The Youth Leagues were societies of young people, mainly intellectuals, who wanted independence for Sri Lanka.
A group of young intellectuals who had returned to the island in the early thirties, having completed their studies abroad where they had been influenced by the Marxist and labour movements, enthusiastically participated in the radical activities of the newly formed Youth Leagues, which became a focus of anti-imperialist agitation among the youth.
In February 1933 they became involved in a strike at the Wellawatte Spinning and Weaving mills, the island's largest textile factory at that time with 1,400 workers (two-thirds of Indian origin and one-third Sinhalese).
In opposition to the official Poppy Day sponsored by the British colonial administration (which sent the funds it raised to Britain) the Youth Leagues sold the local Suriya (Portia tree) flower, with the proceeds going to Ceylonese ex-servicemen.
The Ministers of the Ceylon National Congress petitioned the colonial government to increase their powers, instead of demanding full independence, or even dominion status.