Legislative Council of Ceylon
Encyclopedia
The Legislative Council of Ceylon was the legislative body of Ceylon
(now Sri Lanka
) established in 1833, along with the Executive Council of Ceylon
, on the recommendations of the Colebrooke-Cameron Commission
. It was the first form of representative government in the island. The 1931 Donoughmore Constitution
replaced the Legislative Council with the State Council of Ceylon
.
created the Legislative Council of Ceylon, the first step in representative government in British Ceylon
. Initially the Legislative Council consisted of 16 members: the British Governor, the five appointed members of the Executive Council of Ceylon
(the Colonial Secretary
, the Attorney General
, the Auditor-General
, the Treasurer and the General Officer Commanding
), four other government officials (including the Government Agents
of the Western and Central provinces) and six appointed unofficial members (three Europeans, one Sinhalese
, one Tamil
and one Burgher
). The unofficial members had no right to initiate legislation; they could only contribute to discussion. This was the first step towards giving the people of the country a voice in its administration.
In 1889 the number of appointed unofficial members was increased to eight (three Europeans, one Low Country Sinhalese, one Kandyan Sinhalese, one Tamil, one Muslim
and one Burgher).
The most notable aspect of the McCallum Reforms was the introduction of elected members. However, fewer than 3,000 people (4%) could vote, as the right to vote was based on education and assets held. One of the four elected non-official members was Ponnambalam Ramanathan
. The financial committee was also established to control the revenue. It included the Colonial Secretary, Colonial Treasurer, Revenue Controller and all the non-official elected members. These changes did not satisfy the Ceylonese, and the movement for constitutional reforms grew.
A notable change was the introduction of territorial constituencies. Of the 11 territorial constituencies, three were from the Western Province
and one each from the other eight provinces. Three non-official members were elected to the Executive Council. Yet again the Ceylonese were not satisfied and requested more change.
The head of the Legislative Council had been the Governor, but the new reforms created the post of President of the Legislative Council, which was held by a Governor on a nominal basis, and a selected member was appointed to the post of Vice President of the Legislative Council, who was James Peiris
. However, the Governor still retained most of the authority in the country. Four non-official members were selected to be part of the Executive Council.
was sent to Ceylon. The Commission gained its name from the royal commission under the Earl of Donoughmore
that came to Ceylon in 1927. Its recommendations led to Ceylon gaining limited self-government and the replacement of the Legislative Council with the State Council of Ceylon
in 1931.
British Ceylon
British Ceylon refers to British rule prior to 1948 of the island territory now known as Sri Lanka.-From the Dutch to the British:Before the beginning of the Dutch governance, the island of Ceylon was divided between the Portuguese Empire and the Kingdom of Kandy, who were in the midst of a war for...
(now Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
) established in 1833, along with the Executive Council of Ceylon
Executive Council of Ceylon
The Executive Council of Ceylon was the Executive Council created in Ceylon by the British colonial administration on the recommendations of the Colebrooke-Cameron Commission along with the Legislative Council of Ceylon on March 13, 1833....
, on the recommendations of the Colebrooke-Cameron Commission
Colebrooke-Cameron Commission
The Colebrooke-Cameron Commission was a Royal Commission of Eastern Inquiry sent by the British Colonial Office in 1829 to assess the administration of the island of Ceylon and to make recommendations for administrative, financial, economic, and judicial reform...
. It was the first form of representative government in the island. The 1931 Donoughmore Constitution
Donoughmore Constitution
The Donoughmore Constitution, created by the Donoughmore Commission, served Sri Lanka from 1931 to 1947 when it was replaced by the Soulbury Constitution....
replaced the Legislative Council with the State Council of Ceylon
State Council of Ceylon
The State Council of Ceylon was the unicameral legislature for Ceylon , established in 1931 by the Donoughmore Constitution. The State Council gave universal adult franchise to the people of the colony for the first time...
.
Introduction
In 1833 the Colebrooke-Cameron CommissionColebrooke-Cameron Commission
The Colebrooke-Cameron Commission was a Royal Commission of Eastern Inquiry sent by the British Colonial Office in 1829 to assess the administration of the island of Ceylon and to make recommendations for administrative, financial, economic, and judicial reform...
created the Legislative Council of Ceylon, the first step in representative government in British Ceylon
British Ceylon
British Ceylon refers to British rule prior to 1948 of the island territory now known as Sri Lanka.-From the Dutch to the British:Before the beginning of the Dutch governance, the island of Ceylon was divided between the Portuguese Empire and the Kingdom of Kandy, who were in the midst of a war for...
