. He got through his final examination in 1904, and commenced practising in Kandy the same year.
SAMUEL ARTHUR OWIEN.
Samuel Arthur Owen was born at Bristol in the year 1874 and educated there. He was engaged on the dispensing staff of the Royal Infirmary and obtained his L.S.A. degree, afterwards being employed as a dispenser at Clifton and Bath and at St. Mary's Hospital, London. He arrived in Ceylon in 1896, having been appointed manager of the dispensing department of W. Jordan & Co., at Talawakele. He was afterwards manager for J. Wilson & Co., at Agrapatnas, and has been carrying on the business of a dispensing chemistand general merchant since Igo2 at Ward Street, Kandy. He was elected for Ward 4 on the Kandy Municipal Council in I9o6, and is also a member of the Ceylon Agricultural Society. When camphor was first taken up in the island he and Mr. Nock conducted a series of experiments in connection with the distillation of camphor at the Government Experimental Gardens at Hakgala.
GE0, E DE MOTTE. Mr. G. E. de Motte, surveyor and leveller, is the son of Mr. C. A. de Motte, formerly
named institution he c surveying and levelling
has built up a good pr holds the Surveyor-Get practise surveying at K
MPRESSIONS
but now retired. He y College, Kandy, and te school and at the Dollege. At the last
LODGE.
obtained the diploma in g. During six years be
OF CEYLON
WALTER DE) (VERS.
Mr. Walter de Livera, son of Franciscus de Livera, Mudaliyar of the Governor's Gate and Justice of the Peace, and a brother of Dr. de Livera, Colonial Surgeon of the North-Western Province and Sabaragamuwa, was born at Colombo in I863. After being educated at the Royal College he became private secretary, first to the late Sir Harry Dias and afterwards to Sir Archibald Campbell Laurie. In 1898 he was appointed Police Magistrate and Commissioner of Requests at Chilaw and Marawila, and since 1902 he has occupied a similar official position at Gampola and Nawalapitiya. He is a member of the Orient and Turf Clubs and of
the Agricultural Society. His wife, whom he
married in 1898, is one of the most charming of Ceylon ladies. She is the sister of Solomon Dias Bandaranaike, C.M.G., Maha Mudaliyar. In 1894 she travelled to England with Bishop Copleston, now Metropolitan of India, and was presented to her late Majesty Queen Victoria by Lady Ripon, and for several years was one of the best known figures in English society. After travelling extensively she returned to Ceylon and married Mr. de Livera in 1898. Their little daughter, “Princess' de Livera, is a young lady of extraordinary attainments. She was a contributor to local papers at the early age of seven years. Her descriptive sketches, written in simple childish language, are real gems for children's literature. Her special talent for music and singing (which she has studied from
G. E. DE MOTTE''S BUNGALOW.
actice at Kandy, and he heral's special licence to andy.
the age of four under Miss Whitehead, the Professor of Music in Ceylon and Medallist, R.A.M.), is a fruitful source of pleasure to her
Page 827
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
WALTER, DE LIVERA.
friends. On one occasion she attracted the notice of Their Excellencies Sir Henry and Lady Blake, who were delighted with her rendering of “The Morris Dance' and her singing of a song soon after her seventh birthday, when the above photograph was taken of her, Both Mr. and Mrs. de Livera are passionately fond of horticulture, and Mr. de Livera has made a name for rice culture, and their home at Gampola, as well as their country seat, “The Orchard,” Veyangoda, bears ample
proof of the success of their efforts in the
cultivation of flowers.
V
O ARACHGE HAMY.
Mr. Costan Arachige Hamy, son of C. Carolis Appohami, landed proprietor, of Kalutara, was born at Kandy in 1837. In 1851 he joined the firm of R. D. Gerard and went to England with his employer, and shortly after his return to Ceylon he became superintendent of the firm's coffee estates, Kent and Ambokka, in the Matale district, besides opening up various other estates in Matale East. When coffee declined he returned to Kandy and commenced contracting in I88o on the railway extension to Bandarawela and the South Coast line. He continued in this business for fourteen years and then retired and at the present time he devotes himself to public affairs and the supervision of
“TEIE ORCEAR
MISS 'PRINCES
C. A.
his various properties.
house property at Kand rubber estates. He is the Kandy Municipal ( of the Agricultural Soci
KAHAWITA DON J)
ABAYASEKAR
This gentleman was
MPRESSIONS OF
CEYLON
گضسسس
819
D' BUNGALOW.
S’ DE LIVERA.
«ബi:
BIAMY.
He ownís considerable y, and tea, coconut, and an elected member of 2ouncil and a member ety.
RONIMUS PEREIRA , Mohandiram. born in Kandy on Sep
MRS.
WALTER, DE LIVERA
tember 6, 1855, his parents (Sinhalese of the agricultural or Goigama caste) having settled in Kandy during the latter part of the forties, at the time when the coffee industry was at its height. He holds an appointment in the
clerical service at the chief Government Office
- the Kachcheri-in Kandy, and for long and faithful service (over twenty-five years) under the Government he was, on June 7, 190o, invested with the rank of Mohandiram. The investiture was performed at Queen's House, Colombo, by His Excellency Sir Joseph West Ridgeway, then Governor of Ceylon. Mr. Abayasekara married, on June 3o, I887, Magdalen Eliza Perera Samarasekera, the youngest daughter of the late D. C. B. P. Samarasekera, Mohandiram of Udugampola in Dasiya Pattu of Alutkuru Korale, in the Western Province. He is a Roman Catholic, to which faith his wife was converted from Buddhism prior to marriage.
VŽ
S. M. DON PETER SENANAYAKA.
Senanayake Mudallige Don Peter Senanayaka is the son of D. S. Senanayaka, Arachchi of Kandy, and owner of coconut and cinnamon plantations in the Rayigam Korale and landed property at Talpitiya and Kandy, and Collector and Distraining Officer to the Kandy Municipality, and Mary Magdalen, daughter of Kudeligamegay Don Andries Perera, of Wadduwa
Page 828
820 TWENTIETH CENTURY I
FAMILY GROUP. TELE BUN
He was born at Kandy in 1873, and educated at Trinity College there. On completing his education he was for some time Additional Clerk in the Public Works Department, joining the Kandy Municipality in 1892. His appointment was fixed in I895, in I897 he became Second Inspector, and subsequently he was appointed Chief Inspector, a position which he still holds. In I90o he married Cecilie, daughter of H. Paulis Perera Samarasekera, Mohandiram, of Colombo. He has four children-Violet Beatrice, Edith Margaret, Charlotte Gertrude, and Dionisius Gilbert. Mr. Senanayaka is a Buddhist, and resides in Trincomalee Street, Kandy.
GEORGE FRANCIS SOYSA.
Mr. G. F. Soysa is the third son of the late Harmanis Soysa, landed proprietor and one of the leading and most enterprising native (lowcountry Sinhalese) coffee planters of his day, and Dona Johanna Ferdinando, daughter of the late Don Joseph Ferdinando, of Moratuwa, in the Western Province of the island. He was born at Moratuwa, and educated at Trinity College, Kandy, in which town he resides. In the seventies his father owned the once famous Hatale coffee estate, in the Kandy district, con
sisting of a thousand ( owner of the Hapug planted with tea and c
r
GEORGE ERA
liya district, of 6oIII
coconut and cinnamo low-country districts of sessed of house proper
MPRESSIONS
OF CEYLON
NGALOW.
odd acres. He is part astenne estate, partly inchona, in the Maske
-
NCIS SOYSA.
He also owns in plantations in the
the island, and is posty at Kandy. He lives
3CTCS.
D. P. SENANAYAKA.
at Cross Street, Kandy, and is an elected member of the Kandy Municipal Council for Ward No. 3.
GABRIEL EDWIN MUTHUKRISHNA.
Gabriel Edwin Muthukrishna is a som of Christopher Joseph Muthukrishna, Mudaliyar, and grandson of Abram Manuel Muthukrishna, Mudaliyar of the Golden Gate. He was born at Kandy in 1865, and educated at Trinity and St. Thomas's Colleges. He became Clerk to the Kandy Municipal Council in I883, Municipal Court Interpreter in 1888, and Additional Shroff in I892. In 1905, after acting as Assistant Secretary, he became Shroff to the Kandy Municipality. He married, in 1888, Adaline Maud Jane, daughter of Abram Muthukrishna, Mudaliyar, of Colombo. He resides at “ Gem Lodge," Peradeniya Road, Kandy.
V
SPENCER S. CASIECHITTY RAJAWIAJKERE, Mudaliyar.
Mudaliyar Spencer Sparling Casiechitty is in charge of the special-class railway station at Hatton. He has worked on the Ceylon Government Railways since 1873, when he was employed at the Colombo terminus. He
Page 829
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
has obtained his present post by diligent atten- liyar of the Governor's tion to his duties. At the time of the Allagala preter to the Queen's slip he was stationmaster at Peradeniya Junc- her mother's, M. Morg tion, where he had charge of the trains for about three months. He received his education at St. Thomas's College, Colombo. His family is a very old one, and of high caste; the majority of his relatives have held high positions in the island. His father was J. P. Casiechitty, Mudaliyar of the Seven Korales and of the Kurunegala Kachcheri, and afterwards of the Hapitigam Korale, serving for thirty-three years. His grandfather, Caspar Casiechitty, was Shroff, Kurunegala Kachcheri, for several years, whilst his greatgrandfather was the Rev. Franciscus, Colonial Chaplain, St. Thomas's Church, Colombo, and his maternal grandfather Chief Kachcheri Mudaliyar at Jaffna until the time of his death. Of his other maternal relations, his mother's stepbrother was Chief Tamil Interpreter to the Governor, Mudaliyar of the Governor's Gate, and head of the Christian Chetties in Colombo. His uncle, Manuel Casiechitty, is a retired Government servant and a landed proprietor, Kandy, and William Casiechitty is a Colombo merchant. His wife's relations also held important offices, her maternal grandfather being Colonial Chaplain, Colombo, Dr. William Ondatjee being Colonial Chief Tamil Interpret Surgeon, and Nicholas J. Ondatjee is Muda- Mudaliyar of the Gove
エ
MÜJDALIYAR SPENC
(Station Mas
A. R. CASS
MPRESSIONS
Gate and Chief Inter
Advocate. A relation of appah Wanigaratna, is
ER S. CASTECHTTTY.
ter, Hatton.)
er to the Governor, }rnor's Gate, and head
OF CEYLON 821
of the Christian Chetties, Colombo. Mr. Casiechitty possesses two excellent certificates from Mr. W. T. Pearce, General Manager of the Ceylon Government Railway, one recommending him for the rank of Mudaliyar and the other notifying his appointment. He has been twenty-six years in the railway department of Government service.
A. R. C'ASSE LEBBE.
This gentleman is a descendant of Arabs who settled in Beruwala, near Colombo, in ancient times. He owns some valuable moonstone mines and also some gem lands. As a general merchant and dealer in precious stones Mr. Lebbe enjoys a unique reputation. He is a member of the Society of Arts, and for the excellency of his gems and for the best specimen of gold workmanship he was awarded a gold medal at the Agri-Horticultural Show held in Kandy in 1902. He is an expert judge of all kinds of precious stones and pearls, and supplies gems to patrons in all parts of the world, either on approval or in execution of order. He employs a staff of expert goldsmiths, and all kinds of jewellery are turned out under his personal supervision. He is patronised by the principal Government officials and leading residents. He
E LEBBE,
TEHE BUNGAIOW.
Page 830
822 TWENTIETH
is the fortunate possessor of a photograph of H.R.H. Princess Louise of Schleswig-Holstein inscribed with her autograph.
V
H. B. ĀNDRS & C0.
This firm, carrying on the business of jewellers and gem merchants, dealers in Ceylon curios (principally Kandyan knives, daggers, swords, Dutch boxes, and old ivory works), Kandyan art work (viz., tea sets, flower vases, trays and boxes), hand-made Ceylon laces, &c., at 9, Trincomalee Street, Kandy, was established in 1897 by Mr. H. B. Andris, a native of Galle. The firm make
E. B. ANDRIs.
a speciality of ancient Sinhalese jewellery, as well as articles of modern workmanship executed by their own workmen and imported from England and India. They also deal in silver and brass wares, Ceylon precious stones (principally rubies, sapphires, cats-eyes, aquamarines, alexandrites, tournalines, and moonstones), and Australian opals and African diamonds. At present they possess an uncut blue sapphire which weighs 365 carats and an
CENTURY I
amethyst which weigl Ratnapura. They alw selection of Ceylon pe They keep in stock a calamander, coconut, shell, and a good collec They obtained various the excellence of their work at the Uva Agr I9o5. At the last Ru Botanical Gardens, Pe a beautiful silver carve Ceylon precious ston should not fail to visit t is generally patronised tourists, and the plantir
B. B. ANORIS 8z (Interior of Shop.)
WYRAWANTHER Mr. Wyraiwanther Shroff (Cashier) of t Kandy, comes of an was born in 1855, and Jaffna, Chemdikuli Ser College), he went to a private Commercial t who was Shroff of th Weerasingham became
MPRESSIONS
s 2,8oo carats, found at ys have on hand a fine rls from local fisheries. ticles in ivory, ebony, orcupine quill, tortoiseion of old Dutch china. prizes and medals for gold, silver, and carved cultural Show held in ober Exhibition at the adeniya, they exhibited elephant covered with es. Visitors to Kandy he establishment, which oy the leading residents, g community.
O.
WEERASINGHAM.
Weerasingham, the he National Bank of old Jaffna family. He after being educated at ninary (now St. John's Colombo and received "aining under his uncle, e Oriental Bank. Mr. the Shroff of the New
OF CEYLON
Oriental Bank at Kandy in 1884, and eight years later, when the Kandy branch of the
. ਸ . ' :
W. WEERASINGHAM.
National Bank was opened, he was appointed to the position he now holds.
VM
QUEEN’s HOTEL, KANDY.
One of the most popular hotels up-country is the Queen's Hotel, Kandy, and the increasing patronage of European visitors has rendered its enlargement necessary. It was opened in I849 and was improved and enlarged about ten years ago, but although it is capable of accommodating I5o visitors the hotel is to be still further enlarged by the addition of fifty rooms during the next twelve months. The Queen's is beautifully situated I,700 ft. above sea-level and commanding the magnificent Kandy lake. Every modern convenience is in use there, and the fact that it is quite close to the station renders it the more suited to the theeds of visitors and others with little time at their disposal. With the advent of the motor-car its importance has increased, as it is eminently suitable for being the starting-point for Anuradhapura, Trincomalee, and all other points of interest in the island. It is owned by the Kandy Hotels Company, Ltd., the directors of which are Messrs. Joseph Fraser (managing director), R. Morison, W. Shakespeare, and F. M. Mackwood.
J. P. BURDAYERON.
The Queen's Hotel, Kandy, which has an almost world-wide reputation, is managed by Mr. Burdayron. This gentleman was born in 1864, and has had a varied and extensive experience of hotel management. Having served in different capacities in many wellknown hotels, Mr. Burdayron is known by a
Page 831
I. QUEEN's HoTEL. 2. VERANDAH.
N's HOTEL, KANDY,
3. BILLIARD RooM. 4. READING ROOM. 5. DINING ROOM,
Page 832
824 TWENTIETH CENTURY I
large circle of acquaintances, and as among other positions which he has filled is that of
J. P. BURTDAYERON.
chef, he is particularly well qualified to manage such an important house as the Queen's Hotel.
Wv
SCHOKMAN & CO,
Messrs. Schokman & Co., of Dikoya (two miles by road from Hatton), are stationers,
printers, and importers, mission agents, transac The firm was establish Schokman, and is nov gentleman’s son, who All kinds of business a though special attention of all descriptions.
V
AHAMADO
In the accompanying ing the salient points Government is given th of which Mr. Ahamado It will be seen that ancestry back to King who ruled an independ India about three hunc members of the faımill; in the time of King settled there, and one C instigation, contracted daughter of the only country, who was nickna Seeya.' This merchan sannas by the king, Raj Of land situated in Trin This property has rer during the two hundred
-AHAMAIOO
MPRESSIONS
auctioneers and comting a large business. ed in I892 by Cecil E. w carried on by this is the sole proprietor. e transacted by them, is paid to estate work
LEBBE.
; illustration embody
of a memorial to e history of the family Lebbe is a descendant. Wr. Lebbe traces his Seyda Kady Marikar, ent State in Southern dred years ago. Two y migrated to Kandy Narendra Sinha and of them, at the king's a marriage with the gem merchant in the amed “Thanihadakarat was granted an ola iasinha II., for a block comalee Street, Kandy. mained in the family and fifty years which
;8,yرہ:?ہر م&ب بہ:بہم&&;ہم
:
I LEBBE.
XX &'ቋ፥y(ሇ ጳ«፨xx.**ጇ ቋ×ሾ*” (“88 { wis ***** 4 **wwwv.*f***i
: {‹‹ፉፉmጳ
“ጰዖmሃwMóዶሖ፻” ፻ኳ
OF CEYLON
have elapsed since the grant. Apart from the distinction conferred by the facts narrated, the family of Mr. Ahamado Lebbe has another title to honour. It is associated, through a son-in-law of one of the Madura kings, with the memorable defence of Arcot by Clive in I75I. When the supplies and ammunition of the little garrison were running low, the young prince helped to replenish the depleted stocks, utilising his own ships for the purpose. For these valuable services he was granted a gold medal by King George II., to be worn by himself and his descendants. In later times, after the British conquest of the Kandyan provinces, the members of the family were associated with the police force both at the ancient Sinhalese capital and Colombo.
HATTON HOTEL
The Hatton Hotel, which is a new building, has rapidly become popular with the hundreds of tourists and holiday-makers who visit the beautiful district which surrounds it. Of recent years Hatton has become a favourite resort with holiday-makers, and this is not to be wondered at when it is stated that it is situated four thousand odd feet above the sea-level, and
has a bracing climate with a mean temperature of 66 degrees.
Every year hundreds of
"...i ፥**** X{ጳሱኒw ለ•, | ረኒ . '፡.....“,
“ፃ Wጳ{ኃxw.
is ww.
אא tዶõ“ war
Page 833
TWENTIETH
CENTURY I
TEIE EIATON ESIOTEL,
European and native people from Colombo visit Hatton to recuperate, and for these the Hatton Hotel caters admirably, the charges being moderate and the European management by Mr. Werther satisfactory in every way. Hatton can be conveniently visited en route to Nuwara Eliya, and is the startingpoint for the ascent of Adam's Peak, to which Buddhists from all over Asia make pilgrimages to see the sacred footprints of the founder of their faith. 舒、
NUWARA ELIYA
DISTRICT.
RALPH GEORGE CARTE, A.M.I.C.E.
Mr. R. G. Carte is the District Engineer, Nuwara Eliya. He was born at Southsea in I867, and was educated at Portsmouth Grammar School and St. John's College, Cambridge. In 1893 he was appointed by the Secretary of State as District Engineer, having gone through his articles with Mr. H. Percy Boulinois, M.I.C.E., late City Engineer of Liverpool. Mr. Carte is a member of the Ceylon Engineers' Association and the Nuwara Eliya United Club.
už
THE HON. M.R. J. M. C.AMPBELL. The Hon. Mr. J. M. Campbell occupies “Mahagastota,' Baker's Farm, Nuwara Eliya. He came to Ceylon in 187o, remained a year, then went to South Africa, spent a period there, and returned to the island in 188o and
took charge of the M his brother's property, Mr. Campbell inheritec elected in 1897 Chai Association, the most in the island, and late became member of th the planters, serving th He is a member of the a Lieutenant in the Ce
was one of the Volun
Edward's Coronation
is the general manage. Ceylon and General E
DONALD McK)
Mr. Donald McKinl of the National Bank C was born in the year at the Dollar Academ entered the London Bank of India in 18 the Colombo office, anc was transferred to Nu
FRANK
Dr. Frank Grenier Surgeon, of Nuwara G. Grenier, I.S.O., R Colombo. He was and was educated a Colombo, where he University Scholarshi
MPRESSIONS
foray estate, Maskeliya, When the latter died l the property. He was riman of the Planters’ important association ær in the same year he e Legislative Council for he full term of five years. principal clubs in Ceylon, ylon Mounted Rifles, and teers who attended King in England in I902. He in Ceylon of the Anglostates Company, Ltd.
NLAY MURRAY.
ay Murray, the manager if India at Nuwara Eliya, 1878. He was educated ly, Dollar, Scotland, and
office of the National 8. In 1902 he came to | after three years' service wara Eliya.
V
GRENIER,
the Assistant Colonial Eliya, is the son of Mr. 'gistrar, Supreme Court, born in Ceylon in 1868,
St. Thomas's College, ecured the Government p in 1887-a distinction
OF CEYLON 825
worth I5o a year for four years. He took his B.M. and M.S. degrees and first-class honours at Edinburgh, and competed for the gold medal in surgery, which is open only to a select few. It was in 1892 that he obtained his first appointment under the Ceylon Government, and in 1903 was appointed medical officer in charge of Nuwara Eliya. He has been specially selected by the Ceylon Government to proceed to England shortly for research work in connection with tropical medicines.
BARBARA LAYARD.
Miss Barbara Layard, of Grimsthorpe, Nuwara Eliya, is a member of a well-known family, and is herself a familiar figure in Ceylon life. She was born at Bagatelle, Colombo, in 1834, in a house which since the visit of the late Duke of Edinburgh has been called Alfred House, and is now occupied by Lady de Soysa, a Sinhalese lady. Miss Layard's father, Charles Edward Layard, together with his brother Henry (father of the late Sir Henry Austin Layard, discoverer of Nineveh), came out to Ceylon in the beginning of the last century and joined the Ceylon Civil Service. He married, in 1804, Barbara Bridgetina Mooyaart, daughter of the last Dutch Governor of Galle, by whom he had twenty-six children. His eldest son, Sir Charles Peter Layard, was appointed to the Ceylon Civil Service in I827 and served for fifty years, the last forty-three years without himself or his wife visiting England. He ultimately retired in I877. Their nine children were sent home for
MISS BARBARA JANE LAYARD,
their education, and their only son, Sir Charles
Peter Layard, Chief Justice of Ceylon, retired
only this year (I906).
Miss Layard is the last and only surviving
Page 834
826 TWENTIETH CENTURY
child of her parents, and is universally known in Ceylon as “Aunt Barbara,' from the fact that 225 persons living are entitled to call her aunt. Her grandfather, the Right Rev. Dean of Bristol, could claim nearly 6oo lineal descendants, which is quite a record family. She is an able water-colour artist, landscapes being her speciality, and was a pupil of Paul Naftel.
V
H. U. LEEMBRUGGEN.
Dr. Henry Ullrich Leembruggen is the son of Caspar Henry John Leembruggen, Surveyor of Colombo, and of Matilda, daughter of James Koch, of Jaffna. He was born at Matara, in 1875, and was educated at the Royal College, Colombo, after which he studied medicine at the Ceylon Medical College, of which he became a licentiate in 1899. He was Medical Officer, Alutnuwara Hospital, I899-1900, Medical Officer to the Boer prisoners-of-war camp, Diyatalawa, I9oI-2, and in medical charge of the prisoners-of-war camp, Urugasmanhandiya, whence he was sent in 1903 in medical charge of the transport Templemore with the repatriated prisoners of war to Durban. He was next appointed District Medical Officer, Aranayaka (I904-5), proceeded to Scotland, and became a licentiate of the Royal College of
Physicians, Edinburg Infirmary and the Ho Edinburgh, and at Un London. Returning he was appointed
BI. U. ILEEMBER I.R.C.
Pussellawa, and prome second grade. In I9C Muriel, eldest daughte bruggen, Superintenden
THE FACTORY, ST. CLAIR
TALAWAKELE.
ESTATE, CIBLARLE
MPRESSIONS
He worked at the pital for Sick Children, rersity College Hospital, Ceylon in May, Igoô,
strict Medical Officer, .
UG-GEN, L.M.S., P.E.
oted an officer of the 2 he married Evelyn of Gerard E. Leemit of Surveys, Colombo.
OF CEYLON
J. P. E. RYAN.
Mr. J. P. E. Ryan, of Glenomera, Talawakele, is one of the best known proprietary planters of the Dimbula district. He comes of an old planting family which has continuously owned land in the district for fifty years. Mr. Ryan is at present proprietor of I,35o acres, 88o of which are in Dimbula, under tea, and 45o in Gampola, planted with rubber. A keen agriculturist, Mr. Ryan has been conspicuous in all movements having for their object the improvement of the planting industry. It was largely to his active initiative that the successful Rubber Exhibition was held-an exhibition which marks an epoch in the history of planting in the island. Mr. Ryan is a man of cultured literary tastes, and a work from his pen describing, under the title of “Curry and Rice,' the popular aspects of Ceylon life, is shortly to be published.
Vʼ»
CHARLES RYAN
At the II5th mile on the railway from Colombo and at the 22nd mile along the Government high-road from Nawalapitiya to Nuwara Eliya is situated the St. Clair Factory. It produces yearly half a million pounds of tea
S RYAN. THE FALLs, ST. CLAIR ESTATE,
TALAWAKEL.E.
Page 835
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
of the highest quality, the “mark' being well known on the London and Colombo markets, and St. Clair teas, as purely commercial exhibits, were awarded medals at Chicago and St. Louis Exhibitions. Besides being equipped with the very latest form of motive power and other up-to-date machinery, the factory is provided with its own railway station, and the magnificent St. Clair Falls in the immediate neighbourhood are the admiration of all travellers. The factory serves one of the finest privately owned groups of tea estates in the island. It was formed out of virgin forest in the early sixties as a coffee plantation by Messrs. James and Patrick Ryan, the father and uncle respectively of the present owner, Mr. Charles G. Ryan.
V
C. A. KALENBERG.
Dr. Charles Allan Kalenberg, the Government Medical Officer, Lindula, was born at Negombo in 1866, and educated at the Royal College, Colombo. He attended the Medical College, and in 1891 he went to Edinburgh and passed through the College of Surgeons and the College of Physicians. He took the degrees L.R.C.S. and L.R.C.P. of Edinburgh, and the L.F.P. and L.F.S. of Glasgow, in I892, whilst on leave, afterwards returning to
ARTHUR ...(
Dr. Arthur Lloyd Pe charge of the hospital,
ARTHUR ILLO (Government Medical Officer
June 21, 1873, at Colc St. Thomas's College,
C. A. KALENBERG'S BUNGALOW, LINDULA
Ceylon. He entered the Government service in 1890, and was appointed to his present position in September, I906.
the Ceylon Medical Coll successful career he obt Ceylon, and entered the
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON 827
YD PEREIRA. service in 1897. He proceeded on leave in 1905, and after a course of study at Edinburgh obtained the triple qualifications of Scotland, viz., L.R.C.P., L.R.C.S. (Edin.), L.F.P., L.F.S.
(Glasg.).
Wy
MELTON ESTATE, DIMBUL.A.
This estate is situated at Talawakele, Walaha Valley, Dimbula, and is owned by Mrs. Wiggin. It consists of 200 acres, all under tea cultivation, and the annual output is I2O,Ooo lbs. Mr. G. W. R. Wiggin is the resident manager, and with his brother works the Bambrakelly and Dell estates, which belong to a family company. Bambrakelly was first opened up in I872 with coffee. Then cinchona was experimentally planted, and finally, tea, the annual yield of the latter at present being 25O,Ooo lbs. On this and the Dell estates there are 48o acres of jungle which hereafter will be used for camphor. The average price realised for tea from this estate is 8d. to 9d. per lb. Mr. Wiggin, who comes from Gloucestershire, is one of the oldest and most experienced planters in the island. He is a staunch
reira, Medical Officer in Dimbula, was born on
YD PEREIRA. Conservative, and maintains his connection
, Dimbula District Hospital) with the Junior Carlton and conservative clubs
in London.
imbo, and educated at V
Colombo. He entered
MAYFIELD ESTATE
The Mayfield estate is situated in Dimbula, about 4 miles from Hatton. It is owned by the Mayfield (Dimbula) Tea Company of Ceylon, whose manager, resident on the estate, is Mr. H. L. Armstrong. There are 700 acres of land planted with tea and about 239 acres of timber, &c. Mr. Armstrong came to Ceylon as a planter in 1892, and has been on the Mayfield estate for the past nine years. He is an enthusiastic member of the Ceylon Planters' Rifle Corps.
už
TROUP ESTATE, TALAWAKELE.
Mr. G. Anderson, sen., the proprietor of the Troup estate, Talawakele (the derivation of "Troup' is from Troup, on the coast of Banffshire, belonging to the heir of the late Mr. Garden Campbell, of Glencoe fame), is the oldest resident planter in his district. His connection with the locality extends as far back as 1865, when he migrated from the North of Scotland and commenced coffee planting in the island. His venture in its earliest years was remarkably successful. In one year alone (1872), when coffee was at its best, he and his partner reaped a profit of ege in 1892. After a £6,500. Eight years later, however, there ined the L.M. and S., was a crisis in the coffee trade, and the crop Government medical on the Troup estate was barely sufficient to
Page 836
828
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
FACTORY,
DISTANT VIEW, ST. ANDREWS ESTATE, WITH FACTORY.
cover the cost of cultivation. Mr. Anderson, who was in the Old Country at the time, had to return to the island post-haste and make a Coffee having failed, he devoted
his attention to tea and cinchona cultivation
new start.
on the same estate, but it took ten years to clear the ground and plant tea all over the At the present time the whole of the estate, which is situated about I miles from Talawakele, is 358 acres in extent, and the yield in I905 was 194,000 lbs. of tea. Mr. Anderson is the son of Captain Anderson,
21Ca
who sailed under Nelson's flag.
FERHAM AND ODDINGTON ESTATES
At Talawakele, Dimbula, Mr. W. C. Oswald manages the Ferham estate for Mr. Thomas Fairhurst, and is also part owner of the Oddington estate, which adjoins. on the former property, having taken up his residence there in 1894. Previously, from I887, he was in the Ouvah Company, Badulla, and before that had had six years' experience in the tea trade with F. S. Long & Co. in Mincing Lane. The yearly output of tea from the 35o acres of cultivated land which
He lives
comprise the combined estates is 20O,OOO' lbs., equal to 570 lbs. per acre ; and the product being noted for its fine quality, the iondon price always rules high. In addition to the cultivated area there are 25 acres on which timber, needed for estate purposes, is grown. The elevation of the estate is from 43oo ft. to 5, Ioo ft. Machinery of the latest pattern is
installed at the factory Oswald is an expert i. tea, and his advice is ol owners of other estates the quality of their proc is a committee meml Planters' Association, a the Agras and Talawa native of Croydon, Surr
ST. ANDREW
This estate, owned b and managed by Mr. situated at Talawakele, trict, and is about 287 being planted with tea timber, &c.
The avera
ST. ANDREW
the estate is about II
and the whole of it is on the estate, which is
the most up-to-date mai
MPRESSIONS
OF CFYION
, FIER, HAMI ESTATE.
TBIE
Mr.
n the manufacture of ten welcomed by the who wish to improve Mr. Oswald
per of the Dimbula
On the estate.
luctions.
ind is a member of kele Clubs. He is a
"еу.
'S ESTATE.
y Mr. Thos. Fairhurst J. P. Blackmore, is in the Dimbula disacres in extent, 273 and the balance with ge output of tea from
’S EACTORY.
5,ooo lbs. per annum, dealt with at a factory fitted throughout with. chinery. The estate is
BUNGALOW, FERHAM ESTATE.
visited periodically by Mr. Oswald, of Ferham estate. It is situated between 3,500 ft. and 4,200 ft. above sea-level. About two years ago close upon 2,OOO rubber-trees were planted among the tea-bushes, and some of these
are progressing in promising fashion.
WALKER & GREG,
In the above we have the present-day style of one of the oldest firms in the island. Mr. John Walker, who came out to Ceylon to a sugar plantation, eventually found his way up to Kandy, where in I854 he founded the firm of John Walker & Co., carrying on business as engineers and general merchants, and met with a full measure of success, his coffee-pulping machine being one of the best known in the island. Advancing with the times and to meet the requirements of the coffee planters of Uva, he opened in the sixties a branch business in Badulla and Haldummulla. The style of these two branches became Walker & Wilson, but in 1874 changed to Walker & Greig. With the growing importance of Haputale the old workshop at Haldummulla was closed and removed to the top of the pass, where the business was carried on, the firm eventually removing into their present premises at Haputale. Badulla workshop likewise underwent reconstruction, and now occupies an imposing building in that town. About the year 1873 the head office (John Walker & Co.) at Kandy started a branch business in the Dikoya district in a small
Page 837
WALKER
I. BALDUILLA. 2. HA PUTALE
& GREIG'S STORES.
3. TILLICOULTRY.
4. ID1 KG ÞYA.
Page 838
830 TWENTIETH
store close by their present striking and wellstocked premises at Glencairn, also a branch business at Craiglea, Dimbula, which they took over from the firm of Messrs. Lee, Hedges & Co. About the same time they started building a store at Tillicoultry, Lindula, and in 1876 took over the business of Gordon Massie & Co., at Devon, Dimbula, and Agrakande, Lindula, transferring the Craiglea store to and incorporating it with that at Devon. In the early eighties Mr. John Walker retired from the firm of John Walker & Co., taking over the various up-country businesses, and-leaving Kandy to his brother William-carried them on under their present style, viz., Walker & Greig. With the death of Mr. John Walker in 1888, the business passed into the care of trustees, and was eventually managed and bought from the trustees by Mr. John Walker, son of the founder of the firm. Slowly but surely business has prospered in spite of the ups and downs of coffee, and with the coming of tea as the chief product we find in Walker & Greig one of the most prosperous firms up-country. The old buildings have passed away. The firm have been and are steadily marching forward with the times, erecting premises worthy of our successful tea districts, where their stores are replete with everything from the proverbial needle to an anchor, and their workshops fitted to turn out structural and all sorts of ironwork and machinery suited to the requirements of the tea world.
t
RAGALLA AND HALGRANOYA ESTATES.
These estates, comprising together 912 acres of tea, I5O acres of timber, and I5 acres of cinchona, are owned by the Ragalla Ceylon Tea Estates, Ltd., and give an annual yield of over 550 lbs. per acre. They are in the Udapussellawa district, and are under the superintendency of Mr. Edward Ellice Nicol. Mr. Nicol was born at St. Vincent, West Indies, and was educated at Christ's Hospital (the Blue Coat School), London. career was commenced with Messrs. Lewis
His business
& Peat, Mincing Lane, London. He came out to Ceylon in I871, and worked under Mr. Burnett, at Spring Valley, Badulla.
Later he worked for nineteen months under Mr. C. E Spooner, son of Professor Spooner, of Veterinary College, London. Subsequently he was engaged on other estates-Lunugallon, Haputale, for fourteen years-until thirteen years ago, when he started on the Ragalla, which was then under the agency of the Galaha Ceylon Tea Estates & Agency Company. Mr. Nicol has been thirty-five years in the island, and only once during that time has had a trip to England, for six months.
CENTURY
LAURENCE E
Mr. Peel came out in afterwards devoting hi and later to tea. Foi occupied on the wel in the Pundalu-oya dist ing about three and intention being to go known all-round spor pack of harriers, and closely, having ridden in the seventies and e
V
A NEWI CEYL
Ceylon enterprise in been conspicuously dis tions where agricultural but from a manufactur gress made has not bee1 of the absorption of ca great tea and other indu with the land. Gratify is forthcoming that the Sinhalese for mechanic be neglected. At Tala the beautiful country w Kelani Valley to the Pro a thoroughly up-to-date ment, which, remarka out machinery represer of mechanical inventiv plantation rubber man to which we refer is th Davidson, Ltd. Establi gentlemen whose name title of the firm, the b was of a general char paratively limited spher But the partners, both r and experience in Brit and endowed with mor of national "grit,' we merely as the supplier needs of a great tea-pla ahead, they saw in t industry a great opport with the result that to undisputed supremacy i tion rubber machinery their fame has gone Ol producing world. In the volume of the busin estates has necessitated business. More extrao the supply of rubber n Talavakele from dista only in the infancy of t no prophetic instinct t awaits the firm, with t on an enorinous scale ( for the manipulation o
MPRESSIONS
OBERT PEEL
I873 as a coffee planter, attention to cinchona, r twelve years he was l-known Sheen estate ict. He gave up planta half years ago, his home. He is a wellsman. He has kept a followed racing pretty at meetings frequently ghties.
ON INDUSTRY.
the past few years has played in many direcinterests are concerned, ing standpoint the progreat, perhaps because pital and energy in the stries directly associated ring evidence, however, natural aptitude of the cal work is no longer to wakele, in the heart of hich stretches from the vince of Uva, is situated : engineering establishble to state, is turning uting the very last word eness in the domain of ufacture. The concern at of Messrs. Brown & shed in 1897 by the two s appear in the present usiness for some years acter, and in its come was highly successful. nen of wide knowledge ish engineering work, e than a common share re not content to act of the miscellaneous lting district. Looking he rise of the rubber unity and they seized it, day they enjoy almost in the domain of plantamanufacture. Already t to the great rubberhe Straits Settlements ess done on the rubber he opening of a branch dinary still, orders for achinery have reached ut Mexico ; and this is e enterprise. It needs
see that a great future e inevitable expansion the demand for plant
rubber.
OF CEYLON
A few words now as to the character of the machinery which Messrs. Brown & Davidson are manufacturing. For the purposes of clearness a brief description of the process of preparing rubber from latex (the fluid exuded from the tree) must be given. On arrival at the factory the latex has to be strained in order to eliminate mechanical impurities. This is done most effectually by a straining machine, consisting of a rapidly revolving basin which drives the impurities on to cotton and enables the latex to be drawn in a pure state through a pipe at the side. After being so treated the latex is stored in large galvanised tanks, and afterwards is coagulated. The freshly coagullated ruober is soft and spongy, and contains, in addition to the indiarubber particles, varying quantities of resins, proteids, &c. To eliminate these it is passed between the rollers of a machine, the two rollers of which revolve at a slightly different speed, with the result that the material is subjected to a kneading and stretching process, and so is in a condition that the impurities may be removed by copious washing. When these operations are complete the rubber is turned out in irregular sheets with a rough, uneven surface. These are then put through the finishing rollers of a second washing machine, which turns out the thin strips commonly known as “crepe.'
The crêpe rubber undergoes a drying process, the operation being carried through by the use of Passburg vacuum driers which work on the well-known principle that the lower the atmospheric pressure the more easily is water evaporated. Vacuum-dried rubber has a much softer and more elastic feel, and is more suitable for blocking than that dried slowly in the usual way.
In order to convert crépe or any other form of rubber into blocks of any desired thickness from 2 ins. to I2 ins., the ratchet screw blocking press shown in the illustration has been designed. Block rubber, besides being more convenient for packing and shipment than other forms, has the additional advantage that it exposes the least possible surface to the air, and that in this form the liability to stickiness and tackiness is reduced to a minimum ; while the great pressure to which the material is subjected improves its quality as regards nerve and resiliency. Besides manufacturing direct from the latex, it has been found possible to secure a large quantity of valuable rubber from bark shavings with the use of suitable machinery. The machines used for this purpose are in many respects similar to the washing machines, but differ from them in that they work with more of a grinding action. It is said that on some estates the whole cost of tapping is paid for by rubber recovered in . this way.
The machinery necessary in the above pro
Page 839
BROWN & 1) AVIDS
I. GENERAL VIEW OF WORKS: 2. MR. GEORGE BROWN, 3. A P
(Managing Director.)
DN, LTD., TAILAWAKELE. RESS FOR MAKING BLOCK RUBBER. 4. A MACHINE FOR MAKING CREPE RCBBER.
(Patented and manufactured by Brown & Davidson, Ltd.)
Page 840
832 TWENTIETH
cesses is all supplied by Messrs. Brown & Davidson, Ltd. The perfect models now on the market are the results of years of careful thought and experiments conducted in intimate touch with rubber production in all its stages. When first brought prominently to the notice of those interested in the rubber industry at the great Rubber Exhibition at Kandy in 1906, they created a lively interest, and besides handsome encomiums from experts, won for the firm five gold medals, one silver medal, and five diplomas. Short as is the time which has elapsed since that epoch-making exhibition, further progress has been made in the elucidation of the problems which underly the effective and economical extraction and preparation of rubber. In fine, Ceylon, through the agency of this enterprising firm, is distinctly leading the way in this important matter.
Hereafter possibly its laurels may be wrested from it by European and American rivals, but nothing can deprive it of the distinction which attaches to pioneers in the field of valuable
Vy
GRAND HOTEL, NUWARA ELIYA. There are few hotels in the East which command the advantages of this well-known
invention.
CENTURY IM
hostelry. It is situatec level, in a magnificent proximity to golf-link experts to be the best
A. LO (Manager, G
GRAND HOTEL, FRONT VIEw.
MPRESSIONS
il 6,200 ft. above seaclimate, and in close is which are said by east of Suez. There
ESCEI, rand Hotel.)
OF CEYLON
is excellent trout fishing in the vicinity, and visitors to the hotel will find themselves in close proximity to the railway-station, post and telegraph offices, clubs, and racecourse. Mr. Loesch, the manager, has had great experience as a caterer. He was for some time the manager of a hotel in Hamburg, and also served for several years as a purser in the service of the Hamburg American Company. Since he undertook control at Nuwara Eliya the Grand Hotel has been doubled in size on his persistent representations, and this enlargement has been thoroughly justified by results. Finality, however, has not yet been reached. A further improvement is imminent which will again double the size of the building. It will then contain accommodation for 200 people, with 12o bedrooms, two-thirds of these being double and the remainder single bedded. The building will be twostoried, most of the bedrooms being upstairs. The drawing and dining rooms will cover 2,500 square feet. An electric plant will be laid down for supplying the premises with power for lighting purposes, fans, &c. The bathrooms and conveniences will be of the most modern design, with hot and cold water laid on and the floors and walls tiled. The
NÜW.A.R.A ELLYA.
SILDE WIEW.
Page 841
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
alterations will be carrica out in sections, so that the hotel business will not be interfered with in any way. Amongst the visitors who have stayed at the Grand can be numbered many well-knowf1 personages, including the Duc d'Abruzzi (brother of the Italian sovereign), Leopold of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha (nephew of King Edward), the Grand Duke of SaxeWeimar, Prince Reuss XXXIII., the Maharaja of Kapurthala, and Sir Thomas Lipton. On one day there were as many as sixteen English, French, German, and Belgian titled people in the house. Letters of appreciation have been received from many of these. The
The firm have a firstsupply the planting c sions, stores, liquors, &c this business is the vegetables, of which ti largest growers in Cey obtained from carefully
own. They supply all
shipping companies, in larly the Norddeutsch have branches at Bad There are five partners; is the senior, and the Messrs. Augustin, Silves
S. T. SORIS, THE PEDRO
hotel stands on 17 acres of ground, and thcre are 7 acres of kitchen garden, whilst there is a private dairy pleasantly situated on high land.
