S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike: The Prime Ministership of 1956–1959
In April 1956, S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike became the fourth prime minister of Ceylon following a landslide victory for the Mahajana Eksath Peramuna (MEP). Having secured a two-thirds majority in parliament, Bandaranaike formed a diverse cabinet comprising senior members of the MEP coalition and several independent representatives, marking a pivotal shift in the nation's political trajectory.
Key Facts
- Official Language: Passed the Official Language Act of 1956, establishing Sinhala as the sole official language.
- Foreign Policy: Shifted from pro-Western alignment to a policy of non-alignment, establishing ties with China and the Soviet Union.
- Sovereignty: Abrogated the 1947 UK-Ceylon Defence Agreement, leading to the withdrawal of British military bases.
- Economic Shift: Transitioned toward socialist-oriented reforms, including the nationalization of bus companies and the Colombo Port.
- Social Reform: Suspended capital punishment in 1958 and introduced legislation to prohibit caste-based discrimination.
Language Policy and Communal Tension
One of Bandaranaike's central campaign promises was the replacement of English—the language of colonial administration and privilege—with a native tongue. This was realized through the Official Language Act (No. 33 of 1956), commonly known as the Sinhala Only Act. While supporters viewed this as a necessary step to assert national identity and empower the Sinhalese majority, it created deep distrust among the minority Sri Lankan Tamils.
The resulting disenfranchisement led to protests and riots in 1956 and 1958. In an attempt to mitigate these tensions, Bandaranaike signed the Bandaranaike–Chelvanayakam Pact in 1957 to grant regional autonomy to Tamils. However, pressure from ultra-nationalists within his own party forced him to withdraw the pact in 1958. Although the Tamil Language (Special Provisions) Act was passed in September 1958, it failed to grant Tamil official status equal to Sinhala.
Bandaranaike is also criticized for his ineffective response to the 1958 riots, which resulted in numerous Tamil deaths. At the Prime Minister's request, the Governor General declared a state of emergency on May 27 after six days of violence.
Foreign Policy and Global Alignment
Under Bandaranaike, Ceylon moved away from the pro-Western stance of the United National Party toward non-alignment. He sought to position the country as a neutral actor during the Cold War, strengthening ties with newly independent Asian and African nations.
Key diplomatic milestones included:
- Establishing diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China in 1957 following a visit by Premier Zhou Enlai.
- Opening diplomatic channels with the Soviet Union and the Eastern Bloc to secure technical and economic aid.
- Developing close ties with Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
- Supporting Egypt during the Suez Crisis and securing a seat on the Suez Advisory Board.
A major step toward full national sovereignty was the abrogation of the 1947 United Kingdom–Ceylon Defence Agreement. This resulted in the closure of British military bases at RAF Negombo, RAF China Bay, and the naval base at Trincomalee, though it also led to local job losses and a greater security reliance on India.
Economic Reforms and Nationalization
Bandaranaike replaced the previous Anglo-Saxon economic model with socialist-oriented reforms. In October 1956, the National Planning Council was established to create a ten-year integrated development program (1959–1968) aimed at optimizing resources to raise living standards.
The administration focused on state-led development through the nationalization of key utilities. This included the creation of the Ceylon Transport Board in 1958 via the nationalization of bus companies, as well as the nationalization of the Colombo Port and the establishment of the Ceylon Shipping Corporation.
Social welfare was also prioritized through the Paddy Lands Bill to protect tenant farmers and the creation of the Employees' Provident Fund for retirement security. Additionally, May Day was declared a public holiday to honor labor rights.
| Sector | Previous Status (Pre-1956) | Bandaranaike's Reform |
|---|---|---|
| Official Language | English | Sinhala (Sinhala Only Act) |
| Foreign Alignment | Pro-Western | Non-aligned / Socialist Bloc |
| Military Presence | UK Defence Agreement | Withdrawal of British Bases |
| Economic Model | Anglo-Saxon / Private | Socialist / Nationalized |
| Public Service | Ceylon Civil Service (Merit) | Ceylon Administrative Service (Appointment) |
National Policies and Administrative Changes
Bandaranaike sought to dismantle colonial structures by replacing the merit-based Ceylon Civil Service with the Ceylon Administrative Service. This new system was based on appointments, which critics noted opened the door to political influence. The shift in official language also prompted many experienced civil servants to take early retirement.
Further reforms included the suspension of all British and native honors and the enactment of the Suspension of the Capital Punishment Act No 20 of 1958, which halted the death penalty starting in May 1958.
Political Instability and Cabinet Crisis
The latter part of his tenure was marked by internal friction. In early 1959, a cabinet crisis led to the resignations of William de Silva and Philip Gunawardena, though the MEP coalition remained intact. Economic struggles, including budgetary deficits and food shortages, led to criticisms that state intervention was stifling private investment.
Labor unrest peaked in 1959 with strikes at the Colombo Harbour. When Inspector General of Police (IGP) Osmund de Silva refused to intervene against the unions on legal grounds, Bandaranaike compulsorily retired him in April 1959, replacing him with M. Walter F. Abeykoon.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the purpose of the Sinhala Only Act?
The Act made Sinhala the sole official language of Ceylon, replacing English. It was intended to assert national identity and empower the Sinhalese majority by removing the colonial language of administration.
How did the Bandaranaike–Chelvanayakam Pact attempt to solve ethnic tension?
The 1957 pact aimed to resolve the grievances of the Sri Lankan Tamil minority by granting them regional autonomy, though it was later withdrawn due to opposition from ultra-nationalists.
What was the impact of the abrogation of the UK-Ceylon Defence Agreement?
It led to the withdrawal of British military bases at Trincomalee, RAF Negombo, and RAF China Bay, increasing Ceylon's national sovereignty but resulting in local job losses.
Which major industries were nationalized under Bandaranaike?
The government nationalized the bus companies (forming the Ceylon Transport Board), the Colombo Port, and established the Ceylon Shipping Corporation.
Why was the Ceylon Administrative Service controversial?
It replaced the merit-based Ceylon Civil Service with an appointment-based system, which was seen as making public administration susceptible to political influence.