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to protect m, own building. I only heard of the disturbances in Kandy and in Panchikawatte. When I came to the shop on that day I did not notice any large crowds. I do not know that the disturbances were directed against a particular class of people. I was afraid that the Sinhalese themselves would come and loot my building. I did not know that the disturbances were in the nature of Sinhalese mobs against Moorish property. In Kandy I heard that there were disturbances between two parties. do not know that it was one section directed against the other. I do not know the nature of the disturbances in Colombo. The Panchika- watte disturbances I heard were against some Cochin people. When I saw the condition of the Pettah that morning I thought the Sinhalese mobs would wreck even my place of business. I had my fears that the Sinhalese people would come against me. I have no enmity against the Moors in Ceylon. I have not been respon- sible for serious attacks against them. I have not been associated with people whose. object has been to raise à boycott against them. My firm is not responsible for the Maha Bodi Press. It has no connexion whatever with it. Except as a member of the Maha Bodi Society I have got no connexion whatever with it.

The Attorney-General: Did you not give evidence in a case in the police court as to the working of the Maha Bodi Press and how the work was done!

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Witness: That is about the paper. I gave evidence against the paper, not against the Press. The Sinhala Baudhaya is supposed to be the organ of the Buddhists. It does not purport to be the organ of the Maha Bodi Society.

The Attorney-General: In that case you said you were interested in the paper as well as the members of the Maha Bodi Society, and explained how the work was done and who was the printer and publisher.

But apart from that I was nothing

Witness: I may have mentioned that. more than a member of the society. The Maha Bodi Society has no connexion with the Sinhala Baudhaya. It is for the propagation of Buddhism in India and Ceylon. The Maha Bodi (?) is just across the street. I visit the printing office sometimes, as I am the owner of the building. A portion of our rickshaw depart- ment is in the same place, so I have to go there. I repudiate all connexion with the Sinhala Baudhaya and the articles in it, including those written by my brother. I have got nothing to do with my brother.

The Attorney-General: In the case I referred to you gave full details of the work and of the persons in your office, what they did, etc.

Witness: I cannot remember these things now.

The Attorney-General May I refresh your memory? (reads extracts). Do you recognize that pamphlet? (showing pamphlet).

Witness: I have never seen it.

The Attorney-General: Are you aware that it is dedicated to you? Witness: It is the first time I hear of it.

The Attorney-General: It contains what purports to be an acknowledgment by you of the pamphlet and an expression of agreement with its contents.

Witness: No, sir; it is not dedicated to me. It says that it was printed at the Maha Bodi Press; it does not say that it was issued from there.

The Attorney-General: Do you mean to say

with the Maha Bodi Press?

Witness: Yes, sir; altogether.

that you repudiate any association

The Attorney-General: Why, then, were you called on to give evidence in that case? Why did you come forward to give evidence in regard to the staff of the Maha Bodi Press?

Witness: I cannot remember these things; it was such a long time ago.

་་

The Attorney-General: Did you say this: "I am a brother of Dharmapala, and am interested as one of the members of the Maha Bodi Society. This accused is employed by the society as printer and publisher.

Accused has been our

printer and publisher for some years, since the declaration was filed

"1

Witness: At that examination I think I was asked whether these things were known to me or whether it was simply hearsay evidence. I remember being asked such a question. I cannot remember having said that the accused had been our printer and publisher for many years. I repudiate responsibility for the things issued by the Maha Bodi Press.

The Attorney-General: Here is the pamphlet I was speaking of that is dedi- oated to you. (Pamphlet handed to the accused, who translated the dedication as follows: "Edmund Hewawitarne, the head of the firm of H. Don Carolis & Sons, has accepted this cordially.",

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The Attorney-General: There is a great deal about the Moors in that pamphlet ? Witness: Nothing whatever.

The Attorney-General: I do not say that you have been associated with a con- spiracy for smashing the shops of the Moors, but I do say that you have been Associated with people who are endeavouring to boycott the Moors and drive them out of Ceylon.

Witness: Never! I don't think that is the effect of this pamphlet. The Attorney-General referred the accused to stanzas 11, 41, and 43, referring to the Moors.

Witness: I repudiate responsibility for the pamphlet and all the articles in the Sinhala Baudhaya.

(To Mr. Norton.) My brother Dharmapala is the eldest in the family. He has never been associated in our business. We give him a share by virtue of his being our brother. He gets an allowance. He is living in Calcutta, and has been away for two years. I occasionally read his writings, but disapprove of them. I have never written to him these two years. I last saw him before he left Ceylon two years ago. The entrance to our shop is in First Cross Street. There is another entrance, opening into Keyser Street, which is always locked. Occasionally it may be used. If I wanted to leave the shop I would have to go into First Cross Street. The poem dedicated to me contains advice to the Sinhalese to imitate the Moors. It points out how active and energetic they are. On the 1st I breakfasted at 12.0 o'clock. I was about half an hour at it. Mr. Carron did not have breakfast with me, nor Mr. Pieris.

Henry George Dias, sworn.

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(To Mr. Drieberg.) I am a licensed surveyor, practising in Colombo. obtained a copy of the principal Colombo town plan, showing Main Street, Keyser Street, and the Cross Streets. I obtained it from the Surveyor-General's office. From that I prepared an enlargement, which I now produce. It is correct to scale. I have marked the distances between the various spots shown on the plan. distances are correct, having been measured by me.

Dr. Charles Hewawitarne, affd.

The

(To Mr. Drieberg.) I am a brother of the accused, and am a qualified medical man. My qualifications are M.R.C.P., M.R.C.S. (London), and I was in practice for some years. I subsequently joined my brother in business. The firm of H. Don Carolis & Sons is under the active management of my brother and myself. I do not live with my brother. On the 1st of June I got to office at about 9.0 or 9.30. My brother, Edmund Hewawitarne, was already there. There was an unusually large number of people walking about the place. I heard that there had been rioting. but at that time there was nothing unusual. Precautions were taken to put zinc sheets to our glass fronts. I tried to telephone to the police, but there was no reply, so I telephoned to the Colonial Office. I telephoned to the police at about 11.30 or 12.0. There was some rioting going on, I heard, in Second Cross Street. I think I got the First Assistant to the Colonial Secretary on the telephone. I wanted the Colonial Secretary, but he was engaged, and I spoke to the First Assistant, and presumably it was he who answered." I think I said there was rioting going on. and I wanted protection. As far as I can remember, I think I received a message that there was no need to fear, that the rioting would be stopped very soon. I was at that time apprehensive that we ourselves would be in danger. I did not go into the streets until after 1.0. There was really nothing very much in the streets. I did not go to Keyser Street at all. I went home at 1.0 o'clock. My wife was not quite well, so I went home and returned at about 2.30. When I returned my brother was working in the office. During the time I was there I was in the office. I have my own seat, and during such time as I was there I could quite easily see that my brother did not leave the office. I am on his right-hand side, about twelve feet away, in the same room, separated by an arch. He is practically in full view of me. I called at the Secretariat at about 2.0 o'clock and saw Mr, Denham. I told him about the riot and gave him some information about a rumour that I had heard. I also told him that lots of people were drunk. I am a temperance advocate. I myself have been detained by the military authorities since the 21st June. There is no charge against me to my knowledge. I have not been informed of any charge against me.

I am still on remand. I was with my brother until 1.0 o'clock that day.

He was in my presence all the time. At present I am looking after my father's estates and also a part of the business

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

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Reference :--

C.O. 882/10

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON:

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO