Utuwankande Sura Saradiel
Encyclopedia
Deekirikevage Saradiel alias Utuwankande Sura Saradiel (In Sinhala:) is a Ceylonese outlaw
, gang leader
and bandit who became a legendary figure in Sri Lanka known as the "Robin Hood
of Sri Lanka". Some Sri Lankan scholars place him in the context of regional insurgencies of against British Colonial rule
rather than a manifestation of local lawlessness or economic justice.
close to Utuwankande, he was the eldest and was educated at the Illukgoda Temple school. Although he was an intelligent student, he was very rebellious and got into fights. His education stopped when he was arrested by the police and punished for assaulting a rich boy, who was a close relative of the village Vidane (the local policing authority).
and worked as a barrack boy at the Rifle Barracks
, learning much about weapons before leaving, taking several firearms with him.
Thereafter he took to highway robbery, becoming a notable outlaw in the district for much of his exploits. Charges were brought on him for killing Natakoti Chettiar a rich merchant and he was arrested. Due to a lack of evidence, he was set free. A warrant for his arrest was issued after a robbery at the Molligoda Walauwa. He then briefly left the area, going to his father's in Chilaw. When his father refused to shelter him, he return to the mountain of Utuwankande, which he had made his hideout for numerous raids.
He was arrested Pillawatte near Negombo after a struggle that lead to the Police informant being stabbed by him. Saradiel was taken to court in Hultsdorf
, Colombo to stand trial for murder, yet he managed to escape from Mahara Prison
. Soon after he was arrested at Utuwankande only to escape again.
Returning to Utuwankande he formed a gang of robbers, made raids on carriages and coaches on the highway to Kandy
from Colombo
. Soon these attacks spread to Rambukkana, Polgahawela and Kurunegala. Resulting in his exploits becoming famous throughout the island and the British administrators increasing the police units in the area. Travelers resorted to armed escorts.
In an effort to capture him he was surrounded at his mother's home, when he went to visit her. In the shootout that ensued he escaped and made his way to Matale
. At this point Sirimale, one of Saradiel's band defected and became an informant to the police.
Shaban. Escaping from the house, Sgt. Ahamath stood guard outside the only door, preventing the bandits' escape. The Assistant Government Agent
Kegalle F.R. Saunders soon arrived on the scene with a detachment of Ceylon Rifles
. Seeing that resistance was futile, the two surrendered.
Taken to Kandy, they were tried at Kandy Assize by an English-speaking jury before Justice Thompson, with Richard Morgan
prosecuting as crown advocate. The jury found them guilty: Both were sentenced to death. They were taken to the gallows on May 7, 1864, with many coming to see the famed Saradiel. Before his execution he addressed the crowd.
Constable Shaban who was killed in the attempt to apprehend Saradiel was the first Sri Lankan policemen to be killed in the line of duty. To this effect March 21 is the date Sri Lanka Police commemorate its fallen members, as constable Shaban was killed on March 21, 1864.
Outlaw
In historical legal systems, an outlaw is declared as outside the protection of the law. In pre-modern societies, this takes the burden of active prosecution of a criminal from the authorities. Instead, the criminal is withdrawn all legal protection, so that anyone is legally empowered to persecute...
, gang leader
Gang Leader
Gang Leader is a very popular Telugu film of megastar Chiranjeevi. The movie was released on 9 May 1991 and directed by Vijaya Bapineedu. It was a huge box office success.-Plot:...
and bandit who became a legendary figure in Sri Lanka known as the "Robin Hood
Robin Hood
Robin Hood was a heroic outlaw in English folklore. A highly skilled archer and swordsman, he is known for "robbing from the rich and giving to the poor", assisted by a group of fellow outlaws known as his "Merry Men". Traditionally, Robin Hood and his men are depicted wearing Lincoln green clothes....
of Sri Lanka". Some Sri Lankan scholars place him in the context of regional insurgencies of against British Colonial rule
British Ceylon
British Ceylon refers to British rule prior to 1948 of the island territory now known as Sri Lanka.-From the Dutch to the British:Before the beginning of the Dutch governance, the island of Ceylon was divided between the Portuguese Empire and the Kingdom of Kandy, who were in the midst of a war for...
rather than a manifestation of local lawlessness or economic justice.
Early life
Born March 25, 1832 to a tobacco merchant from Haldanduwana, Dankotuwa, who had moved to the Kegalle DistrictKegalle District
Kegalle is a district in Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka. Its area is 1,663 km². It was a former Dissavani of Sri Lanka. Has a population of 785,524 according to census 2001.-Physical Information:...
close to Utuwankande, he was the eldest and was educated at the Illukgoda Temple school. Although he was an intelligent student, he was very rebellious and got into fights. His education stopped when he was arrested by the police and punished for assaulting a rich boy, who was a close relative of the village Vidane (the local policing authority).
Outlaw
Saradiel briefly took to thievery, distributing his stolen items amongst the poor villagers. However he left the area to ColomboColombo
Colombo is the largest city of Sri Lanka. It is located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, the capital of Sri Lanka. Colombo is often referred to as the capital of the country, since Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte is a satellite city of Colombo...
and worked as a barrack boy at the Rifle Barracks
Rifle Barracks
Rifle Barracks was a former military barracks situated in Slave Island, Colombo. Build during the late nineteenth century as the regimental headquarters and barracks] of the Ceylon Rifle Regiment...
