Cyril Mathew
Caluadewage Cyril Mathew | |
|---|---|
| Minister of Industry and Scientific Affairs | |
| In office July 1977 – 1984 | |
| Preceded by | Tikiri Banda Subasinghe |
| Succeeded by | Ranil Wickremesinghe |
| Member of Parliament for Kelaniya | |
| In office 1977–1989 | |
| Preceded by | R. S. Perera |
| Succeeded by | seat abolished |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 30 September 1912 |
| Died | 17 October 1989 (aged 80) |
| Nationality | Sri Lankan |
| Political party | United National Party |
| Profession | politician |
Caluadewage Cyril Mathew (30 September 1912 – 17 October 1989) was a United National Party member of parliament,[1] representing the Kelaniya electorate,[2] and served as the Minister of Industry and Scientific Affairs in the Jayewardene cabinet (1977 – 1986).
Mathew was the author of the book Sinhalese! Rise to Protect Buddhism, which urged Sinhalese to stand up for their rights and protect their values. He also issued a pamphlet Who is the Tiger, a collection of his inflammatory speeches made in 1979.
Mathew was elected at the 8th parliamentary elections, held on 21 July 1977, representing the Kelaniya electorate for the United National Party.[3] He was known for his hard-line position against the Tamil's political aspirations.[4] He was appointed as the Minister of Industry and Scientific Affairs in July 1977.[5] He is widely regarded as one of the key ministers responsible for instigating the anti-Tamil riots of July 1983, which subsequently resulted in the outbreak of a 26 year civil war.[6] Mathew was expelled from the cabinet and the governing United National Party by President J. R. Jayewardene in 1984 after publicly criticising a conference called by Jayewardene to redress grievances of the Tamil minority.[7] Jayewardene's successor, Ranasinghe Premadasa, subsequently reinstated Mathew's party membership.
His son Nanda was also a member of the parliament[8] and later held several ministerial posts, including Minister of Sports and Youth affairs, under successive UNP governments.[1] He was later appointed by President Chandrika Kumaratunga and President Mahinda Rajapaksa as Governor of the Uva Province.
See also
References
- ^ "Hon. Mathew, Caluwadewage Cyril, M.P." Parliament of Sri Lanka. Retrieved 16 October 2017.
- ^ Peebles, Patrick (22 October 2015). Historical Dictionary of Sri Lanka. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 229. ISBN 9781442255852.
- ^ "Result of Parliamentary General Election 1977" (PDF). Department of Elections, Sri Lanka. Retrieved 16 October 2017.
- ^ The Peoples Alliance Government in Sri Lanka
- ^ Sri Lanka Year Book 1977 (PDF). Department of Census and Statistics, Sri Lanka. pp. 17–18.
- ^ Hoole, Rajan (3 September 2013). "July 1983: Ranil Wickremasinghe Followed Cyril Mathew". Colombo Telegraph. Retrieved 16 October 2017.
- ^ "Deaths". Washington Post – via HighBeam Research (subscription required) . 19 October 1989. Retrieved 11 May 2013.
- ^ "Hon. Mathew, Caluadewagey Nanda, M.P." Parliament of Sri Lanka. Retrieved 16 October 2017.
External links
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