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Total Categories: 6
The Dominion of Ceylon was established as a republic immediately upon gaining independence from British rule in 1948.
Answer: False
Ceylon achieved independence as a Dominion within the Commonwealth of Nations on February 4, 1948. It transitioned to a republic and was renamed Sri Lanka in 1972.
Ceylon achieved its independence from British rule on February 4, 1948, as stipulated by the Ceylon Independence Act 1947.
Answer: True
Ceylon attained its independence on February 4, 1948, pursuant to the provisions of the Ceylon Independence Act 1947. This legislative act signified the conclusion of British colonial administration and the commencement of self-governance for the nation.
In 1972, Ceylon changed its name to Sri Lanka and adopted a presidential system, moving away from its status as a Commonwealth dominion.
Answer: True
In 1972, Ceylon underwent a significant constitutional transformation, transitioning from its status as a Dominion to a republic within the Commonwealth of Nations. Concurrently, the nation was officially renamed Sri Lanka, marking a definitive shift from a constitutional monarchy to a republican governmental structure.
Ceylon adopted a federal system of government with a unicameral legislature upon gaining independence.
Answer: False
Following its independence, Ceylon adopted a parliamentary democracy with a bicameral legislature, comprising a Senate and a House of Representatives. It did not adopt a federal system or a unicameral legislature at that time.
In Ceylon's government structure, the House of Representatives was indirectly chosen by the Senate.
Answer: False
In Ceylon's bicameral system, the Senate was indirectly chosen by the popularly elected House of Representatives, not the other way around.
The official name of the country before 1972 was Sri Lanka.
Answer: False
The official name of the country prior to 1972 was Ceylon. It was renamed Sri Lanka when it became a republic in 1972.
The Senate was the lower house of Ceylon's bicameral legislature, directly elected by the people.
Answer: False
The Senate constituted the upper house of Ceylon's bicameral legislature and was indirectly chosen by the House of Representatives, not directly elected by the people.
What was the political status of Ceylon from 1948 to 1972?
Answer: A self-governing dominion within the Commonwealth of Nations, sharing a monarch with the UK.
From 1948 to 1972, Ceylon held the status of a self-governing Dominion within the Commonwealth of Nations. This meant it had internal autonomy but shared the British monarch as its head of state. In 1972, it transitioned to a republic.
When did Ceylon officially transition from a Dominion to a republic and adopt the name Sri Lanka?
Answer: 1972
Ceylon officially transitioned from a Dominion to a republic and adopted the name Sri Lanka in 1972.
Ceylon's government structure after independence featured a bicameral legislature, consisting of:
Answer: A Senate and a House of Representatives.
Ceylon's government structure after independence featured a bicameral legislature, consisting of a Senate and a House of Representatives.
How were members of the Senate in Ceylon's government structure typically selected?
Answer: Indirectly chosen by the House of Representatives.
Members of the Senate in Ceylon's government structure were typically selected indirectly by the House of Representatives, rather than being directly elected by the populace.
Who were the monarchs of Ceylon during the Dominion period (1948-1972)?
Answer: King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II
During the Dominion period of Ceylon (1948-1972), the reigning monarchs were King George VI, whose reign extended from 1948 to 1952, followed by his successor, Queen Elizabeth II, who reigned from 1952 until 1972.
Don Stephen Senanayake was the first Governor-General of Ceylon after its independence.
Answer: False
Don Stephen Senanayake served as the first Prime Minister of Ceylon upon its independence in 1948. The first Governor-General was Sir Henry Monck-Mason Moore.
In 1949, the UNP government, with the agreement of Sri Lankan Tamil leaders, granted voting rights to Indian Tamil plantation workers.
Answer: False
Contrary to granting voting rights, the UNP government's actions in 1949, with the agreement of Sri Lankan Tamil leaders, led to the disenfranchisement of Indian Tamil plantation workers.
Dudley Senanayake resigned as Prime Minister in 1953 due to widespread protests against the government's economic policies, specifically a major general strike.
Answer: True
Prime Minister Dudley Senanayake resigned in 1953 due to widespread protests and a major general strike (Hartal) organized by leftist parties against the government's economic policies.
