Early life
Siripala was born to a native Sinhala-Buddhist family in Sri Lanka. D.J. David Appuhamai and L. Punchi Nona had seven children, five sons, and two daughters. D.J Siripala was the sixth child born in 1948, (''exact month and day of his birthday are unknown''). They lived in Milla Gaha Watta, Liyangoda,Debut as a criminal
Siripala started his life in Anurdapura Town as a teenage gangster as he lost his family's care. In the late 1950s, Siripala initially made his living as a manualFamily life
Siripala met Ranmanika in the early 1970s. Ranmanika was a widow with seven children, her husband had died of a snake bite. Ranmanika decided to sell illicit liquor to make her living. Siripala's frequent visits to her liquor cache made an intimacy between them which later turned into a love. Ranmainka (born 1944) was four years older than Siripala. Though they never married, they had a strong relationship as husband and wife. Ranmenika gave birth to Siripala's daughter in 1975. He never knew that Ranmanika was pregnant with his daughter, by the time he had been convicted for a murder and was in the death row. He escaped the prison for the third time to see his daughter who was three days old.Death
Siripala made his third prison escape successfully three days after his daughter's birth in 1975. His trial was taken up ''in absentia'' for murdering a man in March 1974. After the trial, the court prescribed the death penalty. He escaped from prison, but soon afterward prison authorities captured him in a hideout, but he had already visited his newly born daughter. Following his conviction, prison authorities placed him on death row. Siripala was hanged on August 5, 1975, at Bogambara Prison inControversy over Siripala's death
On the night before the execution (August 4, 1975), the prison authorities gave Siripala a strong dose of sedatives ( Largactil) to prevent another escape attempt and keep him calm. The sedatives caused Siripala to collapse into a state of unconsciousness and lifelessness from which he did not recover. Prison authorities were unable to formally prepare him for the execution. Hence, they carried him to the gallows on a stretcher and laid him on the trapdoor. The noose was then placed around his neck and the executioner (''hangman'') opened the trapdoor. Due to the shortfall (2 ft. 2 in.) caused by his slumped position, Siripala died from slowAftermath
News of Siripala's controversial death led to public outrage and controversy. The then president appointed a committee to look into the controversies created by Siripala's death on gallows. His death affected the debate on capital punishment in Sri Lanka.Siripala's skull
The Medical Faculty of Ruhuna University keeps Siripala's head as an exhibit. As family members of Siripala mentioned (as of 2021), medical authorities keep his head without the consent of the family members of Siripala. It is believed that his head was removed from his body during the exhumation for the autopsy and judicial-medical purposes following the Presidential Committee (in 1976?).In popular culture
''Siripala and Ranmenika'' (සිරිපාල සහ රන්මැනිකා)
Was a popular Sinhala movie produced in 1978, following the story of Siripala and Ranmanica. It depicts the life events Siripala encounters in his short life.''Living with the Killer (Marūwā smaga Wāsē'') (මරුවා සමග වාසේ)
''Living with the Killer/one who makes the death (Marūwā)'' is the motto Siripala had tattooed on his chest. Marūwā smaga Wāsē' was a popular Sinhala movie produced in 1978. It depicts Siripala's aggressive behavior in terms of his plights and reactions towards what he encounters in his life.''Song''
Popular 1970s Sinhala Baila singerMarusira and Sira
The terms ''Maru Sira or Sira'' have become popular expressions in the contemporary social media. Young generation use these terms to express their feelings or views. These terms are often used regarding social issues, crimes, and anger. The terms are used to communicate social disparity and annoyance. For instance, the term Maru Sira has over 234,000 (as of 2021) entries in the Google search engine. Media platforms such as Facebook have many personal profiles, pages, and groups named ''Maru Sira or Sira''.References
Further references
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sira, Maru People sentenced to death in absentia People executed for murder Executed Sri Lankan people 20th-century executions by Sri Lanka 1975 deaths People executed by Sri Lanka by hanging Sri Lankan escapees Escapees from Sri Lankan detention Sri Lankan people convicted of murder People convicted of murder by Sri Lanka People from British Ceylon 1948 births