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Couple who voted in all polls since 1947 await next elections
Albert Abeygunawardena (105) and his wife Leelawathi Wijegunawardena (93) enjoy the distinction of having voted at every single election since the first parliamentary election in 1947.
Albert Abeygunawardena and wife Leelawathi Wijegunawardena
The couple, hailing from Ihala Lellawala Village in Wanduramba, Galle, last cast their votes at the 2018 Local Government Elections. Mr Abeygunawardena was 103 at the time, while his wife was 91. “We went to the polling booth without anyone’s assistance,” Mr Abeygunawardena said proudly, adding that, both he and his wife have voted at every election since the country’s first national election in 1947.
Mr Abeygunawardena, who celebrated his 105th birthday on August 17, may also have the unique distinction of voting at an election on his 100th birthday. The big day fell on August 17, 2015 – the day of the last Parliamentary Election. He duly celebrated the landmark after casting his vote.
Mr Abeygunawardena was born on August 17, 1915 in Lellawala, Wanduramba, while his wife Leelawathi was born on November 10, 1926 in Unanvitiya, Nagoda. The couple married in 1942 and have been married for 77 years. Their extended family, numbering 77 members, comprises 11 children, 5 sons-in-law, 6 daughters-in-law, 39 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Mr Abeygunawardena attributes his long life to staunchly practicing the five Buddhist Precepts.
Albert Abeygunawardena ended his school education after passing Grade 5 and learned carpentry for about 6 years after that. He, subsequently, started his own carpentry workshop and weaving business. The business thrived and soon he had some 20 carpenters working under him.
Throughout his eventful life, he has maintained a grocery shop, a textile shop and a tea shop. For a time during the 1970s, he also served as the Thawalama newspaper agent for Lankadeepa and Sri Lankadeepa newspapers.
Working in his garden: A daily routine for Albert
Despite their age, the couple, with help from their family, still maintain a small betel and vegetable cultivation at home. “My hearing and eyesight are still very good. I still work in the garden. I wake up at 4 a.m. and worship the Buddha every morning and evening, and also engage in meditation,” Mr Abeygunawardena noted.
The couple is content that they have gained much merit throughout their lives. Even on his 105th birthday, Mr Abeygunawardena and his wife gave alms to 100 Buddhist Monks at the Vidyaraja Pirivena in Thawalama.