DON STEPHEN SENANAYAKE movement. He arrived in Ceylon at a FREDERICK RICHARD SIR PONNAMBALAM al of the 19th century that led to the crea- young age and was ordained as a Bud- tion of Buddhist institutions to match D. S. Senanay- dhist monk. Having learned the Sinhala SENANAYAKE RAMANATHAN those of the missionaries and to the inde- ake (1884 - language, he became a poet, creating sev- F. R. Senanayake Sir Ponnambalam pendence movement of the 20th century. 1952) was an eral literary works inspiring patriotism (1882 - 1926) was a Ramanathan (1851 independence among the Sinhalese and urging them to Sri Lankan politician - 1930) was a Solic- activist who C. W. W. KANNANGARA fight for their freedom during Sri Lankan and independence itor-General and a served as the C.W.W. Kannangara Independence movement. His most activist. A Barrister- Tamil political first Prime Min- (1884 - 1969) was a famous works include Nidahase Dehena, at-Law at Lincoln's leader, who was ister of Sri Lanka lawyer and politi- Nidahase Manthraya, Lanka Matha, Jathi- Inn, London, he was nominated as an from 1947 to cian. Rising up the ka Thotilla, Ada Lak Mawage Puttu, Nida- a leading member of unofficial Member 1952. He played ranks of Sri Lanka's hasa, Videshikayakugen Lak Mawata Nam- the Sri Lankan inde- of the Legislative an active role in movement for inde- askarayak and Sinhala Jathiya. He is con- pendence movement Council from 1879 the independ- pendence in the sidered as a national hero and one among in the early parts of to 1892. ence movement, firstly by supporting his early part of the the greatest of Sinhalese poetry figures of the 20th century and was an active mem- Ramanathan was brother F. R. Senanayake. After his broth- 20th century, he all time. ber of the Legislative Council. elected representing the educated Ceylo- er's death in 1926, D. S. took his place in nese to the Legislative Council of Ceylon became the first the Legislative Council and led the inde- VEERA KEPPETIPOLA SIR JAMES PEIRIS by a sweeping majority in 1911. In 1915, Minister of Educa- pendence movement. His most distinctive when the British Governor had several tion in the State contribution to the nation was his agricul- DISSAWE Sir James Peiris Council of Ceylon. (1856 - 1930) Sinhalese leaders imprisoned, Ramana- tural policy. He is known as the ‘Father of Veera Keppe- than came to their rescue and fought Known as the ‘Father of Free Education’ in the Nation.’ was a promi- the country, his introduction of free edu- tipola Disawe nent figure in against the tyranny of the British Gover- was a high- nor. cation in 1944 opened up education to SIR PONNAMBALAM the Sri Lankan children from all levels of the society. ranking offi- independence ARUNACHALAM cial under movement and EDWARD WALTER PERERA the rule of DR. T. B. JAYAH Sir Ponnambal- a Vice President E. W. Perera (1875 - King Sri Wick- Dr. Tuan am Arunacha- of the Legisla- 1953) was a barris- rama Rajasin- Burhanuddin lam (1853 - tive Council. Pei- ter, politician and ghe and later Jayah (1890 - 1924) was a ris led the cam- freedom fighter. under the 1960) was an Tamil political paign for a He was known as British educationalist, leader in Ceylon Royal Commission of Inquiry and the vin- the ‘Lion of Kotte’ Administra- politician, dip- and a member dication of the reputations of those who and was a senator tion in Sri lomat and of the Executive had been falsely accused during the riots and a prominent Lanka). He freedom fight- Council and the of 1915. figure in the Sri was a promi- er. He entered Legislative He initiated a memorandum to be drawn Lankan independ- nent leader politics in Council. He in great secrecy along with other promi- ence movement. of the Uva rebellion of 1818 after he 1924 and was merged all the nent members of the society to bring it to Abandoning a promising career at the Bar, joined the rebels whom he was sent to elected to the principal political organizations under one the attention of the King and his majesties E. W. Perera undertook the task of travel- suppress by the British. The rebellion was Legislative banner, and formed the Ceylon National government. It was taken to England hid- ling to England to present a memoran- defeated by the British, and Keppetipola Council to rep- Congress to agitate in one voice to make den in the sole of a shoe by E. W. Perera. dum to the Secretary of State for the Colo- Disawe along with several other leaders of resent the the British to agree to their programme of As a result of this the governor Sir Robert nies, pleading for the repeal of Martial the rebellion were found guilty of high minority communities. He worked in uni- reforms. Arunachalam led the campaign Chalmers was recalled. Law and the release of the leaders who treason and sentenced to death. He is well son with members who represented for a university in Ceylon and founded the were in detention. Sir D. B. Jayatilaka and known for the exceptional courage that other communities. He served in the State Ceylon University Association in 1906. This Sir Ponnambalam Ramanathan, joined he showed at the moment of his execu- DON RICHARD Council from 1936 to 1947. earned him the title of ‘father of the Cey- him in this successful mission. tion. lon University'. He was the first President WIJEWARDENA It was also E. W. Perera, who with the help of the Ceylon National Congress and D. R. Wijew- of D. R. Wijewardena, traced the location CAPTAIN EDWARD HENRY strove incessantly and inexorably to unify VEERA PURAN APPU ardena (1886 - of the banner of the last King of Kandy, Sri PEDRIS and consolidate Ceylon and the Ceylo- Puran Appu rose from 1950), was a Vickrama Rajasinghe, to Royal Hospital nese Nation. among the common Sri Lankan Chelsea. The recovered banner became Captain Henry Pedris people. He dared to press baron the flag of the Dominion of Ceylon on its (1888 - 1915) was a VENERABLE S. MAHINDA challenge the might who was a independence in 1948. militia officer and a THERA of British imperialism leader in the prominent socialite at its peak of power Sri Lankan ANAGARIKA DHARMAPALA in colonial Ceylon Ven S. Mahin- and glory during the independence who was executed da (1901 - Victorian era. Puran movement. A Anagarika by British officials for 1951) was a Appu led an attack on successful Dharmapala alleged incitement of Buddhist Matale in 1948. This entrepreneur, (1864 - 1933) racial riots in 1915, monk from was successful. How- he established was a leading which were proven the state of ever, the other lead- the Lake House newspapers and played a figure in Bud- false later. Sikkim. He ers who attacked major role in the independence move- dhism in the His execution at a was a poet Kurunegala and Wariyapola failed. He was ment. He organized the first deputation to 20th century. young age was viewed as extremely and author, captured by the British after the failure of the Secretary of State for the Colonies Dharmapala unjust by most Sri Lankans. It hastened and partici- Matale Rebellion along with Gongalegoda with H. J. C. Perera along with E.W. Perera. was one of the the movement towards independence for pated in the Banda and Ven. Kudapola Thera. He was As a result of this action the Ceylonese primary con- Sri Lanka and he became a martyr provid- Sri Lankan executed by a firing squad on August 8, were given a concession of a seat in the tributors to the ing motivation to those who pioneered Independence 1848. British dominated Legislative Council. Buddhist reviv- the movement. .