STORY OF SRI LANKA'S DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE

Discussions, analysis and even Parliament debates on the best democratic governing system have become a norm in Sri Lanka for more than a century.

- By YOHAN PERERA

It has been an issue even during the colonial period. These never ending deliberations have resulted in changes in the system of democratic governance from time to time. Sri Lanka seemed to be going on a journey to determine the best system of governance before and after independence.

The change of governance in Sri Lanka began even before the arrival of the British. The history books written on Sri Lanka says that even the Dutch introduced new systems. In fact they introduced Roman Dutch law.

They introduced government offices.

More than 30 Dutch governors have administered Sri Lanka according to Mahawanssa. This has been confirmed in books such as “Change in the Face of Colombo written by Professor R. L. Brohier. More than 30 British governors have also administered Sri Lanka.

However more established democratic systems were introduced by the British. There was an Executive and a legislature from the 19th century.

The book 'Sri Lankawe Mathiwarana Puranaya (Sri Lanka's Electoral History) written by Malalgoda Bandutilaka a legislature was first established in Sri Lanka in March 1833. The first legislature comprised 15 members.

The British Governor was the head of the legislature. The total number of members in the legislature was increased to 21 in 1910. A salient feature in the legislature of 1910 is that there were representatives of rural and urban Europeans, one representative of Burger community, and one to represent Sinhalese.

They were elected by the so-called educated class. Four constituencies were introduced for the first time. Also representatives of Up Country Sinhalese, Low country Sinhalese, a Muslim members were appointed to the legislature.