18 Facts About James Peiris

Sir James Peiris was a prominent leader in the Sri Lankan independence movement, the first elected Vice-President of the Legislative Council of Ceylon and the first native Governor of Ceylon.

James Peiris won the English University Scholarship in 1877 and proceeded to St John's College, Cambridge at the University of Cambridge.

James Peiris was called to Bar at Lincoln's Inn in England thus becoming a barrister.

James Peiris refused to join the Ceylon Civil Service and instead started a law practice.

In 1915 James 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.

James Peiris was the chairman of the committee which was protesting the British Governor's handling of the riots and the unfair and discriminative treatment being meted out to Sinhala Buddhist leaders.

James Peiris continued the struggle for reforms and promoted greater representation of natives in the government bureaucracy and the judiciary.

On two occasions when nominations had to be made for the position of "an educated Ceylonese" James Peiris was passed over, notwithstanding his ability and integrity.

Immediately the elective principle was introduced into the Legislative Council, James Peiris was elected unopposed.

In 1922 James Peiris led the fight against the Supply Bill which sought to increase taxation and led a walkout from the Legislative Council in protest.

The post of president was held nominally by the governor, and James Peiris presided over the council and acted as officer administering the government.

James Peiris was first to propose the creation of a University College in Colombo and the means of financing it.

In 1889, James Peiris married Grace de Mel, eldest daughter of Jacob De Mel and Dona Helena nee Ferdinando and had two sons and two daughters; Ethel, Louise, Leonard and Herbert, later known as Devar Suriya Sena.

James Peiris's nephews included Harold Peiris, portraitist Harry Pieris and Archbishop Lakdasa De Mel.

James Peiris was a devoted Christian and a standing committee member of the Church of England synod.

James Peiris was a Fellow of the Colonial Institute, a president of the Sinhalese Sports Club, founding secretary of the Royal College Union, member of the Orient Club, founder of the Low-Country Products' Association, the Ceylon Social Service League, the Ceylon Social Reform Association and the Cheshire Home.

James Peiris was known for his ability and interest in horsemanship and farming.

James Peiris is considered as one of the few distinguished Sri Lankan statesmen prior to its independence and is often referred to as the Father of Constitutional Reforms.