Fonds LK-NA/41 - Anuradhapura Kachcheri

Anuradhapura was the capital of Nuwarakalaviya which came under the British on 2nd March 1815. The Board of Kandyan Commissioners administered this area upto 1833. In 1833 Nuwarakalaviya was placed under Northern Province as an Assistant Agency and Tamankaduwa, the adjoining dissavanni of Nuwarakalaviya was attached to the Eastern Province.
In 1843 Nuwarakalaviya was also amalgamated to Mannar District of the Eastern Province. Although Colebrooke divided Ceylon into five provinces for economic reasons it proved fatal for good administration and the progress of the country. For example the extensive nature of the Eastern Province undermined its administrative efficiency. As a way out to the problem, the North Central Province was formed by a proclamation dated on 6th September 1873, including Nuwarakalaviya, Tamankaduwa and Demala Hath Pattuwa of the Seven Korales. Anuradhapura was the main city of the North Central Province. It was administered by a Government Agent from 1873. On 1st January 1875 Demala Hath Pattuwa was annexed to the North Western Province. Thereafter in 1955 North Central Province was divided into 2 districts. namely Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa. Tamankaduwa was annexed to Polonnaruwa district in 1955 and Anuradhapura District comprised of nine assistant government agents divisions, namely, Nuwaragam Palatha North, South, East and West, Hurulu Palatha, North, South and Central, Kelagam Palatha North and South.