W
PAUL SORIS & C0,
This firm was established in a small provision store at Nuwara Eliya, in the year I869, by Mr. Paul Soris, a native of Tuticorin, in Southern India. The business increased rapidly, and Mr. Paul Soris was succeeded by Mr. S. T. Soris, his eldest son, who is now carrying on a flourishing concern, importing diregt from England and the Continent, as well as dealing with larger commaercial houses in Colombo.
VIEW HOTEL, THE VEGE
Soris, all brothers. T. cover fully ten acres, at are imported direct frol tralia. The firm have for vegetables at the li shows. Messrs. Service the firm in London.
Wy
ST, EDWARD's scHO0.
This well-known educ enjoys a well-deserved 1 the island, and even b an institution for the tra Situated in a very heal
MPRESSIONS
:lass general store and ommunity with proviA special feature of ale of fresh English ley are practically the lon, the produce being cultivated lands of their the leading hotels and cluding more particuer-Lloyd line. They ulla and Bandarawela. Mr. Sinna Tamby Soris others concerned are ster, Croose, and Jacob
OF CEYLON 833
climate, it has from the health standpoint advantages possessed by few schools in the East. But it does not by any means rely for its support exclusively upon the attractiveness of its position and environment. Besides furnishing an education exactly on the lines of a first-grade school in England, it supplies a school atmosphere of an altogether British character. Two distinct classes are catered for: (I) those who cannot and who do not wish to send their boys Home, and (2) those who intend sending their boys Home later on, and who wish them to have experience of school life beforehand. That the facilities
}TABLE GARDEN, AND INTERIOR
he vegetable gardens ld the seeds for them m- England and Auswon thirty-two prizes ocal agri-horticultural Reeve & Co. represent
L, NUYARÄ ELIYÄ.
rational establishment eputation throughout eyond its confines, as ining of British boys. thy and invigorating
OE" TIESIE STORIE.
offered by the establishment are appreciated is abundantly clear from the stream of boys who are constantly passing through the school. They come not only from all parts of Ceylon, but also from India, where, even more than in Ceylon, opportunities for the healthy and wholesome training of European boys are few and sometimes altogether wanting. The school has been in existence since 1888. It was started by the Rev. J. E. B. Brine, to provide a first-grade school for the sons of Europeans only. Mr. Brine retired at the end of 1898, and the management is now in the hands of Mr. H. H. Phelp, M.A. Durham. Assisting him is a competent staff, including Mr. E. T. Davis, B.A. London, and Mr. G. E.
3G
Page 842
834 TWENTIETH
Gee, Brasenose College, Oxford. The Rev. C. P. H. Reynolds, B.A., Corpus Christi, Cambridge, takes Scripture. The establishment is under Government protection. The school buildings are commodious and stand in about ten acres of ground. They occupy one of the best sites in Nuwara Eliya and have the advantage of an abundant and pure water supply. The sanitary arrangements are regularly inspected by the Government inspector. The training given ensures a sound English education on the most approved modern lines. Great attention is given to athletics, the boys' games being considered almost as important as their work. The boys have the use of the fine ground of the Nuwara Eliya Cricket Club, which is one minute's walk from the school. Adjoining this is a good football ground. The boys play the Association game and hockey regularly. Generally speaking,
CENTURY
ential of whom have a be included in the list
W
YY. JORD
Mr. Wm. Jordan, the firm, arrived in Ceylor and took up coffee pla: principal estates in the I a keen eye for busine firm, over thirty-five small and unpretentiou long-felt want in the di the inception of the b progress, and now it ra and oldest established
chants outside of CC adopted by this firm and are fully apprecia increasing clientèle.
W. JORDAN & CO.S
the school is conducted on the soundest and most efficient lines, and deservedly stands high in the estimation of the European resi
dents of the island, many of the most influ
the departmental sys in charge of a fully assisted by a native s which was opened
MPRESSIONS
11owed their names to of references.
AN & CO.
founder of the present in the early seventies, nting on one of the then Dimbula Valley. Having ss, he started the above years ago, in a rather s way, yet supplying a strict. Each year since usiness has been one of nks as one of the largest
firms of general merolombo. The methods
are most up to date, ted by a large and still the business is run on
OF CEYLON
charge of Mr. Wm. Jordan, assisted by his son, Mr. Wm. Jordan, jun.
W
H. KEMISE.
Mr. Kemish is the manager and engineer for Messrs. C. A. Hutson & Co., estate engineers, of Kandapola district and Colombo, at their Kandapola branch. He was born in Norfolk and educated at York, afterwards being apprenticed to Messrs. F. Savage & Co., of King's Lynn. He served his time with this firm and then proceeded to Lincoln, where he was engaged at the engineering works of Ruston, Proctor & Co. He came out to Ceylon in 1893 to take up an appointment under Messrs. Hutson, and was for two years employed at their Colombo works. For the past twelve years he has been in charge of the Kandapola branch.
STORE, TALAWAKELE.
stem, each section being | experienced European, staff. The London office, several years ago, is in
G. W. LINDSAY WHITE, Mr. G. W. Lindsay White, of “Daisy Bank," Nuwara Eliya, has been in Ceylon for the past sixty years, his parents having settled at
Page 843
'IDAISY BANK' AND TEA ESTATE.
G. W. LINDSAY WHITE.
Page 844
836
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
H, J, PEREIRA SAMAIERASECKER
Kandy. He was educated at Trinity College, Kandy, and the Colombo Academy, and started his business career on a coffee plantation when sixteen years of age. He settled at Nuwara Eliya in 1864, and took up agricultural pursuits. Fifteen years ago he commenced tea cultivation, and he owns the Westward Ho and Unique View estates, which consist of over 3oo acres of tea plantation. He has also a large interest in the Ceylon Brewery, and is one of the largest landowners in Nuwara Eliya, Mr. White is a member of the Ceylon Turf Club and the United Club of Nuwara Eliya.
Wy
SAMUEA GODFRIED KOCH,
Mr. S. G. Koch, the Post and Telegraph Master at Nuwara Eliya, is a member of an ancient and respected Burgher family whose ancestors, four generations ago, settled in the island during the period of the Dutch occupation. He was born at Jaffna on October 23, 1862, and having finished his education he joined the Telegraph Department in May, 1879, The department was at that time worked by the Indian telegraphs. After acting as a signaller for a period of about eleven years, he was appointed Deputy Telegraph Master at Kandy in I89I, and after being in charge of various offices in the island he was specially selected
for Nuwara Eliya, H graph service now for in the special class, w senior officers of the
S. G.
at Nuwara Eliya is apparatus and the
transmitters, &c., foi telegraph business. . disposition, and is ev to do all in his pow of the public general
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
4, MOHANDIRAM, AND FAMILY,
Ie has been in the tele
twenty-nine years. and is hich is composed of six department. The office
KOCH,
fitted with the duplex Wheatstone automatic
clearing pressure in
Ir. Koch is of a genial r courteous and willing r to serve the interests
y.
H. J. PERERA SAMARASEKERA, Mohandiram.
Mr. H. James Perera Samarasekera, of “The Unique,” Pussellawa, known as Mohandiram H. J. P. Samarasekera, is a son of Hettikankanange Don Bastian Perera Samarasekera, Peace and Division Officer of Talpitiya North at Panadure, and of Donna Maria, eldest daughter of Illeperuma Arachige Don David Wijeratne and Habbakkala Kankanange Donna Apalonia Haminey, and granddaughter of Colomba Etul Cotté Illeperuma Arachige Don Daniel Wijeratne and Ponsuge Bastiana Haminey, and grandson of Hettikankanange Louis Perera, Corporal of Lascoreens in the Rayigam Korale, which appointment was granted to him in I828. Born at Talpitiya in 1855, Mr. H. J. P. Samarasekera was educated at Wadduwa and at St. John's School, Panadure. He acquired various toll rents in the Central Province, starting also in business as a planter of cinchona and tea later. He is the proprietor of the Edward Hill estate in the Pussellawa district, fully planted with tea and equipped with a factory, and of a coconut plantation in the lowcountry. At Pussellawa-which is his place of residence-he also carries on business as a general store and wine merchant under the style of H. J. Perera & Son. On November 9, I906, he was created Mohandiram by Sir
Page 845
“HE
EDWARD BLIL TRA FACTORY. TEI
UNIQUE.” THE STORE. E TENNIS COURT AND CROQUET LAWN.
Page 846
838 TWENTIETH
Henry Arthur Blake for the valuable services rendered to the public in the interests of
education, of which he is a great supporter, the C.M.S. Girls' School at Pussellawa being
CENTURY I
Kirinde, Southern Pro the Royal College, CC of the late Dr. J. L. and Adolphina Elizab
MR. AND MIRS. W. P.
his gift to the district. He also holds the office uf Inquirer into Sudden Deaths for the Pussellawa district. In I88o he married Sophia Evelyn, daughter of Leylwala Don Christian Lianage, planter, of Pussellawa, and of Mestiage Donna Simona Haminey. His eldest son, Joseph, is a partner in the firm of H. J. Perera & Son, and manages the business. His second son is being educated in the Ceylon Medical College; of the remaining three daughters and two sons, the latter are being educated at Trinity College, Kandy, and two of the girls in Colombo. All the members of the family are enthusiastic tennis and croquet players, and own a fine private tenniscourt and croquet-lawn near their residence. The two eldest sons have also been members of their respective college cadet corps.
Mohandiram Perera Samarasekera is a member of the Pussellawa Planters' Association, and so is his eldest son. He is also a member of the Ceylon Agricultural Society, and takes great interest in planting matters. He is also the Patron of the Pussellawa Sports Club, which was founded in 1898. مر
V
WALTER PETER THURING. Mr. W. P. Thuring, stationmaster, Talawakele, was born on December 18, 1860, at
THURING AND DAUGE
Willen Caen, and : Thuring, of the Ne Trading Company, and of Philip Zelpha, an Dutch Service. He c the Ceylon Governmer a clerk, and since the every grade of service as a stationmaster in til post he was appointed in I89o Drucilla Soph Van Langenberg, Sec Court of Kegalla.
V
SAIN QUHIAE
The above estate is in the Pussellawa dist direction of an able Mr. C. W. R. Tyler. ( the estate comprises, 60 475 being planted wi rubber. There is a fa which the 250,000 lbs. the annual output are di rubber was planted in been about eighteen y has held the Sanquh past twelve years. Sittingbourne, Kent, an
MPRESSIONS
rince, and educated at lombo. He is the son Thuring, of Colombo, eth, third daughter of
ITER,
grandson of Captain therlands East India | Wilhelmina, daughter
Opperkoopman in the ‘ommenced service in ut Railways in I88 I as n has passed through to his present position he first class, to which
in 1905. He married ia, daughter of Peter retary of the District
R ESTATE
situated near Gampola, rict, and is under the
resident manager in )f the 728 acres which 5 are under cultivation, h tea and I3o with ctory on the estate in of tea which represent ealt with. Some of the
I903. Mr. Tyler has ars in the island, and ar estate post for the He comes from near i is heir to the property
OF CEYLON
known as the Lynsted Lodge estate, in extent some 5oo acres, including some valuable fruit land and large houses. His father, Colonel Tyler, J.P.--who is the only officer alive of the forty-four officers who served with the Buffs in the Crimean War-is now living on the property.
Wy
ASCOT. ESTATE,
The Ascot estate, in the district of Pussellawa, near Gampola, has an acreage of I49 acres, all under cultivation, tea and rubber being planted. The proprietors are Messrs. A. L. French and F. W. Wintle, the latter being the managing partner and living on the estate. The annual crop, with bought leaf, from this estate is about 200,000 lbs., and it is manu
factured at the factory which is situated there.
Until 1906 tea was the sole product under cultivation, but now rubber has been planted. Mr. Wintle arrived in Ceylon in 1888, and came to Ascot estate in 1899.
MIDDLETON ESTATE, DIMBULA.
Messrs. A. V. and J. H. Renton, who came from Edinburgh, are the joint proprietors of the Middleton Estate, Dimbula, which lies about a mile from Talawakele. They have 23o acres entirely under tea cultivation, and the average output is 135,000 lbs. a year. They also own the Talankanda estate, where 250 acres under tea cultivation yield on an average 175,000 lbs. a year. Going out to Ceylon as long ago as 1875, Mr. A. V. Renton, the manager of the Middleton Estate, commenced coffee planting at Talankanda. The Middleton estate was also at one time planted with coffee, but when coffee died out Mr. Renton devoted his attention to tea, with the success outlined above.
颌、
MATALE DISTRICT.
JOSEPH FRASER.
This gentleman, who is now the visiting agent of estates 45,Ooo acres in extent, has been connected with the planting industry of the island for many years. He arrived in Ceylon in I872, and took up the position of assistant on the Pikkandi estate, and six years later he became manager. In 1886 he became part proprietor of the estate, which shortly afterwards was turned into a private company, the subject of this sketch holding half the shares. The adjoining estates of Sylvakandi
and Kinrara were purchased and included in
the company's area. All these properties had been planted with coffee, the earliest planting dating from I842, but since the coffee failure
Page 847
I, THE BUNGAOW, 3.
NDA ESTATE, MATALE.
THE FACTORY. 2, 4. VIEws on THE ESTATE.
Page 848
840
of 1884 the whole area has been gradually
planted with tea, and during the last three
or four years rubber has been planted at the lower elevations. These estates, which cover about I,5oo acres, are situated at elevations of from I,5oo to 3,000 ft, above sea-level, and they are at present managed by Mr. Fred. H. Fraser, the son of the subject of this sketch, Since I89I Mr. Fraser, sen, has been principally occupied visiting and reporting on various estates. He is the visiting agent for the McRosihaugh, Kepitiagalla, Ouvah, Spring Valley, Hunusigiria, Duff Nayabidde, Velliekellie, Pelmadulla, Mahawali, and Woodend estates, as well as many more belonging to the Associated Company, Liptons, Ltd., the Colombo Commercial Company, Ltd., and other private concerns. He is also the managing director of Pitakande and Neboda Tea Companies and the Kandy Hotels Company, and is a director of the Agra Tea Company, and of the Grand Central, Darampitiya, and Hayganya Rubber Companies.
Wy
KOTU AGEDIERA ESTATE.
In the low-lying flats of the Matale Valley, about a mile and a half from Matale town, are to be found 200 acres of land known as the Kotuagedera estate. Of these 200 acres I97 are under cultivation, tea being produced, and rubber has just been planted. The tea is manufactured at the factory on the estate.
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
of planting in Ceylon, his time. During the Mr. Tytler has seen t cinchona, cacao, and te:
experience of coffee-pl spent two years in A he served with the firs Volunteers in the Sout
W. A. YER'S ESTATE BUNGALOW.
The estate is owned by A. M. Hurst. For the past five years work on this land has been superintended by the resident manager, Mr. W. A. Tytler, whose father was one of the pioneers
at present on the reserv teer forces. Under hi makes good progress.
tea is the average outpu
MPRESSIONS
and a notable man of last thirty-three years he cultivation of coffee, a, and has had six years'
OF CEYLON
OCHNAGAR ESTATE
The Lochnagar estate, which includes Lawrence-Watte, lies in the Matale Valley,
玄喜
స్ట్రీ "
WILLIAMI MILNE’S BUNGATLOW.
anting in Mysore, and ustralia. Furthermore, st Ceylon contingent of h African War, and is
e of the Ceylon Volun
im work at the estate About I50,000 lbs. of
t of the estate yearly.
about five miles from the town of Matale. It is an important plantation, with an average annual output of tea amounting to about I6oooo lbs. and a production also of rubber and cacao. Of the total area of the estate, 4Io acres are planted with tea, rubber being intermixed in 320 acres, whilst cacao is grown in a smaller degree, The total acreage cultivated and uncultivated is 763 acres. Mr. William Milne is the proprietor, and he is a gentleman hailing from near Aberdeen, N.B., who can fairly be regarded as one of the pioneers of planting in the district in which he labours, He is one of the oldest residents in the Matale Valley, having been a planter there for the past thirty years.
WARAKAMURE ESTATE,
The Warakamure estate, in the Matale district, was one of the pioneer estates planted on chena (scrub covered) land. Situated in the low-lying flats of the Matale Valley, it was opened up by Mr, Harry Storey, nephew of the owner, Mr. Edward Storey, of Lancaster, at a time when the planting of such land was looked upon as a very risky experiment, as it was thcn thought that tea would only flourish on forest land. The result, however, more than justified expectations, and the estate at the present time is one of the heaviest yielding in the island, the yearly output amounting to between 750 and 850 lbs. of fair medium made tea per acre,
Page 849
T
WIEw oN WARA KAM URE.
ESTATE WEW. THE FACTO)
WARAKAMURE ESTATE.
THE FACTORY. Y (INTERIOR), THE BUNGALOW.
Page 850
842 TWENTIETH
The estate stands about I,3oo ft. above sealevel, and Mr. Storey's bungalow is charmingly situated on a rise, and commands an extensive view of the beautiful surrounding country. The soil is reddish-coloured and deep-holding, but is mixed with ironstone pebbles on the small hills. During the hot weather the temperature rises as high as 90° or 92° F., and the lowest night temperature is about 6I ; while the average day temperature is about 8o. Mr. Storey is an expert big game shot, and is regarded in the island as al authority on this branch of sport. At his
bungalow the writer was privileged to see :
his unique collection of horns, a number
CENTURY I
head office is in Ió, Philp James Anderson is resid staff of assistants. The perty is 2,500 acres, of W tea, giving heavy yields, I,o2o acres in rubber of and a half years downw which the accompanyin very good view, turns ou of tea yearly, and is € latest machinery. The 1 water-wheel, a large
I7-horse-power Campbe a patent fuel installatio) the dryers and steam
N
മീ
GOOROOLA ELLA ESTA
obtained during a three months' big shoot in British Central Africa being particularly fine.
w
BANDARAPOLA ESTATE.
This group of estates, comprising, as it does, Bandarrapola, Mundeniya, Godapola, Epelamulla, and Gansarapola, is situated in the centre of the fertile valley of Matale. The factory of the group is only four miles by cart road and two miles by riding road from the Matale railway-station, post and telegraph offices, &c., and is amongst the finest and most up-to-date in the colony. It is the property of the Bandarapola Ceylon Company, Ltd., whose
with the burning of fi carries the green leaf ( divisions, saving an in The manager's bungal building. I upstair bungalows in One of the pictures gi a part of the estate v the foreground and til to the right ; and ano of the rubber fields,
one of his assistants i company paid 7 per and I904, after writir depreciation of mach cent. was paid in I
modious
MIPRESSIONS
Ot Lane, Londuil. Mr. nt manager and has a total area of the prohich II,o88 acres is in 224 acres in cacao, and arious ages from three ards. The factory, of g photograph gives a t close on 7oo,ooo lbs. quipped with all the notive power is a 30-ft. steam-engine and a 1 oil-engine. Recently was introduced into
boiler, to do away
OF CEYLON
(2,Ooo for extensions, as well as the usual Io per cent. for depreciation of buildings and machinery. The shareholders look forward. to much larger returns when the rubber comes into bearing.
V
MARAKONA EST ATTE
About four miles from the town of Matale, at Ukuwela, is a large estate of the above name, owned by Messrs. J. C. Deverell, R. A. Bayford. and T. C. Owen, and managed by Mr. L. R. Rudd. Adjoining this is another estate, Gooroola Ella, owned by the same three gentlemen and Mr. Rudd, and managed
များ ဖွံ့ဖြိုး 4.j
s ః-స్కో
3.
TE RUBBER CLEARING.
rewood. A wire shoot lown from the outlying lmense deal of labour. ow is a large and comt is one of the few
the planting district. ves a panoramic view of with the coolie lines in he manager's bungalow ther picture shows one with the manager and
n the foreground. The
cent. dividend in I905 g off a large sum for inery, &c., and Io per Jo3 after setting aside
also by the last-named gentleman. Mr. Rudd, in addition to this, has private properties at kadugannawa, Dimbula, and Heneratgoda, on which tea, rubber, coconuts, and cocoa are grown. All are entirely private, and comprise a total acreage of about I,860 acres, and on each there is a factory. The Marakona estate covers 6oo acres, all of which are cultivated, 295 being planted with cacao and rubber intermixed, and the remainder with tea. Gooroola Ella is planted throughout with rubber. The annual output of tea from Marakona is about IOO,000 lbs. and of cacao about 1,500 cwts. Mr. Rudd has resided on the estate from the year 1896, but he has been in Ceylon since 1878.
Page 851
TEIE BANDARAPOL. 1. THE BUNGALow. 2. RUBBER CLEARING.
ESTATE, MATALE.
3. THE FACTORY. 4. GENERAL VIEw.
Page 852
844 TWENTIETH CENTURY
THE BUNGALOW.
WIHĂRĂGĂMĂ ESTATE, MATĂLE WALLEY.
The Wiharagama estate, which is situated in the Matale Valley, two and a half miles from the town of Matale, is 65o acres in extent, of which 5oo acres are under cultivation. The products of the estate are rubber, tea, vanilla, cacao, and pepper; but cacao, rubber, and tea are the most important, the annual yield of these being-Para rubber, 3,500 lbs. ; Castilloa rubber, I,Ooo lbs. ; and other rubber I,Ooo lbs. ; tea, 3o,Ooo lbs. ; and cacao 35o cwts. Mr. Kenneth J. Harper, the manager, who went out to Ceylon to take up planting in I904, is an old student of Pembroke College, Cambridge. In addition to managing the Wiharagama estate, he is a part owner in the adjoining estate of Meegahawela. He is a keen sportsman, and divides his interest in leisure hours between motoring, shooting, and riding.
CARTIAS ARIYA-NAYAGAM.
This gentleman was born August 1, 1878, and was educated at St. Thomas's College, Colombo. Having passed the senior local (Cambridge) examination, he read law under the Council of Legal Education, and in
KENNETH
January, 19OI, he pa being admitted a Pro same year. He is now
CARTIAS AR
Mr. Ariya-Nayagam is a National Association, tl and the Matale Local
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
J. HARPER,
issed his examination, ctor in October of the ! in practice in Matale.
YA-NAYAGAM.
member of the Ceylon he Agricultural Society, Board.
THE MOTOR-CAR,
THE GROWIE, UKUWELA.
The Grove, Ukuwela, is one of the finest cacao plantations in the island. The estate, which belongs to Messrs. C, C. Barber & Co., is situated about four miles from Matale and twelve from Kandy, and covers 3oo acres, 5o of which are planted with Para rubber alone, varying in age up to ten years. Pepper is also grown through various parts of the estate and yields a good return. The unfailing success which has attended every exhibition of the cacao grown on this estate is a striking proof of the high quality of the product, the awards numbering five gold medals, including awards from the Colonial and Indian Exhibition, London, 1886, and the St. Louis Exhibition, Igo4, and two special prizes. In addition, the estate has received silver medals and other honours for its products. In I902 a chocolate and cocoa manufactory, the only one in the East, was built on the estate, with a suceess which has increased yearly, and now makes an extension of the plant imperative. The advantage of being able to turn the fresh cured bean into the manufactured article on the spot results in a pure and unadulterated cocoa being placed on the market under the name of Barber's “Ne Plus Ultra Cocoa," which obtained a gold
Page 853
C. C. BARE
I. l)RY N(,. 2. VVʼ.ASFHIN{; 3. Coco) A GAT teki No. ... CC
BER & CO.S ESTATE.
}COA-TREE IN CROP. 5. C. C. BARBER 6. Coco A AND CHOCOLATE FACTORY.
Page 854
846
medal at the St. Louis Exhibition on the only occasion it was exhibited out of the island. Mr. C. C. Barber resides on the estate and supervises both the field work and the manufacturing operations.
DANIEL JOSEPH.
Mr. Daniel Joseph, who carries on the business of commission agent and general trader,
originally intended to enter the legal profession, and was articled to Advocate Franciscus, at Badulla, on completing his education at St. John's College. He abandoned the law, however, and entered the service of the Government in 1869, being attached to the Irrigation Department at Batticaloa. Resigning this position in 1874, he commenced business as a commission and forwarding agent, his principal work being to carry coffee from
LILY WILLA, MATALE.
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
the estates. In 1884 he planted cacao and cocol the Garden of Eden
also contracts for forw produce on commiss member of the Local a Justice of the Peac member of the Ceylo of the Matale District, , of the Ceylon Agrict filling the position of
branch. Mr. Joseph
ciated with various pl as the extension of the abolition of the paddy. the leading members of He is the son of Muttat Supramaniar MIudaliya murachi (of Nallur, Ja
Jaffna. He married, i E. R. Arasaratnam, M time, in I904, his late v
MPRESSIONS
removed to Matale, and uts, owning two estates, ind the Malivotte. He arding, and buys local pn. He has been a Board since 1887 and since 1903. He is a Planters' Association nd is also on the Board ltural Society, besides ecretary of the Matale has been closely asso
OF CEYLON
son is Sanitary Inspector under the Municipality of Perak, Federated Malay States, and the eldest daughter is married to Proctor J. A. Aiyadurai, of Hatton.
V
MĂTALE ESTATE.
Tea is the principal product of the Matale estate, which is situated four miles from Matale town, in the Matale Valley. Three
MR. AND MRS. DANIEL JOSEPH AND FAMILY.
ublic movements, such railway to Jaffna, the tax, &c., and is one of
the Tamil community. amby, and grandson of r, Manilayar of Badaffna), and was born in | 188o, the daughter of Idaliyar, and a second ife's sister. His eldest
مسلمہ بھلاً
as sمڑیخ$ر
そ
hundred acres of the estate are under cultivation, and at the time of writing another hundred acres are being opened up. The yearly output of tea amounts to IOO,OOO lbs., while smaller quantities of cacao and rubber are also yielded. Mr. J. C. Tribe, the resident manager, has been planting in the island since I893, and has been on the Matale estate for about eight years. He hails from Devonshire, and his favourite sport is shooting
Page 855
TWENTIETH
WA, or Ouva, as it was anciently called, is one of the most interesting of the nine provinces into which Ceylon is divided. Three of the sixteen holy places of Buddha are situated within the area. The province was the scene of some of the most stirring warfare associated with the Portuguese occupation and the Kandyan rebellion during the early period of British rule, and within its limits are to be found some of the most
BADULLA CEIURICE.
beautiful scenery in the island. The province has an area of 3, I54 square miles, with a population of about I90,OOO, and comprises seven chief headmen's divisions, each under the care of a Ratemahatmaya. These divisions are divided into thirty Korales, and these again are subdivided into 162 Arachchi divisions, comprising 9I4 villages. The planting interest is strong in Uva. In the districts of Badulla, Madulsima, Monaragala, Haputale, New Galway, and Udapussellawa are nearly 200 estates, employing upwards of 4O,OOO coolies. “In earliest historical times the district formed
the very
part of the Ruhunurata, or southern kingdom of the Sinhalese, which lay between the Mahaveli Ganga and Kalu Ganga rivers on the north and west and the sea on the south. The upper portion of this division, which included Upper Uva, was called “Malaya." In later times Uva, or rather a portion of what is now called Uva, was a Dissavony of the Kandyan kingdom, as were also Bintenna and Welassa, which are now incorporated into the district known as Uva. It is probable hat, owing to its remoteness from the capital and its difficulty of access, this portion of Ceylon was generally under the rule of powerful chiefs, who paid merely a nominal allegiance to the Kandyan throne, while for a short period the king's brother occupied the position of a senior independent sovereign with his capital at Badulla." The Portuguese made
“Manual of the Province of Uva," by Herbert White, Esq., of the Ceylon Civil Service, p. 2.
CENTURY IM
UVA PR
desperate but unsuccess lodgment in Uva. An stantine de Sânivalle oc
burnt and sacked Badu afterwards met with a m and never again enter Uva came into the posse 1815, it was placed unc Assistant Resident, wit and judicial duties, who
Resident at Kandy and
missioners for the Kan years later a formidab British dominion took pl; trative area. The who arms, and a stubborn res the British forces sent ment. Eventually Britis triumphed, but it was
valuable lives and the sa interests. The country the effort to reduce the
considered doubtful wh
the district has entirel exhaustion which supe Military forts were ma Fort Macdonald, Ettamp Alupota, and Kotabowa after another abandoned a single British soldier r. The military rule necess gave place to the usu:
BADULL.A.
(Anothe:
under the Kandyan Bo When this body was
Central Province was fo Agent was established a
IPRESSONS
OVINCE.
sful efforts to effect a expedition under Concupied the district and ulla, but they shortly lost disastrous reverse, ed the area. VVhen ssion of the British, in der the control of an h combined revenue
was subordinate to the
to the Board of Comdyan province. Two le rising against the ace within the adminisle population took up sistance was offered to to suppress the moveh power and resolution at the cost of many crifice of great material was terribly wasted in rebels. Indeed, it is ether even to this day y recovered from the rvened upon the war. intained for a time at bitiya, Badulla, Passara, a; but they were one l, and now there is not naintained in the area. itated by the rebellion al civil administration
CHUIRCH.
r View.)
ard of Commissioners. abolished, in 1832, the ormed, and an Assistant it Badulla. In I886 the
OF CEYION
system was superseded by the creation of Uva into a separate province.
The natural beauty of Uva has been extolled by many writers. It is a combination of swelling upland and sheltering vale, with, in places, great stretches of park-like country. Parts of it have been likened to Sussex, and, indeed, there are tracts which are reminiscent Owing to the conformation of the country a curious
of the glorious southern downs.
LAW COURTS, BADULTA.
phenomenon is witnessed during the period of the south-west monsoon. While on one side of the mountain range which divides the province there is mist and storm, on the other there is brilliant sunshine and a dry air. This strange natural effect is graphically described by Sir Samuel Baker in this passage from his work, “Eight Years in Ceylon': “From June to November the south-west monsoon brings wind and mist across tlhe Nuwara Eliya mountains. Clouds of white fog boil up from the Dimbula valley like the steam from a huge cauldron and invade the Nuwara Eliya plain through the gaps in the mountain to the westward. The wind howls over the high ridges, cutting the jungle with its keen edge, so that it remains as stunted brushwood, and the opaque screen of driving fog and drizzling rain is so dense that one feels convinced there is no sun visible
within at least a lhundred miles. There is a curious phenomenon, however, in this locality. When the weather described prevails at Nuwara Eliya there is actually not one drop of rain within four miles of my house, in the direction of Badulla. Dusty roads, a cloudless sky, and dazzling sunshine astonish the thoroughly soaked traveller, who rides out of the rain and mist into a genial climate as though he passed through a curtain. The wet weather terminates at a mountain called Hakgala. . . . This bold rock, whose summit is about 6,500 ft, above the sea, breasts the driving wind and seems to command the storm. The rushing clouds halt in their mad course upon its crest, and curl in sudden impotence around the craggy Summits,
Page 856
848 TWENTIETH CENTURY
The deep ravine formed by an opposite mountain is filled with the vanquished mist, which sinks powerless in its dark gorge; and the bright sun shining from the east spreads a perpetual rainbow upon the gauze-like cloud of fog which settles in the deep hollow. This is exceedingly beautiful. The perfect circle of the rainbow stands like a fairy spell in the giddy depths of the hollow, and seems to forbid the advance of the monsoon. All before is bright and cloudless; the lovely panorama of the Uva country spreads before the eye for many miles beneath the feet. All behind is dark and stormy, the wind is howling, the forests are groaning, the rain is pelting upon the hills. The change seems impossible; but there it is, ever the same, Season after season, year after year, the rugged top of Hakgala struggles with the storms, and, ever yictorious, the cliffs smile in the sunshine on the eastern side ; the rainbow reappears with the monsoon, and its vivid circle remains like the guardian spirit of the valley,'
This picturesque description may appropriately be supplemented by Sir Emerson Tennent's rhapsody on the wonderful view presented to the traveller from the Pass of Ella. Says this talented writer in his well-known work: “Perhaps there is not a scene in the world which combines sublimity and beauty in a more extraordinary degree than that which is presented at the Pass of Ella, where, through
miles to Hambantota
the island. The ride twelve miles along t
wooded cxcept on th forest has been clear
*w***.x
THE LAKE, BADULLA.
an opening in the chain of mountains, the road from Badulla descends rapidly to the lowlands, over which it is carried for upwards of seventy
The view is therefore O at one point to termil glen; but on reaching
IMPRESSIONS
, on the south coast of to Ella passes for ten or he base of hills thickly
OF CEYLON
amazed at discovering a ravine through which a torrent has forced its way, disclosing a passage to the plains below, over which, for
SCENE NEAR THE MARKET, BADULLA.
ose spots where the 2d for planting coffee,
bstructed, and appears nate in an impassable g this the traveller is
more than sixty miles, the prospect extends unbroken by a single eminence, till, far in the distance, the eye discerns a line of light, which marks where the sunbeams are flashing on the waters of the Indian Ocean,'
As has been previously indicated, there are three centres of exceptional antiquarian interest in Uva, One of these is Bintenne, or Mahiyangana, famous for its shrine, which, according to legend, was built while Buddha was yet alive. “In point of antiquity," says Sir Emerson Tennent, “Bintenne transcends even the historic renown of Anuradhapura.” This view is enthusiastically supported by Mr. White, who writes lovingly and sympathetically of the traditions of this famous spot. “Mahiyangana,' he says, “ is literally the alpha and omega of the Mahavansa. It is referred to in the first chapter and in the last chapter, and continually throughout the chronicle, always with the greatest reverence as one of the most sacred of the sixteen
sacred places of Ceylon. Kings innumerable
repaired the fabric of the dagoba, and endowed the shrine with lands and villages. A long procession of figures this shrine has seen for well-nigh 2,500 years-founder and disciples, Buddha and dévos, priests and kings, pilgrims and warriors, peaceful embassies and hostile
troops, and shaven monks from far-off Siam."
Near Bintenne is Horaborawewa, one of the
I “Manual of Uva,” p. 25.
Page 857
TWENTIETH
vast tanks of the ancient Sinhalese period. Tennent gives a description of it which can scarcely be improved upon. “It is," he wrote, “a stupendous work. A stream, flowing between two hills about three or four miles apart, has been intercepted by an artificial dam drawn across the valley at the point where they approach; and the water thus confined is thrown back till it forms a lake eight or ten miles long by three or four wide, exclusive of
CENTURY IN
substantial nature of
apprehensive of the ci weight and rush of the immense force of its dis sweep away any artific have constructed for its
the resolution to hollow solid rock, through wł passages, each 60 ft. di bottom, and widening
narrow branches running behind spurs of the hills. The embankment is from 5o to 7o ft. high, and about 200 ft. broad at the base. But one of the most ingenious features in the work is the advantage which has been taken in its construction of two vast masses of rock which have been included in the retaining bund, the intervening spaces being filled up by earthwork and faced with stone. In order to form the sluices it is obvious that the simplest plan would have been to have placed them in the artificial portion of the bank; but the builders, conscious of the comparatively un
EIE
MARKE
top. The walls on ei traces of the wedges b riven to effect the open restored by Governme irrigates 236 acres of p
The second of the sa Kataragama, a shrine situated in a sparsely-po forty-five miles from E from Badulla. “The s due to the tradition tha of Hindu mythology, to Kataragama is dedicated
MPRESSIONS
their own work, and imbined effect of the water, foresaw that the charge would speedily al conduits they could escape, and they had out channels in the ich they opened two :ep, 4 ft. broad at the to I5 or 20 ft. at the
OF CEYLON 849
the highest of the seven hills on his return homeward to Mount Kailasa, the abode of his father, Siva, the Destroyer, after conquering the Asurs, or Titans. Here also the god found his consort, known locally as Valliamma, in whose honour a special temple has been built at Kataragama. . . . Tradition also connects Kataragama with the Ramayana as being the place of meeting of Rama with his queen Sita, the rescue of the latter from the stronghold of
T, BADULLA
ther side still exhibit y which the stone was ings.' The tank was nt in 1870, and now addy-land. (cred places of Uva is of great antiquity, opulated country about Hambantota and sixty anctity of the spot is t Karthikaya, the Mars ) whom the temple of l, halted on the top of
Rama. . . . Singularly enough the Mussulmans of India also profess reverence for Kataragama, and have built a mosque there, alleging that a Nebi of great sanctity discovered in the neighbourhood the fountain of life, of which whoever drinks becomes immortal The fountain is now sealed, and its site unknown, which is the more to be regretted as no fountain or well of any kind is to be found for probably twenty miles round about !' ' From time immemorial crowds of pilgrims
Administration Report of Mr. T. Steele, Assistant Government Agent at Hambantota.
3H
Page 858
EHAPUT'ATEC VAVATHERFALLu. BO-TEREE IN THE ENG
TREES IN THE FORT AT BADULLA.
I ISIH CEMETERY AT BAIDUILLA. BADULIA FALLS.
THE TEMPLE, BADULL.A.
Page 859
TWENTIETH CENTURY
2. ALFRED SCOVELL. 8. J. R. BARCLAY. I3. CHANNING ESDAILE.
I. E. H. MELLOR.
have annually resorted to Kataragama in the hot, dry months of June, July, and August. Approached through a barren, desolate country, in which the only water supply is that obtainable from the Menik Ganga river-a stream which is frequently dried up in the months indicated-the pilgrimage has ever been one which has put a great physical strain upon the devotees. “The evil effects of the festival are many,' says Mr. Steele, whose deeply interesting account of the shrine we have quoted. “The frequency with which it has been the source of epidemic disease has created feelings of terror in all the districts through which the pilgrims travel, and those of Uva and Hambantota in particular. Too often the waysides have been strewn with corpses of men, women, and children who have perished on their illfated journey. Those who die, indeed, are taught to look upon such a death as a true euthanasia, a certain passport to a better life; but the unfortunate villagers, to whose homes contagion and infection are carried, have little reason to share ecstatic views, and may well call the pilgrimage a scourge.' The scenes
3. ALEXANDER LOUIS KIRK.
9. ARTHUR WILLIAM BISSET T. I4. J. H. B. CoCKBURN
4. B. HEA Io. J I 5. JAMII Es
that occasionally occur the festival and pilgri tressing. One outbreal vividly described by M of the rites they had t part in, regardless of th or friendship, the pani for their lives, leaving companions to perish spreading pestilence Like wild-fire cholera to hamlet, from stati piteous to see forlorn w husbands, their childr Wailing in all the ago credibly passionate - recalling forcibly the z ment recorded in Scr there a voice heard, llar and great mourning, R children, and would no they are not.' In la pilgrims has greatly fal
In Igo5 the Govern people to proceed on th
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
red in connection with Image were very disof cholera in 1858 is . Steele. “Regardless ravelled so far to take e closest ties of kindred c-stricken pilgrims fled ; in many cases their by the waysides and wherever they went.
spread from hamlet on to station. It was omen forsaken by their in dying beside them, ny-short-lived but inf Oriental grief, and wful scene of bereavepture : “ In Rama was entation, and weeping, achel weeping for her t be comforted, because e years the number of en off, and the careful
nent allowed only 2,ooo e pilgrimage.
85.
THCOTE. 5. G. O. TREVALDwYN. 6. BRYcE. J. WYLE.
G. WEALL II. C. W. BEATTE. IDENCAN. 16, JoHN RETTIE,
7. J. W. BALFoUR PAUL. I2. JoHN J. Rob NSON.
I7. GEORGE THAIN-DAVIDSON.
regulations of the Government have prevented the repetition of terrible episodes such as that which Mr. Steele so powerfully depicts.
Uva was at one time a country famous for big game. It was the chief scene of the exploits of the redoubtable Major Rogers, who in the course of his lifetime is reputed to have shot at the very lowest estimate I,4oo wild elephants. Major Rogers was not only a great sportsman; he was an indefatigable administrator. He either traced or constructed nearly all the roads in the province; he built most of the rest-houses, and kept in repair all the civil and military buildings in the district, and single-handed carried out the no easy task of arranging the commutation of the gram tax." His end was tragic. On the evening of June 7, 1845, he was sheltering with some brother officials in a house at Haputale. After a time he stepped into the porch to see if the storm showed any signs of abatement. At the same moment there was a brilliant flash of lightning, and he fell to the ground dead. He was buried in Nuwara Eliya, and it is a singular o “Manual of Uva,” p. III.
Page 860
852
fact that his tomb was some time later struck
by lightning.
The early development of Uva in the forties
fills an interesting chapter in the history of the
TWENTIETH CENTURY
conspicuous objects v Judge's Hill and bung side, and on the left the market. Betwe
LOCAL BOARD, BADULLA.
province. Under the stimulating influences of the coffee boom, a large area of Crown land was taken up in I 84 II. In I 842 and I 843 there were also considerable Sales. Amongst the earliest estates opened up were Baddegama or Spring Valley by Sir William Reid; Kottagoda by Dr. Galland, Staff Surgeon at Badulla; Gowarakelle, Nahavilla, Weyvelhena, Cannawarelle, and Dikbedde or Ettampitiya. The crisis of 1845 brought to a general close the rash speculation of which these land transactions in Uva were a part. Sir Emerson Tennent notes that two estates in Badulla which had cost (IO,OOO were sold for only 35o, and that the Hindagalla plantation, which cost Io,ooo, produced but 500. Since that period planting enterprise conducted on rational business lines has made great headway in Uva, and the estates there are amongst the best in the country.
Badulla, the capital of Uva, is a pretty little town encircled on three sides by the BadullaOya (river), which is spanned by an iron bridge erected in I867 during the construction of the Batticaloa road. The place is situated in a charming valley, on one side of which towers the lofty mountain range which shuts Uva in from the Nuwara Eliya plains. The town and its environs are well wooded, and the traveller approaching it from the higher ground looks down on a sea of foliage. The most
stands the schoolroom
and a little farther on police-barracks and th House buildings, whic old fort. Below the
Ambalam and a m
the formation of the as a portion of an O from the same place, the old Kandy road road stands, in a beat house. To the left O
the foot of the old Church, which was ere tion to the memory building is situated a square esplanade. At are the Roman Cathc and the jail, which wa old royal granary. E racecourse. This wa enlarged in 1889 and a while in 1890 an artifi the centre of it, and made in front of the north lies the Experim as a branch of the Peradeniya and Hakga official dwelling of th the province, is a buildi well-timbered grounds
IMPRESSIONS
which meet the eye are galow on the right-hand , the new hospital and en these two buildings
of the Wesleyan Mission, on the same side are the
e Kachcheri and Courth occupy the site of the Kachcheri stands the onolith commemorating
Horabora tank, as well ld stone sluice brought while at the junction of and the Nuwara Eliya utiful situation, the rest. if the rest-house and at
is St. Mark's 2cted by public subscripof Major Rogers. The it the head of a small the opposite end of this blic Church and schools
S built on the site of an Behind the jail lies the s much improved and grand stand was added, cial lake was formed in
ramparts
a new cricket ground grand stand. To the ental Gardens, managed Botanical Gardens of
la. The Residency, the
e Government Agent of ng standing in extensive, . Near it is the Town
OF CEYLON
Hall, which was built in 1886, and has since been greatly improved. The building possesses a small stage, and is used for dances, concerts, and public meetings. At the entrance to the town along the Batticaloa road is the Mutiyangana vihara and dagoba, and some distance off along the Batticaloa road is the Kataragama diwala. These, with a curious little structure called Sinhasana, the King's Seat, near the entrance to the last-named temple, serve as reminders of the fact that Hadulla was at one time a centre of considerable religious activity. It only remains to be added, to complete the description, the details of which are borrowed from Mr. White's useful “Manual,' that the affairs of the town are administered by a Local Board which was established in 187o.
