238 Terms of address in use 



interpretation of which is, " of the class of Chiefs/' rather than 

 "the titled class," as rendered by Mr. Armour, (Seep. 71.) 



Besides the ranks and titles which the Natives obtain 

 from the Crown, there is also a class to which particular 

 individuals are entitled by reason of birth or position. Of 

 these we may mention Gamardla* equal to a " County 

 squire " in England, but not held in the same estimation in 

 Ceylon.f He is however of the highest caste (the Vellalas,) 

 and one who in point of wealth has a competency for his 

 subsistence. Appuhami 6 is the rank of a "gentleman," 

 of the highest class of the vellales ' who anciently enjoyed 

 certain privileges which are now denied to them; and Appu 

 that of the plebeian, equal in its application to " Mister." 

 As honorary terms of address by which persons of different 

 castes are distinguished, I may mention Handuruwa, confined 

 to "Vellales"; Nyde to "Smiths"; Hhiayd to "Washermen"; 

 Midi to "Washerwomen"; Mestri to "Barbers"; Mahabadde 

 to "Chalias "; Batgamaya to " Paduas"; Nekati to " Tomtom- 

 beaters"; Wahumpuraya to " Jaggoreros," &c. &c. Whilst 

 the above are mere honorary designations of different castes, 

 there are others which are used as terms of affection and 

 endearment to persons of low-castes ; as for instance, Ilhm 

 Mdmd } "Uncle Hena ? to a Washerman ; Ridi Nenda, " Aunt 

 Kidi " to a IVasherwoman, Vadurala, " Master Carpenter" to 

 a Carpenter ; &c. &c. 



There are also certain terms of respectful designation by 

 which persons of different trades are distinguished, as for 

 instance Mandadirala, among Fishers ; for the man in charge 

 of a part of a fishing net, called Manda ; Hannedirala i the 

 owner of the fishing boat,' or 6 the chief of the fishing band.' 



* This title is rendered cw© gc^rSO Gammudalia, 'the chief of the village' in a 

 Singhalese version of the tale of the King- Adahasmuka. 



f Mention is made of the election of Gamaralas under the provisions of ' the Faddy 

 Lands Irrigation Ordinance;.' sec Proclamation in the Government Gazette of the 

 24th July 1858*. 



