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SIR PONN
ARUNA
1853
James
Second
COLOM
 

NAMBALAM
CHALAM
- 1924
By T. Rutnam
Edition
BO, 1988

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SIR PONNA
ARUNAC
SCHOLAR AND
A Brief
of Hi
and (
This biography is substantially 1953 On the Occasion Of the cen is a Doctor of Literature (hon Jaffna, Sri Lanka.
COLOM

GN岛#ణా *
AMBALAM
HALAM
STATESMAN
Account
is Life
areer
a reprint of that published in tenary of his birth. The author iris causa) of the University of
BO, 1988

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SR ONNAMEBALA)
 

M AIR UNACHALAM

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SR PONNAMEBALA
1853.
SIR PONNAMBALAM ARUN whose birth was celebrated in 19 patriot who, more than any othe the foundations of the freedom wh who was respected and trusted by tinues to be an inspiration to all service. His scholarship and c. from East and West, set off a 1 and imbued with a high sense c
Arunachalam, who was born 1853, was the youngest of three re entered the Legislative Council : public life of the country. Coon pendent, died in 1906 after a care name is not so well known today attaching to the achievements of and Arunachalam. They belong respected family of Manipay, Ja Arunachalam's maternal grandfa the first Ceylon Legislative Col mother's brother was Sir Muttu the salons of London and Paris i Houghton, Palmerston and Dis Disraeli which was published af London, referred to a character of Ceylon, presumably based u Coomaraswamy. He was a Barı was for many years a leading m He was one of the first non-Chi Bar in England. Lord Hought him in a letter to Arunachalam: he has never received due credit f ed the Bar of England to all E India.” According to Lord Hou was greatly assisted by Lord Bri of the “Observer' referred to hi man of the twenty millions or n

MARUNACHALAM
1924
(ACHALAM, the centenary of 53, was a great public servant and r man of his time, helped to lay lich Ceylon enjoys today. A leader 7 his contemporaries, his life conwho cherish high ideals of public ulture, which were derived both nature that was inherently noble f mission.
in Colombo on September 14th, markable brothers, each of whom and played a leading part in the naraswamy, courageous and indeer of much distinction, and if his it is because of the greater renown his younger brothers Ramanathan ged to a well known and highly ffna. Coomaraswamy Mudaliyar, ther, was the Tamil Member of uncil established in 1834. - Their
Coomaraswamy, well known in in the sixties as the friend of Lord raeli. An unfinished novel by ter his death in “The Times' of
named Kusinara, an "inhabitant on his acquaintance with Muttu lister-at-Law of Lincoln's Inn and ember of the Legislative Council. listian Asiatic to be called to the n, one of his friends, wrote of "I held him in great esteem and or the energy with which he openstern subjects of the Empress of ghton, Sir Muttu Coomaraswamy ugham in this matter. Ferguson m when he died as “the foremost ore of the Dravidian race.’ His

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son was Ananda Coomaraswal savant and philosopher whose sical bases of Oriental and W. important role in the cultural
helped to stimulate the growingi
It was under the kindly p man as Sir Muttu Coomarasw, brothers grew to maturity. Art ed the Colombo Academy, the the Queen's scholarship, and Dc writing of him said: "In my for tion of youth I have never met evidence of ability and scarcely nachalam's conduct has always sider him to be in every way a y mise.' This was high praise, schoolmaster who had taught of the day, such as C. A. Loren Muttu Coomaraswamy and I University Scholarship in 1870 College, Cambridge, at the sugge: of Public Instruction, who wrot was sending to their care 'an E and promise.'
Within a short time of hi made his mark by winning the guishing himself both in Classics of Christ's College he is referre and an able Classics scholar.' were Mr. (afterwards Lord Jus Reid, Doctor Peile and Rev. I moved at Cambridge were the tv Balfour, Professors Maitland anc Tennyson, the eldest son of the Carpenter. Carpenter cherishe life-long friendship, and paid a after his death by publishing a to him in a book entitled “Lig
Thrown into the company Arunachalam spent his time to occurred during his College days to certain remarks made by the A had preached to Cambridge un respect for Indian religions.' C

my (1877-1947), the world-famous 2xhaustive studies of the metaphyestern art and thought played an revival of India and Ceylon, and terest in these subjects in the West.
rotection and guidance of such a amy that the three Ponnambalam inachalam like his brothers attend
present Royal College. He won ictor Barcroft Boake, the Principal, ty years' experience in the instrucwith any pupil who gave greater one who gave so great. Mr. Arubeen most satisfactory and I con"oung man of the very highest procoming as it did from a veteran some of the brightest young men z, the Nells, William Goonetilleke, Dornhorst. Winning the English ), Arunachalam went to Christ's stion of Sir Walter Sendall, Director te to the authorities there that he Eastern youth of exceptional merit
s admission, young Arunachalam foundation scholarship and distinand Mathematics. In the records d to as a "brilliant mathematician Among his tutors at Cambridge tice) Fletcher Moulton, Professor Skeat. In the circle in which he vo Lyttletons, Gerald and Eustace l Foxwell, Rev. Cunningham, Lord poet, Alexander Harris and Edward d for Arunachalam a warm and most eloquent tribute to his friend selection of Arunachalam's letters ht from the East'.
堑 of such active and noble minds, good purpose. A notable incident in Cambridge. He took exception rchbishop of York who, it appears, lergraduates a sermon with 'scant in the day following this sermon,

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young Arunachalam, scarcely out c venerable Archbishop and lodged pondence was published in the much against his own inclination, Sir Muttu Coomaraswamy to sit f He had qualified for the Bar and h but the gods willed otherwise. A nese to enter the Civil Service throu
On his return to Ceylon in A year to the Government Agent's o months to the Police Court at Kal judicial office in various parts of Magistrate and Commissioner of Matara, Avissawella, Pasyala, M and as District Judge of Chilaw, K Kurunegala. Even as an obscure his quality. His work attracted til John Budd Phear, one of the gre In 1879, shortly before his retireme his work to the notice of the Gov. He said that he knew of only two standard of what judicial officers ol and . Arunachalam.
Arunachalam continued to ho of the Island. When he was Dist1 in the Fourth Class of the Civil S. Gordon appointed him over the among whom was Mr. (afterwards in the office of Registrar-General vince. A memorial was sent up by almost half the Civil Service Sir Arthur Gordon, who recognis his way. -
In his new office Arunachala trative capacity. What he did for then a sink of corruption and ine lawyers and Judges of the time. lucrative office of Fiscal was sepa General, in order to enable the holc with the re-organisation of his I of the Registrar-General's Depa the Registration of Births, Marria whole Island and their re-organisa
○。

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of his teens, joined issue with the a spirited protest. The corres“Spectator' in 1874. In 1875, he was persuaded by his uncle or the Civil Service examination. ad ambitions of a legal career runachalam was the first Ceylogh the open door of competition.
pril, 1875, he was attached for a ffice in Colombo, and for a few ndy. He was later appointed to the Island. He served as Police Requests at Kalpitiya, Puttalam, Catale, Kalutara - and Colombo, Kegalle, Kalutara, Batticaloa and Magistrate at Matara he showed he favourable attention of Sir atest Chief Justices of Ceylon. nt, Sir John specially commended 2rnor and the Secretary of State.
men in Ceylon who rose to the ight to be; and they were Berwick
ild judicial posts in various parts rict Judge of Batticaloa, and still ervice, the Governor, Sir Arthur heads of about thirty seniors, | Sir) Alexander Ashmore, to act and Fiscal of the Western Proto the Secretary of State signed brotesting against the move, but ed merit where he found it, had
m showed remarkable adminis
the reform of the Fiscal's office, fficiency, was well known to the On his recommendation the then rated from that of the Registrarler of this office to deal effectively Department. The two branches rtment-Land Registration and ges and Deaths-ramified over the tion was an arduous task. Aru

