92
COLIIT
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :--
CO. 882/10
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH. -NOT TO
Charges:
1. Treason.
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2. Riotously destroying a building.
3. Riotously destroying a building.
4. Shopbreaking.
P. M. Assen Ali, affd.
I
I am a trader, Moragahamulla, which is one mile from Urugala and four miles from Nugatenna I know Notary Rajapaksa. His house is at Urugala and his office is at Nugatenna. There were riots at both the places. On the 1st of June I saw a great crowd on a field at Moragahamulla. That was at about 1.0 or 2.0 o'clock in the afternoon. I saw all the four accused in that crowd. The first is a Korala, the "second is an Arachchi, third is an Arachchi, and the fourth Vel-Muladeniya.
heard a tom-tom just before. The first accused beat the tom-tom. He asked the .
The people to collect there and loot. The fourth accused had a gun in his hand.
On the people collected there as the first accused said. This occurred on the 2nd. previous day I saw the notary come there with a large crowd. All these four accused were in that crowd. We asked the notary to save us, He told the people that he will give them a word after 12.0 o'clock to-morrow, after sending a telegram to the Raja. The following day I saw these four accused in the crowd. was not there. A man brought a letter from the notary and gave it to the first accused. He read the letter. The letter was not to break open Srideen's and Ibrahim's house; to break open the mosque and other boutiques except those two. Then the crowd went towards the bazaar. Cader Saibo's is the first boutique that was attacked; several afterwards. When my boutique was attacked I saw the accused on the road.
Mana Kuna Muna Cader Saibo, affd.
The notary
Trader, Moragahamulla. On the 31st May I saw the first accused at about 4.0
I expected looting. I said him so. p.m.
He said: "Cannot be helped; what has been done in the other places should be done here." I saw him on the 1st of June with the notary in a crowd of Sinhalese. All these four accused were in that crowd The fourth accused had a gun. We asked the notary for protection.
He said: We came expecting Moor soldiers. We will give you a reply to-morrow.
We will write to, the Rajah to-morrow and the order will be given." On the 2nd of June a tom-to'n was beaten by the first accused. A crowd assembled in a field. The fourth accused had a gun; he was in that crowd. A messenger came with a letter from the notary. The letter was given to the first accused.
He read it to the crowd.
The order was that they could do their wish without setting fire and without killing. Finally the crowd went towards the boutiques. My boutique was attacked first. saw the mosque attacked about the same time.
Cross-examined: When the letter was read we were in the field. We heard the contents read out.
K. K. Adam, affd.
Trader, Moragahamulla. On the 1st of June large crowds of Sinhalese came. These accused were in that crowd. The notary was there. He said: " To-morrow the looting will be going on. To-day I have stopped the looting. To-morrow we
will give you the order at 12.0. Next day there was a beating of tom-tom. Then a crowd came to the field. I saw all these four accused. A letter arrived from the notary, and the first accused read it to the crowd. Then saw the crowd going towards the bazaar. I saw the mosque and several boutiques damaged. I saw all these accused present when the mosque was attacked. The fourth accused had a gun.
The Defence.
First accused, Punchi Banda, Korala, affd.
Age 45. Korala of Medasiya Pattu. I have been in office for four years as Korala and six years as Arachchi. For fifty years we have served under the British Government, generation after generation. About the looting of the Moragahamulla boutique I learned on the 3rd, morning. I went there with the second accused. I made inquiries from the Moormen. I made a report to the Ratemahatmaya. He visited the place on the 7th and held an inquiry. A large number of names were given. They were duly placed before the Ratemahatmaya and charged.
These Moormen were in attendance in the police court. None of them said that I was a
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leader of the rioters. Till the 18th I was ordered to do, and I actually did, assess- ment work. On the 18th I attended Court with this assessment list, and I was taken I into custody. These people were dissatisfied with the assessment made by me. made a report against the Moorish Peace Officer for taking a bribe and shielding a cocoa theft. He is a nephew of the last witness. That inquiry was fixed to be held before the Government Agent on the 18th of last month. In the meanwhile some- thing was said against me, and I was arrested.
Second accused, Kiri Banda, Watuliadde Arachchi, affd.
I am Arachchi of Watuliadde. I was informed of these riots on the 2nd, about 4.0 or 4.30 p.m. I went up promptly to the Ratemahatmaya and informed him. He gave me a letter to the Korala. I went to him with that letter and came back. He promised to come there on the 3rd June. I came back, and at my house I found some Moormen who were in Assan Ali's boutique. I took them myself to Moragaha. mulla on the 3rd. Then I took part in the inquiries. I went on doing my duties till the 18th. Before that I attended Court several times, took prisoners in charge, and bad some of them punished. None of these people (Moors) turned out and said that I had led the rioters. I never led the rioters.
