The father of free education is C.W.W. Kannangara. His full name is Christopher William Wijekoon Kannangara. He was born on 13th October 1884. He was the son of John Daniel Wijekoon Kannangara and Emily Wijesinghe. His village was Balapitiya in the South of Sri Lanka. He studied in the Missionary School in Randombe and Richmond College, Galle. After leaving school he worked as a Maths teacher in Richmond College. In 1910, he rose to national prominence as a lawyer. In 1923, he won the by election and earned a seat in the Galle District. After that he focused on free education and built many schools in the villages, and in English medium schools, Sinhala language was also taught to students. He became the Minister of Education in 1931. He passed away on the 23rd of September 1969.
Raleesha Svini Perera,
Grade 11,
Viharamahadevi Balika Vidyalaya,
Kiribathgoda.