Former Attorney General and President’s Counsel, K. C. Kamalasabayson, who passed away a year ago (August 12, 2007), was a towering figure whose name will be writ large in the annals of Sri Lanka’s legal history. He will be remembered for his profound scholarship, his brilliance as an Attorney General, and his significant service in the spheres of legal, social, cultural and religious activity.
Mr. Kamalasabayson discharged his responsibilities with unsurpassed distinction and unsullied honour. He was one of the most polished, persuasive and hard-working of Attorney Generals. A model of patience and dedication, he took a methodical and meticulous approach to the work entrusted to him, and he extended maximum assistance to the Bench.
When he walked into the court, he knew his brief like the back of his hand. His court craft was admirable
Mr. Kamalasabayson, who exemplified the qualities of simplicity and humility, was pragmatic in his approach to the problems of the Attorney General’s Department, thereby earning the high esteem of the department.
He hailed from an illustrious family in Trincomalee. His brother, the late Mr. Kamalanathan, was a leading criminal lawyer in his time.
On completing his secondary education at S. Thomas’ College, Mt. Lavinia, Mr. Kamalasabayson entered the Sri Lanka Law College. He passed out as an advocate in November 1971 with first-class honours.
He joined the Attorney General’s Department as a State Counsel on August 1, 1974, and went on to obtain his Master of Laws, Public Law, at the University of Colombo, and his Master of Laws, International Business Law, from the University of London.
Through hard work, efficiency and ability, Mr. Kamalsabayson rose steadily up the ranks to the positions of State Counsel, Senior State Counsel, and Deputy Solicitor General. He was appointed Additional Solicitor General on March 1, 1996, and Solicitor General in 1998. In 1999, he was made Attorney General. He appeared for the State in several extradition cases, including the late Manik Sandrasagara and Benwell case.
He was a visiting lecturer and examiner at the Sri Lanka Law College, and a visiting lecturer at the Faculty of Law, the University of Colombo. Mr. Kamalasabayson had a clear legal mind, and never strayed with irrelevancies. But all his gifts would not have taken him to the top of the legal profession without his unquestioned integrity and industry. Indeed, he was a man of deep and responsive human sympathy, unfailing patience, transparent sincerity, gentleness and goodwill.
He was friend, philosopher and guide to the younger generation.
If is often said that “behind the success of every man there is a woman”. His wife Ramani was a source of encouragement and a tower of strength in all his endeavours.
The Incorporated Council of Legal Education has decided to grant an annual award in memory of Mr. Kamalasabayson. The award – a cash prize of Rs 25,000 and a gold medal – will be given to the author of an essay that exemplifies critical scholarship in the area of Public Law. The award will be presented on August 12, 2008, to coincide with Mr. Kamalasabyson’s death anniversary.
By Chelvatamby Maniccavasagar |
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