122 



JOUKNAL, E A.S. (CEYLON). 



[Vol.. X. 



I annex copy* of a rather high-flown but well-meaning 

 letter addressed to the Government Agent some years ago by 

 Mr. Abeyeratna, a former Gravets muhandiram, on the 

 subject of this stream. The scheme he suggests was never 

 carried out, and the dhobies have won the day, for although 

 the Queen's Advocate was of opinion that they might be 

 prosecuted under the Nuisances Ordinance, no steps have 

 ever been taken to proceed against them, and they have now 

 full possession of the lower part of the stream, just before it 

 falls into the lake. 



The man who was in charge of the stream was called 

 Hil-penkandurd, a name rather absurdly formed from 

 the name of the stream itself. 



The man in charge of the bathing-place was called Wahal- 

 kadayd, which means " door-keeper." 



Descendants of both these functionaries are living at 

 Ampitiya at the present day. They have sold the lands 

 which their ancestors held by this tenure to dhobies. 



There is a descendant cf the Hil-penkandurd called Alu- 

 gollegedara Bodiya : he is a temple tenant, and is of Panniya 

 (toddy-drawer) caste. He is a peon in the fiscal's office. 



A man called Wahalkadagedara Sin no is a descendant of 

 the " gate-keeper," as his name " gate-keeper family " shows. 

 He is of the tom-tom beater caste, and is a beggar. 



According to information given to the Ratemahatmaya by 

 the Maha Nayaka of the Malwatta Vihare, it was the king's 

 custom to proceed to this bathing place on Wednesdays. 



December, 1887. 



* Not printed. 



