240 Sir Joun D’Oyzy’s Sketch of the 
Rape. 
This crime was not considered as one of a very atrocious nature. In two 
or three instances in which it was committed upon female attendants of the 
palace, the offenders, who were of some rank, suffered by the King’s order 
severe corporal punishments, with imprisonment, or temporary removal. 
Of other cases which occurred amongst common individuals, the Kandyan 
chiefs severally took cognizance, and sentenced the offenders to corporal 
punishment not very severe, or to imprisonment and fine. 
Assaults and Quarrels. 
These cases of course were very numerous, and were settled frequently by 
the provincial head men, and frequently by the Kandyan chiefs. 
Slight corporal punishment was sometimes inflicted, but more usually the 
offenders were punished by fine. 
In affrays there was a fixed fine of seven ridi and a half for spilling blood, 
called /aydade. In other quarrels of mere abuse, or blows without drawing 
blood, the customary fine was three or five ridi, and if the two adverse 
parties were found to be in fault, fines were sometimes levied from both. 
Manufacturing, selling, and drinking Arrack and Toddy. 
The use of spirituous liquors is contrary to the express precepts of their 
religion, and the practice has been often prohibited by the Kings within 
the last fifty or sixty years, as being sinful, and productive of profligacy, 
quarrels, and other crimes. 
Many instances are stated to have occurred within that period in which, 
having been brought to the King’s notice, the offenders were punished by 
whipping through the streets of Kandy and imprisonment; but such prac- 
tices were frequent in many parts of the country, and were punished by the 
chiefs and head men, according to their discretion, by slight corporal chas- 
tisement, imprisonment, or fine. 
Gambling. 
This vice was also strongly prohibited. It prevailed almost exclusively 
in Kandy and its environs, within the river, and principally amongst the 
Malays. It was usually punished by whipping and imprisonment. 
