The Proceedings Of The Legislative Council Of Ceylon - Relating To The Visit Of H.R.H. The Prince Of Wales - Together With Its Address Of Welcome And The Reply Thereto.
Published by HR Cottle, Government Printer: Ceylon 1922
RARE BOOK
"The 1922 visit of the Prince of Wales—then the future King Edward VIII—to Ceylon was part of a larger imperial tour that began in late 1921 and took the heir through India, Ceylon, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and several other dominions. Officially the trip was framed as a goodwill mission: the Prince was to reinforce the bonds of loyalty between the British Crown and its overseas territories, demonstrate the unity of the empire after the upheavals of the First World War, and encourage economic and administrative cooperation. While in Ceylon he attended ceremonial receptions, inspected military units, visited tea plantations and met with local officials, community leaders and representatives of the island's diverse ethnic groups. The itinerary also included visits to schools, hospitals and charitable institutions, underscoring the Crown's interest in social development and the modernization agenda promoted by the colonial administration.
The visit was historically significant for several reasons. It marked the first time a member of the British royal family had set foot in Ceylon, giving the colony a heightened sense of prestige and visibility within the empire. The spectacle of the royal entourage—parades, public addresses and extensive press coverage—stimulated a surge of nationalist sentiment among educated Ceylonese elites, who used the occasion to articulate aspirations for greater self‑government and to critique the limits of colonial rule. Moreover, the Prince's interactions with local business leaders and plantation owners highlighted the strategic importance of Ceylon's tea and rubber industries to Britain's post‑war economy, prompting renewed investment and infrastructural projects. In the longer view, the 1922 tour helped lay the groundwork for subsequent constitutional reforms, including the Donoughmore Constitution of 1931, by exposing both the possibilities and the tensions inherent in imperial governance."
Light wear and fading to covers and spine. No inscriptions. Pages with wrinkling and some staining. Nothing loose. A decent copy of a scarce, limited edition commemorative publication. Please study photos to further understand condition.
