H A P Sandrasagara's 72nd death anniversary:

Master of repartee and retort

Chelvatamby Maniccavasagar

The lawyers' world at the turn of the century was never a dull one. Flights of oratory and sparkling wit helped enliven professional life in Hulftsdorp.

The actual proceedings were conducted with conventional propriety though a little levity was now and then permitted by most judges. A quip from the Bar table or a humorous remark from the Bench, parry and thrust, repartee and retort were all in the normal run of a judicial day.

In Ceylon, more liberties were taken in the old days. That was perhaps how H A P Sandrasagara, (KC) came to be known as a Master of retort.

A brilliant lawyer of convincing ability, he spared none, judge or lawyer, who thought they could get the better of him.

He gave no quarter to those who tried to belittle him and showed no respect for them, however highly placed they might have been.

Harry Sandrasagara was born and educated in Jaffna. He had no peer in the use of spoken English. He used to say that he knew only Jaffna Tamil English, taught by a Frenchman. He was short in height, small made and somewhat dark complexioned.

Criminal lawyer

In fact, Sandrasagara who after his education at St Patrick's College was called to the Bar in 1898 and was conferred the Dignity of Silk in 1924. Sandrasagara first practised in Jaffna where he was a much sought after advocate, both as the criminal and civil sides. But on the advice of the judges before whom he practised, he moved to Colombo and built-up a commanding practice in an era of the Criminal Bar with stalwarts who could not be eclipsed in a hurry, but Sandrasagara did. Douglas Janze (QC), later Attorney General once recalled Sandrasagara's "Masterly command of the English Language, his ready wit and fearless advocacy".

Indeed, the court rooms used to be crowded with people who wished to enjoy listening to the mellifluous language, the quick retorts and the sparkling wit of Sandrasagara. But, goodwine needs no bush.

His brilliant gift of rhetoric which he used most effectively took him to the top of the profession. Facing a jury he would play with words like a cat playing with a rat. He would tease and tantalize before he killed, such was the effect of a cross-examination of witnesses.

With his intimate knowledge of men and matters and with his disarming friendliness which was always dangerous, he would break them down.

Further Sandrasagara profoundly understood human nature and foibles of men. Perhaps, this accounted for his success as a criminal lawyer.

Human liberty

Furthermore, the late P Navaratnarajah (QC) and a brilliant civil lawyer was greatly impressed at the age of 17 by H A P Sandrasagara at the Assizes and decided to study for the legal profession.

Sandrasagara was a man of liberal views, flirted with politics for a time. He was a member of the Legislative Council, President of the National Association and also the Ceylon National Congress on whose behalf he went to England to press for reforms with a deputation led by Sir Ponnambalam Arunachalam and others in it being F R Senanayake, D B Jayatilake and J B Kobbekaduwa.

One day while walking down a London Highway, he was mistaken for the Emperor of Abysinia. At his death, J W R Illangakoon (KC) Attorney General said that Sandrasegara was popular as a distinguished criminal lawyer.

He was possessed of a charming personality and was gifted with natural eloquence of a high order and a ready wit. He was chivalrous towards his opponent and was generous towards the Junior Bar in whom he took a keen and abiding interest.

Undoubtedly, his name will best be remembered by all for the gallant and straight fights he used to put up in defence of human liberty. Indeed, he was an ornament to the legal profession.