ATTORNEY General Anand Ramlogan has extended condolences to the family of former People's National Movement (PNM) minister John S Donaldson Jr.

Donaldson, 76, passed away on Tuesday after ailing for sometime.

In a statement to the media yesterday, Ramlogan said Donaldson had a long and distinguished career in public service and in the Government of Trinidad and Tobago which cannot be ignored.

He said Donaldson's fruitful academic pursuits served him well in the several roles he was called upon to play from time to time.

"Apart from being a public servant, he was a diplomat, a senator, a member of the House of Representatives and a minister of Government," Ramlogan said.

"His outstanding career in foreign affairs evolved from being a middle- management public servant, to his appointment as our Ambassador to several African countries. (These included) Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Algeria, Senegal, the Ivory Coast and Liberia, and peaked on September 22, 1976 with his elevation to the Senate, when he was chosen by our nation's first Prime Minister, Dr Eric Williams, to serve in his Cabinet as the Minister of External Affairs."

Ramlogan said Donaldson is yet another example of someone from the legal profession who sacrificed what would have undoubtedly been a long and distinguished career in Law for public service.

"In his private practice, he provided pro bono legal advice and assistance to many a citizen who could not afford legal representation. This, of course, is a quality which the Attorney General personally treasures as his own legal career was based on similar principles. It is a pattern that is worthy of emulation and a career worthy of commendation and celebration."