Sri Lankan Robinhood

Sri Lankan Robinhood - "Saradiyel"

Deekirikevage Saradiel widely famous as Utuwankande Sura Saradiel,translation:Saradiel the Hero of Mountain Utuwan is a Ceylonese gang leader and bandit who became a legendary figure in Sri Lanka known as the "Robin Hood of Sri Lanka". Some Sri Lankan scholars place him in the context of regional insurgencies of against British Colonial rule rather than a manifestation of local lawlessness or economic justice . Due to superstition he was believed to have the power of not being seen and that he was bullet proof. Many believe that this is because he had "yantra" on his arm which lent him such powers.

"Saradiyel" Adventures

Saradiel briefly took to thievery, distributing his stolen items amongst the poor villagers. However he left the area to Colombo and worked as a barrack boy at the Rifle Barracks, learning much about weapons before leaving, taking several firearms with him.

Thereafter he took to highway robbery, becoming a notable outlaw in the district for much of his exploits. Charges were brought on him for killing Natakoti Chettiar a rich merchant and he was arrested. Due to a lack of evidence, he was set free. A warrant for his arrest was issued after a robbery at the Molligoda Walauwa. He then briefly left the area, going to his father's in Chilaw. When his father refused to shelter him, he returned to the mountain of Utuwankande, which he had made his hideout for numerous raids.

He was arrested Pillawatte near Negombo after a struggle that lead to the Police informant being stabbed by him. Saradiel was taken to court in Hultsdorf, Colombo to stand trial for murder, yet he managed to escape from Mahara Prison. Soon after he was arrested at Utuwankande only to escape again.

Returning to Utuwankande hill in Mawanella he formed a gang of robbers, made raids on carriages and coaches on the highway to Kandy from Colombo. Soon these attacks spread to Rambukkana, Polgahawela and Kurunegala. Resulting in his exploits becoming famous throughout the island and the British administrators increasing the police units in the area. Travelers resorted to armed escorts.

In an effort to capture him he was surrounded at his mother's home, when he went to visit her. In the shootout that ensued he escaped and made his way to Matale. At this point Sirimale, one of Saradiel's band defected and became an informant to the police.

Sura Saradiel's lifelong friend Mammale Marikkar after taken into Custody in 1864.

Final

On 21 March 1864 he was drawn to a house in Mawanella. On a tip off, a police party surrounded the house. They found Saradiel there with Mammalay Marikkar. Sgt. Ahamath fired at Saradiel first and wounded him; Mammalay Marikkar fired killing Constable Shaban. Escaping from the house, Sgt. Ahamath stood guard outside the only door, preventing the bandits' escape. The Assistant Government Agent Kegalle F.R. Saunders soon arrived on the scene with a detachment of Ceylon Rifles. Seeing that resistance was futile, the two surrendered.

Taken to Kandy, they were tried at Kandy Assize by an English-speaking jury before Justice Thompson, with Richard Morgan prosecuting as crown advocate. The jury found them guilty: Both were sentenced to death. They were taken to the gallows on 7 May 1864, with many coming to see the famed Saradiel. Before his execution he addressed the crowd. A letter from the queen was misinterpreted and he was sentenced to death. The letter accidentally read: 'kill him, not let him go', when it was supposed to be: 'kill him not, let him go'. Before the mistake with the comma was noticed Saradiel and Mammalay had already been sent to the gallows to be hanged.

Saradiel distributed much of his plunder among the poor, and never stole from them[citation needed]. Due to this he was referred to as the "Robin Hood of Sri Lanka". Due to much of his raids were targeting British and their native supports, who had gain wealth as the lower and medium levels of the colonial administration, he gain much popularity among the poor villagers who were opposed to the British. As a result many consider his actions just and Saradiel rebel against British rule rather than a bandit.

Constable Shaban who was killed in the attempt to apprehend Saradiel was the first Sri Lankan policemen to be killed in the line of duty. To this effect March 21 is the date Sri Lanka Police commemorate its fallen members, as constable Shaban was killed on 21 March 1864.

His brother was a famous sculpturer who sculptured the statue of St. Joseph on the front facade of the St. Joseph's Church Wennappuwa