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Political family in Sri Lanka

The Bandaranaike family is a Sinhalese family prominent in Sri Lankan politics. The family includes three prime ministers and one President of Sri Lanka.

History

The Bandaranayaka family is claimed to originate from Nilaperumal Pandaram (pandaram is a tamil title given for a non-brahmin priest), who was from Tamilnadu, India and served as high priest of the Temple of Nawagamuwa Pattini Devalaya.

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"Nayaka pandaran" is said to be the original name which the family changed to the Sinhalese form of Bandaranaike and adopted Portuguese names like Dias. They served the Portuguese and, later, Dutch colonial rulers. Their golden era began as translators and local scribes, expanding their influence and power serving as local headmen.

A member of the family, Don William Dias, who served as a translator for the British, was present when deposed the Kandyan King Sri Vikrama Rajasinha of Kandy was captured while in hiding by Ekneligoda