Constitution of the Kandyan Kingdom. 293 
different buildings without the palace, or sometimes in the varanda of the 
hall of audience. 
There was formerly, it is said, a court-house near Paltene Dewale, which 
was partly rebuilt in the time of the last deceased King, but never com- 
pleted. 
The chiefs take their seats according to rank, from right to left; and the 
Adikars,* or any other chiefs of ability and experience, principally conduct 
the enquiry. 
The proceedings take place in the natural or most obvious course. First 
hearing the statement of the plaintiff or prosecutor, next the answer of the 
defendant or prisoner, next the evidences of the plaintiff or prosecutor, and 
lastly those of the defendant or prisoner. 
All the witnesses on both sides, as far as practicable, are collected and 
examined on the same day. If a witness be disabled by sickness, with- 
out a prospect of early recovery, messengers are sent, and bring his 
evidence in writing, confirmed, if possible, by oath at a neighbouring 
dewale. 
The witnesses are never sworn in court, and on clear trifling cases no 
oath is administered. In others they are sent to the neighbouring dewale, 
and sworn to the truth of their deposition in the presence of two or three 
head men as commissioners, who return and report to the Court. 
The examination is entirely viva voce, and no part of the proceedings are 
taken in writing, except a list of moveable property, which may be claimed 
as due or stolen, and excepting that either party sometimes presents a state- 
ment of his case, written on an ola, called witti walleruwe. 
In land cases, which are by far the most numerous, it is the general prac- 
tice to commence with the original proprietor, three or four generations in 
ascent, and thence to trace downwards, by inheritance or transfer, the title 
of the suitors. 
The cases which come under the cognizance of the Great Court are either 
civil or criminal, and of two kinds :— 
First, Those which are referred for hearing by the King, and are inva- 
riably reported and decided by this authority, in the manner above-men- 
tioned, 
Secondly, Those which are originally instituted before it, or, as is usual, 
introduced by the chief under whose jurisdiction the complaining party is. 
* Sans. Ad /hikara, the bearing of royal insignia. 
Vor. III. 2G 
