Sri Lankan Sinhalese Family Genealogy

OBEYESEKERE, - Family #3051

Portuguese rule of Ceylon (1505-1656) was always in the Maritime Provinces and the people whom they converted were the coastal folk. They were the backbone of their power. The Dutch were used by the Sinhala king to take revenge on the Portuguese who wanted to expand their rule of Ceylon..

The Dutch war with Portugal was against their ruler, the King of Spain. Once Portugal obtained its freedom from Spain, The Netherlands (Dutch) settled for peace with Portugal. Then they divided the occupied areas of Ceylon amicably under a treaty signed in Goa. Slowly, the Dutch became the rulers of coastal and outer areas of Ceylon and the Portuguese were left with smaller pieces of territory than those of the Dutch.

The Obeyesekere family dynasty His ancestor, Owen Ferdinandez, who belonged to the Portuguese Royal Navy, came to Ceylon around 1630, then as Lieutenant of the Royal Portuguese Navy to Galle Harbour to inspect the activities of the Portuguese administrators in Maritime Provinces of Galle., then. He fell in love with the resplendent island on his inspection visits and decided to stay.

He looked out for a large fertile land in Kathaluwa in the Ahangama area of Galle District. He then constructed a Walauwa (Manor), which was known as Atadahe Walauwa, since he grew 8,000 coconut plants there. Atadahe Watte Walauwa according to its present owner had been built at the tail end of the Portuguese period. And since it still exists, and, can be reckoned as the earliest manor house in the island. (Land area approx 125 acres) (see photo below)

He then wanted to change his name to a Sinhala name. He met a Buddhist priest known as the Koratota Chief Priest(Karatota nayaka unanse,Matara) and wanted to change his name as ‘Your Leader.’ The Chief Priest, considering his nobility, named him ‘Obeyesekere,’ which means ‘Your Leader.’

A legend is that it was a  Ferdinandez who married a Sinhala lady from Moonamale, and, who bought the Ata Dahe Watte fascinated by its ocean fringed pastoral beauty and got himself admitted to the Sinhala race by a change of name (Obeyesekere) conferred by the village priest.

The Walauwwa is estimated to be about 385 years old, built circa 1630. The Walauwa at one time functioned as a Court House in Talpe Pattu. The parapet wall of the Walauwa was swept away due to the tsunami of 26th December 2004. The historical Walauwa was declared a historical archaeological monument by the Department of Archaeology. In 2015 the Walauwwa was occupied by Don Justin Arthur Jayawardene and his wife. In 2016 the Walauwa was sold by F O A K Jayawardena's children and his heirs to STAY holdings Pvt Ltd .

000000 The Obeyesekere Portuguese ancestor, Don Owen Ferdinandus, (b circa 1600) was an officer in the Portuguese Military Fort in Galle, on being appointed to high office in the Talpe Pattu in the middle of 17th Century (circa 1650), added the name Obeyesekere and the family lived in Kataluwa. He married a noble lady of Royalty from the

Kodagoda Walauwe of Seneviratne Dissanayake, who migrated from the Kandyan Province. He settled down in Kathaluwa Atadahe Walawwe and brought up very illustrious children to serve the nation and country for generations.

(However a news article of Yr 2007 by Raja Waidyasekara says the 1st person as Lieutenant DV Ferdinandez.)

It is believed, the walauwwa was set up close to the end of the Portuguese era.around 1630.During that time Galle area was planted with cinnomon, and the Portuguese derived income from cinnomon.

The Dutch Governtment occupied Galle around 1650. The Dutch Governtment started growing Coconut at a large scale ,throughout the coastal belt. The scheme adopted by the Dutch Governtment was ,they gave the mudaliyars of the area,to plant 8000 coconut trees on a lease. And the Dutch Govt paid 200 Rix dollars a year, for the maintenance and up keep of the coconut trees.(There is evidence that this method existed in Galkissa and Wellawatte)

Later subsequently around 1720 the Dutch Govt, decided to sell the land to the mudliyars who planted the coconut trees. Here ,I believe in Talpe Pattu,Galle, Mudliyar Johannes Obeyesekere b approx 1660, may have been given the opportunity to plant 8000 coconut trees, and later the land would have been bought by him from the Dutch Govt. As there was 8000 coconut trees, the land would have been called ata dahe watte. And the walauwwa would have been called ata dahe walauwwa.

00000 Obeyesekere b circa 1630

0000 Obeyesekere b circa 1660 (Johannes)(May have planted 8000 coconut trees,with an agreement with the Dutch Governtment.)

000 Obeyesekere b circa 1690 (Peter)

00 Obeyesekere b circa 1725
0 (daughter) Obeyesekere (b:circa 1754)  + Ranasinghe of Hikkaduwa
1 Cornelia Simange Ranasinghe (b circa 1774) + Mawellage Don Louis De Silva Wikramanayake (b:1764) married in 1794

2 Clara Wikramanayake

2 Daniel Wikramanayake

2 Katrina Wikramanayake

2 Johannes Wikramanayake

2 David de Zielwa Wikramanayake b:1797 + Ursula Senanayake

3 Henry Wikramanayake

3 Nicholas Wikramanayake

3 Johannes Wikramanayake

3 Solomon Wikramanayake

3 Cornelia Wikramanayake

3 Charles Edward Wikramanayake 1843-1936 + Sooriaarachchi Cecilia Amarasekara

4 Cyril Herbert Wikremanayake (M1)+Grace Obeyesekere of Atadahe Walauwwa (no issue)(Grace died of influenza epidemic in 1919)(in the 1919 influenza pandamic,which was called Spanish flu, in Sri Lanka approximately 50,000 people died.)

4 Cyril Herbert Wikramanayake (Lawyer)1889-1963 (M2)+ Nancy Senanayake

5 Cyril Raymond Wikramanayake (Lawyer) 1922-1990 + Indrani Senanayake

6 Anil Wikramanayake b:1956 (MD-HJS Condiments Ltd) + Sharnika Thevarapperuma

7 Anisha Wikramanayake + Kushlan Edirisooriya

7 Neluka Wikramanayake

6 Gihan Wikramanayake

6 Sharmini Wikramanayake

5 Mark Wikramanayake (First Sri Lankan Actuary) + Rita Perera

4 Cyril Herbert Wikremanayake (M3)+Sophiya Bella Dissanayake (Roman Cathoic)

5 Trevor

5 Merle + Frank Amaratunga

5 Maureen (deceased)

5 Marie (proctor)+Darwood

 *

OBEYESEKERE FAMILY

0000 Johanes Ferdinandus Wijeratne Obeyesekere (Lieut. Of a Spanish vessel which was wrecked at Galle, adopted the name Wijeratne Obeyesekere when appointed Korala Talpe Pathu Galle) May have planted the 8000 coconut trees,with an agreement with the Dutch Governtment. (born approx 1660)

000 Peter Obeyesekere (appointed Korala of Talpe Pathu afterwards Muhandiram. + Adriana Rodrigo, closely connected to Panditaratnas.

00 Name Not Known (Ancestor of Jasmine Obeyesekere)

0 Don Petrus Ferdinandus Amarasiriwardena Wijeratne Obeyesekere appointed Korale, Wellabadapattu Galle in 1820.

0 Don Philip Ferdinandus Wijeratne Obeyesekere b: circa 1770, Muhandiram of Adigare Maduwa, 1788 Muhandiram of Talpe Pathu, finally Mudaliyar Talpe Pathu. + Dona Ana, only daughter of Wijeratne Mudliyar of Matara. (this family is now extinct). This Wijeratne married from Illangakone family.

1 Maha Mudaliyar Lambertus Obeyesekere, b:1801 Translator Galle Courts & Interpreter of Matara & resided at Kataluwa Walauwe Galle + Brixius Lilfa Assessor Mudliyar’s 2^nd daughter

2 Mimmie Obeysekere + Don Arthur Karunanayake Jayawardene Atapattu Mudaliyar, Galle (b Jan 1844)(Belongs to Jayawardana Adikaraja family of Galle.)(Held impotant Govt posts.Rescidence Mount Hilary Galle.)

(1867 ,Translator,Provincial Road Committee Galle.1869 Clerk Fiscal Office Matara,1876 Mudliyar Bentota Wallalawita Korale, Later Atapattu Mudliyar Galle-Chieftains of Ceylon)

(Arthur Jayawardhane's father was Don Bastian Jayawardhana,(b approx 1800)who was sent to Mauritius to be interpreter of prisons,Ehelapola period.After returning from Mauritius ,was made Mudliyar in Galle District.And he married from the Karunaratne family.Their descendents married from the Obeyesekere family of Kathaluwa Ahangama.)

3   Gate Mudaliyar Harry (Harold) Obeyesekere Karunanayake Jayawardhana .b14/7/1870. Mudaliyar of Magam Pattu 1897(Hambantota),1906 Mudaliyar West Giruwa Pattu etc. + Miss Padmini  Obeyesekere    (Daughter of Mudaliar David Obeyesekere + Elisa Wirasinha)                             

4 Don Fredrick Obeyesekere Arthur Karunanaike Jayawardena (Ricky ) Mudaliyar Talpe Pattu b1898 (1916 Clerk Native Dept Hambantota Kachcherie,1924 Diploma of Agriculture,,1926Muhandiram Magam Pattu,1928-1946 Mudaliyar Talpe Pattu.+ (m5/5/1919)Lilian Elizebeth Rambukpotha (b5/11/1905-d5/2/1960) (d of PB Rambukpotha)(photo see below)(13 children)

5 Grace Jayawardena

5 Diyanya Jayawardena + Sahabandhu (Vancouver)

5 Duksie Jayawardena +ERP Goonathileke (Crown Proctor)

6 Egerton Goonethileke

6 Miss Goonethileke +

7 Savithri de Alwis

5 Jasmine Jayawardena +Chandra Rambukpotha

5 Enid Jayawardena + Patrick Panabokke

5 Iris Jayawardena

5 Quintas Jayawardena

5 Oscar Jayawardena

5 Ivan Jayawardene

5 Osmand Jayawardena

5 Childers Jayawardena

5 Michael Jayawardena

5 Justin Arthur Jayawardena (b1930-d 9/1/2019) + Soma Rambukpotha

6 Priyadharshani Jayawardena

6 Gamini Jayawardena + Sheruni

7 Shenelle Jayawardena

7 Gershon Jayawardena

4 Sylvia Jayawardena 

3 Harrold Jayawardena

3 Clara Jayawardena + Mr Dassenaike

3 Abraham Obeyesekere Jayawardena + Jane Mahawalatenna (They had 6 children)(Jane was the eldest daughter of RM Mahawalatenne of Balangoda.)

4 Ruby Mahawalatenne Jayawardena + Umanga Kulatunga Polkotuwa (d of Mudliyar Kulatunga Polkotuwa of Anuradhapura)

5 Roger M Jayawardena (died in 1972)

5 Charmaine Jayawardena (lawyer)+ Lakshman Kiriella (b 1948 ,Educated at Royal College,,lawyer,Former Minister,MP from Kandy 1989-2021)(Leader of the house 2015-2019)(Held the ministries of Public Enterprises,Kandy Development,Higher Education and Highways.Also held the posts of Ministr of Tourism,Sports and Foreign affairs)

6 Dr Kishanee Kiriella (Consultant Paediatrician in UK)+Varindha Wimalasena (Senior Investment Banker UK)

7 Yohan Kiriella Wimalasena

7 Sashini Kiriella Wimalasena

6 Chamindranee Kiriella (Barrister UK and SL Lawyer)+ Janaka Herat

7 Lankesha Herat

7 Manika Herat

6 Dhinuk Kiriella (Barrister UK,BA Hons,UK,Degree in law UK)

5 Phillip M Jayawardena

3 Sopley Jayawardena + Mr Ekeneligoda

3 Aslin Jayawardena + Mr Sempo S Obeyesekere

JAYAWARDHANA - JUSTIN. Son of late Mudaliyar Don Fredrick (Rickie), Arthur Obeysekera Karunanaike Jayawardhana of Talpe Pattu Galle and Lilian Elizabeth Rambukpotha, husband of Soma Keppetipola Rambukpotha Jayawardhana, father of Priyadarshani and late Gamini, father-in-law of Yasantha Mahavithana and Sheruni, grandfather of Dulakshi, Dinugi Shanelle Gershon and Jamian, brother of Diyaniya, Duksie, Osmund, Jesmine Enld Iris and late Grace, Quintus Oscar, Childres, Michael and Ivan, brother-in-law of Nanda, late Chandra Rambukpotha and of Sudharma and Leela. Remains lie at A.F. Raymond’s Funeral Parlour from 8.30 a.m. on 9th January 2019. Cortege leaves parlour on the 10th January 2019 at 2.30 p.m. for cremation at the General Cemetery, Borella (Old Crematorium).003145

1 Miss Obeyesekere + Rev Cornelius Senanayake b1820-d1886 (Son of Senapathi KHV Senanayake)

2 Sophia Regina Senanayake+ Muhandiram John Ferdinandaz Wijeratna Obeyesekere (1^st Cousin) b1830

3 Hope Cornelius Obeyesekere b1882+ Edith Ganegoda ( d of Disawe Gonagoda)
              4 Sumana Obeyesekere + James Henry de Livera

5 Daisy de Livera

5 Sita de Livera

5 Ratna de Livera

5 Juanita de Livera

5 Rukmani de Livera

5 Erin de Livera

4 Seetha Obeyesekere

4 Upatissa Obeyesekere + Moreen

5 Krishantha Obeyesekere + Niranjala Samarakkody

6 Dileni Obeyesekere

6 Andrew Obeyesekere

5 Sriyan Obeyesekere

5 Suranganee Obeyesekere

5 Indrani Obeyesekere

4 George Obeyesekere

4 Manik (Bunny) Obeyesekere

4 Duncan Obeyesekere + Wijesinghe

5 Warrel Obeyesekere + Rani Obeyesekere

5 Gihan Obeyesekere

5 Kumarini Obeyesekere

5 Dilip Obeyesekere

5 Dilushi Obeyesekere

4 Indrani Obeyesekere

4 Stanley Obeyesekere d2011

4 Leela Obeyesekere

4 Ruby Obeyesekere

4 Alien Obeyesekere

3 Emily Florence Obeyesekere b1880 (m1)+ Amunugama

3 Emily Florence Obeyesekere b1880 (m2)+ James Samarasinghe

4 Fidella Samarasinghe

4 Margie Samarasinghe

4 Brixdous Samarasinghe

4 Godfry Samarasinghe

4 George Samarasinghe

4 Willie Samarasinghe

4 Bertie Samarasinghe

4 Winnie Samarasinghe

4 Douglass Samarasinghe

3 Akland Osmond Valentine Obeyesekere b1884+ Olive de Silva

4 Adaline Obeyesekere

4 Christy Obeyesekere

4 Moreen Obeyesekere

4 Faith Obeyesekere + Ranee

5 Manel Obeyesekere

5 Priya Obeyesekere d2011

5 Lakshi Obeyesekere

4 Eardly Obeyesekere

3 Corneliya Helen Obeyesekere b1892 + John Edward Senanayake

4 Constance May Ranee Senanayake

4 Edward Nandakumar Senanayake

4 Iris Senanayake

4 Conrad Senanayake

4 Neeta Senanayake

3 John Alvin Obeyesekere b1878 + Myrtille Alice (Grace)

4 Hilda Alexandra Obeyesekere

4 Quinta Obeyesekere

4 Peace Obeyesekere

4 Holly Obeyesekere

4 Nivvy Obeyesekere

3 Lilian Grace Obeyesekere b1881 +(m1) Julias Ratnayake

4 Mercis Ratnayake

3 Lilian Grace Obeyesekere b1881 +(m2) Arthur Fredrick Wijesinghe

4 Sumana Wijesinghe

3 Felix Obeyesekere b1885

3 Brixtius Obeyesekere b1886

2 Cornelia Magneline Emiliya Senanayake + Adigar John Henry Meedeniya of Ruwanwelle Meedeniya Walauwwa. (1867-1931)

3 AdleneMeedeniya+ Alexander Francis Mollamure (First Speaker of the National Legislative Council of Ceylon)

4 Sita Mollamure + LJ de S Seneviratne

5 Sunethra Seneviratne + Sepala Illangakoon

5 Lakshman de Silva Seneviratne

3 Ruby Alice Meedeniya+ Don Richard Wijewardane (The press Baron who was a leader of the independence movement of Ceylon)

4 Ranjith Wijewardene +Ranjini Senanayake (d/o Robert Senanayake, Brother of Premier Dudley Senanayake and son of Rt. Hon D.S Senanayake)

5 Ruwan Wijewardene

5 Sujan Wijewardene

4 Seevali Wijewardene

5 Anil Wijewardene

4 Rani Wijewardene+ George Gomez

5 Janaki Gomez+ Sena Wijewardene

5 Rajitha Gomez

5 Shalini Gomez + Hurulle

4 KusumaWijewardene + Lal Gooneratne

5  AyomaGooneratne +ShanthiWijesundere

5 Arjun Gooneratne + Roshi Wijewardene

5  AmithaGooneratne + Cyanthi

5  ArushiGooneratne + Nihal Wadugodapitiya

4 Nalini Wijewardene + Esmond Wickremasinghe (3103)(Lawyer)

5 Shan Wickremasinghe (TNL TV- Chairman)

6 Ishini Wickremasinghe + Asitha Perera (MP Liberal Party) STC b1959-d 15/9/2013 (Ambassador to Korea 2006-2009,Ambassodor to Italy 2011)

7 Anika Perera

7 Akila Perera

7 Anya Perera

5 Ranil Wickremasinghe.(b24/3/1949)(Attended Royal College.1972-Lawyer.1977 UNP MP from Biyagama electorate.1978 Cabinet Minister. Ministries served-Youth affairs, Employment, Education, Industries ,Science& Technology.1993 Leader of the House.(1)Prime Minister (7th May 1993 to August 1994), (2)Prime Minister (9th Dec 2001 to 7th Feb 2004), (3)Prime Minister (9th Jan 2015 to Aug 2015),(4)Prime Minister (Aug 2015 to 26th Oct 2018),(5)Appointed Prime Minister again on 16th December 2018.to 20/11/2019.Was Leader of the Opposition 1995-2000,2005 to 2014 (UNP).Leader of the UNP Party from 1994 to 2022.

Married Maithree Wickremasinghe. in 1994. Professor of English.(Kelaniya University)

5 Niraj Wickremasinghe

5 Channa Wickremasinghe

5 Kshanika Wickremasinghe

3 Hercules Joseph Meedeniya + Violet Ellawela

4 Indrani Kiriella

4 Iranganie Serasinghe

4 Kamani Vitharana

4 Mahinda Meedeniya+ Ruby Ellawela

1a Donie Obeysekere + Edmund Jayatilleke President Mudaliyar Baddegama

1a Jossie Obeysekere

1a John Ferdinandus Wijeratne Obeyesekere b1835 CCS (had 10 chidren)

2  Muhandiram John Ferdinandus Wijeratne Obeyesekere, b Aug 8 1853, d:Aug 7 1899 + Caroline

3  Dionysius C Ferdidandus Obeyesekere, Crown Proctor of Galle, was educated at Colombo Academy later known as Royal College, died in 1917 (Crown Proctor Galle 1908) (born approx 1870) (10 children?)

