Karava - Traditional Status

Traditional Status

The Karavas were the traditional fisher-folk, naval warriors and seafaring merchants of the Sri Lankan coast. They were also among the pioneering planters and industrialists of the colonial period. It is a misconception to say that the Karavas rose in prominence allying themselves to the colonial rulers when most natives serving the British and Dutch administration were from the newly elevated farmer caste. However it may be that they remained loyal to the king of their region after the Wijayaba Kollaya. Also, it was our kings who were among the first to convert to Christianity; Prince Jugo Bandara, Don Manoel Jayaweera Astana, Don João Karalliyadde Bandãra, Don Juan Dharmapala Peria Bandara, Don Phillip Yamasingha Bandar, Mahapatabandige Donna Catherina Kusumadevi, Don John Wimaladharmasurya, Prince Dom Afonso, Dom João, Dom Luis and Dom Philip Nikapitiye Bandara. The clan has also claimed to be the naval and military caste of Sri Lanka and were also mercenaries to kings in India and Sri Lanka. Their chiefs were referred to as Patabenda in Sinhala and Patangatim in Tamil, lived in the coast and ports of Sri Lanka. Although conclusive evidence is lacking that they were the ruling class of the medieval era, there are historical documents including the 'Pujavaliya', 'mukara hatana' and Portuguese state records that suggest their importance to the rulers

It is also interesting to remind that Arya Chakravarti / Kalinga Magha's invasions were repulsed in Panadura (naval battle), Dematagoda, Negambo and Chilaw, Matale being the only exception. The successful naval raids and battles that resulted in the capture of six ships and the destruction of twenty others, one of the earliest of its kind against a European colonial navy in the South Asian waters, (yet stands as a feat so extremely rare unlike land victories) was carried out by King(sub) Antonio Baretto Kuruwita Rala (Prince of Uva), the Regent of King Senerat and relative of Queen Mahapatabendige Donna Catherina Kusuma Devi of the royal lineage. This ultimate warrior's land victories include the expulsion of the Poruguese from the Sabaragamuwa province and the Batticaloa fort. He also fought the Portuguese-Senarat alliance when the king refused to liberate the coastal districts and for three years liberated/controlled a vast area There is ample evidene to show that the Island's kings took a keen interest in shipbuilding, naval and trading activities and the Island's shipbuilders built some of the largest ships of their day. Maha Parakramabahu also respected the rights of the coastal and ship owning merchants.

All major Karava settlements traditionally had service castes such as barbers, drummers, potters, washermen, etc. settled in satellite communities around them. The presence of such settlements is still evident despite the social changes and inter-caste migrations of the past century. The Karavas were one of the few Sri Lankan communities traditionally entitled to use flags. British Government Agents studying Sri Lankan flags have noted that not a single flag could be found even in the residences of Kandyan chiefs as even they were not entitled to use flags. These observations, made in the 19th Century (after 1815), do take into account that the Kandyans were living under a Sinhala Royal dominion that reserved the right to bear flags to the Palace. At the same time, clans and families of most other caste groups in the lowlands did not bear flags. It is also certain that these flags depicting royal emblems existed before the archaeological excavations of Anuradhapura began in the latter part of the British and post British era, substantiating many of the depictions. A large number of these Karava flags have survived the ravages of time and many are illustrated in E. W. Perera’s book Sinhalese Banners and Standards. However, despite the extent of the collection, they are scattered throughout the book and not in a special chapter. As such, their significance is missed by most readers. The sun, moon, stars, elephant, fish, white shield, pearl umbrella, swords, lotuses, and ship all of which were royal symbols in Sri Lanka’s past.