47 



Supplement to the " Ceylon Independent," Colombo, 

 Tuesday, June 22nd, 1915. 



1 Under Military Law. 



All serious cases to be tried by Court-Martial. 



(Exclusive to Ceylon.] 



Probably for the first time in the history of Ceylon, Courts- 

 Martial for the trial of civilians charged with high crimes and 

 misdemeanours are being held. The Courts-Martial now are under 

 Army authority, brought in by Proclamation of August, under which 

 the whole of the population of Ceylon has become subject to mili- 

 tary law, which applies to all the inhabitants, although few know it. 



These Courts, since Martial Law was proclaimed, are subject 

 to confirmation by the Government or the General Officer Com- 

 manding. The Courts can pass any sentence of death, and there 

 is no appeal. All serious cases will now be tried by Court-Martial. 

 A Court-Martial sat at Weke on Thursday and Friday, June i7th- 

 iSth, on sixteen prisoners. 



45. It might be repeated that these acts, under Martial 

 Law, were committed after the riots had entirely ceased, and the 

 country was practically quiet. The hardships entailed by Mar- 

 tial Law in Ceylon may be gathered from the following occur- 

 rence. These incidents occur in Colombo, where the highest 

 officials are stationed. The military acts unrestrainedly in the 

 villages among the peasantry, who are helpless and unarmed. 

 After enquiries, the following facts were gathered. There is 

 great reticence observed over these affairs owing to Martial 

 Law, and information is difficult to get. 



Late in June, Town Guards were watching the ferry of the 

 Kelani River, close to Victoria Bridge, where produce from 

 towns in the North-Western Province used to be landed by 

 Padda boats (barges). 



A boatman was approaching with his laden barge propelled 

 by a pole. He was challenged and asked not to approach the 

 shore. He tried to stop the heavy barge, but it was not pos- 

 sible, as the current was running swiftly at the time, the river 

 being swollen by the monsoon rains. The boatman raised his 

 pass in his hand, and shouted " Pass." A second challenge 

 followed, and the Town Guardsman took aim. The first shot 

 missed the boatman ; he rose in the barge waving his pass with 

 both hands. A second shot killed him. 



The City Coroner, Mr. F. L. Daniel, J.P., Proctor, reported 

 the matter to the authorities, and he was severely censured by 



