33 Facts About Nissanka Wijeyeratne

Deshamanya Nissanka Parakrama Wijeyeratne, known as Nissanka Wijeyeratne, was a Sri Lankan politician, civil servant, diplomat and English language poet.

Nissanka Wijeyeratne was the 17th Diyawadana Nilame of the Sri Dalada Maligawa, Kandy from 1975 to 1985.

Nissanka Wijeyeratne was born on 14 June 1924 to a leading family from Sabaragamuwa in Sri Lanka.

Nissanka Wijeyeratne was the second son of Sir Edwin and Lady Leela Wijeyeratne, of Buddenipola Walauwa, Kegalle.

Sir Edwin Wijeyeratne was a former Cabinet Minister of Home Affairs and Rural Development.

Nissanka Wijeyeratne had one younger brother, Dr Cuda Wijeyeratne who is a consultant psychiatrist.

Nissanka Wijeyeratne completed his primary and secondary education at the Royal College, Colombo.

Nissanka Wijeyeratne then pursued further studies at the University of Ceylon where he earned a BA Honours in history.

Nissanka Wijeyeratne had a scholarly interest in Sri Lankan sociology, as well as in religious philosophy.

Nissanka Wijeyeratne after leaving university, served for a brief period for the Ceylon Artillery Volunteers as a Second Lieutenant and successfully sat the Ceylon Civil Service Examination Those were the days when only six were recruited in a year to civil service as compared with the fifty to hundred now recruited annually to the Ceylon Administrative Service, which replaced the former Ceylon Civil Service.

Nissanka Wijeyeratne was the Chairman of the Anuradhapura Preservation Board.

Nissanka Wijeyeratne retired from the Sri Lanka Administrative Service in 1973.

Nissanka Wijeyeratne served as member of the Executive Board of UNESCO from 1987 to 1989.

The four Bo Leaves added by Nissanka Wijeyeratne reflect the core principles of Mettha, Karuna, Upeksha and Muditha.

Nissanka Wijeyeratne was arguably the best known of all government agents of his time.

Nissanka Wijeyeratne's stature ensured that the voice of Anuradhapura was heard at the highest levels in Colombo.

Nissanka Wijeyeratne managed this process of change with courage and remarkable political skills.

Nissanka Wijeyeratne was never one to be enmeshed in detail.

Nissanka Wijeyeratne set up the Sacred City of Anuradhapura shifted the urban city to the newly created Anuradhapura town and is responsible for the establishment of Anuradhapura Airport.

Nissanka Wijeyeratne served as Diyawadana Nilame of Temple of the Tooth, Kandy for 10 years.

Nissanka Wijeyeratne was the first low country Govigama person in the history of Sri Lanka who successfully challenged the Kandyan Radala hierarchy for that post.

Nissanka Wijeyeratne was followed by his eldest son, Neranjan Wijeyeratne who was first elected as Diyawadana Nilame in 1985, and then re-elected in 1995.

Nissanka Wijeyeratne was a long-standing a member of the United National Party.

Nissanka Wijeyeratne proposed the establishment of the University of Ruhuna and the Open University of Sri Lanka.

Nissanka Wijeyeratne established the Sri Lanka Cultural Triangle with aid from UNESCO for preservation of National Heritage Sites in Sri Lanka, and proposed the Sri Lankan President's Fund, which provides health and education assistance to the needy and underprivileged.

Nissanka Wijeyeratne's poetry captures diverse issues ranging from political events to various personalities and incidents as he saw them during his prominent role in public affairs.

Nissanka Wijeyeratne married Nita Dullewe, the only child of Tinnie and Mallika Dullewe of Meeduma Walauwa, Rambukkana.

Nissanka Wijeyeratne served as Diyawadana Nilame for a total of 20 years.

Mano Nissanka Wijeyeratne was ex Member of Parliament from Kegalle District and former Minister of Enterprise Development, was Coordinating Secretary to the President and Sri Lanka Freedom Party chief organiser for the Dedigama Electorate in Kegalle District.

Nissanka Wijeyeratne had served as Minister of Plantation Services under President D B Wijetunga's Government.

Anuradha Dullewe Nissanka Wijeyeratne entered into active politics in 1988 as a United National Party Member of the Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council in Ratnapura.

Nissanka Wijeyeratne served as Member United National Party National Executive Committee.

Nissanka Wijeyeratne was Acting Diyawadana Nilame of Temple of the Tooth Kandy on several occasions for three decades, appointed by the Commissioner of Buddhist Affairs with recommendation from Mahanayaka Theras of the Malwatte and Asgiriya Chapters.