Evening star., 1947-11-17
Dominion of CeyIon

Lie OeFOlutlO1 OI 6TltlSn Imperial power
in Southern Asia takes another step with
Ceylon's attainment of full Dominion
status. Henceforth, this big, pear-shaped
island lying off the southern tip of India
will be full-fedged member of the Brit
ish- Commonwealth of Nations ranking
politically with the other Dominions and
enjoying complete independence in the
management of its own affairs.
1t should be noted, however, that Ceylon,
unlike Burma, remains within the Com
monwealth and has concluded agreements
providing for mutual defense and meas
ure of representation by Britain in its
foreign relations. These qualifications
correspond to the realities of the situation.
Ceylon Is relatively small country,
with fewer than 100000 inhabitants,
separated by only narrow strait from
its huge neighbor. India. Ofhand. it
might seem logical for Ceylon to form
part Of an Indian Federation. Yet, despite
its geographical proximity, Ceylons his
toric evolution has been quite distinct
from that of India, giving It's people a
very different psychology and outlook.
The basic dissimilarity Is one of religion.
Buddhism, originally imported from India,
took root and fourished in Ceylon,
whereas 1t died out In India before a
victorious Brahmin reaction And the
difference between Buddhism and Hindu
ism produces profound unlikeness in
culture and ways Of life. Furthermore,
Islam never penetrated Ceylon. Lastly, the
island has been permeated by European
influences for nearly four centuries First
the Portuguese and then the Dutch
formed settlements along the coast, while
the British gained control $50 years ago
and soon subjected the whole island to
their authority. This prolonged European
contact shows, among other matters, in
the existence of native Christian elements
in the coastal regions. Those native
Christians live harmoniously with the
Buddhist majority. However. that is not
the case with a recent immigrant influx
8 During the past half-century great num-
bers of Tamils from Southern India have
come to Ceylon to work on the big planta-
tions. Those Tamils, mostly Hindu in
religion, have kept their identity and are
not on the best of terms with the native
SenegaleSe. That mutual aversion has
tended to strengthen Ceylonese self
consciousness and inhibit any desire for
political union with India. But an inde-
pendent Ceylon would not feel comfortable
beside its mighty neighbor. Hence, part
nership within the British Commonwealth
seems preferable.
For Britain and its other Dominions,
Ceylonese partnership is most welcome,
because Ceylon is vital strategic link in
the chain of communications binding the
British homeland with Australia, New
Zealand and other parts of the Common
wealth in the Far East and the Pacific
Ceylon proved its strategic Importance in
the late war. when it's big naval base of
Trincomalee formed solid bastion
behind which British naval strength
could rally to hold off japanese attacks
across the Bay of Bengal from captured
Malaga and Burma.
1t is thus upon basis of mutual advan-
tage that Ceylon takes its new place in
the British Commonwealth of Nations
That is the best augury that the arrange
ment will prove harmonious and enduring