Alexander Francis Molamure

The Honourable
Sir Francis Molamure
KBE, MP, MSC
1st Speaker of the State Council
In office
7 July 1931 – 10 December 1934
Succeeded by Forester Augustus Obeysekera
1st Speaker of the Parliament of Ceylon
In office
14 October 1947 – 25 January 1951
Prime Minister D. S. Senanayake
Preceded by Waithilingam Duraiswamy
Succeeded by Albert Peries
Member of the Sri Lanka Parliament
for Balangoda
In office
14 October 1947 – 25 January 1951
Preceded by Constituency created
Succeeded by Jayaweera Kuruppu
Personal details
Born (1888-07-02)2 July 1888
Died 25 February 1951(1951-02-25) (aged 62)
Nationality Ceylonese (Sri Lankan)
Political party United National Party
Spouse(s) Adeline Meedeniya
Children Seetha Molamure
Alma mater S. Thomas' College
Awards Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire

Sir Alexander Francis Molamure, KBE (07 February 1888 - 25 January 1951) (commonly known as Sir Francis Molamure or A. F. Molamure ) was a Ceylonese politician. He became the first speaker of both the State Council of Ceylon and Parliament of Ceylon. He was a controversial figure due to his resignation from the State Council and for organizing the Panamure Elephant Kraal in 1950.

Early life

Born in Ratanpura, he was educated at S. Thomas' College, and played for his school cricket team.[1]

Political career

Molamure was elected to the Legislative Council of Ceylon from the Kegalle District in 1924. We was a member of the committee on higher education that was appointed by the Governor which recommend the formation of the University of Ceylon. [2] In 1927, he chaired the 9th AGM of the All Ceylon Buddhist Association Congress.

In 1931, he was reelected to the First State Council from the Dedigama electorate. The State Council was ceremonially opened on 10 July 1931, and Molamure was elected as the speaker three days earlier on 7 July having defeated Sir Stewart Schneider by 35 to 18 votes. However, he lost the post and seat 10 December 1934 after an absence of three months without leave following conviction in the misappropriation of funds while functioning as a trustee.[3][4]

After brief absence from politics he was elected to the State Council in 1943 from Balangoda in by-election. He was a prominent member of the Ceylon National Congress. In 1947, he was reelected from Balangoda as a Member of the newly formed Parliament of Ceylon. At the first seating of parliament of the newly independent Ceylon, Molamure's name was proposed as speaker by C. Sittampalam and S. U. Edirimanasingham when the opposition proposed Herbert Sri Nissanka. In the following vote Molamure gained 58 and Sri Nissanka gained 41.[5] [4] Thereby Molamure became the first speaker of parliament. He held the post of speaker until his death in 1950 before his term of office ended.

He was appointed a Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire by George VI in 1949 and was known as Sir Francis Molamure.[6]

Elephant Kraal

Molamure inherited the Maduwanwela Walawwa and large extents of lands including the Elephant Kraal in Panamure from his uncle Maduwanwela Maha Disawe. He continued to organize Elephant Kraals in Panamure which had been started by the Maduwanwela Maha Disawe in the late 1800s. Sir Francis was the chief organizer of the last Elephant Kraal at Panamure in 1950, which lead to much controversy following the killing of the bull elephant who tried to break the Kraal blockade. The incident lead to much public outcry and debates in parliament resulting in the band on Elephant Kraals and capture of wild elephants.[7][8]

Marriage and family

Molamure married Adeline Meedeniya who became the first female member of the State Council. She was the daughter of J. H. Meedeniya Adigar, member of the Legislative Council.[9][10]

Their only daughter Seetha Molamure became a member of the Senate of Ceylon. She married to L. J. Seneviratne a civil servant who became the Secretary of the Treasury.[11]

Death

Molamure suffered a stroke while presiding over parliament at the speakers seat and was taken to the General Hospital in an unconscious state. He died in hospital a day later on 25 January 1951.[5]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Manamendra, Gayathra (2009-03-13). "The Battle of the Blues Steeped in tradition". Daily News. Retrieved 2009-07-01.
  2. ↑ 64th death anniversary of A. F. Molamure The Controversial Sir Francis: Speaker who collapsed while Presiding
  3. ↑ "Speakers". Retrieved 2009-07-01.
  4. 1 2 Rajasingham, K. T. (2001-09-22). "Sri Lanka: The Untold Story". Asia Times. Archived from the original on 24 June 2009. Retrieved 2009-07-01.
  5. 1 2 "Molamure is elected Speaker of First Parliament". Sunday Times. 2007-10-14. Retrieved 2009-07-01.
  6. ↑ The Gazette
  7. ↑ The Last Kraal in Sri Lanka
  8. ↑ The Last Stand
  9. ↑ Abeynaike, H.B.W. (2009-02-23). "Press Magnate Who Fought For Country's Freedom". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 2009-07-01.
  10. ↑ Lady Members
  11. ↑ RAMBUKPOTHA SENEVIRAJA - Family #3117


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