Keppetipola's struggle against the British rule
By Premasara Epasinghe
Rajapaksa Wickramasekera Mudiyanse Ralahamy, a chieftain from Satara
Korale who settled at Udugoda Udasiya Pattuwa, Monarawila, north of
Matale and Monarawila Kumarihamy were blessed with three children - one
son and two daughters.
The great patriot Keppetipola, who led the rebellion of Uva in
1817-1818 was the son. At the inception, Keppetipola acted as a
representative of the British government. Realising the plight of the
Sinhalese, Keppetipola crossed over to the Sinhala camp and began the
Independence struggle against the British rule.
Keppetipola was one of the greatest strategists. He knew the
Britishers were well-equipped with weapons. He knew it would be futile
to fight the Britishers. Keppetipola adopted different tactics. He
believed in the famous saying “An army marches on its belly.”
Food supply
Keppetipola cut off the food supply to the British soldiers. Roads
were blocked. Swift and sudden attacks were launched and British
soldiers were taken unawares.
Even nature was against the Britishers. The rains, floods too
marooned them. When the rains subsided the British troops in the
maritime areas marched the hill capital and Uva-Wellassa and attacked
the Sinhala villages. They made Uva-Wellassa, a “blood bath.”
Keppetipola, who learned the art of war, under the Britishers,
crossed over and led the liberation struggle of the Sinhalese.
The main target of the Britishers was Keppetipola. They made a
proclamation as follows:
“Out of all the Radala or nobles, Sinhala Government Agent of Uva –
traitor Keppetipola was against us. We were responsible in saving his
life from the cruel Sinhala king.
This most ungrateful man was totally responsible in motivating the
people of Uva to rise against British sovereignty. He was a traitor and
a wanted criminal.”
The Kandyan nobles considered the Sinhala leadership of Senadhinayaka
Keppetipola, as a blessing and a driving force for them. The chieftains,
Pilimatalewa, Halangoda, Madugalle, Millewe, Joined Keppetipola followed
by thousands and fought against Britishers.
Of all the Kandyan chieftanis only Molligoda, supported the British.
When the Sinhala troops were marching victoriously, dissension and
disunity arose among Keppetipola Pilimatalawa and Madugalle leading to
their capture by the British. The British court passed death sentence on
Keppetipola and Madugalle, while Pilimatalawa was to be exiled.
Gloomy day
November 18, 1818 was a very sad, gloomy day for the Sinhalese. It
was on this fateful day, the two national leaders, Keppetipola and
Madugalle were handcuffed and taken to Bogambara for their execution.
Madugalle, fearing death fell unconscious several times, before
execution. But, great Keppetipola brave as ever faced the death
gallantly.
Keppetipola asked permission to read some verses from Dhammapada. He
paid homage to Sacred Tooth Relic. He took out the cloth covering his
upper part of the body, folded it, offered it to the Tooth Relic
chamber.
He recited a few lines from the Dhammapada loudly.
Although the executioner slashed the sword to sever the neck, his
attempt failed as the neck was only partly cut. Keppetipola smiled and
showed the executioner the point to sever the neck into two.
Keppetipola was a true national hero of Sri Lanka and we salute him.
He symbolised the fighting spirit of the Sinhalese. Cowards die many
times, before their death The valiant die only once! |