Welagedara of Kurunegala
The memory of late Mr. Dingiri Banda Welagedara, is green in the minds of thousands of constituents whom he served for over four decades as a Divisional Revenue Officer, Member of Parliament, Mayor and the Minister of Plan Implementation. Mr. Welagedara was born in the hamlet of Panaliya, Polgahawela on the 31st of October, 1915, the only son of the late Banda Korale Mahaththaya.
He had his education at Ananda, Nalanda and St. John’s (Jaffna) Colleges after which he joined the Ceylon Law College where he passed the 1st and 2nd Year Exams with First Class Honours. When the Divisional Revenue Officer (D.R.O.) system was introduced he joined as a DRO, along with his cousin late Mr. M.D. Banda, giving up his legal studies. He was the President of the DRO’S Association. In 1952 he entered politics at the request of the people of Kurunegala. As the elections were called suddenly, he had to resign from the government service to contest the Parliamentary Elections for the Kurunegala constituency, even losing his pension rights. He was elected with a resounding victory against the sitting member, the political giant late Mr. H. Sri Nissanka. As MP he named a school that he started in the name of his political rival Mr. H. Sri Nissanka showing he did not harbour any animosity towards his political rivals.
He continued in active politics until he passed away on the 22nd of April, 1989 whilst serving as the Governor of the North Central Province, having reached the peak of his political career.
During his term, immense progress was made in promoting better Education, Health, Transport and Sports facilities to the people of Kurunegala. More than 225 rural electrification schemes were inaugurated and many a village in the electorate benefited from better roads, bus services and schools. The irrigation facilities were greatly improved during his time and the provision of water to the Sath Korale was his dream.the power and resources at his command were used unstintingly and honestly for the development of Kurunegala. Among the landmarks of devel- opment he completed are the Kurunegala Central Bus Station, the Central Market, the Stadium, Open Air Theatre, Northern Bus Depot , Telecommunication Tower at Ethugala and the road leading up to it together with the Water Purification Unit.the Ayurveda Hospital, which was one of the projects closest to his heart, was renamed Welagedara Ayurveda Hospital in appreciation of his services.he was a true Buddhist, both in theory and practice and a dedicated Buddhist worker. He served as the Hon. Secretary of the Mahiyangana Sthupa Restoration Committee. He was also the benefactor of a large number of places of worship in the area.
He unceasingly devoted his life to religious, social and political activities, earning a reputation for honesty, integrity, courage and capacity for hard work. He never lost his down to earth and practical approach to life.
D. B. Welagedara Memorial Committee