A Life of Distinguished Public Service by Ravindra C Wijegunaratne
Nihal Senevirathne
Source:Slguardian
He was a distinguished student of Royal College, Colombo 7. He graduated with a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of Peradeniya in 1959 and subsequently enrolled at Law College, qualifying as an Advocate in 1961. He joined the Ceylon Parliament in June 1961 and rose to the esteemed position of Secretary General of Parliament in 1981, retiring in 1994. His three decades of service in Parliament were historic and eventful.
As Secretary General, he spearheaded the shifting of Parliament from Colombo to Diyawannawa. Every office, document, and staff member had to be relocated systematically, ensuring that 53 years of records were transferred to the correct locations. One of the most challenging tasks was the relocation of the Parliament Library.
His tremendous effort in carrying out this complex task was highly appreciated by all parliamentarians of that period. From 1981 to 1994, he served continuously as Secretary General of Parliament.
He further enhanced his experience through working and studying at the UK and Canadian Parliaments, as well as during another tenure at the House of Representatives in Washington DC, USA. His final appointment in Parliament was from 2004 to 2006 as an Adviser to the then Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Anura Bandaranaike. His dedicated public service remains a lasting legacy in parliamentary history.
His son, Satuajith (Jith) Senaviratne, was my contemporary at Royal College and later became the President of the Royal College Class of 1980 group.
Twenty-five years ago, when I was serving as the First Secretary/Defence Adviser at the Sri Lanka High Commission in New Delhi, India, Mr and Mrs Nihal Senaviratne visited India on tour. His good friend and colleague from Royal College, the late Mr Mangala Moonasinghe, was the High Commissioner at the time. My residence was adjoining the High Commissioner’s residence within the High Commission complex, and as my wife Yamuna and son were in Sri Lanka at the time, I offered my residence for their use. Mr and Mrs Senaviratne were very pleased.
That same evening, another distinguished Royalist, the late Admiral Basil Gunasekara, was also in New Delhi on a private visit with his wife. High Commissioner Mangala Moonasinghe and Mrs Gana Moonasinghe invited the two guest couples to dinner at the High Commissioner’s residence, to which I was also invited.
It was a memorable evening with good drinks, delicious Sri Lankan food, and the wonderful company of three Royalists and their ladies, filled with stories from the past. Listening to conversations among a top diplomat and politician, a former Navy Commander who had led the Navy for six years, and a former Secretary General of Parliament who served for 13 years was a valuable learning experience for me as a young diplomat and naval officer—of their children’s generation.
Mr Nihal Senaviratne’s contribution to the Royal College Old Boys’ Association was immense. He served as Secretary of the OBA for a long period and later as its Vice President.
In 2017, he authored an invaluable book titled Memories of 33 Years in Parliament, reflecting on his parliamentary career, including 13 years as Secretary General. Having served under seven Speakers of Parliament, six Prime Ministers, and more than three thousand Members of Parliament during his remarkable and illustrious career, it is truly a “must-read” today.
The book was translated into Sinhala in 2019 under the title Galumuwadorin Diyawannawata (From Galle Face to Diyawannawa) for Sinhala readers. His political commentary covering the period from 1962 to 2004, along with his honesty and political impartiality, is clearly reflected in his memoirs.
It was a great honour to learn from a public servant par excellence.
May he attain the Supreme Bliss of Nirvana.