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nachalam carried it out to the Sir Arthur Gordon, both official
his services and expressed his gre merited His Excellency's warm
The Registrar-General's Dep deplorable condition. Some ide before and after 1887 may be g; tration Reports on Land Regist two periods. In the "Registra "Times of Ceylon' of the day, sway when Mr. Arunachalam can was subject to infinite delay and worth speaking of, and references affecting land were exceedingly rife and dishonest transactions O. dealings and everybody's propert records of the Department littere and most Valuable documents wł no man but an interested clerk There was plenty of "baksheesh done, and yet the record room 25,000/-. , Nobody could telli v another Augean Stables, and inc it. It was not lack of will but chalam had a persevering mind. clerks and patiently learned their launched his reforms. He stopp dishonesty in the registration of from each clerk throughout the grown staff. He would have none fees in connection with official w room, appropriated the fees to th ment, recast the whole system, i staff to keep the records, inaugu system and an index, built fine sh derived from the fees he founded a funded capital of some Rs. 50, a clerk from the Chetty, disgrace a and orphan-it pays something lil a member-and conduced more of philanthropy to make the cle contented body of men. The establish a reading room and a li lives of the clerks lighter and

satisfaction of the Government. ly and privately, thanked him for at satisfaction at "a success which
acknowledgements.'
partment was rescued from a more a of the state of this Department athered by persuing the Adminisration and Vital Statistics for the tion Department, declared the "chaos and corruption held merry. me to it. The registration of deeds harassment. There was no index to transactions and encumbrances difficult to ascertain. Fraud was ften took precedence over genuine y and title were endangered. The :d the floor of one particular room nich cannot be replaced, laywhere could lay his hands upon them. ' exacted and little honest work fees came to something like Rs. where the money went. It was ) Hercules could hope to cleanse lack of knowledge. Mr. ArunaHe sat by the side of the various work. Then he took charge and ed the unconscionable delays and deeds, secured a fair day's work sland and reduced the lazy, overof the private practice and private ork. He re-organised the record e legitimate objects of the departincreased and set apart a special rated a real record room with a elves, and with the surplus money a Benevolent Fund which has now 000/- and which has saved many, und penury, relieved manya widow ke Rs. 1,000/- upon the death of than any grandmotherly scheme arks of the department a thrifty, same money has also helped to ibrary, and generally to make the
brighter.” .

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A distinguished Americans writing from Newark, U.S.A., to th acknowledging receipt of the repo for 1898 said: "I will be permitted prise at the exceptional care and tho of Vital Statistics has been prepar extending over many years and ir all the British Colonies, I have ne report at once so comprehensive, not published in the entire United and comprehensive.”
The system of registration of into force in the towns of Ceylor In 1895 he drew the attention of th rate. Ascribing it to the insanita advocated the establishment of st a proper drainage system. As a di the Governor secured the services to undertake drainage construction that was so carefully collected, t Department, enabled the Governm economic and social state of the c measures to i reduce crime and di
Sir West Ridgeway, the Gove the organisation of the 1901 Cens on a more elaborate scale than manner that elicited the thanks of cretary of State. A summary of was published within a week of the at previous Censuses having been Statistician to prepare a Life Ta Observer' wrote of the Census considered to be the ablest Civil bald and tame does his Census Re Mr. Arunachalam's of 1901. ) industry, apt powers of condens: leave their impress in happy comb altogether what is at once a mos valuable e contribution.” Arunacl by 'The Times' of London as “th on the ethnology of Ceylon and o. their religions, languages and li Editor of the “Ceylon Morning in his day, and always a great adm curious reader will find in the rep

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tatistician Frederich Hoffman, e Lieut. Governor of the Island rt on the Ceylon Vital Statistics
· to express to you my great surroughness with which the Report ed. Certainly in an experience" cluding a knowledge of nearly. ver come in receipt of a similar
scientific and useful...there is States a report equally valuable
deaths which Arunachalam put was then unique in the East. Le country to the alarming death ry conditions in the slums, he eet lines, model tenements and rect result of these observations, of Mr. Mansergh from England in Colombo. The information abulated and compared by his ent to know at a glance the true :ountry and adopt the necessary. isease.
rnor, entrusted to Arunachalam us of Ceylon. It was planned before and was carried out in a both the Governor and the Sethe main results of the Census numeration, the shortest interval three months. He was the first ble for Ceylon. The “Ceylon Report: "Mr. Lionel Lee was Servant of the time. Yet how port of 1891 read by the side of Extensive reading, unwearying ation and critical discernment, ination upon its pages, forming it pleasing work and singularly halam's Report was described e most comprehensive authority fits varied people, their history, terature." Armand de Souza, Leader," an influential publicist irer of Arunachalam, said: "The ort which introduces the Census“

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of 1901, perhaps the most lumino social and economic conditions official report would be the last to read for beauty of diction. But of the history and religions of
would be found the language of A and the historical insight of
Many of the reforms in the involved extensive administrativ chalam was responsible for the ( on the Registration of Births, Mi Ordinance No. 1 of 1907 and 1 No. 3 of 1907. The piloting of the Legislative Council-a work in General-was entrusted to Aruna question of the registration of titl ing land was considered by a si C Chief Justice. In its report the close our Report without ackno dered to the public by the Regi in drafting this Ordinance. In , result of our prolonged labours, but we venture to think that it, V public and to the suppression of
Arunachalam spent a greatip and it drew tributes from memb Island. For example, Justice presiding at a public lecture deliv Arunachalam is a classical and English language and literature, an took whether in literature, law or ness and exactitude and a practi ornavit,” One of Arunachalam in the well-known: Adippola Sann points in Sinhalese social history subject. . 鬣
is Het published a volume enti of Ceylon' dedicating it to the Lord Houghton, his uncle's fri and ambitious undertaking as its minate mass of Roman-Dutch aim was to reduce the civil law form distributed according to th

is dissertation on the ethnological, of the Island. A Government document the public would care. in Mr. P. Arunachalam's account the Island in his Census Report ldision, the eloquence of Macaulay Mommsen.”
... . 童、 : Registrar-General's Department : changes and legislation. ArunaOrdinances Nos. 1 and 2 of 1895. arriages and Deaths, the Notaries, he Land i Registration Ordinance the last, two Ordinances through ormally assigned to the Attorneychalam by the Government. The es to land and of the deeds affectDommission presided over by the Commission stated: “We cannot wledging the valuable service renstrar-General, Mr. Arunachalam, submitting to His Excellency, the we cannot claim for it perfection; vill conduce to the interest of the
much litigation and crime.'
art of his working life as a Judge ers of the highest tribunal in the Moncrieff, is acting Chief Justice, ered by Arunachalam said: "Mr. oriental scholar, a master of the di brought to every, task he underofficial work, habits of thoroughcal mind. : Nihil tetigit quod non 's best known judgements was as Case, which dealt with obscure . It was a masterly study of the
リリ tled “A Digest of the Civil Law. Marquess of Crewe, the son of 2nd. This work was a pioneer ought to restate the huge indeter: law applicable to Ceylon. His into a compact, and systematic : natural and logical divisions of

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the subject matter, to ascertain ar as possible the law regarding each sition by reference to authorities, could eventually be used by the L an authoritative Code embodying
expedient, on the lines of the grea able to complete the first volume C great pains he had taken to bring once systematic, compact and ac praises of Lord Halsbury, the fai Winfield Bonser, Chief Justice of appeared in both the Law Journal Kingdom. This “Digest,' the no deplored by many lawyers, has bee sion by the Supreme Court (see,
nanse vs Sumanatissa, 36 New Law described by Professor C. G. Wee of modern Roman-Dutch jurisp
It is commonly supposed that began when he left the gilded cag 1913. This is far from correct. F. study during his College days at his official career continued to evin of his country's political develo
In his presidential address at th in 1919 he declared:. "To me th dreams cherished from the time I bridge.’ During those “never to College, Cambridge, where the i Milton and Darwin was paramour nion’s with fellow students and t tellectual calibre,' and came under such as Sir John Seeley. It was att a new Italy in Europe, and young among others, of two Indian fello Ananda Mohan Bose, began dre: in India and Ceylon. Syed. Mah High Court Bench at Allahabad a tablishment of the great Muslim C Mohan Bose who founded the nurtured the seed which blossomed Indian National Congress.
Fortunately for Arunachalam events showed, he found a kindré

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ld to compress into rules as far subject, justifying each propoin short to make a digest which (egislature in the preparation of such reforms as may be deemed t German Civil Code. He was nly, sufficient for us to note the g out a work of scholarship, at curate. The book earned the mous Lord Chancellor, and Sir Ceylon. Appreciative reviews and Law Magazine of the United n-completion of which has been n cited on more than one occafor example, Sadhanande TeruReports, page 423). It has been ramantry as "one of the classics rudence.”
Arunachalam's political activity e of the Ceylon Civil Service in le showed an interest in political Cambridge, and all throughout ce an active interest in the cause ppment.
he first Ceylon National Congress he Congress is the fulfilment of was an undergraduate at Cambe forgotten days,' at Christ's inspiration of the traditions of it, he lived in "intimate commuBachers of "high ideals and inthe influence of political thinkers his time that Mazzini was forging , Arunachalam in the company, w students, Syed Mahmud and lming of a national renaissance mud later became Judge of the nd assisted his father in the esollege at Aligarh, while Ananda indian Association in England in due course into the powerful
and this country, as subsequent d soul during his early days of