The most recent history of the province is an almost unbroken record of prosperity. The revenue of I905 amounted to Rs. 206,816, which was Rs. 26,926'33 in excess of that of the previous year. The province is sharing in the enterprise associated with the development of the rubber industry. Extensive acreages have in the last few years been opened up under the stimulus of the Government decision to make grants of large tracts of land on exceptionally favourable terms for the experimental cultivation of the product in districts where it had not been previously tried
舒、
HERBERT WHITE.
The Government Agent of the province, whose official career is sketched elsewhere
EI, VHITE.
(Government Agent.)
in the volume, has acquired a position of enviable distinction in connection with the
Page 861
TWENTIETH CENTURY IN
literature of Ceylon. The excellent official A. J. W. “Manual of the Uva Province' was compiled Mr. A. J. Wickwar, by him; he edited the second edition of the “Ceylon Glossary," and jointly compiled the revised edition of the “Legislative Enactments of Ceylon, 190o." He has also contributed learned papers to the Oriental List and the fournal of the Royal Asiatic Society, Ceylon branch. But his greatest work was the compilation of the “Ceylon Manual.' This work is a mine of information on all matters pertaining to the island, and is absolutely indispensable for purposes of reference. Though first issued only in I904, it has already a recognised place in standard literature relating to the colonies. Mr. White, who is a son of the late Mr. Frederick Thomas White, a wellknown Chancery barrister, the joint author of White and Tudor's “Leading Cases in Equity,' was born in London on August 25, 1857, and was educated at Shrewsbury School. He is married to Louisa Mary, daughter of the late Mr, E. C. Bousfield, of the Isle of Wight. He is a member of the Grosvenor Club, Devon Street, Piccadilly, of the Colombo Club, and : of the Sheringham Golf Club, Norfolk, His A. J. W. recreations are tennis and golf.
Topographical Survey, I871, in Ceylon, and ec
Grammar School, Ne 奖 official connection witl I889, when he receive
iiiiiiiiii
:
MUDALIYAR AND MRS. D. C.
IPRESSIONS
KWIAR.
Superintendent of the Tas born on January I, Lucated at St. Cuthber
CKVAR.
woastle-on-Tyne. His h the island dates to d an appointment on
OF CEYLON 853
the unfixed establishment of the SurveyorGeneral's Department. In 1897 he joined the permanent staff as thirteenth District Surveyor, a position he shortly afterwards exchanged for that of Assistant Superintendent. On April 9, 1901, he acted for the Superintendent of Surveys, and on June 25, I904, on that position becoming vacant, it was conferred upon him. Mr. Wickwar is a member of the Hill Club, Nuwara Eliya, and of the Badulla Club. His recreations are golf, tennis, and shooting.
D, G, KOTALAWIELA.
A popular and influential member of the Sinhalese community in the Uva Province is the gentleman whose name figures above. He is the largest landed proprietor in the Uva Province, and owns besides much property in the Central Province. He enjoys, moreover, the rank of Mohandiram. Born in 1847 at Undugoda, Rayigam Korale, his early life was spent at Kalutara, where he was educated. In I864 he bought the Uva and Central Province toll rents, and continued to hold them until 1894, when he retired, leaving his eldest son to acquire the rents. Mr. Kotalawela is a generous supporter of Buddhist educational and charitable institutions, and has done a
KOTA AWELA AND EPAMILY.
Page 862
854
TWENTIETH CENTURY
great deal for Badulla, with which town his father, Don Carolis Kotalawela, merchant and landed proprietor, was intimately associated. The subject of this sketch is married to Sudu Menika Wijekoon, by whom he has had four sons and two daughters. The eldest son, Don Henry, twenty-one years of age, was educated at Royal College. He has the oversight of his father's estates, and also manages the toll rents. The other children are Don James (nineteen years), Don William (sixteen years), Don David (six years), Nandavathi (seven years), and Lily (four years).
| 3
THOMAS SCOWIELL.
The Batgodde estate, Haldummulla, is a compact property situated at an elevation of from 3,200 to 5,200 ft. The acreage is 2IO, and it is all planted with tea. The soil is of a superior character, and the annual crop is a heavy one, aggregating IOO,000 lbs. The property belongs to Mr. Thomas Scovell, the son of Colonel E. W. Scovell, of the 96th Regiment of Foot, Mr. Scovell was born in London, and educated partly in London and partly on the Continent. He came out to Ceylon in I872, and joined the
“ PIYA
Viharehana estate, M partly belonged to his two years on this estate
Peak estate, Maskeliya
was part proprietor.
twenty-four years, wit the decline and fall ol cinchona, and the rise went to the district the There was no railway the cart road to the 7 miles from the Ac I898 Mr. Scovell quitt over to the Dimbula d Derry Clair estate, of proprietor in the coff was planted with te supervision from Mask charge until 1907. M Ida Helen, daughter
Wynnel Mayow, the w was proprietor of the
Mr. Mayow's death M owner of the estate. M Home on a holiday, an brother, Mr. Alfred St of the property. Mr. the Haputale Planter
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
INVASA.”
arakele district, which father. After spending he went to the Adam's a district, of which he Here he remained for nessing in the interim f coffee, the planting of of tea. When he first e were very few estates. 7 beyond Gampola, and
district stopped about lan's Peak estate. In ed Maskeliya and went istrict, taking charge of which he was also part 2e days. The property a under Mr. Scovel's celiya, and it was in his r, Scovell is married to of the late Mr. J. H. tell-known planter, who Batgodde estate. After r. Scovell became the Ir. Scovell is proceeding d during his absence his covell, will have charge Scovell is a member of s' Association, and is
churchwarden of St. Margaret's, Forest Creek. His recreations are tennis, golf, shooting, and
oil painting.
J. W. BALFOUR PAUL
This gentleman is superintendent of the Cullen estate, Badulla, and has charge of the Cobo estate, while he also supervises the Oodoowerre estate, of which he is proprietor. He was born on June 4, 1873, at Edinburgh, and educated at Sedbergh, Yorkshire. His friends contemplated for him a military career, but the idea was eventually abandoned, and he came out to Ceylon in 1893 to commence a career as a planter. He first joined the Broughton estate, Haputale, but after a year's probationary service transferred to the Lunugala estate, on which he remained for eighteen months. Finally he received his present appointment on the Cullen estate. On the formation of the first Ceylon contingent he volunteered for service, and remained with the force until the action at Pretoria. He was then, with three others, appointed orderly to the Second Mounted Infantry Brigade Staff. He was seriously wounded at Nooitgedacht, his injuries neces
Page 863
TWENTIETH
sitating the amputation of his left arm. Trooper Kelly, one of the other three orderlies, was killed, and the remaining two were wounded. Mr. Paul was invalided home after the Nooitgedacht fight, and remained for some time recruiting his health, which had been greatly shaken by his wound. In December, I9oI, he returned to Ceylon, and resumed his position on the Cullen estate. In the Ceylon contingent Mr. Paul first held the rank of corporal, and he rose to the position of quartermaster-sergeant. At the present time he is Lieutenant and Quartermaster in the Ceylon Mounted Rifles.
受
C. W. BEATTIE,
Mr. C. W. Beattie, Superintendent of the
Telbedde estate, Badulla, is a Scotsman hailing from Insch. Born in October, I874, he was educated locally and at the Aberdeen Grammar School, and came out to Ceylon in 1896. Joining the Sarnia estate, he served there for three years, and subsequently for about a year was associated with the Rahanawatte and Narangalla estates. In 1902 he joined the Telbedde estate, and has been engaged on that property ever since. The estate has an acreage of I,ooo, of which 6oo acres are planted with tea and 7o acres with rubber. The estimated annual crop of tea is 250,000 lbs. About 5oo coolies are employed in the working of the property. Apart from the ordinary planting business, a large cattle establishment and a dairy are worked in connection with the estate, and these supply produce to the inhabitants of Badulla town and the neighbourhood. 艾
GEORGE THAIN-DAVIDSON.
Mr. George Thain-Davidson, the superintendent of the Dambatenine group of estates, Haputale, is a son of the late Rev. Dr. ThainDavidson. He was born in July, 187I, in London, and educated at Mill Hill School. At the close of his educational training, he went out to California and did ranching for a few years. In 1896 he came out to Ceylon and joined the Inverney estate, Dikoya. After serving on this and other estates he accepted an appointment upon Messrs. Lipton's Panilkande estate, Morawak Korale. In January, I906, after a period of leave at home, he was appointed to the charge of the Dambatenne group of estates, also owned by Messrs. Lipton. These have an acreage of 1,247, most of which is under tea, though there is a small area in cardamoms and coffee. The Original estate was, as regards half its area, cropped with coffee; the remainder was virgin jungle. The old coffee land was
CENTURY IM
brought under cultivat jungle was also gradu The annual crop of
7oo,ooo lbs., and the la I4oo coolies. The ele from 4,200 ft. to 6,200 f
s
STEPHEN
Mr. Perera is a Procto
Badulla. The son of M
chant, of Badulla, he w 1877, at Colombo, and College. He prosecul under the auspices of
STEPHEN
Education, and was c 19oI. Since that year Badulla. Mr. Perera is
in the Uva Province. tennis and riding.
WEALL
This is a well-known considerable business as merchandise, estate t stationery, and hardw and machine rulers. Th Veall, was born at St. came to Ceylon in 1886 and Quartermaster in th Corps, and formerly hel C.L.I.V. He enjoys a c as a marksman. He w Ceylon Volunteer Forc peted at the Southern l Meeting at Bangalore one of the Ceylon Plant which competed at the
MPRESSIONS
ion for tea, and the ally planted with tea.
tea is estimated at
bour force consists of lation of the group is t.
s
PERERA
or of the District Court, Mr. D. E. Perera, meras born on August I, educated at Royal ed his legal studies the Council of Legal
PERERA
alled to the Bar in he has practised in s a landed proprietor His recreations are
& CO,
Badulla firm, doing a importers of general Ools and requisites, are, and as printers le proprietor, Mr. T.G. Austell, Cornwall, and . He is a Lieutenant e Ceylon Planters' Rifle di a commission in the onsiderable reputation was a member of the
e Team which com
India Rifle Association in 1904, and was also
ers' Rifle Corps Team
same centre in I906.
OF CEYLON 855
Individually he has won many prizes for rifle shooting. Mr. Veall's recreations are rifle shooting, golf, tennis, and croquet.
ALFRED SCOVELL.
This gentleman, who is the proprietor of the Beauvais estate, Haldammulla, is the son of Colonel E. W. Scovell, 96th Regiment of Foot. He was born in London, and educated privately in England and at Heidelberg, Germany. He was for five years employed in the Australasian Bank, London. At the end of that period he received an appointment to go out to the Melbourne office of the bank, but relinquished the position in favour of a planting career. He went out to Ceylon in 1876, and joined Mr. Derry Clair as assistant. At the expiration of a year he took charge of his own property, Forest Hill coffee estate, Madulsima. He ultimately sold out and returned to England; but he was soon back in Ceylon, enlarging his planting experience by supervising in succession several estates in the Upper Kelani Valley. He has had very wide experience in tea cultivation, and considers that the Haputale district is the best suited to that class of planting, the soil being good and the climate very healthy. The Beauvais estate is situated at an elevation of from 4,000 to 5,000 ft., and it comprises an area of 243 acres under tea. The annual estimated crop is Ioo,ooo lbs. Mr. Scovell is a member of the Haputale Planters' Association and of the Taldna Club. His recreations are music and oil painting. On two occasions he won the Governor's prize for oil painting.
受
BRYCE J. YLE.
The superintendent of the Kalupahani estate, Mr. Bryce J. Wylie, comes of a well-known planting family. His grandfather was Mr. George Bird, a pioneer in the coffee planting enterprise, and his father, Mr. W. B. R. Wylie, was manager and coffee planter for Messrs. Keir, Dundas & Co., Kandy, and the contractor for the railway extension to Haputale. Mr. Bryce Wylie was born at Kandy in December, 186o, and sent Home for his education, Returning to Ceylon in 1877, he joined the Gonavy estate (all coffee), and remained there for about eighteen months. He then took charge of the Patigama estate, and continued in the position of superintendent for about eight years. Subsequently he went over to the Haldummulla estate in 1887. This was originally a coffee estate, but on the collapse of coffee the property was replanted with tea. Mr. Wylie also had charge of the Idulgashena
Page 864
856
estate, another coffee property which was placed under tea when the crash came. At a later period Mr. Wylie had the supervision of the Kalupahani estate and of the Ormiston estate, which he planted with tea after coffee had failed. Since I896 he has been engaged in opening up the Oakwell estate, which consists of 267 acres under tea and 245 acres under rubber. The Kalupahani estate has an area of 396 acres under tea. The produce from this estate has sold in England at 7d. per pound. Mr. Wylie is a member of the Haptutale Planters' Association, and of the Ceylon Planters' Rifle Corps. His recreation
is tennis.
艾
B, T, HEATHCOTE.
Mr. B. T. Heathcote, the superintendent of the Sherwood estate, is a son of Mr. T. B. Heathcote, solicitor to the Duchy of Cornwall. He was born in May, 188o, at Betchworth, Surrey, and educated at Bradfield College.
TWENTIETH CENTURY
He came out to Ceylon Blair Athol estate, C there for one year he tı estate, Haputale, wher half years' further expt charge of the Sherwo situated at an elevat 55oo ft., and having
which 45o acres are pl 3oo coolies are employ agents for which are
& Co. Mr. Heathcote's and shooting.
s
G... O, TRE
Mr. G. O. Trevaldw of the Wiharegalla est, of the Rev. B. J. Trev Martin's-by-Looe, Cornv June 22, 188o, in Warw at Coleshill Grammar S Tavistock, and in Fran
MPRESSIONS
in 1899, and joined the (koya. ansferred to the Kelvin he gained two and a rience. Then he took od estate, a property on of from 3,8oo to an acreage of 5oo, of anted with tea. About d upon the estate, the Messrs. Cummerbatch
recreations are tennis
"Y.KA)'''(N,
yn, the superintendent te, Haputale, is a son aldwyn, Rector of St. vall. He was born on
ickshire, and educated chool, at Kelly College, ce and Germany. He
After serving
OF CEYLON
came out to Ceylon in 1899 and joined the Ardlaw estate, Agrapatnas. After a. probationary service of nine months he was appointed assistant on the Ramboda estate, Ramboda, under Mr. de Lemos, and served in that capacity until 1904, when he took charge of the estate. He remained for one year, and then accepted the superintendency of the Hillbodde. estate, Pussellawa, Finally, in 1906, he obtained the position he now fills. The Wiharegalla estate is at an elevation of from 2,500 ft. to 5,000 ft, and has an acreage of 929. Of this area 648 acres are planted with tea and 75 acres with rubber. The estimated annual crop of tea is 285,000 lbs., the average price of which, in England, is 8d. per pound. The owners of the property are the Duff Estate Company, Limited, and the local agents are Messrs. George Steuart & Co. Mr. Trevaldwyn is a member of the Haputale Planters' Association and of the Ceylon Planters' Rifle Corps. His recreations are tennis and shooting.
Page 865
MILITARY AND
OR military purposes Ceylon is a Major. General's command, and the normal garrison consists of a battalion of infantry, four companies of artillery, and two of Royal Engineers. There is also an efficient Volunteer force. At the present time, however, the regular troops in the island consist of a battalion of Madras Infantry (the 75th Carnatic), one company of Royal Artillery, one company Ceylon and Mauritius Royal Artillery, half a company of Royal Engineers, with details of the Army Service Corps, R.A.M.C., Army Ordnance Department, and Army Accounts Department. Thus it will be seen that the only white soldiers in the island are one company of Royal Artillery and half a company of Royal Engineers, the reductions having been made during Mr. Haldane's tenure of office as Secretary for War. It is noteworthy that during the early part of Igo6 the defences at Trincomalee, which had been continuously maintained since the commencement of the British occupation in 1796, were abandoned and the old fort there was dismantled. The substitution of the Carnatic native troops for the Worcester Regiment dates from January, I907.
In the early years of the nineteenth century, when Ceylon was governed as a military settlement, the colony had a LieutenantGeneral commanding, a full staff, four regiments of British infantry, besides two Ceylon Rifle Regiments, a corresponding force of artillery and engineers, and a troop of cavalry. In 1823 the military portion of the population, including wives and children, was returned at 5,852, out of a total of 75 I2 IO for the island. - Twelye years later the military numbered 6,227, in 1838 5,705, and in 1845 4,626. In I864 the number had decreased to 2,981, and
cost the colony CI37, when the military was as strong numerically,
BRIGADIER-GEN
LLAWERE
(Officer Commanding th
that Lord (then Mr.)
colony's contribution fo
only 2,738, to groo,ooo 857
) VOLUNTEERS
'43, as against 92.850, one and a half times
It was at this time
ERAT R. C. B.
ENCE,
Le Troops in Ceylon.)
Cardwell raised the r military, numbering and over, and spent
a large sum besides on military works out of colonial surpluses. At the present time the colony pays three-quarters of the cost of the garrison, as long as that amount does not exceed 9 per cent. of its revenue-revenue for this purpose excluding profits made by the Ceylon Government Railway and sales of land. In 1885, in return for a military contribution of Rs. 6oo,ooo (4o,ooo) per annum, it was stipulated that the colony was to have a force of 4oo regular soldiers, the number estimated as being required for colonial purposes as distinct from Imperial requirements. The actual cost of the 4oo was Rs. 516,Ooo (434,Ooo), but the Lords of the Treasury put the balance of Rs. 84,000 (45,6oo) down as a contribution for naval expenses. This the Colonial Office resisted, and it has never been countenanced by the Ceylon Legislative Council, although the payment by the Government of the whole sum was sanctioned. The Imperial Government has always maintained a good many more than 4oo military in Ceylon. In March, I888, the detachment of troops stationed at Galle was entirely withdrawn. The Home authorities, in addition to dismantling the batteries, wished the ramparts also to be thrown down, but the townspeople objected. Since then both Colombo and Trincomalee have been strongly fortified, but, as has already been stated, the defences at the latter place have been abandoned. At Colombo three batteries, one at Mutwal Point, a second on Galle Face Esplanade, and a third south of the fort, have been erected at the colony's cost (24.OOo), the Imperial Government agreeing to pay £37,000 for the guns for them. The Ordinance fixing the colony's contribution at 9 per cent. of the general revenue was passed in 1898.
It may be interesting to note the fluctuations in the cost of the military in the island during the last quarter of a century from the following table :-
Page 866
858
NET Cost of MILITARY to CoLONY.
I880 76,330 I885 40,000 I89o 5O,OOO I895 Ιος),787 I995 I53,728
The low cost in 1885 and 1890 is due to the fact that Sir Arthur Gordon was instrumental in obtaining a reduction of Rs.400,ooo (about (26,5OO) in 1885, at the time of the financial crisis of the colony, and this continued until the new arrangement of fixing the cost as a proportion of the revenue was made in Igor. Part of the increase is due to the appreciation of the rupee from Is. 1d. to Is. 4d. and in this connection it is singular that, although in the past the Governments of India and Ceylon had given compensation when the value of the rupee depreciated, this has never been done for military officers serving in Ceylon,
Practically speaking, the whole of the garrison is stationed at Colombo, the only upcountry station where a military force is maintained being Kandy, the mountain capital, where a detachment of infantry is stationed. Diyatalawa is used as a camping-ground, and manoeuvres are carried out there every year. Curiously enough there is no memorial in the island to those who fell or died of disease during the Kandyan wars.
The troops are at present under the supreme command of Brigadier-General R. C. B. Lawrence, and Major C. R. Ballard is the Chief
EYLON rejoices in the possession of a small but compact force of Volunteers, embracing artillery, mounted infantry, and infantry. All told, the numbers do not reach 2,50o, but what the force lacks in numbers it In few parts of the Empire, indeed, do the citizen soldiers more
makes up in efficiency.
conscientiously perform their duties than in the island. The history of the force dates no farther back than 1881. In that year, following upon the establishment of a Rifle Club in the previous year, a notification was made in the Government Gazette that the Lieut.-Governor (Sir John Douglas, K.C.M.G.) had granted the requisite permission for the raising of a corps of Volunteers. Thirteen days later (on April I3th) Mr. John S. Armitage was elected Commanding Officer of the new corps, and on the I3th May the appointment was notified of an Adjutant in the person of Captain George Gwatkin, of the 3rd Battalion
TWENTIETH CENTURY
Staff Officer, Deputy Quartermaster-General details of troops are as
MAJOR E.
(Ceylon Mou
lery, Colombo, Staff-I Davidson, O.C.R.A.,
---
resease
る一ー
VOLUN
Welsh Regiment. T were speedily filled. the enrolments numb Longden, the Govern tion of the corps on the first official inspe Sir George McLeod t 23, I882. In 1883 a Kurunegala, in the and three years later raised at Galle, in the 1888 a further impo place in the shape of Artillery Volunteers, company calne into infantry company wa a cyclist company W The next year saw companies and deta Batticaloa, Matara, M tota, and a company
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
Assistant Adjutant, and ; while the officers of the follows: Royal Artil
Adjutant, and Captain E. B. Scott, I.G. and R.F.; 93rd Company, Major R. G. Merriman,
D.S.O., Captain H. C. Reeves, Lieutenants R. S. Bunbury, C. J. Russell, and G. F. C.
White; Ceylon and Mauritius R.A., Major C. W. Richardson, officer commanding ; No. 3
Company, Captain A. J. H. Keyes, Lieutenants
J. G. Galle and C. V. S. Skrimshire, Subadars
Cader Miskin and Mul Raj, Jemadars Dasuel Khan and Bhagirat; Royal Engineers, Lieut.- Colonel L. Jones, Surveyor A. D. Geddes, Major R. F. Edwards (Nuwara Eliya), Captain
L. J. N. Neville, and Lieutenant R. R. Hyslop; 75th Carnatic Infantry, Lieut.-Colonel M. E. O'Donoghue (commandant), Major S. B. Graham (second in command), Major T. Ffrench, Major H. W. C. Colquhoun, Major E. E. Beddek, Major G. L. P. Clarke, Captain A. W. N. Raven, Captain A. T. Kirkwood, Captain H. Miller, Lieutenant E. L. Robinson, Lieutenant N. A. Worlledge, Captain C. V. Ommanney (Adjutant), Lieutenant D'A. M. Fraser (Q.M.), Captain S. A. Ruzzak, I.M.S. (Medical Officer); Army Service Corps, Major W.J. S. McCormick, Captain B. L. Beddy, and Captain C. H. Bingham (Diyatalawa); R.A.M.C., Lieut.-Colonel G. H. Sylvester, S.M.O., Lieut.- Colonel C. A. Lane, Captain E. C. Hayes, and Lieutenant C. R. Millar; Army Ordnance Department, Captain O. B. Harter, Lieutenant H. J. Jones, and Captain D. Coar; and Army Accounts Department, Mr. H. G. Duneher, First-class Assistant Accountant, and Captain the Hon. O. F. H. Napier.
J. HAYWARD. inted Infantry.)
Lieut.-Colonel J. R. B. Captain W. B. Anley,
*三一
NTEERS.
he ranks of the corps By the end of August pered I, Io3. Sir James or, held the first inspecNovember 26, 188I, and :ction by Major-General ook place on September company was started at North-Western Province, a second company was Southern Province. In
rtant development took
the raising of a corps of and in 1890 the bearer existence. In I89I an as raised at Badulla, and as formed in Colombo. the formation of new chments of infantry at Negombo, and Hambanof Artillery Volunteers
at Trincomalee. The latter, and a similar corps raised at Galle, were disbanded in 1902. Meanwhile a company of Mounted Infantry, had been enrolled at Kandy (on July 12, 1892), and had been a great success. An important change in the constitution of the force was made in May, 1896, when an officer of the Army, recommended by the War Office, was appointed paid Commandant and InspectingOfficer in the room of the unpaid Commandant who up to that period had officiated. The force was then composed as follows :-
Ceylon Artillery Volunteers ... I29 Ceylon Mounted Infantry IIO Bearers ... . - ... 50 Cyclists ... 0 « 5 Ceylon Light Infantry ... 868
I,I62
The Jubilee year 1897 saw in London a representative detachment of Ceylon Volun
Page 867
c. had served in South Africa with medals. A
TWENTIETH CENTURY IM
teers, including 9 Artillery, I5 Mounted Infantry, and 26 Infantry. A still greater stirring of patriotic ardour was occasioned in I9oo, when, on the outbreak of the war in South Africa, a complete company of mounted infantry, numbering I29, fully equipped at the colony's expense, was despatched to assist the British forces operating at the seat of war. The contingent, on arrival at Cape Town, proceeded by train to the Modder River, and marched thence to Poplar Grove, where it was met by Lord Roberts. Subsequently it took part in the engagement at Dreifontein. Later it marched to Bloemfontein with General Roberts's column, and to Pretoria with General Ian Hamilton. The detach
feeling caused by the w; a corps of Rifle Volun Numbers flocked to the and by 1902 the roll b names. The older cor influence of the period figures, showing the si branches, testify :-
Ceylon Artillery Volu Ceylon Mounted Infa
Bearers 8
Cyclists - a Ceylon Light Infantr
CAPTAIN B. HORSBURGE
ment subsequently took part in the following engagements : Johannesburg, Pretoria, Diamond Hill, and Wittebergen. In IgoII, in recognition of the services rendered, H.R.H. the Duke of Cornwall presented the Ceylon Mounted Infantry with regimental colours, and at the same time decorated the members who
second contingent of Ceylon Volunteers, consisting of Io3 infantry, in April, I902, was embarked for South Africa, and was subsequently utilised in the garrisoning of a defensive post called Brandt Kop, to the south of Bloemfontein. On the conclusion of peace the detachment re-embarked for Ceylon.
One important result which flowed frem the
PRESSIONS OF CEYLON 859
PRINCE OF WALESS COLLEGE CADETS.
ar was the formation of Ceylon Planters' Rifle Corps ... 693 teers by the planters. Cadet Battalion ... ... 4I8 standard of this corps, ore no fewer than 798 is also felt the inspiring , as the accompanying rength of the various
In May, 1902, the Ceylon Volunteers sent a deputation numbering IO2 men, representing all branches, to London to attend the King's Coronation; and a further tie with the Sovereign was established in 1904, when His Majesty was graciously pleased to assent to
inteers «ь м 8 I62 become the Honorary Colonel of the Ceylon ntry ... ... I28 Volunteer force. Also associated with the 73 year 1902 is the formation of a battalion of » v0 I4 cadets drawn from the various schools and у ... IIO4 colleges in the island.
RICHMOND COLLEGE CADETS.
Page 868
860 TWENTIETH CENTURY I
In its earliest years the force was armed with the long Snider rifle. This was replaced in I89o by the Martini-Henry, and there was a
ILIEUTENANT E. B. CREASY.
further change in 1899, when the entire force was rearmed with Martini-Enfield rifles and carbines taking the service 303 cartridge. In I892 the khaki uniform was provided and has ever since been worn. Camps of exercise are periodically held in connection with the Volunteers. The earliest camp was in September, I890, at Urugasmanhandia, and that place witnessed a yearly gathering until 1902. In I903 the camp was moved to Diyatalawa, and as this centre is popular it is intended to have the annual gatherings here in future, The Artillery Volunteers have annually a coast camp of instruction,
The cost of the Ceylon Volunteers in 1905 was Rs. 244,Ooo, The force in that year had a total strength of 2,479 and an efficient strength of 1,82I. The force consisted of the following: 9 field officers, 2 adjutants, 34 captains, 33 lieutenants, 32 second-lieutenants, 9 surgeons, 3 chaplains, 38o n.c. officers, and 2,I62 privates, besides 18 permanent staff n-c. officers, The strength of the various elements of the force was as follows :-
Permanent Staff ... -- 2 Ceylon Artillery Volunteers... . . . 129 Ceylon Mounted Rifles - P - y A at I35 Ceylon Light Infantry 0 0 ... 1077 Ceylon Volunteer Medical Corps ... 67 Ceylon Planters' Rifle Corps ... 594
Ceylon Planters' Rifle Corps Band 39 Cadet Battalion, Ceylon Lt. Infantry 417
Total ... - - - . . . 2,479
LIEUT.-COLONE,
BRAND MO
Richard Hillebrand M of Sir Richard Francis cate, Attorney-General Chief Justice of Ceylonin 1845, and educated, i. Colombo Academy (no and afterwards at St, 1858 he proceeded to F sued his studies at Cl I863, when he entere Cambridge, where he t in 1866. He was called Inn in I.868. In the sar eldest daughter of Mr prietor of large property a member of the Legis colony. On his return to in October, 1868, he was of the Supreme Court practised there ever sin sions he has acted as Colombo, also as Distr and Kandy.
Lieut.-Colomel Morga a lively interest in local 1863 to 1867-that is, career-he was a mem University Rifle Volunt
CEYLON VO
ceived his commission the Ceylon Light Infan the formation of whicl
MPRESSIONS
RICHARD HERGAN, W. D. organ-the el dest son Morgan, Queen's Advoand for some time -was born in Colombo the first place, at the w the Royal College) Thomas's College, In ngland, and there pureltenham College till St. John's College, bok his degree in Arts to the Bar at Lincoln's (ne year he married the Adolph Coqui, proin Natal and one time lative Council of that England from Ceylon, admitted an Advocate of the island, and has ce. On different occaPolice Magistrate of ict Judge of Colombo
in has always taken military matters. From during his University ber of the Cambridge teers. In 188 he re
OF CEYLON
active part, He obtained his company in 1886 and the substantive rank of Major in 1897, having for two years previously held the honorary rank of Major. He was promoted Lieut.-Colonel in 1904, and took command of the regiment in January, 1905, when the decentralisation scheme came into force. Lieut.-Colonel Morgan has attained the distinction of being one of the very few officers who have attended every camp of exercise since the formation of the Volunteer Corps. He wears the jubilee medal, which he received at Buckingham Palace from the hands of His Majesty the King–then Prince of Wales-and the long service decoration. He visited England again in 1879, 1885, 1889, and 1897, and on the last occasion he was in command of the Diamond Jubilee contingent from Ceylon.
Apart from his military duties, Colonel Morgan has many interests. He was a member of the Council of Legal Education, and is often chosen as an examiner of law students. He is a member of the Ceylon Turf Club and the Ceylon Agricultural Society and President of the Ceylon Light Infantry Athletic Club. It may here be mentioned that in his undergraduate days he went in for rowing, and was a good sprinter. Colonel Morgan's town residence is "Caldicote,' Kollupitiya, and his
LUNTEER LIGHT INFANTRY (MORATUWA SECTION).
as First Lieutenant in try Volunteer Corps, in regiment he took an
country residence is on the Moonemabai estate in the Kelani Valley, on which he grows coconut and rubber.
Page 869
TWENTIETH
(CUN-000NEL HECTOR YAN
UYLENBURG
Lieut.-Colonel Van Cuylenburg, the son of P. H. Cuylenburg, who was Assistant Colonial Surgeon in the Colonial Medical Department at Kalutara, was born on January 23, 1847, and was educated at St. Thomas's College and Queen's (now Royal) College, Colombo. Deciding to take up law as a profession, he
I. Li EUT. C. P. DE SILVA.
7. LIEUT. L. G. BROHIER.
12. CAPT. E. H. JoSEPH. I7. LIEUT. C. L. DE ZYLVA.
was apprenticed to Charles Ambrose Lorenz. In 1868 he was called to the Ceylon Bar and in 1876 was engaged by the Queen's Advocate of the day as Crown Proctor. He has paid several visits to England, during one of which he became a member of Gray's Inn. In I903, having been detained in London longer than was expected, he applied to the Council of Legal Education for special leave to go in for the final examination, taking up all four sections at the same time, and passed successfully. He is the proprietor of the Ceylon Independent (mentioned in the Press section of this book);
2. CAPT. F. H. DE VOS (C.L.I.).
8. DR. E. MODDER.
13. H. R. H. VAN CUYLENBURG. 18. CAPT. F. W. DANIELS (C.L.I.).
CENTURY IN
and, apart from his ard and military duties, he Royal Asiatic Society o Fellow of the Royal
Justice of the Peace fo of the Institute of Jou the Agricultural and F member of the Ceylon
he was one of the found the Orient and the Tur
3. DR. HAY.
9. CAPT. T. G. JAYAwA I4. DR
I9. LIEUT.
of the
Clubs.
Mr. Van Cuylenburg military matters. On Ceylon Light Infantry, a private and soon bec. that corps, in the latter being promoted to Fir he was made Captain, and in I9o5 Hon. Lieu present time second in ment. In conjunction he was instrumental, ir
Bloomfield A
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
lous journalistic, legal, is a member of the F London and Ceylon,
Colonial Institute, a the island, a member inalists, a member of (orticultural Society, a Law Society (of which ers), a member of both f Clubs, and President
4. R. G. SAUNDERS. RDEN.E. . W. H. DE SILVA. R. C. DE SILWA.
thletic and Sporting
takes a keen interest in the inception of the in 1881, he enlisted as ume a lance-Sergeant in part of the same year st Lieutenant. In 1895 in I9oo Hon. Major, .-Colonel, being at the command of the regiwith Captain Berwick, the year 1882, in rais
5. LIEUT. R. H. MORGAN.
lo. COLONEL R. H. MORGAN.
15. CAPT. V. DIAS.
2o. DR. BAWA (the Port Surgeon).
86.
ing a corps, called “The Devil's Own," composed of legal and medical gentleman. Conspicuous in his devotion to volunteering matters, he has atteraded almost every camp in the colony since the inauguration of the force, and has been identified with every volunteering movement in the island from the establishment of the corps. In 1886 he shot at Wimbledon, and again in 1894 at Bisley, for the 9 ueen's Prize, as an individual competitor
*ყჭ:
కి څچې
蟹
క్టీ སྤྱི་
6. LIEUT. SENEVIRATNIE.
II. MAJoR J. VAN LANGENBURG. I6. LIEUT. S. A. MARTIN.
2I. T. C. WAN ROOYEN.
in each case. He has served under all the officers commanding since the raising of the Volunteer Corps.
Mr. Van Cuylenburg was one of the official visitors to the St. Louis Exhibition in 1904, and on his return he submitted a most interesting report to the Government on the subject "How to Push Ceylon Tea." Besides travelling in America and visiting Europe, he has toured India. His private residence is Charsley House, Colombo, a well-known centre of Colombo hospitality.
Page 870
862
CAPTAIN THEODORE GODFRED JAYAWARDENE
Captain T. G. Javawardene, of the Ceylon Light Infantry, is the son of James Alfred Jayawardene, Proctor, and Cornelia Matilda Wijekoon, both of Colombo. He first saw the light of day in the capital city on June I7, I872, and was educated at the Royal College. On leaving school, in 1889, he was apprenticed to the Public Works Department. In 1895 he was appointed Assistant Government Factory Engineer. He was in charge of the construction of the General Post Office, Colombo, under Mr. H. F. Tomalin, the architect. He also had charge of the erection of the Diyatalawa Camp buildings. In I9oo he was appointed a District Engineer of the Public Works Department. He is an associate member of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers.
Military matters have always had a keen devotee in Captain T. G. Jayawardene. In 1889 he joined the “F” (Public Works Department) Company of the Ceylon Light Infantry, and within six months he had qualified himself for officership. In 1890 he became a corporal, in the following year sergeant, in 1896 Second Lieutenant, in 1897 Lieutenant, and in I9oo captain. On several occasions he has acted as Adjutant to the regiment. Captain Jayawardene is greatly interested in rifleshooting; and in 1903 and I904 he accolnpanied teams to Bangalore (India), where the annual Rifle Meeting of the Southern India Rifle Association is held. He was one of the three officers who won, in I903, Lalbagh Cup, offered for competition by the Southern India Rifle Association. In Ceylon he has won the National Rifle Association medal and various other regimental trophies. He holds the position of Honorary Secretary to the Ceylon Volunteer Rifle Association.
In 1905 Captain Jayawardene married Caroline Lena, the second daughter of Mudaliyar Attygala. His private residence is “Emile Ruhe," in Borella, a suburb of
Colombo.
JUSTINIAN PERERA RAJAPAKSE. Mr. J. P. Rajapakse was born in Colombo in
1882, and educated at the Royal and St.
అ@
سمصصے
NSR
TWENTIETH CENTURY
Joseph's Colleges. ( chose the legal profe to Mr. C). Van Hoff.
his Notary Public ex from the legal practic commercial life. He i father's firm, and de produce, as well as im goods. Besides this,
plumbago, thorite, anc
owner of several valua vhich are Hulukelle i of 250 acres; Welbode of 4oo acres and pl intended by Mr. C. L. there is a fully-equippe in the Gampola distri
Mr. J. landed proprietor in
some valual
with cacao.
owning which are Hilly House, Wellawatte ; “ Sunnyb. Court, Chetty Street, Borella ; Eltham Cotta “Roslin," St. Sebastian cliffe' in the town of Province. He is a 1 Asiatic Society and Cat. keen interest in matter Lieutenant in the Ceylot charge of the 'B' Col College.
魏
SAMUEL ALGE
Mr. S. A. Martin,
Martin, planter, of Chi daughter of Mr. N. Judge, was born in I} at St. Thomas's Colleg junior Cambridge loca law under the Counci and, being admitted a Court, now practises at He was the promoter of 'M' Company of th and at present holds a Lieutenant. He is a married, in I903, Zilli Mr. Horace de Kretz Colombo Customs.
MPRESSIONS
)n leaving school he ssion, and was articled However, after passing aminations, he retired e and entered upon a s an export agent for his als largely in Ceylon porting cloth and piece he is engaged in mining thorianite, and is the ble estates, chief among the Madampe district, in the Central Province, anted with tea, super. Davis, and on which d factory ; and Curaçao ct, of 8o acres, planted P. Rajapakse is also a Colombo and suburbs, ble properties, among Hill Street, Marylebone, ank,' Kotahena ; Palm
Pettah ; “Agincourt,” ge, Bambalipitiya ; and Street; besides '' FernKegalla, Sabaragamuwa member of the Royal Taking a s military, he is SecondLight Infantry, and has mpany of the Technical
holic Union.
്,
RNON MARTIN,
son of the late John law, and Harriet Jane, J. Cooke, late District 379. He was educated e, Colombo, passed his l examination, studied 1 of Legal Education, Proctor of the District
Chilaw and Marawila. of the Chilaw section 2 Ceylon Light Infantry, commission as Second
keen sportsman. He e Elfrida, daughter of er, Landing Surveyor,
OF CEYLON
HECTOR RCHARD HENRY MORGAN
VAN CUYLENBURG.
The eldest, and only, son of Lieut.- Colonel Hector Van Cuylenburg, V.D., Mr. H. R. H. M. Van Cuylenburg, was born in Colombo in 1875. On his mother's side he is the grandson of the late Sir Richard Morgan, of Colombo. He was educated at St. Thomas's College, and later proceeded to England, where he underwent private tuition at Cheltenham. On leaving school he adopted the law as his profession, and became a member of Gray's Inn, London. In 1884 he returned to Ceylon, and in - 1902 joined the Ceylon Independent, one of the leading daily newspapers of Colombo and owned by his father, as assistant editor. Like his father, Mr. Van Cuylenburg takes a keen interest in all military matters, and in 1888 he joined the Ceylon Light Infantry as a ranker. In 1890 he was promoted to the rank of lance-corporal, and during this period he became champion shot of 'B' Company, which distinction he continued to hold for three years longer. In 189 I he became corporal, in 1892 sergeant, I893 sergeant-drummer, 1896 Second Lieutenant, I9oo Lieutenant, and Captain in January, I906. He has represented his team at the regular annual Rifle Meeting at Bangalore and also against the Singapore Volunteers. In 1894, I895, and 1898 he was an individual competitor at the shooting competitions at Bisley. Mr. Van Cuylenburg is also a member of the Ceylon Volunteer Rifle Association.
He has visited England on several occasions, and while there he was a member of the Snodland, Paddington, and Gray's Inn Cricket Clubs, being captain of the last-named. He was also secretary of the Gray's Inn Musical Society. In Ceylon he is a member of the Nuwara Eliya Cricket Club and the Orient Club, and was Vice-President of the Maligakande Literary Association in 1896. He is a well-known billiard player and the winner of many London trophies. In 1898 Mr. Van Cuylenburg married Marion Amelia Miall, daughter of J. J. Miall, Esq., of Maida Vale, London. His private residence is Charsley House, Cinnamon Gardens, Colombo.
鲸、
Page 871
CONCIL
|EFORE the last pages of this work pass into th of the services rendered from many quarters it Ceylon.” To His Excellency Sir Henry Blake, interest he has displayed throughout in our C as a patron of the work. The late Sir Alexan a great obligation by the readiness with whic and we have to thank many other high offic General Manager of the Ceylon Governmen representatives, and for the loan of photographs and documents; number of interesting photographs relating to the work of his depal. loan of official publications; the Acting Director of the Colombo . works relating to Ceylon and in the selection of suitable illustral Herbert Wright, and Mr. H. F. Macmillan) for advice and co-opera We have also to thank our numerous contributors, including the Francis Beven, M.L.C., the Hon. Mr. P. Arunachalam, Mr. H. T. S. Mr. C. M. Fernando, Captain J. A. Legge, Mr. Adrian St. V. Jayewar Hornell, Mr. Edgar Turner, Mr. H. B. Smith, Mr. E. Mannheimer, the many valuable monographs which, individually, are of striking i. as an accurate and comprehensive survey of modern Ceylon. Fu to the Hon. Mr. John Ferguson and also to his son, Mr. R. H. F Mr. H. Woosnam Miils, editor and co-editor respectively of the Independent, for the kindly and generous treatment that has been must we omit to express our gratitude to our printers, Messrs. Unv who have given to this work, as to other volumes of the Greater care and attention which has contributed in no small measure to the loyal and valuable services of Mr. Somerset Playne, our Manager, conditions of climate and in the presence of difficulties of no ordina centre where meagre facilities exist for such an enterprise.
