Born to Barnes Ratwatte Dissawa of Kandy and Rosalind Mahawelatenne Kumarihamy of Mahawelatenne Walauwa, Sirimavo was the eldest of six children, who included Barnes, Patricia, Macky, Sivali and Clifford. Her father, the Rate Mahaththaya, was actively involved in governance, whilst her mother in addition to playing the role of being housewife, was also known and