18th January 1998

Trouble after trouble for the police force

Meenatchi,a Muslim girl of Colombo aged 12-14 years eloped with Selenchy Appu, a Karawe Roman Catholic carpenter of Moratuwa and hid in Moratuwa. The Mohammedans made a complaint of abduction and theft,and the Colombo Magistrate, Mr Selby, issued a warrant. The Moratuwa police were not making a determined effort to trace the couple. Due to the threats of the Inspector-General and two visits of the Assistant Superintendent of Police, Mr. De La Harpe, the couple were at last produced in Court. In the meantime, Mr. Selby died and the couple remained at Maradana Headquarters. The girl stayed with Inspector Peries and the man was detained at the Station.

It was learnt that the girl would be released on the 28th February and 200-300 Mohammedans gathered at the Mosque awaiting the release. They gradually became noisier and Campbell went up to the gate and asked them to create less noise. At about 3.00 p.m. the crowd became noisier still and more restless. Campbell went up to the gate and told them he would not release the girl in the face of such a hostile crowd and asked them to quieten down. Meanwhile eight disreputable European renegades who were now Muslims began to grow even more restless than the others. One of them ex-Constable Hogan threw the first brick. This struck Campbell in the face. Others followed his example and bricks were hurled at the police. The brother of the leading Mohammedan, Abdul Rahaman, was seen with the Holy Koran in one hand and a brick in the other.

The attack on Police Headquarters was thus started. The men in the premises including 15-20 sick men came to the assistance of Campbell and a violent conflict ensued. The glass and wood-work of the Inspector-General's Office was smashed up. There was a vigorous exchange of blows between the Police and Muslims and after some severe fighting they were driven back to the Mosque. The Police following them up took revenge by smashing the lamps of the mosque. Several arrests were made and Campbell placed sentries on guard in the premises. He next got up Abdul Rahaman and gave him a severe warning. Meanwhile, he turned back the 73rd Regiment which was on its way to help the Police on hearing a rumour that their chief had been killed. Sinhalese neighbours also came to the assistance of the police in this conflict. Dias Muadaliyar, Andrew Fernando Mudaliyar and Mr. Gomes the peace Officer of Dematagoda, sent men to assist the Police.

In the conflict the Police used rifle butts, swords, truncheons and sticks in a disciplined fashion and beat off the aggressors. Their conduct roused the admiration of Campbell, who expressed his feelings thus: "I cannot record without the greatest satisfaction the conduct of my men throughout this affair. I never had nearly so much respect or regard for them as I now have".

Trouble in Jaffna - December 1870. - A Jaffna Advocate who had been involved in a case and had a grievance, started a campaign against the Governmnet Officers stationed in Jaffna. He roused so much public opinion against the officials as to make Twynam become anxious and worried. The Headmen in whom he had so much faith had been thoroughly demoralised by intimidation and bribery and were useless in this crisis. Twynam was compelled to call for the assistance of the Police. He wanted particularly the very type he not so long ago condemned viz. the Malays and Caffres. "Send up 12 good experienced sturdy Constables, Malays if possible and Caffres. I believe you have old Caffre soldiers or their descendants in the Force" was his cry. He warned Inspector Leembruggen to act with caution. "I have given Mr Leembruggen full instructions how to act and the Inspector to be careful not to be led into a trap as the former inspector was". He however, remembered his outburst against the Police and added "I must tell you honestly that I am one of those who were opposed to the introduction of the present Police force into rural districts... It is the Force, however, decided on by the Government for the protection of the town and perhaps for the town it is the best force we could have if properly managed and should receive from authorities proper encouragement and support."

Attack on Mr. Jumeau. - On an evening in May 1871, Mr Jumeau, the Avissawella Magistrate was on his way to Colombo in his carriage. At Urugodawatte he drove into a fighting crowd of 200-300 Sinhalese. He tried to restore order and was attacked by the crowd. He further enraged them by using his horsewhip. He was then felled and attacked whilst on the ground. He however, regained his feet and reaching his carriage found his way to Dr. Van Gezel's Dispensary in Pettah. He had a two inch cut on the top of his head with a fracture of the skull. He had injuries on his shoulders and his fingers. His condition was pronounced serious. Mr. Tranchell the Superintendent of Police, Western Province, visited the scene with Inspector Andree. He arrested 10 accused persons and produced them before De Saram (Junior) who was holding the inquiry at the spot. One accused was a Headman. "The unpaid Headmen are worse than useless - one of them is an accused party in the assault". Jumeau, however, recovered and Campbell asked for a police Station at Mulleriyawa, close to the spot where Jumeau was assaulted.

Obstruction of Rail Track: - Three large stones were placed on the rail track near the viaduct at Gettambe. It would have needed at least three men to move these stones. A reward was offered for useful information. The Railway had been extended to Kandy and opened to passenger traffic from August 1867.

Trouble in Galle - 1871. - On the 16th December, 1871, a theft occurred from the bungalow of Dr. Anthonis an influential and popular figure in Galle. So many in Galle were interested in the case and were willing to do their best to help the Doctor. The Galle Police, too were as keen as the other's were. Several arrests were made and an inquiry was held by a Justice of the Peace. Due to the contradictory evidence of one Wattu, "a poor idiotic dependant whom the doctor had brought up from childhood", a one-eyed man escaped.

At this stage a magician called "Police Court Dias" who was the Head Clerk of the police Court was consulted. This man who believed that he had supernatural powers and exercised his craft taking money supposedly for his medium declared that a one-eyed man and an idiot had been responsible for the theft. All were convinced that Wattu had a hand in this. Only a confession was necessary. Action had then to be taken to extract this confession. Wattu was arrested on the esplande by Inspector Keegel, "on the ground that the man meditated flight". The doctor too had to play a part in this. He was induced to charge Wattu for desertion under the Servants Ordinance, though he knew that Wattu was no servant in any sense. This was done to place him in the hands of the Police. He pleaded guilty to the charge and was sentenced to seven days imprisonment at the Police Station.

The Police then proceeded to extract the confession they wanted. In the process Wattu was severely branded on his back and neck with a nearly red hot police lantern.

Campbell held an inquiry and ascertained all the facts connected with the case. At the time this torturing had taken place, Inspector Dias had been at the Station and had not taken action to check it. On the contrary he seemed to have connived, however, unitentionally it might have been, by desiring his subordinates to "tease" the prisoner into giving them the information they desired. Campbell's intention was to deal with him along with the others and consulted the queen's Advocate, who advised against court action. Campbell took departmental action. He dismissed the Sergeant and the two Constables who figured in this and asked the Superintendent of Police, Mr Graham, to send Inspector Dias's explanation. Graham, however, chose to disregard the Inspector General's order. He was reported to the Governor by Campbell, who having outlined the case, remarked, "You will observe the obstructive course pursued by Captain Graham in this case - a course which I cannot consider as at all owing to his being oppressed with work". The Inspector's explanation was received and he was suspended from duty.

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