Those who led the independence struggle...

It was only last Monday that we celebrated the 60th anniversary of Sri Lanka's Independence. In last week's issue, we wrote about D.S. Senanayake, known as the Father of the Nation as he was one of the pioneers associated with the country's freedom struggle against the British and the first Prime Minister of independent Sri Lanka.

We also wrote about the role played by E.W. Perera in securing independence for the country.

However, these were not the only ones that campaigned for the right of Sri Lankans to manage the affairs of their Motherland; many others were involved in this movement. We feature some of them today.

F.R. Senanayake

* Frederick Richard was the second in a family of four and was the elder brother of D.S. Senanayake.

* Had his education at S. Thomas' College, Mt. Lavinia and Cambridge College, Britain.

* Entered the political arena by propelling the YMBA and the Temperance Movement, which had been initiated by his father.

* Was the first politician from the family and the first leader of the Ceylon Independence Party. Was a powerful influence on Ceylon's politics until his premature death in 1925 during a pilgrimage to Buddha Gaya, India.

D.B. Jayatilaka

* Don Baron Jayatilaka was born on February 13, 1868 at Waragoda, Kelaniya, the son of Don Daniel Jayatilaka and Elisiyana.

* Studied at Vidyalankara Pirivena, the local Baptist school, Wesley College, Colombo and Calcutta University.

* Was responsible for a revival in Buddhism by starting many Buddhist schools. Was Principal of Ananda College, Colombo and was appointed General Manager of Buddhist Schools in 1902. Also founded the YMBA in 1898 of which he was the President till his death. Popularised Buddhism in foreign lands too.

* Was elected President of the Ceylon National Congress in 1923. Was the Leader of the House and Minister for Home Affairs in 1931. In 1936, he accepted the post of Ceylon's Representative in India.

* Was Knighted for his services to the Motherland in 1932.

* Died in 1944.

Anagarika Dharmapala

* Don David Hewavitharane was born in September 17, 1864 to H. Don Carolis and Mallika Hewavitharane.

* Studied at Christian College, Kotte and Colombo Academy (now Royal College).

* Turned to Buddhism around 1886 and started propagating Buddhist education. Changed his name to Anagarika Dharmapala.

* Was in the forefront of the freedom struggle through his publication Sinhala Bauddhaya, which guided nationalist and religious movements.

* Was ordained as a Bhikku in Saranath, India in 1933 and died there the same year at the age of 69.

D.R. Wijewardene

* Don Richard Wijewardene, the founder of Lake House, was born on February 28, 1886; his father was Don Philip Wijewardene.

* Was educated at St. Thomas' College, Colombo and Cambridge.

* Started his legal career at Hulftsdorp where he got the idea of starting a newspaper business.

* Acquired Dinamina in 1914 and took over The Ceylonese in 1918, which he renamed the Daily News. Bought the then 90-year-old Observer in 1923. Silumina and Thinakaran were also started by him.

* Played a leading role in politics and the freedom struggle. Campaigned for constitutional reforms and greater political freedom through his newspapers.

* Died on June 13, 1950.

Dr T.B. Jayah

* Tuan Burhanuddin Jayah was born in Kandy on January 1, 1890.

* Studied at St. Paul's College, Kandy, S. Thomas' College, Mt. Lavinia and University of London.

* Was a teacher at Ananda College and was appointed Principal of Zahira College in 1921.

* Entered politics in 1924 and was elected to the Legislative Council. Was a legislator, State Councillor, freedom fighter, parliamentarian, Cabinet minister and High Commissioner for Sri Lanka in Pakistan.

* Jayah died in Medina, Saudi Arabia on May 31, 1960.

Ponnambalam Brothers

* Ponnambalam Ramanathan was born on April 16, 1851 and was educated at the Colombo Academy and Presidency College in Madras, India. Ponnambalam Arunachalam, also known as Sir Arunachalam Mahadeva, was born on September 14, 1853 and received his education at the Colombo Academy and Christ College, Cambridge.

* Ramanathan entered politics in 1879 by acquiring the Nominated Unofficial Member seat in the Legislative Council. Was a senior barrister and Unofficial Leader of the Legislative Council. Was the Solicitor General from 1892-1908 and became a King's Councillor in 1903.

Was knighted in 1921 and became an Unofficial Member of the Legislative Council from 1922-1924. Set up two schools, of which one became the Jaffna University.

* Arunachalam became the first Ceylonese to enter the Civil Service. Was the Registrar-General from 1888-1902 and published the four-volume Census of Ceylon in 1901. Retired from the public service in 1913 and received a Knighthood. Was President of the Ceylon Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society from 1913-1916.

* Ramanathan died in 1930 while Arunachalam died in 1924.