SELF-GOVERNMENT MOVE

Chronicle (Levin), 20 May 1946, Page 8

SELF-GOVERNMENT MOVE

Press Assnv

By Telegraph

-Copyright

LONDON, May .17. * Tiie Colonial Seeretaiy, Mr. G. H. Hall, annouiieed tliat the Gbvernmeiit has apprOved a new Goiistitutioh for Ceylon on the liuds of the Soulboury Oommission's report. The State Council of Ceylon lias agreed with the Government's proposals, the main features of which are: — 1. The present State Council" shall be replaeed by a Parliament consisting of the King, repr'esented by a Goverhor, and two Chambers — a House of Bepre- j sentatives and a Senate; 2. Parliament will be e-mpowered to I make laws for the peace, order, and| g(iod government of the island, but not | for any which discriminate against any community or against freedom of worsllip; 3i A Prime Minister and a-Cabmet will control tlie d'irect government and will be collectively responsible to the Ueylon Parliament. 4. Bills relhting to defence and external affdirs will require His Majesty's assent, and also those whicll in the Goveriior 's opinion are likely to involve oppression or' serious injustice to any religious or raeial eommupity lead- j ing to serious opposition. Bills relat- j ing to cettain specified subjeets, such as the franehise aud immigration, do not require His Majesty's assent; 5. The British Government retains power to legislate by Order in Coiincil for defence and external affairs, and to ameud or revoke the Constitution. Tlie British Golonial Secretary said that the British Government hoped that the new Constitution would be aeeepted itnd stipported by the people of Ce.ylon 'so that within a comparatively short ,space of time Domiiiion status eould be ; ei'olved.