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List of Ceylonese executive councils

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This is a list of Ceylonese executive councils from its inception on 13 March 1833 until the creation of the Board of Ministers in 1931.

The Executive Council created in British Ceylon by the British colonial administration on the recommendations of the Colebrooke-Cameron Commission along with the Legislative Council of Ceylon as the legislative body.

At its creation the Executive Council was headed by the Governor, along with five members appointed by the Governor. These five members were officials who held the posts of the Colonial Secretary, the Attorney General, the Auditor-General, the Treasurer and the General Officer Commanding, Ceylon. The Council exercised executive power and advised the governor. As a result of the First Manning Reforms three non-officials were elected to the executive council.

Robert Wilmot-Horton
James Emerson Tennent
Arthur Hamilton-Gordon
Reginald Edward Stubbs
Andrew Caldecott

List of governors by monarch

[edit]
Date Monarch Head of Government
1833William IV
(1833-1837)
Queen Victoria
(1837-1837)		Robert Wilmot-Horton
1837Queen VictoriaJames Alexander Stewart-Mackenzie
1841Colin Campbell
1847Viscount Torrington
1850George William Anderson
1855Henry George Ward
1860Charles Justin MacCarthy
1865Hercules Robinson
1872William Henry Gregory
1877James Robert Longden
1883Arthur Hamilton-Gordon
1890Arthur Havelock
1896Queen Victoria
(1896-1901)
Edward VII
(1901-1903)		West Ridgeway
1903Edward VIIHenry Arthur Blake
1907Edward VII
(1907-1910)
George V
(1910-1913)		Henry Edward McCallum
1913George VRobert Chalmers
1916John Anderson
1918William Manning
1925Hugh Clifford
1928Herbert Stanley
1931Graeme Thomson
Board of Ministers of Ceylon (1931-1947)
1931George VFirst Board of Ministers of Ceylon
1936Edward VIII
(1936)
George VI		Second Board of Ministers of Ceylon

Wilmot-Horton executive council

[edit]

The government was led by Governor Robert Wilmot-Horton.[1][2]

Portrait Member of Council Office Took office Left office Notes
Robert Wilmot-HortonGovernor19 March 18337 November 1837
John RodneyColonial Secretary19 March 18331833Replaced by Philip Anstruther
Philip Anstruther1 May 18337 November 1837
Major general John WilsonCommander of Troops19 March 18337 November 1837
William NorrisAttorney General
as Advocate Fiscal		19 March 18331833Replaced by William Ogle Carr
William Ogle CarrAttorney General
as King's Advocate		2 April 18337 November 1837
Henry Augustus MarshallAuditor General
as Civil Auditor General		19 March 18337 November 1837
William GranvilleTreasurer19 March 18337 November 1837

Stewart-Mackenzie executive council

[edit]
Portrait Member of Council Office Took office Left office Notes
James Alexander Stewart-MackenzieGovernor7 November 183715 April 1841
Philip AnstrutherColonial Secretary7 November 183715 April 1841
Major general Robert ArbuthnotCommander of Troops7 November 183715 April 1841
William Ogle CarrAttorney General
as Queen's Advocate		7 November 18371838Served as King's Advocate
Replaced by John Stark
John Stark10 December 18381840Replaced by Arthur William Buller
Arthur William Buller17 October 184015 April 1841
Henry Augustus MarshallAuditor General7 November 18371 February 1841Served as Civil Auditor General
Henry Wright1 February 184115 April 1841
William GranvilleTreasurer7 November 18371841Replaced by George Turnour
George Turnour1 February 184115 April 1841

Campbell executive council

[edit]
Portrait Member of Council Office Took office Left office Notes
Colin CampbellGovernor15 April 184119 April 1847
Philip AnstrutherColonial Secretary15 April 18411845Replaced by James Emerson Tennent
James Emerson Tennent29 November 184519 April 1847
Lieutenant general Colin CampbellCommander of Troops16 April 1841?
Arthur William BullerAttorney General
as Queen's Advocate		15 April 184119 April 1847
Henry WrightAuditor General15 April 184119 April 1847
George TurnourTreasurer15 April 18411843Replaced by Francis Templer
Francis Templer1 November 184319 April 1847

