10 Facts About Lalitha Rajapakse

Lalitha Rajapakse was the first Minister of Justice of Ceylon and a member of the Senate of Ceylon.

Lalitha Rajapakse joined the first batch of students to enter the University College, Colombo, where he was the first cricket captain and won the Obeysekara gold medal in athletics in 1922.

Lalitha Rajapakse graduated in 1922 with a BA degree from the University of London External Programme and proceeded to London where he attended University of London.

Lalitha Rajapakse obtained a Bachelor of Laws in 1924, became a barrister having called to the bar in 1924 from the Lincoln's Inn.

On his return to Ceylon 1925, Lalitha Rajapakse began his legal practice as an advocate in the Unofficial Bar, mainly in civil law in apex courts.

Lalitha Rajapakse served as a lecturer and examiner at the Ceylon Law College and was a member of the Council of Legal Education.

Lalitha Rajapakse was a founding member of the United National Party in 1947 and was appointed to the Senate of Ceylon and became the leader of the house.

Lalitha Rajapakse was knighted in the 1952 New Year Honours.

Lalitha Rajapakse resigned as Minister of Justice in 1953, after Prime Minister Sir John Kotelawala requested his resignation from the cabinet and returned to his legal practice.

Lalitha Rajapakse married Chrisoble Mendis Gunasekara, her sister Ruby Mendis Gunasekara became the first lady Proctor in Ceylon.