Once in the late nineties, a visiting Prime minister to an event at St. Anthony’s College Kandy had inquired the then Principal Rev. Stephen Abraham, ” Your School has produced many exceptionally successful Antonian entrepreneurs, sportsman, academicians including the First President of my Country – William Gopallawa. But apart from him lately your School has not produced any politicians to the society. I cannot imagine why.”
Replying to the Hon. Prime minister’s speech, the Principal noted. “We carefully nurture and mold all our children before leaving college. To be gentlemen of discipline, honest, inspiring dynamic citizens. Thus as you’ve said, I am extremely happy that we have been highly successful in doing so.”
At Present, there are Many Antonians who excel in high positions in Sri Lanka and in the World.
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1. Hon. William Gopallawa
His Excellency The President William Gopallawa – The First President of Sri Lanka and the last Governor-General of Ceylon.
2. Hon. T. B. Ilangaratne
He was a Cabinet Minister of Food & Cooperatives, Internal / External trade, and Finance representing Kandy, Galaha, Kolonnawa Hewaheta.
An Author, dramatist, and theatre actor. Famous novels written by him – Lasandha and Nadeyo, Thilaka Saha Thilaka, which was made into movies, and a television series was created from Ambha Yahaluwo novel.
3. Hon. M. D. Banda
Former Cabinet Minister of Education, Food & Agriculture.
4. Hon. N. H. Keerthiratne
Former Cabinet Minister
5. Hon. Chandra Bandara
Former Cabinet Minister
6. Hon. Dr. Abdul Cader Shahul Hameed
Former Cabinet Minister of Foreign Affairs & Justice.
7. Mr. Cyril E.S. Perera
Queen’s Counsel, Former Parliamentarian.
8. Hon. Dayasritha Tissera
Former Minister of State Resources & Enterprise Development
9. Hon. K. D. M. C. Bandara
Former Cabinet Minister of Agriculture & Agri Development.
10. Hon. Asoka Karunaratne
Former Cabinet Minister of Social Service.
11. Hon. Sunil S. Abeysundara
Former Cabinet Minister of Posts & Telecommunications.
Sunil Abeysundara became the mayor of Kadugannawa in the early 1950s. Obtaining electricity and water supplies to the town was one of his first efforts to make Kadugannawa a better place to live in. He stepped into Parliament defeating two major personalities: Hector Kobbekaduwa and D.B. Wijetunga, in March, 1960.
He was defeated by U.B. Weerasekara in July, 1960, but regained his status as the representative in 1965, defeating the same. In 1970, Hector Kobbekaduwa won against Abeysundara, but in 1977, he secured his seat and became the Deputy Minister of Fisheries. Thenceforth, Abeysundara became a permanent member until 1988, while also claiming the ministerial positions of Deputy Agriculture Minister and Telecommunications and Postal Minister. He retired from his post after opening the doors to his third son, Gemunu Abeysundara. He left us in 1989, completing his life journey at the age of 63.
12. Dr. Jayampathy Wickramaratne
Former National List Member of the Sri Lanka Parliament – He chaired the committee appointed by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in 2018 to provide technical support to the Constitution-making process.
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Articles you could share to your young Antonians who Did A/Ls in 2019 / 2020 to get Study Overseas Scholarships :
Why “Study Overseas” would be the best decision you’ve ever taken in your life