Ponnambalam Ramanathan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ponnambalam Ramanathan
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பொன்னம்பலம் இராமநாதன்
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| Solicitor-General of Ceylon | |
| In office 1892–1906 |
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| Preceded by | Charles Layard |
| Succeeded by | James Cecil Walter Pereira |
| Unofficial Member (Tamil) Legislative Council of Ceylon |
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| In office 1879–1892 |
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| Preceded by | Muthu Coomaraswamy |
| Succeeded by | P. Coomaraswamy |
| Unofficial Member (Educated Ceylonese) Legislative Council of Ceylon |
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| In office 1911–1921 |
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| Succeeded by | James Peiris |
| Unofficial Member Legislative Council of Ceylon |
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| In office 1921–1924 |
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| Member of the Legislative Council of Ceylon for Northern Province North |
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| In office 1924–1930 |
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| Personal details | |
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P. Ramanathan
16 April 1851 Colombo, Ceylon |
| Died | 26 November 1930 (aged 79) Colombo, Ceylon |
| Alma mater | Presidency College, Madras |
| Profession | Advocate |
| Ethnicity | Ceylon Tamil |
Sir Ponnambalam Ramanathan (born April 16, 1851 – died November 26, 1930) was an important lawyer and politician from Ceylon. He was known for his work as the Solicitor-General of Ceylon, a top legal position. He also played a big role in the country's politics.
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Early Life and Family Background
Ponnambalam Ramanathan was born on April 16, 1851, in Colombo, Ceylon. His family was very influential. His father, Gate Mudaliyar A. Ponnambalam, was a leading government official. His mother was Sellachi Ammai. He was also the brother of P. Coomaraswamy and P. Arunachalam, who were also important figures.
Ramanathan first learned at home. In 1861, he joined Colombo Academy. Later, in 1865, he and his brother Coomaraswamy went to Presidency College, Madras in India. They started a degree course there.
In 1874, Ramanathan married Sellachchi Ammal. They had three sons and three daughters. After his first wife passed away, he married R. L. Harrison from Australia, who later became known as Leelawathy. They had one daughter together.
Ramanathan's Career in Law and Politics
After returning to Ceylon, Ramanathan trained to become a lawyer. He worked under Richard Morgan, who was a top lawyer for the Queen. In 1874, Ramanathan became an advocate, which is a type of lawyer, in Colombo.
He was very good at his job. He helped edit important law reports for many years. These reports helped other lawyers understand past court decisions. In 1886, he stopped working as a lawyer to focus more on politics and his interest in religious studies.
Joining the Legislative Council
In 1879, Ramanathan was chosen to join the Legislative Council of Ceylon. This council was a group of people who helped make laws for the country. He represented the Tamils in this council. He took over this role from his uncle, Muthu Coomaraswamy.
In 1880, he started the Ceylon National Association. He was the president of this group. Their main goal was to push for changes in the country's government system.
Becoming Solicitor-General
Ramanathan traveled to Europe, where he and his family met Queen Victoria. While there, he also became a lawyer at the Inner Temple in London in 1886.
In 1892, he was appointed as the Solicitor-General of Ceylon. This was a very high legal position. In 1903, he became one of the first Ceylonese people to be named King's Counsel, which is a special title for experienced lawyers. Before he retired from this role in 1906, he visited the United States. There, he gave talks about Hinduism and its ideas.
Later Political Work and Achievements
Ramanathan continued to be active in politics. In 1907, he founded the National Reform Association. He ran in the 1911 election for the Legislative Council and won. He represented the "Educated Ceylonese" group.
A very important moment in his career was during the 1915 Ceylonese riots. Many Sinhalese leaders were arrested. Ramanathan traveled all the way to the United Kingdom to argue for their release, and he succeeded. He was re-elected to the Legislative Council in 1916 and again in 1924.
Ramanathan was recognized for his contributions. He was made a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George in 1889. In 1921, he was given the title of Knight Bachelor, which meant he could use "Sir" before his name.
He also cared a lot about education and religion. He founded two schools in northern Ceylon: Parameshwara College, Jaffna and Ramanathan College. In 1907, he helped rebuild the Sri Ponnambala Vaneswara Temple. He also helped start the Hindu Education Board in 1923 and led it. He was also involved with a newspaper called The Ceylonese.
Sir Ponnambalam Ramanathan passed away on November 26, 1930, in Colombo. Prime Minister D. S. Senanayake later called him "the greatest Ceylonese of all times."
Ramanathan's Writings
Sir Ponnambalam Ramanathan also wrote several books, often about religion and philosophy. Some of his works include:
- On Faith or Love of God (1897)
- An Eastern Exposition of the Gospel of Jesus According to St. John (1902)
- The Spirit of the East Contrasted with the Spirit of the West (1905)
