The first prime Minister of Independent Sri Lanka, or Ceylon as if was D.S Senanayake. He was also known as the Father of the Nation. Don Stephen Senanayake was born on October 20,1884 in Botale, Meerigama. His father was Spator Senanayake and mother , Kehelelle Catherine Elizabeth Perera Gunasekera. D.S Senanayake was the youngest in the family, with one elder sister and three brothers. F.R Senanayake another well- known person in Sri Lankaâ??s political sphere, was his elder brother.

An old boy of S.Thomasâ?? Collage, Mount Laviniya, he enjoyed sports more than academic activities.
D.S Senanayake entered public life by identifying himself with the Temperance Movement, following in the footsteps of his brother F.R Senanayake and others.

The Temperance Movement was looked upon with suspicion by the British, for two reasons. It aroused the people to a sense of responsibility, and to free themselves from foreign rule. It also deprived the government of a large portion of revenue which came from the sale of toddy, which was increasing in leaps and bounds.

So, when riots broke out and spread rapidly from the Central Province to the Western and the Southern provinces, the British thought it was a plot to throw them out. Martial Law was declared and the leaders of the Temperance Movement were taken in to custody, though there was no evidence against them.

Elections for the first government of Independent Ceylon were held in 1947. After the declaration of independence in 1948, D.S Senanayake took office as the countryâ??s first Prime Minister. Prior to Ceylonâ??s independence, he brought together leaders of various communities and interests, to form the United National Party (UNP).

After Senanayake died in an accident in 1952, his son Dudley Senanayake succeeded him. D.S Senanayake was a builder of tanks, a promoter of national literature and a great statesman with a charismatic personality. He is remembered to this day as a great son of Mother Lanka.

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