{"id":141739,"date":"2024-09-13T04:50:38","date_gmt":"2024-09-13T04:50:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/?p=141739"},"modified":"2024-09-13T04:51:29","modified_gmt":"2024-09-13T04:51:29","slug":"sir-john-kotelawalas-visit-to-australia-and-new-zealand-by-earlson-forbes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/sir-john-kotelawalas-visit-to-australia-and-new-zealand-by-earlson-forbes\/","title":{"rendered":"Sir John Kotelawala\u2019s visit to Australia and New Zealand – by EARLSON FORBES"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sir John Kotelawala\u2019s visit to Australia and New Zealand – by EARLSON FORBES<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Ceylon\u2019s third Prime Minister, Sir John Kotelawala, was known as an outspoken, strong, and as some would say, a flamboyant leader.\u00a0 He had a chance of being the next Prime Minister of Ceylon when the first Prime Minister of Independent Ceylon, D. S. Senanayake, passed away in 1952.\u00a0 Sir John was a strong contender for the vacant position.\u00a0 However, he was overlooked for appointment and the son of D. S. Senanayake, Dudley was appointed to the position As fate would have it, Sir John did not have to wait long for his second shot at the Prime Ministership. Dudley Senanayake\u2019s period as Prime Minister was riddled with civil unrest. In 1953, he resigned and this time around Sir John was chosen as the third Prime Minister of Ceylon.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"john<\/p>\n

John Kotelawala <\/em><\/strong>(Snr)<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Sir John\u2019s elevation to the highest political position in the land had not been a textbook smooth ride. His family had undergone a period of difficulty in his early years. His father accused of murder, committed suicide while the murder trial was underway. John was only 11 years old at this time. However, the family fortunes in the form of graphite deposits and extensive land holdings, wisely managed by his mother, ensured Sir John had an easy economic ride in his youth and the early years of manhood.\u00a0 He had his education at Royal College, Colombo Leaving Royal College, under circumstances which were considered to be dubious, he spent several years mostly in France and the United Kingdom. In the U K, he attended Cambridge University to study Agriculture.<\/span><\/p>\n

On return to Ceylon Sir John pursued his two great interests in public life, politics and the Army. In 1922 he joined the Ceylon Light Infantry (CLI) and over the next two decades rose to the rank of Colonel.\u00a0 During this time there was a complicated relationship between the Ceylon Defence Force and the British Army. As a consequence, most of Sir John\u2019s service in the Army was considered to be one of a \u2018reservist\u2019. Sir John\u2019s political career began in 1931, when he was elected to the State Council seat of Kurunegala. Later in his political career, he was the elected member for the seat of Dodangaslanda. Before his elevation to the position of Prime Minister of Ceylon, Sir John served as Minister of Communications and Works, Minister of Transport and Works and as the Leader of the House of Representatives.<\/span><\/p>\n

Much has been written about Sir John\u2019s attendance and performance at the Bandung Conference held over a period of six days. However, comparatively little is made of the nearly four weeks he spent in Australia, New Zealand and Thailand in the latter part of 1955. What did Sir John do during this visit and what may have motivated him to devote so much of his limited time primarily to the tour of Australia and New Zealand?<\/span><\/p>\n

On the international front, the late 1940s was a momentous period as a very large part of Asia attained independence or established completely new governments. India and Pakistan gained their independence in 1947 and Ceylon followed in early 1948.\u00a0 In late 1949, Sukarno wrested power from the Dutch after centuries of Dutch rule and in the same year, the Peoples Republic of China was proclaimed by the Communist Party of China under Mau Zedong.<\/span><\/p>\n

