A fine pair of Royal Crown Derby plates, made for SIR JOHN KOTELAWALA (1897-1980).
3rd Prime Minister of Ceylon from 1953-1956.
 
From a rich mining and landowning family, he was a flamboyant, outspoken soldier and politician. He was educated in Colombo and also at Christ's College, Cambridge.
 
Pathe Newsreels show him at a Commonwealth meeting, with leaders such as Churchill and Nehru at No.10 Downing Street.
 
When he left office, he briefly lived in England.
It was reported in the Times in 1956 that he had purchased Brogues Wood Estate
in Biddenden in Kent with 105 acres. He took an interest in Horseracing as well as village
life and attended the Royal Box at Ascot races.
 
His large estate was left to the Ceylon armed forces as a defence academy.
After his death he was given a state funeral with military honours.
 
Perfect condition, approx 9.25 Inches wide.