358
54
17. It is this impossible task which the Governor proposed to impose on a committee of this very Council, in which the divergencies of opinion referred to exist, and it is because we objected to serve on it, without the principles having been first settled, that the Governor has thought fit to condemn our action.
18. If the Council was placed in an “undignified" position on the 22nd June, we respectfully submit that it was, in a measure, due to the Governor not confining himself to his duties as President and undertaking to reply to members who take part in the discussions in Council.
19. We would in this connexion draw your attention to the embarrassment caused to members from the dual rôle assumed on occasions by the Governor as the spokesman of the Government and President of Council. He has also laid down a rule that no member, except the mover of a motion, should address the Council, after the Governor as official spokesman has spoken reserving to himself the right to address the Council again. This practice. which is contrary to the usual custom of Legislative Assemblies, tends to stifle discussion. We request that this practice may be discontinued and that the Governor be instructed to officiate only in his legitimate capacity as President of the Legislative Council.
:
A reference to the proceedings of the Council annexed hereto* will bear out our statements.
(Signed)
We are, Sir,
Your Obedient Servants,
JAS. PEIRIS (Member for the Town of Colombo).
EDWARD W. PERERA (Member for the B Division of the Western Province). A. C. G. WIJEYEKOON (Member for the Central Province).
W. EDWIN BOTEJUE (Member for the Province of Sabaragamuwa).
W. M. RAJAPAKSE (Member for the A Division of the Western Province).
S. D. KRISNAratne (Member for the North-Central Province).
D. H. KOTALAWALA (Member for the Province of Uva).
55
gladly take the opportunity of increasing the official side of the Executive Council when a suitable time occurs, since I should desire to have on the Council the Con- troller of Revenue and the Principal Collector of Customs, whose advice would be valuable. I am inclined to think, however, that it would be inadvisable at the present juncture to take such steps, but propose to do so when an occasion presents itself.
4. In connexion with this matter I should mention that, when next an amend- ment of the Royal Instructions is made, it would be desirable to omit the words "Government Agent for the Western Province" appearing in paragraph II. "Consti- tution of Executive Council." and to replace them by the words Controller of Revenue," since difficulties will no doubt arise as they have arisen in the past-in this connexion when, during the absence of the Government-Agent of the Western Proyince on leave, the Assistant Government Agent may act for him or an acting appointment may be made of an officer who, for various reasons, should not be an ez-officio member of the Executive Council--more senior, and possibly better quali fied, Government Agents being available. Such an amendment would still allow of the Government Agent of the Western Province being appointed to the Executive Council, if such a course be considered desirable at any time.
I have, &c.,
38366
No. 28.
W. H. MANNING,
Governor, &c.
37880
(Secret.)
No. 27.
THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 1st August, 1922.)
Ceylon, 11th July, 1922.
SIR,
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Secret despatch of the 13th June, 1922,† relative to the existing composition of the Executive Council so far as its official side is concerned, and, in reply, to inform you that I welcome the proposal that a further addition of one or more members be made to the number of official members of the Council.
2. The following was the clause in the agenda paper which was brought up for discussion at the Colonial Office in July, 1920:-
Three unofficial members should be added to the Executive Council and the number of official members should be reduced to five. The official members would be the Governor, the Colonial Secretary, the Attorney-General, and two others unspecified, who would normally be the Treasurer, or Controller of Revenue, and one of the Government Agents, the last being included as being the officer most directly in touch with the people. The unofficial members
should be such persons as the Governor may appoint with the usual provision as to approval by His Majesty. The provisions of Clauses 6 to 11 of the Instructions of 24th November, 1910, would be embodied.'
3. The matter was very carefully discussed, and I did carry away with me the impression that Lord Milner had fixed the numbers of the Executive Council as eight, including myself, and I find, on reference to my notes, that I concluded this number had been definitely decided upon, though when the Royal Instructions of 11th September, 1920, were issued I observed that no reference to the number of appointments beyond those assigned to ex-officio members had been made. I shall
*Not printed here.
| No. 15.
THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 11.20 p.m., 3rd August, 1922.) TELEGRAM.
3RD AUGUST. At request of Lanka Mahajana Sabba I forward following: Telegram begins: Special general meeting passed following resolution: This Sabha repeats its declaration that no measure of reform can be considered satisfactory which does not provide for substantial majority of members elected for territorial divisions, and which does not associate territorial representatives in executive functions of government. This meeting authorizes Committee to cable this resolution to the Secretary of State for the Colonies. Telegram ends.—MANNING.
38598
No. 29.
THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 5th August, 1922.)
(Confidential.)
SIR,
The Queen's House, Colombo, 17th July, 1922. WITH reference to my telegram of to-day's date* I have the honour to enclose a copy of a letter addressed to Sir P. Arunachalam by Messrs. James Peiris and E. J. Samerawickrame on 7th December, 1918.
DEAR SIR PONNAMBALAM,
I have, &c.,
W. H. MANNING.
Governor.
Enclosure in No. 29.
Ceylon Reform League.
12, De Soysa Buildings,
Slave Island, Colombo, 7th December, 1918.
~
WITH reference to the suggestion of Mr. Sabapathy that the words
on the basis of a territorial electorate be omitted from Resolution No. 4, we shall be obliged if
you will point out to him that their omission will seriously affect our case,
* No. H.
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
LIITT
C.O.
Reference:
882 /10
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
326