[3] Sugathadasa first ran for the multi-member constituency of Colombo Central at the 1st parliamentary elections held in 1947.
He was able to retain the seat at the July 1960 general election, increasing his majority to 50.1% of the total vote.
He also served as Chairman of the National Olympic and Commonwealth Games Committee and was the President of the Ceylon Lawn Tennis Association from 1958 to 1968.
[8] His position in parliament was filled by Vincent Perera, who successfully contested the by-election for the seat in September 1973.
[9] In 1955 he was made an Officer in the Order of the British Empire in the New Years Honours list.