The last battle of Kandyans against the British

S B Karalliyadda

About two hundred and nine years ago from to-day on June 26, 1803 the last battle of the Kandyans to free the Senkadagala kingdom from British infiltration was fought at Watapuluwa, Mawilmada, Nittawela and Sihambalagastenna areas. The British troops retreated to Lewella and were confined to Wagolla for the final assault. The Garrisan cemetery could be seen here up to date.

On June 23 the Sinhalese attacked a British base stationed at Kandy and took to their possession a three-pounder from their hill guard. At the same time a Muslim from Mawilmada attacked the Eastern gate to take a gun installed there into his possession. In this operation Lt. Blakensi who was in-charge of this camp along with his soldiers were massacred by the natives.

Those British fighters who lost their lives in this battle were Lt. Bayan Maclain, Ensign Smith, Quarter Master Brown, Asst. Surgeon Hope of the 19th regiment and Sgt. Major Steuart, Lts. Mercer Robert Berry, Janthome and gulpil of the Malay Regiment plus Henry Holloway and Garrisan Sgt. of the East Indian platoon. The lamp lit in the battlefield continued to light till 2 pm the following day.

English troops

When the Sinhalese troops attempted to enter the British camp from the rear entrance Major Davie hoisted a white flag for a truce and indicated his desire to retreat with his troops to proceed to Trincomalee. Davy with his soldiers marched up to Watapuluwa to cross Mahaweli from Paranagantota ferry to proceed to Fort Mac Dowell in Matale and from there to Trincomalee.

Unfortunately they could not cross Mahaweli as the river was flooded due to rains in the upper catchment area. They were forced to stay overnight under the shade of trees in the jungles surrounding the area. On the following day morning the king sent for Chiefs with a message to Davy.

It conveyed that if Davy could surrender Muthusamy (Buddasamy) who was with them and send him back to Kandy the king would get the assistance of the Sinhalese to find them boats and rafts to cross the river. In the meantime the English troops also prepared to make rafts using the bamboo trees which were in abundance on either sides of the river. Through they could make the rafts they could not get a strong rope to across the river.

When the troops were stranded in Watapuluwa Davy received another message from the King sent through a Chief. It was that the king's Adiga will meet Davy half way and king desired to talk to the Officer ranks of the troops.

Sinhalese fighters

After some time the Commanding Officer of the Bengali troops Capt. Humphry informed the troops that he has already sent a strong rope across the river. The king wanted Muttusamy who was declared the king of Kandy by Governor North to be sent to Kandy. Muttusamy asked the British troops "should you such a powerful English Army oblige a few Kandyan Chiefs who wants me back".

One British officer asked "should we the English men who captured such a large country as India, give into these Kandyans". By now the Lascareens of the Malay troops started to retreat one by one. Major Davy ordered them to follow him in a formation of two by two. However they could proceed only a distance of about 200 yards when the Sinhalese fighters intervened and separated the officers in one queue and the soldiers in another queue.

After another half and hour the officers were shot down while the other ranks were made to kneel down and assaulted with the butt end of their weapons. Their brains were cut to pieces and thrown on the road.

This incident was recorded by Corporal Barnsly of the 19th regiment who pretended to be killed in this incident and at the day break crept into a shrub and later crossed the river and escaped to Fort Macdowell in Matale. About 12 officers, 20 soldiers lost their lives in the battlefield of Mawilmada Rev Cordinor a British Parish priest in his publication in 1807 under 'Description of Ceylon' gives a detailed account of this massacre.

Matale Rebellion

According to him about fourteen British officers, 24 soldiers, 250 from Malay troops, 140 from Lascarin gun troops, Muttusamy and his entourage came towards Paranaganthota ferry on June 24,1803 to cross the river to go to Trincomalee though the king promised to send them across Gannoruwa ferry the haughty English had their own way. They did not send back Muttusamy as Davy maintained that he should seek permission from the Governor to release him.

These troops were massacred by the Sinhalese in Lewella and Wagolla. The garrison cemetery in Wagolla could be seen even today. The Kandyan Chiefs who led this operation were Madugalle Gajanayaka Nilame, Millawa Disawa and Mullegama Disawa.

Two Kandyan Chiefs who were seated under a tree when the battle was on were beheaded on the orders of the king. They were Leuke Disawa and Palipana Disewa. The war drums used in this battle were hung in the Dalada Maligawa. At the time of Matale Rebellion in 1848 Col. Drought of the 15th Regiment removed these drums from the Maligawa and handed them over to the 19th regiment. It is recorded that one out of these drums remained in Lankathilaka Temple. It is the duty of relevant authorities to trace these drums and place them in the Kandy Museum.