LLOYD'S GREATER BR
LONDON, May, I907.
USION
e printers' hands it is fitting that acknowledgment should be made n the arduous task of producing “Twentieth Century Impressions of the Governor of Ceylon, we are deeply indebted for the sympathetic operations, and for the permission he gave us to publish his name der Ashmore, Lieutenant-Governor of Ceylon, also placed us under h he extended official encouragement and support to our labours; rials for assistance courteously and freely given, amongst them the it Railways (Mr. G. P. Greene) for travelling facilities for Our the Surveyor-General . (Mr. P. D. Warren) for furnishing us with a tment; the Acting Government Printer (Mr. H. M. Richards) for the Museum (Mr. Gerard Joseph) for assistance given in coinsulting old tions; and the scientific staff at Peradeniya (Dr. J. C. Willis, Mr. tion in the preparation of matter relating to the botany of Ceylon. Hon. Mr. H. C. Nicolle, Sir Allan Perry, M.D., the Hon. Mr. Ward, Director of Irrigation, Mr. John Still, Mr. Kelway Bamber, dene, Mr. Edward W. Perera, Dr. A. K. Coomaraswamy, Mr. James Mr. W. A. Julius, Mr. H. W. Mills, and Major Frank Modder, for nterest, and which, collectively, give the volume a high distinction rther, our acknowledgments are due to the Ceylon Press-notably erguson, editor of the Ceylon Observer, Mr. F. Crosbie Roles and Times of Ceylon ; and to Mr. J. Scott Coates, editor of the Ceylon extended to the work throughout the period of preparation. Nor win Bros., Ltd., of the Gresham Press, Pilgrim Street, London, E.C., Britain Series which they have produced, a degree of painstaking excellent artistic effect achieved, Finally, we have to recognise the and the other members of the staff-services rendered under trying ry kind arising out of the preparation of a great literary work in a
ITAIN PUBLISHING COMPANY, LTD.,
ހއޕޯޝައުލަ%/
GENERAL MANAGER.
Page 872
OLOMBO time is aboutfive hours and twenty minutes ahead of Greenwich time, and under the standard of Indian time. When it is noon at Colombo the time registered at other centres in different parts of the world is shown in the following table:
I.-FORENOON,
A.M. Aberdeen - ... 6.32 Aden ... a - - - ... 9.4 Alexandria - ... 8.38 Amsterdam - ... 7.00 Athens ... « O ... 8. I5 Barbados - - - ... 2.4 Berlin - - - ... 7.33 Berne ... 7. по Boston, U.S.A.... ... I.56 Brindisi ... - - - v. ... 7.52 Brussels ... - - - - a ... 6.57 Buenos Ayres ... - a ... 2.47 Cabul ... - ... I II. 16 Cairo - - - a --- - a Calais ... Cape Town Chicago ... w - Christiania Cincinnati Constantinople - Copenhagen ... - - - ..... 7.3O
HE present value of some obsolete coins used in the early Portuguese and Dutch periods is thus appraised:-
One pagoda or star
pagoda Rs.. 45o One copper fanam = about Io cents One stuiver ... F 2 48 stuivers = I rixdollar == Rs. I'I3 96stuivers = 2 rixdollars = Rs. 225 One half fanam... ... = about 5 cents One half pice = ,1荃 ; One challie = , cent
By the minute of Sir Wilmot Horton, dated September 26, 1863, the rupee was
TABLE OF RELAT
A.M.
Corinth ... - - - - - - ... 8.12 Dresden... - - 7.35 •۔۔ Dublin ... - - - - - - ... б. I5 Durban ... a ... 8.43 Edinburgh 6.27 ... ۔ Florence - - - a - a ... 7.25 Geneva ... - - - -- - - - ... 7.04 Genoa ... - - - ... 7.16 Gibraltar - - - - - - 6 ۔۔۔. I9 Glasgow... - ... 6.23 Greenwich - ... 6.40 Guatemala O AO A − ... o.38 Hamburg AS OO ... 7.23 Havana ... - ... I.II Herat ... - - - ... IO-49 Hyderabad a - ... .13 - - - 9.02 Kandahar --- - - - ... II.02 Khartoum - · · · ммм ... 8.5o Kiew ... 8.43 Kingston (Jamaica) ... « « ... I.33 Lahore ... - - - -- a ... II.37 Lima . - - --- - - - ... .32 Lisbon ... - - - - - - ... 6.o3 Liverpool - - - - - - - ... 6.28 London ... - - - - - - - 6.39 ۔۔۔ Madeira ... - - - - − ... 5.34 Madrid . - ... 6.25 Manchester - - ... 6.3L Marseilles - - - -- --- ... 7.OI
TABLES OF
wrongly put into circulation at two shilJings, the half-rupee at one shilling, and the quarter-rupee at sixpence. The earlier monetary system under the British rule included rixdollars, fanams, and pice; but in 1825 pounds, shillings, and pence were introduced, and nearly fifty years later (1872) the decimah currency was adopted, which is the present legal tender, British sovereigns and halfsovereigns are in circulation, at fifteen and seven-and-a-half rupees respectively. The coins now in use in the island connprise the rupee, fifty-cent piece, twentyfive-cent piece, ten-cent piece, five-cent piece, one-cent piece, and half-cent piece. The quarter-cent piece, of similar size to
۹حساس مسیحیححاجیحسیمسی2 همین
TABLES OF NATIVE WE
SNHALESE DRY AND LAND MEASURES.
4 pelas. o lahas or kurunis. 8 parrahs. 5 bushels. 20 pecks. 16o quarts or seers.
Io lahas or kurunis.
2 parrahs. I bushel. Specks, 4o quarts or seers. 4 quarts or seers. 5 lahas or kurunis. 2o quarts or seers.
I Amunam
4.
I Pela
I Laha I Parrah
The extent of land is generally indicated by the amount of seed necessary for sow
ing it ; and the area surveyed is computed
the amunam and its minor divisions, the pela, the laha, and the parrah. Thus, “ five amunams ” of land would meam an area over which that quantity of grain might be sown. The following are the principal measures of land survey with their equivalents in the standard table of
eaStres :-
I amunam's sowing extent = 2 acres.
I pelas A. = 2 roods and 2 perches.
Ilaha's ነ† y = Io perches. I parrah's yʻy , = I rood and Io perches.
I quart's ,,, = 2 perches.
These measures vary in the different provinces, and depend to a great extent
IVE CEYLON TIME
总。聪顶。 Martinique -- a v x ... 2.36 Mecca ... a s Ko AO XA XA O AO XA ... Io Iό Mexico ... A - ... o.o.4 Monte Video ... A -- A w ... 2.56 Montreal - - - XA MA A ... I.46 Morocco a A XO XA ... 6.09
Moscow... XA A AK» A OS XA 9. Io Munich ... - ... 7.26 Naples ... MM 1A IX с» «ы ... 7.37 New York * <ы «» - I-44
Nicaragua a XA A ... o. 57 Odessa , a ... 8.44 Ottawa ... AO XO XA Ko » MO » \ \ ... I.38 Pamama ... a a . . .22 Paris a A A » AK AA --- б-49 Pernambuco ... XO O NA O XA XA ... . 4.2 Perth ... O XA XI 7.56 * هه Philadelphia ... I-40 Ruebec .... NO A AO AW W 55 Rio de Janeiro ... a O XA » ... 3-49 Rome ... - Ο Φ Χ ... 7.30 Sierra Leone ... OM AM A - ... 548 Simla ... V A a -- KO V S ... II-49 Sofia ... A XA NO a ... 8. I4 St. Petersburg ... - - - . . . 8.4 I Stockholm AO A A ・・・ 7-52 Suez -- a ... 8.5o Teheran ... » . ... o.o.5 Toronto ... A XY XA II. * N ... I-24
Trinidad... a a - O XA XA ... 2-32
CURRENCY
George II.'s third of a farthing, was current a few years ago, but is now out of circulation. The rupee is the same as the British India coin; but the other pieces are struck expressly for the island's use. All these latter bear on their obverse His Majesty's effigy, with inscription, “Edward VII., King and Emperor"; and on their reverse impression the representation of a tallipot palm (Corypha in bractilifera), with inscription, 'Ceylon,' date of the year, and value of the piece in English, Sinhalese, and Tamil.
The following table shows the relative value of the rupee and its subdivisions, and their sterling equivalents :-
&。氮。 Tunis ... KY X XY vis e o ... 7.24 Waletta ... - - - 7.38 ۔۔۔ Wemice ... s Ko a XO O XA ・・・ 7.29 Washington ... XA MA XA - - - ... I-3 II Zanzibar... a- a KO O Ka- ... 9.8
III.—AFTERNOON.
P.
Adelaide... am KI. KO Ko » MY XA I O ... 3-55 Amoy ... a o a o ... 2.33
Bangkok v Ko a a ... I.39 Batavia ... KO 40 40 - A 0 NA ... I.47 Benares ... O AO ... O.I2 Brisbane a- . . . 4.52 Hobart ... - A OS NA ... 430
Hong Kong ... A A ... 2.7 Honolulu LSSSS S S LLSLSLL SLSLSSLLSS S 0LSLLSrLLL
Malacca ... A A XA .29 Manila ... XA AO O 44܀2 - • ܀ Melbore O AO - ... 4.20 Nagasaki A XA NA NA ... 3.20 Pekin ... - - - a - ... 2.26 Penang ... - - - - XO AA K I-22 Rangoon - - - AO A A A XA A ... I.06 Saigon ... A X ... 1.47 San Francisco ... - - - ... 0.30 Shanghai OS AO A O XA 00 ... 2.43 Singapore a- هه . I35 ه Wancouver O AO A 0 &W x2 ... Io.26
SILνER. One rupee = Ioo cents ... = Is. 4d. Fifty cents = half rupee = 8d. Twenty-five cents = rupee ... = 4d. Ten cents ... A XA » • ч ... s. Id.
CoPPER OR Mixed METAL,
Five cents. = d. One cent ... = ಸ್ಲಿd. Half-cent ... =桑d,
The Government note issue includes the following amounts :-Rs. 5, Rs. Io, Rs. 2o, Rs. 5o, Rs. Ioo, Rs.5oo, Rs. I,coo and Rs. Iodoo.
EIGHTS AND MEASURES
upon the character of the soil, the strength of the wind, the description of seed sown, and the supply of water. The usual measures of land in the Jaffna district are:-
I2 kulis = I lachcham. 24 lachchams = I acre.
TABLE OF DISTANCES.
The "fathom," of two yards, is the commonest measure of distance.
The ಙ್ಗ indicates the distance at which a piercing shout may be heard at the farthest limits, or, approximately, a range of about five hundred yards.
The "gawwa" is nearly the length of four statute miles.
NATIVE MEASURES OF CAPACITY. in the household usually comprise the "bottle' for liquids; the "bundle' for firewood, straw, grass, herbs, and greens; and the "seer" or “measure" for grain and other loose foodstuffs.
LINEAL MEASURE. The "span,' used in measuring cloth or similar goods, is the length of the outstretched fingers.
The "cubit,' of eighteen inches, is used in the measure of superficial area.
LIQUID MEASURE, In liquid measure the gills and gallons are the same as in the Imperial system; but a distinctive measure, the leaguer, of one hundred and fifty gallons capacity, is
largely used in the arrack trade.
Page 873
a
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Abayasekara, Kahavita Don Jeronimus
Perera, Mohändiram, 8 I9 Abbotsleigh Estate, 809 Abdulally, Moosbhoy Shaikh Hiptulla
bhoy, 5oI Abeyesinghe, Abraham Dias, 768 Abeyesooriya, Samson, 773 Abeyesundere, Frederick E., 755 Abeyratne, Don James Alfred, 672 Abeysinghe, Arthur Alfred Dias, 764 Abeysinghe, Eugene Godfred Dias, 758 Adamaly, E. G., & Co., 5o3 Administrative Establishments, Io6-138 Agriculture, 355 Aitken, Spence & Co., 437 Alakesvara, The Life and Times of, 4o Albion Press Office, Galle, 762 Alexander, Edward Bruce, I34 Allegacoon, Rasiah William, Io4 Alles, Francis, 766 Alles, Francis Joseph, 518 Alles, Dr. F. R., 132 Alston, G. H., 454 Alvis, Arthur William, 57. Amarasuria, Henry de Silva, 759 American Mission, 28. Amoo, M. C., 646 Anagarika (Hewavitarne) Dharmapala,
The, II, 9, 284 Amanda College, III 6 Anandappa, Patrick Francis Xavier, 764 Ancient references to Ceylon, I6 Anderson, J. A., 72 Anderson, J. P., 7II Andris, H. B. & Co., 822 Anthonisz, Richard Gerald, Io6 Anuradhapura, Io I, Io3, II, 23, I 29, I.43 Appoo, K. C. Juanis, 762 Appoohamy, N. D. D. H. Thomas
Wijeyesekere, 662 Appuhamy, A.L. Mendis, 625 Archaeological Commission, I28 Archaeology, I39 Ariya-Nayagam, Cartias, 844 Arrack and Toddy, 635-636 Arseculeratne, John Henry, 62I Arts and Handicrafts, Native, I8o-I88 Arunachalam, Hon. Mr. P., M.A. Cantab.,
Registrar-General, 97, I35,323 Ascot Estate, 838 Aserappa, Walter Nicholas Straube, Io,
695 Association, A Unique, 674 Atapattu, J. V., Mudaliyar, 5I Atgalla Tea Estate, 8o6 Atmaram, M. 46o Attygalle, Don Charles Gemoris, Muda"
liyar, 588 Attygalle, Francis Dixon (the late), 645 Attygalle, Dr. John, 534 Attygalle, John Wilhelmus Samuel, M.B.,
C.M., 8.2 Attygalle, Theodore Pennycuick, I35, 76 Audit Office, Io? Avisawella, Io3
Badulla, IoI, 122, I29 Baines, A. L., 7.3 Balapitiya, Io3 Bamber, M. Kelway, M. R.A.C., M.R.A.S.,
F.C.S., 248 Banda, Mapitigama Kulatunge Wijekoon Mudiyanselage William Tudor Mapiti gama, 797 . Banda, Sooriyakumara Wannisinghe
Mudiyanseralahamillage Loku, 779 Bandaranaike, Don Solomon Dias Abeyewickreme Jayatilekke Senewiratne Ra* jakumarun Kadukeralu, C.M.G., 522 Bandaranaike, Felix R. Dias, Ior, 526 Bandaranayaka, Don William Chapman
Dias Wijewardhane, 526 Bandarahayake, R. E. Dias, 72 Bandaranayke, J. F.D., 525 Bandarapola Estate, 842 Bank of Madras, 27 Banks, 26
IND
Baptist Missionary Society, 279
Barnard, Adam Sedgwick, M.I.E.E.,
A.M.I.C.E., I24 Barnard, Henry Osmond, A.C.H.,
F.R.A.S. and M.S., II 29 Bartholomeusz, Hugh Hamilton, 764 Bartlam, Alfred, Irz Bartlett, Frank, Io8 Bastian, W. E., & Co., 48 I Battalgalla Estate, 8o9 Batticaloa, Io I, I23 Batuvantudave, C, de Silva, 575 Baumgartner, George Algernon, Io2 Bawa, Alfred James, 69o Bawa, Benjamin William, 565 Bawa, Dr. H., I32 Beattie, C. W., 855 Bell, H. A., Io Bell, Harry Charles Purvis, I28 Beven, Allan, Io4 Beven, Edwin, 814 Beven, Hon. Mr. Francis, M.L.C., 98, 3or Bibby Line, 388 Bingham, Percy Moore, M.I.C.E., I23 Bishops’ College, II 7 Blacklaw, Charles Fettis Scott, 125 Blake, His Excellency Sir Henry Arthur,
G.C.M.G., 92 Blazé, Louis Edmund, II.8 Bois, Percy, I 38 Bois Bros. & Co., 425 Bombay Union Club, 7I4 Booth, Hon. Mr. L. W., III o Bosanquet & Co., 435 Bostock, J. H., Ig6. Botanic Gardens, I36; Hakgala, I36;
Heneratgoda, I 37 - Botany, I 6 I—II, 68 Bournasheff, A. N., 138 Brayne, Charles Valentine, B.A., Io2, Io8 British Governors of Ceylon, 83 British India Steam Navigation Company,
Ltd., 38I British Rule, Ceylon under (1796 to Igo6),
6o Brito, Dr. Philip Sebastian (the late), 56o Brock, Harry Ernest,474 Brodhurst, Hon. Mr. H. W., C.M.G., ro7 Brodie & Co., 45. Brokers' Association, Colombo, 368 Brown, Gardiner, 312 Browning, K. C., 3I Buddhism, Introduction of, 22 Buddhism, Past and Present, 284 Buddhist Education, 223 Burdayron, J. P., 822 Buultjens, Alfred Ernst, 774 Buultjens, Edward Justin, 77I Byrde, Colonel H., 8o5 Byrde, Prideaux, 712 Byrde, William Lucius Walter, I 25
Cacao, 242-247 Caffoor, N. D.H. Abdool, 46o Cahill, E., & Sons, 452 Campbell, Hon. Mr. J. M., 825 Campbell, Thomas James St. Albans, I27 Capper, Frank A, 3Io Carbery, W. H. B., Io4 Cargills, Ltd., 457 Cargo Boat Despatch Company, 387 Carolis, N. Don, & Sons, 476 Carolis, W. D., 482 Carson & Co., 429 Carte, Ralph George, A.M.I.C.E., 825 Carter, Ashley, I25 Cartwright, Henry Thomas, (24 Cartwright, Horatio Thomas, 779 Casippillai, Visuvanather, 787 Castellani, Dr. Aldo, I3I Catholic Mission, Independent, 276 Cave, H. W., & Co., 4.54 Central College, II8 Central Province, Io8, 798 Ceremonial Observances, Native, 189-193 Ceylon Agricultural Society, 36o Ceylon Independent, 33
86
EX
Ceylon Industry, A New, 83o Ceylon Manure Works, 47o Ceylon. Observer, 3o6 Ceylon Poultry Club, 361 Ceylon Society of Arts, 42o Ceylon Spinning and Weaving Mills, 489 Ceylon Standard, 3I2 Ceylon Teachers' Union, I2O Ceylon Time, Table of Relative, 864. Ceylon Wharfage Company, Ltd., 387 Chalmers, Albert John, M.D., I3o Chamber of Commerce, 365 Chapman, Thomas Howard, A.M.I.C.E.,
I23 Chartered Bank of India, Australia, and
China, 27 Chavakachcheri, Io3 Cherubim, Joseph, 788 Chilaw, Ior, Ios Chilaw District, 735 Chitty, A. M. C. Casie, 733 Christie-idavid, C. H., 267 Church of England, 268 Churchill, Alec Fleming, r36 City College, III 6 Clan, An Historic, 667 Clark, Alfred Allen, 27 Clark, Spence & Co., 766 Clark, Young & Co., 444 Clayton, Arthur Gardner, Io6 C.M.S. Ladies' College, Iró Coates, E., & Co., 768 Coates, John Scott, 3.5 Cochrane, Archibald, 73 Cochrane, H. R., 753 Cockerill, Thomas, III Coconut Cultivation, 25I-254 Colbert, George Arthur, I34 Cole-Bowen, Mervyn, I27 Colombo, IOI, το 3, I23, I29, 393-4ο4 Colombo Advertiser and Shipping Gazette,
457 Colombo Agri-Horticultural Society, 361 Colombo Apothecaries' Company, Ltd.,
450 Colombo Club, 4Ig Colombo Colts C.C., 264 Colombo Commercial Company, Ltd., 43I Colombo-Commercial : Fort Section, 425-466 : General, 466-52r ; Professional and Social, 52 I-584 Colombo Croquet Club, 267 Colombo Drainage Works, I36 Colombo Garden Club, 266 Colombo Harbour Works, 134 Colombo Municipality, 404-4I4 Colombo Museum, I37, 41.5 Colombo Post and Telegraph Library and
Recreation Club, 208 Colombo Rowing Club, 265 Colonial Photographic Company, 643 Colonial Surgeons, 3o Colonial Treasury, The, 213 Commerce, 369 Conroy, James, Io7 Constitution and Law, 85-88 Consuls, Foreign, I. 37 Convent of the Good Shepherd (R.C.),
I2O Cook, Alfred Leslie, I33 Cook, Thos., & Son, 2o6 Cooke, T. J., 74o Cooke, Tambiah Strong, 79o Coomaraswamy, Dr. A. K., D.Sc., F.G.S.,
F.L.S., M.R.A.S., I78, 18o Cooper, Hon. Mr. Francis Alfred, 97, I 22 Corea, James Abraham, 74o Corea, James Alfred, Mohandiram, 742 Corea, James Edward, 735 Corea, Jumeaux Arthur Christoffel, 737 Corea, Dr. J. A. E., L.M.S., 742 Corea, Percival Allan, 738 Cottle, Henry Charles, Io6 Coudert, Rt. Rev. Dr. Anthony, O.M.I.,
27 Ι Cox, Henry Leonard, 722 Crabbe, G. M., 794
ʻ ʻ Craiib, Dr. J., I
Ο Cramer, Alfred ပီရီarles, 435 . Crawford, Hon. Mr. Henry Leighton, 643 Creasy, E. B., 449 Creasy, Edward Becket, jun., 38 Cricket, 262-264 Crosfield, Lampard & Co., 443 Crown, Law Officers of the, 89 Cumberland, Charles Russell, Io6 Currency, Tabics of, 864 Customs, 369 Customs Department, Iro Cuttilan, J. A., 646
Daberera, W. M., 745 Daniels, Frederick Nell, M.L.B., M.D.R.C.
Z3 Ο IDဒါးခိWella Estate, 8o8 Dassenaike, Louis Arthur,
528 Davey, William Charles Dyer, 126 Davidson, Edward Ernest, IIo Davies, Edward Campbell, I23 Davies, W. H., & Co., 473 Davit, Don, & Sons, 486 Dawkin, Rawleigh Mansel, 7I3 Dawoodbhoy, Hassenally, 5o2 De Abrew, Peter, 5 I3 De Alwis, James, 5oz. De Croos, N. E., 708 Deen, M. L. M. Zainu, 5c II De Fonseka, S. R., 537
Mudaliyar,
De Hoedt, Dr. J. W., 817
De Jong, Michael J, 5 I 4 De Kretser, Edward, I.S.O., Io7 De Livera, Baron, 578 De Livera. Dr. E., I3o, 53o De Livera, Walter, Io4, 88 De Mel, A. P., 62I De Mel, Frederic Joseph, 57o De Mel, Harry, 7I2 De Mel, Henry Lawson, 6oo De Mel, Dr. Hugh, 655 De Mel, Jacob, 596 De Mel, Joseph Matthias, 664 De Mel, Widanelage Johanis, 623 De Motte, George E., 818 Denham, Edward Brandis, III o Dennis, Arthur Workman, I25 Dep, W. A., 653 DeRosairo, Longinus Anthony, 734 IDe Rowel, W. J. E. W. A. A. A. (the
late), 74o De Saram, Dr. Allan, I3. De Saram, Peter, ro4, 528 De Silva, A. E., & Co., 482 De Silva, Charles Edward, 758 De Silva, Charles Peter, 653 De Silva, D. F., & Co., 465 De Silva, F. W., Io5 De Silva, J. C., & Co., 6oo De Silva, Dr. J. S., 6.58 De Silva, Dr. K. J., 664 De Silva, L. B. A., & Co., 6.4 De Silva, Richard Charles, Dissanayake
Mudali yar, 73o De Silva, Warnakulasooriya Mahapatebendy Lindamullege John William, 67o De Silva, Dr. William Henry, 55o De Silva, W. R. (the late), 655 De Soysa, Alfred Joseph Richard, 543 De Soysa, Charles Henry, J.P. (the late),
538 De Soysa, Edwin Lionel Frederick, 543 De Soysa, Jeronis William Charles, 54o De Soysa, L.W.A. 546 De Soysa, Thomas Henry Arthur, 546 De Soysa, Walter, 546
* De Vos, Charles Edward, 759
De Wilton, A. W., I35 De Zilva, A. A. 724 De Zoysa, John Edward, 7o3 De Zylva, C. L., 698 Dharmapala, The Anagarika (Hewavi
tarne), JII 9, 284 Dharmaratne, Charles Frederick, 794 Dias, Charles Edward Arnold, 68o
3 I
Page 874
866
Dias, Mrs. Jeremias, 678 Dias, Ponnahannedige Domingo, 685 Dias, P. W., & Co, 797 Dias, William, 5o Dikoya Estate,8og Dinapatha-Pravrutti, 3I9 Dissanayaka, T. Pieris Mudaliyar Arsecu
leratne, 692 District Judges, Ior Dornhorst, Frederick, 56. Dowbiggin, Herbert Layard, I34 Drieberg, Christopher, B.A., F.H.A.S.,
II, 2, 356 Drieberg, James Grenier, 695 Dunuwille, William, Io Dutch occupation, The, 55 Dutch Reformed Church, 279 Dyer, Stanley H., 449
Eastern Province, Io9, 78o Ebramjee, Moosajee Moola, 496 Ecclesiastical, 268-292 Ederisinghe, Cecil Jeronimus, 7o5 Education, 2I9-224 Education, Buddhist, 223 Education Department II o Ekanayake, H. J. V., Io2
Eknelligoda, Mahi pala Akrak kuruppu Wickremesinhe asnaike Mudianse Ralahamilege William Alexander
Abraham, 795 Electrical Department, I24 Elwell, W. A., 72 Emerson, Charles Frederick, I23 Engineers, Provincial, I 22 Ennaruwa, Wijeyesundara Gunaratna
Tennekoon Herat Mudivanselage
Charles Edward Tennekoon, 722 Estates, Labour on, 254 Etherington, Ivor, 3o7 Evans, Edwin, B.Sc., III Executive, The, 637 Executive Council, 94 Expenditure, Revenue and, 25
Fairfield Ironworks, 468 Fauna, r 57-II 6o Felix, John Joseph Pocock, I26 Ferguson, A. H., 306 Ferguson, Hon. Mr. John, C.M.G., 97,
ვo8 Ferguson, J. S., 306 Ferham and Oddington Estates, 828 Fernando, A., & Co., 6o 6 Fernando, Arthur J., & Co., 484 Fernando, Charles Matthew, M.A., LL.M. Cantab., M.R.A.S., J.P., III3, Io5, 548 Fernando, Daniel John, 672 Fernando, Felix Joseph Lucas, 5II Fernando, Gabriel, 6 II Fernando, H. Bastian, 600 Fernando, Dr. Henry Isaac, 66I Fernando, Dr. Hilarion Marcus, I3, 549 Fernando, James, 6og Fernando, J. P., 744 Fernando, M. Arnolis, 657 Fernando, N. S., 474 Fernando, P. J. M., 7.49 Fernando, Dr. Solomon, 546 Fernando. Thomas Matthew, 738 Fernando, W. A., 618 Fernando, W. A. J., 744 Fernando, W. J., 6I6 Fernando, W. L., 746 Festing, Richard Arthur Grindall, Io8's Finance, Native Systems of, 28 Financial, 2I3-2I8 Finlay, M. T., 38 Finlay, Muir & Co., 425 Fisheries, 632-634 Fletcher, William Wellesley Pole,
M.I.C.E., II, 23 Fonseka, Clarence Pedro, 67 Football, 262 Foreign Consuls, r37 Forest Department, I27 Forests, I73 Fort Tennis Club, 266 Fowler, Hon. Mr. G. fl., C.M.G., 95, Io6 Fox, Howard Orme, I35 Fox, John, I33 Fraser, John George, I35 Fraser, Joseph, 838 Freeman, Herbert Rayner, Io9 FreemaSons, 4H9 Freudenberg & Co., 429 Freudenberg, Philipp, I 37 Frier, William L., II 26 Fruit Hill Estate, 8II Fyers, Charles Cornwallis Meadow, I29 Fyers, H. F. C., 127 Fysh, Dr. Mary Nona, I3I
Galaha Ceylon Tea Estates and Agency
Company, Ltd., 47o
Galbraith, Alexander Norman, B.A., Io3
Galle, IO2, Io3, 129, 753
Galle Face Hotel, Colombo, 466
Galle Municipality, 754
Gampola, Io4
Garvin, Dr. T. F., 13.
Geddes, M. G., 79
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
General Hospital. Staff, I31. Geographical and Meteorological Features,
I54-I56 Geology and Mineralogy, I78-I79 German.Club, 420 Gibbon, William Duff, 807 Gikiyanakande Estate, The, 687 Gillam, George Thomas, I28 Gnanasakaram, Catherawaloe, 5 I2 Godamune, P. B., rot Golf, 26. Gomez, M.P., & Co., 706. Gonagalla Estate, 81o Good Shepherd, Convent of the (R.C.),
2O Gooneratine, David Abraham Wijeye
wickreme, Mudaliyar, 77 o Gooneratne, Edmund Rowland Jayetil
leke, 754 Gooneratne, Peter Alfred, 67o Gooneratne, Valentine David, 774 Goonesekere, J. A. de S. W., 746 Goonatillake, Abraham Perera, 65I Goonetilleke, Arthur Hector, 669 Goonetilleke, Charles Perera Senewiratine,
562 Goone-Tilleke, William Alfred, 566 Goonewardene, Dr. Andrew Simon,677 Goonewardene, Bastiankorallagey James
Aurelieus Rodrigo Weeresinghe, 648 Goonewardene, David George, 766 Goonewardene, Edward Gregory, 72I Goonewardene, Hawadewagey Palis Fer
nando Vimala, Mohandiram, 39I Goonewardene, J. E. de S., IO4 Goonewardene, John Edward de Silva
Suriyabandare, 687 Goonewardene, Peter Charles Fernando
Wanigesekere, 795 Government Agents, Io7 Government House Establishment, 93 Government, Local, 209-2I2 Government Railways, I.24 Government Stores, I32 Governor's Cup, Winners of, from 1886 to
Igo6, 26o Governor's Residences, The, 93 Governors of Ceylon, British, 83 Grand Hotel, Nuwara Eliya, 832 Grand Oriental Hotel, Colombo, 452 Grant, Hugh Arthur Grote, 122 Gray, Andrew Paton, M.I.C.E., 124 Green, E. E., F.E.S., F.Z.S., 136 Greene, Geoffrey Philip, I24, 203 Grenier, Dr. Frank, 825 Grenier, Hom. Mr. J. R., Ioo Griffin, Dr. C.T., I3o Grove, The, Ukuwela, 844 Gunasekara, U. D. S. & Co., 618 Gunasekere, S. D. S., & Co., 624 Gunawardana, Samson A., & Co., 485 Gunesekere, Dr. James Solomon, 658
Hakgala Botanic Gardens, I36 Hall, G. H., 7I2 Hambanatota, Io,3 Hami, G. Don Julis Appu, 674 Hampton, John Louis, 129 Hamy, C. Arachige, 8 I9 Hancocks, James Edward, I26 Handicrafts, Native Arts and, I8o-I88 Harbour Department, I33 Harbours, 373 Hartley, Charles, M.A., III Harward, John, M.A., IIIIo Harward, Theodore, I 33 Hassan, Janoo, 494 Hatton, Io4 Hatton Hotel, 824 Hay, Dr. G. P., 814 Hayley, Charles P. & Co., 768 Head, Ernest Wilfred, I25 Heathcote, B. T., 856 Hellings, Robert Bailey, Io9 Henderson & Co., 473 Henderson & Newton, 646 Heneratgoda Botanic Gardens, I37 Henly, Rev. W., 268 Hensman, J. M., B.A., Fellow of the Uni
versity of Madras, 786 Hill, Bertram, B.A., Io2 Hindugalla and Shrubs Hill Estate, 807 Historic Clan, An, 667 History of Ceylon, I3-59 Hitchings, H.C., & Co., 457 Homer, Dr. Jonathan, 557 Hong Kong and Shanghai Bankımg Cor*
poration, 217 Hooper, George Ernest, 125 Hopetoun Studio, Slave Island, Colombo,
б45 Hopkins, Edward Francis, Io9, IIo Hornell, James, 227 Horsburgh, Benjamin, 412, 414 Howison, John, I.25 Human, Edwin, A.M.I.C.E., A.I.E.E., III Hunter, Thomas Gilbert, I37 Hutchinson, Hon. Sir J. T., Kt., Chief
Justice, 99 Hutson, C. A., & Co., 45o Huybertsz, Dr. H., 812 Hyde, G. H. M., M.I.M.E., I23
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
Idroos, A. S., 489 Immigration, 36 Independent Catholic Mission, 276 Industry, A New Ceylon, 83o Information for Tourists, 264-206 Irrigation, I69-172 Irrigation Department, I29 Ismail, Mohamed Lebbe Marikar Hadgiar
MohOmeôd, 5oo
afferjee, Carimjee, 492 affna, Io2, Io4, I23 Jaffna, Bishop of, 785 Jamieson, Andrew Duff, 7 III
ansz, Cyril Charles Arnold, 677 Jansze, Nevill Budd, 8I6 Jayasekere, A. S.F., Mudaliyar, 52I Jayasundera, E. G. de Silva, 729 Jayasundera, Jonathan Edmund de Silva,
724 Jayawardene, Captain Theodoré Godfred,
862
ayesundera, A. de Silva, 727 ayetileke, James Robert, 815 ayewardene, Don Adrian St. V., 85 ayewardene, Eugene Wilfred, 569 ayewardene, Hector Alfred, 567 Jayewardene, John Adrian St. Valentine,
573 Jಟ್ಟwardeno, Justus Sextus Wijesinghe,
765 ayewardene, J. V. G. A., 69o ayewickreme, E. A. A. J., 576 eevu njee, A. E. S., 494 eevunjee, A. H. S., & Co., 486 Ordan, W., & Co., 834 oseph, Daniel, 846 oseph, D. Don, 698 oseph, Ernest Henley, 315 oseph, Gerard Abraham, I37 oseph, W., 62 Joulain, Right Rev. Dr. Henry, O. M. I.
Bishop of Jaffna, 785 udges, District, IoI udicial and Legal, 99-ro5 ulliuS, V. A., I 57, 265 ustice, Administration of, 88
Kalenberg, Dr. C. A., 827 Kalutara, Io2, Io4 Kalutara District, 687 Kanagasabai, Hon. Mr. Ambalavanar,
98, 785 Kandy, I o II, 104, I 29 Kandy and the Kandyans, 293–298 Kandy District, 8o5 Kandyan Law, 87 Kapadia, P. N., 497 Kayts, I JO4 Kearley & Tonge, Ltd., 47o Keegel, Henry Arnold, 764 Keegel, Dr. H. A., 3I Kegalla, Io2 Kegala District, 797 Kelani Valley, 7II Kemish, H., 834 Keuneman, Gerald Edmund, 773 King, W. S., 449 Kings, The later Sinhalese (A.D. II 97 to
I2 I5), 38 Kingswood College, Kandy, II8 Kirthisinghe, Kurukula Suriya Charles
Stephen, 698 Kock, Samuel Godfried, 836 Koelman, John Carl, 5 I2 Koelman, R. G., 5 III Kota awala, John, 6o4 Kotala’wela, D. C., 853 Kotuagedera Estate, 840 Krawehi Coal Company, Ltd., 443 Kuda Oya Estate, 8og Kula tilake, J. C. A. E., 738 Kurunegala, Io2, Io4, I23, I29 Kurunegala District, 7I9 Kuruppu, S. H. B., 682 Kynasto, E., 7I2
Labour om Estates, 254 Labussière, E., 137 Lambert, John, Io6 Land Settlement Department, II, 35 Land Survey, 299
Lascelles, Hon. Mr. A. G., Attorney
General, 95, Ιο 5 Law, The, 86 Law Officers of the Crown, 89 Lawrence, Brigadier-General, 95 Lawton, S. K., & Co., 48o Layard, Barbara, 825 Layard, Frank Henry, 7I2 Lebbe, Ahamado, 824 Lebbe, A. R. Caässe, 82I Leechman & Co., 438 Leembruggen, Garret Edward, I 29 Leembruggen, Dr. H. U., 826 Leembruggen, R. H., 79o Leembruggen, Wilmot Edgar, 7o2 Legal ard Judicial, 99-Io5 Legal Profession, 89 Legge, Captain John Augustus, 134, 373 Legislative Council, The, 95-99
Lewis, Alfred, 122 Lewis, Frederick, I28 Lewis, Hon. Mr. John Penry, 96, Io8 Lieutenant-Governor, The late, 94. Lipton & Co., Ltd., 44o Lloyd's Greater Britain Publishing Con
pany, Ltd., 3.5 Loan Board, I32 Local Government. 209-2I2 Lochnagar Estate, 84o Longden, Cyril Chapman, I.34 Loos, Frederick Christian, jun., Ioo Loos, H. A., 565 Loosen, G., 453 Lovegrove, Charles Arthur, I 22 Lovett, H. J., I33 Ludovici, Edwin, 765 Ludowyk, M. A., 748 Lumsden, Douglas George, 7II Lund, Charles W., 33 Lushington, Charles Morant, Io8, Iro. Lushington, Franklin, 797 t
Maartensz, L. M., 57o Macmillan, Hugh Fraser, I36 Macnamara Patrick Thomas, II, 33 Macready, William Charles, I, 33 Madawela, Godfrey Edward, 720 Maddock, Arthur Edward, I29 Mahavansa, The, B.C. 543-36o, 20; B.C.
257-304 A.D., 24 Mahomedan Law, 88 Malay Newspapers, 38 Mallum, H. A., 495 Mannar, Io2 Mannheimer, E., A.M., T.I.M.E., 585 Marakona Estate, 842 Marikar, S. L. Naina, 492 Marinitsch, Gustav, A., 37 Markar, Mohamed Macan, I38 Markar, Othman Lebbe Markar Macan,
463 Markus, Charles Peter, 727 Marshall, D. R. 27 Martin, Albert James, 72 Martin, Harry Alexander, Io Martin, Samuel Algernon, 862 Massy, Edmund Ingoldsby, 7II Matale, Io4 Matale District, 838 Matale Estate, 846 Matara, Io2, Io4 Matara District, 77o Mather, WilliaIn, 789 Mathew, C., & Co., 458 Mayfield Estate, 827 Medical Department, I30, 225 Meier, W. H., I3 I Melton Estate, Dimbula, 827 Mercantile Bank of India, Ltd., 28 Meteorological Features, I54-56 Middleton, Hon. Mr. John Page, Ioo Middleton Estate, Dimbula, 838 Mihintale, r46 Military and Volunteers, 857 Miller & Co., 456 Mills, Harry Woosnam. 255, 3II. Mine Inspection, I37 Mineralogical Survey, I37 Mining Industry, The, 587-627 Miranda, R., & Sons, 623 Mirando & Co., 6I 6 Mirando, M. H., 696 Modder, Dr. E.E., 689 Modder, Major Frank, F.R.G.S., 293 Mohamed Alie, Mohamed Ismail, 38 Mohandiram, Don Philip, and his Family,
58o Montagu, Drogo, I33 Moonemale, S. N. B. M. T. B. Lewis, 79 Moonemalle, Hon. Mr. T. B. L., 98 Moore, Harold Montgomery, 448 Moosajee, Hoosenbhai Mahomedbhai, 492 Moraes, Dr. H. A., 3o Moratuwa Cyclists' Union, 664 More, Samuel Joseph Cattlon, I29 Morey, W., 38 Morgan, Lieut.-Colonel Richard Hiller
brand, W.D., 86o Moss, Edward Lambert Boyd, I28 Motoomull, Topunsing, & Co., 459 Mount Lavinia Grand Hotel, 478 Moysey, Henry Luttrell, 133 Mukkuwar Law, 88 Mulaitivu, Io2 Munasinha, C. W., 749 Murgasupillai, Venasitamby, 789 Murray, Donald McKinlay, 825 Murty, J. O'K., Iog Musaeus. School, II, 9 Muslim Friend, 3Ig Muthukrishna, Gabriel Edwin, 82o Muttukumara, Adam, 734 Muttukumaru, P. M., M.B., C.M., 56o Muttukumaru, V. M., 7go
Nagalinga, T., Mudaliyar, 788 Namasivayam, Cathiravaloe, 5I6 Nathalal, Maganlal, 4gg National Bank of India, Ltd., 217 National Dairy Company, 495
Page 875
TWENTIETH CENTURY IM
Native Agriculture and its Improvement
35 Native Arts and Handicrafts, I8o-I88 Native Ceremonial Observances, I89-93 Native Headmen System, 638
ative Philanthropist, A, 538 Native Systems of Finance, 28 Native Weights and Measures, 864 Negombo, Io2 Negombo District, 695 Nell; George Frederick, 479 Nelson, Horatio William, Registrar, Ioo New Peradeniya Estate, 8o7 Nicolle, Hon. Mr. H. C., 95, Io7, I:32, 2 I3 Nippon Yusen Kaisha, 384 Noble, W. J., 8 II Nock, John Knighton, I 37 Nondescripts C.C., 264 Noorbhai, T. A. J., & Co., 5oo North-Central Province, Io9,776 North Cove Estate, 8o8 North German Lloyd's Service, 38. North-Western Province, Io9, 7I6 Northern Province, Io8, 78.I Norwood Estate, 808 Nugara, Dr. J. V., 584 Nuwara Eliya IDistrict, 825
Obeyesekere, Donald, 534 Obeyesekere, Hon. Mr. S. C., M.L.C., 97,
52I Observances, Native Ceremonial, I89-93 Ondatje, Ebenezer Francis, Io5 Oorloff, Dr. E., I31 Opium, 392 Orient Company, Ltd., 446 Orr, Cyril A. I., 69o Orwell Group Estate, 8Io Owen, Samuel Arthur, 8.8
P. & O. Steam Navigation Company, 38o
Panabokke, Samasta Wickrama Karunatiaaka Abhayawardana Bhuwanasekera Jayasundara Mudiyanse Ralahamillage Tikiri Banda, 8 I4
Panadure, Io4
Panadure District, 669
Parakrama Bahu the Great, The Epic of,
33 Passe, Dr. William A., 558 Pate, A., & Son, 486 Paul, D. Don, 7II4 Paul, J. W. Balfour, 854 Paul, Dr. S. C., I3I Pearl Fishery, The, 227-233 Pedris, D. D., 6I 4 Peel, Laurence Robert, 83 Peiris, Charles, 575 Peiris, HI. B., 654 Peiris, Henry Joseph, 6og Peiris, James, 563 Peiris, W. A., 655 Peradeniya, Royal Botanic Gardens, I36 Pereira, Arthur Lloyd, 827 Pereira, Joseph Boniface Michael, 695 Pereira, F. X., & Sons, 48o Pereira, Walter, K.C., Io5 Perera, Edward W., 6o Perera, Francis, 55o Perera, Gamamedelianage Simon, 742 Perera, Hemendra Seppase, 3 I9 Perera, Henry A., Mudaliyar of Colombo,
532 Perera, James Samuel Edmund, 764 Perera, Mahawaduge Cornelis, 682 Perera, Stephen, 855 Perera, řRÄàriam, 7o6 Perry, Sir Allan, M.D. Durham, D.P.H.
