82 freedom fighters who were enlisted as traitors by British Colonials declared national heroes

President Maithripala Sirisena put his signature today to the special gazette notification which declares 82 British Colonial era rebels as patriots.

British Colonial rulers sentenced some of them to death while others were deported for their involvement in the Uva Wellassa freedom struggle in 1818.

A ceremony with regard to the issuance of this special gazette was held by observing traditional customs at the historical audience hall of the Sacred Temple of the Tooth in Kandy this afternoon.

The then British rulers passed death sentences on 49 local heroes including the leader of the rebellion Keppetipola Maha Adhikaram, Kivulegedara Mohottala and Butave Rate Rala.

At the same time another 32 rebels including Pilimathalawe Adhikaram and Kohu Kumbure Rate Rala were banished to Mauritius islands.