Uthuwan Kande Soora Saradiel

Ruthless British colonialism not tolerated by the people

People of this country could not tolerate the ruthless British colonialism. What they needed most was independence which they enjoyed before the invasion of foreigners. Buddhist priests like Ven. Kudapola Thera, Ven. Mohottiwatte Gunananda Thera, Ven. Wariyapola Sumangala Thera, Ven. Weliwita Sri Asarana Sarana Saranankara Thera provided leadership to the people who fought for independence. Laymen including Keppitipola Maha Disawa, Ehelepola Muhandiram, Madduma Bandara, Gongalegoda Bandara and Weera Puran Appu fought for independence in various capacities.

Deekiri Kevage Saradiel who became famous as Uthuwan Kande Soora Saradiel was one of the characters who with the assistance of fellow natives namely Mammale Marikkar, his sister, Abdul Cader, Nazarudeen, Samad etc. looted wealth from British officers and their local counterparts and distributed it among the poor villagers.

Deekiri Kevage Sardiel was born in 1832. He was the eldest son of a tobacco merchant named Deekiri Kevage Adisi Appu hailing from Haldanduwa in the Chilaw district. His mother was Pitcho Hamy from Uthuwankanda. She owned a small coffee boutique. Presumably Adisi Appu had met Pitcho Hamy when he had come to Mawanella Uthuwan kanda in the bullock cart which he owned to sell.

During his boyhood Sardiel received his school education in the school attached to Illukwatte Buddhist temple. After leaving school Sardiel left for Colombo where he found an employment opportunity as a barrack boy in the Ceylon Rifle Regiment cantonment in Slave Island. While serving as a barrack boy he learnt the art of using a gun and other weapons from the experienced Malay soldiers.

After some time one day Sardiel was found fault with regarding an alleged theft. Having being found guilty of the charges he was dismissed from the service as a barrack -boy. However, he was well acquainted with the use of arms by the time he was compelled to leave the Ceylon Rifle Regiment cantonment barracks at Slave Islands.

Kris knife or Malay dagger - known as "Henaraja Thalaya"

According to a legend a C.G.R. overseer named Raban was in the possession of a Kris knife ladle, dipper known as Kinissa or Kiricciya endowed with spiritual powers. His ancestor had bought it from Java, Indonesia. This powerful weapon had been made by a master craftsman named "Empu" with several metals including a piece of"meteorite". Hence this weapon was known as "Henaraja Thalaya", blade made from thunderbolt. With the passage of time "Henaraja Thalaya" had undergone a name change to "Henaraja Thailaya" "(oil from the thunderbolt). Sardiel's mistress, Thangamma lived in the vicinity and whilst visiting her he had stolen the Henaraja Thalaya or the Kris knife. This weapon is believed to be endowed with spiritual powers. The belief that Sardiel was in the possession of such a powerful weapon prevented any one getting close to him.

Almost all the members of the unprivileged group were sympathizers and supporters of Sardiel. In exchange of benefits provided to them they supported the local Robin Hood in every possible way. The principal characters who participated in the heroic activities of Sardiel were Mommala Marikkar, Hawadiya, Bawa, Samath, Kirihonda and Sirimala.

Deekiri Kevage Sardiel was born in 1832. He was the eldest son of a tobacco merchant named Deekiri Kevage Adisi Appu hailing from Haldanduwa in the Chilaw district. His mother was Pitcho Hamy from Uthuwankanda. She owned a small coffee boutique. Presumably Adisi Appu had met Pitcho Hamy when he had come to Mawanella Uthuwan kanda in the bullock cart which he owned to sell.

Sardiel's Arrest

It was an arduous task to arrest Sardiel. However,on a tip off ,three houses were searched in February, 1864. Although Sardiel was not there police recovered various robbed items such as single barrel guns, pistols, Rix Dollars, Spanish Dollars, gold and silver studs, coats and skirts and a bunch of fifty keys.

Again the house of Sardiel's mother was surrounded. Sardiel and Mammala who were there in the house fired. Special constable Van Haght was killed and many others were seriously wounded. Ultimately on a tip-of given by Sardiel's onetime henchman , Sirimala, who at last became a traitor a two storied house at Mawanella , owned by one Abdul Cader was surrounded . Sardiel was injured having being shot at by sergeant Mahat but Mammala Marikkar fired two shots killing Saban but he missed the one aimed at sergeant Mahat.

Sardiel and Mamala Marikkar surrendered and sentenced to death

Sardiel and Mammala Marikkar who surrendered were found guilty having being produced before Justice Thompson and were sentenced to death by hanging. They were hanged at the Gallows hill in Kandy on seventh May 1864. Sardiel and his companion were treated as brigands who defied law and order, disregarded the might of the British Government and terrorized the people. However, for the people of the improvised areas Sri Lanka's Sardiel" was considered a hero.