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his lonely Civil Service career i with a passion for justice and f: Ceylon today as the author of a At the crowning moment of his Ceylon National Congress as publicly acknowledged in his pi this great Englishman. From A with Digby emanated a historic contributed to the 'Calcutta R "An Oriental Colony Ripe for and well-documented production of Representative Government i pected response from the peop was indeed a cry in the wilde appeared to be fertile the pam Padmanabha, the eldest son o chalam nor Digby was able to Both were restrained by virtue o a Civil Servant tied by Gover and the other being a paid serval and proprietor A. M. Ferguson rate the pace of political reforms of frustration and joined the “M chalam to work with him in Ind nachalam, "I wish with all my not forget your longing for a larg occupy now. You will never m lities of head and heart until yo and cease to lead the exclusive your counterpart here.'
Itis now fitting to record the in the affairs of India. He supp the great famine of 1878. He rence shown by the Viceroy, I of the Indian people and in a let wrote thus: "It is impossible opinion on the horrible injusti and out of India towards the p be always singing Hallelujahs rebel in Arunachalam was fast time that he wrote, “I sometime in a place like Poona and organi But the Government will I feel be to British rule.’ In 1898 h patriot, and in a letter to Car

n William Digby, an Englishman ir play, and who is remembered in biography of Sir Richard Morgan. life when he was ushering in the its first President, Arunachalam esidential address his gratitude to runachalam's talks and discussions pamphlet which Digby originally eview' in January 1877, entitled Self-Government.’ This reasoned which demanded the introduction into Ceylon did not evoke the exble or from the Government. It rness. When, however, the field phlet was republished in 1904 by f Arunachalam. Neither Arunaadvance any further at this stage. f their official positions, one being hment regulations, and traditions, nt of the “Observer,' whose Editor was not disposed then to acceleDigby left Ceylon with a feeling adras Times'. He invited Arunalia. In 1878 Digby wrote to Aruheart you were in India, and shall ger sphere and wider field than you lake full use of your brilliant quau brave the obstacles round you life you do now....We don't find
interest Arunachalam always took orted Digby's work in India during was disappointed with the indiffeord Lytton, towards the welfare ter to his friend Edward Carpenter to see and not to express one's ce perpetrated by the English in bople. We cannot be expected to in praise of English rule.' The gaining ground. It was during this s think that I should like to settle se a political and social movement. persecute me however loyal I may e stood up for Tilak, the Indian benter he made the following apt

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comments on British administrati nistration is a lost art in India.
wanton extravagance in useless frc necessitated by such extravagance tion, by its utter want of sympatl it in the miserable time of plagu treatment of patriots like Tilak... : and fair comments on the acts of create disloyalty and bring about
In 1893 Arunachalam wrote t view the Secretary of State for the known to Digby, and urge on hir tension of Local Self-Governmen 25th October 1893, he said: “I administration in the East is far to no part in the administration of people have lost their old capacity become as helpless as children, w portant matters and are obliged to tent headmen who have no respon
"Lord Ripon when in India t lages Self-Government in local af ministrative reform in Ceylon: bu to autocratic methods that they ha and will not give it a chance in spi Governors.
"I believe that the people sho own affairs-even if they make mista tration now so heavy will be reduce and have an excellent effect on the ment of their local affairs, find a spent in litigation and gambling
“Why should Englishmen wh vernment in their country be opp government in the villages was the destroyed it? The cause is perhaps native and the fact that the Engl East as mere youths without any at home.’
Digby continued to urge an 1901 Digby wrote the following me

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on in India: "The art of admiThe Indian Government by its ontier wars, its oppressive taxes and by a too costly administra1y with those who specially need le and famine, and by its cruel also by suppression of reasonable f its officials is doing its best to the downfall of British rule.’’
o Digby requesting him to interColonies, Lord Ripon, who was in the need for an immediate exit in Ceylon. In a letter dated have often thought that English o centralised and gives the people their local affairs, and thus the for Self Government and nearly hile English officials neglect imleave a free hand to incompesibility to the people.
ook steps towards giving the vilfairs. In this direction lies adt English Officials are so wedded ive no sympathy with this reform te of my pressing it on successive
uld be permitted to manage their kes-and thus the cost of adminisd and it will be far more efficient
people who will, in the managen outlet for their energies, now
lo have admirable local self-golosed to it here where local selfrule for ages till the Europeans love of power, contempt of the ish Civilians come out to the
knowledge of self-government
d encourage Arunachalam. In morable words to him. He said:

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“You may remember what our ( I was in Ceylon in the seventies. days. I am not conscious of an racter has strengthened have the retire from the service. Why sh rest of our days in ensuring that realisation. Life holds no grea where standest thou? I crave I am always yours, William Dig
Arunachalam heartened by forge further ahead in agitating ver” was now controlled by Jo having died in the fullness of y times and was now ready to resp in June, 1902, Arunachalam co this resulted in his writing a let "Observer' on the 7th June, 190, requesting the Editor to use his the Constitution as a Coronation the coronation of King Edward with a comment stating that the ' of local standing for whose cul and high character we have mu ported by an excellent editorial lowed his letter by a further co. ments and this appeared in the " Nothing concrete appears to have owing, it is presumed, to public
The Government now took behind the scenes. They indire pation in this agitation was view was unruffled, but punishment from his post in Colombo to This was a humiliating reversion promotion to Grade II of the step which appears to have been ( of State for the Colonies. It Government policy of the time t lam's eminence was not appoi Agent. Justice Moncrief expect to the Supreme Court Bench in and judicial experience. Chief any such move, ostensibly on t a Civil Servant, and this deterre

treams were as young men when
You and I were in earnest those 1 change since then, rather as chaviews deepened. You will soon ould not we, old men, spend the the visions of our youth shall find ter ambition for me. Comrade, a reply and fighting together, y.”
" such encouragement began to for reforms. The “Ceylon Obserhn Ferguson, his uncle A. M. F. 'ears. John had moved with the ond to Arunachalam's call. Early ommunicated with Ferguson and ter himself for publication in the 2, under the pseudonym "Reform’ influence to secure the reform of (gift to Ceylon, the occasion being VII. Ferguson printed this letter author was a Ceylonese gentleman tured intelligence, steady industry ch respect.’ This letter was supby Ferguson. Arunachalam folmmunication elaborating his argu*Observer' of the 14th June, 1902. resulted from this correspondence apathy.
note of Arunachalam's activities ctly made it plain that his particiled with disfavour. Arunachalam ame swiftly. He was transferred be District Judge of Kurunegala. , but the blow was softened by his First Class of the Civil Service, a lone at the instance of the Secretary is a significant comment on the hat even a Ceylonese of Arunachanted to the post of Government ed Arunachalam to be appointed recognition of his legal knowledge
Justice Layard was opposed to he ground that Arunachalam was il Governor Blake from promoting

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him to the Bench. Indeed, had would have been no office in the the Governorship of Ceylon, whi and adorned.
In 1905 after holding the offi gala, he returned to the Registra 1906 was nominated to the Legi earlier he was responsible for in the Ordinances relating to the reg Notaries. He sat on various C information was acknowledged to 1909, Armand de Souza wrote to illustrates the keen interest Arul political reforms, while still a wrote: “Will you kindly bear in 1 real work of safeguarding the int. so far. The principles of the ref rules so framed as to render the e. is what men like you have to lead u Governor Sir Henry McCallum ti him to the Executive Council. Sir Grenier were the only Ceylonese b seats in the Executive Council butt they held. In Arunachalam's case one and it was ample proof of the by Sir Henry McCallum.
As a Councillor he showed pendence. When early in 1913 att lative Council on a Salaries Schel a sensation was caused when Aru his seat and walk up to the Gove a whispered consultation he retur the Unofficials against the Gover cident in the history of Crown C caused widespread comment later and also in the public Press. It, conception of where his duty lay, tism.
As regards his work in the Bertram, said at a public reception character of his attainments. The of the dignity of Government bo aspects. Whatever question cam

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he been an Englishman, there Colonial Empire, not excluding sh he could not have aspired to
ce of District Judge of Kuruner-General's Department, and in slative Council, where as stated troducing and carrying through istration of titles to land and to ommissions in which his wide pe of great value. In November Arunachalam a letter which well hachalam continued to take in Government official. De Souza mind that now is the time for the rests which you have furthered orms may be accepted and yet ntire advantage nugatory. That is in guarding against.’ In 1912, ook the bold step of appointing Richard Morgan and Sir Samuel before him to occupy permanent hey did so by virtue of the offices the appointment was a personal high regard in which he was held
remarkable courage and indehe close of a debate in the Legisme, a division was called, quite nachalam was seen to rise from rnor who was presiding. After ned to his seat and voted with nment. This was a unique inlony government and indeed it in official and unofficial circles, however, showed the man, his mis independence and his patrio
Executive Council, Sir Anton : “I was always struck by the always displayed a high feeling h in the largest and smallest
before the Council, whether.

