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LLLLLL LSLLLLLLSLLLLLSLLLLLLLL 0S0SLLLL
 

ultural )11tleS
CA OF SRI LANKA
EDITED BY

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Cultural Minoriti their growth, achievemen

es of Sri Lanka ts and relevance today

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Cultural Minorit
their growth, achieveme
Edite E. Vijaya
s4
International Centre

ies of Sri Lanka nts and relevance today
ed by alakshmi
for Ethnic Studies

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International Centre for Eth 2, Kynsey Terrace, Colombo 8
Copyright © International Cen January, 2005
ISBN 955-580-096-0
1st Published in 2005
2nd Edition 2008
Printed by Unie Arts (Pvt) Ltd. No.48B, Bloemendhal Road Colombo 13

nic Studies , Sri Lanka
tre for Ethnic Studies

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Cont
Editor's Note
The Colombo Chettles some historical and socia/perspectives
The Portuguese & The Dutch Bu an overvieu)
The Malays
an opervie) 0f a tinigae hảifory cớ cư,
The Parsis influence & impact of a truly minori
The Malayalees their origins, grouth and decline
Bibliography

CS
νii
1.
urghers 14
48 liture
62 by community
80
104.

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Edito
This book has its genesis in a w 1984 by the ICES (International labeled “Workshop on the Cult saw representatives from all cul presenting socio-historical an respective communities. Almost two decades later, Mr. T the initiative to publish the profi Mr. Regi Siriwardena who had selected five profiles from the O. Updating the profiles proved to the authors had moved on. In so: to access either the author or th of getting in touch with a promi In substance, the profiles have bee reading as they give an insight into communities of this country w cosmopolitan in nature. Addit updating events. In this connection, I would like following people: Mr Reggie C. excellent book, History of Colom, updating the profile on the Mala additions and comments on the P Mrs. Prabha Nagalingam for going with a fine toothcomb; and, Ms supplied me with the article on S Parsi facing extinction ? that appeal September 10, 2000. My sincere thanks to Mr. Thamb task.
January 2005

's Note
orkshop that was held on Oct.13, Centre for Ethnic Studies). It was ural Minorities of Sri Lanka and ural minority groups of Sri Lanka d cultural perspectives on their
hambirajah of the ICES has taken les in the form of a book. The late organized the workshop in 1984, iginal eight for this project.
be a daunting task since most of me cases where it was not possible eir kith and kin, I took the liberty nent member of that community. in left intact. They make fascinating the numerically minor, yet vibrant hich go to make Sri Lanka truly ions have been made mostly in
to acknowledge the help of the andappa who made available his o Chetties, Mr. M. A. Sourjah for is; Mr F. R. Ragel for his valuable ortuguese Burghers of Batticoloa; through the profile on Malayalees . Faraza Farooq, journalist, who ri Lankan Parsis titled Sri Lanean ed in The Sunday Times Plus dated
rajah for entrusting me with this
E. Vijayalakshmi

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The Colom
some historical ana
Yasmi1
Introduction
Small cultural communities, with n of the country sometimes make their adopted land. Their surviva on their ability to adapt to and tensions of the macro-society, wh: Alternatively or subsequently, the cause these communities to a mainstream. Both these have been the lot of th This paper is an attempt to of perspectives on the community significance, achievements, declin
History & Background
The Sethi or Etti, usually translatec of social significance in pre-mode on ancient Ceylon have pointed ol bestowed by the king on wea recognition of their social and ec Most of these citizens were bank chief of the Sethis, the Sethinatha, State (understandable, since bank backbone of kingdoms internatio
1 M. B. Ariyapala, 1956. 2 Ibid. 3 Simon Casie Chetty.

bo Chetties
social perspectives
n Tambiah
o stake in the mainstream politics a mark both for themselves and l as a community often depends accommodate the dynamics and ile maintaining their own identity. se dynamics and tensions could ssimilate themselves into the
e Colombo Chetties in Sri Lanka. fer some historical and social particularly its evolution, social e and resurrection.
as "merchant', has held a position 'rn India and Ceylon. Authorities ut that Setthi was an honorific title lthy citizens, which suggests onomic importance in the realm. ters rather than merchants. The was a member of the Council of ers have constituted the financial nally).

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In India, the Tana Maisiyas (noble held the exclusive right to hold th was also conferred by the Crown all those involved in commerce.
and Etti. The Colombo Chetties belong to Vaisiyas are divided into seven su that the earliest ancestors of the north-western India near CCOrg the Hindu nobility were driv Mohammed of Ghazni in the 11th such as Negapatnam, Tanjore and with Ceylon from the Malabar 2 India. Perhaps the earliest mentio in the Mahayana which records t of Mallawa, accompanied by som land by the king of Ceylon in retu seem to have settled in Ceylon as held important offices at court. The Chetties visited the islanc commerce in pre-colonial times a Moorish and Arab merchants.” Po and a famine in the early half oi the migration of those first Ch. intended permanent settlement ir commercial interests."o Casper Ke Simon Casie Chetty), who came to
4. M B Ariyapala. 5 ibid.
6 Aserappa, 1930. 7 ibid.
8 ibid.
9 K M de Silva, 1981, ' Aserappa, 1930.
ibid.

2s involved in commerce), at first ne honorific suffix of Etti", which . It was subsequently extended to 'Chetty is synonymous with Setthi
the Tana J^aisiya caste. The Tana b-castes. There is every likelihood Chetties inhabited northern and and Benares and with others of en south by the conquests of century AD. They settled in places Tinnevelly and commenced trade and Coromandel coasts of South in of Chetties in textual sources is he arrival in Ceylon of the princes 2 Malabar Chetties who were given urn for their gifts.” Other Chetties far back as the 13th century, and
l frequently in the interests of nd in all likelihood competed with litical upheaval in southern India f the seventeenth century caused etties, who in more recent times Ceylon with an eye to protecting asie-Setty (ancestor of the famous Ceylon in 1620 was among them.'

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The community ligrated to Cey Dutch and British periods. In the trade, others were eminent ph governors' and yet others came administrative officers of variou East India Company. o Several ob or as “accomo desans' rented accordance with the classificatio Chetties’ quarters in places like Ch Road, Jampettah (former Muttukis in Colombo. They were accomp other castes that served them suc said that whenever a Colombo C was usually bought by another Ch (and still live), in their own houses settled in Galle, Calpentyn, Putt Peheliyagoda, Kandy, Hettipola, K Vaddukoddai, Arally, Jaffna, Battic Among the eminent Chetties of Michael Jurie Ondache (Ondaatje to the first Dutch governor and
his name; Don Simon de Melho
of the Governor's Gate and head was attached to the personal staff Philip de Melho (1723-1790) (bib. translated the Old and New Testa into Tamil); Simon de Rosairo
and chief landholder in Calpenty
12 ibid.
: ibid.
ibid.
5 ibid.
16 Mr. & Mrs. Joe A. Perumal in co '' Aserappa.
18 ibid.
'' ibid.

lon in larger numbers during the Dutch era some came to pursue tysicians invited by the Dutch with appointments as shroffs and s concerns set up by the Dutch tained land either to build houses, from the government' and in n of communities, occupied the ekku Street, Hill Street, Pickering's hna Street) and New Chetty Street anied by members of the various has barbers and washermen. It is 'hetty sold land in these areas, it letty. And nearly all of them lived ..Besides Colombo, the Chetties alam, Chilaw, Negombo, Toppu, Kurunegala, Navaly, Kellamthurai, caloa and Trincomalee.
f this period may be numbered ) (d.1714), a celebrated physician founder of the family that bears (d.1758) (Chief Tamil Mudaliyar of the Protestant Chetties, who of ten Dutch Governors); Rev. lical translator, linguist, poet who ments from the original languages (Administrator of Public Affairs in who on instructions from the
»nversation:Oct. 3, 1984.

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Dutch governor handed over the British);o and Dr. Quint Jurgen O J.U.D., appointed to the Imperial ( 1811 and named a High Court just TiT. ere were also severial educa prominent landowners in the Dut A substantial number of Chettie
officials when the island was a Presidency in the late 18th century 1833, most of the Tamils in Col into prominence as a wealthy, cult administration and occupied posi in several professional spheres. The shroffs, clergymen, scholars anc pursuing their more traditional landholding One of the most distinguished Cl Casie Chetty (1807-1860), often servant. He was a scholar and pro and a member of the legislative co for years, during which he also esta man of letters. In 1831, Simo corresponding member of the London, by its President, Sir Alexa some articles, which included the
the Origin and History of the Musée
20 ibid.
2 ibid.
** For an exhaustive list of Chetti under Dutch & British rule (up
? o H W Tambiah, 1954.
Simon Casie Chetty, 1834. (The are my own insertion. It deno the Chetties and the Tamilis, rath (See section on “cultural identit
4

keys of the Calpentyn fort to the indaatjie (d. 1818) (A. L. M. Ph.D., Doucil of Prizes by Napolean I in ice of the Netherlands in 1814). tionists, clergymen and some ch period.??
S came from India to Ceylon as dministered under the Madras and very early 19th century. In ombo were Chetties. They rose ural community under the British tions of trust and responsibility : Chetties were legislators, lawyers, doctors of medicine, besides Occupations in commerce and
hetties of this period was Simon referred to as Ceylon's first civil lific author besides being a judge uncil. He served the government blished himself as a distinguished in Casie Chetty was created a Royal Asiatic Society (R.A.S.), nder Johnston, after he presented Classification of Tamil Castes, and uvas in the District of Puttalam.
es who held positions of distinction to 1930) see Aserappa.
quotation marks on the word Tamil
tes the cultural similarities between
ner than the Chetties” ethnic origins.
s
y ).

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When the Colombo branch
Casie Chetty was one of its earli his membership read about ten p Casie Chetty’s published works in the Tamil Plutarch, and an Antho unpublished works are an English Tamil dictionary, and the Hindu S ran a Tamil newspaper Udavaditya a half. It was primarily literary in Other distinguished personalitie: Sebastian Britoo (1856-1906), a
for his attempts to harmonise th medicine, and Lawrie Muttukr founded the Polytechnic Institute and typewriting when the typew business houses and government The above-mentioned personali
level of intellectual activity amon in the 18th, 19th and early 20th
Social Perspectives on the C
The Colombo Chetties have be. points in their evolution as a com with the Ceylon Tamils while speaking people, both indigenous and Coromandel coasts who wer the Chetties). Simon Casie Chet this term to describe the Tamils ( was inaccurate.' It is likely that refer to themselves as Tamils, th heritage common to both the Ta
35 Arnold Wright, 1907. * Simon Casie Chetty, 1834.

of the R.A.S. was formed in 1845, est members and in the course of apers covering a variety of topics. clude the Ceylon Gazetteer (1833), ology of Tamil Poetry. Among his n and Tamil lexicon, a Sanskrit and system of Natural History. He also i (Rising Sun), for about a year and
character.
s of this period include Dr. Philip pioneer in medicine remembered e Eastern and Western systems of ishna and his sister Violet who e in 1901 for teaching stenography riter was first introduced to local t offices. ies typify the versatility and high g the Colombo Chetty community centuries.
ommunity
en classified as Tamils at various munity. The British grouped them labeling as “Malabars’ all TamilTamils and those from the Malabar e culturally close to the Tamils (i.e. ty has pointed out that the use of and those culturally close to them) in the instances that the Chetties hey are in fact invoking a cultural mils and themselves.

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In 1983, the Sri Lankan Chetty to the government and submit community written by its genera Many meetings and discussions l; on Jan 14, 1984, granted official re community as a distinct ethnic g (Following this, much later, on O Sri Lanka, J.R. Jayawardene issued community as a separate ethnic national census).
Language
The Colombo Chetties consider entirely possible that during their first learned the Tamil language to indigenous and immigrant po themselves and subsequently im language had already given express on what the former language of Tamil was an acquired language). Tamil scholars and Hindu saints ( and Nayanar.” Aptitude for languages seems to Chetty community, perhaps dicta and intellectual curiosity. Simon C languages; Philip de Melho with competent in both Tamil and the ( powers as evidenced by the co employed as interpreters and oth administration. In fact, some hold linguistic a responsible for the decline of their
* Desabandu Reggie Candappa, . 28 ibid. 29 H W Tambiah, 1954.

Association made representations ted a historical account of the l-secretary Shirley Pulle Tissera.” ater, a government circular issued :cognition of the Colombo Chetty roup.
ct 31, 1989, the then President of a directive to enumerate the Chetty group from the Tamils, in the
Tamil their 'mother tongue'. It is long sojourn in South India, they D facilitate commerce between the pulations of South India and bibed the culture that the Tamil ion to (it is interesting to speculate the Chetties would have been if Consequently, some of the great of old were Chetties, like Perumal
have been a characteristir of the ced by both professional necessity asie Chetty was familiar witheight h about six; several others were official language of the imperialist insiderable number of Chetties er important officials in colonial
ptitude of the Chetties partly : cultural identity, for, the language
2OOO.

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in usage had often been learnt at English, rather than Tai-nil even home and initially, only a few children educated in the Tamil necessity and in the interests of youth are educated in Sinhalese.
Customary Law & Religion
Many of the customary laws of similar to the Hindu ones with sor to inheritance. This is understanc Hindus, and it is possible that ev were adhered to as cultural tradi made clear in the civil courts th them were residents of Jaffna, we in the realm of personal law."
As mentioned, the Colombo ( Aserappa records the conversio families and their descendar Protestantism. Sir Alexander Joh customs and laws in 1807, mak customs practised by the C automatically follow that hence Sir Johnnston implies, the major Customs based On religionare oft have converted to a different be chain by Christian Tamils and contradiction; they christianize a during the wedding Mass). Furth of Hindu Chetties' would be a Chetties who worked for the traditionally preferred to employ
" Chief Justice Wood Renton, 1

the expense of the mother tongue. came to be the language spoken at conscientious Chetties had their language. Today, both through integration, most of the Chetty
the Colombo Chetties were very me variations, especially with regard dable since the Chetties were once ren after Christianization, the laws tions. In more recent times, it was at the Chetties, although some of !e not governed by the Thesaualamai
hetties were originally Hindus. in of several founders of Chetty hts, to Roman Catholicism or inston, while collecting his data on es several references to “heathen hetties. However, it does not in the early nineteenth century, as ity of Chetties were Hindus. en clung to even after the adherents lief system (the tying of the thali Chetties is an example of this Hindu tradition by tying the thali ermore, the notion of a majority t odds with the large number of colonial. administration, which Christians.
917, New Law Reports.
7

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Both genuine conviction and
commercial expediency may hav to convert to Christianity. Today Catholics while the rest are A1 themselves as Chetties, none see The community's Church org structure within a religious one.
Aserappa refer to the Hindu or the setthi-tallama/who was respons social well being of the commur the Roman Catholic Chetties, th closely aligned with the communi the wealthiest member of the gro he was directly responsible to
hereditary and he was consulte communal issues.
Caste, Class and Intermarri
The Colombo Chetties as ment Vaisiya caste and today perceive middle class. There are no stratific the community: the stratification Vaisiyas seems to have come into the community were considerec community, occupation, and con wealth were instrumental in dete with which the entire Chetty com an issue and determining factor the colonial administration and i
communities. The Chetties were respected bo their learning, high culture and w
31
Aserappa, 1930. - Mr. & Mrs Perumal. (The offi

educational, professional, and e induced several of the Chetties , 75% of the Chetties are Roman nglicans. Of those who identify m to be Hindus.
anization incorporates a social Both Sir Alexander Johnston and Christian Head of the Chetties - ible for the general reputation and lity. In more recent times, among e office of Head or Muppu' was ty's church. The Muppu was usually up and the financier of the church: the Archbishop. His office was d on a number of personal and
age
ioned earlier belong to the Tana 2 themselves as members of the cations with respect to class within into the seven sub-castes of Tana play only when marriages within l. According to members of the sequently the amount of familial rmining the sub-caste. The caste munity identified was much more in the spheres of employment in intermarriage with the two major
th as a community (by virtue of ealth) and for their position in the
ce of the “Muppu* persists).

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caste hierarchy. The foreign a hierarchical systems inherent in th for their administrative purpos instance, as shroffs in banks, the employers as to whom credit fa they were familiar with prospect kind of 'middle person' role. The and eachcheri mudaliyar, and inter Similar factors were important in with other communities. The fou were in Colombo, Puttalam, Gall several Colombo Chetties marrie pre-British era, some Chetties, esp intermarried with the Portugues these attempts. In the case of part of their imperialist policy t to “establish firmly the affin dependencies'. Professional and economic expe between the Chetties and the intermarriage occurred more in Matters were slightly different Tamils, The Chetties in Puttalam Jaffna, and those in Colombo, K. of the area. For the J/ellala to 1 and the Gouis to marry into the W given the conservatism of the Sin community, especially one that S Tamils, this gives cause for spec reasons; one, the high reputatior and their social status made it de into the community. And two, th
Mr.Mervyn Casie Chetty, in co * Aserappa, 1930. 35 ibid.

dministrators who made use of he social structures of the colonies es, fully utilized this factor. For Chetties were able to advise their cilities could be extended, since ive investors. Thus, they played a Chetties were also adigars, district preters.
the intermarriage of the Chetties r main settlements of the Chetties e and Kandy areas. At the outset, 2d within their community. In the pecially those resident in Colombo, e and the Dutch who encouraged the Portuguese particularly, it was o encourage such unions in order ity between Portugal and her
diency probably dictated marriage Dutch. In these instances then, class rather than a caste context. with regard to the Sinhalese and married into the Vellala caste in andy and Galle into the Govi caste marry into the Tana Vaisiya caste, Velende was a rise in caste rank, but halese at marrying into a different eemed culturally aligned with the ulation. There may have been two of the Chetties in various fields sirable for the Sinhalese to marry e Chetties who initially contracted
nversation: Aug. 25, 1984.

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marriages outside the communit straitened circumstances. But the marriage alliances desirable f circumstances. The Chetties usually contractec marriages with the elite of the tw Alles’s and De Costas of Abeysunderas)...o Intermarriagem and hence more effective commel the Sinhalese married into the Che desire alliances with the majorit reason could have been the great males and females in the Chetty shows that out of a total of 3,1 only 812 were female.
Contributions of the commu
It is difficult to ascertain what the whole has contributed to Sri Lank: of the community may be de contributions then indeed ther achievements to list for such a Sn The Chetties have contributed sub Simon Casie Chetty has often bec of empirical information. De testaments into Tamil. John J.Ca Roman Dutch Law into English is to the legal literature of Ceylon. A publications by individuals in the to legal studies. The Chetties have claimed several Jurgen Quint Ondaatje was the
Mr. Mervyn Casie Chetty. ' Aserappa, 1930.

iy, were either less wealthy or in eputation of the community made or the Sinhalese even in such
most of their inter-communal O communities. (For instance, the Galle inter married with the lay have also served social stability rce for the Chetties. Hence, just as itty community, so did the Chetties y Sinhalese community. Another disparity in the numbers between
community. E.g., census of 1871 14 Chetties, 2302 were male and
unity
Colombo Chetty community as a an society, but if the contributions emed the total of individual e are a remarkable number of hall community. stantially in the intellectual realm. n regarded a very reliable source Melho translated both biblical sie Chetty’s translation of Voet's considered a distinct contribution intony Aserappa lists several other community ranging from botany
firsts’ for Ceylon. Dr. Peter Philip first Asian to figure in modern

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European history: Rev. Philip de be admitted to the Christian minis was the first Tamil Barrister in Asi, was the first Ceylonese director of de Melho Aserappa" was the fi. degree of Doctor of Medicine f Casie Chetty' was the first Bachel and Arthur L R Aserappa' was Cambridge Junior Exhibition.
Colombo Chetties Today
Several in the Chetty community s the major groups that they have lo now regard themselves as either has been facilitated by the ability by the Chetties at conversion (us and Dutch patrons). Hence, Fe became “Fernando” and “Rodrigo denoted a Chetty. Today, it is estit number about 150,000 in the islat The process of name changing m in the post-1956, post-1977 and
were grouped with the Ceylon Ta the Chetties were asked to insert 'C the sentiments of the majority S this was far from an ideal state of The Chetties have dabbled in poli member of the community, Jeyar. the Deputy Minister for Finance,
38 tibid. 3' ibid.
J ibid. ibid. ibid.
3
Reggie Candappa, 2000.

Melho was the first Ceylonese to try; Henry Francis Muttukrishna a; Dr. William Charles Ondaatjie' the Botanical Gardens; Dr. Simon rst Ceylonese who obtained the rom a British University; John J or of Civil Laws (Oxford) in Asia; he first Ceylonese who won the
eem to have so inter-married with st their identity as Chetties. They Sinhalese or Tamils. This process to change those names adopted ually names of their Portuguese rnandopulle' and Rodrigopulle' '', respectively: the “pulle' suffix mated that the Colombo Chetties ld.3 ay have progressively accelerated post-1983 era when the Chetties mils. Often on birth certificates, eylon Tamil against Race'. Given inhalese community at that time
existence for the Chetties, tics in recent times. A prominent jFernandopulle, who was earlier became the Deputy Minister of

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Planning & Ethnic Affairs in 19 government. Another Colombo C the Chairman of the North-Wes. 1988 and 1993, while Neil Fernanc Western Provincial Council since Recent generations of Chetties, pa gone into the professions of law. Roman Catholic priesthood, v considerable responsibility in ban In the world of literature, Michae with his book The English Patient, prize for literature. Michael Ond moved to Canada in 1962. Mervy Simon Casie Chetty is a reputed p Reggie Candappa is regarded the d and the Founder-Chairman of C 1958. In 1997, he was conferred on Desabandu by the President of Sri world of media and advertising. In the world of business, the n Ondaatje is synonymous with phi Dr Christopher Ondaatje, who we from the London School of Econ & Company Limited in 1970. He scale convertible debenture, one investment world. He was also a team that won a gold medal in the the Commander of the Order of t Queen's birthday honour list in Ju
Conclusion
The erudite scholar Anthony F Asc
History of The Ceylon Colombo Chefty preserve their own traditions and
44 ibid.
12

94 under the People's Alliance hetty, Richie Fernandopulle, was ern Provincial Council between opulle is a sitting member of the its inception. rticularly those in Colombo, have medicine, accountancy and the hile some hold positions of ks and government concerns.
Ondaatje" made a huge impact which won the coveted booker atje was born in Sri Lanka and in Casie Chetty, the grandson of oet and lawyer. Oyen of advertising in Sri Lanka, rant Advertising established in e of the highest national honours Lanka for his contribution to the
ame of Dr Philip Christopher lanthropy and business acumen. is born in Kandy and graduated omics, founded the McCutcheon : is also inventor of the sliding
of the esoteric devices in the member of Canada's Bob-Sled 1964 Olympics. He was awarded he British Empire (CBE) in the he 2000.
'rappa wrote in his book, 4 Shorf Community, “If the communities are prepared to put into the

Page 23
common stock the good which the ancestors, there is every hope that we a happy and united Ceylon...'. This attitude of the Colombo Chetties too
(The editor acénon ledges the help of Desah Colombo Chetty Association of Sri Lank History of the Colombo Chetties, a compre of the community, edited and compiled by
13

ay have inherited from their may build up here in Ceylon, s, in a way, also sums up the lay.
andu Reggie Camdappa, President, :a, for maeing available the booe hensive historical and social account him).