4  J E M Obeyesekere, b:April 25, 1899, Richmond/STC, Advocate 1922, Crown Counsel 1924, Barrister at Law-Greys Inn, Deputy Solicitor General, Died at 46 years. JEM took to teaching at All Saints College, Galle and later became lecturer in Mathematics at the Government Training College, Colombo, succeeding E.W. Kannangara who passed into the Ceylon Civil Service in 1919. It was at the Training College that he met his future wife. + Margaret

                5 Ralph Obeyesekere (b24/6/1930-d13/1/1989) (Stc Mtl)+Noble Rodrigo

6 Rajpal K Obeyesekere (Stassen Corp)+Wijayalakshmi de Silva

7 Dhammika Obeyesekere

7 Shayani Obeyesekere

6 S.K.Lalith Obeyesekere (Former CEO Balangoda & Madulsima plantations,Sec Gen Planters Association)+Deepika de Silva

7 Nerooshika Obeyesekere + Roshan Joseph

7 Newanthi Obeyesekere (Solicitor)

6 Indira Obeyesekere (Quantas)+ Kumar

7 Avinesh Kumar

7 Ayesha Kumar + Jarred Vos

7 Radya Kumar

6 Gihan Obeyesekere (Stc) + Anusha Siriwardene

7 Rajeeva Obeyesekere

7 Nishita Obeyesekere + Sofranoski

7 Delana Obeyesekere

6 Shiran Obeyesekere (Stc)+ Shamali Jayatilleke

7 Sheraj Obeyesekere

7 Nadish Obeyesekere

                5 Anil Jayantha Obeyesekere, b:18/5/1938, d:26/2/2007, STC Mt Lavinia, Presidents Counsel, Chairman Petroleum Corp 1994-2001, Chairman SL Telecom 2004-2006, Chairman Lake House) + Irangani Eheliyagoda (Sister of Percy Eheliyagoda)

                    6  Eromi Obeyesekere

                    6  Prasanna Obeyesekere

                5  Mahen Obeyesekere

                5  Valerie Obeyesekere

                5  Rajitha I Obeyesekere (Presidents Counsel)

                5  Sriyani Obeyesekere

3 John Alvin Obeyesekere b:Dec 15 1878 + Myrtille Alice (Grace)

4 Peace Myrtle Obeyesekere, b:Jun 13 1907

4 J G Hallam Obeysekere, b: 1908

4 Hilda Alexandra Obeyesekere, b:1913

4 Quinta Augusta Obeyesekere, b:Mar 18 1914

4 Holly Obeyesekere

4 Nivvy Obeyesekere

3 Emily Florence Sophia Regina Obeyesekere b:24.1.1880 + Amunugama (div)

3 2^nd spouse of Emily Florence Sophia Regina Obeyesekere b:24.1.1880 + James Alexander de Silva Samarasinghe (states Senanayake records)

4 Fidelia Samarasinghe + Bishop Cyril Abeynaike

5 Chrishanthi Abeynaike

5 Lakshman Abeynaike

4 Margie Samarasinghe

4 Brixdous Samarasinghe

4 Godfry Samarasinghe

4 George Samarasinghe

4 Willie Samarasinghe

4 Bertie Samarasinghe

4 Winnie Samarasinghe

4 Douglass Samarasinghe

3 Lilian (Lily) Grace Obeyesekere b:Mar 1881 + Julias Ratnayake at St. Paul’s Milagiriya,

4 Mercis Ratnayake

3 Lilian (Lily) Grace Obeyesekere b:Mar 1881 + Arthur Fredrick Wijesinghe

4 Sumana Wijesinghe + Bibile

5 Tissa Bibile

3 [7] Hope Cornelius Obeyesekere b:Aug 1882 + [8] Edith Ganegoda (d/o Disawe Gonagoda)
4 Sumana Obeyesekere + James Henry de Livera (Jim)

5 Daisy de Livera

5 Sita de Livera

5 Ratna de Livera

5 Juanita de Livera

5 Rukmani de Livera

5 Erin de Livera

4 Seetha Obeyesekere (spinster)

4 [1] Upatissa Obeyesekere + [2] Everilda Maureen (Dotta) Obeysekere, b:Feb 1 1918 at Ruwanwella

5 Chrisantha Obeyeskere + Niranjani Samarakkody

6 Dilini Samarakkody

6 Andrew Samarakkody

5 Srian Obeyesekere + Seetha Gamalathge

5 Surangani Obeysekere + George Ferdinandez)

6 Shane Ferdinandez

6 Ingrid Ferdinandez

5 Indrani Obeyesekere + Alfred Peiris

6 Gihan Peiris

6 Tyrell Peiris

6 Sweenie Peiris

6 Nimesh Peiris

4 George Obeyesekere

4 Stanley Obeyesekere d:2011

4 Alien Obeyesekere

4 Peter Obeysekere + Dora Wijesinghe

4 Manik (Bunny) Obeyesekere

4 Duncan Obeyesekere + Wijesinghe

5 Warrel Obeyesekere + Rani Obeyesekere

5 Gihan Obeyesekere

5 Kumarini Obeyesekere

5 Dilip Obeyesekere

5 Dilushi Obeyesekere

4 [3] Indrani Obeyesekere + [4] Faith Obeysekere

5 Manel Obeyesekere

5 Priya Obeyesekere d:2011

5 Lakshmi Obeyesekere

4 Leela Obeyesekere

4 Ruby Obeyesekere (spinster)

3 Acland Osmund Valentine b:14.2. 1884 + Adeline Muriel Olive de Silva Wijayatunga Goonasekere

4 Acland Christoffel Lambertus, b:July 23 1916

4 [2] Everilda Maureen (Dotta) Obeysekere, b:Feb 1 1918 at Ruwanwella + [1] Upatissa Obeysekere

5 Chrisantha Obeyesekere + Niranjani Samarakkody

6 Dilini Samarakkody

6 Andrew Samarakkody

5 Srian Obeyesekere + Seetha Gamalathge

5 Surangani Obeysekere + George Ferdinandez

6 Shane Ferdinandez

6 Ingrid Ferdinandez

5 Indrani Obeysekere + Alfred Peiris

6 Gihan Peiris

6 Tyrell Peiris

6 Sweenie Peiris

6 Nimesh Peiris

4 Radley Felix Trevine, b:29.4. 1919 at Kegalle

4 Eunice Clarida Aileen, b:27.10.1920 at Kegalle

4 [4] Acland Faith Obeyesekere, b:Sep 25 1922 + [3] Indrani Obeyesekere

5 Manel Obeyesekere

5 Priya Obeyesekere d:2011

5 Lakshmi Obeyesekere

4 Eardly Hermen Spencer Obeyesekere, b:July 5 1930 at Panadura + Jayanthi Karunaratne, m:21.12.1968 at St. Francis of Assisi Church Mt. Lavinia.

5 Jasmine Obeysekere born 21.2.70 in Cairo + Dr. Guy Dinesh Fernando

6 Jayathri Fernando (b 8.10.2005 in NY)

6 Yannik Fernando (b 29.10.2008 in NY)

5 Harindra Obeysekere b:17.12.1973 in Colombo + Chethana Dharmaratne

6 Chaniel (b:5.10. 2012)

3 Felix Obeyesekere b:18.2.1885

3 ? possibly Brixtius b:30.4.1886 (possibly deceased early in life)

3 Corneliya (Connie) Helen Obeyesekere b:9.11. 1892 + John Edward Senanayake,married at St Paul’s Milagiriya

4 Constance May Ranee Senanayake + Atapattu

5 Vijelakshmi Atapattu + George Dissanayake

6 Gishan Dissanayake

4 Edward Nandakumar Senanayake

4 Iris Senanayake + Arthur Attygalle

5 Lalini Attygalle + Edward Perera

6 Eransaka Perera + Sonali Seneviratne

7 Maheshika Perera + Ruwindra Angunawila

6 Rohanthi Perera

5 Sena Attygalle + Rukmani Samarakkody

6 Deepthi Attygalle +Richard Perera (UK)

7 Rohana Perera

6 Senaka Attygalle + Maria

7 Justin Attygalle

7 Jaden Attygalle

6 Dharika Attygalle + Suresh Ellawala

7 Sashen Ellawela

4 Conrad Senanayake

4 Neeta Senanayake b 1924-d 2002+ Stephen Samarakkody (1910-1966)(MP1960 Polgahawela)

5 Sriyani Samarakkody + Mahinda Yatawaka

6 Nishamani Yatawaka + Anura Delgoda

7 Iresh Delgoda

7 Maneesha Delgoda

6 Haren Yatawaka + Dilani Pieris

7 Kiyana Yatawaka

7 Anithra Yatawaka

7 Janya Yatawaka

5 Nirmala Samarakkody + Shanthi Wickremasinghe

6 Ayanthi Wickremasinghe

6 Trishan Wickremasinghe + Amanda

5 Dilkara Samarakkody + Shanthi Perera

6 Haresh Peera

6 Shiara Perera

2  William Ferdinandus Obeyesekere, (born 1842) Mudaliyar of Morawaka Korale in 1867(CCS-had 5 children)(he was a brother of Joan Ferdinandus Obeyesekere)

2 Daughter, Name Not Known + de Saa Bandaranaike

3 Felix de Saa Bandaranaike + Angela (Angie), sister of CWW Kannangara, educationist

4 Allan de Saa Bandaranaike

4 James (JEM) de Saa Bandaranaike

4 Bert de Saa Bandaranaike

4 Angel de Saa Bandaranaike aka “Aunt Ann”

2 Daughter, Name Not Known (Spinster) – started a school in Galle

2 Daughter, Name Not Known (Spinster) – started a school in Galle

2 Allanson Herbert Obeyesekere, 1880-1963 (Galle) + Daisy Enid Tennekoon, 1899-1959 (Kurunegala)

3 Dr Ivor Obeyesekere + Charmaine Wickramasinghe

4 Charmaine Michelene (Mimi) Nelun Obeyesekere + Ajith Ratwatte

5 Ishanth Ratwatte + Chethika Hapugalle (granddaughter of the late MDH Jayawardena)

5 Chayani Ratwatte + Afsar Badurdeen, son of Farouk Deen & Rayaheen (Ruwaiha) ) of Nawalapitiya

6 Adrielle Soraya Deen

4 Roshan Lalene Obeyesekere + Vasantha Wijemanne

5 Sheana Roshan + Chanaka Thushara Wijeratne

6 Rishane

5 Renouk Vasantha + Rukshani Weerasooriya

4 Indira Janine (unmarried)

4 Nayantara Charmini + Russell Taylor

5 Christopher Ruwan

5 Nicholas Romesh

5 Hamish Ravi

4 Varuni Renuka + Richard Saffery

5 Ella Renuka

5 William Richard

3 Sheila Devi Obeyesekere, 1925-2007 + Duwadisavage Leslie Alan Winston de Alwis (Accounts Director Colombo Commercial Co)

4 Shanthini Kamanita + Louis Arthur Hildebrandt

5 Katrina Shari Hildebrandt

5 Brendan Joel Hildebrandt

5 Ryan Jedidiah Hildebrandt

4 Lalith Jayantha de Alwis + Deepthi Gooneratne

5 Lasitha Aravinda Wiren de Alwis

5 Lahari Roshani de Alwis

5 Lasanthi Dilhara de Alwis

4 Second spouse of Lalith Jayantha de Alwis + Patricia

5 Nilanthi Dilruha de Alwis

5 Mrinala Ione de Alwis

2 Caroline Obeyesekere (Sister of John Ferdinandus Obeyesekere (b1853)) + TB Ganegoda Disawe of Auckland Estate Yatiyantota. (TB Ganegoda had a brother named Rev Cecil Ganegoda.Chief priest of the Methodist Church)

3 [8] Edith Ganegoda + [7] Hope Cornelius Obeyesekere (1st cousins) (b Aug1882)

4 Sumana Obeyesekere + James Henry de Livera (Jim)

5 Daisy de Livera

5 Sita de Livera

5 Ratna de Livera

5 Juanita de Livera

5 Rukmani de Livera

5 Erin de Livera

4 Seetha Obeyesekere (spinster)

4 [1] Upatissa Obeyesekere + [2] Everilda Maureen (Dotta) Obeysekere, b:Feb 1 1918 at Ruwanwella

5 Chrisantha Obeyeskere + Niranjani Samarakkody

6 Dilini Samarakkody

6 Andrew Samarakkody

5 Srian Obeyesekere + Seetha Gamalathge

5 Surangani Obeysekere + George Ferdinandez)

6 Shane Ferdinandez

6 Ingrid Ferdinandez

5 Indrani Obeysekere + Alfred Peiris

6 Gihan Peiris

6 Tyrell Peiris

6 Sweenie Peiris

6 Nimesh Peiris

4 George Obeyesekere

4 Stanley Obeyesekere d:2011

4 Alien Obeyesekere

4 Peter Obeysekere + Dora Wijesinghe

4 Manik (Bunny) Obeyesekere

4 Duncan Obeyesekere + Wijesinghe

5 Warrel Obeyesekere + Rani Obeyesekere

5 Gihan Obeyesekere

5 Kumarini Obeyesekere

5 Dilip Obeyesekere

5 Dilushi Obeyesekere

4 [3] Indrani Obeyesekere + [4] Faith Obeysekere

5 Manel Obeyesekere

5 Priya Obeyesekere d:2011

5 Lakshmi Obeyesekere

4 Leela Obeyesekere

4 Ruby Obeyesekere (spinster)

3 Ellen Ganegoda + Gerald Dias Weerasinghe

4 Felix Weerasinghe

4 Percy Weerasinghe

3 Lily Ganegoda + Denison Meegama (Station Master Maradana)

4 Viva Meegama + Stanley Abeysinghe (Painter of Portraits in SL)

5 Shrini Abeysinghe

5 Saumya Abeysinghe (Served at the UN)

4 Neil Meegama + Noeline Seneviratne

4 Raja Meegama

4 Nissanka Meegama

4 Denzil Meegama + Mani Dassenaike (niece of Siva Obeyesekere)

3 Isabelle Ganegoda + DDV Seneviratne of Yatiyantota

4 Sita Seneviratne (Spinster)

4 Neela Seneviratne + Piyasena Tennakoon (Advocate, MP for Hewahata,Deputyy Speaker)

4 Kithsiri Seneviratne (lawyer) + Ramani Ratnayake (d/o Senator A Ratnayake)

5 Manisha Seneviratne (lawyer)+Ms Ellegala (niece of Basnayake nilame of Kataragama Devale Kandy)

4 Lakshman Seneviratne (Bachelor)

4 Seneviratne (drowned as a child)

3 Ida Henrietta Ganegoda, b:1900-d:1989 + Elias Lakshman Kodagoda b:1896-d:1979, (Proctor at Bandarawela,Chaiman UC Bandarawela& President Rural Courts.He was a son of Harry Kodagoda, Inspector of Police Badulla,and of Anulawathi Rambukpotha

Kumarihamy)

4 Loren Kodagoda (Banti) + Colonel Francis Kasturiarachchi

5 Mahesh Kasturiarachchi + Dishna Jayamaha

5 Manohari Kasturiarachchi + Dr Anura Gunasekara (Consultant Geologist)

4 Gordon St Elmo Kodagoda(Lawyer) + Trixy Peris

5 Sunimal Kodagoda (lawyer) +Christo Gunasekara (lawyer)

4 Geoffry Lakshman Kodagoda (Lawyer)+ Manel Peris Seneviratne

5 Shiranthi Kodagoda(Lawyer) + Jayantha Peris

6 Chalinda Peris

5 Kushalini Kodagoda (Lawyer)+ Dr Shantha Herath

6 Dasunya Herath

4 Ivo Earl Kodagoda + Minnet Jordan

5 Lindsay Kodagoda

5 Nigel Kodagoda

4 Fritz St Clair Kodagoda (Advocate & Barrister at Lincon's Inn)+Asokamali Palipane (From Poojapitiya Kandy)

5 Thushara Kodagoda (Trevin)

5 Migara Kodagoda (Kevin)

4 Felicia Kodagoda +Wardy de Alwis (From Rajakadaluwa Chilaw.His mother was from the Kehellela Senanayake family.

5 Rohan Charles de Alwis,solicitor (Charles de Alwis Solicitors, London) + Aruni Ratwatte (daughter of Dr Asoka Ratwatte)

4 Shirly Kodagoda + Lakshman Karunanayake

5 Nirmani Karunanayake (Shano)

5 Elmo Karunanayake

4 Gwendolyn Kodagoda + Brigadier B Munasinghe

5 Lilani Munasinghe (Staff STC Mt Lavinia) + Samaradiwakara

6 Charith Samaradiwakara

6 Kavinda Samaradiwakara

4 Cherry Joyce Kodagoda b:1934-d:2014 + Dr Ariyaratne Dunusinghe b:1929-d:1993 from Kurunegala. (A family descending from Matale Aluwihare.Dunusinghe Mudiyanselage,whose ancestor had fought in the great Matale Rebellion in 1848.)

5 Keerthi Dunusinghe (Lawyer) + Nayesha Ranasinghe (daughter of former Minister AJ Ranasinghe.)

6 Ramith Dunusinghe

6 Yasith Dunusinghe

5 Kumar Dunusinghe (Lawyer) + Manouri Herath (Lawyer) (daughter of Advocate HMP Herath and Sheila de Saa Bandaranaike from Higngurupathwela Walauwa.) (Sheila was the daughter of of Sam Wijesinha's sister. Sam was one time Secretary General of Parliament)

6 Punyajith Dunusinghe

6 Uthsara Dunusinghe

1a Harry? – Mudliyar Gangaboda Pathu? + Ellen Perera, daughter of Perera

1a Ellen + J D Alwis Kachcheri Mudaliyar Kandy

1a Abraham + Matilda, Proctor Alexander Jayewardene’s daughter

0 Daniel Obeysekere, D.Q.A’s clerk, Proctor, Notary, Municipal Councillor Galle, Justice of the Peace. M. Aelian/Bastian Jayewardene Korala Mudliyar’s daughter. Sister of A. Jayewardene, Mudliyar.

