Solomon Dias Bandaranaike
| Sir Solomon Dias Bandaranaike KCMG JP | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Maha Mudaliyar of Ceylon | |
| Born |
22 May 1862 Veyangoda, Ceylon |
| Died |
31 July 1946 (aged 84) Ceylon |
| Nationality | Sri Lankan |
| Education | S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia |
| Occupation | Headmen |
| Title | Head Mudaliyar |
| Religion | Anglicanism |
| Spouse(s) | Lady Daisy Ezline Obeyesekere |
| Children |
S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike Alexandra Camelia Bandaranaike Anna Florentina Bandaranaike |
Sir Solomon Dias Abeywickrema Jayatilleke Senewiratna Rajakumaruna Kadukeralu Bandaranaike, KCMG, Maha Mudaliyar, JP (Sinhala: සොලමන් ඩයස් බන්ඩාරනායක) (22 May 1862 – 31 July 1946) was a Ceylonese colonial-era headmen. He was appointed as Head Mudaliyar and the aide-de-camp to the British Governor of Ceylon, therefore he was one of the most powerful personalities in British colonial Ceylon.[1]
Early life
Born to the Anglican Gate Mudaliyar Don Christoffel Henricus Dias Abeywickrema Jayatilake Seneviratne Bandaranaike, Mudaliyar of the Governor's Gate and Mudaliyar of Siyane Korale East. He was educated at S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia in Colombo.[1]
Colonial service
He was appointed a Muhandiram of the Governor's Gate in 1882 by the British and later made Mudaliyar of the Siyane Korale, following the death of his father. Eight years later, Governor Sir Arthur Havelock appointed him to the post of Maha Mudali (Head Mudaliyar), the highest position available to a native Ceylonese in British Ceylon.[1]
Honours
Sir Solomon's service to the British Empire was marked by his appointment as Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG), after travelling to England as Ceylon's official representative at the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria. He was made an All Island Justice of the Peace, received the King Edward VII Coronation Medal and was a Fellow of the Imperial Institute.
Family
In 1898, he married Daisy Ezline Obeyesekere, daughter of Solomon Christoffel Obeyesekere, a member of the Legislative Council of Ceylon. His son, S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike, became the 4th Prime Minister of Ceylon after independence, and his granddaughter, Chandrika Kumaratunga, became both Prime Minister and President of Sri Lanka. His grandson, Anura Bandaranaike, became Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka.