Political Changes in Sri Lanka from 1915 – 1931

Abstract

The main objective of this research is to examine the political changes which took place in Sri Lanka during the period from 1915 to 1931. In this study, a special attempt is made to examine the nature of the provincial leadership and the activities of provincial organization which had not been covered by previous studies. The period between 1915 and 1931 is a decisive period in the political and constitutional history of the country. The aftermath of the Sinhala-Muslim riots of 1915, particular the serve suppressive policy adopted by the Colonial Government resulted in a change of the attitude of the local leadership towards the policy of the British Government. The local leaders were convinced that they must unite and organize themselves and needed a strong political organization in order to with their demands. The main result of this tendency was the establishment of the Ceylon National Congress. The national movement of Sri Lanka was centered around the Ceylon National Congress since its establishment.In this study an attempt was made to examine two main research problems: (a) Was the political reform movement at the time concerned mainly with the needs and the interests of the elite class or not? (b) Were there local leaders and organizations who participated In or contributed to the political reform movement? This study makes it clear that the elite class was not the decisive factor in making political changes during the relevant period. It is true that the social elite took the leadership of the Ceylon National Congress. But there were many organizations which did not accept the thinking and the line of action of the Ceylon National Congress. Their activities were able to strengthen the anti-British struggle in Sri Lanka. However, it is not intended here to underestimate the role played by the Ceylon National Congress in the national struggle because it was based on the concept of collective Sri Lanka identity. Historical research methodology was used in this study and both primary source and secondary source were consulted.