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it was a large question or some
the past or religion of the people new University College, all these g official minutes always kindled enthusiasm. Not only was he se had to deal with the interests of sabhawa appeal, he showed the and conscientiousness as in larg too long or too tedious for him relative as I have said to the h employee of the Railway failed He seemed to me to bring to his the Executive Councillor should
He retired from the public achievement unsurpassed by any career will ever be a source of p for his distinguished services ext knighted, receiving the accolade a Buckingham Palace. The initia came from the Colonial Office an in Ceylon. The grant of this h universal manifestations of keel were accorded to him all over the ment members of all communities encomiums on the new Knight.
After his strenuous labours ir have been justified in seeking res to the philosophical study and well. But he had dedicated his Freed from the shackles of offic exceptional gifts at the disposal another career which was to be the Civil Service.
In 1913 Sir Ponnambalam lost no time in settling downto a charity organisations, labour ur He met Lord Chalmers the Gov diately took upon himself the ( relating to Ceylon. He wrot address a letter dated 1: said: “There is now an agitatic of the poll-tax, a tax payable by Buddhist priest or immigrant c

question relative to the history of or if it were a question as to the reat questions one could see in his in him a kind of unofficial ) in large questions, but when he the humblest cultivator in a Gansame earnestness, concentration e questions. No Ordinance was o analyse. No question whether umble cultivator or the humble to engage his earnest attention. work all the highest qualities that
have.'
service in 1913, with a record of officer of the Crown. His official ride to Ceylonese. As a reward ending for over 38 years he was at the hands of King George V at tive for conferring the honour i not from any “men on the spot' onour was made an occasion for n satisfaction. Public receptions country at which the most promivied with each other in showering
the Government service he would st and solitude to give himself up contemplation which he loved so life to the service of his country. 2, he was determined to place his
of his countrymen. He started more vital for them than that in
Arunachalam left for Europe and study of social service settlements, hions and Municipal institutions. fernor-elect of Ceylon and immeiuty of advising him on matters to him from his London 5th July, 1913, in which he on in Ceylon for the abolition every able-bodied man except the :ooly. I have always thought it.

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an inequitable tax, for it falls on t worked several years to abolish it. for they pay nothing else except Commission was appointed to co of Taxation, but it died without m knowledge will no doubt reveal equalities in the Ceylon System o reform is the abolition or conside salt, which is a Government Mon great blessing to the poor and a for which salt is needed but not us who, as tea and rubber planters ar. incomes and the Companies which huge profits remain untouched. T tax. The richerclasses only pay the peasant. I cannot help thinking Commission on Taxation was lar Capitalist classes and to the inadeq sioners of the miserable conditio
The riots of 1915 convinced Sir for political reforms could not be strong representations to the Gover dated 6th July, 1915, urging the ap mission to ascertain the true caus indiscriminate condemnation of 1 wrote to his friends in England to acquainted Mr. (later Sir) Alexand with the true facts of the disturba speech at the unveiling of the port March, 1937, at the Public Hall re in this connection as follows: "I law when, in the words of the Mal one house of mourning, Sir P. Arun like a lambent flame was doing all h withdraw these iniquities and once conditions.' Alexander Harris a w Perera, “You know, Mr. Perera, has been writing private letters to you speak them and supporting Perera further stated that Alexand with the Secretary of State for the realize the effect that Arunachalan redress they had secured for the w
Law. . .

13
he rich and the poor, and I have The rich arefortunate in Ceylon, on luxuries. Some years ago a onsider the subject of Incidence aking a Report. Your financial o you gross anomalies and inf Taxation. The most pressing rable reduction of the duty on opoly. Such a policy will be a n encouragement to Agriculture sed owing to its cost. The rich, ld in the professions, make large make and send out of the Colony Chere is no income tax or land poll-tax equally with the poorest that the abortive result of the gely due to the influence of the
aute realisation by the Commis
ns of the poor.‘
Ponnambalam that the agitation.
delayed any longer. He made nor in a lengthy communication
pointment of an impartial Com
e of the riots and to check the the Sinhalese people. He also support his efforts and specially er Harris of the Colonial Office, inces. Mr. E. W. Perera in his
rait of Arunachalam on the 3rd
sferred to his invaluable services During the dark days of martial havansa, Lanka was turned into achalam blazing with indignation he possibly could to burn up and again reduce things to normal
as reported to have told Mr.
my friend Sir P. Arunachalam me stating exactly the facts as your view of the case.” Mr. er Harris was in personal touch
Colonies, and they would hardly
h's intervention had in the little Trong done them under Martial

Page 20
14
In an epoch-making lecture o at the request of Mr. D. R. Wije National Association at its annu 1917, at the Victoria Masonic Hall wickreme in the chair, Arunacha self-government. Sir James Peir said: “Although there were sev in Ceylon from time to time, th persistent and organised agitatio) delivered his address on “Our Po pecially those young men who a lecture and cognate publications them as a sort of political bible
*
In 1918 Sir Ponnambalam c. published in the first issue of th he said: “In our zeal for politi guard against making it an end. an end. We seek it not to win r to ourselves and our country... a divinely appointed end, a dist tinued: "I look to our youth to S they will do it. They will each well-being of all, will identify his his own interest with the interest of our dear Motherland the lov They will work in unity that, in lectual and spiritual forces diffu highest possible development in t With our youth inspired by such see our country rise with renewe Parakrama Bahu the Great and a are words which can draw forth inspiring, they are a call to every life to the service of the countr
In May 1917 - Arunachallan League with the object of securi nised two political conferences, other in December, 1918. In Au for Constitutional Reform in Ceyl month, in the name of the JointLeague and the Ceylon National tember, 1919, he delivered an ac convened by him and Mr. F. R. organising People's Associations

in “Our Political Needs,' delivered wardene, Secretary, of the Ceylon al general meeting on 2nd April, , Colombo, with Mr. E. J. Samaralam crystallised the arguments for is referring to this notable event eral agitators for political reform e people woke to the necessity of n only after Sir. P. Arunachalam political Needs”. . . I would ask esire studying politics to read that of Sir P. Arunachalam and treat
99.
ontributed the inaugural message e “Ceylon Daily News' in which cal reform we must be on our We seek it only as a means to ights, but to fulfil duties-duties People, like individuals have each inct task to perform.” He conspiritualise public life and I believe seek his own well-being in the own life with the life of all and of all. They will lay at the feet ve-offerings of passionate service. the words of Dante, all the intelsed among men may obtain the he sphere of thought and action. a spirit and such ideals, I look to d splendour, paling the glory of beacon-light to all lands.” These the best in man; memorable and young Ceylonese to dedicate his
y. -
n founded the Ceylon Reform ng self-government, and he orgaone in December, 1917 and the gust, 1919 he prepared the “Case on' and published it the following Committee of the Ceylon Reform Association. On the 20th Sepidress to a Sinhalese Conference . Senanayake for the purpose of throughout the Sinhalese districts

