The Ceylon National Congress (Sinhala: ලංකා ජාතික කොන්ග්රසය Lanka Jathika Kongrasaya) (CNC) was a political party in colonial-era Ceylon founded on 11 December 1919.Growth of nationalist power It was founded during a period when nationalism and support for the Sri Lankan independence movement grew quite intensely amidst British colonial rule in Ceylon. It was formed by members of the Ceylon National Association (founded in 1888) and the Ceylon Reform League (founded in 1917).Working towards reform, The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka) Retrieved 23 April 2015
The Ceylon National Congress played an instrumental role in the Sri Lankan independence movement.History of Sri Lanka Sir Ponnambalam Arunachalam was the founding president of the party.Sir Ponnambalam Arunachalam (1853 - 1924) In October 1920, Sir James Peiris was elected president, staunchly supported by F. R. Senanayake and future prime minister D. S. Senanayake.The Ceylon National Congress and its intrigues By K T Rajasingham, Asia Times Online, Retrieved 23 April 2015Chapter 18, Sri Lankan Tamil Struggle Other former presidents include D. B. Jayatilaka, E. W. Perera, C. W. W. Kannangara, Patrick de Silva Kularatne, H. W. Amarasuriya, W. A. de Silva, George E. de Silva and Edwin Wijeyeratne.An illustrious son of Sabaragamuwa. Daily News, Retrieved on 20 October 2007. The Ceylon National Congress would pave the way for the formation of the United National Party. In 1943, D. S. Senanayake resigned from the Congress because he disagreed with its revised aim of achieving full freedom from the British Empire, preferring the Dominion status.SRI LANKA: THE UNTOLD STORY, Chapter 10: Lord Soulbury and his soulless report By K T Rajasingham, Retrieved 11-06-2015
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