Chronology
1899 : Born to Sir Solomon Dias Bandaranaike and Daisy Ezlynn Obeyesekera
January 1899
Born to Sir Solomon Dias Bandaranaike and Daisy Ezlynn Obeyesekera at ‘Elie House’ in Modera, Colombo. Baptised at All Saints Cathedral in the presence of the Governor of Ceylon, Sir Joseph West Ridgeway who became his Godfather. In addition to ‘Solomon’, his father’s name, S W R D Bandaranaike also received the two names ‘West’ and ‘Ridgeway’ after his godfather, the Governor.
1899 : Born to Sir Solomon Dias Bandaranaike and Daisy Ezlynn Obeyesekere
January 1899
Born to Sir Solomon Dias Bandaranaike and Daisy Ezlynn Obeyesekere at ‘Elie House’ in Modera, Colombo. Baptised at All Saints Cathedral in the presence of the Governor of Ceylon, Sir Joseph West Ridgeway who became his Godfather. In addition to ‘Solomon’, his father’s name, S W R D Bandaranaike also received the two names ‘West’ and ‘Ridgeway’ after his godfather, the Governor.
1915 : Enters St. Thomas College
January 1915
After an initial period of tuition at home the young Bandaranaike enters Saint Thomas’ College, then located at Mutwal.
1918 : Passes the Cambridge Senior examination
December 1918
Passes the Cambridge Senior examination, obtaining distinctions in English, Latin, Greek and French and comes second in order of Merit in the British Empire for that year
1919 : Sails to Oxford for Studies
February 1919
Sails to England to read for his degree and enters Christ Church College at the University of Oxford
1921 : Makes maiden speech at the Oxford Union
November 1921
Makes maiden speech at the Oxford Union. The debate is on the proposition ‘The Parliamentary system of today does not fulfil the expectations of a democratic society’
1923 : Graduates with Honours From Oxford University
June 1923
Graduates with Honours in Modern Greats. Participates in University political life and wins election as Junior Treasurer at the Oxford Union. Also serves as President of the ‘Majlis’ Society of Oxford.
1924 : Called to the Bar
December 1924
Called to the Bar at the Inner Temple at the Inns of Court England
1925 : Returns to Ceylon
February 1925
Returns to Ceylon on completion of his education abroad and is ceremonially welcomed by the people of Udagahapattuwa
April 1925
Takes his oaths as an Advocate of the Supreme Court of Ceylon
1926 : Moves into politics
June 1926
Functions as Secretary of the Ceylon National Congress
December 1926
Elected to the Maradana Ward of the Colombo Municipal Council, defeating the Leader of the Ceylon Workers Party, Mr. A E Goonesinghe
1929 : Elected President of the All Ceylon Village Committees Federation
1929
Wins election to the Egodapotha peruwa Village committee in the Veyangoda Electorate and elected President of the All Ceylon Village Committees Federation
1931 : Elected uncontested as Member for Veyangoda
May 1931
Elected uncontested as Member for Veyangoda, in the First State Council held under the Donoughmore Constitution.
1933 : Declares himself a Buddhist
1933
Declares himself a Buddhist at ceremony held at the Attanagalla Temple
1934 : Elected President of the Sinhala Maha Sabha
May 1934
Elected President of the Sabha at inaugural meeting of the Sinhala Maha Sabha held at the Buddhist Centre Pettah in Colombo
1936 : Elected uncontested to the Veyangoda seat
March 1936
Elected uncontested to the Veyangoda seat in the 2nd State Council. Elected Chairman of the Executive Committee for Local Government and becomes a member of the Board of Ministers
1940 : Marries Sirimavo Ratwatte
October 1940
Marries Sirimavo Ratwatte, eldest daughter of Barnes Ratwatte Dissawe of Balangoda and Mahawelatenna Ratwatte Kumarihamy at Balangoda Walauwwa
1943 : Birth of daughter Sunethra
July 1943
Birth of daughter Sunethra
1945 : Introduces ‘Free Lanka Bill’
January 1945
Introduces ‘Free Lanka Bill’ as the new Constitution in the State Council. The Bill is passed by the State Council but does not receive the Governors assent
June 1945
Birth of second daughter Chandrika
1947 : Elected to the to the Attanagalla seat
August 1947
Elected with a record majority to the Attanagalla seat in the House of Representatives of the First Parliament of independent Ceylon
1948 : Makes historic Reply
February 1948
Makes historic Reply to the Address (Throne Speech) delivered by His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester at the Ceremonial Opening of the First Parliament at Independence Hall.
1949 : Birth of son Anura
February 1949
Birth of son Anura
1951 : Makes his mark in Sri Lankan Politics
July 1951
Resigns from the Cabinet and office of Leader of the House on the presentation of the Appropriation Bill (Budget speech) by the Minister of Finance, and crosses the floor, joining the Opposition.
September 1951
Forms new Political Party – The Sri Lanka Freedom Party. Elected President of the SLFP
1952 : Wins at General Elections
May 1952
General Elections for Parliament at which Mr. Bandaranaike wins the Atttanagalla seat with a record majority.
May 1952
Elected Leader of the Opposition in Parliament.
1956 : Makes Strides in the political Scene
February 1956
In anticipation of general Elections to Parliament, forms a coalition of parties, the Mahajana Eksath Peramuna (M E P ) – the Peoples' United Front.
April 1956
Elected Member of Parliament for the Attanagalla seat at the 3rd Parliamentary General Elections with the highest number of votes. MEP wins two thirds of the seats under Mr. Bandaranaike’s leadership. He is appointed Prime Minister and forms democratic socialist Government with a programme committed to change of direction.
April 1956
Establishes diplomatic relationships with The Peoples Republic of China and the Soviet Union
May 1956
Declares the 1st of May (Workers Day) as a public holiday to commemorate the contribution of workers
July 1956
Introduces the Sinhala Only Act (33 of 1956) in Parliament
November 1956
Addresses the General Assembly of the United Nations in New York
1957 : Setting the Pace for the new Sri Lanka
July 1957
Signs Bandaranaike – Chelvanayakam Pact setting out the process for the resolution of the ethnic problem
October 1957
Obtains release of the Naval base and port in Trincomalee abrogating the Defence Agreements with Britain signed by former Government
July 1957
Obtains release of the Air Force base at Katunayake from the British
1958 : Making a change
January 1958
Nationalizes omnibus services in the country and establishes the Ceylon Transport Board (CTB)
February 1958
Parliament passes the Paddy Lands Act – Act No 1 of 1958
April 1958
Monks led by Ven Thalpavila Seelavansa protest outside the P M ‘s residence at Rosmead Place demanding abrogation of the Bandaranaike – Chelvanayakam Pact
April 1958
Abrogates Bandaranaike – Chelvanayakam Pact
May 1958
Nationalizes omnibus services in the country and establishes the Ceylon Transport Board (CTB)
July 1958
Tamil Language Special Provisions Act passed in Parliament
August 1958
Nationalization of Colombo Port Cargo Operations
1959 : The End of an Era
March 1959
Minimum age for exercise of the right to vote reduced to 18 years
September 1959
Three and a half years into his five year term Prime Minister Bandaranaike is assassinated in his private residence No 65, Rosmead Place, Colombo 7 by a hired gunman.