William Gopallawa: a dignified symbol of the nation-By Rear Admiral Dr. Shemal Fernando PhD In 1961, William Gopallawa as the Ambassador of Ceylon meeting President John F. Kennedy at the White House. Source:Sundayobserver William Gopallawa, MBE, LLD (Honoris Causa), LLD, D. Litt served as the Governor-General of Ceylon from 1962 to 1972 and President of Sri Lanka from 1972 to 1978 under two Prime Ministers Sirimavo Bandaranaike and Dudley Senanayake. He was highly conscious of his role as a unifier of all Sri Lankans. President Gopallawa upheld the law and the Constitution to the letter and won respect and admiration of all political parties. He represented an era where politics was conducted with a dignified aura and he had a reputation as being a man of integrity and humility. His career has very many unique features which no one else in this country ever achieved or can ever hope to ...