S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike
Solomon West Ridgeway Dias Bandaranaiek (Sinhala: සොලමන් වෙස්ට් රිජ්වේ ඩයස් බණ්ඩාරනායක, Tamil: சாலமன் வெஸ்ட் ரிச்சர்ட் டயஸ் பண்டாரநாயக்கா; 8 January 1899 – 26 September 1959) commonly known as S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike, was the fourth Prime Minister of Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). He was killed (assassinated) by a Buddhist monk named Talduwe Somarama.[1]
S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike | |
|---|---|
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| Prime Minister of Sri Lanka | |
| In office 1956–1959 | |
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Preceded by | John Kotelawala |
| Succeeded by | Wijeyananda Dahanayake |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 8 January 1899 Colombo, British Ceylon |
| Died | 26 September 1959 (aged 60) Colombo, Sri Lanka |
| Nationality | Ceylonese |
| Political party | Sri Lanka Freedom Party |
| Spouse(s) | Sirimavo Bandaranaike |
| Children | Sunethra, Chandrika, Anura |
| Profession | Politician, Barrister |
| Website | Official Website |
Early life
It is believed he was privately tutored and was sent to S.Thomas' for sake of record. He entered Oxford University instead.
Bandaranaike was born in Colombo, Ceylon to a Sinhalese Anglican Christian family and was the son of the powerful Sir Solomon Dias Bandaranike the Maha Mudaliyar (the chief native and advisor to the Governor) of Horagolla Walauwa in Atthanagalla, during the British colonial rule, who named his son after West Ridgeway, the Governor of Ceylon at the time was his god father. In later life he converted to Buddhism in order to join politics. He received his secondary education at St Thomas' College and went on to study modern greats at Christ Church, Oxford University, where he was Secretary of the famous Oxford Union.
Political career
As a young lawyer, Bandaranaike became active in the Ceylon National Congress (CNC). He was elected to the Colombo Municipal Council in 1926. From 1931 to 1947 he served in the State Council of Ceylon. In order to raise Sinhala culture and community interests, Bandaranaike organized the Sinhala Maha Sabha in 1936. In 1946 he backed the United National Party (UNP) and held posts from 1947 to 1951. In 1951, Bandaranaike led his Sinhala Maha Sabha out of the UNP and established the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP).
S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike Media
The first Cabinet of Ministers of Ceylon. Bandaranaike is in the first row-second from the left
Bandaranaike in Kandy as Minister of Health and Local Government
Bandaranaike with Srimavo and E. L. Senanayake on 23 September 1959 in Kandy, two days before his assassination.
Bandaranaike Samadhi- S.W.R.D.'s tomb at Horagolla, Sri Lanka
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References
- ↑ "Solomon West Ridgeway Dias Bandaranaike". Encarta.MSN. Archived from the original on 2008-04-01. Retrieved 2013-07-03.