D. S. Senanayake
This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (October 2019) |
Ceylon Parliament for Mirigama | |
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In office 14 October 1947 – 22 March 1952 | |
Preceded by | Constituency Created |
Succeeded by | John Amaratunga |
Personal details | |
Born | Botale, Molly Dunuwila[2] | 20 October 1884
Children | Dudley Senanayake Robert Senanayake |
Parents |
|
Residence | Woodlands |
Education | S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia |
Occupation |
|
Don Stephen Senanayake (Sinhala: දොන් ස්ටෙෆන් සේනානායක; Tamil: டி. எஸ். சேனநாயக்கா; 20 October 1884 – 22 March 1952) was a Ceylonese statesman. He was the first Prime Minister of Ceylon having emerged as the leader of the Sri Lankan independence movement that led to the establishment of self-rule in Ceylon. He is considered as the "Father of the Nation".[3]
Born to an entrepreneur from the village of Botale, Senanayake was educated at
Early life and education
He was born in the village of Botale in the Hapitigam Korale (currently known as
Brought up in a devout
Early career
After completing schooling, he worked as a clerk in the
Political career
Early political activism
The three Senanayake brothers were involved in the
Legislative Council
In 1924, Senanayake was elected unopposed to the
State Council of Ceylon
In 1931 he was elected to the newly formed State Council of Ceylon representing the Ceylon National Congress. At the first siting of the State Council, he was elected as Minister of Agriculture and Lands to chair the state council committee on Agriculture and Lands.[18]
Minister of Agriculture and Lands
As Minister of Agriculture and Lands, he initiated a policy that effectively combated Ceylon's agricultural problems, established the Land Development Ordinance, and introduced an agricultural policy to counter Ceylon's rice problems. This policy earned him respect of many, and he continued to be a minister for fifteen years, having been re-elected in 1936. He also enforced a productivity programme of "Agricultural Modernisation". He introduced the Land Bill, expanded the
World War II
At the onset of
During this time a close relationship developed between Senanayake and the deputy commissioner of civil defence, Dr. Ivor Jennings, who was the principal of the Ceylon University College. Dr. Jennings, an expert on constitutional law, subsequently became Senanayake's adviser on constitutional reforms aimed at gaining independence for the island.[19]
Gaining independence
In December 1942, Senanayake became the Leader of the House and Vice Chairman of the Board of Ministers in the State Council, upon the retirement of Sir Baron Jayatilaka, Minister of Home Affairs.[20] On 26 May 1943, the British Government made the Whitehall Declaration of 1943 on Ceylon constitutional change, which enabled ministers to make submissions.[18] This bypassed the Governor, who called for a commission from the colonial office to halt the activities of the ministers. Senanayake resigned from the National Congress disagreeing with its resolution on independence and instead approached the commission with his proposal of dominion status and they accepted the ministers' submissions, publishing these in the Sessional Paper XIV of 1944.[18][21] In 1944, the Soulbury Commission was formed. In 1945, he proceeded to London to meet the Secretary of State for the Colonies, Oliver Stanley. On his arrival in London, he met instead the newly appointed George Hall, who had succeeded Stanley following Labour's win in the 1945 general election. He resigned his ministry in 1946 to push for full independence. That year he formed the United National Party (UNP) by amalgamating three right-leaning pro-Dominion parties.[19]
The granting of independence to India in 1947 and the appointment of Arthur Creech Jones as Colonial Secretary gave a new window for Senanayake to push for his case, using the new constitution that was recommended by the Soulbury Commission. In the negotiations that followed, the British government accepted Senanayake's proposals for constitutional change and self-rule. Senanayake presented the Soulbury Constitution to the State Council which voted it in, with only three votes against it.
Parliamentary elections were held from 23 August – 20 September 1947. Senanayake was contested for the first time in the Mirigama electorate, having been elected uncontested in all previous elections. He won the seat by a majority of over 16,000 votes against Edmund Samarakkody of the Bolshevik–Leninist Party of India, Ceylon and Burma. Senanayake's party, the UNP, fell short of a majority at the general election but was able to form a government in coalition with the All Ceylon Tamil Congress.
On 24 September 1947 he was invited by the
First prime minister
With his accession, Senanayake began the process of establishing institutions needed for an independent state. While most domestic institutions existed, Ceylon remained dependent on Britain for trade, defence and external affairs. He turned down a
National development
He boldly made plans to spread out the population, and his Gal Oya scheme relocated over 250,000 people. He expanded the agrarian policies he had initiated during his tenure as Minister of Agriculture and Lands, a post now held by his son Dudley Senanayake. With a rapidly expanding population and food shortages faced during the war, Senanayake aimed to increase local food production to be self-sustainable. Renovation of sites of historic importance in Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa took place at this time. Senanayake also proposed expansion of hydro-electric power in the island.[25]
Citizenship
Senanayake's government introduced the
Foreign policy
Senanayake held the portfolio of
Defence
Although Ceylon had maintained a small volunteer force for the defense of colony, Senanayake introduced the Army Act (1949), Navy Act (1950), and the Air Force Act (1951) establishing the Armed forces of Ceylon. Having engaged in Defence Agreement with Britain when gaining independence, Senanayake retained British bases in Ceylon and gained her assistance in training and arming its new military.
