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by Walter Wijenayaka

Today (04.02.2002), we celebrate the 54th ceremony of independence gained after freedom from colonialism.

Our country was subjected to various changes politically, economically, and socially and various development programs have been implemented with the hope of building up stable economy during this period.

A Westminster Parliamentary System for our country Sri Lanka, then Ceylon, with certain powers vested in the Governor and the British Parliament acting through its members has been recommended by the Soulbury Commission Report published in October 1945.

D.S. Senanayake (lately Rt. Hon.), as the leader of the Untied National Party, which won the largest number of Parliamentary seats, at the General Election held in August-September 1947 under the Soulbury Commission, was elected as the Prime Minister and formed the Government.

He presented to the Parliament, the Independence Motion and it was passed by 59 vote to 11 on 03.12.1947. Then requested the British Government to name it 'The Independence Act'. The British Government responded favourably and the 'Ceylon Independence Act' was passed in the British House of Commons. A formal announcement was made that 04.02.1948 would be the appointed date under the Independence Act for the attainment of freedom.

H.R.H. Duke of Gloucester opened the parliament of Free Ceylon on 10.02.1948 at a historic ceremony in a specially constructed Audience Hall in the Independence Square, where the Independence Memorial Hall now stands. It is how our nation and a free people, after 133 years as a British Colony.

Now it is quite suitable to state here all the names of Prime Ministers who ruled the country to date.

Rt. Hon. D.S. Senanayake - from September 24, 1947 to March 22, 1952.

Hon. Dudley Senanayake - March 26, 1952 to October 12, 1953; March 21, 1960 to July 21, 1960; March 25, 1965 to May 28, 1970.

Hon. Sir John Kotalawala - October 12, 1953 to April 11, 1956.

S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike - April 11, 1956 to September 26, 1959.

Wijayananda Dahanayaka - September 26, 1959 to March 20, 1960.

Mrs. Sirima Ratwatte Dias Bandaranaike - July 21, 1960 to March 25, 1965; May 29, 1970 to July 23, 1977 November 13, 1994 to August 10, 2000.

J.R. Jayewardene - July 23, 1977 to February 03, 1978 Prime Minister; 04.02.1978 to 02.01.1989 President.

Ranasinghe Premadasa - February 06, 1978 to January 01, 1989 Prime Minister; January 02, 1989 to May 01, 1993 President.

D.B. Wijetunge - March 03, 1989 to May 01, 1993 Prime Minister; May 01, 1993 to January 10, 1994 President.

Ranil Wickremeinghe - May 07, 1993 to August 19, 1994 Prime Minister; December 09, 2001 to date Prime Minister.

Mrs. Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga - August 19, 1994 to November 12, 1994 to Prime Minister; November 12, 1994 to date President.

Hon. Sirima R. Dias Bandaranaike -November 13, 1994 to August 10, 2000 Prime Minister.

Ratnasiri Wickremanayake - August 10, 2000 to December 07, 2001 Prime Minister.

Ranil Wickremeinghe - December 12, 2001 to date Prime Minister.

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