John Lionel Kotelawala popularly known as John Kotelawala was born on 4th April 1897 to John Kotelawala Sr. and Alice Elizabeth (nee Attygalle) of Madapatha. He always gets blessings from his mother on special occasions and his mother has had a golden place in his heart. Sir John’s impulsiveness is a trait he inherited from his father, but it is from his mother he inherited inspiration in moulding his character. Sir John once wrote, “It is from her (mother) that I have learned lessons in tolerance and the importance of tackling every difficult situation with courage and determination.