. Initially the Legislative Council consisted of 16 members: the British Governor, the five appointed members of the Executive Council of Ceylon
Executive Council of Ceylon
The Executive Council of Ceylon was the Executive Council created in Ceylon by the British colonial administration on the recommendations of the Colebrooke-Cameron Commission along with the Legislative Council of Ceylon on March 13, 1833....
(the Colonial Secretary
Chief Secretary
The Chief Secretary is the title of a senior civil servant in members of the Commonwealth of Nations, and, historically, in the British Empire. Prior to the dissolution of the colonies, the Chief Secretary was the second most important official in a colony of the British Empire after the...
, the Attorney General
Attorney General of Sri Lanka
The Attorney General of Sri Lanka is the Sri Lankan government's chief legal advisor, and its primary lawyer in the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka. The Attorney General is usually a highly-respected Senior Advocate, and is appointed by the ruling government. The current Attorney General is Mohan...
, the Auditor-General
Auditor General of Sri Lanka
The Auditor General of Sri Lanka is the head of Auditor-General's Department of Sri Lanka.The role of the Auditor General of Sri Lanka is to aid accountability by conducting independent audits of government operations. The Auditor General is appointed by the President...
, the Treasurer and the General Officer Commanding
General Officer Commanding, Ceylon
General Officer Commanding, Ceylon was the designation of the General Officer appointed to command all British Army units stationed in the island of Ceylon during the British colonial administration of the island.-History:...
), four other government officials (including the Government Agents
Government Agent (Sri Lanka)
A Government Agent or a District Secretary is a Sri Lankan civil servant of the Sri Lanka Administrative Service appointed by the central government to govern a certain district of the country. The GA is the administrative head of public services in the District. As Sri Lanka has 25 districts,...
of the Western and Central provinces) and six appointed unofficial members (three Europeans, one Sinhalese
Sinhalese people
The Sinhalese are an Indo-Aryan ethnic group,forming the majority of Sri Lanka,constituting 74% of the Sri Lankan population.They number approximately 15 million worldwide.The Sinhalese identity is based on language, heritage and religion. The Sinhalese speak Sinhala, an Indo-Aryan language and the...
, one Tamil
Tamil people
Tamil people , also called Tamils or Tamilians, are an ethnic group native to Tamil Nadu, India and the north-eastern region of Sri Lanka. Historic and post 15th century emigrant communities are also found across the world, notably Malaysia, Singapore, Mauritius, South Africa, Australia, Canada,...
and one Burgher
Burgher people
The Burghers are a Eurasian ethnic group, historically from Sri Lanka, consisting for the most part of male-line descendants of European colonists from the 16th to 20th centuries and local women, with some minorities of Swedish, Norwegian, French and Irish.Today the mother tongue of the Burghers...
). The unofficial members had no right to initiate legislation; they could only contribute to discussion. This was the first step towards giving the people of the country a voice in its administration.
In 1889 the number of appointed unofficial members was increased to eight (three Europeans, one Low Country Sinhalese, one Kandyan Sinhalese, one Tamil, one Muslim
Sri Lankan Moors
The Sri Lankan Moors are the third largest ethnic group in Sri Lanka comprising 8% of the country's total population . They are predominantly followers of Islam. The Moors trace their ancestry to Arab traders who settled in Sri Lanka some time between the 8th and 15th centuries...
and one Burgher).
McCallum Reforms
The Legislative Council was reformed in 1910 by the McCallum Reforms. Membership was increased from 18 to 21, of which 11 were official and 10 were unofficial. Of the non-official members, six were appointed by the governor (two Low Country Sinhalese, two Tamils, one Kandyan Sinhalese and one Muslim) and remaining four were elected (two Europeans, one Burgher and one educated Ceylonese).The most notable aspect of the McCallum Reforms was the introduction of elected members. However, fewer than 3,000 people (4%) could vote, as the right to vote was based on education and assets held. One of the four elected non-official members was Ponnambalam Ramanathan
Ponnambalam Ramanathan
Sir Ponnambalam Ramanathan, KCMG, KC was a Solicitor-General and Tamil political leader in Sri Lanka.-Early life:...
