E.L.B. Hurulle’s 107th birth anniversary commemorated

Former Minister and Governor E.L.B Hurulle’s 107th birth anniversary was commemorated on January 19 at Meththarama Temple, Bambalapitiya.

Members of the Buddhist clergy were present at the occasion and blessed immediate family members of the late minister’s family. 

Deshamanya Edwin Loku Bandara (E.L.B.) Hurulle (19 January 1919 – 6 April 2009) was a prominent Sri Lankan politician, cabinet minister, and provincial governor, recognised for his significant contributions to cultural affairs and infrastructure development in the North Central Province. He served as a Member of Parliament for the United National Party (UNP) for the Horowupotana electorate from 1956 to 1970 and 1977 to 1988. 

He served as the Minister of Communications (1965–1970) and also served in Prime Minister Dudley Senanayake’s government, where he was responsible for launching the Rajarata Rajini train, Air Ceylon’s first jet aircraft, and introducing railway diesel engines.

He was the Minister of Cultural Affairs (1977–1989). During this time he was appointed under President J.R. Jayewardene. He established the Central Cultural Fund and the Cultural Triangle (encompassing Kandy, Polonnaruwa, and Anuradhapura) with UNESCO support.

He also served as the Governor of Central Province (1988–1990). He was the inaugural governor of the Central Province, holding the position during the 1988 JVP insurgency.

He also has a stint as the Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Australia. He served well in this diplomatic capacity, working to counter anti-Sri Lanka campaigns by pro-LTTE activists.

He was the Governor of North Central Province (1994) and served as the 3rd Governor of the North Central Province. 

When one focuses on the key achievements of Hurulle we remember with pride some of his outstanding work. He initiated the restoration of the Nalanda Gedige, completed the translation of the Tripitaka into Sinhala, and expedited the Official Sinhala Dictionary.

In his role in religious affairs he established the Department of Buddhist Affairs and brought the Kapilavastu Sacred Relics to Sri Lanka.

He was honoured with the title of Deshamanya in 1992 by the Government of Sri Lanka for his service to the nation.

He was regarded as a ‘gentleman politician’ known for honesty and dedication in serving the rural people of Rajarata. 

He was born into an aristocratic family in the Anuradhapura District to Tikiri Bandara Hurulle and Alice Bulankulame.

He was educated at St. Patrick’s College, Jaffna and also at Trinity College, Kandy.

He married Malinee Galagoda, with whom he had five children; one of them was former MP and Minister Themiya Hurulle.

His family home was burnt down by the JVP during the 1988 insurgency.

He passed away on 6 April 2009 at the age of 90.