General Sir John L. Kotelawala succeeded S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike as Prime Minister.
Answer: False
General Sir John L. Kotelawala succeeded Dudley Senanayake as Prime Minister in 1953. S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike served as Prime Minister from 1956 to 1959.
William Gopallawa served as the first Prime Minister of Sri Lanka after it became a republic in 1972.
Answer: False
William Gopallawa became the first President of Sri Lanka when the country transitioned to a republic in 1972. Sirimavo Bandaranaike served as Prime Minister during that period.
Who held the position of the first Prime Minister of Ceylon upon its independence?
Answer: Don Stephen Senanayake
Don Stephen Senanayake held the position of the first Prime Minister of Ceylon upon its independence in 1948.
Which group of people was disenfranchised by the UNP government in 1949, with the concurrence of Sri Lankan Tamil leaders?
Answer: Indian Tamil plantation workers
The Indian Tamil plantation workers were disenfranchised by the UNP government in 1949, with the concurrence of Sri Lankan Tamil leaders.
What event led to the resignation of Prime Minister Dudley Senanayake in 1953?
Answer: A significant general strike organized by leftist parties.
Prime Minister Dudley Senanayake resigned in 1953 due to widespread protests and a major general strike (Hartal) organized by leftist parties against the government's economic policies.
Who became the first President of Sri Lanka when it transitioned to a republic in 1972?
Answer: William Gopallawa
William Gopallawa became the first President of Sri Lanka when the country transitioned to a republic in 1972.
The Paddy Lands Act, passed in 1957, aimed to increase the power of absentee landlords over tenant farmers.
Answer: False
The Paddy Lands Act of 1957, championed by Philip Gunawardena, aimed to reform land tenancy by granting greater rights and protections to tenant farmers, rather than increasing the power of absentee landlords.
In 1962, the SLFP government nationalized Western business assets, leading to disputes with the US and UK over compensation.
Answer: True
During 1962, the administration led by the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) implemented a policy of nationalization, acquiring numerous business assets owned by Western entities. This action precipitated diplomatic and financial controversies with both the United States and the United Kingdom concerning the equitable compensation for the expropriated assets.
Tea, rubber, and coconuts were minor agricultural products in Ceylon, contributing less than 10% to the nation's export value.
Answer: False
Tea, rubber, and coconuts were the principal agricultural exports of Ceylon, collectively representing approximately 90% of the nation's total export value.
Ceylon became the world's leading exporter of tea in 1965, shipping approximately 200,000 tonnes that year.
Answer: True
Ceylon achieved the distinction of being the world's preeminent exporter of tea in the year 1965. During this period, the nation's tea exports reached an approximate volume of 200,000 tonnes.
The Land Reform Law of 1972 limited private land ownership to a maximum of fifty hectares.
Answer: False
The Land Reform Law of 1972 limited private land ownership to a maximum of twenty hectares, not fifty.
The Land Reform (Amendment) Law of 1975 placed plantations owned by joint-stock companies under the control of the state.
Answer: True
The Land Reform (Amendment) Law, enacted in 1975, effectuated the transfer of plantations owned by joint-stock companies, a significant proportion of which were British-owned, into state custodianship. This legislative measure led to approximately two-thirds of the land dedicated to tea cultivation being brought under governmental administration.
The Ceylon Rupee remained pegged to the Indian Rupee at a 1:1 ratio until 1972.
Answer: False
The Ceylon Rupee's peg to the Indian Rupee at a 1:1 ratio concluded in 1966, not 1972. Subsequently, it was pegged to the US Dollar.
The Paddy Lands Act, passed in 1957, primarily aimed to:
Answer: Grant greater rights to tenant farmers and reform tenancy.
The Paddy Lands Act, passed in 1957 and attributed to Philip Gunawardena, primarily aimed to grant greater rights to tenant farmers and reform agricultural tenancy arrangements.
What was a consequence of the SLFP government's nationalization of Western business assets in 1962?
Answer: Diplomatic and financial disputes with the US and UK over compensation.
