Undoubtedly, Sri Lanka was adversely affected by the economic and social transformations brought about by colonialism. The evidence is clear and convincing. Various nations have invaded Sri Lanka since the 16th century, with the Portuguese and Dutch being the most significant. However, they could only gain complete control of some of the country. In 1815, the British succeeded in capturing the upland areas, but only after launching a robust military operation in 1803 that took more than 12 years to achieve. The natives of Sri Lanka had sacrificed their lives to protect their country’s independence until then. However, in 1815, the British took over Sri Lanka through strategic measures.
British seize power in Ceylon
The British first occupied the Low Countries held by the Dutch in 1795 and implemented their policies based on commercial interests. Later, in 1815, the upland kingdoms surrendered strategically to the British, gaining control over the ruling power of the entire Ceylon. The conquest of Sri Lanka led to the establishment of Western European economic and social characteristics, bringing about a remarkable transformation. The most significant aspect of this transformation was the beginning of plantations for commercial crops like tea, coconut, rubber, and coffee. Developing a highway system and transportation became fundamental to the country’s progress. Cities centred around trade emerged, and the cultivation of commercial crops became the norm. The British intervention also led to the creation of a standard administrative system, a legal system, and a unified system of government.
British rule and Sri Lanka
It is a fact that British colonialists took control of native property and took it away from the natives. However, their contributions are essential to consider. They abolished outdated production methods, social relations, and political systems, replacing them with modern economic and social environments. This transformation is particularly evident in Sri Lanka, where a capitalist system emerged. Although Sri Lanka’s capitalist system is not as classic as the European one, it reflects the social changes that occurred during the 19th century, including the emergence of a class society.
Crop Wars and Economic Growth
During the British colonial rule in Sri Lanka, they introduced a mercantilist economic policy and maintained the government’s cinnamon monopoly. They also made significant profits from selling local products. However, they realised this commercial policy was insufficient, so they introduced more commercial crops, including coffee. The Colebrooke Reforms, implemented in 1833, strongly supported this program.
The British discovered that coffee could be grown successfully in the uplands, and Governor Barnes developed the highway system to facilitate the transportation of coffee. As a result, coffee became a more popular commercial crop than cinnamon by the time of Colebrooke’s reforms.
Initially, the government-owned land was used for coffee cultivation, but as the demand for coffee increased, there was a need for more land. This led to issues regarding land ownership. The British government passed the Waste Land Act in 1840 to address this. This act allowed the government to own all uncultivated land where private ownership could not be legally proved. As a result, the land needed for coffee cultivation was released without any issues.
Arrival of Indian workers
During the British occupation of Sri Lanka, the Colebrooke Commission aimed to eliminate the traditional duty system of acquiring labour for plantation cultivation. However, the local Sri Lankan population was accustomed to a self-sufficient lifestyle and did not want to work for rent on the plantations. This led to importing labourers from South India who were willing to work for low wages.
As a result, a community of planters was born during the British rule, which gradually spread throughout many districts, including Nuwara Eliya. Over time, this community has grown in size and influence, becoming a significant political and economic force in the country.
Today, the descendants of these labourers from South India have formed a distinct community in Sri Lanka with their own cultural and social traditions. They have contributed significantly to the country’s economy through their work in the plantations, and their political influence has grown considerably more robust over the years.
Despite their humble origins, this community of planters has played a vital role in shaping Sri Lanka’s history. It continues to be an essential part of the country’s cultural and economic fabric.
Native activism against taxation and British rule
In 1844, an economic depression in England caused a decline in the coffee industry in Ceylon. This resulted in a rapid decrease in government revenue, so the then governor, Lord Torrington, imposed various taxes such as dog, road, boat, and gun taxes. However, the natives strongly protested against this program, leading to an anti-English war in 1848.
