Gopallawa

Gopallawa is a surname found primarily in Sri Lanka. It is associated with families belonging to the Kandyan Sinhalese community, specifically from the central highlands of the island nation. The name's origins are believed to be rooted in the historical kingdom of Kandy. Notable individuals with the Gopallawa surname include William Gopallawa, who served as the first President of Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) from 1972 to 1978 and as the last Governor-General from 1962 to 1972. The name may also be associated with specific ancestral villages or regions within the Kandy district.