1 Henry Ferdinandus Kataluwa Obeyesekere b1856 CCS+ lady from Wickramaratna family, sister of A. B. Wickramaratna Atap. Mudaliyar Matara

2 Emie Obeyesekere + A Jayewardene Atapattu Mud. Galle

3 Harry Jayawardene Mudliyar. Magam Pathu + Padmini (Pabo) Obeyesekere, (d of Don David Obeyesekere Mudaliyar & Elisa Weerasinghe)

4 FOAK Jayawardena (Rickie) Mudaliyar

4 Silviya Jayawardena

3 Clara Jayawardene + Dassanayake Proctor’s son Freddie

3 Abraham Jayawardene + Jane daughter of Mahawelatenne RM

3 Sophie Jayawardene

3 Athline Jayawardene + Sempo son of David Obeyesekere Mudaliyar

2 Lally? Obeyesekere – m. J. Perera, Mud Talpe Pathu

2 Dilby? Obeyesekere – died unmarried

1 Abraham Obeyesekere – stamp vendor, Interp Mohandiram of Matara Police Court, Interpreter Mudaliyar Galle district court- died an old bachelor

1 Francis (Pantho hamu) Obeyesekere + lady from Gunaratna family, cousin of E.R. Guneratna Atap. Mudaliyar

1 Ambo Obeyesekere + Jacob Alwis Mohandiram (not a member of Warahena family)

2 Eala? Alwis + Karunaratna Land Registrar, Ratnapura

2 Podda Alwis – died unmarried

1 Thomas Obeyesekere - Mud of Matara Gangaboda Pathu, died a bachelor but left illegitimate issue by a common woman

1 David Obeyesekere (b approx 1850)– Interpreter Mudliyar, D.C. Tangalle, interpreter Mudliyar Balapitiya courts, Mud Magam Pathu, President Mudaliyar of Magam Pathu (d 4/1/1895)+Eliza Wijekoon Dissanayake Obeyesekere (may not be weerasinghe)

(This maybe David Ferdinandus Atadahawatte Obeyesekere Mudliyar Galle b 1836)CCS , d 4/1/1895,mentioned in gazette ceylon 1897,regarding will.Petitioner Eliza Wijekoon Dissanayake Obeyesekere ,can be the wife. Minor children mentioned were, Chandra Lillia Seyampio Obeyesekere,Sirineki Nepala Obeyesekere,Padmawathi Obeyesekere,Chandrawathi Obeyesekere

2 Iranganie Obeyesekere lama etini+ James Dunuwille Registrar of Lands, Tangalle

2 Sempo Obeyesekere + Athlene Jayawardene, daughter of Jayewardene Atapattu Mudaliyar

2 Nepo Obeyesekere(Nepala)

2 Pabo Obeyesekere (Padmawathi)+ Harry Jayewardene Mudaliyar

2 Baby Obeyeseker

(4 children were minor in 1897.maybe born between 1880 and 1890)

1 Punchi Hamine Obeyesekere - died unmarried

1 Adrian Obeyesekere – died unmarried

0 Catherine Obeyesekere + Manamperi, Mudliyar of (Not Known?)

0 Benjamin Obeyesekere – shot himself

0 Ango Obeyesekere + Manamperi Mudaliyar’s brother

00 Interpreter Muhandiram of Meegamuwa (died a bachelor),

00 Philip Ferdinandus Wijeratne Obeyesekere - Muhandiram of Adigare Maduwa, Corala of Western Province in 1786 + Emalia Alwis

0 Mudaliyar Johannes Obeysekere, Mudaliyar of Rhde Galle 1809. & Mudliyar Talpe Pathu.+ de Alwis of Warahena, sister of Gate Mudaliyar D A de Alwis & aunt of Hon. Jas de Alwis
1 Mudaliyar Johannes Ferdinandus Wijeratne Obeyesekere, b:circa 1790, Mudaliyar Talpepattu) + daughter of Abraham Goonathilake Siriwardhana de Alwis Mohandiram. m:1810 approx

2  Don Bastian Ferdinandus Wijesiri Guneratne Obeyesekere b:1825, Mudaliyar Talpepattu Sourthern Province (Mohandiram of the Attepattoo), Mohotty Muhandiram of Matara, Mudliyar Gangaboda Pathu Galle, Mudliyar of Chilaw, + Cornelia Susanna Dias Bandaranaike b22/9/1827-d14/5/1896(Md 1842Galle)(1001) (Corneliya is a daughter of Don Solomon Dias Bandaranaike, Mudliyar of Udugaha Walauwa, & Corneliya de Saram.)

3  Sir Solomon Christoffel Obeyesekere b:12 Feb 1848 - d:13 Oct 1927), MLC, STC Mt. Lavinia, Sinhalese representative in the Legislative Council (1900-1916)+ Lady Ezline Maria de Alwis (He may have built the Obeyesekere walauwa in Rajagiriya.SC Obeyesekere attended King Edward V11 coronation.Was knited in 1911.)(Eziline Maria de Alwis is a daughter of James de Alwis and Florence DB)(Rescidence Hill Castle ,Silversmith Street Colombo)

4  Daisy Ezline Obeyesekere, m:1898 + Sir Don Solomon Dias Abeywickrema Jayatilleke Senewiratna Rajakumaruna Kadukeralu Bandaranaike (Maha Mudaliyar) b:22-May-1862, d:31-Jul-1946, Kt. Commander of the most distinguished order of St. Michael and St. George, Horogolla Walauwwa, St Thomas' College, Mohandiram 1882. Mudliyar Siyane Korale, After returning from UK, Governor Arthur Havelock awarded Maha Mudaliyar title and All Island JP. In 1897 went to UK as official representative for diamond jubilee celebration and received medal. In 1902 revisited UK. Received Coronation Medal and KCMG, m:18-Apr-1898  (1001)

5 Solomon West Ridgeway Dias Bandaranaike b:8-Jan 1899, d:26-Sep-1959, (Prime Minister of Sri Lanka 1956-59, Assassinated by a Buddhist Monk on September 25, 1959), St Thomas' College, educated as a lawyer in UK, University of Oxford. Became Secretary of Oxford Union in 1923, called to the bar in 1925, Member of the State Council in 1931, Formed the Sinhala Maha Sabha in 1937, Active in the UNP 1945-51 and established the SLFP after 1951, Prime Minister 1956-59, To solve the ethnic issue he signed the Bandaranaike-Chelvanaygam pact, which was repudiated due to a campaign led by the Buddhist Clergy. Made Sinhala the official Language + Sirimavo Ratwatta, b:17/4/1916, d:10/10/2000, m:2-Oct-1940 (First woman Prime Minister in the World, Prime Minister, 1960-65, 1970-77, 1994-2000) (3060) Wikipedia Account of Sirimavo

6 Sunethra Dias Bandaranaike, b:1943 + Kumar Rupasinghe (div)

6 2nd spouse of Sunethra Dias Bandaranaike + Udaya Nanayakkara (div)

6  Chandrika Dias Bandaranaike, b:29/6/1945, Early education at St Bridgets Convent, Colombo, and graduated in Political Science at Sorbonne University in Paris, Formed the Peoples Alliance (PA) Party, President of Sri Lanka 1994-2005 + Vijaya Kumaratunga, Film Actor, Assassinated 1988

7  Yasodhara Kumaratunga + Roger Walker (M2007)

7  Vimukthi Kumaratunga 

6 Anura Dias Bandaranaike b: Feb-15-1949 d 15/3/2008, Educated at Royal College, Member of Parliament  1977 to 2007, Minister Higher Education 1993, Foreign Minister 2005, Leader of the opposition, Speaker of the House, Minister of Tourism/Heritage 2007

5 Alexandra Camelia Bandaranaike, lived at "Samudragiri" Walauwa in Mount Lavinia + Leo G. De Alwis b1880 approx

6 Shirlene De Alwis + Earle Jayawardena

7 Amal Jayawardena + Waruni

6 Lankasa De Alwis (tenor singer) + Joy Dassenaike (cousins)

7 Ranjith de Alwis

                                8 Raneesha de Alwis

                                8 Radeena de Alwis

6 Rukie de Alwis b:26 Mar 1926-d 20 Mar 2017+ Percy Eheliyagoda

7 Leo Eheliyagoda + Ramya Wijetunge

                            7  Rosanth Eheliyagoda

                            7  Shalimar Eheliyagoda + Uma Kumar Sharma

                                8  Shanikar Sharma +Migara Alwis- m:2009

8  Aashiana Alwis- June 2011

                                8  Sandesh Sharma

                            7  Charmaine Eheliyagoda , Attorney-at-Law, + Lakshman Madurasinghe, m:1979 ,  Stc, Attorney at Law, Fellow-CIPD UK

                                8 Rosanath Lakshan Madurasinghe,  + Nishani Fernando

                                    9 Romaan Athan Madurasinghe b Aug 2008

                             7  Lankani Eheliyagoda

                             7  Devika Eheliyagoda

5 Anna Florentina Dias Bandaranaike + Abraham de Livera

6  S.Christopher O de Livera (Lawyer) d 25/7/2011+ Nimal Pieris

7 Asanthi de Livera + Oswin de Alwis

7  Shanaka de Livera(lawyer)Stc b1959+ Samanda Senaratne

8 Shelan de Livera

8 Sajin de Livera

7  Priyan de Livera (Lawyer) Stc

6  May de Livera

4 Ethel Mildred Obeyesekere + Dr William Christoffel Pieris Siriwardene b1867- d1945,

Dr William Christoffel Pieris Siriwardena, b:1867, lived at 40,Silversmith Street Colombo. Educated at STC and later at Marischal College Aberdeen. He became a Senior medalist in Pathalogy and Bacteriology. He graduated in MBCM. He was a visiting Physician of General Hospital. Lecturer in clinical medicine at Medical College. District Medical Officer Haputale.Later Judical Medical Officer (see pic below) + Ethel Obeyesekere, (b:1885, d:1930), m:1915 (3051)(daughter of S.C Obeyesekere of Talpe Walauwa Galle.)

5 William Ian Pieris b1905 + Anula Dias Abeysinghe

6 Susil Pieris

6 Malkanthi Pieris + J.R Maurice Perera (former high court judge)

7 Asoka Perera

7 Asanga Perera

6 Priyanga Pieris + Eranga (famous singing duo)

7 Dinuka Pieris (son)

5 Iranganie Pieris b1908

5 James Pieris b1910

4 Forester Augustus Obeyesekere, (Speaker State Council), b:7-Aug-1880, d:26-Dec-1961 (State Councillor)(Legislative Council 1924-1931)(captained the Royal cricket team) + Anna Isabella Sykes (Forrester may have lived close to Cotta Rd in 1910)(1894 he may have been at STC,according to gazette.)

5  Boykin Obeyesekere

5  [6] Ezlynne Obeyesekere + [5] Ralph St. L P Deraniyagala (1005)

6  Ralph Deraniyagala + Indrani Nugera

7  Arubind Deraniyagala

4 Lillian Augusta Obeyesekere + William S Illangakoon (Chin) Mudaliyar

5 Christophel Panini Illangakoon(b26/11/1919-d10/2/1989),Stc,MP for Weligama 1956-60,1970-77(m1) + Effie Samarakkody (m1)

6 Panini Illangakoon (jr)

5 Christophel Panini Illangakoon (b1919)(m2)+ Lilly Goonasekere

6 Dr Gamini Illangakoon (International Lawyer)+ Deepthi Ilangakoon

7 Sanka Illangakoon

7 Sulakna Illangakoon

5 Christophel Panini Ilangakoon (b26/11/1919-d10/2/1989) MP for Weligama (m3) +Dona Vimalawathi Ranatunga

6 Ranjan Ilangakoon b1959 + Manel Illukkumbura b1961

7 Mahesh Ilangakoon b1984

7 Isuri Ilangakoon b1989

7 Rashmi Ilangakoon b 1993

5 Surangani Illangakoon

5 Mahnil Lilette Illangakoon + Roland Hugh Dias Abeysinghe

6 Ayunil Dias Abeysinghe

6 Jayanthi Dias Abeysinghe

3 Sir James Peter Obeyesekere I Barrister at Law (b approx 1850)+ Corneliya Henrietta Dias Bandaranaike (Missie)b22/10/1855-d15/7/1935 (1001)(d of Christoffel DB &Anna Philipsz)(m approx 1873)(James Peter Obeyesekere may have lived at Summer Hill Mutwal in 1910.)

Cornelia Obeyesekere bought the 9 acre land near the race course from the crown in 1893 for Rs 39,000.The Walauwa called "Maligawa" was built there.

          4 Lady Hilda Obeyesekere + Sir Paul Edward Pieris, (Civil Servent, Historian), b:16/2/1874-1955, educated at STC Mt Lavinia, Writer of Sinhala books and Historian, (He wrote the book Sinhalese families which was published in 1911), m:1905 (1001,1005)

5  Paules Edward Pieris Deraniyagala (Paulie)b8/5/1900-1976 Director Museum, (Scientist,Zoologist) + Prini Molamure (3117), m:28-Jun-1934,Dean Faculty of Arts Vidyodya University 1961-64.

6  Paulus Arjun Mayadun Deraniyagala + Miriam

7 Yvani Deraniyagala

7 Chandrup Deraniyagala

6  Ranil Yudisthira Deraniyagala

6 Dr. Siran Upendra Deraniyagala, b:1/3/1942-d 5/10/2021,(STCMtl) Ekneligoda Walauwa, Kuruvita, Director General Dept of Archaeology, MA Trinity College Cambridge University, Post Graduate Diploma in  Archaeology, Phd Harvard University.(He has published 40 research papers and held key positions in the Dept of Archaelogy in the Cultural Ministry

6  Isanth Deraniyagala

5 Justin Pieris Deraniyagala (Artist)20/7/1903-24/5/1967 Trinity College Cambridge-BA Laws,1926/27 State School of Arts UK.

5  [5] Ralph St. L P Deraniyagala (Lawyer, Civil Servant &Clerk of the House of Repesentatives of SL) + [6] Ezlynne Obeyesekere (3051) (1st Woman Barrister)

                     6 Ralph Deraniyagala (Bando) + Indrani Nugara

7 Arubind Deraniyagala

5  Miriam Pieris Deraniyagala 1908-1999 + F Robert de Saram (s/o F R de Saram) (3126)

6  Rohan de Saram + Rosmary de Saram

7  Sophia de Saram

7  Suren de Saram

6  Skanda de Saram + Sharadha Manorama Muthu Krishna (7010)

7  Tesalia de Saram

7  Sergei Ishviyan de Saram

6  Druvi de Saram + Sharmini Fonseka

7  Mandhira de Saram

7  Radhika de Saram

6  Niloo de Saram + Desmond Fernando

7  Jeevani

6  2nd spouse of Niloo de Saram + Jehan Edwards

4  ***Sir James Peter Obeyesekere II, (b 1879-d1968)Kt, M.A, Maha Mudaliyar & Chief Interpreter to his Excellency the Governor of Ceylon. Barrister at-Law, Advocate of the Supreme Court, Justice of Peace, District Commissioner., Educated at STC Mt Lavina and Trinity College Cambridge London(1894)+ Amy Estelle Dias Bandaranaike (b 10/8/1897)(M17/6/1914) (1001)(son in law of Gate Mudaliyar Walter Dias Bandaranaike.)(1944 JPO wasMaha Mudliyar and Cheif Interpreter)(Lord Soulsbary made him(JPO) aid de camp in 1954-gazette),

5  James Peter Obeyesekere III 14/7/1915-23/10/2007 (Late MP Attanagalla, Deputy Minister of Health and Finance and Senator 1960-65, Royal College, Cambridge. Qualified as a pilot, Batadola Walauwwe Nittambuwa, Royal College, Colombo 7, d:23 Oct 2007 + Sivagami Vernia Dassanaike b 7/5/1929(Ladies College)(d of Louis Robert Dassenaike and Charlotte Corea)(Siva Obeyesekere-Minister of Health 1970) Founder of Laksala

Obit:

OBEYESEKERE - DESHAMANYA JAMES PETER (Late MP Attanagalla, Deputy Minister of Health and Finance and Senator), Only son of late Sir James Peter Obeyesekere Maha Mudaliyar and Lady Amy Estelle Obeyesekere, dearly loved husband of Siva, father of Peter and Chantal, father-in-law of Dijen de Saram, grandfather of Dhevan and Chiara. Remains will lie at Batadola Walauwe, Nittambuwa from 12.00 noon on Wednesday 24th to 12.00 noon on Thursday 25th October and in Colombo from 2.00 p.m. on Thursday 25th to Saturday 27th October. Cortege leaves "Maligawa", 19, Rajakeeya Mawatha, Colombo 07 at 1.00 p.m. Saturday 27th. Cremation at General Cemetery Kanatte at 2.00 p.m. DN Wed Oct 24 2007

6  James Peter Obeyesekere IV Jr.

7  C H Obeyesekere b:9 May 2005

6  Chantal Obeyesekere + Dijen de Saram (3126)

7  Devan de Saram

7  Chiara de Saram

4 Donald Obeyesekere, b:1888-1964 STC/ROYAL (Member of the State Council& Legislative Council,President National Olympic Committee of Ceylon) + Johanna Ethel Perera (Donald was born at Battadolla walauwe Veyangoda.)(Donald may have lived in Rajagiriya in 1910)

(Donald Obeyesekere, had bought the 50 acres at Rajagiriya from the Hewavitharana family and buit the 2 walauwa's.)