Third accused, Kiri Banda, Arachchi of Doraliadde, affd.
Age 49. I am a man of weak health. I have been in hospital. I did not lead the rioters. Then, even, I was not well. I went on doing my duties till I was taken into custody.
Cross-examined: The Korala is my headman.
I did not lead the
Re-examined: One of the men I arrested was convicted for two years. Fourth accused, Kalu Banda, Bombure Vel-Muladeniya, affd. My age is 60 years. I am exempted from the poll tax. rioters I was not in connexion with that low-country man, Rajapaksa. I am a Goigama man.
We do nothing with them. I would never He is an Haliya man. have been led by him. I was arrested on the 11th in my house. On the 2nd I was in my house, which is about a mile from Moragahamulla. I did not take part in any
of these riots. Assan Ali owes me Rs. 70 as a deficiency for a land which I sold him for Rs. 100.
R. P. Madugalla, Ratemahatmaya, afid.
On the 10th or so of June several of these Moormen who gave evidence here were present in the Teldeniya Court. At that time about twenty people, roughly, were being charged before the Police Magistrate for looting. I did not prevent them head- from making any complaint. I did not refuse to take down the names of man. I took steps in the Rajapaksa notary's case. They were all convicted.
The accused were found guilty.
Prosecution good, and unshaken by cross-examination. Defence, no witnesses called.
The second charge was not proved by the prosecution.
30th July, 1915.
Prisoners:—
Charges:
Finding:
A. E. ANDREWS, Major,
any
Hampshire Regiment,
President, Field General Court Martial.
Kandy, No. 2.-FIELD General Court MARTIAL. 28th-31st July, 1915.
1. Hedila Herat Mudiyanselage Punchi Banda.
2. Adikkara Mudiyanselage Mitulagaherawe Kiri Banda.
3. Puwakgahediwila Siriwardene Kiri Banda.
4. Ekanayake Mudiyanselage Asweddugedera Kalu Banda.
1. Treason.
2. Riotously destroying a building.
8. Riotously destroying a Failding.
4. Shop breaking.
Guilty in all cases).
Page 90Page 91
93
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
J. KIT LI
Sentences:---
1. Death.
168
2. Penal servitude for life.
3.
Seven years' penal servitude.
4. Fourteen years' penal servitude.
President; Major A. E. Andrews, the Hampshire Regiment.
30th July, 1915.
COURT MARTIial heli) at Kandy on the 28TH JUNE, 1915. ACCUSED:-
Charges:
Jayasinghe Mudiyanselage Kapugedera Punchirala, Arachchi of
Gurudeniya.
1. Treason.
2. Shopbreaking.
John Fernando, áffd.
I am a cultivator, Garudeniya. I know Alliar's boutique in Gurudeniya. · I saw a crowd go to his boutique on the 30th May at about 11.0 or 12.0 noon. They were Sinhalese. In all there were about 300 people, armed. The accused came along with them. He had no weapon. He went to Alliar's boutique. He tapped at the door and asked the door to be opened. The Moors said something from inside. I could not hear it. The boutique was closed at the time. This accused asked the people to break open the planks. The crowd did so, and went inside and stole the goods. Finally they went away. I know there is a Samagama there. It is called Sri Buddadasa Samagama." I am not a member of it. It is a Buddhist society. The accused is its president. Its object is to improve the religion and the nation of the Sinhalese. I told my father about the looting on the same day. My father is Heneya.
The
Cross-examined: I remember my father instituting a case against this man. The case was dismissed, and my father had to pay him (the accused) damages.
Re-examined by Crown Counsel: That case was about four years ago. boutique in which Alliar was belongs to my father. There were other boutiques occupied by Moormen destroyed too, and all the five boutiques belonging to my father. The crowd had a flag. It was a flag of that Samagama, with the words of the Samagama.
Pina Veda Heneya, affd.
I am father of the last witness.
He told me of the sacking of Moors' boutiques on the 30th May. He charged the Arachchi. He was proceeding to inform the police at Kandy when on the way he was kept back by some Sinhalese. stopped the rickshaw and threatened to kill him if he gave any information. On They the 2nd of June I informed Mr. Jayasinghe, who is the Inquirer into Crimes, and I charged this accused. There was no case put in for some time. I sent a petition to the Government Agent. On the 12th I complained to the Superintendent of Police To both of them I charged this accused. I could not complain to Mr. Jayasuriya before the 2nd, because he was away from town.
Cross-examined: I instituted a case against him. It was unsuccessful, and I had to pay damages.
Mr. H. E. Jayasinghe, sworn.
