Fredrick Richard Senanayake
This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (October 2019) |
F. R. Senanayake | |
---|---|
Colombo Municipal Councilor | |
In office 1912–1926 | |
Personal details | |
Born | Botale, Mirigama, Ceylon | October 20, 1882
Died | January 1, 1926 Calcutta, India | (aged 43)
Spouse | Ellen Attygalle |
Relations | D. S. Senanayake (brother) |
Children | R. G. Senanayake |
Residence | Grassmere |
Alma mater | Downing College, Cambridge, Royal College, Colombo, S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia |
Profession | Barrister |
Fredrick Richard Senanayake (known to as F. R. Senanayake ) (October 20, 1882 – January 1, 1926) was a Ceylonesen lawyer and independence activist. A leading member of the Sri Lankan independence movement, he was an elected member of the Colombo Municipal Council. He was the principle supporter of the early political career of his younger brother D. S. Senanayake, would go on to lead Sri Lanka's independence movement, becoming the first Prime Minister of independent Sri Lanka in 1947.[1][2]
Early life and education
He was born in the village of Botale in the Hapitigam Korale on October 20, 1882 to Don Spater Senanayake (1847–1907) and Dona Catherina Elizabeth Perera Gunasekera Senanayake (1852–1949). Spater Senanayake had made his fortune in graphite mining and at the time he was expanding into plantations and investments in the arrack renting franchise, later he would be awarded the title of Mudaliyar for his philanthropy. F. R. Senanayake had an elder brother, Don Charles "D. C." Senanayake; a younger brother Don Stephen Senanayake and one sister, Maria Frances Senanayake who married F. H. Dias Bandaranaike.[3][4]
Educated at S. Thomas' College, Mutwal,[5] Royal College, Colombo and Downing College, Cambridge, where he gained a BA and a LLB degree. Thereafter he became a barrister from the Lincoln’s Inn, London in 1905.[6]
Law and business
On his return to Ceylon he took oath as an Advocate in the Supreme Court of Ceylon and started a legal practice in the criminal courts. Soon becoming disenchanted with the legal profession, he focused on his family plantation and mining business. These were expanded to the holding of his wife's family after his marriage.[7]
Community leader
Colombo Municipal Council
An active social worker, F. R. Senanayake was elected to the Colombo Municipal Council from the Colpetty Ward in 1912. He retained his seat in the municipality until his death.
Temperance movement
The three Senanayake brothers were involved in the temperance movement formed in 1912, lead by F. R. Senanayake. He was a founder of the Buddhist Theosophical Society with Colonel Henry Steel Olcott and became its President in 1914. Temperance movement actively campaigned against the Excise Ordinance and the government practice of Arrack renting, auctioning liquor licenses to open taverns and sell liquor locally. The practice brought in revenue to government coffers and was a profitable business for tavern owners leading to many business families establishing themselves. However it caused many social problems in local communities with whispered liquor addiction.[7]
Arrest and imprisonment
When World War I broke out in 1914, the Senanayake brothers joined the Colombo Town Guard. The brothers were imprisoned without charges during the 1915 riots and faced the prospect of execution since the British Governor Sir Robert Chalmers considered the temperance movement as seditious and had its leaders imprisoned. He was released after 46 days he was released on a bail bound.
Politics
Although, capable of gaining membership to the Legislative Council of Ceylon, he didn't pressure a seat in the Legislative Council. He stood for and was elected to the Colombo Municipal Council in 1912 and held the seat till his death. He formed the Lanka Mahajana Sabha and assisted in the formation of the Young Men's Buddhist Association. He was a strong supporter for his brother D. S. Senanayake being elected unopposed to the Legislative Council from Negombo in 1924.
Death
He died on January 1, 1926 in Calcutta, India following an appendicitis operation. He was on pilgrimage to Gaya when he became ill.
