Donoughmore Commission, 1931

The Donoughmore Government was implemented with the aim of eliminating the weaknesses of the Manning-Dovenshire Government, which had been in place since 1924. The Donoughmore Report is considered to be one of the more significant public documents on colonial affairs of the 20th century. As a result of the implementation of the proposal, democratic principles began to be gradually institutionalised in Sri Lanka.Better and progressive proposals including universal suffrage, abolition of communal representation, provincial representation, establishment of the State Council, the Executive Committee system, establishment of the Council of Ministers, etc. were included in the Donoughmore system of government. The first State Council meeting was held on July 07, 1931.

The testimony given by members of the "Society for Women's Suffrage," including Agnes Silva, before the Commission, was significant in providing women with the right to vote.

Evidence given by Agnes de Silva before Donoughmore Commission on need for female franchise, vol. 4, 1927

Hansard, 07.07.1931, State Council