A notable consequence of the SLFP government's nationalization of Western business assets in 1962 was the emergence of diplomatic and financial disputes with the United States and the United Kingdom concerning the equitable compensation for the expropriated properties.
Which three agricultural products were the primary exports of Ceylon, accounting for 90% of its export value?
Answer: Tea, rubber, and coconuts
The three primary agricultural export products of Ceylon were tea, rubber, and coconuts, accounting for 90% of its export value.
In what year did Ceylon become the world's leading exporter of tea, shipping approximately 200,000 tonnes?
Answer: 1965
Ceylon became the world's leading exporter of tea in 1965, shipping approximately 200,000 tonnes that year.
What was the maximum amount of private land ownership permitted under the Land Reform Law of 1972?
Answer: 20 hectares
The Land Reform Law of 1972 limited private land ownership to a maximum of twenty hectares.
The Land Reform (Amendment) Law of 1975 primarily targeted which type of land ownership?
Answer: Plantations owned by joint-stock companies
The Land Reform (Amendment) Law of 1975 primarily targeted plantations owned by joint-stock companies, bringing them under state control.
What was the Ceylon Rupee pegged to after its peg to the Indian Rupee ended in 1966?
Answer: The US Dollar
After its peg to the Indian Rupee ended in 1966, the Ceylon Rupee was pegged to the US Dollar.
Following independence, Ceylon maintained military treaties with the United Kingdom, allowing British air and sea bases to remain within the country.
Answer: True
Following Ceylon's independence, extant military treaties with the United Kingdom were upheld, permitting the continued presence of British air and sea bases on Ceylonese territory. Furthermore, British officers predominantly occupied senior command positions within the nascent Ceylon Army, indicative of enduring defense collaborations.
The Soviet Union supported Ceylon's application for United Nations membership in 1948, believing its independence was fully genuine.
Answer: False
The Soviet Union vetoed Ceylon's application for United Nations membership in 1948, expressing doubts about the genuineness of its independence due to perceived continued British influence.
Ceylon officially declared itself a non-aligned country and removed British bases in 1957.
Answer: True
In 1957, Ceylon executed a significant foreign policy recalibration by expelling British military installations from its territory and formally proclaiming its status as a 'non-aligned' nation. This strategic orientation signified a commitment to neutrality in global geopolitical conflicts, aligning with the principles of the burgeoning Non-Aligned Movement.
Queen Elizabeth II visited Ceylon in 1954 as part of her Commonwealth tours.
Answer: True
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II undertook a state visit to Ceylon in 1954, as part of her comprehensive itinerary of tours across various Commonwealth realms.
What was the primary reason cited for the Soviet Union's veto of Ceylon's UN membership application in 1948?
Answer: Concerns that British influence over Ceylon's government was still too significant.
The primary reason cited by the Soviet Union for vetoing Ceylon's UN membership application in 1948 was the perception that Ceylon's independence was largely nominal, with substantial British influence persisting.
What major foreign policy change did Ceylon implement in 1957?
Answer: Declared itself non-aligned and removed British bases.
In 1957, Ceylon officially declared itself a non-aligned country and proceeded to remove British military bases from its territory, marking a pivotal shift towards neutrality in international affairs.
The Anglo-Ceylonese Defence Agreement of 1947 primarily served to:
Answer: Ensure the continuation of British military bases in Ceylon.
The Anglo-Ceylonese Defence Agreement of 1947 primarily served to ensure the continuation of British military bases and presence in Ceylon following its independence.
The Marxist People's Liberation Front rebellion in 1972 was successfully suppressed solely through Ceylon's own military efforts without foreign assistance.
Answer: False
The Marxist People's Liberation Front rebellion in 1972 was suppressed with the crucial assistance of international aid from Britain, the Soviet Union, and India, not solely through Ceylon's own military efforts.
The Ceylon Army was formally created in 1949, succeeding the Ceylon Defence Force which was demobilized after World War II.
Answer: True
The formal establishment of the Ceylon Army occurred on April 11, 1949, pursuant to the enactment of the Army Act No. 17. The military organization that preceded the Ceylon Army was the Ceylon Defence Force, which underwent demobilization following World War II.
