The Uva Rebellion

The Uva Rebellion, also known as the 'Great Rebellion of 1817-1818' (or the 3rd Kandyan War by the British) took place in Ceylon against the British colonial government under Governor Robert Brownrigg, which had been controlling the formerly independent Udarata (Sinhalese: Up-Country), of which Uva was a province. People used to call this Independence Movement by the name of the two places where it started: the 'Wellassa Rebellion' and the 'Uva Rebellion'. It was the very first struggle for gaining Independence from the British.
It was led by Wilbawe (an alias of Duraisamy, a Nayakkar of Royal blood) and Keppetipola Disawe - a leader that the Sinhalese celebrate even today, who was sent initially by the British government to stop the uprising. The other leaders who supported this Independent Movement are; II Pilima Talauve Adikaram, Kohu Kumbure Rate Rala, Dimbulana Disave, Kivulegedara Mohottala, Madugalle Disave, Butewe Rate Rala, Galagedara Mohottala, Dambawinna Disave and Gode Gedara Adikaram. The Sinhalese were greatly affected by the administrative policies of the British and were not used to being ruled by a king who lived far away in another continent. This created unrest among the local people and the aristocratic Chiefs in the Kandyan Kingdom. Except for Molligoda and Ekneligoda, many Chiefs join the rebels. The rebels captured Matale and Kandy before Keppetipola fell ill and was captured and beheaded by the British. His skull was abnormal - as it was wider than usual - and was sent to Britain for testing. It was returned to Sri Lanka after independence, and now rests in the Kandiyan Museum. The rebellion failed due to a number of reasons. It was not very finely planned among the leaders. The areas controlled by some Chiefs who helped the British provided easy transport routes for the British to have transactions of food and other necessities. Doraisami who was said to have a claim to the sinhalese throne was found not to have any relation.
The rebellion was notable for the bloody manner of its suppression, with 'Search and Destroy' missions which presaged the Vietnam War. The inhabitants lost house, property, livestock and even the salt in their possession during the repression. The irrigation systems of the duchies of Uva and Wellassa, hitherto the rice-bowl of Sri Lanka, were systematically destroyed. Although, it was an Independence Struggle that was led by brave national heroes who wanted to see a peaceful country under one flag by even giving away their lives and contributing to save our Motherland.
In the 'Journal of Uva,' Herbert White, a British Government Agent in Badulla after the rebellion minuted: "It is a pity that there is no evidence left behind to show the exact situation in Uva in terms of population or agriculture development after the rebellion. The new rulers are unable to come up to any conclusion on the exact situation of Uva before the rebellion as there is no trace of evidence left behind to come to such conclusions. If thousands died in the battle they were all fearless and clever fighters. If one considers the remaining population of 4/5 after the battle to be children, women and the aged, the havoc caused is unlimited. In short the people have lost their lives and all other valuable belongings. It is doubtful whether Uva has at least now recovered from the catastrophe