Richard Gotabhaya Senanayake

Richard Gotabhaya Senanayake (4 November 1911 – 22 December 1970; popularly known as R.G. Senanayake) was a Sri Lankan politician. He was Minister of Trade and Commerce during the period 1952-56 and 1956-60. He was elected a Member of Parliament from Dambadeniya in 1952 and in 1956 from Kelaniya, thus holding concurrent seats from two constituencies, while he retained his seat from Dambadeniya in 1960 and 1965. He was the eldest son of the freedom fighter Fredrick Richard Senanayake and was educated at the Royal College, Colombo and at Downing College, Cambridge and had become a barrister.

Early life and education

Richard Gotabhaya Senanayake, was born on 4 November 1911 to Fredrick Richard Senanayake, a barrister and Ellen Senanayake nee Attygalle, the youngest daughter of Mudaliyar Don Charles Gemoris Attygalle. He was the eldest son, amount eight siblings. A member of the Senanayake family, his cousins included future prime ministers Dudley Senanayake and Sir John Kotelawala.

Like his father, R.G. Senanayake was educated at Royal College, Colombo and at Downing College, Cambridge, where he gained a BA and an LL.B. degree. He was called to the bar as a barrister from the Lincoln's Inn, London. On his return he was enrolled as an advocate and started his legal practice in civil law at Hulftsdorp.

Death and legacy He died on 22 December 1970.

Family R.G. Senanayake married Erin Senanayake née Subasinghe, they had one son Jayantha.