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29

36844

No. 32.

THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

(Received 4th August, 1915)

[Copy to India Office and War Office, 17th August, 1915.

(Confidential.)

Secret. L.F.F.]

SIR,

The Queen's House, Colombo, Ceylon, 16th July, 1915. IN continuation of my Confidential despatch of the 8th July,* I have the honour to inform you that twelve further capital sentences of Field General Courts Martial have been duly confirmed and promulgated by the Officer Commanding the Troops. In nine of these cases I have, on the unanimous advice of the Executive Council, confirmed the sentences. In the remaining cases the Council was divided, and I have decided that the clemency of the Crown should be exercised in these three cases. I attach a copy of my letter to the Officer Commanding the Troops inti- mating my decision.

2. A copy of the charges and of the evidence led before the court martial in the case of the twelve prisoners, together with the charges and evidence in the case of the prisoner Pedris, referred to in paragraph 2 of my Confidential despatch of the 8th July, is enclosed.

I have, &c.,

ROBERT CHALMERS,

CASE against:-

Enclosure 2 in No. 32.

COURT MARTIAL,

Preliminary Proceedings.

1. K. K. Don John Sinno.

2. Goiyanse Hettige James Rodrigo, alias James Sinno.

3. H. G. John Sinno.

4. S. A. J. Perera, alias Jacob.

5. W. Girigoris Perera, alias Gigo.

6. Thomas Sinno.

7.

Tomas Sami.

8.

Francis Pulle.

9.

10.

G. H. Pawulis Rodrigo, alias Pawulis Appu Welandage William Perera.

11. Rannage Tomas Sinno, alias Tomas Appu.

I direct that the above-named accused be tried by court martial on charges.

25th June, 1915.

COURT MARTIAL. Charge Sheet.

ROBERT CHALMERS,

Governor.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :--

C.O. 882/10

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

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

SIR,

Enclosure 1 in No. 32.

Governor, &c.

The Queen's House, Colombo, 10th July, 1915.

I BAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. C.R. 3256/2/c of 9th July, 1915, forwarding copies of proceedings of Field General Courts Mar- tial held at Colombo on 1st-2nd July, 1915, and to inform you that, after consulting the Executive Council, I have decided that the clemency of the Crown shall not be exercised in the cases of

1. K. K. Don John Sinno.

2. G. H. James Rodrigo, alias James Sinno.

3. H. G. John Sinno.

4. S. A. J. Perera, alias Jacob.

5. W. Girigoris Perera, alias Gigo.

6. Thomas Sinno.

7. Tomas Sami.

8. Francis Pulle,

9.

G. H. Pawulis Rodrigo, alias Pawulis. Appu.

2. In the cases of

Welandage William Perera,

(2) Rannage Tomas Sinno, alias Tomas Appu,

(3) Namunidewage Albert Wijesekera,

I have decided that there is sufficient ground for the exercise of the clemency of the Crown, and the sentences of death have been commuted to sentences of rigorous imprisonment for life.

The Honourable

The Brigadier-General Commanding the Troops,

Ceylon.

• No. 28.

I am, &c.,

T

ROBERT Chalmers,

Governor.

CHARGES against

1. K. K. Don John Sinno.

2. Goiyanse Hettige James Rodrigo, alias James Sinno.

3.

H. G. John Sinno.

4.

S. A. J. Perera, alias Jacob.

5. W. Girigoris Perera, alias Gigo.

6.

Thomas Sinno.

7. Tomas Sami.

8. Francis Pulle.

9.

G. H. Pawulis Rodrigo, alias Pawulis Appu.

10. Welandage William Perera.

11. Rannage Tomas Sinno, alias Tomas Appu.

First Charge.-The above-named accused, being persons subject to military law,

are charged with treason in that they, at Kochchikade, on or about the 2nd June, 1915, did levy war against our Lord the King.

Second 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 Seramali.

Third 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 Nagun Mira.

Fourth 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 Seku Paridu.

Fifth 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 Medu Muhammadu.

Sixth 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 Palakada Kara.

Seventh 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 Meyadin, nephew of Muna Sayibu.