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1956 Ceylonese parliamentary election

1:37

Why did the Burghers leave Ceylon after 1956?

1:19

M. W. R. De Silva

2:55

CEYLON PRIME MINISTER DAHANAYAKE - MURDER & CORRUPTION IN SRI LANKA

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SRI LANKA: PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS

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NEW REPUBLIC OF SRI LANKA

General elections were held in Ceylon in 1956. They were a watershed in the country's political history, and was the first elections fought to challenge the ruling United National Party. The former Leader of the House, S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike who was passed over after the death of the first Prime Minister D. S. Senanayake, crossed over to the opposition to form the Sri Lanka Freedom Party to launch his bid for Prime Minister.