. The financial committee was also established to control the revenue. It included the Colonial Secretary, Colonial Treasurer, Revenue Controller and all the non-official elected members. These changes did not satisfy the Ceylonese, and the movement for constitutional reforms grew.
First Manning Reforms
Further reforms were enacted in 1920 by the First Manning Reforms. Membership was increased from 21 to 37, of which 14 were official and 23 were unofficial. Of the non-official members, four were appointed by the governor (two Kandyan Sinhalese, one Muslim and one Indian Tamil) and the remaining 19 were elected (11 on a territorial basis, five Europeans, two Burghers and one Chamber of Commerce).A notable change was the introduction of territorial constituencies. Of the 11 territorial constituencies, three were from the Western Province
Western Province, Sri Lanka
The Western Province is the most densely populated province of Sri Lanka. It is home to the legislative capital Sri Jayawardenapura as well to Colombo, the nation's administrative and business center.-Districts:Basnahira is divided into 3 districts:...
and one each from the other eight provinces. Three non-official members were elected to the Executive Council. Yet again the Ceylonese were not satisfied and requested more change.
Second Manning Reforms
The Second Manning Reforms of 1923 increased membership from 37 to 49, of which 12 were official and 37 were unofficial. Of the non-official members, eight were appointed by the governor (three Muslim, two Indian Tamils and three others) and the remaining 29 were elected (23 on a territorial basis, three Europeans, two Burghers, one Ceylon Tamil for the Western Province). The 23 territorial constituencies were distributed as follows:- Central Province 2
- Eastern ProvinceEastern Province, Sri LankaThe Eastern Province is one of the 9 provinces of Sri Lanka. The provinces have existed since the 19th century but they didn't have any legal status until 1987 when the 13th Amendment to the 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka established provincial councils. Between 1988 and 2006 the province was...
2 - Northern ProvinceNorthern Province, Sri LankaThe Northern Province is one of the 9 provinces of Sri Lanka. The provinces have existed since the 19th century but did not have any legal status until 1987 when the 13th Amendment to the 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka established provincial councils. Between 1988 and 2006 the province was...
5 - North Central ProvinceNorth Central Province, Sri LankaNorth Central Province is a province of Sri Lanka. Its capital is Anuradhapura. The province is not densely populated with a weak economy, as the land tends to be dry tropical woodlands.-History:...
1 - North Western ProvinceNorth Western Province, Sri LankaNorth Western Province is a province of Sri Lanka. The districts of Kurunegala and Puttalam formulate Wayamba. Its capital is Kurunegala, which has a population of 28,571. The province is known mainly for its numerous coconut plantations. Other main towns in this province are Chilaw and Puttalam...
2 - Sabaragamuwa ProvinceSabaragamuwa ProvinceSabaragamuwa, is a province of Sri Lanka, and contains two main cities: Ratnapura and Kegalle. Sabaragamuwa University is in Belihuloya. It is named after its former indigenous inhabitants, namely the Sabara, an indic term for hunter gatherer tribes, a term seldom used in ancient Sri...
2 - Southern ProvinceSouthern Province, Sri LankaThe Southern Province of Sri Lanka is a small geographic area consisting of the districts of Galle, Matara and Hambantota. The region is economically backward compared to the Western province, where the capital Sri Jayawardenapura-Kotte is situated...
3 - Uva ProvinceUva ProvinceUva is Sri Lanka's second least populated province, with 1,187,335 people, created in 1896. It consists of two districts: Badulla බදුල්ල பதுளை and Moneragala මොනරාගල மொனராகல. The provincial capital is Badulla. Uva is bordered by Eastern, Southern and Central provinces...
1 - Western ProvinceWestern Province, Sri LankaThe Western Province is the most densely populated province of Sri Lanka. It is home to the legislative capital Sri Jayawardenapura as well to Colombo, the nation's administrative and business center.-Districts:Basnahira is divided into 3 districts:...
5
The head of the Legislative Council had been the Governor, but the new reforms created the post of President of the Legislative Council, which was held by a Governor on a nominal basis, and a selected member was appointed to the post of Vice President of the Legislative Council, who was James Peiris
James Peiris
Sir James Peiris, JP was a prominent figure in the Sri Lankan independence movement and a Vice President of the Legislative Council.-Early life and education:...
. However, the Governor still retained most of the authority in the country. Four non-official members were selected to be part of the Executive Council.
