Wijetunga, Dingiri Banda, 1916–2008, Sri Lankan political leader. A member of the United National party, he served in the parliament of Sri Lanka (1965–70, 1977–93), holding several cabinet posts. Appointed prime minister (1989) by President Ranasinghe Premadasa, he succeeded him (1993) when Premadasa was killed by a suicide bomber. During his short time in office, Wijetunga brought a more conciliatory tone to the presidency, while continuing the economic and social development programs initiated by his predecessor. After his party lost (1994) both the parliamentary and presidential elections, he was succeeded as president by Chandrika Kumaratunga.
The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2024, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.
See more Encyclopedia articles on: South Asian History: Biographies
