Maru Sira

Dedduwa Jayathungalage Siripala (1948 - 7 August 1975), better known as Maru Sira, was a Sri Lankan criminal who was executed amongst much controversy. Maru Sira achieved fame through several daring escapes.[1]

D.J.Siripala
After taken into Custody.
Born
Dedduwa Jayathungalage Siripala

1948
Died7 August 1975(1975-08-07) (aged 26–27)
Bogambara Prison, Kandy, Sri Lanka
Cause of deathExecuted by hanging
NationalitySri Lankan
Other namesMaru Sira

Life and career

Death

After escaping for a third time, Maru Sira was sentenced to death in absentia for the killing of a man in March 1974. He was subsequently captured and sent to Bogambara Prison to await his execution on August 5, 1975.[2]

On the night before the execution prison guards gave Maru Sira a high dose of Largactil to prevent an escape attempt. The overdose caused Maru Sira to collapse into a state of unconsciousness from which he never recovered. He was carried to the scaffold on a stretcher and laid across the trapdoor. The noose was then placed around his neck and the trapdoor was opened. Due to the short fall (2 feet 2 inches) caused by his slumped position Maru Sira died from slow strangulation. If he had been standing he would have died instantly from the breaking of his neck.[2]

Aftermath

News of Maru Sira's slow death led to public outrage. A presidential commission was appointed to look into the controversial execution. Two popular films Siripala and Ranmenika and Maruwa Samaga Wase were made based on Maru Sira's story.[3] Baila singer Anton Jones wrote and sang a song detailing his exploits.

References
  1. "inner.gif". www.island.lk. Retrieved 2019-07-16.
  2. "A case against the noose". Daily Mirror. 2003. Archived from the original on 2007-09-30. Retrieved 2007-07-17.
  3. "I watched them being hanged". SundayTimes. 2001. Retrieved 2007-07-17.
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