British Documents On The End Of Empire Series B Volume 2 - Sri Lanka Part I The Second World War And The Soulbury Commission 1939 - 1945 [with] Part II Towards Independence 1945 -1948 [two volumes complete]

De Silva, K M [editor]

ISBN 10: 0112905595 / ISBN 13: 9780112905592

Published by HMSO - The Stationery Office, 2001

About this Item

Cloth, dj, F/F. 2 volumes, cvi+368pp, xxxviii+396pp, b/w map to volume I, index to each volume, a fine set. New. Monumental collection of Official Documents from the Colonial Office, F & CO, and similar British Government Bodies charting the move to Independence for Sri Lanka [ Ceylon ] which was the first of Britain's Crown Colonies in Africa & Asia to gain Independence. The book contains documents relating to the support given by Sri Lanka's nationalist politicians to the War Effort which resulted in a British pledge of Dominion Status, The Soulbury Commission, etc etc. Based upon hitherto unpublished material & essential reading for anyone interested in modern Indian & Asian History. 1850 grams. Seller Inventory # 26002

Bibliographic Details

Title: British Documents On The End Of Empire ...

Publisher: HMSO - The Stationery Office

Publication Date: 2001

Binding: Hardcover

Condition: New

Dust Jacket Condition: Dust Jacket Included

Edition: 1st edition.

About this title

Synopsis:

Renamed Sri Lanka in 1972, Ceylon was the first of Britain's crown colonies in Asia and Africa to become independent. Though it was regarded as a model colony, conflict between the Sinhalese majority and the Tamil minority posed a major obstacle to self-government. Based on material from offical Britih archives, this two-part volume illustrates the complexities in the political and constitutional negotiations which culminated in Ceylon's independence in February 1948. This volume reveals how their island's nationalist leaders insisted that Ceylon's contribution to the war effort be rewarded by a pledge of dominion status. Part 2 of the work records developments up to independence. It reveals how a reluctant labour Cabinet in the UK was ultimately persuaded and also how the independence settlement left the minorities nurturing misgivings.