Post-World War II or post-Independence, domestic problems were much the same for war torn Europe or the newly independent nations of Asia. There was the rising need to achieve economic and social development through the modernisation of industry and agriculture, the building of infrastructure and the establishment of education and health services for all or most of the population. Western Europe was able to make progress in its drive for re-construction and development due to the establishment of the Marshall Plan. Initiated by America and operating from 1948, the Marshall Plan made available millions of dollars for development projects in Western Europe. Russia did not wish to participate in the Marshall Plan and prevented some Eastern European Nations from joining. As a consequence, the benefits of the Marshall Plan substantially flowed to Western Europe. There was no Marshall Plan for the development of Asia, but very soon after the Marshall Plan was operational, Britain and Australia were looking to establish a scheme to assist the British Commonwealth and Asia in its economic and social development. Communism was far from dead in Asia and among other things, a fundamental motive in establishing a scheme to aid development was to stop the spread of Communism. The view was held that the most effective soft way to stop the spread of Communism was to raise the living standards of populations in the poorer Asian countries.<\/span><\/p>\n

In 1950 a Commonwealth Conference was held in Colombo to formalise plans for the establishment of a permanent body to tackle the question of re-construction and development and alleviation of poverty in Asian member countries and even beyond member country borders. Britain \u2018as the mother country\u2019 was planning to take the lead in this matter. However, the initiative was momentarily seized by the Australian Minister for External Affairs, Percy Spender, who was a strong advocate of an \u2018Aid\u2019 scheme for developing member Nations. Minister Spender\u2019s scheme was advanced and he had even given it a name, viz, \u2018the Spender Plan\u2019.\u00a0 As things turned out Mr. Spender did not have his way and it was decided to name the scheme the \u2018Colombo Plan\u2019.\u00a0 The Colombo Plan was officially launched on 1st July 1951. The headquarters of the organisation was to be situated in Colombo and this remains unchanged to this day.<\/span><\/p>\n

The founder member countries of the Colombo Plan were Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, India, Pakistan and Ceylon. Although the flow of funds under the Colombo Plan covered major development infrastructure projects, its intent was to also focus on education and individual advancement by providing a variety of scholarships and educational grants to individuals and educational institutions. Out of an initial total allocation of 31 Million Pounds Sterling, Australia gave Ceylon nearly 20 Million Pounds. The emerging importance of the Colombo Plan as a resource for the development of industry, agriculture, infrastructure and education in Ceylon was apparent to Sir John. It could be said that his keen interest in the potential benefits of the Colombo Plan was one of the main reasons, if not the main reason, for his prolonged visit of three weeks to Australia and New Zealand in October and November 1955. The itinerary of this visit is outlined below. For the details the author has relied mainly on photographic records and accompanying narrative held by the National Archives of Australia (NAA) and the New Zealand Government Archives. A few examples of the photographic records are appended below.<\/span><\/p>\n

In general terms, Sir John\u2019s visit is described in NAA records in the following manner: \u2018The Prime Minister of Ceylon, Sir John Kotelawala in Australia on an official visit from 26 October to 8 November. The tour programme covered four States and visits to important centres of learning, scientific institutions, primary and secondary industries and the Snowy Mountains hydro-electric scheme under construction. Sir John met leaders of various Governments and civic dignitaries.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

The four States visited were New South Wales, Western Australia, South Australia and Victoria. The tour also took in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).<\/span><\/p>\n

In New South Wales Sir John was feted by the Premier, Mr J. J. Cahill at a State Luncheon given in his honour. In Sydney, there was also a Civic Reception given to honour Sir John by P. D. Hills, Lord Mayor of Sydney. The Lord Mayor\u2019s reception was held at the Town Hall. The High Commissioner for Ceylon at this time, Mr. P R Gunesekera, accompanied Sir John on these occasions.\u00a0 (See Figure 1).<\/span><\/p>\n

\"john<\/p>\n

Figure 1: (From left): P.R.Gunasekera (Sri Lankan Ambassador to Australia), Sir John Kotelawala\u00a0 and J.J.Cahill (Premier of NSW).<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

As in New South Wales, Sir John was treated as an honoured guest of the State of Victoria. The Lord Mayor of Melbourne held a function in his honour. It was that time of year in Melbourne; yes, Melbourne Cup time and Sir John attended the Flemington racecourse to witness the running of the Melbourne Cup. The race that stops a nation. Melbourne was also making final preparations for holding the 1956 Olympic Games. Sir John was taken on extensive tours of the building works in progress; the new stadium, swimming pool, velodrome and sports arenas. It afforded an opportunity for Australia to display its construction skills so important for Ceylon in any future plans for infrastructure developments. Not much is available by way of photographic record of the time spent in South Australia and Western Australia. There is one mention of Sir John inspecting names at the War Memorial at famed King\u2019s Park in Perth.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"john<\/p>\n

