266 Civil and Military Establishments 
the royal presence altogether corresponds with tlie greatness of 
the occasion. The chief Adigar or prime minister is the only 
person who is permitted to stand in the royal presence ; and 
even he is obliged to be some steps lower than his Majesty, 
as no one dares be on a level with Him who is descended 
from the sun, as all the kings of Ceylon are supposed to be. 
The business of state is transacted between the King and the 
Adigar in low whispers, so as not to be overheard by any one 
present ; and any message from his Majesty to the others is 
conveyed in the same manner by the Adigar. 
This extreme caution to prevent the smallest appearance of 
equalization with royalty is not confined alone to the court, 
and to those who approach his person. Restraining edicts for 
the same purpose are attached to indifferent things throughout 
the kingdom. No one, for instance, is allowed to v/hiten the 
walls of his house, or to cover the roof with tiles, as these are 
privilege^ reserved exclusively to the monarch. In writing a 
letter and folding it up, no one is allowed to adopt the method 
peculiar to his Majesty. 
This very excess of respect, which seems calculated to raise 
him so high above all his subjects, has the effect of greatly 
diminishing his personal power. As the Adigar is the only organ 
of his will, and almost the only one who has any access to his 
person, that minister has evidently the power of issuing what 
mandates he pleases, and preventing any complaints from reaching 
the throne. The present Adigar is a man of great connexions 
and intrigue, and in addition to the usual power attached to 
his office, he has also the merit of having raised the reigning 
sovereign to the throne. From these circumstances the minister 
engrosses the whole government of the kingdom, while the 
prince has little more left him than the name of royalty. 
