James Peiris
Encyclopedia
Sir James Peiris, JP
(December 20, 1856–1930) was a prominent figure in the Sri Lankan independence movement and a Vice President of the Legislative Council
.
Born on December 20, 1856 to T Martinus Pieris and Apolonia de Soysa, a wealthy family who faced comparative poverty 15 years later along with the death of his father. Peiris was educated at the prestigious Colombo Academy (now Royal College, Colombo) where he excelled in studies winning the Shakespeare and Turner prizes. He won the English University Scholarship in 1877 and proceeded to the St John's College
, University of Cambridge
. At Cambridge he had the rare distinction of obtaining a double first - a first class in the Law Tripos and a first class in the Moral Science Tripos. There he was the first non-European to be elected President of the Cambridge Union in 1882. Peiris was called to Bar at the Lincoln's Inn
in England thus becoming a barrister
. He refused to join the prestigious Ceylon Civil Service
but instead started a law practice. In 1902 he accepted for a short time the office of District Judge of Galle
. As a lawyer he played a great role in constitutional reform.
from 1898 to 1908 representing the Slave Island
ward, and served on the Public Works Council.
There was wide support for Peiris' nomination to the Legislative Council. On two occasions when nominations had to be made for the position of "an educated Ceylonese" James Peiris was passed over. Many public meetings were held to support his nomination. There was no doubt that he enjoyed the confidence of the overwhelming majority of the educated Ceylonese. He was, however, never to be nominated to a position in the Legislative Council
, notwithstanding his ability and integrity. Immediately the elective principle was introduced into the Legislative Council, Peiris was elected unopposed.
Peiris led the campaign for a Royal Commission of Inquiry and the vindication of the reputations of those who had been falsely accused during the riots of 1915. Seeing the horror unleashed by the British governor and his advisers, he initiated a memorandum to be drawn in great secrecy along with other prominent members of society in order to bring it to the attention of the King and his majesties government. It was take to England hidden in the sole of a shoe by E. W. Perera
. As a result of this the governor Sir
Robert Chalmers was recalled.
The Legislative Council
was reconstituted in 1924 with a majority of elected representatives. Peiris was elected as Vice President - a position he held until his death in 1930. The post of President was held by the Governor. Peiris accepted in 1925 a knighthood
from the King and he was a Justice of the Peace
for the whole island.
He was first to propose the creation of a University College in Colombo. Following the establishment of the University College, Colombo (later to become the University of Ceylon
), Peiris was a Member of the Advisory Council of the new University College.
. He was an excellent horse rider.
. The Sir James Peiris Memorial Prize is one of the prestigious prizes awarded annually at Royal College, Colombo.
Justice of the Peace
A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
(December 20, 1856–1930) was a prominent figure in the Sri Lankan independence movement and a Vice President of the Legislative Council
Legislative Council
A Legislative Council is the name given to the legislatures, or one of the chambers of the legislature of many nations and colonies.A Member of the Legislative Council is commonly referred to as an MLC.- Unicameral legislatures :...
.
Early life and education
St John's College, Cambridge
St John's College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. The college's alumni include nine Nobel Prize winners, six Prime Ministers, three archbishops, at least two princes, and three Saints....
, University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
. At Cambridge he had the rare distinction of obtaining a double first - a first class in the Law Tripos and a first class in the Moral Science Tripos. There he was the first non-European to be elected President of the Cambridge Union in 1882. Peiris was called to Bar at the Lincoln's Inn
Lincoln's Inn
The Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn is one of four Inns of Court in London to which barristers of England and Wales belong and where they are called to the Bar. The other three are Middle Temple, Inner Temple and Gray's Inn. Although Lincoln's Inn is able to trace its official records beyond...
in England thus becoming a barrister
Barrister
A barrister is a member of one of the two classes of lawyer found in many common law jurisdictions with split legal professions. Barristers specialise in courtroom advocacy, drafting legal pleadings and giving expert legal opinions...
. He refused to join the prestigious Ceylon Civil Service
Ceylon Civil Service
The Ceylon Civil Service, popularly known by its acronym CCS, originated as the elite civil service of the Government of Ceylon under British colonial rule in 1833 and carried on after independence, until May 1, 1963 when it was abolished and the much larger Ceylon Administrative Service was...
but instead started a law practice. In 1902 he accepted for a short time the office of District Judge of Galle
Galle
Galle is a city situated on the southwestern tip of Sri Lanka, 119 km from Colombo. Galle is the capital city of Southern Province of Sri Lanka and it lies in Galle District....
. As a lawyer he played a great role in constitutional reform.
