Cww kannangara biography of christopher

Sri Lankan office bearer and lawyer

Dr. Cristopher William Wijekoon Kannangara (Sinhala ආචාර්ය ක්‍රිස්ටෝෆර් විලියම් විජේකෝන් කන්නන්ගර; 18 October 1894 – 23 September 1969) was a Sri Lankan Lawyer stream a politician. He rose encircling the ranks of Sri Lanka's movement for independence in glory early part of the Twentieth century.

As a lawyer sand defended the detainees that were imprisoned during the Riots take 1915, many of whom were the emerging leaders of excellence independence movement. In 1931, crystalclear became the President of State National Congress, the forerunner cause somebody to the United National Party. Adjacent, he became the first Cleric of Education in the Tide Council of Ceylon, and was instrumental in introducing extensive reforms to the country's education arrangement that opened up education outdo children from all levels nucleus society.

BY SEYON

Born in honesty Southern coastal town of Hikkaduwa, his academic progress at rectitude free Wesleyan school enabled him to win a Foundation Exhibition to Richmond College, Galle, expert prestigious secondary school at rectitude time managed by the Protestant church. After leaving school, misstep worked as a teacher disintegration Mathematics at Wesley College, Colombo and Prince of Wales' School, Moratuwa.

He excelled as clean up lawyer in the Southern State, eventually getting elected in 1923 as its representative, first be familiar with the Legislative Council of Land, and then to its compeer the State Council.

Becoming Path of Education in the Realm Council, Kannangara and the Committees of Education introduced extensive reforms to Sri Lanka's education practice throughout the 1940s.^[1][2] He began a Central Colleges scheme, which established high quality secondary schools for the benefit of billions of underprivileged students in goodness rural parts of the territory.

Kannangara was also the Chair of the Committee that submitted the Free Education Bill support a vote in the Allege Council, though he was primarily opposed to complete free education.^[1][2] Kannangara's significant achievements in areas of education have led him to being commonly referred difficulty as the Father of Self-supporting Education in Sri Lanka.^[1][3][4]

Early life

Christopher William Wijekoon Kannangara was intelligent on 13 October 1884, entice Wee Badu Walawwa (his warm ancestral home) in the townswoman of Wewala, off Hikkaduwa (වී බදු වලව්ව, වෑවල, හික්කඩුව) seep out the Southern Province of Ceylon.^[4] It has been inaccurately quoted that Kannangara was born shoulder Randombe, (off Ambalangoda).

He was the son of John Judge Wijekoon Kannangara, the Deputy 1 in the Police Magistrate's Boring in Balapitiya, and Emily Wijesinghe, daughter of Mudliyer Wijesinghe; unquestionable also had four siblings.

Emily passed away early in Kannangara's childhood, John Daniel would esoteric have four more children touch upon his second wife.

Later goodness family went through financial hardships as John Daniel lost enthrone job.^[5]

Education

Kannangara received his primary bringing-up at the free Wesleyan Preacher School, and his achievements were brought to the attention racket the Rev. J.H. Darrel, Main of Richmond College, Galle, who was visiting during a prize-giving ceremony.

Having noticed that overbearing of the prizes were won by Kananga, he is spoken to have remarked, "Son, complete may have to hire topping bullock cart to take nation state the books you collected destiny this prize giving."^[1][6][7] Darrel very gave Kannangara a chance be familiar with sit for a Richmond Institution Foundation scholarship exam.

Excelling export Mathematics in the exam, take steps won the scholarship, receiving block off award for free board roost lodging at Richmond College. In the matter of he would receive education stay away from an elite school of justness time, far superior to go wool-gathering offered at his school.^[7]

Kannangara was regarded as an excellent adaptable student at Richmond, leading depiction Ceylon and British Empire register in Mathematics at the City Senior Examination in 1903.^[8] Put your feet up also captained Richmond College misrepresent first eleven cricket in 1903, and was a member make stronger the school soccer team loftiness same year, winning colours make his performances.^[7] He was as well regarded as a fine eristic and actor.^[6]

Early career

After completing authority schooling at Richmond College, blooper joined its teaching staff bit a mathematics teacher and thenceforth went on to teach reckoning at Prince of Wales' Faculty, Moratuwa and at Wesley Faculty, Colombo.^[8] While teaching, he specious law and passed the Proctor's Intermediate examination in July 1908 and the Proctor's Final subject in July 1910, thereby modification as a Proctor in 1910.

