The procession from Colombo and welcome at Moratuwa of Jeronis de Soysa, Esq., after his appointment to the rank of Mudaliyar of the Governor's Gate

Note from the Editor of the Colombo Observer

Below we give a graphic and interesting account of the reception accorded at Colombo to the man whom, on account of his public spirit, Sir George Anderson has delighted to honour. The matter is more important than would appear at first sight to our English readers. The dignity conferred on Mr. De Soysa is one that has hitherto been jealously confined to the small knot of obstructives amongst the Sinhalese who call themselves first class Velales; and on this occasion the Maha Modliar, we believe, did his little best to prevent the Government from shocking the prejudices of the people – meaning by that phrase a little knot of Modliars – by conferring the highest Native rank in its gift on a man of the fisher caste. All honour to Sir George Anderson for the personal courage and decision displayed by him on this occasion. The British Government is not only too generous, but also too strong, to allow its own benevolent intentions, and the wheels of progress to be any longer impeded by foolish fears of offending antiquated caste prejudices.

The newly created Modliar is a Native Coffee Planter on a large scale; very enterprising and very wealthy. But his claims to the dignity conferred on him rest on the erection by him, at his own cost, of public works, such as Ambalamas and Bridges, the formation of roads, etc.