Oliver Goonetilleke

Sir Oliver Ernest Goonetilleke, GCMG, KCVO, KBE (Sinhala: ශ්‍රිමත් ඔලිවර් අර්නස්ට් ගුණතිලක; 20 October 1892 – 17 December 1978) became the third Governor-General of Ceylon (1954-1962). He was the first Ceylonese to hold the vice-regal post. Goonetilleke played an important role in the war of independence for Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) from Britain.

Goonetilleke was Governor-General from July 17, 1954 to March 2, 1962. He served for 8 years. The monarch during his term as Governor-General was Queen Elizabeth II.

Personal details

Goonetilleke was born on October 20, 1892 in Trincomalee, Ceylon. He died on December 17, 1978 in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Goonetilleke had a wife named Esther Goonetilleke and had three children.

Preceded by Herwald Ramsbotham

Governor-General of Ceylon 1954-1962

Succeeded by William Gopallawa