Page 24
The Portug
Dutch
(272 O
Percy Colin-Th
Introduction
One of the great shifts in world place between 1450 and 1700. Be of little consequence in the affai and Holland, two small Europeat on world history by virtue of
builders and gunners supported
clergy.
History & Background
Portuguese Conquest
In September 1500, an expeditic had left Portugal the previous perhaps the first trading missioi In November 1502, Vasco da incursions were the prelude to th in the Malabar waters in the early Moors engaged in the spice themselves between Ceylon and On hearing of this new trade rol Almeida decided to send his sor new route as well as to report O were of such importance for th LOurence was carried by current sailed away after a brief stay the

uese and The Burghers
verview
ome & F IR Ragel
power and economic strength took 'fore that, western Europe had been rs of the world. In this era, Portugal h countries had an enormous impact the skills of their navigators, ship by their traders, administrators and
on under Pedralvares Cabral which March arrived at Calicut. This was in to come to India from the West. Gama appeared at Cochin These e presence of Portuguese armadas 16th century, which compelled the trade to create a new route for
the Maldives.
ute, the Viceroy Dom Francisco de Don Lourence to investigate the in Ceylon and the Maldives, which eir cinnamon and coir trade. Dom is and arrived in Galle in 1505. Hie
e.
14

Page 25
It was not until 1518 that the Portu the island. Lopo Soares d'Albergaria fleet, and a month later sailed for C Overcoming a short resistance. A fort was gradually consolidated and ext The drive behind these risky journe and through perilous seas, has beel Joso Ribeiro in his book Ceilao desc
“The king who allowed us to King of Cotta, and as I have al Emperor. Almost all his territ Chilao to two miles beyond were cinnamon jungles; these cannot walk through them (m In shape the leaves of the ci of the plantane in that they texture the laurel; when crus their smell is as of the best
trees are not very tall for they at the most, and as there is ra shed their leaves, and they fre two crops of fruit similar to this falls on the ground it im in consequence of the heat ar this reason that the inhabitat should clear their roads frequ they would be overgrown w Nonetheless their roads are on One person going at a time, a could not march except in sir are also found in great abund Ceitavaca, Dinavaca, Candia,
circumference of sixty-seve
1 Joso Ribeiro, 1909.
15

guese established a foothold in arrived at Galle with a powerful olombo and landed there after was built and Portuguese power ended along the coastal areas. ys to the Far East, in frail boats n described by various writers. ribes it well:
enter the island was the ready stated he was styled pry which stretched from the Temple of Tanavare are so dense that a man ore than) a stone's throw. nnamon resemble those have three ribs, and in hed between the fingers cloves of Rochella. The do not exceed two bracas in here daily they do not quently bear in thé year the laurel berry; when mediately starts growing ld moisture, and it is for hts have a law that they ently; unless they do so "ith forest in one year. ly broad enough to admit nd therefore our armies gle file. Precious stones ance in the kingdoms of Uva and Cotta, within a in leagues. Here all the

Page 26
valleys and mountains are obtained with little troubl that can be found anywhe in separate crystals; Sapphi of extraordinary size), c. found worth 20,000 cruzad tourmalines, and various no account, as they are the beds are furnished. Th cardamoms in the Kingdo: such a great size that six C equal one of the Candian; is plenty of Brazil wood, w where it fetches a high
exported from the kingdor champanas of areca; (a ch forty tons) for this article whole of India. There a elephants and much peppe the best in the East. The
also two kinds of resin; th numerous that the choice o and there are several othe greater clearness describe
In addition to its riches, the strat the Indian peninsula became kne as 1614, a Portuguese captain w Ceylon was the "key to all India. the subject by saying, “If your M have lost all India and its comme In 1770, Abbe Reynal wrote ab and richest Pearl Fishery of th
G.D. Wilnius.

full of them and they are 2; such as rubies, the finest e within our discoveries, all res, topazes, (some of them t’s eyes, (some have been Os), garnets, beryls, jacinths, others of which they make stones with which the river ere is an abundance of m of Candia and they are of f the Cananor kind do not throughout the island there hich is called Sapan in India price. Every year there is n of Cotta up to a thousand ampana is like a sumaca of is in great demand over the re also a large number of r both of which rank among earth yields much iron and e varieties of timber are so f them will cause confusion; r products which I shall for each in its own place.”
egic value of Ceylon in relation to own in Portuguese times. As early arned Phillip III of Portugal that He concluded a long memorial on ajesty loses Ceylon, we can say we :rce - which may God prevent'
out Ceylon's 'excellent cinnamon' e East. He further described the

Page 27
island by saying, “its ports were the b position surpassed all those extraorc of the East, the passage which cond Numerous squadrons sent forth fi have commanded the respect of all in the neighbouring seas would easil of other powers'. Indeed, even after Ceylon was act distressing to the Portuguese that his history of the island by saying, losses and ruins of the Portugues greatest and most painful was the l Since the administration of Alfonsc 1515), the Portuguese followed a pol marriages between the Portuguese married women of good caste, v baptized. Unlike the Dutch and the of passage, the Portuguese intend colonies. The localities where the Po was looked upon by them from ti colonies of their 'Most Christian meant to stay. They brought no wo flimsy crafts in which they strugg afterwards named the Cape of Gc off Indian, Ceylonese and Sumatra malaria, dysentery and other tropic which discouraged women from v East. It was inevitable therefore, themselves wives from the places w Portuguese Burghers are the desc between the Portuguese and the Sin
2C2S, The fortunes of this community pi power prevailed in the island. They
Abbe Reynal, 1770. Queirez.
17

best in India, and its geographical linary advantages. It is the center ucts to the most wealthy regions. om its various harbours would Asia, and their vessels cruising y have intercepted the navigation
tually lost, the memory was so Frei Fernao de Queiroz began “Of all the great and lamentable e State in the East Indies, the island of Ceylon'."
de Albuquerque in India (1509icy of assimilation by promoting and Indian women. His troops who, moreover, had first been 2 British who were mainly birds ed to settle permanently in the rtuguese were permitted to trade he first as destined to become King'. Where they landed, they men with them in their crowded gled past the Cape of Storms, ood Hope, until they anchored in ports. A high death rate from al diseases were other hazards, enturing with their men to the that the Portuguese took to here they settled. In Ceylon, the endants of the intermarriages halese and Tamils in the coastal
rospered so long as Portuguese were attached to the courts of

Page 28
justice apart from being in admini retained the old Sinhalese adr prevailed in disava, and eerales, mo of the conquerors. In addition officials whose functions were pc departments concerned with the c of labour services, which emplo the higher offices were held by PC enlisted into militia companies, s while others were heteroger descendants of Portuguese-nativ Kaffir, besides the Portuguese th With the capitulation of Colomb the fortunes of the Portuguese c rivalry and the fanatical religious and the Dutch were transported inflicted on a defenseless peopl the fanaticism of the Roman C: fanaticism. Under the Batavin Co to be “exercised, much less taugh publicly, than the Reformed Chri public churches of the Netherlan the law was confiscation of prope: “put in chains, expelled from the involving limb or life.” The sev directed not so much against oth the reason for this opposition be A large number of Catholic chut by the Reformed Church, while ir and other employments, Protestar Abandoned by the Portuguese, th Sinhalese marriages who remainec victims of the Dutch persecuti despised by the Sinhalese who a:
5 C.R. de Silva, 1972. ( Phillipus Baldaeus, 1958-9.

stration and trade. The Portuguese ninistrative organization which dified and altered to suit the needs to the territorial divisions under litical or military, there were other ollection of revenues or utilization led the topaxes. However, most of rtuguese. All the inhabitants were ome being exclusively Portuguese, , ous companies consisting of e marriages, Sinhalese, Tamils and emselves. o to the Dutch on May 10, 1656, ommunity plummeted. The trade quarrels between the Portuguese from Europe to the tropics and e. The Dutch Calvinists matched atholics with their own brand of de of 1642, no other religion was it or propagated either secretly or stian Religion as it is taught in the ds.” The punishment for violating rty and according to circumstances, : country or receive a punishment erity of these laws was however ir religions as against Catholicism, ing largely political.“ ches and schools were taken Over the sphere of trade, shop keeping its were given preference to others. le descendants of the Portuguesefervent Roman Catholics, became on. At the same time, they were sociated them with the catalogue

Page 29
of atrocities of the conquistadores, to Mammon was inextricably interwo
The Portuguese Burghers of
Right in the heart of Batticaloa is pleasantly odd quarter, nestling a Bridge' and flanking the lagoor Portuguese Burghers of the 16th c About the 15th century, Batticalc Kandyan Kingdom, when the Sinha was known as “Puliyanduwa’ thoug - “Mada Kalapuwa”. The Portugu a new name 'Batecalou' and this n: by the Dutch and to "Batticaloa Dutch. It is also claimed that the they called “Bate', hence the Pc District, “the Kingdom of Rice'. T to Batticaloa and called it the “Gra History reveals that Batticaloa was year 1622 and retained as part of th when the Dutch made themselve then, as already mentioned, the c Sinhalese marriages were reduced from which the majority of this c. recovered, up to the present day. Although the Portuguese have cat and customs of their ancestors, it r customs are a quaint mixture of bc of the community have very caref caffrinha dance and the Lancers” dan social function like a birthday par complete without a dance and a custom of celebrating a weddi maintained. This community has also not for The Portuguese spoken by them
19

D whom the service of God and
V6,
Batticoloa
a little bit of Portugal. In this t the foot of the 'Singing Fish live the descendants of the
century.
a district formed part of the la kings held away, and Batticaloa h it also did have another name Lese who came in gave this town ame was changed to Batticalou' Dy the British who followed the district grew a lot of rice which ortuguese called the Batticaloa The British anglicized Batecalou nary of the East'.
taken by the Portuguese in the heir occupied territory until 1639 s masters of this district. Since lescendants of the Portugueseto a state of penury, a situation ommunity has never completely
efully maintained the traditions must be admitted that today their th East and West. The members ully maintained their traditional ce. No wedding or even a smaller ty or coming-of-age function is meal together. The traditional ng for four days is generally
otten the Portuguese language. has been described as Creole

Page 30
Portuguese. Ian R. Smith in his bo spoken today has incorporated so Batticaloa Tamil dialect. In his Creole Example, Smith says, “T language was brought to Ceylot environment of the island, it convergence with the local langua history of the Creole Portugues harbours the only significant con in Sri Lanka and their fluency is local emphasis on Tamil.” The majority of the Portuguese skill at trades of all kinds can mechanically gifted people are fou master carpenters, tailors, printe! Till recent times, the only owner have all been Burghers. Even in Catholic clergy, the master p1 Portuguese origin. It is an unde painter and block maker was th delightful musician. He was a vi function was complete. Another printers was the late Peter Clavet the destinies of the Catholic Press of his own in the year 1946. There are many Master tailors Portuguese. Though only a few cat or purchase modern machines, O the dressmaking shops owned by in Colombo. This community, to the presen Catholic, which underlines Dr. S. Dutch were not replacing a deca had replaced a declining political that the Catholic Church was a liv

oks has stated that the Portuguese me distinctive features of the local book, Convergence in South Asia: 4 he initial Indo-Portuguese trade 1 from Goa, but in the linguistic underwent substantial structural ges. Despite the long and tenacious e speech in the island, Batticaloa Centration of Creole speakers now
being strongly threatened by the
descendants are craftsmen. Their not be disputed. Among these und expert blacksmiths, gunsmiths, rs, painters and mechanics, s of printing presses in Batticaloa the printing press managed by the inters and binders were all of niable fact that Batticaloa's best e late Clarence Hendreck, also a olinist without whom no Burgher of the talented and experienced Ragel. He had been in-charge of until he started a printing business
among the community of the n afford to maintain tailoring shops thers, mostly young girls, work in Muslims in Kattankudy and even
t day, remains devoutly Roman Arasaratnam's comments that “the dent and inactive church, as they power. On the contrary, they saw ring entity and had penetrated the

Page 31
life of the country with great country.” The Catholic Church at the sar Voyage, is believed to have beer There is also a recent construct heart of “Little Portugal” dedicat Rev. Fr. Francis Xavier Mayer of architect made good use of the ta Singing Fish shaped church. Till quite recently, the Diocese percentge of Burgher priests. Eve Rev. Father Joseph De Koning Theophilus Ragel and Joc Dias various parishes. There are also the members of the community. The local Burgher Union has a lib possession. These books donate time provide light reading for so the community. However, a great read or write the language. The B; all its meetings in the spoken Port in the language and prayers, too, The community has played an act M C Pieters had been a membe1 century ago. His period was brief. who had not only been a memb and its Vice Chair man, but ha Batticaloa for a full period of the late E. J. Barthelot was also a mem Vice Chairman for a very brief p. The language policy of the gove: community. Since no provision education in Batticoloa, the Burgh their children to either tamil or parents in Batticoloa opted for sin enhance employment Opportunit
S. Arasaratnam.

intensity in certain parts of the
ld bar dedicated to the Lady of constructed by the Portuguese. ion of a beautiful church in the ed to the warrior saint Sebastian. New Orleans who was the chief alents of the people to set up this
of Trinco-Batticaloa had a good in today, the Vicar General is Very g, a veteran priest. Rev. Fathers
are missionaries deployed in the many Jesuit priests from among
rary of Portuguese books in their d by the embassies from time to me of the interested members of majority of the population cannot atticaloa Burgher Union conducts uguese language, Minutes are kept are recited in the same language. ive role in local politics. The late of the local body almost half a But he was followed by FR Ragel er of the Urban Council in 1963 ld also been Deputy Mayor of Municipal Council of 1970. The hber of the Urban Council and its eriod. rnment created dilemmas for the was made for English medium er parents had to necessarily send sinhala medium schools. Most hala medium hoping that it would ies, especially in the government

Page 32
sectors. Unfortunately, the ethi clashes in Colombo and other engaged in Sinhala schools in Ba who had opted to learn in the Si Sinhala Maha Vidyalaya was clos and St Cecilia's Convent catered two school too, later decided to c Of course, the parents had the O more affluent cities like Colombo children an education of their chc could have afforded this? What followed was pathetic. Thes who either spoke Portuguese or admitted to these local schools v Sinhala or Tamil medium. These ( languages and compete with thos of the national languages. Univer for these children. Job opportunit to compete with the Tamil and Si the need to make the necessary ei Despite these drawbacks, the cor to the society. The late Norbert R over twenty conferences of St.Vin and worked for the upliftment mentally retarded children for wh nearing completion at Sanurukor Batticaloa. Regis Ragel was the secretary of leading college for over fifteen ye the District Soccer Association, and a score of other welfare asso The special problems of the comn is a Burgher Union to cater to th the population, yet there are other are too many school dropouts in out is due to more than one reas find it difficult to cope with work
22

Lic tension following the ethnic cities, made the Sinhala teachers tticoloa flee, leaving the children nhala medium high and dry. The 'd down and St Michael's College to the Sinhala students, but these lose up the Sinhala stream.
ption of sending their children to or Kandy, perhaps, to give their ice. But how many of the parents
2 children of Portuguese Burghers English at home, were necessarily there education was either in the ihildren had to learn one of these se whose mother tongue was one sities thus became out of bounds ies were nil, for they had not only inhala children, but also have had ntries in the 'Race' column.
mmunity has made contributions agel was instrumental in forming cent de Paul Society in the district of the poor. The home for the ich he laboured night and day is ıdan, a village two miles north of
the Old Boys' Association of the ars. He had been the secretary of :he Schools Athletic Association ciations. nunity are varied. Although there e social and intellectual needs of urgent needs of the group. There the community. This early drop on. While some of the children in school, others are compelled

Page 33
for econom1c reasons to leave scl the crafts. Very often the income maintain the family of sometime becomes 1mperative that the elde It was the intention of the Burgh with some form of technical trait basic technical knowledge, it was
a more specialist training in ordet who have now mastered the trad It was at this stage that the Unic for financial assistance to purch multi-purpose building. The me community hall, a library, a recreat to train the young boys and girls i very generously made available
purchase the land and put up one hall, library and Community Hall, intended to provide facilities accomplished for want of funds. For centuries, the Burgher popul died amidst the Batticaloa Tamil still remain a distinct group, sm love and respect the indigenous
merge. Of course, there are rare boys and girls have married from and sometimes even Muslim and There may be more than one rea their identity as Burghers. Quit preserving their language and c complete without the traditiot Christmas time or during happ birthday party, all members of t enjoy themselves with food and Portuguese songs and ballads set blood. There is many an old Por feet a tapping with a heady tune

hool early and help their fathers in of the father is hardly enough to 's six to eight members. Hence, it c boys leave school to earn a living. ner Union to help these drop outs ning. Although they possessed the necessary that they had to be given to be able to compete with others
CS. on turned to Cebemo of Holland ase a piece of land and put up a imbers lacked a meeting hall, or ion room and above all a workshop in modern crafts. The organization funds which were just enough to : storey, which houses the meeting The second floor which was really for a workshop could not be
ation of Batticaloa have lived and and Muslim population. But they all but stubbornly separate. They population, but they very seldom instances of inter marriage. Some the Tamil and Sinhala population Malay families. son why they do not wish to lose e a number of them are keen on ulture. No wedding or funeral is nal customs being followed. At y occasions like a wedding or a he entire clan come together and dancing to a background of old to spritely tunes. Music is in their tuguese fiddler who can set one's or move one to tears with a well

Page 34
beloved tune of unrequited lov drums of all kinds and can beat O
biscuit tins. The local folk flock merely to enjoy the caffrinha mus community get together on such C convinced of the amity and solid Probably, the Portuguese desce minority and cannot afford to m: way for the eventual extinction of itself for such a long time. At the invitation of the Sri Lank: of musicians and dancers pe samasangeetha programme quite r appreciation received and the bou by the members of the public t indication that the great majority happy about our existence in this The peace-loving Portuguese pop problems. A sizable population host of problems. Some of them in search of secure living and prol Some of them moved to towns wi to Sinhala schools. Hence quite a r Colombo, Kandy, Kandana and F
The Portuguese Influences
A century after the Portuguese ; was spoken throughout the islan Admiral Joris van Spilbergen vi. Emmanel Dias, King Wimala Dha Portuguese Keer costelijk (very well) a result of close contact with Eur language well. The farewell banqu the manner of Christians and enli also dined and wined (on local wi
2.

2. The youngsters are experts On ut an intoxicating rhythm on even O watch the Portuguese weddings ic and dancing. Almost the entire ccasions and the onlooker is easily arity that prevail among them.
hdants feel that they are a small x, lose their identity and pave the the community that had preserved
a Foundation Institute, our group rformed in Colombo for the ecently. The numerous letters of quets showered on the community through mass media is clearly an of the indigenous population are
country. ulation of Batticoloa faced various had to leave Batticoloa due to a migrated to Canada and Australia pably looking for greener pastures. nere they could send their children number of families moved towards Kalutara.
arrived in Ceylon, their language d. In 1602, when the Dutchman sited Ceylon, it is recorded that rma Suriya’s maha muudaliyar, spoke . Both the King and the Queen as opeans also knew the Portuguese et to the Admiral was prepared in vened with music. Spilbergen was he made from Ceylon grapes) and

Page 35
received by the Queen and her chambers where, dressed for th she conversed in fluent Portugue After the capture of Colombo between 1656 and 1358, many of Portuguese woman who stayed o: island.” This helped to perpetua during Dutch rule and even durir end of the 19th century. A Portug by the Burghers and also by ma period. According to FH de Vc there were Portuguese interprete. in the Courts of Justice.' The chicetia, which formed a spe making in Ceylon, contained go consisted of extemporaneous ve something like the harvest sor excellence of the Portuguese in the chicotis formed a necessary adj dances with modern accretion community of Portuguese Burghe with later. An import of exquisite beauty by carols which were sung every Ch violins, cymbals and a bass drum which used to be sung by the P. the last world war was an exampl
“Louvai nos per Deos
Este grande dia, Ja nasce Senhor Per Virgem Maria.” The Portuguese invasion of Cey many areas. There are Over a mill
8 Vesak. Nanayakkara, 1971. 9 C.R. Boxer, 1965. " FH. de Vos, 1950.

children in the Queen's private Occasion in European clothing, se with herguesto and Jaffna from the Portuguese the Dutchmen married the Indoh (voluntarily or otherwise), in the te the Portuguese language both g the British occupation until the uese patoi continued to be spoken ny Sinhalese families during this s, at the end of the last century, is and Portuguese-speaking jurors
cial feature in Portuguese merryiod examples of the patois. They ‘rses and repartees, also in verse, gs of Portugal. The dance par Ceylon was the caffrinha to which unct. The patois, the music and the s are still preserved by a small ars in Batticaloa which will be dealt
he Portuguese was their traditional ristmas by choirs accompanied by . The beautiful Portuguese carol, ortuguese Burghers in Galle until
€:
on has had a long-term impact in ion Roman Catholics in Sri Lanka

Page 36
today. The Sinhala language has and many inhabitants of this co Galle lace still preserves the
introduced by the Portuguese. T Portuguese jacket trimmed with worn by Kandyan Chiefs on c Portuguese influence. Soon after captives of rice and curry, which own cuisine, resulting in such del roast”. Delicious sweets made fro. such as bolo de coco (coconut cake (pumpkin preserve in pastry roll The Portuguese have also left churches, residences and furnitu The smallness of this minority role in politics. Their only hope is through the mainstream of politi have no political influence there. the welfare of this community. T traditional ones: tailoring, shoema few of them have joined the pro and landowning classes. Few hav of public service. It is heartel Batticaloa they have formed a U religious and educational needs. and live in peace and harmony have yet to produce their chroni
The Dutch Conquest
The Dutch connection with Ce Admiral Joris van Spilbergen arr: to trade in cinnamon and peppe the Dutchmen Sebald de We Boschheuwer (1612) but the inve in 1638 when Admiral Adam W

absorbed many Portuguese words untry still have Portuguese names. delicate designs and techniques here is a revival of interest in the | lace. The hat and waistcoat still eremonial occasions retain their heir arrival, the Portuguese became they enriched with secrets of their ectable dishes as poll buth and "toddy m Portuguese recipes are still made :), bol fiado (laminated cake), foguete s) and pente frito (plantain fritters). their influence in the design of
f6. deprives them of any significant to articulate their political demands cal parties in this country. As they is a tendency to neglect and ignore heir main occupations are still their king, tinkering and carpentry. Very fessions or the affluent merchant 2 been elevated to the higher rungs ning however, to realize that in nion, which caters to their social, they are a law-abiding community with all other communities. They clers and bards.
'ylon commenced in 1602 when ved with two ships off Batticaloa '.' There were two other visits by erd (1 602) and Marcellus de |sion of Ceylon started in earnest 'sterwold arrived with a fleet off
6

