Sir Oliver Ernest Goonetilleke GCMG, KCVO, KBE, KSTJ, DLL, BA. (1892-1978) is undoubtedly the most illustrious product of Wesley College. He was born on October 20th 1892 in Trincomalee. From humble beginnings as an Assistant Teacher at Wesley he blazed a career to the highest position in the land. His early education was at Wesley College at the time of the legendary Rev. Henry Highfield.

He was awarded the Hill Medal being the most outstanding scholar (which he won for a third time, a record unsurpassed to this day) and the prestigious Gogerly Scholarship. As a young student he showed signs of leadership, a brilliant mind, and great versatility. He was also a smart Officer in the Ceylon Cadet Battalion. Very quickly, his extraordinary ability and intellect took him to the prestigious position of Auditor General. Prof. Ludowyk describes him as the "quickest witted Ceylonese of his generation, which earned him this high position", which in normal circumstances at the time would surely have gone to a British Civil Servant. During World War II, he functioned as Civil Defence Commissioner and Food Commissioner.

In 1944 he became the first Ceylonese Financial Secretary and in 1947 he was appointed Minister of Home Affairs and Leader of the Senate, which demanded the most exacting ability, that of negotiating with the Colonial Office the New Constitution of Ceylon on behalf of D. S. Senanayake, then Prime Minister. OEG a calm and quiet negotiator with an analytical mind clearly saw what had to be achieved. It was indeed an arduous and complex task, which culminated in the draft Constitution granting full Dominion status to Ceylon. Sri Lanka should always be proud and never forget the great Wesleyite who was responsible for the birth of Sri Lanka’s independence.

He is none other than Sir Oliver Ernest Goonetilleke who became the first Ceylonese Governor-General. At that time another illustrious Wesleyite Sir Don Baron Jayatilleke took office as the Ambassador of Sri Lanka in New Delhi in December 1942. Then, the Soulbury Commission who was entrusted with the final negotiations for independence visited Ceylon, and it was Sir Oliver who handled this visit meticulously. Sir Ivor Jennings, the then Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ceylon, in his book on the Constitution stated, “if not for the efforts of D.S. Senanayake and Olver Goonetilleke Ceylon would have remained a Crown Colony for a larger period of time”. In fact he makes the remark "Well done OEG ". The trio Senanayake, Goonetilleke and Jennings drafted a fresh Constitution for the country.

This Draft Constitution came to be known as "Ministers' Draft "was submitted to the British Government in February 1944. Mr. Senanayake decided to reject a proposal made by the British Government to grant a Dominion Status to Sri Lanka. At this juncture, it was Sir Oliver Goonetilleke who intervened and explained to Mr. Senanayake that it was reasonable to accept what was granted and then fight for the rest in an atmosphere of goodwill. Further, he persuaded Mr. Senanayake to present this proposal to the State Council. Sir Oliver who held the post of Financial Secretary by that time, represented Mr. D.S. Senanayake for these discussions. Finally in June 1947 the British Cabinet of Ministers decided to introduce the legislation necessary to confer independence to Sri Lanka. Sir Oliver came back victoriously with a draft for independence, thus Sri Lanka receiving full status as a member of the British Commonwealth of Nations. February 02, 1948 was fixed as the date of Independence. The Duke of Gloucester representing the King delivered the Throne Speech at the opening of Parliament on February 10, 1948. Although Sir Oliver was made to propose the Address of Thanks, he volunteered to give the opportunity to Mr. S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike who at his best, which was hailed as the most brilliant address in his life time.

At the Commonwealth Finance Ministers Conference in Canberra in 1954, the Ceylon Daily News headlined, "Fireworks are expected from Sir Oliver with his demand that the social advancement in Asia must receive top priority and not await long term solutions." Dr. Evatt of Australia described him as one "of the five best brains in the Commonwealth." His participation at the conferences was highly valued as he had the capacity to iron out differences and reach a consensus on complex and controversial matters. In 1954 in addition to being Minister of Finance, he was also appointed Minister in Attendance for the impending State visit of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. Later, Sir Oliver was appointed was the First Ceylonese Governor General in 1954.

In 1956 SWRD Bandaranaike became Premier and he retained OEG as Governor-General. In May 1958 in Sir Oliver's words, “A cataract of looting and public killings ruined the fair name of Ceylon, and unasked I took over the task of saving Ceylon from the flames of racial conflict. Commenting on this action Prof. EFC Ludowyk said "His action was without constitutional precedent, and had he not taken action many more hundreds of lives would have been lost." According to Prof Ludowyk, Sir Oliver paid the penalty "for superior powers of mind, which cause a continual reproach in self esteem of small persons".

Sir Oliver’s the very first public engagement after his appointment was to visit his Alma Mater, Wesley College. It was fortuitous that the Principal at the time was Mr. Cedric J. Oorloff, a former Civil Servant steeped in the classical languages, as was Sir Oliver. His welcoming speech was full of Latin quotations.

Sir Oliver did not fail to recall with gratitude the education he received at Wesley, and that the bursaries and scholarships played a valued part. Sir Oliver maintained an abiding interest in Wesley and made several contributions for its improvement. Despite his onerous duties he threw his heart and soul into the activities of the Old Boys' Union. He was its first President and always found time to attend committee meetings. Sir Oliver did not hesitate to welcome Old boys into "Queens House" for meetings, and even during the time he was away in England he remained as its President, at the unanimous request of the Old Boys. Another institution which engrossed Sir Oliver's attention and support was the Diocese of Colombo and was also involved in the YMCA and was active in the forum.

Tarzie Vittachi, described him as "the most interesting Sri Lankan who had ever lived since the West came to Ceylon.”In 1962 came the end of is term as Governor General, in which high office he had spent 8 years. After 40 years of unbroken service to his country. The Ceylon Turf Club honoured him by naming one of the principal events at the Colombo Turf Club the ‘O.E.Goonetilleke Cup’. His last visit was to his life long friend and Prime Minister of India Pandit Jawarhal Nehru, before he returned to Sri Lanka and passed away on the 17th of December 1978 at the age of 86 years.