Susantha de Alwis passes away

Former Sri Lankan Ambassador to the US Susantha de Alwis passed away last Saturday at his residence in Bambalapitiya, after a brief illness. He was 76.

A career diplomat in the Sri Lanka Foreign Service, De Alwis has served as Assistant High Commissioner for Sri Lanka in Madras (1962-66); Charge d'Affaires of the Sri Lanka Embassy, Indonesia; First Secretary of Sri Lanka Embassy in Washington, USA (1970-74); Ambassador to the United Nations, Geneva (1974-78); Ambassador to Japan and South Korea in Tokyo (1980-83).

He retired from the foreign services having served as Ambassador for Sri Lanka in Washington, USA, for six years (1936-1992).

He was educated at Royal College, Colombo, where he had a brilliant career winning many prestigious scholarships and prizes, viz. the Governor's Scholarship, De Abrew Memorial Scholarship, Principal's Distinctions Prize and the Best Speaker's Prize.

He obtained his LLB at the University of Ceylon Peradeniya. Susantha functioned as the President of the Law Society and General Secretary, Arunachalam Hall.

While in the Foreign Service, de Alwis won a scholarship to the Oxford University to read for a degree in International Laws.

He studied at Keble College and was awarded the B.Litt.

Susantha was a member of a distinguished family with two brothers, late Eimstan, President Council; Dr. Stanmore, Thoracic Surgeon, and 3 sisters - late Sushila - teacher, Dr. Thelma Gunawardene, former Director, National Museum and Dr. Daisy Jayawickrema former Medical Officer, CPC.

He leaves his wife Achala, two daughters, Chamini, Darshini, a son Ruwan and six grandchildren.