Ratnasothy Saravanamuttu

Saravanamuttu was born in October 1886.[1] He was the son of Vetharniam Saravanamuttu, a physician from Colombo in Ceylon.[2] His mother's family were from Vaddukoddai in northern Ceylon.[3] His paternal grandfather Vetharniam is reputed to be the founder of Chunnakam, a small town in northern Ceylon.[4] Saravanamuttu had five eminent brothers: Nanasothy, Tharmasothy, Paikiasothy, Manicasothy and Saptaranajyoti.[2] He was educated at S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia where he won many prizes.[1][2][4] After school he received a Bachelor of Medicine, Master of Surgery degree (M.B.C.M.) from the University of Madras.[1][2] He then went to England where he obtained M.R.C.S. and Licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians (L.R.C.P.) qualifications.[2]

Saravanamuttu married Naysum.[2] They had two daughters (Seetha and Chandra) and two sons (Vetharaniam and Ratnakumar).

After returning to Ceylon Saravanamuttu established a dispensary in northern Colombo which soon grew to become a large medical centre.[2]

Saravanamuttu was a member of Colombo Municipal Council from May 1937 to December 1946.[5] He served as Mayor of Colombo from May 1937 to December 1937 and from January 1941 to December 1942.[6] He contested the 1931 State Council election as a candidate in Colombo North and was elected to the State Council.[2][7] However, he was unseated after being found guilty of corrupt practices by an election Judge.[2][8] His wife Naysum was elected in the ensuing by-election, becoming the second female member of the State Council in 1931.[2][9] He was a member of the Liberal League before founding the Independent Labour Party which was later absorbed by the Ceylon National Congress.[1][10] He played a major role in the relief following the Japanese bombing of Colombo in April 1942.[4] Saravanamuttu received a knighthood for public services in the 1943 New Year Honours.[11]