He was a successful graphite mine owner and was given the title of Mudaliyar for social service by the British Governor of Ceylon.
Prospering from the revenue from graphite mining, Attygalle expanded his business into agriculture by acquiring over 10,000 acres of coconut and rubber plantations.
[1][2] Attygalle contributed to many philanthropic endeavors including the construction of schools and temples in the North Western province and in the Salpita Korale.
All his daughters married men of established repute, his grandchildren played a major part in the post-independence politics of Ceylon.
The young Francis Dixon Attygalle was murdered when he was shot by a gunman at his home, Collamune Walauwa and succumbed to his wounds at the hospital.