The assertion by Tourism Minister Harin Fernando that Sri Lanka is a part of India reignited dormant Indian opposition. However, as early as 1940, former president JR Jayawardena in the Ceylon National Congress initially suggested the integration of Ceylon into India. This proposal is documented in Volume IV of the Ceylon National Congress’s “Victory in National Politics,” wherein JR’s proposition is articulated as follows.
“ India ever calls to us children of Lanka, for now we have now been friends for over two thousand years. That friendship has moulded our culture, our language and our customs. often it is true there has been some of the races of India and our self, yet, to Budhist Lanka India remain the holy land. Whenever I find an opportunity to do so I travel across the narrow water that separate my country from her and journey to these places which are sanctified by the Gautham the Buddha. It is natural that India should draw us to her for is she not the cradle of our race?
“ the subjection of both India and Lanka to a foreign power created barriers between us. We forgot from the time of Vijaya Sinhala kings and nobles sought their brides in India. We forgot that our princess too, such as famous princess of Chitoor,were sought by Indian Princess. The fast moving event of today may rid us may rid us of that subjection and remove the barrier. India and Lanka may be free tomorrow to do as they please. Do we know wither we are bound?
“ the older generation who believes in self – governance and dominion status in the indestructability of the empire do not know exactly what to do if India were to be free tomorrow and we are left for fend for ourselves. No one wishes to continue in Donoughmore constitution and crown colony status which it protects. Dominion status with in the British Common wealth of Nations would hardly be possible if India were to secede from such a commonwealth. A free Lanka Independent of all the other nations of the world, is difficult to conceive of. An Indu Lanka federation may have to be discussed , may even have to be planned for and may be useful for us to achieve.
“ the word ‘federation” is used to contrast it with our present status of a crown colony and with that of a dominion. It is used to make the reader realize that our present political aspirations are out of date and must replace by new conceptions and fresh outlook.
“it is not possible here to define the status of Lanka in such federation, nor specify her rights and obligations. Such a political union is bound to be advantageous to us provided certain essential conditions are fulfilled. The most important of these seems to be:
- The people of Lanka must have the unfettered right to determine the internal political structure of their country.
- The official language must be Sinhalese.
- The parliament of Lanka must have the right to determine the composition of the Lanka’s population.
- India and Lanka must be one unit for the purpose of defense.
- In the federal legislature, Lanka must accord a status equivalent of the status of a Indian province.
“ it is not possible for us to be again Lanka of old. We can only dream of the days of Dutugamunu and Parakramabahu and the deeds of the velour of the Sinhalese heroes against the invaders from India. I visualize a great future for Lanka and its people. Sinhalese or Tamil they may be by race, but citizen of great and powerful India. Protected beneath the shade of this great federation we can give to India and through her to the world, teachings we have preserved ever since our race came to these shores, teachings of the Buddha. Influencing India and her people, we also influence the larger world outside for a free India can and will change the path of Nations. Can we so, close to her so akin to her, stand aloof?”
JR never discussed his proposal further; he shifted his allegiance towards America after independence. In 1955, JR, along with Esmond Wickremesinghe, father of the current President, prepared a speech criticizing communism to Prime Minister Sir John during the Bandung Conference. JR’s affiliation with America remained strong. However, post-1977, he transitioned into a staunch anti-Indian stance.
Due to mounting Indian pressure, JR was compelled to sign the Indo-Lanka Treaty. When JR eventually signed the Indo-Lanka Agreement, JVP leader Rohana Wijeweera reminded the populace about JR’s previous assertion that Sri Lanka should be a part of India. Nevertheless, JR’s intent in signing the Indo-Lanka Treaty wasn’t to incorporate Sri Lanka into India but rather to engage India in quelling the LTTE insurgency. Tragically, this led to the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi, the architect of the Indo-Lanka Pact.