May 22 more significant than February 4

May 22, 1972, the day Ceylon became the Republic of Sri Lanka, signified the end of the monarchist rule which commenced on 543 BCE with the arrival of Prince Vijaya on the island, on the same day the Samma SamBuddha attained Parinibbana in Kusinara. This was a momentous occasion; and should be celebrated, if needed, in preference to February 4.

The establishment of British rule over the last Sinhala Kingdom, was a result of the Kandyan Convention entered into by the British Governor, representing King George the 3rd and the Kandyan Chiefs on March 2, 1815, whereby King George replaced King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe as the successor up until May 22, 1972.

As stated by Sir Ponnambalam Arunachalam in ‘Sketches of Ceylon History’ – “In terms of a convention held on 2nd March 1815, at Kandy, between the British authorities and the Kandyan chiefs, the King was dethroned and the Sinhalese voluntarily surrendered the Island to the British sovereign, with full reservation of their rights and liberties. They may thus claim to be one of the few ancient races of the world, who have not been conquered.”

Therefore, what happened on February 4, 1948, was the resumption of self-rule which had been there, from the time of King Vijaya, after a lapse of 132 years. Therefore the government should consider celebrating May 22, in preference to February 4.

Chula Boange

Via email