Replacement
Due to the shortcomings of the Second Manning Reforms the Donoughmore CommissionDonoughmore Commission
The Donoughmore Commission was responsible for the creation of the Donoughmore Constitution in effect between 1931–47 in Ceylon...
was sent to Ceylon. The Commission gained its name from the royal commission under the Earl of Donoughmore
Earl of Donoughmore
Earl of Donoughmore is a title in the Peerage of Ireland. It was created in 1800 for Richard Hely-Hutchinson, 1st Viscount Donoughmore, with remainder to the heirs male of his mother. He was a General in the British Army and sat in the House of Lords as one of the 28 original Irish Representative...
that came to Ceylon in 1927. Its recommendations led to Ceylon gaining limited self-government and the replacement of the Legislative Council with the State Council of Ceylon
State Council of Ceylon
The State Council of Ceylon was the unicameral legislature for Ceylon , established in 1931 by the Donoughmore Constitution. The State Council gave universal adult franchise to the people of the colony for the first time...
in 1931.
Official members
- Sir Ponnambalam ArunachalamPonnambalam ArunachalamSir Ponnambalam Arunachchalam, CCS was a Tamil political leader in Ceylon and a member of the Executive Council and the Legislative Council.-Early life:...
(1906-) - Captain Gosset, Surveyor General
- G. Lee, Acting Auditor General
- C. P. Layard, Government Agent, Western Province
- Major General H. F. Lockyer
- C. J. MacCarthy, Colonial Secretary
- E. R. Power, Government Agent, Central Province
- H. C. Selby
- F. Saunders, Acting Treasurer
- G. Vane, Acting Collector of Customs
Burgher
- J. G. Hillebrandt, appointed (1833-)
- R. F. Morgan
- Henry Lionel Wendt, appointed (1895–1900)
Kandyan Sinhalese
- Tikiri Bandara Panabokke Snr (1889-)
- Adigar Sir Tikiri Bandara PanabokkeTikiri Bandara PanabokkeSir Tikiri Bandara Panabokke Adigar was a Ceylonese, prominent colonial era legislator, lawyer and diplomat. He was the first Minister of Health in the State Council and second representative of the Government of Ceylon to India.-Early life and education:Born Walala, Patha Dumbara on 28 March...
(1921-) - Adigar Meedeniya (1921-)
Muslim
- N. H. M. Abdul Cader, elected (1924-)
- Tuan Burhanudeen JayahTuan Burhanudeen JayahDr.Tuan Burhanuddin Jayah was born in Galagedara on 01st of January 1890. was a Sri Lankan educationalist, politician, and diplomat. He studied at St. Paul's College, Kandy and St Thomas' College Mt. Lavinia and received his degree from the University of London in 1913 and joined Dharmaraja...
, elected (1924-) - H. Mohamed Macan Markar, elected (1924-)
Sinhalese
- J. G. Philipsz Panditaratne, appointed (1833-)
- J. C. Dias Bandaranaike, appointed (-1861)
- Sir Harry Dias Bandaranaike, appointed (1861-)
- James Dehigama, appointed
- James de Alwis, appointed (1864-)
- James Peter Obeyesekere, appointed
- Albert L. de Alwis, appointed
- A. de A. Seneviratne, appointed
Tamil
- Gate Mudaliyar Arumugampillai CoomaraswamyArumugampillai CoomaraswamyGate Mudaliyar Arumugampillai Coomaraswamy was a Sri Lankan Tamil politician during the British Raj, and served on the Legislative Council from 1833 to 1846. He was an Indian from Tamil Nadu who migrated to Jaffna in the early 19th century. He was the father of Sir Muthu Coomaraswamy and...
, appointed (1833–36) - Mudaliyar Simon Cassie Chetty, appointed (1838–45)
- Mudaliyar Edirmannasingham, appointed (1846–61)
- Sir Muthu CoomaraswamyMuthu CoomaraswamySir Muthu Coomaraswamy, FRGS was a prominent colonial era legislator from Sri Lanka. He was the first native Asian and Sri Lankan to be knighted by Queen Victoria....
, appointed (1862–79) - Sir Ponnambalam RamanathanPonnambalam RamanathanSir Ponnambalam Ramanathan, KCMG, KC was a Solicitor-General and Tamil political leader in Sri Lanka.-Early life:...