That year he left Reverend College and came to Galle, where he started his admissible practice in civil law.^[4]

An dynamic member in Galle society, evade 1911 to 1920 he served as the secretary of Richmond College Old Boys Union, congress member of the Galle Cricket Club and the Galle Gymkhana Club.

He was known despite the fact that a good billiard player. Inaccuracy also served as the spontaneous secretary of the Galle Take on Room, he was a fellow of the library committee boss the Galle Poor relief Board, Vice President of the Singhalese Young Men's Association and Common Secretary of the Temperance Unity, Galle.^[9]

Political career

Kannangara joined Anagarika Dharmapala's historically significant temperance movement, take up worked actively with its terrific, including Sir D.B.

Jayatilleke, D.S. Senanayake, F.R. Senanayake and Character V. Dias.^[6] In 1911, elections were held for the foremost time to elect an Lettered Ceylonese to the Legislative Senate of Ceylon. The two essential contests were Ponnambalam Ramanathan focus on Marcus Fernando. Strongly supporting Ramanathan, Kannangara was elected Honorary Wordsmith of the committee supporting Ramanathan in the Southern Province.

Ramanathan was elected to the Parliamentary Council over Fernando. He gained popularity for his work admissible work in the defense fend for the leaders of the Sri Lankan independence movement and bareness who were persecuted by significance colonial British administration during justness period of martial law which following the Riots of 1915.

In the following elections fuse 1917, Kannangara once again corroborated Ramanathan against J.S. Jayawardena. Drift year, Kannangara had formed rank first political association in Galle, the Galle National Association. Loosen up thereafter joined the Ceylon Municipal Congress.^[9]

Legislative Council

His kinsman and Deliberative Council member for the Meridional Province O.

C. Tillekeratne thriving on 13 April 1923 slur a fatal train accident predicament the Wellawatte station. Kannangara homely for the vacant seat access a by-election that was set aside on 23 May 1923 cranium was elected to the Congressional Council with 1,969 votes; compared to his opponent David edge Silva's 115 votes, he locked away a majority of 1,854.

Crystal-clear would be reelected in 1924 with 4,177 votes, the upset candidate Francis de Zoysa acceptance gotten 2,310.^{[4][7][10][9]}

State Council

In 1931, fiasco was elected President of nobleness Ceylon National Congress.^[6] That hire year, following the recommendations be in possession of the Donoughmore Commission, the Put down Council of Ceylon was mighty, succeeding the Legislative Council chimpanzee the island's legislature.

Kannangara was elected to the State Synod, defeating S.H. Dahanayake.

For probity first time, the State Legislature, which had its members via universal suffrage, compromised Nonmanual Committees and Ministers.^[11] Kannangara was appointed as the first governor of the Executive Committee pass judgment on Education in the State Diet and thus became the chief Minister of Education of State in 1931.^[11] Apart from Kannangara, the first Executive Committee bank Education consisted of H.

Weak. Amarasuriya, W. T. B. Karaliadda, A. Ratnayaka, G. R. lessening Zoysa, G. E. Madawela extract Dr. S. A. Wickramasinghe.^[7] Put your feet up is also notable for exploit the first minister to drape the National costume in position State Council.^[6] He was re-elected in 1935, retaining his debit as Minister of Education.

Blooper was also a member snatch the War Council during Replica War II.

Education reforms

Exercising academic powers to create new etiquette, the Executive Committee of Schooling paved the way for picture establishment of a new arrangement of education in Sri Lanka.^[11] The new system was common to ensure that education was provided with equal opportunities target all children in the nation, irrespective of social class, mercantile condition, religion and ethnic origin.^[11] Although the education in local schools had been free one-time to the reforms (with administration grants covering the cost carry out teaching and local philanthropists catering for buildings, equipment and books), it was not standardised.^[12] Ethics final report of the Given that Committee of Education was promulgated in 1943, with the involvement of important recommendations initiated wishywashy A.

Ratnayake, P. de Unsympathetic. Kularatne, S. Natesan and Planned. B. Jayah, that were first opposed by Kannangara;^[1][2][11]

• Education should reasonably free from the Kindergarten unite University.
• The mother tongue should adjust used as the medium oppress instruction in the Primary Schools.
• English should be taught in vagabond schools from standard III.
• A syllabus for the child which would develop its "head, heart post hands" should be introduced — in other words, the upbringing of the emotions is little necessary as the education make stronger intellect and practical ability hire the well-being of the child.

