W. J. M. Lokubandara

From Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core
Jump to: navigation, search
The Honourable
W. J. M. Lokubandara
MP
WJM Lokubandara.jpg
Governor of Sabaragamuwa Province
In office
21 April 2010 – 21 February 2015
President Mahinda Rajapaksa
Preceded by Janaka Priyantha Bandara
18th Speaker of the Parliament
In office
22 April 2004 – 8 April 2010
President Chandrika Kumaratunga
Mahinda Rajapaksa
Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake
Mahinda Rajapaksa
Preceded by Joseph Michael Perera
Succeeded by Chamal Rajapaksa
Personal details
Born Wijesinghe Jayaweera Mudiyanselage Lokubandara
(1941-08-05) 5 August 1941 (age 82)
Haputale
Nationality Sri Lankan
Political party United National Party
Sri Lanka Freedom Party
Spouse(s) Malathi Lokubandara
Children Rashmin Lokubandara
Udith Lokubandara
Damith Lokubandara
Residence Nugegoda
Alma mater Yahala-Bedda School
Bandarawela Central College
University of Peradeniya
Religion Buddhism

Wijesinghe Jayaweera Mudiyanselage Lokubandara (Sinhala:විජෙසිංහ ජයවීර මුදියන්සේලාගේ ලොකුබණඩාර|Tamil:விஜேசிங்க ஜயவீர முதியன்சேலாகே லொக்குபண்டார), commonly known as W. J. M. Lokubandara, is a Sri Lankan politician who was Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka from 2004 to 2010 and Governor of Sabaragamuwa Province from 2010 to 2015. He is a lawyer by profession, and is also an author of several books and a song writer. Lokubandara held several ministries in the government of Sri Lanka before his appointment as the Speaker of the House.

Early life and family

Lokubandara was born on 5 August 1941[1] in Haputale.[2] He was educated at Yahala-Bedda School, and later at Bandarawela Central College.[3] He is an Arts Graduate of the University of Peradeniya,[4] and has also obtained an external Bachelor's Degree in Arts from the University of London. Lokubandara was a lawyer by profession and worked as an assistant legal draftsman.[5]

Lokubandara was born to a family with seven children. His parents were Loku Manike and Gunesekara Bandara. He married Malathi, a music teacher, on 1 February 1979. They have three sons; Rashmin, Udith and Damith.[2] Udith Lokubandara was offered the post of District Organizer for Badulla District by the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, while the post of Organizer for Haputale electorate was offered by the United National Party.[6]

Political career

Lokubandara first entered parliament in 1977 representing the United National Party (UNP), defeating former Cabinet Minister of Health W. P. G. Ariyadasa. He was initially appointed to the non-cabinet post of Minister of Indigenous Medicine. In 1989, Lokubandara was appointed a Cabinet Minister when he was given the Ministries of Cultural Affairs, Education and Media by President Ranasinghe Premadasa.[5]

With the defeat of the UNP in the general elections of 1994, Lokubandara became the Chief Opposition Whip of the parliament. He held this position until 2001.[3] A UNP government was formed in 2001, and Lokubandara was appointed the Cabinet Minister of Justice, Law Reforms, National Integration and Buddha Sasana.[5]

Speakership

Lokubandara was elected as the Speaker of Parliament on 22 April 2004,[7] after a controversial secret ballot lasting nine hours. Lokubandara was the candidate of the main opposition group and received 110 votes, while the candidate from the governing party received 109 votes.[7] His election as 16th Speaker of Parliament was announced at 7.15 pm. After assuming office, he urged the members of the parliament to safeguard democracy and "move away from confrontational politics marching beyond petty party politics".[3]

Literary work

He was a member of the Hela Havula Sinhalese literary organisation founded by Munidasa Cumaratunga. Several books have been authored by Lokubandara, including some on Sigiriya. He is also a poet and a song writer. His works include:[8]

  • The Mystique of Sigiriya[9]
  • Sigiri Gee Siri[10]
  • Rasadipani
  • Sastriya Vadalipi
  • Garu Kathanayakanumani: Mati Sabaye Kala Kata

See also

References

  1. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ The Role of the Speaker of Parliament: W.J.M.Lokubandara – Lawyer, Poet, Song Writer, Author, Humanist & Philosopher
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
Retrieved from "https://infogalactic.com/w/index.php?title=W._J._M._Lokubandara&oldid=713349423"