5  Danton Obeyesekere (Boxing)(Barrister at Law) + Ruby Dias Bandaranaike b29/1/1919(1001)(Md 19/5/1938)

6  Arjuna Obeyesekere, State Counsel

6  Shireen Obeyesekere + Priya Amarasinghe

6  Indra Obeyesekere + Anoma Illangakoon (3139)

7 Gemunu Obeyesekere

6  Ajith Obeyesekere + Shamala Dassenaike

5  Corneliya Sita Obeyesekere b 9/10/1913(Ladies College) + Henry Ashmore Pieris b:1903

6  Sita Pieris d 13/4/2017+ Cecil Perera

6  Wimala Pieris + Dr Chitranjan Amarasinghe

7 Felix Amarasinghe

7 Nilanthi Amarasinghe

6  Hemal Pieris + Kanthi Weerasinghe

7 Asoka Pieris

7 Duminda Pieris

6  H S Mevan Pieris b1946(Cricketer STC Mt Lavinia) + Dr Nirmala Gunathilaka

7  Dilani Pieris (AMW)+ Hiran Yatawaka

8  Amithra Yatawaka

8  Kiyana Yatawaka.

8 Jaanya Yatawaka

7  Nilanka Pieris (Cricket Captain STC Mt Lavinia) + Dilushi Wickremasinghe

8 Dineth Pieris

8 Nireka Pieris

5  Donald Asoka Obeyesekere + Eliza Hilda Dias Bandaranaike b23/7/1912-d:29May 2011 (1001)(M22/10/1942) (d of Conrad Peter DB)

Obit:
OBEYESEKERE - ELIZA HILDA - Wife of the late Asoka, mother of Stanley, mother-in-law of Nelun, grandmother of Hasha, Asoka and Anouk, sister of Sam (SD) Bandaranayake and the late Peter, Hector, Ann and Edwin Dias Bandaranayake, expired. Cortege leaves residence11/5, Rajakeeya Mawatha, Colombo 7 at 4.15 p.m. on Tuesday 31st May, Cremation at General Cemetery, Kanatte at 5.00 p.m. DN May 30 2011

6  Stanley Obeyesekere + Nelun Dassenaike

7  C Harshini Obeyesekere

7  S C Asoka Obeyesekere

7  S Anouk Obeyesekere

5  Fredrick Obeyesekere (Barrister,Boxer)(1912-2001)89 years.

5  Amelia Obeyesekere, 1915-2004, Ladies College, Tennis Player + Louis Pieris Deraniyagala, STC Mt Lavinia, Tennis Player, nephew of Sir Paul Pieris

6  Surani Pieris Deraniyagala + Chittranjan T Elangasekera

7  Shehara Elangasekera

7  Shanuka Elangasekera

7  Shalini Elangasekera

6  Ravindra Pieris Deraniyagala + Amari Jayawardena

6  Chrisanthi Pieris Deraniyagala d 9/2/2016

6  Rajini Pieris Deraniyagala + Neil Dias Bandaranaike

7  Ayendra Dias Bandaranaike

7 Priyanthi Dias Bandaranaike

6  Savithri Pieris Deraniyagala +Dr Raja Amarasekere

7 Rajindra Amarasekere + Gowri

8 Johnmark Amarasekere

8 Shania Amarasekere

7 Sherina Amarasekere

7 Sharmini Amarasekere

5  Alexander Obeyesekere (Boxing)(1918-2002) (Represented Ceylon boxing in the Commonwealth games 1950) + Mrs Marrs

          4 Stanley Obeyesekere + Brenda de Saram (3126)(may have lived close to Kynsey Rd Colombo in 1910)

5  Nedra Obeyesekere (Tennis Champion)+ Colonel F C de Saram (Derrick) (3126)

6  Tara de Saram (National Swimmer) + Ralph Bolling

7  Julian Bolling (National Swimmer)

7  David Bolling (National Swimmer)

7  Jeremy Bolling (National Swimmer)

6  Oosha de Saram (Swimming, Tennis) + Dunkirk Neilendran Chanmugam, Board of The Maharajah Organization, s/o Edgar Jeyomanie Chanmugam b:29 Jul 1894, d: 25 May 1963 & Constance Letitia Mant (alias "Pansy", Principal & Founder of Tiny Tots Pre School, d/o Henry Mant d:7 Dec 1980 & Lily Gracelyn d:11 Apr 1949)

7 Anouk Chanmugam (Golf) + George Ajit Zal Chitty (SL Rifle Shooting Team at Olympics)

8 Aaron Zavareh Chitty

8 Ayla Sharik Chitty

7 Dipika Rukshana Chanmugam (Swimmer) + William Appleton Jnr.

7 Devin Nijanthan Chanmugam (Swimmer)

5 Yolande Obeyesekere + Oopatissa Illangakoon

 Obeyesekere walawwa Rajagiriya, may have been built by SC Obeyesekere around 1880

2 Dionysius Obeyesekere – Translator and Muhandiram of Fiscal’s office, Galle. Died a bachelor but left 2 illegitimate children by a common woman

2 Ango? Ungo? Obeyesekere – m (Name Not Known)

3 Elisa Obeyesekere + Perera, Clerk Galle Kachcheri, brother of Muhandiram of Hinidum Pathu

3 Encina Obeyesekere + Moh?

3 Nonchina Obeysekere + Ekanayeke Doctor Mudliyar
3 Jancho Obeyesekere + Brumpi Bandaranayake of Matara

3 Pabo Obeyesekere – died unmarried

2 Lavo Obeyesekere + son of Hendrick Mohandiram, son of Lewis Gunasekera Mohandiram

3 Henry Hendrick

1 Miss Obeyesekere + Rev Cornelius Senanayake b1820-d1886 (Son of Senapathi KHV Senanayake)

2 Sophia Regina Senanayake+ Muhandiram John Ferdinandaz Wijeratna Obeyesekere (1^st Cousin) b1830

3 John Alvin Obeyesekere b:Dec 15 1878 + Myrtille Alice (Grace)

4 Peace Myrtle Obeyesekere, b:Jun 13 1907

4 J G Hallam Obeysekere, b: 1908

4 Hilda Alexandra Obeyesekere, b:1913

4 Quinta Augusta Obeyesekere, b:Mar 18 1914

4 Holly Obeyesekere

4 Nivvy Obeyesekere

3 Emily Florence Sophia Regina Obeyesekere b:24.1.1880 + Amunugama (div)

3 2^nd spouse of Emily Florence Sophia Regina Obeyesekere b:24.1.1880 + James Alexander de Silva Samarasinghe (states Senanayake records)

4 Fidelia Samarasinghe + Bishop Cyril Abeynaike

5 Chrishanthi Abeynaike

5 Lakshman Abeynaike

4 Margie Samarasinghe

4 Brixdous Samarasinghe

4 Godfry Samarasinghe

4 George Samarasinghe

4 Willie Samarasinghe

4 Bertie Samarasinghe

4 Winnie Samarasinghe

4 Douglass Samarasinghe

3 Lilian (Lily) Grace Obeyesekere b:Mar 1881 + Julias Ratnayake at St. Paul’s Milagiriya,

4 Mercis Ratnayake

3 Lilian (Lily) Grace Obeyesekere b:Mar 1881 + Arthur Fredrick Wijesinghe

4 Sumana Wijesinghe + Bibile

5 Tissa Bibile

3 [7] Hope Cornelius Obeyesekere b:Aug 1882 + [8] Edith Ganegoda (d/o Disawe Gonagoda)
4 Sumana Obeyesekere + James Henry de Livera (Jim)

5 Daisy de Livera

5 Sita de Livera

5 Ratna de Livera

5 Juanita de Livera

5 Rukmani de Livera

5 Erin de Livera

4 Seetha Obeyesekere (spinster)

4 [1] Upatissa Obeyesekere + [2] Everilda Maureen (Dotta) Obeysekere, b:Feb 1 1918 at Ruwanwella

5 Chrisantha Obeyeskere + Niranjani Samarakkody

6 Dilini Samarakkody

6 Andrew Samarakkody

5 Srian Obeyesekere + Seetha Gamalathge

5 Surangani Obeysekere + George Ferdinandez)

6 Shane Ferdinandez

6 Ingrid Ferdinandez

5 Indrani Obeyesekere + Alfred Peiris

6 Gihan Peiris

6 Tyrell Peiris

6 Sweenie Peiris

6 Nimesh Peiris

4 George Obeyesekere

4 Stanley Obeyesekere d:2011

4 Alien Obeyesekere

4 Peter Obeysekere + Dora Wijesinghe

4 Manik (Bunny) Obeyesekere

4 Duncan Obeyesekere + Wijesinghe

5 Warrel Obeyesekere + Rani Obeyesekere

5 Gihan Obeyesekere

5 Kumarini Obeyesekere

5 Dilip Obeyesekere

5 Dilushi Obeyesekere

4 [3] Indrani Obeyesekere + [4] Faith Obeysekere

5 Manel Obeyesekere

5 Priya Obeyesekere d:2011

5 Lakshmi Obeyesekere

4 Leela Obeyesekere

4 Ruby Obeyesekere (spinster)

3 Acland Osmund Valentine b:14.2. 1884 + Adeline Muriel Olive de Silva Wijayatunga Goonasekere

4 Acland Christoffel Lambertus, b:July 23 1916

4 [2] Everilda Maureen (Dotta) Obeysekere, b:Feb 1 1918 at Ruwanwella + [1] Upatissa Obeysekere

5 Chrisantha Obeyesekere + Niranjani Samarakkody

6 Dilini Samarakkody

6 Andrew Samarakkody

5 Srian Obeyesekere + Seetha Gamalathge

5 Surangani Obeysekere + George Ferdinandez

6 Shane Ferdinandez

6 Ingrid Ferdinandez

5 Indrani Obeysekere + Alfred Peiris

6 Gihan Peiris

6 Tyrell Peiris

6 Sweenie Peiris

6 Nimesh Peiris

4 Radley Felix Trevine, b:29.4. 1919 at Kegalle

4 Eunice Clarida Aileen, b:27.10.1920 at Kegalle

4 [4] Acland Faith Obeyesekere, b:Sep 25 1922 + [3] Indrani Obeyesekere

5 Manel Obeyesekere

5 Priya Obeyesekere d:2011

5 Lakshmi Obeyesekere

4 Eardly Hermen Spencer Obeyesekere, b:July 5 1930 at Panadura + Jayanthi Karunaratne, m:21.12.1968 at St. Francis of Assisi Church Mt. Lavinia.

5 Jasmine Obeysekere born 21.2.70 in Cairo + Dr. Guy Dinesh Fernando

6 Jayathri Fernando (b 8.10.2005 in NY)

6 Yannik Fernando (b 29.10.2008 in NY)

5 Harindra Obeysekere b:17.12.1973 in Colombo + Chethana Dharmaratne

6 Chaniel (b:5.10. 2012)

3 Felix Obeyesekere b:18.2.1885

3 ? possibly Brixtius b:30.4.1886 (possibly deceased early in life)

1 Caroline Obeyesekere + Lewis Gunasekera, Muhandiram of T.P, resided at Kodagoda

1 Angelthina Obeyesekere + Dissanayake of Kodagoda

1 Daniel Obeyesekere, Weebadde Muhandiram of T. P. + lady from Dissanayake family of Urala

0 Adrian, Muhandiram of Laandraad Court + daughter of Mohandiram Samaranayake

1 Hendrick Obeyesekere – died a bachelor leaving behind several issue by a Goiyapane woman

1 Simon Obeysekere – Registrar of Marriages Births and Deaths m. from Amaranayake Danapala family of Kodagoda

1 David – Registrar of Marriages of Kataluwa + lady from Yapa family of Kodagoda

2 Madeline + Dassenaike of Akuressa

2 Constantine + from Kariyapperuma family – no issue

2 Adrian – unmarried

2 Arnold – unmarried

3 Alonchina

3 Abraham

3 David

[Other Obeyesekere family lines that need more information to be connected to the small trees that we have so far researched and collated - - - Any valid information of links between the above trees will be much appreciated – Webmaster]

1 Trutand Henry Obeyesekere + Issabella Alfrida Wijeyesinghe [this branch updated by Upali Obeyesekere on June 8 2016]

2 St. Elmo Obeyesekere b:March 13, 1911 d:August 1983 (In Canada) + Eugenie De S. Wijetunga

3 John Susantha Obeyesekere + Maureen Bastiansz (Domiciled in Toronto, Canada)

4 Anne Obeyesekere + Jerome Rodriguez (Toronto, Canada), m:Sep 2018
3 Marie Suranganie Obeyesekere (Domiciled in Toronto, Canada) + Nettleton Weerasinghe (Deceased)

4 Jude Weerasinghe

4 Drake Thorens

4 Josephine Weerasinghe
3 Upali Augustus Obeyesekere + Tamara Augusta Wanniappa (Domiciled in Toronto, Canada)

4 Adrian Obeyesekere
4 Bryan Obeyesekere
4 Tanya Obeyesekere

2 Swarna Obeyesekere + Ernest Karunaratne (both deceased)

1 Freddy Obeyesekere (b approx 1890),old thomian,drowned in the mediterranean sea,during world war 1, (he was a brother of Trutand Henry Obeyesekere.) (Freddy's ship ,Ville de la ciotat,was torpedoed (30/12/1915) on it's way to europe,and when in the water,Freddy had given his fotation lifejacket ,to one of his peers ,who was not good at swimming.That peer survived, and relayed the story to the family in Sri Lanka.)

* 

00 Mudaliyar Ferdinandez Obeysekere  

0 Anna Ferdinandus Obeyesekere + Abraham de Silva Wijesinghe (Salman ?) (b approx 1750) (Commander Mudaliyar Galle) (3190)

        1   Don Louis de Silva Wijesinghe + daughter of Telikada Mudaliyar

2 James de Wijesinghe + Miss de Silva ( and had 5 daughters.)

3 Missie Wijesinghe + CP Gunathilleke

      1   Don Louis de Silva Wijesinghe +M2 daughter of Telikada Mudaliyar

       1   Don Louis de Silva Wijesinghe +M3 daughter of Telikada Mudaliyar

*

Obeyesekere sub trees that need to be linked to the main tree

A) 1 Obeyesekere + Rev Cornelis Senanayake (1820-1886) b:Jun 1820 –d:15/6/1886 (St Paul's Milagiriya, Christ Church Dehiwela 1861-1886, & Thimbirigasyaya)

2 Regina Senanayake + John Obeyesekere (see above)

2 John Henry Senanayake

2 Corneliya Emily Senanayake

2 Brooke Abraham Senanayake

 See https://www.worldgenweb.org/lkawgw/gen3113.html

B) 000 Domingo

00 Joan

0 Johannes Appuhamy

1  Don Bastian Karunanayake Jayawardhana  OF ATADAHEWATTA WALAUWA IN KATHALUWA AHANGAMA who was sent to Mauritius to be interpreter of Prison and of  Ehelepola.  (b approx 1800)

( had 2 families, 1 in Mauritius, one in Ceylon).  After coming back from Mauritius, made Mudaliyar of Galle district, Hanbantota, Ragam pattu, and gangaboda pattu + subsequent to 1828 married daughter of Mudaliyar Karunaratne of Kumbalwella, Galle *in All Saints Anglican church. (their descendants inter married from the Obeyesekere family of Kathaluwa, Ahangama). Brother William married the other daughter of Mudaliyar Karunaratne [Another document says Karunaratne of Kalegana near Galle]

           2  Don Arthur Karunanayake  Jayawardhana - b.approx 1830 Mudaliyar Bentota and wallalawity korale in galle district 1876. Mudaliyar Wellaboda pattu, Katcheri Mudaliyar and 1^st interpreter of Galle Katchcheri, Atapattu Mudaliyar in Galle  (In Book:  ‘Mudaliyars of Ceylon’ by…   and ‘Chieftains of Ceylon by Van Sanden)(one of the oldest members of the Royal Asiatic Society.) + Mimmi Obeyesekere

3   Gate Mudaliyar Harry (Harold) Obeyesekere Karunanayake Jayawardhana  Mudaliyar of Magam Pattu 1897,1906 Mudaliyar West Giruwa Pattu etc. + Miss Padmini  Obeyesekere    (Daughter of Mudaliar David Obeyesekere + Elisa Wirasinha)                             

4 Don Fredrick Obeyesekere Arthur Karunanaike Jayawardena (Ricky ) Mudaliyar Talpe Pattu b1898 (1916 Clerk Native Dept Hambantota Kachcherie,1924 Diploma of Agriculture,,1926Muhandiram Magam Pattu,1928-1946 Mudaliyar Talpe Pattu.+ (m5/5/1919)Lilian Elizebeth Rambukpotha (b5/11/1905-d5/2/1960) (d of PB Rambukpotha)(photo see below)

5 Grace Jayawardena

5 Diyanya Jayawardena

5 Duksie Jayawardena

5 Jasmine Jayawardena

5 Enid Jayawardena

5 Iris Jayawardena

5 Quintas Jayawardena

5 Oscar Jayawardena

5 Ivan Jayawardene

5 Osmand Jayawardena

5 Childers Jayawardena

5 Michael Jayawardena

5 Justin Arthur Jayawardena d9/1/2019+ Soma Keppetipola

6 Priyadharshani Jayawardena

6 Gamini Jayawardena + Sheruni

7 Shenelle Jayawardena

7 Gershon Jayawardena

4 Sylvia Jayawardena 

3 Harrold Jayawardena

3 Clara Jayawardena

3 Sopley Jayawardena

3 Aslin Jayawardena

C) Abraham Ferdinandus Obeyesekere alive 1862

Also noted: Freddy Obeyesekere (old Thomian) drowned in the Mediterranean in the 1^st World War. (Out of 2000 volunteers from the Ceylon Defence Force ,80 are believed to have been killed.)

D) Donald Asoka Obeyesekere , Barrister at-Law,Md 22/10/1942+Eliza Hilda Dias Bandaranayake,b23/7/1912 (d of Conrad Peter Dias Bandaranayaka)

E) 1 Obeyesekere b 1870 (Arachchi ,18 village headman under him)(Mathugama)

2 Obeyesekere (Studied Western Medicine)

2 Don David Obeyesekere b 1900 (changed name to Dharmadasa Obeyesekere)+ Amara Kannangara.(Dharmadasa Obeyesekere was lecturer at College of indigenious medicine,Borella.)

3 Gananath Obeyesekere b 2/2/1930 (Professor of Anthropology)

3 Rohini Obeyesekere Teacher)(b1931) + Eric Perera (Surveyor)

4 Sasanka Perera (Professor of Sociology)(South Asian University Delhi) +Anoli Wijeratne

3 Vasantha Obeyesekere b29/12/1937 (uni of ceylon 1962)(b 1937-d 2017)(born in Mathugama) Film Director

4 Asanga Obeyesekere

4 Kaniska Obeyesekere (UK)

(Grand children, Vineth,Kesara and Gunitha)

F) Don Richard Ferdinandus Wijeratne Obeyesekere (Mudliyar Kandekele pattu)

References-Relative Merits 

Internet 

Prepared by: 

Mr Manjula de Livera

Email manjulafamily@yahoo.com.au

manjuladelivera@yahoo.com.au

16th January 2022

---

Obeyesekere Wikipedia

Solomon Christoffel Obeyesekere

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Sir Solomon Christoffel Obeyesekere (12 February 1848 – 13 October 1927) was Ceylonese lawyer and legislator. He was an unofficial member of the Legislative Council of Ceylon (1900-1916).^[1]

Early life and career

Solomon Christoffel Obeyesekere was born 12 February 1848, the youngest son of Don Bastian Ferdinandus Wijesiri Guneratne Obeyesekere, Mudaliyar of Talpe Pattu and Cornelia Susanna Dias née Bandaranaike (daughter of Don Solomon Dias Bandaranaike, Mudliyar of Udugaha).^[2] His older brother was James Peter Obeyesekere I. His father died soon after he was born and his mother returned to Colombo. She then married her cousin, Rev. Samuel William Dias Bandaranaike and they had two boys and two girls. The oldest son, Felix Reginald was a Supreme Court judge.

Obeyesekere was educated at Royal Academy and S. Thomas' College, Mutwal.^[2] In 1866 he passed the entrance examination for the Calcutta University, obtaining a first class diploma in 1868. He was apprenticed to Charles Ambrose Lorensz and in 1872 he qualified as a proctor, heading the list in every subject.^[2]

Engaging in his legal practice, Obeyesekere managed the large family land holdings and was elected President of the Low Country Planters’ Association. In February 1900, Obeyesekere was appointed as the Unofficial Member representing the low country Sinhalese in the Legislative Council, replacing Anthonisz De Alwis Seneviratne.^[3][4] He served on the Council until 1916.^[1] In 1902 he was among the Ceylonese representatives invited to attend the London Coronation of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra.^[2][5] He was knighted in 1911 as a Knights Bachelor.^[6]

James Peter Obeyesekere I

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James Peter Obeyesekere I (????-1880) was a Ceylonese legislator. He was an unofficial member of the Legislative Council of Ceylon representing the Sinhalese until his early death in 1880.^[1]

James Peter Obeyesekere was born the eldest son of Don Bastian Ferdinandus Wijesiri Guneratne Obeyesekere, Mudaliyar of Talpe Pattu and Cornelia Susanna Dias née Bandaranaike daughter of Don Solomon Dias Bandaranaike, Mudliyar of Udugaha.^[2] His younger brother was Solomon Christoffel Obeyesekere. His father died soon after he was born and his mother returned to Colombo. She then married her cousin, Rev. Samuel William Dias Bandaranaike and they had two boys and two girls. The oldest son, Felix Reginald was a Supreme Court judge.^[2]

He married Corneliya Henrietta Dias Bandaranaike, daughter of Gate Mudaliyar Don Christoffel Henricus Dias Bandaranaike and sister of Sir Solomon Dias Bandaranaike, Head Mudaliyar (1895-1928). Their sons were Sir James Peter Obeyesekere II, the last Maha Mudaliyar and Donald Obeyesekere, member of the State Council. Their daughter Hilda Obeyesekere married Sir Paul Edward Pieris of the Ceylon Civil Service.