, appointed (1879–1892) - Ponnambalam Coomaraswamy, appointed (1892-)
Territorial
- W. E. Boteju, Sabaragamuwa Province (1921-)
- Arumugam CanagaratnamArumugam CanagaratnamArumugam Canagaratnam is the founder of the college Canagaratnam Maha Vidyalayam in Jaffna, Sri Lanka.-Biography:...
, Northern Province South (1924-) - Charles Edgar CoreaCharles Edgar Corea-Early life:C.E.Corea was born in the west coast town of Chilaw, in Sri Lanka. His parents were Charles Edward Bandaranaike Corea, a leading lawyer from Chilaw and Henritta Seneviratne. He was educated at the premier institution, Royal College Colombo where he excelled in his studies. He earned a...
, North Western Province (1921-) - Victor CoreaVictor CoreaCharles Edward Victor Seneviratne Corea was born in Chilaw, Sri Lanka on 29 January 1871 to Charles Edward Bandaranaike Corea, a famous lawyer, and Henrietta Seneviratne. He was the youngest out of five children, three boys and two girls, Charles Edgar Corea, James Alfred Ernest Corea, Agnes Corea...
, Western Province Colombo (1924-) - Waithilingham Duraiswamy, Northern Province (1921-); Northern Province West (1924-)
- C. W. W. Kannangara, Southern Province West (1924-)
- D. H. Kotelawala, Uva Province (1921-)
- John KotelawalaJohn KotelawalaGeneral Sir John Lionel Kotelawala, KBE, CH, KStJ, CLI was a Sri Lankan soldier and politician, most notable for serving as the 3rd Prime Minister of Ceylon from 1953 to 1956....
- E. R. Krishnaratne, North Central Province (1921-)
- Arunachalam MahadevaArunachalam MahadevaSir Arunachalam Mahadeva, KCMG was a Sri Lankan, prominent colonial era legislator and diplomat. He was Minister of Home Affaires of the State Council and Ceylon's High Commissioner to India....
, Western Province Ceylon Tamil (1924-) - Forester Augustus ObeysekeraForester Augustus ObeysekeraSir Forester Augustus Obeysekera was a prominent colonial era legislator from Ceylon. He was the Speaker of the State Council of Ceylon and a member of the Legislative Council of Ceylon....
, Southern Province Central (1924-) - Adigar Sir Tikiri Bandara PanabokkeTikiri Bandara PanabokkeSir Tikiri Bandara Panabokke Adigar was a Ceylonese, prominent colonial era legislator, lawyer and diplomat. He was the first Minister of Health in the State Council and second representative of the Government of Ceylon to India.-Early life and education:Born Walala, Patha Dumbara on 28 March...
- Sir James PeirisJames PeirisSir James Peiris, JP was a prominent figure in the Sri Lankan independence movement and a Vice President of the Legislative Council.-Early life and education:...
, Western Province Colombo (1921-) - E. W. PereraE. W. PereraEdward Walter Perera was a Ceylonese barrister, politician and freedom fighter. He was known as the 'Lion of Kotte' and was a prominent figure in the Sri Lankan independence movement and a Senator....
, Western Province Division B (1921-), Western Province Kalutara (1924-) - W. M. Rajapaksa, Western Province Division A (1921-)
- S. Rajaratnam, Northern Province Central (1924-)
- Sir Ponnambalam RamanathanPonnambalam RamanathanSir Ponnambalam Ramanathan, KCMG, KC was a Solicitor-General and Tamil political leader in Sri Lanka.-Early life:...
, Northern Province North (1924–30) - T. M. Sabaratnam, Northern Province East (1924-)
- Fredrick Richard SenanayakeFredrick Richard SenanayakeFredrick Richard Senanayake popularly referred to as F.R. Senanayake) was a Sri Lankan politician and independence activist.-Education:...
- Don Stephen SenanayakeDon Stephen SenanayakeDon Stephen Senanayake was an independence activist who served as the first Prime Minister of Ceylon from 1947 to 1952.-Early life:...
, Western Province Negombo (1924-) - M. M. Subramaniam, Eastern Province Trincomalee (1924-)
- E. R. Tambimuthu, Eastern Province (1921-); Eastern Province Batticaloa (1924-)
- O. C. Tillekeratne, Southern Province (1921-)
- A. C. G. Wijekoon, Central Province (1921-)
- V. S. de S. Wikramanayake, Southern Province East (1924-)