Dewa (people)

There were Several different indigenous clans lived in the island during the Pre Vijaya era (before 505 BCE). These clans believed that four main clans are Yaksha, Naga, Deva, and Raksha.

It is believed that these names were attributed metaphorically to indicate their profession. Yaksha tribe of people were believed to inhabit in the mountains where they had used monsoon wind to mould iron, Raksha people were supposed to be farmers who used the steel products of the yaksha tribe of people in their farming endeavors.

The name Raksha is derived from the two syllables Ra + Kus, in Sinhalese Kus means "stomach"; Rakus literally means the people who fulfill hunger or the people who provide rice, the staple food of the Sinhalese people. The Naga tribe of people were believed to be traders, the Deva tribe of people were the ruling, governance, military service, irrigation, trade, engineering, and agriculture.

According to the Mahavamsa, Gautama Buddha met the Deva people at Mahiyangana. Sumana Saman the king of the Deva tribe invited Buddha to the Samanala Kanda. Gautama Buddha left his foot print on the rock at the top of the mountain as a token of symbolic worship, in the absence of the Buddha. Sumana Saman became a stream-entrant (Sotapanna) after listening to the Buddha, who gave him a handful of hairs with which he erected the Stupa at Mahiyangana

Vijaya and his 700 men were the first group of Aryans to enter Sri Lanka. Vijaya kissed the soil and planted the Lion Flag. He then met Yakkha princes Kuveni, conquered the Yakkhas and establish the Ariyan dynasty of Sri Lanka. In 504 BC Panduvas Deva became the king of the country. Abhaya, the eldest son, succeeded Panduvas Deva in 474 BC. His younger brother Tissa overthrew him after 20 years in 454 BC and ruled for 17 years. Tissa’s nephew and Panduvasudeva’s grandson Pandukabhaya captured power in 437 BC with the help of Yakkha, Naga, Deva, Raksha chieftains and united the tribes and ruled for 60 years. Researchers say that the Yakkha, Naga, Deva, Raksha tribes was gradually absorbed into the Sinhala nationality during the next few centuries. Pandukabaya shifted the capital of his principality to Anuradhapura which according to archaeological evidence was developing as a settlement since 900BC. Pandukabaya could be consider as the organizer of the four tribes to form the Sinhalese nationality.

Kulankayan Cinkai Ariyan (1215–1236) or popularly named as ‘Kalinga Maga’ is a South Indian invader who ruled the island for 21 years. The invasion historically important migration of Vellalar Nattar chiefs from the Coromandel Coast of South India who made a new social reorganization in Sri Lanka in Sinhalese society. They reorganizing villages on the basis of the Hindu caste principles other than Buddhist social system which introduced by Arahath Mahinda Thero in 3rd century BC. This reorganization was also connected with the development with the system of monarchy with absolute power. Thus the development of the monarchy and the development of caste principle during this time transformed Sri Lanka into social organization which was based on caste. Thus the well organized Sinhalese Buddhist community was transformed into caste based new hierarchy when the Kandyan Era. While Vellalar caste became the top of Tamil caste system the shadow of Vellalar, the Sinhalese Govigama caste became the top of Sinhalese society.

Konappu Bandara Appuhamy or *Vimaladharmasuriya I from Yatinuwara at Ededuwa village in Peradeniya who was established the Kandyan Kingdom. His father Weerasundra Bandara of non royal, flourishing Govigama caste member and his mother Kosgolle Gedara Wimalu from Bathgama Caste was served to the Rajasinhe 1 of Sithawaka as Dukgannarala or royal meal certifier. 1582 an army from Rajasinghe 1 attacked Kandy and King Karalliyadde (1552-1582 A.D.) fled to Manner with his family, seeking the protection of the Portuguese and appointed Weerasundara Badara to the post of adjudicator (Saamamtha).

But after a few days the king grew suspicious of Weerasundara Bandara, got him killed through subterfuge. Princess Kusumasana Devi daughter of King Karaliyadde, the heir to the Kandyan Kingdom as well as Yamasingha Bandara, a nephew of the King and Konappu Bandara, son of Weerasundara Bandara had fled to the Portuguese and lived under their protection.

