200 Sir Joun D’Oyxy’s Sketch of the 
They have the exclusive power of granting the written oath for swearing 
by oil, and of granting the written decrees called sitta, in all cases which 
arise in the districts situated within the mountains. 
The Adikars are usually consulted by the King upon the appointment of 
all other chiefs, upon the appointment of chief priest, upon grants of lands, 
or rewards for services. 
Grants of lands by the King’s orders are signed by the Adzkars. 
Sannasses, or royal grants, are delivered to superior favourite chiefs by 
the King himself; the same to all other persons by the Adikars, in the 
King’s presence. 
The ceremony of conferring titles, by tying a metal plate on the forehead, 
is performed according to the same rule. 
A cane, curved at the top, is the Adikar’s peculiar staff of office, and is 
delivered into their hands upon their appointment. It was formerly a painted 
cane with silver head and ferrule, but a cane entirely cased with silver was 
adopted by the deposed King. 
The Katubulle messengers carry in their hands, as an emblem of office, 
a silver-headed cane, curved at the top. 
When they carry the King’s orders to a Desave, residing in his desavony, 
they receive, besides provisions, five ridi in token of respect. 
Wheresoever they go theyare furnished with provisions gratis ; and, except- 
ing in the houses of persons of rank, a stool, or elevated place, is spread 
with white cloth, and their cane deposited upon it whilst they remain. 
The Katubulle people annually deliver certain rice duties into the royal 
stores, called Maha Gabadawe. 
The Adikars pay annually into the royal treasury a sum of 500 ridi each, 
being their tribute calied Dakam, in consideration of the privileges and 
emoluments above-mentioned. 
When one Adikar is absent from Kandy, his ministerial duties devolve 
upon the other. 
For the better support of their dignity, a desavony is usually conferred 
upon each Adikar, and sometimes other offices; in which case, besides the 
foregoing, they perform all the duties and enjoy all the honours, privileges, 
and emoluments of a Desave, or such other offices. 
Division of the Kingdom. 
The Kandyan kingdom consisted of twenty-one grand divisions, of which 
