[1] He contested the 1956 election as a Sri Lanka Freedom Party candidate for Kegalle electorate, won and was appointed a Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health by S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike.

In June 1959, he was appointed Minister of Cultural Affairs & Social Services, and held that portfolio under W. Dahanayake.

Having held his seat in the 1960 parliamentary elections, he was appointed Minister of Transport & Works by Sirimavo Bandaranaike.

Kalugalla held his seat through elections in 1965 and 1970, being appointed Minister of Shipping & Tourism, with Aviation being added to his portfolio following the Lanka Sama Samaja Party's departure from the Cabinet in 1975.

The 1977 elections saw him lose the Kegalle seat, but won it back in 1994 on the Democratic United National Front ticket, being appointed Deputy Minister of Justice & Cultural Affairs by Chandrika Kumaratunge.