K Sivagananathan

Mr. Sivagananathan was the eldest son among six children of Mr. Kurunathapillai and wife Rasammah. He was born on 27th April 1935 in Manipay. Both parents being teachers the family was fairly affluent and enjoyed a quality life. He lost his mother when he was only five years old, his sister Amirthagowrinayagi three years old, and brother Saravanapavan six months old. His father remarried in order to ensure proper and healthy upbringing of these children.

His education till secondary stage was in Nadeshwara College, Kankasanthurai. On successful completion of Senior School Certificate examination he left his native village to Colombo with a burning desire to pursue a degree in engineering. But ended up in joining Ceylon Government Technical College for further studies. Due to family circumstances he joined Bank of Ceylon in 1953 at the age of 18, mainly to financially support his family…. He became an Associate Member of the Institute of Bankers, UK, in 1961. By this time he lost his beloved father and assumed sole responsibility for the entire family

He educated his sister Amirthagowrinayagi, fondly called Dali, in India leading to a Bachelor of Science degree and on return from India he got her married to Mr. Kanagasabapathy of Sandilipai, a gold medal winner of University of Madras. During this period he committed himself to several pilgrimage in India including Himalayas Rishikesh. He remained sometime in Ashrama of define life mission to rediscover his inner self. When he returned he radiated entirely a new outlook of the world.

He married Jothy, affectionately known as Veba, the second daughter of proprietor planter Mr. A.V.Krishnapillai on 2nd April 1966. They were blessed with their first child Rajayogini (Rajam) on 12th January 1967. In 1969 they had their first son Arulnathan (Arul), 1970 their second daughter Sudharshini (Sudha) followed by their second son and last child Piranavan.

He continued to support the other members of his family; Saravanapavan, Sriskantharaja, Aravinthan and Ambiga, and educated them and found suitable jobs and partners in life.

In 1975 he obtained a Diploma in Dairy Farming Management and 1979 he was sponsored by the World Bank to attend a training programme at the University of Philippines. On his return he became the Regional Manager of the North Western Province and in 1984 he was appointed as the Chief Manager to the London branch of the Bank of Ceylon, where he restructured the bank and found a permanent home for the branch. While in London, he completed a Diploma in Computer Science with Distinctions. On his return from London in 1987 he was made a Deputy General Manager of the Bank and pioneered several new ventures for the bank. During this time he was made a senior DGM and was acting General Manager of the bank on several occasions. He retired in 1995 and became the Managing Director / CEO of Janashakthi General Insurance and in 1997 received the Gold Medal for the life long achievement from the Institute of Bankers. In 1998 he became the advisor to the Governor, Central Bank of Sri Lanka, on Banking and Finance until his death.

In 1990, he got his eldest daughter married to Dr. Bhahitharan and by this marriage they were blessed with two children, Yalini and Arun. In 1996 his second daughter was also happily married to Mr. Pavanakumar.

He always demanded his children to pursue higher studies, supportive and encouraged them to excel in their chosen disciplines.

He was a beacon of light to his loved once and to all around him.