CEYLON ISLAND

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 April 1942, Page 4

CEYLON ISLAND

BASTION OF EMPIRE RECENT DEFENCE MEASURES. PRODUCTION AND PEOPLES. After nearly 150 years of peace undei British rule, Ceylon has become one of the Empire's bastions. Its importance is emphasised by the Japanese air attack on Colombo and the very effective defence that was put up by the forces under the command of Vice-Ad-miral Sir Geoffrey Layton. Its geographical situation, supported by British sea power, kept war at a distance after the overthrow of French naval might in the East late in the 18th century. Britain once maintained a garrison and a small dockyard in the splendid harbour of Trincomalee, on the east coast of the island, but this was never developed. It will probably be held to the credit of the British and Indian authorities that last November, before Japan went to war, Ceylon was placed under Indian command, and the normally small garrison began to be reinforced with both British and Indian troops. This process went on steadily in the subsequent months, and on March 10 the naval commander-in-chief at Colombo, Sii- Geoffrey Layton, -was appointed “Commander-in-chief, Ceylon,” with authority superior to that of the Governor, Sir Andrew Caldecott. This in effect placed the island under service rule. WARLIKE PREPARATIONS.

Steps were taken to evacuate civilians from danger-zones, and nonresidents were ordered to leave as soon as passages became available. Troops were stationed at strategic points all over the island and were given intentive training in jungle warfare. It was stated recently that a large amount of war equipment intended for Burma had been landed for the defence of Ceylon. Air raid precautions in Colombo were said to be thorough, and in general it was believed that the country was in a complete state of preparedness. Ceylon has an area of 25,332 square miles and a remarkably mixed population of nearly 6,000,000, averaging about 230 to the square mile. The centre of the southern part of the island is occupied by mountains up to 8400 ft high, and the most fertile areas are to the west and south of these, where the monsoonal rainfall is greatest. More than 550,000 acres of the highlands is devoted to tea, exports of which in 1939 were valued at £12,535,000. Rubber is displacing tea cn some of the lower lands, and is exported to the value of £4,500,000 or more annually. Other important products are copra, coconut oil, cinnamon and tropical fruits. Although large quantities of rice are grown, about £4,000,000 worth a year has to be imported. MIXTURE OF RACES. Native Cingalese, who are mostly Buddhist in religion, bulk largest among the inhabitants. Next come the Tamils, Dravidian people from South India, about half of whom are nativeborn, the remainder being immigrants. Minorities include “Moors,” or Mohammedans, Eurasians and Malays. Normally there are about 10,000 Eropeaps. The population in 1857 stood at 1,700,000, and has increased notably under British rule. The Portuguese established trading stations in Ceylon at the beginning of the 16th century, and oppressed the coastal natives until the Dutch supplanted them about 1650 and remained in possession for 140 years. Survivals of this period are some substantial public buildings and a distinct element in the urban population known as “Burghers,” who retain the traditions and characteristics of their forebears. The Dutch were overcome and the island was annexed to Madras in 1796, becoming a separate Crown colony in 1802. VALUABLE PORT. Politically, Ceylon presents the same problems as India, on a smaller scale. It has largely representative government, with a State Council of 61 members, 50 of whom are elected on a wide franchise by adults of both sexes. Ministers, with three exceptions, are .elected from the councillors. The Maldive Islands, 400 miles to the southwest, with a population of 80,000, are a dependency of Ceylon. Colombo, with is the 11th port of 'the world and sixth in the British Empire, became important after 1875, when the construction of a magnificent artificial harbour was begun. This is a basin one square mile in area, enclosed by breakwaters and capable of accommodating the largest ships afloat. The city has a population of about 300,000, a university, spacious parks and many fine buildings. It is not only a notable port of call, but also handles practically the whole of the overseas trade of the colony.