Sri Lanka, the pearl of the Indian ocean, boasts of a documented history which goes back over 2500 years. With its location at the center of the east-west trade routes, Sri Lankans were known throughout history as
warm, hospitable and friendly people. A rich tradition of agricultural self sustenance, with some of the worlds earliest irrigation systems, has seen Sri Lanka maintain a rich culture of many
different forms vibrant and alive until modern times. Bhuddism, which came to Sri Lanka from neighbouring India, was at the epicenter of this cultural blossoming and still plays a central role in Sri Lankan lives. With its tall dagobas,
verdant white sand beaches and picturesque central mountains, Sri Lankans are heirs to a beautiful country in addition to a rich cultural heritage.
Ancient Sri Lankan civilisation reached its zenith during the Anuradhapura and Polonaruwa dynasties, followed by a period of intermittent foreign invasions and local infighting.
Colonial rule began with the arrival of Portugese in 1505 who conquered parts of the coastal area of Sri Lanka followed by
Dutch in 1565. Dutch were displaced by British in 1795 who made the island a crown colony in 1798.
On February 18, 1815 the island was brought under complete colonial rule for the first time with the capture of last king of Kandy Sri
Wickramarajasignhe. Later on with the enormous pressure from Ceylonese nationalist leaders and crucial role played by Ceylon in World War
II the pressure for independence intensified under the name of Ceylon. The Ceylon Independence Act sees daylight after negotiations
with the Sri Lankan leaders. From the first election in the history of the Island, D S Senanayake elected as the first prime minister in
1947 and it became a Commonwealth realm in 1948.
February 4th 1948 Ceylon gained freedom. Ceylon became a self-governing dominion
of the Commonwealth of Nations. In 1951 S.W.R.D Bandaranayake formed the Sri Lanka freedom Party and contested for the second election
in 1952 but united national party won the election and elected D.S Senanayake as the prime minister again. This is how it started,
the battle between green and blue.
In 1953 UNP won the third election
by appointing Sir John Kotelawala as the prime minister. In the fourth election on 1956 people of Sri Lanka decided go with SLFP by
appointing S.W.R.D Bandaranayake as the Prime minister one who opened up a new chapter for the education system of Sri Lanka by offering
free education for all the Sri Lankan children. The essence of SWRD Bandaranaike philosophy was to led a peaceful but a powerful
social revolution of the ordinary masses in helping the common man to achieve equality and dignity in society.
Unfortunately he was assassinated on the 25th of September. Fifth election and fourth parliament of Sri Lanka lasted for only 30
days as the newly elected Prime minister, Dudley Senanayake was defeated by a motion of no-confidence. In sixth election on 1960
Srimovo Bandaranayake became the prime minister and world first ever women prime minister.
Duddly Senanayake became prime minister again from UNP in 1965 and in 1970 Sirimavo became Prime minister again from SLFP-led coalition.
In 1977 UNP’s J.R Jayawaredena became prime minister after 7 years of ruling by SLFP. In 1978 J R Jayawardena opened up a new chapter
in Sri Lanka’s constitution by introducing the powerful executive presidency. So J. R Jayawardena became the first Executive president
in Sri Lanka. J R Jayawardena won again in 1982’s election for another four more years. In 1989 R premadasa became the executive president.
In 1993 suicide bomber struck another death in political history by assassinating R Premadasa at a May rally. D.B Wijetunage became the
president for a short period of time and after 14 years of UNP’s ruling in 1994 SLFP led coalition People's Alliance (PA) gained
victory by appointing Chandrika Bandaranayake as the president. And then Ranil wicramsinghe became the president for a short time and
in 2005 November Mahinda Rajapakse took the office as the president. That's how it went from past to the present and future of the Sri Lankan
politics going to be ..... (who knows)..
