§ 23. Mr. GINNELLasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any inquiry has yet been held into the conduct of the two European town guards who, at Kalagedihena, Ceylon, on 5th June, 1915, pursued and fired on two Sinhalese, shot one of them, and, according to the deposition of J. A. S. Nona Hamine, shot her husband, an old man who was standing near his cottage; whether he is aware that people were terrified from relieving the wounded fugitive until he died after 20 seven hours' agony under a broiling sun; that the escaped fugitive also swears that he saw Nona Hamine's husband shot dead; whether the town guards allege any offence, or any form of trial, in either case; and whether any compensation has been made to dependants?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Long)The Governor has forwarded a report on this case, from which it appeas that these men were shot while escaping armed from a house used as a meeting place for rioters. Rioting was in progress in the district. I see no ground for suggesting compensation in such a case.