22 March 1965 1970 → 30 Seats, 37.19% 75 Seats, 33.22% 36 34 | 1957 1960 66 41 1,590,929 1,221,437 | |
General elections were held in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) in March 1965.
Contents
Background
The SLFP government of Sirimavo Bandaranaike lost its majority in December 1964 when some MPs deserted it over the nationalization of Lakehouse Newspapers.
Bandaranaike's program of extensive nationalization had alarmed many of the island's business interests, which rallied to the United National Party. The economy had been stagnant, and rationing had been imposed in the face of persistent food shortages.
The UNP promised to form a National Front government to oppose the SLFP and its Marxist allies. UNP leader Dudley Senanayake promised cabinet posts both to the small Sinhala nationalist parties and the Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (Federal Party).
Results
The UNP did not obtain a majority, but was able to govern as a National Front with the ITAK's support.