At this point a Portuguese army was sent to Kandy under Don Juan. The Portuguese captured Kandy very easily and made Dom Filipe (Yamasingha Bandara) the King of Kandy. He died after a few months and Konnapu Bandara was appointed to the King. Then he gave leadership and betrayed Portuguese and rebelled against them and made Kandyan Kingdom.

Dewa people lost everything with their way of living so gone to high mountain regions and started to cultivate terrace rice fields and self sufficient life. In the regions where they live abounded with Fish Tale Palm Tree * Caryota so they start toddy tapping. Kandyan new non royal rulers and later Tamil * Nayaks of Kandy and their henchmen hinted them as Hakuro (Jaggery makers) or Kande Aththo (Mountain Community).

Under the European rule, Salagama caste created by Dutch to beat cinnamon. Karawa caste bond with shipping industry under Portuguese and Dutch. Durawa castes privileged under the Dutch and English for coconut alcohol business. Kalinga Maga creation of Govigama, Vellar caste uplifted as civil servants.

The British Governor Gordon (1883 – 1890) and his predecessors effectively used divide and rule policies and created caste animosity among the native elite and finally confined all Native Headmen appointments only to the Govigama caste. The British Government Agent Layard was advocating this as an effective policy for easy governance. Mahamudliar Louis De Saram’s family of Dutch and Malay ancestry had Sinhalised and Givigamised itself during the Dutch period and had a strong network of relatives as Mudaliyars by the late 19th century. This “Govigama” Anglican Christian network expanded further with the preponderance of native headmen as Mudaliyars, Korales and Vidanes from the Buddhist Govigama section of the community

Kingdom of Kandy lost to English and 1948 there was a Matale rebellion against the rule. It was led by a Dewa tribe leader call Gongalegoda Banda. He was crowned by the head monk of Dambulla, Ven. Giranegama Thera as "Sri Wickrama Subha Sarva Siddhi Rajasinghe". The first king of Sri Lanka Sumana Saman from Dewa tribe while the last king Sri Wickrama Sarwa Siddhi also from Dewa tribe.

At present Dewa is the second influential and the significant population of Sinhalese misleadingly named as Hakuru caste but clearly recognizable as the ancient Dewa tribe predominantly from Sabaragamuwa Province, North Western province (Whayaba province), Central, Western province and North Central province of Sri Lanka. But not represent Sri Lankan Parliament respectably due to lack of awareness among themselves.

Weeramunda Kankariya, Kande Deviyan Pidima (the evening ritual for god of mountain) could be identified as the ceremonial dances rooted in folk beliefs of Kandyan Deva tribe.

Some Deva people migrated to Kerala where they followed Buddhism before the advent of Brahmanism. Having their own complete social fabric and systems of precedence and worship, they dominated the area until their power was seriously undermined by the Brahmin lead power lobby. However, they still survive in Malabar and are known as Thiyyar or "Thiyya", localization of the name "Deyva" equivalent to Deva.

• Deva people
• Caste system in Sri Lanka

• Saman (deity) legendary history, Sumana Saman invited Buddha to the Samanala Kanda to left his foot print on the top of the mountain - The first king of Sri Lanka
• Kanchadeve a senior military leader to King Dutugamunu's army 161 BC to 137 BC
• Pussadeve a senior military leader to King Dutugamunu's army 161 BC to 137 BC
• Gongalegoda Banda (Wansapurna Dewage David alias Gongale Goda Banda) (a.k.a. Peliyagoda David) (13 March 1809 – 1 December 1849 ) - The last king of Sri Lanka
• Henry Pedris (Duenuge Edward Henry Pedris) (Sinhala: හෙන්රි පේද්රිස්; (16 August 1888 – 7 July 1915)
• Cyril Mathew (Kaluwa Dewage Siril Mathew) Former Cabinet Minister; JR Jayawardana's government (September 30, 1912, October 17, 1989)
• Athula Nimalasiri Jayasinghe (Wijayamuni Devage Athula Nimalasiri Jayasinghe or Loku Athula) (1944 - 2014) Deputy Minister of Power and Energy
• Ananda Kularatne Minister of Southern Region Development (2001–2004)
• Semage Salman Kulatileke Member of the Sri Lanka Parliament (1970–1972)
• Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe Minister of Education and Higher Education and many ministerial posts
• Champika Premadasa (Abathenna Devayalage Champika Premadasa) (November 4, 1948) Minister of Industry and Commerce and State Minister of Industry and Commerce 2015-2019
• Gunaratna Weerakoon (Muhudugama Hewage Gunaratna Weerakoon) 10 November 1947 Non-Cabinet Minister of Nation Building (2007–2010)
• K. D. Lalkantha - Former parliamentariyan and unian leader of JVP
• Nanda Mathew (Kaluwa Dewage Nanda Mathew) was former Governor of Uva province (held the office from 2003 to 2015)