James Peter Obeyesekere II

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia

Sir James Peter Obeyesekere II, Maha Mudaliyar, JP (1879–1968) was a Ceylonese colonial-era headmen. He was the last Head Mudaliyar and served as aide-de-camp to the British Governor of Ceylon and Governor General of Ceylon.^[1]

Born to James Peter Obeyesekere I, a barrister and Corneliya Henrietta Dias Bandaranaike, daughter of Gate Mudaliyar Don Christoffel Henricus Dias Bandaranaike and sister of Sir Solomon Dias Bandaranaike, Head Mudaliyar (1895-1928). He was the brother of Donald Obeyesekere, member of the State Council and his sister Hilda Obeyesekere married Sir Paul Edward Pieris of the Ceylon Civil Service.

Educated at S. Thomas' College, Mutwal and at Trinity College, Cambridge gaining a MA, he became a Barrister and on his return to Ceylon became an Advocate of the Supreme Court of Ceylon.^[2]

Having joined the colonial government service as a District Commissioner, he succeeded his uncle Sir Solomon Dias Bandaranaike to the post of Head Mudaliyar (Maha Mudaliyar) in 1928. The post which was part of the staff of the British Governor, serving as his chief interpreter, native representative, adviser and aide-de-camp, therefore was one of the most powerful personalities in British colonial Ceylon. He was the last to hold the appointment serving under several British Governors and Governor Generals in the post independence era. He was present when his nephew Solomon West Ridgeway Dias Bandaranaike took oaths as Prime Minister in front of the Governor General Sir Oliver Goonetilleke on 12 April 1956. No other appointments to the post of Head Mudaliyar were made and it was dispensed with after the Bandaranaike government suspended British honors. His uniform was donated to the Colombo National Museum following his death by his family.^[2]

He was appointed a Knights Bachelor for public services in Ceylon in the 1936 New Year Honours by King George V and was appointed a Justice of the Peace by the Governor.^[3]

He married Amy Estelle Dias Bandaranaike and their son James Peter Obeyesekere III was elected a member of parliament and served as the acting Cabinet Minister of Health and Finance.

James Peter Obeyesekere III

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia

Hon. Deshamanya James Peter Obeyesekere III
Obeyesekere, left
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health and Finance
Member of the Sri Lankan Parliament for Attanagalla
In office 19 March 1960 – 22 March 1965
Preceded by	S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike
Succeeded by	Sirimavo Bandaranaike
Senator of Ceylon
Personal details
Born	14 July 1915
Died	23 October 2007 (aged 92)
Nationality	Sri Lankan
Political party	Sri Lanka Freedom Party
Spouse(s)	Siva Obeyesekere
Residence	Obeyesekere Walawa
Alma mater	Royal College, Colombo, Trinity College, Cambridge
Occupation	Politics
Profession	Barrister
Military service
Unit	Royal Observer Corps

Deshamanya James Peter Obeyesekere III (14 July 1915 – 23 October 2007) was a Sri Lankan politician and aviator. A Senator, he was also a Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health and Finance.^[1][2]

Early life and education

Born to Sir James Peter Obeyesekere II, a barrister who was an advocate of the colonial era Supreme Court of Ceylon and served as the last Maha Mudaliyar (the chief native interpreter and adviser to the British Governor of Ceylon). His grandfather was Sir James Peter Obeyesekere I.

The young James Peter Obeyesekere was educated at the Royal College, Colombo.

Obeyesekere attended Trinity College, Cambridge, he was an active member of the Cambridge Union.

Educated at the Royal College, Colombo, Obeyesekere went on to study at Trinity College, Cambridge gaining a MA. There he was a member of the Cambridge Union Society and of the Debating Team of Trinity College. An accomplished sportsman, he was awarded a half blue in athletics at Cambridge, later becoming a certified athletics coach and excellent horseman and equestrian. He went on to become a barrister.

Aviation

Obeyesekere created aviation history in South Asia when he became the first Sri Lankan to undertake what is erroneously described as a "solo flight" from England to Sri Lanka in November 1946, in close company with another pilot in an identical Auster aircraft.

With the outbreak of World War II he joined the Cambridge University Air Squadron becoming a qualified pilot, he was invited to join the Royal Air Force as a pilot, however he turned down the offer and instead joined the Royal Observer Corps. In November 1946, he flew his single-engined Auster Autocrat home to Ceylon from England, becoming the first Ceylonese to make such a flight. Throughout the epic journey, Obeyesekere was accompanied by Sqdn. Ldr. Roderick A.F. Farquharson in an identical Auster. Farquharson's not insignificant role in that epic flight was described in contemporary newspaper reports and early articles by Obeyesekere himself.^[3]

His aviation interests were also strong as he was the Chairman of the Colombo Flying Club until its takeover by the government. He gave his Auster to the Ceylon Air Academy for civilian pilot training. The aircraft was destroyed in a fatal accident on March 11, 1971, but nearly 40 years later it was rebuilt for static display at the Sri Lanka Air Force Museum, Ratmalana in memory of his flight from England to Ceylon.

Racing

A racing enthusiast he competed in many racing events in Sri Lanka, India and England. He won the Grand Prix de Lanka. He was the vice patron of the Classic Car Club of Ceylon and was the only Asian to be elected an Honorary Life Member of the prestigious Bentley Drivers’ Club. He was also members of the British Automobile Racing Club and of the Cambridge University Automobile Club. Obeyesekere was very active in the scout movement and was a former president of the Sri Lanka Scout Association.

Political career

James Obeyesekere and his wife Siva, supported their kinsmen, S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike when he left the United National Party and formed the Sri Lanka Freedom Party in 1951, becoming founding members. He contested the parliamentary seat of Mirigama in the 1952 general election, but lost. After S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike was assassinated in 1959, he contested from his constituency the Attanagalla electorate in the 1960 July general election and entering parliament. S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike's widow, Sirimavo Bandaranaike who became prime minister appointed Obeyesekere as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health and thereafter Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance. He did not contest the 1965 general election, stepping down in-favor of Sirimavo Bandaranaike to take over her late husband's constituency, in return Obeyesekere was appointed a Senator serving until the Senate was abolished in 1971. His wife entered politics in 1965 contesting from the Mirigama electorate, which was her home town. He contested the 1977 general election from Mirigama and was defeated by Mahendra Wijeratne. In 2006, he was conferred the national honour of Deshamanya by President Mahinda Rajapakse.^[4]

Family

He married Sivagami Dassanaike, they had two children, James Peter IV and Chantal.

Donald Obeyesekere

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia

Donald Obeyesekere, MBE (1888–1964) was a prominent colonial era legislator from Ceylon. He was a member of the State Council of Ceylon, the Legislative Council of Ceylon and was the President of the National Olympic Committee of Ceylon.^[1][2]

Educated at S. Thomas' College, Mt Lavinia and at the Colombo Academy, he gained a BA from University of Cambridge, where he won blues for boxing. On his return to Ceylon he introduced boxing in the country. He was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire for public service.

He married Johanna Ethel Perera and they had five children; Danton, Corneliya, Asoka, Fredrick, Amelia and Alexander. The Donald Obeysekere Prize is awarded at Royal College, Colombo in his memory.

Forester Augustus Obeysekere

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia

Hon. Sir Forester Augustus Obeysekere MSC
2nd Speaker of the State Council
In office 11 December 1934 – 7 December 1935
Preceded by	Alfred Francis Molamure
Succeeded by	Waithilingam Duraiswamy
Personal details
Nationality	Ceylonese (Sri Lankan)
Residence	Balcombe House, Cotta road
Alma mater	Royal College, Colombo

Sir Forester Augustus Obeysekere^[1] (7 August 1880 – 26 December 1961) was a prominent colonial era legislator from Ceylon. He was the Speaker of the State Council of Ceylon and a member of the Legislative Council of Ceylon.^[2][3]

Born to Sir Solomon Christoffel Obeyesekere^[4] a member of the Legislative Council, F A Obeysekere was educated at Royal College, Colombo, where he captained the cricket team at the Royal-Thomian.^[5] He later studied at Cambridge University.^[6]

He was elected an unofficial member from the Southern Province Central (Matara) to the Legislative Council in the 1924 Legislative Council election and retained his seat till the Legislative Council was dissolved and replaced by the State Council in the 1931 State Council election, when he was elected as deputy speaker. In 1934, he became Speaker when Sir Francis Molamure stepped down for personal reasons.

He married Anna Isabella Sykes and they had two children, Boykin and Ezlynne. Ezlynne married Ralph Deraniyagala, MBE who became the Clerk of Parliament.

Alex Obeysekere

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia

Alex Obeysekere
Medal record
Men's Boxing
Representing Ceylon
British Empire Games
	1950 Auckland	Welterweight

Alexander "Alex" I. Obeysekere (March 1918 – 28 April 2002)^[1] was a Ceylonese sportsman. He won a Bronze medal at the 1950 British Empire Games. He was the welterweight champion in the 1940s and was a member of the Ceylon contingent to the 1948 Olympic Games. He went on the represented Ceylon in boxing in 1950 Commonwealth Games in Auckland winning the Bronze medal in welterweight.^[2]

He was born in Colombo to Donald Obeyesekere and was educated the Royal College, Colombo.^[3]

Siva Obeyesekere

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia

Hon. Deshamanya Siva Obeyesekere
Minister of Health
In office 1976–1977
Preceded by	George Rajapaksa
Succeeded by	Ranjit Atapattu
Member of the Sri Lankan Parliament for Mirigama
In office 1965–1977
Personal details
Born	7 May 1929
Died	23 December 2017 (aged 88)
Nationality	Sri Lankan
Political party	Sri Lanka Freedom Party
Spouse(s)	James Peter Obeyesekere III
Residence	Obeyesekere Walawa
Alma mater	Ladies' College, Colombo
Occupation	Politics

Deshamanya Sivagami Verina "Siva" Obeyesekere (Sivagami; née Dassenaike; 7 May 1929 – 23 December 2017) was the Cabinet Minister of Health (1976-1977) and a Member of Parliament from Mirigama. She is known as the founder of the Laksala and Lakpahana.

Early life and education

Born at the Dassanayake Walawwe in Mirigama to Lois Robert Clifton Dassenaike and Amybelle Charlotte Valerie née Corea, she was educated at Ladies' College, Colombo, where she was a hostel prefect and sports captain. Dr Gamani Corea and Vijaya Corea were her step-brothers. She married James Peter Obeyesekere III, the only child of Sir James Peter Obeyesekere II, Maha Mudaliyar.^[1]

Political career

Early political work

James and Siva Obeyesekere, supported their kinsmen, S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike when he left the United National Party and formed the Sri Lanka Freedom Party in 1951, becoming founding members. She assisted her husband in his unsuccessful campaign for the Mirigama electorate in the 1952 general election and in the successful campaign for the Attanagalla electorate in the 1960 July general election. James Obeyesekere would serve as the Parliamentary Secretary of Health and Finance, thereafter he was appointed to the Senate of Ceylon in 1965.^[1]

Handicraft industry

When James Obeyesekere was the member of parliament for Attanagalla from 1960 to 1965, Siva Obeyesekere organized community health programmes in 127 villages in the Attanagalle electorate and actively began to develop handicraft and handloom centres. In 1961, she was appointed Chairman of the Small Industries Board. In 1963, she was appointed the Chairman of the Accommodation Committee and a Member of the Tourist Development Council that drafted the Tourist Development Act. In 1964, she started the Laksala, which was the first Government Cottage Industries Emporium and became the Chairman of its Advisory Board. She also established the Craftsman’s Association of Sri Lanka promoting the Master Craftsman’s Apprenticeship Scheme. In 1973, she was elected President of the National Artisans and Craftsman’s Association.^[1]

Parliament and Minister

She contested the Mirigama electorate in the 1965 general election from the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and won the seat defeating Wijayabahu Wijayasinha and entered parliament. She retained her seat in the 1970 general election defeating Professor W. S. Karunaratne. She was appointed Parliamentary Secretary of Health by Sirimavo Bandaranaike in 1970 and was promoted to Minister of Health in 1976 succeeding George Rajapaksa. During her tenure, she introduced the National Family Health Programme, which was later adopted by the United Nations as an international model. Senator Edward Kennedy gave her a special award of appreciation for her efforts. In 1973, she was elected Vice President of the Status of Women in Family Planning conference in Djakarta and lead the Sri Lankan delegation to the World Population Conference in Bucharest. She was elected Vice President of the World Health Organization Conference in Geneva in 1977. However, she was defeated in the 1977 general election in the landslid victory of the United National Party.^[1]

Later work

She founded the Lakpahana, a private company that sold local handicrafts. In 1991, President Ranasinghe Premadasa awarded her the Deshamanya title and was elected the first President of the World Craft’s Council affiliated to UNESCO. In 1993, she was the "Kamala Saamaan" in memory of Kamala Devi Chattopadyayi of India for the development of Laksala. In 2006, she was appointed National Consultant to the Ministry of Rural Industries and Self-Employment Promotion and was later appointed a Presidential Adviser to President Mahinda Rajapakse. In 2009, she was appointed to the S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike National Memorial Foundation by President Rajapakse.^[1]

Family

Siva Dassenaike married James Obeyesekere and they had two children, James Peter Obeyesekere IV and Chantal De Saram.^[1]

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Obeyesekere Family Pics:

***Sir James Peter Obeyesekere, Kt, M.A, Maha Mudaliyar & Chief Interpreter to his Excellency the Governor of Ceylon. Barrister at-Law, Advocate of the Supreme Court, Justice of Peace, District Commissioner. 1879-1968, Educated at STC Mt Lavina. Nephew of Sir Solomon Dias Bandaranaike. Son of Corneliya Henrietta Dias Bandaranaike. Brother of Donald Obeyesekere. Married Estelle Dias Bandaranaike

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* Siva Obeyesekere : Founder of Laksala honoured by Crafts Council of India

by LAKMAL WELABADA SO July 6 2003

Siva being awarded Kamala Sammaan award by Governor of Karnataka T.N. Chaturvedi at the birth ceremony celebrations of Kamaladevi at Chitra Kala Parishat in Bangalore in April of this year.

Sivagamie Verina Obeyesekere, well known as Siva Obeysekara, founder of Laksala was garlanded with Kamala Sammaan award by the Crafts Council of India in April this year for her research work and dedicated contribution to the field of art and crafts.

The award was given to five artisans including Siva in memory of Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay, reviver of Indian traditional crafts and a freedom fighter. The other four award winners were from India. Siva was the only foreigner among these honoured at the occasion. She received the award from Governor of Karnataka T. N. Chaturvedi at the birth cenetary celebrations of Kamaladevi at Chitra Kala Parishat in Bangalore.

Still active highly in her community work day and night, Siva spoke of her good old days for the Sunday Observer readers.

"Social service has been something in my blood veins since I was a school girl at Ladies College," she said adding "After getting married to J. P. Obeyesekere in 1948 I got wider horizons to serve people". J. P. Obeyesekere became the Deputy Minister of Health, and then the Deputy Minister of Finance.

After her husband's retirement from politics, she launched in to politics. She contested twice. Breaking several records, she won the Meerigama seat from the Sri Lanka Freedom Party in 1965 from the opposition and in 1970 from the government. She held the posts of Deputy Minister and then the Minister of Health making her name in history.

"I saw the poverty of people as well as their talent and skill which can be used to overcome it if recognised and guided properly. Since I wanted to get a clear picture of what I was going to do, I went to India and met Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay who was in the process of reviving Indian crafts at that time," said Siva.

Following in Kamaladevi's footsteps Siva worked hard continuously to revive the crafts and handlooms of Sri Lanka. Equivalent to Indian Cottage Industries Emporium originated by Kamaladevi, Siva set up Laksala in 1964 in Sri Lanka.

While being its founder Chairperson, Siva promoted branches of Laksala throughout the country, which not only opened the doors for a craft revival, but assisted in preserving the craft traditions of Sri Lanka and boosted the income of the poor craftsmen and their families in the villages.Siva was the Chairperson of the National Crafts Council for several years. She organised the Sri Lanka Craftsmen's Association (SLCA) in 1964 and was its President for many years.

Lakpahana was the craft outlet she established to promote quality handicrafts of the members. "It was the golden era for the handloom industry of Sri Lanka," she recollected. "The looms are still inside the sealed buildings all over the country. It's a 'shame and sad' situation that nobody is thinking of re-starting the dead industry. It's a heritage of this country which would provide many job opportunities at village level," she lamented.

Siva was the first person from a developing country to be the President of World Crafts Council from 1992 to 1996. She was also President of World Crafts Council Asia Pacific Region from 1996 to 2000. She was also the first woman to be awarded the National Honour of 'Deshamanya' by late President R. Premadasa.

Siva Obeyesekere had a full life that an Asian woman would rarely get. Aging has never been a problem to her. Still active and energetic she holds many posts in several educational and service organisations. Siva is at present a member of the National Advisory Council for the Ministry of Health.

"My next dream is to open a museum of traditional handicrafts and handloom textiles which I have been collecting as samples for years and years. They will definitely be the part of the history of Sri Lanka," she said.

JP Obeyesekere 3 and Siva Obeyesekere, Siva with President Mahinda Rajapakse

JP Obeyesekere 3 Siva Obeyesekere with daughter Chantal de Saram ,

grand children Dhevan and Chiara.

Close to the Racecourse Avenue, was the urban Walauwa,the "Maligawa",which belonged to JP Obeyesekere. Maligawa originally stood on 9 acres of land, bought from the crown for Rs 39,000 in 1893 by Mrs Corneliya Obeyesekere.(wife of James Peter Obeyesekere 1)

In 1939,Sir James Peter Obeyesekere 11,on the request of Royal College granted the house with it's furniture, for the use of the hostel. However in 1941,during the world war 2,the maligawa,with the Royal College premises was taken over by the British Army.The school was turned into a miitary hospital,and the maligawa, became the officers mess, for the Royal Air Force. Several years later ,it was returned to the Obeyesekere family, and it became the house of Deshamanya JP Obeyesekere.111.

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Alex Obeyesekere and the golden era of boxing

Nooks and Corners by Geoff Wijesinghe

Another of our boxing greats, Alex Obeyesekere, who represented this country at the first post World War Two Olympics at Wembley in London, passed on last week.

