S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike

ModernPoliticianSri Lanka1899 — 1959

Sri Lankan prime minister assassinated by a monk.

Compare:vs Napoleon vs Julius Caesar

Quick Facts

Born

1899

Died

1959

Country

Sri Lanka

Era

Modern

Occupation

Politician

Score Overview

Military (10%)52

Political (20%)76

Influence (20%)75

Legacy (20%)66

Leadership (15%)73

Strategy (15%)59

Total Score68.4

S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike — Complete Timeline

1956 AD

Election as Prime Minister of CeylonPolitical Action

S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike became Prime Minister of Ceylon on April 12, 1956, leading the Mahajana Eksath Peramuna (MEP) coalition. His victory marked a shift from the UNP's pro-Western policies to a more nationalist and socialist agenda.

ElectionNationalist GovernmentMEP

Impact: nationalconstructive

Sinhala Only ActPolitical Action◆ Major

Bandaranaike's government passed the Official Language Act, making Sinhala the sole official language of Ceylon. This act marginalized the Tamil-speaking minority, leading to increased ethnic tensions and the first anti-Tamil riots in 1958.

Language PolicyEthnic ConflictSinhala Nationalism

Impact: nationaldestructive

1957 AD

Bandaranaike-Chelvanayakam PactPolitical Action◆ Major

Bandaranaike signed a pact with Tamil leader S. J. V. Chelvanayakam to devolve power to Tamil regions, including recognition of Tamil as a minority language. The pact was never implemented due to opposition from Sinhala nationalists, contributing to his assassination.

Tamil RightsDevolutionFailed Pact

Impact: national

1959 AD

Assassination by a Buddhist MonkPolitical Action

Bandaranaike was assassinated on September 25, 1959, by Talduwe Somarama, a Buddhist monk, at his residence in Colombo. The assassination was motivated by opposition to his policies, including the Bandaranaike-Chelvanayakam Pact, which aimed to address Tamil grievances.

AssassinationPolitical ViolenceBuddhist Monk

Impact: nationaltragic