Parliamentary elections were held in Ceylon in March 1965.

Quick Facts 151 seats in the House of Representatives of Ceylon 76 seats were needed for a majority, First party ...

1965 Ceylonese parliamentary election

← July 1960 22 March 1965 1970 →
151 seats in the House of Representatives of Ceylon 76 seats were needed for a majority
First party Second party   Leader Dudley Senanayake Sirimavo Bandaranaike Party UNP SLFP Leader since 1957 1960 Leader's seat Dedigama Attanagalla Last election 37.19%, 30 seats 33.22%, 75 seats Seats won 66 41 Seat change 36 34 Popular vote 1,590,929 1,221,437 Percentage 39.31% 30.18%
Prime Minister before election Sirimavo Bandaranaike SLFP Prime Minister-designate Dudley Senanayake UNP

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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).

The UNP did not obtain a majority, but was able to govern as a National Front with the ITAK's support.