London, M.R.C.S.E., &c., 130,225 Pestonjee, R.. 498 Petch, T., II, 36 Peter, Conrad, 466 Philips, Edwin, 478 Pieris, Hanwadege John Jacob, 662 Pieris, Henry, 646 Pieris, Henry A., 582 Pieris, Lambert Louis, 576 Pieris, Louis H. S., 552 Pieris, Paulus Edward, M.A., Io2 Pieris, Richard Steuart, 578 Plant, George Frederic, B.A., Ioa Platé & Co., 468 Plumbago, 585--627 Plumbago Merchants' Union, 587 Point Pedro, Io3 Police, II, 34 Polomnaruwa, I49 Population: Races, Religions, Languages,
Castes, and Customs, 323 Portuguese Period, The, 43 Post and Telegraphs, I32.207 Present Day in Ceylon, The, 83 Press, The, 3or-319 Pre-Vijayan Period, 13 Price, Fernando Hamlyn, Io8, Iro Price, Newton James, I25 Price, Walter Cromwell, 123 Prince and Princess of Wales's College, Irz Prins, G., Io4 Prins & Brito, 584 Printing Office, Government, Io6 Prisons, 35
Provincial Administrations, 637-856 Provincial Engineers, I 22 Public Works Department, I2 I-I24, 628
63I
Works, Director of, I22 Pure ce and Aerated Water Manufactory,
484 Puttalam, o3 . Puttalam District, 730
Queen's Hotel, Kandy, 822
Ragalla and Hallgranoya Estates, 83o Ratheman, Hon. Mr. Wapchi Marikar
Abdul, 97 Railways, Government, 24, 95-203 Rajapakse, J. de S. W. S., 7oIII Rajapakse, Justinian Perera, 862 Rajapakse, Tudor, .535 Rajapakse, Wilfred Martin, 696 i Rajawajikere, Spencer S. Casiechitty,
Mudaliyar, 82o Rajepakse, A. P. E. de S. W. S., 7or Ramsammy, J. N., & Bros., 463 Randel, A., 474 Ransom, S. E. O., 7II Ratnam, Dr. E. V., 558 Ratnapura, o3, I23 Ratnapura District,794 Ratnasabapathy, Namasivayan Muda
liar, 50.I Redemann, Arnold William Bernhard, I37 Registration, I 35 Reid, W., 217 Reuter’s Telegram Company, Ltd., 443 Revenue and Expenditure, 25 Richards, Horace Martin, Io6 Ridout, John Bertram Mais, 129 Ripley & Marshall, 446 Roberts, Thomas Webb, Io4 Robertson, ., I33 Robertson, J. M., & Co., 437 Robson, George, & Co., 472 Rockwood, Dr. W. G., I3I, 555 Rodrigo, Dr. William Paul, 557 Rodrigue, F. W., 5oz. Roe, A. H., 7II Roles, Francis Crosbie, 3II Roman Catholic Church, 269 Roman-Dutch Law, 86 Rosling, Hon. Mr. E., 97, 8o6 Royal Asiatic Society, Ceylon Branch, 423 Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya, 136 Royal College, III Royal Pharmacy, Colombo, 458 Rubber, 234-24I Ruins in Ceylon, I43-53 Russell, Thomas Brownie, M.A., Io4 Rustomjee & Co., 5C2 Rustomjee, J., 499 Ryan, Charles, 826 Ryan, J. P. E., 826
Sabaragamuwa, Province of, Io9, 791. St. Andrew's Estate, 828 St. Edward’s School, Nuwara Eliya, 833 St. Joseph's College, II4 St. Lucia's Cathedral, Colombo, 275 St. Mary's Boys' English School (R.C.), II9 St. Thomas's College, Colombo, II2 Saldin, B. O., 3I8 Saldin, M. K., & Co., 497 Salgado, Merennege Mathes, 682 Salt, 362
Salvation Army, 28o Samarakkody, L. C. de F. W. T., 53. Samarasekera, H. J. Perera, Mohandiram,
Samaraweera, David Martim, 77 Sampander, Sinnacutty, 779 Sandaresa, 3 I 7 Sanders. William Rutherford Bogle, Io2,
785 Sandrasagra, Henry Alexander Patrick,
88
Sanmogam, S., & Co., 625 Sanquhar Estate, 838 Saravanamuttu, Vettivelu, Mudaliyar
88 Saunders, Reginald Gibson, IoI, Io9 Saunders, W. S. T., 454 Savings Bank, I32 Savundranayagam, Antony Peter, 562 Sawer, Alfred Johnson, 1.37 Saxton, George Shadwell, IOI, Io9 Scanes, Alfred. 3I2 Schneider, G. S., 57o Schokman, Dr. George Peter, I 3o Schokman & Co., 82 School Gardens, II 2 Schrader, Louis William Conrad, M.A.,
IO scင်္လိze, Adalbert Theodor, I38 Schulze Bros. & Co., 446 Scott, John, R.A. I02, Io8 Scottish Ceylon Tea Company, Ltd., 8to Scovell, Alfred, 855 Scovel, Thomas, 854 Secretariat, The, Io6 Senanayaka, S. M. Don Peter, 8 I9 Senanayake, Adris Mendis Wickreme
singhe, Mohandiram, 5 Io
PRESSIONS OF CEYLON
Senanayeke, Don Spater. Mudalıyar, 6 II Senaratne, Gamlamedăliyanage Gabriel
Philip Perera, 596 Seneveratne, A. dę Alwis, Ioz Seneviratne, Dr. H. C., 8I6 Seneviratne, Solomon, 524 Senewiratne, Alexander Reginald, 758 Senewiratne, J. C. H., 744 Sennathiraja, J. W. P., 733 Shaikhtyeb, Gulam Hossem, & Co., 496 Shipping, Commerce and Customs, 369 Shorthand and Typewriting Institute, I2 Siedle, Louis, 472 Sigiriya, I47 Sihala Samaya, 3 I9 Silva, G. M., 658 Silva, N. D, Bernard, 594 Silva, Nanayakkarage Don Paulus, 59I Silva, N. Dom Stephen, 58 Sinhalese Arts and Handicrafts, I8o Sinhalese Power, The Disestablishment of
the, 43 Sinhalese Sports Club, 267 Sinnatamby, dr. M., I3 Sinnayah, Cathirkamar Murugaser, Muda
iliyar, 789 Siriwardene, James Perera Amaratunge
Abeyeratne, 7o5 Siriwardhana, H. A. Pieris, Mudaliyar,
602 Siirdhane, Dr. William Christoffel
Pieris, 524 Sivasithamparam, Kanapathypillai, 786 Skeen, F., & Co., 45I Slater, Alexander Ransford, IoI. Smith, Francis Jagoe, ro6 Smith, H. B., 204 Smith, Richard William, r3o Smith, W., 33 Sockanathan, Tambo, 5 III Solomom, John II., B.Sc., 233 Soris, Paul, & Co., 833 Southern Province, Io8, 75. Soysa, George Francis, 82d Soysa, Solomon Peter, 659 Soysa, W. S. W., 7o8 Spence, Hamilton Robert, 27 Spence, Dr. J. B., I3r Spices and other Products, 32o Spittell, Dr. F. G., I3I, 787 Sport, 255 Sriwardhana, Mudaliyar John
Pieris, 525 Sieuart, Geo., & Co., 454 Stevenson, Malcolm, og Still, John, 39 Stores, Government, 32 Street, Francis F., 472 Strickland, R. B., III Sturgess, George William, 35 Sulavansa, The (A. Io. 3o4 to II 52), 28 Superintendents of Surveys, 129 Surgeons, Colonial, Igo Survey Department, I28 Surveys, Superintendents of, I29 Symons, Charles Edward Hood, I38
Louis
Table of Relative Ceylon Time, 864 Tables of Currency, 864s w Taffs, W. H., 3I3 Tambipilly, W., & Co., 498 Tambyah, Isaac, 789 Tamil Arts and Handicrafts, 87 Tampoe, D. P., 627 Tampoe, Guruswamy Nathaniel Hunt,
79I Tangalla, Io3 Tarrant & Co., 446 Taylor, Henry Asher, II, 26 Taylor, William Ainslie, I 32 Tea Industry, The, 248-25o Teachers' Union, I2O Tebb, Rev. Robert, 276 Telegraphs, Post and, r32, 207 Temple land, 88 Templer, George Dawson, I 28 Templer, John Harvey, B.A., IoIII Templeton, R. S., I29. Tennekoon, Don E. W. de L. Wijeye
wrickreme Seneveratne, 53o Tennekoon, Kandegedira Wijesundera Guneratna Tennekoon Herat Mudiyansilage John Graham, 723 Thain-Davidson, George, 855 Thaine, Robert Niemann, B.A., Io3, Iog Theodoris, Don, & Co., 465 Thesayalamai, The, 88 Thomasz, Dr. George, I3I, 557 Thornhill, Hayman, I34 Thorpe, William Edward, ro Thuring, Walter Peter. 838 Tickell, R. E., I36 Tillekeratne, William David Constantine Samaradiwakara Abayagunasekara, 794 Times of Ceylon, 3o8 Tiru-Navuk-Araşu, Cartegesar, 566 Todd, James Reid, 25 Toddy, 635-636 Toller. Harry Chambers, I28 Tomalin, Herbert Frederick, M.I.C.E.,
F.R.I.B. A., &c., II, 22 Tourists, Information for, 204-206
867
Traffic Department, Government Rail
ways, I25 Training College, Government, III
Tranchell, Charlės Lancelot, I34 Treasury, The Colonial, 23 Treasury, The General, Ioz Treyaldwyn, G. O.1 856 Trimmer, Rev. G. J.,277 Trimcomalee, Eo3, Io4 Troфical Agriculturist, 3об Troup Estate, Talawakele, 827 Turner, Edgar, 254, 807 Tyagaraja, Namasivayam Mudaliyar, 564 Typewriting Institute, The Shorthand
and, I2I Tyrrell, Francis Graeme, 134
Ukkubanda, George William lIDodanwela Goonerat Atapattu Wahala Herat Mudianselage, 726 Unique Association, A, 674 Unsworth, Herbert George, M.I.M.E., I25 Uva, Province of, Io9, 847
Van Cuylenburg, Lieut.-Colonel Hector,
3I 5, 86Ι Van Cuylenburg, Hector Richard Henry
Morgan. 862 Van Denberg, J., 797 Vanderkoen, Susepiliai Mudaliyar P., 733 Vanderwall, Charles, 8I2 Vane, Frederick William, I, 32 Vana Langenberg, J. A., 565 Van Rooyen, Theodore Cecil, 84 Vaughan, Charles Stewart, M.A., Io3, Io9. Veal & Co., 855 Veterinary Department, I35 Victoria Memorial Eye Hospital, 42I Vigors, Hon. Mr. Charles Thomas Doyne,
96, Ioz Viner, John William, I29 Volunteers, 858
Waddell, George, A.M. I.C.E., I23 Wade, Edward Hyde Robert Wybrants,
A.M.I.C.E., I26 Wadsworth, William, 57o Wait, Walter Ernest, I35 Walker & Greig, 828 Walker, Hon. Mr. Giles F., 97 Walker, Sons & Co., Ltd., 437, 8.7 Warakamure Estate, 84o Ward, H.T.S., M.I.C.E., I29, I69 Warren, Philip David, I28 Ways and Works Department (Govern
ment Railways), I24 Webster Automatic Packeting Factory, Co-operative Tea Gardens Company, and Maravilla Ceylon Tea Company, 433 Weerasingham, Wyraiwan ther, 822 Weerasinghe, Joseph Victor, 689 Weerekoon, William Augustus, 7 I3 Weights and Measures, Native, 864 Weinman, James Richard, IoI, 56 Wellawatte Boys' Industrial Home and
Orphanage, 223 Wendt, Hon. Mr. Henry Lorentz, 99 Wesley College, II2 Wesleyan Methodist Mission, 276 Western Province, 640 Whist Bungalow, The, 554 White, G. W. Lindsay, 834 White, Herbert, rog, 852 Whiteaway, Laidlaw & Co., 456 Whittall & Co., 429 Wickwar, A.J., 853 Widows' and Orphans' Pensio Fund, 32 Wight, James Robert, 8.I Wiharagama Estate, Matale Valley, 844 Wijegoonewardene, Edward Lionel, 8.6 Wijewardeme, D. L., 7o6 Wijewardene, Don Philip A., Mohan
diram, 514 Wijeyegunawardena,
Semeviratne wadenia, 653 Wijeyekoon, A. C. G., 576 Wijeyeratne, E. R. F. de Silva, 576 Wijeyeratne, Emmanuel de Silva, 648 Wijeyeratne, Peter de Sylva, 666 Wijeyeratne, R. J. V. de S., 5o4 Wijeyesekera, F. A., 67. Wijeyewardene, Thomasz Coronalis, 5 r6 Wiiigooneratne, A. S. F., 5o8 Willey, Arthur, I 37 Willis, John Christopher, Sc.D., F.L.S.,
I 3 I, II, 6I Woodhouse, George William, B.A., IoI Wood- Renton, Hon. Mr. Alexander, roo Wright, C. M., & Co., 448 Wright, Herbert, A.R.C.S., F.L.S., I36,
234 242 Wright, Dr. Lionel, 569 Wright, Dr. V. O., 558 Wylie, Bryce J., 855 Wylie, Thomas Alexander, I25
Philip
Perera Abeyesinghe
Palihiya
Young, Samuel Donnaclift, I38
Young Men’s Christian Association, 282
Young Women's Christian Association,
283
Page 876
Page 877
VITAL
APPE
STATIST
BY ALBERT J. CHALMEF
@Nమ్రా]}} Vital Statistics of Ceylon, that is, the science e of numbers applied to the life-history of the communities of Ceylon with a view to elucidating the problems connected with their life and death, have been carefully studied by Mr. Arunachalam, the Registrar-General, from 1887 onwards. And to his able Reports I am indebted for many figures.
Apparently, the ancient Sinhalese kings did not number their people. The Dutch made a limited census in the maritime provinces, but it was not until 1824 that the first census took place, nor till March 26, 1871, that the first of the regular series of censuses began. Since then it has been taken in the years ISSI, 1891, and 1901. The last census is a masterly piece of work, due to Mr. Arunachalam, and to this I alm also indebted for much information used in this paper. A census deals with the numbers, ages, sex, and also with the racial, district, town, and village distribution of the people, with their marriages, occupations, education, &c., but it does not deal with their vital statistics fully-especially with their birth-rates and death-rates and causes of death. In the year 1867 the Registrar-General's Department was first started and an attempt was made to find out something about the vital statistics of Ceylon.
It is true that some attempts had been made in that direction by both the Dutch and the English Governments, but they were very imperfect ; and even in recent years very little was done till 1887, when Mr. Arunachalam became Registrar - General, and started the registration of births and deaths. This improvement was mainly brought about by the aid of Ordinances No. 20 of 189 and No. 1 of 1895, by means of which the omission or evasion of registration was prevented. False registration was dealt with, and a statement of the 'cause of death,' in the usual medical terms, secured. New registration districts were constituted on the Ist of July, 1897, and though amendments and alterations were made up to the year I90o, stil, after 1898, the registration of the number of deaths may be considered as fairly good, though errors still creep in, which
may be eliminated a fortunately, the registr death is not equally g has to be made, in a by people who have no training; consequently must abound.
The registration of proved of late, due under Section 289 ( Code. The result of rise in the number of b it has to be admitted births is not as good a In these remarks or Ceylon I propose to c points : I. The populat infantile mortality of Ce death-rate of Ceylon.
I
In the middle of 190 there were 3,767,826 inh that these were distribut
Europeans Burghers Sinhalese Tamils ... Moors Malays Others
This population is ste, the increase is due to immigration over emi the increase of the bir rate.
() The Excess of
Emigr
In some years this considerable, as, for ex
1900 ... 190I ... I902 ... 1903 ... ww. I904 ... 1905
CS OF CEYLON.
RS, M.D., F.R.C.S., D. P.H.
s time goes on. Unation of the cause of Food, for the diagnosis large number of cases, it received any medical ', errors of diagnosis
births has much imto some prosecutions Df the Ceylon Penal this was an enormous births registered. Still, that the registration of is that of deaths.
the vital statistics of onfine myself to three ion of Ceylon; II. The ylon ; III. The general
4 it was estimated that abitants in Ceylon, and ed as follows:-
6,42 I
- 24,o88
2,476,349 I,OOO, 17
235,595
I2,OO2
13, I98
3,767,826
adily increasing; and firstly, the excess of gration, and, secondly, h-rate over the death
Immigration over ation.
2xcess has been quite ample :-
95,058
2,260 23,846 5,73 2 II,o5Ó 94567
These immigrants are composed of Tamil coolies, who come here from India to work on the estates in Ceylon.
(2) The Excess of the Birth-rate over the Death-rate.
The birth-rate is an important matter in every community, and has been the subject of considerable remark in certain countries. In considering these vital statistics of Ceylon, the period 1898 to Igo4 is chosen. The years antecedent to I898 are not considered, because from that year onwards the registration of births and deaths shows a marked innprovement on preceding years.
In Ceylon the birth-rate is 386 per thousand inhabitants on an average, for the years 1898 to I904, while the death-rate is only 27’4 per
thousand, which is a difference of I II ’2 per
thousand. This is satisfactory, and compares well with other countries. The racial birthrate per thousand of the population for the same period is as follows :-
Sinhalese ... XX QO 6 ... 426 Moors - çe «» «y ვ8-6 Tamils 88 297 Burghers 295 Malays & s 292 Europeans 279 Others I3 I
The excess over the death-rates per thousand 1S -
Sinhalese 6'8 Moors s w8 ●●一姆 - 93 Burghers see ... 75 Europeans ... KO 4X A ... 68 Malays
Two races show an excess of deaths over births, viz.: Tamils, I'4; others 87 per thousand.
I think in the case of the Tamils the excess of deaths over births is due to the large number of immigrant coolies, for amongst the Ceylonese Tamils of the Northern Province the average, birth-rate is 38'o per thousand, and the death-rate is 3I 3 per thousand, which is an excess of the birth-rate over the death-rate of 67 per thousand. And, again, the same people
3K
Page 878
870
in the Eastern Province have a birth-rate of 44’o per thousand, as against a death-rate of 3 I'6, which is a difference of I2'4 per thousand. So that the Ceylonese Tamils alone would, I think, show the same excess of births over deaths as the other races in the island. The community classed as “Others' comprises mainly Veddahs, but is a very mixed series of people, and need not therefore be considered in detail. For these reasons I conclude that the birth-rate of Ceylonese races is quite satisfactory. But though the birth-rate may be satisfactory, still it may tend to raise the deathrate if the children under one year of age die off rapidly. In other words, their death-rate, which is called the infantile mortality, if excessive, will annul the good effects of the satisfactory birth-rate. It is therefore necessary to consider the second portion of this article, viz., the infantile mortality of Ceylon.
II.
The infantile mortality rate of a community is the proportion of deaths of children under one year of age to a thousand births. A low infantile mortality indicates, as a rule, a healthy community, and a high rate the reverse. But sometimes this rate is high when the general
rate is low, and then, of course, special causes
must account for the height. The infantile mortality of Ceylon per thousand during the last eight years is as follows :-
1898 ... O. e. ... I69 1899 ... u - ... I97 I9OO ... ... I78 I90I ... O U. O ... I7O I902 ... P. P. s ... 173 1903 ... a 8 ... I64 1904 ... I74
1905 ... » ov o ... I76
The average for the period chosen-namely, 1898 to 1904-is I75 per I,ooo births. This rate compares quite favourably with European countries, but not so favourably with certain colonies, such as New South Wales, New Zealand, and Queensland. Perhaps the Ceylon rate is really a little lower than I75, because the deaths are better registered than the births, and this fact tends to raise the infantile mortality figure. It is not easy to compare Ceylon with other tropical countries, because statistics are not available. In India the rate varies from 200 to 400 per I,000 according to the district. For example, the Bombay Presidency has an infantile mortality figure of 22o per II,ooo in males and 219 per 1,Ooo in females. In British Guiana in I904 it was 20I per I,000 births. The average number of deaths of children under one year of age in Ceylon for the period selected-namely, 1898 to 1904- is 24,213, whereas the average total deaths is 97,804, so that infantile mortality alone was responsible in that period for an average of I in 4 deaths, or 25 per cent. This nortality is not spread equally over the first year of life, but falls most severely on the first week, as can be seen from the following table :-
TWENTIETH CENTURY
mortalities among the \ is shown in the followir
Europeans... Sinhalese ... Burghers ... Tamils
Moors o o a Malays Others
which may be comp distribution of the mort in 1904 :-
Europeans... Chinese Aborigines... East Indians Mixed races Blacks Portuguese
The various ways influence acts upon the I believe :-
(1) Condition of the 1 the birth of the child, co of an early marriage; ( bestowed on mother an tion; (3) whether the milk or has to be fed a the mother really under and bring up, her ind sanitary condition in w good or bad; (6) whe healthy or unhealthy p I believe that the cau low among Europeans above-mentioned points The infantile morta varies remarkably in di island, as will be seen fr for the year I905:-
Eastern Province... North-Central Prov Uva Province North-Western Pro' Central Province ... Sabaragamuwa Southern Province Western Province
The first four provin death-rate, the second fo rate. The Northern Pro' because there are very therein.
The Burgher infantile by the fact that many of which has a relatively h; and also by the fact tl houses in that town and crowding.
The Tamil infantile m many of them live in un of the island, and the reduced by disease an food.
Moors are an immig
Age. Males. Females,
I. One week and under 6,339 5,257 2. Over one week and under three months... 3,843 3,465 3. Over three months and under one year ... 2,654 2,652
It is thus seen that the mortality of the first week of life approaches closely the total mortality of the remaining fifty-one weeks of the year. The mortality is more heavy on males than on females. The distribution of
ago that the Portugues island and gave them
co-religionists in Spain live mostly in the Eastel Provinces, which have a
MPRESSIONS :
arious races in Ceylon g table :-
97 ... I57 ... I95 213 . . . 230 - . . . 292 296
ared with the racial ality in British Guiana
87 99 I24 I68 . 226 ... 230 33
in which the racial infantile mortality are,
nother's health before upled with the question 2) the amount of care i child during parturichild receives breastrtificially; (4) whether stands how to care for, ant ; (5) whether the hich the race lives is ther the race lives in arts of the island. se of the rate being so is because most of the are good. lity of the Sinhalese ifferent portions of the om the following table
356 ... 309 ... 226 vince 28 o ... I75
Óo
... I29
a ... II8
ince ...
ces have a very high our have a low deathvince is not considered,
few Sinhalese living
mortality is influenced them live in Colombo, ligh infantile mortality, hat many live in small thus suffer from over
ortality is high because healthy and poor parts refore the mother is d by lack of proper
'ant race, but so long
Comparison of
Total. Ist Week with the
rest of the Year.
II, 596
7,30
d I2.6Ι
5,30 OI4
e found them in the their name after their
and Morocco. They in and North-Western lready been shown to
OF CEYLON
be unhealthy parts of the island. For 1905 the figures are :-
Death- Infantile
rate. Province. Mortality.
493 Eastern Province 297 355 North-Western Province ვ69
These people and the Malays keep their women in seclusion, and therefore they are 1not so accessible to medical aid as other races. Hence infantile and parturient deaths must be high. Moreover, there is much more chance of faulty birth-registration among these people. All these points help to raise their infantile mortality figure.
Malays are a small race, and many of them live in Colombo, and therefore come under town influence as well as the other peculiar circumstances mentioned above.
“Others' are a very mixed community and need not be considered.
Important as is the racial factor, the region of the island appears even more important, and this I propose to investigate in : (A) Provinces, (B) Districts, (C) Towns.
(A) Provinces.- The following table shows the distribution of the infantile mortality in the provinces and at the same time the provincial death-rate for the period 1898-1904:-
Death-rate
Ο
Province, § 1 #
Inhabitants.
I. North-Central. 269 407 2. Uva ... - 2 I3 36'2 3. Northern 213 3I'6 4. Eastern - 2 3 3o I 5. North-Western 2O8 30'3 6. Central I98 283 7. Sabaragamuwa I73 3ο ο 8. Western I33 2 I'9 9. Southern I35 242
On the whole, the comparison between infantile mortality and general death-rate is remarkable. The Western Province is raised above the Southern probably by the aid of the town of Colombo.
(B) Districts. --The districts can be arranged in the same way for the same period, 1898-1904 :-
Death-rate Number. Name of District. Infantile er 1000 ft |Marty. :
Mannar 345 44"O 2 Puttalam 294 ვ6-7 3. Mullaitivu 28o 415 4 Trincomalce. . 277 35'4 5 Anuradhapura 269 4O7 6 Matale 238 ვ6'7 7 Kurunegala ... 222 328 8 Badulla 2 I3 36'2 9 Batticaloa 2O3 29' I O Jafna a o 198 3O' I Kandy - - I96 29'o 2 Ratnapura ... I92 32"I I3 Nuwara Eliya 176 2I5 4. Kegalla - - 162 285 I5 Hambantota .. 154 244 I6 Colombo ... I49 223 п7 Galle I36 24'9 Ι8 Matara - ... 22 232 I9 Chilaw 2O I89 2O Kalutara ... II6 229 2 Negombo ... 14 88
Page 879
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
Again it is seen that, speaking generally, the worse the health of the district, the higher the infantile mortality.
(C) Towns.-Coning to the consideration of town influence, attention may be invited very briefly to the mortality in Colombo. For further details reference can be made to my report on the sanitation of that town,
The average infantile mortality is 395, which can be compared as follows :-
Ceylon - - . . . I75
Colombo District ... - - . . . I49
Colombo Municipality ... .ܶ ... 395
Or again :-
Colombo Municipality 395
Worst District (Mannar). ... 345
Worst Province (North-Central) 269
Therefore, Colombo is worse than any district or province; but there are, I admit, worse townships—e.g., Puttalam Local Board. The infantile mortality in Colombo during the years 1898– I904 is as follows :-
1898 375 п899 328 I9oo 395 I90I 389 I902 36o I903 4IO I904 353
The fact that Colombo is worse than the districts and provinces compares with the English rates, 1904:
England and Wales I45 Large Towns in England I6o Rural England and Wales I25
Nothing shows this town influence better than its action on the Sinhalese, who form the bulk of the population.
SINHALESE INFANTILE MoRTALITY PER I,ooo LOCAL BIRTHS, I905.
Ceylon I58 Western Province ... I8 Colombo District I26 Colombo Town 3O4
The lowest Sinhalese mortality is in the Negombo district, III in I 9o5, and in the Alutkuru Korale North of that district, where it is 94.
Seasonal Influence.--I regret to say that I have not been able to find statistics on this point, but I am inclined to think that the season of the North-East monsoon—i.e., about December, January, and February-is probably the worst, perhaps because of the cold weather conducing to more overcrowding into closely shut houses, which produces worse sanitation, while chills conduce to bronchitis and pneumonia.
Causes of Infantile Mortality..—The four principul causes appear to be :
Per Cent. I. Infantile convulsions and diarrhoea ... 356 2. Prematurity and debility 232 3. Tetanus 2O4. 4. Bronchitis and pneumonia "I
903
These calculations are made from a list of causes of infantile mortality under one year of age prepared by Dr. Marshall Philip, Medical Officer of Health, in I903. This list, which really applies to Colombo, appears to reflect the causes of infantile mortality throughout the island, for on making a list of the causes of death for the period chosen, viz., 1898 to I904,
the following are found CauSS -
Infantile convulsior Premature birth
while the average numb under one year of age is Unfortunately, it is imp between diarrhoea, debi chitis as the causes of de
year, and deaths due
adults. Still, I believe represents the most po mortality not merely in out Ceylon. Definite in is, I think, very urgently may be arranged in a
(I) Causes due to the
(2) Causes due to the
(3) Causes due to th child.
(I) Causes Due to the maturity and debility m mother, who may be in due to poverty, disease,
(2) Causes Due to the . for the infant is its mot many infants in Ceylc accounts for the low ra the Sinhalese and other the island. But in Co densed milik has begun it is not a matter to be w tins are left open for sc is allowed to become action of dust and fli irritant to the child, with convulsions and diarrh suitable food is also oft e.g., rice water.
(3) Lack of Care of heading "Lack of Care put such diseases as t children and bronch Tetanus must be due and pneumonia to lack cold weather.
Reme
The whole subject of great social question, a in each district separat cussed in a short articl information, reference c by myself in the fourn of the British Medica entitled “Some Remark of Ceylon.'
Sunnm
(I ) Infantile mortality I,ooo births, but it m these figures indicate b of births is defective highest in the first w nearly equal to the (3) it falls mostly on “O and Tamils ; (4) the v North-Central, 269, and
35; (5) the worst disti the best Negombo, II4; Colombo, 395, is worse district; (7) the causes convulsions, prematur diarrhoea, bronchitis, several of these are pr vention is a social qu attempted in Colombo 1 but by the municipality
I
Turning now to the t viz., the general death-r calculated as so many inhabitants, and is only
MPRESSIONS
to be the two principal
lS • • • 9,503
w 769
er of deaths of children s, as I have said, 24.2I3. possible to differentiate lity, tetanus, and bronath in infants under one to the same causes in that Dr. Philip's table tent causes of infantile Colombo, but throughformation on the point y required. The causes ifferent manner, e.g.-
mother's health; food; e lack of care of the
Mother's Health.-Pre1st be largely due to the a poor state of health, or lack of food. Food.-The proper food her's milk, and luckily on receive this, which ate of mortality among races in many parts of lombo the use of conand is spreading; and wondered at that if these ome days and the milk contaminated by the es, it really acts as am l the result that infantile Cea are common. Unten given to the child,
the Child.-Under the of the Child' I would etanus in newly-born itis and pneumonia. to dirt, and bronchitis of care of the child in
edies.
infantile mortality is a nd must be dealt with ely, and cannot be dise like this. For further an be made to a paper all of the Cevlon branch l Association in 1907, is on the Vital Statistics
nary.
o in Ceylon is I75 per ay not be as high as ecause the registration ; (2) this mortality is reek of life, which is other fifty-one weeks; thers'-Malays, Moors, vorst province is the the best the Southern, ict is Mannar, 345, and (6) the principal town, ; than any province or s are mostly infantile ity, debility, tetanus, and pneumonia, and eventable; (8) the preestion, and should be not by the Government, y and the people.
I.
hird part of the subject, ate of Ceylon, which is deaths per thousand y the crude or general
OF CEY LON 871
death-rate. No attempt has so far been made to prepare a standard death-rate for Ceylon, its provinces, districts, or principal towns ; consequently, no corrected death-rates and no comparative mortality figures are available. Consequently, also, the comparison of one province, district, or town with another province, district, or town, may be quite erroneous. The important point to be remembered is that in the following figures only the crude death-rates are being considered. The average number of deaths per annum for the period chosen, I898 to Igo4 inclusive, is 97,804, which is 274 per thousand of the population. This crude death-rate is undoubtedly high ; and in order to study it, inquiries must be made into the racial incidence, and also into the age and sex incidence, the provincial incidence, the district incidence, and the seasonal incidence. Occupational incidence, unfortunately, cannot be given.
I. Racial Incidence.-The racial deathrates calculated per thousand of the racial population for the period 1898 to 1904 are as follows :-
Tamils 3 II Moors... 293 Malays 28·亚 Sinhalese 258 Burghers 22O Others 2 Ι 8 Europeans 2 II*
I have not been able to find any statistics about the death-rate of the Veddahs ; and perhaps this is due to the fact that nowadays they are gradually being absorbed into the Tamils or Sinhalese.
Tamils.-The Tamils head the list. The Ceylonese Tamils live mostly in the Northern and Eastern Provinces, in which the deathrate is as follows :-
Northern Province ... Eastern Province
33 316
which may be taken to roughly indicate the racial death-rate of the Ceylonese Tamils. There are several causes which tend to raise the death-rate of the Tamils -
I. They live in unhealthy portions of the island.
2. The heaviness with which certain diseases hit them, for example :-
(1) Simple fever, (2) Diarrhoea, (3) Dysentery, (4) Pneumonia, (5) Remittent fever, (6) Malarial cachexia,
while these diseases fall more lightly on the other races, and the reason is because the Tamils live in districts where malaria is rife, and diarrhoea, dysentery, and pneumonia prevail. I am, however, inclined to think that enteric fever is one of the great causes of Tamil deaths, because it is possible that enteric fever may be mixed up with what is called simple and remittent fever.
Moors.--The Moor death-rate connes second. About a third of the Moors live in the Eastern and North-Western Provinces, which are unhealthy districts; consequently they are influenced by enteric, simple and remittent fevers, and by infantile mortality.
Malays.-The Malays are a small population, and their death-rate is very nearly that of the island as a whole.
Sinhalese.-The Sinhalese are by far the greatest proportion of the population, as already shown, but their average death-rate is smaller than that of the island as a whole. The reason is because the majority live in healthier portions of the island, and therefore the influences of the good provinces would
Page 880
872
keep the racial death-rate down. In fact, some of the districts which are mainly populated by the Sinhalese have the lowest mortality of the island.
Burghers.--The majority of Burghers live in Colombo, and the overcrowding in some of their houses in this city helps, I feel sure, to spread their great cause of death, namely, consumption.
Others are too mixed a community to be commented upon.
Europeans-Europeans are, of course, immigrants in Ceylon. Many of them pass a medical examination before coming out to the colony. They are also at a very viable age, i.e., one at which the death-rate should fall lightly. They are, as a rule, careful about their sanitation and food, and mostly live in the healthy Western and Central Provinces, and though a large number of them reside in Colombo, still, they live in the better portions of the city, and under more sanitary conditions than the other races. They are, for all these causes, more or less spared from local diseases, and their death-rate comes last of the races in Ceylon. But, though low as compared with other races living in Ceylon, it is high-I might almost say very high-when the facts stated above are considered.
2. Age and Sex Influence.--It must be clearly understood that ages are very variable in Ceylon. As a general rule the Ceylonese does not know his age; consequently, it is only a "guess,' and, therefore, in considering the age influence on disease, it must be remembered that the statements are only approximate. The following table, with this proviso, indicates the age and sex distribution of deaths in Ceylon, for the period 1898 to I904, per thousand living of the age and the sex :-
Male ood F 1 er I, óoo
Age in Years. ពុំ t ဒွါWe† Ae. រ៉េ់ Age.
Under 5 ... ... б42 672 From 5-Io ... I í6 I39 IO-I5 . . . 96 IO2 I5-2O ... 93 72 , 20-25 ... 9'5 п37 25-35 . . I29 2O“ II 35-45 ... 2O'9 223 4555 ... 32'O 27 ο Ονεr 55 ... ... 7 II 92'8
It is thus seen that the rate as a rule is higher in the case of females. It is high at five years, and sinks to a minimum at twenty years, from which it rises gradually. The healthiest ages are, therefore, ten to twenty-five.
3. Provincial Incidence.--The provincial incidence of death is shown in the following table, calculated per thousand of the provincial population :-
North-Central Province 4O7 Province of Uva... ვ6*2 Northern Province 36 North-Western Province 3O'3 Eastern Province - - - ... 3O'I Sabaragamuwa Province ... 3OO Central Province... ... 28“3 Southern Province 24'2 Western Province 2 I'9
It is as well to clearly understand that the above figures indicate mortality and not sickness rates. For even in the best provinces and in the best districts there may be a considerable amount of sickness from, for example, malarial fever, even though the mortality may he low.
4. District Incidence.-The district rate
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
of mortality calculated tants is shown in the fo
Mannar Mullaitivu ... Anuradhapura Puttalam
Matale a Badulla ... Trincomalee Kurunegala Ratnapura ... Jafna Batticaloa ... Kandy - - s a Kegalla ... - Galle Hambantota Matara
Kalutara Colombo ... Nuwara Eliya Chilaw Negombo ...
5. Seasonal Incide be divided into a dry inches of rain, and a V inches of rain. In both of the year is the worst.
Causes of Dea
As already pointed o' deaths in Ceylon, on an chosen, I898 to 1904, which is 27o4 per thou death-rate is made up as
Zymotic diseases Parasitic diseases Dietetic diseases Constitutional diseases Developmental diseases Local diseases
Violence Ill-defined and not speci
A further analysis of t follows :-
EXPRESSED As A PERCE DEA
Diarrhoea and dysentery Simple, ill-defined, and r Ague ... Malarial cachexia, doch Puerperal convulsions a Cancer - Diabetes ... s a Infantile mortality from General debility, &c. Dropsy is so . . . Old age
The great difficulty tribution of mortality considered in any way a number of deaths are medical men.
When the Registratio) working, it will be poss General to distinguish certified to by registerec and, secondly, deaths then, perhaps, more ac be obtained.
The racial distribution is shown in the Table ol It is now necessary tc diseases more in detail.
Diarritaea.-This is death in Ceylon, amou of the total deaths. Its
follows :-
MPRESSIONS
per thousand inhabilowing table :-
, 44 Ο ... 4I'5 ... 4O7
ვ6უ7
ვ6“7
36'2
a .4"35 ۔۔ - - ... 328 - - - .32 . ۔* I 3o'I
29' I
29'o
285
24'9
244
232
229
223
2 I5
... 189 ... I 8:8
nce.-The island can one with less than 6o vet zone with over 6o
zones the first quarter
th in Ceylon.
ut, the total number of average for the period is 97,8o4 per annuum,
sand population. This
follows :-
Per Cent.
44ό
37
, . Ο2
... 7・8
... 29
... 3O'9
- - d. . . I'9 fic diseases ... 77
he causes of death is as
NTAGE OF THE TOTAL THES.
Per Cent.
... 2I4 emittent fevers ... 2o'6 ... O'I nius, and anaemia 2'8 hd childbirth ... I'2
- - ... O'2
... O all causes 247 5'o
28
2
about the above disis that it cannot be ccurate, as a very large
not certified to by
Ordinance comes into ible for the Registrarbetween, firstly, deaths medical practitioners, not so certified, and urate information will
of the causes of death
the following page. consider some of the
ne principal cause of ting to I 5'9 per cent. racial incidence is as
OF CEYLON .
Per Cent. Sinhalese ... % e o 183 Tamils a ... I23 Moors ete-«re aw & 1 Ο Ο Others dr D Kr - O ... 95 Burghers ... - - - - ... 93 Malays ... - - - - - - ... 74 Europeans... a . . . 43
Diarrhoea must indicate contaminated food, i.e., bad sanitation, and, therefore, falls much more severely on the native races than on Europeans. It should be possible, however, in
course of years, to diminish this cause of death.
Dysentery.--Dysentery has been carefully studied by Dr. Aldo Castellani, Director of the Bacteriological Institute, Ceylon who has shown that there are, at least, three kinds(1) Dysentery, due to Kruse Shiga bacillus ; (2) Para-dysentery, due to bacilli isolated by Dr. Castellani ; (3) Amoebic dysentery, due to
Schaudinn's Entamaeba histolytica. The racial incidence is as follows :-
Per Cent.
Tamils , .. - - - II. Ο Europeans... aw , , IOO Others - − a ... 8"I Malays - ... 58 Burghers ... om «A O − ... 55 Moors - 49 Sinhalese ... 28
The reason why the Tamil rate is so high is because the Indian Tamil coolies are subject to chronic dysentery. Europeans reside for the lmost part in Colombo, so I cannot help thinking that they are influenced by the conditions of the town. The Sinhalese appear to have practically a racial immunity in this particular.
Ankylostomiasis.-There appears to have been the greatest difficulty in diagnosing this disease in Ceylon. It was mistaken for Beri Beri, which is a Sinhalese term meaning “Cannot cannot,' which being interpreted 1means that the patient is too ill to do anything. The recognition of the disease has improved very slowly; the average number of cases for the period chosen, viz., 1898 to I 9o 4, is 285-a figure which I believe to be far too small; but latterly this has been fully realised, and a sign of improvement is noted. For example, the number of cases in I904 was 3I5, and in I905 it was 562. I believe this to be entirely a matter of diagnosis. Unfortunately, I am certain that a large number of cases are wrongly diagnosed as either anaemia, dropsy, or malarial cachexia, and perhaps even as other diseases. I should be inclined to say that the number of cases varies from those diagnosed as ankylostomiasis, to a combination of ankylostomiasis, anaemia, dropsy, &c. In other words, I believe that the truth concerning the number of deaths from ankylostomiasis for the period 1898 to I904 is somewhere between 285 and 6,776, which is the total of the deaths due to anaemia, general dropsy, and malaria cachexia per annum. The disease is probably increasing, but there is no statistical evidence on this point. It is, however, a serious matter, because a large number of persons must be dying every year of the disease, which is curable, if diagnosed in its earlier stages.
Tuberculosis.--For the period 1898-1904 the Registrar-General classifies tubercular diseases into :-
(I) Tabes mesenterica 4 69 (2) Tubercular meningitis ... - O 35 (3) Phthisis ... as s ... 3,262 (4) Other forms of tuberculosis ... 265
- 3,63I
Consequently, all other forms of tubercular disease are insignificant as compared with consumption (phthisis).
Phthisis.-The disease is slowly beginning to increase not merely in Ceylon, but in many
Page 881
TWENTIETH CENTURY
RACIAL DISTRIBUTION O
Europeams. Burghers. Sinhalese. T
Enteric Io'I || Phthisis 97 Diarrhoea ... 183 Simple F Dysentery Io'o Diarrhoea 93 Simple Fever 12'o Diarrhoe; Phthisis 67 Pneumonia 6"6|Enteric ... 76 Dysenter Pneumonia 47 Dysentery 55 || Phthisis ... 3"8 Pneumor Diarrhoea ... 4'3 Enteric ... 3'4 || Anaemia , 3o6 || Remitten Simple Fever... I'7 Simple Fever... 26 Dysentery 28 Fever Remittent Remittent Puerperal Con- Malarial Fever ... I'5 Fever 23 || vulsions ... I'6 chexia Cancer I'3 || Childbirth I" I || Childbirth ... I*2 || Phthisis Ague ... o'6 Malarial Ca- Pneumonia ... o'8 Anaemia Anaemia ... o'4| chexia O’8 || Remittent Childbirt Malarial Ca- Anaemia O'8 Fever ... o'3 Enteric
chexia O3 Cancer ... O'7 Cancer ... O‘2 || Dochinniu Dochmius o 2 Puerperal Con- Malarial Ca- || Ague ... Childbirth ΟΙ vulsions o'3 chexia ... o"2 Puerpera Puerperal Con- Ague ... . o'I || Ague ... o'o8 | vulsion vulsions ... o’o || Dochmius ... o'I || Dochmius o'o6 Cancer
Total ... 4I'9 Total ... 433 Total 52'54 Tota
other places in the East. The number of ಟ್ಲಿ in Ceylon is shown in the following table :-
Administration Repor figures are found:-
One case occurs in
1898 2,889 Do. do I899 3, 167 Do. do I9Oo 3,2I7
I9OI 3,390 It is not, however I902 3,297 Burghers that the d 1903 3,383 among the Sinhales 1904 3,488 as may be seen from I905 3,733
It will thus be seen that there is a slow and
steady increase from 1898 to 1905. Of course, Year. Europeans
a portion of this increase may be due to better diagnosis, but it is also to be noted in Colombo,
as will be seen from the following figures :- 1898 7
I899 7
. Per Iooo I9OO 7
Inhabitants. I9CI I3
Average for 5 years, 1895 to I899 ... 238 I902 7
Average for 5 years, I9oo to I904 ... 3"I4 I903 IO
Average for I905 - - - ... 365 1904 II
I905 8
The last figures are very high. Those for the corresponding period for Bombay are 38, for Calcutta I'9, and for England I'3.
