Leo Fernando

Warusahennedige Leo Fernando was born on 18 November 1895 in Panadura. He developed a considerable ownership in the transport sector, having established the Panadura Bus Company and owning transport lorries. He also owned many Tea and Rubber plantations in Ceylon, the Gikiyanakande and Meddegedara estates among them. The Gikiyanakande estate was owned previously by Queen Elizabeth's cousin, Lord Elphinstone. The signing of the deeds at the time of purchase by Fernando were done at Buckingham Palace in 1950. He also owned significant shareholdings in Associated Motorways (AMW), Central Hospitals and the Southwestern Bus Company. The Panadura Bus Company was later nationalised in 1958 to form the Ceylon Transport Board.^[1][2] At the time of his death in 1954, he owned more than 10,000 acres of tea and rubber plantations, and his Panadura Motor Transit (PMT) owned more than 350 buses, 200 lorries; apart from his significant investments in several top companies in Ceylon. He donated the college hall of Sri Sumangala College in his home town of Panadura.^[3]

Fernando was elected to the Parliament of Ceylon at the 1st parliamentary election in 1947 representing the Buttala electorate, securing over 77% of the vote.^[4] He retained the seat at the subsequent parliamentary elections in 1952, with a healthy 70% of the vote^[5] and remained in parliament until his death in 1954.

He and wife, Lady Irene Fernando, had three daughters and a son. They are Kusumalatha, Mallika, Ranjith and Kanthi. His daughter, Mallika de Mel was the member of parliament for Matara (2001–2003), she had married Ronnie de Mel, a civil servant, who became the member of parliament for Devinuwara (1969–1988), Matara (1994–2000), National List member (2001–2004) and Minister of Finance (1977–1988).^[6]