Maureen Frances Seneviratne

Educated at Holy Family Convent Bambalapitiya, Colombo, she wrote the history the Convent for the Centenary Celebrations. She won the Award of Excellence from her Alma Mater for her outstanding work for society and for her numerous writings. A writer of international repute, History, Biography and Travel were her favourite themes. She has written many stories which have been published and broadcast in Sri Lanka, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Germany, Pakistan and Singapore. She was the author of over twenty five books, she was an editor, journalist and the Chairperson of PEACE (Protecting Environment and Children Everywhere), an NGO for 20 years and an international founder member of ECPAT (Ending Child Prostitution in Asian Tourism). She was a former Director, Publicity of the Sri Lanka Tourist Board.

By profession she was a journalist and freelance writer who wrote to many newspapers and magazines including the prestigious BLACKWOOD magazine. She was the author of the Autobiography of the world’s first Woman Prime Minister, the Hon. Mrs Sirimavo Bandaranaike, in 1975. A workaholic, having also worked in advertising, publicity, public relations and Human rights. She had the distinction of being the recipient of the Herman-Hammet Grant 1995, the prestigious award from Human Rights Watch free expression project for her work and writings on Humanitarian and Human Rights issues. She travelled widely to over 30 countries worldwide, in connection with her work.

She was married to Billy Balthazaar and later to Wing Commander Mark Seneviratne. She was the mother of two sons, Shane and Kevin Balthazaar. (Contributed by Shane Balthazaar)