No. 62. — 1909.] dutch embassy. 



197 



At this time we heard rumours that Sanguranketa Nuwara* 

 had been burnt down and all the wealth in the treasury (^4ra- 

 mudala) destroyed ; in consequence of which the people on guard 

 had been arrested, and some had been put to death, and others 

 were to be punished. It was futher reported that the Disavas 

 of Seven and Four Korales and some of the other chiefs were 

 engaged there in collecting the gold and silver which had been 

 melted down. 



Nothing further of importance occurred until the 3rd of 

 February. 



On the evening of the 4th, which was Monday, the Am- 

 bassador and the chiefs who were with him advanced the 

 usual distance to meet some others who were coming from the 

 Maha Wasala. These consisted of the Disava of the Four 

 Korales, Dehigama Nanayakkara Mohottjala, and Wal- 

 gampaye and Hiyambalangamuwe Muhandirams, who were 

 accompanied as a mark of honour by eleven guns, twenty- 

 three musketeers, two standards, six flags, five archers, and a 

 few spearmen. After greetings were exchanged and rose water 

 sprinkled, they were conducted to the tdndyama and stood in 

 front of where the letter was deposited : inquiries were then 

 exchanged as to each other's health, and the Disava announced 

 that His Majesty had commanded that the Ambassador with 

 his letter and presents, and the chiefs who were with him, 

 should be conducted to the tdndyama at Ganoruwa when a 

 befitting moment presented itself. At which the Ambassador 

 rendered due thanks and declared that he would not delay in 

 preparing to start at any time that was convenient to the 

 chiefs : whereon they satisfied themselves that the letter 

 and presents were in due order, and pleading weariness retired 

 to their tdndyama. 



The following morning [5th] all the chiefs appeared at the 

 tdndyama and stated that, if a proper opportunity offered, it was 

 desirable to proceed to Walgowwagoda on the next day ; to 

 which the Ambassador replied that he would be prepared to 

 accompany them in due time. On the morning of the 6th 

 all the chiefs assembled, and after the presents had been 



* Residence of the Heir Apparent afterwards Sri Vijaya Raja Sinha. 

 — H. W. C. 



