'Rajarata Rajini train, Air Ceylon's first jet aircraft, Ceylon's first taxi services and railway diesel engines were launched by E.L.B. Hurulle'

Edwin Lokubandara Hurulle was born on January 19, 1919. He served as the provincial governor of the Central Province, North Central Province, Minister of Communications in Prime Minister Dudley Senanayake's government, Minister of Cultural Affairs and Member of Parliament under President Jayewardene's government

- BY TISSA ATTANAYAKE

Ilangasinghe Kalukumara Rajakaruna Edwin Loku Bandara Hurulle was born to Tikiri Bandara Hurulle and Alice Bulankulame, the daughter of Lokubandara Bulankulame, the chief custodian of the Atamasthana (the eight sacred places) in Anuradhapura. He was the eldest in the family. His family has established itself as local leaders in the Anuradhapura District. His great-grandfather, Punchi Bandara Hurulle, built a Walawwe adjacent to the Morakewa reservoir at Horowpathana. His grandfather Henarath Banda Hurulle, the rate-mahaththaya of Hurulu-Palatha constructed a two-storey mansion between the Morakewa Wewa and the main road from Anuradhapura to Trincomalee in the year 1865. Henarath Banda Hurulle was married to Weragama Kumarihami of Maningamuwa. This is the building that was burnt and destroyed down during the 1988 JVP uprising.

He was married to Malini Galagoda, the daughter of the former chief custodian of the Natha Devala, Kandy and an officer of the Forest Conservation Department, Maduma Bandara Galagoda of Teldeniya.