Age, Biography and Wiki

Colvin R. de Silva was born on 1907 in Sri Lanka, is a Sri Lankan politician. Discover Colvin R. de Silva'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 82 years old?

Popular As N/A
Occupation Advocate
Age 82 years old
Zodiac Sign
Born 1907, 1907
Birthday 1907
Birthplace N/A
Date of death 1989
Died Place Colombo, Sri Lanka
Nationality Sri Lanka

We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 1907. He is a member of famous politician with the age 82 years old group.

Colvin R. de Silva Height, Weight & Measurements

At 82 years old, Colvin R. de Silva height not available right now. We will update Colvin R. de Silva's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible.

Physical Status
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Dating & Relationship status

He is currently single. He is not dating anyone. We don't have much information about He's past relationship and any previous engaged. According to our Database, He has no children.

Family
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Colvin R. de Silva Net Worth

His net worth has been growing significantly in 2023-2024. So, how much is Colvin R. de Silva worth at the age of 82 years old? Colvin R. de Silva’s income source is mostly from being a successful politician. He is from Sri Lanka. We have estimated Colvin R. de Silva'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

1932

He thereafter studied history at University College, Ceylon, gaining a BA from the University of London and went on to gain his PhD from King's College London in 1932 for his thesis: Ceylon Under the British Occupation, later published as a book.

On his return to Ceylon, Colvin R. de Silva took oaths as an advocate of the Supreme Court of Ceylon and started his practice as a lawyer.

He gained fame in the writ of Habeas Corpus related to Mark Anthony Bracegirdle, where he appeared for Bracegirdle as junior of H.V. Perera.

1935

Colvin R. de Silva became the first president of the Lanka Sama Samaja Party when it was established on 21 December 1935 at Lorenz College Hall, along with Dr. N.M. Perera, Leslie Goonewardene, Philip Gunawardena and Robert Gunawardena.

An active Trotskyite, during the Second World War he fled to India, after escaping from Bogambara Prison, where he had been imprisoned on charges of sedition for anti-war activities.

In India he became part of the leading nucleus of the Bolshevik-Leninist Party of India, Ceylon and Burma (BLPI).

After the war he returned to Ceylon and became the main leader of the Bolshevik Samasamaja Party (BSP).

1940

From 1940s to 1960s Colvin R. de Silva enjoyed an unparalleled reputation as a criminal lawyer of great distinction.

He appeared in virtually every high-profile criminal trial of his day.

In the Sathasivam murder case, his exceptionally brilliant cross-examining skills resulted in the acquittal of his client, while in the Kularatne murder case appeal, it was his intimate knowledge of the law of circumstantial evidence that saved the accused.

With the advent of Fundamental Rights litigation, de Silva also appeared in many such cases before the Supreme Court, most notably in The Vivienne Goonewardena assault case.

He continued his legal practice until his death, with the exception of when he was serving as a minister.

1947

In 1947 he was one of five BSP candidates who were elected to parliament.

His constituency was Wellawatte-Galkissa.

After the reunification of LSSP and BSP, de Silva became an important leader of LSSP.

1952

In 1952 he lost the Wellawatte-Galkissa seat to the United National Party candidate, S. de Silva Jayasinghe due to the unpopularity he gained for his role in the Sathasivam murder case, but regained it at the subsequent parliamentary elections in 1956.

During the passing of the Sinhala Only Act, he spoke his famous last words: "Do we... want a single nation or do we want two nations? Do we want a single state or do we want two? Do we want one Ceylon or do we want two? And above all, do we want an independent Ceylon which must necessarily be united and single and single Ceylon, or two bleeding halves of Ceylon which can be gobbled up by every ravaging imperialist monster that may happen to range the Indian ocean? These are issues that in fact we have been discussing under the form and appearance of language issue."

His predictions came true a few years later with the formation of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and subsequent civil war between the LTTE separatist movement and the Sri Lankan government.

De Silva was responsible on behalf of LSSP for the liaisons with the Fourth International.

He was elected to the International Executive Committee of the International, a position he held until the LSSP was expelled from the International.

1964

In 1964 de Silva had urged against the LSSP joining the government, but unlike others who stood by that line he stayed in the party.

1967

He won the Agalawatte parliamentary seat in a by-election in 1967 and in 1970.

1970

In 1970 he became the Minister of Plantation Industries and Constitutional Affairs in the cabinet of Sirimavo Bandaranaike.

His tasks included drafting the new republican constitution of Sri Lanka, which is seen by Kumari Jayawardena as the first constitutional enshrinement of Sinhala chauvinism which had previously been limited to statute law.

1975

He served until 1975, when his party was dismissed from government following a split.

1977

He lost his seat at the 1977 parliament elections along with all the leftists who contested.

1982

After the death of Dr. N. M. Perera the LSSP leader, Colvin de Silva became the leader and the party nominated de Silva as its presidential candidate in 1982.

He finished 5th and only polled around 1% of the votes cast, as the election was polarised between the ruling United National Party and the Sri Lanka Freedom Party – the latter being backed by almost all the other left parties.

1987

In 1987 he led a protest against the ban on May Day rallies in Sri Lanka and suffered a serious burn injury on one of his feet due to a tear gas cartridge that was thrown at the protesters by the police, which troubled him till his death.

1988

In 1988, his party came to an alliance with three other leftist parties to form United Socialist Alliance (USA) from which he was nominated as a national list member of parliament (MP).

1989

Colvin Reginald de Silva (1907 – 27 February 1989; commonly known as Colvin R. de Silva) was a Cabinet Minister of Plantation Industries and Constitutional Affairs, prominent member of parliament, Trotskyist leader and lawyer in Sri Lanka.

He was one of the founders of the Lanka Sama Samaja Party – the first Marxist party in Sri Lanka.

Colvin R. de Silva was born in Balapitiya.

His father Obinamuni Arnolis de Silva, was a registered medical practitioner attached to the Department of Health.

His mother Pettagan Joseline De Silva was a daughter of a business tycoon Pettagan Aseneris De Silva, His elder brother was Walwin de Silva, a civil servant.

He received his education at St. John's College, Panadura and at Royal College, Colombo where he won colours.

He died a few days prior to taking his oath as an MP under new alliance on 27 February 1989 in Colombo.

Union Place, Colombo was named after him.

Colvin R. de Silva married Pettagan Suvineetha De Silva from his home town of Balapitiya.

She was the daughter of Pettagan Benial De Silva, a businessman.