Constitution of the Kandyan Kingdom. 193 
publishing it in their proceedings, and fearing that if not published it might, from 
remaining in manuscript, be mislaid and ultimately lost to the public, I lent a copy of 
it to the Editor of the Asiatic Journal, for publication in that work; I however find 
that he has only been able to give a general view of the constitution of Kandy, and 
therefore that what is already in print on the subject does not supersede the necessity 
of publishing the whole details of an account which affords so minute and so curious 
a description of every part of that constitution of government, as in force and as 
administered, up to the very day upon which the Kandian country became a portion of 
the British territories on the island of Ceylon. 
I have the honour to be, 
Sir, 
Your most obedient and faithful servant, 
ALEXANDER JOHNSTON. 
SKETCH 
OF THE 
CONSTITUTION OF THE KANDYAN KINGDOM. 
Tue power of the King is supreme and absolute. The ministers advise, 
but cannot controul his will. 
The King makes peace and war, enacts ordinances, and has the sole power 
of life and death. 
He sometimes exercises judicial authority in civil and criminal cases, 
either in original jurisdiction or in appeal. 
The acts of his government are presumed to be guided by the institutions 
and customs of his kingdom. 
Before innovations of importance are carried into effect, it is customary 
to consult the principal chiefs, and frequently the principal priests; and 
when other matters of public moment are in agitation, the same persons are 
usually called to councils. 
The authority of the King is exercised through many officers of state. 
The principal officers employed in the administration of public affairs, are 
the three Adikarams, commonly called Adikars. 
The Desaves, or governors of provinces, chiefly situated below the moun- 
tains. 
The Likams, or chiefs of departments within the mountains. 
2C2 
