Presidential Election 2024 Sri Lanka: 1947 Election and 1948 Independence Ceylon Government

1947 General Election in Ceylon (Sri Lanka)
The 1947 general election was the first parliamentary election held under the Soulbury Constitution, introducing self-rule before independence.

Election Dates: August 23 to September 20, 1947.
Main Parties:
United National Party (UNP) – Led by D. S. Senanayake, a conservative party aiming for gradual independence and ethnic unity.
Lanka Sama Samaja Party (LSSP) – A Marxist, left-wing party advocating for socialism.
Ceylon Indian Congress (CIC) and All Ceylon Tamil Congress (ACTC) – Represented Indian Tamils and Ceylon Tamils.
Communist Party of Ceylon (CPC) – A Marxist party pushing for socialist governance.
Results:
The UNP won 42 of 95 seats and formed a coalition government with independents and Tamil Congress.
Independence and D. S. Senanayake's Premiership (1948)
Ceylon gained independence on February 4, 1948, and D. S. Senanayake became the first Prime Minister (1948–1952).

Key Contributions:
Nation-building: Promoted ethnic harmony and unity.
Gal Oya Scheme: Major land and irrigation development to boost agriculture.
Foreign Policy: Maintained neutrality in Cold War politics while strengthening ties with Britain.
Economic Focus: Continued the plantation economy of tea, rubber, and coconut.
Senanayake died unexpectedly on March 22, 1952, after a riding accident. His son, Dudley Senanayake, succeeded him as Prime Minister. D. S. Senanayake is remembered as the "Father of the Nation" for leading Sri Lanka into independence and laying the foundations for its development.