Legacy
A statue of F. R. Senanayake has been erected in the Viharamahadevi Park facing the Colombo Town Hall. In the 2018 film Nidahase Piya DS about the life of his brother D S Senanayake, Palitha Silva played the role of FR Senanayake.[8]
Personal life
Family
He married Ellen Attygalle, the youngest daughter of Mudaliyar Don Charles Gemoris Attygalle and they had six children; Richard Gotabhaya, Fredrick Tissa, Phyllis Nedra "Girlie", Swarna Neela, Chandra Upali, Rupawathi. His eldest son Richard Gotabhaya Senanayake went on to become a member of parliament and a Cabinet minister. His eldest daughter Phyllis Nedra "Girlie", married Siripala Samarakkody and Swarna Neela married his brother's younger son Robert Parakrama Senanayake. His brother-in-laws included Colonel T. G. Jayewardene and John Kotelawala Sr. He supported his sister-in-law, Alice Kotelawala after she became destitute following the death of her husband John Kotelawala Sr. He educated and cared for his nephews John Kotelawala and Justin Kotalawela.
Residence
Grassmere was the town house of F. R. Senanayake and R. G. Senanayake. The house was built by F. R. Senanayake in the exclusive neighborhood of Gregory's Road and moved in with his family from his family a rented home in Colombo. It was at Grassmere, Senanayake was taken into custody under martial law by Punjabi soldiers during the 1915 riots. Following Senanayake's sudden death in 1926, the house was inherited by his son R. G. Senanayake.[9] Gregory's Road was renamed R. G. Senanayake Mawatha in 2013. Today the house hosts the Colombo branch of the Goethe-Institut.[10][11][12][13]
See also
- List of political families in Sri Lanka
- Senanayake family
- History of Sri Lanka
- Don Stephen Senanayake
- Richard Gotabhaya Senanayake
- Dudley Senanayake
- Rukman Senanayake
References
- ^ Sri Lanka's Independence movement
- ^ "The Don Bartholomews Senanayake Family Tree". Sri Lankan Sinhalese Family Genealogy. Retrieved 2007-09-02.
- ^ Don Stephen Senanayake, the first Prime Minister of Sri Lanka by H. A. J. Hulugalle
- ^ Nobodies to Somebodies: The Rise of the Colonial Bourgeoisie in Sri Lanka, Kumari Jayawardena, pp. 192-3 & 267 (Zed) ISBN 9781842772287
- ^ "F R Senanayake's death anniversary:Selfless servant of people". Archived from the original on 2012-06-13. Retrieved 2013-05-28.
- ^ "Senanayake, Frederick Richard (SNNK900FR)". A Cambridge Alumni Database. University of Cambridge.
- ^ a b Sirisena, Sunil S. "F. R. Senanayake – the Great Patriot". Financial Times. Retrieved 11 October 2019.
- ^ "Cinematic capture of the 'Father of the Nation'". Sunday Times. Retrieved 25 April 2019.
- ^ "RG: People-centred Trade Minister". Retrieved 11 October 2019.
- ^ "RG came to the rescue of the nation with Rubber-Rice pact – Geethanjana". Island. Retrieved 11 October 2019.
- ^ "Then there were politicians who truly served the people". Sunday Times. Retrieved 11 October 2019.
- ^ "F R Senanayake's death anniversary: Selfless servant of people". Daily News. Retrieved 11 October 2019.
- ^ Miller. Fredrick Richard Senanayake. ISBN 978-6131680809.
External links
- 1882 births
- 1926 deaths
- Alumni of Downing College, Cambridge
- Alumni of Royal College, Colombo
- Alumni of S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia
- Colombo municipal councillors
- Members of Lincoln's Inn
- National Heroes of Sri Lanka
- People of British Ceylon
- Prisoners and detainees of British Ceylon
- Senanayake family
- Sinhalese lawyers
- Sri Lankan barristers
- Sri Lankan independence movement
- Sri Lankan mining businesspeople
- Sri Lankan prisoners and detainees
- Sri Lankan politician stubs