258 
TIIE ISLAND OF CEYLON. 
frequent occasion to see both the Adi gars at Columbo. They 
are portly good looking men. The one of them appeared 
much more attached to our government than the other. 
The officers next in rank to the Adigars are the Dissauvas. 
They are the Governors of the codes or districts, and are 
besides the principal military commanders. Their business is 
to attend the king’s person when required, to collect the 
revenues, and see that good order and strict discipline be 
maintained in their commands. But great as is the authority 
entrusted to these and the other great officers of state over 
their fellow subjects, none of them are allowed to bring any 
one publickly to capital punishment without first bringing 
the matter before the king, whose exclusive prerogative it is 
to pronounce sentence of death. The power of the Dissauva 
Udda, or Commander in chief of the forces, is very great; 
and this officer, having the complete disposal of the military, 
often becomes an object of apprehension to the king. While 
I was at Columbo, it w r as even said that the king had en- 
tirely abolished the office, judging the power attached to it 
too great to be entrusted in the hands of a single individual. 
I had, however; afterwards an opportunity of finding this 
report unfounded from my own personal observation, as the 
Dissauva Udda accompanied the Adigars to meet Governor 
North, and was received by the troops under arms. The 
Dissauvas, as long as they hold their office, are allowed by 
the king a certain portion of land for their services ; and 
they often besides squeeze the people under their command 
