Deshamanya Balakumara Mahadeva (Tamil: பாலகுமாரன் மகாதேவா; 29 October 1921 – 29 November 2013; commonly known as Baku Mahadeva) was a leading Sri Lankan Tamil civil servant.

[3][4] After school he obtained BA and MA degrees in mathematics from the University of London.

[1][5] During his civil service career he held numerous senior positions.

[1][2] He also served as Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration and Home Affairs.

[2] He was awarded the Deshamanya title, the second highest Sri Lankan national honour, in 1990.