Re Call - MCQ - Political Changes In Sri Lanka Under The British -Colebrooke Reforms — O/L Past Papers & Revision Courses

#1. In what year were the Colebrooke Reforms, which established the Executive and Legislative Councils, introduced?

1815

1833

1948

1865

#2. Who were the two individuals appointed by the British to investigate Sri Lanka’s political, economic, and legal systems, leading to the 1833 reforms?

George Wall and Donoughmore

Robert Brownrigg and Frederick North

Barnes and Torrington

W.H.G. Colebrooke and Charles Hae Cameron

#3. A key feature of the Colebrooke Reforms was the establishment of which two governing bodies?

Executive Council and Legislative Council

Provincial Councils and Urban Councils

Supreme Court and District Courts

Governor's Council and People's Assembly

#4. How did the Colebrooke Reforms change the administrative structure of Sri Lanka?

They separated the upcountry and low country into two distinct territories.

They granted full autonomy to regional kingdoms.

They unified the administration of the upcountry and low country.

They divided the country based on linguistic lines.

#5. As part of the administrative changes under the Colebrooke Reforms, Sri Lanka was divided into how many provinces?

Five provinces

Nine provinces

Three provinces

Seven provinces

#6. What significant economic changes were introduced by the Colebrooke Reforms?

The establishment of a central bank and new currency.

The nationalization of all private estates.

The introduction of income tax for all citizens.

The abolition of the compulsory service system and government trade monopoly.

#7. What was the total number of members in the Legislative Council established in 1833, and how were they divided?

20 members (10 official, 10 unofficial)

15 members (9 official, 6 unofficial)

12 members (6 official, 6 unofficial)

18 members (12 official, 6 unofficial)

#8. Under the Colebrooke Reforms, how were the 6 unofficial seats in the Legislative Council allocated among different ethnic groups?

2 Sinhalese, 2 Tamil, 2 Burgher

4 Europeans, 1 Sinhalese, 1 Tamil

3 Europeans, 1 Sinhalese, 1 Tamil, 1 Burgher

3 Sinhalese, 2 Tamil, 1 European

#9. The system of appointing unofficial members to the Legislative Council based on their ethnicity was known as what?

Nationalist representative system

Democratic electoral system

Merit-based appointment system

Proportional representation system

#10. What was a major limitation on the power of the unofficial members in the Legislative Council?

They were not allowed to vote on financial matters.

They could only speak in their native languages.

They could be vetoed by the official members' majority.

Their appointment was controlled by the governor, and they had limited real power.

#11. What was the primary stated aim of establishing the Executive Council under the Colebrooke Reforms?

To increase the salary of the governor.

To limit the governor’s financial power.

To handle all foreign policy decisions.

To oversee the judicial appointments.

#12. What was the actual power dynamic between the governor and the Executive Council regarding financial matters?

The governor's decisions could be overturned by a majority vote in the council.

The governor had to get prior approval from the council for all expenditures.

The governor had to consult the council but was not bound by its advice.

The council had full control over the colony's budget.

#13. Which group was the first to actively protest and demand further reforms after the implementation of the Colebrooke Reforms?

European businessmen and estate owners

Sri Lankan nationalist leaders

Buddhist monks and clergy

The Kandyan aristocracy

#14. What was a primary demand of the European businessmen who protested for changes in the Legislative Council?

The right to vote for all Sri Lankans.

Infrastructure development like roads and railways for their estates.

The establishment of Sinhala as the official language.

The complete removal of the governor.

#15. Besides forming organizations, what was a method used by European businessmen to voice their demands for reform?

Organizing island-wide labor strikes.

Refusing to pay taxes to the government.

Boycotting all sessions of the Legislative Council.

Raising questions and proposals within the Legislative Council and writing newspaper articles.

#16. What organization was formed in 1865, led by George Wall, to represent the interests of European businessmen?

The Ceylon National Congress

The Planters' Association

Lanka Congress

The Burgher Union

#17. What was the direct outcome of the struggles led by European businessmen for more representation?

The number of unofficial members was increased to 8, adding seats for upcountry Sinhalese and Muslims.

The governor was replaced with a new appointee from London.

The official members lost their majority in the council.

All unofficial members were replaced by elected representatives.

#18. What significant impact did the Europeans’ successful struggles for reform have on the local population?

It caused widespread resentment and conflict between communities.

It led to the British granting limited voting rights to all Sri Lankans.

It discouraged Sri Lankans from seeking political change.

It inspired Sri Lankans to begin their own demands for administrative power.

#19. While W.H.G. Colebrooke focused on administrative and financial reforms, what was the specific area reformed by his colleague, Charles Hae Cameron?

The educational system

The judicial system

The military structure

The land ownership laws

#20. What was identified as a long-term negative consequence of the ethnic-based representation introduced in the Legislative Council?

It led to an immediate decline in the economy.

It caused the European members to resign in protest.

It sowed the seeds for future ethnic tensions.

It was quickly abolished by the governor.

Re Call – MCQ – Political Changes in Sri Lanka under the British -Colebrooke Reforms

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