K. Palakidnar

Palakidnar was born in 1931 at Kokuvil in northern Ceylon.[1] He was the son of S. Krishnapillai, Chief Trains Controller, and Pasupathy.[1] He was educated at Kokuvil Hindu College, Jaffna Hindu College and St. Joseph's College, Colombo.[1] After school he joined the Ceylon University College, graduating with a BA degree.[1][2] He then entered Ceylon Law College, qualifying as an advocate of the Supreme Court in 1957.[1]

After qualifying Palakidnar practised law in Colombo as a junior under C. Renganathan.[1] He joined the Judicial Service in 1966, serving as a magistrate in Anuradhapura, Ratnapura and Jaffna.[1] He was then a District Judge in Kalmunai, Chavakachcheri and Jaffna.[1] He served as a High Court Judge between 1982 and 1987, serving in Chilaw, Negombo, Batticaloa and Trincomalee.[1] He was appointed to the Court of Appeal in 1987, becoming its president in October 1992.[1]

After retirement Palakidnar was appointed chairman of the Special Commission on Disappearance in the North and East by President Chandrika Kumaratunga.[1] He was director of the Human Rights Task Force.[1] Palakidnar died on 2 June 2001.[3]