Bandaranayaka -Chelavanayakam Pact
1957
The Pact was signed between SWRD Bandaranaike, Prime
Minister of Sri Lanka and SJV Chelavanayakam, Tamil leader on 25 July
1957. It was later abrogated, within less than a year,
on 9 April 1958. Reproduced below is the text of the Pact.
Representatives of the Federal Party 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 view 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 or objectives.
At this stage the Prime Minister suggested an examination of the
government’s Draft Regional Council Bill to see whether provision could
be made under it to meet, reasonably, some of the matters in this regard
which the Federal Party had in view.
The agreements so reached are embodied in a separate document.
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 there would be a recognition of Tamil as a
national language and that the administration of the Northern and the
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 the national minority of
Ceylon and that the four points mentioned by 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 the 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 could 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.
