Words: Tiranya Yalindee Ranasinghe
Hailed as the ‘Brave Portia of Our Courts’, Maureen Seneviratne holds the distinction of being
Sri Lanka’s first female appointee as a President’s Counsel. This accomplishment is just one among many firsts she has achieved, particularly during an era when the avenues for women to attain influential roles were limited. She embraced this challenge, striving to dismantle barriers and pave the way for countless women in esteemed fields, notably in the legal domain.
In her youth, the legal profession was not on Maureen’s radar. Her father, Edward Seneviratne was a chief accountant at Ceylon Government Railways and her mother, Florence Seneviratne was a homemaker. During her school days, Maureen excelled as an athlete, securing achievements like six years of winning netball colours at Ladies’ College Colombo and active participation in the school’s relay team. Equally impressive was her musical talent, making her stand out as a remarkable pianist. Garnering multiple awards and accolades, she even became a Licentiate of the Royal College of Music, London. Her renditions of classic compositions were broadcasted on Radio Ceylon, and she was recognised as a ‘Grade A’ artiste. Despite her limitless music potential, it became evident that her future lay beyond the realm of music.
The classical music scene in Sri Lankan offered little to no room for growth. When she passed her university entrance examination, she made a significant pivot towards the legal field. Excelling in her legal studies, she achieved outstanding results, obtaining a first-class honours degree – a remarkable feat. A six-month apprenticeship under the renowned lawyer N.K. Choksy, Q.C., followed, propelling her to become Sri Lanka’s first female advocate. A prestigious Smith-Mundt scholarship opened the doors for her to pursue a Master of Law at Yale Law School, an esteemed Ivy League institution in the United States. Her journey into advocacy commenced at Yale, where she actively engaged in moot competitions. It’s worth highlighting that she is the trailblazing first Sri Lankan woman to hold an L.L.M. degree from an Ivy League School – a truly inspiring accomplishment for young women aspiring to excel academically. Upon completing her studies, her return to Sri Lanka was driven by a deep-rooted desire to practice law. She succinctly expressed her motivation, stating “…even as a child, I revolted against injustice and discrimination.” An early encounter with unfair treatment from her school principal left an indelible mark, fuelling her passion for law. Her commitment extended beyond mere legal practice; she emerged as a compassionate advocate, dedicated not only to the law but also to understanding and championing the causes of the marginalised and those affected by injustice
