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KOTTE – THE WEALTHIEST IN THE 16TH CENTURY – By Dr Tilak S. Fernando In the sixteenth, Ceylon was divided into three regions: Kotte, Up-Country and ‘Yapa’. Of course, the principal and the wealthiest was Kotte. Agriculture (Paddy growing) was the main crop. Still, within the Kotte area, tea, rubber, coconut, Cinnamon, areca nut, and precious stones, including elephants, were sourced from other regions. The King’s income was an important factor in terms of security. Once, King Buwanekabahu protected his reign from enemy attacks from the Portuguese by signing an accord by offering a bribe of a considerable amount of money (Kurunduwahara three hundred) to obtain war equipment, Tax depended on each profession, such as Kinnara Badda, Raja Badda, Kottal Badda, Kottal Badda et al. During the 13th Century in Kotte, officials who collected such taxes were called Vidanes. Their duties were to approach those who had to pay taxes ...