SIRIMAVO OF MAHAWELATENNE

10th of October marks the 25th Death Anniversary of the World's First Woman PM

- By KKS PERERA

She demonstrated a remarkable yearning for things close to her heart—a trait abundantly evident throughout her political life.

Even as a six-year-old kindergarten student, she insisted that a particular bull be harnessed to the buggy that carried her daily to school from her aunt Mrs Dambavinne’s house, under the care of a faithful maid. She would confound the carter whenever he attempted to use a different bull.

This passion for specific, meaningful things persisted into her years as Prime Minister. Bradman Weerakoon, her official secretary, recalls: “She insisted that fresh fruits—Mangosteens from Horagolla, Rambutan and mangoes from Attanagalle—be airlifted to London to be served to distinguished WIPs at a dinner she hosted.” He notes that she specified these details in a handwritten personal note to her secretary, indicating precisely where to collect the fruits, their types, and even particular varieties.

An image of this handwritten note -courtesy Rendering unto Caesar—B. Weerakoon, 2004: pp. 91-92.

When the first marriage proposal from the Senanayakes of Hapitigame Korale, Ihalagama Bothale Walawwa failed, broker Nanayakkara successfully brokered a match with the 41-year-old Oxford-educated son of Maha Mudaliar Solomon D. Bandaranaike of Horagolla Walawwa, West Ridgeway, from the Siyane Korale. The engagement was arranged in June 1940, with the wedding scheduled for October.

During their courtship, on July 8th, the prospective groom paid a visit to Mahawelatenne Walawwa in Balangoda. He spent the day there and departed in the evening. The very next day, she wrote a long love letter to her fiancé—her choice of words gracious, unfaltering, and delightfully “naughty” in expressing the depth of her emotions and passion. SWRD clearly cherished it forever; the letter remains preserved at the Bandaranaike Museum at BMICH.

A short extract from this letter, written 85 years ago...