Ehelapola Kumarihamy:

A symbol of chastity

by Stanley E. Abeynayake

The unexpected tragic death of a noble Sinhalese Kandyan woman Ehelapola Kumarihamy and her four children took place 198 years ago on May 17, 1814 on the orders of the irate last King of Kandy, Sri Wickrema Rajasinha.

She was the devoted wife of Ehelapola Wijesundara Wickremasinghe Chandrasekara Amarakoon Wasala Mudiyanse, Maha Adikaram or Prime Minister of the Kandyan Kingdom.

Ehelapola Kumarihamy belonged to the dignified family of Keppetipola Rajapaksa Wickremesekara Bandaranayake. The national hero, the leader of the first civil war of liberation against the colonial British administration 1817-18 was her brother Monarawila Weera Keppetipola Disawe.

At the time of the capitulation of the last Sinhalese kingdom and the ensuing Kandyan Convention of March 2, 1815, he was the Disawe of Matale and one of the signatories to that historical document.

The prominent Keppetipola clan originated in Galboda Korale, a component of the Satara Korale, at present the Kegalle District.

Legends

There are two well-known legends that elucidate Ehelapola Kumarihami's fate by adherence to the much cherished characteristic of protecting her purity or chastity at the hands of another well-known Adikaram, Molligoda Rajakaruna Rajapaksa Tennakoon Wasala Mudiyanse and last but not the last King Sri Wickrema Rajasinha - 1798-1814.

The legends attribute the improper amorous advances of both those very high ranking dignitaries at the noble woman Ehelapola Kumarihamy.

Buddhist and Hindu womenfolk highly value this quality reminiscent of goddess Pattini, the highest symbol of chastity among the Hindu pantheon.

Ehelapola Kumarihamy was the cynosure of all eyes of "Anangayas", lustful passionate "Romeos" in that interior territory of the country.

Molligoda Nilame was a chieftain who was scheming, shrewd, green-eyed monster. He was highly annoyed at the quick rise in status of Ehelapola Maha Nilame, his brother Adikaram or minister.

So much so, that the snake under the grass aspired to grab the exalted portfolio held by Ehelapola Maha Nilame. Thus, Molligoda indulged in carrying tales against his immediate superior Ehelapola to the King to antagonise him. The wicked motive was to set the King against his chief minister Ehelapola Maha Nilame.

Lustful approach

Molligoda Nilame developed an untoward or unbecoming passion for Ehelapola Kumarihamy.

When Ehelapola Adikaram was away in the Sabaragamuwa Disawa on state duty, Molligoda Nilame got a chance to make a clandestine visit to her to satisfy his carnal desires.

Ehelapola Kumarihamy was living in her walauwa with her four children. The mansion is supposed to be the present "Queens Hotel" premises. One night Molligoda visited her. On that occasion he expressed his passionate love for her that was already bothering his conscience. She then and there strongly protested against Molligoda's amorous overtures.

His frequent visits provoked the noble and virtuous woman.

Thereupon, she threatened to get him thrashed by her domestic aides. Thereby getting into a furious mood, Molligoda left her residence. Thereafter he was determined that he would suppress her pride and see to it that she is amply revenged at his hands.

King

Sri Wickrema Rajasinha (1798-1814), the last Kandyan King himself got enamoured by the typical beauty of highland lasses, particularly, Ehelapola Kumarihamy. With the vulgar idea of getting round her, he manipulated a device.

The King sent Ehelapola, his Maha Nilame, to Sabaragamuwa on the pretext of improving the economic conditions and administrative functions. He obeyed the royal order and in due course, left for Ratnapura, the principal city of the Sabaragamuwa Disawa.

During his absence, one night, the King disguised himself in the garbs of a chieftain, and made his presence at the Walauwa of the Ehelapola's. Kumarihamy was then relaxing with her four young children - two sons and two daughters including her household servants.

All of a sudden, the highly tempted King entered the residence and entreated her to yield to his desires and consent to sexual intimacy with him. She got flabbergasted at his outrageous conduct.

Temptation

Overwhelmed by his uncontrollable temptation, he attempted to embrace her. She then had the audacity to blurt out calling the King "Wadugaya" (Telangu Tamil), "get out."

She also shouted, "Do you think that I am a Waduga woman, I am a pure-hearted Sinhalese woman.

I despise even a touch by a man like you. If you tarry any longer, I will see that you are properly handled by my security personnel and thrown out of the walauwa."

The infuriated but humiliated King, meekly left the place.

By this time Ehelapola Maha Nimale attended to his duties quite diligently. His allegiance to the tyrannical King was such that he even got a crown in gold made to be presented to the King when he next called over at the palace.

All the ola-leaf letters despatched to the King by Ehelapola Maha Nilame through his messengers were intercepted on the way by Molligoda Nilame's escorts and saw to it that they were tampered with to annoy the King. On receipt of the distorted messages the King became prejudiced against his Maha Nilame or Prime Minister.

Revengeful attitude

He adopted a revengeful attitude against his chief Adikaram and became suspicious of his alleged treacherous activities with the connivance of the British rulers in the maritime provinces.He therefore, impatiently ordered for the immediate arrest of Ehelapola by Molligoda Nilame. When Ehelapola Maha Nilame got the most exciting sensational news, he bolted away to the British camp.

On May 23, 1814 he arrived at the residence of John d'Oyly at Avissawella, Sitawaka. The former saw to it that the latter was accommodated with Kosgama Arachchi.

D'Oyly received the pathetic news that Ehelapola Maha Nilame's loving wife and his four dear children and some relations had been mercilessly put to death on May 17, 1814.

Ehelapola Kumarihamy's children Loku Bandara (11), Madduma Bandara (8), sons and Tikiri Manike and Dingiri Menike, infant daughters were put to death.

Finally, Kumarihamy and a few female relations were taken to the Bogambara lake and got them drowned.

Apparition

During the early British period it was reported that the apparition of Ehelapola Kumarihamy was seen at mid-night on Full Moon - lit nights - strolling the Kandy streets near the lake wearing a white dress, Kandyan "Osari", and a jacket with dishevelled hair.

She was also, it was said, screaming out making an eerie sound "Dingiri Meniko" (Her youngest daughter), "Mage daruwo diyo" "give me back my children."

With the hustle and bustle of the rapidly expanding Kandy city, also, lit up with electricity that poor woman's apparition with a terrible shriek vanished for good. Perhaps, her soul or spirit has been appeased by merits offered to her and her children by grateful near and dear kinsmen and people throughout Sri Lanka.