The Constitutional Reforms that were introduced by the British before the independence of Sri Lanka (1833 - 1947).

1. Constitutional Reforms in Sri
Lanka (Part 1)
F.Z.F. Amna

2. 1. Colebrooke – Cameron Reforms (1883)
 Why did they introduce?
 By the year 1828 the government expenditure exceeded the revenue
 Due to paying salaries
 Mother government had to spend out of its own funds
 In order to find solution they appointed a commission led by W.M.G.
Colebrooke and Charles Hay Cameron.
 The Judiciary sector was studied by Charles Hay Cameron
 Sources of government revenue/expenditure and administration sector was
studies by W.M.G. Colebrooke.

3. Colebrooke – Cameron (Cont.)
Significant features
Establishing a legislative council and an executive council
Introducing a governing system where upcountry and low
country were joined
Dividing the country for 05 provinces
Abolishing of compulsory personal service
Expanding the English education
Legislative council and executive council was established to
reduce the power of the governor.

4. Colebrooke – Cameron (Cont)
Legislative Council
1883
Official
09
Unofficial
06
Europeans
03
Sinhalese
01
Tamils
01
Burghers
01
15

5. Protests against Colebrook – Cameron
 European planters in Sri Lanka
 Established the ‘Planter’s Association of Ceylon in 1865
 William Digby and George Wall lead the protests
 Sri Lankans who became rich through plantation activities
 They formed many organizations.
 Low Country Products Association of Ceylon, Chillaw Association and
Jaffna Association were prominent.
 Ponnambalam Ramanadhan, Ponnambalam Arunachalam, Sir James
Pieris and H.G.C Perera were prominent leaders.

6. Protests (cont)
 Sir James Pieris submitted the a formal memorandum to the
colonial secretary in 1909
 Reforms proposed by the Lankans:
 Increasing the number of unofficial members.
 Electing the representatives to the legislative
 Abolishing the communal representation system.

7. Questions
 What was the need to introduce reforms in Sri Lanka?
 What are the significant features of the ‘Colebrooke – Cameron Reform’?
 Draw the Legislative council hierarchy.
 What were the protests rose against the Colebrooke – Cameron Reform?
 What are the suggestions given by the Sri Lankans for the upcoming reforms?

8. Crewe – McCallum Reforms (1910)
 Recommendations were done by Governor Henry McCallum
 Lord Crewe, the colonial secretary introduced introduced new constitutional
reforms.
 The number of members had been increased to 21
 Significant 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 t the council.

9. Crewe McCallum Reforms 1910
Official
11
Unofficial
10
Elected
01
Europeans 02 Burghers 01
Educated Lankans 01
Nominated
(Communal Basis) – 06

10. Questions:
 Who took part in introducing the Crew McCallum Reform in Sri Lanka?
 What were the significant features of this reform?
 Draw the hierarchy of Crew McCallum Reforms.

11. Ceylon National Association
 All political groups gathered together and formed a common organization.
 Formed in 1919
 Ponnambalam Arunachalam – Founding President.
Ceylon
National
Congress
Chillaw
Association
Ceylon
Reform
League
Ceylon
National
Association
Jaffna
Association

12. Ceylon National Association (Cont.)
 Many ethnic communities joined the association for a common purpose
and formed Ceylon National Congress
 The main objective was to launch a powerful protest campaign with the
idea of gaining political power into the hands of Sri Lankans.
 The expectations of 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.

13. Ceylon National Association (Cont.)
 Measures adopted by the Association:
 Petitioning the British government
 Petitioning to 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.

14. Questions:
 When was the Ceylon National Association established?
 What was their main objective?
 what did the Sri Lankans expect through establishing the association?
 What are the measures taken by the association to achieve their objective?

15.  Read the content.
 Answer the questions.
 Repeat.