THE FATHER OF FREE EDUCATION IN SRI LANKA

Dr C. W. W. Kannangara was born on the 13^th of October 1884 in Ambalangoda. He began his education at Wesleyan college in Ambalangoda. There he obtained a scholarship and entered Richmond college, Galle. He ended his schooling after passing the Cambridge Senior Certificate Examination. He obtained the highest marks in Mathematics. His first employment was as a teacher, at Richmond Collage, Galle itself. Later he studies Law and became a Lawyer in 1910. At the 1931 general elections he entered the state council as the representative of Galle. He became the minister of education from 1931-1947.

At that time higher education was only for the rich. The poor had to be satisfied with secondary education. So amidst great opposition he presented the free education bill. He fought bravely towards archiving his objectives and finally the bill was passed.

The free education scheme brought about a social revolution to the poor. Education as made free from the kindergarten to the university. Central schools were started in many parts of the country. Thus the path was prepared for the poor but clever children to reap the benefits of higher education. Dr Kannangara is called the father of free education in Sri Lanka.