Warnasena Rasaputra
Warnasena Rasaputra | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Yatiyana, Sri Lanka |
| Died | June 25, 2003 (aged 75) |
| Occupation(s) | Economist, Diplomat |
| Years active | 1951–2001 |
| Known for | Seventh Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka |
Dr Warnasena Rasaputra (originally Warnasena Rasaputram) (6 September 1927 – 25 June 2003) was a distinguished Sri Lankan economist who served as the seventh Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.
Biography
Rasaputra was born in Yatiyana, close to Matara, Sri Lanka, and received his education at St. Servatius' College followed by Ananda College, Colombo. He earned an honours degree in economics with a focus on statistics from the University of Ceylon. Beginning his career at the Central Bank of Sri Lanka in 1951, he pursued advanced studies in the United States, obtaining a master's degree in statistics in 1957 and completing a doctorate in economics in 1959 at the University of Wisconsin, supported by Smith-Mundt and Fulbright scholarships.
His career progression included appointments as director of economic research in 1968, assistant to the governor in 1974, and deputy governor in 1975. On 15 February 1979, Rasaputra was appointed as the seventh governor, a position he held for almost nine years. During his leadership, he oversaw Sri Lanka’s shift from a closed economy to one embracing open market principles. He also initiated decentralization efforts by establishing Central Bank branches in Matara, Anuradhapura, and Matale, alongside founding Regional Development Banks. It was during this period that he adopted the surname Rasaputra.
In November 1988, Rasaputra stepped down from his governorship to assume the role of Sri Lankan ambassador to France. His subsequent diplomatic assignments included serving as high commissioner to Malaysia, permanent representative to United Nations offices in Geneva and Vienna, ambassador to the Vatican, and ultimately ambassador to the United States until his resignation in 2001 due to declining health.
Personal life
He was first married to Jayanthi Sriya, with whom he had one son named Jaliya Gajaba. Following Jayanthi’s passing, Rasaputra married Seetha Gopalan on 28 October 1977.