He responded to this by hiring a small aircraft and distributing election leaflets from the air, thereby making history — as this was the first time it was done in Sri Lanka.

[3] Keerthiratne and his younger brother Asoka Karunaratne were known for their unique manner of breaking down barriers—by embracing a cooperative way of enriching relationships between individuals and groups.

"[5] In June 1939, Keerthiratne established the "Shasthrodaya Society" with the intention of uplifting the lives of underprivileged children in rural villages.

Keerthiratne contested in the Kegalle electorate during the first Parliamentary election of Sri Lanka in 1947, against R. V. Dedigama, and won by obtaining 14,550 votes.

[8] At the 4th parliamentary election held in March 1960 he ran as the United National Party candidate in the Kegalle electorate, but was defeated by the incumbent member, P. B. G. Kalugalla, by 1,608 votes.

His son Mihindu is a renowned architect, who designed the present United National Party headquarters in Pitakotte.