Page 21
of the Island for political, social movement which directly gave birt It is well that we are reminded
uttered when he wished it every su “I feel sure that you will all work
a thorough success, in the interest and of our dear Motherland of L:
Fast on the heels of this meeti at the Tower. Hall, Colombo, Ar on the "Present Political Situatio nated in the inauguration on the 11 National Congress of which he w sident. Mr. C. E. Corea describi in the following picturesque lan; centre of energy (Colombo), a grg observant eye looked and saw in tered sparks of individual enthus towards extinguishment. And til haste: and he went forth and gat energised them with his own burn together in one great life-giving the crucible in which was shape National Congress. The Congre Sir Ponnambalam's noble enth
Judged only by the services re political reform Arunachalam wou ing gratitude of his countrymen, bi energy and his wide range of sym human endeavour. While Aruna among his countrymen to fight f Ceylon, he was not unmindful of conditions of the people and to that they had a duty towards th early as 1904 Arunachalam was asl over a Commission to enquire int should be taken for the education him were associated Mr. Harward tion, the Hon. Mr. S. N. W. Hu Kandyans in the Legislative Cou a Christian Missionary. The C to make their enquiries and draft hensive study of the conditions ur the measures that should be taker

15
and economic improvement. A h to the Lanka Maha Jana Sabha. of the words that Arunachalam ccess at the beginning. He said: zealously to make this movement s of yourselves and your families anka.”
ng, on the 24th September, 1919, unachalam delivered an address n.” All this spade work culmith. December, 1919, of the Ceylon as unanimously elected first Preed the founding of the Congress guage: “In later years, in this at man possessed of a keen and the distance the glow of the scatsiasms, Smouldering in isolation he great man arose and made. hered up those far-flung embers, ing patriotism and brought them furnace of national endeavour: d and formed this, the Ceylon ss is the off-spring of the late usiasm.”
indered to Ceylon in the cause of ld have been entitled to the lastut his massive intellect, boundless pathy led him to other fields of chalam whipped up enthusiasm or the political emancipation of the great need to uplift the social impress on the privileged classes eir less fortunate brethren. As ced by Governor Blake to preside o, and report on the steps which of the Rodiyas of Ceylon. With , the Director of Public Instruclugalle, the representative of the İncil, and the Rev. R. C. Oliver, ommissioners took five months their report which was a compreder which the Rodiyas lived and L to educate them for citizenship.

Page 22
16
When he visited England in study social service work. He Councils and the Local Governme Office and studied their systems their poor, and had also inspe houses. An entry in his diary for the Local Government Board a Thence to Hammersmith Infirm provision for the poor. Numb the London County Council Edu formation of education of the mas work in Ceylon. Must organise people. There is much to be don primary education of the masses, from their present slavery.'
He lost no time on his return 1 to improve the lot of his fellowme nation are the trustees of posterit of enthusiastic young men and i social service. He summoned a fi dence, “Ponklar' in Horton Place and expounded his views and imp: poor saying: "We must study th to their doors knowledge recreat their lives and establish a bond o ween the educated and wealthy a The work is almost appalling, and i medical relief, economic improve their housing, and teaching them by coming into personal contact medical relief as well as securing surance and minimum wages.”
With the active co-operation ( inaugurated the Ceylon Social Seri held on the 29th January, 1915. first President and the rules drafte League. Arunachalam succeeded social service into a band of wi content with merely making sugg the standard for the sincere social 10 hours a day at the League Head ing a social study class for the tri work they were to begin. He star workers in lane visitation. He or

1913 he took the opportunity to ad visited the London County ht Board as well as the Education of primary education, housing ed their infirmaries and workMay 12th, 1913, states: “Visited d shown round by Mr. Burns. ary and Workhouse. Splendid :r of inmates 779. Afterwards cation Office, and got much ines. Great need for social service as movement of service for the 2 to house the poor in Colombo, and emancipation of the coolies
o Ceylon to begin his great work n. Realising that the youth of a y he gathered round him a band instilled into them the spirit of bw persons to his Colombo resi, on the 19th November, 1914, arted his burning passion for the e needs of the masses and bring ion, and brighten and beautify f sweet human relationship betnd their less favoured brethren. ncludes education for the masses, ments, and the improvement of to lead cleaner and better lives with them in homes and giving
the benefits of compulsory in
f Sir James Peiris, Arunachalam ice League at a general meeting Arunachalam was elected its i by him were adopted by the in infusing his enthusiasm for ing and active workers. Not stions or giving advice, he set worker by himself working 8 to uarters and personally conductning of membersʻ for the great! ed night schools and instructed anised lantern lectures on sani

Page 23
tation and hygiene and built depot ren of the slums. Industrial edu a living was also taken up and ( which were fast dying out were re gested the creation of co-operative to develop industrial and agricult helping with loans for buying raw and machinery for industries such making, silver and brass work, lac
In paying a tribute to his w people of the poorer classes on 1 his portrait by the Governor, Sir said: "Sir Ponnambalam was a There never had been a man of n Colony. He did not live wrapt in felt the sorrows of the common pe service movement because it was realised the sorrows of the poor ar "the still sad voice of humanity'. F ms and every one of them should cious ideals their duty to follow the
While engaged in social servi interests of labour. The first lab Ceylon was founded by Arunac Until then the Ceylon Social Serv. ests of labour under his guidan called the Ceylon Workers' Wel elected its first President and Mr. The aim of the League as stated i the interests of the working class welfare; to improve their social a their material and moral develop1 of questions bearing on the so the people.”
The League took a leading employers and labourers during of 1921. The Rev. C. F. Andrew of the League in order to examin on the Ceylon plantations. Mr. A of workers and supporters in Sel under the chairmanship of Arunac another champion of the labour

17
s and athletic clubs for the childcation to enable a child to earn ottage industries of the villages vived. For this purpose he sugcredit societies to help the people ural enterprises, the Government material, improved implements as pottery, basket and furniture e making and cotton weaving.
ork for the social uplift of the he occasion of the unveiling of Anton Bertram, the Chief Justice man of wide and varied culture. hore distinguished culture in this his own studies and books. He ople. He did not start the social is a fashionable movement. He ld heard what Wordsworth called He felt for the dwellers of the slucherish as one of their most preexample of Sir Ponnambalam.'
ce work, he did not overlook the our union that was established in halam on the 25th June, 1919. ice League looked after the interce. The new organisation was fare League. Arunachalam was Peri Sunderam its first Secretary. its constitution was "To protect s in Ceylon and promote their nd industrial conditions and help nent; and to encourage the study ial and economic conditions : of
- ... part in the negotiations between he Railway and Harbour strikes 's visited Ceylon at the invitation 2 the conditions of Indian labour. indrews addressed a large meeting. tember, 1920, at the Tower Hall halam. Col. Josiah Wedgewood, movement, arrived in Ceylon...in

Page 24
18
1921 and similarly addressed larg Arunachalam enlarged his labour
Ceylon Workers' Federation. He organisations to strive for the a the working classes. He endeav words of the Mahavansa, “one v due to his efforts that the penal were repealed. His Unions fou system, then operating oppressive indeed these Unions were the O existing in the Island to watch an Colonel Wedgewood paid a glow in a speech in the House of Comn said: "I should like in this conn done for these semi-slaves in Ce Mr. Andrews, and the other a Ponnambalam Arunachalam. Hi with society after society, peggin unpopular with Officials because
cated, he is alive to abolishing this him, as one can from these Benches. of a large mass of his labouring
the highest regard for Sir Ponna book on Sir Ponnambalam's speec is a good deal to be said for a an Arunachalam and a J. C. Sml on the 27th July, 1922: “You
successful close of your long exc coolies. It is a real service to th to these people who deserve well
Education too engaged the was dissatisfied with the existing he made suggestions for reforms i. lam had a serious talk on the subj of Public Instruction, who was so chalam to embody his views in a 1900, Arunachalam submitted his Instruction. In these notes he we when he stated that the fundame mentary education in Colombo as the medium of instruction. Ir of Swabasha. He pointedly ask truction to 'think what it would was made the medium of Instru

e meetings. In February 1920 organisations and established the never ceased to encourage these melioration of the conditions of toured to make himself, in the vith the people'. It was largely clauses in the Labour Ordinance ght hard against the "Thundu'. ly against Indian labourers; and inly effective organisations then d protect the interests of labour. ing tribute to Sir Ponnambalam nons on the 14th July, 1921. He ection to mention the great work ylon by two men, one in Indiah old Government Servant, Sir e has gone on year after year, g away at this question. He is he was an Official. He is educooly labour, and I congratulate , on having achieved the liberation countrymen.' Wedgewood had mbalam and in a foreword to a hes and writings stated: “There Cambridge which could produce its.' Lord Crewe wrote to him must indeed be gratified at the artions on behalf of the Indian he Empire to bring contentment of us all.'
attention of Arunachalam. He system and on many occasions in this field. In 1900, Arunachaect with S. M. Burrows, Director impressed that he asked Arunamemorandum, On the 8th July, notes to the Director of Public ht right to the heart of the matter ntal defect in the system of elewas that English was employed a real sense he was the father ed the Director of Public Ins
be in England if, say, German ction in the elementary schools