By far the greatest interest is in the time spent by Sir John in the ACT. Apart from the formal occasions, the places visited mirror both Sir John\u2019s political and personal interests. The visit to the Snowy Mountains Scheme was of particular interest as Ceylon was undertaking its own hydro-electric scheme (Laxapana). The commissioning of the Laxapana Scheme was just completed at this time. Agriculture and farming were observed when a visit was made to, \u2018Uriarra Station\u2019, a sheep farm approximately 30 kilometres out of Canberra.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here he was treated to an exhibition of sheep shearing in which he showed great interest. He had a conversation with the owner of the station (Mr. D. Hyles) wanting to know the detail of sheep station operation and management. Also, Sir John had commented on the high quality of the wool produced from the Merino sheep at this station.<\/span><\/p>\n

There was also a visit to the Royal Military College, Duntroon, which apparently aroused his interest in military matters. Sir John commenced his visit inspecting the Guard of Honour. He then spent hours touring the College with the Commandant, Major-General R. Campbell. The tour was not completed until Sir John had also walked around the College grounds and looked at points of interest outside.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"john<\/p>\n

Sir John (seated centre) at tea with friends in Melbourne<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Another of Sir John\u2019s many appointments in Canberra was a press conference with members of the Parliamentary Press Gallery. The Sydney Morning Herald of Thursday 3 November 1955,<\/span><\/p>\n

reported a speech in the following words. \u2018after eight years of independence Ceylon remained happy with her membership of the British Commonwealth.\u00a0 It had meant practical benefits for her and the Colombo Plan was one of the finest things done. In Ceylon it was helping in the general rise in living standards the main reason why Communism was fast disappearing there. Sir John said it was essential that the upward movement of living standards should continue because empty stomachs were the one thing Communism could thrive on\u2019.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0Formal events associated with a state visit by a Prime Minister took place. On his arrival in Canberra, Sir John was greeted by the Prime Minister of Australia, Sir Robert Menzies. While in Canberra, Sir John called on Sir Robert Menzies and Dame Patti<\/span><\/p>\n

Menzies at the latter\u2019s residence, \u2018The Lodge\u2019.\u00a0 In reciprocation the High Commissioner for Ceylon, Mr. P R Gunasekera, hosted an official reception for dignitaries and guests. The final formal event was a visit to the War Memorial where Sir John laid a wreath on the Stone of Remembrance.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On the completion of his Australian Tour Sir John flew directly to New Zealand.\u00a0 It is not intended to cover his itinerary in detail in New Zealand. Suffice to say, Sir John was accorded formal honours extended to visiting Heads of Government. A formal grand luncheon was held on 10th November 1955 for the visiting Prime Minister of Ceylon, by the Government of New Zealand.\u00a0 Sir John also toured parts of\u00a0New Zealand.\u00a0 Figure 4 shows Sir John very attentively inspecting a dental procedure being performed at a Wellington dental school.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"john<\/p>\n

Before\u00a0 Sir John left Ceylon for Australia and New Zealand the Indian Daily Mail carried a news item to say: \u2018Sir John Kotelawala has accepted invitations to visit Australia, New Zealand and Thailand. He will leave on October 25th and return one month later\u2019.<\/span><\/p>\n

The author has not been able to get details of Sir John\u2019s itin- erary in Thailand. This visit was most likely connected with the formal establishment of diplomatic relations between Ceylon and the Kingdom of Thailand which occurred at this time (November 1955).<\/span><\/p>\n

