Journey to Independence

Sri Lanka is one of t he few Nations with a recorded history universally and a golden National heritage for over 2500 years.

A nation propagated on a sound based foundation of rich cultural and religious virtues by great kings and monarchs of the Calibre of King Devanampiyatissa, King Dutugamunu and Parakramabahu the Great.

Nevertheless, the country is now on the verge of celebrating its 64th National Independence Day. Thus, it becomes worthwhile to examine the significance of the independence anniversary of regaining the lost national sovereignty.

One memorable event that pictorially symbolized this occasion was the hoisting of the historical Lion Flag in place of the Imperial flag, the Union Jack, by the first Prim Minister of Ceylon Rt Hon. D.S. Senanayake on February 4, 1948. This was perhaps to coincide the incident which cost the life of most Ven. Wariyapola Sri Sumangala Maha Thera, who pulled down the Imperial flag at the historic Maha Maluwa, opposite the Sri Dalada Maligawa, minutes before the signing of the Kandyan convention in 1815. As a result of three foreign invasions beginning with the arrival of Portuguese in 1505, followed by Dutch in 1658 and British in 1796 our national sovereignty immensely capsized. The everlasting patriotic struggle to regain the lost freedom for over three centuries accelerated in Sri Lanka too, being timely influenced by the strong willed independent struggles and agitation campaigns launched in India and in neighbouring British colonies. Firstly, the Colonial rulers surrendered to India, and freed them after of bloodshed.

Since the capture and dethroning of our last King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe, on Feb.18, 1815, thousands of civilian lives and vast ag ricultural schemes were destroyed. There were rebellions and insurrection after insurrection only to shed more blood and sacrifice the lives many a hero.

On November 26, 1817 the first patriotic uprising took place in Uva Wellassa, under the supreme command of Veera Keppetipola Disawe. In 1818, the imperialists deported our king. In the same year they mercilessly gave Capital punishment to Keppetipola Disawa and beheaded him opposite the sacred Temple of Tooth on Nov. 01. After an interval of 30 years, another patriotic movement in Matale attempted to overthrow the colonial invaders. It was suppressed by killing the three main heroes Veera Gongalegoda Banda, Puran Appu and Kudapola Hamuduruvo.

Learning lessons from these past acts Sri Lankans resorted to adopt islandwide religious cultural and academic strategies to restore the lost sovereignty. By falling in line with the rulers in their constitutional schemes until the emergence of a new era.

While the British rulers took charge of the entire administration, the struggle for independence too dramatically progressed through many spheres. Among those who supported National movement included both local as well as foreign Samaritans.

The names of those patriots who were architects of the final stage of the freedom fight would remain evergreen in the hearts of the Srilankans.

Among them in the forefront were Most Ven. Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala, Ratmalane Dharmarama and Mohottiwathe Goonananda Theras. Also Col. Henry Steel Olcott, Anagarike Dhar mapala, Brahmachari Walisinghe Harischandra, Sir Arunachalam Ponnambalam, Sir P. Ramanathan, F.r.senanayake, D.S. Senanayake, Sir James Peris, Sir D.B. Jayathilake, E.W. Jayewardene, D.R. Wijewardene, E.J. Samarawickrama and E.W. Perera. Meanwhile the national identity underwent irreparable suffering. Thousand of Ceylonese changed their faiths and also acquired foreign names and titles to please their Colonial masters.

Since 1833, the farmer community lost their hereditary properties and farms under the so-called “Waste Land Act”. Obnoxious Laws came into force, heavy taxes were imposed on paddy etc, while multiplication of taverns took place Islandwide. Sir Alexander Johnston the Chief Justice repeatedly reminded the need for constitutional reforms for Ceylon. In 1899, Colebrook commission recommendations were implemented.

In 1864 under George Wall, Ceylon League was formed by 1865 Colombo, Kandy and Galle Municipal councils were formed. Sri William Digby also took great pains to implement reforms.

During 1873 and 1876 most Ven. Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala and Ratmalane Sri Dharmarama Maha Theras established the two historic educational institutes the Vidyodaya and Vidyalankara Pirivenas.

Simultaneously following the arrival of Col Henry Steel Olcott, the Nation was gifted with the Buddhist Theosophical Society schools including Ananda, Dharmaraja and Mahinda colleges and also Hindu revival under Sri Arumuganavalar, was the begin- ning of an era of cultural, religious and educational renaissance for Sri Lanka.

The Great Panadura debate followed by four more debates conducted under the patronage of m o s t Ve n M o h o t t i w a t t e Gunananda Thera reawakened dormant local population while the Anagarika Dharmapala’s Buddhist missionary programs spellbound the locals as well as the western world.

As a result of constant agitations legislative amendments began to unfold by 1889, the legislative councils were broadened with 17 members 1912 Sir Ponnambalam Ramanathan became the first elected educated member. In 1915 communal riots took place, I mperialists imprisoned National Heroes and shot dead Henry Pedris. In 1917 Ceylon reform league was formed with Sir Ponnambalam Arunachalam as the president and later reemerged as Ceylon National Congress. Resulting the series of deputations to UK and discussions held with Colonial Secretary and B r i t i s h Administration. Under Manning Constitution a Legislative Council with 37 members was set up.

Sir James Peris became the Deputy Chairman of t he 1924 Legislative Council while D.S. Senanayake was elected as the member for Negombo. In 1931 the Donoughmore constitution with 50 elected members was introduced with the granting of the Universal Franchise.

In 1944 to grant Dominion Status Colonial Secretary invited D.S. Senanayake for discussions. In 1945 Soulbery Commission report was published and a white paper was released announcing constitution reforms.

In August 1947 first parliamentary election was held and UNP which won the majority of the seats and D.S. Senanayake was elected as the First Prime Minister of Ceylon. On October 14 when the new Parliament assembled Ceylon Independence Act, was presented and gained the Royal ascent.

On 4th February 1948 Ceylon was declared as Sovereign Nation by the Duke of Gloucester. Following the 1972 constitution Ceylon became the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

Since 1798 beginning from Sir Fredrick North Ceylon was ruled by 30 British Governors Sir Oliver Goonetilake was the first and the last Srilankan to hold this high office, he was succeeded by President William Gopallawa.

Following the death of the “Father of the Nation” and first Prime Minister D.S. Senanayake, Dudley Senanayake became the Prime Minister. Sir John Kothalawala, S . W. R . D . Bandaranaike, Dr. W. Dahanaike, Sirimavo Bandaranaike and J.R. Jayewardene held t he Prime Ministers’ Office thereafter. In 1978 J.R. Jayewardene became the f i r s t E xe c u t ive P re s i d e n t . Thereafter Ranasinghe Premadasa, D.b.wijetung a, Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga held this office. Beginning 2004 President Mahinda Rajapaksha was elected twice. What is mentioned here is merely an out line sketch of our Independence journey, but our eternal gratitude should be extended to those who toiled day and night undergoing untold hardships for the cause of our motherland. They were sentenced to rigorous jail terms and made to shed their warm blood to free the fellow countrymen thus we became a Sovereign Nation.

Our solidarity and contribution today to make the ideologies of our forefather a reality will be assessed by the future generations as they look back to their past as we do now.

“Namo Namo Matha Apa Sri Lanka!”