histoy G-10 E

King Sri Vickrama Rajasinghe (1798-1815
A.D.)

After king Rajadhirajasinghe’s death, prince
Kannasami was made the king as Sri Vickrama
Rajasinghe in 1798, according to the need of the
then Maha Adikaram, Pilimathalawwe. This king
started gradually to be obedient to his Nayakkar
relatives, as a result the relationships between the
Kandyan chieftains and the king were disrupted.
Though the English invaded Kandy in 1803, the
king managed to defeat the English with the
support of the Kandyans. However, during the
last few years of the king’s ruling time he acted
cruelly. Therefore the relationship between the
king and the people was disturbed. Thus, the
English, who acted tactfully, sent their army to
Kandy and arrested the king in the month of
February in 1815. In accordance with the accord
signed between the Kandyan chieftains and the
English in the month of March in 1815, the
English possessed the Kandyan kingdom. King
Sri Vickrama Rajasinghe, who was in the English
custody, was deported to Vellor by the English
king.

8.2 The Administrative Structure of the Kandyan Kingdom

The highest position of the administrative
hierarchy of the Kandyan kingdom was held by
the king. There were two Adikarams for the king’s
assistance. Politically, they were second only to
the king. There was a royal council to discuss the
important affairs of the kingdom. Adikarams,
Disawes, Maha Lekams, and Badde Lekams
participated in this council, which was headed
by the king. The administration of the kingdom
had been divided into several sections. Service
in the palace (Maha Vasala Sevaya) was under
the direct rule of the king; the provincial ruling
structure (Rata Wasama) was afoot through
Maha Adikarams, and under the supervision of
the king; Maha Badda alias tax structure which
was under the relevant sectional heads and
administration of temples and Devalas were the
major administrative sections.

King’s Power :

■ The king was the one who possessed the highest

power in the country.

■ Maintaining the peace in the country and

providing protection were the king’s major tasks.

■ The king was expected to act in accordance

with the tradition and customs.

■ The king held the authority as the highest court

in the country and had the power to order death

sentence to a convict.

■ The king held the priority in executing all

political, economic and administrative affairs in

the country.

Adikarams

The areas given below were administered by the

relevant Adikaram.

Maha Adikaram Devana (second)

Adikaram

Hath Koralaya

Uva

Matale

Walapane

Binthenna

We l l a s s a

Nuwara Kalawiya

Hathara Koralaya

Thun Koralaya

Sabaragamuwa

Uva Palatha

Udu Nuwara, Yati

Nuwara, Thumpane

Kothmale, Bulathgama

There were two posts of Adikarams. Maha

Adikaram was called Pallegampaha Adikaram

and Devana Adikaram was called Udagampaha

Adikaram.

The messengers who brought the decrees or

messages of Adikarams to provincial officers