Sam A. Sabapathy
Ceylon Tamil lawyer & first Mayor of Jaffna (1898-1964)
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Samuel Ariaretnam Sabapathy (8 September 1898 – 12 February 1964 ) was a Ceylon Tamil lawyer and the first Mayor of Jaffna.
Sam A. Sabapathy | |
|---|---|
சாம் அ. சபாபதி | |
| |
| 1st Mayor of Jaffna | |
| In office 6 January 1949 – 31 December 1949 | |
| Succeeded by | C. Ponnambalam |
| In office 11 January 1952 – 31 December 1955 | |
| Preceded by | C. Ponnambalam |
| Succeeded by | Kadhi. M. A. M. M. Sulthan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 6 September 1898 |
| Died | 12 February 1964 (aged 65) |
| Relations | S. Kulendran (brother) |
| Alma mater | St. John's College, Jaffna |
| Profession | Lawyer |
Ethnicity | Ceylon Tamil |
Early life and family
Sabapathy was born on 8 September 1898.[1] He was the son of Kanagasabapathipillai from Varany and Annammah.[1] His brother S. Kulendran was Bishop of Jaffna.[1] Sabapathy was educated at St. John's College, Jaffna where he was head prefect, captain of the cricket team and member of the football team.[1]
Sabapathy married Kanakeswary, daughter of Nagalingam from Tholpuram.[1] They had a daughter (Padmini).[1]
Career
Sabapathy joined the legal profession after finishing his education, becoming a proctor specialising in criminal law.[1] He practised law in Jaffna.[1]
Sabapathy was elected to Jaffna Urban Council, serving as its chairman between 1937 and 1939.[1] Jaffna was given municipality status in 1949 and Sabapathy became the city's first mayor.[1][2] He is credited with creation of Jaffna Public Library, Subramaniam Park and Health Centre/Maternity Clinic.[1] Sabapathy laid the foundation stone for the library on 29 March 1953.[3][4]
Death
Sabapathy died on 12 February 1964.[1]