D. G. Senadhipathy:

Senior officer in electrical engineering profession

It was just two months ago that D. G. Senadhipathy (Sena as he was known to his close friends),a very senior officer in the electrical engineering profession in Sri Lanka passed away, very much to the consternation and grief of his family and friends. Sena attained the highest levels of his profession.

He was the President of the Sri Lanka Institution of Engineers and was also the Chairman of the Ceylon Electricity Board, which posts he held with his head held high. He was above all the kindest of men to whom one could go with any problem and Sena would reduce it to the simplest of equations and provide redress.

He was associated with me in solving difficult problems in the CEB and I recollect his astute mind and the contributions he made in the solution of those problems.

In my estimation he was one of the most capable engineers in the CEB. He was also a person with ample humility, humanity and commonsense-qualities which contributed considerably in the solution of the most difficult of problems and endeared him to his staff.

Sena had been my friend from childhood. He was my classmate at St Anthony’s College, Wattala in the early years of that fine Institution. I recollect the several instances when we were jointly found fault with for our various villainies.

Just a few months before his death we recalled fond memories of our very happy childhood days at St Anthony’s although we were called upon to brave many privations due to the shortages brought about by the war.

I remember that on many occasions Sena and I recollected, with much love and gratitude, memories of Bro. Vincent Joseph, the first Principal of St. Anthony’s College, Wattala, one of the finest of men dedicated to the cause of education and who was held in the highest esteem by all his students without exception.

Bro Vincent Joseph’s connections with his students were very strong and to the end of his days his memory was so sharp that he would call you by your first name even after being separated for decades. After our most enjoyable sojourn at St Anthony’s, Sena and I went our separate ways. He joined St. Benedict’s College and I went to Ananda.

Sena joined the CEB in the late fifties and both of us worked there until our retirement. He worked in most of the Departments in the CEB always ending up as the officer in charge. He played important roles in difficult times and whenever new systems were introduced into the CEB, Sena’s experience was sought to ensure that no ‘rough edges’ came up during such innovations.

In the latter part of his life, Sena was afflicted with an unfortunate illness which necessitated extensive surgery. This impaired his speech.

However with the latest technology, Sena recovered the ability to speak and could, to the end of his days, speak with ease. He attended meetings very often and at question time would bring up the most interesting questions. This endeared him more to the audience, as everyone appreciated the fact that Sena was a man for ‘all seasons’.

We often met after retirement. On the last occasion I recollect him telling me that, health wise, he was OK but for an aneurysm in his aorta which, according to his doctors, was best left alone. With a smile he mentioned that the aneurysm will take him away sooner or later. And that was exactly how it happened. He had passed away in a flash after having attended a meeting and after a hearty lunch. Lucky Sena we could say.

Needless to say Sena’s death is a source of much sadness to his wife Lalitha who would feel that that she has lost her moorings in life. But the manner of his life so full of kindness, virtue and service to the people should be a source of great strength and pride to her and to her family.

Our friends join me to pray that the blessings of the Triple Gem will be with D. G. Senadhipathy always and that his journey in Sansara will be short and that he will soon attain the supreme bliss of Nirvana.

Bertram Fernando ,General Manager,CEB (Retired)