16th amendment to the Constitution is enacted. The 16th amendment, clarified and consolidated the provisions of the 13th amendment on language.
Timeline of events under "Language" issue
The amendment included provisions for the establishment of a system of Provincial Councils, including in the North East. The amendment incorporated the provisions of the Official Languages Act 1987 declaring Tamil as an official language of Sri Lanka.
The official name of the country is changed from Ceylon to Sri Lanka and Buddhism is made the official state religion.
The ‘district quota’ system is introduced for university entrance, improving the prospects for rural and provincial populations. The system is perceived to be at the expense of Tamil students from urban areas, mainly from Colombo and Jaffna.
The Privy Council rules in favour of Kodeeswaran in the case of Kodeeswaran vs Attorney General. The Privy Council directs the Supreme Court to address the constitutional question of whether the Official Language Act of 1956 which made Sinhala the official language was in violation of Section 29 of the constitution, which prohibits discrimination.
The Federal Party begins a second phase of agitation, including members of the Muslim communities in the North and East.
‘Sinhala Only Act’ comes into force: Sinhala becomes the sole official language.
Tamil Language (Special Provisions) Act. No. 28: an attempt to mitigate the impact of the ‘Sinhala Only Act': allows for the use of Tamil in education, public service entrance exams and administration in the Northern and Eastern provinces.
The ‘Bandaranaike-Chelvanayagam pact’ document is symbolically torn up amid protests by a faction of Buddhist monks (Eksath Bhikku Peramua) and other nationalistic groups.
Federal Party starts the 'anti Sri' campaign in the North, defacing the letter 'Sri' on vehicle licence plates and Sinhala letters on name boards in the North and East with tar.
J.R. Jayewardene organises a march from Colombo to Kandy in protest against the 'Bandaranaike-Chelvanayakam Pact'.
Talks between S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike and leaders of the Federal Party: the 'Bandaranaike–Chelvanayagam Pact' is signed, pledging to devolve state power through regional councils, to recognise Tamil as a national minority language and to slow Sinhalese resettlement in the North East.
Official Language Act No. 33 of 1956, popularly known as the "Sinhala Only Act", is passed in parliament by 66 votes to 29.
Federal Party conducts its sathyagraha protest on Galle Face Green against intended legislation to make Sinhala the official language. Protests spark communal violence in Colombo. Violence spreads to Ampara and the Gal-Oya Valley. An estimated 150 deaths, mainly Tamil, result.
The Soulbury Constitution is adopted and general elections are held for the parliament of Ceylon. The Constitution included Section 29 which prohibited discrimination in legislation against any specific community.
