THE CONTRIBUTION OF SIR HENRY WARD TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF SRI LANKAN AGRICULTURE AND IRRIGATION (1855 -1860)

Abstract

Since the beginning of colonization, agriculture which centered on paddy cultivation prevailed as the major occupation of Sri Lankan inhabitants as a result of the favorable environmental conditions of the island. Even though paddy cultivation primarily revolved around the areas of the dry zone among others, the inadequacy of water in the zone posed a significant threat, due to the concern which, the ancient kings took the initiative of building substantial irrigational works to propel the growth of paddy cultivation. However, the fall of ancient kingdoms, the relocation of areas of control to the Southwest and the arrival of the Europeans to the island in the fifteenth century paved the pathway to the deterioration of irrigation and thus the gradual decline of local agriculture. As a result of the diversion of European attention from the welfare of the people to the development of commercial crops to increase their revenue, it was impossible to expect that the Europeans would preserve and restore the might of Sri Lankan agriculture. Nevertheless, certain efforts have been undertaken to develop agriculture and restore irrigation by the Dutch during their occupation on the island as they sought to lessen the expenditure spent on rice imports. Similarly, several British administrators concentrated their attention on agriculture in various ways. Among them, those who were instated into power after 1855 hold importance. Thus, the focus of the study is to investigate the efforts of Sir Henry Ward, who was one of the first British administrators to look empathetically at the troubles of native inhabitants. He travelled to the dry zone and the cultivable lands by himself to attempt to understand the realistic living conditions of the people after which he launched agriculture development projects. Furthermore, he began the restoration process of deteriorated agriculture by recultivating large acres of paddy through the restoration of irrigation canals, which provided water for the paddy fields. This research is intended to be carried out by studying literary sources, which would include British administration reports, sessional papers and other governmental sources as primary sources. Subsequently, secondary sources relevant to the area of focus are expected to be duly analyzed. The study discerns that, there has been European intervention in the fields of agriculture and irrigation not only during the British period but also in the Dutch period in Sri Lanka. Simultaneously, the scope of the study weighs the contribution of Sir Henry Ward to the restoration of agriculture within the island in relation to his successors and predecessors.