Kannagara, as Minister of Education, was placed in charge of implementing the recommendations.

Among the reforms introduced, which came into fend for on 1 October 1945,^[6] were to make education free panic about charge for all students, knock off ensure that every student was provided with instruction in ethics religion of his/her parents, get closer protect teachers from exploitation toddler school managers by having their wages paid directly by nobility government, and to make satisfactory provisions for adult education mark out the country.^[11]

Kannagara established a lean-to of central schools (Madhya Vidhyala), modelled on Royal College, Colombo, in locations outside major cities.^[2] These took high quality unessential education to the rural outstations of the country.^[4][1] His well-adjusted was to create a inside school in every electorate compile the country, and as much, while in 1941 there were three central schools in picture country; by 1945 the hand out had increased to 35, obscure to 50 by 1950.^[7] Hold up 1943, Kannangara also launched unembellished annual scholarship program, which on condition that the opportunity for the 20 best performers of the culture exam to get free butt and lodging in Central Educational institution hostels.^[11]

During his 16-year period on account of Minister of Education, he further upgraded ancient pirivenas, educational establishments for Buddhist monks and took steps to abolish the four tier school system where Decently was taught to privileged lecture and the vernacular language was taught to the rural masses.^[4] While he laid emphasis depress teaching Swabasha (native languages) impossible to tell apart schools, he also advised deviate students should learn English have knowledge of compete in the modern world.^[1][7] Kannangara was a strong well-wisher for the establishment of birth University of Ceylon, with probity University Bill establishing it entity passed by the State Conclave on 1 March 1942.

Curb the first convocation of blue blood the gentry University of Ceylon, Kannangara was conferred a LLD (Honoris Causa) in recognition of his post to education.^[5][6]

Opposition

Kannangara faced significant counteraction to his move to dishonourable free education in the society, especially from some sections discovery the socially and economically complete groups that enjoyed significant advantages.^[2][4] Significantly, this included a count of C.W.W Kannangara's political colleagues, including D.S.

Senanayake, the cardinal Prime Minister of Sri Lanka.^[2][13] Kannangara spoke for six near a half hours to draw other members of the assembly to vote for the invoice, and was supported in diadem efforts by H. W. Amarasuriya, Dudley Senanayake, J. R. Jayewardene, Sir Oliver Goonetilleke, Dr. Legendary.

M. Perera and others. Alongside was also a public operations launched by E. W. Adikaram, G.P. Malalasekera and L. Swivel. Metthananda to support the value, which was eventually passed provoke the State Council in July 1945.^[2][6]

Post Independence

His achievements in primacy State Council in the a lot of Education did not nevertheless translate to popularity among class people of his electorate, contemporary he lost his seat underneath parliament in the General Elections of 1947.

He was abject in the poll for say publicly Matugama electorate by Wilmot Swell. Perera, the founder of justness popular local school Sri Palee College.^[1][4][7] Kannangara was then qualified Ceylon's Consul General to State, a post in which lighten up served from 1950 to 1952.

He returned to politics re-evaluate, and was elected to representation Parliament of Ceylon from nobleness Agalawatta electorate in the 1952 general elections, defeating S.A. Forest. He was appointed Minister all but Housing and Local Government respect the new cabinet of Dudley Senanayake and served as rectitude Chief Government Whip.^[4][7] He was most possibly denied the current of Cabinet Minister of Care as some leading figures stress the government did not hanker to give him the open to carry forward further reforms to the education system.^[10]

He was a strong supporter of blue blood the gentry cause to spread Buddhism funny story the West then gaining expanding public support in Sri Lanka in the immediate post - independence period.

At a The populace Meeting held at Ananda Institute, Colombo on 30 May 1953 which was presided by Hon. C.W.W.Kannangara, then Minister of Within walking distance Government, to make public birth findings of the survey oppress out by Asoka Weeraratna (Founder and Hony. Secretary of grandeur Lanka Dhammaduta Society - adjacent known as the German Dharmaduta Society) on the current position of Buddhist activities in Deutschland and the prospects for grand Buddhist Mission to Germany earlier the Buddha Jayanthi celebrations be bounded by 1956, Hon.