Political challenges
In the early years of Senanayake's premiership he faced opposition and a lot of criticism from many of the
Death
On the morning of Friday, 21 March 1952, Don Stephen Senanayake took his usual pre-breakfast ride on
He was taken to a nursing home where he remained unconscious for the next thirty-two hours. It was believed that he had suffered a
His remains were taken to Temple Trees, where they lay until the next morning, when they were moved to the
Personal life
Senanayake cared for animals and owned a wide range of pets such as elephants, horses, pigs, cattle; many kept at his estate and at the Bothale Walawwa. A keen horticulturist, he grew orchids and would typically wear an orchid in the lapel of his suit. He suffered from diabetes most of his later life.
Marriage and children
D. S. Senanayake married
Legacy
D. S. Senanayake is respected by
Statues of D. S. Senanayake have been erected in many parts of the island, including one at the
Electoral history
Election | Constituency | Party | Votes | Result | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1924 legislative council | Negombo | Independent | Uncontested | Elected | |
1931 state council | Negombo | Independent | Elected | ||
1936 state council | Negombo | Independent | Elected | ||
1947 parliamentary | Mirigama | United National Party | 26,762 | Elected |
See also
- List of political families in Sri Lanka
- Nidahase Piya DS, a biographical film based on DS's life
References
- ^ a b Parliament of Sri Lanka – Handbook of Parliament, Prime Ministers Archived 25 March 2008 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Sri Lankan Sinhalese Family Genealogy, The Don Bartholomews Senanayake Family Tree
- ^ a b "D.S. Senanayake – The Father of the Nation". www.dailymirror.lk.
- ^ Don Stephen Senanayake, the first Prime Minister of Sri Lanka by H. A. J. Hulugalle
- ISBN 9781842772287
- ^ DS hobnobbed with the mighty but kept the common touch Archived 29 March 2013 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Don Stephen Senanayake
- ^ a b "D. S. Senanayake: A leader with extraordinary vision".
- ^ "Don Stephen Senanayake, First Prime Minister of Sri Lanka".
- ^ "The Sara Legend The launch of the autobiography of Manicasothy Saravanamuttu".
- ^ "Remembering the 'Father of the Nation'". Archived from the original on 29 March 2003.
- ^ "D. S. Senanayake | prime minister of Ceylon". Encyclopedia Britannica.
- ISBN 0-226-78950-0.
- ISBN 0-253-34420-4.
- ^ a b "The Stalwarts In The Struggle For Independence In Sri Lanka". Archived from the original on 18 August 2020. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
- ^ Don Stephen Senanayake, First Prime Minister of Sri Lanka by H. A. J. Hulugalle (The Island) Retrieved 2015-11-08
- ^ D. S. Senanayake: A leader with extraordinary vision by Walter Wijenayake (The Island) Retrieved 2015-11-08
- ^ a b c Rajasingham K. T. Sri Lanka: The Untold Story Asia Times, Ch. 10, 19 October 2001. Retrieved 12 June 2015
- ^ a b c "The Sunday Times Plus Section". www.sundaytimes.lk.
- ^ What caused the rift between D.S. and Sir Baron by Drene Terana Sariffodeen (Sunday Times) Retrieved 2015-11-08
- ISBN 9780824811839
- ^ Sinhalese Parties, Country Studies, Federal Research Division of the Library of Congress
- ^ "No. 38797". The London Gazette. 30 December 1949. p. 1.
- ^ "D.S. Senanayake – A nation's father, undisputed leader of all time | Daily FT". www.ft.lk.
- ^ Imbulana, ChaRNika. "D. S. SENANAYAKE A NATION'S FATHER and Undisputed Leader". Daily News.
- ^ Apparthuray Vinayagamoorthy (8 November 2003). "103rd Birth Anniversary today : G. G. Ponnambalam - Founder of ACTC". Daily News, Sri Lanka. Archived from the original on 4 June 2011. Retrieved 20 June 2009.
- ^ Ethnic Conflict of Sri Lanka: Time Line - From Independence to 1999 Archived 2009-12-12 at the Wayback Machine, International Centre for Ethnic Studies
- ^ Richardson (2005), Paradise Poisoned, p. 145.
- ^ "In memory of their kindness".
- ^ "Moulding forever". www.sundaytimes.lk.
External links
- The Senanayake Ancestry
- The Senanayake Clan
- Remembering D S of Botale Walauwa
- Website of the Parliament of Sri Lanka
- United National Party website
- DS Senanayake in Sinhala
- Methek Kathawa Divaina
- Methek Kathawa Divaina
- Funeral Of D.S. Senanayake 1952
- Portraits of D. S. Senanayake at the National Portrait Gallery, London