Don Peter Atapattu (17 September 1899 – 14 December 1976), popularly known as D. P. Atapattu, was a Sri Lankan lawyer and politician. He was the Parliamentary Secretary to the Cabinet Minister of State and a Member of Parliament for Beliatta in Sri Lanka.
D. P. Atapattu | |
|---|---|
| Parliamentary Secretary to the Cabinet Minister of State | |
| In office 1965–1970 | |
| Preceded by | seat created |
| Succeeded by | seat abolished |
| Member of Parliament for Beliatta | |
| In office 1965–1970 | |
| Preceded by | D. A. Rajapaksa |
| Succeeded by | Mahinda Rajapaksa |
| In office March 1960 – July 1960 | |
| Preceded by | D. A. Rajapaksa |
| Succeeded by | D. A. Rajapaksa |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Don Peter Atapattu 17 September 1899 Tangalle, Sri Lanka |
| Died | 14 December 1976 (aged 77) Tangalle |
| Political party | United National Party |
| Relations | Atapattu family |
| Children | Ranjit, Indrani |
| Alma mater | S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia Ananda College, Colombo |
| Occupation | Politics |
| Profession | Lawyer |
Early life and marriage
editChildhood
editBorn on 17 September, 1899, Atapattu was the eldest child of Muhandiram D. J. Atapattu and [1] Kadawedduwage Dona Carolina Wijekoon.[2] Atapattu spent his childhood years at his family manor house in Nakulugamuwa.
Education
editHe first attended Gamini Maha Vidyalaya, Nakulugamuwa and St. Thomas' College, Matara.[2] He then went to S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia. Since Atapattu did not have ideas that would fit in the discipline expected by warden William Arthur Stone of S. Thomas, his classics master, T. B. Jayah suggested him to join Ananda College, Colombo.[1]
In 1922, Atapattu enrolled himself as a law student in various schools, including Mahabodhi College.
Political career
editProctor
editIn 1927, Atapattu qualified as a proctor of the Supreme Court and began a legal practice in Tangalle. [1]
United National Party
editAtapattu was a founding member of the United National Party. He represented the party from the Beliatta electorate in Hambantota district at six general parliamentary elections held between 1947 and 1965.[1] He won in March 1960 and 1965, while his long-standing rival, D. A. Rajapaksa, won in 1947, 1952, 1956, and July 1960.[1] In the 1965 Dudley Senanayake government, Atapattu was Parliamentary Secretary to the Cabinet Minister of State, J. R. Jayewardene.[1]
Retirement
editAfter Sirimavo Bandaranaike won the 1970 parliamentary election, Atapattu retired from politics. He spent his remaining years in his home in Tangalle.[1]
Death
editOn 14 December, 1976, due to long-term illness, Atapattu died at his home.[1]
Personal life
editWhile Atapattu was a member of the Tangalle Bar, he proprosed to and married the daughter of the Dahanayaka family of Pananwela. They had two children, Ranjit Atapattu and Indrani Atapattu, the latter of which migrated to Australia.
Legacy
editOn 26th September 1999, former Secretary General of Parliament Sam Wijesinha wrote an article in The Sunday Times Plus Section, titled: "Reflections on the life and times of D.P. Atapattu, JPUM, Crown Proctor and Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of State".[1] He wrote that Atapattu rendered considerable service to the people of Ruhuna, and reflecting on his time, one hopes that future generations would continue to help prevent an obscure future.
See also
editReferences
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