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The Buddhist Commission Report (1956) and the Book ‘ The Revolt in the Temple’ by D.C. Wijewardene (1953), laid the ideological foundation for the S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike led Sinhala Buddhist Electoral Revolution of 1956

TheBu ddhist Commission Report and the book The Revolt in the Temple by D.C. Wijewardena are widely recognized as having laid the primary ideological and foundational groundwork for the Sinhala-Buddhist electoral revolution of 1956 in Sri Lanka. 

• The Revolt in the Temple (published in 1953) served as a foundational theoretical text, inspiring the nationalist sentiment that culminated in the 1956 election. It presented a three-part narrative intertwining the history of the Buddhist faith, the Sinhalese race, and the land of Sri Lanka, urging Sinhalese Buddhists to resist foreign influences and reaffirm their collective identity. 
•  It helped to inspire the “Buddhist revolution” by framing the political struggle as a fight for justice against the legacies of colonialism and for the preservation of ‘Rata, Jathiya, and Agama’ (Nation, Race, and Religion).
• The Buddhist Commission Report, published in February 1956 by the All-Ceylon Buddhist Congress, detailed the various injustices and grievances suffered by the Buddhist community under centuries of colonial rule and subsequent post-independence governments. It made specific recommendations for the restoration of Buddhism to its rightful place, particularly in education, and presented “Ten Commandments” (‘Dasa Panatha’) for political parties to pledge to implement. 

S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike, leader of the Mahajana Eksath Peramuna (MEP) coalition, publicly declared his commitment to implementing the report’s recommendations if elected, a stance that secured the overwhelming support of the Buddhist monks and the wider Sinhalese-Buddhist electorate, leading to his landslide victory and the “Ape Aanduwa” (Our Government) era. 

• 1956 – A Year of National and Religious Awakening
• https://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=6,10168,0,0,1,0

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·  Book Review: The Revolt in the Temple by D.C. Wijewardena

https://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=10,13156,0,0,1,0

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LankaWeb

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THE GENERAL ELECTION OF 1956 Part 2

KAMALIKA PIERIS

https://www.lankaweb.com/news/items/2020/04/19/the-general-election-of-1956-part-2/

·  Historic report to be re-launched – Sunday Times

·  October 06, 2006

·  https://www.sundaytimes.lk/061001/Plus/pls15.html

Fifty years ago, a Report of a Committee appointed by the All-Ceylon Buddhist Congress created a significant impact in the political, cultural and social history of Sri Lanka. It was Buddha Jayanthi year. The report outlined the grievances of Buddhists and set out a series of measures to elevate the position of Buddhism in the country. It argued that Buddhism had been neglected under colonial rule and post-independence governments had done little to rectify the damage done. Now, in the 2550th Jayanthi year, the report, which had been out of print for many years has been reprinted and is to be formally presented to the Maha Nayaka Theras of the three Nikayas and the Buddhist public at a gathering to be held at Ananda College on Tuesday, October 3. Leading Buddhist organisations including the All-Ceylon Buddhist Congress, Colombo YMBA, Sasana Sevaka Samitiya, Dharmavijaya Foundation and Old Anandians Association are planning to make the event a noteworthy one to encourage Buddhists to take stock of their position and inspire them to work towards achieving their goals. It was on a pledge given by the President of the Congress, Professor Gunapala Malalasekera at the annual sessions held in Kegalle on December 27, 1952 that the committee consisting of well-known Buddhist personalities was appointed. The committee comprised Ven Ambanwelle Sri Siddahatha Anu Nayaka Thera of the Malwatta Chapter, Ven Halyale Sumanatissa Thera – Registrar of the Asgiriya Chapter, Pandita Palannoruwe Wimaladhamma Nayaka Thera – Deputy head of the Vidyodaya Pirivena, Balangoda Ananda Maitriya Nayaka Thera – Head of Sri Dharmananda Pirivena, Pandita Sri Gnanaloka Thera – Deputy head of Balagalle Saraswathie Pirivena, Ven Dr Kotahene Pannakitti Thera of the Vidyalankara Pirivena, Madihe Pannasiha Maha Nayaka Thera, Professor G. P. Malalasekera, P. de S. Kularatne, L.H. Mettananda, D. C. Wijewardena, Professor Tennekoon Vimalananda and C. D. S. Siriwardena. T. U. de Silva and M. D. S. Abeyratne were the joint secretaries.The committee obtained the views of the public through a questionnaire with 71 questions. The committee also held public sittings throughout the country. The report was released on February 4, 1956 at a public meeting held at Ananda College. On this occasion L.H. Mettananda (former Principal of Ananda College) made a resounding speech entitled ‘ The Conspiracy against Buddhism’ that still resonates even to this day.  A week after the report was released, Parliament was dissolved and a general election was fixed for April 1956. A document titled ‘Ten Commandments’ (Dasa Panatha) including a pledge to implement the recommendations of the committee, was presented to the major political parties. Only the Mahajana Eksath Peramuna led by the leader of the SLFP, S. W. R. D. Bandarakanie accepted the ‘Ten Commandments’. The result was a landslide victory for him. As Prime Minister, he took the initiative in appointing a Buddha Sasana Commission (March 4, 1957) to make recommendations based on the committee report. The Commission submitted its report to the Governor-General on June 4,1959 but with the assassination of the Prime Minister, its implementation was stalled. Tuesday’s meeting is looked upon as a major initiative in assessing the position of the Buddhists after 50 years since the Buddha Jayanthi and to impress on the need to at least build up a society based on the Five Precepts. It will also be a symbol of recognition of the immense service by the learned monks and the laymen in preparing such an extensive report. The attractively printed new edition is a Visidunu publication.