Kanaganayagam was born on 16 May 1904. He was from Sangarathai in northern
Ceylon. Kanaganayagam was educated at Hindu English School, Vaddukoddai,
Victoria College, Chulipuram and
Jaffna College. He played football for the college. After school he joined
Ceylon University College, graduating with an arts degree. He then entered
Ceylon Law College, qualifying as an
advocate. Kanaganayagam married Satiammah, daughter of Selvaduari. They had a daughter (Savitri Devi) and two sons (
Kanag-Isvaran and Maheswaran). ==Career==