Nalanda Ellawala Explained

Honorific-Prefix:Hon.
Nalanda Ellawala
Constituency Mp1:Ratnapura
Parliament1:Sri Lanka
Term Start1:1994
Term End1:1997
Birth Date:26 March 1967
Birth Name:Nalanda Sampath Ellawala
Death Place:Kuruwita
Death Cause:Assassination
Nationality:Sri Lankan
Party:Sri Lanka Freedom Party
Otherparty:People's Alliance
Relations:Nanda (father), Surangani (mother)
Alma Mater:S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia
Occupation:Politician

Nalanda Sampath Ellawala (26 March 1967[1]  - 11 February 1997) was a Sri Lankan politician. He was assassinated in 1997 at aged 29.

Early life and education

Nalanda Sampath Ellawala was born 26 March 1967, to the Radala Ellawala family from Ratnapura. His family was active in the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, his father Nanda Ellawala, a member of parliament for Ratnapura (1970 - 1977), and his mother Surangani Ellawala, later served as the Governor of the Central Province (2015 - 2016).[2] His father was a cousin of Sirimavo Bandaranaike who was a Prime Minister of Ceylon while another aunt Viollet Ellawala was married to John Hercules Meedeniya, Rate Mahatmaya, uncle of Ranil Wickremesinghe, President of Sri Lanka. Nalanda Ellawala studied at S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia.

Political career

Ellawala entered active politics in 1994, when he was elected to the Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council from Sri Lanka Freedom Party. He then succeeded his father as the chief party organizer for the Ratnapura District and contested the 1994 general election in which he was elected to the Parliament of Sri Lanka as one of the youngest members.

Death

Ellawala was mortally wounded in a cross fire between his party supporters which included Dilan Perera and political rivals in Kuruwita. He died at the age of 29, on 11 February 1997.[3] A police constable was also shot dead and an inspector of police was fatally wounded. Two members of parliament, Susantha Punchinilame, and Mahinda Ratnatilaka, together with four others (security guards of the two members) were charged with the murder.[4] In December 2013 Punchinilame was cleared of all charges and was subsequently released.[5]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Hon. Ellawala, Nalanda Sampath, M.P.. Parliament of Sri Lanka. 14 February 2017.
  2. http://www.timeslanka.com/2015/02/11/18th-death-anniversary-of-nalanda-ellawala-priceless-gem-from-ratnapura/ 18th death anniversary of Nalanda Ellawala
  3. http://edition.cnn.com/WORLD/9702/11/briefs/srilanka.html?_s=PM:WORLD Sri Lankan parliament member killed
  4. News: Ellawala murder case transferred. BBC Sinhala. 7 July 2008. 14 February 2017.
  5. News: Ellawala Case: Deputy Minister Punchi Nilame cleared of all charges. News 1st Digital. 18 December 2013. 14 February 2017.