Madduma Bandara. He showed his heroism to the world at the young age of nine. His brave words and his heroic act gave our nation a cause to be proud, proud of our 'Sinha' blood.
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Madduma Bandara was the second son of Ehelapola, who was Minister to Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe. The king suspected Ehelapola of scheming to usurp the crown, which was a serious allegation. Ehelapola fled to the English. The king in his anger, sought revenge, by ordering the Ehelapola family to be killed. The order was executed on May 17, 1814.
Seeing Lokubandara's fear, Madduma Bandara came forward and said, "Aiyandi, do not be afraid. I will show you how to die." He imperiously ordered the executioner to cut off his head. The moment his head touched the ground, a national hero was born; A hero who will live in history for centuries to come
In Quest of Ehelapola Dissawe’s Walauwa
and his other exploits Part I
Madduma Bandara’s Memorial and what remains of Ehelapola’s Walauwa
Madduma Bandara’s Memorial and what remains of Ehelapola’s Walauwa
At a crucial time in the history of
the Kandyan kingdom and with the impending entry of the British forces into
Kandy, Ehelapola, First Adigar, became the Dissawe of the Sabaragamuwa
Province. This was in 1812. He succeeded Pilimatalawa as second Adigar.
Pilimatalawa was beheaded for treachery against the last king of Kandy, Sri
Wickremarajasinha.
Aftermath of the Uva revolt
Hot on its heels came the Uva-Welessa Revolt of
1817-18. It was led by Moravila Keppettipola Dissawe. It was a well known fact
to king Sri Wickremarajasinha that Ehelapola, while being the Dissawe of
Sabaragamuwa, was aiding and abetting in fanning the flames of this rebellion
against British rule. Thus, fearing reprisal from the king, Ehelapola, with the
consent of Governor Bronwrigg sought asylum in the British occupied territory
of Colombo. Ehelapola Dissawe remained in Colombo but in 1825 he and his other
accomplices were sent into exile on the isle of Mauritius, where he died on
8.4.1829. 
Ehelepola Kumarihamy and children who were in the Walawwe,
the present Kandy Remand Prison were taken in a procession to Deva Sanhinda for
execution. The eldest son Loku Banda having seen the executioner ran and hid
under the mothers saree when the seven-year old Medduma Bandara the child hero
marched up to the executor and said, "Do not fear death Ayyandi. I will
show you how to die" and turning to the executors said "cut my neck
with one shot."
