Sydney de Zoysa
Sydney Godfrey de Zoysa (January 15, 1909 - October 20, 1994) was a Sri Lankan senior police officer. A former Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) of Range II and Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Internal Security, he was one of co-conspirators of the attempted military coup of 1962.
Sydney de Zoysa | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 15, 1909 |
| Died | October 20, 1994 |
| Police career | |
| Allegiance | Ceylon |
| Department | Ceylon Police Force |
| Service years | 1937 - 1959 |
| Rank | Deputy Inspector-General of Police |
| Other work | Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Internal Security |
Early life and education
Born to Sir Francis de Zoysa, KC an advocate and member of the first State Council and Lady Ethel Perera Amarasekera Siriwardena, his brothers were Stanly de Zoysa,former Cabinet Minister of Finance and a Member of Parliament and A. C. "Bunty" de Zoysa, a prominent criminal lawyer. His uncle was Sir Ernest de Silva. He was educated at Royal College, Colombo and at Ceylon University College where he read economics and was an active sportsmen.[1]
Police career
In December 1931, he was appointed by the Governor as a Police Probationer Assistant Superintendent of Police in the Ceylon Police Force. Completing his service examinations, he was appointed Assistant Superintendent of Police, Colombo District (South) in December 1933 and there after of Colombo District (North) in August 1934. In May 1936, he attended the Senior Police Officers course at the Metropolitan Police. On his return, he was appointed Assistant Superintendent of Police, Tangalle in September 1936; Avissawella in July 1938; November 1940, Sabaragamuwa; March 1941, Northern Province. From 1942 to 1944, he was interdicted from service. In August 1944, he was appointed Assistant Superintendent of Police, Colombo Division (North); October 1944, Colombo Division; December 1944, Police Headquarters. In 1945, he was appointed Acting Director of the Police Training School and re-established it at Katukurunda, Kalutara in 1948. He was confirmed in March 1947 as the first Director of Training with the grade of Superintendent of Police serving till 1955. During this time he served as Superintendent of Police, Western Province (South) in addition to his duties. In 1959 he was serving as Deputy Inspector-General of Police of Range II, when he was sent on compulsory leave following the Bandaranaike assassination when his brother F.R. de Zoysa came under suspicion, forcing Stanley de Zoysa, Minister of Finance to resign. He retired thereafter.[2]
During police serviced he received the Ceylon Police Medal for Meritorious Service, Defence Medal 1939-45, Ceylon Police Independence Medal and the Service Medal of the Order of St John.
Later life
After retirement he served as the Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Internal Security in the government of Wijeyananda Dahanayake from January 1960 to March 1960.[1]
As member of the Christian elite, who ever being deprived of the influence they once had due to the Sihinalaisation process started by Prime Minister S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike and carried on by Sirimavo Bandaranaike, several disgruntled Christian officers of the army, navy and police began to plot a coup similar to that of General Ayub Khan. He was a co-conspirator of it and has been claimed to be the architect of it.[1]
Family
He married Dr Corrine Jackson. He had two sons Subodai and Shivaji, and two daughters Sydra and Sydol.[1]
References
- Sydney de Zoysa remembered
- The Ceylon Civil List 1954. Ceylon: The Government Press.