Arachchi was an influential post in the native headmen system in Ceylon during the colonial era. Appointed by the Government Agent. The holder had much control over the people of the area and wielded quasi-judicial powers since he was responsible to keep the peace, carry out revenue collection and assist in judicial functions. Appointments were non-transferable and usually hereditary, made to locals, usually from wealthy influential families loyal to the British Crown
History
The post was in existence before the Colonial Rule of Sri Lanka.After the coastal areas were taken over by the Colonial Rulers i.e. Portuguese, Dutch colonial rule and finally the British, they retained the post in their administration system. During the British administration Official and Titular appointments were made by the Government Agent of the district. Appointments were non-transferable and usually hereditary, made to locals, usually from wealthy influential families loyal the British Crown. This was an influential post, the holder had much control over the people of the area and had limited police powers since he was responsible to keep the peace, carry out revenue collection and assist in judicial functions. This became part of the Native Department of the British Government of Ceylon. Several Vidanes.came under the supervision of an Arachchi. Following the formation of the State Council of Ceylon in 1931, one of its members, H. W. Amarasuriya, called for an inquiry into the headman system. A commission was formed made up of retired civil servants and lawyers headed by H.M. Wedderburn. The commission reported on reforming the headman system or replacing it with transferable District Revenue Officers. The headman system was abolished as an administrative system, with the titles of Mudaliyar and Muhandiram retained by government to be awarded as honors. This practice remained until suspension of Celonese honors in 1956. The minor headman positions where retained, surviving well into the 1970s when the post of Vidane was replaced with the transferable post of Grama Niladhari.
Ranks of the British Arachchies
British appointed Arachchies had several classes; ;Official
Vidane Arachchi - In charge of several Arachchies in the Low-country. Equivalent to Koralas ' in the Kandyan districts, and ' Udayars ' in the Tamil districts
Arachchi - In charge of several Vidanes
Grama Aarachchi - Directly in charge of several Villages
Town Arachchi - In charge of a Town
Madige Arachchi - In charge of a Madige
Arachchi of the Atapattu - In charge of a Jurisdiction of a Peruwas or a Ward of Municipality
;Awarded as an honor
Arachchi of the Guard - Awarded as an Honor
Weda Arachchi - Awarded as an Honor
;Ex-offico The term Arachchi 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.
