Gamini Seneviratne - Government Agent with flair for sports

by Upananda JAYASUNDERA - Kandy Sports Special Corr.

ALLROUND SPORTSMAN: There is a famous saying: "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy" This is applicable to many important people who hold high office. H.M. Gamini Seneviratne - the Government Agent and District Secretary Kandy, is a very busy person with so much of official work, but he is one person who believes that both work and play must go hand in hand with everyday life.

He is one person who believes that sport and official work should go hand and if that is done all problems could be solved.

Gamini had his early education at a rural school called Kiulpane MMV, Kegalle, then shifted to Kingswood College, Kandy in 1974 and once more changed school to St. Sylverter's Kandy from 1975 to 1981 and finally entered University of Peradeniya in 1982.

Getting into the University means a lot of work, but Gamini Seneviratne mixed work and play together and was able to reach the top in both spheres.

He was an athlete, a black belt in Karate played Table Tennis and was also a Chess Player of repute.

Although he was in the Peradeniya Campus, he had to spend 2 years at Dumbara Campus as the Arts Faculty was functioning in Dumbara at that time.

He was the President of the Sports Council too at Dumbara Campus, but continues with his sporting activities as before and also helped other students in karate.

He was a bright student and mixed work with sport well. He got through his Sri Lanka Administrative Service after passing out as an Arts Graduate from the Peradeniya Campus.

He joined the Sri Lanka Administrative Service in 1987 and his first appointment was as an Asst. Govt. Agent at Galigamuwa in the Kegalle District and he served there from 1988 to 1992. Gamini Seneviratne then shifted to Rambukkana as the Provincial Secretary and was stationed there from 1992 to 1994. From 1994 to 1995 he served as a Director of Industries in Sabaragamuwa Province. He was the Provincial Secretary, Laggala from 1995 to 1997 and then shifted to Kundasale from 1997 to 1999. He had a string of appointment 1999 to 2005 Provincial Secretary of Gangawata Korale, from 2005 to 2006 he was appointed as the Secretary of the Governor of Central Province.

He was then the District Secretary, Matale from 2006 to 2010 December and finally came over to Kandy as the Government Agent and District Secretary.

At all the places he got appointments, Seneviratne got involved in sports activities though his administrative work too occupied a lot of his time. Today, Gamini Seneviratne is a much wanted man as he is capable of carrying out his official duties and also work in connection with sports activities to the satisfaction of one and all. He is one of the youngest special Grade SLAS officers in the island.