Ranasinghe Premadasa - Third President of Sri Lanka, Timeline and Life
Home › Sri Lankan › Ranasinghe PremadasaJune 23, 19241,127 viewsRanasinghe Premadasa's Personal Details
Ranasinghe Premadasa was a Sri Lankan politician, who served as the third President of the island nation
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birthday | June 23, 1924 |
| Died on | May 1, 1993 |
| Nationality | Sri Lankan |
| Famous | Leaders, Political Leaders, Presidents, Prime Ministers, Third President of Sri Lanka |
| Spouses | Hema Premadasa |
| Childrens | Dulanjali, Sajith Premadasa |
| Universities |
|
| Cause of death |
|
| Birth Place | Colombo, Sri Lanka |
| Religion | Theravada |
| Gender | Male |
| Father | Richard Ranasinghe (Ranasinghe Mudalali) |
| Mother | Jayasinghe Arachchige Ensina Hamine |
| Sun Sign | Cancer |
| Born in | Colombo, Sri Lanka |
| Famous as | Third President of Sri Lanka |
| Died at Age | 68 |
Ranasinghe Premadasa's photo
Who is Ranasinghe Premadasa?
Ranasinghe Premadasa was a Sri Lankan politician, who served as the third President of the island nation. Prior to that, he had also served as the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka. Like many of the important political leaders of Sri Lanka, he was not born in a privileged family and belonged to a lower caste. He started working for the poor and downtrodden classes of Colombo from an early age. He had prepared to attend the prestigious University of London after completing his high school education but decided against it and joined the Sri Sucharita Movement. After making a mark in local politics in Colombo, he joined the United National Party and following an unsuccessful bid in an election, he finally became a member of parliament. He remained a member of parliament from Colombo Central for many years. During his political career, he introduced a range of welfare schemes for the poorer section of the population. He was instrumental in building affordable homes for the poor and that remains one his greatest legacies. He had also faced opposition from within his own party after he was named the President but he managed to survive the opposition.
// Famous Prime Ministers
Edi Rama
Edi Rama is the current Prime Minister of Albania. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline.
Leo Varadkar
Cam Leo Varadkar is the current Taoiseach—the Prime Minister—of the Republic of Ireland. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family life, achievements and other facts about his life.
Fatos Nano
Fatos Nano is an Albanian politician who served as Prime Minister of Albania for several times. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline.
Childhood & Early Life
Ranasinghe Premadasa was born in Dias Palace, Colombo 11, Sri Lanka, on 23 June 1924 to Richard Ranasinghe and his wife Jayasinghe Arachchige Ensina Hamine. Although his family did not belong to the privileged class in Sri Lanka; his father owned a fleet of rickshaws that gave them a good living. There were 5 children in the family and he was the eldest.
He studied at various schools during his childhood. Having first studied at the Harvard Girls’ High School in Colombo for his primary education, he moved to St. Joseph’s College in the same city for his secondary education.
He was a good student and had satisfied all the conditions for admission into the University of London for his university education. However, he decided to abandon further education and instead devoted his time to social service that focused on the plight of the poor sections of Sri Lankan society.
Career
He became a member of the Sri Sucharita Movement aimed at the economic and social upliftment of the poor people in Colombo. Subsequently in the year 1939, he was made the organizer of the group and his area of work was the community development project.
His earliest foray into politics started with his alliance with the Ceylon Labour Movement leader A. E. Goonesinghe and in 1949 he became a member of the Ceylon Labour Party. A year after joining the Ceylon Labour Party, he became a part of the local government in Colombo.
He ran for parliament from Ruwanwella constituency in the 1956 elections as a representative of the United National Party (UNP) but he was defeated by his opponent Dr. N. M. Perera. Four years later he entered the parliament but lost his place after losing in a snap election that was held after four months.
He became a member of parliament again when his party, the UNP, won a majority in the general elections held in 1965. His party appointed him as their chief government whip. Concurrently, he acted as the Parliamentary Secretary of Local Government and later on he was made a minister of local government. He was responsible for overseeing the building of a million affordable homes.
He was elected to parliament from Colombo Central in the 1970 elections but his party could not form the government. He retained his seat from Colombo Central in the elections that were held seven years later and was made the minister of local government. On 23 February 1978, he became the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka and remained in the post for roughly a month short of 11 years.
After having served as the Deputy Leader of the UNP, Premadasa was elected as the second executive president of Sri Lanka on 2 January 1989 after his predecessor had decided to step down from the post. Earlier the same year, he was instrumental in helping his party, the UNP, win the general election. During his presidency, he continued his efforts to lift Sri Lankans out of poverty and financial problems.
Major Works
His most important work during his political career comprised of several welfare schemes including a million affordable homes scheme.
Personal Life & Legacy
On 23 June 1963 he got married to Hema Wickramatunge. They had two children, a son, Sajith and daughter, Dulanjali.
He was assassinated by a suicide bomber belonging to the militant outfit LTTE on 1st May 1993 in Colombo. He was 69 at the time.
// Famous Presidents
Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan is the current President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Check out this biography to know about his birthday, childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about him.
Anwar Sadat
Anwar Sadat was the third President of Egypt and has been awarded the Nobel Prize for his peace initiatives. To know more about his childhood, career, profile and timeline read on the following biography.
