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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
CO
Reference :--
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ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIQ. COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH -NOT TO
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
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Eighth Charge. The above-named accused, being persons subject to military law, are charged with murder in that they, being members of an armed mob execut- ing the treason aforesaid, did in pursuance of the said treason kill and murder one Sala Meyadin, husband of Adama Umma.
Ninth Charge. The above-named accused, being persons subject to military law, are charged with murder in that they, being members of an armed mob execut- ing the treason aforesaid, did in pursuance of the said treason kill and murder one Schabar.
Muna Saibo, affd.
COURT MARTIAL.
Slave Island, 2nd July, 1915.
Cart contractor, Kochchikade. I know the mosque that was damaged. It was ' on the 2nd June, at about 9 or 9.30. There was riot then by crowds of Sinhalese armed with pistols, swords, clubs, etc. They assaulted people, and broke houses. The first accused had a pistol, the second a club, third pistol and club, fourth sword, fifth stick like a club, sixth club, seventh tonic bottle, eighth knife, and eleventh iron rod I did not see the ninth. I may have or may not have seen the tenth. The fourth killed Nuga Meera, cut him with the sword. saw Nuga Meera lying dead. I saw the dead bodies of Neyudin, Nuga Meera; and Sera Mali, and other two corpses. The first six accused were leaders.
Cadar Meyadin, affd.
I
Boutique keeper, Kochchikade. I remember the day when the mosque near the tenements was attacked. It was on the 2nd. The mob came at about 9. They were armed. They attacked our tenements and the mosque. The first accused had a pistol, the second a club, third pistol, fourth sword, fifth club, sixth sword, seventh knife, eighth club, ninth sword, tenth club, and eleventh iron rod. I saw all these accused there. The second assaulted my nephew, Sahab, and shattered his brain with a club. Sahab died. I did not see the corpse. The sixth cut a Cochin man with a sword. The seventh cut Palla Cadar with a knife. I saw his corpse lying. Ninth also cut a Cochin man with a sword in the back of the neck. He also died. The eighth assaulted my servant Pakir with a club. I know these men for a long time. They are all neighbours.
Cross-examined: I do not know if any Moormen got shelter in the first accused's house. I did not tell in the Police Court that ninth cut a Moor. I do not know if he harboured Moormen. The seventh is a Parava man, boatman.
A dama Umma, affd.
Widow of Sela Meyadin. I remember the day of the riot. I, with my hue- band and children, were in our house. The eighth accused, Francis Pulle, forced open the door and struck my husband. My husband fell to the ground and did not rise again.
Seyo Ibraham, afid.
Live in the square where the mosque stands. On the 2nd June the mosque and tenements were attacked. Some people in the houses were killed. I was there. The first accused had a pistol, the second a rice pounder, third something like an axe, the fourth a sword, the fifth iron rod, sixth club, seventh club, eighth knife, ninth club, tenth crowbar, and eleventh a club. The fourth accused cut my brother, Cadar Meera, also known as Nuga Meera. Nuga Meera died as the result of the They cut. I saw all these men there. I know them for a very long time before. are neighbours.
Cross-examined: The ninth accused incited people to kill and beat. I did not see any of the other accused than the fourth do any particular acts. When my brother was cut I was senseless.
Pattuma, affd.
All
Wife of Meerama Pulla, Kochchikade. I remember the day of the riot. the accused were there. They are not acquainted with me. The first accused shot my brother, Meyadin, with a gun. He fell down and we ran away. I did not see him after that. They were all armed with swords, clubs, knives, etc. say what each had. They were all rioting,
}
I cannot
armed.
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Mohammadu, affd.
Brother of the deceased Seku Palidu. Live in tenement No. 63, Kochchikade. I remember the day of the riot by Sinhalese at about 10 o'clock. The crowd were All the accused were there. The ninth accused killed my brother with a sword by cutting in the back of the neck. My brother died. I did not see the corpse. I saw him fall to the ground, and I ran away. The crowd attacked the tenements. I know there were seven persons dead.
Cuppa Pichche, affd.
crowd came.
Diver in harbour. Live in No. 60, Kochchikade, one of the tenements sur rounding the mosque. I remember the day of the riot. I ran and bid when the After the riot Town Guard came, and I assisted them. I found the corpses of Sera Mali, Nuga Meera, Seyu Palidu, Madar Muhammad, Palla Cadar, opposite the mosque. I knew them before. They were all living near the mosque There were two wounded-Meyadin and Sahab. They were removed to the hospital. I heard they died in the hospital. I did not see them again.
Witnesses for the ninth accused Mrs. Wendt, sworn.
(Prosecution closed).
Widow of the late Justice Wendt. I know the ninth accused for the last nine years. He is a lessee of some of my property. Except that he pays his rent regu- larly I know nothing further about him. For the last three years he cannot come and give the rent as he is sick. Some heart trouble. Albert Edward LaBrooy, sworn.
He is in my
Inspector, Colombo Municipality. I know the ninth accused. division. I can say he is a man of good character. On the 2nd June I passed by. At about 10 rioting was going on in Kochchikade. I saw a large number of refugees running into the ninth accused's garden. He was receiving the refugees. I did not see him with any arm, or taking part in the riot. I did not speak to him, In my opinion he is not a man who would join in any disturbance. He was suffering from heart trouble. Moors have reliance on him.
Cross-examined: I do not know what time the riot ended. It is quite possible for the ninth accused to have come to the mosque. Richard Alfred Horan, sworn.
Sanitary Inspector, Municipality. I remember the day of the riot. I know the ninth accused. Some of the refugees who came to the municipality said they came from the garden of the ninth accused. I have heard that he is a sick man. Telenis Alwis, sworn,
Native doctor. I know the ninth accused. I have been treating him for the last seven or eight years. Chest trouble. Witnesses for the first accused :--
L. V. Rodrigo, sworn.
'I know the
Volunteer. I passed Kochchikade on the morning of the 2nd. residence of the first accused and the mosque. The first accused was not there. I saw Moormen were clubbed. Most of the rioters were coal coolies. I saw accused
in his house. I did not speak to him. This was between half-past 8 and half-past 9. There were dead bodies on the road.
I saw the riot a couple
Cross-examined: The first accused might have seen me.
of minutes. I saw Royal Garrison Artillery in a motor-car going towards Koch- chikade at that time.
Kachchi Mahomadu, affd.
Kochchikade. I know the first accused.
his house. I did not go there.
Witnesses for the fifth accused :---
Percy Vanderstraaten, sworn.
On the 2nd I did not take refuge in
Clerk at Leechman's, Town Guard. On the 2nd June, between 10 and 11, I was at home in Hill Street. I heard a confusion and ran to the end of the road at Jam- pettah Street. I know the fifth accused; he lives at Jampettah Street. I do not remember seeing him that morning. I saw him in the evening standing near his gate. He told me he had a number of Moorish refugees in his house. He brought them out, and I took charge of them.
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