Page 25
and English was entirely excluded English and less difficult to an E. Sinhalese or Tamil
He went further into detail to remedy the defects of the educe thanked Arunachalam for his vic in the correspondence that pas Burrows, the latter was not ready Arunachalam now appealed to hig his memorandum to the Gover with a letter dated 30th April, 1 to appoint a Commission to rep needs. In this memorandum ht to create "a Ceylon University' c the status of a University Colleg lasting benefit to the people and a lency's rule in Ceylon.' The re hopes. It stated: “Your memo considered and circulated in the E on the 15th October decided to did not, however, accept defeat a Burrows, always suggesting var For instance, he suggested Ceylo graphy in place of English Histor to take a keen interest in the prog insisted on its being run as a n during this period that Arunacha on Ceylon History and attempted both in schools and among the
Arunachalam has been right University movement. He was r sity Association which was forme that this Association published With regard to Arunachalam's a one can do no better than quote t (later Sir Robert) Marrs, the first F and himself a fine product of We Arunachalam's death at Madura 1 the students of the University Coll them as follows on 10th January: you to assemble here at this hour a of one who was in a very real st project in Ceylon. Much has b distinction and activities as serva

w 19.
And German is more akin to glish child than English is to a
and suggested various measures tional system. Burrows warmly ws, but it later became evident sed between Arunachalam and to adopt the reforms suggested. her authority and sent a copy of hor, Sir West Ridgeway, along 900, requesting the Government ort on educational progress and appealed to the Government r at least raise Royal College to e. This would be, he said, “a fitting monument to His Excelply that he received dashed all randum on Education was duly (ecutive Council. His Excellency take no action. Arunachalam nd continued to correspond with ious educational improvements. n and Indian History and Geoy and Geography. He continued ress of Royal College and always nodel secondary school. It was lam delivered a series of lectures to revive an interest in the subject literate population.
y called the father of the Ceylon esponsible for the Ceylon Univeri in January, 1906. The Journal was both learned and readable. ssociation with the University, he following remarks of Professor rincipal of the University College, stern culture. When the news of eached Ceylon, Marrs summoned ge to the main hall and addressed 1924: "Gentlemen, I have asked s a mark of respect to the memory Inse the Father of the University ten written already of his varied ht of the Government, Politician,

Page 26
20
Scholar, Savant, Educationist a nothing has been said of that sid who were in close touch with hin days-the side which concerns you tion so dear to his heart, the C remind you that Sir Arunachalam which was called to consider the a University in Ceylon on the 1 like to quote to you the conclud meeting, a meeting which led to t versity Association: “In seeking versity Association we are not on an indispensable work. We do n the University is to take, to the de ching, examinations, etc. Those ar later, and on which at present th opinion. Meanwhile, whatevers be now before the public, whethe London or Madras may be pursue schemes, it is generally felt, are t tions to suit our special needs. be to make this period of transit strive for the establishment of a U of a well ordered series of eleme colleges, which will systematize a dissipated in various institution education, and which will render colleges to go in a drowsy and im culture of our people ever highe
"From that day to the day has pursued his object to use his ow undeterred by the doubts of mer which an untried project must, I conservers of tradition. No mau advocacy of the University with mate significance to the political such single minded and forceful dences of his interest, we at the C foremost his great gift of the Padn in my opinion not yet been su bequest of the Sir Coomaraswam donations to the Union Hostel. B with the gift of time, energy and it lege, not only as a member of the C Committee but as one was ever 1

nd Social Reformer. Little or e of his activities which to those was the inspiration of his latter and me as member of an instituylon University College. I may presided over the Public Meeting question of the establishment of 9th January, 1906, and I should ing words of his address at that he formation of the Ceylon Unitherefore to form a Ceylon Unily following precedent but doing ot commit ourselves to the form tails of its organisation as to teae matters that must be developed (ere cannot but be differences of cheme for higher education may r in connection with Cambridge, d without let or restraint. These ransitional and require modificaThe aim of our Association will on not long or fruitless, and to niversity which will be the crown htary and secondary schools and nd concentrate the energies now s for general and professional it impossible for our schools and potent routine, but will raise the and higher by their means.”
of his decease Sir Arunachalam in words without let or hindrance' without vision or the delay to suppose, always be subjected by in this Island has pressed his jo clear a conception of its ultiprogress of this country or with enthusiasm. The outward evi'ollege know. There is first and anabha Library whose value has ficiently realised. There is his y Science Prize and his generous ut these are as nothing compared hought to the affairs of this Colollege Council and the Academic eady to extend help and advice

Page 27
to those on whom has fallen the the College and preparing the Ceylon. Here I speak with full the time I landed in this country good all whatever their politica throughout-I have been in the ( assure you-that he gave of his be the furtherance of our project. it was he who confounded the pes It is not easy for me as Principal of gratitude which I owe to his ( port, or to express the deep sorro I felt when I read of his death. has just left us an example and an ences between him and others in r of certain human qualities whic and which you would do well to these I would single out moral and single minded pursuit of the for his ideal in the spirit of the
"Heart, Heart, still vexed wit Up and be doing, steel thy Mid thronging foemen to t Steadfast amid the forefront
His proximate ideal was til ideal was the ideal of all of us, countrymen by turning out as ge increasing numbers of true men, who think and act according to civilisation.* :
No review of Arunachalam's a reference to his remarkable s Always a keen student, he devo vation of the humanities. In the he never failed to read the Classics logy, and study Western and Oy a small book entitled “Sketches public lectures, a very useful ha studies existed and the Ceylones rance of their country's history. a good administrator and a sch was found in some European Civi but was remarkable, if not uni although Arunachalam has had

2.
task of guiding the destinies of foundations of the University of r knowledge than others. From y, which he loved and for whose opinions must agree he strove closest contact with him and can st in will and thought and time to When progress seemed impossible simist and inspired to fresh efforts. of the College to measure the debt Bourtesy, encouragement and supw and sense of personal loss which Gentlemen, you have in him who inspiration. Whatever the differ:ligion or politics, he is an example h lie at the root of all greatness emulate in your adult lives. Of courage, independent judgement, ideal. He fought the good fight poet's admonition to his soul:
h troubles past the curing, self and stay he last enduring,
of the fray.
he University. But his ultimate to raise the national tone of his neration succeeds generation, ever men of thought and men of action the highest standards of human
life will be complete without holarly and literary attainments. ted his leisure hours to the culti
midst of arduous official duties to delve into history and archaeoiental philosophy. He published of Ceylon History' based on his ndbook at a time when no such 2 were reproached for their igno
As a Civil Servant, he was both olar. This combination of gifts Servants of an earlier generation, que, for Ceylonese at that time,
notable successors in the same

Page 28
22
tradition, for example Sir Paul E and his hobbies were those of a Ceylonese President of the Royal numerous papers on Ceylon his reputation as a scholar spread fi tured circles in England he was als land he had the privilege of being the Athenaeum Club.
Sir Anton Bertram on one oc "it was a privilege to find in him and a gentleman,' and indeed tho always remember his engaging r his charming old-world courtes estimate of his friend in the follow ssed by the ease and celerity with all sorts of difficult and recondit foreigner) as, e.g., a question of pro while at the same time this rece balanced by a certain almost elfi which one might notice at times.’ chalam when he was a Magistrat his “Old Diary Leaves:” “We today, a graduate of Christ's Coll intellectual and polished men we
Although his mind teemed wi gions and philosophies, he was a things afterwards. Sir C. P. Ram to a posthumous publication of A religious “Studies and Translatior sufficiently grateful to Sir Ponna in his philosophical and religiou locked these treasures of thought or partially unacquainted with th Tamil poesy. Although in the c and poetesses of the Tamil land th nevertheless, as time went by, th more and more intricate and the that adequate guidance has beco hension. In a series of essays, of the Devi and of Skanda and Manikkavasagar, Thayumanavar and the author of Purananuru, S. heir phraseology and introduced their aspirations... The task of t

