Christopher William Wijekoon Kannangara was born on October 13, 1884 at Randombe in Ambalangoda. He had his early education at Weslyan High School at Ambalangoda. He was a child of 12 years when his father lost his job. This was a big blow to his family of six children who had to struggle hard for their daily sustenance. But Kannangara was courageous from the beginning. He wrested the Foundation scholarship and entered Richmond College, Galle.
Although poor in wealth, young Kannangara was rich in talent. He was often the first in class and excelled in sports in the field. He carried away the largest number of prizes at prize-givings. In 1903 he passed the Cambridge Senior examination, placed in the first division obtaining the highest marks for arithmetic among the students of the whole British Commonwealth.
He commenced his practice at Galle and soon earned a reputation as a clever lawyer. He defended those innocent people who were arrested during the unfortunate riots in 1915 without any remuneration.
Dr. C. W. W. Kannangara entered the national arena as an active member of the Temperance movement initiated by patriots like F. R. Senanayake, Sir Baron Jayatilleka, Arthur V. Dias and Piyadasa Sirisena. In the 1930’s when P. de S. Kularatne, G. P. Malalasekera and others introduced the national dress he followed them and appeared in the national costume. Since then he never donned the Western costume.
Dr. C. W. W. Kannangara was a founder member of the Ceylon National Congress formed with the aim of obtaining independence for Sri Lanka. In 1924 he was elected to the Legislative Council to represent the Galle District. IN 1930 Dr. Kannangara became the President of the Ceylon National Congress. In 1931 he was elected to the State Council as the member for Galle. In 1936 elections he was re-elected to the State Council - this time as the member for Matugama.
Dr. C. W. W. Kannangara was the Minister of Education in the State Council from 1931 to 1947. During his term of office there was a remarkable progress in the sphere of education. Free mid-day meal for school children, improvement in Pirivena education, establishment of the University of Peradeniya and the introduction of Central schools were some of the scheme implemented during his term of office in addition to the Free Education Scheme. Free education was undoubtedly the greatest contribution of Dr. C. W. W. Kannangara.
He commenced his practice at Galle and soon earned a reputation as a clever lawyer. He defended those innocent people who were arrested during the unfortunate riots in 1915 without any remuneration.
Dr. C. W. W. Kannangara entered the national arena as an active member of the Temperance movement initiated by patriots like F. R. Senanayake, Sir Baron Jayatilleka, Arthur V. Dias and Piyadasa Sirisena. In the 1930’s when P. de S. Kularatne, G. P. Malalasekera and others introduced the national dress he followed them and appeared in the national costume. Since then he never donned the Western costume.
Dr. C. W. W. Kannangara was a founder member of the Ceylon National Congress formed with the aim of obtaining independence for Sri Lanka. In 1924 he was elected to the Legislative Council to represent the Galle District. IN 1930 Dr. Kannangara became the President of the Ceylon National Congress. In 1931 he was elected to the State Council as the member for Galle. In 1936 elections he was re-elected to the State Council - this time as the member for Matugama.
Dr. C. W. W. Kannangara was the Minister of Education in the State Council from 1931 to 1947. During his term of office there was a remarkable progress in the sphere of education. Free mid-day meal for school children, improvement in Pirivena education, establishment of the University of Peradeniya and the introduction of Central schools were some of the scheme implemented during his term of office in addition to the Free Education Scheme. Free education was undoubtedly the greatest contribution of Dr. C. W. W. Kannangara.