Torrington executive council

[edit]
Portrait Member of Council Office Took office Left office Notes
Viscount TorringtonGovernor29 May 184718 October 1850
James Emerson TennentColonial Secretary29 May 184718 October 1850
Major general William SmeltCommander of Troops29 May 184718 October 1850
Arthur William BullerAttorney General
as Queen's Advocate		29 May 18471848Replaced by Henry Collingwood Selby
Henry Collingwood Selby23 June 184818 October 1850
Charles J. MacCarthyAuditor General29 May 184718 October 1850
Francis TemplerTreasurer29 May 18471848Replaced by Dillon Browne
Dillon Browne184818 October 1850

George William Anderson executive council

[edit]
Portrait Member of Council Office Took office Left office Notes
George William AndersonGovernor27 November 185018 January 1855
James Emerson TennentColonial Secretary27 November 18501851Replaced by Charles Justin MacCarthy
Charles Justin MacCarthy2 January 185118 January 1855
Major general William SmeltCommander of Troops27 November 1850?Replaced by Philip Bainbrigge
Major general Philip Bainbrigge23 May 1852?Replaced by Thomas Reed
Major general Thomas Reed13 September 185418 January 1855
Henry Collingwood SelbyAttorney General
as Queen's Advocate		27 November 185018 January 1855
Charles J. MacCarthyAuditor General27 November 18501 October 1851Replaced by W. C. Gibson
W. C. Gibson1 October 185118 January 1855
Dillon BrowneTreasurer27 November 18501854Replaced by John Caulfield
John Caulfield23 October 185418 January 1855

Ward executive council

[edit]
Portrait Member of Council Office Took office Left office Notes
Henry George WardGovernor11 May 185530 June 1860
Charles Justin MacCarthyColonial Secretary11 May 18551860
Major general Thomas ReedCommander of Troops11 May 1855?Replaced by Henry Frederick Lockyer
Major general Henry Frederick Lockyer185630 June 1860
Henry Collingwood SelbyAttorney General
as Queen's Advocate		11 May 18551858Replaced by Henry Byerley Thomson
Henry Byerley Thomson3 May 185830 June 1860
W. C. GibsonAuditor General11 May 185530 June 1860
John CaulfieldTreasurer11 May 185530 June 1860

MacCarthy executive council

[edit]
Portrait Member of Council Office Took office Left office Notes
Charles Justin MacCarthyGovernor22 October 18601 December 1863
W. C. GibsonColonial Secretary22 October 18601 December 1863
Major-General Terence O'BrienCommander of Troops1860?
Henry Byerley ThomsonAttorney General
as Queen's Advocate		22 October 18601863Replaced by Richard Morgan
Richard Morgan1 January 18631 December 1863
W. C. GibsonAuditor General22 October 1860Replaced by R. T. Pennefeather
R. T. Pennefeather24 June 18611 December 1863
John CaulfieldTreasurer22 October 18601861Replaced by Frederick Saunders
Frederick Saunders5 May 18611 December 1863

Robinson executive council

[edit]
Portrait Member of Council Office Took office Left office Notes
Hercules RobinsonGovernor16 May 18654 January 1872
W. C. GibsonColonial Secretary16 May 18651869Replaced by Henry Turner Irving
Henry Turner Irving4 June 18694 January 1872
Major general Studholme John HodgsonCommander of Troops1865?Replaced by Henry Renny
Major general Henry Renny1869?
Richard MorganAttorney General
as Queen's Advocate		16 May 18654 January 1872
R. T. PennefeatherAuditor General16 May 18653 January 1866Replaced by R. J. Callander
R. J. Callander3 January 186610 March 1870Replaced by John Douglas
John Douglas10 March 18704 January 1872
Frederick SaundersTreasurer16 May 18651865Replaced by George Vane
George Vane1 September 18654 January 1872

