Dr. Cristopher William Wijekoon Kannangara was a Sri Lankan Lawyer and a politician. He rose up the ranks of Sri Lanka's movement for independence in the early part of the 20th century. As a lawyer he defended the detainees that were imprisoned during the Riots of 1915, many of whom were the emerging leaders of the independence movement. In 1931, he became the President of Ceylon National Congress, the forerunner to the United National Party. Later, he became the first Minister of Education in the State Council of Ceylon, and was instrumental in introducing extensive reforms to the country's education system that opened up education to children from all levels of society.
Dr. C. W. W. Kannangara
The young Kananga attended the well known Richmond College, in Galle, Sri Lanka.
Kannangara was elected to the Legislative Council of Ceylon in 1923, thrusting him into the very heart of national politics. He was elected to the State Council in 1931 and again in 1936.
Hon.Kannangara (Standing far right) as a member of the Second State Council of Ceylon in 1936.
Legislative Council of Ceylon
The Legislative Council of Ceylon was the legislative body of Ceylon established in 1833, along with the Executive Council of Ceylon, on the recommendations of the Colebrooke-Cameron Commission. It was the first form of representative government in the island. The 1931 Donoughmore Constitution replaced the Legislative Council with the State Council of Ceylon.
Legislative Council of Ceylon