SOAS Research Online

Abstract

The development of the Civil Service of Ceylon is closely interconnected with that of the Headman system. This thesis is partly a study of the interrelation between the offices and institutions established by the British and the Headman system. Chapter One deals with the growth of the central and departmental administrative machinery. A chief feature in this growth was a conflict between liberal and authoritarian trends. Chapter Two deals with the provincial and local administrative machinery. Besides displaying the above conflict the European part of this structure as well as the policy of the Government brought about a partial transformation of the office of Headman. Chapter Three deals with administrative development in the Kandyan provinces. Here the disarrangement of the Sinhalese feudal organization was the chief result of the establishment of European offices. Chapters Four and Five examine the internal organization of the Civil Service. The chief factor in the growth of this organization was the need that was felt to satisfy the aspirations of those setting out from England as Civil Servants. Chapter Six examines the forces that were behind the movement for reform and states the problems of reform. The social and political problems associated with an exclusive Civil Service were the chief among them. Chapter Seven examines the nature of the Colebrooke-Cameron reform proposals. The liberalization of the administrative machinery that was recommended by them was the natural corollary to a desire to create a more individualistic and competitive economy and society.