He was one of those who reigned during the golden era of boxing in this country, along with Albert Perera, Leslie Handunge, Eddie Gray, F. C. de Niese, D. V. Bodaragama, H. P. Jayasuriya, K. Edwin, Barney Henricus, O. M. D. V. Perera, the Raymond brothers Gene and Derick - one of whom fought in India with the Rangers Boxing Club, who paid frequent visits to Colombo - A. C. Dassanaike, M. Welvitigoda and several others whose names do not now come to mind through the mists of time.

Alex Obeyesekere was the welterweight champion in the mid and late 1940s. An aggressive boxer with a knockout punch, he thoroughly enjoyed a good scrap. Often, when he received a good punch from his opponent, Alex would acknowledge it immediately with a nod of his head.

I was fortunate to be a spectator at a number of the national boxing meets.

One of the most keenly contested of them was for the Clifford Cup, a team event, at which the famous Rangers Boxing Club regularly participated.

Alex Obeyesekere fought for Royal College and the YMCA and hailed from a family of boxers. His brothers Danton and F.W. were also champions. Danton coached Royal College for a number of years and produced some first class boxers.

I had the privileges of knowing Alex quite closely as he was one of the best friends of my father. In later years, after he had retired from boxing, I used to meet him at the Fort YMCA restaurant and chat with him over a cup of tea.

He had a heart of gold and stood by his friends through thick and thin.

My father who was a keen boxing fan, took me to witness most of those meets during the golden era of boxing.

Most of them were held at the Colombo Town Hall and some at Zahira College, Maradana.

By far, according to my view, the best boxer Sri Lanka has ever produced was Albert Perera. A bantamweight, at his peak, he had no peer, nationally or internationally.

Blessed with a beautiful style, deft footwork and a pair of strong arms, which worked like pistons, Albert would bob and weave his way through his opponent's defences and then land flurries of punches with machine gun rapidity. His infighting was of world class and his forte.

Fortunately, we were able to see the best of him as he had some very good opposition in K. Edwin, Leslie Handunge, D. V. Boderagama and H. P. Jayasuriya.

The bouts between them were all science, the science of good, clean boxing, no slugging or wild punches, but the epitome of what boxing was really meant to be.

Another very clean boxer was Eddie Gray who, if my memory serves me right, was a light heavyweight. His fights with F. C. de Neise were very clean and equally scientific, with Gray always being the superior in every respect.

After his retirement, Eddie Gray, who migrated to Australia, continues to pay regular visits to Sri Lanka and has done a great service for boxing here.

However, due largely to internal squabbles amongst officials, the sport has suffered and is now in the doldrums.

The new President of the Amateur Boxing Association, M. Thangavelu, a senior police officer and a former Thomian boxer, has vowed to revive the sport and lift the standard of boxing to what it was in the past.

Albert Perera, Alex Obeyesekere and Leslie Handunge represented Ceylon at the Wembley Olympics in 1948 with Albert losing in the semi-final over a very doubtful decision by the referee.

As a 10-year-old, I had the privilege of accompanying my father to wish 'bon voyage' to that Olympic team at the Colombo Harbour on board the 'SS Herefordshire'.

It was led by Duncan White, who won a silver medal in the 400 yards hurdles, losing to the American Steve Cochran.

Duncan White would have secured the gold but for his having knocked down a hurdle at a very crucial stage of the race, when he was in a winning way. An interesting incident involving Alex Obeyesekere who was the Thomian boxing coach in 1952 and I, is worth relating.

I had won my weight at the annual House Meet by a knockout and stood a good chance of representing the college at the forthcoming Stubbs Shield meet. My big problem was how to divide my time between cricket and boxing.

However, I managed to get half an hour off from cricket for boxing practices. One afternoon, I was particularly tired what with a gruelling fielding and batting practice session, when I arrived at the college hall for boxing practice. I was asked to spar with a fellow boarder with whom I had successfully fought a few months earlier on the green outside the cistern baths.

Unfortunately for my opponent, he not only got the worst of the exchanges, but to add to his humiliation, the towel which was wrapped around his waist fell to the ground, much to the merriment of our fellow boarders, who had gathered round to witness the fight.

Just before we started sparring that afternoon during boxing practice, I told my opponent, "Machang, go easy as I am tired." But, this request apparently served as an encouragement for the chap to seek revenge for his earlier defeat on the green. From the word go, he launched a furious assault.

As I stated earlier I was very tired and in no mood to engage in a grudge fight. As he came at me again, I opened my right glove and let him have a thundering whack on his ear, which began to bleed.

My opponent then stopped fighting and complained to coach Alex Obeyesekere that I had landed a foul blow, which caused his ear to bleed.

After listening to the complaint, Alex did not even call for my defence, but immediately

ordered me get out and stay out. That was the end of my very brief boxing carrier. Of course, the coach was right and whether I was tired or not I had no right to engage in street fighting.

I last spoke to Alex Obeyesekere when I telephoned him to get some information for an article on boxing I was writing a little over three years ago.

After I had identified myself, I sought the information I wanted, to which he replied, "I can't remember anything.

My mind is a blank after taking the punches you chaps gave me."

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obit: Feb 26 2007 Daily News

OBEYESEKERE - ANIL JAYANTHA (President's Counsel). Beloved husband of Iranganie, precious father of Prasanna and Eromi, son of the late Mr and Mrs JEM Obeyesekere, brother of the late Ralph and Mahen and of Valerie, Rajitha (R.I.) and Sriyani, brother-in-law of the late Percy Eheliyagoda, Donald Karunaratne and of Nobel, Varini, Frank Pimanda and Rukmani Eheliyagoda, expired. Cortege leaves residence at 5.15 p.m. on Wednesday 28th February 2007 for Cremation at 6 p.m. at the General Cemetery, Kanatte. 135 1/6, Old Nawala Road, off Senanayake Avenue, Nawala.  Daily News

Anil Obeyesekere. Thomian. Presidents Counsel. Held responsible posts, viz; Lake House Chairman, Sri Lanka Telecom Chairman. Married Irangani Eheliyagoda.

Had 2 children.Prasanna and Iromi. Irangani Eheliyagoda is the brother of Percy Eheliyagoda who married Rukie de Alwis (daughter of Alex Bandaranaike-SWRD's sister)

Anil Obeyesekere

'Tribute to the memory of Anil Obeyesekere President's Counsel'

Daily News, Tue Mar 6 2007:

CONDOLENCE: The death of Anil Obeyesekere P.C. after a brief illness, sent waves of shock and bitter sorrow not only among his close family members but among the large circle of his friends, associates in politics and of Lake House where he was the Chairman at the time of his demise; his wide circle of friends and associates naturally was larger with those of two huge corporate bodies. Sri Lanka Petroleum Corporation and Sri Lanka Telecom where he was the Chairman.

The numerous floral tributes and banners of the various corporations and institutions including that of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, that glittered at Anil's home and precinct where his remains lay, mutely but eloquently expressed the feelings of deep sorrow in appropriate words of those who loved and respected him.

It was my privilege and pleasure to have known Anil for more than three decades. He was not only my learned friend in the true sense of the term in our profession but also my dear and sincere personal friend till his passing away. To me Anil certainly was the friend that the famous English poet Shakespeare had in mind: "Those friends thou hast and their adoption tried/Grapple them to thy soul with hoops of steel."

"Life! We've been together/through pleasant and through cloudy weather: T's hard to part when friends are dear/Perhaps 't will cost a sigh, a tear;/Then steal away give little warning;/Choose tine own time;/Say not Good night!; but in some brighter clime:/Bid me 'Good morning'.

Anil proved himself not only a good friend but also a gentleman par excellence. In the Eighteenth Century Edmund Burke wrote "that a king may make a nobleman but he cannot make a gentleman." How true it is even today.

I emphasize without fear of contradiction that Anil was both a noble man and a gentleman. He hailed from a noble and respected family in the country: His professional talent and success was recognized and honoured by the Head of State having been appointed President's Counsel. His ability as an administrator was recognized having been appointed Trade Commissioner of Czechoslovakia and later the Chairman of three massive corporate bodies aforementioned.

I remember with affection and deep gratitude Anil's last great act of humanitarian service rendered a few days before he fell ill and was hospitalised for heart surgery. On a mere telephone call by me on a Friday afternoon to help my niece, a journalist at Lake House, to enter Apollo hospital, Colombo, to undergo immediate heart surgery, even before she could fax the necessary formal documents, by Saturday noon his secretary informed me to collect the necessary letter of admission to the hospital and that saved the life of this patient.

It was chronic irony of fate that by the time this patient was discharged after successful surgery, Anil was hospitalised and passed away in the early hours of 26th February 2007 to our bitter grief. I noted to Lake House his loss was irreparable.

That was Anil the good and sincere friend and gentleman. The usual jargon of officious administrators sincere to red tape than a friend, "I'll see. I'll consider, I'll look into the matter when I receive the papers etc," was certainly not in the vocabulary of Anil. He acted and acted fast like the gentleman and trusting friend that he certainly was.

This gracious quality of Anil was confirmed to me by a class mate of his, Bhatiya Jayaratne at S' Thomas College, Mt. Lavinia where Anil had his education and this no doubt speaks volumes for his Alma Mater too.

At his funeral at Kanatte, Borella, speaker after speaker spoke in high praise of Anil's achievements as a lawyer and administrator and his contribution to the SLFP and to the community and society and the country at large.

It was in the fitness of things that since President Mahinda Rajapaksa was out of the Island His Excellency's message of condolence to the bereaved wife Iranganie, daughter Eromi and son Prasanna was read by Hon. Minister W. D. J. Seneviratne.

Minister Maithripala Sirisena, Secretary of the SLFP emphasised that unlike others Anil served the SLFP during times when the party was not in power and that he displayed a great love and loyalty for his party. In fact I had noted myself personally the truth of this assertion of Anil's great love of the SLFP.

In or about 1974 Anil prevailed upon me to enroll myself as a member of the SLFP although I told him that I had quit politics since 1960 as I was called upon to perform acting judicial functions often during that time.

Anil's death certainly is a great loss not only to his bereaved wife and family and close friends but also to his motherland which he served as a true patriot.

"Now racks a noble heart/Goodnight sweet prince. And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest."

Anil's body was cremated and turned to ashes but undoubtedly his soul has risen and soared into heaven or nirvana. May his soul rest in peace.

Vernon Botejue J. P. U. M., Nugegoda

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JP Obeyesekere dies

Former senator and Attanagalla MP J.P Obeyesekere, passed away yesterday. Husband of a former Health Minister and MP for Mirigama, Siva Obeyesekere, Mr. Obeyesekere successfully contested the Attanagalla seat at the July 1960 Parliamentary general election and functioned as the Deputy Minister of Health and Finance till 1965. His remains now lying at the Batadola Walauwa in Nittambuwa will be moved to his residence at No. 19, Rajakeeya Mawatha, Colombo 7 at 2 p.m. today and will remain there till 1 p.m on October 27 (Saturday). The funeral will take place at Kanatte, Borella at 2 p.m on Saturday. Daily Mirror Thu Oct 25 2007

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References-Relative Merits

Prepared by:

Mr Manjula de Livera

Email manjulafamily@yahoo.com.au

manjuladelivera@yahoo.com.au

16th January 2022

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Royal College Prefects 1934 - J P Obeyesekere is seated in front row second from right

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A life decorated with flying colours

James P. Obeyesekere - Sunday Times Dec 9 2007

My friend JPO passed away at the age of 92. James was my dear friend from the age of five. We joined prep school together, rode the first bicycles, fitted with solid tyres and no brakes. To stop you had to peddle backwards. At Royal College, James was an athlete, a talented tennis player, and a rifle shot. He won the Herman Loos Rifle Cup in 1933. James was annoyed when reference was sometimes made to his parents, when asked to stand on the form with the words "Arise Sir James".

James left school in 1933. Of our 60 class mates, only James and Clive De Mel managed to get admission to Cambridge and Oxford. When James arrived at his College in Cambridge, he saw a bearded pot-bellied man whom he thought was the hall porter. He asked him to help him carry his luggage to his room. James was horrified the next day, when he met his tutor. He was the same pot-bellied man he had met the previous day and true to British tradition he said nothing.

At Cambridge, James organized sports car racing for the undergraduates, and converted an abandoned air field into a race track. He qualified as a pilot at the University Flying Club. When war broke out, the Royal Air Force invited him to join as a pilot, but he declined and served as an observer of enemy planes in the Air Force.

When the war was over he sold his collection of sports cars and purchased a single engine airplane to fly back to Ceylon. His father was worried he would crash and wrote to James "Be careful when you fly over the Alps”.

His epic flight route was, however, down south through Arabia and India. I was delighted to receive him at home the day after he landed in Ceylon, and recounted our old days together. James flew his plane over Colombo. When he repeatedly flew over Ladies College, his girl friend, pointed up to the aeroplane, and told her class mates, "That's my boy".

In Ceylon he was a keen supporter of motor sports. He built his own Cooper Special racing car at home. James installed the first Intensive Care Unit within the operating theatre complex in this country. Of our 60 schoolmates, only five are still around today. We used to meet every year the day before the Royal Thomian match. Sadly, our dear friend James has left us. May his soul rest in peace.

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Senator Deshamanya James Peter Obeyesekere

Daily News Mon Feb 5 2008:

James Peter Obeyesekere had many sides to him. He was conscious that he belonged to an aristocratic family but he still had the common touch and was able to move with the poor just as his cousin, the late Prime Minister S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike did.

It was in form V at Ladies College that I first came to know of James. My class mates some of whom were his relations were full of admiration for a young man who had just graduated from Cambridge University and ventured on a solo flight from London to Ceylon in the mid 40’s. There was much speculation amongst the senior girls, especially his relatives as to which of them would win his heart. Of course it had to be Sivagami Dassanaike good sports woman, ballroom dancer, excellent organizer of many social events at Ladies College, and above all an attractive girl (who was later to become the Minister of Health) who swept the board.

Quoting from James appreciation of Felix on page 142 in the volume F D B "it all happened after the demise of Prime Minister S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike, and Mrs. Bandaranaike was in deep mourning. Very soon afterwards when a general election was announced for 1960, it was found that a delimitation of electorates had taken place. What was until then the Attanagalle electorate was divided into two, for the first time, namely Attanagalle and Dompe. Understandably Mrs. Bandaranaike did not wish to enter the political field at this juncture, and so it was that she requested me to contest the Attanagalle seat, to which I agreed. The question then arose as to a suitable candidate for Dompe. She was inundated with a flood of requests from Mr. Bandaranaike’s staunch supporters of the area, the large majority of whom did not match up to the required standards as far as voter-acceptance was concerned. It was a precarious situation which lasted for quite some time, until suddenly one night a thought came to me that there was a young man (Felix Dias Bandaranaike) who might be the answer to our problem. I suggested it to Mrs. Bandaranaike who was quite taken up with the idea and requested me to sound him on such a proposal."

James came over to our home in Colpetty with Barnes Ratwatte and had a discussion with Felix about the proposal. Felix asked as to why James was continuing in politics "It was then that I told him I personally felt that people like ourselves owe it to the Country to come forward and serve the people to the best of our abilities and as I was already in politics in a small way as a Village Committee Member, I found it to be a very rewarding service to the nation. It was a sacrifice I was prepared to make. This I believe struck a chord in his mind."

There was A. P. Jayasuriya a stalwart of the SLFP who gave great support to Mrs. Bandaranaike and I recollect quite well that James and Felix worked hard on a new party policy manifesto in December 1959 but unfortunately one of the party supporters spirited away a copy of it and it appeared in the next day in the newspapers. Felix and James immediately got down to drafting a new policy programme which had to be produced in a day or two. Thereafter, James and Siva worked as a team through out the two elections in March and July 1960.

Now to come to some humorous incidents. It was reported that James who contested the Mirigama seat for the SLFP in 1956 election of S W R D Bandaranaike was asked by the party high command not to address a particular community by its name. We are told that he tacked on "Nonawaruni Mahathwaruni" to their name and created quite a stir (My apologies if this is only a family joke).

In the 1960 July election James and Felix decided to canvass together in the Nikavaratiya electorate. Both of them with their feudal heritage had to arrange to take their cheese and butter in a food flask and also to take their mosquito nets. Since the toilets were far away from the mudalalis’ house where they stayed, they did not think twice to go in their cars to the desired spot. I of course termed their trips as a Laurel and Hardy show. James, although from the aristocracy had a kind heart and as a Veyangoda Village Council Member he knew how to move with the poor and understand their problems. With Siva they kept up the traditions of the Obeyesekere family and donated huge tracts of lands in the Siyane Korale for schools and hospitals. Up to date the Obeyesekeres have taken a great interest in the supervision and administration of these places, including the Wathupitiwala hospital in Veyangoda.

When James used to race in the Mahagastota hills, he once took Felix as a navigator, and if you ask me Felix was a drag on him. Nevertheless James won some of the events he took part in. James was fond of children and I recollect that in one race Gwen Herath’s daughter was his co-companion. I remember him having long discussions with my nephew Hiran about racing cars and aeroplanes.

Stanley Obeyesekere in his appreciation of James at the memorial service at Ladies College told the congregation that James was a fun loving and kind uncle. Tara Bolling his niece also told us what a committed Christian he was and his great commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ until the very end of his life.

James virtually forced Felix to get his baby Austin car of a very old vintage which Felix had purchased from N. E. Weerasuriya, Q.C, repaired. James had a large collection of vintage cars of which he was proud of. I am sure that if he lived a little longer he would have encouraged his grand children, Chiara and Dhivan to be clever racing drivers.

The Broadacres at Batadola, Veyangoda which his father owned were distributed to the villagers around and James was left with a mere fifty acres under the Land Reform Act of 1972. He was a good agriculturist and took a great interest in his fertilizer programme and was keen to compare notes with other land owners left with -the same 50 acres.

James had gone. That era is no more. God rest his soul and may James be remembered as a feudal aristocrat who was incorruptible, fair and honest in his judgment of people and who never lost the common touch.

At the memorial service of 12th January 2008 at Ladies College Chapel the first page of the hymn sheet stated:

"DEATH IS NOTHING AT ALL."

I have only slipped away in to the next room,

I AM I, YOU ARE YOU

WHATEVER WE WERE TO EACH OTHER THAT WE STILL ARE."

Anon.

Lakshmi Dias Bandaranaike

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The appellation of ‘Gentleman’ has unfortunately been overused in recent years and has tended to lose its value. However everybody who has had even the briefest contact with Deshamanya J.P. Obeyesekere will agree that here indeed was a gentleman in the highest possible sense.

Although born into and raised in a life of wealth and privilege, JPO was a man with the common touch. He moved freely with his tenant farmers to whom, he like his predecessors, donated his lands with the introduction of land reform. It was so even with his workforce as he did indeed with the people of Attanagalla, who twice elected him as their MP with a massive majority.

He was appointed junior minister of health and junior minister of finance and threw himself into his job with great dedication and vigour. But, people who knew him soon realised that this was not his métier which prompted him to give up politics.

