229 Sir Joun D’Orxy’s Sketch of the 
Sacrilege, as destroying a sacred image, cutting down a sacred tree, 
or striking a priest. 
Elephant slaughter, in the upper districts, or in the provinces contiguous 
to Kandy. 
Other offences of an aggravated nature, which, though competent to the 
authority of the chiefs, may be considered of sufficient importance to report 
to the King. 
Appeal to the King lies open to every individual from the decision of 
any chief in civil cases, without limitation of lapse of time or value. 
The appeal is introduced to the King’s notice, either by the representa- 
tion of a chief or courtier, or by the individual who thinks himself aggrieved 
prostrating in the road when the King is abroad, or prostrating at any 
other time towards the palace: an occurrence which any person who 
observed it is obliged to communicate immediately to the King through 
some officers of the palace; ascending a tree near the palace and pro- 
claiming aloud his grievance, or taking refuge, as was sometimes done in any 
instance of supposed injustice, in the Maha Gabadawe, or the temple Dalada 
Maligawa, or other royal or religious sanctuary. 
When a case is thus brought under his cognizance, it is either heard 
in the King’s presence or referred for hearing and report to the Great 
Court of Kandy, called Maha Naduwe, composed of the principal Kandyan 
chiefs. 
If the former, the King is seated at the window of an apartment in the 
palace. The Kandyan chiefs, kneeling in the hall or varanda below, question, 
according to the King’s directions, the parties and witnesses ; and the King, 
after taking their opinion, passes his decision. 
If the latter, the case is heard in the Great Court of the chiefs, who report 
the circumstances with their opinion to the King ; are sometimes referred 
for further inquiry and report till he is satisfied, and then receive his decision ; 
or sometimes are ordered to decide by oath. 
The Great Court, or Maha Naduwe. 
The Great Court, called Maha Naduwe, properly consists of the Adikars, 
Desaves, Lekams, and Mohandirams ; but of late years all the chiefs have 
been called to assist at it, and especially any that are distinguished for their 
ability and judgment. 
The court was held at different periods, as occasion suited ; sometimes in 
