22 



The English fortnightly " The People " was suspended about 

 the same time, while the daily newspapers, published in English, 

 are vigorously censored, and private letters indiscriminately 

 opened. 



"The People" is conducted by Messrs. E. T. de Silva, 

 barrister-at-law, and Arulanandan, advocate. Among its con- 

 tributors is the Hon. Mr. K. Balasingham, Tamil Member of 

 Council. 



Thousands have been arrested, sometimes whole villages, 

 men, women and boys, on charges of looting and being in pos- 

 session of stolen property, and no bail allowed. They are imme- 

 diately tried and in certain instances sentenced to lashing, in 

 addition to sentence of imprisonment, in different parts of the 

 country. 



24. Even in the cases of looting, tried by the ordinary 

 police courts of Colombo some of which are now held in police 

 stations the procedure is no more than summary. Scarcely 

 any opportunity is offered for retaining a lawyer or even of know- 

 ing the charge. Instructions were given by the Police Magistrate 

 of Colombo to his Court officers not to furnish the accused with 

 a copy of the evidence, as they are entitled to under the Law of 

 the Colony. 1 So even if the convicted man wishes to appeal 

 from the order of the Magistrate he is crippled by his ignorance 

 of the" number and other particulars of the proceedings brought 

 against him. 



25. Mr. J. G. Eraser, Government Agent, Western Pro- 

 vince, was appointed Commissioner by the Government to 

 enquire into the riots about June Qth. In addition, Special 

 Commissioners entrusted with extraordinary punitive powers by 

 the Officer Commanding have issued Proclamations under colour 

 of Martial Law, threatening under severe penalties failure to 

 give information respecting the riots, with the result that in- 

 formers have sprung up with their attendant evils, both in towns 



i. S. 164 Criminal Proc : Code, Ord. 15 of 1898. "When the accused has been 

 committed for trial he shall, if he desires it at a reasonable time before the 

 trial, be furnished by the Officer in Charge with a copy of the record or of 

 any part thereof on payment of six cents for a hundred words." 



