§ 21. Sir GEORGE TOULMINasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can supply any information as to the improvement in the moral conditions of Colombo which followed the action taken by the Governor three years ago; and whether the conditions continue to be satisfactory?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Bonar Law)I have received no recent report from the Governor in this matter, but I will ask him for one.
§ 22 Mr. MORRELLasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) if he will instruct the new Governor of Ceylon, to make immediate inquiries into all cases of alleged injustice in connection with the riots last year, and par- 2466 ticularly if he will have inquiry made into the case of Mark Leo Fernando, of Divula-pitiya, in the Negombo district, who was arrested on 7th June, 1915, and shot in front of his house on the following day without any formal trial, though he begged for an inquiry; (2) if he will instruct the Governor of Ceylon to inquire into the case of Mututantrige Aron Fernando, of Karawanella, who, with several others, was charged with rioting before the Police Court of Kegalle and was kept in custody until he paid 10,000 rupees upon a receipt issued by a military officer, Major Bayly, whereupon he and his co-accused were all discharged; whether the Special Commissioner, in order to induce payment, warned this man that he had power to send him to gaol or have him shot; whether any part of this fine has been repaid; (3) if he will have inquiries made into the circumstances under which a bond was issued on 13th August, 1915, signed C. V. Brayne, Special Commissioner, stating that, upon faithful performance of the terms of the bond and the payment in full of 5,000 rupees each, two persons named in the bond had purchased an amnesty from all criminal proceedings in connection with the riots; (4) if he will have an investigation and report upon the case of Rankiripatirage Telenis Appu, Watubenegamage Podi Singho, and James Bass, of Algoda, in Three Korales, who were arrested early in the morning of the 10th June, 1915, in their houses, the second while in bed, and taken to the bank of the Algoda river and there shot, without any trial, in spite of their entreaties for an inquiry; and (5) if he will have full inquiry made into the case of Wadurava Kankanamalage Simon Perera, of Kal Eliya, in Hapitigam Korale, and Liyana Atchi Lekamalage Jiris Appuhany, who were arrested on 5th June in the house of the former, and shot immediately after in the compound without any trial, though they begged for an opportunity to prove their innocence?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe new Governor of Ceylon is inquiring into all matters arising out of the riots which in his opinion require investigation. I shall be glad to bring to his notice the questions of the hon. Member.
§ Mr. MORRELLMay we take it that this House will have an opportunity of considering the report of the Governor of Ceylon on these matters?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWNo such promise is given. As I mentioned to the House on the Colonial Office Vote, we trust the Governor in this matter, and are satisfied with the examination which he considers necessary.
§ Mr. KINGA number of questions as to alleged irregularities have been raised during the last few months. Will these be all brought to the notice of the Governor?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWYes. They will be all brought to the notice of the Governor.