James Peter Obeyesekere II

Sir James Peter Obeyesekere II, Maha Mudaliyar, JP (18791968) was Ceylonese colonial administrator. He was appointed as Head Mudaliyar and the chief native representative, interpreter and adviser to the Governor of Ceylon, therefore was one of the most powerful personalities in British colonial Ceylon.[1]

Born to Sir James Peter Obeyesekere I, Barrister and Corneliya Henrietta Dias Bandaranaike. He was the brother of Donald Obeyesekere, member of the State Council and brother in law of Sir Paul Edward Pieris, Civil Servant. He was a nephew of Sir Solomon Dias Bandaranaike. Educated at S. Thomas' College, Mutwal and at Trinity College, Cambridge gaining a MA, he became a Barrister and on his return to Ceylon became an advocate of the Supreme Court of Ceylon. Joining the government service, he served as a District Commissioner and was later appointed as Head Mudaliyar, becoming the last to hold the post.

He married Amy Estelle Dias Bandaranaike and their son James Peter Obeyesekere III was elected a member of parliament and served as the acting Cabinet Minister of Health and Finance.

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