§ Mr. MORRELLasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is 1032W aware that two Sinhalese of the district. of Kegalle, in Ceylon, have recently brought a civil action against the Kacheri Muhandiram, of Kegalle, a Government official, claiming the restitution of a piece of land which the plaintiffs alleged they had been induced to transfer to the defendant after the defendant had wrongfully arrested them under martial law for complicity in the riots, and under threats that the defendant would have them court-martialled and shot; that the defendant consented to judgment being entered against him; whether any proceedings or steps have been taken by the Ceylon Government against their officer; and whether, in view of the circumstances disclosed in this case and repeated allegations of similar cases of extortion occurring under martial law, and under the system adopted by the Ceylon Government for recovering damages from the whole Sinhalese community for the riots, the Government will now order a full Inquiry into these alleged cases and into the general administration of martial law during and after the riots?
§ Mr. LONGI have no information as to these allegations. The answer to the last question is in the negative.
§ Mr. MORRELLasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that Mr. Edmund Hewavitaren, a well-known Bhuddist, was charged before a court-martial with treason and complicity-in the late riots in Ceylon and, despite the fact that evidence was produced proving, an alibi, was sentenced to penal servitude for life; that three months later he died of enteric fever which broke out among the prisoners in the gaol in which he was confined; that all petitions for a revision of sentence were refused during his life-time, but that subsequent to his death the Governor of Ceylon has informed his relations that evidence has transpired which supports the statements made by Mr. Hewavitarne before the court-martial, and that if this evidence had been before the court-martial it would probably have acquitted Mr. Hewavitarne; that the Governor has now expressed his sincere sympathy and regret; and whether, in view of these circumstances, the Government will order an impartial Inquiry into the other alleged cases of miscarriage of justice in the courts-martial and into the general administration of martial law during and after the Ceylon disturbances?
1033W
§ Mr. LONG.I have seen a reproduction of Sir John Anderson's letter to the -brother of the late Mr. Edmund Hewavitarne, the terms of which are generally as stated in the question. I have asked the Governor for a Report on the circumstances in which this letter was written, but I have not yet received his reply. The Governor has personally investigated all cases brought to his notice in which it is alleged that innocent persons were convicted by court-martial, and in view of the action which he has taken in these cases I do not think any further general Inquiry is either necessary or desirable.