The Hartal in 1953

W.T.A. Leslie FERNANDO

The Hartal organized by the Leftists on August 12, 1953 was one of the most significant events in the history of Sri Lanka. It was the first occasion that the people rose in protest and some with violence to show their anger against a Government. The Hartal in August 1953 had far - reaching effects on the political history in Sri Lanka.

Crowds protesting against the soaring food prices in 1953 Hartal. Picture: ANCL Library

In 1953, the balance of payments in Sri Lanka received a set back as the prices of the exports decreased and that of the imports increased. The prosperity in the country created by 'Kirean boom' came to an end once the Korean war was over and the Government aimed to withdraw most of the subsidies to conserve foreign resources. It wanted to restrict the import of rice and wheat flour. The speculation of these measures created artificial scarcities.

The real gravity of the situation came to the surface when in 1953 Budget proposals were introduced. The price of a subsidized measure of rice was increased from 25 cents to 70 cents. The prices of sugar and wheat flour too went up. There were drastic increase of postal rates and the train fare. Free mid-day bun for schoolchildren was also withdrawn and approximately 750,000 schoolchildren were affected. Nevertheless, no burdens were imposed on the rich.

The total effect of these measures were devastating to the poor. As all these came together, the situation became worse for them. They affected both rural and urban poor alike and there was discontent among all. The Leftist parties galvanized the people against the measures. They organized protest rallies, processions, pamphlets and trade union action.

On July 23, 1953, the Leftists organized a huge protest rally at the Galle Face grounds. It was presided over by S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike. On that day, the Leftist parties, the LSSP and CP-VLSSP. United Front organized a token strike in the Port. Some people who attended the mammoth meeting stormed Parliament buildings and the Police had to use tear gas to disperse them.

The LSSP, CP-VLSSP United Front and the Federal Party continued their agitational activities all over the country. They decided to organized a Hartal on August 12, 1953 as a mark of protest. Although the SLFP associated with the protests it did not join the Hartal fearing some violence. Nevertheless the Federal Party joined the Hartal and it was not confined only to the Leftists.

The LSSP, CP-VLSSP United Front and the Federal Party got together and decided that the Hartal should be a peaceful protest, without violence, a country wide stoppage of work for one day and a day of mourning hoisting black flags. On the other hand, the Government and the private employers took counter measures to repulse people from participating in the Hartal.

On the Hartal day on August 12, 1953 there was a standstill in many public and private institutions. The transport strike was so successful that even the few who reported to work in Colombo could not return home. Garbage collection, post and harbour operations were all paralyzed. This situation prevailed mostly in the coastal belt along Western and Southern Provinces.

Some people took Hartal beyond stoppage of work. They blocked roads, removed railway tracks, brought down telegraph posts and even stoned and burnt buses. When the Police officers went to quell the riotous behaviour they too were stoned. Shops were closed in many towns. Incidents of this kind occurred even in the Northern Province.

Although the Hartal was meant for one day, protests and riotous behaviour continued unabated. The treatment meted out by the Police to the protests angered people and troubles continued. The LSSP and the CP-VLSSP leaders found that the situation had gone out of control and issued a statement that the Hartal is over, calling workers to resume duties. However, the protests continued at a high pitch for several more days and the Police had to shoot eight people dead to control the situation. Hundreds were arrested including some Leftist leaders in some provinces.

Many acts violence occurred during the Hartal. The Government had to take stern measures to put an end to the Hartal. On August 14th announced the death penalty for arson, looting and trespass and 20 years jail for sedition. These very steep penalties showed that the Hartal made the establishment uneasy.

Some interpret that the Hartal proved that the people at the time could have been organized for a revolution. They analyze that though the people were ready for a revolution, the Leftist leaders were not prepared to direct the people towards it. Although the Leftist leaders disowned violence at the Hartal, the LSSP leaders later proudly proclaimed that it as the first occasion masses revolted against capitalist domination.

Others contend that categorization of Hartal as conditions ripe for a revolution was really an exaggeration of events that occurred which were in the main restricted to Western, Sabaragamuwa and Southern Provinces although there were a few incidents in the Northern Province. They pointed out that protests came from only the elements faithful to the Leftists and vast mass of people although opposed to the cuts in the subsidy did not participate in the Hartal. They add that the major trade unions in the plantations had nothing to do with the Hartal.

Whatever the revolutionary potential of Hartal, it was very effective. The Government was compelled to reduce the price of consumer goods to some extent.

It gave rise to a jittery in the Government ranks. Dudley Senanayake resigned after the Hartal and J.L. Kothelawala was made the Prime Minister. The Hartal symbolized people's resentment towards the Government and paved the way for the debacle of the UNP in 1956.

(The writer is a former High Court Judge and Vice-President of the Newman Society Alumni Association)