David Wanigasekera

David Wanigasekera (1860 - 1955) was Ceylonese businessman and politician.{{cite web|url=https://www.parliament.lk/members-of-parliament/directory-of-members/viewMember/2777|title=Hon. Wanigasekera, David, M.P.|publisher=Parliament of Sri Lanka|accessdate=13 March 2019}}

Wanigasekera was educated at Rahula College in Matara.{{cite web|url=http://www.rahulaobacolombo.org/college_history.php|title=Rahula College, Matara: 75 years of distinguished service|publisher=Old Boys Association of Rahula College|accessdate=13 March 2019}} In 1912 he established the Nandana Tea Plantation in Akuressa, near the Nilwala River.{{cite web|url=https://www.nandanatea.com/|title=Where We Are|publisher=Nandana Tea Factory|accessdate=14 March 2019}}{{cite web|url=http://www.tubbs.co.nz/tea/|title=Behind the Leaf - House 1912|publisher=Sacred Gourmet Tea & Coffee|accessdate=13 March 2019}} In 1920 he established the Uruwala Tea Factory in Thalahagama,{{cite web|url=http://uruwalatea.com/index.aspx?pid=History-and-Milestone|title=History and Milestones|publisher=Uruwala Tea Factory (Pvt) Ltd|accessdate=14 March 2019}} which is one of the country's oldest operating low country tea factories .

In 1931 he was elected to the 1st State Council of Ceylon representing Weligama. On 29 February 1936 he was re-elected to the 2nd State Council of Ceylon, where he served as a member of the Executive Committee on Education.{{cite book|title=Ferguson's Ceylon Directory|date=1946|publisher=The Ceylon Observer Press|place=Colombo|page=43}}{{cite news|url=http://archives.sundayobserver.lk/2005/12/25/fea104.html|title=D. A. Rajapaksa Memorial Oration - People and State Power|first=Sam|last=Wijesinghe|newspaper=Sunday Observer|date=25 December 2005|accessdate=13 March 2019}}{{Cite book|title=The Ceylon Blue Book|publisher=Government Printer, South Africa|date=1938|page=32}}

Wanigasekera ran as the United National Party candidate at the 1st parliamentary election in 1947 for the seat of Akuressa. He lost to W. Wickremasinghe, the brother of Dr. S. A. Wickremasinghe (leader of the Communist Party of Ceylon), by 7,326 votes (only securing 28.4% of the total vote).{{cite web|url=http://elections.gov.lk/web/wp-content/uploads/election-results/parliamentary-elections/general-election-1947.pdf|title=Result of Parliamentary General Election 1947|publisher=Department of Elections, Sri Lanka|accessdate=14 March 2019}}{{cite book|title=The Ceylon Historical Journal|publisher=Tisara Prakasakayo|date=1965|volume=1-2|page=161}}

His son, D. C. Wanigasekera, also unsuccessfully contested the seat of Akuressa at the 3rd parliamentary election in April 1956, the 4th parliamentary election held on 19 March 1960 and the 5th parliamentary election held on 20 July 1960 for the United National Party.{{cite web|url=http://elections.gov.lk/web/wp-content/uploads/election-results/parliamentary-elections/general-election-1956.pdf|title=Result of Parliamentary General Election 1956|publisher=Department of Elections, Sri Lanka|accessdate=14 March 2019}}{{cite web |url=http://elections.gov.lk/web/wp-content/uploads/election-results/parliamentary-elections/general-election-1960-03-19.pdf |title=Result of Parliamentary General Election 19 March 1960 |publisher=Department of Elections, Sri Lanka |accessdate=14 March 2019}}{{cite web|url=http://elections.gov.lk/web/wp-content/uploads/election-results/parliamentary-elections/general-election-1960-07-20.pdf|title=Result of Parliamentary General Election 20 July 1960|publisher=Department of Elections, Sri Lanka|accessdate=14 March 2019}} Losing on all three occasions to Dr. S. A. Wickramasinghe.