C.W.W. Kannangara.
Dr.C.W.W.Kannangara was born on 13th October, 1884 in Ambalangoda. He studied at Wesleyan English High School and Richmond College in Galle. He was an excelled all-round student but he had to undergo many difficulties at a young age. He served as a teacher first and became a lawyer in 1910. He entered politics in 1919 and he was the first Minister of Education in Sri Lanka. He introduced free education for all and started Central schools. He served 16 year period as the Minister of Education and three was a remarkable progress in the field. He passed away on 23rd September 1969 in Colombo. He is known as the ' Father of Free Education'.