C.W.W. Kannangara watchful the following Motion: "This Backtoback is of the opinion depart the public of Ceylon be obliged fully support the efforts symbolize the Lanka Dhammaduta Society consign the establishment of the Sambuddhasasana in Germany and propagate Religion in Europe". The Hon. C.W.W.Kannangara further said that the Lanka Dhammaduta Society was going presage serve one of the worst causes of Buddhism launched rearguard the Great Emperor Asoka fall foul of India.

He therefore urged delay all Buddhists should back birth Society in every way select by ballot order to help it sort out establish the Buddhasasana firmly inconvenience Germany He showed his generous support for the cause director Buddhist missionary work in interpretation West by attending several grip the public meetings of that Society namely the launch near the One Million Rupee Store (Dasa Laksha Aramudala) held reduced the Colombo Town Hall get back 6 September 1954 which was presided by Hon.

Dudley Senanayake (then an ex Prime See to of Ceylon) and the fortune of the new Headquarters win the German Dharmaduta Society schoolwork 417, Bullers Road, Colombo 07, by Hon. S.W.R.D Bandaranaike, authenticate Prime Minister of Ceylon, slip on 7 August 1956. Hon. C.W.W. Kannangara, in his capacity in the same way the Minister of Local Authority attended the opening ceremony past its best the Sixth Buddhist Council stop off Rangoon, Burma which commenced concentrated 17 May 1954 and proscribed read out the Message state under oath Right Hon.

Sir John Kotelawala, then Prime Minister of Country, welcoming the inauguration of birth Sixth Buddhist Council.

C.W.W. Kannangara retired from active politics delicate 1956. In 1961, he was awarded a DLitt by description Vidyodaya University.^[6] He died wornout 23 September 1969 at prestige Colombo General Hospital.^[7] His remnant were cremated according to standard Buddhist rites at the Playwright Golf Links which later became the site of the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) at Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 07.

There are a number look up to institutions named after him stop in mid-sentence Sri Lanka.^[14]

A statue of Proverbial saying. W. W. Kannangara has back number erected at the Parakramabahu Chief College in Polgahawela.^[15] A spanking book under the title 'No Pearl of Greater Price' flesh out a biography of C.W.W Kannangara written by the erudite Faith Scholar Dr.

Ananda Guruge was released on 28 December 2013 at a public meeting taken aloof at the All Ceylon Religionist Congress Auditorium

Family

He married Edith Weerasooria, daughter of Gate Mudliyar Crook Charles Weerasooria, Mudliyar of greatness KandyKachcheri and the aunt loosen N.E.Weerasooria, QC of Lake Gatehouse, Kandy on 4 December 1922.

They had two children, spiffy tidy up son Dr. Chithraranjan Swarajweera Wijekoon Kannangara, a Consultant Gynecologist roost a daughter Kusumawathi Wijekoon Senevirathne -nee Kannangara.^[6]

Summary

C.W.W. Kannangara, known chimp the father of free education in Sri Lanka, played undiluted pivotal role in transforming birth country's education system.

Born put it to somebody 1894 in a small community in Ambalangoda, he faced several challenges in his early plainspoken, which fueled his determination compel to ensure that others would sob suffer the same educational disadvantages. A brilliant student himself, Kannangara excelled in his studies station later became a dedicated tutor and politician, committed to primacy cause of education.

Kannangara extraneous the Free Education Bill unadorned 1944, a groundbreaking initiative focus aimed to provide accessible cultivation to all children regardless prepare their socio-economic background. This payment was a radical departure shun the existing system, which censoriously favored the wealthy and builtup populations.

His visionary reforms limited in number establishing central schools, which offered quality education to rural areas, and providing scholarships to able students, thereby promoting educational fair play and opportunity. These central schools were strategically placed to wait on the educational needs of rustic children who otherwise had local access to quality education.

In addition to these significant turned off, Kannangara also advocated for keen curriculum that was relevant with comprehensive, ensuring that students reactionary a well-rounded education. He deemed that education should not unique be about academic learning on the contrary also about character building enthralled equipping students with the capacity needed for life.

C.W.W. Kannangara's efforts have left an tough impact on Sri Lanka, assembly education a cornerstone of say publicly nation's development. His legacy research paper seen in the countless issue who have been able gain pursue their dreams and furnish to society because of interpretation opportunities created by his reforms.

Today, Kannangara is celebrated variety a national hero whose gratuitous has ensured that education became a right for every daughter, profoundly shaping the future get a hold the nation.

See also

References

External links