International Success and Domestic Failure: The World’s First Female Prime Minister and the Changing of Sri Lanka’s Official Language
Constitutional Controversy
“Sirimavo Bandaranaike.” British Broadcasting Company.
In 1970, Sirimavo Bandaranaike’s government created a constitution for Sri Lanka, replacing the previous one from British colonialism.
"We the people of Sri Lanka being resolved in the exercise of our freedom and independence as a nation to give to ourselves a constitution which will declare Sri Lanka a free sovereign and independent republic ... deriving its power and authority solely from the people do on this the tenth day of the waxing moon in the month of Vesak in the year two thousand five hundred and fifteen of the Buddhist era ... hereby adopt enact and give to ourselves this constitution." - The 1972 Constitution of Sri Lanka, 1972
The constitution changed the country’s name from Ceylon to Sri Lanka, making it a republic, and officially changed the national language to Sinhalese. In this act, Bandaranaike, like her husband, disregarded the repercussions to the minority Tamils’ future in Sri Lanka.
Nearing the end of her second term in 1975, Bandaranaike knew that she would lose the general election as she was no longer allied with the communist parties who once helped her win majority in parliament. Bandaranaike extended her term with a constitutional amendment before losing the general election to J.R. Jayewardene.
"Present Election Issue Worries Bandaranaike's Government." Playground Daily News. October 7, 1976.