In consideration of the great service performed by him, JPO was later appointed to the Senate. His idea of politics was entirely one sided — asking nothing for himself except to be of service to the people and his country.

He put all his weight behind his charming wife Siva, who is herself a Deshamanya, and served as possibly the best minister of health that this country has ever had. She was instrumental in introducing positive concepts of maternal and child health, reduction in under nutrition and its effects on both mothers and babies. She was also instrumental in setting up an excellent family planning service which together with the above put our country at the top in indices of health in the whole of Asia.

As a student James used to walk across the road to Royal where he had his primary and secondary education before going up to Trinity College in Cambridge. A little known fact was that the Rev. W. S. Senior, ‘poet laureate’ of Sri Lanka and later vice principal of Trinity College, lived with the Obeyesekeras at ‘Maligawa’ and was James’ personal tutor while teaching at the Colombo University.

James’ stay in Cambridge was interrupted by World War II but he soon joined the Cambridge University Air Squadron and went on to fly for the Royal Observer Corps delivering new and repaired aircraft to their operational bases. This did not prevent him from gaining an M.A. (Cantab), election to the Cambridge Union and a half blue in athletics.

He owned several cars of which his favourite was a chain driven Fraser-Nash and a 4.5 litre blower Bentley and a 3 litre Bentley. In severely rationed Britain, petrol for running these came from the allowance he received as a pilot in the RAF.

He joined the Bentley Drivers’ Club and the British Automobile Racing Club and was keenly active in their affairs until his last days. He was the only Asian to be elected an Honorary Life Member of the prestigious Bentley Drivers’ Club of England.

On learning that many brand new aircraft were up for sale cheap, JPO bought a single engined Taylorcraft fluster and flew it solo from Cambridge to Ratmalana. The account of this epic journey was published some years ago, and will be still available in bookshops.

He was chairman of the Colombo Flying Club until its takeover by the government. He gifted his Fluster to the Air Academy to train young pilots. His plane was unfortunately wrecked in an accident, and the restored engine of that plane is currently available with the Sri Lanka Air Force as a permanent exhibit at the Sri Lanka Air Force Museum in Ratmalana to commemorate his historic solo flight.

After his marriage to Sivagamie Dassenaike, a union of Royal and Ladies’ Colleges and of two leading families in Siyane Korale, he settled down to raise a family and care for his estates. His motor sporting interests centered on the various hill climbs of which Mahagastota was paramount. It was however in the Monsoon Reliability Trials that James was able to show his real skills and style as a driver.

James was a classic example of a sportsman. He competed because it gave him pleasure and never to be proud of having won at an event.

Dr. Michael Abeyratne

Colombo

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SO Mar 6 2007

'Tribute to the memory of Anil Obeyesekere President's Counsel'

CONDOLENCE: The death of Anil Obeyesekere P.C. after a brief illness, sent waves of shock and bitter sorrow not only among his close family members but among the large circle of his friends, associates in politics and of Lake House where he was the Chairman at the time of his demise; his wide circle of friends and associates naturally was larger with those of two huge corporate bodies. Sri Lanka Petroleum Corporation and Sri Lanka Telecom where he was the Chairman.

The numerous floral tributes and banners of the various corporations and institutions including that of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, that glittered at Anil's home and precinct where his remains lay, mutely but eloquently expressed the feelings of deep sorrow in appropriate words of those who loved and respected him.

It was my privilege and pleasure to have known Anil for more than three decades. He was not only my learned friend in the true sense of the term in our profession but also my dear and sincere personal friend till his passing away. To me Anil certainly was the friend that the famous English poet Shakespeare had in mind: "Those friends thou hast and their adoption tried/Grapple them to thy soul with hoops of steel."

"Life! We've been together/through pleasant and through cloudy weather: T's hard to part when friends are dear/Perhaps 't will cost a sigh, a tear;/Then steal away give little warning;/Choose tine own time;/Say not Good night!; but in some brighter clime:/Bid me 'Good morning'.

Anil proved himself not only a good friend but also a gentleman par excellence. In the Eighteenth Century Edmund Burke wrote "that a king may make a nobleman but he cannot make a gentleman." How true it is even today.

I emphasize without fear of contradiction that Anil was both a noble man and a gentleman. He hailed from a noble and respected family in the country: His professional talent and success was recognized and honoured by the Head of State having been appointed President's Counsel. His ability as an administrator was recognized having been appointed Trade Commissioner of Czechoslovakia and later the Chairman of three massive corporate bodies aforementioned.

I remember with affection and deep gratitude Anil's last great act of humanitarian service rendered a few days before he fell ill and was hospitalised for heart surgery. On a mere telephone call by me on a Friday afternoon to help my niece, a journalist at Lake House, to enter Apollo hospital, Colombo, to undergo immediate heart surgery, even before she could fax the necessary formal documents, by Saturday noon his secretary informed me to collect the necessary letter of admission to the hospital and that saved the life of this patient.

It was chronic irony of fate that by the time this patient was discharged after successful surgery, Anil was hospitalised and passed away in the early hours of 26th February 2007 to our bitter grief. I noted to Lake House his loss was irreparable.

That was Anil the good and sincere friend and gentleman. The usual jargon of officious administrators sincere to red tape than a friend, "I'll see. I'll consider, I'll look into the matter when I receive the papers etc," was certainly not in the vocabulary of Anil. He acted and acted fast like the gentleman and trusting friend that he certainly was.

This gracious quality of Anil was confirmed to me by a class mate of his, Bhatiya Jayaratne at S' Thomas College, Mt. Lavinia where Anil had his education and this no doubt speaks volumes for his Alma Mater too.

At his funeral at Kanatte, Borella, speaker after speaker spoke in high praise of Anil's achievements as a lawyer and administrator and his contribution to the SLFP and to the community and society and the country at large.

It was in the fitness of things that since President Mahinda Rajapaksa was out of the Island His Excellency's message of condolence to the bereaved wife Iranganie, daughter Eromi and son Prasanna was read by Hon. Minister W. D. J. Seneviratne.

Minister Maithripala Sirisena, Secretary of the SLFP emphasised that unlike others Anil served the SLFP during times when the party was not in power and that he displayed a great love and loyalty for his party. In fact I had noted myself personally the truth of this assertion of Anil's great love of the SLFP.

In or about 1974 Anil prevailed upon me to enroll myself as a member of the SLFP although I told him that I had quit politics since 1960 as I was called upon to perform acting judicial functions often during that time.

Anil's death certainly is a great loss not only to his bereaved wife and family and close friends but also to his motherland which he served as a true patriot.

"Now racks a noble heart/Goodnight sweet prince. And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest."

Anil's body was cremated and turned to ashes but undoubtedly his soul has risen and soared into heaven or nirvana. May his soul rest in peace.

Vernon Botejue J. P. U. M., Nugegoda

---

DN Sat Apr 25, 2009

110th Birth Anniversary:

Some reflections on the life and times of JEM Obeyesekere

Sam WIJESINGHA

Recently we have heard well deserved praise of the Police Department for some swift detections. Time was when the Police took pride in solving crimes and duly bringing criminals to justice. That was an era when officers received recognition of their merits and politicians seized no opportunities to interfere with investigations. Then the underworld had no inroads to power, politics or the police.

One of the most difficult cases that was dependant entirely on circumstantial evidence came up in Ceylon in 1933. A native of the United Kingdom, Alexander Kennedy, who had lived in Colombo since 1909 traded in footwear and skins in the Times Building. He was accused of causing mischief by fire in respect of the building which contained his shop and of the property therein to improve his embarrassed financial position so that moneys could be claimed from the Insurance Company.

The case involved evidence relating to complicated financial transactions and to technical scientific matters regarding the cause of the fire. A decision had to be made whether the fire was due to an electrical short-circuit which ignited the coal gas or was the result of the accused owner deliberately setting fire to his stock, over which petrol had been poured.

The evidence

The collation of the evidence was by the Police, with the professional assistance of JEM Obeyesekere, acting Deputy Solicitor General. The trial lasted 34 days before Justice Allan Drieberg. The accused was unanimously convicted on October 20, 1934. The appeal to the Privy Council was dismissed. Their Lordships mentioned that the summing-up to the Jury was unexceptionable. This was the first case in Ceylon in which it had been proved that a fire was deliberately caused to defraud an insurance company.

On April 11, 1934 a European planter whilst engaged in transporting a large sum of money was shot dead. That was the Talgaswala Murder Case in which the investigation presented considerable difficulty and the evidence was entirely circumstantial which JEM helped the Police to gather. The courage and enthusiasm with which he devoted him self to this complicated trial revealed a keen sense of duty. The trial started in November 1934, soon after the Kennedy case. His masterly opening of the case for the Crown, and the skill with which he handled the circumstantial evidence on which the case solely depended, revealed the thorough manner in which he had studied the progress of the investigation from the very slender clues which led to the arrest of the accused.

Some may remember a similar case in the late 1940s - the White House case - where a planter was shot on the way to Ratnapura. Here, the planter's wife who was driving the car, had the sense to drive away with her dead husband by her side. Justice A.C. Alles (now in retirement) was the young prosecuting Crown Counsel who brought the case to a sensationally successful conclusion.

JEM was educated at Richmond College, and at S. Thomas' College. His colleagues at S. Thomas' were S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike, A.G. Ranasinghe, L.J. de S. Seneviratne, K. Somasuntharam and S.P. Wickramasinghe (the latter four became Civil Servants), S.J.V. Chelvanayakam, E.B. Wikremanayake, L.W. de Silva, Col. S. Saravanamuttu and R.S.S. Goonewardena (all of them became Advocates and the last a member of the State Council and Ambassador to the U.S.A.) F.J.T. Foenander and A.S. Rajasingham (who became doctors), H.A.J. Hulugalle (who became Editor of the Ceylon Daily News), D.T. Wijeratne, the Government Scholar who was principal of Dharmasoka College, Ambalangoda, I.H. Wijesinghe who also selected the teaching profession, was Classics Master at Royal College and retired as Charity Commissioner of Colombo and of course, Canon R.S. de Saram, who became Warden of S. Thomas' College.

JEM's father, Dionysius C.F. Obeyesekere, Crown Proctor of Galle, who was educated at Colombo Academy later known as Royal College, died in 1917, JEM took to teaching at All Saints College, Galle and later became lecturer in Mathematics at the Government Training College, Colombo, succeeding E.W. Kannangara who passed into the Ceylon Civil Service in 1919. It was at the Training College that he met his future wife.

Ceylon Civil Service Examination

In 1920 he had ideas of sitting the Ceylon Civil Service Examination and was recommended to the Colonial Secretary by Warden W.A. Stone of S. Thomas' as a student who showed exceptional ability. He had got a First Class in the Cambridge Senior and passed the London Intermediate Examination in 1917, qualifying for the Government Scholarship. Warden Stone mentioned that "he came from a good Galle family which, from both sides, had Mudaliyars serving the Government".

JEM's grandfather was Muhandiram John F. Obeyesekere and the Muhandiram's brother, William, was the Mudaliyar of Morawak Korale in 1867. Their ancestor, Don Owen Ferdinandus, an officer in the Dutch Military Fort in Galle, on being appointed to high office in the Talpe pattu in the middle of the 18th Century, added the name Obeyesekere and the family lived in Kataluwa.

JEM who was born on April 25, 1899 was under-age to take up the Civil Service examination in spite of Warden Stone's recommendation. Having completed his Law studies, he was enrolled as an Advocate in 1922, taking his oaths along with J. Mervyn Fonseka of Royal College and Walter Olegasegeram of Trinity College. After about two years at the unofficial Bar, he was selected by Sir Henry Gollan, the Attorney-General, to act as Crown Counsel in 1924 and although he was less than 28 years of age, was confirmed in 1926, probably the youngest to be so confirmed. At the time JEM was confirmed. Crown Counsel, L.H. Elphinstone, K.C. was the Attorney-General with M.T. Akbar as Solicitor-General and Stanley Obeyesekere as Deputy Solicitor-General. The Crown Counsel he joined were W.E. Barber, Vernon Grenier, R.F. Dias, C.C.A. Britor-Muttunayagam, J.W.R. Illangakoon and M.W.H. de Silva.

JEM developed as a reliable prosecutor who could maintain an unemotional atmosphere in Court whatever the degree of sensation the case may have caused. He filled the prosecutor's role with that courtesy, impartiality and high sense of duty that inspire confidence in the administration of justice. While he was fair to an accused, he could at times be extremely effective in replying to the defence with brilliant flashes that showed he had closely studied the facts of the case. These proved his cogent and logical reasoning which helped the judge to sum up with scarcely any misdirection and the Jury to arrive at a fair and just verdict. These were the traditions set by outstanding Crown Counsel like C.M. Fernando, Stanley Obeyesekere, and later on by E.H.T. Gunasekera and H.W.R. Weerasooriya.

However, at times JEM had the characteristic to have no patience to embroider his words with silk trimmings. He said what he said with such candour that at times it disconcerted the listener and even caused irritation. This made him misunderstood by many but the misunderstanding was short-lived. His actions and words were well intentioned and free from malice. In 1930, his fellow Crown Counsel R. F. Dias wrote to him:

Attorney-General's Chambers,
Colombo.
22nd Jan. 1930.

"Dear JEM

I hope you will not be offended at my pointing out to you that the tone of some of your drafts are such that I have not been able to sign them without amending them when submitted to me when you were out on circuit. I too commenced my career by writing rather freely and this brought for me a rebuke from the Attorney-General himself and I have reason to believe that the impression caused in high circles has been prejudicial to my advancement in service. As a well-wisher of yours, I hope you will benefit by my experience".

Yours sincerely
Sgd/R.F. Dias"

With the inauguration of the Donoughmore Constitution the office of Legal Secretary was created. In the early years, Sir Edward Jackson, the Attorney-General himself, functioned in both posts. Meanwhile the new post of Assistant to the Attorney-General had been created in October 1926 to which the initial appointee was L.M.D. de Silva (later of the Privy Council), followed by M.W.H. de Silva, JEM first acted in the post of Assistant to the Attorney-General in 1932.

He had also acted for short periods as Magistrate, Colombo and District Judge, Chilaw and since 1934, as Deputy Solicitor-General. Of the seven Crown Counsel in 1926 mentioned above, only three remained after the retirement of Vernon Grenier in 1933, namely, JEM the Senior Crown Counsel, M.W.H. de Silva, Assistant to the Attorney-General and J.W.R. Illangakoon, acting Solicitor-General and later Attorney-General.

Murder case

Another sensational "murder" case that exploded in 1933, "a case of particular importance in view of the social status of the accused", had been investigated by the Police with instructions from JEM who himself appeared at the non-summary inquiry. But, for some reason, he did not prosecute at that trial. In June 1934, the then Acting Deputy Solicitor-General M.W.H. de Silva, assisted by H.L. Wendt, Crown Counsel, conducted the prosecution in what was commonly known as the Duff House case before Justice M.T. Akbar and an English speaking Jury. After a trial lasting 21 days, by a verdict of 5-2 the accused was found guilty of murder. At that time there was no Court of Criminal Appeal.

The only remedy to an aggrieved accused was by way of appeal to the Privy Council in London. Two years after the conviction, on July 29th 1936, whilst M.W.H. was still acting in his 13th month as Solicitor-General and J.W.R. Illangakoon, the Solicitor-General, had begun to act as Attorney-General, Privy Council held that at this trial:

1) hearsay evidence had been admitted,

2) the directions under Section 106 of the Evidence Ordinance were open to very serious objection, and

3) undue pressure appeared to have been exercised in the jury.

In view of these findings, "the proceedings before Justice Akbar were deemed irregular and tending to divert the due and orderly administration of the law into a new course which may be drawn into an evil precedent in the future". They held, inter alia, that "it is not the law of Ceylon that the burden is cast upon an accused person of proving that no crime has been committed." The Privy Council further declared that whilst they did not desire to lay down any rules to fetter discretion or to discourage candour and fairness on the part of those conducting prosecution, they could not approve of the prosecution calling witnesses irrespective of considerations of number and of reliability, or of the prosecution discharging the functions both of prosecution and defence. If it does so, confusion is apt to result when the prosecution calls witnesses and then proceeds to discredit them by cross examination. The Privy Council advised that the appeal of the accused should be allowed and the conviction and sentence quashed.

At this time it was rumoured that the post of Deputy Solicitor-General in which JEM was acting, was shortly to be suppressed and that M.W.H. de Silva, who was acting in the post of Solicitor General, may be transferred to the Judicial Service to enable E.A.K. Wijeyewardene, the Public Trustee, to the post of Solicitor-General. Submissions were made to the Attorney-General that if it was the intention of the Government to appoint M.W.H. de Silva to the post of Solicitor-General, considerations of loyalty to a brother officer who was JEM's senior, did not permit him to urge his claims against M.W.H. However, if for any reason it was proposed not to appoint him, JEM's claims were urged to that post.

From 1915, since the appointment of T.F. Garvin at the age of 34, the post of Solicitor-General had always been filled by a member of the Attorney-General's Department, viz. M.T. Akbar, Stanley Obeyesekere, L.M.D. de Silva and J.W.R. Illangakoon, respectively. Prior to 1915 there were a few instances where leading members of the Bar, invariably King's Counsel, were appoint as Solicitor-General. There was not a single precedent for the appointment of a person who was not a member of the practising Bar, whether in its official or unofficial side.

When Paul E. Peiris of the Ceylon Civil Service was District Judge, he was deeply impressed by the clarity of thought, the order and method behind the advocacy of E.A.L. Wijeyewardene (a one-time Government Scholar to Cambridge University) who was then leading Counsel in the District Courts. When Paul E. Pieris was appointed to the newly created post of Public Trustee, he persuaded E.A.L. Wijewardene to leave the Bar and join him as his Deputy in 1932. Having himself succeeded Paul E. Pieris as Public Trustee, he fulfilled his obligations to the New Department, reaching fresh horizons and establishing it on a sound footing. E.A.L. Wijeyewardene (from outside the bar) looked afresh for new field in the Law.

Solicitor-General

With the situation in the Attorney-General's Department as it was in October, 1936 E.A.L. Wijeyewardene found no difficulty in making a return to Hulftsdorp to the substantive post of Solicitor-General. M.W.H. who might have been confirmed as Solicitor-General and given Silk, who might have been the first Buddhist Puisne Judge, was out of the Attorney-General's Department and went as acting Additional District Judge, Colombo. Moreover, Justice Akbar who might have been the first Ceylonese Chief Justice, retired prematurely at the age of 56. JEM who was the Crown Counsel in the Duff House case who had assisted the Police in the investigation and led evidence at the non-summary inquiry was appointed acting Public Trustee from October, 1936. Incidentally, he was succeeded as Public Trustee by his old Thomian classmate, A.G. Ranasinha of the Ceylon Civil Service. JEM reverted to his new place of Senior Crown Counsel in November 1936 but resigned in 1938 and reverted to the unofficial Bar.

