§ 26. Mr. GINNELLasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps were taken by Sir Robert Chalmers, Governor of Ceylon, to bring to justice the soldiers who, on 10th June, 1915, entered the house of Watuhenegamage Podi Singho, a law-abiding citizen, dragged him from his bed, tied his hands behind his back with his bed-sheet, led him to the bank of the Algoda River, without trial or accusation, shot him through the heart, and ordered his widow to bury the body there under penalty of being shot herself if she attempted to take, the body elsewhere; why the six English gentlemen who superintended those proceedings have not been brought to justice; and whether any of these latter accompany Sir Robert Chalmers to his new post in Ireland?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Bonar Law)I have no reason to believe that there is any truth in this story; the last part of the question, therefore, does not arise.
§ Mr. GINNELLMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is unable to give any more convincing answer to this most explicit question?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI am not able to give any more convincing answer.
§ Mr. KINGIn view of the very painful allegations which are made in this way, will the right hon. Gentleman consider now having a public inquiry, or do something in some way that the public may know what the truth is about these allegations, which have been going about and causing great pain and anxiety?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI have most carefully considered this, as perhaps the hon. Member will see if he studies the Papers before the House.
§ Mr. GINNELLThe question is not whether the right hon. Gentleman has considered it, but whether he will grant an English inquiry.
§ 27. Mr. GINNELLasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will specify the law under which Sir Robert Chalmers, Governor of Ceylon, had compensation for damage to property during the riots of June, 1915, awarded to Mahomedans. only, and exacted from Sinhalese (Buddhist and Christian) only, even when the latter had sustained damage; also the law under which Sinhalese ladies were arrested and imprisoned as hostages until male members of their families, having no connection with the riots, surrendered themselves; the law under which confessions of guilt were forced from innocent people by threats of torture and employés were bribed to give false evidence against their employers; why such persons, on their evidence being found false, were not indicted for perjury; and why the Sinhalese gentlemen who pray for an English inquiry into these matters are not tried if their allegations are untrue?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWProvision for the payment of compensation in the case of damage caused by riots is made by the Ceylon not Damages Ordinance, No. 23, of 1915. I have no reason to believe that there is any truth in the suggestions made in the remainder of this question. If the hon. Member will refer to page 50 of the Correspondence presented to Parliament on the subject of the Ceylon riots he will see that the Government of Ceylon were considering the question of instituting proceedings against one person who had circulated false accounts of the action of Government officers, and I have no doubt that if they think it desirable they will take such action as the circumstances require in any similar case.
§ Mr. GINNELLIf the right hon. Gentleman is so confident of the position he takes up, what, then, is the reason for refusing an English inquiry?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe reason is that, in my opinion, it is unnecessary and would do great harm in Ceylon by reviving the controversy.