W. D. S. Abeygoonawardena
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W. D. S. Abeygoonawardena | |
|---|---|
| Mayor of Galle | |
| In office 1966–1969 | |
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Preceded by | A. R. M. Thassim |
| Succeeded by | D. P. Wijenarayana |
| Member of the Ceylon Parliament for Galle | |
| In office March 1960 – June 1960 | |
| Preceded by | Wijeyananda Dahanayake |
| Succeeded by | Wijeyananda Dahanayake |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Wijesekera Don Simon Abeygoonawardena 3 October 1907 Matara |
| Died | 30 December 1975 (aged 68) Galle |
| Nationality | Ceylonese |
| Political party | United National Party |
| Spouse | K. M. Charlotte Abeygoonawardena |
| Children | 7 |
| Residence(s) | "Abeywasa" Inland Hills Estate Karapitiya, Galle |
| Alma mater | St. Aloysius College, Mahinda College, St. Peter's College |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Profession | Politician |
| Website | [1] |
Wijesekera Don Simon Abeygoonawardena (3 October 1907 – 30 December 1975), commonly known as W. D. S. Abeygoonawardena, was a Ceylonese businessman and politician.[1] He served as a Member of Parliament for the Galle electorate and as the Mayor of Galle.
Early life
[edit]Wijesekera Don Simon Abeygoonawardena was born on 3 October 1907 in Naotunna, Matara. He was the third son of Wijesekara Don Diyonis Abeygoonawardena and Gimara Podi Hami (née Kaluarachchi). He received his education at St. Aloysius' College, Mahinda College, and St. Peter's College.
In 1934, Abeygoonawardena established the Galle Motor Bus Company, which is described as the country's first independent bus service. By 1945, he was the managing director of the company, which operated a fleet of 126 buses. These were primarily American-manufactured Chevrolet buses, some of which were assembled at Abeygoonawardena's garage in Pettigalawatte.[2] The company issued bus tickets in Sinhala and reserved seats for Buddhist clergy, who traveled free of charge.
Political career
[edit]
Abeygoonawardena entered politics in 1945, joining the Sinhala Maha Sabha at the request of S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike. He became the first regional president of the party for the Galle District.
He contested the Galle electorate seat in the 3rd parliamentary election held in April 1956 but was defeated by the incumbent, Dahanayake.[3] In the Ceylonese parliamentary election on 19 March 1960, Abeygoonawardena, representing the United National Party, defeated then-Prime Minister Dahanayake, receiving 10,480 votes (49% of the total) compared to Dahanayake's 9,997 votes.[4] However, Abeygoonawardena lost the seat back to Dahanayake in the subsequent 5th parliamentary election held on 20 July 1960.[5]
Six years later, Abeygoonawardena was elected unopposed to represent the Bazaar Ward on the Galle Municipal Council. He served as the Mayor of Galle from 1965 to 1970.[6] During his tenure as Mayor, he presided over the council's centenary celebrations and made representations to Prime Minister Dudley Senanayake regarding Galle's water supply issues.[citation needed]
In 1970, after the United National Party did not nominate him for the Galle seat, Abeygoonawardena contested as the candidate for the Sri Lanka Freedom Party. He was unsuccessful, losing to the United National Party incumbent, Dahanayake. Abeygoonawardena received 20,982 votes, while Dahanayake received 22,382 votes.[7]
Personal life
[edit]Abeygoonawardena contributed to Buddhist religious activities, including the restoration of the Chaitya at Mahiyangana. He also donated 2.0 ha (5 acres) of land and funded the construction of the Naotunna Junior School.[citation needed]
Abeygoonawardena died in Galle on 30 December 1975 at the age of 68. He was survived by his wife, who died in 2009, and their seven children. The youngest son resides at the family home, Inland Hills.[citation needed]
References
[edit]- ^ "Hon. Abeygoonawardana, Wijesekera Don Simon, M.P." Directory of Past members. Parliament of Sri Lanka. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
- ^ "A politician like no other".
- ^ "Result of Parliamentary General Election 1956" (PDF). Department of Elections, Sri Lanka. Retrieved 20 January 2017.
- ^ "Result of Parliamentary General Election 19 March 1960" (PDF). Department of Elections, Sri Lanka. Retrieved 20 January 2017.
- ^ "Result of Parliamentary General Election 20 July 1960" (PDF). Department of Elections, Sri Lanka. Retrieved 20 January 2017.
- ^ Electoral Politics in an Emergent State
- ^ "Result of Parliamentary General Election 1970" (PDF). Department of Elections, Sri Lanka. Retrieved 20 January 2017.