Gregory executive council

[edit]

The government was led by Governor William Henry Gregory.[3]

Portrait Member of Council Office Took office Left office Notes
William Henry GregoryGovernor4 March 18724 September 1877
Henry Turner IrvingColonial Secretary4 March 18721873Replaced by Arthur Birch
Arthur Birch3 June 18734 September 1877
Major general Henry RennyCommander of Troops4 March 1872?Replaced by John Alfred Street
Major general John Alfred Street18741877
Richard MorganAttorney General
as Queen's Advocate		4 March 18721876Replaced by Richard Cayley
Richard Cayley4 April 18764 September 1877
John DouglasAuditor General4 March 187216 June 1876Replaced by C. A. D. Barclay
C. A. D. Barclay16 June 18764 September 1877
George VaneTreasurer4 March 18724 September 1877

Longden executive council

[edit]
Portrait Member of Council Office Took office Left office Notes
James Robert LongdenGovernor4 September 187710 July 1883
Arthur BirchColonial Secretary4 September 18771878Replaced by John Douglas
John Douglas18 August 187810 July 1883
Major general John Alfred StreetCommander of Troops4 September 1877?Replaced by William Wilby
Major general William Wilby187910 July 1883
Richard CayleyAttorney General
as Queen's Advocate		4 September 18771879Replaced by Bruce Burnside
Bruce Burnside24 October 18791883
W. H. RavenscroftAuditor General4 September 187710 July 1883
George VaneTreasurer4 September 18771882Replaced by William D. Wright
William Dumaresq Wright22 June 188210 July 1883

Hamilton-Gordon executive council

[edit]
Portrait Member of Council Office Took office Left office Notes
Arthur Hamilton-GordonGovernor3 December 188328 May 1890
John DouglasColonial Secretary3 December 18831885Replaced by Cecil Clementi Smith
Cecil Clementi Smith17 November 18851887Replaced by Edward Noël Walker
Edward Noël Walker10 November 188728 May 1890
Major general William WilbyCommander of Troops3 December 18831886Replaced by Francis Conninsby Hannan Clarke
Lieutenant colonel Francis Conninsby Hannan ClarkeCommander of the Ceylon Volunteers20 April 188828 May 1890
Francis FlemmingAttorney General3 December 18831886Replaced by Samuel Grenier
Samuel Grenier30 September 188628 May 1890
W. H. RavenscroftAuditor General3 December 188328 May 1890
William Dumaresq WrightTreasurer3 December 18831886Replaced by George Thomas Michael O'Brien
George Thomas Michael O'Brien6 August 18861890

Havelock executive council

[edit]
Portrait Member of Council Office Took office Left office Notes
Arthur HavelockGovernor28 May 189024 October 1895
Edward Noël WalkerColonial Secretary28 May 189024 October 1895
Lieutenant colonel Francis Conninsby Hannan ClarkeCommander of the Ceylon Volunteers28 May 189027 August 1893Replaced by Henry Byrde
Lieutenant colonel Henry Byrde28 August 189324 October 1895
Samuel GrenierAttorney General28 May 18901892Replaced by Charles Layard
Charles Layard1 November 189224 October 1895
W. H. RavenscroftAuditor General28 May 189018 October 1890Replaced by George Thomas Michael O'Brien
George Thomas Michael O'Brien18 October 189031 July 1891Replaced by J. A. Swettenham
J. A. Swettenham31 July 189110 June 1895Replaced by J. A. Taylor
William Thomas Taylor10 June 189524 October 1895
George Thomas Michael O'BrienTreasurer28 May 18901890Replaced by Frederick Richard Saunders
Frederick Richard Saunders18 October 189024 October 1895

