Punch Coomaraswamy was a respected lawyer and diplomat. Starting his career as a successful advocate and teacher, Coomaraswamy went on to serve as the Speaker of Parliament from 1966-1970. He then served as High Commissioner to India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Australia and Fiji and as Ambassador to the US and Brazil. In 1984, he was appointed as judge to the Supreme Court of Singapore. This photograph shows him in his role as Justice of the Supreme Court, photographed with the other Supreme Court justiced, at the opening of the legal year in 1985. The justices are wearing their ceremonial wigs and robes for the occassion.
