The father of free education

 The Father of Free Education 

C.W.W. Kannangara 🎓📜🇱🇰

The name of the Honorable C.W.W. Kannangara is etched in golden letters in the history of Sri Lankan education. Revered as the "Father of Free Education," he was an incomparable leader who dedicated his life to ensuring that every child in the country, regardless of their socio-economic status, had the right to learn for free. By introducing the Free Education Act to the State Council in the 1940s, he initiated a revolutionary transformation that opened the doors of higher education—previously reserved for the elite—to the children of the common masses. 💡🏫

Mr. Kannangara’s core vision was that education is a fundamental birthright of a human being, not a commodity to be purchased with wealth. Through his visionary "Central College" concept, children in rural areas were granted the opportunity to study under facilities equal to those in urban schools. The vast majority of doctors, engineers, artists, and scholars in Sri Lanka today are the proud products of this free education system. Despite facing immense political pressure and obstacles, his courageous commitment to lighting the lamp of knowledge for future generations remains one of the most significant contributions to our nation. Preserving this educational freedom and serving the country through the knowledge we gain is the highest tribute we can pay to this great statesman. 🌟📚