D. M. Swaminathan
By Siva Sivapragasam
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Lawyer D.M. Swaminathan who was appointed the Minister of Reconstruction, Resettlement and Hindu Religious?? Affairs has stated that he will work with the TNA and other parties for the re-settlement of people displaced as a result of the war in the North and East.
He made the above remarks when he assumed duties at the Ministry. Mr. Swaminathan was warmly welcomed by officials and staff at the ministry office.
Mr. Swaminathan hails from a prominent political family of Hindus consisting of Sir Sangarapillai Pararajasingham , Sir Ponnambalam Arunachalam and Sir Ponnambalam Ramanathan who contributed much towards Sri Lanka gaining independence.
He was educated at the prestigious Royal College, Colombo?? where he was elected the Chairman of the Senior Tamil Literary Association and won various awards including the Adigar?? Sellamuttu Award for Senior Tamil Literature and the Sir Ponnampalam Ramanathan Memorial prize for Tamil Oratory.
Swaminathan studied law at the Sri Lanka Law College?? where he was elected the president of the Law College Tamil Union and was awarded Sir Cyril de Soyza Gold Medal for addressing the Jury in English and Sir Ponnabpalam Ramanathan Gold medal for addressing the Jury in Tamil. He was admitted to the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka?? as an Attorney at Law.
A devout Hindu, Mr. Swaminathan is the Chief Trustee of the famous Sri Ponnambalavaneswarar Devasthanam in Colombo and was elected as Centenary President of the Vivehanda Society, Colombo. He is also Trustee of the All Ceylon Hindu Congress and was the Past Governor of Rotary International, Sri Lanka and part of District in South India, Member of the Board of Trustees of Ramanathan College and Parameshwara College Trusts, Jaffna.
Mr. Swaminathan has previously served as the Governor of Sri Lanka???s Western Province and Chairman of the National Savings Bank. He has also served as a Member of the University Grants Commission, Public Service Commission, Educational & Service Committee and the Local Government Service Commission.
He is currently a member of the Sri Lankan Parliament and is a member of the Parliamentary Council.
Swaminathan is married to Gayathri Carthigesan and has two children Shobana & Prakash.
