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K. W. Devanayagam
Sri Lankan Tamil lawyer, politician, government minister and Member of Parliament From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Deshamanya Kanapathipillai William "Bill" Devanayagam (26 March 1910 – 17 December 2002) was a Sri Lankan Tamil lawyer, politician, government minister and Member of Parliament.
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Early life
Devanayagam was born on 26 March 1910.[1] A Roman Catholic, Devanayagam was educated at St. Joseph's College, Colombo.[2][3] A keen sportsman, he captained the school's cricket team in 1930 and was the East Ceylon champion in tennis.[2][3] After school, Devanayagam joined Ceylon Law College, qualifying as a proctor.[2]
Career
Devanayagam practised law in Kalkudah, Batticaloa District for many years.[2][3]
Devanayagam contested as an independent candidate from Kalkudah at the 1947 parliamentary election but was defeated by V. Nalliah.[4] He won the 1965 parliamentary election as a United National Party candidate.[5] He was re-elected at the 1970 and 1977 parliamentary elections.[6][7] He was appointed Minister of Justice in July 1977[8] and Minister of Home Affairs in February 1980.[3][9]
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Death
References
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