A.G. Sirisena - Provincial Council Member of central Province from SLFP

• N. D. N. P. Jayasinghe - Former parliamentarian from JVP and Provincial Council Member of central Province from JNP (SLFP Alliance)
• Samson Rajapaksa (Diyunuge Samson Rajapaksa) JP (Industrialist *DSI Samson Group)
• Dharma Sri Munasinghe Sinhala radio playwright and film screenwriter and director
• Douglas Ranasinghe An actor in Sri Lankan cinema, theater, and television
• Neville Karunatilake, Former Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka

• Dr. K. D. G. Wimalaratne, Director, National Archives, Gongale Goda Banda (1809-1849) : The leader of the 1848 rebellion accessed 5 December 2005.

Sumana Saman was a leader of the Deva who came from the central hills of Sri Lanka.[1] Some Sri Lankan Buddhists worship him as a deity.[2] He is said to be the guardian of Samanalakanda.[3]

• 53rd Death Anniversary on December 1 : Gongalegoda Banda - Leader of the 1848 Rebellion, by Dr. K. D. G. Wimalaratne, Director, National Archives
• ‘Mahathala Hatana’: ITN's latest tale of Sri Lankan heroes
• Gongalegoda Banda in Sinhala
• Gananath Obeyesekere (2017). "Between the Portuguese and the Nāyakas: the many faces of the Kandyan Kingdom, 1591– 1765". In Biedermann, Zoltan; Strathern, Alan (eds.). Sri Lanka at the crossroads of history. London: UCL Press. ISBN 9781911307846.

• Jayatissa, Gunapala (6 June 2011). "දුක්‌ගන්නාරාළ නොහොත් අප්පුහාමිවරු". Divaina (in Sinhala). Retrieved 2 February 2013.
• Cyril Tamil Militant Groups
• Cyril Mathew's obituary
• ‘Mahathala Hatana’: ITN's latest tale of Sri Lankan heroes

^ Radhakrishnan, M. G. (5 September 2012). "Caste-based organisations NSS, SNDP form Hindu Grand Alliance in Kerala". India Today. ^ "Guess who's after the Hindu vote in Kerala? (Hint: It's not BJP)". Firstpost. ^ a b c d e f g Nossiter (1982) p. 30 ^ Mandelbaum, David Goodman (1970). Society in India: Continuity and change. University of California Press. p. 502. ISBN 9780520016231. Another strong caste association, but one formed at a different social level and cemented by religious appeal, is that of the Iravas of Kerala, who are also known as Ezhavas or Tiyyas and make up more than 40 per cent of Kerala Hindus ^ Gough, E. Kathleen (1961). "Tiyyar: North Kerala". In Schneider, David Murray; Gough, E. Kathleen (eds.). Matrilineal Kinship. University of California Press. p. 405. ISBN 978-0-520-02529-5. Throughout Kerala the Tiyyars (called Iravas in parts of Cochin and Travancore) ... ^ Kusuman, K. K. "Ezhavas: Their many dimensions". Newindpress.com. Archived from the original on 29 September 2007. ^ "Standing Committee on Social Justice and Empowerment (2006-2007)" (PDF). p. 13. ^ Kodoth, Praveena (May 2001). "Courting Legitimacy or Delegitimizing Custom? Sexuality, Sambandham and Marriage Reform in Late Nineteenth-Century Malabar". Modern Asian Studies. 35 (2): 350. doi:10.1017/s0026749x01002037. JSTOR 313121. ^ Pullapilly (1976) pp. 31–32 ^ Rao, M. S. A. (1979). Social Movements and Social Transformation. Macmillan. p. 23. ^ Randhawa, Mohinder Singh; Nath, Prem (1961). Farmers of India. Indian Council of Agricultural Research. p. 359.

CWC-led UPFA set to secure plantation region by Shamindra Ferdinando. The Island Online, 2010. Retrieved 11 July 2011