Constitution of the Kandyan Kingdom. 251 
prietor, land long possessed by his family, but so called also, if recently 
acquired in fee simple. 
All lands in the Kandyan country being subject to service, the distinction 
of service Parveny is still known. 
Mullettu land is that field which is sown on account of the King or other 
proprietor, temporary grantee, or chief of a village, as distinguished from the 
fields of the other inhabitants of the village, who are liable to perform ser- 
vices or render dues. 
Mullettu land is of two kinds, viz. : 
Ist. Ninda Mullettu, which is sown entirely gratuitously for the benefit of 
the proprietor, grantee, or chief, by other persons, in consideration of the 
lands which they possess. 
2d. Ande Mullettu, which is sown by any one without obligation, on the 
usual condition of giving half the crop to the proprietor. 
Nila Panduwa, is the land possessed on condition of cultivating the Mul- 
lettu, or performing other menial service or both, for the proprietor, grantee, 
or chief of a village. The possessor of such land is called Nilakaraya. In 
some instances he is the proprietor, and cannot be displaced so long as he 
performs the service; in others, a tenant at will and removable at pleasure. 
Asweddume, or Delapata, is land lately brought into cultivation as a field, or 
more recently than the original field. In most instances the Asweddume of 
one person is not of any considerable extent. 
In the royal villages and the Vidane villages, and in some other instances 
in the upper districts, the possessors of them perform some King’s service, 
but not so much as the proprietors of original lands. 
If cultivated by a stranger from the estate of another, particularly in the 
desavunies, he pays by agreement to the proprietor a small annual sum, and 
besides assists him in country work, and attends him on a journey, receiv- 
ing victuals; unless inscribed, as rarely happens, in the Lekam Mitiya, he 
performs no public service for it. If cultivated by the proprietor perform- 
ing service, he is liable to no extra service for it. 
Pidawilla is land offered by individuals to temples, and there are many of 
this description in all parts of the country. They are usually Asweddume of 
small extent, more rarely small portions of the original service land. 
It is held, that in the upper districts they should properly not be offered 
without the King’s permission; but it was sometimes done only with the 
leave of the chief. In the desavonies they are usually offered with the con- 
