POLITICAL CHANGES IN SRI LANKA UNDER THE BRITISH.pptx

This powerpoint presentation/slides cover the Political changes in Sri Lanka, specifically the constitutional changes that were imposed by the British.

1. POLITICAL CHANGES IN SRI LANKA UNDER THE BRITISH Amna Zaman (BA in Social Sciences, Dip.Teaching, Dip.History

2. COLEBROOK REFORMS OF 1833 Why did they introduce? By the year 1828 the government expenditure exceeded the revenue. The main reason for the increase of expenditure was paying salaries. Mother government had to spend out of its own funds. In order to find a solution they appointed a commission led by W.M.G Colebrook and Charles Hae Cameron. The Judiciary sector was studied by Charles Hae Cameron. Sources of government revenue/ expenditure and administration sector was studied by W.M.G Colebrook.

3. Colebrook Reforms (Cont) Significant Features Establishment of the executive and the legislative councils Introducing a governing system which combined both the upcountry and low country Dividing the country into 05 provinces Abolishing the compulsory personal service Discontinuation of the trade monopoly of the government Expanding the English Education Legislative Council and Executive Council was established to reduce the power of the governor. A group of officers (cashier, accountant, treasurer, head survayor etc.) were appointed for the Colombo customs department in order to reduce the power of the governor in financial matters. Unofficial members were appointed according to the nationalist representative system. (Communal based) The governor had to seek the permission of the Secretary of the Colonies in making decisions.

4. Legislative Council 1833 Official – 09 Unofficial – 06 Sinhalese - 01 Burghers – 01 Tamils - 01 Europeans - 03 15 Members

5. Protests against Colebrook Reforms The protest against the Colebrook reforms were begun by the European planters in Sri Lanka. Their demands were, better infrastructure for the plantation sector. Increase the number of unofficial members They should be elected instead of being appointed by the governor. Their methods of struggle, Questioning in the legislative council Establishing organizations Lanka Congress – 1865 Planter’s Association of Ceylon – 1865 George Wall and William Digby led these protests. As a result the governor added two more unofficial members to the legislative council.

6. Legislative Council 1833 Official – 09 Unofficial – 08 Sinhalese - 01 Burghers – 01 Tamils - 01 Europeans – 03 Up contry Sinhalese – 01 Muslims – 01 15 Members

7. How did the Sri Lankan Middle Class emerge? The Sri Lankans who became rich through plantation activities were able to educate their children who came up as the middle class of Sri Lanka. The middle class was not happy about the fact that there was no changes happening in the political system of Sri Lanka. They started demanding a constitutional reform during the period between 1908 – 1909. Mr. James Pieris presented a formal petition to the secretary of Colonies in December 1908 followed by Low Country Production Club, Chilaw Club and Jaffna Club. Ponnambalam Ramanadhan, Ponnambalam Arunachalam, Sir James Pieris were prominent leaders. Protests against Colebrook Reforms (cont.)

8. Reforms proposed by the Sri Lankans: Increasing the number of Unofficial members in the legislative council Increasing the power vested upon the legislative council Electing members to the legislative council Abolish the communal representative system Elect members through provincial representative system The governor of Sri Lanka Henry McCallum opposed. Yet the Colonial Secretary announced that a reform would be made.

9. CREW – MCCULLUM CONSTITUTION 1910 Recommendations were done y the Governor of Sri Lanka, Henry McCullum. Lord Crew, the Colonial Secretary introduced new constitutional reforms. Came into effect in 1912

10. Legislative Council 1910 Official - 11 Unofficial - 10 Limited Franchise – 04 Europeans - 02 Burghers – 01 Educated Sri Lankans - 01 Nominations – 06

11. Crew – McCallum Reforms (cont.) Features Providing space to elect members to the council One Sri Lankan was selected to represent the educated Sri Lankans. Ponnambalam Ramanadhan was the first to be selected to the council in 1912. The majority of the council was official members.

12. Middle Class of Sri Lanka How did the Middle Class of Sri Lanka come to be? In Sri Lanka and India the British created an educated class to provide administrative and professional services in their colonies. Most of them were engaged in government affairs. This increase in Sri Lankans participation demanded the creation of various professions. (Doctors, teachers, lawyers) The expansion of commercial plantation created a group of new trades and occupations such as land owners, planters, transport agents and businessmen. Certain Sinhalese casts such as fishermen (Karava) and Cinnamon Peelers (Salagama) benefited through the new economic order. The newly emerged rich sent their children to European countries which created an educated Euro centric group. Their values were based on the western culture. This forced out the traditional elites from the social structure.

13. Temperance Movement Why was it started? To oppose the new tax policy of the government in 1912 which gave permission to open new toddy bars. What was the purpose of this movement? To raise awareness regarding the harmful effects of alcohol consumption. This protests were conducted by the middle class people who could not win their demands from the 1910 reforms. Hence, this had a political inclination. Features of the protests: Trying to create a public opinion on alcohol consumption The middle class activists and the activists of the religious renaissance uniting Building a network of non-alcoholic associations around the country. (Centre- Colombo) Criticizing the government activities in the non – alcoholic protests.

14. Results of the Temperance Movement Closing down of taverns Difficulties in reopening new bars Sinhalese – Muslim Riots in 1915 Took place due to another policy introduced by the British. As a result of this riots the Temperance movement was badly affected. Many leaders were arrested, some were killed and punished. This turned many into national heroes.