. Peiris. He led a cultured life, cultured man. He was the first Asiatic Society and contributed tory and Tamil literature. His r beyond these shores. In culvays welcome, and while in Engadmitted to the membership of
casion said of Arunachalam that he rare combination of a scholar se who knew him intimately will nanner, his courtly bearing and y. Edward Carpenter gave an ring words: “I was often imprewhich he drank in and absorbed e matters (doubly difficult to a cedure in the House of Commons, ptiveness was healthily countersh spirit of chaff and opposition Colonel Olcott who met Arunae at Kalutara left this record in made a charming acquaintance ege, Cambridge, one of the most 2 have met in Asia.”
th the wise maxims of many relinorthodox Hindu first, and all aswami Aiyar writing a foreword Arunachalam's philosophical and s’ said: “The world cannot be mbalam Arunachalam for having s “Studies and Translations,” unand of language to those wholly e wonders of Tamil thought and ase of some of the earliest poets e language was direct and simple, 2 craftsmanship of the seer grew language became so compressed me necessary for their compresome dealing, with the worship some setting out selections from and other bhaktas like Nakkirar r P. Arunachalam has elucidated us to their thought forms and ranslation from these classics is

Page 29
inexpressibly difficult and no hig say that Sir P. Arunachalam's tran the spirit and some part of the for a carefully arranged series of ess quaintance with European literatu tion to a mastery oyer Eastern lo subjects as "Luminous Sleep'-the and absence of thought, there is fect consciousness, a state of beir Plato and Tennyson and realised courses on the symbolism of Siva the Bronzes found at Polonnaruw, graph points out that 'a correct not possible unless a critic divest endeavours to understand the the himself in their point of view.’ H. teaching held it to be illogical to fo upon strictly human prototypes a vation that spiritual vision is th Pointing out the contrasts betwee made possible the true conceptic tectural symbolism of the East. mulating amongst the essays colle of an Address on the “Eastern Ide ing on Modern Problems” wherei. the history and mission of the for method of their striving for stru a comparison and contrast betw the East and in the West to the ul life and for the after-life. Altho and Translations' there is embed evolved by one to whom Greek, La were equally open books; 1 The si tributions areenhanced by the ci not a cloistered savant nor a rech lawyer and administrator, exemp bilities of that combination of w ment, the supreme exemplar of wh It was my privilege to have perso) and his equally distinguished br Iaccount it a piece of good fortu ducing this volume to a world wh knowledge and assimilation of th author was an exponent as well

23
her praise can be given than to slations enable us to comprehend mal beauty of the original... In says which display a unique acre-classical and modern-in addire, he has discussed such varied sleep in which while there is rest nodarkness or oblivion but per ng which has been referred to in by the Yogis of India. He disworship with special reference to a and in the course of his monojudgement of a nation's Artis ts himself of prepossessions and ought of that people and places e has shown that orthodox Hindu pund artistic ideals of the Divine nd he makes the pregnant obsere best and the truest standard. in Greek Art and Indian he has on of the sculptural and archiNot the least valuable and sticted in this volume is the reprint 2als of Education and theirbearn Sir P. Arunachalam has traced est Universities of India and the e knowledge and has instituted seen the modes of approach in timate problems of education for ugh the book is styled 'Studies, ded in it much original thought tin, Sanskrit and Tamil literature gnificancejandvalue of his con-. ircumstance that the author was use but was one who, as a great lified in his own life the possiordly and other-wordly achieveich was King Janaka of Mithila. nally known, Sir P. Arunachalam other, Sir P. Ramanathan, and ne to have the privilege of introich will be all the better for the at varied culture whereof the as an embodiment.”, se? "

Page 30
24
With the assistance of Messr. sabhapathy and Gate-Mudaliyar re-formed the Colombo Saiva Par organisation which encouraged the into the Ceylon Saiva Paripalana President. In many ways he help Shrine and the properties attache fluence of a religious teacher from nam Ramasamy, who was held i knew him. He introduced his f Gnani and the three of them me spiritual matters at Kurunegala Judge.
Arunachalam married Svarr Mudialiyar in 1883. They had ei daughters. Padmanabha, the eld in 1920, and Ramanathan the y other son was Sir Arunachalam a Ceylonese leader and statesman daughters, two predeceased him, and Mrs. Manomani Sri Pathma Padmavati Pararajasingham, M. Mrs. Sundari Nadaraja. Lady A died in 1940.
Arunachalam made his last ap Congress platform when he presid the auspices of the Congress in F Wedgewood to address the people March, 1921, he addressed a m Situation.' Here he said: "Be Ceylon National Congress I am a rendered that office last Octobe: I had set to myself in 1916 of org educating the public, keeping allt and radical, o together and securi demand for a reasonable refor done that I felt that I could work vidual unshackled by official ties, cause and carry it to a further stag ed between the Sinhalese and Tan the question of representation. between him and the Congress, bu but a passing phase."
* See Appendix. p. 30

. C. Namasivayam, N. Ratna
C. - Thiagarajah, Arunachalam palana Sabahi, a Hindu religious : study and practice of Hinduism, Sabhai of which he was the first ved to safeguard the Kataragama d to it. He came under the inTanjore by the name of Ilakkain the highest esteem by all who riend Edward Carpenter to this t often to commune and discuss where Arunachalam was District
lam, daughter of Namasivayam ght children, three sons and five dest son, predeceased his father oungest son died in 1939 The
Mahadeva, K.C.M.G., himself who died in 1969. Among his Mrs. Maheswari Segarajasingham nathan. The others were Lady rs. Sivanandam Tambyah and runachalam, his devoted widow,
pearance on the Ceylon National ed at a public meeting held under ebruary, 1921, to enable Colonel 2. Soon afterwards, on the 15th eeting on the "Present Political ing no longer President of the ble to speak more freely. I sur(, having accomplished the task anising the reform movement, of he forces, liberal and conservative ng agreement on the minimum n of our constitution. Having more effectively as a private indi
for the people and the reform 2.' Amidunderstanding developlil members of the Congress over
This caused an estrangement the never regarded it as anything

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In order to organise and possi right lines, Arunachalam founde and wanted to make it mainly a embrace Tamil activities in Ceylo He did not live long enough to the Tamil League and at the sam the Sinhalese, a consummation f
Towards the end of 1923 h sacred shrines of India and th setting for a man of his deep re was enacted. In the midst of the 9th January 1924, leaving bel memory of a life nobly spent in people. The news of his death Friends and political opponents last tributes to their departed lead at the General Cemetery, Colom course of people all bemoaning which was impossible to fill.
Soon after his death a movi his memory, with Sir James Peiri Statue. Committee. A bronzes of the Legislative Council Chan and it was unveiled on the 23rd A inscription on the pedestal of ti
SIR PONNAMBALA
SCHOLAR-STATESM,
ΡΑΤ
ERECTED BY A C
I
TESTIMONY OF As IN THE SERVICE OF IN RECOGNITION C AND SIGNAL SERVIC OF A REFORMED LE HIS MATCHLESS DEVOTI IN THE CAUSE OF TH
1853

25
bly to guide Tamil public opinion on d the Ceylon Tamil League in 1923 cultural organisation that would n, South India and other countries. develop the cultural activities of etime effect a rapprochement with or which he devoutly wished.
he undertook a pilgrimage to the ere in a remarkably appropriate ligious convictions the final scene his devotions he passed away on hind him the richest of legacies-the the services of his country and its hushed the voice of controversy. vied with one another to pay their der. The lasti rites were performed bo, in the presence of a vast conthat his death had caused a void
ement was set afoot to perpetuate sas Chairman of the Arunachalam tatue was erected in the grounds mber-the first Statue erected there April, 1930 by the Governor. The his statue reads as follows:
... .
MARUNACHALAM
AN-ADMINISTRATOR RIOT - -
GRATEFUL PEOPLE
N
LIFE, NOBLY SPENT
HIS COUNTRY AND DF HIS PRE-EMINENT ES AS THE CHAMPION EGISLATURE AND OF ON AND STEADFASTNESS E CEYLON UNIVERSITY
-1924

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26
Portraits of Arunachalam w Royal College, and at the offices of and the Ceylon National Cong named the first of its Halls of Re lam Hall. Among Arunachalar dowments set apart by him for th
He was a man of wide and fame, as the years roll by, will sh history. He had a lofty concept honour. He had all the qualities to a remarkable degree. Often he of the Proverbs, “Where there i He had courage. He had faith brought the different elements in force of personality welded them them the spirit of public service a the heart of almost every man and consciousness has been quickenec
When we consider Arunacha before a man of strong will, clea efficiency, who having towered a still remains an example and insp of Ceylonese. Whenever Ceylon the several causes of her progress father of the Ceylonese Renaissa chalam, who in the words of hi James Peiris,“didmore for the poli and for the social advancement of the past or recent times.'
 