Idi Amin
A Ugandan dictator, Idi Amin is remembered for his brutal regime and crime against humanity. Check this biography to know in details about his life, childhood, profile and timeline.
Ranasinghe Premadasa biography timelines
- // 23rd Jun 1924Ranasinghe Premadasa was born in Dias Palace, Colombo 11, Sri Lanka, on 23 June 1924 to Richard Ranasinghe and his wife Jayasinghe Arachchige Ensina Hamine. Although his family did not belong to the privileged class in Sri Lanka; his father owned a fleet of rickshaws that gave them a good living. There were 5 children in the family and he was the eldest.
- // 1939He became a member of the Sri Sucharita Movement aimed at the economic and social upliftment of the poor people in Colombo. Subsequently in the year 1939, he was made the organizer of the group and his area of work was the community development project.
- // 1949His earliest foray into politics started with his alliance with the Ceylon Labour Movement leader A. E. Goonesinghe and in 1949 he became a member of the Ceylon Labour Party. A year after joining the Ceylon Labour Party, he became a part of the local government in Colombo.
- // 1956He ran for parliament from Ruwanwella constituency in the 1956 elections as a representative of the United National Party (UNP) but he was defeated by his opponent Dr. N. M. Perera. Four years later he entered the parliament but lost his place after losing in a snap election that was held after four months.
- // 23rd Jun 1963On 23 June 1963 he got married to Hema Wickramatunge. They had two children, a son, Sajith and daughter, Dulanjali.
- // 1965He became a member of parliament again when his party, the UNP, won a majority in the general elections held in 1965. His party appointed him as their chief government whip. Concurrently, he acted as the Parliamentary Secretary of Local Government and later on he was made a minister of local government. He was responsible for overseeing the building of a million affordable homes.
- // 1970 To 23rd Feb 1978He was elected to parliament from Colombo Central in the 1970 elections but his party could not form the government. He retained his seat from Colombo Central in the elections that were held seven years later and was made the minister of local government. On 23 February 1978, he became the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka and remained in the post for roughly a month short of 11 years.
- // 2nd Jan 1989After having served as the Deputy Leader of the UNP, Premadasa was elected as the second executive president of Sri Lanka on 2 January 1989 after his predecessor had decided to step down from the post. Earlier the same year, he was instrumental in helping his party, the UNP, win the general election. During his presidency, he continued his efforts to lift Sri Lankans out of poverty and financial problems.
- // 1st May 1993He was assassinated by a suicide bomber belonging to the militant outfit LTTE on 1st May 1993 in Colombo. He was 69 at the time.
// Famous Political Leaders
Edi Rama
Edi Rama is the current Prime Minister of Albania. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline.
Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan is the current President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Check out this biography to know about his birthday, childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about him.
Leo Varadkar
Cam Leo Varadkar is the current Taoiseach—the Prime Minister—of the Republic of Ireland. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family life, achievements and other facts about his life.
Strom Thurmond
Strom Thurmond was an American politician, who represented the state of South Carolina in the United States senate for 48 years.
Solon
Solon was an Athenian lawmaker, poet and politician. He is considered as one of the ‘Seven Wise Men’ in Greek culture. This biography provides detailed information about his childhood, life, career, works, achievements and timeline.
Mohammed bin Salman
Mohammed bin Salman is the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia and the heir apparent to the throne. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family life, achievements and other facts about him.
Ranasinghe Premadasa's FAQ
What is Ranasinghe Premadasa birthday?
Ranasinghe Premadasa was born at 1924-06-23
When was Ranasinghe Premadasa died?
Ranasinghe Premadasa was died at 1993-05-01
Where was Ranasinghe Premadasa died?
Ranasinghe Premadasa was died in Colombo, Sri Lanka
Which age was Ranasinghe Premadasa died?
Ranasinghe Premadasa was died at age 68
Where is Ranasinghe Premadasa's birth place?
Ranasinghe Premadasa was born in Colombo, Sri Lanka
What is Ranasinghe Premadasa nationalities?
Ranasinghe Premadasa's nationalities is Sri Lankan
Who is Ranasinghe Premadasa spouses?
Ranasinghe Premadasa's spouses is Hema Premadasa
Who is Ranasinghe Premadasa childrens?
Ranasinghe Premadasa's childrens is Dulanjali, Sajith Premadasa
What was Ranasinghe Premadasa universities?
Ranasinghe Premadasa studied at St. Joseph's College, Colombo
What is Ranasinghe Premadasa's cause of dead?
Ranasinghe Premadasa dead because of Assassination
What is Ranasinghe Premadasa's religion?
Ranasinghe Premadasa's religion is Theravada
Who is Ranasinghe Premadasa's father?
Ranasinghe Premadasa's father is Richard Ranasinghe (Ranasinghe Mudalali)
Who is Ranasinghe Premadasa's mother?
Ranasinghe Premadasa's mother is Jayasinghe Arachchige Ensina Hamine
What is Ranasinghe Premadasa's sun sign?
Ranasinghe Premadasa is Cancer
How famous is Ranasinghe Premadasa?
Ranasinghe Premadasa is famouse as Third President of Sri Lanka