Page 37
Batticaloa and captured the Po approval of Emperor Raja Sinh the friendship of the Dutch as : The Portuguese were ousted from in 1640. Negombo was recapture But in 1644, the Dutch expelled
Kalutara was captured in 1655. ( in 1656 and with the capture of
the island ended. By the time the of the Portuguese the V.O.C. hac the coastal districts, and the E1 deprived of an outlet in the sea.
the coastal regions of Ceylon s expulsion of the Portuguese in
Knox noted, in the Sinhalese pro a bad exchange: “I have given pe The attitude of the directors of Companies vacillated between a question of emigration. Origin; not organized to foster female e argued that white women seldom The acute discomforts and risks
another deterrent. On the other
hope of founding stable and loya to foster intermarriage with the ir that these latter were converted
of the real or alleged shortcomin Burghers' who were allowed to contract of service with the V. officials periodically advocated t or families from the Netherlands a reliable settled Dutch commur
* Francois Valentijn, 1978. 12 R. Knox, 1681.
3 C. R. Boxer, 1965.

tuguese fort there with the tacit a II who was desperately seeking l counterpoint to the Portuguese. Trincomalee, Negombo and Galle d by the Portuguese later in 1640. them from Negombo once again. Dolombo capitulated to the Dutch Jaffna in 1658, Portuguese rule in struggle ended with the expulsion become the controlling power in mperor of Kandy was eventually The feelings of the inhabitants in ubjected to Dutch rule after the 1658, were epitomized, as Robert verb concerning a man who makes pper and got ginger'.'
the Dutch East and West Indies ssimilation and apartheid, on the ally, the chartered companies were migration. There were many who became acclimatized in the tropics. of long voyages in rough seas was hand, it was believed that the only l communities in the colonies was digenous women, always provided to Christianity. However, because gs and inferior quality of the Free settle in the colonies after their O.C. had expired, several higher he emigration of married couples , as the only means of establishing ity in the East. The Heeran XVII

Page 38
tried to recruit suitable families fo response was negligible.'
The Heeran XVII later gave activ modest scheme for Dutch color Maetsuyker, at an early age of his admirer of the Portuguese systen encouraging white men to marry settle down in the East. The childt averred, were better acclimatized th parentage, and, after the second O little if at all from pure Netherlanc that many of these half-caste offs out rather badly. But this he asci households where slavery was the racial defects. The remedy for this the provision of good schools and Maetsuyker maintained that with th Company's high officials - which lacking- the Free Burghers' could tailors, Smiths, armourers, jewelers, He even claimed that they could agricultural pursuits. He further all officials were the worst enemies of favoured their Chinese and Asian squeeze' and bribes, which they ri Maetsuyker endeavoured to put his during his governorship of Ceylo success. There were only sixty-eigh island when he relinquished offic capture of Colombo and Jaffna fro and 1658, about 200 Dutchmer Portuguese women who stayed (v island. In the early Reformed Chur
14 Ibid. p.218. The Heeren XVII w Veereenigde Oest-Indische Ca
s
Company'.
28

r emigration to the East, but the
2 support to Johan Maetsuyker's ization at Batavia and Ceylon. colonial career, was a professed of promoting colonization by Asian or Eurasian women and 'en of these mixed marriages, he lan those born of pure European r third generation, they differed lers in complexion. He admitted oring at present were apt to turn ibed to their lax upbringing in general rule, and not to inherent state of affairs, he added, lay in in proper supervision by parents. e suitable encouragement by the so far had been conspicuously establish themselves as cobblers, Carpenters, masons and Surgeons. compete with the Chinese in leged that the Company's senior the Free Burghers', since they competitors on account of the ceived from the latter. colonization theory into practice n (1644–50), but it had limited t married "Free-Burghers' in the :e in February 1650. After the m the Portuguese between 1656 married some of the Indooluntarily or otherwise), in the ch registers in Ceylon which go
ere the 17 directors of the V.O.C.- npaignse, or “United East-India

Page 39
back more than two and a half
Costa, de Fonseca, Dias, Pieris, Pet and de Zouza, belonging to mixed occur in the entries of marriag evident in many of the genealo published in the journal of the D The concueror of Jaffna, Rijklei governed coastal Ceylon for man advocate of Dutch colonization.
for the “Free Burghers', he was pr with Sinhalese, Tamils and Eurasi the daughters of such unions sho "so that our race may degenerate However, Van Geens's predecessc a strong opponent of miscegen colonizers did, that a Christian E the members of any other race-C practice, whatever they might be
The Origin of 'Burgher
The word 'Burgher is derived fro1 means a citizen of a burgh, boroug of Capitulation by the Portuguese 11, 1656, refers to the “Portugesche was first used in this country by th Writes S.A.W. Mattau, “There Hollanders in Ceylon during
Company's servants who were lik served under the Company and ret coffers. Even the Dutch padre, a The second type was the “freelan
** R G Anthonisz, 1927. C R Boxer, 1965. 17 Phililipus Baldaeus, 1958-9.
... 2

centuries, names like Cabral, de era, Rodrigo, de Silva, de Silvester, Portuguese and Sinhalese families 2 with Dutchmen.' This is also gies of Dutch burgher families lutch Burgher Union of Ceylon. f Van Geens, who subsequently ly years, was another enthusiastic In the shortage of Dutch women 'epared to “tolerate' intermarriage an women. But he stipulated that uld be married to Netherlanders, as little as possible'. or, Governor Van Kittensteyn was ation believing as all European uropean was ipso facto superior to hristian converts not excepted in in theory.'
m the Dutch word 'burger', which h or town. Article 9 of the Articles : to the Dutch, concluded on May : Burgren'. The expression which e Dutch, referred to a civil status. were two different classes of Dutch times. One, the Dutch e government officials today, and ceived their salary from the V.O.C. t the time were in this category. cer', who came on their own for

Page 40
private business and trade in Ce ran such establishments as bak called by the term Burghers' O. the Company's servants who ret from the V.O.C. in respect of th retired Company servant, if he of Burghers. The Company's si formed socially the Hollandsche N word “lansi is derived from the For a few years after the Dutch some of the official lists anc inhabitants and Burghers'. For i of Capitulation of Feb 15, 1796 became anomalous as the rule O had ceased and the distinction g One of the earliest reference document in British times was 1 of State, in his instructions d Maitland, directing him to inte: the Charter to include Burgher wish of His Majesty's Governm Dutch Burghers in Ceylon.' An authoritative definition of the accepted by the community, was Justice, to the Colebrooke-Can name Burgher belongs to the Portuguese and other Europear distinction must be decided by or paternal ancestors came. To w through which the family had ancestor were Dutch, Portugues have been the female parents,
S A. W. Mottau, 1984. 9 R G Anthonisz, 1927. *" TNadaraja, 1972.

ylon. Most of them had shops and 2ries, inns and taverns. They were r Free Burghers', as distinct from :eived official acts of appointment e posts they held respectively.' A emained in Ceylon joined the class arvants and the Burghers together atie or the Dutch community.' (The Dutch word 'Hollandsche'). capitulation to the British in 1796, documents referred to Dutch nstance, Article 15 of the Articles uses this term, but this distinction f the Dutch East Indian Company gradually disappeared. to Dutch Burghers in an official made by Lord Liverpool, Secretary ated Sep 30, 1810, to Governor rpret 'Europeans' in Article 30 of s' as it was in accordance with 'the 2nt to conciliate by every means the
2 term Burgher, which was generally given by Sir Richard Ottley, Chief heron Commission in 1830: “The
descendents of the Dutch and is born in Ceylon; the right to this the country from which the father thatever the number of generations passed in this island, if the male e, or other European, whoever may if the parents were married, the
30

Page 41
country of the mother would dec denominated Burgher be once lo Cingalese or other Indian, it cant Mr. Justice Marshall stated to the C that where the questions of legit heterogeneous mixture called the generally belonged to the lower st assimilated to the 'native' popula (like the question of residence wi as preliminary questions of fact Phrases such as "descendants
descendants' were som etime Colebrooke, in his Report up Government of Ceylon, 1831, refe of Europeans.' In 1871, the F “European descendents”. Sectio Ordinance No.26 of 1871 provid resident in the country other th: Europeans, or persons commonly The vagueness of the phrase Burghers,” whether deliberate or r those who came within the descri in 1830, but also all Eurasians.
Census grouped the Burghers : purpose of Census. This was rese to preserve their Dutch heritage. British and Ceylonese unions in t The Dutch Burgher Union was for and to unite the scattered members their traditions. The drive for est: from R G Anthonisz, a teacher v Government Archivist, as he was . of the main objects of the Union
31 Ibid p.74; Colonial Office Pape * Ibid p.74; C.O.416/17 F 42 p.2: 2. Ibid p.75.

ide the question. If the right to be st by the legitimate father being a lot be recovered.'
olebrooke-Cameron Commission macy or race arose, as with “that Portuguese,” whose descendants rata of Eurasian society and were tion, these questions were settled thin the jurisdiction of the court) by oral or other evidence.' of Europeans and European s used to describe Burghers. on the Administration of the rs to “the burghers or descendants British dropped the reference to n 3 of the Village Communities ed that “Native shall mean those an persons commonly known as
known as Burghers.” "persons commonly known as hot, permitted it to cover not only ption of Burghers given by Ottley In 1901, the Superintendent of and Eurasians together for the nted by the Burghers who wished Eurasians were the progeny of he last century. med in 1908 to counter this trend of the community in maintaining ablishing the Union came mainly who later was appointed the first un expert in medieval Dutch. One was to see the Dutch descendants
rs, Public Record Office, London. 31; C.O.416/16 F41 pp.402, 403.

Page 42
of Ceylon recognized as a distis and character of its own. It wa which they were included, an exclusively, had ceased in co application. Membership in descendants “of full age and res descendants' under Article 3 Burgher Union “shall include all those of European nationali the rule of the Dutch East I children of such descendants Europeans.” The primary obje moral, intellectual, and social w in Ceylon”, as per Article 2. The Legislative Council Ordin: effect adopted the definition o the Constitution of the Dutch E qualified to be “registered as Burgher electorate'. Section 3 include those who are of legitir female line from any such desc read, write and speak the Eng repeated in the Ceylon (Legislat clause 28 and in the Ceylon (Le 1923, Article 31.
Burghers under British Ru
The history of the Burghers : British in 1796 has been like the and decline. Under the Articles undertook to respect the laws a out that no fresh taxes and dutie provision was made for the government. Trade would be
permitted to trade with the E

ct racial unit, with an origin, history s felt that the term Burgher, under i which at first belonged to them mmon use to have this restricted the Union is open to all Dutch pectable standing.” The term “Dutch of the Constitution of the Dutch he descendants in the male line of ty who were in the service or under hdia Company in Ceylon, and the in the female line by marriage with it of the Union is “to promote the ell-being of the Dutch descendants
ince No. 13 of 1910, section 3(a), in f the term 'Burgher in Article 3 of Burgher Union of Ceylon, as persons voters to elect a member from the (b) however, widened the class to nate birth, and are descended in the endant as aforesaid, and are able to glish language. This definition was ive Council) Order in Council, 1920, gislative Council) Order in Council,
le
ince the Dutch capitulation to the swing of the pendulum: of growth of Capitulation of 1796, the British nd customs of the country and held s would be imposed provided proper lefraying of expenses of internal free and the inhabitants would be ritish territories" on a MFN (Most
32

Page 43
Favoured Nation) footing. “The C would be left in full and free poss his Majesty’s pleasure shall be kr were not honoured." One of the earliest unpopular m tax on coconut trees of 'one sil Robert Andrews, who had b. Government as Resident and Sup The tax was unjust, as the value of to their location and the tax was sc The local inhabitants, includin adversely affected by this tax, wh A memorandum was presented Angelbeek and other Dutch reside and the tax was accordingly a Committee on Sep 2, 1797. A report sent by the first British ( Lord Dundas, Secretary of State, are inimical, being almost to a n Ceylon' and that “their personal between them and the mother c settlements require their exclusior so as “to render us independent influence in the country.' Many of the Dutch inhabitants Capitulation in 1796, their passag the British until 1806. However, a remained in Ceylon in the hope th war, the island would be restor settlement took place in 1815, suc Many were also forced to remain landed property for suitable pric
* Percy Colin-Thome, 1978-9. * JRToussaint, 1931. 26 GV Grenier, 1967.

fficers of the Dutch Government session of their employment until town.” Many of these assurances
2asures was the introduction of a ver famam per tree” per annum by een appointed by the Madras 2rintendent of Revenue in Ceylon. the trees varied greatly according metimes greater than the produce. g the Dutch Community, were ich caused a great deal Of unrest. by the last Dutch Governor Van ents to the Government at Madras, bolished by resolution of the
Sovernor Lord North, in 1800, to stated that “the Dutch inhabitants inan ruined by our occupation of as well as the national connection ountry and the remaining Dutch from government employments' of the Dutch and to destroy their
emmigrated to Batavia after the es in cartel ships being paid for by majority of the Dutch inhabitants hat in the final settlement after the ed to the Dutch. But when the h an expectation was not realized. because they could not sell their es, the range of possible buyers

Page 44
being limited. This situation was Majesty prohibiting the purcha Europeans without the four grav was found to be “very prejudicia Government who have houses i
Galle which cannot be sold to r families are compelled to remain considerable part of their prope Many such families had to depet British and had to take to minor tr their income. The human aspe Secretary of State, who observe Dutch and other inhabitants co requisite to act in a manner cons justice and humanity and with th our dominions in the Island.' Rev. Cordiner who was in Ceylon that “the Dutch inhabitants of (and) except a few families, are r indigence: but by rigid and merit lesser labours of industry, they n of the world, sometimes afflu respectable'. According to him, “They are chief of war) with their families and w civil and military servants of the greater number amongst them : they let with considerable advan a poor family should only posses: smaller house or less conveni relinquishing a more comfortabl
7 Ibid. Governor North's dispa
State.
28 Ibid.
* Rev. James Cordiner, 1807.
3

because of a command from His se of houses and tenements by ets of Colombo. Such prohibition to the servants of the late Dutch in Jaffnapatanm, Trincomalee and latives without great loss... many in Ceylon for the fear of losing a rty by removal.’”
hd on poor relief provided by the ades and avocations to supplement :ct of the problem touched the 'd that “the circumstances of the onsidered as Europeans makes it sistent with both the principles of ese of sound policy and security to
at this time made the observation Ceylon are about 900 in number, educed to circumstances of great :Orious economy and some of the naintain an appearance in the eyes eng and gay, always decent and
ly composed of officers (prisoners ridows and daughters of deceased : Dutch East India Company. The are proprietors of houses, which tage to the English inhabitants. If s one good house they retire into a ent one, which they receive by
29 לל
e dwelling.
teh of May 9, 1803, to the secy, of

Page 45
It took the Dutch inhabitants wh or Batavia, a decade Cur two to : induced to accept employment former Company's servants were were employed in the revenue se in the local military regiments commercial pursuits, and not a f small income left to them. A few Gualterus Schneider, who was a became Surveyor-General of Ce and Cornelis Arnoldus Prins, boc service, acted at different times in which corresponds to the Attorr Mooyart entered the Civil Servi General. J.G.Hillebrand became : The British Government did not until after the Colebrook-Camero prior to that was in the hands of n a smattering of education to loca clerks. As a result, the Clerical Ser for several decades by Dutch Bu responsibility, as secretaries of th revenue departments, land surve masters, diligently performed the It was only in 1834 that higher ec government and the Governor Si the Colombo Academy at Sar stewardship of Rev. Joseph Marsh, opened by Horton on Oct 25, succeeded Marsh and remained 1842-69. Under Boake's regime, institution was considerably impro the pattern of education in Eurc the Classics, mathematics a1
* R.G.Anthonisz, 1927.

O were unable to leave for Holland adjust to British rule. Some were under the British. A few of the appointed to magistracies, others rvice, a few received commissions then formed. Several took up ew retired into private life on the rose to high offices. For instance, subaltern in the Dutch Engineers, bylon; Johan Gerard Krickenbeek kholders in the Dutch Company's the Office of the King's Advocate, ley-General today; Jacob Nicolaas ce and retired as Acting Auditora Judge of the Supreme Court.” take an active interest in education in reforms in the 1830s. Education hissionary schools, which imparted youth, sufficient for qualifying as vice was almost exclusively staffed rghers, who in posts of trust and he principal courts, head clerks of yors, customs officers and school ir duties. lucation was taken in hand by the r Robert Wilmot Horton founded Sebastian in 1835 under the with twenty pupils. It was formally 1836. Rev. Dr. Barcroft Boake Principal of the Academy from the scope and usefulness of the oved. The subjects taught followed pe at this time with emphasis on ld general English literau re.

Page 46
Distinguished names associated were R F Morgan, James Stewar Kelaart, Frederick Nell, Charles A J H Eaton, Edwin Koch, Piete. and J L K van Dort. In the 1840s, the Academy was ; social world of Ceylon, with Lc The impetus, which the new h Burghers who mastered English c is echoed in the words of Sir Em who said in 1860, “They (Dutch at the Bar, and occupied the hig are largely engaged in mercantile they fill places of trust in every : the Department of the Colonia Court. It is not possible to speak meritorious body of men, by Government is put into action. T language of Sir Robert Peel as th which keep the golden hands in Charles Ambrose Lorenz was a enormous contribution to the pc of this country in the last centu he was the youngest of nine chil and Anna Petronella Smith. He age of 13) and had a brilliant c the coveted Turnour Prize with Lorenz' literary talent manifeste the promoters of Young Ceylon (1: journal in Ceylon, completely ma Nellas editor. It was the first pub for the people of Ceylon. Acc “Ceylonese' was coined by Lorer of his. Later, when he became ec
31 Sir Emerson Tennent, 1860.

with the early days of the Academy t, James d’Alwis, Edward Fredrick Ambrose Lorenz, John Boyle Siebel, r Daniel Anthonisz, James Loose
a kind of microcosm of the larger renz at the center of everything. ligher education gave the Dutch uicker than the other communities, erson Tennent, Colonial Secretary, Burghers) have risen to eminence hest positions on the Bench. They pursuits, and as writers and clerks administrative establishment, from | Secretary to the humblest Police : too highly of the services of this whom the whole machinery of Chey may fairly be described in the e brazen wheels' of the executive, motion.'
charismatic figure who made an olitical, social and cultural progress cy. Born at Matara on July 8, 1829, dren of Johann Freiderich Lorenz oined the Academy in 1842 (at the areer at school. In 1846 he shared Frederick Nell. d itself early in life. He was one of 350-1852), then the leading literary naged by Ceylonese, with Frederick lication to agitate for social reforms Ording to E W Perera, the word z and became a favorite expression litor of The Ceylon Examiner (1859
36

Page 47
1871), it became the policy of th this country as "Ceylonese' and in Burgher. Lorenz was enrolled as a Proct Advocate. In 1855 he was enrollec Inn. Lorenz was a scholar who t Selectae Jurij Hollandici et Selandici. Then came his valuable series of to be called the “Father of Ceyl Reports covered the period 185 these reports until 1870, short published his Notes on Civil Prac He was the first lawyer who movi association to further the inte “introduce reforms from withi Secretary and Treasurer of the I death he bequeathed to the Law collection of books, including the ad Grotii Introductionem by Van de: In his memoir of Charles Ambro “The troubled period of the so-ca impulse to his talent in this dire the side of the opposition, h representing the un constituti Government and in securing in generally of the Island, by the opinions may differ as to some led to. But one thing is clear, that i rulers, which will not easily be fo After the rebellion in 1848, Loren Dr.Christopher Elliot (an Englis representative Council and for Legislative Council. This first agi attempt to alter the functioning C
Leopold Ludovici, 1871.

is paper to refer to the people of ot as Sinhalese, Tamil, Muslim or
or in 1849 and later became an I as a Barrister-at-Law of Lincoln's anslated Van der Keessel’s theses He published this work in 1855. Law Reports, which caused him on Law Reporting. His first Law 6 to 1859. He continued to edit ly before his death. In 1860 he tice under the Roman Dutch Law. 2d for the establishment of a legal rests of the profession and to n’. For some years he was the aw Library at Hulftsdorp. At his Library at Hulftsdorp his valuable original manuscript of the Dietata r Keeseel. se Lorenz, Leopold Ludovici said, illed Rebellion in 1848 gave fresh ction, and identifying himself on e rendered eminent service in onal proceedings of the local quiry into them and into affairs Imperial Government. Individual of the results which that enquiry t taught a useful lesson to Colonial rgotten.“ z was among those who supported hman) in the agitation for a more an “Unofficial Majority” in the tation for reform failed. The next f the Lelgislative Council appears

Page 48
to have been essayed in 1859. important concession, through ( declaration, namely, the right of
the Legislative Council. By this st Council, having been nominate Legislative Council after the in appointed District Judge of Colo incorrect to say that Lorenz pu political role with both zest and d out of the Unofficial Members i. George Wall (an Englishman), J Councillor) and Lorenz were amo shoulder in the years 1864-68 Government's unilateral decision expenses, expenses which were in the Indian Ocean, foisted upon th resulted in the memorable walkC Legislative Council on Nov 15, 1 James Alwis had this to say about
"It was always a pleasure to been associated with the B failed their Sinhala and Tan they made common cause, i. the interests of the country spirit and independence we1 admirable sense and a fee claimed Ceylon as their M somewhat forcibly.”
In 1859, Lorenz and a syndicat Examiner and he became its C Ceylonese newspaper and until h powerful influence of his pen in
Ceylonese. In his first editorial in hardly necessary that we should i

it appears to have extracted an onvention rather than statutory “unofficials’ to introduce bills in age, Lorenz was a member of the d as Burgher Member of the cumbent, Richard Morgan, was mbo in July 1856. It would not be rsued this additional public and stinction until the famous 'walkin 1864. ames Alwis (scholar, lawyer and ong those who stood shoulder to in opposition to the Imperial to have the whole of the military fact part of the imperial order in e local government. This struggle but of all the 'unofficials' in the 964. Writing about the incident, : these years:
me, nay, a privilege to have urgher leaders. They never nil countrymen with whom n fighting for and advancing in all matters. Their public e unmatched. They showed ling of patriotism as they otherland. This struck me
e purchased the newspaper The hief Editor. This was the first is death in 1871, he wielded the support of social reforms for the The Examiner he wrote, “it seems ntroduce Ourselves to Our readers

Page 49
with anything beyond the assura welfare. We have no personal inte may express On current topics disinterested. Our anger will, wett As the exponent of the opinions of observations may not be deemed The Press generally as a vehicle of of communication between the r for the discussion of public grieva has long since asserted its place an member of the great Estate, we sh to fulfill its destinies.
Between 1860 and 1865, Lorenz Christmas Debates in The Examiner, of the Legislative Council, presid section of the debates published C depicted the President of the Col
“Believe me if all these rema Who deserted us two years a Were to come back tomorro" Forgetting that Cardwell's th I'll treat them most kindly, I' I'll ask Walker to lend them And give Thompson and Ca And Alwis and Eaton my ha
The political crisis of 1864 led to
League', which was formed by V for the purpose of continuing the wide measure of support among tl had the backing of most of the F settlers. Although its demands fo denied by the Imperial Governme created a general appreciation of t
39

nce that we work or the public 'rests to secure. The opinions we
of the day, will, we trust, be
•ust, be honest: our praise sincere. f a numerous class, Our Occasional
unworthy of a passing perusal. current information, as a medium uler and the subject, as a theatre nces, as a guide to popular feeling ld its rights in Ceylon. As a junior hall endeavour in our humble way
; published his masterpiece The
which satirized the proceedings ed over by the Governor. In the in Christmas Eve in 1865, Lorenz uncil as singing:
Urkable men,
gO,
w and labour again, eir foe; ll give them a ball, his band: pper and Lorenz and Wall, ind'.
the inauguration of “The Ceylon Wall, Lorenz, d'Alwis and others agitation already begun. It won a he literate, indigenous people and English plantation and mercantile r social and political reform were :nt, it is arguable that the League he need for constitutional reform

Page 50
and planted an ideological seed different hands and different circur In a speech delivered at the unvei Law Library in 1929, the late Fran leader of a band of patriots who ir started to secure the political emar country, and to secure for them the Those who have worked in subseque have been but building on the leadgi fellow-workers'.
Lorenz did not make politics a fullof time he became leader of the " numerous public committees, and newly established Municipal Counc Cottanchina Ward (Kotahena and M stain of his many commitments too late 60s. Several attacks of bronch lung, Charles Ambrose Lorenz die his last home in Colombo, on Aug mourned by all communities in the is Lorenz's scholarship, his culture anc up in his poem, “The Wishing Well” Magazine, London, in 1854. He me
“Give me, fair stream, not gol Nor fortune high nor wealth Nor strength to rise the crow Nor the deceit of human pra But this: That like thy waters Though creeds and systems ( Unvexed within a narrow sph My life with even stream may May flow: and fill its destinec With this, at least, of blessin Upward to gaze with fearless And mirror back - Some tru
40

which could blossom later in
(1St211CCS.
ling of Lorenz’ portrait in the cis de Zoysa said, “He was the , the middle of the last century cipation of the people of this full rights of British citizenship. nt years in the same great cause ven by him and his distinguished
time occupation. In the course Unofficial Bar'. He served on was an original member of the il of Colombo representing the futwal) from 1866 to 1870. The k heavy toll of his health in the itis eventually affected his left d of tuberculosis at Karlsruhe, 9, 1871. His untimely death was land whom he loved and served. philosophy of life are summed ', which was published in Fraser morably wrote:
d nor love -
of days, 7d above, ise
clear come and go,
here, | flow - i space g given -
face th of Heaven.'

