International Success and Domestic Failure: The World’s First Female Prime Minister and the Changing of Sri Lanka’s Official Language
Sinhala Only Policy
“Sirimavo Bandaranaike.” British Broadcasting Company.
“Ceylon is a Buddhist country which for 2,500 years has drawn its inspiration from Dhammaas the as guiding philosophy of the great majority of our people.” - Sirimavo Bandaranaike, 1971.
The British had changed many aspects of Sri Lankan culture, including the prevalence of English. After gaining independence, the Sinhalese majority, once underrepresented under British rule, wanted to reclaim their culture.
"Ethnic Group and Religion." www.statistics.gov.lk.
The Begnining of the Sinhala Only Policy
“Sinhala Only Act (1956) Justified by S.W.A.R.D.” Youtube.
Preceding and inspiring Sirimavo Bandaranaike, her husband had wanted to change the national language to Sinhalese. Bandaranaike’s husband had claimed this was a postcolonial act, only partially acknowledging the consequence to the Tamil population who would be excluded by this policy.
"Sinhala Only Bill an Act Passed in the Parliament of Ceylon." Telo.org. August 8, 1955.
