An illustrious man of a bygone era who served the people
Our grandfather Godfrey Edward Madawala’s birth anniversary falls today, June 23.
Godfrey Edward Madawala was the son of Madawala Basnayaka Nilame, Notary Public and landed proprietor of Madawala in the North Western Province and Ranmenike, daughter of Chandarasekera Goonaratna Tennakoon Herath Mudiyanselage of Walgama. He was born on June 23 1878 and was educated at S. Thomas’ College and Trinity College where he passed first in the Arts Examination in 1897.
He then studied law under the Council of Legal Education and was admitted as a Proctor of the District Court of Kurunegala in 1901 and practised thereafter having been appointed as Crown Proctor and JPUM. He owned the Mahakeliya coconut estate, and several hundred acres and tracts of paddyland in the Kurunegala District. In 1903 he married Frances Alexandra Elsie, second daughter of C.E.Tennakoon, Rate Mahaththaya of Wanni Hath Paththu and they lived at Florinda House Kurunegala. They had three children, one son and two daughters.
Godfrey Madawala represented the North Western ProvinceEastern Division , Narammala in the Legislative Council from 19201924 and again from 1925-1930. During this period Sir William Henry Manning was Governor. He thereafter represented North Western Province- Narammala in the State Council, being one of the 37 unofficial members from July 1931 till his death in September 1932. He was elected to the first State Council which was constituted under the Donoughmore Constitution and elections were completed in June 1931. He had an illustrious career as a member of the Legislative Council and the State Council.
He was also very interested in education and took the initiative in fulfilling the dire need of a good Buddhist school in the Wayamba District. To achieve this he donated his own residence, Godfrey Villa and several acres of land in the heart of Kurunegala town to start Maliyadeva Boys College. Today how proud and happy he would have been to see the number of doctors, engineers, judges and other professionals who have passed through the portals of Maliyadeva. His photograph in the College Hall is the only tribute that has been bestowed on him as a mark of gratitude.
His main interest was agriculture, particularly in the North Western Province. He gave the green light for the construction of the Ridibendi Ela anicut across Deduru Oya. People of Wanni Hathpaththuwa and other districts of Kurunegala benefited by the irrigation works which were restored under his guidance. Drought was a severe problem in the area always and people suffered throughout without water- thus his contribution was greatly appreciated. He was interested in the welfare of the poor people and one special example where he spoke on their behalf was the operation of the elephant kraals where people as well as elephants lost their lives in herding the animals.
He worked for the betterment of the lives of the people in Wayamba, not expecting anything in return. He is indeed a fine example for politicians of this era to emulate.
May he attain Nibbana.