[3] His paternal grandfather Vetharniam is reputed to be the founder of Chunnakam, a small town in northern Ceylon.

[citation needed] After returning to Ceylon Saravanamuttu established a dispensary in northern Colombo which soon grew to become a large medical centre.

[2][8] His wife, Naysum, was elected in the ensuing by-election, becoming the second female member of the State Council in 1931.

[2][9] He was a member of the Liberal League before founding the Independent Labour Party which was later absorbed by the Ceylon National Congress.

[4] Saravanamuttu received a knighthood as a Knight Bachelor for public services in the 1943 New Year Honours.