Utuwankande Sura Saradiel
| Utuwankande Sura Saradiel | |
|---|---|
Sura Saradiel after taken into Custody in 1864.
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| Born |
Deekirikevage Saradiel 25 March 1832 Kegalle District |
| Died | 7 May 1864 (aged 32) Kandy |
| Cause of death | Executed by the British at the Gallows |
| Residence | Uthuwankanda, Mawanella |
| Nationality | Ceylonese |
| Citizenship | Ceylon |
| Education | Beligammana Temple Ilukgoda Temple |
| Occupation | National Hero |
| Home town | Uthuwankanda, Mawanella |
| Partner(s) | Mamale Marikkar Mahammudu Sawath Nasardeen Sirimala Ukkinda Modara Tanne Henda |
| Parent(s) | Adasi Appu (father) Pichohamy (mother) |
Deekirikevage Saradiel widely famous as Utuwankande Sura Saradiel,translation:Saradiel the Hero of Mountain Utuwan (Sinhalese: උතුවන්කන්දේ සුර සරදියෙල්; 25 March 1832 – 7 May 1864) 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 . He was believed to have the power of not been seen and that he was bullet proof.Many believe that this is because he had "yantra" on his arm which gave him these powers.
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.
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Wikipedia