![]() With a slight drop of rainfall, the spectators believed that the proceedings were wrecked. After the Volunteers left the ground, the Artillerymen and the Highlanders joined in and the Major General presented his address. Next in line was a well planned and well executed march past in quarter column, while drums and bagpipes were played. This was followed by three hearty cheers for the Queen by the soldiers. ![]() After its completion, the Major General ordered to fire feu-de-joie, which was done in good style. With the arrival of Governor Gordon and the Major General, the customary salute and inspection took place. Over 800 commissioned and non-commissioned officers and the Royal Artillery took part in it. The event began with the Military Review at 7.00 am in front of the Military Hospital and its surroundings. This is a guesstimate based on what the broadsheets of Colombo reported. The grounds were filled with people of all classes and races, numbering up to around 20-30,000. This enabled a pleasant show for the outdoor entertainment instead of the usual tropical conditions. Though there were apprehensions that the planned ceremony may be marred by inclement weather, the day went on to be cloudy and breezy, after a short rainfall sparingly enough to polish the floors. The principal event of the celebrations was to be held at the Galle Face Green on June 28, 1887. Ceylon too, a stronghold of the British Raj celebrated the Queen’s Golden Jubilee with all the pomp and circumstance. ![]() In 1887, the British Empire celebrated Victoria’s Golden Jubilee. Victoria remained popular in Britain as well as her colonies, throughout her reign. During her rule Britain became a mighty empire and the world’s most powerful nation. When Victoria ascended the throne in 1837, Britain was largely a trade power. She is associated with Britain’s great age of industrial expansion, economic progress and especially the territorial expansion of the empire. However, unlike her predecessors or successors, the impact Victoria created in Britain and her colonies was so paramount that even her 64-year reign has been dubbed ‘the Victorian Era’. Queen Victoria was British Ceylon’s fourth monarch after George III, George IV, and her uncle William IV. Since the fall of Kandy in 1815, Ceylon significant for its innumerable resources and pivotal geographic location, became a colony of the British. By Avishka Mario Senewiratne and Nilantha Perera
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