Dr. Muthumala nominated for Queen’s birthday honours

Dr. Daniel Muthumala, who had served at a senior level in the Sri Lankan public sector and now living in New Zealand, has been honoured by the queen on her birthday in June 2015. 

The award of the Queens Service Medal (QSM) is in recognition by the New Zealand Government for his services to New Zealand Government and the contribution to the Sri Lankan community.

Dr. Muthumala is held in high esteem in New Zealand for both his community leadership and cultural achievements. One of his major achievements recognised by the government has been to work with Maori groups to promote cultural collaboration 

He was educated at Ananda College. He has held many senior positions in his working career in Sri Lanka from 1954 to1974 as the General Manager, Ceylon Leather Products Corporation from 1971 to1972 and General Manager, Ceylon Fisheries Corporation from 1972 to 1974. 

During his time in Sri Lanka, he had been closely involved in drama and theatre productions with many well-known pioneers of Sri Lankan arts and drama such as Dr. Ediriweera Sarachchandra, Dayananda Gunawardene, Gunasena Galapththi and many others. He played a main role as “Mudalithuma” in the film “Bak Maha Deegey” back in 1969.

In New Zealand, he has worked as an economist in several agencies (NZ Fishing Industry Board, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ministry of Works, and the Ministry of Health). He has also served as a member of United Nations missions to Egypt, Pakistan and Tanzania on fisheries development.

His service over four decades of visionary and dedicated leadership to the Sri Lankan community which holds him as a role model for his knowledge and experience as an artiste to promote Sri Lankan culture especially among the young. Dr. Muthumala has played a key role in the two leading community organisations – the United Sri Lanka Association and the Sri Lanka Association of New Zealand. These have remained the main fora to promote the community’s role within New Zealand society. 

Dr. Muthumala has worked for the local community as a Justice of the Peace since 1998.