Mr. Rambukwella, who was an entrepreneur before entering
politics, won the 1993 Provincial Councils Election
for the Central Province, contesting on the DUNF (Democratic
United National Front) ticket. In 1994 he assumed
duties as a Provincial Minister covering areas such
as Transport and Highways, Power and Energy, Housing
and Construction, Cooperatives and Cultural Affairs.
He received his primary and secondary education at St
Thomas’ College, Bandarawela, Guruthalawa and
Mt. Lavinia and graduated from Sulsburg University,
Austria in the Management stream.
When he contested the 1999 Provincial Council Elections
he earned the highest number of preferential votes in
the entire island and was appointed the Opposition Leader
in the Central Provincial Council.
He entered national politics, contesting the 2000 General
Elections as a candidate in the United National Party.
Mr. Rambukwella was placed first in the Central Province
having earned the third highest number of preferential
votes in the island. In the 2001 General Elections
too he earned the third highest number of preferential
votes.
Having won the 2002 General elections once again receiving
the highest number of preferences in the Central Province
Mr. Rambukwella was appointed Minister of Science and
Technology under the then United National Front (UNF)
Government.
He was placed first in the Central Province in the 2004
General Elections and joined the UPFA Government on
the invitation of His Excellency, the President and
assumed duties as Minister of Policy Development and
Implementation in February 2006. He was subsequently
appointed by H.E. the President, as the Government spokesman
for Defence and National Security.
At the 2010 Parliamentary General Election
representing the UPFA, the much respected Keheliya Rambukwella
polled-in a massive 133,060 preferential votes in the
Kandy district coming second on the list.
|
