Prime Minister's Office (Sri Lanka) the Parliament. The office of prime minister was formed in 1947 with D. S. Senanayake becoming the first Prime Minister of Ceylon. It consisted of a Secretary (Permanent Secretary) and an Assistant Secretary, who were officers of the Ceylon Civil Service, and a Private Secretary, along with clerical and support staff based at the Senate Building along with the Senate, Cabinet office and the Ministry of External Affairs and Defence. Since 1960 the prime minister's office has been based at Sirimathipaya Mansion on Sir Ernest de Silva Mawatha (formerly Flower Road), Colombo which was the former residence of philanthropist Sir
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Disraeli had spoken directly to party loyalists before on special occasions – he was the first to canvass an entire constituency, delivering his message to anyone who would listen, encouraging his supporters and trying to convert his opponents. Publicised nationwide, Gladstone's message became that of the party. Noting its significance, Lord Shaftesbury said, "It is a new thing and a very serious thing to see the Prime Minister on the stump." Campaigning directly to the people became commonplace. Several 20th century Prime Ministers, such as David Lloyd George and Winston Churchill, were famous for their oratorical skills. After the