Justice Sharvananda – Sri Lanka’s First Tamil Chief Justice passes away in Australia
[monsoonJournal.com] Justice Sharvananda,who was the first Sri Lankan Tamil to adorn the prestigious position of a Chief Justice, passed away in Australia last month. Justice Sharvananda was living in retirement in Australia after emigrating there.
Justice Sharvananda,who was born in Kayts, had his primary education at St. Anthony’s College-Kayts and later at Jaffna Hindu College. He obtained his bachelor’s Degree in Arts and Law from the University of London. After passing out as a lawyer, he worked in the chambers of legal luminaries like Mr.H.V. Perera, Mr.H.W. Thambiah and K.C. Nadarajah.
Mr. Sharvananda enjoyed a large and lucrative practice on the civil appellate. He was called to serve on the bench in 1974 and was appointed as Chief Justice in October 1974. He represented Sri Lanka at the conference of Chief Justices in Malaysia in 1985.He was the ex- officio Chairman of the Board of Judges Institute of Sri Lanka.
Following is a message of condolence by Mr. Kandiah Neelakandan –Secretary of the Hindu Educational Society, Sri Lanka.
Message of Condolence
We were grieved to hear of the demise of former Chief Justice S. Sharvananda in Australia.
Chief Justice Sharvananda was a member of the Hindu Educational Society for many years and he has also held the office of the President of Hindu Educational Society during the year 1994.
Justice Sharvananda was an outstanding legal luminary and he was the first Tamil to adorn the office of the Chief Justice of Sri Lanka, and the only Hindu who had the honour of holding that office in Sri Lanka.
Justice Sharvananda took an active interest in Hindu religious affairs and he has also contributed valuable articles on religious subjects. His article on Saiva Siddantha to a World Hindu Conference was commended by everyone.
The loss of Justice Sharvananda is an irreparable loss to the Hindus.
We convey our deepest sympathies to Mrs. Sharvananda and the other family members of Justice Sharvananda.
Kandiah Neelakandan
Secretary, HES-Shar (Hindu)