12 Facts About Puran Appu

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

Puran Appu was born on 7 November 1812 and raised in the coastal town of Moratuwa.

Puran Appu 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.

Puran Appu was executed by a firing squad on August 8,1848, with his body being buried in Matale.

Puran Appu lived in Sri Lanka during the period of British colonial rule.

Puran Appu held up his hands and said if there had been half a dozen such men as me to lead, there would not be a white man living in the Kandyan Province.

Puran Appu was now convinced of the necessity of expelling the British from Sri Lanka.

Puran Appu married a highland woman, Bandara Menike of Harispattuwa, in 1847.

Puran Appu broke into House of Magistrate Dawson of Badulla and was imprisoned and then broke prison.

Puran Appu cursed Major Rodgers who brought a false charge against him and Major Rodgers was struck by lightning in Nuwara Eliya.

Puran Appu was successful in capturing Matale for a while and the people in another demonstration of popular fervor, proclaimed him King of Kandy.

An ill-trained army, equipped with primitive weapons was no match for the superior arms and organisation of the British Half-way between Matale and Kandy, the Sinhala forces, depleted by desertions and their movements betrayed by traitors, were intercepted by British troops and Puran Appu himself was captured and taken to Kandy.