Preceded by A. J. R. De Silva Spouse(s) Iromi Died February 11, 2002 Nationality Sri Lankan Name Ronnie Abeysinghe | Full Name Ronald Residence Bambalapitiya Flats Children Asika, Devinka, Amal | |
Succeeded by Wijaya Palliyaguruge | ||
Ronald Abeysinghe (also called "Ronnie") (26 July 1936 – 11 February 2002) was a former official of the Sri Lankan government who served as the Serjeant-at-Arms in the Parliament of Sri Lanka from 1970 to 1996.. Born on 26 July 1936, in Teldeniya, Kandy he was educated at St. John's College, Panadura and Prince of Wales College, Moratuwa. In 1966 he married Iromi, a teacher of St.Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia. He was a father of three children.
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He was appointed Assistant Serjeant-at-Arms in 1961 and elevated to Serjeant-at-Arms in 1970. He served for 26 years and retired as the most senior Serjeant-at-Arms of Parliament in the Commonwealth.
Early life
Abeysinghe was born on 26 July 1936 in Teldeniya, close to Kandy. His father Robert Abeysinghe was a government doctor while his mother, Meraya Goonatillake, hailed from Panadura. He had his education initially at St. John's College, Panadura and then at Prince of Wales College, Moratuwa. He was the eldest of nine siblings.
Parliamentary career
Abeysinghe joined Parliament in 1961 and went up the ladder in nine years. He was appointed to the position in 1970 and remained in the position for 26 years, a record for the most senior Serjeant-at-Arms of Parliament in the Commonwealth. He served under Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike, President J. R. Jayewardene, Ranasinghe Premadasa, Dingiri Banda Wijetunga, and Chandrika Kumaratunge in his record breaking service in the parliament. He was mainly responsible for all ceremonial occasions as the master of ceremonies in Parliament, preservation of order, custody of the Mace, security, admission of visitors, allocation of accommodation within the House and supervision of the galleries. The Serjeant-at-Arms is responsible for the overall security of the Parliamentary Estate. He was in charge of the security of the members of the parliament when a JVP member attacked the house killing one MP and injuring Minister Lalith Athulathmudali.
Other
Abeysinghe was the president of Automobile Association of Ceylon from 1992-1997, and president of the Sri Lanka Powerlifting Association. He was also a former Junior Mister Ceylon and a finalist in the Mister Ceylon contest.
He died on 11 February 2002.