Constitution of the Kandyan Kingdom. 229 
The fine imposed by any of these chiefs usually does not exceed ten or 
twenty ridi ; and they are cautious of awarding excessive punishments of 
any kind for the reason above stated. 
In any case of doubt and difficulty, or when either party dissatisfied 
threatens to appeal, the chief usually brings it under the cognizance of the 
Adikar or the great court. 
Jurisdiction of the Mohottales, Korales, Wannyar, and other head men of the 
Desavonies. 
The Alapattu Desavony, and Kodituwakka, Mohottales, or Lekums, 
the Korales and Aratchies of the Desavonies have a limited jurisdiction in 
civil and criminal matters over all persons subject to their authority re- 
spectively, but they exercise it chiefly when the Desave is absent in Kandy. 
Their power extends in civil matters to disputes regarding the limits of 
gardens or fields a few korales extent, of chena ground, the possession of 
a few fruit trees, debts of a few ridi, or a small quantity of grain, &c. 
They can give written wadtera of decision without signature, and deliver 
possession of lands, and sequester lands and crops. 
In criminal cases their power extends to robberies of cattle, paddy, 
fruits, betel, &c. Assaults and quarrels, toddy and arrack drinking, 
neglect of duty, and failure in paying revenue. 
All offences of greater moment they ought properly to refer to the Desave, 
but they sometimes settle cases of housebreaking or other serious robberies, 
if the prosecutor complain to them, and be satisfied with recovering his lost 
property and the usual damages. 
They can cause slight corporal punishment to be inflicted on common 
persons subject to their orders standing with the open hand; on persons of 
low caste with rods. 
Robbers of every description, whose guilt is undoubted, they can imprison 
in their houses, or in a kadawata, in the stocks, or otherwise, till they restore 
the stolen property with damages. 
Other offenders they confine for a few days, or make them prisoners at 
large by taking the handkerchief from their heads. 
It is held that the three principal Mohottales cannot properly impose a fine 
exceeding ten ridi, the Korales and Aratchies not exceeding five ridi. 
They are accustomed to recover fines by placing the culprit in Welakme, 
that is, a prisoner under inhibition to move from the spot till he has 
