The death occurred yesterday of former Attorney General Sunil Chandra de Silva, PC, who served in that capacity from 1988 to 1992. He passed away in Melbourne, Australia, where he migrated years back.
He was Sri Lanka’s 19th Attorney General. An alumni of Royal College, Colombo, de Silva earned a stellar reputation as a legal scholar. He was instrumental in the computerization drive of the AG’s Department and introduced many other new technologies to the Department.
He was also a stage actor, who played a memorable role in the popular play “He Comes From Jaffna”. He regularly took part in stage plays and other items at the Neethi Ranga (the annual variety entertainment show held by lawyers) and was well-known for his sense of humour.
He groomed many of today’s leading lawyers and Judges and shared his vast legal knowledge with juniors without any reservation. Even after retirement, he continued to advice many younger lawyers on the finer points of the law.He also contributed regularly to newspapers on various local and international legal issues, most recently on the UNHRC Sessions in Geneva. Funeral arrangements will be notified later.