It is a year since S.B. Senaratne, (Justice of Peace), retired Superintendent of Police, passed away, on 13 December 2015.
S.B. Senaratne joined the Sri Lanka Police service almost four decades ago, and at the time of his retirement he functioned as Director, Public Relations in the Public Relations Division of the Police Headquarters. He was well known among the journalists for the valuable service rendered by him. Senaratne, as Head of the Public Relations Division at the Police Dept.was not only an officer who lead an exemplary life but, a man who was highly praised and admired by the general public.
A student of Kingswood College, Kandy, who was bright in his studies, for the first time in Sri Lanka, performed as a Traffic Warden. Senaratne from his student years displayed leadership qualities which paved the way towards his career in the Police Service, enabling him higher accomplishments, such as, becoming the Director of Public Relations at the Police Head Quarters in later years.
It was due to his sound knowledge in the Tamil Language that he was able to accomplish his duties to the utmost as an S.S.P. at the Crime Prevention branch in the Jaffna District during the years 1978-1979. The same year he was awarded the medal, “poorabhoomi”. When Queen Elizabeth visited Sri Lanka in 1982, Senaratne was the Media Coordinating Police Superintendent on her tour, for which Buckingham Palace issued a special communique commending and appreciating the service provided by him. In addition to his normal duties, Senaratne was also attached to the training institute of the Civil Defence Ministry, as a lecturer. He was a distinguished Senior Superintendent of Police who dedicated his valuable time sharing his vast knowledge and experience with others.
The former SSP Senaratne was one of the foremost members of the Industrial Defence Foundation, an establishment where he served as a Security Consultant, in relation to security and public relations at several state and private security entities. He also functioned as Chairman of the Kesbewa Mediation Board, and the Raja Mahaviharaya of the Bellanwila perahera organizing committee, providing leadership to the upcoming younger generation of the area.
Senaratne was well versed in all three languages, Sinhala, English and Tamil and plowed through many books on ancient heritage of the motherland as well as Buddhist Philosophy. His wife, Claudine, contributed immensely towards the duties of her husband. Upeksha Senaratne his daughter, a lawyer by profession is employed in the private sector. And one of his sons, a doctor is attached to the Colombo South Teaching Hospital at Kalubowila. The other two sons are retired Air Force Officers.
- Sirisaman Wijetunge