1896ban

The 1896ban is a historical term used by scholars to denote a specific prohibition enacted in the British colony of Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) during the year 1896. The ban, formally titled the "Ceylon Import Restrictions Act of 1896," was introduced by Governor Sir William Henry Gregory as part of a broader effort to protect the colony’s local textile industry amid increasing competition from imported cotton goods. Under the Act, the importation of certain categories of cotton textiles—particularly those classified as “world‑market ready”—was prohibited for a period of five years. The legislation established an import licensing system, and violation of the ban attracted steep fines and, in some cases, confiscation of goods.

Historical analysis suggests that the 1896ban was driven by economic concerns rather than political repression; it aimed to give home‑grown manufacturers a chance to consolidate their markets. However, the ban also attracted criticism from merchants, particularly from the Indian diaspora who had long been involved in textile trade. By 1902, following lobbying by local business interests and a shift in imperial policy toward liberal trade, the restrictions were gradually eased and the Act was partially repealed in phases.

The 1896ban remains a frequently cited case study in colonial trade policy, illustrating how imperial authorities balanced economic protectionism with the demands of a diverse colonial economy. It also marked a moment when the local textile sector began to emerge from its early stage of development, setting the stage for the modernization of manufacturing in Sri Lanka.