Constitution of the Kandyan Kingdom. 225 
royal lands, or Dukgenawele lands, unless on the complaint of a common 
person the Dukgenawele be satisfied, and the decision be in his favour. 
Nor can they take cognizance (unless both parties voluntarily come to 
them as arbitrators) of cases which arise between principal chiefs, or prin- 
cipal officers of the King’s household, or in which any such person is de- 
fendant, but only in concurrence with the proper chief of those which con- 
cern inferior people belonging to the same. 
In all cases arising in the Upper Districts, the Adikars alone can give sitta, 
or written decrees for land, and dewe sitta, or written oaths for swearing by oil. 
With the same limitation in respect of persons, and in concurrence with 
the proper chiefs, they can hear and decide all criminal cases, &c. 
They can hear and decide all criminal cases of burglary, robbery, theft, 
assault, and other minor offences, but usually report to the King any 
remarkably atrocious cases which occur. 
They cannot take cognizance of the high crimes above enumerated as 
belonging only to the King’s jurisdiction, but submit all such cases to the 
King. 
They have the exclusive privilege of awarding punishment with the cane, 
which is borne by their officers, the Katubulle people. 
They have power to inflict corporal punishment, imprisonment, and fine, 
and without fixed limit in degree; but the mode of punishment will vary 
according to the rank of the offender, and their power must be exercised 
subject to the following restrictions :— 
They cannot inflict corporal punishment on the following persons, viz. 
Principal chiefs, Dukgenaweles, or persons belonging to noble families. 
The Sutambies of the Ulpenge or Kunam Maduwe,the Kunam Maduwe 
people, Talapatwadonne, Pandakkarego, the royal washerman, the Lekams, 
Kankans, and Gebanerals of the Gabada, Aramudala, and Awudage. 
The Mulachariya, and head men of the Pattala, or artificers’ department, 
attached to the King; the Maduwe Mohandirams. 
The Betge Wedrales, the Maha Lekam people. 
The Kariyakarana Rales, and Wattern Rales of the Maligwa, and the 
Kapaurales of the Dewale. ' 
Of the foregoing they can imprison and. fine the Kunam Maduwe people, 
the royal washerman, the Maha Lekam people, and the officers of the 
temples, but no others without the King’s authority. 
They exercise these powers (except over persons under their peculiar 
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