D. S. Senanayake

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Lore & Background

Along with his brothers, Senanayake became active in the temperance movement which grew into the independence movement following the 1915 Sinhalese-Muslim riots, in which the Senanayake brothers were imprisoned without charges for 46 days. He was elected unopposed in 1924 to the Legislative Council of Ceylon from Negombo, becoming the Secretary of the unofficial members group. In 1931, he was elected to the State Council of Ceylon, where he served as Minister of Agriculture and Lands. He initiated a policy that combated Ceylon's agricultural problems, established the Land Development Ordinance, and introduced an agricultural policy to counter Ceylon's rice problems. He assisted in the founding of the Bank of Ceylon. During World War II, he took an active role in food supply and control, and was tasked with rapid construction of an airfield at the Colombo Racecourse, which he made available for the defence of Ceylon during the Easter Sunday Raid. In 1946 he formed the United National Party by amalgamating three right-leaning pro-Dominion parties. Following negotiations, the Soulbury Constitution was adopted, and parliamentary elections were held from 23 August – 20 September 1947. Senanayake won the Mirigama seat by a majority of over 16,000 votes. On 24 September 1947 he was invited by the Governor General Sir Henry Moore to form the island's first cabinet as its first Prime Minister. On 11 November 1947, Senanayake and Sir Henry signed agreements between Ceylon and Britain including a defence pact and public service agreements that paved the way for independence. On 4 February 1948, Ceylon marked its independence with a ceremonial opening of parliament.

Reader's Guide

D. S. Senanayake is significant as the first Prime Minister of Ceylon, serving from 1947 until his death in 1952. His leadership of the independence movement grew out of the temperance movement and the 1915 riots, during which he was imprisoned for 46 days. As Minister of Agriculture and Lands for fifteen years, he introduced the Land Development Ordinance and agricultural policies to counter Ceylon's rice problems. He formed the United National Party in 1946 by amalgamating three pro-Dominion parties. His negotiations with the British government led to the Soulbury Constitution and the signing of agreements on 11 November 1947 that paved the way for independence, which was ceremonially opened on 4 February 1948. He is considered the "Father of the Nation" for his role in achieving self-rule.

Did You Know?

• Senanayake was imprisoned without charges for 46 days during the 1915 Sinhalese-Muslim riots, facing the prospect of execution.
• He managed the Kahatagaha Graphite Mine, which was owned by his brother F. R. Senanayake's wife's family.
• In 1914, he was appointed to a government commission sent to Madagascar to study and report on their graphite mining industry.
• He played cricket for the Sinhalese Sports Club and Nondescripts Cricket Club, and played in the Royal-Thomian.
• He won the Mirigama electorate in 1947 by a majority of over 16,000 votes against Edmund Samarakkody of the Bolshevik–Leninist Party of India, Ceylon and Burma.