Consumption hits the Burgher community most severely. The racial distribution is shown as follows :-
Turning now to pri tribution, I select the l the Western Province
ಕ್ಲಬ್ಗ stand out by far the ρt. Το Municipality alone is Burghers Radಖ್ಖais have dealt with the qu Malays... 6'8 my report on the sa Europeans 67 which reference can ()thers... 63 remark here that thou; Sinhalese - - - ... 38 find out the incident Moors ... - - - ... 3"I to real overcrowding Tamils ... .... ... I inhabitants living per
And this not merely applies to the whole island, but also to Colombo, where most Burghers live. The following table, taken from Dr. Marshall Philip's report, shows these figures :-
Burghers II '5 Others a Ιο 4 Sinhalese ... - ... 95 Malays a ... 88 Europeans ... 7・8 Moors... - 76 Tamils 7'o
Further, these facts apply not merely to deaths but to sickness rates. For, from an investigation reported in Sir Allan Perry's
that this overcrowdi as in Calcutta, and t which are called ho tenements, described have a great deal lence and slow incre Colombo.
Enteric Fcver-Ent much underrated dise tainly in Colombo. It tion came into use po Many cases of enteric at the present time fevers, and therefore be considerable, thou; Nothing but better dia The following table between which this race ;-
IMPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
F THE CAUSES OF DEATH.
873
mils. Moors. Malays. Others.
ever... I73 Simple Fever 192 Simple Fever... Io'4 Diarrhoea ... 95 . I23 Diarrhoea . Io'o Diarrhoea ... 74 Dysentery 8. I y . I I'o Dysentery 49 || Phthisis 68 Simple Fever... 74 lia 62 Pneumonia ... 3-6 Pneumonia ... 59 Enteric 63 t Phthisis 3' I Dysentery 5:8 || Phthisis 6“ვ
... 38 |Enteric 27 || Remittent Relimittent Са- Anaemia ... 23 Fever ... 35 Fever ... 19 28 || Remittent Enteric ... I 5 || Dochmius I6 I9 Fever I6 Malarial Ca- . Malarial Ca-. ... I'7 || Childbirth 2 chexia ... I'5| chexia ... II h ... o'8 Puerperal Con- Childbirth ... II Pneumonia ... O'9 ... o’7 || vulsions o'9 Puerperal Con- Childbirth ... oró S of Malarial Ca- vulsions o'9 Anaemia o'6 ... O'3 chexia o'8 Anaemia o'8 || Ague ... ... 02 l Con- Dochmius O” I || Ague ... or3 Puerperal Cons ... O2 Cancer o’I || Dochmius O2 vulsions Ο 2 o’2 || Ague ... orog Cancer ... o'2 Cancer Ο 2
... 599 | Total ... 5079 Total ..., 478 Total . 449
t for I906, the following Enteric only. Combಟ್ಜpeath
Europeans ΙΟΙ I33 Burghers 8. every 666 Burghers. ខ្ញុំពុំ g 嵩 ်မှီမှီ ). 3,OOo Tamils. Tamils o'7 2I 8 ). 4,2OO Sinhalese. Moors ... 27 235 Malays ... 15 I5'4 , so much among the Others... ... ό3 I56
isease is increasing, as e, Tamils, and Moors,
Cancer.-Cancer has been and still is being
the attached table :- carefully investigated in the island. The
Burghers. Sinhalese. Tamils. Moors, Malays. Others.
4ό 2, II8 537 I49 2O I2 39 2,355 544 93 19 O ÖI 2,384 5C4 28 25 8 52 2,470 68 I93 2O 24 44 2,344 6I6 24ό 22 I8 44 2,443 584 256 2I 25 ό9 2,530 58o 243 33 22 52 2,707 262 38 26
ό4ο
Dvincial and district dishighest year, I005, when and the Colombo district highest. The Colombo responsible for 62o. I estion at some length in nitation of Colombo, to be made, and will only gh it was not possible to te of consumption due , i.c., the number of room, still it is probable ng exists in Colombo, hat the dreadful abodes uses-let-in-lodgings and in the report, must o do with the prevaase of consumption in
eric fever is probably a ase in Ceylon, and cer; increase after registraints to better diagnosis. fever must be diagnosed is simple and remittent ts deadly influence may h not properly known. gnosis will clear this up. indicates the extremes mortality must vary per
Registrar-General puts the average number of deaths for the period 1898 to I904 at 205 per annum, and the case-rate investigated during I902 and I903 gives a rate of 220 per annum. It is apparently commoner in males than in females. The average age is forty years, and the most common form of the disease is epithelioma, in relation with the oral cavity. It may probably be induced by the irritation of betel-chewing or smoking. Sarcoma is rarer than carcinoma. The incidence in the races for the period 1898 to 1904, expressed as a percentage of the total deaths, is as follows :-
Europeans ... - I3 Burghers ... - - 7"ס Sinhalese,
Tamils, Malays, and O2 Others
Moors O
A fuller account of sarcoma and carcinoma may be found in two papers published in vol. i. of the fournal of the Ceylon Branch of the British Medical Association for I904.
Deaths of Women directly due to Childbirth. -The Registrar-General gives the following diseases as causing the deaths of women at childbirth, under the heading of “Diseases of Women at Parturition' :-
3 k*
Page 882
874 TWENTIETH
Abortion and miscarriage ... - 36 Puerperal mania Ꮠ Ꮠ. Puerperal convulsions ... I, IO6 Placenta previa, flooding ... - O 2
Phleg masia dolens ...
Other and undefined accidents of
childbirth... A -X «X^ & . . . I,024
2, I8.
So that 2, I8I deaths out of an average of I38,469 births for the same period take place, or, in other words, one woman dies for every sixty-three children born. Calculating this mortality per Iooo births in the races for the period I398-1904, the following table is arrived at :-
Ceylon (all races) I5'8 Malays X I98 Others п7"2 Sinhalese ... I72 Moors 1ό 3 Tamils Io'6 Burghers ... IO'5 Europeans O8
Expressed as a percentage of the total deaths of races:--
Sinhalese ... ra 28 Moors 2 Ο Malays 2O Burghers ... I'4 Tamils Ο 8 Europeans Ο Ι
The deaths of women in childbirth, therefore, were 2'I per cent. of the total number of deaths in the period 1898 to 1904, whereas in England the rate only works out ato'7 per cent. Therefore, this mortality is three times higher in Ceylon than in England. It is quite possible, however, that this cause of death will diminish as trained midwives increase in Ceylon.
Diabetes intellitus.--Diabetes is responsible for an average of I68 deaths in Ceylon. In I905 there were I25 deaths, and they were distributed as follows :-
Sinhalese a a . . . 72 Tamils ... ... 37 Moors ... A . . . I2 Burghers A A - - - . . . 2 Europeans . . . 2
But this racial distribution is not of the interest that an occupational one would be, for the disease, as is well known, hits the lawyer, the doctor, the schoolmaster, and the merchant more than it does the poorer classes.
Malaria.--It is difficult to estimate the deaths caused by malaria, because, though the Registrar-General gives the following table
Remittent fever ...
I494 Ague... V - 17o Malarial cachexia ... I,068
still, it is definitely known that there must be enteric fever and other diseases mixed up with remittent fever, and that ankylostomiasis and kala azar must be confounded with malarial cachexia. Consequently it is probable that malaria does not cause as many deaths as the figures above would indicate. On the other hand, sickness rates of malaria are very considerable. According to Sir Allan Perry's
CENTURY I
Administration Report Department for 1905 t
I22,642 cases in the N
69,390 cases in the W 35,192 cases in the Sa
but, of course, many of and recurrences. In th the following deaths provinces :-
I47 in the North336 in the Weste I7I in the Sabar;
whereas the total nun provinces was as follo
13,228 in the North 22,296 in the Weste Io, I4O in the Sabar
Therefore, the perce total deaths is only ab provinces ; while the with the provincial pc the census of 190I, ap case in nearly 3 inh Western Province; on habitants in the Weste in nearly 9 inhabitants Province. So that, tho be very great, the de incidence of the diffe fever is little known. tertian fevers, and the 1 of the latter, known a OCCl.
Insanity.-According from Sir Allan Perry's the burden of lunacy light. He points out same amount of insan population as Irelanc 2O,OOO cases of lunac 564; in other word support about 35 tim it does at present. remarks that the tot sions into the asylu was I7I, being the 1 contrasts this with til which in England is inhabitants, from whi approximate mean of 1mating the population says that in order to ha the admissions in C instead of I7 I. He fu withstanding the fact of insane people retair in Ceylon, which may discrepancy in the as far from thinking tha insane to the total pol so great in Ceylon as i appears to be the 1 insanity. The cases i Asylum at the end of
Mania Melancholia Dementia ... Idiocy and imbeci Epileptic insanity Alternative insanit Stupor
MPRESSIONS
of the Civil Medical lete Were
rth-Western Province, estern Province, baragamuwa Province,
these must be relapses e same year there were from malaria in these
Western Province, rn Province, gamuwa Province,
ber of deaths in these WS :-
-Western Province, rn, Province, agamuwa Province.
intage of malaria to the out I per cent. in these
number, as compared pulation, as shown by pears as follows: One abitants in the Northe case in nearly 18 inrn Province ; one case in the Sabaragamuwa ugh the incidence may eath-rate is low. The rent causes of malarial
Quartan, tertian, submalignant complications s the comatose type, all
to Dr. Spence, quoted Administration Report, in Ceylon is relatively that if Ceylon had the ity in ploportion to its i has it should have y to support instead of Ls, it would have to Les more lunatics than Further, Dr. Spence tal number of admisum for the year I9o5 highest on record. He he ratio of admissions, 6"66 to 6'93 per Io,ooo ch he takes 68 as an these figures, and estiof Ceylon at 3,8oo,ooo, lve the same proportion, eylon should be 2,600 rther remarks that notthat there are a number ned in their own homes account in part for the ylum figures, still, he is it the proportion of the pulation is anything like t is in England. Mania most common form of in the Colombo Lunatic
I905 were
... 267 ... 18O ... 82 lity ... - - - 9 - - - . . . 24 y
5ό4
OF CEYLON
and the number of deaths in the same year Was
Mania w a 8 ... 29 Melancholia - a ... 25 Dementia
idiocy and imbecility General paralysis ... Epileptic insanity ...
whereas, the average number of deaths from I898 to 1904 was 54 per annum.
Leprosy.--Leprosy in the period chosen, viz., I898 to I904, accounts for 96 deaths per annum, as against 6o in the period 1891 to 1897. On turning to the Principal Civil Medical Officer's Report we find that there are 493 lepers treated in the Hendela Asylum, but it is well known that there are a number of lepers residing in their own homes.
Old Age.-The ages of native races are very problematical, and old age is a very indefinite term; therefore the remarks under this heading, however interesting they may be, must be taken with considerable caution. Old age is said to account for an average annual number of 2,073 deaths for the period 1898 to I904, as compared with I,355 during the period 1891 to 1897. In other words, for the period I 898 to I904, old age caused 2'I per cent. of the total deaths. In Igo5, 2,395 deaths assigned to old age were distributed as follows :-
Sinhalese .... I,55I Tamils ... 6ვ8 Moors ... I45 Burghers ... - - - 26 Malays ... − «O r - - - 25 Others - 9 Europeans - - - r - - -
The provincial distribution is interesting :-
Deaths Average Deathfrom rate, I898-1904, Old Age, per Iooo
I905. Inhabitants. Western ... 995 2I-9 Southern... 5II 242 Central VO 356 283 Sabaragamuwa . I95 3oo Northern... I53 3 I-6 Uva 8 85 362 North-Western ... 64 3O3 Eastern ... a 27 3o'I North-Central 9 4O7
The provinces arranged according to the greatest number of deaths from old age are almost the reverse of the same arranged in order of the greatest mortality, i.e., in the healthiest provinces the largest number of deaths from old age take place.
REFERENCES
ARUNACHALAM : Census Report, I90I. Administration Reports, Vital Statistics, 1898-1905. Most of the figures used in this paper are derived directly or by calculation from these reports. CASTELLANI : fournal of the Ceylon Branch of the British Medical Association, 1904, I905, and 1906. CHALMERS: Sanitation of Colombo, 1907. fournal of the Ceylon Branch of the British Medical Association, I904. PERRY: Administration Report, Medical De
partment of Ceylon, 1905. PHILIP : Report on the Mortality of Colombo, I906. Quarterly Reports of the Medical Officer of Health, Colombo, 1903.
Page 883
PROVINCIAL ADMINIS
N the foregoing pages will be found under various heads a very larg
in the various walks of life in Ceylon.
With every desire to mak
regard to the effective arrangement of the volume, to introduce al prepare this supplementary list, which carries forward in various directic the book. It may be claimed that though there may be some sacrifice of
the volume is enhanced by their inclusion.
THE PLANTIN
DAVID FAIRWEATHER.
In the circumstances of this gentleman's career we have brought into striking prominence the spirit of enterprise and adventure which has contributed so much to the success of the great planting industry of Ceylon. Born on March 23, 1859, at Newcastle-on-Tyne, Mr. Fairweather, who was of Scotch parentage, was educated at the old Aberdeen Gymnasium and the Aberdeen University. He went into the timber trade, but soon tired of the prosaic life of a provincial town, and, the opportunity offering, he went out to Calcutta under agreement to serve on a tea estate in Assam. After a brief probationary period he went as assistant to Paneery estate to assist a planter, whom he found to be an old schoolmate of his. This gentleman dying, Mr. Fairweather took charge of the estate, and continued to overlook its affairs until he was compelled to take a trip to Ceylon owing to illness. In 188o lhe came to Ceylon and joined the Kandaloya estate, Yakdessa, as assistant. At this period the Ceylon tea industry was in its infancy, and a man with Indian experience was much sought after. It is not, therefore, surprising that the end of nine months found Mr. Fairweather manager of the Sembawatte estate, one of the four estates which formed the nucleus of the extensive holdings of the Ceylon Tea Plantations Company, Ltd., a highly successful enterprise which has paid for many years since its inauguration dividends of I5 per cent.
per annum. He rema some ten years, and duri time acted as visiting a company's other estate
TEOMAS PERERA (For Letterpre
the famous Mariawa Terminating his engag pany, Mr. Fairweather low country and startet
875
TRATIONS—ADDENDA
e number of sketches of prominent enterprises and leading personages 2 the classification complete, the Editor has not found it possible, having
l the matter at his disposal.
It has accordingly been found necessary to
ns the survey of Ceylon official, commercial, and social life embodied in the principle of unity in the introduction of these pages, the interest of
NG INTEREST.
ned on the estate for ng the latter part of the gent for some of the s, among them being
, MOHANDIRAM.
is see p. 706.)
te estate, Gampola.
ement with the combought land, in the planting on his own
account. After a few years' hard work on this property-the Kanangama estate-owing partly to the difficulty of obtaining additional land from the Crown, and partly to a desire for change, he started on a prolonged tour of a remarkable character, making his way via Aden and Zanzibar to Mombassa, where he organised a caravan and penetrated-all by himself so far as Europeans were concernedas far as Uganda and the great inland sea, Victoria Nyanza. He had Stanley's boy, Salley, with him, and travelled into the heart of Africa and back in safety, at a cost of £600, without finding any warrant to take up planting land in the then unsettled state of the country and the backward condition of transport. He saw coffee growing or running wild in some parts, tobacco of fihe growth being trampled underfoot native villages, wide areas under bananas, and splendid timbered country and elevated forest land. His general impression was that with improved communication and settled government there was a great planting future for this part of Africa. On returning to Zanzibar Mr. Fairweather was stricketh with fever, but he recovered sufficiently to travel over Mauritius and a great part of Madagascar, then, in despair of getting away otherwise, took passage in a sugar barque to New Zealand, and thence, making his way through the Australian colonies, he at length came to Java. Here, in conjunction with others, he secured 3,Ooo acres of fine land in East Java. In 1897 Mr. Fairweather, on the invitation
11e21 1]l1111cl'OUS
Page 884
DAVID FAIRWEATHER,
VIEW ON THE ESTATE.
THE FACTORY.
THE BUNGALOW.
Page 885
TWENTIETH
of Mr. F. Cass, of the firm of Messrs. Lapraik Cass & Co., of Amoy and Tamsvi, made an interesting journey into the interior of the Southern Province of China to report on the tea industry of Amoy. In the course of a stay of two months' duration he travelled right across the Fukien Province, and made a careful inspection of the tea plantations, with a view to determining the causes which had led to the deterioration of the Chinese tea trade. On his return he submitted a valuable report, in which he elaborated the view that the failure of Chinese tea was due to bad and unscientific methods of cultivation and preparation, over-cropping and consequent exhaustion of the land, and a lack of proper means of transport ; and he expressed the opinion that there was little hope of a recovery of the industry unless new land was taken up and an up-to-date system of planting followed. Ultimately he returned to Ceylon and took up land in partnership with his brother, Mr. James Richard Fairweather, who is at present on leave in England, and for whom he is at present acting on the Yataderiya estate. This fine property, since its purchase from the Crown eighteen years ago, has, under the Supervision of Mr. J. R. Fairweather, earned for the shareholders dividends amounting to an average of 25 per cent. for eighteen years. The capital of the company—the Yataderiya Tea Estates Company, Ltd.--is at present Rs. I9o,ooo, and it has a reserve fund amounting to two-thirds of the capital. With his brother and his partner, Mr. P. J. M. Box, Mr. Fairweather is interested in the following estates : Mabopitiya, Parambe, Nillapalla, Allapalawa, Telijjagoda, and Kankarahena, and is visiting agent for several companies and other estates. These properties, which are planted with tea and rubber, will shortly be associated with the flotation of a limited liability company. Mr. Fairweather is a member of the Colombo Club and of the local Planters' Association. The only recreation he allows himself is an occasional shooting trip.
A. ANGUS.
Mr. Alexander Angus is the Superintendent of the Durampitiya Rubber Estates, which include Pussela, Kotanagala, and Durampitiya Estates. The son of Mr. Arthur Angus, farmer, of Aberdeen, he was born in that city on October 23, 1867, and received his education at Aberdeen Grammar School. When he was twenty years of age he went out to Ceylon and joined the We Oya Tea Company's estate, near Yatiyantota. He then joined Messrs. Finlay, Muir & Co., and served for nine years upon their estates and two years at
CENTURY I)
the Chesterfield estate. this period he went to Tr; sional Manager of the K duce Company, Ltd.’s, es to Ceylon, after a holid. he joined the Maddage vised the Galatura an From Maddagedera est to the general manage
tenne Group (2,500 ac
Tea Company, Ltd., w the middle of the year
home. On his return
G
聆
f
G2
end of the same year F appointment. The Du sist of about 2,ooo acr fully planted with rubb has been opened up f product. Fifteen thous ployed upon the prope large amount of work Messrs. Carson & Co. a for the estates. Mr. A daughter of Mr. Robert
and he has one daughte)
MPRESSIONS
At the expiration of vancore, India, as Diviunían Devan Hills Protates, and on his return ly in the Old Country. era estate, and superl Halwatura Groups. te he was transferred 'ship of the Hapugasres) of the Hopewell nere he remained till I905, and again went
to the island at the
OF CEYLON 877
WALTER JOSEPH SMITH.
Mr. Walter Joseph Smith is the son of Captain Timothy Smith, of Bolton, Lancashire. Born on March 5, 1859, at Greenwich, he was educated at the Charterhouse School and came out to Ceylon in 1879 as an assistant to Messrs. Whittall & Co. He remained with this firm for two years, and then took to planting, becoming connected in succession with estates in the Matale, Nuwara Eliya, and Maskeliya districts for seven years, and with other estates in the Kelani Valley
S. E. O. RANSOM.
G, LUMSDEN.
A. P. BYRDE.
G. H. HAILL, (For Letterpress see pp. 7 II-I2.)
e took up his present ampitiya estates cones, of which 66o are er, and ühe remainder or the growth of that and coolies are emrty, and in addition a is done by contract. e the Colombo agents (gus married Isabella, Hall, J.P., of Aberdeen, and two sons.
for eighteen years. He is now planter-in
charge of the Polatigama estate, and visiting
agent for other estates in the valley. The acreage of the Polatigama estate is 887, planted with tea, interplanted with rubber. The annual crop is 370,000 lbs. of tea and 8,500 lbs. of rubber. Eleven hundred coolies are employed upon the estate, which is situated at an elevation of from 200 to 400 ft., and which belongs to the Yatiyantota Ceylon Tea Company. The local agents for the property are Messrs. Whittall & Co. Mr. Smith's recreations are shooting and motoring. He is a member of the Colombo Club
Page 886
878
and also of the Hill Club, Nuwara Eliya, and the Badminton Club, England.
لو
RAPH OLYER STEWARD.
Mr. R. O. Steward, part proprietor of the Maldeniya estate, Dehiowita, was born on May 15, 187o, at Walton-on-Thames, and received his education at Twyford and Haileybury, where he was a member of the house eleven cricket team and the Rugby team. He visited France and Germany for the purpose of mastering the languages,
I. E. E. MASSEY. 2. L. W. NELIGAN.
5. J. S. WILsoN.
and on returning to England studied law. These studies, bowever, were relinquished, and in 1890 Mr. Steward commenced planting in Ceylon, creeping on the Kelaneiya Estate, Maskeliya. Eight months later he went to Brae Madakelle for five months, and then moved to the Kelani Valley, where he has remained. The acreage of the Maldeniya estate is 618 acres-258 acres of tea plantation, 282 of rubber, and the remainder jurigle. There is an annual output of 16o,oop lbs. of tea, whilst the rubber is from one to four years old, About 450 coolies are employed. Messrs. Carson & Co. are the
3. A. F. B. SMEATON,
TWENTIETH CENTURY
agents. Mr. Steward's Steward, solicitor, c mother a daughter Devonshire gentlemar member of the Kelani Walley Planters' Assoc the Ceylon Turf Clu Ceylon Mounted Rifles Tennis Club.
ŠA
JAMES SCO
Mr. J. S. Wilson, so Wilson, of Kippen, S.
4. J. P
6. W. A. ELWELL.
April 24, I873. After re at. John Watson's Colle was employed in a grair five years. In 1895 he c joined the Halwatura est appointed assistant on
Balangoda, in the follo mained there for a peri The next five years he w and various other estate Wilson. is at present t Udabage estate, Yatiyant I,6oo, out of which 5oo and I,ooo with rubber,
MPRESSIONS
ather was Mr. J. C.T.
London, and his f Charles Turner, a
Mr. Steward is a alley Club, the Kelani ation, the Hill Club, , a member of the captain of the Taldua,
T WILSON.
of the Rev. William otland, was born on
:eiving his education e at the capital, he merchant's office for me out to Ceylon and te, Kalutara, and was he Rasagalla estate, ving year, and red of twelve months. is on Galatura estate in the island, Mr. superintendent of ta, whose acreage is tre planted with tea rhile the remaining
OF CEYLON
portion is in an undeveloped state. Rubber on this estate was planted in Igo3. The annual crop of tea is 23o, ooo lbs., and the number of coolies is I,ooo Tamils and 5oo Sinhalese. The estate, which is from 200 to 1,500 it.
above sea-level, is owned by Mr. G. J. Jameson,
while the local agents are Messrs. Carson & Co. Mr. Wilson is a member of the Kelani Valley Club, the Kelani Valley Planters' Association, and the Yatiyantota Tennis Club.
شوه
A. F. B. SMEATON
Mr. Arthur Frederick Burn Smeaton, superintendent of the Panawatte estate, is the son of the late Rev. J. B. Smeaton, of Hannington, Wiltshire. He was born in that village on July 13, 1862, and received his education at Magdalen College School, Oxford. He first went out to Ceylon in 1882, and joined the Mipitiakande estate, Kelani Valley. Since then he has had charge of many other estates in the district before taking up his present, position. The Panawatte estate is I,050 acres in extent, and is fully planted with tea and rubber. It is the property of the Panawatte Tea and Rubber. Estates, Ltd., of which Messrs. Whittall & Co. are the Colombo agents. A thousand coolies are employed upon it, and the annual tea crop is between 300,000 and 400,000 lbs. Mr. Smeaton is a member of the Colombo Club, Kelani Valley Club, and the Kelani Vailey Planters' Association, and his recreations are cricket, golf, tennis, and shooting.
அே
EDWARD TAYLOR GRIGG.
This gentleman, who is the superintendent of the Hemingford group of estates, Pussela, Avisawella, is the son of Colonel E. E. Grigg, Commissioner of Kumaon, India. He was born at Fyzabad, North India, and was educated in England at Bedford Grammar School. He went out to Ceylon in 1891 as a creeper at Pansalatenne estate, M. tale, and remained there for two years. He then spent some time at the Yatiwatte cocoa estate and the Atherfield tea estate, and finally joined the Hemingford estates, which are the property of the General Ceylon Rubber and Tea Estates Company, Ltd., and are managed by Mr. W. Forsythe. They embrace over a thousand acres, of which 97 I acres are planted with tea and rubber and the remainder with rubber only, and upon them 9oo coolies are employed. They are situated at elevations varying from 200 to I,000 ft., and the output from them last year was 49IOoo lbs. of tea. Mr. Grigg married Hilda, daughter of Mr. W. J. Addis, civil engineer, Burmab, and they have one daughter. He resides on the estate, is a member of the
Page 887
TWENTIETH
Planters' Association of the district, and of the Kelani Valley and Ratnapura Clubs, and is fond of tennis and riding.
。岁
EDGAR SMTH
Mr. Edgar Smith, of the Waharaka estate, is a son of Mr. Henry Smith, merchant, of Blackheath, London. Born on May 13, 1871, he was educated privately at Blackheath, and then served for three years with Messrs. Gow, Wilson & Stanton, of Mincing Lane, the well-known tea brokers. In 1891 he proceeded to Ceylon and engaged in tea-planting. He was in charge for some time of several important estates in the Kelani Valley district, and finally accepted the position he now occupies.
Mr. Smith is married to Catherine, daughter of the late Mr. Henry Helsham, who was a Captain in the Ceylon Rifles, and afterwards Superintendent of Police, Ceylon. He was for some time Chairman of the Kegalla Planters' Association, which he was instrumental in starting, and of which he was hon secretary in the earlier years. The Waharaka estate comprises an area of 436 acres under tea and 222 acres under rubber. The estate, which is at an elevation of from 6oo to 1,200 ft., produces an annual crop of 250,000 lbs. of tea and 4.oOo lbs. of rubber. The labour force consists of 7oo coolies.
。岁
ARTHUR ASPLIN FRANKLIN.
Mr. Arthur Asplin Franklin, the superintendent of the Eadella group of estates, Polgahawela, owned by Sir Thomas Lipton, is the son of Mr. John Frankin, solicitor, of Brighton and London. He was born on June 2 I, I875, at Epsom, Surrey, and educated at New College, Eastbourne. He served for some time under articles to a solicitor, and then was associated with a well-known firm of auctioneers. The opportunity offering, he came out to Ceylon in 1897, and learned planting under Mr. Edgar Smith at Nawalapitiya for ten months. He then for a year took charge of the Amblakande estate, Dolosbage. On the outbreak of the Boer War he went out to South Africa with the first Ceylon contingent, and took part in the engagement at Driefontein, afterwards being taken prisoner. He returned to Ceylon in February, I90I, and took charge of the Hunugalla estate, Kegalla district, until September, Igo6, when he accepted his present charge. Mr. Franklin is a member of the Kegalla and Kurunegala Planters' Associations. His recreations are motoring and tennis. The Eadella estate, which is situated at an elevation of 4oo ft. has
CENTURY IM
an acreage of 8II, pla 29 acres ; cocoa, IOI acres ; nutmeg and rubber 243 acres (tree three years old). B coolies are employed u
e
PEROYAL G
The son Of Mr. G. gentleman, the subject on March 3o, I872, and was destined for the A
%
镜
VV. MUR 5. D. I. M.
of study under a cramr of a military career, a Ceylon to learn planti on the Kelaneiya estat months, and then ser same estate for one y associated with variou Valley. Then after a he returned and took c Park estate, Rangalla proprietor. Mr. Wo time superintendent and also of the Palla Kadigama estates, wh
PRESSIONS OF CEYLON
ited as follows: Tea, acres; coconuts, 172 epper, 4 acres ; and from one month to tween 5oo and 6oo
on the group.
TBOR WOOD,
L. Wood, a Hampshire of this sketch was born educated at Eton. He my, but after a period
2. G. Cox Scott.
6. E. S. SINCLAIR.
RAY.
CKENZIE.
her abandoned the idea ld in 189I came out to ng. He was a creeper e, Maskeliya, for eight red as assistant on the ar. Afterwards he was is estates in the Kelani brief holiday at Home arge of the Wendsfield of which he is part d is at the present if the Nujadurinpolla gama, Batuwana, and ch have a combined
879
acreage of 4,000, of which about one-fourth is already planted. The balance will be shortly planted. The Rangalla estate, which is at an elevation of from I,8oo to 4,5oo ft., is planted with cardamoms (35o acres), tea (500 acres), and rubber (15 acres). The balance of the estate is undeveloped.
அே
DONALD INGLEBY MACKENZE.
This gentleman, who is the superintendent of the Ruanwella estate, Ruanwella, was born on December 3, I872, at Sidmouth, Devonshire, and educated at Rugby. He came, out to
S
4. J. H. LAYARI). 8. J. E. AITKEN.
3. A. A. FRANKLN.
7. EDGAR SMITH,
Ceylon in 1891 and joined the Stinsford estate, Ruanwella, as “creeper.' After living on this and other estates he obtained his present position. The estate includes 374 acres fully planted with tea and 298 acres of rubber. The estimated annual crop is 200,000 lbs. Five hundred coolies are employed upon the estate, which is from 200 to 8oo ft. above sealevel. The property belongs to the Rucinwella Tea Company, Ltd., the local agents of which are Messrs. Whittall & Co. Mr. Mackenzie, besides the oversight of the Ruanwella estate, has charge of the Moralioya estate, which has an acreage of 304 fully planted with tea, and
Page 888
88O
which employs a staff of 25o coolies. The owners of this estate are Messrs. Cooper, Cooper and Johnson, and the local agent is Mr. Gordon Fraser. Mr. Mackenzie is a member of the Colombo Club and of the Kelani Valley Club. His recreations are tennis and riding.
وه
PITAKANDE ESTATE.
The proprietors of this estate are Mr. James Cantlay and heirs of the late Mr. James Cantlay, Mr. W. H. Morrison, and Captain Kennedy. The superintendent is Mr. A. W. Cantlay. The property is situated in the Kelani Valley district, and two miles distant
TWENTIETH CENTURY
JMES L.
Mr. J. Littlejohn, Sl deniya Group estates James D. Littlejohn, Aberdeen. He first s deen, on August 22, I8 education at the Abel he joined a bank, an four and a half years, of that time he prO' his arrival in the islal under Mr. John Greig at Lindula. Subseq Clarendon estate at N period of eighteen mo
from Yatiyanto a railway station. It covers an area of 5 I5 acres, of which 364 acres are cultivated with tea, interspersed with 45,Ooo rubber-trees, some of which are nine years old. In addition, eighty acres are planted with rubber alone, and the balance is all good land available for the latter product. The estate has a fully equipped factory, in which I8o,ooo to I9O,OOO lbs. of tea are turned out annually. Tapping is in progress on the older rubbertrees. Mr. Cantlay has recently invented a machine for drying rubber, which he hopes to patent shortly. The rainfall, which is registered daily on the estate, averages about 2OO ins. annually.
MIIPITIAKANO
sively on the Mipitiak, tota, the Meddakande and the Chesterford e he was appointed to The Ambadeniya Grou is I,038, are adjacent t Rock Hill, and are a 88o to 2,600 ft. Rubbc six months to three on 788 acres, and thi the land is shortly rubber. The estates, and about Ioo Sinhale belong to the Ceylon Ltd., whose manager
MPRESSIONS
TTLEJOHN.
uperintendent of Amba, is the son of Mr.
retired merchant, of aw the light at Aber68. After receiving his rdeen Grammar School d remained there for
and at the expiration ceeded to Ceylon. On
nd he learned planting on the Macduff estate uently he joined the Nanu Oya, and, after a nths, he worked succes
OF CEYLON
Mr. Littlejohn is a member of the Ceylon Planters' Rifle Corps, the Kegalla Planters' Association, the Kegalla Tennis Club, and the Ruanwella Tennis Club. He is fond of tennis and cricket.
தி
CHARLES DUNINING HUNT.
The present superintendent of Udugoda estate, Udugoda, in the Kegalla district, Mr. C. D. Hunt, is the son of Dr. A. D. Hunt, of Devonshire. Born on November 30, 1872, he was educated at Hunnington, Devonshire. At the close of his school career at the latter institution, he studied engineering for
B TEA, ESTATE.
unde estate, at Yatiyan
estate, at Balangoda, state, at Ruanwella, till
his present position. estates, whose acreage the well-known Bible an elevation of from r trees, which are from years old, are grown remaining portion of o be opened up with in which 25o Tamils e coolies are employed, Para Rubber Company, s Mr. William Forsyth.
ekeekESkOSOOkkrSLkSkS SkOkOLOOSSOLOOeOSOBOOrrrrS
two and a half years at Marshall's, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, but gave up his position there to come out to Ceylon in I896. On his arrival in the island Mr. Hunt joined and worked on the Mahoysa estate, Madakelle, for four years, after which he was for a year on the Chetnole estate, and subsequently on several other estates till he was appointed to his present position. The Udugoda estate, whose elevation is 750 ft., consists of I,ooo acres, of which 45o are planted with tea and 55o with rubber. The number of coolies, both Tamils and Sinhalese, is 45o. The local agents for the estate are Messrs, Geo, Steuart & Co,
Page 889
TWENTIETH
Colombo. Besides being the superintendent of the Udugoda estate, Mr. Hunt is also in charge of the Hillwana, Markville, Goldina, and Ganegoda estates. He is a member of the Kegalla Planters' Association, and his recreations are riding, shooting, and hunting.
نوشہ
EDWARD STANLEY SINCLAIR.
Mr. E. S. Sinclair, superintendent of the Karandupona estate, Kegalla, was born on September 25, I874, at Loirston, in Kincardineshire, and educated at the Dollar Academy, Clackmannanshire, and the Aberdeen University. He served an apprenticeship as an engineer for six years, and then came out to Ceylon to learn planting. After a brief training on Rangalla estate, Rangalla, he was appointed assistant on the Bandarapola estate, Matale. On the outbreak of war he proceeded to South Africa with the first Ceylon contingent, and received medal, with five bars, for actions at Driefontein, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Wittebergen, and the operations in Cape Colony. Returning to Ceylon in May, 19oI, he resumed his old position on the Bandarapola estate. Afterwards he obtained his present appointment on the Karandupona estate. The estate, which is at an elevation of from 8oo to 900 ft., has an acreage of 5I6, of which 3oo acres are planted with tea and I76 acres with rubber; the balance is jungle. The annual crop of tea is estimated at I5o,ooo lbs. Mr. Sinclair also has charge of the Dodantola estate, which has an acreage of 200, of which IOO acres are planted with tea. Mr. Sinclair is a member of the Kegalla Planters' Association, and is hospital visitor representing the Planters' Association. His recreations are riding and shooting.
شوه
JAMES EWART AITKIEN.
Mr. J. E. Aitken, the superintendent of the Kalagala estate, Aranayke, Kegalla district, was born in September, 1872, at Edinburgh and educated at Kelvinside Academy, Glasgow. He came out to Ceylon in 1896, and after a two years' stay returned Home. I905, he revisited the island and accepted a post as assistant on the Wadamalle estate, Ramboda. Later he transferred to the Houtville estate, Agrapatna, and finally went to the Kalagala estate in his present position. The estate is situated at an elevation of from 25o to IOOO ft. There are IO6 acres under tea and 200 acres almost entirely planted with rubber. The estimated annual crop of tea is 33,Ooo lbs., and a labour force of 18O coolies is employed upon the property, which belongs to the Rubber Estates of Ceylon, Ltd. Mr.
In September,
CENTURY IN
W. A. Strachan is the
estate,
途 ബ
OSYNALD LLO
This gentleman, who of the Cottagalla and G pola and Kegalla, is t Pereira, landed propriet I873, he was educated a Colombo, and Trinity leaving college he e under his father on the 1897 he took over the
group of estates from twenty-five years previ of superintendent. The is 745, and the land
rubber, and to a sma The rubber-trees are fr
old. Mr. Pereira is mar
of Mr. Thomas White of Minor Roads, Ratna
29م
YAIAAGODA
This is a Matale Valle Matale town, of 20o c
MPRESSIONS
visiting agent for the
总
D PEREIRA.
) is the superintendent uava Hill estates, Gam . he son of Mr. J. C. or. Born on March I4, it St. Thomas's College,
College, Kandy. On mbarked on planting Cottagalla estate. In
charge of the whole
OF CEYLON 88.
remainder of the 333 acres which belong to the estate is not cultivated. Tea and rubber are the products, and the latter, which was planted three years since, is progressing nicely. The annual output of tea totals from 95,OOO to IOO,Ooo lbs. The proprietor of the estate is Mr. P. Colquhoun Adams, who has had an all-round and lengthy experience of planting. He is a Devon man, educated at Cheltenham and Heidelberg. He is fond of sport, shooting being his favourite pastime.
அே
CRERA
THE BUNGALOW, COTTAGALLA ESTATE,
his father, who had for ously filled the position : acreage of the estates is planted with cocoa, 11 extent with pepper. om three to four years ried to Lydia, daughter 2, late Superintendent
puru.
ESTATE,
y estate, six miles from 'ultivated acres. The
OSWALID LLOYD PEREIRA AND FAMILY,
ARTHUR EDWARD BARRS.
This gentleman was born on May 24, 1863, at Leicester and educated at Loughborough. He was apprenticed to a broker at Rudes Lane, England, for three years. He came to Ceylon in I883, and joined Agar's Land Estate, Balangoda, serving there for about three years, after which he worked at the Kalaga estate, Kalutara. appointed superintendent of the Ambapitiya estate, Kegalla, and still holds that position. The total acreage of this estate, whose elevation is from 5Oo to I,7OO ft., is 85o, of which 57o is interplanted with tea and rubber and
Subsequently he was
Page 890
882
277 with rubber-the trees are from six months to six and a half years old. The annual crop of tea is 26,Ooo lbs., and the labour force consists of 67o coolies. The local agents are Messrs. Carson & Co., while the proprietor is Mr. R. D. Carson. Mr. Barr's recreations are cricket and tennis.
அே
THE EASTERN PRODUCE AND ESTATES COMPANY, LTD. This is an important undertaking, owning numerous estates in various parts of the island. The most important of the properties are the Vellai Oya (Lower Dikoya), I,358 acres, the Norwood (Dikoya), 790 acres, the Meddecombra (Dimbula), 2,554 acres, the Hope (Upper Hewaheta), I, I65 acres, the Matale West (Matale), 693 acres, the Rothschild (Pussellawa), I,062 acres, and the Sogama (Pussellawa), 796 acres. Altogether the area of the estates owned by the company approaches nearly 13,000 acres.
அ?
LANCELOT VICTOR NELIGAN. Mr. Lancelot Victor Neligan, superintendent of the Troy Estate, Ruanwella, is the son of the late Mr. John West Neligan, gentleman, of Bray Head, Ireland. Born on March 4,
TWENTIETH
CENTURY
1887, at Eastbourne, h ford Grammar School a College, Epsom. On 1
స్ట్రీ
ANDREV DUE
(For Letterpre
tion he learned farmin out to Ceylon and star H. W. Baily, of Elsto Afterwards he was asso estate, Avisawella, and Rakwana. Finally he
present position. The
an area of 360 acres o interplanted with rubl rubber of from one to annual crop is I60,000 are 4o coolies employ
ROSS BUNGALOW.
J. R. MARTIN'S DANGAU RU
(Road through rul
MPRESSIONS
was educated at Bednd at the Royal Medical eaving the latter institu
FF JAMIESON.
SS see p. 711.)
g, but eventually came ted planting under Mr. ne estate, Avisawella. riated with the Glenesk the Madampe estate, was appointed to his Troy estate embraces F tea fully planted and per, and I 2o acres of two years old. The lbs. of tea, and there ed. The elevation of
OF CEYLON
the estate is from 20o to 5oo ft., and its owners are the Ceylon Proprietary Tea Estates Company, Ltd., and the managing director in Ceylon is Mr. T. G. Hayes.
es کال
RUBBER PLANTATIONS, LTD.
East Matale is one of the finest rubbergrowing districts in the island, and the estate owned by the above company, of which Mr. J. R. Martin is the superintendent, is not the least promising area given over to the product. The estate has an acreage of 455, the bulk of which is planted. Some of the trees, as our
illustrations show, have reached an advanced
stage of growth.
。岁
THE MAPITGAMA ESTATE. The Mapitigama group of estates, which are the property of Mr. J. M. Brace, are situated in the Kelani Valley. They have an acreage of 465, and of this area 423 acres are under tea. Messrs. Lipton, Ltd., are the agents for the
group.
அே
WILLIAM MURRAY.
Mr. Murray comes of a well-known planting family. His father was the late Mr. William
༈ ཤིན་ཞི་ལྷ་སྐུ་
VIEW OF DANGAU ESTATE STORE
(Paddy fields in the foreground.)
BEBER, AND COCOA ESTATE.
ber plantation.)
Page 891
THOMAS SCOVELL-THE (For Lette
MAPITEGAMA E I. GENERAL VIEW. 2. RUBBER TR.
