255
4
I am consequently strongly of opinion that the views of Messrs. Moonemalle, Madawela, and Halangoda deserve very careful consideration from the Secretary of State.
The Kandyans are a somewhat backward and uneducated race, but they com- prise amongst them some of the best elements in the island, and I feel that in spite of the events of 1915 they are now more loyal and more desirous of working with Government than those sections of the community which support the Ceylon Reform Association, more especially the Indianized Tamil, the low-caste Low-Country Sinhalese, and a number of nondescripts. If the higher caste and well-disposed Kandyans are thrown over in their aspirations for distinct representation, in my opinion the consequences would be very undesirable.
I have, &c.,
23769
SIR,
No. 3.
W. H. MANNING.
MR. T. B. L. MOONEMALLE to COLONIAL OFFICE
(Received 13th May, 1920.)
[Answered by No. 6.]
Nos. 2-4, Sinclair Road, Kensington, W.14.
12th May, 1920. I HAVE the honour to state that a deputation consisting of myself, Mr. G. E. Madewels, and Mr. J. A. Halangoda, has arrived in London,, with the object of placing before His Lordship the Secretary of State for the Colonies the views of the Kandyan Community of Ceylon with regard to the proposed reform of the Con- stitution. We have already communicated with His Excellency Sir William Manning, the Governor of Ceylon, who is now in London, and we beg that after reference to His Excellency, His Lordship the Secretary of State for the Colonies will be graciously pleased to grant us an interview at His Lordship's earliest con- venience
am, &c.,
28827
SIR,
No. 4.
I
T. B. L. MOONEMALLE.
MR. D. B. JAYATILAKA to COLONIAL OFFICE.
(Received 14th May, 1920.)
[Answered by No. 6.]
Ceylon Reform Deputation,
Westminster Chambers, 1, Victoria Street, S/W.1.
13th May, 1920.
I HAVE the honour to state that the delegation appointed by the Ceylon National Congress to submit to the Secretary of State for the Colonies the views of the Congress with regard to the proposed reform of the Constitution of Ceylon, has now arrived in London. The Members of the Deputation are Sir P. Arunachalam, M.A.C.C.8. (retired), President of the Ceylon National Congress, Mr. James Peiris, B.A.LI.M., ex-president of the Ceylon National Association, and ex-chairman of the Low-Country Products Association, Mr. E. J. Samarawikrama, President of the Ceylon Reform League, Mr. H. A. P. Sandrasegara, President of the Ceylon National Association, Mr. F. R. Senanayaka, M.M.C., President of the People's Association, Dr. Kobbekaduwe Tikiri Banda, M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P. (London), "Mr. A. F. Molamure, ex-President of the Kandyan Association, Mr. M. W. H. de Silva, B.A., Barrister-at-law, and Mr. D. B. Jayatilaka, B.A., barrister-at-law.
Of these delegates, Mesara. Kobbekaduwe and Molamure have been specially elected by the Kandyan people to represent their interests, and to work in conjunc tion with the Congress Deputation.
5
The deputation beg to request that the Secretary of State may be pleased to grant them an interview at such time and place as may be convenient to him, and that in the meanwhile the deputation may be favoured with the scheme of reform formulated in consultation with the Governor of Ceylon, so that the delegates may be in a position to express their views on the proposals when they meet Lord Milner.
I am. &c.,
26119
No. 5.
D. B. JAYATILAKA,
Secretary to the Deputation.
THE ACTING GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 27th May, 1920.)
(No. 326.) MY LORD,
Ceylon, 30th April, 1920.
I HAVE the honour to enclose a copy of a letter, dated 10th April, 1920, which has been received from Mr. T. B. Yatawara, of Kandy, in his capacity as secretary of a meeting of Kandyans held at Kandy on the 3rd April, 1920, in con- nexion with the question of constitutional reform.
2. As already intimated in my telegram of the 24th April, 1920,* Dr. K. Tikiri Banda and Mr. A. F. Molamure have been deputed by those present at the meeting to interview you on the subject.
T. B. Yatawara,
Proctor, S.C.,
No. 8, Colombo Street, to
I have, &c.,
GRAEME THOMSON. Officer Administering the Government.
Enclosure in No. 5.
The Hon. the Colonial Secretary,
SIR,
Colombo.
Kandy, 10th April, 1920.
I HAVE the honour to forward herewith the following Resolutions adopted
at a duly convened mass meeting of the Kandyans held at the Town Hall of Kandy on the 3rd day of April, 1920:-
A-We Kandyans, representing all parts of the Kandyan territory, assembled at the Town Hall of Kandy on this 3rd day of April, 1920, do appoint Dr. Kobbe- kaduwe Tikiri Banda to represent our political needs to His Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonies with a view to obtain a substantial measure of Responsible Government.
B. That the following cablegram be sent through the proper channel to the Secretary of State for the Colonies.
Mass Meeting Kandyans held in Town Hall, Kandy, on 3rd April, 1920, have appointed Dr. Kobbekaduwe Tikiri Banda, joint delegate with Advocate A. F. Molamure, already in England, to interview Your Lordship regarding Political Reforms, provided steamer accommodation available in time.
This meeting also denies the authority of Messrs. Moonemala, Madawala and Halangoda to represent the Kandyan people on the question of reforms. As it was resolved at the said meeting, I have also the honour to request you to be good enough to forward Resolution A by post and transmit Resolution B by cable as early as circumstances would permit to the Secretary of State for the Colonies.
T. B. YATAWARA,
Hon. Secretary.
P.S.-I have also the honour to forward herewith three copies of each of the mandates given to Dr. Kobbekaduwe Tikiri Banda, and, Advocate A. F. Mola- mure, respectively.
20945: not printed.
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
C.O. 882/10
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC.. COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH--NOT TO
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
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