|
11 July 1818:
Corporal Stephen and the capture of Kuremirdah
"... Lieutenant Wilkinson makes a most favourable report of the improved state of
affairs at Passera. All the people of Passerawatte with some others had come in,
bringing their families, cattle and property with them. They conducted Military
parties on the night of the 22nd and 23rd to the retreats of the Rebels, when
some were killed and others were taken prisoners; among the latter are several of
the desperate gang which inspected the road between Passera and Badulla. They
were surprised at a manufactory of iron balls on the Naminacoola mountain by a
party of the 73d under Corporal Stephen, and Kuremirdah, one of their most
active leaders was fortunately secured. He was personally concerned with two
others in shooting Chandler and Sutherland mentioned in our last Gazette. He has
been tried and convicted before a Court Martial at Badulla. His sentence was to
be carried into execution on the 1st Instant, when he was to be hung upon the
spot signalised as the lurking place from which he had committed so many cowardly
and barbarous assassinations. Ruhapola Pihanaraal was condemned to death at the
same time, but his influence is so great, and his family so numerous in
Medakinda, that it was intended to respite his execution and to carry him into
that country, where the hope of saving his life may induce many of the Rebels to
surrender themselves."
Source:
Ceylon Government Gazette: Supplement 11 July 1818.
Manuscript Transcript
Transcription prepared by Robin Walsh
Macquarie University Library, Sydney, Australia.
© 2003
|
![[Sun logo]](../../sun120.gif)
