Sam A. Sabapathy

Samuel Ariaretnam Sabapathy (8 September 1898 – 12 February 1964 ) was a Ceylon Tamil lawyer and the first Mayor of Jaffna.

Honourable Sam A. Sabapathy MMC
சாம் அ. சபாபதி
1st Mayor of Jaffna
In office 6 January 1949 – 31 December 1949
Succeeded by	C. Ponnambalam
In office 11 January 1952 – 31 December 1955
Preceded by	C. Ponnambalam
Succeeded by	Kadhi. M. A. M. M. Sulthan
Personal details
Born	(1898-09-06)6 September 1898
Died	12 February 1964(1964-02-12) (aged 65)
Alma mater	St. John's College, Jaffna
Profession	Lawyer
Ethnicity	Ceylon Tamil

Early life and family

Sabapathy was born on 8 September 1898.^[1] He was the son of Kanagasabapathipillai from Varany and Annammah.^[1] His brother S. Kulendran was Bishop of Jaffna.^[1] Sabapathy was educated at St. John's College, Jaffna where he was head prefect, captain of the cricket team and member of the football team.^[1]

Sabapathy married Kanakeswary, daughter of Nagalingam from Tholpuram.^[1] They had a daughter (Padmini).^[1]

Career

Sabapathy joined the legal profession after finishing his education, becoming a proctor specialising in criminal law.^[1] He practised law in Jaffna.^[1]

Sabapathy was elected to Jaffna Urban Council, serving as its chairman between 1937 and 1939.^[1] Jaffna was given municipality status in 1949 and Sabapathy became the city's first mayor.^[1][2] He is credited with creation of Jaffna Public Library, Subramaniam Park and Health Centre/Maternity Clinic.^[1] Sabapathy laid the foundation stone for the library on 29 March 1953.^[3][4]

Death

Sabapathy died on 12 February 1964.^[1]