Education
Born to Abeyratne Banda Ratwatte Basnayake and Thalgahagoda Lewke Punchi Kumarihamy, Barnes Ratwatte was educated at Trinity College, Kandy.
Born to Abeyratne Banda Ratwatte Basnayake and Thalgahagoda Lewke Punchi Kumarihamy, Barnes Ratwatte was educated at Trinity College, Kandy.
He was appointed to the posts of Rate Mahatmaya and Dissawa of Sabaragamuwa by the British. He was the father of Sirimavo Bandaranaike, the first female Prime Minister in the world. The youngest daughter, Patsy Ratwatte was married to Colonel Edward James Divitotawela, who founded the Central Command of the Ceylon Army.
He was a member of the State Council and the Senate of Ceylon. They had six children including four sons Barnes Ratwatte II, Doctor Seevali Ratwatte, Doctor Mackie Ratwatte and Clifford Ratwatte, former Member of Parliament for Balangoda and Chairman of the State Plantations and Sri Lanka Tea Board.