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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

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C.O.882/11

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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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Legislative Council appointed to revise the Standing Orders. His past experience in the Legislature should prove to be of great assistance to him in the performance of his duties as Speaker.

3. The Council resumed in the afternoon at 2.30 p.m., and the Speaker having reported that he had presented himself to the Governor, the Clerk of the Council administered the affirmation to him. The Speaker then administered the oath or affirmation to all members of the Council in turn after which the Council adjourned.

4. The Council reassembled on the morning of the 8th July and proceeded to the election by ballot of the seven Executive Committees in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order No. 10. The election of the Committees proceeded sinoothly and without incident: I annex for your information a list of the inembers elected to each Committee showing in each case the community to which the member belongs and whether he was elected or nominated. Upon completion of the elections, the Speaker allowed a brief interval within which members could, if they so desired, change from one committee to another, but no exchanges were made

5. The morning of the 9th July was devoted to the election of the Chairmen of the Executive Committees. In accordance with the wishes of members the Chief Secretary presided at each Committee for the purpose of the election. In practically all the committees, there was keen competition for the Chairmanship. In several cases no less than three members offered themselves for election and in one case, no less than four members. The following Chairmen were elected :-

(a) Executive Committee for Home Affairs.

Mr. D. B. Jayatilaka, Sinhalese Elected Member for Kelaniya.

Mr. Jayatilaka represented the Colombo District in the Legislative Council and on the death of Sir James Peiris in May, 1930, was elected Vice-President of the Council. He has always taken a prominent interest in public affairs and wields considerable influence.

(b) Executive Committee of Agriculture and Lands.

Mr.. D. S. Senanayake, Sinhalese Elected Member for Minuwangoda. Mr. Senanayake was also a member of the Legislative Council for several years and served for a short period as a member of the Executive Council. He is one of the most prominent of the Sinhalese Members and has taken an energetic interest in public questions.

(c) Executive Committee of Local Administration.

Mr. C. B. Batuwantudawe, Sinhalese Elected Member for Kalutara. Mr. Batuwantudawe, who is a member of the legal profession, had had no previous experience in the Legislature and hitherto has not taken a prominent part in politics.

(d) Executive Committee of Health.

Mr. T. B. Panabokke, Kandyan Elected Member for Gampola.

Mr. Panabokke was a member of the Legislative Council from 1921 to 1924 and has also served on the Local Government Board and several official committees.

(e) Executive Committee of Labour, Industry, and Commerce.

Mr. P. Sundaram, Elected Member for Hatton.

Mr. Sundaram is an Indian Tamil and represents an important tea-growing district. He is a member of the legal profession and while he has had no previous experience in the legislature he has been associated for several years with various political bodies.

Executive Committee of Education.

Mr. C. W. W. Kannangara, Sinhalese Elected Member for Galle. Mr. Kannangara was a member of the Legislative Council from 1924 until its dissolution this year. He is at present the President of the Ceylon National Congress. He has always shown a keen interest in educational matters.

(g) Executive Committee of Communications and Works.

Mr. H. M. Macan Markar, Elected Member for Batticaloa South.'

Mr. Macan Marker is a Muslim and his election to the State Council together with that of Mr. Sundaram fulfils to some.extent the hope expressed by the Donoughmore Commissioners that the minority communities would in certain cases be able to secure

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territorial representation. His election was somewhat of a surprise, and was due to a plethora of aspirants for the post of Minister. Mr. Macan Markar obtained three votes, two other members two votes each, and one member one vote. Mr. Macan Markar represented the Muslim community in the Legislative Council from 1924 to the date of dissolution. He is a partner in a large firm of gem dealers and has considerable commercial interests both in Ceylon and abroad.

6. I fear that it cannot be said that in every case the best qualified member of the Committee was elected as its Chairman. The splitting of votes between two strong candidates resulted, in one case at any rate, in the election of a Chairman of very meagre attainments. I understand that an amendment of Standing Order 13, relating to the election of Chairmen of Executive Committees, in order to bring it into line with the procedure laid down for the election of the Speaker, will probably be proposed shortly.

7. On the afternoon of the 9th July the Officers of State and the Chairmen of Committees attended Queen's House and were presented to me by the Speaker. I intimated to the Chairman my approval of the choice of their Committees and then formally appointed them to be Ministers. Each Minister thereupon made affirmation before me in the form prescribed by Article 36 of the Ceylon (State Council) Order in Council, 1931. I congratulated the Ministers on their appointment and after a brief informal talk they withdrew.

8. The Board of Ministers met at 3.30 p.m. on the same afternoon and unani- mously elected Mr. D. B. Jayatilaka to be Vice Chairman of the Board, which carries with it the Leadership of the House. I feel confident that Mr. Jayatilaka who enjoys the support of the majority of the members of the Council, will do everything in his power to make the new Constitution a success.

9. The ceremonial opening of the Council at which I attended took place on the 10th July. After inspecting the Guards of Honour drawn up in front of the Council Chamber where large crowds were present, I was met by the Speaker and conducted by him to the Council Chamber. Before addressing the Council I conveyed to those present the gracious message of His Majesty the King followed by the message from Your Lordship both of which were warmly applauded.

I enclose for your information a copy of the address* which I delivered to the Council

10. The completion of the election of office bearers took place on the afternoon of the 10th July with the election of the Deputy Speaker and the Deputy Chairman of Committees. Mr. F. A. Obeyesekere, Sinhalese Member for Avissawella, was elected to the former office by a majority of 28 to 25 over Mr. G. E Madawala, Kandyan Member for Narammala. Mr. M. M. Subramaniam (Ceylon Tamil) Member for Trin- comalee-Batticaloa was elected Deputy Chairman of Committees by 28 votes to 23, the other candidate being Mr. V. S. de S. Wikramanayake, Sinhalese Member for Hambantota

Both the Deputy Speaker and the Deputy Chairman of Committees were members of the Legislative Council and served on a number of Select Committees.

11. The sittings of the Council from the 7th to the 10th July proceeded smoothly and expeditiously and reflected great credit on all concerned. In particular I desire to record my appreciation of the valuable services of Mr. G. N. Farquhar, Clerk to the State Council, whose foresight and organizing ability contributed largely to the success of the arrangements made.

12. Copies of the agenda for the meetings held between the 7th and 10th July* and of the minutes* of those meetings are enclosed.

I have, &c.,

Not reprinted.

GRAEME THOMSON,

Governor.