Arthur V. Dias

Who was Arthur V. Dias?

Arthur Vincent Dias, commonly known as Arthur V. Dias, was a philanthropist, temperance movement member and an independence activist of Sri Lanka. A planter by profession, he is known for the jackfruit propagation campaign he pioneered throughout the country, which earned him the name "Kos Mama". A national hero of Sri Lanka, Dias also helped a number of educational establishments in the country. Before Sri Lanka gained independence from British rule, he was imprisoned by the colonial government and sentenced to death, although he was later released.