90
162
3. The preservation of order in the streets was maintained by the police under Superintendents Tranchell and Thornhill, and by members of the Kandy Town Guard, whose service under Captain Carr Hamond I wish to bring to the notice of Government. The order forbidding walking in the centre of the road was strictly enforced, with the result that, for the first time for many years, the pershera was an orderly procession and not a rabble, an improvement appreciated by all concerned. No booths were allowed in the esplanade, and this precaution tended to prevent the presence of undesirables in the vicinity of the Maligawa.
4. The spectators on the first few nights consisted almost exclusively of the townspeople, but, as confidence was restored by the successful progress of the festival, villagers from the surrounding country began to come in, though the numbers, even on the last days, were not equal to those in former years. The spectators included a number of women and children, and appeared generally to be good humoured and to enjoy the spectacle. The only untoward incident was an assault, on Sunday, 22nd August (not a perahera day), on two young Samaneras by three Moor boys, who spat upon them and into their begging bowls, in Katukele. The boys were promptly dealt with by the Additional Police Magistrate, and the incipient excitement subsided.
5. The chiefs state that the perahera was held for the victory of His Majesty's arms, and expressed their hope of holding another after the speedy and favourable termination of the war Both they and the tenants expressed their thanks to Government for the precautions taken, and realized that without Government assistance the perahera would not have taken place at all. In this connexion I would wish to emphasize the fact that the reluctance of the chiefs to hold the perahera may be attributed to fear for their own safety and that of the tenants at the hands of the military, who would naturally be unable to distinguish between their attendants and disorderly members of the crowd. As it was, the Punjabis off duty were con- stantly mingling with the procession, and at times passed through it this was brought to the notice of their officers, but the nuisance continued even to the last day of the perahera.
I am, &c.,
C. S. VAUGHAN, Government Agent, Central Province.
The Honourable
The Colonial Secretary
44749
No. 53.
THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE.
(Received 28th September, 1915.)
(Confidential (B).)
163
Enclosure 1 in No. 53.
SIR,
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 24th August last, forwarding proceedings of a field general court martial held at Kandy on the 26th July, 1915, and following days, together with the evidence taken before it, confirmed by you.
The Queen's House, Colombo, 28th August, 1915.
2. In the case of Mohotige Punchi Banda, convicted of murder and sentenced to death, I do not propose to exercise the clemency of the Crown. I have decided to exercise the clemency of the Crown in the cases of the other accused who were sentenced to death, on the condition that they undergo sentences of rigorous im- prisonment as follows:-
H. H. M. Punchi Banda, Korala, rigorous imprisonment for life.
A. M. M. Kiri Banda, twenty years rigorous imprisonment.
M. Punchi Banda, twenty years' rigorous imprisonment.
A. A. Punchi Banda, twenty years' rigorous imprisonment.
K. B. Kobbekaduwa, rigorous imprisonment for life.
J. M. Mudiyanse, fourteen years' rigorous imprisonment.
H. T. Gurusingha, twenty years' rigorous imprisonment.
J. M. K. Punchirala, rigorous imprisonment for life.
3. I approve the sentences of penal servitude as set forth in the schedule dated 26th July, 1915, contained in the proceedings referred to, subject to the reduction of the sentences passed on Wewa Mudiyanselage Wewegedera Punchi Banda and Jaya- singhege Andris Jayasinghe Appuhami to sentence of fourteen years' penal servi- tude each.
The Honourable
SIR,
The Brigadier-General
Commanding the Troops,
Ceylon.
I am, etc.,
ROBERT CHAI.MERS,
Governor.
The Queen's House, Colombo, 28th August, 1915.
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 26th August last. forwarding proceedings of a field general court martial held at Kandy on 9th August, 1915, and following days, together with the evidence taken before it, confirmed by you.
2. I have decided that the clemency of the Crown be exercised in the cases of H. Charles de Silva and K. R. Peeris Warnakulasooriya Gunawardene, on the con- dition that the accused each undergo sentences of rigorous imprisonment for life.
3. I approve the sentences of penal servitude as set forth in the schedule dated 9th August, 1915, contained in the proceedings referred to.
I am, &c.,
ROBERT CHALMERS,
Governor.
SIR,
The Queen's House, Colombo, Ceylon, 10th September, 1915. IN continuation of my Confidential despatch (B), of the 2nd September,* I have the honour to inform you that eleven further capital sentences of field 'general courts martial have been duly confirmed and promulgated by the Officer Command- ing the Troops. In all but one of the cases I have, with the advice of the Executive Council, decided that the clemency of the Crown should be exercised. I attach copies of two letters to the Officer Commanding the Troops intimating my decision.
2. A copy of the charges and of the evidence led before the court martial in the case of the eleven prisoners is enclosed.
• No. 50.
I have, &c..
ROBERT CHALMERS,
Governor, &c.
The Honourable
The Brigadier-General
Commanding the Troops.
Ceylon.
Enclosure 2 in No. 53.
Court MarTIAL.
Preliminary Proceedings.
CASE against:-
-
Mohotige Punchi Banda.
I direct that the above-named accused be tried by court-martial on charge following:-Murder.
12th July, 1915.
ROBERT CHALMERS,
Governor.
M 2
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :--
CO. 882/10
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
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