Legislative Council of Ceylon

The Legislative Council of Ceylon was the legislative body created in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) by the British colonial administration on the recommendations of the Colebrooke-Cameron Commission along with the a Executive Council on March 13, 1833. It was the first form of representative government in the island.

The Legislative Council consisted of 16 members including the Governor, who presided, and the appointed five members of the Executive Council (the Colonial Secretary, the Officer commanding the Military Forces, the Attorney General, the Auditor-General and the Treasurer). Four other official members included the Government Agents of the Western and Central provinces. Six unofficial members were nominated by the Governor – three to represent the Europeans (British residents) and three to represent Ceylonese. The nominated or 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.

Over years the composition of the Legislative Council changed until its disbandment in 1931 with formation of the State Council of Ceylon.

Notable Members of the Legislative Council

* D. S. Senanayake
* F. R. Senanayake
* Sir John Kotalawela
* E.W.Perera
* Sir Ponnambalam Arunachalam
* Sir Ponnambalam Ramanathan
* Sir James Peiris

External links

* [http://sundaytimes.lk/070318/FunDay/heritage.html First taste of representative government]