Born in the year 1940 he belonged to the land owning "Gamlath" family in Kurunegala. Known to be a brave and a sharp leader he was initially challenged with winning his electorate, Mawathagama which was mostly populated by a different caste despite him belonging to the Govigama caste which was a minority in the said electorate.
He was known as the "Silver Bell of Wayamba" due to his great oratory skills. Kurunegala and Puttlam districts being Leftist strongholds, him and Gamini Jayawickrema Perera were able to establish their control over the said province and protect the citizens during the insurgencies and insurrection. He joined hands with Lalith Athulathmudali and Gamini Dissanayake when a no confidence motion was tabled against President Ranasinghe Premedasa.