were called ‘Katupulle Messengers’. Their official
symbol was a silver ringed cane, the top part of
which was bent.
Mahawasala alias the Officers in the Palace
Their duty was to run the affairs of the palace
by maintaining the pride and grandeur of the
kingship. Providing food and drinks to the people
in the palace, providing clothes, jewellery, and
furniture to the palace were their duties. These
officers were under the direct supervision of
the king. Many Nilames and Muhandirams had
been in charge of those sections in the palace.
Gajanayaka Nilame (the officer who looked into
the affairs of the tuskers), Maha Lekam (chief
secretary), Maha Gabada Nilame, Diya wadana
Nilame, Halu Wadana Nilame, Bath Wadana
Nilame, As Panthiye Muhandiram, Kavikara
Maduwe Muhandiram are examples to the
officers in the king’s palace.
Ratawasam alias Provincial Ruling
The Kandyan (Udarata) kingdom consists of 21
areas named Rata and Disawa. The areas, which
were close to Kandy, such as Udu Nuwara, Yati
Nuwara, Thumpane, Harispattuwa, Dumbara,
Hewaheta, Kothmale, Uda Bulathgama, Patha
Bulathgama, were known as Rata. Hathara
Koralaya, Hath Koralaya, Uva, Sabaragamuwa,
Mathale, Walapane were some of the 12 Disawes.
The officers who were in charge of the Ratas were
called Rate Rala or Rate Mahathwaru. Liyana
Rala, Undiya Rala and other minor officers were
under them. The officers who were in charge of
the Disawas were called Disawa. The unit of
Disawa was divided into Koralas and Koralas
were divided into Pattus. The officer in charge of
a Koralaya was called Korale. In a Koralaya there
were Muhandiramas who were in charge of each
caste. Under them there were Vidanes who were
in charge of each village.
Badde Sanvidhanaya (Badde Structure)Apart from the politically existed provincial
organization network, the artisans or the castes
in a Disawa had been categorized separately
according to their tasks. Though the Badde
Sanvidhanya (structure) was afoot separately at
first, it came under Disawe during the last period
of the Kandyan kingdom. Following are some
examples for the Badde Sanvidhanaya.Madige Badda (transport affairs)Kuruwe Badda (catching tuskers)Badahela Badda (pottery)Rada Badda (washing clothes)Handa Badda (weaving clothes)Administrative Affairs of Temples and DevalasThe administration of temples and monasteries
were mainly under Mahanayaka and Anu Nayaka
Theros. The activities in the Dalada Maligawa
were done through Diya Wadana Nilame. There
were people who provided their official labour
for the maintenance of temples and Dewalas,
organization of various types of Pooja and affairs
of the procession (Perahera).Judicial Affairs■ The king possessed the highest judicial power.■ Every officer possessed a judicial power
according to their posts.■ Only the king had the sole authority to hear
some cases.