Senarath Attanayake(Attanayake Mudiyanselage Kithsiri Senarath Bandara Attanayake),(born 12 August 1966)(Attorney-at-Law)is a current Member of the Uva Provincial Council, Sri Lanka. He was the Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation, Livestock, Land and Forestry of the Uva Provincial Council from 2000-2005 and was the acting Chief Minister for a brief period during this tenure. He is the first wheelchair bound politician and lawyer in Sri Lanka and the only wheelchair bound person to hold a ministerial portfolio.
Early Life and Education
editBorn to Attanayake Mudiyanselage Jayawardena Attanayake (Member of Parliament, Sri Lanka) (1977-1998) and Wimala Manathunge of Pitakumbura a village in the [[Moneragala District], Senarath was educated at the prestigious Royal College Colombo, Sri Lanka Law College and the University of Colombo.
He was effected by Polio at the age of 2 which which caused him permanent physical disability.
Career
editSenarath's career has spanned politics, law and business.
He entered active politics in 1999 after the sudden demise of his father, contesting for the Uva Provincial Council Elections. He served as a Minister in his first term and is serving as a member to date.
While being in politics he practices law and runs a eco-friendly business called Back to Earth.
He made history in Sri Lanka by successfully challenging his disability.