U. N. Gunasekera

U.N. Gunasekera (1922- ) BSc Eng (London), MI.Struct. UK, FIE is considered to be one of Sri Lanka's most prominent construction magnates of the 20th century [http://www.sundaytimes.lk/070520/Plus/pls13.html He owned much but gave away even more Remembering Sir Ernest de Silva (1887 - 1957)] ] .

Early life

U.N.Gunasekera, born in 1922, was educated at Royal College, Colombo where he was the Captain of the Rugby team, winning the coveted Bradby shield, he was also a member of the Cricket team and Athletics team. He also played for the Sri Lanka Public Schools Rugby Team and was known to be one of the best young rugby players of that era. He also held the All-Island Public Schools record for the 220 yard hurdles. He obtained his degree in Engineering from the University of London after completing the University of Cambridge Higher Diploma. He was the President of the Institute of Engineers in Sri Lanka for an unprecedented five years.

Faith

U.N. Gunasekera is a strong Buddhist and a great philanthropist.

Family

He married the daughter of Sir Ernest de Silva, the Cambridge-educated former chairman of the Senate of Sri Lanka and the Founder-Chairman of the Bank of Ceylon, making the lineage one of the most prominent traditionally-rich families in Sri Lanka.

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