By the mid-1950s, the Ceylon Army's primary duty had shifted to external defense due to increasing regional conflicts.
Answer: False
By the mid-1950s, the Ceylon Army's primary duty had shifted from external defense to internal security operations, owing to the absence of significant external threats.
Operation Monty, conducted in 1952, was the Ceylon Army's first major operation focused on countering illegal immigration.
Answer: True
'Operation Monty' represented the inaugural internal security operation executed by the Ceylon Army in 1952. Its primary objective was to interdict and counteract the clandestine immigration of individuals from South India, conducted in collaboration with the Royal Ceylon Navy and law enforcement agencies.
The Royal Ceylon Air Force (RCyAF) first saw combat during the 1950s against external aggressors.
Answer: False
The Royal Ceylon Air Force (RCyAF) first saw combat in 1971 during the island-wide insurrection launched by the Marxist People's Liberation Front, not in the 1950s against external aggressors.
Helitours was established by the No. 4 Helicopter Squadron to provide commercial transport services due to a surplus of funds for military expenditure after the 1971 uprising.
Answer: False
Helitours was established by the No. 4 Helicopter Squadron due to a *shortage* of funds for military expenditure after the 1971 uprising, as the initiative aimed to generate revenue.
How was the Marxist People's Liberation Front rebellion in 1972 suppressed?
Answer: Through international assistance from Britain, the Soviet Union, and India.
The Marxist People's Liberation Front rebellion in 1972 was suppressed with the crucial assistance of international aid from Britain, the Soviet Union, and India.
What was the predecessor to the Ceylon Army, which was demobilized after World War II?
Answer: The Ceylon Defence Force
The predecessor to the Ceylon Army, which was demobilized after World War II, was the Ceylon Defence Force.
By the mid-1950s, what had become the primary duty of the Ceylon Army?
Answer: Internal security operations.
By the mid-1950s, the Ceylon Army's primary duty had shifted to internal security operations, reflecting the absence of significant external threats.
What was the purpose of 'Operation Monty' conducted by the Ceylon Army in 1952?
Answer: To counter illegal immigration from South India.
The purpose of 'Operation Monty,' conducted by the Ceylon Army in 1952, was to counter illegal immigration from South India.
In which year did the Royal Ceylon Air Force (RCyAF) first engage in combat operations?
Answer: 1971
The Royal Ceylon Air Force (RCyAF) first engaged in combat operations in 1971, during the insurrection launched by the People's Liberation Front.
The commercial transport service 'Helitours' operated by the No. 4 Helicopter Squadron was established primarily because:
Answer: There was a shortage of funds for military expenditure after the 1971 uprising.
The commercial transport service 'Helitours,' operated by the No. 4 Helicopter Squadron, was established due to a shortage of funds for military expenditure following the 1971 uprising, necessitating revenue-generating initiatives.
What was the purpose of Task Force Anti-Illicit Immigration (TaFII), established in 1963?
Answer: To combat and control the influx of illegal immigrants.
Established in 1963 and operational until 1981, the Task Force Anti-Illicit Immigration (TaFII) was primarily mandated to combat and regulate the ingress of undocumented immigrants into the nation.
What were the common languages spoken in Ceylon during the Dominion period?
Answer: Sinhala, Tamil, and English
The principal languages spoken in Ceylon during the Dominion period were Sinhala, Tamil, and English. These linguistic forms fulfilled diverse official and societal roles within the nation.
Which religion was designated as the official religion of Ceylon?
Answer: Buddhism
Buddhism held the status of the official religion of Ceylon, a designation reflecting the nation's profound cultural and historical connections to this faith.
What was the demonym used for people from Ceylon?
Answer: Ceylonese
The designated demonym for the inhabitants of Ceylon was 'Ceylonese,' a term used to refer to the populace of the Dominion of Ceylon.
Coins issued in Ceylon since 1963 featured which emblem on their obverse, replacing the monarch's portrait?
Answer: The Coat of Arms of Sri Lanka
Commencing in 1963, coins minted in Ceylon displayed the Coat of Arms of Sri Lanka on their obverse side, signifying a departure from the prior practice of featuring the monarch's portrait.