Senator, Deshamanya J.P. Obeyesekere passes away

The death has occurred of former Senator, James Peter Obeyesekere. He was 92. He was the only child of Lady and Sir James Obeyesekere who was a Barrister-at-Law, Advocate of the Supreme Court and the Chief of all the Chieftains of Ceylon and the last Maha Mudaliyar of Ceylon.

J. P. Obeyesekere received his secondary education at Royal College, Colombo and graduated from Cambridge University having read at Trinity College, Cambridge obtaining the MA (Cantab) Degree. He was a member of the Cambridge University Society and the Debating Team of Trinity College, Cambridge University. He was awarded a half blue in athletics at Cambridge.

As an accomplished sportsman, he gained recognition as a certified athletics coach. He was an excellent horseman and equestrian. In 1938, he obtained an ‘A’ Grade Certificate as a Pilot and became a member of the Cambridge Flight Squadron.

Having served in the Royal Investigative Force in November 1946, he flew alone in an ‘Auster’ Airplane from England to Ceylon. He was the first ever Sri Lankan to make such a solo flight.

Obeyesekere was a Founder Member of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party. He assisted the late SWRD Bandaranaike in the formation of the party from its inception in 1951. In 1952, he contested the Mirigama seat.

In March 1960, he contested the Attanagalla seat and won by a majority of 15,000 votes. In July of the same year, he won again with a majority of 17,261 votes. He served as Health and Finance Junior Minister and acted several times for the Health Minister.

Obeyesekere was also a Senator. He was considered by his contemporaries as an honest, gentleman politician.

He owned a range of vintage and classic motor cars. He successfully participated in many motor rallies. He was the Vice Patron of the Classic Car Club of Ceylon. He took an active interest in the South Movement and was a Former President of the Sri Lanka Scouts Association. Obeyesekere was conferred the National Honour of Deshamanya by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

He leaves his wife, former Health Minister, Deshamanya Siva Obeyesekere, son, daughter and two grandchildren.

The remains lie at his residence ‘The Maligawa’, 17, Rajakeeya Mawatha, Colombo 7. The cortege leaves the residence at 1.00 p.m. today for cremation at 2 p.m. at the General Cemetery, Borella.