On the
I am Inquirer into Crimes. Gurudeniya is within my jurisdiction. 2nd of June I received a complaint from the last witness, Pina, to the effect that his boutique tenanted to Alliar had been destroyed on the 30th May. He charged I was away till then from the village. I know the Sri Buddadasa Society. This accused is the president. These are the rules of the society. ment shown.)
(Docu-
this accused.
The
Cross-examined: In these rules there is no reference to Moormen. accused is Inquirer into Sudden Deaths of the same district as mine. On the 3rd I reported to the Government Agent the complaint made to me. I am not aware that on the 1st of June this accused sent a report to the Ratemahatmaya against me that I spread a false report. I know it is a serious thing to spread false reports. I also know that people have been punished for doing that.
169
Re-examined by Crown Counsel: I deny the statement made against me.
I saw
Mr. Stevenson at the police station at Kandy at 2.0 p.m., and I told him the information and charged the accused before him also.
E. P. S. Perumal, affd.
On the 30th May I heard
I am Assistant Superintendent of Woodland Estate.
I saw a crowd of a noise from the direction of the boutiques in Gurudeniya. Sinhalese near Alliar's boutique. The crowd was looting the boutiques and the Arachchi was there. I did not stay there till the end. After the boutiques were I looted the Arachehi came towards me. Some of the people there had clubs.
He said: questioned the Arachchi and asked whether it was proper to do that.
After this Moor boutiques will not be kept here." I questioned him where he was going. He said they were going to cross the river. They went.
The Arachchi
had a club then.
Cross-examined: I mentioned this fact first to Mr. Murray, of Pallekele Estate. That was about two or three weeks after. Till then I mentioned to nobody. Muna Meena Mokideen Alliar, affd.
A crowd of Sinhalese came to my I was in my boutique on the 30th May.
The boutique that day at about 11 or 12. My boutique was closed at the time.
I knew him by the voice. He Arachchi (the accused) addressed me from outside.
Then we heard the crowd outside asked me to open the planks. I did not do so.
The accused and another came in. I was inside, and jumped breaking the planks. out when they came. I did not speak to him. I went off to India, and returned on the 3rd July, and then I informed the authorities.
The Defence.
The accused, Punchirala, Arachchi of Gurudeniya, affd.
me.
I have heard the evidence against me. I did not lead a crowd, nor did I break boutiques. On the morning of the 30th May I went to Haragama Estate on the receipt of this letter (shown). It was from the man in charge of the estate, com- plaining that a row had taken place and that I was wanted to come and make inquiries. I went there at about 11.30. I made the inquiry, and left the estate at 1.30 and came back to my village I heard of the looting of the Moorish boutiques I went up. I found only the Moors of Alliar's boutique. No one complained to Mohideen Alliar was not there. There were other Moormen in the boutique. I went in I did not see them that day again. Again I met them in a jungle. search of them. I accompanied them to my house. There were eight of them. On the 31st, night, I took them to one Gopal Samy, and left them at his place. Against the Inquirer into Crime, who gave evidence against me, I sent a report stating that There was a case between Pina Veda he spread false and alarming rumours. Heneva and between me. I am angry with him.
Cross-examined: I am a member of the Sri Buddadasa Society. I had heard of the riots in Kandy. I knew it about the 29th. Gurudeniya is about four-and- Jaya- a-half miles from Kandy. I was not in an armed crowd on the 29th May.
His house is a quarter of a mile from mine. I suriya is Inquirer into Crime. know that he is an officer who can receive complaints. All the other police officers E. P. S. Perumal is not angry there are Buddhists. He is the only Christian. with me.
I handed the report against Jayasuriya by my own hand to the Rate- mahatmaya. I had heard that. Jayasuriya was circulating false rumours.
J. A. Alexander [Rambukpota], Ratemahatmaya, Patahewaheta.
I am Ratemahatmaya, Patahewaheta, within which is the village of Guru- deniya. I have been holding post for eighteen years, sixteen years as Ratemahat- I got this report (shown) The accused is a subordinate officer under me.
The against Mr. Jayasuriya. There is a specific charge against the Inquirer for spread ing false information. I reported the matter to the Government Agent. accused has been an Arachchi with a very good record.
maya.
Cross-examined: I know Mr. Jayasuriya. He is a respectable gentleman. He As a matter of fact there were false is not likely to spread out false rumours. rumours circulated in connexion with large crowds assembled at Talatuoya.
M. C. Fernando, affd.
I am Superintendent of Haragama Group Estate. On the 30th May I sent this He came at letter to the Arachchi, asking him to come for holding an inquiry. about 11.0 a.m.
He left the estate at about 12.0.