Fonds LK-NA/27 - Hambantota Kachcheri

The History of the Hambantota Kachcheri begins with the appointment of a Land Regent Resident for Magampattu in 1801 by the Governor Fredrick North. In 1802 Magampattu was amalgamated into the Matara Agency. With the establishment of the Revenue Department in 1806 a separate collectorate was created for Magampattu. In 1818, the Collectorate Office was shifted from Hambantota to Tangalle. The Collectorates of Matara and Tangalle were amalgamated in 1821. In the same year collector was appointed as the sitting magistrate of Hambantota in addition to his duties.
On the recommendations of the Colebrooke Commission in 1832, Hambantota was made an Assistant Government Agency under the Government Agent of Southern Province.
In 1833, the post of sitting magistrate was abolished and the Assistant Government Agent of Hambantota was appointed as the District Judge in addition to his duties. In 1845, he was appointed as the commissioner of Requests and Police Magistrate. With the creation of the Uva Province in 1881, boundaries of the Hambantota District were demarcated by a Circular of the 16th October 1881.
The military and civil duties exercised by the Dissawa were separated. Accordingly, the collection of revenue the maintenance of law and order through Headmen system, the enforcement of the cast service and extraction of the customary services were entrusted to the collector. All the regulations of the government were published and enforced through the kachcheri.