Ridgeway executive council

[edit]
Portrait Member of Council Office Took office Left office Notes
Joseph West RidgewayGovernor10 February 189619 November 1903
Edward Noël WalkerColonial Secretary10 February 18961901Replaced by Everard im Thurn
Everard im Thurn18 June 190119 November 1903
Lieutenant colonel Henry ByrdeCommander of the Ceylon Volunteers10 February 189613 May 1896Replaced by A. F. C. Vincent
Colonel A. F. C. Vincent13 May 189619 November 1903Served as Commander of the Ceylon Volunteers Force
Charles LayardAttorney General10 February 18961902Replaced by Alfred Lascelles
Alfred Lascelles18 June 190219 November 1903
William Thomas TaylorAuditor General10 February 18961 March 1902Replaced by F. R. Ellis
F. R. Ellis1 March 190219 November 1903
Frederick Richard SaundersTreasurer10 February 18961899Replaced by L. F. Lee
Lionel Frederick Lee1 April 18991899Replaced by Charles Pennycuick
Charles Edward Ducat Pennycuick5 December 18991901Replaced by H. H. Cameron
Hardinge Hay Cameron11 June 190119 November 1903

Blake executive council

[edit]
Portrait Member of Council Office Took office Left office Notes
Henry Arthur BlakeGovernor3 December 190311 July 1907
Everard im ThurnColonial Secretary3 December 19031904Replaced by Alexander Murray Ashmore
Alexander Murray Ashmore10 September 19047 December 1906Replaced by ?
?190611 July 1907
Colonel A. F. C. VincentCommander of the Ceylon Volunteers Force3 December 190311 July 1907
Alfred George LascellesAttorney General3 December 190311 July 1907
F. R. EllisAuditor General3 December 19031 March 1907Replaced by Bernard Senior
Bernard Senior1 March 190711 July 1907Served as Colonial Auditor
Hardinge Hay CameronTreasurer3 December 19031904Replaced by H. C. Nicolle
Hilgrove Clement Nicolle6 September 190411 July 1907

McCallum executive council

[edit]
Portrait Member of Council Office Took office Left office Notes
Henry Edward McCallumGovernor24 August 190724 January 1913
Hugh CliffordColonial Secretary24 August 1907
Colonel A. F. C. VincentCommander of the Ceylon Volunteers Force24 August 190724 January 1913
Alfred George LascellesAttorney General24 August 19071911Replaced by Anton Bertram
Anton Bertram18 May 191124 January 1913
Bernard SeniorAuditor General
as Colonial Auditor		24 August 19078 April 1909Replaced by D. S. MacGregor
D. S. MacGregor8 April 190924 January 1913
Hilgrove Clement NicolleTreasurer24 August 19071908Replaced by Bernard Senior
Bernard Senior12 December 190824 January 1913

Chalmers executive council

[edit]
Portrait Member of Council Office Took office Left office Notes
Robert ChalmersGovernor18 October 19134 December 1915
Reginald Edward StubbsColonial Secretary19134 December 1915
Brigadier general R. B. FellCommander of the Ceylon Defence Force18 October 19136 March 1914
Lieutenant colonel W. G. B. Dickson6 March 1914?Acting
Lieutenant colonel Edward James Hayward7 October 1914?Acting, Honorary Lieutenant colonel
Brigadier general R. B. Fell?4 December 1915
Anton BertramAttorney General18 October 19134 December 1915
D. S. MacGregorAuditor General
as Colonial Auditor		18 October 191327 May 1914
Wilfrid Wentworth Woods27 May 19144 December 1915
Bernard SeniorTreasurer18 October 19134 December 1915

John Anderson executive council

[edit]
Portrait Member of Council Office Took office Left office Notes
John AndersonGovernor15 April 191624 March 1918
Reginald Edward StubbsColonial Secretary15 April 191624 March 1918
Brigadier general R. B. FellCommander of the Ceylon Defence Force15 April 191624 March 1918
Anton BertramAttorney General15 April 191624 March 1918
Wilfrid Wentworth WoodsAuditor General
as Colonial Auditor		15 April 191624 March 1918
Bernard SeniorTreasurer15 April 191624 March 1918

