Wijeya Seneviratne, a policeman with rare qualities

Wijeya Joined the Ceylon Police in June 1957 along with my elder brother, Vere, and many others, like Perimpanayagam (Rtd DIG ), Jeyanathan (Rtd DIG), Jitha Jayasuriya (Rtd DIG) and Sumanasekera (Rtd DIG). I came to know him at the Kandy police mess when when I went to Kandy in 1958 to view the perahera. Vere was then stationed in Kandy

Wijeya was the youngest in a family of seven. His parents, were Notary Arthur Anderson Seneviratne of “Notharis Walauwa” Dope, Bentota. His mother, a first cousin of his father, was also the daughter of a notary. Both of them were great grandchildren of Gate Mudaliyar Siriwardena of “Parpe Walauwa” Meetiyagoda.

His siblings included Chandra Seneviratne (better known in the Police as “Tiny”), followed by a sister, Soma Hemamala Seneviratne believed to have been one of the first lady lawyers from the Southern Province. Others included a licensed surveyor, a teacher, Dr Lakshman Seneviratne( a gynecologist), and Sarath Seneviratne who retired as a Senior Superintendent of Police.

Wijeya came from a very closely knit family and was admired by his superiors and subordinates alike, for his very pleasing ways. A believer in peace, he had many qualities rare in a policeman. He was clean and very polite in his ways, and always had the urge to study and improve his knowledge. Posted to various places in the country he willingly served wherever he was assigned.

Later he became one of the most qualified officer handling the Police Kennels whilst he served as the Divisional Head of Kennels having received overseas training and acquired the necessary expertise.

Since his retirement he was attached to UN agencies serving in Jaffna, Batticaloa and Colombo. Always seeking to improve himself academically, he sought to enter the Open University and complete his LL.B while he was following a diploma course in management. Unfortunately he suffered a stroke and was paralyzed. This and the death of his wife depressed him.

Very attached to his family, he and his wife ensured both their children became professionals. Daughter Chandani is a lawyer and son Priyankara, a human resources manager now heading the human resources division in a well known private company.

My prayers are with the family, in the hour of bereavement. The values he acquired and displayed are an example to us all.

NIHAL DE ALWIS