Buddhika asks Justice Minister why death of SWRD’s assassin was not registered in 1962

by Saman Indrajith

Matara District SJB MP Buddhika Pathirana has asked the Justice Minister in Parliament why the death of Talduwe Somarama Thera, who was hanged for the assassination of former Prime Minister SWRD Bandaranaike was not registered.

In his question MP Pathirana says that the death certificate of Somarama has not been released yet, according to the latest Addendum to the Order Book of Parliament.

The MP has asked whether the Minister is aware that the death of Somarama, on 06.07.1962, was not registered although it is mentioned that he was hanged to death on that day.

The MP has called on the Minister to inform the House whether an inquiry was conducted in relation to the non-issuance of the Certificate of Death of Ven Somarama; if so, its conclusion; if not, whether an inquiry would be conducted; whether there are any other persons in relation to whom Certificates of Death have not been issued following enforcement of the capital punishment and if not, why.

MP Pathirana also calls on the Minister to inform the House of the number of persons who were hanged to death following the imposition of the capital punishment after 04.02.1948 in Sri Lanka; whether arrangements will be made to make the Certificates of Death of the persons who were hanged to death, available to their relatives; and if so, how long it will take.