Don Pedris Francis Abeywickrama


Padikara Muhandiram Don Pedris Francis Abeywickrama was a Sri Lankan writer and poet.
Abeywickrama was the son of Don Pedris Ferdinandus Abhayawickrama and Dona Sobhana Gunasekera Hettiarachchi from Morawaka. He received his education at the Wesleyan Methodist Mixed School and the Godapitya Government Mixed School.
Abeywickrama was awarded the title Padikara Muhandiram in 1950. He was also awarded the Mowli Mangalya Medal in 1953.
He married Catharina née Liyanage and they had eight children. His son Keerthisena was a Member of Parliament for Deniyaya and District Minister for Matara until he was killed in the 1987 grenade attack in the Sri Lankan Parliament. His daughter Keerthilatha was then appointed Member of Parliament for Deniyaya.
As a writer and poet some of his works included; Vyakaranaya, Owa Muthu hara, Aksharamala Warnana, Sinhala Viyakaranaya, Supathum Kavi, Elu Silo Sathakaya, Subhashitha Kavya Visthararta Warnananava, Ganga Rohana Warnananava, Kalinga Bodhi Jathaka Kavya.
Abeywickrama was also a critic and pioneer freedom fighter.
His nephew was Sumanadasa Abeywickrama Deputy Minister of Agriculture Development & Research and Member of Parliament for Akmeemana.

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