230 Sir Joun D’Oyxy’s Sketch of the 
satisfied the demand ; upon this his relation or friend undertakes for him to 
discharge it, or a pledge is delivered. 
But the Mohottales of the Seven Korles, Woa, and Saffregam, by reason 
of the distance of many parts from the capital and consequent difficulty of 
control, have assumed far greater power, which, though exercised without 
disguise, must be considered as illegal. 
They have been in the habit of deciding land cases of greater value, grant- 
ing sitta of decision. The Atapattu and Desavony Mohottales of the Seven 
Korles have even granted sifta with their signature, and the Atapaitu and 
Kodetavakka Mohottales of Saffregam without signature ; and in both pro- 
vinces they have issued dewe sitta, or written oaths for swearing by oil. 
When sent on service into the country by the Desave to collect people or 
revenues, they have taken the opportunity of exercising almost arbitrary 
powers—those of the Seven Korles in particular, levying fines to the amount 
of fifty or a hundred ridi ; but on their return, partly as a due, because they 
pretend to act in his name, and partly in order to cover their rapacious acts, 
they deliver a portion of their fines to the Desave. 
The Wannyar of Nuwerekalawiya from ancient times are considered to have 
had the power of granting sitta of decision, and dewe sitta, and of awarding 
penalties not inferior to those inflicted by the principal Moholtales of the 
Seven Korles. In short, they are held to possess within their respective 
Pattus, power nearly equal to that of a Desave, but are restrained in the exer- 
cise of it when the Desave is in their province. 
These head men act universally as police officers throughout the country, 
and it is their duty to arrest and send before the proper authority offenders 
of every description. 
Jurisdiction of Liyenerales, Undiyerales, Korales, and Aratchies of the Upper 
District. 
The headmen of these districts, which are adjacent to Kandy, and admit 
of easy reference to superior chiefs, have very limited powers. 
They settle trifling civil cases rather as arbitrators than judges, when the 
parties submit to their cognizance. 
They cannot dispossess of land, but on complaint can sequester lands and 
crops; and for default of revenues, or failure of attendance when summoned, 
they can sequester lands, crops, or dwellings. 
