D. S. Goonesekera

Don Samuel Goonesekera (13 November 1896 – 7 August 1983) was a former politician and member of parliament.

Hon. D. S. Goonesekera
Minister of Labour and Social Services
In office 28 May 1963 – 1964
Prime Minister	Sirimavo Bandaranaike
Preceded by	M. P. de Z. Sriwardene
Succeeded by	M. H. Mohamed
Member of the Ceylon Parliament for Habaraduwa
In office 1960–1964
Preceded by	Prins Gunasekera
Member of the Ceylon Parliament for Udugama
In office 1956–1960
Preceded by	Neal de Alwis
In office 1947–1952
Succeeded by	Neal de Alwis
Personal details
Born	(1896-11-13)13 November 1896 Habaraduwa, British Ceylon
Died	7 August 1983(1983-08-07) (aged 86)
Nationality	Sri Lankan
Political party	Sri Lanka Freedom Party
Spouse(s)	Nandawathie Victoria Wickremasinghe
Children	Tilak
Alma mater	Dharmika School, Katukurunda Mahinda College, Galle
Occupation	land surveyor, politician

Don Samuel Goonesekera was born 13 November 1896 in Habaraduwa, the only son of Don Marthelis Goonesekera and Dona Clare Abeygoonewardena. He received his primary education from the Dharmika School, Katukurunda, Habaraduwa and his secondary education at Mahinda College, Galle. He then worked as a land surveyor before entering into politics. In 1927 he became the chairman of the Kodagoda Village Council. In 1939 he was elected as a Councilor (representing the Main Street Ward) on the Galle Municipal Council and in 1944 was subsequently elected as Mayor of Galle. At the first parliament election in 1947 he contested the seat for the Udugama Electoral District, on behalf of the United National Party, becoming its first MP. In the subsequent parliamentary election in 1952 he lost the seat, after switching to the Sri Lanka Freedom Party. He was successful in regaining the seat at the 1956 parliamentary election.[1] In 1959 he was appointed as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Trade and Commerce by Prime Minister S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike.