Sri Lanka, whither goest thou
Posted on February 1st, 2026
Ashley de Vos
On the 4th of February 1948, Ceylon was granted Dominion status by the British Crown. The Queen remained the head, and Ceylon had a Governor-General. The island’s residents were encouraged to celebrate the event as Independence Day. This Ceylon did for many years.
Sri Lanka has had two main republican constitutions—1972 and 1978—designed to sever colonial ties with Britain, establish a sovereign republic, and centre state power.
The First Republican Constitution, promulgated on 22 May 1972, replaced the Soulbury Constitution, thereby eliminating the last remnants of British dominion and establishing Sri Lanka as a free, sovereign, and independent republic. It established a National State Assembly, the supreme instrument of state power, and Ceylon became Sri Lanka.
The 1978 Second Republican Constitution (Current), promulgated on the 7th September 1978, replaced the 1972 system with a strong executive presidency, comprising a head of state and head of government, elected directly for a six-year term.
Even at this late stage, should Sri Lanka instead celebrate 22nd May 1972 as the true independence day, rather than unnecessarily wasting taxpayers’ resources to celebrate the 4th February 1948? A meaningless exercise, but then, who decides?
Ashley de Vos