Puran Appu

Weerahannadige Francisco Fernando, colloquially known by his nickname Puran Appu (Sinhala පුරන් අප්පු) is one of the notable figures of Sri Lanka's post-Kandyan history.

He left Moratuwa with his family at the age of 13 in the aftermath of a village dispute and stayed in Ratnapura with his uncle, who was the first Sinhalese proctor, eventually settling in Uva Province.

Despite being an instrumental leader in leading the Matale Rebellion in 1848, the subsequent brutal suppression of the uprising by the British led to his capture along with Gongalegoda Banda and Ven.

[5] On the 28th of July 1848, Puran Appu initiated a decisive assault on Matale, leading to the city's successful capture, despite the failures of other rebel leaders who besieging Kurunegala and Wariyapola.

If there had been such leaders, without doubt for a time we should have lost the country.”[6]Francisco (Veera Puran Appu) attended the Wesleyan school in Moratuwa and was a very mischievous boy.

The Gazette notification by the Colonial Secretary, Sir James Emerson Tennent on January 1, 1847, offered 10 pounds for his apprehension and described him as follows “Puranappu originally of Morette, lately of Kandy, trade – unknown, caste – fisher, aged 34 years, height 5 ft 71/2 inches, hair – long and black, eyes – light hazel, complexion – light, well looking, make – well made, stout, marks of punishment on the back and 4 vaccination marks.

After three weeks of preparation in the early hours of July 28, 1848, a crowd of eight to ten thousand men under Puranappu's leadership armed with guns, spears and knives set off for Kandy from Dambulla.

[13] A new frog species found from Adam's Peak, was named Pseudophilautus puranappu, by the researchers for his great dedication to protect the country from foreign invasions.