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43606

No. 15.

THE CEYLON LEAGUE REFORM ASSOCIATION to THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

(Received 10.5 a.m., 7th September, 1918.).

TELEGRAM.

[Answered by No. 17.]

OUR cable 6th instant [?ultimo* We beg invite attention House Commons debate Indian reforms and principle of self-government accepted for India. We request application same principle to Ceylon and grant of reforms not less liberal than granted to India, to which Ceylon is akin in race and culture, but conditions more favourable for political development. We beg early declaration of policy and broad outlines of reform with instructions to new Governor to adjust details. We specially ask: (1) enlarged Legislative Council on wide franchise with substantial elected majority; (2) Ceylonese members Executive Council; (3) Celonese Ministers in charge of departments; (4) substantial percentage superior posts for Ceylonese; (5) complete popular control Municipal Councils and other local bodies, Urban and Rural, with elected chairman, all which have been conceded to India.

Secretary State, Colonies,

LONDON,

MR. HEWINS's reply House Commons, subject Ceylon reforms, has caused great disappointment. Únable understand why time deemed inopportune and decision postponed when Indian Government has dealt with far more complex and difficult problems of Indian Empire and propounded reform scheme. continued indifference Ceylon's needs, and earnestly request early declaration We deplore liberal reforms.

CEYLON REFORM LEAGUE.

43606

No. 17.

CEYLON NATIONAL ASSOCIATION.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE to THE GOVERNOR. (No. 457.)

SIR,

I HAVE the honour to transmit to you the accompanying copy of a telegram*

Downing Street, 3rd October, 1918. which has been addressed to me by the Ceylon Reform League and the Ceylon National Association urging that certain changes in the Constitution of Ceylon should be conceded.

2. I request that you will inform the senders that any proposals of this nature should be submitted through you; and that. while I will carefully consider any views so put forward, I am not prepared to form any definite conclusions until the time is more opportune for the examination of all the proposals that have been made for altering the Constitution of Ceylon.

I have, &c.,

46987

No. 16.

THE ACTING GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

(Received 30th September, 1918.) [Answered by No. 18.]

(No. 399.) SIR,

Ceylon, 13th August, 1918. WITH reference to your despatch No. 130, of the 18th March, 1918,† regarding certain correspondence on the question of the reform of the Legislative Council of this Colony, I have the honour to transmit a letter, dated 6th August, 1918, which has been addressed to you by the Honorary Secretaries of the Ceylon National Association and the Ceylon Reform League, enclosing a copy of a telegram despatched to your address on the same date.

I have, &c.,

R. E. STUBBS, Officer Administering the Government.

46987

SIR,

No. 18.

WALTER H. LONG.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE to THE GOVERNOR. (No. 472.)

I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the 'receipt of Mr. Stubbs's despatch

Downing Street, 12th October, 1918. No. 399, of the 13th August,† enclosing a copy of a telegram which was sent to me on the 6th August by the Honorary Secretaries of the Ceylon National A880- ciation and the Ceylon Reform League, and to refer you to my despatch No. 457, of the 3rd October.‡

Enclosure in No. 16.

Ceylon Reform League, Colombo,

SIR,

12, De Soysa Buildings,

Slave Island, 6th August, 1918. We have the honour to enclose copy of cable despatched to you this day by the Ceylon National Association and the Ceylon Reform League.

51607

We remain, &c..

D. R. WIEWARDENE,

Honorary Secretary,

(No. 449.)

SIR,

Ceylon National Association.

W. A. DE SILVA,

The Right Honourable

The Secretary of State for the Colonies,

London.

Honorary Secretary,

Ceylon Reform League

*Enclosure in No. 16.

† No. 7.

No. 19.

I have, &c.,

WALTER H. LONG.

THE ACTING GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 25th October, 1918.) [Answered by No. 21.]

Ceylon, 10th September, 1918.

In continuation of my despatch No. 399, of the 13th August, 1918,† I have the honour to transmit a letter, dated 29th August, which has been addressed to you by the Honorary Secretaries of the Ceylon National Association and the Ceylon Reform League, enclosing a copy of a further telegram despatched to your address on the 28th August.

I have, &c.,

R. E. STUBBS, Officer Administering the Government.

• No. 15.

No. 16.

† No. 17.

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