Herbert Dharmarajah Thambiah (14 October 1926 – 4 October 1992) was a Sri Lankan lawyer and judge. He was a Court of Appeal judge, Supreme Court judge and the 39th Chief Justice of Sri Lanka.
Herbert Thambiah | |
|---|---|
| 39th Chief Justice of Sri Lanka | |
| In office 1991–1991 | |
| Appointed by | Ranasinghe Premadasa |
| Preceded by | Parinda Ranasinghe |
| Succeeded by | G. P. S. de Silva |
| Puisne Justice of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka | |
| In office 1984–1992 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 14 October 1926 |
| Died | 4 October 1992 (aged 65) |
| Alma mater | Ceylon Law College University of Ceylon |
| Profession | Lawyer |
| Ethnicity | Sri Lankan Tamil |
Early life and family
Thambiah was born on 14 October 1926.[1] He was the son of C. R. Thambiah, a lawyer from Jaffna in northern Ceylon. He was educated at Jaffna Central College and St. Thomas' College, Colombo.[1] After school he entered University of Ceylon and graduated with an honours degree in economics.[1] He taught at Hartley College for a period.[1] He then entered Ceylon Law College, obtaining a first class in the final examinations.[1] He became an advocate in 1954.[1]
Thambiah married Ranji Appathuari. They had one daughter - Savithri.[1]
Career
After qualifying Thambiah practised law for a while before joining the judicial service.[1] He rose up the ranks and became a Court of Appeal judge in 1978 and Supreme Court judge in 1984.[1] He was appointed Chief Justice in 1991.[1] He was succeeded by G. P. S. de Silva.[2]
Thambiah died on 4 October 1992 at the age of 65.[1]