History
The post originated from the Portuguese colonial administration in the 17th century by enlisting natives of different castes from the coastal areas. The post continued throughout theRanks of the British Muhandirams
Muhandirams had several classes: ;Awarded as an honor (titular) *Muhandiram of the Governor's Gate (titular) - awarded as an Honor *Muhandiram (titular) - awarded as an Honor *Vidane Muhandirams (titular) - awarded as an Honor *Veda Muhandirams (titular) - awarded as an honor for native physicians *Guru Muhandirams (titular) - awarded as an honor for native teachers ;Official *Muhandiram of the atapattu - in charge of a jurisdiction of a district *Muhandiram of the korale - in charge of a jurisdiction of a korale ;Ex-offico posts attached to other public departments or ceremonial roles *Gravets muhandiram - jurisdiction of a town and gravets *Basnayaka muhandiram - command of a Lascoreen Guard *Liyana muhandiram - head of the clerks *Madige muhandiram - regional transportation representative for the governor ;Singular appointments *Padikara muhandiram *Mohotti muhandiram *Dadayakkare muhandiramList of prominent Muhandirams
Official
Madige Muhandiram
*Madige Muhandiram Haji Marikkar Travala (d:1817) of Wellassa - Killed by rebels during the Great Rebellion of 1817–18 *Madige Muhandiram Galagaha Vidanalagegedara Seyed Mohamed Lebbe Marikar (1840-1939) of Kandy * Madige Muhandiram M. K. Abdul Hameed of Kurunegala *Madige Muhandiram Mohammed Salie of KotiyakumburaAwarded as an honor (titular)
Muhandiram of the Governor's Gate
*Gate Muhandiram Don William Adrian Dias Bandaranaike of Malwana (1776) *Gate Muhandiram Arnold Paul Goonewardene of Kalutara *Gate Muhandiram Peter Thomas de Saram Wirasinghe Siriwardena (1853-1910) of Mount LaviniaMuhandiram
*Muhandiram Wickrema Arachchige Don Thomas Wickremasinghe *Muhandiram Andiris Perera Dharmagunawardhana (1809–1890) *Muhandiram Auwakkar Isse of Sammanthurai *Muhandiram James Alfred Corea (1871-????) of Madampe *Muhandiram T. Sathasiva Iyer (1882-1950) *Padikara Muhandiram Don Pedris Francis Abeywickrama (1886-1966) ofSee also
*References
*{{cite web, title= Village notables in colonial Ceylon - The Village Headman was the uncrowned king of the village. He was appointed by the Government Agent from a traditional leading family in the area, in order to ensure that he received customary respect from villagers , url= http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=177002 British Ceylon Defunct government positions in Sri Lanka