15. Influence of the Indian Nationalist Movement The protests staged by Indians in 1885 made the British change reforms than they did in Sri Lanka. Leaders: Surendranath Banerjee Bal Gangadhar Thilak Mahathma Gandhi Jawaharlal Nehru Visit of Mahathma Gandhi in 1927 Visit of Nehru in 1939

16. Ceylon National Congress Sri Lankans felt the need of a common organization to conduct their protests in a well organized manner. Formed in 1919 Founding President – Ponnambalam Arunachalam Many ethnic communities had joined the association for a common purpose. Main Objective – Launch a powerful protest campaign with the idea of gaining political power into the hands of Sri Lankans

17. Expectations of Sri Lankans To increase the number of members in the council To get the opportunity to elect more members Get more power to the legislative council Get more local leaders involved in the ruling system Measures adopted by the Association Petitioning the British Government Petitioning the Colonial Secretary Holding meetings to raise awareness among people Presenting different arguments in the legislature Trying to gain the favour of the Governor Writing to newspapers explaining the need of reforms

18. Manning Constitutional Reforms – 1920 Organized under the recommendations of Governor William Manning. A higher number of members were elected. 07 members from the Unofficial members were nominated by the governor which gave more power to the governor. The other 16 were elected through limited franchise under the provincial representative system. Legislature – 37 Official – 14 Unofficial – 23 Nomination – 07 Franchise - 16

19. Manning –Devonshire Constitutional Reforms – 1924 This reform was introduced as a result of a promise made by the governor to the Ceylon National Congress. Reforms were designed by the Colonial Secretary Devonshire Recommendations were done by the Governor William Manning. The functions of the government was still the responsibilities of the governor. The power of decision making was in the hands of the members elected y the people. This created a hindrance to the smooth functioning of the government. Hence the governor after William Manning, Governor Hue Clifford informed the Colonial Secretary regarding the situation. The Colonial secretary appointed the Donoughmore Commission to examine the situation and make recommendations. The Sri Lankans were not happy about the fact that to become a voter, a person should have the ability to read and write. This eligibility factor limited the number of voters.

20. Legislature – 49 Official – 12 Unofficial – 37 Through voting - 29 By nomination - 08

21. Donoughmore Constitutional Reforms – 1931 This constitution was designed based on the recommendation Donoughmore Commission. Includes the recommendations of Sri Lankans. Features: A legislative council with 61 members called the ‘State Council’ was appointed. Universal Franchise Executive Committee system – State council divided into 07 committees. Governor and the Government Officials Abolishing communal representative system The chair of the state council went to the speaker who was elected by the members of the council. The first speaker was A.F. Molamure.

22. State Council – 61 From territorial constituencies – 50 Nominated by the Governor - 08 State council – 03 State Secretary Finance Secretary Legal Secretary

23. Protests against the Donoughmore Reforms: Granting the Sri Lankans the powers of the ministries that had been assigned to the state officers Increasing the powers that had been given to the Lankan ministers Getting a system of cabinet established instead of the executive council system.

24. Protests for Independence Sunflower Movement (Suriyamal Wyaapaaraya) launched by the Marxists of the country Dr. N.M. Perera, Dr. Colvin R. De Silva used the Suriya Mal Movement to protest for independence publicly. Started against the ‘Poppy Movement. Poppy Movement - A movement established to collect funds in aid of the families of soldiers who were disabled in the World War I. The Suriyamal movement was began on the same day and he money collected was spent for the betterment of the poor in Sri Lanka. The Poppy was considered as a sign of slavery.

25. Cabinet of Ministers and the National Congress When the British wanted help during the World War II in 1939, Sri Lankan cabinet ministers agreed to support Britain under one condition. Condition – A new constitutional reform will be granted at the end of the war. A special defense bureau was appointed to maintain security in Sri Lanka. The minister of Agriculture Mr. D.S. Senanayake was appointed to the bureau. The governor and the officials were impressed with the support extended by the Sri Lankans and requested Britain to propose a new constitution to Sri Lanka.

26. Soulbury Constitutional Reforms - 1947 In May 1943 the Governor of Ceylon issued a statement. According to the statement the British were making arrangements to to introduce a reform, through which the Lankans would be given responsibility of handling internal affairs. The board of Ministers were given the job of drafting a suitable constitution. They received the help od Sir Ivor Jennings who was an expert in constitutional law. Draft was completed in February 1944. The Soulbury commission was appointed under the leadership of Lord Soulbury in July 1944. Soulbury Commission arrived in Sri Lanka in December 1944. The study report was issued in 1945. The Soulbury Constitutional Reforms were implemented in 1947.

27. Key features of the Soulbury Constitution Abolishing the office of Governor. Establishing the Office of Governor General instead Establishing a bicameral parliament. (House of commons+ Senate) Establishing a cabinet of ministers headed by the Prime Minister Establishing the Public Service Commission and the Judicial Service Commission. Governor General – The Queen was the head of Ceylon and the Governor General represents the Queen. A nominal position as he had to act under the advice of the pime minister. Parliament – The legislative responsible for making laws. Was also called a bicameral parliament.

28. The Cabinet of ministers headed by the Prime Minister The member who won the majority of members votes will be named as the Prime Minister. The Governor General appointed the Cabinet Members. Public Service Commission – Appointment of Public officers of the Highest ranks. Attorney General, Auditor General, Permanent Secretary Judicial Service Commission – For the purpose of appointing judges for the lower courts and removing and taking disciplinary acts regarding such judges.

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