Independent Sri Lanka's first Parliament

Guests stand as the royal regalia of the last king of Kandy are brought into the Assembly Hall at the ceremonial opening of the First Parliament.

Although Sri Lanka (then known as Ceylon) gained Independence on February 4, 1948, it was on February 10, that the First Dominion Parliament of Ceylon (the Ceylon Independence Act made the country a Dominion of the British Commonwealth of Nations) was ceremonially declared open. The ceremony was held in a specially built Assembly Hall at Torrington Square (which later came to be known as Independence Square) with the Duke of Gloucester representing the king of England, George VI.

As symbols of independence, the Leader of the House of Representatives, S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike and the Leader of the Senate, Sir Oliver Goonetilleke carried the crown and sword of Sri Vickrema Rajasinghe, the last King of Kandy, and placed them on the special dais watched by Cabinet ministers, Members of Parliament and the Senate, the Judges of the Supreme Court and other distinguished guests invited for the occasion.

As was customary in the British Parliament, the Speech from the Throne outlining the Government's future plans was handed over to the Duke by, Prime Minister, Rt. Hon.

D. S. Senanayake. Having traced the history of Ceylon since the British acquired the maritime provinces from the Dutch in 1796, the Duke declared: "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."

At the end of the glittering ceremony in the Assembly Hall, Prime Minister Senanayake unfurled the lion flag outside in the Square, replacing the Union Jack, the national flag of Britain.

Beginnings of the Royal Asiatic Society

The stamp issued to mark the 150th anniversary of the Royal Asiatic Society featured the ancient map of Sri Lanka titled '1378 version of Ptolemy's Taprobana,150 A.D.'

Seldom does a Society devoted to scholarly activity last for over a century. In Sri Lanka there is at least one which has lasted for over 150 years –162 years to be exact. It is the Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka (RAS SL). It started as the Asiatic Society of Ceylon, and was established on February 7, 1845. A year later, in 1846 it became a branch of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland (RAS) and was known as the Ceylon Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society. The present name was adopted in 1972 after Sri Lanka became a Republic.

The Royal Asiatic Society was established by the Royal Charter of August 11, 1824 to further, "the investigation of subjects connected with and for the encouragement of science, literature and the arts in relation to Asia." From its incorporation the Society has been a forum, through lectures, its journal, and other publications, for scholarship relating to Asian culture and society of the highest level. It is the United Kingdom's senior learned society in the field of Asian studies.

The RAS was established by a group primarily composed of notable scholars and colonial administrators. Due to the nature of the Society's close connection with the British Empire in the East, much of the work originating with the society has been focused on topics concerning the Indian subcontinent.

A poet of repute

Stamp issued in memory of poet Ananda Rajakaruna.

“Rosa male natuwe katu – Vana bambaro ohoma hitu”

This is a little poem which we all learnt and has been a favourite among children for many decades. The creator of this popular poem, Ananda Rajakaruna was born on February 7, 1885. He was a pioneer in the field of Sinhala literature for children and was responsible for a number of exquisite creations.

Rajakaruna showed great ability both in poetry and prose. In poetry he adopted a more spontaneous style to express the aspirations of a rising generation. Through his poems, he encouraged love for one's country and emphasised the need for social reform and a moral code. A master of impromptu poetry, he used it effectively in the cause of national freedom.

He was a poet who became a great force in pushing forward the agitation for making Sinhala the official language, in kindling patriotism in the hearts of the people and a respect for the heritage of the nation.

He died on August 27, 1957.