Much valuable knowledge, networking contacts and useful personal experience about the Colombo Plan as a crucial future resource would have been gained by Sir John and his official party on this visit. Very soon after Sir John\u2019s return to Ceylon the political landscape altered dramatically and ensured he would not be in a position to direct government policy any longer. Less than five months after Sir John\u2019s return, a General Election was held in Ceylon. This was in early April 1956. The United National Party (UNP) led by Sir John suffered a devastating defeat at this General Election. The Election was won by S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike whose victory reduced the seats held by the UNP from 54 to 8. This humiliating electoral loss meant that \u2018the lights were switched off permanently\u2019 on the political career of Sir John.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Click here to receive your free copy of the eLanka Newsletter twice a week delivered directly\u00a0to\u00a0your\u00a0inbox!<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/em><\/span><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Sir John Kotelawala\u2019s visit to Australia and New Zealand – by EARLSON FORBES Ceylon\u2019s third Prime Minister, Sir John Kotelawala, was known as an outspoken, strong, and as some would say, a flamboyant leader.\u00a0 He had a chance of being the next Prime Minister of Ceylon when the first Prime Minister of Independent Ceylon, D. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":141746,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"aside","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[70452,70456,70457,70463,70451,70467,70453,70458,70462,70461,70455,70466,70464,29737,70454,70459,70460,70465],"class_list":{"0":"post-141739","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-aside","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-articles","8":"tag-1955-state-visit","9":"tag-ceylon-and-australia-relations","10":"tag-ceylon-diplomatic-visits","11":"tag-ceylon-history-international-relations","12":"tag-ceylon-prime-ministers","13":"tag-colombo-plan-development-projects","14":"tag-colombo-plan-history","15":"tag-commonwealth-leaders-1950s","16":"tag-laxapana-hydroelectric-project","17":"tag-melbourne-cup-1955","18":"tag-new-zealand-visit-1955","19":"tag-royal-military-college-duntroon-visit","20":"tag-s-w-r-d-bandaranaike-election-victory","21":"tag-sir-john-kotelawala","22":"tag-sir-john-kotelawala-australia-tour","23":"tag-sir-john-kotelawala-bandung-conference","24":"tag-snowy-mountains-hydro-electric-scheme-visit","25":"tag-united-national-party-unp-history","26":"post_format-post-format-aside"},"yoast_head":"\nSir John Kotelawala\u2019s visit to Australia and New Zealand - by EARLSON FORBES - eLanka<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Sir John Kotelawala\u2019s visit to Australia and New Zealandby EARLSON FORBES Ceylon\u2019s third Prime Minister, Sir John Kotelawala,\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Sir John Kotelawala\u2019s visit to Australia and New Zealand - by EARLSON FORBES\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Sir John Kotelawala\u2019s visit to Australia and New Zealandby EARLSON FORBES Ceylon\u2019s third Prime Minister, Sir John Kotelawala,\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/sir-john-kotelawalas-visit-to-australia-and-new-zealand-by-earlson-forbes\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"eLanka\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/eLanka.com.au\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-09-13T04:50:38+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2024-09-13T04:51:29+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/john-kotelawala-1-e1726203082372.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"336\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"317\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"eLanka admin\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"eLanka admin\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"12 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/sir-john-kotelawalas-visit-to-australia-and-new-zealand-by-earlson-forbes\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/sir-john-kotelawalas-visit-to-australia-and-new-zealand-by-earlson-forbes\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"eLanka admin\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/#\/schema\/person\/f6e635b74ab35ef88a68a9973cacc5bd\"},\"headline\":\"Sir John Kotelawala\u2019s visit to Australia and New Zealand – by EARLSON FORBES\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-09-13T04:50:38+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-09-13T04:51:29+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/sir-john-kotelawalas-visit-to-australia-and-new-zealand-by-earlson-forbes\/\"},\"wordCount\":2257,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/sir-john-kotelawalas-visit-to-australia-and-new-zealand-by-earlson-forbes\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/john-kotelawala-1-e1726203082372.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"1955 state visit\",\"Ceylon and Australia relations\",\"Ceylon diplomatic visits\",\"Ceylon history international relations\",\"Ceylon Prime Ministers\",\"Colombo Plan development projects\",\"Colombo Plan history\",\"Commonwealth leaders 1950s\",\"Laxapana hydroelectric project\",\"Melbourne Cup 1955\",\"New Zealand visit 1955\",\"Royal Military College Duntroon visit\",\"S.W.R.D. 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