Henry Pedris bio unveiled in Colombo

• EDB writer behind first Sinhala biography of Henry Pedris
• Biography launched in the presence of President Maithripala Sirisena
• Published in English and Sinhala    

President Maithripala Sirisena looks at a copy of  the book ‘Edward Henry Pedris – National Hero who Awakened a Nation’ at the launch event of it under his auspices at Sri Lanka Foundation Institute on 8 July as the author of its Sinhala version  Upul Galappaththi (Press Officer – EDB Media-standing at centre) looks on.

An SLEDB writer has authored the first biography on Henry Pedris, the young folk hero whose execution in July 1915 triggered Ceylon›s three-decade-long independence struggle. Eager Lankan readers were seen queuing for a copy of the book, which was launched yesterday. 

“Henry Pedris’ death was proof that Sri Lanka’s struggle for independence was not a bloodless battle as widely speculated. Long before the independence struggles were brewing in our neighbouring countries Lankan freedom fighters were already staging rebellions by 1794,” revealed Upul Galappaththi, author of ‘Edward Henry Pedris – National hero who awakened a nation’.

Galappaththi was speaking at the book’s launch at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute which was attended by President Maithripala Sirisena. Galappaththi is a press officer with the Export Development Board. The English version was authored by veteran journalist Charnika Imbulana.

The first Sinhalese citizen ever to be executed in the name of Sri Lanka›s national independence struggle, Edward Henry Pedris, a captain in charge of the City Protection Army who rebelled against British rule, was suspected of spying on the British administration for Germany during World War I but this allegation was never proven. He was executed on 7 July 1915 on trumped-up charges of shooting at a crowd. His execution, and the subsequent display of his blood-soaked chair to the then imprisoned leaders of the fight for freedom, such as F.R. Senanayake, was said to be the trigger event of a struggle which would culminate with Ceylon earning its independence in 1948.

 “The last in the series of local heroes to be executed was Henry Pedris and this execution led to the start of the freedom struggle which brought about the country’s independence in 1948. In fact, Pedris’ story was the guiding light even for Sir John Kotelawala, the third Prime Minister of Ceylon,” said Galappaththi. 

«Everyone says that Ceylon easily won its independence in 1948 without shedding a drop of blood. This is a myopic view,» said Charnika Imbulana, the writer of the English biography. 

«The Ceylonese under British subjugation fought for over a century through rebellions that met with only failure and a sea of blood. At the turn of the century emerged a young educated brood, offspring of eminent families –our hero Pedris.”

Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thero, the prominent Buddhist monk, also addressed the book launch.