SRI LANKA - UVA REBELLION [ AGAINST THE BRITISH ]

The Uva Rebellion, also known as the 'Great Rebellion of 1817-1818' 

(or the 3rd Kandyan War by the British) took place in Ceylon against the British 

colonial government under Governor Robert Brownrigg, which had been contro

lling the formerly independent Udarata (Sinhalese: Up-Country), of which Uva 

was a province. People used to call this Independence Movement by the name 

of the two places where it started: the 'Wellassa Rebellion' and the 'Uva Rebellion'. 

It was the very first struggle for gaining Independence from the British.

It was led by Wilbawe (an alias of Duraisamy, a Nayakkar of Royal blood) and 

Keppetipola Disawe - a leader that the Sinhalese celebrate even today, who 

was sent initially by the British government to stop the uprising. The other 

leaders who supported this Independent Movement are; II Pilima Talauve 

Adikaram, Kohu Kumbure Rate Rala, Dimbulana Disave, Kivulegedara Mohottala, 

Madugalle Disave, Butewe Rate Rala, Galagedara Mohottala, Dambawinna 

Disave and Gode Gedara Adikaram. The Sinhalese were greatly affected by 

the administrative policies of the British and were not used to being ruled 

by a king who lived far away in another continent. This created unrest among 

the local people and the aristocratic Chiefs in the Kandyan Kingdom. Except 

for Molligoda and Ekneligoda, many Chiefs join the rebels. The rebels captured 

Matale and Kandy before Keppetipola fell ill and was captured and beheaded 

by the British. His skull was abnormal - as it was wider than usual - and was 

sent to Britain for testing. It was returned to Sri Lanka after independence, 

and now rests in the Kandiyan Museum. The rebellion failed due to a number 

of reasons. It was not very finely planned among the leaders. The areas 

controlled by some Chiefs who helped the British provided easy transport routes 

for the British to have transactions of food and other necessities. Doraisami 

who was said to have a claim to the sinhalese throne was found not to have 

any relation.

The rebellion was notable for the bloody manner of its suppression, with 'Search 

and Destroy' missions which presaged the Vietnam War. The inhabitants lost 

house, property, livestock and even the salt in their possession during the 

repression. The irrigation systems of the duchies of Uva and Wellassa, hitherto 

the rice-bowl of Sri Lanka, were systematically destroyed. Although, it was 

an Independence Struggle that was led by brave national heroes who wanted 

to see a peaceful country under one flag by even giving away their lives and 

contributing to save our Motherland.

In the 'Journal of Uva,' Herbert White, a British Government Agent in Badulla 

after the rebellion minuted: "It is a pity that there is no evidence left behind 

to show the exact situation in Uva in terms of population or agriculture 

development after the rebellion. The new rulers are unable to come up to 

any conclusion on the exact situation of Uva before the rebellion as there 

is no trace of evidence left behind to come to such conclusions. If thousands 

died in the battle they were all fearless and clever fighters. If one considers 

the remaining population of 4/5 after the battle to be children, women and 

the aged, the havoc caused is unlimited. In short the people have lost their 

lives and all other valuable belongings. It is doubtful whether Uva has at least 

now recovered from the catastrophe.

1. ^ Keppetipola and the Uva Rebellion Virtual Library Sri Lanka. Retrieved 2007-10-01.
2. ^ Uva Wellassa rebellion - 1817 -1818
3. ^ Wellassa riots in 1818
4. ^ Torture tree of the British Army
5. ^ 1818 Uva Wellassa rebellion

Source : Wikipedia the free Encyclopedia