Arachchi

Arachchi ((Sinhala: ආරච්චි) was an influential post in the native headmen system in Ceylon (Sri Lanka) during the colonial era. Appointed by the Government Agent. [1][2] The holder had much control over the people of the area and wielded quasi-judicial powers since he was responsible to keep the peace, carry out revenue collection and assist in judicial functions.

Appointments were non-transferable and usually hereditary, made to locals, usually from wealthy influential families loyal to the British Crown

History

The post was in existence before the Colonial Rule of Sri Lanka (Ceylon). After the coastal areas were taken over by the Colonial Rulers i.e. Portuguese , Dutch colonial rule and finally the British, they retained the post in their administration system.

During the British administration Official and Titular appointments were made (both in up Country and Low Country) by the Government Agent of the district. Appointments were non-transferable and usually hereditary, made to locals, usually from wealthy influential families loyal the British Crown. This was an influential post, the holder had much control over the people of the area and had limited police powers since he was responsible to keep the peace, carry out revenue collection and assist in judicial functions. This became part of the Native Department of the British Government of Ceylon.

Several Vidanes (The post of Vidane has since been replaced with the post of Grama Niladhari in the 1970s).came under the supervision of an Arachchi.

Following the formation of the State Council of Ceylon in 1931, one of its members, H. W. Amarasuriya, called for an inquiry into the headman system. A commission was formed made up of retired civil servants and lawyers headed by H.M. Wedderburn. The commission reported on reforming the headman system or replacing it with transferable District Revenue Officers. The headman system was abolished as an administrative system, with the titles of Mudaliyar (Mudali - මුදලි) and Muhandiram retained by government to be awarded as honors. This practice remained until suspension of Celanese honors in 1956. The minor headman positions were retained, surviving well into the 1970s when the post of Vidane was replaced with the transferable post of Grama Niladhari (Village Officer).

Ranks of the British Arachchies

British appointed Arachchies had several classes;[2]

Official
  • Vidane Arachchi [3] - In charge of several Arachchies in the Low-country. Equivalent to Koralas ' in the Kandyan districts, and ' Udayars ' in the Tamil districts [4]
  • Arachchi - In charge of several Vidanes
  • Grama Aarachchi - Directly in charge of several Villages
  • Town Arachchi - In charge of a Town
  • Madige Arachchi - In charge of a Madige
  • Arachchi of the Atapattu - In charge of a Jurisdiction of a Peruwas (sub-division of a District) or a Ward of Municipality
Awarded as an honor (Titular)
  • Arachchi of the Guard (Titular) - Awarded as an Honor
  • Weda Arachchi - Awarded as an Honor
Ex-offico

The term Arachchi (Sinhalese: ආරච්චි) was also used to refer to a senior peon serving in government offices such as a Kachcheri or a District Court. It is no longer in use.

List of prominent Arachchies

Vidane Arachchi
  • Muhammedh Thamby Samsudheen Vidane-Arachchi alias Dheen Arachchi (1860 – 1915) of Negombo [5]
  • Don Jakolis Rupasinghe Gunawardena Vidane-Arachchi (1879-1947) of Boralugoda [6] [7]
  • Don David Rajapaksa Vidane-Arachchi of Ihala Valikada Korale, Giruvapattuva [8]
  • Don Darmis Rathnasinghe Vidane-Arachchi of Mandiyagoda Walauwa, Pallattara, Dakunu Giruvapattuva

Arachchi
  • Aberan Wijesinghe Arachchi (b approx. 1730) of Nugawela [9]
  • Wirasinghe Siriwardena William de Saram Arachchi (b:circa 1760) of Mount Lavinia [10]
  • Ali Thamby Abbas Lebbe Arachchi of Kal-Eliya [11]

Grama Aarachchi
  • Galagaha Vidanalage Gedara Ismail Marikkar Grama Aarachchi of Mawanella [12]

Town Arachchi
  • Unus Ibunu Muhammed Abdul Razzak Town Arachchi (1892-1972) of Nelundeniya [13]

Arachchi of the Guard (Titular)
  • Pawalkodi Ismail Lebbe Marikar Mathicham Muhammad Abdullah Headman, Titular Arachchi of Matara [14]

See also
  1. Definition of Vidane, Vidane Arachchi & Vidane Muhandiram as per Sinhala English Dictionary
  2. Twentieth Century Impressions of Ceylon
  3. "Definition of Vidane Arachchi as per Sinhala English Dictionary".
  4. "Census of Ceylon 1946 Vol 1 Part 1 General Report" (PDF).
  5. "Family # 214 Maththicham Saleem Lebbe Muhammed Thamby Vidane (1819-1884) of Negombo".
  6. "Family # 3069 Don Jakolis Rupasinghe Gunawardena Vidane-Arachchi".
  7. "Lion of Boralugoda".
  8. "Family # 3086 Rajapakse Vidanarachchi".
  9. "Family # 3190 Wijesinghe".
  10. "De Saram Family # 3126 De Saram".
  11. "Family # 137 Village Headman Saifu Kandu of Kal-Eliya".
  12. "Family # 344 Marikkar".
  13. "Family # 215 Peace Officer (Muladaniya) Unus Ibunu (1845-1898) of Nelundeniya".
  14. "Family # 052 Pawalkodi Mohideen Sahib".
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