Page 51
Contribution of the Burghe:
In this era, from about the midc Burghers dominated the legal and own with their British counterpar echelons of the Civil Service wer 1930s. Among the eminent Burgher la Morgan, James Stewart, Frederick and C L Ferdinand. Sir Richard career. In 1851 he was appointed E Council. In 1855, he became Dis he became the first Ceylonese to a post he held until 1874. In that s Chief Justice and was knighted si the permanent post of Chief J Gregory but declined the offer or Jan. 27, 1876 at the age of 54. Some of the eminent doctors o' Loos, M.D. (St. Andrews), M.R.C medical education in Ceylon and College established in 1870 by th as Principal in 1875 by Dr. E. L. K at the time. The Memorial Cloc grounds commemorates Dr.K December 1877, at the early age Dr. Peter Daniel Anthonisz, C M.R.C.S. (Eng), M.R.C.P. (Lord), Department, Burgher Members 1886-1895 and President of th Medical Association in 1887, was The clocktower in the Galle Fort, during his lifetime. The marble te bears the inscription: “This tower
** William Digby, Vol.2.

s in the 19th Century
le of the last century till its end, medical professions, holding their is in these professions. The higher e reserved for Britishers until the
wyers besides Lorenz were R F Nell, John Boyle Siebel, JH Eaton
Francis Morgan had a meteoric Burgher Member of the Legislative trict Judge of Colombo. In 1863 be appointed Queen's Advocate - ame year, he was appointed Acting nortly afterwards. He was offered ustice by Governor Sir William account of ill-health. He died on
f the last century were Dr.James .P. (Edin) who was a pioneer of the first Principal of the Medical e government. He was succeeded och, who was the leading surgeon k Tower in the Medical College och who died in Colombo in of 40.
C.M.G., M.D., F.R.C.S., (Edin.), colonial Surgeon, Ceylon Medical of the Legislative Council from e Ceylon Branch of the British another leading doctor at the time. was erected by public subscription blet at the base of the clocktower was erected by Public Subscription

Page 52
to the perpetual memory of Pete in testimony of his skill and b suffering'. The costly clock was Abrew Rajapakse of Kosgoda, a Dr. E. F. Kella art, M.D., (Edin), M.R died in 1860 was one of the mos country in the last century. His Pro contribution to the natural histor J L K van Dort was one of the century. His picture and sketches, Ceylon Punch) and in the Christ supplements of The Examiner anc likely to be forgotten. He had
movements, as his sketches of Ka the Races and the Governor's er illustrate. His oil panels, which p exhibited at the Chicago Exhibiti also shown at the Great Paris Ex Executive and Legislative Cou following the Colebrooke-Cam Council gave the representatives to examine the regulations which It was to consist of nine official
half of whom were to be E representatives of the Burghers, S were to be composed of the six m and three others. The 'unofficials principal merchant and the upp country. Hitherto, all laws in Ce or at their command, by their O now took place. It is true that the not responsible for their actions t of Officials in the Council made

r Daniel Anthonisz born at Galle enevolence in relieving human the gift of muda liyar Samson de grateful and devoted patient. ..C.S. (London) F.L.S., F.G.S., who it distinguished zoologists in this dromus Faunae Zeylanicae is a notable y of Sri Lanka.
most brilliant artists in the last which appeared in Muniandi (the mas supplements and illustrated l other local newspapers, are not the rare gift of capturing vivid ndyan dancers, Caffrinha dancers, ntourage galloping to Galle Face resented scenes of Ceylon were on and some of his pictures were hibition.
ncils were established in 1833 eron Reforms. ʻThe Legislative of the people some opportunity the Governor proposed to make. s and six nominated unofficials, uropean and the other half, inhalese and Tamils. The Officials
embers of the Executive Council
were to be nominated from the er classes of the people of the ilon had been made by the rulers fficers. But an important change Governor and the Officials were D the Legislature, and the majority : the 'unofficials' powerless. But

Page 53
henceforth, the officials had to p and Ceylon realized the beginnin Consequently, Governor Sir R. J.G. Hillebrand in 1835 as th Legislative Council. Hillebrand Burgher representatives who wer them were, J.F. Giffening, Jame: C.A. Lorenz, J.H.Eaton, James
van Langenberg Sr., Sir Samuel C Wendt, F.C. Loos, James van Lar Hector van Cuylenberg, Charles Martin, Dr.V. Van Langenberg a Under the Soulbury Constitution appointed as Senators were Sir E Gevzel, R.S.V. Poulier and E.C. appointed to the House of Rep Q.C., Rosslyn Koch, J.A. Marte Brohier, R.S.V. Poulier, TV.K. C When the Constitution of Sri La of appointed members, an unbro in the Legislative Councils and P P.B.G. Keuneman is the only Bu: House of Representatives since t in 1947. He represented Colomb Towards the end of the last centu and the gradual growth and rise communities lessened the influe community had in official circle maintain their identity and to fi island in the first half of this ce service, the mercantile sector an the Burghers. A few took to plar number of Burghers continued to police, customs, railways, excise at
*** G.C. Mendis, 1944.

ay some attention to their opinion, gs of representative government.' obert Wilmot Horton nominated e first Burgher member of the was succeeded by a long line of e either lawyers or doctors. Among S Nicholas Mooyrt, R. F. Morgan, Martensz, C.L. Ferdinands, James Grenier, Dr. PD.A. Anthonisz, H.L. genberg Jr, Dr. WG. Van Dort, Sir van der Wall, Allan Drieberg, NJ nd Dr.V.R. Schokman. (1946), the Burgher representatives ric Jansz, L.L. Hunter, F.C.W. Van i.T. La Brooy. Burgher members presentatives were E.F.N. Gratien nsz, Dr.V.R. Schokman, Dr.E.C. arron and Vernon Jonklaas, Q.C. inka (1972) abolished the category ken line of Burgher representation 'arliament since 1835 was severed. rgher to be elected to a seat in the he first Parliament was established o Central from 1947-1977. try, the spread of higher education of national aspirations in other nce which this small middle-class s, but the Burghers continued to ll a not unimportant place in the ntury. The professions, the pubic d journalism continued to attract Iting and private business. A large be employed in the clerical service, ld the armed forces. Many Burgher

Page 54
women joined the teaching and n dress making and others became became doctors. The teaching profession had man as L.E. Blaze, Cyril Jansz, E.H. Blaze and others. The legal profess Burgher lawyers of the caliber o Sir Steward Schneider K.C. Those appointed to the Supreme Wendt, Joseph Grenier K.C., All. F.H.B. Koch, O.L. de Kretser Sr, O.L. de Kresser Jr and Percy C appointed Chief Justice in 1964. T General - Sir John Samuel Grenic K.C. in 1912, E.F.N. Gratiaen Q Budd Jansze, Q.C. in 1959. Noel Ernst, J.R. Toussnaint, Sir E V.Poulier, Douglas Nisso, M. L. the higher echelons of the Civil was enriched by the services of was not only a skilled eye surgeon antiquarians and historians of this and eminent gyneacologist, was Spittel, F.R.C.S, was a brilliant surg on the Ceylon jungles. Dr. Car physician. Professor A C E Koch and Dr. Drogo Austin, F.R.C.S, ha In the field of arts, music and d contribution. George Keyt, Ge, Christie Beling, George and Terry Lionel Wendt, Irene Sansoni and musicians. Prof. E.F.C. Ludowy English, both at London and at of the coveted Oldham Shakespe an impact on the theatre in Sri L. van Langenberg and Denis Bartl gifted producers of plays.

arsing professions. Some took to stenographers and typists. A few
t dedicated Burgher teachers such Vander Wall, Cedric Corloff, B.R. ion continued to produce eminent f Frederick Dornhorst K.C. and
Court since 1900 included H. L. un Drieberg K.C., L.M. Bartensz, V.L. St. Clair Swan, M.C. Sansoni, olin-Thome. M.C. Sansoni' was here were four Burgher Attorney r in 1886, James van Langenberg .C. in 1956 and Douglas St. Clive
Eric Jansz, Eric Christoffelsz, R.S. D. Caspoersz and others reached Service. The medical profession Dr.Andreas Nell, M.R.C.S. who but also one of the most learned country. Dr. Lucian de Zila M.D., a scholar and literateur, Dr.R L geon and author of several classics vin Mack, M.D., was a leading , Dr.Nel Bartholomeusz, F.R.C.S, lve had distinguished careers. rama, Burghers have made good orge Claessen, Geoffrey Beling, de Neise are well known painters. Douglas Ferdinand were gifted k, who obtained a first class in Dambridge, and was the recipient are prize at Cambridge, has made Inka which is incalculable. Arthur lolemousz were also creative and

Page 55
Dr.R.L. Broher, an antiquarian a magnum opus, The 4ncient Irrigation to scholarship and historical resea R.G. Anthonisz, E. Reimers, J.H. well-known. They have done mu the Dutch to the history and cultu of some of the unique complete with the Dutch administration of 1640 to the end of the 18th century volumes and files. This is a priceless legacy bequeathe and the people of Ceylon for studi with special reference to the Dutch conditions of this island, the histol Malays and other communities in institutions of these communitie. of religion and education, the syste of properties, and the diplomatic monarchs of the Kandyan Provin and other foreign powers. Burghers have also played their p Reference has already been made the part played by Lorenz, Louis Beven and later J.T. Blaze who at Examiner. The Examiner exemplifie and bureaucratic methods of inte Press. A hired or inspired press ru The Ceylon Independent was started Cuylenberg and William Maitland. to be published in Ceylon and flourished until about 1937. Hil; Modder in the 1950s, became ec Moldrich (1970) was for sometime a condensed list of Burgher achiev in the field of sports Over the yea
45

nd scholar, is best known for his Woré, in Ceylon. The contribution "ch by the Government Archivists, O. Paulusz and S.A.W. Mottau, is Lch to reveal the contribution of re of Ceylon by their translations record of transactions connected
their territories in this island from , consisting over 7,000 manuscript
!d by the Dutch to their successors es such as, general colonial history , the political, social and economic ty of the Sinhalese, Tamils, Moors, the island, the laws, customs and S, the progress and development m of land tenures and registration relations of the various Sinhalese ce, with the native prices of India
vart in the free Press of Ceylon. to The Examiner (1859-1900) and Nell, Leopold Ludovici, Francis various times were editors of The
d the British dislike of autocratic
rference with the conduct of the
uns counter to national instincts. on July 4, 1888, by Hector Van It was the first penny newspaper was an immediate success. It rie Jansz in the 1930s, and Jan litors of The Observer. Donovan : editor of the Times. This is only ement. The prowess of Burghers rs is common knowledge.

Page 56
Burghers Today
Certain trends in the 1950s and in the Burgher community and emigrate to Australia. The rise o attitudes hostile to Christianity thought, created conditions whi to the welfare of their children. The feeling of uneasiness came bill was passed.* This bill crea affecting all the minorities, especi English as their mother tongue years. There has been a significant decl: since the passing of the Sinhala very difficult to adjust to an ec schools. Today, one rarely sees a candidates in examinations cond College and the Law College. T Burghers today is one of hard condition at the beginning of t They are a small community anc their own. The only way they car and air their grievances is throu political parties. The Only way tl mainstream of life in Sri Lanka is same time retaining a mastery of The Department of Census and practice of enumerating Burgher the numbers were 45,000. In 198 as per the 2001 Census figures, not certain what proportion of how many Eurasians there are in
35 R.A. Krickenbeek, 1962.

1960s created a sense of insecurity they decided in large numbers to f communalism and the growth of and Western modes of life and ch the Burghers felt were inimical
to a head when the Sinhala Only ted a major crisis in the country ially the Burghers who had adopted for nearly one hundred and fifty
ine in the fortunes of the Burghers Only bill. Burgher youth found it lucation in the Sinhala stream in Burgher name in lists of successful lucted by the Universities, Medical The condition of the majority of ship and poverty, similar to their he last century under the British. have no political organisation of articulate their political demands gh the mainstream of established he Burghers can get back into the by mastering Sinhala, while at the English. Statistics has followed the British is and Eurasians together. In 1971, 1, it had reduced to 38,000. Today, the number stands at 34,616. It is these numbers are Burghers and
the island.

Page 57
The Burghers have been a mi concentrated in the towns. In the Galle, Colombo, Jaffna, Kandy and live in Colombo and in the enviro have always been oriented to Wes are mainly Presbyterian. Some denominations.
Conclusion
The Burgher community has ove identity with a larger Sri Lankan other communities have been harr is a law-abiding, peaceful citizen.
Morgan' may be said of the comi
“A binder together of diver of both the stranger within the soil in his veins, and at place of each - that e. peacemaker.”
o William Digby, Vol.1.
47

idle-class community, mainly ast century, many lived in Matara, Negombo. Today, most of them ins of Colombo. Culturally, they tern culture, and in religion they
have joined other Christian
r the years integrated its ethnic national identity. Relations with nonious. The individual Burgher What Digby said of Sir Richard
munity as a whole:
se races, having the blood
the gates' and the son of ble to put himself in the ssential requisite of a

Page 58
The N
an overview of a una
M.S. Osman &
Introduction
The Malays of Sri Lanka, by virti their proud stand as part and part Bansa Melayu (Malay world). T expressed by over 80 foreign dele, Dunia Melayu II, organised by th (SLAMAC) and the Malay W (GAPENA), at Colombo in Aug The symposium made the Malay existence of members of their
were maintaining the cultural tr Malay speaking world was also m material in the form of ancie discovered in this island.
History & Background
The 'old theory that the Malay, Mongolian stock, which originate and entered the Malay penin convincingly negated. A 'new th holds that the Malays were the o the Malay world, based on the p the pre-historic Java Man', near Java. Researchers, Malay experts, , from Malaysian universities unde Wan Hashim Wan Teh, Vice-Cha Malaysia, and his deputy, Prof N

Malays que history co culture
& M.A. Sourjah
le of their Malay identity, can take cel of the 250-million strong Dunia his was the general consensus gates who attended the symposium e Sri Lanka Malay Confederation 'riter's Federation of Malaysia uSt 1985.
7 speaking countries aware of the community who against all odds aditions of their forefathers. The ade aware of the wealth of literary nt manuscripts, which had been
belonged to the yellow race' of d in the Yunnan province of China sula about 2500 BC, has been eory has been propounded which riginal and endemic inhabitants of recious discovery of the fossil of the town of Mayakarta in Eastern inthropologists and social scientists r the guidance of Prof. Datuk, Dr ncellor, University of Kebangsaan, ik Hasan Suhaimi, visited Yunnan
18

Page 59
in China in August, 1994; their support any evidence of the old further corroborated and publi. journals like the New Strait Time, When we think of the historical Malays with Sri Lanka, the med Archipelago and the early settlem north, south, east and west are ge the discovery that the weddahs of of Malaysia belong to the same 1963 volume of the Royal Anthro deals with the blood groups and h The occurrence of the abnormal in these two ethnic groups, loca and the total absence of this am indicate that the weddah stock re East Asia and this did not come The earliest references to the Javar is to be found in the Culau'amia Chandrabanu, the Buddhist King of Kra in the Malay peninsula du II, i.e. 1247 AD. Two invasions h king appears to have become rule was known as Javapatnam' during appears to have been confir Chavakachcheri (Java settlement cases in point. It is also of interest to note that suggest strong Malay contacts Hambantota in the southern par of call for Javanese trading vesse the African coast. Hambantota Malay word Sampan Tota — sampa There are other places too whic
R. L. Wickeramasinghe, 1994.

research investigations failed to theory. Thus the new theory was shed in various newspapers and
and Star in 1994. origins and the connection of the lieval trade links with the Malay nents in the maritime areas of the inerally known. But what is new is Sri Lanka and the senoi tribesmen blood group as mentioned in the opological Institute's report which haemoglobin types of the Veddahs. haemoglobin, viz, haemoglobin E. ted geographically so wide apart, long tribes in South India, would ceived contributions from South via India.“ nese in Sri Lanka's recorded history which describes the invasion of of Tambralinga, near the Isthmus ring the reign of Parakrama Bahu ave been recorded and the Malay r of Jaffna for a short while. Jaffna this period. The Malay association med by topological evidence. ) and Chavakotte (Java Fort) are
many coastal towns in Sri Lanka from early times. For example, t of the island was a regular port ls on their way to Madgascar and is possibly a derivation from the in being a Malay word for boat. h have derived their names from

Page 60
Malay origin - for example Ja-el: Fort). Students of history are familiar and their poisoned arrows, but f of Siam has recorded that Chanc sent a joint envoy to Ceylon to ob is still preserved in Siam. Parakrama Bahu himself sent er and persuaded the latter to Chandrabanu was a ruler of a lan religious intercourse. It is theref to Sri Lanka with hostile intenti Chandrabanu's army of occupatic have been assimilated into the trace. But, Sinhala names sud Malalasekara and the facial chara are distinctively Mongoloid whic controversy has risen over Profe on inter-linear writings in the i Kalinga dynasty, which ruled fron 1184-1235, had originated from Although the first arrival of th century had been voluntary, the Lankan Malays were forcibly bro period 1650-1788. Sri Lanka and the same colonial master who f kindly to their rule. It is indeed true that though the serve as soldiers, craftsmen and others who belonged to the high of their origin. These Malays wer kings and princess, and other m with their wives, families and se these exiles was Susunan Mangk was captured and banished in or Princes and noblemen were bal

(Java Canal) and Ja-Kotuwa (Java
with Chandrabanu's Javaka army ew are aware that a Pali chronicle trabanu and the then king of Siam tain a famous Buddha image which
voys to the king of Tambralinga end to Ceylon a saintly thera. d with which Sri Lanka was having ore worth induiring why he came ons? What of the descendants of n? They were Buddhists and would indigenous population leaving no ch as Malalagama, Malalagoda, cteristics of those who bear them h give us food for thought. Much 'ssor Paranavitarane's thesis based inscriptions. He claimed that the n the capital of Polonnaruwa from Kalinga in the Malay archipelago. e Malays to Sri Lanka in the 13" ancestors of the present day Sri ught here by the Dutch, during the the Dutch East Indies were under ound that the locals did not take
e were many Malays brought in to servants of the Dutch, there were est strata of social class in the land e brought in by the Dutch as exiled en of the ruling classes, together rvants. Most significant amongst urat Mas, the Javanese King who about 1707. A further batch of 44 lished to Sri Lanka in 1723. The
50

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lives of these exiled royal membe as only a paltry sum was made av thus not surprising to learn that S into the territories of the Kandy, Their lifestyle however improve who agreed to pay a monthly allo' they remained prisoners of war.
left Sri Lanka carrying the exiled However, some of these persons In fact no real research has bee: many Malays who firmly believe this exiled nobility.
Malays in the Modern Perio
Dr. Hussainmiya, in his work unearthed many Malay manuscri 19th century, the Malays enjoye manuscripts include well-known r and standard religious literatu produced by Sri Lankan Malay Laneapuri, a fortnightly Malay la in 1869 in the Jawi script by Bab This clearly shows that Malays maintaining their identity through co-existence with the indigenous Malays found employment during army. As many as ten compani regiment in the Dutch army. This too, as they found the Malays to b fact, under the British, a separate they were awarded the King's c regiment to receive that honour.
In 1873, however, the Malay regi main reason for this occurrence w was reduced. As a direct result of

rs were by no means comfortable, ailable to them for expenses. It is urapati, a Javanese Prince, escaped un ruler in 1748.
with the arrival of the British, vance to the captive Princes while It was about 1807, that two ships Princes back to their homeland. preferred to remain in Sri Lanka. n done in this area but there are that they are the descendants of
d
on the Malays in Sri Lanka has pts which show that even in the :d a vigorous cultural life. The omances, classical Malay literature re together with literary works ys themselves. Further, 4 lamat nguage newspaper was published a Ounus Saldin, the Malay savant. during this period were keen on their culture, but in harmonious population.
the Dutch rule as soldiers in the es were formed into a separate trend continued under the British e very loyal and brave soldiers. In Malay regiment was formed, and olours in 1801 - the first Asian
ment was disbanded. Perhaps the as that the salary of Malay soldiers this and other similar causes, the

Page 62
Malays searched for other avenu found employment in the newly offered reasonably higher pay ar. join the civil police. Later there v employment in the fire brigade, department. It would be relevant to make mer made by the Hon.Vincent Perera, affairs and sports, who was als address to the pioneering Malay one thing that is outstanding, it is grade, (who) have always proved and highest loyalty'. There was a time when the ranks open only to Malays. They have a service, the police and the prison fitness and courage were mattel selection. It may be of significal Malay police sergeant Sayban, wi single-handedly captured Sardic considered similar to Robin Hoc In the academic field too, the Mi of their greatest sons who has s and the country with distinction i. Akbar was not only a distinguis non-Christian Supreme Court ju He was also the first Muslim att eminent scholar he won almost all and also won the prestigious sch very strong competition at the remembered for his tenacity of residential university in Kandy, as in Colombo. Dr.T.B.Jayah, another distinguishe of Ceylon's fight for independer educationist and as a man of un
s

les of employment. Many Malays opened coffee plantations, which ld more freedom. Others opted to vere quite a few Malays who found prisons department and customs
htion of a remark about the Malays the then minister of parliamentary o the mayor of Colombo. In his Cricket Club he stated, “If there is that Malay employees of whatever to be men of the greatest integrity
of the Colombo fire brigade were lso manned the ranks of the armed ls with recognition, where physical is of tremendous importance for nce to mention here, that it was a ho climbed Uthuman Khanda and el, the notorious highway robber ld of Nottingham. alays have shone, and perhaps one erved both the Malay community s the late Justice M.T.Akbar. Justice hed academician but was the first dge to adorn the Sri Lanka bench. orney general of Sri Lanka. As an the coveted prizes at Royal College olarship to the University despite time. However, he will be best purpose in arguing the case for a opposed to one of a similar nature
!d Malay was always in the vanguard nce. He was recognized as a great impeachable integrity. He is often
52

