An investigation is to be carried out on the killing of Edward Henry Pedris, who was convicted of treason by the colonial administration of Sri Lanka.
He faced a military court at the age of 27 on charges of rioting and treason against the Ceylonese government.
On July 7, 1915 he was sentenced to death although many appeals had been submitted.
Late Mr. Pedris’ body is said to be buried at an undisclosed location following the procedure prescribed for the cremation of a convicted criminal under martial law. It was later revealed that he was killed as a result of a scheme carried out by senior ruling government officials at the time, the government noted.
The proposal to open an investigation into Mr Pedris' killing submitted by President Ranil Wickremesinghe was approved by the Cabinet yesterday and a three-member committee chaired by retired Supreme Court Justice Anil Gunarathna is to be appointed to investigate the matter.
Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe said today he wholly rejects the Batalanda Commission report and that it was appointed wholly with the intention slinging political mud at him.
Leader of the National People’s Party (NPP) and one time Propaganda Secretary of the JVP Wimal Weerawansa accused the Government of bringing back the “Batalanda Commission” for a media spectacle instead of a genuine concern for those who suffered during the 1988-1990 period.
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