CO882-10 — Page 157

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

I, KELEL

Reference :-

CO. 882/10

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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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Cross-examined: I know the first accused for seven or eight years. I identified about twenty people as leaders from behind the mosque. The second accused was a headman in our village. I do not know if he prosecuted Moors in the village. The mosque was broken at about 3.0 o'clock, I guess.

Assem Lebbe Cassie Lebbe, sworn.

Age 60. Jeweller. Live at Kahataowita. I was at home on the 2nd June when riot broke out. The two accused, with about ten others, hooted, and crowd collected near the mosque. The second accused had a sword and a flag, the first had a sword and a shell. They said: "There is no English flag," etc. They broke the mosque with weapons. My house is behind the mosque. I was hiding in a small jungle and was looking on. The crowd then went in all directions and broke houses. One door of my house was broken. About 6.0 p.m. we came to the house and found all things missing.

Cross-examined: The crowd also repeated the cry. I complained to the vidane of our village the same evening. I know the second accused. Mohammadu Saidu, sworn.

}

Trader at Kahataowita. I know the two accused. broken. The two accused brought the crowd.

Mosques and houses were

Cross-examined: I saw only the mosque being broken; and from there they went to break the houses. I did not see the act of breaking the houses. First of all, all of us Moors were in one place. Then we got separated. I saw the accused from a distance of about fifteen fathoms. I complained to the vidane the same day, about 6.30 or 7.0. I did not see the last witness complaining to the vidane. I gave the names of nine headmen, including these two. They urging the crowd. I cannot say which of them used the words "There is no English flag," etc.

The first prisoner, affd.

Prosecution closed,

were

I deny having taken any part in the riot. On the 2nd June I went to Humbu- liyawa and was there the whole of that day, and returned about 4.0 p.m. the follow- ing day.

Cross-examined: I went there to plough a field. I drove the cattle, and on the following day I ploughed. I went nine miles to Humbuliyawa. My village is two miles from Kahataowita. I did not know that there was rioting at Kahataowita on that day. On the 3rd, after I came back to my village, I knew about it. The field is not my own. I am a headman. I had taken leave to attend a wedding for one month from the 28th May to the 28th June. The headman of Walgama was acting for me. Walgama is about a mile away.

Don Hendrick, affd.

On the 2nd June the first accused was in Humbuliyawa. He drove some cattle to plough. I saw him there.

Cross-examined: He came to the village about 2.0 p.m. Humbuliyawa is about four or five miles from his village. He did not plough as it was late. He is not related to me. He brought the cattle for a man of that village who is also not related to me. I also went to assist in ploughing. I was not invited for any wedding.

Re-examined I heard of a wedding in the first accused's house. Alvis Cornelis, affd.

Police vidane of Urapola. I know the first accused. I did not meet him on the 2nd June. I was not in the village Humbuliyawa on that day. The accused had asked from me for cattle. I was told that the first accused came to my house on the 2nd, but I was away. I promised to give him cattle. I fixed no date.

The second prisoner, affd.

I was headman of Kahataowita for four years. Kahataowita is a Moorish vil- lage. I prosecuted many Moors in that village for being in possession of fermented toddy, and they were convicted. The Moors did not like my being headman of the village. I did not take part in the riot. On that day I was at Algama, in Four Korales I said so to the Magistrate. I mentioned witnesses for me.

I had no opportunity of talking to them from that date. The headman of Kahataowita, who gave evidence for the prosecution, is not in good terms with me.

297

Cross-examined: I went to Algama on the 1st, evening. Algama is about six or seven miles from my village. I got no leave. On the 3rd I came back. Appu Sinho, affd.*

Gan Arachchi of Algama. I know the second accused. I met him on the 2nd June. I saw him going through my compound when I was in my house, about 3.0 or 3.30. My village is about eight miles from his. I did not see him after that.

Cross-examined: On the 10th I got the first intimation that I should give evidence in this case. I saw this man pass my compound only at that time.

Re-examined: About four houses were broken in my village. It was on the 2nd. I remember it was on that day I met this man. He does not pass my village usually.

Appukamy, affd.

Gan Arachchi of Uduwaka. I know the second accused. His village is about six or seven miles from mine. On the 2nd June, about 4.0 or 4.30, I saw him near the Algama school. He said he was going to get some medicine for his sister. On that day I went to the hospital to attend a post-mortem. I did not see him again or on the day after.

Cross-examined: About fifteen days ago I got summons. A few days previously I knew I should give evidence in this case.

Paulis, affd.*

I am called a vederala. I know the second accused. I met him on the 2nd at I was in that house till about 4.30 his sister's house in Algama, at about 9.0 or 9.30. or 5.0, and the accused was in the house till that time.

Cross-examined: He was searching for medicine. The Arachchi told me that I was also fetching medicines. The sister was ill on he was to give evidence. the 2nd.

Evidence for defence gave the impression that the accused had communicated with some of the witnesses.

A. CHICHESTER, Lieut.-Colonel.

COLOMBO, NO. 6.-FIELD General Court Martial. 26th July, 1915.

Prisoners :---

Charges:

Finding :

1. Edirisinhe Aratchige Don William.

2. Rajapakse Appuhamilage Don Hendrick.

Treason.

Rioting.

Riotously damaging a house. Riotously damaging a mosque.

Guilty-Charges (a), (b), and (d).

Sentence :-

Death.

President: Lieut.-Colonel A. G. de V. Chichester, 28th Punjabis.

60712

No. 64.

THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 3rd November, 1915.)

(Confidential (B).)

The Queen's House, Colombo, Ceylon, 13th October, 1915. [Published as No. 21 in [Cd. 8167], January, 1916.]

• Appeared to be inventing.-A.0.

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60713

298

No. 65.

THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 3rd November, 1915.)

(Confidential.)

The Queen's House, Colombo, Ceylon, 14th October, 1915. [Published as No. 22 in [Cd. 8167], January, 1916.]