Page 63
termed the father of Muslim ed possible-by his sincere persuasio consider education seriously by es' Colleges in Aluthgama, Slave Islan Leaders of other communities it Dr. Jayah as synonymous with Mi In politics, Dr.Jayah presented th true son of the people and in the the country recognized him withc leader of this community. He was that he was Malay, but he neverthel programme for the Malays, the M community in Sri Lanka. Dr.Jayah was free Sri Lanka's firs as High Commissioner for Ceylo of the Pakistanis to such an extent of Pakistan. He was also awarc University. The Malays were also fortunat academicians and fine teachers. M for his profound scholarly lecture Ceylon University. He was the w. England and there he distinguish win the Arden prize for literature. a few other names of dedicated te TPS. LaXana, Noor Amith, Anif who made notable contributions as of a large number of young Musl In the field of journalism, the Ma M.T.Jaimon was the first Muslim t newspaper when he became Edit journalists of repute include M.B.M of the Times of Ceylon and Ehsan the Observer. Although a minority communi significantly contributed to the sports in Sri Lanka: both as active
53

ucation in Sri Lanka. He made it n for the Muslim community to tablishing new branches of Zahira d, Gampola, Puttalam and Matale. n this country treat the name of uslim education. e case of the Muslims. He was a fitness of things, the Muslims of out any doubts as the undisputed conscious and proud of the fact ess advocated a collective political oors and the rest of the Muslim
t Muslim cabinet minister. Later, n in Pakistan, he won the hearts that he was offered the citizenship led a doctorate by the Punjab
!e in that they have produced fr.B.C.Ahlip will be remembered es at the Law College and at the inner of an open scholarship to 2d himself as the only Muslim to It would be relevant to mention :achers, which include T. Suhayb, * Doray and the Bahar Brothers teachers and influenced the lives ims of this country. lays made notable contributions. O become an editor of a national or of the Times of Ceylon. Other arjan, who became Sports Editor Sourjah, the Features Editor of
y, the Sri Lanka Malays have promotion and development of participants and in administrative

Page 64
capacities. One of the names w. Thomian and a Malay Club crick high esteem. It is also worth noting that unti team has been complete withou Malays have represented the coun of sports in hockey, boxing, crick were a large number of Malays sports by holding office in admini it may be worth mentioning som Vice-President and Hony. Tre Commonwealth Games Associatic team at Asian Games, Jakarta, In was secretary of the Ceylon Olyn Association. In addition to these achievement can be best understood by their di Many a devout Malay has been ve led. The Grand Mosque at New M Tuan Bagoos Balankaya lies, was architect, Mohamed Balankaya. In 1859, Taleep Akbar, a Malay, r. an acre at Kew Road for the const is today known as Masjidual Al Thakiya in Kew Road, opposi beginnings in the Portuguese per mosque of the Muslims of Slavi venerated Saint known as Tuan F Saibo Street. History has authentic were interred in Colombo, w exhumation, to be re-interred in It seems then that the Malays C roots in this country and have mai the improvement and progress O to note is that all these contrib patronage. It may then be wortl
5

orth noting is of A.C. Ahmath, a 2ter, who has always been held in
I recent times, no Ceylon soccer t Malays in them. A number of try with pride as true ambassadors 2t and athletics. Besides this, there who helped to foster a variety of strative capacities. For the record, 2 of the names like M. S. Osman, casurer, Ceylon Olympics and on and chef de mission of the Ceylon donesia, and W. A. Musafer, who npics and Commonwealth Games
s, the religious zeal of the Malays 2votion and contribution to Islam. 2nerated for the saintly life he has soor Street, where the Malay Saint
designed and built by the Malay
made a gift of land of nearly % of ruction of a mosque. This mosque (bar. It appears that the present te Masjidul Akbar, has had its iod (1505) and was then the only : Island. There was also a greatly 'ungeran, who was buried in Peer ated that his mortal remains which ere taken by the Dutch after Sura Baya (Jakarta).
f Sri Lanka have strong cultural de immense contributions towards f the country. What is important utions were made with no state considering what would be the
4

Page 65
impact of the Malays in Sri Lank slightest consideration. During the Dutch and British pe Malays were successful in keeping From early times, the Malays live the kampong life (traditional way o station became a Malay kampong, 50% of the entire police force ( prison there was a Malay kampo; 50% of the prison officers too. brigade formed one large kampon Ceylon Malays! Hambantota was another kampon, of the Regiment had been establi work the salterns. Similarly, man Malay eampong. However, as ( communities, and when dema communities for employment oppo and the estates became louder and displaced from their traditional vo began to break up, and this was t the Malay community.
The Malays Today
Today, the Malays are distributed However, when one looks at the that the Malays are still concent kampong areas. The Malay populat 47,558 and constitutes about 0.3% the July 2001 census. The district-w number of Malays are concentratec with smaller concentrations in Ka Kurunegala (1,400), Badulla (1,80 The large concentration of Malay by the fact that it was the traditior prisons, fire brigade and police s
55

a if the state gave them even the
riods of Sri Lankan history, the their traditions and identity alive. d in small communities known as f community living). Every police because Malays constituted over luring these periods. Near every ng, as Malays formed more than What is more, the Colombo fire gas 100% of the staff comprised
g, as a colony of veteran soldiers shed there as far back as 1802, to y tea and rubber estates became :ducation spread among other Linds from members of other ortunities in the police, the prisons stronger, the Malays began to be ocations. As a result, the eampong he beginning of the suffering of
i in various parts of Sri Lanka. census figures, it clearly shows rated mainly in their traditional ion in Sri Lanka is approximately so of the population according to 7ise population shows that alarger i in the Colombo district (27,000), ndy (3,190), Hambantota (3,300), 0) and the Estates (1,200).
s in Colombo could be explained hal workplace of the Malays - the ervices were all in the Colombo
y

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district. Further, Colombo being t center of commerce attracted employment was more readily avai high population of Malays in the these being the traditional Malay increasing unemployment and the kampong life, the Malay commu problems. In consequence of increasing une. of many Malay families declined. ( was, parents couldn't afford dowrie and more Malay girls remained si that during the last war when Mala Indonesia, many a poor young girl Community-wise, Malays suffered t ethnic entity. The community was c schools and religious institutions community's socio-economic outle Hope dawned in the early 1970s du Bandarnaike, when the middle-eas Sri Lankans. A fair share of Malayy the mad rush for middle-east job: the Malay youth showed a marked As far as the social composition ( there were no extremities becaus influenced the social structure. Al Muslims, and as such the equality preached among the Malays was pre sphere there was no wide dispari community members were in gover who migrated or those who were the British Raj, were not people w profit making was not part of their was also the fact that the communi life in the eampong helped to keep
56

he capital of the country and the
many Malays who felt that lable in Colombo. The relatively other towns is of course due to strongholds in Sri Lanka. With breaking up of the traditional inities soon faced other social
mployment, the economic status Dne of the consequences of this is, which in turn meant that more ngle. The situation was so acute troops (or éauvans) arrived from was given in marriage to them. he pall and gloom’ of a retrogade ompelled to subsist in areas where were few and inaccessible. The Ook had never looked worse. uring the premiership of Sirimao st job market was flung open to outh, including Malay girls joined s. The socio-economic status of
upward spiral. of the community is concerned, 2 of two important factors that l the Malays in the country were 7 and the brotherhood that was cticed. Secondly, in the economic ty, as by and large most of the nment service. And anyway, those brought by either the Dutch or ho were interested in trade, and socio-economic structure. There ty was relatively so small that the the population together.

Page 67
Taking the entire population of t relatively well in producing a civil an attorney-general and a reason the public sector. It would not be context that the Malays, if and opportunities, did show a tremen reached the upper rungs of the they chose to pursue. With employment the race did decline to the obliteration of the race. This fact is most conspicuous in of the emergence of what is c community. The new name tag country. Although Islam is practic the Indian sub-continent and ar. group is referred to as the Muslim established by none other than th whom the religion of Islam is rev Arab, who belonged to the bani ha the qurash. It would be laying en mention of the fact that the Aral even though Arabs are Muslims. TI Egyptians and Saudi Arabians. It has almost become a Sri Lankar for all those who practice Is governmental census or docum marriage certificates and applicatic is required. The Malays have unfo of a Muslim community, thereby c identity. The Malays have a language of t food of their own, culture of the own, establishing for themselves a It may be of interest to note h introduced the del gediya (bread fr

he Muslims, the Malays have done servant, a Supreme Court judge, able ratio of senior executives in unreasonable to presume in this when they were given academic dous enthusiasm and successfully particular vocation or profession competition and problems of economically, and this almost led
the political sphere in the context commonly known as a Muslim is strangely peculiar only to this ed in the Middle East, in parts of nong the Dutch East Indies, no community. This fact was firmly e Holy Prophet himself through 'ealed. He has said that he was an is heem clan and the tribe known as nphasis on the obvious to make bs identify themselves separately, he same goes for Iranians, Iraqis,
custom to use the term Muslim lam, but for the purpose of hentation like birth, death and on for passports, the racial identity rtunately been assimilated as part lepriving the Malays of their true
heir own, customs of their own, ir own and even clothes of their in identity (socially) of their own. ere, that it was the Malays who uit), the kos gediya (jackfruit), the

Page 68
aese/gediya (plantain) and the mu Fruits like rambutan, dhurian and m In the same way, the very popul some peculiar reason, because of Muslim, most of these tradition Malays have been credited to othe community has almost been forg The Malays were not in a positic themselves and seek representa purpose, both the Donoughmore Commissioners provided for repr but alas, even here, the majority c contribution of this very small but to treat the Malays as part of the This was highlighted in 1970, w legislator was nominated to the of the country's Constitution. It sovereign power of the country is the Muslims, the Burghers and o in the unfortunate position of no either among the Muslims or a position in either of the groups, The net result of this position is t mentioned above, comprise abou of not having a political identity.
functioned within the political population of this country. They mainstream political parties of th or obstructing the economic, soc country. The Malays have actively in the progress of the country a pride that no single Malay was evet Commissions that were establish those who violated laws relating The demands of the race in the catered for because there was

ch talked of dessert, mattalapam. angoosteens are also of Malay origin. ar batik is essentially Malay. For this common usage of the term hal customs and practices of the rs and the existence of the Malay
OttČí. ln to command an electorate for tion in the Parliament. For this Commissioners and the Soulbury esentation of such ethnic groups, ommunity appeared to forget the important ethnic group, choosing Muslim community. hen for the first time no Malay Parliament, contrary to the spirit is now often represented that the vested in the Sinhalese, the Tamils, thers, thereby placing the Malays pt finding themselves represented mong the others; if they seek a they are pushed to the other, hat the Sri Lankan Malays, who as t 47,558 people, are in the plight The Malay community has always framework of the indigenous have assisted and worked with the e country, in no way jeopardizing ial and political progress of this participated with immense pride nd may even say with justifiable brought before any of the Special ed for the purpose of punishing IO exchange control, or treason.
area of education could not be no one sensitive enough in the

Page 69
legislature to understand the par Malays no more adorned the jud the public sector because educatio) mire that engulfed them. Even th recognize the existence of such extended to Malays to particip Constituent Assembly during the The doing away of the nomina Constitutions eradicated any poss as representation in the legislatu ordinary channels of the use of t The Malays were not even invited All Party Conference, and even t the representatives consisted of to the sentiments or sensitivity of It may be reasonable to state th appreciative if their community group in total consonance with t of the country that Sri Lanka is a unit, a single nation with the sove of the country. The Malays wish to be identified their own culture, language, custon do not in any way jeopardize or o race of the country. The Malays al actively participating, practicing ar. of life, and as persons who ch traditions of Islam as set out in tl The Malays seek recognition in th namely the legislature, as they wel and by this means wish to contr. large and also be given the rig shortcomings especially in the educ of the national life. They are most been, to actively participate, sincer
59

ticular needs of this community. iciary, nor the executive posts in n was not possible in the economic e governments failed to appear to a race, when no invitation was ate in the deliberations of the framing of the 1972 Constitution. ted seats in the 1972 and 1978 ible representation of the Malays, re was not possible through the he franchise.
to make their contribution at the hough the Muslims were invited, Moors who were totally oblivious the Malays or their political views. hat the Malays would be deeply is identified as a separate ethnic he thinking of the fellow citizens nd should always remain a single 'reign power vested in the people
as a distinct ethnic group with hs, heritage and ways of life, which ppose the life styles of any other so should be recognized as a race ld totally accepting an Islamic way erish and maintain the highest he Holy Quran.
he highest forum of the country, :e accustomed to be represented, tbute their mite to the nation at ht to air their grievances and iational and socio-economic areas desirous today as they have always ely contribute, and be honourably

Page 70
recognized as a separate identifia Sri Lanka or nation. Some recent events of interest w the Malays was the recent second for Malays held at Kuala Lumpur attended by BD K Saldin He was for the second year in successioi two books: Orang Melayu Sri Lan Malay, The World Malay conference (Per Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from O conference was, ‘Focus on Malay Communities. Delegates fror conference were Saudaras Alhaj T Alhaj Nizam Samath (Editor-“Te Malays), Saudaris Kartini Moha (Mabole Malays). Such conferenc roots of the community, giving a of the community. Mention has to be made here of Terang Melayu Surat Khabar, the incidentally originated as cultural Symposium II of 1985, referred t rare foresights and pioneering eff Farook Thaliph, brought it up an strong footing and after its 10 over to the present editor Saudar The Colombo Malay Cricket Clu Lankan cricket club founded in cricket team in a series of limited ( cricket grounds at Padang compl meant to be an annual event to b and Sri Lanka. Saudara T Arifeen Sheikh Rohan Razak captained th Last but not the least, mention h of the Persatuan Melayu Sri Lan
6

ble race within a free and united
hich helped elevate the spirits of
annual International Conference , Malaysia, from Aug 20-26, 2001, teappointed to represent Sri Lanka n. Saudara Saldin is the author of ika dan Bahasanya and 4 Guide to
sidangan Dunia Melayu) was held in ct 12-15, 2001. The theme of the iness in various Malay Polygamic n Sri Lanka who attended the KAzoor (President-KOSLAM), rang & Representative - Kandy med (SLMA), and Eileen Dane ces help redefine and reaffirm the sense of security to the members
the community's watchdog - the 2 only Malay newsletter, which impact of the Dunia Bangsa Melayu o at the outset of this article. The orts of the founder-editor Saudara d gave it the necessary fillip for a years commemoration, handed it a Alhaj Nizam Samath. b (CMCC), which is the oldest Sri 872, hosted the Malaysian Malay overs cricket matches at the CMCC ex from Nov 14-20, 2000. This is pe played alternatively in Malaysia Rasif captained the CMCC, while he Malaysian Malay cricket team. as to be made of the 'anchorman' ka (SLMA), Saudara Mahamoor
0.

Page 71
Rajudin, the broad-shouldered fo vintage. He is softspoken, indef and strategic even in his respons of SILMA. He has already pro organization and management C office carries with it.
Conclusion
Malays of this generation should realizing that the old format of c the national politics of “one natio Malay youth wherever they may of their traditional shells, outgro outlook, reach out to the national and thus pay tribute to their gr country before community. Alien postures and migratory d. concepts that had all these decade
The lot of the Malays will only involved in a big way in the main should aspire to national leadersh never fall prey to parochial comm National politics is the only answ of the Sri Lankan Malays - a c community. Dedication of purpc after political clout. This, nonetl national level:
“When the races all have
And the voice of strife i When we hark to a singl March to a single drum!

ormer army colonel of Sandhurst atigable, meticulously regimented sibilities as hon. secretary general ved his extraordinary mettle in of the multifarious functions his
reorient their political conscience, :ommunal politics has no place in n, one country' concept of today. pe, should come out strongly, out ow their sectarian and communal goal of 'one nation, one country', eat leader Jayah who always put
reams are obsolete and negative seaten into the Malay body politic. improve if they consciously get stream of national politics. They hip through such broad goals and munalism.
er to the progress and well-baing culturally vibrant and resurgent ise will achieve that much sought heless, calls for an impact at the
blended, s dumb, > bugle,

Page 72
The the influence, truly mino,
Rosh;
Introduction
The Parsis are an ethno-relig infinitesimal number (less than are a people who have un sv culture and traditions. The mos of Lord Zarathustra or Lord Z It is a fact of history, ironical role has often been taken ove: who due to their adaptability initiators of social change in th that without these minorit elements would have had to rem without access to and contact v Among such creative minorities Lanka, Mozambique, Pakistan of are the Levantines and Armen: the Near East, the Chinese in East Africa. It would be interesting to exam they played in the Socio-politica origin, their religion and custom Sri Lankan society.
History & Background
To trace the historical roots of decisive significance in the shap

Parsis as impact of a
ity community
an Peiris
gious minority. But despite their 100,000 people in the world), they vervingly held to their religion, t powerful impact was their religion
Of O2StΘΥ. as it may seem, that the pacesetter r by dominant marginal minorities and innovativeness have become eir countries of adoption. It seems ies, the exogenous mobilizing Lain in an isolated marginal position. with outside influences.
are the Parsis, be they in India, Sri South Africa. Other such minorities ians in the Mediterranean area and South East Asia and the Indians in
nine the role of the Parsis: the part l changes in India, their history and ls, and more important, their role in
the Parsis is meaningful, as it is of ing of group identity wherever they
62

Page 73
may be settled today. The Parsis ir a half have zealously guarded thei: Hence, when I deal with the religi Lanka, except with a slight altera rest are identical with what preva Bombay, where over 55,000 of th So today, be it in India or Sri Lank ancient Persian culture, which art for understanding the Parsis” ethr their location. The Parsis who today are consid historically really so. Their true ho refers to the Persian province of years ago, in order to save their Zoroaster (Zarathustra from be Arabians. The epoch of Persian history still over begins in the 6th century B.C Persia by the Muslims in the 7th cc The relevant historical epoch of the appearance of two dominant determining factors in Persian developments, namely Cyrus I and With the two personalities, Ira characterized by an extraordinary i. of an "axis-period that has paved t high cultures, which in turn conc current philosophical thought. Iran is located geographically bet poles; the ancient Mesopotamian Babylonia and Assiriya on one sic Central Asia consisting of nomads. and cultural poles are symbolized
Lord Zoroaster's Teachings
While the Persian polity origi Achaemenid Cyrus, the teachings
63

Sri Lanka for over a century and r religion, customs and traditions. on and rituals of the Parsis in Sri |tion in the burial ceremony, the ils in India, more particularly in e 100,000 Parsis live.
za, there are very many aspects of e still preserved and are relevant lic group identity, irrespective of
ered an Indian minority are not meland is Persia. The name “Parsi” Fars, which they left over 1,200 religion, the teachings of Lord sing Islamized by the invading
relevant for the Parsis the world , and ends with the conquest of 2ntury A.D.
the Persians is characterized by personalities who have become political as well as religious d Lord Zoroaster, n entered a period of history ntellectual upheaval. It was a kind he way for the genesis of ancient eived the basic premises of our
ween two diametrically opposite high cultures of Sumeria, Elam, le, and the Turanian Steppes of on the other. These two political by Cyrus and Lord Zoroaster.
nated in Western Iran under of Zoroaster were conceived in

Page 74
the East in direct confrontation threshold of history. This dichotomy represents the b namely the call to establish an uni mission of Ahura Maida, God. The present day Parsis in India ! controversies over the actual Zoroaster that he lived and tau This opinion is of enormous psy Parsis that religious exclusivity w survival of a community that upholding of its religion and cul There is historical evidence to pr penetrated north-western Iran, th of Scythic or Turanian origin. It appears that in these regions class and did not conform to any material gains by the invocation through which they oppressed the the practice of demon worship. and black magic, Lord Zoroaster which placed stress on vohuman O He emphatically stated that there namely the cultivation of good wo which will help man to worship The Zoroastrian religion repeate and effect. Every event has its cau Thus also the events of a man's li of cause and effect. Lord Zorc principle in his Gathar time and í The Zoroastrian religion has al worldliness to the utter neglect C needs should be satisfied prior t Hungry stomachs are not likely t spiritual well-being

with the nomadic culture on the
asic principles of Iranian history, versal political order and the divine
hold to the view despite the many historical appearance of Lord ght between 6000 and 4000 B.C. chological relevance as it gives the hich has been so necessary for the prides itself on the dedicated ture in their pristine forms. ove that before the Iranian nation e inhabitants of these regions were
the sorcerers formed a separate moral code. They sought to secure of dark powers and black magic people. Alongside this cult existed
Against this practice of sorcery preached his religion of the Gatha, rgcod mind and asha or rectitude. was only one path to righteousness, ords, good deeds and good thought, the one God, 4 hura Maxda. 2dly emphasizes the law of cause se and every action has its reaction. fe are based on the immutable law paster stressed these fundamental again. so never over-emphasized “other if the material welfare. Man's basic o his moral and spiritual progress. o respond to the call of moral and

Page 75
The Prayers or Gathas handed do Yasna, Visperad, Vendidad and the K he can express with their help his one supreme Godhead. The wo existence” and Maxda means ‘omn The importance and the role of t the Parsis” history. However, as e responsibility for his deeds and 1 little room in Zorosastrian teachir secret knowledge or as the mediat The priests, both in India, here an part at the initiation ceremony of a related to marriage and death and before the Parsi New Year. They a on special days and at death anniv Between 226 and 651 A.D. with cultural renaissance took place. cannot, despite its universal cla compared with the Achaemenide cultural feeling of group identity is of Persian history, Under the S became a state religion for the firs The Iranian, Zoroastrian Empire c with the conquest of Iran by Isla A.D. As a direct result of the forcec of the Parsis began. The Parsis living in India, Sri descendents of a group of Persia India after the conquest of Persia the historical dimension of the identity agrees with the findings of is no agreement regarding the exa The question as to what extent actually subjected to a bloody supp Parsis see it, cannot be described
1. P. Bulsara.

wn in an extensive canon in the Khordah 4 vesta are given to man so veneration of Ahura Magda, the ord 4hura means the “source of isciento. he priests varied in the course of ach individual believer bears the nis life after death, there is very gs for the priest as the keeper of jor between God and man. d elsewhere, do play a prominent child called the navjot, ceremonies in the Gathas that begin six days ilso hold fashan, religious prayers, rersaries etc.
the Sassanians, a national and Although the Sassanian empire im to territorial expansion, be empire, the Indian Parsis” ethnoinfluenced primarily by this phase assanians, Zoroaster's teachings st time. ame to a sudden and violent end mic Arabians in the 7th Century Islamization of Iran, the exodus
Lanka, and elsewhere, are the in refugees who first migrated to
by the Arabians. In this regard, Parsis” consciousness of ethnic historical research, even if there ct date of migration. the Zoraostrians in Persia were ression by fire and sword as many 2xtensively.

