Cyclical Social Hierarchies in Sri Lankan History: From Colonial Transition to Contemporary Political Change

Cyclical Social Hierarchies in Sri Lankan History: From Colonial Transition to Contemporary Political Change

By

Nimesha Thiwankara Senevipala 

This paper examines the cyclical nature of social hierarchy transformation in Sri Lankan history, drawing parallels between the collapse of the Kandyan monarchy in 1815 and contemporary political transitions beginning in 2024. Through historical analysis, this study proposes that Sri Lankan society undergoes systematic elite transformation approximately every two centuries, characterized by the dissolution of established power structures and the emergence of new social hierarchies. The research explores the mechanisms of these transitions and their implications for understanding current political developments.

Keywords:

Sri Lankan history, social hierarchy, political transition, Kandyan period, colonial impact, elite transformation

1. Introduction

The study of social stratification and elite transformation in Sri Lankan history reveals recurring patterns of hierarchical restructuring that merit systematic examination. This paper investigates the hypothesis that Sri Lankan society experiences cyclical transformations of its ruling classes approximately every two centuries, with particular focus on the transitions of 1815 and the contemporary period beginning in 2024.

2. Literature Review

Previous scholarship on Sri Lankan social history has examined the colonial transition (Dewaraja, 1988; Wickremeratne, 1973) and post-independence political developments (Manor, 1989; DeVotta, 2004), but limited attention has been paid to long-term cyclical patterns of elite transformation. This study builds upon existing historical analyses while proposing a new theoretical framework for understanding systematic social change.

3. Theoretical Framework

This analysis employs a cyclical theory of social hierarchy transformation, proposing that established elite systems undergo predictable phases:

1. Consolidation Phase: New elite groups establish dominance

2. Expansion Phase: Power structures mature and bureaucratize

3. Ossification Phase: Systems become rigid and internally conflicted

4. Collapse Phase: External pressures or internal contradictions cause system breakdown

5. Transition Phase: New hierarchies emerge from the dissolution of old structures

4. Historical Case Study 1: The Kandyan Transition (1815-1820)

4.1 Pre-Colonial Elite Structure

The Kandyan monarchy of the early 19th century exemplified advanced bureaucratization, with the feudal system reaching unprecedented complexity. The rise of figures like Ehelepola to positions equivalent to "Second King" demonstrated both the system's sophistication and its internal contradictions (Codrington, 1926).

 4.2 System Breakdown

King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe faced insurmountable challenges from bureaucratic fragmentation and British pressure. Unlike the unified officer corps under previous rulers like Senarath or Rajasinghe II, the early 19th-century administration suffered from acute internal divisions that rendered effective governance impossible.

4.3 Colonial Intervention and Elite Replacement

The 1815 capture of Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe marked not merely regime change but systematic social restructuring. The subsequent Colebrooke Reforms (1833) legally abolished traditional hierarchies, facilitating the emergence of a new colonial elite centered in the maritime provinces.

4.4 The Uva-Wellassa Rebellion (1817-1818)

The rebellion led by Keppetipola and other former Kandyan nobles represents the displaced aristocracy's attempt to restore traditional hierarchies. However, their failure confirmed the irreversible nature of the social transformation, with economic factors (arrack farming, graphite mining) replacing caste-based distinctions as primary sources of elite status.

5. Historical Case Study 2: The Colonial-Era Elite (1820-2024)

5.1 Formation of New Hierarchies

The post-1820 period witnessed the emergence of a new elite structure based on collaboration with colonial administration and economic entrepreneurship. This "comprador bourgeoisie" maintained dominance through the independence period and beyond.

 5.2 Bureaucratization and Ossification

By the late 20th and early 21st centuries, this elite had developed characteristics similar to pre-1815 Kandyan aristocracy: excessive bureaucratization, internal conflict, and disconnection from broader social changes.

5.3 Contemporary Challenges

The economic crisis of 2022 and subsequent political upheavals suggest systemic breakdown comparable to 1815, with established elites unable to address fundamental governance challenges.

6. Comparative Analysis

6.1 Temporal Patterns

The Govigama-dominated hierarchy lasted approximately 223 years (1592-1815), while the colonial-era elite system persisted for roughly 204 years (1820-2024). This suggests a cyclical pattern of approximately two centuries per hierarchical system.

6.2 Mechanisms of Change

Both transitions involved:

- Bureaucratic ossification of existing systems

- Internal elite fragmentation

- External pressure (British colonialism in 1815, economic crisis in 2022)

- Popular mobilization against established hierarchies

- Emergence of new social forces claiming legitimacy

7. Contemporary Implications

7.1 The 2024 Transition

Recent political developments suggest the beginning of another hierarchical transformation, with traditional elite groups losing influence to new political forces claiming to represent previously marginalized populations.

7.2 Predictive Framework

If historical patterns persist, the emerging hierarchy may consolidate over the coming decades before eventually facing its own cyclical challenges around 2220-2240.

8. Limitations and Critiques

This analysis faces several limitations:

1. Historical Determinism: Cyclical theories may oversimplify complex social processes

2. Contemporary Uncertainty: Current developments may represent shorter-term fluctuations rather than fundamental transformation

3. External Factors: Globalization and technological change introduce variables absent in previous cycles

4. Sample Size: Two complete cycles provide limited data for robust theoretical validation.

9. Conclusion

The comparative analysis reveals striking parallels between Sri Lanka's 1815 and 2024 transitions, supporting the hypothesis of cyclical elite transformation. However, contemporary global integration and technological advancement may alter traditional patterns. Further research should examine whether similar cycles exist in other post-colonial societies and how modern conditions affect these historical processes.

The study of these patterns offers insights into current political developments while highlighting the provisional nature of all social hierarchies. Understanding these cyclical transformations may assist policymakers and citizens in navigating contemporary challenges with greater historical awareness.

References

Codrington, H.W. (1926). A Short History of Ceylon. London: Macmillan.

Dewaraja, L.S. (1988). The Kandyan Kingdom of Ceylon 1707-1760. Colombo: Lake House.

DeVotta, N. (2004). Blowback: Linguistic Nationalism, Institutional Decay, and Ethnic Conflict in Sri Lanka. Stanford: Stanford University Press.

Manor, J. (1989). The Expedient Utopian: Bandaranaike and Ceylon. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Wickremeratne, A. (1973). "The Kandyan Kingdom and the British: Political and Diplomatic Relations, 1815-1818." Ceylon Historical Journal, 23(1-4), 1-85.