Nalanda Ellawala


Nalanda Sampath Ellawala was a Sri Lankan politician.

Early life and education

Nalanda Sampath Ellawala was born 26 March 1967, the son of Nanda Ellawala, a member of parliament for Ratnapura, and Surangani, who later served as the Governor of the Central Province. Ellawala was educated at S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia.

Political career

He was a member of the Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council for a brief period.
A member of Sri Lanka Freedom Party, who following his father's death was elected from Ratnapura to the Sri Lankan Parliament in 1994. He was one of the youngest MPs to represent the Sri Lankan parliament.

Death

Ellawala was mortally wounded in a cross fire between his party supporters which included Dilan Perera and political rivals in Kuruwita. He died at the age of 29, on 11 February 1997. A police constable was also shot dead and an inspector of police was fatally wounded. Two members of parliament, Susantha Punchinilame, and Mahinda Ratnatilaka, together with four others were charged with the murder. In December 2013 Punchinilame was cleared of all charges and was subsequently released.