Appointed by the Government Agent of the Province,[1][2] the holder had much control over the people of the area and wielded quasi-judicial powers since he was responsible to keep the peace, carry out revenue collection and assist in judicial functions.
[citation needed] The term Arachchi was also used to refer to a supervisory peon serving in government offices such as a Kachcheri or a District Court.
Appointments were non-transferable and usually hereditary, made to locals, usually from wealthy influential families loyal the British Crown.
This was an influential post, the holder had much control over the people of the area and had limited police powers since he was responsible to keep the peace, carry out revenue collection and assist in judicial functions.
[4] Following the formation of the State Council of Ceylon in 1931, one of its members, H. W. Amarasuriya, called for an inquiry into the Native Headman System.