Age, Biography and Wiki

Robert Gunawardena (Don Benjamin Rupasinghe Gunawardena) was born on 12 March, 1904 in Kosgama, British Ceylon, is a Sri Lankan politician and diplomat (1904-1971). Discover Robert Gunawardena's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Learn How rich is he in this year and how he spends money? Also learn how he earned most of networth at the age of 67 years old?

Popular As Don Benjamin Rupasinghe Gunawardena
Occupation N/A
Age 67 years old
Zodiac Sign Pisces
Born 12 March 1904
Birthday 12 March
Birthplace Kosgama, British Ceylon
Date of death 26 December, 1971
Died Place Kosgama, Sri Lanka
Nationality Sri Lanka

We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 12 March. He is a member of famous politician with the age 67 years old group.

Robert Gunawardena Height, Weight & Measurements

At 67 years old, Robert Gunawardena height not available right now. We will update Robert Gunawardena's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible.

Physical Status
Height Not Available
Weight Not Available
Body Measurements Not Available
Eye Color Not Available
Hair Color Not Available

Who Is Robert Gunawardena's Wife?

His wife is Seelakalyana Rupa Kottegoda (1947-1971)

Family
Parents Don Jacolis Rupasinghe Gunawardena (father)Dona Liyanora née Gunasekera (mother)
Wife Seelakalyana Rupa Kottegoda (1947-1971)
Sibling Not Available
Children 4

Robert Gunawardena Net Worth

His net worth has been growing significantly in 2023-2024. So, how much is Robert Gunawardena worth at the age of 67 years old? Robert Gunawardena’s income source is mostly from being a successful politician. He is from Sri Lanka. We have estimated Robert Gunawardena's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets.

Net Worth in 2024 $1 Million - $5 Million
Salary in 2024 Under Review
Net Worth in 2023 Pending
Salary in 2023 Under Review
House Not Available
Cars Not Available
Source of Income politician

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Timeline

1904

Don Benjamin Rupasinghe Gunawardena (12 March 1904 - 26 December 1971: රොබට් ගුණවර්ධන), popularly as Robert Gunawardena, was a Sri Lankan Marxist politician and diplomat.

He was one of the founders of the Lanka Sama Samaja Party, which was the first political party in Sri Lanka, and served as the long time MP for Kotte.

Robert was born on 12 March 1904, to an affluent family in Kosgama, Sri Lanka.

The fourth of seven children of Don Jacolis Rupasinghe Gunawardena, known as Boralugoda Ralahamy, and Dona Liyanora née Gunasekera, he was the younger brother of Harry and Philip.

1915

He attended the government school in Hanwella for his primary education and went on to the Prince of Wales' College, Moratuwa however following his father's false arrest for allegedly being an agitator in the 1915 Ceylonese riots the family decided to withdraw the brothers from the school and enroll them at Ananda College, Colombo.

1920

In the late 1920s Harry, Robert and their younger sister Caroline became active in nationalist youth groups which were demanding democratic reforms with the ultimate goal of complete independence.

Robert was married to Seelakalyana Rupa Kottegoda who was born in Kothhena, Kottegoda, Badulla.

She was studied in Tebuwana School, Panadura Sri Sumangala Balika Vidyalaya, St. Bridget's Convent, Colombo and Visakha Vidyalaya, Colombo.

Their parents opposed the marriage particularly Rupa's mother's only younger brother, Dr. M. V. P. Peiris who later became the Minister of Health.

1922

In addition to education, he played cricket, volleyball, and was a member of the Cadet Corps from 1922 to 1923.

1931

In 1931 he campaigned for the Universal suffrage and formed The Cosmopolitan Crew of Lauries Road, Bambalapkiya Association.

1935

In 1935 he was an activist in Colombo Youth League and one of the founders of the Lanka Sama Samaja Party.

1938

Then in 1938, he slipped out from British Ceylon to the British Raj and was delegate to Indian National Congress in Haripura.

1942

In 1942, Robert was arrested in British India and brought to Ceylon where he was jailed from 1942 to 1945.

1947

However, Robert and Rupa were married on 7 March 1947, when Rupa was 23 years old and Robert was 43 years old.

The couple had two daughters: Sriyani, Yasomi; and two sons: Vijith and Rohith.

Later in 1947, Robert was elected as the Member of Parliament for the Kotte Electoral District and remained its elected member until 1960.

1953

After released from jail, he led the 1953 Ceylonese Hartal in 1953.

The government issued a warrant for Robert's arrest and ordered DIG Sidney Zoysa to kill him or bring him to Army Headquarters.

Robert hid with his faithful friend Danny Hettiarachchi.

At the same time, Zoysa surrounded Robert's garden on false rumors that 500 guns were hidden.

1960

Rupa contested the Kolonnawa electorate from the Lanka Sama Samaja Party in the 1960 general election.

However he left the Lanka Sama Samaja Party, joined the Mahajana Eksath Peramuna and was elected representing the Kottawa Electoral District in 1960 and remained its elected member until 1964.

1964

In 1964 he left the Mahajana Eksath Peramuna and became the leader of the Suiyamal Movement.

1965

He was the leader of the Suriya-Mal Movement and served as ambassador to China between 1965 and 1970.

Robert lost the first general election in 1965, and then received a message from Prime Minister Dudley Senanayake to be an ambassador.

In 1965 he was elected as a member of the Colombo Municipal Council.

From 1965 to 1970, Robert was ambassador in Beijing.

1971

On the morning of 27 December 1971, Robert inspected a banana plantation in the morning and came home at around 11:00 am saying that he was ill.

Rupa arranged for him to be hospitalised, but he was reluctant to go to the hospital and died at home.