Sri Lanka will celebrate her 69th anniversary of Independence this Saturday. Every year this foremost national event is celebrated with much pomp and grandeur, to commemorate our freedom. It means, our Paradise isle at one time had been under foreign domination. Sri Lanka’s links with them date back to very early times. Ours is a country that has confronted four invasions, starting with neighbouring South India, mainly due to its close proximity.
The Portuguese were the first Europeans said to have come for ‘spices and Christians’, followed by the Dutch. Trade was the forte for the Dutch. It is the very reason for the Dutch to explore Ceylon. It is from Sri Lanka that they got the ‘finest cinnamon in the world’ as stated by the early writers. Then came the British, who, with their spirit of adventure sailed the high seas and carried home the wealth of the east.
The British with their naval supremacy were well above the rest and Sri Lanka, then Ceylon, was of great strategic importance to them. Trincomalee, described by Nelson as ‘the finest harbour in the world’ was captured by the British from the Dutch, in 1798. The following year, Colombo, the other great harbour also fell into British hands. Between 1798 and 1802 the control of then Ceylon was divided between the crown and the East India Company. In 1802, company control was abolished and Ceylon became a crown colony. It was the culmination of alien domination, first the Maritime Provinces, and then the whole island, with the conquest of the Kandyan Kingdom, the stronghold of the royalty, in March 1815. The Nayakkar dynasty from Malabar came to an end along with the centuries old, rich cultural heritage. In short, the island fell victim to Imperialism.
Colonial glory
The grandest colonial era is visible in its public buildings and Institutions which stand intact in the capital city of Colombo, even today. Numerous buildings, renowned for their colonial glory are found in the city. Many of them depict a bygone era. Then, the breathtakingly picturesque tea estates nestling in the country’s highlands where the imperial masters created a home away from home, also belong to this era. Though confined to the development of their interest, the country benefited in various ways. Economically, with the plantation of the commercial crops, tea rubber and coconut, a network of roads and railways came up. In the social sphere, the creation of a politically conscious middle class, and above all, a system of education with pride of place given to English, emerged. It was a blessing in disguise in the long run.
General awakening
Going back to the beginnings of the colonial era was the arrival of Colebrook and Cameron, to inquire and report on the existing administration and the judicial procedure. The Colebrook Reforms created a general awakening among the people who had lost their freedom. The Reforms of 1912 in response to their demands did not satisfy the political aspirations of the majority. The agitation continued giving birth to the Ceylon Reforms League in 1917, and the Ceylon National Congress in 1919. The outcome of the agitation – the new constitution, was not up to their satisfaction.
Hence, a new commission under Lord Donoughmore was sent to report on the working of the constitution and put forward proposals. It was an important milestone in the long walk to freedom. The proposals included, the introduction of adult franchise, the abolition of communal representation and the creation of local ministries, leading to internal self government. Consequent to the discussions between the National leaders and the British Raj, they declared that the position would be examined with the arrival of the Soulbury Commission. Shortly after, Ceylon received her Independence by the Independence Act of 1947, passed in the Imperial Parliament.
New Constitution
It was founded on the British model which provided for a Parliament comprising two chambers, the House of Representatives and the Senate. It gave Ceylon complete internal self-government with powers vested in the Governor to prevent discrimination against the minority communities.
Elections were held and the United National Party, under the leadership of D.S. Senanayaka, gained a substantial majority and D.S. Senanayaka became the island’s first Prime Minister, who played a vital role in the path to Independence, together with the patriotic leaders of all communities, irrespective of race, caste or creed.
After much struggle and a bloodless revolution, Ceylon became Independent on the 4th day of February in 1948. It is certainly a proud moment in our historic long walk to freedom, when all groups worked in unity for a common cause. Fellow Sri Lankans should follow in their footsteps as one united nation, for a better, prosperous and peaceful united Mother Lanka, and a prosperous future.