Nandimithra Ekanayake

Mahinda Nandimithra Ekanayake was born December 26, 1943, in Handala, Wattala. Nandimithra has devoted his entire adult life to public service with much of his public life prior being devoted to assisting some of Sri Lanka’s poorest citizens. Prior to entering politics in 1989, he held a number of responsible positions with the Rural Development Department. At the age of 21, he worked as a rural development officer. He was ultimately promoted to district officer and subsequently served as the Chief Officer in charge of the Rural Development Training Center at Nalanda, Matale. During his time in the Rural Development Department he became known as an accomplished writer, journalist and even an actor who was known for his creativity and passion for excellence. In 1989, after 23 years of unblemished government work, he entered politics. He was first elected to the parliament in 1989. His first appointment was as the Minister of Forestry and Environment. After several years in that post he took over the political leadership in the Central Province as the Chief Minister. He was the deputy minister of higher education and he has pledged support to Opposition Common Candidate Maithripala Sirisena at the 2015 presidential election.