, learning much about weapons before leaving, taking several firearms with him.
Thereafter he took to highway robbery, becoming a notable outlaw in the district for much of his exploits. Charges were brought on him for killing Natakoti Chettiar a rich merchant and he was arrested. Due to a lack of evidence, he was set free. A warrant for his arrest was issued after a robbery at the Molligoda Walauwa. He then briefly left the area, going to his father's in Chilaw. When his father refused to shelter him, he return to the mountain of Utuwankande, which he had made his hideout for numerous raids.
He was arrested Pillawatte near Negombo after a struggle that lead to the Police informant being stabbed by him. Saradiel was taken to court in Hultsdorf
Hultsdorf
Hultsdorf is a suburb in Colombo, Sri Lanka. It is part of the postal area known as Colombo 12. It has been known historically as Hulffsdorp, Hulfsdorp, Hulftsdorp, Hulsdorp, Hulstsdorp and Hülffsdorf.-History:...
, Colombo to stand trial for murder, yet he managed to escape from Mahara Prison
Mahara Prison
The Mahara Prison is a maximum security prison, and is one of the largest prisons in Sri Lanka. Situated in the old city of Mahara in the Western Province, it was built in 1875 by the British colonial government to ease the congestion at the Slave Island prison. It was used to house the prisoners...
. Soon after he was arrested at Utuwankande only to escape again.
Returning to Utuwankande he formed a gang of robbers, made raids on carriages and coaches on the highway to Kandy
Kandy
Kandy is a city in the center of Sri Lanka. It was the last capital of the ancient kings' era of Sri Lanka. The city lies in the midst of hills in the Kandy plateau, which crosses an area of tropical plantations, mainly tea. Kandy is one of the most scenic cities in Sri Lanka; it is both an...
from Colombo
Colombo
Colombo is the largest city of Sri Lanka. It is located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, the capital of Sri Lanka. Colombo is often referred to as the capital of the country, since Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte is a satellite city of Colombo...
. Soon these attacks spread to Rambukkana, Polgahawela and Kurunegala. Resulting in his exploits becoming famous throughout the island and the British administrators increasing the police units in the area. Travelers resorted to armed escorts.
In an effort to capture him he was surrounded at his mother's home, when he went to visit her. In the shootout that ensued he escaped and made his way to Matale
Matale
Matale is a town in the hill country of Sri Lanka, from Colombo and from Kandy. It is an area steeped in history and village living. The mayor of Matale is Hilmy Careem, as of May, 2006....
. At this point Sirimale, one of Saradiel's band defected and became an informant to the police.
Final arrest and execution
On March 21, 1864 he was drawn to a house in Mawanella. On a tip off, a police party surrounded the house. They found Saradiel there with Mammalay Marikkar. Sgt. Ahamath fired at Saradiel first and wounded him; Mammalay Marikkar fired killing ConstableConstable
A constable is a person holding a particular office, most commonly in law enforcement. The office of constable can vary significantly in different jurisdictions.-Etymology:...
Shaban. Escaping from the house, Sgt. Ahamath stood guard outside the only door, preventing the bandits' escape. The Assistant Government Agent
Government Agent (Sri Lanka)
A Government Agent or a District Secretary is a Sri Lankan civil servant of the Sri Lanka Administrative Service appointed by the central government to govern a certain district of the country. The GA is the administrative head of public services in the District. As Sri Lanka has 25 districts,...
Kegalle F.R. Saunders soon arrived on the scene with a detachment of Ceylon Rifles
Ceylon Rifle Regiment
Ceylon Rifle Regiment was a regular native regiment formed by the British in Ceylon. Its history goes back to 1795 when five independent companies of Malays where transferred from Dutch to HEIC service...
. Seeing that resistance was futile, the two surrendered.
Taken to Kandy, they were tried at Kandy Assize by an English-speaking jury before Justice Thompson, with Richard Morgan
Richard Morgan (lawyer)
Sir Richard Morgan was a Ceylonese lawyer, who served as Chief Justice of Ceylon. He was the first Asian in the British Empire to receive a Knighthood and first Ceylonese to be a member of the Governor's Executive Council. Sir Richard was educated at the Colombo Academy.He was the crown advocate...
prosecuting as crown advocate. The jury found them guilty: Both were sentenced to death. They were taken to the gallows on May 7, 1864, with many coming to see the famed Saradiel. Before his execution he addressed the crowd.
Legacy
Saradiel distributed much of his plunder among the poor, and never stole from them. Due to this he was referred to as the "Robin Hood of Sri Lanka". Due to much of his raids were targeting British and their native supports, who had gain wealth as the lower and medium levels of the colonial administration, he gain much popularity among the poor villagers. As a result many consider his actions just and Saradiel rebel against British rule rather than a bandit.Constable Shaban who was killed in the attempt to apprehend Saradiel was the first Sri Lankan policemen to be killed in the line of duty. To this effect March 21 is the date Sri Lanka Police commemorate its fallen members, as constable Shaban was killed on March 21, 1864.