Book review 

A classic example of a case decided on medical evidence

Book - Murders at the Vicarage –
The Mathew Peiris case
Written by- Professor Ravindra Fernando
Published by Vijitha Yapa Publishers

Scanning the daily papers at leisure on July 1, being the Poya day, I came across a page displaying the latest books on the shelves. Being a lover of detectives, court room trials and thrillers ‘Murders at the Vicarage’ caught my eye instantly.

Reading the little introduction tickled my curiosity even more as it was about the Mathew Peiris murder case, which was heard of by many a Sri Lankan as it was a home grown murder trial, though I did not know the story well except bits and pieces talked about well over 30 years ago.

Added to my interest was the fact that the book was authored by none other than Professor Ravindra Fernando, Senior Professor of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology in the University of Colombo, who happens to be a batch mate of mine in the medical faculty.

One always feel something special about one’s class mates or undergraduate mates of their achievements and take pride in it with a sense of sharing their joy and satisfaction. Being a true life story, the book unravels with remarkable simplicity and straightforwardness the sequence of events that led to the two murders – that of Russel Ingram and Eunice Felecia Lois Peiris, both residing at the vicarage down Kynsey Road, Borella.

Open Verdict

Russel Ingram died on August 10, 1978 in ward 18 of the General Hospital, Colombo, and was given an ‘Open Verdict’ by the coroner. However, a pathological post mortem was performed prior to the inquest by Dr. A. H. Sheriffdeen, the Consultant Surgeon of the ward out of curiosity as to the cause of death.

It was only after the death of Eunice Peiris, which happened on March 19, 1979 that police investigations commenced into both deaths as both victims suffered from hypoglycaemic coma (unconsciousness due to low blood sugar).

The author was a junior lecturer at the time in the Department of Forensic Medicine in Colombo medical faculty.

On hearing about the second admission (Mrs. Peiris) from Dr. Rudra, another batch mate of ours, he visited the ward she was in and instructed the house officer to take a blood sample and inform the police post.

As far as he can recall he feels that the investigations into these cases were initiated then. Professor Fernando himself informed Dr. S. Subramaniam, the Consultant Judicial Medical Officer, Colombo,at that time, about the case. The book goes on from the deaths, the inquest, investigations, the arrests of the murder suspects with a smooth flow of narrative with attention to detail which is essential in a case of this nature for the reader to understand clearlythough it may appear irrelevant at the outset and somewhat tiresome.

The trial which has been extensive with a multitudeof witnesses involved has been summarized but yet comprehensively presented by the author to give the reader a clear picture of the evidence presented.

Most of the medical personnel who were witnesses of this case had been our teachers, like Consultant Surgeons Dr. P. A. P. Joseph, Dr. A. H. Sheriffdeenand Dr. Dayasiri Fernando, Consultant Physicians Dr. N. Nagaratnam and Dr. K.J. Nanayakkara, and Consultant pathologist of the medical faculty, Professor G. Sri Balasubramaniam to name a few.

All these people were of high calibre whose authority, knowledge, credibility and ethical practice isdisplayed vividly in their statements.

Vividly

The junior doctors too displayed a high standard knowledge and commitment in treating the two patient as well as maintaining the bed head tickets.

The paramedical staff too had been vigilant in their duties.

The highlight of the book is the judgment. It is a lengthy one extending to about 150 pages.

It is very tedious reading I admit but nevertheless extremely interesting and stimulating.

It is an excellent study of meticulous, systematic analysis of a complex web of evidence, evidence that is circumstantial with no direct proof of murder weapon, demonstrable injury etc. As the ‘Foreword’ written by the former Attorney General of Sri Lanka,Tilak Marapana, President’s Counsel, says, in the annals of the legal history of Sri Lanka only very few cases have been decided mainly on medical evidence and thus this is a classic example. Hence I would recommend this book

- for both legal and medical professionals

- anyone who enjoys thrillers or murder trials.

- and to anyone as stimulating material to study systematic analysis of a mysterious situation.

Thank you Professor Ravindra Fernando for compiling this story in the manner it is done for many who would enjoy and benefit from it.

Reviewed by: Dr. Manella Joseph, Senior Consultant Pathologist, Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital.