Fonds LK-NA/43 - Galle Kachcheri

During the period 1796-1815 the district of Galle was administered by the collector at Matara. A separate collectorate was established in Galle in 1815.
On the recommendations of the Colebrooke Commission, Galle became the administrative centre of the Southern Province and a Government Agent was appointed to he in charge of the province.
The military and civil duties of exercised by the Disawa were separated. Accordingly, the collection of revenue the maintenance of law and order through headmen system, the enforcement of the cast services, and extraction of the customary service were entrusted to the collector. All the regulations of the government were published and enforced through the Kachcheri.
The Kachcheri was made the coordinating office and the collector functioned as the contacting officer between the British Government and the natives.
By the end of the 19th century there were separate sections in the Kachcheri for the general administration, revenue, land matters, native affairs, irrigation, local government, social service, health etc.
The Assistant Government Agency at Alupota was abolished in 1839 and parts of that district was handed over to Hambantota, Batticaloa. and Uva Districts. In 1845 the district of Ratnapura was merged to the Western Province, leaving Yakuwala-Hatarabage area with the Southern Province.
In 1955, the Assistant Government Agencies at Matara, Hambantota, and Kalutara were made Government Agencies.