Bandaranayake Chelvanayakam Pact

(Banda-Chelva pact - 1957)

 

(The following agreement was signed between the Sinhala Prime Minister SWRD Bandaranayake and the Tamil leader SJV Chelvanayakam, on 25 July 1957. On 9 April 1958, Mr. Bandaranayake, under pressure from extremist Buddhist monks, unilaterally abrogated the pact. )

 

PART - A 

 

"Representatives of the Federal Party have had a series of  discussions with the Prime Minister in an effort to resolve  the  differences  of opinion that had been growing and  creating tension. 

"At an early stage of these conversations it became  evident that it was not possible for the Prime Minister to  accede to some of the demands of the Federal Party.

"The Prime Minister stated that from the point of vlew of  the Government, he was not in a position to discuss the  setting up of a Federal Constitution, or regional autonomy, or  take any step that would abrogate the,Official Language Act.

"The question then arose whether it was possible to  explore the possibility of an adjustment without the Federal  Party abandoning or surrendering any of its fundamental  principles of objectives. 

"At  this  stage  the  Prime  Minister  suggested  an  examination of the Government's draft Regional Councils  Bill to see whether provision could be made under it to  meet, reasonably, some of the matters iri this regard which  the Federal Party had in view.

 

"The agreements so reached are embodied in separate  documents. 

"Regarding the language issue, the Federal Party reiterated  its stand for parity, but in view of the position of the Prime  Minister in this matter they came to an agreement by way of adjustment. They pointed out that it was important for them  that there should be a recognition of Tamil as a national  language, and that the administrative work of the Northern  and Eastern Provinces should be done in Tamil.

"The Prime Minister stated that as mentioned by him  earlier it was not possible for him to take any steps that  would abrogate the Official Language Act.

"After  discussion,  it  was  agreed  that  the  proposed  legislation  should  contain  recognition  of  Tamil  as  the  language of a national minority of Ceylon, and that the four 
points mentioned by the Prime Minister should include  provision that, without infringing on the position of the  Official language as such, the language of administration of  the Northern and Eastern Provinces be Tamil, and that any  necessary provision be made for the non-Tamil speaking  minorities in the Northern and Eastern Provinces. 

 "Regarding the question of Ceylon citizenship for people of  Indian descent and the revision of the Citizenship Act, the  representatives of the Federal Party put forward their views to 
the Prime Minister and pressed for an early settlement.

 "The Prime Minister indicated that the problem would  receive early consideration.

 "In view of these conclusions the Federal Party stated  that they were withdrawing their proposed satyagraha". 


PART - B 

1. REGIONAL areas to be defined in the Bill  itself by embodying them in a schedule thereto.

2. THAT the Northern Provinces is to form  on regional area whilst the Eastern Province is to  be divided into two or more regional areas. 

3. PROVISION is to be made in the Bill to enable two or more regions to amalgamate even
beyond provincial limit; and for one region to divide itself subjeet to ratifzcation by Parliament.Further provision is to be made in the Bill for two or more regions to collaborate for specific purposes of common interests.

4. PROVISION is to made for direct election of regional councillors.  Provision is to be made
for a delimitation commission or commissions for  carving out  electorates.    The  question  of
M.P.s  representing  districts  falling  within regional  areas  to  be  eligible  to  function  as
chairmen is to considered.   The question of Government   Agents      being   in   regional
commissioners is to considered. The question of supezvisozy functions  over  larger  towns  and municipalities it to be looked into.

5, PARLIAMENT is to delegate powers and to specify them in the Act.  It was agreed that
regional  councils  should  have  powers  over specific  subjects  including  agriculture,  co -operatives,  lands  and  land  development, colonisation, education, health, industries, and
fisheries,   housing,   and   social   services, electricity, water schemes and roads.   Requisite
definition of powers will be made in the Bill.

6.  IT was  agreed that  in  the  matter  of colonisation schemes the powers of the regional
councils  shall  include  the  power  to  select allottees  to  whom  lands  within  the  area  of
authority shall be alienated and also power to select personnel to be employed for work on such scheznes.  The position regarding the area at present administration by the Gal Oya Board in this matter requires consideration.

7.  THE powers in regard to the regional council vested in the Minister of Local Government
in the draft bill to be revised with a view to vesting control in Parliament wherever necessary.

8. THE Central Government will provide block  grants  to  the  regional  councils.  The
principles on which the grants will be computed will be gone into.  The regional councils shall have powers of taxation and borrowing.

 

 

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