Page 76
While some could not leave thei to embrace Islam, others firs protected by Parsi chieftans (.. preferred to leave Iran in order Hormuzd and other border town given temporary shelter to the h It is also known that many of the India. By far the largest convo many others followed later. Ever with Afghan adventurers in Guj At the earliest opportunity, they of Sanjam, Jadi Rana, to be allo" fire temple in Sanjan. As the veneration, permission and ever temple.
The Sacred Fire
In 721 A.D, the sacred fire was k of the Zoroastrian religion. I wo fire means. For the consecration of Atash B fire from various sources are bro and conglomerated through a de by mobeds or priests. Among the lightning to be obtained generall monsoon on being struck by lig Even today, the 100,000 Parsis the world, have an unbroken tra with rigidity to the worship of matte, where they live they alwa In Sri Lanka, the Parsi commun since it has to be tendered arour Parsi community here has alwa one priest living here, and henc which houses the sacred fire ha

r hearth and home, and pretended t fled to mountain strongholds 'epabhads). Quite a large number to preserve their faith. Kohstan, s and provinces are known to have omeless, devout Zoroastrians. m established settlements in North of ships touched at Sanjan and here, the Parsis came into conflict
arat.
asked the permission of the King wed to settle in Sanjan and built a Hindus themselves hold fire in y assistance was given to build the
indled in accordance with the rites uld like to explain what the sacred
ehram (sacred fire), several types of ught together, filtered several times tailed process of meticulous rituals various fires required is the fire of y from trees which catch fire in the htning who live in India and throughout dition to which they have adhered
the Atash Behram at Udvada. No ys unfailingly visit Udvada. ity does not have an Atash Behram ld the clock, through the year. The 7s been small, with generally only e a temple or 4girai as it is called
not been built.
66

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The community only has a prayer Navroz Baugh built in 1927 by husband (she was the maternal gr and the paternal great-grand mot only a small, oil lamp burning in Almost two decades after settli permission from the King Jadi Ra When the Parsis first settled in Sa on them several conditions; one, t their religion to the King; two, th Persian language and accept the C Parsis in India, Sri Lanka and els language, but Gujarati); three, traditional Persian garb and wear tl e.g, the saree; four, the men wou said that the last condition founc Parsis observe today to the ruler they have chosen to settle. This p the non-political professions anc the latter part of the 19th century The last condition was that the processions in the dark. Their relig not be seen by others so that no i would ever be felt by others. This is are not allowed to witness religiou However, if the initiation anc performed in a temple, then the non-Zoroastrians. Ever since the beginning of the 1 seaport on the west coast of Indi; the Mogul Empire and European attracting Parsis. By the early 18" ( settlement. The European merchants prefer the Indian hinterland through Par and brokers. They had the advanta
6

hall in 5" lane, Kollupitiya, called P N Kapadia in memory of her eat-grand mother of KN Choksy her of P M Lakdavala). There is a special room at the prayer hall. ng in Sanjan, the Parsis sought na to settle in Gujarat in 785 A.D. njan, the King Jadi Rana imposed he Parsi high priest would explain : Parsis would give up their native Gujarati language. (Even today all ewhere do not speak the Persian he women would give up their he customary dress of the country, ld lay down their weapons. (It is i its fulfillment in the loyalty the or the government in the country erhaps also is said to account for trade which they pursued until in India).
Parsis would hold their wedding ious and burial ceremonies should influence of the Zoroastrian faith s the reason why non-Zoroastrians is and burial ceremonies till today. wedding ceremonies are not ceremonies can be witnessed by
6“ Century, Surat, the important a and the center of trade for both Companies, had been increasingly century, it became the largest Parsi
red to transact their business in
si middlemen who acted as agents ge on the one hand, of knowledge
7

Page 78
of the land and language, and ( which gave them the necessa foreigners. The Portuguese, Fre: all employed Parsis as their chief The Parsis were noted for skill. interests and political powers (in English East India Company anc While doing this they brought t play. After the Portuguese relinquishe within a few decades Surat lost was free of the pressures of the invasions. Bombay was therefor their main port on India's west c A few Parsic had already settled period, but the actual Parsi migr: British were developing Bombi population in Bombay at that tim 9.2 percent of the total populati By 1812, the number of Parsis 55,000 Parsees live in the city of of Parsis over the whole of India the British merchants or found p to their familiarity with Britis
2CS,
Political & Social Perspectiv
Earlier in my paper I referred to India. I will now discuss their
activities in India. The Parsis” e élan and enormous expenditure
second half of the 19th cent
Communities in India and made i move at this time into key ecor possible at that time, into politic
6

on the other, of being a minority ry flexibility in commerce with nch, Dutch and English factories, * brokers.
fully mediating between different this case the Nawab of Surat, the the Portuguese Viceroy of Goa). heir own business effectively into
'd Bombay to the British in 1551, its leading role to Bombay, which Moguls and the danger of Marathi e developed by the British to be
O2 St. in Bombay during the Portuguese ation started at the time when the y as a trading center. The Parsi he was 3,887, which formed about on of 33,444. had increased to 13,156. Today, Bombay. Simultaneously, dispersal was also observed. They followed ositions in Princely states, thanks h administration, language and
7eS
the pacesetter role of the Parsis in educational, social and political ducational system was built with in their adapted homeland in the ury. It was ahead of all other t possible for a group of Parsis to nomic, cultural and as far as was |al positions. A survey of Indians
8

Page 79
staying in England for higher edu the Parsis formed 4 percent of strong representation among Ind even more obvious if one consi Presidency; in this group the P percent of all students. After the Bombay Native Educa Elphinstone College was founde Parsis appeared immediately to social and educational mobility. Ir for the Parsis that they did not hav as did the Muslims, for exam opposition to western education. institutions had generated such ad that the subconscious assimilation of consciously initiated social an In 1848, one year before Sir Jamse of an independent Parsi educati first Parsi school, the Sir Jamset Institution, a group of young re Dadabhai Naoroji started The Society along with English teache aim of this Society was to raise population by providing school f, When the schools faced financial out. Without this financial and p would not have been capable of The society considered the edu especially important, something Elphinstone Institution up till the that they proved to be decad communities. The Society's nine 1855 by 740 girls - 475 Parsis, 178 Hindus.
2 Ram Gopal.
6

cation in 1884 makes it clear that the Indian students. The Parsis” ian students in England becomes ders only students from Bombay arsis supplied a staggering 70.4
tion Society was formed and the d in the 1820s, a large group of realize these new possibilities of this context it was advantageous 'e a traditional educational system, ple, that could have mobilized Around 1850, the new educational esire for reforms among the Parsis process was turned into channels d religious reforms. tjee Jeejeebhoy laid the foundation onal system at Bombay with the jee Jeejeebhoy Parsi Benevolent formers under the leadership of Students Literary and Scientific rs and some Hindus. The principal the educational standards of the acilities and voluntary teachers.
difficulties, Parsi donors helped personal support of the Parsis it surviving in the following years. cation of young women to be that had been neglected by the in. It is to the credit of the Parsis es ahead of all other Indian chools for girls were attended in Marathi Hindus and 87 Gujarati

Page 80
While the Parsi schools initially was added as a language of ir forerunner of this trend, the A Institute founded by the Parsi, M: into prominence. Even if Gujar Parsi families, this language so educational language of the Pars The eagerness to learn and bec encompassed almost the entire ( last decades of the 19th century, at institutes by the Parsis themselv till this very day, the highest pe communities. In 1911, 71 percent of the Parsi literate. Further, the 1931 censu of the Parsis living in India we literacy rate. There was also an in for mechanical technical and c. indifferent today to the cause of might be hustled out of the field fitted to survive', said J.F. Bulsara such as Edalji Derajbi Talati, ther years was on technical and co industrialist J.N. Tata provided incentive in this direction with school of technology in 1909 in The Sir Dorabji Tata Trust was es for the establishment of the Tat Tata Memorial hospital-the firs of Fundamental Research in math the cradle of the Indian atomic c National Centre for the Perform This speaks not only for the edu their concern for the progress of
Eckehard Kulke.

taught only in Gujarati, English struction after the 1870's. As a lexandra Native Girls Education anekjee Curstjee in 1863, had come ati was still spoken in most of the on ceased to be the cultural and
is. ome educated, which had already community as we have seen in the nd the establishment of educational es has led to the Parsis having up rcentage of literacy of all Indian
is living in Bombay province were s of India reveals that 79 percent 're literate which was the highest creasing demand among the Parsis ommercial education. “If we are technical education, tomorrow we and replaced by other races better ... Thus, for individual educationists main emphasis during the following ommercial education. The Parsi the strongest and most affective the founding of the first Indian Bangalore. tablished in 1932 and is responsible a Institute of Social Sciences; the t cancer hospital; the Tata Institute ematics and physics, which became inergy programme; and finally, the ing Arts. ucational genius of the Parsis, but their adopted country in all spheres.
70

Page 81
It was this forward looking basi: of young reformers inspired b Elphinston, and Macaulay, cons Bombay. These young reformers and influenced by their English t their enthusiasm into practical a In 1851, the reform movement Dadabhai Naoroji, for spreading paper Rasr Gofiar (Herald of T political organization called the Bombay by Dadabhai Naoroji, w mouthpiece for demands for po It is strange that the ever-conse AITUC (All India Trade Union considered as one of those who development of a modern tra theosophist and one of Annie B. rule movement, Wadia founded t which was the first modern trad orientation towards the Westerr permanent membership fees." D; of founding the first all-India pc ahead of the Indian Congress. All in all, three Indians succeed Parliament, and all three were fascinating that I believe it dem research in order to analyse the p if one considers that these thr reflected three different politic elected as the first Indian to aspirations at an open electoral CC to a perceptible rise in India’s na Indian had proven that he col Englishman in an open contest e
4. A.S. Mathur & J.S. Mathur.

s for education that threw up a set y the liberal politics of Bentick, sisting predominantly of Parsis in called themselves Young Bombay eachers, succeeded in channelising ctivity. : was established under the Parsi, g progressive ideas in the Gujarati ruth). In 1852, the first all-India Bombay Association was begun in rhich functioned as a platform and litical reforms. vative Parsis joined actively in the Congress). B. P.Wadia, a Parsi, is principally paved the way for the de union movement in India. A
esant's closest workers in the home he Madras Labour Union in 1918, le union in India with a conscious trade union movement and with adabhai Naoroji has the distinction olitical association, seventeen years
led in being elected to the British Parsis. This fact is in itself so lands a separate investigation and olitical role of the Parsis, especially 'ee Parsi Members of Parliament al groups. Dadabhai Naoroji was represent India’s rising political ntest in England. This led naturally tional consciousness. With him, an uld assert himself and defeat an ven in England. The Indian public
71

Page 82
considered him not only the Me but as a member for India, that i India in Britain's House of Comi of the British Liberal Party.
Of the other two, M.M. Bhowna the British Conservative Party, an of the British Labour Party in 1 the Communist Party of Britain. Of these, the most colourful v convinced as no other Indian pol: reform movement and Indian n successful if they moved to the where the political decisions rele His main concern as the first In to inform the British voter and t its problems and thus indirectl making process. Naoroji firmly b being wrongly informed about Ia to directly influence the cent Parliament, the Government an convinced of British justice and
Parsis in Sri Lanka
Between the years 1901 and 1 community in the Indian subcont an increase of 12.8 percent. Many Parsi merchants traveled onwards. Those who traveled to C at Galle, which was a developed se and the Portuguese. As the popul sought new pastures and Ceylon not too far from Bombay. K.D. Choksy of Ceylon who has w mentions that there are several re from the early 19th century. One of
7

mber of Parliament for Finsbury, s, as a legitimate representative of mons. He contested as a candidate
gree won in 1895 as a member of ld S.D. Saklatvals won as a member 922, and in 1924 as a member of
was Dadabhai Naroroji. He was itician at the time, that the political lational movement could only be center of the British Imperium, rvant to India were being framed. dian in the British Parliament was the British public about India and y influence the British decisionelieved that the British public was ndia. He also felt it was necessary ers of British power, viz., the d the India Office. He was also willingness to reform.
961, the numbers of the Parsi inent rose from 93,552 to 105,974,
to China from the 18th century hina would probably have stopped aport under the British, the Dutch ation increased in India, the Parsis seemed a good option as it was
vritten about the Parsis extensively, ferences to the Parsis in Sri Lanka the records available is the Ceylon
2

Page 83
Chamber of Commerce's work the years 1839 to 1964. This w meeting on Feb.20, 1839 of the to consider the desirability of est 11 firms were elected. Of th Hormusjee Espandiarger and Englishmen. There is no record of Hormusjee may have been the father of B Kotanchina (Kotahena) Parsi F 19,1847. The next non-European memb was also a Parsi firm, Framjee B in 1890. This firm with head off Ceylon in the middle of the 19th c from import and export, trade 2 extraction of coconut oil at its C There were later, two big coco World War. One was the Colomb and the other belonging to the Gi was taken over by the British G War and converted into a limit British Ceylon Corporation. The those of the Ceylon Parsi Anjur No. 1179 was dated April 19,194 ground at Kotahena. After using this Burial Ground bigger burial ground. Mr. Pesto crown land of around two and ; the Parsis, which is still in use at The Parsi priests” maintenance fu had rented houses from time to and living quarters for the priest a (Meherbai) in 1923 fulfilled the v

on the history of the Chamber for ork mentions that at the very first Mercantile Community in Ceylon ablishing a Chamber of Commerce, ese, 2 were Parsi firms, namely, Shapujee Hirjee. The rest were
Espandiarger, but Shapurjee Hirjee yramjee Shapurjee, trustee of the Burial Trust established on April
der of the Chamber of Commerce hjikhajee & Co., which was elected ices in Bombay was established in entury. Its activities varied, ranging und banking, to indent agents and bil mills in Grandpass.
nut oil mills built during the first po Oil Mills belonging to this firm erman firm of Freudenburg, which overnment during the first World ed liability Company, namely the 2 other main records available are nan Trust Fund. The oldest deed, 47, regarding the first Parsi burial
for 40 years, the need arose for a njee Dinshawjee Khan obtained a half acres on June 13, 1887, for Jawatte Road, Colombo. und was started in 1910. The Parsis time to be used as a Prayer Hall ind his family. Finally, PM Kapadia fishes of her husband and donated
73

Page 84
56% perches of land and built a h is still in use at 5' Lane, Kollupit
The Parsis Today
The Parsis today number only 4 1930s and 40s. At that time, the co down a teacher from Bombay to t The Parsis in Ceylon began dwinc from Bombay stopped. Many country, particularly between the l The trend of inter-marriage also si from the 1950s onwards, when exposed to university education : of other communities; they natura Conversion is not allowed by the II marries out of the community, sh accepted into the Parsi comm contracted such marriages, ho community if they wear the sacre The more conservative persons th religious beliefs and community i whom they married and brought The Parsis in Sri Lanka have got a winning their respect and frienc amiably while clinging to their c almost a fanatical fervour. The Parsis, in the early years conc to mention a few, Jamshed Rusto of wheat flour and sugar. There exported coir and is still operat businessmen was E.S. Captain manager of the Welláwatte Spinn best known landmarks of Colom and cOntrolled by a group Of bu 1930s when it was bought over by
7

ouse called Bavroz Banug, which iya, Colombo.
5 persons, down from 450 in the mmunity got together and brought ach Gujarati to the Parsi children. ling in numbers since emigration Parsi professionals also left the ate 1950s and 1970s, for Australia. arted in the community, especially the young men and women were und mingled freely with members lly found partners of their choice, Parsi community. If a Parsi woman e cannot expect her children to be unity fold. The men who have wever, can remain within the d shirt and thread. ough, with a view to keeping their ntact, sought partners in Bombay
OVEf. long well with other communities lship. They have moved around own customs and traditions with
‘entrated on business. They were, mjee and P.N. Kapadia, importers was a firm of R. Rustomjee which ional. One of the better known who came over here as general ing and Weaving Mill, one of the bo, in 1914. The mill was planned sinessmen in India until the early * the maharaja of Gawlior. Captain
4

Page 85
remained its general manager, ever company in 1955, until he retired His son S. E. Captain is an estal business enterprises ranging frc manufacturing of tooth brushes. There were Parsis in the life insurar and N.D. Jilla began some of the There was also the Ceylon Baker Billimoria was a well-known ship Even today, the brothers B.R. Ru their sons, the Pestonjee brothers, to mention a few, are big time businesswoman in Ceylon is Aban business enterprises together wit was the only Parsi who owned and time. On record, there is a Parsi v Estate, belonging to the Colombc The early Parsis in Sri Lanka being sons and daughters in some of th sons in the early years attended Ro College. The daughters attende Methodist College and St.Bridg community, the academic and pri The professions favoured by the and architecture. I will mention only a few of th Pestonjee, whose name was wel outstanding work for many years a He was the Director-in-Charge. great measure to eradicate malaria for the Cancer Society with dedica surgeon who rose to be the Chiefbiggest eye hospital, the Colombo in the late 60s. Dr. R.C.J. Rustc. Specialist who subsequently migr was an army doctor.

1 when the mill was made a public in 1961.
olished businessman with varied lm paints and furniture, to the
ce business as well. D.S. Crawford : earliest dye works in Colombo. y begun by a Pestonjee. Edaljee chandler. stomjee and T.R. Rustomjee and S.E. Captain and Roitun Chyoksy businessmen. The first Parsi Pestonjee, who has started several h her husband. Framroze Parek ! operated film theaters for a long who owned a tea estate, Wewessa -Wallah family,
affluent, sought to educate their he best schools in Colombo. The oyal College and later St. Thomas d Bishops College, Ladies and et's Convent. For such a small ofessional record is outstanding. Parsis were mainly law, medicine
nem by name. There was Dr R l-known in the country for his t the Leprosy Asylum at Hendala. Dr. K.D. Rustomjee helped in a
in this country, and later worked tion. Dr. J. Dadabhoy was an eye surgeon in charge of the country's Eye Hospital, until his retirement mjee was a well-known E.N.T. ated to Australia. Dr. M.N. Nilla

Page 86
There are many lawyers from t outstanding in that he became th a Q.C. He was acting Commiss Government service commissic Choksy Report, is still in use. H finance minister of Sri Lanka. He and the first Parsi President’s cour Proctor B.K. Billimoria also ser Theaters. The brothers H.C.J. Rus also lawyers and the latter was also Farmrose Rustomjee, who wrot customs and rituals was also a we Among the architects, H F Billimc Independence Hall and rose to bi H.J. Billimoria also worked as a go was a partner in the well-known and Begg. The youngest of the a Then there were the Jilla brothers in the Navy and H.M.D. Jilla, w notable that K.F. Billimoria was t College, Kandy. He was principal of the Parsis” capacity for adapta installed a student scholarship wh their books and clothes, apart f educate a student at the university The girls too went in for higher e out as a doctor winning the gold r were general arts graduates. The Englishmen's enthusiasm f imitated by the Parsis in India. Cric sports of the Parsis overnight. installed in Bombay in 1850. In Ce for their colleges and clubs, especi
5 Roshan Pestonjee, the author,
History and an eminent journal
7t

he community. N.K. Choksy is e first Parsi in Ceylon to be made ioner of Assizes and the Local n Chairman whose report, the is son K.N. Choksy is today the is also an Outstanding civil lawyer cil. A proud record for any family. ved for a long time with Ceylon tomjee and N.C.J. Rustomjee were a lecturer at Law College. Proctor :e many a booklet on the Parsi ll-known person in law circles. oria was the one who designed the 2 the chief government architect. }vernment architect. J.C. Nilgiriya firm of architects, Edward, Reed rchitects is Firoze Choksy. ;FN.Jilla in the Police, K.N.Jilla ho was a civil servant. It is also he first Principal of Dharmaraja for 31 years. This is a fine example bility and integration. His widow ich enables poor students to buy rom a university scholarship to
V. ducation. Shera Pestonjee passed medal for surgery. Her two sisters
or sports was always fervently ket in Bombay became a favourite The first Parsi Cricket Club was ylon too, the Parsis played cricket ally the Jilla brothers who played
is herself an Honours graduate in ist.

Page 87
for Royal College, and M.N. Jilla well. In the early years, Dr. D. Dadabh well-known cricket commentatot in 1900 when the Thomians were considered one of the best scho turned out for the Colts on Occi efficient Honorary Secretary of Foenander records that the Parsi c hearted supporters of the Colts ( F. Dadabhoy,' assisted the Colts instrumental in raising funds nee Bombay in 1905, and he also to Elphinston college, Bombay, past in 1904. He was also a senior vici The Parsis shone at table tennis. Pestonjee and Rusi Captain have Pestonjee had been a president c tennis, the late F. Dadabhoy had w Firoze Billimoria and Solli Capt Captain was the golf champion o Eliya golf clubs. P.L. Pestonjee w in the 1930s. The Parsis had built a hall, Parasm where the land was donated by E R. Rustomjee. Here the communi social occasions. The Parsis, however, have not par have steered clear of it. Their po right in voting at elections. - unfortunately made no impact in In local politics, J. Hormusjee, F early 40s was a nominated mem Council. Dadabhoy was a nomina
6 The author's father.

who played for Medical College as
toy, according to S.P. Foenander a , played for Royal College Eleven defeated by three wickets. He was ol wicketkeepers of the time. He isions, and was for a time, a very he Club. community had always been warmricket Club. One of its members, in various ways. He was largely led to send the Ceylonese team to ok a leading part in inducing the and present teams to tour Ceylon e-president of the Colts Club. M.N. Oakdavala, Pesi and Charlie all played at national levels. H.C. f the table tennis association. In on at the national championships. ain have done well at golf. Solli f both the Colombo and Nuwara tas a well-known football referee,
ony, at Clifford Road, Kollupitiya, ... Rustomjee and the hall built by ty met to play table tennis and for
ticipated in national politics. They litical tendencies are towards the i.e. UNP or SLFP. They have national politics.
Dadabhoy in the latter 30s and ber of the Colombo Municipal ted member for eight years.

