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Bandula Gunawardena is a philosopher, writer, filmmaker, humanitarian and most of all a father who is a leading pillar in society that has a vision of making drastic improvements in the fields of education and economics in Sri Lanka. Born 16th of March 1953, starting with humble beginnings from a village called Mabula, Bandula Gunawardena started his primary education in Rathana Jothi Vidhyalaya where afterwards excelled through to his secondary education in Rajasinghe Central College and advance level studies in Lumbini College. He then continued his education in the University of Sri Jayewardenepura where he received Honours in Bachelor of Business Administration and is currently awarded as the top 10 students produced within a 50 year period at the University of Jayewardenepura. Not stopping there he then ventured into the avenues of philosophy where he sought to excel even further only to receive a scholarship awarded from the Chinese government for a PHD in Philosophy.

Starting out his professional career as a well-known economic teacher, he has shown that he is an individual who is avidly immersed in the fields of economy, finance and trade marketing and has written a variety of books and articles that have been published related to economics.

Adding to the mix of achievements, Bandula Gunawardena is also a producer with respect to the film industry and always tends to broaden his reach. He has won the best film producer award in 1986 and 1990 at the Sarasavi Awards for films such as “Suddilage Kathawa” and “Sirimedura”. He was also the producer for the film “Ayoma” released in 1995 which became one of the most profitable Sinhalese films in that year.

While this time he entered the world of politics via Mahajana Eksath Peramuna and got elected to the parliament from the Colombo district in 1989. He then succeeded in becoming the Cabinet Minister of Rural Economy and the Deputy Minister of Finance within the period of 2001 to 2004. He then ventured into projects such as “Gami Deraya”, “Hastha Karmantha Gamanaya” and started building economic centers.

Once becoming the Cabinet Minister of Trade, Marketing Development and Consumer Affairs in 2007, Bandula Gunawardena created a state sector that could be able to compete with the market economy and uplifted fourteen dedicated economic centers to some which are known in Meegoda, Dambulla, Narahenpita, Nuwara Eliya and Walisara. Expansion of “Sathosa” outlets were spread to co-op cities.

In 2010 he was elected as the Cabinet Minister of Education where he performed many advancements in education in Sri Lanka. Some of were the creation of the establishment “Mahanodya” which included IT laboratories, distance learning laboratories and language laboratories. He also reopened 327 schools that were closed and established 1500 child friendly schools that were destroyed by the 30 year war in Sri Lanka. While being the Cabinet Minister of Education he also created a teacher development center in Meepee in Sri Lanka with the aid from UNESCO. After achieving so many feats in life Bandula Gunawardena is also a loving husband and father to five children and leads a humble life by setting an example to his children.