BUNGALOW AND FACTORY.
press see p. 854)
STATE
EES, 3. The FACTORY.
Page 892
884 TWENTIETH CENTURY
Murray, pioneer proprietary planter, who was a leading figure in the halcyon days of coffee planting. Born on September 15, 1869, he was educated at Boyndie House, Banff, Scotland, and Aberdeen Grammar School. He came out to Ceylon in 189I and joined his father in planting, and afterwards served on various estates. Ultimately he was appointed to his present position, which is superintendent of Ugieside estate, Undugoda. The total acreage of this property is 4oo, of which 3II acres are planted with tea and 7 acres with rubber. Rubber is also planted in the ravines. The annual crop of tea is I5O,OOO lbs. Three hundred Tamil coolies are employed in working the estate, the proprietors of which are Mr. James Gray and the heirs of the late Mr. William Gray. Mr. Murray holds the power of attorney for the owners, and the shipping and selling agents are Messrs. Gordon Frazer & Co. He also looks after the Kalupane estate, which is now being opened up for planting with rubber,
அே
HENRY WINCENT TRINGHAM,
This gentleman, who was born in Ceylon at Nuwara Eliya on February 27, 1884,
" "శిష్ట షీణిఃశో
was educated at St. E place and at St. Thor
H. V. TRINGHAM A
He learnt planting unde Tringham-a veteran
J. D. P. MACLEAN-KEEELWATTE. E.
MPRESSIONS
lward's School at that Las's College, Colombo
ND HIS MANAGER.
r his father, Mr. W. R. in this line-who is
OF CEYLON
planter-in-charge of the Pen-y-lan estate, Dolosbage, but left him, and was in charge for some time of some plumbago pits at Rakwana. Mr. Tringham later was assistant on Windsor Forest, Malgolla, and other estates, and now he is the assistant-superintendent of the Ambadeniya group of estates, Kadugannawa, Aranayke. He is a member of the Dolosbage Tennis and Athletic Club, Gampola and Lower Kotmale Clubs. He is an ardent sportsman, being fond of tennis, cricket, football, shooting, &c., and holds the cricketing record as a batsman of St. Thomas's College between the intercollegiate schools in Ceylon,
அே
J. D. P. MACLEAN.
Mr. J. D. P. Maclean, superintendent of the Kehelwatte estate, Lunugala, was born on January 2, 1870, in Ross-shire, Scotland, and educated at Inverness College. After completing his education he went to Australia and engaged in sheep farming. He remained there for seven years and then proceeded to Ceylon, joining the Maha Uva estate, Kandapola. From this property he transferred to the Dammeria estate, Passara, acting there as assistant. Later he was associated in the same capacity with the Batuwatte estate. After serving here for
TATE AND BUNGALOW.
Page 893
TWENTIETH
a year he was given charge of the Yapame estate, and held the appointment for three years. Finally he was appointed to his present charge on the Kehelwatte estate. This property has an acreage of I,8oo. Of the total area 6oo acres are planted with tea and 2Oo acres with rubber. The estate, which is owned by the Lunugala Rubber and Tea Company of Ceylon, is situated at an elevation of from 2,Ooo to 3,000 ft. The estimated crop of tea in I907 is 32O,Ooo lbs. The labour force on the estate consists of 925 coolies. Mr. Maclean is a member of the Badulla and Uva Gymkhana Clubs. His recreations are shooting, hunting, riding, and racing.
。岁
C E BONNER
Mr. C. E. Bonner is the resident manager of the Glen Devon Estate, Udapussellawa. The total acreage of the estate is 482, and of this
C. E. BONNER
423 acres are under tea. The property belongs to the Anglo-Ceylon and General Estate Company, Ltd., for which Messrs. Aitken, Spence & Co. are the local agents.
شوه
Alexander Lewis Kirk.
This gentleman, who is the superintendent of the Pita Ratmalie estate, Haputale, is the soil of the late SurgeonMajor Kirk, an old Anglo-Indian officer. At the time of the Mutiny, Dr. Kirk was in charge of the Gwalior contingent. The subject of the sketch, as a child, was a witness of some of the most stirring episodes of that memorable period, including the sack of Gwalior and the siege of Agra, Dr. Kirk and several other of Mr. Kirk's relations were killed during the operations. After his educational training at Bath College, Mr. Kirk took service under the Hudson Bay Company. Eventually, in 1876, he found his way to Ceylon, and joined his brother-in-law, Mr. J. F. Jowitt, on the Eitofe estate, Bogawantalawa. He served on this and other estates for some time, and then-nineteen years since-accepted the appointment which he still holds. The estate, which is at an elevation of 5,ooo ft., originally belonged to Colonel Lillie, SurveyorGeneral of Ceylon, and was purchased eight years since by the Ceylon Tea Plantations Company, Ltd. When Mr. Kirk joined the estate the land was mainly under coffee and, tea was in its infancy. By slow degrees the area was brought under tea, and now of a total acreage of I,6o5, I,27Iacres are so plated, Half the tea is in full bearing and the other half is young tea. The estimated annual crop is 35d,ooo lbs., which will be doubled when the young tea comes in. The estate employs 88o coolies. Some of the Kanganies (head men) have been on the estate for thirty years. Mr, Kirk is a member of the
CENTURY II
Colombo Club, the Kandy Cl England. He was for th Haputale Planters' Associal membership of that body. manded the Uwa section of Diamond Jubilee and Hum: saved three lives from drov for swimming in his young shooting, riding, and motorir daughter of Lieut.-General S son, who is studying for the (For photograph see p. 85.
John J.
The son of the Rev. C. I Martin's, Guernsey, Mr. Ro Gonakelle estate, comes of family which has as its most the Marquis of Ripon. M Guernsey on February 19, 18. College in that island. He ca joined the Amherst coffee district. At the expiration of Rangbodde coffee estate, R. for about three years. Sub with the East Gourakelle Finally, in I88o, he took cha The property at that time c acres, the whole being unde Mr. Robinson planted cinch was started. New ground w until the estate reached its of which 920 acres are plar rubber, and 7o acres with car in elevation from (,5oo to 5,6c crop of tea of 48oooo lbs., th England. The labour force Tamil coolies. Besides supe this important property, Mr. his own account two rubber Elba watte-which are now Company, Ltd. He is one district in which he lives, a notably in the means of com charge of the Gomakelle est, farther than Gampola, while Passara was only just being r
For photograph see p. 85.
● 2
Edward
Mr. Edward H. Mellor, the morland estate, Badulla, the a retired War Office official, Bray, Berkshire, and educat He started life in a solicitor taste for the law, he came ou planting. He joined the Mal at the end of ten months t estate, where he remained Later he was associated wit finally, after a trip home, acc the Westmorland estate. Th to Mr. George Taylor, is at a 3,ooo ft., and has an acreage c planted with tea. The estate consisting of from 25o to 3o is a member of the Badulla cricket, tennis, and hockey.
For photograph see p. 85.
James D
This gentleman, who is the estate, has had a varied exper in Ceylon in 1874 at the age ( on March I3, 1853, in Glasgow the Haragalla estate, on the group, on the Ballacolla, the I in the Haputate district, and s of the Ury estate in conjuncti estate. The total area of th Duncan's supervision is I,ooo 9oo acres are under tea. T 520 lbs., and the yield is beir high cultivation. Under this thirty years old are yieldin coolies are employed upon th been closely identified with the interests of the planters i has been stationed. He was S Chairman for three of the Hal and in those capacities played tion for the extension of the Bandarawela. During the pa Chairmara of the Passara Plan actively worked for the exts Bandarawela to Passara, a pr shortly accomplished, since ord
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
lub, and the Badminton Club, ree years Chairman of the tion, and still continues his For ten years Mr. Kirk comMounted Rifles, and holds the ane Society's medals; he has wning, and won many prizes er days. His. recreations are ng. Mr. Kirk is married to a ir John McLeod, and has one Navy,
罗
Robinson.
). P. Robinson, Rector of St. binson, the manager of the a branch of the Robinson distinguished representative r. Robinson was born in 57, and educated at Elizabeth me out to Ceylon in I875, and state in the Udapussellawa a year he transferred to the amboda, where he remained sequently he was connected and the Kotogada estates. urge of the Gonakelle estate. nly embraced an area of 3oo coffee. When coffee failed ona, and in 1885 tea planting as broken from time to time, present large acreage of I,83o, hted with tea, I2O acres with damoms, The estate ranges loft. It produces an annual he whole of which is sold in om the estate consists of 9oo rintending the operations on Robinson has opened up on 2states-the Paravilla and the owned by the Uva Rubber of the oldest planters in the nd has seen many changes, munication, for when he took ate, the railway extended no the road from that place to made.
版
H. Mellor.
superintendent of the Westson of Mr. Edward J. Mellor, was born in April, 882, at ted at St. Mark's, Windsor. 's office, but having no great it to Ceylon in IgoI to learn havilla estate, Demodera, but ransferred to the Nayabedde for three and a half years. h the Madulsima estate, and cepted his present charge on his property, which belongs in elevation of from 2,5oo to of 43o, of which 325 acres are
is worked by a labour force o Tamil coolies. Mr. Mellor . Club. His recreations are
lunca,
superintendent of the Ury ience in planting. Arriving of twenty-one-he was born --he served successively on : Hunasgeria coffee estate Pikapitiya and other estates ince 1894 has been in charge on with the Mahapahagalla e property now under Mr. acres, of which from 8oo to he crop of tea per acre is ng continually increased by system trees from twenty to g splendidly. About looo he estate. Mr. Duncan has public movements affecting in the districts in which he Secretary for five years and putale Planters' Association,
a leading part in the agitarailway from Nanu Oya to ast three years he has been ters' Association, and he has nsion of the railway from oject which bids fair to be lers have been issued for the
885
immediate survey of the line. Mr. Duncan is a member of the Badulla Club. His recreation is tennis.
For photograph see p. 85.
്
John Rettie.
The Uva Coffee Company, Ltd., of which the abovenamed gentleman is manager, is an important commercial enterprise owning a number of estates in Uva. The various estates forming the group are: Glenalpin, Grahamstand, Ballagalla, Rockhill, Himidagalla, Lodgerwatte and Talpitigalla. The altitude of the properties ranges from I,ooo to I,500 ft. in the case of Talpitigalla to 3ooo to 6,000 ft. in that of Glenalpin. The estates have a total acreage of 4,218, of which 2,37 acres are under tea, 207 rubber, 87 coffee, and 67 cocoa. Of the remaining area 493 acres are set apart for providing fuel and I,ooo acres are classed as reserve. No fewer than 2,224 coolies are employed upon the various estates, and their estimated produce for I907 is I,259,ooo lbs. of tea, 35o bushels of coffee, and Ioo cwts, of cucoa. Mr. Rettie, who was born at Banff, in Scotland, came out to Ceylon in 1874 and joined the Spring Walley Estates Company, Ltd., of which his brother, Mr. A. T. Rettie, was manager. For ten years he remained with this company, and in that period saw the decline of coffee. In 1885, on the retirement of Mr. Lavie, he accepted the charge of the properties of the Uva Estates Company, Ltd. At this time, with the exception of an area of 3oo acres which had just previously been planted with tea, the whole of the estates were under coffee, and upon Mr. Rettie devolved the duty of making the inevitable change from coffee to tea cultivation. It was a responsible work which he carried out with great thoroughness and conspicuous success. In 1894 matters had so far advanced that the company found it necessary to erect at Badulla a factory for dealing with leaf grown on their own estates, and for the treatment also of produce from other estatics in the neighbourhood which at the time possessed no factories of their own. The establishment stands on a site of four acres owned by the company. It is splendidly equipped with machinery of the most modern type. In one wing of the factory is a steam-engine with four rollers, four dryers, tea sifters, a tea packer, and other appliances. In the other wing is an oil-engine working three rollers, three dryers, &c. The leaf from Ballagalla and Rockhill is conveyed to the factory by wire shoots. In one instance the aerial installation is five-eighths of a mile in length, and it is supposed to be the longest wire shoot in Ceylon. Altogether the output of the factory at the present time reaches the high figure of 6ooooo lbs. per annum. Financially the company's position is most sound. The original go shares, which stood at only 2 Ios. when Mr. Rettie took charge of the properties, are now quoted at to ros., and as the prospects of the company are extremely good this position is likely to still further improve in the next few years. Considerable attention is being given to rubber cultivation. On the recently acquired Talpitigalla estate 200 acres have already been planted with this product, and the intention is to increase the acreage to I,oco in the immediate future. It is worthy of note that the Uva Company is the only company in the district which stands on its original basis with regard to capital, the estates having been all developed out of profits. Mr. Rettie is a member of the Badulla Planters' Association, and was for some time Chairman of that body. He is a member of the Colombo Club, of the Hill Club Nuwara Eliya, and of the Badminton Club, London.
For photograph see p. 851.
്
S. H. Bower,
Mr. S. H. Bower, District Engineer, Public Works Department, Badulla, is a son of Mr. J. W. Bower, for
s. H. Bow ER.
many years resident engineer of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Company, Born on January 31, 1875, in
3L
Page 894
886
Lancashire, he was educated at Warwick School and at Mason's College, Birmingham. At the last-named institution he studied engineering, and received a diploma for the same. He served for three years under Mr. J. D
Leechman, A.M.I.M.E. and then went as assistant engineer to Henley Arden, Warwickshire. Later he was appointed assistant to Mr. Price, the City Engineer of Birmingham. After two years' service in the great Midland city he joined the Public Works Department of Ceylon, and was seconded for service in the Irrigation Department. He served in the Eastern Provinces for three years and at the expiration of that period reverted to the Public Works Department. More recently he was attached to the office of the Provincial Engineer, Eastern Province. Finally, he received his present appointment. Mr. Bower is a member of the Badulla and Uva Gymkhana Club. His recreations are tennis, hockey, and riding.
அே
J. H. B. Cockburn.
Like a good many of his brother planters in Uva, Mr. Cockburn, the superintendent of the Hopeton estate, hails from the land of cakes. He was born on September 17, 1855, at Inverness, and went out to Ceylon in 1873. His first experience was om the Amadova coffee estate, of which he was for some time superintendent. In 1881 he severed his connection with this property and joined the Gallola coffee estates in Lunugala. There he opened the first tea district after the failure of coffee. At the expiration of three years he joined the Uva Bank, but still kept up his planting work. In 1891 he acquired the proprietary interests in the bank. Meanwhile he had occupied himself in opening up the Hopeton tea estate. This property, which is at an elevation of from 2,6Oo to 2,8oo ft., has an acreage of 1,3oo, of which I,ooo acres are planted with
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
agents. In connection with factory supplied with mod power is at present suppli oil engine is on order, and establishment, Mr. Cockbu Club. Nuwara Eliya. and of til His recreations are tennis an
(For photograph see p. 85.
J. R. E
This gentleman, who is an folk family, was born on Oct King's College, London. He and joined the Hoonasgeria After serving a short proba with several estates in the districts. Then he took char: worked upon it for eighteen connection with the change tea. Quitting the estate, he not of long duration. Return an engagement on Messrs. Li given charge of the Dambat he supervised for four year period he again visited tle more in Ceylon, he acquire estate, of which he is at acreage of this property is I, I are under tea and rubber I tea and rubber cultivation, of 20o acres will be cultivatec present the annual crop of t estate is worked by a labou Barclay is a member of the
THE TIENTSIN TEA FAC
tea. The estimated annual crop is 53.o.oOo lbs., and I,8oo coolies are employed in working the estate. Associated with the Hopeton property are the Amblangoda and Swinton estates, the former of I20 acres and the latter with an area of 200 acres. These were formerly the property of Mr. Cockburn, but they are now, with the Hopton estate, owned by the Lunura Tea Company, Ltd. for which Messrs. Crosfield, Lampard & Co. are the local
Nuwara Eliya Hill Club. and cricket.
(For photograph see p. 85I.)
MPRESSIONS
e estates is a well-equipped machinery. The motive by water, but a 9o-h.p. il shortly be erected in the is a member of the Hill Badula and Passara Clubs. fishing.
rclay.
mber of a well-known Norer 15, 1859, and educated at went out to Ceylon in 1876, state in the Kandy district. om here, he was associated Madulsima and Lumtugala of the Koslande estate, and 2ars, supervising the work in om coffee and cinchona to ent Honne, but his stay was ng to the island, he accepted ton's estates, and finally was nine group, which property At the expiration of this ld Country. Arrived once an interest in the Park resent the manager. The bo, and of the area 376 acres is intended to extend both Probably an additional area before the end of Igo7. At a is about looooo lbs. The force of 45o coolies. Mr. Colombo Club and of the
OF CEYLON
J. F. Fraser.
The superintendent of the Tientsin estate, Mr. J. F. Fraser, is a son of the late Mr. John Fraser, proprietary planter, who owned at one time the Aberdeen estate. He was born at Matale, on Feb. 5, 1866, and was educated at Aberdeen Schools and King's College, Aberdeen. Proceeding to Ceylon in 1887, he served for a short time under his father on the Aberdeen estate, and then accepted an engagement on the Kotiyagalla estate, Bogawantalawa. Afterwards he had charge of the Aldie estate for seven years and of the Nicholioya Group estates, Matale district, for eight and a half years. Finally, in March, I906, he accepted his present charge. The acreage of the Tientsin estate is 385, of which 325 acres are under tea. The annual crop is estimated at 20o,ooo lbs. A labour force of 28o coolies is employed upon the estate, which is situated at an elevation of from 4,356 ft. to 4,629 ft. Attached to the estate is an up-to-date factory which has quite recently been built. Mr. Fraser is married to Elsa, daughter of Mr. Adolph Meyer, and has two daughters. His recreations are tennis, billiards, and athletic games.
نوشتہ
G. C. Scott.
The superintendent of the Indurama estate, Ruanwella, Mr. G. C. Scott, is a Liverpudlian. He was born on the banks of the Mersey on May 8, 1877, and was educated at Liverpool College. He migrated to Ceylon in 1896. joining the Glengariff estate, Dikoya, as creeper. After serving a short probationary period, he was appointed assistant on the Luccon estate, Maskeliya. Later, he was connected with the Binoya estate, and from that transferred to the Indurama estate. On the outbreak of the South African War he volunteered for active service, and was present with the Ceylon contingent at many important
ORY AND
His recreations are tennis
BUNGALOW.
engagements. He possesses the South African medal with five bars. After the war and a spell of much-needed rest at home, Mr. Scott returned to Ceylon and resumed his planting career on his old estate. A little time afterwards he was appointed superintendent on the Promised Land estate, but he finally drifted back to Indurama, of which estate he took charge. The acreage of this property is 428, the greater part of the area being planted with tea
Page 895
TWENTIETH
്.
స్లో
CENTURY. I
TE TEA STATE.
interplanted with rubber. Plumbago deposits exist on the estate. One lunap of the nineral which was discovered is said to be the largest piece ever found in Ceylon, and its quality is stated by experts to be very high. The annual crop of tea is 200,ooo lbs.; in its cultivation and production 3oo coolies, all Tamils, are employed. The estate belongs to the United Planters' Association of Ceylon, and its local agents are Messrs. Boustead Bros.
شوه
John Hill.
This gentleman, who is the manager of the Keenagaha Ella estate, Balangoda, is a son of the late Sir John Hill, Bart., and is the heir-presumptive to the ಙ್ಗಣ್ಣ He was born on June 25, 1869, at Londonderry, County Do and educated at Harrow. He proceeded to Ceylon in 1887 and served a probationership on the Aberfoyle estate, Rakwana. From this he transferred to the Keenagaha Ella estate, and was there for four years as S.D. Later he was connected with various estates, but ultimately returned to the Keenagaha. Ella estate as superintendent. This property has an area of 4 Io acres, of which 2'50 acres are under tea and 35 acres tea interplanted with rubber. The annual crop of tea is estimated at I2o.ooo lbs. Attached to the estate is a factory capable of dealing with I5o,coolbs. of tea annually. Upon the estate stands a tea tree of remarkable size. The trunk measures 4 ft. round, and the tree itself has a circumference of 42 ft. Mr. Hill has made some interesting experiments in the scientific cultivation of tea upon the estate, and is the compiler of Rutherford's ''Planters' Notebook.' He was a member of the Labour Commission which proceeded to India to investigate matters in connection with the engagement of coolies for the estates. He has been Chairman of the Sabaragamuwa Planters Association, and is the Honorary Secretary of the Balangoda and Rakwana Association. He is a Justice of the Peace, and until lately was an Unofficial Police Magistrate. His recreation is tennis.
ഴ്ച
Channing Esdaile.
Few planters are better known in Uva than this gentleman, who is the proprietor of the Shawlands estate, Lunugala. Born at Framlingham, in Suffolk, in October, 1834, and with a planting record which extends over a halfcentury, he is one of the veterans of the industry. He first landed in Ceylon in 1856, arriving in the barque
Francis Barclay, which of c via the Cape. His first intro the Rangalla coffee estate, w His Uva experiences date fro in Madulsima, planting coffe was little known, so little ind first European to embark up Taking up his quarters in a rough life of the pioneer; but and so well was he satisfied w been associated with it ever various estates in the M districts, and meantime boug In 1877, before the collapse of various properties and went 1 Zealand. After a sojourn in 1 to Ceylon, and resumed activ and Shawlands estates, of These properties were plante and it became necessary, OV products, to replant with te carried out, and when the e new lines he sold the Werrell residence at Shawlands, whe Under his supervision the S greatly extended. It now & acres, of which 650 acres are interplanted with the tea o estate, and there is a plantat product on ground opened l crop of tea annually is 260,000 the estate in a factory equi and a 22-h-p. oil-engine. M the Junior Constitutional Club the original members of the on the members' roll of th Esdaille, in addition to his te coconut properties with a cont
For photograph see p. 85.)
لاوه
W. SteyWall
This gentleman, who is til group of tea estates, was bo educated at Glasgow. Proce engaged in coffee planting an largest agents of the coffee old Oriental Bank Corporati financial results. But he co, and after serving as superint the Uva Province he, in 1893. charge. Originally the Passa
MPRESSIONS
JOEIN EIIILL.
ourse had made the voyage bduction to planting was on here he served for four years. m 1863. He opened up lands e. At that time the district eed that Mr. Esdaille was the on plantung within its area. Sinhalese hut, he lived the his enterprise was rewarded, with the locality that he has since. He had charge of adulsima and Hewa Eliya ght land and planted coffee. coffee, he sold his interests in Home zidi Australia and New he Old Country he returned 'e work on the Verrellapatna which he was proprietor. d with coffee and cinchona, wing to the failure of both a. This work Mr. Esdaie states were running on the a property and took up his 're he has been ever since. shawlands estate has been mbraces an area of IOOO planted with tea. Rubber is the lower portion of the ion of 50 acres of the same p last year. The estimated lbs. The leaf is treated on pped with a water turbine Ir. Esdaille is a member of London, and he was one of Colombo Club. He is also e . Nuwara Eliya Club. Mr. a interests, is proprietor of bined area of 35o acres.
it Taylor.
Le manager of the Passara in in 1853, in Java, and was ding to Ceylon in 1876, he in time became one of the estates. The failure of the »n had for him disastrous htinued his planting career, 2ndent of various estates in was appointed to his present ra estates were planted with
OF CEYLON 887
క్ష్కీ
THE OFFICE.
coffee and cinchona, and their conversion to tea was carried out under Mr. Taylor's supervision. Of the total acreage of Igo3 an area of 5oo acres is under tea and 28o acres are under rubber. The estimated annual crop of tea is 230,000 lbs. The labour force consists of 6oo coolies, mostly Tamils. In connection with the estate is a factory equipped with the latest machinery and capable of coping with 3Ooooo lbs. of tea annually. The machinery is worked mainly by water power, but steam power is available in case of emergency. The estate is situated at an elevation of from 1,7oo to 4 ooo ft. The manager's bungalow is 3,1oo ft, above sea level. Mr. Taylor is a member of the Colombo and Badulla Clubs, and he is Chairman of the Passara Planters' Association. His recreations are shooting and golfing.
அே
J. B. Cotton.
This gentleman, who is the superintendent of the Dammeria group of estates, is the son of Mr. John Cotton, farmer, of Nuwara Eliya. Born on July 22, 1854, at Nuwara Eliya, he was educated at St. Thomas's College, Colombo. He started planting under Mr. Greason in 187I, and served successively on various estates in Pussellawa, Haputale, and Madulsima. In 1878 he took charge of the Dammeria estate, and has been connected with the property ever since. The estate has an area of I,4oo acres, 595 of which are planted with tea, 37 with cocoa, and I53 with rubber. The estimated annual crop of tea is 285, ooo lbs. On the estate 675 coolies are employed. Mr. Cotton is married and has three sons. His recreation is croquet.
அே
Arthur William Bisset.
Mr. Arthur William Bisset, the superintendent of the Yapame and Kinagoda estates, is a son of the late Mr. James Bisset, J.P. and U.P.M. of the Poonagalla group, Bandarawela. He was born in October, 1872, and educated at Aberdeen Grammar School. He qualified as a chemist, and is a member of the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain. Unfortunately, his health became indifferent, and under the advice of his doctors he abandoned his career in favour of an open air life. Proeeeding to Ceylon in I897, he learnt planting under his father on the Lunugala estate, Bandarawela. From this estate, after fifteen months' training, he proceeded to Mount Vernon, Kotagala, remaining there for five years, first as first junior
Page 896
888
assistant and later as senior assistant. Then he acted for a few months as superintendent on the Osborne estate. Dikoya. Quitting this property, he went to the Rukatenne estate, Bandarawela, and finally was appointed to his present position. The acreage of the Yapame estate is 592, of which 33o acres are under tea interplanted with rubber. The annual crop of tea is estimated at I4o,ooolbs. Mr. Bisset is the hon. sec. of the Passara Planters' Association, and is a member of the Badulla Club. His recreation is tennis.
For photograph see p. 851.)
தி
G. H. Sparkes.
The above-named gentleman is the superintendent of the Bogawane estate, Bogawantalawa. The son of Mr. G. B. Sparkes, a retired tea-planter, of Southwick, Sussex, he was born on December 29, 1879, and educated at Steyning Grammar School, Sussex. Proceeding to Ceylon in 1898, he commenced his career as planter on the Bogawamtalawa estate. From this property he transferred to the Kirkaswall estate, in the same district. Here he served for three and at the expiration of that time took charge of the
ridwell estate. His next move was to the Bogawane estate, of which he has been superintendent ever since. The estate has an acreage of 436, of which 386 acres are under tea. The estimated annual crop of tea is 20oooolbs. About 3oo coolies are employed upon the estate, the elevation of which is from 45ooto 5.o.o.oft. The factory attached to the estate is equipped with four rollers, two dryers, one Brown's desiccator, two sifters, two roll-breakers, one packer, and two fans. The motive power is supplied by a turbine of 40 h.p. Mr. Neale's recreations are tennis and
hunting.
وع
J. W. Baillie.
Born in November, 1883, in London, Mr. J. W. Baillie, the superintendent of the Bridwell estate, Bogawantalawa, was educated at Brighton. He started life in a London bank, but, tiring of desk work, proceeded to Ceylon in go2, and commenced planting on the Wanarajah estate, Dikoya. At the expiration of a year he secured an appointment on the Kirkoswald estate. Here he remained for two years, and then accepted his present charge. The Bridwell estate is situated at an elevation of 4,4oo ft., and has an acreage of 48o, of which 420 acres are under tea.
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
The estimated annual crop labour force upon the estatec Mr. Baillie's recreations are h
E. M.
This gentleman, who is th talawa estate, Bogawantalaw shire, and educated at the R quitting school, he was enga office. In 1879 he proceeded land in the Kurunegala distri produce. Fever compelled h expiration of six months. He the Hope estate, in the Hewa here for three years, and the Lower Dikoya, where he se to 1898 he was in charge of Following this came his app of the Boga wantalawa estat since. This property, which Mackenzie, C.B., is at an eleva Originally a coffee estate, it h; the last twenty-two years. It which 54o acres are planted of tea is estimated at 325,ooo labour force of 525 Tamil cool factory is equipped with fo rotary sifters, an oil-engine c 20 h.p. Mr. Wyatt is marrie W.J. F. Brand, late of the W: the Bogawantalawa Club. F
fishing. and rowing.
2
T. Gi
Mr. T. Gidden, the supe estate, was born in February, educated privately. Arriving planting on the Galaha estat to the Katooloya estate. Fo has been in charge of the Can is at an elevation of from . acreage of 712, of which 632 are new clearings planted wit crop of tea for the year is a the estate 7oo coolies are em nected with it is equipped w
THE TEA ESTATE AND BUNGALC
MPRESSIONS
f tea is 220,0oo lbs. The insists of 4oo Tamil coolies. nting and shooting.
7yatt.
manager of the Bogawanl, was born in Monmouthyal Academy, Gosport. On ed for four years in a city to Ceylon and opened up t, planting rubber and new m to leave the district at the then started tea planting on leta district. He remained went to the Baloya estate, ved until 1885. From 1885 the Elbedde estate, Dikoya. intment to the managership 2, which he has held ever is owned by Colonel F. M. tion of from 4,3oo to 5,ooo ft. s been planted with tea for has an area of 615 acres, of with tea. The annual crop bs., and in its production a ies is employed. The estate ur rollers, four dryers, two f II h.p., and a turbine of d to Laura, daughter- of Mr. r Office. He is President of is recreations are shooting,
lden.
intendent of the Campion 1857, at Edinburgh, and was in Ceylon in 1878, he started , and from that transferred r the last fourteen years he npion estate. This property 5oo to 5,000 ft. It has an
acres are tea, and I2 acres h tea. The estimate of the n average of 6oo lbs. Upon ployed, and the factory conith four rollers, two dryers,
OF CEYLON
and other machinery, the whole being worked by a turbine of 40 h.p. Mr. Gidden is a visiting agent for various estates, and has also considerable proprietary interests in tea estates. He is a member of the Junior Athenaeum Club, London, and of the Colombo and Kandy Clubs, as well as of all local clubs. His recreations are tennis boating, and racing.
éوه
Albert D. Sly.
Mr. Albert D. Sly, part proprietor of the Detenagalla estate, Bogawantalawa, was born on June 5, 1879, and educated at the City of London School. He started life in a shipping office in the City, but after two years' desk work decided for an open-air life and went to California and commenced fruit-farming. Finding this not to answer, he, in 1898, proceeded to Ceylon and started planting on the Barnagalla estate, Nawalapitiya. After serving om this property for three and a half years, he accepted an appointment on the Raxagama estate, Wattagama. He had charge of this estate for fifteen months, and on leaving took charge of the Moratenne estate. At the expiration of thirteen months he transferred to the Detenagalla estate, and has been there ever since. The property embraces an area of 491 acres, of which 3O2 acres are fully planted with tea. The estimate of the annual crop is 125ooolbs. There are 335 coolies working upon the estate, the elevation of which is from 2,8oo to 3,95o ft. Attached to the estate is a factory equipped with machinery of the latest date, with a turbine to supply the motive power. Mr. Sly is also in charge of Rye estate, of 32I acres, of which II.5 acres are under tea. Mr. Sly is a member of the Bogawantalawa Club. His recreation is tennis,
அே
Ă. M. Maitland.
Mr. A. M. Maitland is a son of the late Mr. George Keith Maitland, a well-known Ceylon planter. He was born in July, 1878, in Ceylon, and educated at Beaumont, England. His planting experiences date from 1898, when he joined the Ingestre estate, Dikoya. Afterwards he served in succession on the Weharegalla estate, Haputale; the Donnybrook estate, Lower Dikoya ; and the Theresia estate, Bogawantalawa. From the last-named property he transferred to the Marahela estate. This has an acreage of 363, of which 28o acres are planted with tea and tea interplanted with rubber, 13 acres with coconuts,
W. BOGAWANTALAWA ESTATE.
Page 897
.A. D. SLY, THE BUNGALOW, AND VIE
VS OF INTERIOR OF TEA FACTORY.
3 L *
Page 898
890 TWENTIETH
CENTURY
8
I, A, C, BONNER. 2. A, DIE B. KNOCKER. 3. J. F. FRASER,
5. E. M. WYAT"r. 6. W. STEwART TAYLOR. 8, G, H. SPARKIES. 9. A. M. MAITLAND. Io. J. W. BAILLIE.
and 20 acres with rubber. The annual crop of tea is estimated at 60,000 lbs. About 3oo coolies are employed upon the estate, which is provided with a factory capable of dealing with 20oooo lbs. of tea, Mr. Maitland is a member of the Balangoda, Darawella, and Bogawantalawa Clubs. His recreations are tennis and shooting.
அே
A. de B. Knocker.
This gentleman, the senior assistant superintendent of the Rasagalla estate, Balangoda, is a son of the late Mr. Edward Knocker, solicitor, of Dover. Born on October I, 1874, at Dover, he was educated at Westward Ho United Service College, and at Oxford University, where he graduated B.A. Proceeding to Ceylon in 1896, he commenced his career as planter on the Bowlana estate, Deltota. He was afterwards connected with the Maddegama and Kirriemetiya estates, Deltota, and with the Hope estate, Hewaheta, and the Yatederiya estate. From the last-named property he transferred to the Rosagalla estate, upon which he has served during the past five years. His recreations are tennis and shooting.
。岁
Arthur Watt.
Mr. Arthur Watt, the manager of the Rasagalla Group estates, is the son of the late Mr. John Watt, retired merchant, of Glasgow. Born on January 7, 1866, at Glasgow, he was educated at Glasgow College. He adopted a career as an architect, but finding the work distasteful, proceeded to Ceylon in 1887 to learn tea planting. He was first under Mr. John Aymer on the Caroondawatte estate, Gampola. In 1888 he bought a share in the Aderapolla estate in the Kelani Valley district, and took over the management of the property. He remained on the estate until 1896, when it was amalgamated with other
MPRESSIONS
4. J. G. GIDDEN. . A. WATT.
II. P. P. MIERS,
OF CEYLON
properties owned by a company styled the Aderapola Tea Company, Ltd., of which Mr. Watt became manager, Mr. Watt took up his residence on the St. Helen's estate, Dolosbage-one of the properties taken over-and remained upon it until the end of Igo5, when he resigned the management in favour of his younger brother, Mr. H. E. Watt. On quitting St. Helen's Mr. Watt accepted from Messrs. Finlay, Muir & Co. his present charge on the Rasagalla estate. This property is a very fine one, with a total acreage of 1,660. Of the entire area I, T59 are planted with tea partly interplanted with rubber. Altogether there are about 8,Ooo rubber-trees upon the estate their age ranging from six to nine years. The annual crop of tea is estimated at 6ooooo lbs. and the annual crop of rubber at 2, ooo lbs. A labour force of I.I.5o coolies is engaged upon the estate. The estate factory is equipped with machinery of the latest type, and the motive power is supplied by a
8o-h.p. tandem turbine. The elevation of the estate is
from 1,9co to 2,8o6 feet. Mr. Watt is married to Catherine Shaw, daughter of Captain James Layard, of the Anchor Shipping Line, and has four children. In the capacity of visiting agent he continues his connection with the Aderapolla Company's estates, and he has besides proprietary interests in various concerns. His recreations are tennis and shooting.
அே
P. P. Miers.
Born on November 9, 1869, in Jersey, this gentleman, who is the superintendent of the Denegama estate, Bogawantalawa, was educated at the Royal Gosport Academy. He adopted the sea as a profession, but tiring of the life, proceeded to Ceylon in 1887 to start planting. He commenced his career on the Dikoya estate, Dikoya, and from that property transferred to the North Cove estate, Bogawantalawa. Later he served on other estates and then went to Cape Colony and engaged in farming. Finding this unproductive, owing to rinderpest and locusts, he, at the expiration of three years, returned to Ceylon (in 1896) and took charge of the Denegama estate and has been associated with that property ever since. The estate has an acreage of 429, of which 319 acres are under tea. The estimated annual crop is 1.5oooo lbs. The elevation of the estate is 3,450 ft. Mr. Miers is a member of the Ceylon Mounted Rifles, and as lance-corporal proceeded to England with the Ceylon contingent on the occasion of His Majesty's coronation. His recreations are hunting and tennis,
جع
A. C. Bonner.
The above-named gentleman is superintendent of the Kirkoswald estate, Bogawantalawa. His planting experience extends over twenty years, and he has been for fourteen years on the Kirkoswald estate. The area of the property is 877 acres, and of this 8oo acres are planted with tea. The annual crop of tea is estimated at 600 lbs. an acre. It is dealt within a large factory equipped with four rollers, three dryers, two sifters, and one packer. The motive force is supplied by a turbine of 40 h.p. The estate, which is at an elevation of from 4,000 to 5,000 ft., is
ASAGALLA GROUP ESTATES TEA FACTORY.
Page 899
TWENTIETH CENTURY
the property of the Bogawantalawa Tea Company, Ltd., for whom Mr. Bonner acts as visiting agent.
அே
F. S. Hi
Mr. F. S. Hill, part proprietor of the Wallawe estate, Balangoda, is the son of Mr. Charles Roche Hill, a Devonshire landowner. Born on November 17, 1872, in Kent, he was educated at Tavistock, in South Devon. On leaving school he went in for farming in Cornwall, but soon abandoned this in favour of a planter's life. Arriving in Ceylon in 1891, he served under Mr. G. Ross on the Le Vallon estate, Pussellawa. From this estate he transferred to the Sheen estate, Pundaluoya. After serving there for fifteen months he accepted charge of the Beddegama estate, Madulkelle. Here he remained for two and a lhalf years and then was appointed superintendent of the Aldie estate. He held that position for four years, and then relinquished it to take charge of the Wallawe estate, the proprietary interests in which he had purchased. The property, which is at an elevation of 2,ooo ft., has an acreage of 578 of which 26o acres are planted with tea interplanted with coconuts, and 7o acres are new clearings planted with tea interplanted with rubber. The annual crop of tea is estimated at 145.oOolbs. The estate factory is equipped with two rolers, one roll-breaker, one sifter, and an oil-engine of I5 h.p. Mr. Hill's recreations are cricket, tennis, fishing, and shooting. He is a member of the Balangoda. Tennis Club.
。岁
J. R. Neale.
Mr. J. R. Neale, the superintendent of the Chapelton estate, Boga wantalawa, was born on November I I, I 872, in Surrey, and educated at St. Edward's School, Oxford. Arriving in Ceylon in 1893, he started planting on the Norwood estate. Thence after seven months' training he migrated to Dimbula to the Madacoombra estate, serving there as assistant for five years. At the expiration of this period he took charge of the Chapelton estate. This property has an acreage of 685, of which 536 acres are planted with tea. The annual crop of tea is estimated at 28o,ooo lbs. The factory attached to the estate is equipped with three rollers, four dryers, two sifters, and two roll-breakers, the whole being worked by a 25-h.p. Pelton engine. Mr. Neale is a member of the Badminton Club, London, and of most local clubs. He is the Honorary Secretary of the Bogawantalawa Club. His recreations are tennis, football, and cricket.
N
聆
r
F,
MRS. GEDIDES.
THE COCONT (For Letterpres
IMPRESSIONS OF CEYLON 89.
ĝi
麟
S, HILL AND WALLAWE TEA FACTORY.
ー تيار يم؟
UT ESTATE. MELVILLE GORDON GEDDES.
s see p. 79I)
Page 900
892 TWENTIETH
J. B. Lindsay.
The superintendent of the Aldie estate, Bogawantalawa, Mr. J. B. Lindsay, was born in July, 1868, at Edinburgh, and educated at Edinburgh Academy. Proceeding to Ceylon in 1888, he commenced his planting career on the St. Andrew's estate, Maskeliya district. Quitting this estate after two years probationership, he accepted service under the Ceylon Tea Plantations Company, Ltd., and remained on that company's estates for four years. Subsequently he had charge for two years of the Morahela estate, and from that transferred to the Aldie estate. This property is at an elevation of 5,ooo ft., and has an acreage of 477, of which 420 acres are planted with tea. The estimated annual crop of tea is 230, Ooo lbs. The estate is provided with two factories, one for making tea, and one
CENTURY I
for withering the leaf. The
turbine. The labour force ul coolies. Mr. Lindsay was a contingent which went to S a medal with four clasps for of the Colombo Club, and talawa. His recreations are
e
Noel WM
Mr. Noel Worship, the su ford estate, Bogawantalawa
سمتحصے
PROFESSIONAL
R. A. R. P. W. M. P. B. PALIPANIE.
Rajakaruna Ananda Wasala Mudiyansele
Rajapaksa Pandita Philip Bartholomew
Matara in a war with then king being higl named him Palingupa bestowed on him by
MR. ANO MRS. J. G. C. MIENDIS AND AM
(Prince of Wales's College, Moratuwa.) (For Letterpress see p. 117.)
Palipane is a lineal descendant of Palipane who was Dissawa of Matale, Uva, and Seven Korales (This Dissawa's elder brother was Dissawa of the Seven Korales. He went with Pilimi Talaw wa Dissawa to Batavia on an embassy and both of them died on the passage home.) Palipane Dissawa was presented with lands, situate at Palipane in Harispattu, of the Kandy district, on sannas granted on Friday, in the month of Binera, in the year of Saka I673, for having written a Bana Book. He distinguished himself at
in rotation.
Monday, in the mont Saka 1683, an eta (tu: (elephant without tusk gold, a magnificent
chain, and many oth and lands situate in t Kohonsiya Pattuwa o may be mentioned tha still in the possession been handed down fro tion. The following sannas as given in M
MPRESSIONS
machinery is worked by a on the estate consists of 45o member of the first Ceylon buth Africa, and he received is services. He is a member of the Turf Club, Bogawanennis, golf, and racing.
orship.
perintendent of the Devon, is a son of the late Mr.
كسوسس--سس 22 ཀྱི་ལག་ལག་ཁང་ལ་ཕག་ག་ཅན།།
OF CEYLON
William Worship, solicitor, of Norfolk. Born on December 25, 1874, at Yarmouth, Norfolk, he was educated at Rugby, and proceeded to Ceylon in 1892 to learn tea planting. He served his probationary period on the Diogama estate, Agrapatnas. Afterwards he was asso ciated with the Morahela estate, which he opened up and planted with tea. At a later period he took charge of the Singarawatte estate, Bogawantalawa, and from that property transferred to the Kew estate, Norwood. Finally he was appointed to his present position on the Devonford estate. This property is at an elevation of from 5,0oo to 5.4oo ft., and has an acreage of 242, all planted with tea. Two hundred coolies are employed upon the estate. Mr. Worship is a member of the Sports Club, London, of the Hill Club, Nuwara Eliya, and of the Bogawantalawa Club. His recreations are tennis, cricket, and shooting.