Political Career
Peiris's first entry into politics was as a Member of the Colombo Municipal CouncilColombo Municipal Council
The Colombo Municipal Council is the local council for Colombo, the largest city and financial centre in Sri Lanka. The council was formed in 1865 and first met in 1866. The municipal council is the oldest and the largest local government authority in Sri Lanka and, as of 2001, covers a resident...
from 1898 to 1908 representing the Slave Island
Slave Island
Slave Island is a suburb in Colombo, Sri Lanka located directly south of the Fort area of Colombo. The name Slave Island was given during the period of British occupation and administration, and refers to the situation under Portuguese and Dutch administration when slaves were held there, most of...
ward, and served on the Public Works Council.
There was wide support for Peiris' nomination to the Legislative Council. On two occasions when nominations had to be made for the position of "an educated Ceylonese" James Peiris was passed over. Many public meetings were held to support his nomination. There was no doubt that he enjoyed the confidence of the overwhelming majority of the educated Ceylonese. He was, however, never to be nominated to a position in the Legislative Council
Legislative Council
A Legislative Council is the name given to the legislatures, or one of the chambers of the legislature of many nations and colonies.A Member of the Legislative Council is commonly referred to as an MLC.- Unicameral legislatures :...
, notwithstanding his ability and integrity. Immediately the elective principle was introduced into the Legislative Council, Peiris was elected unopposed.
Peiris led the campaign for a Royal Commission of Inquiry and the vindication of the reputations of those who had been falsely accused during the riots of 1915. Seeing the horror unleashed by the British governor and his advisers, he initiated a memorandum to be drawn in great secrecy along with other prominent members of society in order to bring it to the attention of the King and his majesties government. It was take to England hidden in the sole of a shoe by E. W. Perera
E. W. Perera
Edward Walter Perera was a Ceylonese barrister, politician and freedom fighter. He was known as the 'Lion of Kotte' and was a prominent figure in the Sri Lankan independence movement and a Senator....
. As a result of this the governor Sir
Sir
Sir is an honorific used as a title , or as a courtesy title to address a man without using his given or family name in many English speaking cultures...
Robert Chalmers was recalled.
The Legislative Council
Legislative Council
A Legislative Council is the name given to the legislatures, or one of the chambers of the legislature of many nations and colonies.A Member of the Legislative Council is commonly referred to as an MLC.- Unicameral legislatures :...
was reconstituted in 1924 with a majority of elected representatives. Peiris was elected as Vice President - a position he held until his death in 1930. The post of President was held by the Governor. Peiris accepted in 1925 a knighthood
Knight Bachelor
The rank of Knight Bachelor is a part of the British honours system. It is the most basic rank of a man who has been knighted by the monarch but not as a member of one of the organised Orders of Chivalry...
from the King and he was a Justice of the Peace
Justice of the Peace
A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
for the whole island.
He was first to propose the creation of a University College in Colombo. Following the establishment of the University College, Colombo (later to become the University of Ceylon
University of Ceylon
The University of Ceylon was the only university in Sri Lanka from 1942 until 1972. It had several constituent campuses at various locations around Sri Lanka. The University of Ceylon Act No. 1 of 1972, replaced it with the University of Sri Lanka which existed from 1973 to 1978. In 1978 it was...
), Peiris was a Member of the Advisory Council of the new University College.
Family & personal life
In 1889, Peiris married Grace de Mel daughter of Jacob de Mel and had 2 sons and 2 daughters: Ethel, Louise, Leonard and Devar Suriya Sena. He was a devoted Christian. He was a member of the Orient Club and the Vice President of the Sinhalese Sports Club and the Ceylon Social Reform Association, and a standing committee member of the Church of England Synod and a Fellow of the Colonial InstituteRoyal Commonwealth Society
The Royal Commonwealth Society is an international educational charity and a private members' club. Its mission is to support and promote the modern Commonwealth, its culture and core values...
. He was an excellent horse rider.
Legacy
Peiris is considered as one of the few distinguished Sri Lankan statesmen prior to its independence. In his honor one of the major streets in Colombo is named Sir James Peiris Mawatha and so is Sir James Peiris Hall a Hall of Residence at the University of PeradeniyaUniversity of Peradeniya
The University of Peradeniya is a world renowned state university in Sri Lanka, funded by the University Grants Commission...
. The Sir James Peiris Memorial Prize is one of the prestigious prizes awarded annually at Royal College, Colombo.
See also
- List of Cambridge Union Society presidents
- Sri Lankan independence movement
- Sri Lankan independence activistSri Lankan independence activistSri Lankan independence activists are those who are considered to have played a major role in the Sri Lankan independence movement from British Colonial rule during the 20th century.-List of National Heroes:*Don Stephen Senanayake...
- Legislative Council of CeylonLegislative Council of CeylonThe Legislative Council of Ceylon was the legislative body of Ceylon established in 1833, along with the Executive Council of Ceylon, on the recommendations of the Colebrooke-Cameron Commission. It was the first form of representative government in the island...