Anura joined Sri Lanka Police as a sub-inspector in 1973. He was also promoted as an inspector in 1981. He became a chief inspector in 1985.[2]
He served as OIC of several police stations in Veyangoda, Kilinochchi, Ragama, Welikada and Weerangula. In 2008, he was appointed the director of the Colombo Crimes Division.[3] He was promoted to senior DIG in December 2011. He was also regarded as a popular singer in 1980s and 1990s.[4] He sang Maga Kirilli for a television program which became very much popular among rural people.
He studied at St. Servatius College, Matara.[5]
Anura was arrested in 2016 for withholding evidence regarding the murder case of popular rugby union player Wasim Thajudeen.[6][7][8] In 2019, he was released on cash bail of Rs. 1 million for his connection with the murder of Thajudeen.[9] In February 2021, the court case against Anura was postponed to 31 May 2021 due to his illness.[10] However, Senanayake died on 26 February 2021 due to prolonged illness and cancer.[1]