Kotavila Vithanage Charles Justin Wijayawardhene was born in Matara on 18 November 1904[1] and received his primary school education St. Thomas' College, Matara before attending Mahinda College in Galle.
In collaboration with S. A. Wickramasinghe he established the Matara Sinhalese Youth Association.
[2] Wijayawardhena was a founding member of the United National Party and in March 1960 successfully ran in Matara Electoral District at the fourth parliamentary elections gaining just over 36% of the vote.
At the subsequent July election Wijayawardhena was defeated by the SLFP candidate, Mahanama Samaraweera by 2,905 votes.
[5] At the sixth parliamentary elections held in March 1965, Wijayawardhena ran again however this time in the Kamburupitiya Electoral District.