A Presidential Pardon has been posthumously awarded to Diyunuge Edward Henry Pedris, who was executed on July 7, 1915, following an unjust trial by a Court-Martial appointed by the then Governor of Ceylon on June 25, 1915.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe, utilizing the powers vested in him under Article 33(h) and Article 34 of the Constitution issued the pardon seeking to rectify the wrongful execution of Pedris, who was unjustly accused of rioting and treason.
In December 2023, a three-member committee led by retired Supreme Court Judge Anil Gooneratne was appointed to review the circumstances of Pedris’ execution, and submit a report with recommendations to the Cabinet, in order to deliver justice to Pedris and his family. (Newswire)
