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Hot seat from history
A gift from Sri Lanka to the British House of Commons in 1949 still sits tall
By Lanelle Hills
The telegram, tucked away in a file at the Sergeant-at-Arms office in Parliament, lay forgotten for more than 50 years, until the present incumbent of that office stumbled on it by chance, uncovering a tale no history book has documented.

The recently concluded Commonwealth Sergeant-at- arms Professional Development Conference, held at the House of Commons, Palace of Westminster in Britain was attended by Sergeants-at-Arms from about 45 Commonwealth countries. This event saw an interesting part of our colonial connection being brought to light in a speech made by Sri Lanka's Sergeant-at-Arms, Wijeya Palliyaguruge.

"Every time the House of Commons convenes, Sri Lanka is always represented," said Mr. Palliyaguruge. His statement took many by surprise. When questioned Mr. Palliyaguruge explained that the Sergeant-at-Arms chair in the British House of Commons was a gift by the House of Representatives of Ceylon in 1949. Today that chair is still being used and is occupied by Sir Michael Cummins, the present Sergeant-at-Arms of the House of Commons.

The vital evidence that led to the discovery of this chair was indeed that telegram recovered by Mr. Palliyaguruge detailing a message sent to the Sergeant-at-Arms, House of Representatives in Ceylon by the Sergeant-at-Arms, House of Commons which read:

October 26, 1950
Sergeant at Arms House of Representatives, Colombo. Having occupied for the first time today the chair presented to the House of Commons by the people of Ceylon I send to you the Sergeant at Arms House of Representatives my warmest greetings and best wishes,

Charles Howard
Sergeant at Arms, House of Commons.
Mr. Palliyaguruge explains that to his surprise he found besides the telegram, two letters that shed more light on how the chair came to be gifted by Ceylon.

On May 10, 1941, the chamber of the UK House of Commons had been destroyed by air fire. The new chamber, designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott was completed in 1950.

In 1949, Speaker, A. Francis Molamure on behalf of the House of Representatives of Ceylon, had written to the Speaker of the House of Commons saying that in token of their affection and regard they would like to contribute towards the furnishing of the reconstructed House of Commons.

The letter also stated that the Speaker was informed that the chair for the Sergeant-at-Arms had not been supplied, and whether the House of Commons would be pleased to accept such a gift from the House of Representatives of Ceylon.

'A grateful thanks for a generous gift, summed up the reply of acceptance carried in the second letter by Colonel Right Hon. Douglas Clifton Brown, Speaker of the House of Commons. Since all the furniture for the House of Commons was being made of oak, this chair also of oak wood, was made in the UK, though paid for by Ceylon.

So it was that this gift symbolic of our people's warmth graced the first meeting at the new Chamber of Commons on October 26, 1950 and continues to do so.

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