William Gopallawa
Former President of Sri Lanka
William Gopallawa MBE was the last Governor-General of Ceylon from 1962 to 1972 and the first and only non-executive President of Sri Lanka from 1972 to 1978, when Ceylon declared itself a republic and changed its name to Sri Lanka. Wikipedia
Born: September 17, 1897, Matale, Sri Lanka
Died: January 31, 1981 (age 83 years), Colombo, Sri Lanka
Spouse: Seelawathie Gopallawa
Children: Monty Gopallawa
Education: Dharmaraja College and St. Anthony's College
Previous offices: President of Sri Lanka (1972–1978) and Governor-General of Ceylon (1962–1972)
Presidential term: May 22, 1972 – February 4, 1978