rere unveiled at his old school, the Ceylon Social Service League ress. The University of Ceylon. sidence at Peradeniya Arunachan's benefactions were rich enhe University of Ceylon.
varied parts, a great man whose line brighter in the judgement of ion of duty and a high sense of of a statesman. He had vision was heard to say with the writer s no vision the people perish." His zeal was infectious. He the country together and by the into one body and breathed into nd high patriotic endeavour. In woman in the country a national id which will not die.
lam's life as a whole, we come r vision, character, industry, and bove the giants of his own day iration to succeeding generations attempts to trace to their roots she will invariably arrive at the ince, Sir Ponnambalam Arunas contemporary and friend, Sir itical re-organisation of the Island the people than almost anyone in

Page 33
SELECT B
A Few Hymns of Manikka V.
(P. Arunachalam) and G.
Studies and Translations from t
Report on Ceylon Vital Statis
The Census of Ceylon, 1901, 4
“Luminous Sleep', Westministe 1902 (reprinted Colombo,
Papers relating to the Education Paper III of 1905), Colom
"Sketches of Ceylon History' no. 1. Colombo, 1906 (later p Colombo, 1906 and 2nd revised
“A Plea for a Ceylon University Association, vol. 1 no. 2, Colc
“Population: The Island’s Ra and Customs' (in Twentieth Ce by A Wright, London, 1
“Ancient Bronzes in the Colon some Polonnaruwa Bronzes Registrar-General and rema Wickremasinghe, Govt. Ep vil part xxii, Colombo, 19
A Digest of the Civil Law of C
"Jnana Vasitham or the Dialogu
nal of the Ceylon Branch of no. 63, 1910.
“Kandyan Provinces”, Journal Asiatic Society, vol. xxii

27
BLOGRAPHY
chaka and Tayumanavar by P. A. U. Pope, Madras, 1897.
he Tamil by P. A. Madras, 1898.
ics 1898, Colombo, 1899.
vols., Colombo 1902.
r Review, November, 1902, London
1903).
of the Rodiyas of Ceylon (Sessional mbo, 1906.
, Ceylon National Review, vol. I. ublished in book form 1st edn, i end, Colombo, 1906).
”, Journal of the Ceylon University ombo, 1906.
ces, Religions, Literature, Castes ntury Impressions of Ceylon, edit. 907).
hbo Museum, with descriptions of by the Hon. Mr. P. Arunachalam, rks on inscriptions by D. M. de Z. igraphist”, Spolia Zeylanica, vol. 09. - - - - -
bylon, vol. 1, London, 1910.
es of Vasistha on Wisdom.* Jour
the Royal Asiatic Society, vol. xxii
of the Ceylon Branch of the Royal No. 63, 1910.

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28
Presidential Address of Sir Pon Ceylon Branch of the Roya Society, vol. xxiii no. 67, 19 (The most important part oft relations of Ceylon with Ch
“Polonnaruva Bronzes and Siva
count of the Nataraja and oth naruwa and now in the Colon of their symbolism and their system of philosophy”, Jour Royal Asiatic Society, vol xx
Our Political Needs: Address o ' Ceylon National Association
Constitutional Reforms: Preside chalam at the Ceylon Natic (Colombo, 1919).
Case for Constitutional Reform i. published by the joint commi and the Ceylon National A ombo, 1919).
Sinhalese Conference for Organisi. (in Sinhalese and English) of ber 1919 (Colombo, 1919).
The Present Political Situation, 24 September 1919 (Colombo,
Presidential Address of Sir P. Art Congress, 11 December 191
Swaraj: Message from the Kin Address of Sir P. Arunach 1921).
"The Worship of Muruka or S Journal of the Ceylon Bral vol. Xxix no. 77, 1924.
Light from the East: being Lette ledge by the Hon. P. Arunac London, 1927.

nambalam. Arunachalam to the Asiatic Society, Journal of the 14 (reprinted Colombo, 1914). he address dealt with the political ina during the Middle Ages.)
Worship and Symbolism: an acher Saiva Bronzes found at Polonmbo Museum, with an explanation relation to the Saiva Siddhanta nal of the Ceylon Branch of the kiv no. 68, 1915—1916.
f Sir P. Arunachalam before the l, April, 1917 (Colombo, 1917).
ential Address of Sir P. Arunainal Conference, December 1918
n Ceylon by Sir P. Arunachalam, ttee of the Ceylon Reform League ssociation, September 1919 (Col
ng People's Associations: Address Sir P. Arunachalam, 20 Septem
Address of Sir P. Arunachalam, 1919).
inachalam at the Ceylon National 9 (Colombo, 1919).
g-The Present Political Situation, alam, 15 March 1921 (Colombo,
kanda (the Kataragama God)”, nch of the Royal Asiatic Society,
rs on Gnanam, the Divine Knowhalam, edit. by Edward Carpenter,

Page 35
"Eastern Ideals in Education an
lems', an Address delivered at the Calcutta University I cational Society of Ceylon, 1936).
Speeches and Writings of Sir PC
Colombo, 1936.
Digby the Radical by James
July 8, 1979
Studies and Translations (Phil Pontnambalam Arunachallan 1981.
Ponnambalam Arunachalam, S Account of his Life and Cal 1953.
Sir Ponnambalam Arunachalam Patriots of Sri Lanka by \ pp. 50-68.
Sir P. Arunachalam-A lecture by
the auspices of The Law &

29
d their Bearing on Modern Probby Sir Ponnambalam Arunachalam
nstitute on 24 January 1916, EduBulletin no. 4, 1936 (Colombo,
Innambalam Arunachalam, vol. 1,
T. Rutnam, Sunday Observer,
osophical and Religious) by Sir n, Colombo, 1937; 2nd edition,
cholar and Statesman: a Brief reer (by J. T. Rutnam), Colombo,
| 1853-1924 in Portraits of Ten W. Thalgodapitiya, Kandy, 1966,
y Professor K. M. de Silva under Society Trust on 30 March, 1988.

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30
APPENDX
Extracts from W. Thalgodapitiy. Sri Lanka” (
The last two years of Arunac appointment and disillusionment held before him was a united Cey rities would be adequately safegu nent community would make a di to the Governor Sir William Ma time when he was being attacked the Sinhalese leaders, he explain always been that the goal of resp desire, cannot be reached except basis of trust, harmony and co sections of our Island population the inner councils of the Reform it was to bring the various com platform, what toil and tact we in their rights and duties, to remo ies, to harmonise differences an dispensable basis of mutual trus impossible task was, however, f Congress achieved a position of be ignored and made its influent ment and the Secretary of State. depended entirely on the conti operation, to which the policy I a majority to the wishes of the mil
In 1918 and 1919 he had s to come into the Ceylon Natio a pledge, given by the Sinhalese l provide for due safeguards for territorial representation advocat tant group of Sinhalese, who ha compelled the leaders, much to th C. E. Corea and the late Mr. E. T rances given to the Tamils, and was forced by Tamil opinion to he nor the more farsighted Sinha as anything more than a passing leaders of the Congress, “he sai “to exercise restraint on thems behave in such a way during the fidence and co-operation of all c day of attainment of responsib Government will give only to a

(See P. 24 n.)
- *
a's “Portraits of Ten Patriots of
1966), pp. 16,17.
halam's life were a period of dist. The ideal he had steadfastly lonese nation in which the minoarded and to which each compostinctive contribution. In a letter inning, written in June 1923 at a i and misrepresented by some of led his position: "My view has onsible government, which we all , by a united people and on the -operation between the various h. Only those who have been in movement can know how difficult munities together on a common re needed to educate the people ve ancient prejudicies and jealousd dissensions and create thè int and co-operation. This almost ulfilled and the Ceylon National power and prestige that could not ce felt both by the local GovernThe final attainment of success nuance of mutual trust and coadvocated of concessions from the horities was essential.'
ucceeded in inducing the Tamils nal Congress on the strength of aders at the time, that they would the minorities in the scheme of ed by them. But in 1921 a milid gained control of the Congress, he disgust of men like the late Mr. . de Silva, to repudiate the assuArunachalam to his great regret leave the Congress. But neither lese leaders regarded this secession phase. "It is open to the present d in the letter mentioned above, alves and their followers and to next decade as to deserve the conommunities, and so to hasten the le government which the British united and loyal people.'

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