Provisions of the Act of 1956 in Sri Lanka:
The Act of 1956 passed in Sri Lanka had several provisions aimed at promoting Sinhala language and Buddhism. However, one provision that was not included in this Act was the granting of autonomy to provinces.
The provisions of the Act of 1956 were as follows:
A:
B:
D:
However, the Act of 1956 did not include a provision granting autonomy to provinces. This means that the central government retained significant control over provincial affairs and decision-making.

The Act of 1956 passed in Sri Lanka was known as the Official Language Act. It aimed to establish Sinhala as the sole official language of the country, which had significant implications for the country's linguistic and ethnic minorities. Let's break down the provisions of this act:

a) Sinhala was recognized as the only official language: The Act of 1956 designated Sinhala as the sole official language of Sri Lanka. This provision meant that all government transactions, legal proceedings, and official communications would be conducted exclusively in Sinhala. This move marginalized the Tamil-speaking minority and other linguistic communities who were not proficient in Sinhala.

b) Buddhism was to be protected by the state: The Act of 1956 also aimed to protect and promote Buddhism, which is the dominant religion in Sri Lanka. This provision gave Buddhism a special status in the country and granted it state patronage. It led to the development of policies and practices that favored Buddhists in various aspects of life, including education, employment, and governance.

c) Provinces were given autonomy: This option was not a provision of the Act of 1956. The act focused primarily on language and religion, rather than regional autonomy. Sri Lanka did introduce a system of provincial councils in 1987 under the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, which granted some level of autonomy to the provinces. However, this was not included in the Act of 1956.

d) Sinhalas were favored in government jobs: The Act of 1956 indirectly favored Sinhalas in government jobs by making Sinhala the official language. As a result, those who were proficient in Sinhala had an advantage in accessing government employment opportunities. This provision had a significant impact on minority communities, such as Tamils, who faced barriers in accessing government positions due to language requirements.

In conclusion, the Act of 1956 passed in Sri Lanka recognized Sinhala as the only official language, protected Buddhism, and indirectly favored Sinhalas in government jobs. However, it did not provide autonomy to provinces.