T. B. Ilangaratne

The Honourable
Tikiri Bandara Ilangaratne
Minister of Finance
In office
29 May 1963 – 10 June 1964
Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike
Preceded by P. B. G. Kalugalla
Succeeded by N. M. Perera
Personal details
Born (1913-02-27)27 February 1913
Sri Lanka
Died 21 May 1992(1992-05-21) (aged 79)
Sri Lanka
Nationality Sri Lankan
Political party Sri Lanka Freedom Party
Spouse(s) Tamara Kumari neé Aludeniya
Children Sandhya, Rohana, Upeksha, Udaya
Alma mater Galagedera Vidyalaya, Galagedera,
St. Anthony's College, Kandy
Occupation politician, author, dramatist, actor

Tikiri Bandara Ilangaratne (27 February 1913 – 21 May 1992) was a Sri Lankan politician, author, dramatist, and theater actor he was Member of Parliament for Kandy, Galaha, Hewaheta and Kolonnawa in Colombo district. He served as the Sri Lankan Cabinet Minister of Labour, Housing,Social Services, Finance,Commerce, Food, Trade and Shipping and in other government positions in a career spanning three decades. He was the mastermind behind the Employees' Provident Fund, Petroleum and insurance corporations and the People's Bank (Sri Lanka) in Sri Lanka while in office.[1] As a writer, Ilangaratne is best known for writing Amba Yahaluwo (1957), a popular children's novel.

His novels Tilaka Saha Tilaka, Lasanda and Nedeyo have been adapted into movies. Amba Yahaluwo was made into a television serial.[2]

Life and career

Early life

Ilangaratne was born on 27 February 1913 in Tumpane, Hataraliyadda,Waligodapola, Sri Lanka. He began attending school in 1917 at Galagedera Vidyalaya [3] and received his secondary education from St. Anthony's College.[2] Ilangaratne wrote three plays while in school (Akikaru Putha, Himin Himin and Anda Nanda).

After leaving school, Ilangaratne passed a London exam and started working as a clerical officer for the government. In 1941, he tried his hands at acting playing King Dhatusena in the play of the same name by Gunasila Witanansa. On September 4, 1944, Ilangaratne married Tamara Kumari Aludeniya in Gampola.[3] His wife was elected as the member for Kandy (1949-1952) and Galagedara.

Government Service

In 1947, Ilangaratne left his post as clerical officer and ran successfully as an independent socialist candidate for the Kandy Parliament. He was sworn in on May 18, 1948 beginning a three-decade long career in the Sri Lankan government. While in office, Ilangaratne helped create the Employee's Provident Fund, the National Bank, and Labor day in Sri Lanka among other things. In 1974 he served as acting prime minister. Ilangaratne retired from politics on April 12, 1986.[3]

Books

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Stranger than fiction". Daily News. 2006. Retrieved 2007-05-19.
  2. 1 2 "T. B. Ilangaratne: Celebrating Kandyan middle-class life". Daily News. 2006. Retrieved 2007-05-19.
  3. 1 2 3 "T. B. Ilangaratne". Rupavahini. 2006. Retrieved 2007-05-20.
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