History of Kapiri Slum in Old Pettah

 

The Guru Roads, which once stretched out in every direction throughout Pettah, underwent a transformation during the British colonial era when they were adorned with elegant granite slabs. Historical accounts by English writers indicate that these streets were embellished with Suriya and other exotic trees.

Kapiri Mudukkuwa, situated adjacent to the fort in the Pettah area, once boasted one of these beautiful streets. However, by 1900, the area became known as Kapiri Slum due to the presence of Kapiri people who had been brought from Africa. Presently, Kapiri individuals are no longer found in this locality.

It's worth noting that people of African descent still reside in Puttalam and Batticaloa to this day. Back in 1630, the Portuguese were the first to bring Kapiri individuals, gathered from regions like Mozambique and Madagascar, to Sri Lanka to be used as laborers and, unfortunately, as slaves.

With the British taking control of the coastal provinces of Ceylon in 1796, Kapiri people began to find employment in lower-level public service positions. The area known as Slave Island, now called Kompanjaveediya, is believed to be where Kapiri individuals were kept during that period. Historical accounts suggest that there used to be an open ground called 'Kapir Welted' adjacent to the Bank of Ceylon headquarters and Achilan Barracks in Colombo Fort.

In the Dutch era, Kapir Welted referred to Kapirin Parade. Later on, the British government established a dedicated Kapiri division. It is also documented that British soldiers constructed barracks for this division around 1875, with Beira Lake forming one of its borders and the city wall on the other. By 1900, a nearby place came to be known as Kapiri Slum.

In more recent times, unofficial names like Rohini Pathumaga and Kosala Pathumaga have replaced the old name of Kapiri Mudukkuwa, reflecting changes in the neighborhood.

Another road connecting to Kapiri Slum is called Kirti Mawatha. Compared to the bustling streets of Petaling Jaya, Kosala Lane is relatively tranquil, with fewer vehicles traversing its pathways.

In the past, 'Kapiri Mudukku' was inhabited by interconnected slum houses where the city's impoverished residents settled. These were individuals with limited access to education, many of whom made a living through pottery or municipal garbage collection.

Water sources were scarce, with only one pipe serving the entire estate, leading to long queues for water. The area lacked the amenities found in more affluent neighborhoods. Kapiri Slum, at one point, served as a stronghold for a group of bullies who held significant influence until the early 1900s. These bullies acted almost like a separate governing authority, extracting protection money from even local businessmen, often resorting to violence.

Elders recall figures like Ra David brother, Reji brother, Kot Cellaiya, Gorilla, Banda, and Murga Vile brother as the ruling clique in Kapiri Slum during that era. Even law enforcement struggled to curb their activities. The trade of selling old clothes has persisted since the colonial period in Kapiri Slum and continues to this day. These second-hand clothes are collected from households, sorted, and cleaned before being sold, providing livelihoods for the shopkeepers on Kosala Lane.

The old coat trade has been passed down through generations, and several vendors in the lane specialize in selling these garments. These clothes are particularly popular in colder regions like Hatton, Maskeliya, and Nuwara Eliya, where plantation workers often opt for affordable second-hand clothing due to financial constraints. In these shops, one can find a shirt for as little as two to three hundred rupees, while entrepreneurs who purchase clothing in bulk from Kosala Pathum venture to the hills to sell these garments at a retail price, with a coat fetching around 1500 rupees.