Constitution of the Kandyan Kingdom. 207 
of the four Korles, nor in general upon persons who have held those 
offices. 
Korales of low family, Aratchies, Vidams, and Vellales, may be punished 
with the open hand. 
Vellales of low condition, for flagrant offences, and persons of low caste, 
are punished with rods called zpal. The persons above-mentioned as exempted 
from corporal punishment are not imprisoned in the Maha Hirage (common 
gaol); the Desave usually fixes a fine for offences, and detains them in the 
Atapattu Maduwe till it is paid. 
If the offences be considered to merit greater punishment, by representa- 
tion to the King they are imprisoned in the Katabulle village, or in the 
country. 
Other persons are imprisoned, according to the Desave’s pleasure, in the 
Atapatlu, or Kodituwaka Maduwe; the more atrocious offenders in the 
latter, and sometimes in the Maha Hirage in Kandy, or in a Kadawata of 
his desavony, for such term as he deems adequate to the offence, or till the 
payment of such fine as may be demanded. 
The Desave most frequently and properly hears the cases himself, seated 
in the court of his house, and surrounded by the head men of his desavony 
standing in his presence. 
He sometimes commitsthe enquiry to two or three principal J/ohottales or 
Korales, who conduct it in public outside the Desave’s dwelling, sitting 
inthe Afapattu Maduwe, and make report to him, as the Court of Kandyan 
Chiefs to the King; but this delegation is stated to be an impropriety in- 
troduced of late years. 
In doubtful cases, he frequently takes the opinion of the principal head 
men of his desavony. 
The decision is communicated to the parties, sometimes by the head men, 
and sometimes by the Desave ; and finally the sitéa, or decree for lands, is 
granted to the successful party on payment of the fee demanded, which, 
according to its value, usually varies between five and fifty ridi. 
The proceedings are conducted in the manner already described to take 
place before the great court of Kandy. 
Jurisiiction of Lekams Rate Mahatmeya and other Chiefs. 
The Lekams Rate Mehatmeya, the principals of temples, and the chiefs of 
departments attached to the King’s court and household, have a civil and 
