230 Terms of address in use 



From this circumstance* we gather, that a Situ was equal in 

 rank to a Prime Minister, or even Sub-King, but inferior to 

 the Royal family. 



Whilst on the subject of Monarchical councillors, of whom 

 a Situ was undoubtedly one, we may here glance at the state 

 of that Council, the want of information regarding which 

 Mr. Stark remarks at p. 71. But in doing so, it may per- 

 haps not be out of place to notice a few of the Titles of 

 address of those who composed the Executive Government 

 of Lanka. 



Although the Government of Ceylon was in the abstract 

 a despotic Monarchy, where the will of the Sovereign passed 

 into a law ; yet it is remarkable that in ancient times, when 

 pious and talented princes ruled over the destinies of this 

 island, nothing of any importance was done or decreed with- 

 out the advice of the epe>3d£D®£>Je)©(i or the Council of 

 State. Indeed the Institutes of Mann, which formed the 

 basis of the polity of all Indian Governments, including that 

 of Ceylon, required that the Sovereign should be assisted 

 by his Ministers.f Thus, we read in history, that whilst 

 different parts of the Island which constituted subordinate 

 principalities, were placed under Uva-rajas or " Sub-Kings," 

 the chief kingdom was presided over| by the Maha-raja or 



* " The mother of the Thero Mahindu, (son of Asoka) sending her children to 

 the King's court, continued to reside herself at the city of Chetiyagiri." Intro- 

 duction to the 31ahawansa, p. xlvii. 



t " And all that must be done by him (the King) for the protection of his 

 people with the assistance of good ministers, I will declare to you as the law directs in 

 due order. 7 ' Manu, chap. vii. § 36. 11 Let them perpetually consult with those Minis- 

 ters on peace and war, on his forces, on his revenues, on the protection of his people, 

 &c. Having ascertained the several opinions of his councillors, first apart and then 

 collectively, let him do what is most beneficial for him in public affairs.' 7 — ib. 56. 57. i 

 % In the Raja Tarangani these seven officers are stated to be ' The Justiciary or 

 Chancellor, 7 < Treasurer/ ' Master of the Military Stores, 7 ' Commander in Chief, 7 and 

 ' Messenger or Ambassador, 7 < Royal Chaplain, 7 and * the Chief Astrologer.'— See 

 Asiatic Researches, xv. p. 21. Also in Manu, § 54. < The King must appoint seven or 

 eight Ministers." 