Page 88
The low profile in national polit that the Parsis preferred to rer business enterprises or else, they carriers to devote much time to c pity though, considering their di The Parsis in Sri Lanka have ht country in the way of charity. It w for Sri Lanka's first Cancer Ho Khan Memorial Ward at the Gen Tower in Pettah. They also prese Economics at the University an College. The Dadabhoy family gave two m college and endowed a prize at Ro in many social service projects s the Cancer Association, and the Although the Parsis of Sri Lanka Parsi lifestyle, they have been forc in India, the Tower of Silence w does not exist in Sri Lanka and ar has replaced this custom. The funeral ceremony is usually c and burial takes place at the Pars Fire, the symbol of purity is lit in the lamp is placed near the bod feature in a Parsi funeral is the dog with two markings above its If the dog turns away from the d ensure that the person is dead. H days the soul will remain in this burial, the family meet for lunch The Paris Club, which seeks to k engages in annual activities centre of the organization is Aban Pes

cs may have been due to the fact hain neutral and safeguard their were too busy in their professional labbling in national politics. It is a stinguished record in India.
wever done a great deal for the ras Soli Captain who met the costs spice. The Khan family built the eral Hospital and the Khan Clock inted the Khan Memorial Prize in d several gold medals at Medical
emorial gold medals at the medical yal College. The Parsis also worked uch as the Social Service League, Home for the Incurables.
live in accordance with the Indian ed to make certain changes. Unlike There a Parsi is placed after death alternative arrangement of burial
onducted within 24 hours of death i cemetery at Jawatte in Colombo. Inmediately when a person dies and y of the departed soul. A unique employing of a "four-eyed dog' (a yes), which is led up to the corpse. :ceased this serves as a final test to owever, it is believed that for four world, and on the fourth day after
eep the Parsi community together,
d around fellowship. The President tonjee, the Managing Director of
8

Page 89
Abans Ltd. The Parsi Club has ge on the Prophet's birthday, the Club take the form of a dinner and also
Conclusion
There is no doubt that the Parsi cc for the reasons mentioned earlier community is diminishing at a fa concern. But so dynamic is the members will continue to prosp society they live in.
79

therings three times a year, viz., birthday and on March 21. These
some games.
mmunity is highly dynamic. But in this essay, the numbers of the st rate. It is indeed a cause for :ommunity that the community r and contribute to whichever

Page 90
The Ma
their origins, gr
Jagath S
Introduction
"Malayalees of Sri Lanka is usec migrants to Sri Lanka from tha constitutes the state of Kerala. H India and Sri Lanka have influe: polity of this island for more tha received enduring cultural and soc and Tamil Nadu in the south-ea: coast. It is thus in the fitness C influence of Kerala, in our attem the Malayalee community in this
History & Background
'4nd now that ye may enou A that it groveth in a certain em the name whereof is Minibar, the world but there. And the fo extendeth for a good eighteen a there be tuvo cities the one uvher other Cyngilin'.
- Frier Udoric
1 Yule Sir Henry, 1866. (Frier Udo Minibar is an old Arabic form understood as being derived fro
8

layalees pu'th and decline
e2f2 the
as a generic term to identify all at territory of India which now Historical relations between South nced the social life, customs and in a thousand years. Sri Lanka has ial impulses from Andhra Pradesh st of India, to Kerala in the west f things to examine the specific pt to understand the dynamics of island.
ou pepper is got, let me tell you pire whereunto I came to land, and it groueth nowhere else in rest in which the peppergroueth, lays fourney, and in that forest eof is called Flanderina and the
of Pordenone
oric came to the east around 1322 A.D. of the name Malabar and Cyngilin is m 'Sinhala' or "Sihala).
0

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Three great kingdoms - the Chol flowered in South India during th dynasty on the western coast, rou of modern India, reached the heig AD. As the Chera kingdom disintegra constantly at war with each other, were expanding their influence ov with each other in their effort dominance, they periodically und straits into Ceylon. The evolution over several centurie in Kerala was fuelled by the const the internecine wars. As the reputat across South India, the Pandyan an them in their armies. They not o but were also part of the military the role of the man of Kerala was the employ of Tamil kings. Having Malayalees’ crossed over to Ceylo life in the island or to step up the Sinhalese princes.“ During the reign of King Mahin Sinhala, Keralese and Canares soldi as they wished and a state of disord prince - Magha (Ukalinga Vijayab: nearly forty years and is said to hav four thousand men. The duration of a large and strong army. Ma mercenary recruits from Kerala ar
"Malayalees’ refers to the inhabitar the Malayalam language
3 MD Raghavan, 1969.
4. Geiger Wilhelm, 1960.
5 S Pathmanathan, 1978.
81

as, the Pandyas, and the Cheras, e early Christian era. The Chera ghly comprising the Kerala state ht of its power during 2" century
ted into numerous principalities the Pandya and Chola kingdoms er southern India. While warring s at territorial expansion and ertook military forays across the
s of a strong martial arts tradition ant needs of the principalities in ion of the Kerala warriors spread ld Chola kings regularly recruited nly fought the mainland battles, r expeditions to Ceylon. Clearly, that of a professional soldier in g tasted this freelance' life, many in either to settle into a peaceful ir career by taking service under
da V (981-1017 AD), mutinous ers governed large areas of Lanka er prevailed.“The usuper Kalinga ahu) - held sway over Lanka for e invaded with an army of twenty of his rule confirms the presence agha's army was composed of ld the Tamil kingdoms of South
its of Kerala and elsewhere who speak

Page 92
India, with the Kerala warriors fig mercenaries were a public disast Magha. They oppressed and haras plundered their houses and took himself, whose power depended Keralese whatever else belong Wilhelm."
Malayalee mercenary soldiers w reign of Parakramabahu VI (141 in the invading force of the Sapur Notes G.V.P. Somaratne, “The KC (Tamil), Malala (Malabar) and D. to the Sinhalese'. These armies of conquest and di in composition, and there appe conflict arising within them. Th along with the primitive comm available at the time ensured th defender ran tenuously, if at all these principalities. The incessaa and flow of fortune of these kin maintain control over even relat reasonable periods of time. W hostilities occurred, there was a t to disband and settle down amo Tamil dominated as the case may At this juncture, it is relevant to e arts traditions of both Lanka anc on the historical relationships bet of Kerala were called eafari and The techniques of sword fightir
G Ibid.
Geiger Wilhelm, 1960.
8 G.V.P. Somaratne, 1975.
Through these assimilations anc to influence the Sinhala languag
7

uring prominently in it." The Kerala. er during the reign of the usurper sed the people in a terrible manner, away their possessions and Magha
on this soldiery, delivered to the ed to the Sihalas writes Geiger
ere being employed as late as the 1-1466 AD) and were prominent nal Prince when he besieged Jaffna. tte army was composed of Demala oluvara (Tulu) soldiers in addition
efense were evidently multi-ethnic lars to be no evidence of ethnic e hostile terrain and environment unications and logistic facilities at the writ of the conqueror or , on the outermost perimeters of t warring was the result of the ebb gdoms, which found it difficult to ively small geographical areas for When a temporary cessation of 2ndency on the part of the soldiers ngst the local populace, Sinhala or r be.'
lxplore in greater detail the martial Kerala, as it serves to throw light ween them. The martial arts centers were famous all over South India. g, self-defence, pole-vaulting and
| other influences, Malayalam has come e and script in an indisputable fashion.
32

Page 93
other forms of combat taught with There is a striking resemblance bet the specialized centers of martial t the same period, and the éalaries of combat known as angam in Sinha another example. The weapons use and the centers of martial comba Kerala and maranil in Lanka. Resea origin of this practice, with a goo two lands.' According to popular malayalee sou in Sri Lanka during the 14th century their struggle against the aryacafér Notes K.M. De Silva, “In the secc fourtunes of the Sinhalese reacl aryacaéravartis was the most power Sinhalese power in the island declin to exact tribute from the South-W from Kerala called Alageswaran (or this opportunity to establish frate Lanka by offering military assistar not return to Kerala, and are said t Sinhalese.
19 MD Raghavan, 1969.
Ibid.
2 K M De Silva, 1981.
In Alageswaran's army there wer men from Nayar families like Ka versed in the arts of Kaleripayattu
caste like Ponnamp rumal, Nallaps
Weerakonar, Wijayakonar were als are clearly related to names fou
Others seem closer to Tamilnadu the presence of Tamilnadu mercer was made at the Kelani Vihara by L. for services rendered by these sol to this inscription in Kuruppu, 19
83

in them were called éalaripayattu. ween the Kandyan haramba salava, raining existing in Kandy during Kerala." The practice of 'single lese as well as Malayalam is yet d in the angan were death-dealing t were known as marmasthana in rch indicates that Lanka was the d deal of exchange between the
Lrces, soldiers from Kerala arrived to aid besieged Sinhala rulers in avarti invaders from the North. ond half of the 14th century, the hed its nadir. Jaffna under the ful kingdom in the island. As the ed, the Tamils moved southwards est and Central region.”** A king Alagakonar) is said to have taken rnal relations with the rulers of hce, Most of these soldiers'* did o have quickly settled amidst the
e reputed to have been many young innankara and Kurup who were well and members of Alageswaram's own rumal. Thevaraperumal. Alagakonar, so represented. Some of these names nd among contemporary Sinhalese. in origin, and may have been due to laries. It is also said that an inscription ankan Kings as a token of appreciation diers from Kerala (reference is made 34).

Page 94
At this point it is relevant to c family which came to political p the Kotte kingdom. They undou in the struggle against the aryaca period “is one of the worst docuit it links the Alageswaras to Vanci, which has now been identified kingdom's importance in interna to the conjecture that the Alag traders. Hence it is quite poss brought from Kerala to he aryacakravartis. o Alagakonar's main achievement campaign, which culminated in him one of the most eulogized history, For instance, the Niye “Alagakkonara became the favou the two chronicles, Niéayasangra, and confirm these statements in
Somaratne, 1975. Kuruppu, (he was the President and headmaster of Zahira colle him were influential opinion cr a popular vein, says that a Prin Sinhala Kings against the Arya emphasise the long historical r Their writings illustrate the role Malayalees yearning for an ide o See Somaratne, 1975, for a con by the Alakesvara family in the F sources say that an inscription w the contributions of Keralese sc basis for this. Among the insct Kalani inscription of 1344. A Alagakkonars, and of his great Bell & Mendis Guinesekera, 19 17 Pathmanathan, 1978.

onsider the remarkable Alagesvara rominence at the very beginning of btedly made a valuable contribution terauarti invader. While the relevant mented periods in Ceylon history', the capital of the Chera kingdom, as Kuruvur in Kerala. The Chera tional trade during this period leads esvarans may have originally been ible that Malayalee warriors were lp in the struggle against the
was organization of the military the arcaeravartis defeat. This made personalities in medieval Sinhalese amgampaya inscription claims that rite of the goddess of victory” and haya and Rajavaliya further elaborate the inscription. Alagakonara built
of the Ceylon Malayalee Mahajana Sabha ege at that time. Community leaders like eators among the Malayalees) writing in ce Alagakonar Sailed from Vancil to aid n emperor Pandyarajah. They strove to elations between Kerala and Sri Lanka. : of myth in the 20th Century Sri Lankan ntity). nprehensive account of the role played Kotte kingdom. While popular Malayalee as made at the Kelani Viharamentioning oldiers, there seems to be no epigraphical iptions that do exist is the Kitsirimevan D which refers to a minister named services to the kingdom. See further, 16.
84

Page 95
fortifications and raised a large a the Aryacaéravarti, and one C constructed later came to be knc As mentioned in the Rafavaliy, chronicles, it was defended by iro (pulimu kam), caltrops (bhumiyntati use of Dravidian loan words constructing fortifications as borrowed from Kerala and the T number of mercenaries cam Padmanathan. The events of importance. They provide the powerful Malayalee and Sinhales
Malayalees and Trade
Sri Lanka's external trade relation of constant Malayalee migratiot 11th century onwards. Muslim Kerala by the 10th century and community emerged in Kerala.
trading activities all over the Corc of Indo-Lanka trade by the 13" ce numbers of Muslim settlements i and south western coasts of the i in the hands, largely, of foreigner and Chetties, with the Chetties an group numerically. Many of them of Colombo, Galle and Jaffna an Indian traders. The Malabari Mu Mannar, Galle and Batticaloa,
domicile'.*o
18 Ibid. '' Ibid. o K.M. de Silva, 1981.

rmy prior to his campaign against of the important fortresses he own as Kotte. a Chulavansa and Rajaratnakariya in spikes (idangini), tiger-faced traps u), and watch towers (attala). “The suggest that the technique of practiced during this period was amil kingdoms from where a large e to the island', according to this period are of considerable factual elements around which e myths were to evolve.
is with Kerala were another source n to the island, at least from the Arabs had acquired a foothold in a significant Muslim Malayalee They proceeded to expand their mandel coast and their dominance ntury paved the way for increasing n and around ports on the western sland.' "The trade with India was s - some Tamils, Malabari Muslims d other Hindus perhaps the largest had long been settled in the ports d were an important link with the slim traders had relatives living in while some of them had a dual
5

Page 96
With the entrance of the Portug of the 15th century, a series of repercussions on the Kotte King Muslim Malayalee-dominated tra Lanka came into conflict with Portuguese. The zamorin of Calic the Muslim shipmasters and trade long flourishing trade with the Portuguese on the other hand was then existing between the raiah O. juncture, the Kamorin was on the
having brought South Malabar ur While slowly but surely entrenc Portuguese were also able to ex Lanka by 1505-6 and were able to Although the Portuguese continu had hitherto monopolized the ext on equal terms for the first doze and monopolize trade as their pol. in concerting action against the
taken by the Muslim traders r religionists in Malabar, who reser their trade in the island.' It is c Muslims were an economic force
averse to giving political expre Malayalee Muslims had experienc than the Sinhalese and were awar Although they were mainly inte interests, it is their initiative whic within the people against the
21 Somaratne, 1975. * E.M.S. Namboodiripad, 1963. 23 K.M. de Silva, 1972 o K.M. de Silva, 1981
25 Ibid.

uese into Kerala towards the end events, which had far-reaching gdom was initiated. The thriving de network between Kerala and the imperial ambitions of the ut, although a Hindu, supported rs in this conflict so as to save his Muslims. The strategy of the to manipulate the political rivalry f Cochin and the Ramorin. At that point of overpowering the rajah, nder his suzerainty.* ching themselves in Kerala, the tend their power to Kotte in Sri build a fort in Colombo by 1518. ed to trade with the Muslims who ernal trade of the Kotte Kingdom :n years, they strove to dominate itical power grew. “The initiative Portuguese in these matters was esident in Kotte and their colted the loss to the Portuguese of lear from this that the Malayalee to be reckoned with and were not assion to their grievances. The ced Portuguese incursions earlier e of the repercussions. rested in defending their trade h created a sympathetic response Iberian invasion. When King

Page 97
Bhuvenekabahu was compelled b against the Muslims, King Maya the Raigama chose to defend the Mayadunne played a leading role ambitions of controlling en Bhuvanekabahu in alliance wi established a link with the Ramor not the equal of the Portuguest over the next decade.' This is established relations with Kerala, have undoubtedly strengthened as well as soldiers in the Kotte a The Simmering antagonism Mayadunne flared into open con 1530's, and although victory was w advanced military technology of and Mayadunne was compelled to s'The terms imposed on him w more so than the requirement t Malabari forces who had come to their severed heads to the Portu this demand to the disgust of Sitawaka - Calicut entente was nev The ordinary Malayalee soldiers in the Kotte and Sitawaka areas numerous skirmishes subsequent With the inexorable growth of th the parallel transformations takir Kerala, the Malayalee mercenary historical scene.
* The assassination of Vijayabahu
of Kotte among them. 27 K.M. de Silva, 1981. 28 Ibid.

y the Portuguese in 1526 to move dunne, the ruler of Sitawaka and
cause of the Muslims. 2 in the events of 1521 and had
tire Kotte. With his brother th the Portuguese, Mayadunne in of Calicut, “whose navy though 2, was of great assistance to him clear affirmation of the long and and the decade-long alliance would the presence of Malayalee traders
『●2l。 between Bhuvanekabahu and flict towards the very end of the vithin Mayadunne's grasp, the more the Portuguese finally prevailed > sue for peace. Narrates De Silva, rere utterly humiliating and none nat he execute the leaders of the the island to assist him and send guese. Mayadunne complied with the Zamorin, and as a result, the rer to be revived.' are believed to have settled down , doubtless playing a role in the
to Mayadunne's initial defeat. he European imperial powers, and ng place in the social structure of soldier gradually exited from the
VI by his three sons and the division

Page 98
Malayalee Migration under
With the greater control exer subjugation of the island by th Lanka's economy and society as under colonial domination. The rapid monetary growths o growth in both internal and e migration of Indian trader gro the Malayalees were well repre Malayalees began towards the la World War II. The growth of and rubber plantations created : be satisfied through indigeno peasantry's refusal to be incorp the plantations. It was on the cri migration of south Indians fr Andhra Pradesh (Telegu spea speaking) took place.” Quite apart from the plantation and industry created a labour der Malayalee workers adapted the degree of work discipline and we by the 1930’s. “They were an working-class in the 1920's an
” It is interesting to not that today into a close-knit community (ie. more than a century after their Tamil incorporating a few constructions, which is recognis by Tamils in the north and east

the British
ted by the Dutch, and the total e British from 1815 onwards, Sri a whole began to change rapidly
f the economy, coupled with the xternal trade, stimulated further ups into Sri Lanka, among whom sented. Large-scale migration of te 19” century and continued till highly labour-intensive coffee, tea a labour demand which could not us means, due to the Sinhalese orated into the labour process on est of this demand that large-scale om Tamillnadu, Kerala and even king) and Karnataka (Kannada
ls, the development in commerce mand in Colombo and its environs. mselves very well to the required tre living in all parts of the country important part of the Sri Lanka d 1930's being known locally as
these disparate groups have been welded Tamils of Recent Indian Origin), hardly arrival. They speak a distinct version of Telegu and Malayalam words and ably different from that which is spoken
88

Page 99
aochchiyas' since many were from worked in mills and factories and v such as the port and railways. In , as domestic servants in the ho bourgeoisie. The Malayalees alsc (exhaua) caste who had migrated tappers. There was also a petty teachers, small traders and tea sl arôund 1,000 Malayalis in Sri Lar 30,000 in the 1930's. Many of these Malayalee workers communities of 50-60. Most of t schools and members were affilia cultural and political organization a distinctive feature of the Mala of English was given prime imp job and promotional prospects mercantile and government sector were forums where trade union C workers. The LSSP (Lanka sama s (communist party), used these fo political work. These activities fa Malayalee workers in Colombo. Malayalees living in urban areas of circumstance. Working class N and sometimes both, in addition
*o Raghavan, 1969. “Ceylon’s relat rooted in the State of Cochin th the name both of a ward of the of considerable business activity and about Colombo, is the term man of Malabar descent or ance: used as a more decent form to d of its different parts, like Travan old inter-relations between Ceylc Jayawardena, 1984.
8.

the Cochin area. In Colombo they were employed in other key sectors addition, Malayalees were popular mes of the European and local included members of the Irava l to Sri Lanka to work as toddy
bourgeoisie of Malayali clerks, hop owners. In 1911, there were ka, but the numbers had risen to
lived together in large houses in hese chumeries had organized night ted to various Malayalee religious, ls. In fact, the night schools were yalee organizations. The teaching ortance, presumably to enhance in the English dominant private s. Incidentally, these night schools organizers were active among the amaja party), and later on the CP rums very successfully for their cilitated the easy organization of
were multi-lingual through force Malayalees knew Sinhala or Tamil to Malayalam. Those who had
ions have evidently been more deeply an in the rest of Kerala. Cochikade is Colombo Municipality and of a town in the vicinity of Negombo. Heard in 'Cochiyan' which generally signifies a stry. Alternatively, the term “Cochin is enote aman from Kerala, irrespective core, Cochin or Malabr, a relic of the on and Cochin'.

Page 100
settled amidst Tamils in the no Tamil as it was the language
intercourse. A similar pattern obt During this time, there were reput among the total estimated 40,000 Malayalees considered themselve to Kerala after sometime, a sig women and settled down here. Th the Sinhalese and it was popula sorcery to ensnare Sinhala wom
Malayalee Influence in the
The Muese una, of the coast of M Gujarat closely resemble the Ma are said to have fled the Moham the Malabar coast and landed fir: the times of the aryacaérauartis,
Jaffna. However, according to le from the northern coastal areas
of Kankasenturai and Kirimalai. are found even today in the Batti Puttalam districts.'
* Kuruppu, 1934.
This in a highly contentious is history in Kerala. Superstituio the Keralese to an inordinate de disposition. Many Malayalees to witch-doctor) in Sri Lanka, and v A notice advertising "Malayalee sight outside their residences. (I Rationalist was a Malayalee. F occult is said to have been stimu to sorcery) *“ H. W. Tambiah, 1954.
5 IId.

rth west and east habitually spoke of education and general social cained in the Sinhala speaking areas. ted to be only 600 Malayalee women present in Sri Lanka. While many 's expatriate workers and went back gnificant number married Sinhala his bred a degree of hostility among urly held that the Malayalees used
en 33
North and the East
salabar and the Mooeuvanas of West teeumas of Ceylon. The Mueeumas medan Arab invaders who overran st at Kudremale in Lanka. During large settlements were founded in gend, the Mueeuwas were expelled for having desecrated the beaches Large settlements of the Mueaumas caloa, Trincomalee, Calpentyn, and
sue. The occult arts have a very long n and sorcery govern the daily lives of gree, and the Sinhalese too evince similar ok to the vocation of a Kattadiya (native were renown islandwide for their powers. Manthrams (ie. Charms) was a familiar incidentally, Dr.A.T.Kovoor, the famous His uncompromising battle against the lated by the affirmity of his community
90

Page 101
The close affinity between Keral is further revealed clearly by the c of customary law - the mueeulu, Malabar marumakattayam lawoo Th between the muéeuma law, the m laws of Malabar. States Tambiah that it is legitimate to surmise th in its pristine purity and befo civilization of the Nambudhri settled down in Malabar, was alm Ceylon'." Raghavan goes on to describe th practices like marriage customs, dress, which underscore the long and Kerala.
Caste, Communal Identity a
Caste identity is crucial to the Ma important role in Kerala's social f
36 Ibid; Raghavan, 1956.
Tambiah, 1954: With reference to quotes from Chief Justice Sri A around 1815. “The modificatic inhabitants in the Province of Batticaloa on the east side of Ce: which is observed amongst cer Coast, these modifications of t people celled Moguas, who abo Malabar Coast, and made establ on the west; and in that of Batti the former although some of th not acquire much influence in acquired the complete govern Provicines in as far as their own introduced the same Law of Inh and many other classes of inhab
9

a, Jaffna and the eastern province lose affinity between three systems a law, the thesauvalamai law and the ere is a remarkable correspondence aruwaéattayam and the aliyasantana , “The resemblances are so great at the Original marumaeatayam law re it came into impact with the Brahamans and other races that
nost similar to the mukkuuva lav of
e similarities in social and cultural cooking traditions and modes of and deep relations between Jaffna
und Assimilaltion
layalee and it continues to play an abric and social intercourse. From
the origins of Mukkuwa Law Tambiah lexander Johnston's dispatches written ln which prevails among the Mukkuwa Puttalam, on the west, and in that of ylon, of the peculiar law of inheritance tain classes of people on the Malabar he Law prevail in Ceylon amongst the ut 5 or 6 centuries ago, came from the ishments in the Province of Puttalan, caloa on the east side of the Island, in e Moguas became landholders they did the Province; but they also gradually ment of the Province, in both these land properties were concerned, they 2ritance as prevails amongst the Nayers itants, on the Malabar Coast.’

