Utuwankande Sura Saradiel 




Deekirikevage Saradiel, also known as Utuwankande Sura Saradiel (Sinhala:උතුවන්කන්දේ සුර සරදියෙල් ; 25 March 1832 - 7 May 1864) was a Ceylonese gang leader and robber who earned the moniker "Robin Hood of Sri Lanka." Instead than being a sign of local lawlessness or economic justice, some Sri Lankan historians position him in the context of regional insurgencies against British Colonial power. He was said to be bulletproof and have the ability to go unnoticed due to superstition. Many people think that he had the Henaraja "yantra" on his arm, which gave him these abilities.


Outlaw


For a time, Saradiel turned to theft and gave his loot to the underprivileged locals. He still fled the region for Colombo and took numerous firearms with him. While working as a barrack boy there, he learned a lot about weaponry.

He then turned to highway robbery and became a well-known bandit in the area for several of his escapades. He was imprisoned when accusations of murdering wealthy trader Natakoti Chettiar were made against him. He was released because there was insufficient proof. Immediately following a heist
at the Molligoda Walauwa, a warrant was issued for his arrest. He then made a quick trip to his father's house in Chilaw. He went back to the mountain of Utuwankande, which he had made his hideout for many raids, after his father refused to provide him with protection.

He was taken into custody in Pillawatte, close to Negombo, following a scuffle in which he stabbed the police informant. Despite being sent to court in Hultsdorf, Colombo to face a murder trial, Saradiel was able to escape from Mahara Prison. Soon later, he was detained in Utuwankande but managed to get out once more.

He organized a crew of thieves and performed highway raids on carriages and coaches to Kandy before returning to Utuwankande hill in Mawanella. These assaults quickly expanded to Kurunegala, Polgahawela, and Rambukkana. His exploits were well-known over the entire island as a result, and the British administration increased the number of police units in the region. Armed escorts were used by travelers.

He was besieged at his mother's house when he went to see her in an effort to apprehend him. He managed to flee after the ensuing gunfight and travel to Matale. At this moment, Sirimale, a member of Saradiel's group, deserted and turned police informant.



Arrest and Execution in the End


He was lured to a home in Mawanella on March 21, 1864. A police party encircled the residence after receiving a tip. There, they discovered Saradiel and Mammalay Marikkar. After Sgt. Ahamath injured Saradiel with a shot, Constable Shaban was killed by Mammalay Marikkar's bullet. In order to stop the robbers from escaping the premises, Sgt. Ahamath set watch outside the single door. A unit of Ceylon Rifles and Assistant Government Agent Kegalle F.R. Saunders quickly arrived on the scene. The two gave up after realizing their attempts to resist had failed.

After being transported to Kandy, they had a trial at the Kandy Assize before Justice Henry Byerley Thomson and an English-speaking jury, with Richard Morgan serving as the crown attorney. Both were given death sentences when the jury judged them guilty. On May 7, 1864, they were led to the execution site, and many people came to see the renown Saradiel. He spoke to the crowd just before being executed. The urban legend that the Queen Victoria unintentionally wrote "kill him, not let him go" in a letter that should have read "kill him not, let him go" was false. As a result, the man was given the death penalty.

Legacy


Saradiel never stole from the poor; instead, he shared a large portion of his booty with them. As a result, he earned the nickname "Robin Hood of Sri Lanka." Since the majority of his attacks targeted British and their native allies who had amassed money at the lower and middle levels of the colonial government, he was well-liked by the underprivileged villagers who resisted the British. Because of this, many saw him as a legitimate rebel against British tyranny rather than a bandit.

The first Ceylonese police officer to die in the line of duty was Constable Shaban, who was slain on March 21, 1864, while attempting to capture Saradiel. On March 21, Sri Lanka Police fatalities are remembered.

The statue of St. Joseph on the exterior of St. Joseph's Church Wennappuwa was created by his brother.




 sources of : wikipedia