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.

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.^[1]

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.^[1]

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.^[2] Baila singer Anton Jones wrote and sang a song detailing his exploits.

References