He was the epitome of an honest public servant

The passing away of Neil Seneviratne, former Surveyor General three months ago has deeply saddened the entire Surveyor fraternity.

He was born on September 21, 1936 to the family of D.B. Seneviratne and Sumana Seneviratne, and was educated at Trinity College, Kandy. On passing out as a young science graduate from the University of Colombo, he started his life as a teacher at Kingswood College, Kandy.

On November 2, 1959, he joined the Survey Department as an Assistant Superintendent of Surveys. He then had the opportunity to travel to Cambridge University in England for further studies on surveying technology. He had an unblemished career in the Public Service of 37 years, and served as the Surveyor General of Sri Lanka from 1993 to 1996.

Mr. Seneviratne was a devoted husband to Sepalika, daughter of Central Bank Governor William Tennakoon and Mrs.

Daisy Tennakoon. Both.were loving parents to their three children, Hiranthi, Navin and Duminda. He was a highly respected person in society, and the entire family had his honourable qualities.

Mr Seneviratne was a lecturer at the Institute of Surveying and Mapping, Diyatalawa from 1968 to 1971 and was the head of the Institute in 1970. He served in many parts of the island during his early days at the Department before he was transferred to the Head Office. He also worked as an International Consultant in the Kingdom of Bahrain for few years in early 1980s and returned to the Department.

During President Ranasinghe Premadasa’s term, Mr Seneviratne headed the team of officers for the selection of suitable sites for the location of the garment factories on available state lands taking into consideration transport and other infrastructural facilities. He was also instrumental in establishing Divisional Survey Offices in Divisional Secretary division areas to expedite survey work and many more innovative ideas of management. He was also in charge of the Agricultural Base Mapping Project for some time, where the new metric series of topographic maps of the island mapping commenced.

Neil as he was known to the survey community was a great pillar of strength to all of us. While in the Department he captained the Departmental cricket team in Government Services tournaments and also played tennis for the Department. While in Diyatalawa, he represented the Government Services cricket team in cricket tournaments in Badulla. At the Survey Department although he was a “boss” to most of us, he treated us more like a friend and was an example to all of us to follow. He was a role model as an honest public servant.

He served as the Secretary General to the National Chamber of Commerce for a few years after his retirement from public service.

Mr Seneviratne was the Past District Governor of 306A of the Lions Movement in 1996/97 and along with his wife Lady Lion Sepalika always prioritised the needs of others very sincerely. Both spent many hours and their personal funds on community work.

His kindness and admirable qualities will never be forgotten. May he attain the supreme bliss of Nibbana.