Seelawathie Gopallawa

Seelawathie Rambukwella Gopallawa (died October 4, 1977) was a Sri Lankan public figure, First Lady of Sri Lanka from 1972 to 1977, and wife of then-President William Gopallawa when she died. Gopallawa served as the country's inaugural first lady following her husband's assumption of the presidency in 1972.

Seelawathie Gopallawa
Seelawathie Gopallawa (right)
First Lady of Sri Lanka
In office
May 22, 1972 – 4 October 1977
PresidentWilliam Gopallawa
Preceded byPosition created
Succeeded byElina Jayewardene
Personal details
Born
Seelawathie Rambukwella
DiedOctober 4, 1977
Resting placeDullewa
SpouseWilliam Gopallawa (1928–1977; her death)
ChildrenFour
Residence(s)Dharmapala Mawatha, Matale, Central Province

Biography

Gopallawa was born Seelawathie Rambukwella to L. B. Rambukwelle.[1][2] She married William Gopallawa, a lawyer and then-member of the Matale Urban Council, on March 8, 1928.[1][2] The couple had four children: two daughters, Iranganie and Chintha, and two sons, Asoka and Monty.[1][3] Her youngest son, Monty Gopallawa, served as Minister of Cultural Affairs from 2000 to 2001 and Governor of Central Province from 2002 until 2005.[1]

Gopallawa's husband, William Gopallawa, served as the Governor-General of Ceylon from 1962 to 1972. In 1972, Seelawathie Gopallawa became the first First Lady of Sri Lanka when Sri Lanka became a republic and her husband assumed the presidency.[1]

Gopallawa served as the country's inaugural first lady until her death on October 4, 1977.[1] Her ashes were buried in the Gopallawa family cemetery in Dullewa following her cremation.[1] Like her husband, who died in 1981, Seelawathie Gopallawa donated her eyes to the Sri Lanka Eye Donation Society following her death.[1]

She had lived as the family home in Dharmapala Mawatha, Matale.[1]

References
  1. Basnayake, Richard (2012-01-30). "William Gopallawa:Gentleman par excellence". Daily News (Sri Lanka). Archived from the original on 2018-11-14. Retrieved 2019-11-23.
  2. Wijenayake, Walter (2009-01-30). "William Gopallawa: Illustrious, unassuming". The Island (Sri Lanka). Archived from the original on 2019-11-23. Retrieved 2019-11-23.
  3. "Chintha Gopallawa". Sunday Observer (Sri Lanka). 2013-04-21. Retrieved 2019-11-23.
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