Dilum amunugama biography for kids

State Minister of Investment Promotion Dilum Amunugama participated in the ‘Hannover Messe 2024’ in Hannover, Germany from 24-26 April 2024. This was the first time that Sri Lanka had officially participated at the Hannover Messe which is considered to be world’s leading industrial trade fair.

State Minister Amunugama’s visit to Hannover Messe focussed on creating awareness in Germany about investing in Sri Lanka, exploring opportunities for Sri Lankan businesses and strengthening economic relations with Germany. The State Minister participated at the Hannover Messe accepting an invitation extended by Ms. Marie Antonia von Schönburg, Chief Delegate of the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce (AHK) in Sri Lanka. Mr. Michael Rose, Head of Protocol and Mr. Andrej Gross, Director-Public Affairs for East Germany and Berlin of Deutsche Messe, the organizer of Hannover Messe, welcomed State Minister Amunugama and the delegation to ‘Hannover Messe 2024’.

The Hannover Messe is an important venue for businesses from across the world to learn about important innovations that drive industrial competitiveness and sustainability. It is also a venue for businesses to find partners for collaborative ventures and for countries to showcase their investment and technological potential. The focus of this year’s trade fair was on how businesses can take advantage of developments such as artificial intelligence (AI), hydrogen and many other high-tech solutions with many of the world’s leading companies presenting their latest technologies and innovations in related fields. This year’s edition of Hannover Messe was held from 22- 26 April 2024 and was attended by more than 130,000 visitors from 150 countries, 4,000 exhibiting companies, 300 start-ups and over 300 economic and pol

Walter Muthu Banda Amunugama, father of Minister Sarath Amunugama, who passed away on Friday at the ripe old age of 101, was known as the ‘miler’ during his youth and never lost a race.

He revealed this during an interview, in March 2006, with The Sunday Times (probably his last meeting with the media) when his wife, Soma, turned 100. It was a rare interview for he was 98 at the time and she had reached a century. Although the couple’s hair had turned silver, the minds were lucid. Walter was witty, while Soma was full of repartee.

When the newspaper met the sprightly couple at their ‘Maha Gedera’ in Nugawela, near Katugastota in the presence of their relatives during a celebratory event to mark Soma’s 100th birthday, the family including Minister Amunugama recalled the couple’s life story of integrity, sincerity and service. The couple and their family cherished The Sunday Times article so much that it hangs framed in the ‘Maha Gedera’, according to grand-daughter Varuni, a successful advertising executive.

Taken under the wing of an uncle, H.B. Ellepola, one of the first Sinhala Inspectors of Police, Walter had flourished at St. John’s Panadura, where his latent talents in sports came to the fore, making him an all-Ceylon athlete, never losing one-mile races.

School career over, he joined the Army, under the colonial government, as a second lieutenant and was posted to Trincomalee during World War II. Later demobilized, he became a teacher, saying ‘no’ to a career in the police because a teacher’s salary was Rs. 5 and higher than that of a sub-inspector.

Marrying Soma, a beautiful girl in Akiriyagala, off Kegalle from the respected Nilmalgoda clan, in 1937, they set up home bringing up a family of two sons and one daughter, amidst their dedicated duty, firstly as teachers and later principals. Walter, though gen

In a recent visit, Julia Charlton, Chairman of the Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce, and her team, met with Sri Lanka’s State Minister of Investment Promotion, Dilum Amunugama, at his office in Colombo. The discussions centered on enhancing bilateral relations and exploring opportunities for economic collaboration between Sri Lanka and member states of the Commonwealth.

State Minister Dilum Amunugama, known for his proactive stance on economic development and infrastructure projects, welcomed the delegation and underscored Sri Lanka’s commitment to enhancing trade and investment ties with Commonwealth nations. The Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce delegation expressed optimism about the outcomes of the meeting, highlighting the potential for joint initiatives that could leverage Sri Lanka’s strategic location and the diverse economic opportunities offered by the Commonwealth network.

Rich tapestry of togetherness
As Soma Amunugama celebrates her 100th b’day, her soul mate of 69 years and their children share fond memories
By Kumudini Hettiarachchi

She is 100. He is 98. She is born on February 15, 1906 and he on March 12, 1908. They have been soul-mates for 69 years – a lifetime in itself.
And the Amunugama clan – two sons, daughter, six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren – had all gathered at the maha gedera in Nugawela close to Katugastota last Saturday to celebrate another milestone in their journey together, for Soma Amunugama achieved the century mark on February 15.
It was a day of celebration without fanfare or over-indulgence. Religious ceremonies set the tone, simplicity being the key. A traditional breakfast of sweetmeats and fruit followed by a sumptuous lunch and that all important cake – proudly proclaiming ‘100’ cut and shared among relatives and friends. For though the footsteps are a shuffle, the eyes are dimmed, the spirit is undaunted and the good done and being done still remain.

In between the hustle and bustle, The Sunday Times is able to have a few words with the couple. Witty Walter Muthubanda Amunugama and equally full of repartee, Soma Amungama nee Nilmalgoda. Yes, the hair is silver and time, one hundred years for one and 98 for the other, has passed quickly, but the mind is lucid.

Do they quarrel? “Find me a home where people don’t fight. Of course, we fight,” says the patriarch of the Amunugama clan, while the sprightly matriarch adds: “Eka eka eva kiyanawa. Mama ganan ganne ne.” (He says all sorts of things but I don’t take any notice.)

The colourful and rich tapestry of their lives is gradually threaded in by those closest to them. “My parents were well-known principals,” says Minister Sarath Leelananda