746E.00/6–152: Telegram
The Chargé in Ceylon (Gufler) to the Department of State
priority
650. With results all 95 districts announced, following is parties standing in order gains, losses, total: UNP 23, 12, 54; Freedom Party 6, 6, 9; LSSP 1, 6, 9; Front 0, 2, 4; Tamil Cong 0, 1, 4; Federalist 1, 1, 2; Moors 2, 0, 2; Labor 1, 1, 1; Peoples Republican 0, 1, 1; Independents including speaker 5, 2, 9. Of 7 former Indian Cong seats, UNP won 6, Labor 1.
Among last day victors were MinFin Jayewardene, Freedom Party leader Bandaranaike, LSSP leader Perera, English wife of CP leader Wickermasinghe. Losers include Wickermasinghe, Federalist President Chelvanayakam, Parl Sec Home Min Kanagaratnam, Freedom Party Sri Nissanka.
UNP having clear majority Senanayake remains PriMin and expected choose new Cabinet within few days.
Among factors that contributed to UNP victory are following: (1) sentimental reaction to death former PriMin and energetic personal campaign by PriMin who promised carry out father’s policies (this was principal factor mentioned by PriMin in interview with AP representatives); (2) support principal Buddhist and Christian religious leaders; (3) effective use Indian citizenship and immigration question by presentation UNP as only reliable defense against Indian “imperialism” opposition mishandled this issue and continued see greatest foreign threat in Anglo-American “imperialism”; (4) appeal to traditionalist conservatism villagers through anti-Marxist campaign labeling opposition as enemies religion and agents Soviet imperialism; (5) bad strategy opposition parties which made outward motions toward cooperation but actually fought each other. Apparent alliance, however, enabled UNP include Freedom Party in anti-Marxist attacks; [Page 1521] (6) superior UNP organization, large campaign fund, and support entire English and Sinhalese daily press; (7) order of polling with UNP held constituencies placed first.