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Sri Lankan Tamil lawyer, politician, government minister and Member of Parliament From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Deshamanya Kanapathipillai William "Bill" Devanayagam (26 March 1910 – 17 December 2002) was a Sri Lankan Tamil lawyer, politician, government minister and Member of Parliament.
K. W. Devanayagam | |
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க. வி. தேவநாயகம் | |
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Minister of Justice | |
In office 1977–1980 | |
Succeeded by | Nissanka Wijeratne |
Minister of Home Affairs | |
Member of the Ceylonese Parliament for Kalkudah | |
In office 1965–1989 | |
Preceded by | P. Manicavasagam |
Personal details | |
Born | 26 March 1910 |
Died | 17 December 2002 92) | (aged
Political party | United National Party |
Alma mater | St. Joseph's College, Colombo Ceylon Law College |
Profession | Lawyer |
Ethnicity | Sri Lankan Tamil |
Religion | Roman Catholic |
Devanayagam was born on 26 March 1910.[1] A Roman Catholic, Devanayagam was educated at St. Joseph's College, Colombo.[2][3] A keen sportsman, he captained the school's cricket team in 1930 and was the East Ceylon champion in tennis.[2][3] After school Devanayagam joined Ceylon Law College, qualifying as a proctor.[2]
Devanayagam practised law in Kalkudah, Batticaloa District for many years.[2][3]
Devanayagam stood as an independent candidate for Kalkudah at the 1947 parliamentary election but was defeated by V. Nalliah.[4] He contested the 1965 parliamentary election as a United National Party candidate. He won the election and entered Parliament.[5] He was re-elected at the 1970 and 1977 parliamentary elections.[6][7] He was appointed Minister of Justice in July 1977.[8] He became Minister of Home Affairs in February 1980.[3][9]