Page 102
around the 14th century onwards. to have assimilated freely with ti the mid 19" century. This patte the 19th century after which they Large numbers of them went
four generations and in most caste, for the purpose of contra The reasons for this may be thre a longer and easier period in a p to put down roots and integrat upon them in most instances a their aid. Whatever the outcome rulers may have given land as t them to settle down. Accordi Malayalees were even absorbed the Sinhalese caste hierarchy. determining one, when we consi cultural minorities as well, is the l Sinhalese nationalist movement towards a Sinhala nation-state, h to emerge by the late 19th centu. In the case of the exhava' caste (c considered low by Malayalees, th migrated in large numbers and
* Kuruppu, 1934.
*” In the course of discussing the and Buddhists in Kerala a write: that Exhava are immigrants f that a section of the people Malayalee Hindu population sh last 2,000 years without leaving come and settled here. (Exhalas from Ceylon. Hence they could of the Christian Era.) And y. other evidence than the extrem words like Ilava and Thenkaz.

high caste Malayalee migrants seem he Sinhalese and the Muslims up till 'rn changed with the migrations of seem to have kept themselves aloof. back to Kerala even over three or cases to villages of corresponding acting marriages. e-fold. One, the earlier settlers had re-modern, non-centralised society e. Two, the Sinhalese ruler looked s valuable allies who had come to of the military conflicts, the Lankan okens of gratitude and encouraged ng to popular Malayalee sources, into the goigama caste, the highest in The third factor, and possibly the der the situation faced by the other ack at that time of the 'exclusionary' . Such a movement and a striving owever embryonic, had both begun ry. r thiya as they are known in Kerala), e situation was quite different. They according to some sources, about
: origins of Christians, Hindus, Muslims r says: “Equally unhistorical is the theory :om Ceylon. For, it is most improbable constituting nearly 25 per cent of the ould have come from outside during the g behind them any trace or their having are supposed to have brought Buddhism not have come here before the beginning et historians accept the theory with no hely farfetched interpretation of certain
92

Page 103
15,000 of them arrived in Ceylon Colombo and other important ut ports, railways, mills and factories In rural areas their vocation wa Although the exhauas are associated proportion of those who migrate oppression in Kerala was one of
to Ceylon, which also would see migrating back. Those who stayed became quickly assimilated with t
Malayalee Class Structure
The class-structure of the Malaya as a pyramid with a tail thin apex
dissimilar to, for example, the t Chetties or Bohras, whose nearclass terms was clearly evident.
practically all class backgrounds nothing to gain, namely, the big la established merchants of Kerala.
Excluding the main plantation cr largely in the hands of non-Sin Malayalee traders, among them a able to prosper through very succes They occupied the very apex of
managed by the 1930's to divers
" It has proven difficult to obtai proportion of Exhaua who becam to Kerala. Among the few incid of Malayalee is that they constitu at the Wellawatte Weaving Mills, : popularly known as 'Little Kerala
93

between the two world wars. In ban centers, they worked in the , and even as domestic servants. S predominantly toddy tapping. with Buddhism in Kerala, a large 'd to Ceylon were Hindus. Caste the reasons which brought them m to have dissuaded them from back converted to Buddhism and he Sinhalese."
lees can be graphically expressed and a broad base. This was quite rader-merchant groups like the homogeneity in socio-economic Malayalee migrants came from except those who had little or nd-holders and the wealthy, long
ops, Ceylon's external trade was halese merchant groups. A few fair proportion of Muslims, were ssful and clever capitalist ventures. the class pyramid and some had ify their business interests and
n verifiable empirical date as to the e assimilated and those who went back 2ntal facts known about this category ted a large proportion of the workers and that the area around the Mills was
at that time.

Page 104
acquire fairly extensive land hold
a considerable entrepreneurial ap
and in managing restaurants." Then there was a middle-class doctors, teachers and clerks whol Although small in number, they the political and cultural activitic come the vast bulk of the Malaya class and were employed in the ul workers and labourers.'
4.
42
43
Among this elite were two
businessmen, TP Kunhinoosa a Malapuram in Kerala, and Umb reputed to have been the first In in Ceylon, Jawaharlal Nehru at visited this tea factory at Kadug 1930's. PB. Umbichi became a di to monopolise the entire dry fish he is supposed to have been illi development of Zahira Colle liquidated their assets and retur During the period in which Ku prominence within the Malayalee large numbers migrated to Ceyl They manufactured and retailed b joss sticks, etc. It is also reput houses in Colombo were ownec At present little is empirically kn of this, the working class segme known that in the south-wester were employed as toddy-tapper height of the community's exist the broad base of the Malayalee for the greatest in number,

lings.' Muslim Malayalees showed titude in small-scale manufacturing
composed of a fair number of ived dominantly in the urban areas. played a disproportionate role in es of the community. Below them lees, who belonged to the working ban and rural areas as semi-skilled
very successful Muslim Malayalee und PBUmbichi. Kunhimoose was from oichi was from Calicut. Kunhimoose is dian to own a tea plantation and factory nd his daughter Indira are said to have annwa when they toured Ceylon in the y fish merchant and in the 1930's came import trade from the Maldives. While erate, he contributed generously to the ge Colombo. Both these businessmen ned to India in the 1940's. inhimoose and Unbichi were gaining : community, Muslim Malayalees in fairly on from Malapuram district in Kerala. biscuits, a variety of sweet meats, beedies, ed that about 75% of the small eating l by Muslim Malayalees at that time. own about the vocational differentiation nt of the Malayalees of Sri Lanka. It is n coconut belt, a large number of them s. What seems to be clear is that at the 2nce in Ceylon this segment constituted 'class pyramid’ and were numerically by
4.

Page 105
The Anti-Malayalee Campaig
The economic depression of 192' of the Malayalees. Although the v the labour movement from the 18 hostility was largely secondary to c tension had emerged prior to the workers agitated against the emp complaints to the Railway CC discrimination against Sinhalese a As the economic depression wc increased in the Ceylonese export decline of the tea and rubber exp crisis was transmitted to all the othe general transport services and who this context that a racist campai movement. Says Jayawardena, " economic stress for the majority g the minorities and blame them fo one of the direct consequences of increase in communal tension amc The Ceylon Labour Union (CLU prominent in carrying out this can the main target. Ironically, durin strength was growing through succ most of its support from the dail government factories and the harb high proportion of Indians in the years of relative economic prosper and both Indian and Sinhalese urb into joint trade-union activity'."
44
Jayawardena, 1984. Jayawardena, 1972. “ Ibid.
45
95

n
-32 adversely affected the status orking class unity forged within )0's onwards ensured that ethnic ass solidarity, instances of ethnic :conomic crisis. In 1910, railway loyment of Indians leading to mmission of 1913, alleging ld Burghers." orsened, urban unemployment -dependent economy. With the ort sectors of the economy, the r sectors, namely, ports, railways, lesale and retail trades. It was in gn emerged within the labour It is not unusual in times of roup in a society to turn against r existing hardships. In Ceylon, the economic depression was an ing the working class.' I) led by A.E. Goonesinha was npaign, and the Malayalees were g the 1920's, when the CLU's essful trade union action, it drew y paid workers of the railways, our. These establishment had a ir workforce but “during these ity there was little racial tension, un workers were drawn together

Page 106
However, as the economic con movement itself came upon dif attitudes among employers, Gool against the Malayalees. “For th spearheaded an organized camp; of the working class itself." The anti-Malayalee campaign was boycott all dealings with the Mala in any confrontations with them be done in keeping with non-vi ways in which we can make ou violent means, through a dharr newspaper article. Sinhalese were tenants, shun Malayalee restaural and to generally discourage thei possible manner. This rising campaign of ethnic resulted in physical violence agai of Colombo such as Wellawatte laid and assaulted by Sinhalese thi the persistent friction between S to a case of murder, and some organized attacks on Indian worl
Political Organization
This ominous swell of ethnic h the Malayalee community by
“” Jayawardena, 1984: For more in: article which deals exhaustively socio-economic conditions un CLU and it's Sinhala language The article also throws some understanding of class consciol
* Liraya, April 6, 1936, (The authc for making available a set of sel

litions worsened, and the labour icult times with the hardening of hesinha began a virulent campaign e first time, trade union leaders ign against an ethnic component
ostensibly non-violent. “We should yalees, without involving ourselves
In fact this is a struggle that can olent tactics. We should think of r struggle triumph through nonna yudhdha" (holy war)”, said a
appealed upon to evict Malayalee hts, refrain from employing them, r employment in Ceylon in every
ally motivated antagonism soon nst individual Malayalees. In areas and Pettah, Malayalees were wayugs, and "at the railway workshops inhalese and Malayalee labour led gangs of unemployed men began kers in all parts of Colombo.”
ostility began to alarm leaders of he late 1920's. A delegation of
sights into this period, refer to complete with the anti-Malayalee campaign, the herlying it, the role of Goonesinha, the newspapers “Viraya" in this campaign. ight on problem, areas related to the sness and ethnic relations. r is thankful to Dr. Kumari Jayawardena ect translations).
)6

Page 107
influential Malayalees made repres Agent of the Government of Ind unite and form an organization si grievances to the proper authoriti It was under this impetus that the C (CMMS) was formed in 1930. K.C president and by 1932 it had 44 b peak of its popularity it had ove were mainly political and cultural, Malayalees from diverse religic problems common to all, the CM group. "There is agitation in the responsible for the prevailing une
K C R Vaidiya was prominent v along with PR Kuruppu was part PS Menon. He was the build Narayanaguru Memorial Malayale came to Ceylon in the 1920's an Vijnana Sabha, a community dev Malayalees. The Sri Narayanaguru at that time, working actively agai brotherhood of all mankind'. A community activity today, it still st of the former vitality and strength the Hall, a familiar landmarkin ol Cochin temple, to this day)
50 AK Nair, 1933.
Abstracted from an interview w Bhaskaran, Sep.14, 1984. (Mrs.Al Ceylon Malayalee Mahajana Sabha further, “Kandyan dance, in contra although in its present form, it Originally, nearly 2000 years ago introduced by Indian Scholars anc the conquerors who followed in what we know today in India as Ke of Hindu religious life.” 1954).
97

sentations to K.P.S. Menon, then ia in Kandy. He advised them to o as to collectively express their
S.
Ceylon Malayalee Mahajana Sabha J.R. Vaidiya' was elected its first ranch organisations' and at the r 6,000 members. Its activities , which served to bring together ous backgrounds. Articulating MS acted as a political pressure country, holding the Malayalees mployment. Certain regulations
within the Malayalee community, and of the delegation which petitioned K ing committee Chairman of the Sri e Hall. (His Holiness Sri Narayanguru d was instrumental in setting up the relopment voluntary organization for Samajams were very popular in Kerala inst caste discrimination and toward . lthough it's the centre of hardly any ands in Grandpass Colombo, a symbol 1 of the community. Those living near dColombo, call it the Kochchipaliya or
ith Mrs.C II Abraham and Mr.TN braham was the last President of the a till it became defunct in To elaborate st with devil-dancing is not indigenous, is now a Sinhalese accomplishment. “ , it came from South India and was missionaries and later encouraged by their wake. Basically, the dance was ithaeali. As such it was naturally a part

Page 108
which presently discriminate aga: up with the Government', wrote The CMMS actively sponsored hosted exponents of the magnific In 1940, the 10th anniversary cel On a grand scale, with the partic and political leaders from Kerala, ; members of the community. Although the CMMS played a cruc together, not much of its program processes are available for rese publications have been mislaid of Some other organizations which e Malabar Muslim Association, Ma and the Christian Missionary Sc
* Raghavan, 1969: The similariti Kathakali result from them both b these common features, is the 'w in Kandyan dances, it is a featur the dances in the cult of the gods. in the cult of the gods, as practi particularly in the land of Kerala To elaborate further, “Kandyan c not indigenous, although in its accomplishment. Originally, nea India and was introduced by Indi encouraged by the conquerors wl dance was what we know today naturally a part of Hindu religio Mrs. Abraham recalled with indi CMMS had been “a rascal of a cohad suddenly decamped around 1 in his possession had been lost. had therefore been elected to ti known to the author that some ri Kerala Samajam were disposed-c * Kuruppu, 1934.

inst the Malayalees must be taken
P R. Kuruppu. Malayalee culture, and regularly ient eathaeali' dance from Kerala. ebrations of the CMMS was held pation of many eathaeali dances an event still remembered by some
ial role in bringing the community hime of work and internal political arch as most of its records and : destroyed.
xisted at the time were the Ceylon labar Catholic Central association ociety Malayalee Missions. The
es between the Kandyan dance and being of the tandaula dance type. “Among hirl’. Highly developed as the "whirl' is e nevertheless present in practically all The "whirl' is primary and fundamental sed today in far distant parts of India, in the ceremonial worship of the gods. lance, in contrast with devil-dancing is present form, it is now a Sinhalese rly 2000 years ago, it came from South lan Scholars and missionaries and later no followed in their wake. Basically, the in India as Kathaeali. As such it was us life.' gnaton that the last secretary of the immunist on the run from Kerala.' He 953-54, and all records and publications He was a Malayalee of education and he post of Secretary. However, it is ecords and files of the CMMS and the ff as late as the early 1980's.

Page 109
{Ceylon Pentecostal Mission was b Malayalee. Malayalees in Ceylon were în regula family ties and cultural links could the waters, with Kerala just a twofashion and through radical pub currents active in the Kerala polity of Ceylonese Malayalees. Left-wi immense help to the LSSP in u Colombo. The LSSP in turn adop of the Malayalees in the face o campaign. “At a time when the move to boyco is proceeding as peacefully as p Samasamajist Sinhala lunatics are We have heard that the Samasamaj Silva, Dr.S.A.Wickremaisinghe anc various baseless allegations agains Speaking at an Indian institute th boasted of the way in which they h who were thrown out of their jol not the attempt made by these foll insult to the entire Sinhala race' newspaper.” Later, after the CP emerged from schism in 1940, it too had many because of its strong stand in thi Labour Union. “An official of th
the success of the communists in Malayalee labour, buffeted hither
5: A T.R.P. (Temporary Residence post-independence government (and other cultural minorities wit had to apply anew and obtain a T
* 1 araya newspaper, 1936.
99

pegun by pastor Paul, who was a
artouch with Kerala. Traditional | be nourished easily from across day journey away by ship. In this lications the vigorous left-wing I were communicated to sections ng activists from Kerala were of nionizing Malayalee workers in ted a principled stance on behalf if Goonesinha's anti-Malayalee
tt all dealings with the Malayalees ossible, we can see that several
trying to go against this trend. ists like N.M.Perera, Colvin R.de I some others have been making t this campaign in various places. e other day, Dr.Wickremasinghe had helped a group of Malayalees bs at the Aluthkade Oil Mills. Is ks to keep the Malayalees here an , said an editorial in the Viraya
within the LSSP as a result of a Malayalees as party supporters e face of Goonesinghe's Ceylon e labour department, describing i mobilizing the Malayalees said, and thither by racial animosity
Permit) scheme was legislated by the in 1948. This meant that Malayalese h Indian links too) who visited India
R.P. to return to Sri Lanka.

Page 110
anu s vir employers, found a pla their grievances.” The solid Malayalees to the CP’s trade un of the CP’s support for the Mal The CP's Malayalam newspape for working class unity. Many Malayalam language news that time. They were: Azad Hin 35), Dharmabhadan (1936-47), La (1926), Malayah (1925-30), Malay 1943-50), Prabhodakan (1932), Sa (1935), Tholillah (1941-42), Thogh and Visvabharathy (1935-37). Many of these newspapers had orientations. As can be noted, an the 1920s and the 1940s, a peric the depression, boycott campa. escalation of global tensions an broad contours of the times. By the early 1950's, especiall Citizenship Act, it became cle: Ceylon was insecure, and man Political divisions too were beg organizations and an incident w subsequent to the effective demi the nature of these differences. In 1959, the Central government controlled government in Kera Government had lasted barely t oriented Malayalees demonstra Commission in Colombo and th have summoned police to rem premises.
58
Jayawardena, 1984.

tform in this new party to entilate and consistent support given by ion arm was both cause and effect ayalee working class in its struggle. r Nava Saetihi agitated consistently
papers were published in Ceylon at ld (1947-48), Ceylon Malayali (1926inka Deepam (1928-35), Lanka Kesari ali Mitran (1936), Nava Sakthi (1941, mathuvavadi (1932-37), Sinhala Keralan ilali (1938-39), Veera Keralam (1936)
strong pro-working class left-wing najority of them flourished between od of intense political activity with ign, independence movement, the d the outbreak of war defining the
y after the passage of the 1948 ar that the community's future in y Malayalees returned to Kerala. inning to appear within Malayalee thich took place in 1959, although se of the CMMC in 1954, illustrates
of India dismissed the Communist la State. E.M.S.Namboodiripad's wo years from 1957 to 1959. Leftited in front of the Indian High e High Commissioner is reputed to nove the demonstrators from his

Page 111
This episode created a bitter community in Ceylon. While thc considered it a significant and v dismissed Kerala state governm hasty and ill- conceived action They were of the opinion that tl future relations between the Ce Indian government. In a way, this the community too. After the demise of the CMM Kerala Vanitha Samajam and the 1958 and 1959 respectively. ' organizations, which brought together during times like the i. of community activity of the v was the Sri Narayanaguru hall, years.
Malayalees Today
The community was adversely
1958, being drawn willy-nilly int. ethnic conflict. The nation-wid in the loss of life and propert Many who were able to do so, l. The community numbers have c about 1,500 today. Yet, the coi knit, with its own network of c are three organizations for the Malayala Kalalayam and Narayar organizations hold annual onam has even conducted Malayalam with the general higher status
5' K N D Pillai, well-known M secretary. Dr AT Kovoor was

controversy within the Malayalee pse who supported the direct action aluable show of solidarity with the ent, their opponents considered it a against the government of India. he demonstration was prejudicial to ylon Malayalee community and the was symbolic of the schisms within
S, two separate organizations, the Kerala Samajam' came into being in These functioned as community the remnants of the community mportant Onam festival. The focus working class Malayalees in Ceylon though this too declined over the
affected by the communal riots of o the quagmire of the Sinhala-Tamil e ethnic riots of July 1983 resulted y of members of the community, eft the island.
leclined rapidly over the decades to mmunity appears to be fairly wellultural organizations. Mainly, there : Malayalees - the Kerala Samajam, na Guru Memorial Society. All the celebrations. The Kerala Samajam classes in the mid-90s. In keeping of women in Kerala, Prabha Nair
|alayalee social worker was its general ; its President till his death.
101

Page 112
Nagalingam became the first wor between the years 1993-95. The Malayalees have generally modern-day Sri Lanka. Thougl politically, with A Kandappah be on the national list, the comr government service. Prof. A. T. Dr ATKovoor, is technical advi to the Institute of Fundamental the chairman of the 6" session (2 on Science and Technology for Geneva recently. He won the Pres in 1993. Incidentally, Dr. Vijayaku literateur Karoor Sivasankaran deputy director of the Irrigatio Dr. K. Valsan was Asst. High Chennai, India, between 1989 an The Malayalees have done fairly was honoured by President Pre: arts. His wife, the late Kamala Ach player. Their son Raveendran is the leading mridangam player in S Another notable achiever is N. V received the post-graduate prese research communication in 1994. association for the Advancement aegis of the International Prog Uppsala, Sweden.
Conclusion
As distinct from the rest of t Malayalees who have influenced ethno-religious groups in Sri Lank the Tamil and Sinhalese over dif section of the non-Malay Mus
1.

han president of the Kerala Samajam
proven to be fairly dynamic in they have not been very active ng the only Malayalee to be named hunity has seen its fair share in A. Kovoor, son of the Rationalist sor to the President and is attached Studies, Kandy, Dr. Vijayakumar is 001-2003) of the UN Commission Development. UNCSTD held in ident's award for scientific research mar is the nephew of the renowned Pillai. N Madhusudhanan was the department. Another Malayalee, Commissioner for Sri Lanka in id 1994,
well in the arts. K. K. Achuthan madasa in 1982 for excellence in huthan too was a well-known violin carrying on their tradition and is ri Lanka. iswanathan Chandraselbaran, who ntation award for the outstalding This was awarded by the Sri Lanka of Sciences Fellowhip, under the amme in Sciences, University of
he cultural minorities, it is the , and assimilated with all major a. While having merged with both ferent time periods, a significient lim population is of Malayalee
2

Page 113
extraction. The plantation labout relationship with Kerala.
The Malayalees specially illustra convulsing present day Sri Lar differences. The Malayalee exp proportion of the Sinhalese, Tan racial stock. What better basis communities in this troubled isle
(Author's note: I wish to record my Chandrasekeran, Mr.T.N.Bhaskaran Help extended to me).

r force too has its own particular
te the irony of the ethnic strife ka, which is based upon racial erience shows that a significant nils and Muslims are of common
to build up trust between the
appreciation towards Mr. and Mrs. and Dr. Kumari Jayawardena for the
03

Page 114
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May 8, 1984). ibid. Class, Ethnicity, and the Malayal
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(Second edition, National B Nair, A.K. 1933. Report of CMMS C
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C.O.416/16 F41. (See also Ceylon, J.D.B.U. Vol. XXIX, J Pathmanathan, S. 1978. The King
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the Dance in Ceylon (Spolis Zeylanics seum of Ceylon), Vol.28, Part II). ociety, and Culture, (Second edition, elations, New Delhi). bique et Politique des Establissements des Amsterdam). (See also The Douglas ed by Fr. S.G. Perera, S.J., Ceylon 118). ion by P.E. Peiris). ys and their Language. /History of the Kingdom of Kotte 1400
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Tambiah. H.W. 1954. The Laus es ( Cultural Society of Ceylon, C Tennent, Sir Emerson. 1860. Ceylo Tousssaint, J.R. July 1931. The Coc Valentijn, Francois. 1978. Descriptio Translated & 2dited by S. Ar; Viraya, 1936. The Malayalee Boycott Wickeramasinghe, R.L. Origins of th Wilhelm, Geiger. 1960. Culture of C ed) (Otto Harrassowity, Weis Winius G.D. The Fatal History of Po, Wright, Arnold (ed.). 1907. Twentiet Greater Britain Publishing C Yule, Sir Henry (ed). 1866. Cathey a
Publication, London).

Customs of the Tamils of Ceylon (Tamil
olombo). in (London. Vol.II, page 156). nut Tree Tax O.D.B.U. Vol.XXI). n of Ceylon (Hakluyt Society, London. asaratnam, page 280). Campaign (Editorial, April 16, 1936). e Veddahs, Daily News, Jan. 19, 1994. eylon in Medieva/Time (Heinz Bechet: baden). rtuguese Ceylon (Harvard Univ. Press). h Century Impressions of Ceylon (Lloyds O. Ltd). ind the Way Thither (Hakluyt Society's
O7

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Page 119


Page 120
Ab o ut thi e b do o k;
There is
priests
 
 

this hoary, chestnut about an od Parsi seeking permission from Indian King Rana to settle his band of Zoraostrian Sin India many centuries ago. Trying to 2King's concerns he mixes a spoonful of
a boWl of milik and proffers it saying
the Sugar has mixed into the milik and
2dits taste, so Winy community in the
OUTUI man Kindne SSW
ingly, Parsis and the other Cultura
groups in Sri Lanka have done the
LLaaLLLL LLLLLL L0LLLLLLSLL LLL0LS
LLLLLL LLLLLLL LLLLLLLL000YLSLSLSS LLLLSLS S LSLLLLLLYLLLLLLLLDS
led Ceylon. This book profiles five such
nities of Parsis, Malays, Colombo
Malayalees and Portuguese & Dutch
LLL0 LL SLLLaLLLLLLLLZLLLLLLLS aLLLLLLLLs SLLLLS
IS, they are the other lesser known face
|áa
alakshmi is an Indian journalist Who
ne in Sri Lanka ir 2007-2002. Se
ay Con Vinced that Sri Lankas diversity
kept secret
ISBN: 955-580-96