The development of a capitalist economy forces…

The development of a capitalist economy forces the traditional elite—the chiefs and headmen among the low-country Sinhalese and the Kandyan aristocracy—to compete with new groups for the favors of the British.

These upwardly mobile, primarily urban, professionals form a new class that transcends divisions of race and caste.

This class, particularly its uppermost strata, is steeped in Western culture and ideology.

This anglicized elite generally has conservative political leanings, is loyal to the government, and resembles the British so much in outlook and social customs that its members are sometimes called brown sahibs.

At the apex of this new class is a handful of Sri Lankans who have been able to join the exclusive ranks of the civil service in the nineteenth century.

The first Sri Lankan entered by competitive examination in 1840.

At that time, entrance examinations were held only in London and required an English education, so only a few members of the native middle class could aspire to such an elitist career.

Consequently, in spite of the liberal policies that Colebrooke and Cameron recommended, the British hold virtually all high posts in the colonial administration.