Bandaranaike family


The Bandaranaike family
is a Sri Lankan family that is prominent in politics. Along with many members who have been successful politician across generations, the family includes three Prime Ministers and one President of Sri Lanka.
, Atthanagalla. family seat of the Bandaranaike family

History

The origins of the family in Sri Lanka is claimed to be from person known as Nilaperumal who was from India and served he was high priest of the Temple of God Saman in the Kandyan Kingdom. The family changed their name to the Sinhalese form of Bandaranaike and later moved to the Portuguese controlled territory adopting the name Dias. They came to serve the Portuguese, Dutch and British as translators and local scribes expanding their influence and power. A member of the family, Don William Dias who served as a translator for the British was present when deposed Kandyan King Sri Vikrama Rajasingha was captured while in hiding by Ekneligoda Disawa.

Family Tree

Other members of the family include;
The Horagolla Bandaranaike Samadhi is the final resting place of Solomon West Ridgeway Dias Bandaranaike and his wife Sirimavo Ratwatte Dias Bandaranaike. It is located in the grounds of the Bandaranaike property of Horagolla in Atthanagalla, Western Province, Sri Lanka.