The villages and hamlets are in the charge of Arachchies, Peace Officers and Vidanes [3] Following the Uva Rebellion in 1818 and changes to the administrative divisions of the island with the creation of Districts, British Government Agents (GA) took over the duties of the Dissava (with the remaining and newly appointed Dissavas being mere honorary titles), with Rate Mahatmaya becoming a subordinate to the local Government Agents and Assistant Government Agents.

[4] For purposes of general administration, the Island is divided into nine provinces and nineteen Revenue (which are also electoral) Districts.

The chief, superior and village headmen are known by different titles in the Kandyan, Low-Country Sinhalese and Tamil districts.

"Peace Officer" were headmen appointed by a Government Agent in writing to perform rural police duties.

[6] Following the formation of the State Council of Ceylon in 1931, one of its members, H. W. Amarasuriya, called for an inquiry into the headman system.

Serving headmen were given the option of early retirement on the basis of abolition of office or to continue in their jurisdiction as the DRO.

[8] The designation modeled on that of public servant was later changed to grama niladhari which translated to village leader.

The headmen system in the costal and low country evolved over time under the colonial administration of the Portuguese, the Dutch and then the British.