Srilanka turned back to GMT
Sri Lanka on Saturday went back to Indian Standard Time (GMT plus 5.30 hours) after a gap of ten years. Among the chief reasons cited for the change are synchronisation with India and maximum use of  daylight. The changeover took place at 12.00 am on April 15. April 14 night-April 15 morning was chosen because it coincides with the auspicious Sinhala and Tamil New Year. This is the sixth change in 64 years, and the third in the last ten years. Since 1880, the Sri Lanka or Ceylon Time has varied between GMT plus 5.30 hrs to GMT plus 6.30 hours. War time needs, day light and electricity saving, a more convenient school timing, and synchronisation with India, have been among the reasons given for the shifts. In 1880, it was GMT plus 5.30 hrs. During World War II, in January 1942, when the Japanese were on the verge of invading Sri Lanka, the time was shifted to GMT plus 6.00 hrs. In September the same year, it was further advanced to 6.30 hrs. When the War ended in 1945, Sri Lanka jumped back to GMT plus 5.30 hrs to be in tune with neighbouring India. But in May 1996, it was changed to GMT plus 6.30 hrs because of a severe power shortage in the country. Day light had to be used to the maximum. However, this had to be changed again in October of the same year, because parents of school going children found it difficult to pack their kids off to school very early in the morning. Sri Lankan schools start very early. |
