Solomon West Ridgeway Dias Bandaranaike, popularly known as S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike was the fourth Prime Minister of Ceylon. He was the founder of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and a prominent politician who revolutionised the political arena of the country.
S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike was appointed as the Prime Minister of the island back in the year 1956. He nationalized the bus services in the country and introduced legalization to prohibit caste based discrimination in the country. His Sinhala Only Act which resulted in Sinhala becoming the official language in the island changed the political, social and economic landscape of the country. During his regime racial unrest took place within the country too. The 1958 riots which claimed the lives of a number of Sri Lankan Tamils took place during his tenure.
S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike was the husband of Sirima Ratwatte Dias Bandaranaike who became the first female Prime Minister in the world. He was also the father of Chandrika Kumaratunga, the first female Executive President in the country as well as Anura Bandaranaike, a former Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka.
This iconic politician was assassinated by Talduwe Somarama, a Buddhist monk. He was shot by the monk at his private residence, Tintagel in Rosmead Place. The Horagolla Bandaranaike Samadhi, the mausoleum of S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike and Sirimavo Bandaranaike is to be found on the grounds of the famous Horagolla Walauwa. You will be able to witness this site with ease as you are travelling in the area with Green Holiday Centre as it is a prominent landmark in the area.
