Aruna Disi Bandara Weerakoon was born on Feb 21, 1959 as the eldest son to Mr. W.M.T. B. Weerakoon and Mrs. H.M.U. Menike. As the eldest of six siblings, from childhood he showed a great loyalty to his family. After getting primary education from the Pothubowa Collage in Mawathagama, Kurunegala he went on to pursue secondary education at the Maliyadeva Vidayarakshaka Maha Pirivena, Kurunegala and at the Mawathagama Central Collage;
Mr. Bandara Weerakoon was a distinguished student who received the constant respect of the teachers, parents and fellow students at these schools.
Bandara Weerakoon who grew up in a strict religious background from his childhood led a good lifestyle as a youth not allowing his valuable qualities to get destroyed.
From a young age, he showed a great fondness for bawana (Buddhist meditation) and consequently, he got associated with Professor E.W. Adikaram, the then vice chancellor of University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Brahmachari Dharmasena Ariyathilaka (presently Ven Harispaththuwe Ariyawansalankara Thero), Ven Panawala Damminda Thero, the professor of Kammaṭṭhana (Buddhist meditation) at the Vipassana Bawana Madyasthanaya in Mawathagama and also the Maha Nayaka Thero of the Swegin Chapter in Weuda, Wallihathpattuwa and with the Buddhist Nun Podi Meniyan of the Sangamittaramaya Nuns’ Monastary in Kidapola. Receiving their constant advice and admonitions, he leads a pious and a righteous lifestyle.
Also from those days he acted to do a great service to society, respecting all in society equally, regardless of their nationality, religion or wealth and thereby constantly winning their trust. Consequently, he became a popular person day by day, getting the love and respect of hundreds of thousands of people.
During this time he got an opportunity to serve as the secretary of the Association of Wayamba Industries. As a result of associating and working with new entrepreneurs through it and also due to the influence of his parents, a strong desire was born to start his own new business at a young age.
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