Vidane


The vidane was an influential post in the native headman 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
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 Ceylonese 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 and names of the British vidanes

Vidane - in charge of a village and under the supervision of the arachchi