The Justice Woodrenton Report on the shooting of rioters by the British Military and Police during the 1915 riots
Posted on November 9th, 2025
Source: AI Overview
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1915_Sinhalese-Muslim_riots
The Justice Woodrenton Report found that the shooting of rioters by the military and police during the 1915 riots could not be legally justified, although it deemed the actions to have been taken in good faith for public safety.
Further findings of the report included:
- The Commission, led by Chief Justice Sir Alexander Wood Renton and G. S. Schneider determined that the specific shootings investigated during the period of martial law had “no legal justification”.
- Despite this, the report acknowledged that the actions of officials were considered to be bona fide (in good faith) and intended to maintain order and public safety. The Ceylon Indemnity Order in Council, 1915, protected Governor Sir Robert Chalmers, Brigadier Malcolm, and other officials from legal action.
- The British government did not establish a broader Royal Commission of Inquiry into the general causes and handling of the riots, despite requests from Ceylonese leaders.
- The report and the surrounding controversy, including the execution of Captain Henry Pedris, resulted in the recall of Governor Sir Robert Chalmers. This incident also strengthened the local independence movement among the educated middle class, who sought greater legislative power, eventually contributing to the path towards independence in 1948.
- The events and the report also exacerbated existing ethnic and economic tensions between the Sinhalese and Muslim communities, influencing the island’s politics for decades to come.
Source: AI Overview
- 1915 Sinhalese-Muslim riots – Wikipedia
Basnayaka Nilame Vs Attorney General. … Fernando. The trial came up before the District Judge of Kandy Paul Pieris; Sir Stewart …
Wikipedia