19. Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies on what date or dates was martial law proclaimed in Ceylon, and to which provinces did the proclamation extend; whether martial law is still in force; whether he has any evidence that the rioting, as a consequence of which martial law was proclaimed, had an anti-Government character or was entirely due to local religious and racial animosities; whether courts-martial have been trying ordinary cases of rioting; whether any sentences of death have been passed and executed; whether forced levies are being raised from individuals who had no connection with the riots in order to pay compensation; and whether he can make any statement as to the present situation in Ceylon?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Bonar Law)Martial law was proclaimed in the Western Province and the Province of Sabaragamuwa on the 2nd of June, and in the Central, Southern, and North-Western Provinces on the 3rd of June. As far as I am aware, these Proclamations are still in force. Martial law w as also proclaimed as a precautionary measure in the Province of Uva and the North-Central Province on the 17th of June, but this Proclamation was revoked on the 29th of June.
The evidence at present obtained is to the effect that the rioting was chiefly due to racial and religious animosities. Special Commissioners, who possess judicial powers as district judges and police magistrates, deal summarily with ordinary cases of riot, and only remit to courts-martial those cases which appear to them sufficiently grave to warrant such procedure. Sentences of death have been passed in certain cases, but I am not aware whether they have been confirmed or executed.
In assessing the compensation to be paid, it is considered that, where all villages in a district would appear to have been concerned in rioting, it is right that every village in the district should contribute except such as can satisfactorily prove that they took no part in the riots. The latest information which I have received shows that the situation is satisfactory.
Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTMay I ask for a further explanation with regard to those cases which are submitted from the 2130 ordinary Courts to court-martial? What is the distinction in such cases? Is it agreed, when tranquility reigns and the ordinary Courts are sitting, that they should consider the cases, and on what grounds, therefore, are grave cases submitted to court-martial? Is it considered that they will receive a better trial by court-martial?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe trials are all under martial law, but it is considered better that ordinary criminals should be dealt with by ordinary methods. The others are under the ordinary military government.
Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether any evidence has been received that German intrigue instigated these riots?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThere is no evidence at all that has reached me to that effect, but I should not be myself inclined to say it was impossible that it had something to do with it.