Arachchi

Arachchi ( si, ආරච්චි) was an influential post in the native headmen system in Ceylon (Sri Lanka) during the colonial era. Appointed by the Government Agent, 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. Arachchi was the additional term used to refer to the Senior Peon in a supervisory role of a government office such as a Kachcheri or a District Court.

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.

The Headman Commission of 1922 states that “under the existing system each village or group of small villages is placed under the supervision of minor headman known as Gam Arachchi in Kandyan areas and police vidane or police headman in low country. The positions above those headmen were Korala in Kandyan districts; Uddaiyar in Tamil districts Vidane Arachchi in districts of low country. The top rank above all officials was represented by Rate Mahatmaya,and Adigars in Kandyyan districts, Maniyagars and Vanniyars in Tamil Districts and Mudliers in southern provinces".

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;
;Official
*Vidane Arachchi - In charge of several Arachchies in the Low-country. Equivalent to Koralas ' in the Kandyan districts, and ' Udayars ' in the Tamil districts
*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

Official

Vidane Arachchi

* Muhammedh Thamby Samsudheen Vidane-Arachchi alias Dheen Arachchi (1860–1915) of Negombo
* Don Jakolis Rupasinghe Gunawardena Vidane-Arachchi (1879–1947) of Boralugoda
* Don David Rajapaksa Vidane-Arachchi of Ihala Valikada Korale, Giruvapattuva
*Don Dharmis Rathnasinghe Vidane-Arachchi of Mandiyagoda Walauwa, Pallattara, Dakunu Giruvapattuva
* Samarathunga Arachchige Don Abraham Karunaratne Arachchi Ralahami (b. circa 1910) (Wawulhena Maha Nilame Ralahami) of Sivirulumulla, Nedungamuwa.
* Susewhewage Don Girigoris Perera Appuhami (1835–1905) 708 , Pothupitiya Vidane Arachchi Punchikachcheriya Walauwa Pothupitiya
* Susewhewage Simon Dharmasena Weerasinghe Ralahami (1870–1934) Pattikarawasala Walauwa Pothupitiya, Wadduwa

Arachchi

* Aberan Wijesinghe Arachchi (b approx. 1730) of Nugawela
* Wirasinghe Siriwardena William de Saram Arachchi (b. c. 1760) of Mount Lavinia
* Ali Thamby Abbas Lebbe Arachchi of Kal-Eliya

* Susewhewage Don Fanandas Hamiyel Perera Appuhamy (c. 1820) Molligoda Arachchi, Susewgoda Walauwa Wadduwa

* Yakunduwe Dharmasena Hitiralalage Don Gimara Perera (c. 1680–1735) Pattikarawasala Walauwa Pothupitiya

Grama Aarachchi

*Galagaha Vidanalage Gedara Ismail Marikkar Grama Aarachchi of Mawanella

Town Arachchi

*Unus Ibunu Muhammed Abdul Razzak Town Arachchi (1892–1972) of Nelundeniya

Awarded as an honor (Titular)

Arachchi of the Guard (Titular)

*Pawalkodi Ismail Lebbe Marikar Mathicham Muhammad Abdullah Headman, Titular Arachchi of Matara

See also

*Native headmen of Ceylon
*Muhandiram
*Vidane Arachchi
*Vidane
*Walauwa

References and external links

Definition of Vidane, Vidane Arachchi & Vidane Muhandiram as per Sinhala English Dictionary

Twentieth Century Impressions of Ceylon

A vignette of British Justice in Colonial Ceylon

''The Mudaliyars Explained''



*{{cite web, title= Village notables in colonial Ceylon - The Village Headman was the uncrowned king of the village. He was appointed by the Government Agent from a traditional leading family in the area, in order to ensure that he received customary respect from villagers , url= http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=177002
Kandyan period
British Ceylon
Defunct government positions in Sri Lanka