Veera Puran Appu | |
|---|---|
| Born | Weerahannadige Francisco Fernando (full name: Weera Sanadhdhana Weera Bala Jaysooriya Patabendi Fransisco Fernando)[1] November 7, 1812[2] |
| Died | August 8, 1848 (aged 35)[2] |
| Cause of death | Executed by the British by firing squad |
| Nationality | Sinhalese |
| Occupation(s) | Political, Economic and Social revolutionary |
| Known for | A leader in the Rebellion of 1848 |
| Height | 5 ft 7+1⁄2 in (171 cm) |
| Title | kings sword bearer |
| Spouse | Bandaramenike (1847)[4] |
| Children | One daughter[4] |
| Parent(s) | Kalistoru Fernando (Father) Madam Helena Nonis (Mother)[1][3] |
| Relatives | Marcellenus Fernando (Uncle) Gunnepana Arachchi (Father in Law) |
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. Regarded colloquially as a national hero, his staunch resistance against British rule made him a symbol of independence and patriotism within many Sri Lankans. He was born on 7 November 1812 and raised in the coastal town of Moratuwa. 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. In early 1847, he met and married Bandara Menike, the daughter of Gunnepana Arachchi in Kandy.
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. Kudapola Thera. He was executed by a firing squad on August 8, 1848, with his body being buried in Matale.