Arachchi

Arachchi (Sinhalese: ආරච්චි) was the post of village headmen in Ceylon. This was an influential post, the holder had much control over the populace of a village and had limited policing powers since he was responsible to keep the peace. Several Vidanes came under the supervision of an Arachchi. It has since been replaced with the post of Grama Niladhari in the 1970s.

The term of was also used to refer to a senior peon serving in government offices such as a Kachcheri or a District Court. It is no longer in use.

The title was appears in the native kingdoms during the colonial era. It became common place during the Dutch colonial rule of the coastal areas of Sri Lanka. After these areas where taken over by the British, they continued the Dutch administration system

By the late nineteenth century, under the local administrative system and structure, the Government Agent of the district was appointing an Arachchi to administrate a village within his district. This became part of the Native Department of the British Government of Ceylon. Appointments were made to locals, usually from wealthy influential families who were considered loyal to the British Crown. Several vidanes came under the supervision of an arachchi. The post continued as part of the local administration even after the closure of the Native Department in 1930s and Ceylon gained its independence in 1948. In the 1970s the post was replaced with that of Grama Niladhari (village leader).

British appointed Arachchies had several classes;

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