AND SOCIAL.
the Hollanders. The nly pleased with him, na (Crystal Lamp) and sannas granted on
h of Il, in the year of ked elephant), an aliya s), a cutlass inlaid with gold knife, and a gold er honourable rewards, he village Owilla, in the
the Matale district. It some of these gifts are of the family, having m generation to generais a translation of the ". Lawrie's Gazetteer:-
Sri-the behest of our Sovereign Lord, the illustrious ruler of Lanka. During the period that Palingupana Rajakaruna Ananda Rajapaksa Pandita Wasala Mudiyansele was with unalloyed loyalty and sincerity of heart rendering his services to the Sublime Great Gate, the royal command was given that he should proceed to Matara to put an end to the distress occasioned to the inhabitants of Matara by the Hollanders, and he, having reverently received the command, proceeded with the powerful host of the Uva Dissavane, and having surrounded the strong fortress which the Hol
TEIEODORE P. ATTYGALLE. (For Letterpress see p. 716.)
landers had constructed at Matara, and having waged war without retreating a single step from the field of battle, where the firing was
Page 901
S. WIJEYERATNE, MAHLAWA
THE BUNGALOW.
MALDENIYA GROUP TEA
(For Letterpri
TTE, MADAMPITIYA, GRANDPASS.
FAMILY GROUP.
懿
ESTATE, WITH FACTORY. ss see p. 7II.)
Page 902
894
incessant, and having vanquished the enemy and demolished the fortress, returned victorious, and made announcement thereof to the gracious effulgence of Majesty, and (the
TWENTIETH CENTURY
sawa of Ridigan Pattu his office for showin execution of Ehelapol the second was Dissaw
EP. B. PALIPANE AND FAMILY.
king) being highly pleased thereat, bestowed on him an eta (tusked elephant), an aliya (elephant without tuska}, a cutlass inluid with gold and a magnificent gold knife, and a gold chain, and many other honourable rewards; and, moreover, ensured to his posterity the undisturbed and permanent possession of the fields Uda Yelamunekumbura, I amuna ; Pettadeniya, 5 pelas; Getaberiyadeniya, 2 pelas ; Dikcdemiya, 3 pelas ; Totapalapitiya, I pela ; Galketiyawa, I pela ; Walliyawatta, 2 pelas; Amunewala, 2 pelas; Liyangahamada, 2 pelas; Wewaladeniya, 2 pelas; altogether 6 amunu, 2 pelas, and 5 lahas, with the high and low grounds and other appurtenances, situate in the village Owilla, in the Kohonsiya Pattuwa of the Matale Dissavane, This sannas was granted on this Monday, the fifth day of the decreasing moon in the month of Il, of the year denominated Vrashabha, in the year of Saka I683 ; by the command which was given, and which command is the command of his Majesty, and thus it is. 23,46I,
This Dissawa had four sons and three daughters. Of the sons, the eldest was Dis
P. B. EPALI
Banda, son of the Diss landed proprietor of Pa Menike, daughter of maya of Dumbara (n. Dumbara), in the Ce fatlher was Gajanayak Kandyan régime. Th of this sketch, and he educated at the Kand
entered the Governmen
attached in the first i Kachcheri. Since 187 of Ratemahatmaya of in the North-Western distinction of being the in the service of Gov occasions he acted as of Kurunegala in addi In 1875 he was transfel pattu, the condition of t very unsatisfactory, fort order. After carrying mission he returned to
ment of Ratemahatma pattu, which office he
IMPRESSIONS
, who was removed from g sympathy during the a Adigar's children, and va of Uda Palata. Loku
OF CEYLON
Palipane is a member of the Agricultural Society. His ancestral home is Palipane Walauwa, in Harispattu, of the Kandy district, and his present residence Palipane House,
PANE, RATEMAHATMAYA.
awa of Uda Palata and lipane, married Bandara Madugai le Ratema hatow Lower and Upper ntral Province, whose
a Nilame during the
eir son is the subject was born in I85o and y Central School. He it service in 1872, being instance to the Kandy 5 he has held the office Weudawili Hatpattu Province, and has the oldest Ratemahatmaya 'ernment. On various Kachcheri Mudaliyar tion to his own duties. red to the Wanni Hathat divisiou) being then he purpose of restoring out the object of his his substantial appointya of Weudawili Hatholds up to date. Mr.
THE BUNGALOW.
Kurunegala. In 1876 he married Dorothea Sarah, daughter of Samuel Jayatileke, Mudaliyar of the Governor's Gate, of Kurunegala, and of his sons, the eldest, Philip Clarence, is a planter, and Messrs. Philip Bertram and Cyril Willian are Proctors of the District Court of Kurunegala, and his daughter, Eugenie Frances, is married to George Henry Taldena, Korala and of Badulla. Mr. Palipane owns extensive property planted with coconuts, large stretches of paddy-land in the Central and in the North-Western Provinces, and house property in Palipane, Kurunegala, and elsewhere, and is the possessor of the gold Jubilee Medal of I897.
planter,
அே
DANEEL. JAMES JAYETILEKE,
This gentleman is the son of Mr. Samuel Jayetileke, Mudaliyar of the Governor's Gate, Justice of the Peace, and Unofficial Police Magistrate of Kurunegala. Born in Kandy, he was educated at Trinity College, Kandy, after which he was articled to Deputy Queen's
Page 903
D. E. JAYEL
I. MRS, D. J. JAYETI LEKE (THE LATE) 2. D. E. JAYETILEKE. 3. CI 6, IRENE WILLA. 7. MASTER CARLO JAYETL
EKE AND FAMILY.
IAS, FRED. JAYETILEKE. 4. D. J. JAYETILEKE. 5. MIRs. J. S. H. EDIRISINGHE. EKE. 8. MR. AND MRs. D. E. JAYETILEKE AND DAUGHTER.
Page 904
896
Advocate Nell. He became a Proctor of the District Court in 1866, and practised at Galagedara, Colombo, and Gampola. Later he transferred to Ratnapura, and he is now the senior member of the Bar there. In 1868 he became a Proctor of the Supreme Court, and a Notary Public in 19oo. He has frequently acted as District Judge, Police Magistrate, and Commissioner of Requests. He owns various estates and plantations and house property, as well as some of the richest precious stone mines in Ceylon. He was a member of the Ratnapura Local Board from its inception until 19oo, is a member of the Provincial and District Road Committees, and of the Board of the Ceylon Agricultural Society and of the Sabaragamuwa Planters' Association. He married, in 1875, Josephine Maria, daughter of Mr. S. C. Vanderstraaten, late District Judge of Matara, and resides at Irene Willa, Ratnapura. His eldest son, Daniel Elimore, was born in 1876, and
I. VVM. ELLAWALA. 4. CYRIL EELAWALA.
educated at the Royal College, Colombo, where he passed both the Junior and Senior Cambridge local examinations. After studying surveying privately, he practised that profession privately at Ratnapura until 1902, when he turned his attention to law. He became a Proctor of the District Court of Ratnapura in
5. FRANCIS THIEoDoR ELLAwALA.
TWENTIETH CENTURY
1906, and in the same y as a member of the L
married Ethel Ruth Emmanuel Daviot, o partment at Colombo the Sabaragamuwa L Jayetileke, sen.’s seco: rick, is a law student,
Alexandra, married, in Ederisinghe, incumbe) Kandy.
ELLAYI.ALA EKAN. BÁSNAIKE MUDIAN
YVI
This gentleman, for Hon. Mr. William Ella wala in 1834. He is Nilame, son of Pah proprietor, and at one
2, THE LATE WM,
6, MISSS
service of the Kandy, Nilame’s son was Bar
the Kukulu Korale of
vince at one time, and Don Bartholomew K Jayawardene, of Pana Dom William Ellawa
IMPRESSIONS
rear succeeded his father ocal Board. In Igoo he daughter of Arthur f H.M.'s Customs DeHe is a member of awn Tennis Club. Mr. nd son, Charles Fredeand his daughter, Irene I906, the Rev. J. S. H. it of St. Paul's Church,
தி
AY.AKE RAJEPAKSE SE VILLA ELLAÁLÁ.
some time known as the wala, was born at Ella
descended from Loku ala Nilame, a landed time an officer in the
OF CEYLON
sketch. Mr. Ellawala was educated first at Ratnapura School, and afterwards at St. Thomas's College, and subsequently was for two years headmaster at the former school. He became Ratemahatmaya of Paranakuru Korale in the Kegalla district in 1862, and Ratemahatmaya of Nawadun Korale, in Ratnapura, in I865. From 1892 to 1897 he sat on the Legislative Council as Kandyan member, whilst he has also been President of Buddhist Temporalities in the Sabaragamuwa Province, a member of the Local Board, Ratnapura, and of the Provincial Road Committee and the District Road Committee. He married, in 1859, Jane Petronella, daughter of Don Bartholomew Kuruppu Wikramasekara Jayawardene, jun., Mudaliyar. His daughter, Agnes, married Mahawalatena, Ratemahatmaya, of Balangoda. His Francis and Harry are referred to in subsequent sketches. Mr. Ellawala's residence is Godigomuwe Walauwa, Ratnapura.
SOS
ELLAWALA.
YLVIA ELLAWALA.
an Government. Loku da, who was Korala of the Sabaragamuwa Pro
married a daughter of uruppu Wikramasekara dure. Their son is the a, the subject of this
- - :iš تنبیہ۔--تنزلفظ لغت:خلق ختلف مختلخانة تحت
3. MR. MAHAWALATENA, R.M.
7. HARRY ELLAWALA.
8, MRS, MAHAWALATENA.
FRANCIS THEODOR ELLAWALA
Mr. F. T. Ellawala is the second son of the Hon. Mr. W. Ellawala, and was born in 1862, and educated at St. Thomas's College. He was successful in passing the Calcutta University Entrance Examination, and on the completion
Page 905
韃 ...
ETRANCIS T. ELLAWALA
AND FAMILY AND THE RESIDENCE.
Page 906
898
of his scholastic career he was articled to the late Hon. Mr. James van Langenberg, under whom he studied law. He abandoned this profession, however, in favour of the public service in 1890, being made Korala of Atakalan Korale. In 1894 he succeeded his father as Ratemahatilaya of Nawadun Korale, and he still holds this appointment. He is also Inquirer
into Crime for his district, Revenue Officer,
Chairman of the Village Committees, &c., and a committee member of the Agricultural Society and of the Buddhist Temporalities. He is also a planter and landed proprietor, and owns coconut and paddy-lands and house property. In 1893 he married Ezeline, daughter of the late Mahawalatena, Ratemahatmaya of Balangoda, grandson of the Adigar of that name. He resides at Batugedera Walauwa, Ratnapura.
لويه
HARRY ELLAWALA.
The younger son of Mr. William Ellawala, late M.L.C., Mr. Harry Ellawala was born in 1877, and educated at St. Thomas's College. He read law under the Council of Legal Education, and became Proctor of the District Court, Ratnapura, in I903. Besides practising in local courts, Mr. Ellawala pursues the avocation of a planter on his own estate. He is a member of the Local Board. Mr. Ellawala
ଜ୍ଞାୋ
MER. AND MRS.
TWENTETH CENTURY
married, in 1905, Adel: second daughter of Colombo. He resides
Ellawala Walauwa.
C. EP. SEN
(Sunningdale, C
ARRY ELLAWA
MPRESSIONS
ide Margaret Wimifred, Dr. John Attygalle, of at the old familv seat,
IVIIRATINIE.
blpetty, Colombo.)
OF CEYLON
MEEDENYE RAAJAKARUNA SENANAYAKA PANDITA HER AT WASALA KURUPPU MUDIANSERIALAHAMILLAGE PUNCHI BANDALIAS JOHN HENRY MEE DENYA.
This gentleman of Ruanwella, son of Loku Banda Meedeniya-Korala, and Deputy Coroner for Colombo, Kandy, Kurunegala, Ratnapura, and Trincomalee, and grandson of Humbadde Dissawa, who served under the last king of Kandy, was born at Marapona, Kegalla District. He received his education at St. Thomas's College, Colombo, after which he entered the public service as Clerk at the Colombo Kachcheri in 1886, and served as such for two years, till 189o, at the Kegalla Kachcheri. For the next three years Mr. Kuruppu was Korala, Registrar, Deputy Coroner of Ganne and Galboda Pattu, and Korala of Mawata Pattu. He acted as Ratemahatmaya of Galboda and Kinigoda Korales during the early part of 1894, and was confirmed in that office, rendering his services at the Paranakuru Korale, and later at the Three Korales and Lower Bulatgama. For the valuable service rendered he was presented with the Jubilee Gold Medal in 1897. On his recent visit to England he was presented to His Majesty King Edward VII. on July 22, I906, at Buckingham Palace.
A AND TEIE TOWN RESIDENCE,
Page 907
MR. AND MRS. J. EI
, MIEEDENIYA AND FAMILY.
Page 908
900 TWENTIETH CENTURY
LEO AMBROSE EKAN
He married Cornelia Magdeline, daughter of the late Rev. C. Senanayake, colonial chaplain, and has a son of thirteen prosecuting his studies at St. Thomas's College, and two daughters, aged fifteen and ten, both
FELIX A. PERERA. (24, Grandpass Road, Colombo)
of whom are being
College. Mr. Kuruppl and rubber plantation: aggregating in all I4 member of the Kelani
LEO AMBROSE
Mr. Leo Ambrose
Medical Officer in ch District Hospital, is th Ekanayaka, Mudaliyar
December 29, 1869, he Royal College and aft Medical College. Afte the latter institution, he degree and then served nine years in differen various parts of the isl ceeded to the United British qualifications. E of L.R.C.P. & S. Edinb Glasgow, and having London and Paris Ceylon. He was in cl District Hospital for tw appointed to his present Hospital is the secon
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
AYAKA AND FAMILY.
educated at Bishop's Ceylon. When the additions now being made I owns several coconut to it are complete it will have accommodation s and house property, for 182 persons. Its staff consists of one Ooo acres. He is a qualified assistant (besides the medical officer Valley Club. in charge), three apothecaries, two vaccinators,
EKANAYAKA
Ekanayaka, District arge of Karawanella e son of Mr. P. A. of Colombo. Born on was educated first at arwards at the Ceylon r five years' study at passed the L.M. & S. under Government for hospitals situated in and. In I9o3 he proKingdom to obtain e obtained the degrees urgh, and L.F.P. & S. walked through the ospitals, returned to arge of the Lunugala O years, and was then
charge. Karawanella HARRY DE MEL. il largest hospital in
(For Letterpress see p. 712.)
Page 909
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
one matron, three nurses, and twenty-seven attendants. The hospital is situated in the centre of the Kelani Walley district, and the patients consist for the most part of Tamil coolies sent from the different estates. Mr. Ekanayaka is a member of the British Medical Association, and was for a time a coldursergeant in the Médical Corps, C.L.I. He is married to Frances Mildred, daughter of Mr. W. C. F. Pompeus, head clerk of Mahara Jail, and has two sons and four daughters, viz., Francis Leo Daniel, Mervyn Alexander Fitzroy,
He was admitted a P. Court in 1876, and com such at Kalutata short now leader of the bar
tensive practice, and Judge and Commissionel occasions. He has be District Road Committ of the Local Board, and 188o; and he is Justic Unofficial Police Magis Formerly he was a m
Florence Isabella, Elizabeth Irene, Gladys, and Marian Ruth. Mr. Ekanayaka's recreations are tennis and riding.
தி
D. DE SELY.
Mr. Domingo De Silva is the son of Bastian De Silva, landed proprietor, of Kalutara, and Sarah, daughter of Mr. Perera, of Kalutara. Born at Tayagala, in 1852, he was educated at Colombo Academy, after which he read law, being articled for this purpose to Lieut.-Colonel R. H. Morgan, Advocate of the Supreme Court.
ID. DIE SILVA’
National Association.
practice, he superinte rubber estates, of wl Manaduwe and Denisto trict, and Mąrpola, in ' In 1884 he married Ma of Johannes De Silva, o
PONNA HENNADIG
Mr. P. H. Dias, elde Jeremias Dias, was bo
MPRESSIONS
octor of the District menced to practise as y afterwards. He is here, and has an exas acted as District of Requests on several en a member of the te, an elected member
Crown Proctor since e of the Peace and trate for the district. ember of the Ceylon
OF CEYLON 901
He was educated at St. John's, St. Thomas's, and Royal Colleges, Colombo, and in 1892 entered his father's arrack-renting business. The tea industry was taken up, and Mr. Dias worked as assistant and representative at the Colombo branch of the business. He occupied this position until 1899, and then went home, remaining there until his father's death, in I902, when he undertook the management of the estate. He formerly had rents at Trincomalee, Galle, Colombo, and Negombo, but now carries on his business at Colombo,
S RESIDENCE,
In addition to his legal inds his coconut and ich the principal are n, in the Kalutara disthe Weyangoda district. ry Catherine, daughter
Colombo.
总
EY ARRY DIAS,
st son of the late Mr. in at Panadure in 1873.
buying in the local market. His stores are in Wolfendahl Street. In addition, Mr. Dias owns smaller estates planted with coconuts, paddy-lands, and landed property in Panadure and Colombo, Mr. Dias has been a member, since 1892, and Secretary of the Buddhist Theosophical Society, of which he is now Vice-President. He is also Secretary, Treasurer, and Trustee of the Mahabodhi Society of Ceylon, a society which aims at the spreading of Buddhism in India; the founder, manager, and supporter of six Buddhist schools (attended by 1,8oo scholars); and in I9oo was
3 M
Page 910
902
President of the Panadure Association. He married, in I903, Andravas Patabendigey Millicent Adela Goonawardana, and has one son. His private residence is Goonewardene Walauwa, residence of Pasdun Korale Mudaliyar (Temple View Walauwa).
TWENTIETH CENTURY IM
Eknelligoda, Dissawe, a 1 in the Ratnapura distric sketch is given elsewhe Caroline, daughter of V Mohandiram, of Colomb in the Sabaragamuwa
STEPHEN WILLIAM AND MIRS
DASSENAIKE AND
(A prominent low-country Sinhalese family of the Uva Province.)
M. A. W. B. M. R. J. W. EKNELLIGODA, RATEMAHATMAYA.
Mr. Mahipala Akrakkuruppu Wickremesinhe Basnaike Mudianse Ralahamilage James Wilmot Eknelligoda, Ratemahatmaya, is the son of Punchibanda, a brother of William A. A.
was educated at the Hig and at Trinity College, Ka the local Cambridge junio Calcutta matriculation exa he won the classical priz I898 he passed the Govern tion, and entered the Gove
PRESSIONS
rge landed proprietor
of whom a detailed 2, and Donna Louisa eerasekere Basnaike , Born at Akurane, 'rovince, in 1878, he
School, Ratnapura, dy, where he passed examination and the ination, and in 1896 of the college. In ent clerical examinahment service, being
OF CEYLON
attached to the Land Registry Office, Kurune gala, and in the following year he was attached to the district court of Ratnapura. In Igo3 he went to the Kachcheri in that place, and in the following year he became Ratemahatmaya of Kuruwiti Korale, the chief division in the district, succeeding his uncle. He is Revenue Officer, Registrar of Kandyan and General Marriages, and Inquirer into Crimes, Peace Officer, &c. He is also a large landed proprietor, owning several plantations, paddylands, and house property. His ancestral home is Akurane Walauwa, and he resides at Kandangoda Walauwa, Pussela.
அே
THE KURUPPUATCHI EKANAYAKAS OF KOTTE
This family is an old conservative country clan which has sought service under the British Government comparatively recently. The name, in its Indian form Ek Naik, was introduced to Ceylon during the time of the Kotté kings. The tradition is that one of the chiefs of an Indian invading force entered the service of the Sinhalese king and was appointed to the important office of Master of the Royal Elephant Stud. In the reign of Parakrama Bahu VI. (I4IO-1462) the Prime Minister was Ekanayaka Adigar. The “ Hansasandesa,” an epistolary poem of the period, after describing the king, mentions this personage :-
“And close beside him like a tree bloom-laden
after rainsWith rivals' glories fading like the moon at
lowest waneHis fame spread all around to stir the ends of
these domains,
Stands dauntless Ekanayaka, The king's reliant minister and chiefest of his
train.”
Allusions to other members of this clan are met with in literature and official records. The "learned Kosgoma Ekanayaka' wielded great influence in the courts of the later kings, and used it for the benefit of Maha Kelaniya Temple, of which he was the High Priest. In I58I, when the native capital was removed to the interior, this family followed the Court, but owing to opposition to an ignoble feudal custom is said to have fallen under the Royal displeasure, with the then usual result. The survivors fled and settled in Bandaragama and Weedagama. At the time of the British conquest the head of the family was Polheneguru Ekanayaka. His son was Davith, whose son, Don Johannis, was a scholar of note and was the first of the family to return to Kotté, The eldest son of Don Johannis was Don Abraham Ilangakkone Ekanayaka Senadipathi. He was one of the three Sinhalese officers selected by Sir G. W. R. Campbell from leading Sinhalese families when organising
Page 911
DON ABRAHAM ILANGAKKC
II W. A. EKANAYAKA. 2. WICTOR EKANAYAA. 3. R. A. 6. DoN ABRAHAM ILANGAKKONE EKANAYAKA, SENAPIPATH. 7. EDWIN CHARLE
DNE EKANAYAKA AND ETAMILY,
EKANAYAKA, 4. H, J. V. EKANAYAKA. 5. DUNSTAN EKANAYAKA. S FRANCIS EKANAYAKA. 8, MARIA AGILDA EKANAYAKA. 9. THE MISSES EKANAYAKA.
Page 912
904 TWENTIETH
the Ceylon police force in 1868. He was selected for the Western Province. Mr. T. B. Pannabokke (late the Hon. Kandyan Member of the L.C.) and Mr. Nicolas Dias, a cousin of Sir Harry Dias, were taken for the Central and Southern Provinces respectively. He married Doma Maria Agilda, great-granddaughter of Dom Louis de Silva Karumaratne Dissanayaka Ilangakkone and granddaughter of the Trincomalee Mudaliyar. The eldest son of Don
CENTURY
Balapitiya soon after
The Ceylon Observer I903, says: "Balapitis close of Sir West Ric as a bright particular s its still recent notoriety doings, it is now one and has been so for n Viceregal visit, which during British rule in
Abraham is Don Henry James Vincent, now District Judge of Kegalla. He was born on February 4, 1871, and educated at Wesley College, Colombo. In the Cambridge senior local examination of 1888 he obtained the first place in order of merit in drawing among all the British and colonial students. This was the first time in the history of the examinations that a colonial student obtained this place. In 1889 he preserved this high distinction and gained a similar distinction in zoology. He is a B.A. of Calcutta. He won the Law Scholarship offered by the Board of Legal Education, and was called to the Bar in 1900. In I9oI he was appointed Police Magistrate of
J. P.
ETERNAND (For Letterpt
come and been well ( pointed to his present He is the founder of th and the Balapitiya Te president of the Wes Association and Secre He has brothers, Edw spector of Telegrap (P.W.D. Office, Colc (S.H.O., Ahangama), Vivian Abraham, and Maude, Ida. and Stel Ekanayaka Walauwa, afe at Panadure, Ratr The heads of the col
PRESSIONS OF CEYLON
he Ambalangoda riot. eader of October 14, must appear at the eway's administration ir, for, in contrast with or criminal and riotous f the freest of offence, little time prior to the though long delayed Ceylon, has at length
family are : (I) Don William Martinus, Kandy (sons, William Wensley, Edwin Ieonard, and Gerald Walter). (2) Don Solomon Dionysius, Registrar of Lands, Mudaliyar, Kurunegala (sons, Wilfred Edmund, Proctor, Kalutara ; Dr. Hector Eugene, and Frederic Bertram). (3) Don Richard of Pagoda (sons, Theodore and Victor). (4) Don John Henry, SurveyorGeneral's Office, Colombo. (5) Don Cornelius, of Bandaragama.
o's RESIDENCE. ess See p. 744.)
eserved.” He was apost on October 1, 1906. e Sinhalese Sports Club nnis Club ; hic is Viceey College Old Boys' ary of the Radeli Club. in Charles Francis (Ins), Robert Adolphus mbo), William Arnold "elix Dunstan, Herbert isters, Marion, Florinda . The family seat is Kotte, and the estates pura, and Kurunegala. literal branches of this
JAMES ALEXANDER RAMBUIKPOTHA.
This gentleman, the Ratemahatmaya of Paranakuru Korale, is the son of Mr. M. P. Rambukpotha, Ratemahatmaya of Yatikinda, Uva Province, and Molamura Rambukpotha Kumarihami, daughter of the late Molamura, Ratemahatmaya of Atakalan Korale. Born on October 28, 1877, in Badulla, he was educated at Trinity College, Kandy, and St. Thomas's College, Colombo. Entering the public service as clerk in the Ratnapura Kachcheri, he was appointed, after two years, Korala Tallapitagampattu of Kadwata Korale. In 1900 he was appointed to his present posi
Page 913
:వీక్లీశ్వ.్వపక్షప్తమై
J. A. RAMBUKPOTHA AND THE DRAW
"ING ROOM OF EIS HOUSE.
Page 914
906
tion and was highly commended by Government for taking the last census. He married Rosalind, daughter of James Christopher Molammal, late Police Magistrate of Gampola, and has five children, three boys, the first, the fourth, and the fifth, Sidney, Bob James Alexander, and Percy, and two daughters, Wimalawati (second), and Sumada (third). The eldest son, Sidney, attends St. Thomas's College, Colombo. The subject of this sketch is a landed proprietor, owning coconut estates, paddy-fields, and houses aggregating in all about II,Ooo acres, scattered about in three different provinces of the island. He has also land planted with rubber, and is the possessor of the best collection of ancient knives, swords,
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
extensive practice at tha his articles, and in 1870 of the Colombo Distri became a Notary Pu Proctor of the Supren also a Justice of the
Police Magistrate for
wella in 1905. On al Police Magistrate and Court of Requests of absent Mr. Marshall
capacities, and on one as District Judge of
member of the Kelani ciation, the Kelani Val Avisa wella, and of the
C. MARSHALL.
guns, &c., manufactured some centuries ago, for which he has won many prizes. He is a member of the Kegalla Planters' Association, Agricultural Society, and Chairman of the Village Committee. He is fond of cricket and tennis, and was sub-captain for St. Thomas's College while a student at that institution.
அே
C. MARSHALL. Mr. C. Marshall, Proctor, was born on May 5, 1849, and educated at the Royal College, which was known then as the Colombo Academy. Deciding to enter the legal profession, he was articled to Mr. A. S. Andree, a Proctor and notary of considerable experience, who had an
THE BUNGAILOW
CHARLES BULL)
This gentleman is a dinands, of Kandy, an Mr. John Prowett, of D Ferdinands was born Kandy, and received Colombo Academy (n and the Trinity Colle school career he join ment and worked for 1 profession up for pla estates for ten years, a before him, reverted t and now practises at
Mr. Ferdinand two sons and a daugh
veyor.
MPRESSIONS
t time. He completed was admitted a Proctor st Court. In 1873 he blic and in 1877 а Le Court, being made Peace and Unofficial the district of Avisaoccasions when the Commissioner of the Avisawella has been has acted in those occasion he officiated Ratnapura. He is a Valley Planters' Assoley Club at Talduve, Orient Club, Colombo.
W.
R FERDINANDS.
son of the late Dr. Feri of Mary, daughter of umfries, Scotland. Mr. on August 2 I, I857, at
his education at the ow the Royal College) ge, Kandy. After his ed the Survey Departour years, but gave the hting. He worked on Id finding no prospects his former profession, egalla as a private surwas married and has er. His maternal uncle
Samuel Grenier, and Sir Richard Cayley.
OF CEYLON
served in the Crimean War, and was present when the first shot was fired at Sebastopol. One of his brothers, George Prowett, M.D., is
CHARLES BUILLER FERDINANDS.
a specialist in eye diseases and is practising at Aberdeen, and the other is Proctor of the Honourable the Supreme Court and practised at Kegalla for a long time. He is an Honorary Lieutenant and Quartermaster of the Ceylon Light Infantry, and his recreation is sport. Mr. Ferdinands is now in his fiftieth year.
அே
WILLIAM DUNU WILLE, DISSAWE.
Mr. Dunuwille Rajakarudare Darmakirthe Mudeliarge Lokubanda, known as William Dunuwille, Dissawe, is the son of Uduwita Nilame, Chief of the Seven Korales at Kurunegala, and Loku Kumarihami, daughter of Lokubande Dunuwille, Dissawe of Udu Palata and Udu Nuwara, and afterwards Superintendent of Police of the Central Province. He was born at Kandy in I855, and educated at Trinity and St. Thomas's Colleges. In I877 he became Private Secretary to Sir Archibald Campbell Laurie, and acted in the same capacity with Sir John Phear, Mr. Justice L. B. Clarence, Sir Jacobus Peter de Wet, Sir He held acting appointments as Police Magistrate at Puttalam, Chilaw, Gampola, and Kandy, and as District Judge at Kegalla. Since 1899 he has been Police Magistrate and Commissioner of Requests for Matale, Panwila, and Urugala. In connection with the Rubber Exhibition
held at Peradeniya he rendered invaluable
service, and was appointed Dissawe of the Central Province. He is a member of the Agricultural, Horticultural, and Royal Asiatic Societies, as well as of the Kandy Gymkhana and the Kennel Club. In 1878 he married
Page 915
yake Nilame.
TWENTIETH
Kumarihami, daughter of Damdewinne BasnaOf their sons, the eldest, Lionel, was Private Secretary to Mr. Justice Wood Renton. The eldest daughter married Migawelle, the Police Magistrate of Harispattu, and their residence is the Walauwa at Katugastota.
。岁
E, B, SELMAN
Edwin Bernard Sielman is the son of John James Sielman and Pauline, daughter of Don Andries Johan, landed proprietor, of Kandy, who died in I886. He was born at Kandy in 1858, and was educated at Trinity College and St. Anthony's, Kandy, and at the Royal College, Colombo. He was articled for the study of law with William Goonatilleke, the great Oriental scholar and editor of the Orientalist, and assisted him as sub-editor of that publication. In 1882 he became private secretary to Sir Archibald Campbell Laurie, and was called to the Bar as a Proctor of the Kandy District Court in 1887. Three years later he became Proctor of the Supreme Court and Notary Public, and has practised at Kandy, Colombo, and Nuwara Eliya (Hatton). He married, in I884, Zita Beatrice, daughter of Joseph Sebassion Misso, medical practitioner, of Colombo, and father of the famous Dr. Misso. His private residence is named o Buona Vista.''
அ
ALBERT ALFRED WICKRAMSINGHE.
This gentleman, son of Mr. D. C. Wickramsinghe, was born on November 30, 1877, at
ALBERT ALFRED WICKRAMSINGHE,
Kegalla, and educated at St. Thomas's College, Colombo, and Trinity College, Kandy, passing his First in Arts of the Calcutta University.
CENTURY IM
He studied law at the c career under the Council
and was called to the
19oI, admitted Proctor : still maintains his practic
May Irene, daughter of
singhe, landed proprieto boy of five months old.
is a proprietor of houses estates. He is a senior Board, Sinhalese membe Committee, and a mer Union, His recreation
DANIEL SABARA
Daniel S, Muttiah is
tiah, Master of St. John was born in 1873, and
College, Jaffna. He serv Government factory for entered the audit offi quently he went into t partment, and in 1897 s. in various places in the Provinces. In 1903 ht District Engineer at V was transferred to Avisa engaged on road surve district, and is at prese
PRESSIONS
ose of his scholastic of Legal Education, iar, and on June 2I, t Kegalla, where he He married Agnes Mr. F. A. Wickramof Galle, and has a Mr. Wickramsinghe - rubber, and coconut member of the Local of the District Road ber of the Catholic s tennis.
OF CEYLON 907
Chilaw. He is a member of the Local Board and District Road Committee. Mr. Muttiah married the daughter of John Katirevelupillai, of Jaffna.
அே
M. DE ABREW ABEYESIN HIE.
Mr. Marcellus de Abrew Abeyesinhe is the son of Mr. John de A. Abeyesinhe, deceased, Mudaliyar of Colombo, and Henderlina Ameresekere, of Colombo. He was born in 1860, and received his education at St. Thomas's College, after which he was articled
D. S. MUTTIAH, (District Engineer, Chilaw.)
NAMİ M(UTİAH,
a son of Moses Mut's College, Jaffna. He educated at St. John's 'ed as apprentice at the four years, and then ce as clerk. Subsehe Public Works Deerved as head overseer
Northern and Eastern 2 officiated as Acting 'avuniya, and in 1904 wella. In 1906 he was lys in the Kurunegala nt IDistrict Engineer at
for the study of law and conveyancing to his brother, Mr. Wilfred Abeyesinhe, Proctor, Supreme Court of Colombo, and afterwards
of Avisawella, and was also a student of the Hon. Mr. Advocate James Van Langenberg, of Colombo. He qualified first as a Notary Public and a Proctor of the District Court and afterwards of the Supreme Court. Formerly he practised at Colombo, but latterly he has carried on his profession at Ratnapura, where he was until quite recently Crown Proctor, and a member of the Local Board. He is a Justice of the Peace and an Unofficial Police Magistrate. He is a landed proprietor, and is about to go in for planting rubber. He is a member of the Ceylon Agricultural Society. In 1890
Page 916
908 TWENTIETH
he married Miss Clara Charlotte Maude de Abrew Rajepakse, of Colombo.
sè
ARTHUR WI, P. DE SILYA GOONESEK8RE
Mr. Arthur William Patrick de Silva Goonesekere, better known as Mr. Arthur de
MIER. ANO MIERS,
Silva, is a son of the late Simon de Silva, landed proprietor, of Ja-ela. He was born in Colombo in 1879, and educated at the Royal College. He then studied for the legal profession, was admitted a Proctor of the District Court, Negombo, in I904 and is now in practice at Negombo. In 1906 he married Juliette Beatrice, daughter of the late Charles
CENTURY I
Stephen Perera, Procto de Silva is the owner
Delbedde, in the Nara consists of Ioo acres,
part owner of the M his portion comprising addition to these proper smaller plantations at
cinnamon, and house
ARTEUR DE SILVA AND CHI
His residence is in St. M and he is a member of Club
e
HENRY JAMES
Mr. Henry J. Wouters, Woutersz, of Galle, who
MPRESSIONS
r, of Colombo, Mr. of the coconut estate mulle division, which fully planted, and is arukkuwatuwe estate, about 500 acres. In ies he owns numerous Ekelle, planted with property in Colombo.
I„D.
ary's Street, Negombo, the Negombo Union
YOUTERSZ.
; is a son of Dr. W. A. was assistant colonial
OF CEYLON
surgeon there, and who was married to a sister of that well-known coconut planter Mr. Wright, of Mirigama. Mr. Woutersz was born
BI. J. VOUTERSZ.
in 1849, and educated at Matara. He entered the service of the Government as early as 1865,
and was attached to the Fiscal's Office at Galle
and Kalutara. He became Police Magistrate at Balapitiya and Kayts, and since IOO6 has been
Police Magistrate, Commissioner of Requests,
and Justice of the Peace for the Chilaw and Marawila districts. He is official visitor to Chilaw prison and vice-chairman of the Chilaw library. ' He married the daughter of Mr. Wright, of Mirigama, and of his sons one is in the public service and two others are at Rangoon and in the United States respectively. His eldest daughter married Mr. E. Weinman, of the District Court of Trincomalee. He resides at Ridgeway House, Chilaw.
لو
G. T. PIERIS,
Mr. George Theobald Pieris, youngest son of the late Mr. Jeronis Pieris, and brother of Mr. R. S. Lambert and Henry Pieris, was born at Colombo in I868, and educated at St. Thomas's College. He started planting under his father at Dunkannawa estate and has kept to planting as a profession. He now owns a share comprising some 350 acres at Dunkannawa estate, in the Marawila district, one of the finest producing estates in Ceylon. In addition, he owns a portion of Agra Elbedde and Agra Tenne, of 27o and 8oo acres respectively, and his properties are among the best tea estates Up-country. He also owns Park House, a well-known Cinnamon Gardens resi
Page 917
DUNEKANNAWA EST
PARK HOUSE.
PIERISS ESTA
ANOTHER OF' MR.
ATE. ESTATE BUNGALOW.
TES. G. T. PIERIS. -
Page 918
Page 919
MR. AND MRS. F. J. MENDIS AND DAUGHTER.
THE AVIARY, COLOM
THE LATE REV. ABRAHAM M. AND MRS. JAYEWARDEN.E. 3O, F. J. AIENDIS.
Page 920
912
"TWENTIETH
CENTURY I
3. ફ્રે
;િ
"ST. CATHERINE * BUNGALOW, COLOMBO,
Prince of Wales's College, and is the proprietor of the paper at the present time. In 1894 he married Emily Hortensz, second daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Jeronis Pieris. Amongst
惑
స్టట్లk 魏
his best - known estate acres), in the Madampt (I87 acres), in the Nort Dunkannawa, in the
TEIE IBUNGAOV
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON
s are Karrukuwa (3oo a district; Horambawe h-West Province; and Marawila district, all
planted with coconuts; and Mepilawa, in the Kelani Valley, planted with tea and rubber. In addition, he owns various other cinnamon plantations as well as house property at Colombo and Moratuwa. His name is intimately connected with the founding of the Princess Louise Hospital at Moratuwa, and he lives at “ The Aviary, ' Park Street, Colombo.
அே
J. H. SPROULE.
Mr. J. H. Sproule is a member of the wellknown firm of Sproule & Sproule, of Kandy. He has been a Proctor of the District Court since 1863, and of the Supreme Court since 1872. He is an elected member of the Kandy Municipality, and sits for No. 5 Ward.
لو
GEORGE EDMUND CHITTY.
George Edmund Chitty is a son of Christian Guppraniam Chitty, forwarding agent, and a younger brother of the late J. M. Chitty, Crown Counsel and Forest Settlement Officer. He was educated at St. Thomass College, and subsequently studied law. He became a Proctor of the District Court, Chilaw, in 1895,
J. B. SPROULE.
Page 921
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
a Proctor of the Supreme Court, and Notary Public in I9oo, and an Advocate of the Supreme Court, Colombo, in I906. He is a vicepresident of the Chilaw Association and a member of the Agricultural Society, and is the owner of coconut estates covering about 15o acres of land at Villattawa and Mandaline in the Chilaw district, and also of house property in Chilaw.
så
THE ORIENT SPORTS CLUB,
The above club takes a prominent place amongst the social institutions of Colombo. Its membership includes many leading native gentlemen interested in sport. Accompanying this are illustrations of the fine club house and of a group of the principal members.
لو
GEORGE DE SILYA GOONETILLEKE, SENEYIRATNIE.
This gentleman, better known as George de Silva, is the son of Simon de Silva, of the Assistant Surveyor-General's Office, and of Anna, daughter of Siriwardene, Mudaliyar of Weligam Korale, Matara, grandson of John de
MEMBERS OF TH
Silva, Mohandiram of great-grandson of Baror of the Governor's Gate, son of Simon de Silva, year 1759, who superin
MPRESSIONS OF CEYLON 913
E ORIE}NT CILUB,
the Governor's Gate, de Silva, Mohandiram and great-great-grandMaha Mudaliyar in the tended the building of
the Dutch Church at Wolfendahl. He was born in Colombo in 1869, and educated at the Wesley College. Leaving college, he entered the Government service in 1889 as Clerk at the Supreme Court, and in 1895 was appointed
THE ORIENT CLUB,
Page 922
.914 TWENTIETH CENTURY IN
Record Keeper at the Colombo Police Court, he married Lilawatte,
an office he still retains, whilst since 1899 Rambukpotte, and ha he has also been additional Interpreter and daughter. His privat Mohandiram.of the Governor's Gate. In 1897. Lodge, Skinner's Roa
హూ-+-కాః
COMME
PACKIR SAB0, and acting also as CO: Mr. Packir Saibo is a son of Mr. Pitcha Sahib, from his business Mr., P. merchant, of Badulla, Born at Badulla in prietor of a tea estate (E I86o, he started business as a general merchant, in extent. This produ Supplying provisions, drapery, millinery, &c., 40,000 lbs, of tea, Mr,
THE OFFICE OF D. P. TAMPOE, COLOMBO
(For Letterpress see p. 627)
IPRESSIONS
laughter of J. A. C. one son and one
residence is Green . He owns several
RCIAL.
ch proprietor, Apart ckir Saibo is the prolaneyewatte) I2O acres es an annual crop of Saibo is a member of
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OF CEYLON
coconut estates in Hewagam Korale and Siyane Korale, and is opening up rubber in the same district, whilst he possesses house
property in Colombo.
P. PACKIR SAIBO.
the Local Board, Badulla, and a trustee of the mosque. He has four children, who are being educated at the Royal and Wesley Colleges, Colombo,
அே M. P. GOMEZ & CO.
This is a firm carrying on business at various centres, the head establishment being at Ratna
S. A. OWENS ESTABLISHMENT, KANDY.
(For Letterpress see p. 818.)
Page 923
M. P. GOMEZ & CO.'S STORES, MINERAL
WATER FACTORY, AND GROUP OF THE STAFF.
Page 924
916
pura. It was founded in I889 by Messrs. M. P. Gomez and Caitan Silva, natives of Tuticorin, India, who came to Ceylon and started business on a small scale as wine and spirit merchants and bakers and oilmen's storemen. Later, branches were opened at Balangoda, Avisawella, and Negombo. The business gradually increased, and now the firm maintain a well-equipped attractive restaurant and oilmen's stores, and they also deal in glassware, crockery, electro-plate, patent medicines, drapery, millinery and haberdashery, together with estate tools and planting requisites. An aerated water manufactory and a boot emporium are further departments of this extensive
TWENTIETH CENTURY I
business. Messrs. Go
to add a bakery at N
another branch at Pe
goods and oilmen's sto ported direct from Engl at the present time at N are the largest mercan places. The firm hav Colombo, where goods a to their different branc properties at Negombo pura respectively. Tl M. P. Gomez, Mr. C M. G. Gomez. The m
pura firm is Mr. S. A.
UNWIN BROTHERS, I LIMITED, THE GRES
MPRESSIONS
mez & Co. are about egombo, and to open madulla. The fancy es, wines, &c., are imund, and the businesses gombo and Ratnapura tile concerns in those
a general stores at
re kept and despatched les. They own house , Chilaw, and Ratnae partners are Mr. aitan Silva, and Mr. anager of the RatnaM. Pillay.
OF CEYLON
KANDY NATURAL SPRING AERATED YAYILATER COMPANYI.
An important commercial undertaking in the ancient Sinhalese capital is the Kandy Natural Spring Aerated Water Company, a view of whose works is given in the accompanying picture. The water used by the company in its business comes from a natural spring, and has a very high standard of purity. The company has a large clientèle in Kandy and the surrounding district.
RATED WATER COMPANY.
AM PRESS, WOKING AND LONDON.
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