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

#1. Which social class, that emerged from the economic and social changes following the Colebrooke reforms, began demanding constitutional reforms in the early 20th century?

The traditional Kandyan aristocracy

European plantation owners

The newly formed Sri Lankan middle class

The industrial working class

#2. A key demand of the Sri Lankan middle class around 1908–1909 was to replace the ethnic-based nationalist representative system with which alternative?

A system led by official members only

A universal franchise system

A monarchy-led system

A provincial representative system based on region

#3. Who took the initiative to lead the first formal petition for constitutional reforms to the colonial secretary in December 1908?

James Pieris

Ponnambalam Ramanadan

D.S. Senanayake

Governor Henry McCallum

#4. Under the Crew-McCallum Constitution of 1910, what was the new composition of the Legislative Council?

10 official members and 11 unofficial members

11 official members and 10 unofficial members

14 official members and 7 unofficial members

9 official members and 12 unofficial members

#5. What significant political right was introduced for the first time under the 1910 Crew-McCallum reforms, although it was restricted to certain qualifications?

The right to form political parties

The right to a trial by jury

Limited voting rights (franchise)

The right to public assembly

#6. Who was elected in 1912 as the first ‘educated Sri Lankan representative’ under the limited franchise of the 1910 reforms?

F.R. Senanayake

Ponnambalam Ramanadan

James Pieris

Ponnambalam Arunachalam

#7. The Temperance Movement, which united the middle-class and religious activists, was formed primarily to protest against what government policy?

The continuation of the nationalist representative system

The imposition of new taxes on agricultural land

The government’s 1912 excise ordinance allowing new toddy bars

The use of martial law during civil unrest

#8. What was a direct consequence of the 1915 Sinhalese-Muslim riots for the leaders of the Temperance Movement?

The government used martial law to arrest them and banned Sinhala newspapers.

The government granted all their demands immediately.

The leaders were invited to join the Legislative Council.

The movement was officially recognized and funded by the colonial office.

#9. Which group of individuals emerged as prominent national leaders due to their role in the Temperance Movement?

Ponnambalam Arunachalam, James Pieris, and Ponnambalam Ramanadan

George Wall, William Manning, and Hue Clifford

Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Bal Gangadhar Tilak

F.R. Senanayake, D.S. Senanayake, and Sir D.B. Jayathilaka

#10. Inspired by the Indian Nationalist Movement, Sri Lankan leaders adopted the concept of ‘Swarajya’, which means what?

Non-violent protest

Economic self-sufficiency

Complete independence

Self-rule

#11. What was the main purpose for the formation of the Ceylon National Congress in 1919?

To promote the interests of European businessmen.

To lead the Temperance Movement.

To demand the restoration of the Kandyan monarchy.

To unite small political organizations for a stronger, unified voice against British rule.

#12. Who was the first president of the Ceylon National Congress, symbolizing its aim to unite Sinhalese, Tamils, and Muslims?

Ponnambalam Arunachalam

D. S. Senanayake

James Pieris

Sir D.B. Jayathilaka

#13. What was the most significant feature of the Manning Constitutional Reforms of 1920?

It granted universal adult franchise to all citizens.

It created an unofficial majority in the Legislative Council for the first time.

It abolished the governor's power to nominate members.

It established an independent judiciary.

#14. Despite the unofficial majority after the 1920 reforms, how did the governor retain significant influence over the Legislative Council?

He could dissolve the council at any time without reason.

The nominated unofficial members often sided with the official members.

All unofficial members were required to be British citizens.

The council's decisions were not legally binding.

#15. What was the most groundbreaking feature introduced by the Constitutional Reforms of 1924?

It made Sinhala the official language.

It granted full financial autonomy to the council.

It established an elected majority in the Legislative Council.

It introduced a bicameral legislature.

#16. The 1924 constitution created a situation of divided power between the governor and the elected members. What was the direct result of this?

Economic collapse due to overspending.

The resignation of all European members from the council.

Constant political deadlocks and governance issues.

The Ceylon National Congress boycotting all council meetings.

#17. What was the direct outcome of the governance failures of the 1924 constitution, as reported by Governor Hue Clifford?

The appointment of the Donoughmore Commission to propose a new constitution.

A reversion to the 1920 Manning Constitution.

The permanent dissolution of the Legislative Council.

The British government imposing direct military rule.

#18. What was a major achievement of the Ceylon National Congress at the time of its formation in 1919?

It immediately secured self-rule for Sri Lanka.

It gained full control over the colony's budget.

It secured a majority for Europeans in the Legislative Council.

It successfully unified Sinhalese, Tamils, and Muslims under a common political goal.

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

Results

#1. Which social class, that emerged from the economic and social changes following the Colebrooke reforms, began demanding constitutional reforms in the early 20th century?

#2. A key demand of the Sri Lankan middle class around 1908–1909 was to replace the ethnic-based nationalist representative system with which alternative?

#3. Who took the initiative to lead the first formal petition for constitutional reforms to the colonial secretary in December 1908?

#4. Under the Crew-McCallum Constitution of 1910, what was the new composition of the Legislative Council?

#5. What significant political right was introduced for the first time under the 1910 Crew-McCallum reforms, although it was restricted to certain qualifications?

#6. Who was elected in 1912 as the first ‘educated Sri Lankan representative’ under the limited franchise of the 1910 reforms?

#7. The Temperance Movement, which united the middle-class and religious activists, was formed primarily to protest against what government policy?

#8. What was a direct consequence of the 1915 Sinhalese-Muslim riots for the leaders of the Temperance Movement?

#9. Which group of individuals emerged as prominent national leaders due to their role in the Temperance Movement?

#10. Inspired by the Indian Nationalist Movement, Sri Lankan leaders adopted the concept of ‘Swarajya’, which means what?

#11. What was the main purpose for the formation of the Ceylon National Congress in 1919?

#12. Who was the first president of the Ceylon National Congress, symbolizing its aim to unite Sinhalese, Tamils, and Muslims?

#13. What was the most significant feature of the Manning Constitutional Reforms of 1920?

#14. Despite the unofficial majority after the 1920 reforms, how did the governor retain significant influence over the Legislative Council?

#15. What was the most groundbreaking feature introduced by the Constitutional Reforms of 1924?

#16. The 1924 constitution created a situation of divided power between the governor and the elected members. What was the direct result of this?

#17. What was the direct outcome of the governance failures of the 1924 constitution, as reported by Governor Hue Clifford?

#18. What was a major achievement of the Ceylon National Congress at the time of its formation in 1919?