Tab Article

Genre: History, Biography, Politics
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

Book Review:
This book is a valuable and authoritative historical account of the British period in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), tracing the island's journey from a Crown Colony to a sovereign state in 1948. Written by H.A.J. Hulugalle in 1963, it remains an essential resource for students of this era.

The book's strength lies in its use of authentic and often inaccessible sources, providing a clear picture of Ceylon's economic, political, and social development. Rather than a dry chronology, Hulugalle presents the striking and human stories of the British Governors, portraying them not just as empire builders but as links in a chain of modern development.

Written in a simple and highly readable style, the narrative is enriched by figures from world history and includes a postscript by the last Colonial Governor. It is a fascinating cross-section of tales from the British Empire, offering deep insights into a formative period of Sri Lankan history.