Funday Times

Gaveshaka recalls the end of British rule
The festive mood on Independence Day
At one minute past midnight on 4 February 1948, a burst of crackers, ringing of temple and church bells, sound of sirens from the ships anchored in the Colombo harbour heralded the dawn of Independence to Ceylon, as we were then known. Ceylon then ceased to be a British colony. From 1505 onwards, the country had been under foreign domination - first under the Portuguese, then under the Dutch and finally under the British. Until 1815, only the maritime provinces were under these European powers. The Sinhalese kingdom continued in the hill country until that year. Years of agitation resulted in the country being given Dominion Status in February 1948.

The chief official in charge of the administration of colonies in the British Empire, Arthur Creech Jones, the Secretary of State for the Colonies issuing a message on 3 February said: “We of the Colonial Office are very proud of our long association with Ceylon. Any regret we may feel is far overshadowed by our joy that Ceylon will take her place as a sister nation.” Ceylon became a member of the British Commonwealth of Nations, a free association of Britain and its former colonies who had gained independence.

Though we became an independent nation, we continued to have a representative of the British monarch. The Governor in the earlier form of administration was replaced by the Governor-General. Sir Henry Monk Mason Moore, the last Colonial Governor, 29th in line since Frederick North assumed duties in 1798, in fact, became the first Governor-General on 4 February 1948. It was said that it was the wish of the first Prime Minister of independent Ceylon, Rt. Hon. D. S. Senanayake that Sir Henry should be the first holder of the office of Governor-General as a mark of recognition for his services in guiding the country to obtain Dominion Status.

Maha Pirit was chanted at Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara to bless the nation. The service held at Wolfendhal Church was attended by the Governor-General, who took his oaths at 7.30 a.m. on 4 February. Roman Catholics attended a service at St.Lucia’s Cathedral, Kotahena. Special pujas were held at Hindu kovils and Muslim mosques. There was a festive mood in the city of Colombo with buildings gaily decorated with flags and colourful buntings. People flocked to the city from all over to see the celebrations. The waterfront was a hive of activity with ships, tugs, boats and barges all lit up throwing out a huge flash of colour. As the lights were switched on, the word ‘Nidahasa’ appeared high up on the jib of a pontoon. People went about looking at the illuminations. Some saw the lights from the air when Air Ceylon planes took crowds on a 45 minute trip over the city.

The celebrations continued for a week with the climax being the opening of the new Parliament on 10 February by the Duke of Gloucester who represented his brother, King George VI. A message from the King said: “I know that my people in Ceylon are ready to make a full and rich contribution to the association of free peoples, and I am confident that you will carry your responsibilities ably to this end. My good wishes go out to you on this great day, and I pray that Ceylon may enjoy peace and prosperity in full measure. May God bless you all and guide your country through the years that lie ahead.”

The ceremonial opening of Parliament took place in the gaily decorated Independence Hall, Torrington Square amidst a distinguished gathering. On the specially constructed dais sat the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, Governor-General and Lady Monk Mason Moore and the Prime Minister and Mrs. Senanayake.

The Royal party stood to attention as the Leader of the House of Representatives, Mr. S W R D Bandaranaike carried the crown and the Leader of the Senate (the upper house), Sir Oliver Goonetilleke the sword of the last King of Kandy, Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe. Following tradition, the Prime Minister handed over the Speech from the Throne to the Duke of Gloucester, which he read out. Having traced the history of Ceylon since the surrender by the Dutch to the British, he said. “Ceylon has now achieved independence as a fully responsible member of the British Commonwealth of Nations and with the attainment of the status of a Dominion, you meet today in the enjoyment of all the rights and privileges pertaining to that status.”

The ceremonial hoisting of the Lion Flag by the Prime Minister in place of the Union Jack, the British flag, also took place at Independence Square. Two days later, the lion flag was hoisted in Kandy at the exact spot where the British had hoisted their flag after annexing the Kandyan kingdom.

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