Despite having only 500 acres of land used for tea cultivation in 1875, it grew to 164,728 acres by 1886. Such rapid growth was due to the possibility of using high-ground areas for tea cultivation, where coffee cannot be produced. By 1890, tea became the most profitable export crop for Sri Lanka. Unlike coffee, tea cultivation required permanent workers, leading to a large influx of South Indian workers to Sri Lanka.
As the price of tea fell in the 19th century, planters turned their attention to rubber cultivation. Rubber plants were first introduced to Sri Lanka in 1877, and by 1890, Sri Lankans and British planters were interested in rubber cultivation. Initially limited to the Kalutara district of the Western Province, rubber cultivation later spread throughout the islands.
Changes in the rural economy
By the end of the 19th century, the British were interested in focusing their attention on irrigation, and the Irakkammam lake in the Eastern Province and the Kirama and Urubokka lakes in the Southern Province were also developed. Small lakes and canals were restored in Uva province and Matale district, and steps have been taken to create many small lakes on the island.
The transformation of transportation and communication
When Sri Lanka was under British rule, there were only a few highways in the country, and they were limited to the coastal areas. One of the primary objectives of the British was to build a highway system connecting the cities of Colombo, Kandy, and Trincomalee. During the governorship of Edward Barnes (1820-1822), the Colombo city highway was built, and at the same time, highways were constructed from Kurunegala to Kandy and from Ambepusse to Dambulla.
By the end of the 19th century, the British had constructed 3,200 kilometres of highways in Sri Lanka using stones, making them strong. This led to the development of settlements and the creation of cities. Introducing a railway system also significantly affected the transport mechanism’s strength. Governor Henry Ward initiated the railway project, and the construction of the Colombo-Kandy railway began in 1858 and completed in 1863. The railway line was extended to Nawalapitiya in 1871 and Bandarawela in 1899. The railway line from Colombo to Panadura in 1877 expanded to Matara by 1895.
The traditional communication process of making a payment to a person and forwarding the documents in their hand to another was also transformed into a unique situation. The first step was establishing a duty postal service that connected cities like Colombo, Trincomalee, Galle, Kandy, and Jaffna in the late 1815s. This communication process, which was transformed from delivering mail by horse-drawn carriages to the postal service, developed into a telegraph service by 1858.
Social changes
During the British era, Sri Lanka underwent significant changes as it transitioned from a feudal system to a capitalist one. This transformation was unique and distinct from the capitalist systems found in Europe. It is widely believed that the British system played a crucial role in moving towards a more independent society by eliminating localism. The construction of highways, commercial plantations, trade sectors, and the establishment of schools all significantly impacted the development of Sri Lanka’s modern society.
Another notable event during this period was the emergence of a class society. The working and business classes both came into being, which was a significant change from the previous feudal system. The 19th century marked the gradual establishment of British authority in Sri Lanka. The plantation economy was established, and Sri Lanka entered the capitalist world economy as a producer. Colebrooke Cameron’s reforms were essential in bringing European modernity to Sri Lanka. Therefore, this period is regarded as an era of revolutionary changes in the country’s history.
75 years of independence – Princess Anne visits the island
In 1948, after nearly 150 years of colonial rule, the British government granted independence to Sri Lanka. However, despite this newfound freedom, Sri Lanka struggled to establish a stable government and faced political turmoil due to ethnic tensions and economic challenges.
It can be argued that the failure to capitalise on this opportunity to guide the country towards a more prosperous path was a missed chance. The British had imposed their rule solely for their own interests, and the subsequent rulers failed to steer the country towards a brighter future.
Despite these challenges, every government in Sri Lanka has made efforts to maintain a positive relationship with Britain. Diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom have now completed 75 years, and to commemorate this milestone, Princess Anne of the Royal Family, accompanied by her husband, Vice Admiral Timothy Lawrence, will be visiting Sri Lanka.
During her visit, Princess Anne will be touring significant areas under British rule, including Kandy, the last capital of the ancient kings’ era, and the Temple of the Tooth. This visit is expected to strengthen the bond between the two countries and promote cultural exchange while acknowledging the shared history between Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom.
