6 June 1818:
the capture of Rahoopala Pihanaralla

By the latest letter from Mr. Sawers, dated Badulla the 2d Instant, we have the pleasing intelligence that Major Coane has succeeded in taking prisoner a rebel leader of very considerable influence; the senior Rahoopala Pihanaralla. On the 26th ult. this Chief invited Digalla Mohandiram to a conference in the jungle the next day with an intent, as it is supposed, of entrapping him. The Mohandiram whose fidelity has been well known ever since the Rebellion broke out, communicated the proposal to Major Coane, who concealed some Malays in the part of the jungle appointed, and on the morning of the following day Pihanaralla was secured; he is the head of perhaps one of the most powerful families in Ouwa. There are not less than 24 of his kindred who have at one time or other filled most of the secondary situations in Oodakinda and Medakinda, and, two or three of them are the most active Rebel chiefs in the province; his son holds from the Pretender the place of Mohottala of Oodakinde, and Medakinda, and is married to the junior Hapatagama's sister. His daughter now cohabits with the Rebel Dissave Kappitipola.

Source:
Ceylon Government Gazette: Supplement 6 June 1818.

Manuscript Transcripts
Transcript prepared by Robin Walsh
Macquarie University Library, Sydney, Australia. © 2003

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