Manning executive council

[edit]
Portrait Member of Council Office Took office Left office Notes
William ManningGovernor10 September 19181 April 1925
Reginald Edward StubbsColonial Secretary10 September 19181919
Cecil Clementi19221925
Brigadier general R. B. FellCommander of the Ceylon Defence Force10 September 191831 December 1919Replaced by Thomas Howard Chapman
Lieutenant colonel Thomas Howard Chapman1 January 192021 July 1920Acting, Replaced by F. M. G. Rowley
Brigadier general F. M. G. Rowley22 July 19201 April 1925
Anton BertramAttorney General10 September 19181918Replaced by Henry Gollan
Henry Gollan15 October 19181924Replaced by Lancelot Henry Elphinstone
Lancelot Henry Elphinstone6 October 19241 April 1925
Wilfrid Wentworth WoodsAuditor General
as Colonial Auditor		10 September 19181 March 1922Replaced by F. G. Morley
F. G. Morley1 March 19221 April 1925
Bernard SeniorTreasurer10 September 19181922
Wilfrid Wentworth Woods22 February 1922

Clifford executive council

[edit]
Portrait Member of Council Office Took office Left office Notes
Hugh CliffordGovernor30 November 1925June 1927
?Colonial Secretary
Brigadier general F. M. G. RowleyCommander of the Ceylon Defence Force30 November 19258 February 1927Replaced by Albion Earnest Andrews
Colonel Albion Earnest Andrews9 February 1927June 1927
Lancelot Henry ElphinstoneAttorney General30 November 1925June 1927
F. G. MorleyAuditor General
as Colonial Auditor		30 November 1925June 1927
Wilfrid Wentworth WoodsTreasurer30 November 1925June 1927

Stanley executive council

[edit]
Portrait Member of Council Office Took office Left office Notes
Herbert StanleyGovernor20 August 192811 February 1931
?Colonial Secretary20 August 19281929Replaced by Bernard Henry Bourdillon
Bernard Henry Bourdillon192911 February 1931
Colonel Albion Earnest AndrewsCommander of the Ceylon Defence Force20 August 192814 December 1928
Lieutenant colonel G. B. Stevens14 December 192828 April 1929Acting
Lieutenant colonel Edward Bromfield Ferrers29 April 192911 February 1931
Lancelot Henry ElphinstoneAttorney General20 August 19281929
Edward St. John Jackson12 May 192911 February 1931
F. G. MorleyAuditor General
as Colonial Auditor		20 August 192811 February 1931
Wilfrid Wentworth WoodsTreasurer

Thomson executive council

[edit]
Portrait Member of Council Office Took office Left office Notes
Graeme ThomsonGovernor11 April 1931July 1931
Bernard Henry BourdillonColonial Secretary11 April 1931July 1931
Colonel Edward Bromfield FerrersCommander of the Ceylon Defence Force11 April 1931July 1931
Edward St. John JacksonAttorney General11 April 1931July 1931
F. G. MorleyAuditor General
as Colonial Auditor		11 April 193125 June 1931Replaced by Oliver Ernest Goonetilleke
Oliver Ernest Goonetilleke25 June 1931July 1931
Wilfrid Wentworth WoodsTreasurer

Dissolution

[edit]

With enactment of the new constitution of the Dominion of Ceylon in 1947 the Board of Ministers was replaced by a National Cabinet.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ Samaraweera, Vijaya (1972). "Governor Sir Robert Wilmot Horton and the Reforms of 1833 in Ceylon". The Historical Journal. 15 (2): 209–228. ISSN 0018-246X. JSTOR 2638119.
  2. ↑ "Sir Robert Wilmot Horton (Governor of Ceylon) 1831-1837". www.royal.sch.lk.
  3. ↑ Gregory, Vere R. T. (1943). The House of Gregory. The Richview Press, Dublin: Browne and Nolan Limited. pp. 81–82.
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