The 1833
Colebrooke-Cameron Commission recommended the creation of the
Legislative Council and the Executive Council, the first step in representative government in British Ceylon. Accordingly, both were established on 19 March 1833 by
letters patent. The Executive Council initially consisted of the
British Governor (the president of the council) and five other senior British officials: the
General Officer Commanding, the
Colonial Secretary (Principal Secretary), the
Kings's Advocate, the
Treasurer and the
Government Agent for the
Central Province. The Council also included unofficial representation for the Sinhalese, Europeans, Tamils and
Burghers. The governor had to consult the Executive Council in the discharge of his duties but he could over rule the council's advice. In 1840 the
Auditor-General replaced the Government Agent for the Central Province on the council and in 1883 the Queen's Advocate post was renamed
Attorney General. The Second Manning Reforms of 1924 added four unofficial members to the Executive Council. The 1927-8
Donoughmore Commission recommended that Ceylon be given limited self-government and the replacement of the Legislative Council and Executive Council with the
State Council and Board of Ministers respectively. This was in order to make Ceylon more democratic and give the people more representation. ==List==