Caste obligations tended to bring people of different villages into contact. With the breakdown of the caste structure, resulting from the British abolition of the feudal hierarchy in the early nineteenth century, these relations have tended to atrophy, and villages have become more isolated. But caste consciousness is still very much alive in rural areas, and residence is strictly controlled by caste membership. In urban areas, where wider social and economic opportunities are present, the traditional caste hierarchy is not as clear. Preferred marriage is endogamous within the variga or subcaste group and within the same generation, while marriage is prohibited between parallel cousins.
Marriages tend to be between co-villagers or with nearby villages.
The political structure of the Kandyan Sinhalese is a reflection of the British colonial system, which was itself influenced by the indigenous feudal hierarchy that it followed. In some cases, the offices have remained within the same family. The village is ruled by an administrative officer called the Vel Vidane, who serves as the executive head and the irrigation headman. In theory, he is the elected representative and spokesman of the villagers. Even with little formal authority, this can still be a very influential post.