After the departure of the acting Solicitor-General, four outsiders went through the Attorney-General's Department, (as Law Officers of the Crown) two of them to the Supreme Court. Of these, E.A.L. Wijeyawardene who was appointed to the Supreme Court in 1938, became one of the outstanding judges of this country.

The other was E.G.P. Jayatilake, who went to the Supreme Court and succeeded E.A.L. Wijeyewardene in 1948 as Chief Justice. M.T. de Amarasekera, K.C., after a brief spell in the Attorney-General's, reverted to the unofficial Bar. J. Mervyn Fonseka, who came from the Legal Draftsman's Department, died in office. J.W.R. Illangakoon appeared to feel or was made to believe that being the Attorney-General and also having been the only person to have acted both in the 1931 and 1936 State Councils as Legal Secretary, his rightful place was Chief Justice of Ceylon and not that of a Puisne Judge. His predecessors Sir Charles Peter Layard, Sir Alfred George Lascelles and Sir Anton Bertram rose to the post of Chief Justice from the post of Attorney-General. However, in December 1939 with the departure of Chief Justice Sir Sydney Abrahams, the post was offered to J.C. Howard, Chief Justice of the Gold Coast, who had come to Ceylon in October 1936 to fill the newly created post of Legal Secretary. Before that the Attorney-General functioned as the Officer of State, i.e., Legal Secretary under the Donoughmore Constitution. From 1931 to 1936, Stanley Obeyesekere, L.M.D. de Silva and J.W.R. Illangakoon functioned as Officers of State whenever each to them acted in the absence of the permanent Attorney-General, Sir Edward Jackson. Within a short time of the elevation of Sir John C. Howard to the post of Chief Justice, unfortunately Attorney-General J.W.R. Illangakoon died.

It was only in May 1941, almost 6 years after he was first appointed to act as Solicitor-General, that M.W.H. as Attorney-General, got back to his position as a Law Officer of the Crown, but that too, via the tardy and devious route through the District Court of Chilaw and Kandy. He was made a King's Counsel in January 1942.

Reasonable doubt

When he was Attorney-General, the burden of proof under Section 106 of the Evidence Ordinance arose in another form in the case of King Vs. James Chandrasekera where a question stated by Justice Mosely, S.P.J. was heard by a Bench of seven Judges whether any general or special exception in the Penal Code when pleaded by an accused person, the accused is entitled to be acquitted if a reasonable doubt is created in the minds of the Jury as to whether he is entitled to the benefit of the exception so pleaded. This Section arose in the Duff House case. H.V. Perera, K.C., and JEM Obeyesekere - who as stated before reverted to the unofficial Bar in 1938 - for Chandrasekera and M.W.H. de Silva, K.C., as Attorney-General, substantively agreed on this decision.

Meanwhile, with these vast changes at Hulftsdorp in the late 1930s when only J.W.R. Illangakoon was the sole sentinel left in the Attorney-General's Department out of those members mentioned above in 1926, JEM's return to the unofficial Bar in 1938 met with immediate success. His precision and lucidity of expression and his mastery of the English Language, made it easy for him to submit his cause expeditiously for ready understanding by any judge. He had a remarkably wide practice the moment he resigned from the Attorney-General's Department. That was the time when the Court of Criminal Appeal had been inaugurated and he, along with H.V. Perera, K.C., set the standards for the Court of Criminal Appeal. He was an all-rounder in that he could handle criminal and civil cases, writ matters and election petitions. But he died in 1945, so cutting short a brilliant career and depriving to the legal profession and the country a remarkable man of exceptional ability. Although the Law had been his profession, JEM never allowed it to dominate his life to the exclusion of everything else. He had a sound commonsense, a studied knowledge of human nature and an uncanny instinct in sizing up a witness. Without descending to blustering tactics, he was able to expose falsehood. He had a keen legal mind, an analytical mind and a wide knowledge of the different systems of law administered in this country. He was one of those who believed that if the facts are right the law will come of itself.

He made a thorough study of his briefs before the Courts and of his files in the Attorney-General's Department. JEM was a fast worker and he seemed to have the necessary information at his fingertips, whether it was substantive law, precedent or Departmental Regulations. He was often able to express a definite opinion without the usual investigation by a subordinate officer of the Attorney-General's Department. It was a treat to read his files, elegant language conveying precise thinking in the most beautiful handwriting seen by us juniors in the Record Room of the Attorney-General's Department. He was often able in a masterly fashion to whittle down or explain away at first sight what appeared an insurmountable difficulty in a case. He had also proved himself to be an outstanding teacher of Mathematics and the Law earlier in his life. He left a young family of six children, of whom two sons Ralph and Mahen died young. Of the living, two sons R.I. Obeyesekere and Anil Obeyesekere, are well-known President's Counsel. Anil is also Chairman of the Petroleum Corporation. His daughter, Mrs. Sriyani H.O. Pimanda, a lawyer herself, is Secretary to the Hatton National Bank and Director (Legal) of the Browns Group of Companies. His elder daughter, Valerie, worked in the Commonwealth Relations Office in London and is now living in retirement.

(The writer was Crown Counsel, 1948-1963, Secretary General of Parliament, 1963-1981 and Parliamentary Commissioner (Ombudsman) 1981-1991).

Nomads Tennis Club photo 1926.(First Row seated (L to R)-SWRD Bandaranaike ,Nedra Obeyesekere,Yolande Obeyesekere,Back rows-George R de Silva,Irene de Silva among others.)

Obeyesekere Walauwa -Rajagiriya

I read the article in the Nation EYE feature section on Sunday January 19 and as Obeysekera Walauwa saga continues

When hopes collapse…The Nation EYE featured the historical mansion, Obeysekera Walauwa, Rajagiriya a few weeks ago and invited our readers to share their views, experiences and additional information pertaining to this magnificent walauwa and its many illustrious occupants, with us.
We thank D D C Munasinghe, president of the Boxing Referees and Judges Association, for sharing with us the following account of the walauwa.
We again invite our readers to send us more information pertaining to the same walauwa, or any similar landmark building around the country.
Please send us your views to features@nation.lk

By D D C Munasinghe

requested, wish to add the following facts, mostly gathered from the last owner Mr Frederick Wimaladharma Obeysekera (FWO) himself.
He had been a practising lawyer, a barrister from the Cambridge University.
And he had also been the president of the Amateur Boxing Association of Ceylon and also a vice-president of Asian Amateur Boxing Federation.
He died at the age of 89 on July 2, 2001.
FWO had been residing at the Obeysekera Walauwa since his birth, until a few days prior to his death when he was hospitalised.
Being a bachelor, he lived with his old man servant cum cook.
Obeysekera and Rajagiriya village had been synonymous to each other.
Apparently, Mr Donald Obeysekera had bought over the huge bungalow and the land around from the Hewavitharana family, and there had been over 50 acres at that time.
He later built another bungalow further down the sub road.
The main house was called the Maha Walauwa, a two-storey house and the new single-storey house was called the Podi Walauwa.
The youngest son Alexander Indrajith (AIO) inherited the Podi Walauwa and he had been residing there until he died at the age of 84 in 2002.

Post office
I have visited both these houses as both owners had been boxing judges.
My first visit to the famous Maha Walauwa was in 1973, along with some boxing officials.
On that day, FWO took us around the garden and also to the upstairs of the huge bungalow.
There was a crumbling boundary wall around the vast garden of the Maha Walauwa.
Large trees were there in front giving a cool atmosphere.
The entrance to the property was from the side road as one climbs the hill.
The house had been built on top of a hillock at Rajagiriya as the residence for the British Governor Sir Edward Barnes in 1820s.
According to FWO, the governor had not stayed there, but a post office had been installed.
He showed us the GPO emblem cast out with cement on the top of the front wall.
I presume that it is still there, intact.
FWO once told me, I think in 1973, that his house received so much prominence because it was the former GPO and in the past he used to receive letters from England with the address on the envelop as ‘Mr. Obeysekera, Ceylon.’
There was a portico in front of the house under which FWO’s dark green Ford Prefect car was parked.
Like the house, FWO inherited the car from his father.

Peacock cage
On the Western side outside, the long verandah was a gradient.
From here one could get a panoramic view of the landscape beyond. The Bank of Ceylon tower building at Galle Face was quite conspicuous and FWO called it the pittu-bambuwa.’
More towards the north western side in the garden was a huge 20-foot high bell-shaped steel-mesh cage with three grown-up peacocks, two males and a pea-hen.
In our presence, FWO made a cat-call which was similar their cries.
The peacocks responded with their calls.

Stables
On the southern side of the house closer to the boundary walls was a row of stables for horses.
The stable roofs had collapsed and there were no horses.
When Mr Donald Obeysekera was living, they had race horses.
FWO showed us broken down parts of a horse carriage which had transported him and his brothers to Royal College during their school days.

Broad verandah
A broad verandah ran around the house.
There were doors on all sides to enter the spacious sitting room which had been filled with antique ebony furniture.
FWO sadly disclosed that most of the furniture went missing during the filming of Lester James Pereis’ Nidhanaya film.
He alleged that a famous actor was responsible for the loss and things that had been transported in large vans which brought film cameras and flood lights.

Large bed room
The broad wooden staircase leads to the spacious upper floor.
The floor was also wooden.
There were wooden balconies on the east and west sides.
There was an antique wooden broad bed with an overhead cloth (viyana) to prevent dust falling.
This bed is shown in the film Nidhanaya.

Chapel
Further down the road was an Anglican chapel, built by the family to attend services on Sundays which they never missed. They were constant donors to this chapel.
Obeysekera Puraya
Earlier, most the land around Rajagiriya belonged to the Obeysekara family.
Part of their land was subsequently acquired by the government and given to the destitute and that area given was called the Obeysekera Puraya.

History of Rajagiriya
When the Portuguese invaders came to Ceylon in 1505, the Sinhalese kingdom was at Kotte. The King was old and was known as ‘Mahalu Vijayaba.’ The Portuguese were trouble-makers. Their ships were anchored at Colombo port. In order to prevent them from coming to Kotte, the King installed a heavily guarded check-point mid-way between Colombo and Kotte. It was on a hillock, a vantage point from where the surrounding area and beyond, could be seen well. This hill was called, ‘Rajagiriya,’ or the King’s Hill.

Last visit
My last visit was in year 2000 along with two other boxing officials.
We were shocked to find that there had been barbwires around the house leaving a narrow path for the owner to go out. Part of the house had collapsed.
The entire land had been forcibly and illegally grabbed by a well-known thug with the assistance of some others.
FWO was seated on the edge of an old arm chair with most of the rattan broken.
He once lived like a prince and the next year he died, perhaps heart-broken.

Photos see below.

Ata Dahe Walauwa of Galle built by Owen Ferdinanduz Obeyesekere approx in 1630.

At the wedding of Sirimavo Ratwatte's parents-L to R

Sir Solomon DB, Sirima's GF SD Mahawalatenna and

Sir SC Obeyesekere.(Photo approx 1905) Sir Solomon DB & Daisy Obeyesekere with children

Daisy Ezline Obeyesekere and Ethel Obeyesekere and Dr Sir Solomon Dias Bandaranaike.photo yr 1900. William Pieris

SC Obeyesekere

More Obeyesekere Photos

Seated -Arthur Jayawardhana , left- son -Harry Jayawardhana , right -grandson- FOAK Jayawardhana (photo below yr 2008)

SWRD PM 1956-59 CBK President 1994-2005 Ranil PM 5 times between

Sirima PM 1960-65&70-77 1993-2020

Legislative Council (1833-1931)emerged from the Colebrooke-Camaron reforms and was established in 1833. Initially it consisted of 15 members.9 officials and 6 unofficial members.Of the latter ,3 represented the European community.1 Burgher ,1 Sinhala and 1 Tamil. The Governor also attended the Legislative Council meetings.

The Sinhala representatives were as follows.

1835-1843 -JG Philipsz Panditharatne (Mudaliyar) d1860

1843-1860 -John Charles Dias Bandaranaike (Proctor)

1861-1865-Harry Dias Bandaranaike (Barrister,Judge)d1901

1865-1875-EH Dehigama-Lawyer from Kandy

1875-1878- James de Alwis (Advocate) d1878

1878-1881-James Peter Obeyesekere (Barrister) d1881

1881 -Albert L de Alwis

1882-1900-A de Alwis Seneviratne (Advocate)

1900-1916-Solomon Christofell Obeyesekere.(Proctor) d1927

1917 -1923 Donald Obeyesekere b1888 d1964

1924-1931 Forester Augustus Obeyesekere 1880-d1961

The highlighted names of the Legislative council are all relatives ,who represented the Sinhalese community.

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Donoughmore Constitution 1931-1947

State Council 1931-1947

Speaker State Council 1934-1935 Forester Augustus Obeyesekere

State Counciiors

Donald Obeyesekere

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Soulbury Constitution 1947

Independence to Ceylon 1948

Members of Parliament

JP Obeyesekere 3 1960-1965 SLFP (Dy Minister)

Siva Obeyesekere 1970-1977 SLFP (Minister)

Migration Pattern

1630 Owen Ferdinandez came to Ceylon as captain of the Royal Portuguese Navy. He settled down in Kathaluwa Ahangama area of Galle, and changed his name to Obeyesekere.

1788 Talpepattu

1850 Bastian Ferdinandus Wijesiri Guneratne Obeyesekere married Cornelia Susannah Dias Bandaranaike.

(It is believed after Bastian died ,she came to Colombo and remarried to Rev Canon Samuel William Dias Bandaranaike around the yr 1859.)

1893 Cornelia wife of James Peter Obeyesekere 1 , bought 9 acres close to the race course for Rs 39,000. and the Walauwwa "Maligawa" was buit there.

1915 Donald Obeyesekere bought 50 acres from the Hewavitharana family in Rajagiriya and built 2 walauwwa's.

Native Headmen Galle

Don Alexander Ferdinandus Abeysiriwardene Wijeratne Obeyesekere

Johannes Ferdinandus Wijeratne Obeyesekere

Don Petrus Ferdinandus Amarasiriwardene Wijeratne Obeyesekere.

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Ata Dahe Walauwa

- Ata Dahe Walawwa an Archaeological Monument -

The Ata Dahe Walawwa at Kataluwa in Habaraduwa DS area in Galle district which was declared a heritage site a couple of years ago is today in a dilapidated condition.

This Walawwa is about three centuries old. According to history it was set up by Lieutenant D.V. Ferdinandez. The Walawwa got the name Ata Dahe Walawwa since there were 8,000 coconut trees on the land where the Walawwa is situated.

This has also functioned as Court House to hear cases at Talpe Pattu in Galle district. The building has been set up on ancient architectural pattern. This historical Walawwa was declared a historical and archaeological monument by the Department of Archaeology. The present owners of the Walawwa are Don Justin Arthur Jayawardena and his wife.

The parapet wall of the Ata Dahe Walawwa was swept away in the tsunami. Sea debris still remain at the same place. Due to non maintenance of the Walawwa the roof and the walls remain in a dilapidated position. The kitchen of the Walawwa has been completely damaged.

It is the Galle branch of the Department of Archaeology that bears the responsibility of maintaining the Walawwa.

By Raja Waidyasekara
Daily News, 5 February 2007

The Kathaluwa Maha Walauwa

…and the last of its Mohicans Don Justin Arthur Jayawardena

February 29, 2020, 2:18 pm

by Savitri de Alwis

Our school holidays were a time of excitement and extravagance a little over fifty years ago as we got to spend time with our cousins in our extended family and journey to their ancestral homes. The historic Kathaluwa Maha Walauwa in Ahangama in the Galle district was one such delightful place. As children I recall vividly running carefree and bare feet with my cousins, flipping warm white sand with our toes in the sprawling sandy gardens of Kathaluwa Maha Walauwa. The affluence of the property at the time it was built almost 385 years ago earned the name ‘Ata Dahe watte Walauwa’ for it was famously known to contain 8000 coconut trees! The imposing manor house stood majestically across the aquamarine ocean, tucked away beyond the railway line that ran in front of its centuries old perimeter wall.

The Kathaluwa Maha Walauwa was the ancestral home of the Jayawardenes’ for four consecutive generations. It was built circa 1630 by Don Owen Ferdinandez a Portuguese Captain of the Royal Portuguese Navy and the Jayawardene and Obeysekera families who are his descendants are intrinsically linked sharing a common ancestor in Owen Ferdinandez. When the Portuguese Captain sailed into Galle harbour circa 1630, he was smitten by the beauty of the palm fringed southern coast that he decided to make his home there and the elaborate and ornate Manor house complete with fine china, ivory tusks, elegant Burma teak and exquisite ebony furniture bathed in red velvet were the results of his pursuits. So were the canvas portraits adorning the walls; they were not only a mere record of its proud owners but a display of power and influence, wealth, beauty and virtue of the sitter. It is reckoned that the Manor House was built towards the end of the Portuguese period in Ceylon on a 125 acres plot in Kathaluwa, Ahangama. Owen Ferdinandez gradually embraced and immersed into the Sinhalese race by adding the name Obeysekera meaning ‘Your Leader’ which was conferred upon him by a village Buddhist priest considering his nobility.

My link to the Kathaluwa Maha Walauwa was through my mother’s elder brother Egerton the eldest son of Crown Proctor ERP Goonetilleke who married Dakshi the daughter and the eight child of Mudaliyar Don Frederick Obeysekera Arthur Karunaratne Jayawardene, also known as Ricky, of the Kathaluwa Maha Walauwa. Born in 1898 he was the Mudaliyar of Talpe Pattu and descended from two generations of Mudaliyars; his father Harry was Gate Mudaliyar Giruwe Pattu (Tangalle) and his grandfather Arthur the son of Don Bastians was Atapattu Mudaliyar of Galle. The Mudaliyar class were a creation of the Portuguese Colonials in the 17th century and usually a hereditary title at the time.

My childhood memories of Ricky Jayawardene in his middle age years were of a tall and lanky, spritely man sporting a moustache. He married his petite and beautiful demure wife Lilian Rambukpotha in 1919 and she bore him thirteen children in the day, six daughters and seven sons to be precise. Justin was their sixth child and the Kathaluwa Maha Walauwa became their ancestral home when an Obeysekera fair maiden was betrothed to Arthur Jayawardene, Justin’s great grandfather. It became a bustling place with a Court House added for Talpe Pattu in 1932. The flamboyant Mudaliyar Ricky Jayawardene was also the proud owner of a Sports car Fiat Convertible 1500 C bearing registration K 607 in the 1940s. Over the years though all thirteen children of Mudaliyar Ricky Jayawardene married and left their ancestral home to settle elsewhere to raise their own families and Justin was bestowed the custodianship of the Manor house which was a heavy financial responsibility.

Justin who passed away in 2019 at the age of 89 received his formal education under the titans of education, the Wesleyan Missionaries at the prestigious Richmond College, Galle. He together with his siblings were musically gifted on the keyboards as well as singing in harmony and were the live wire at social gatherings. Justin and his brothers Quintus, Oscar, Childers, Michael, Ivan, and Osmand were avid cricketers and represented Windsor House and Justin kept wicket with Childers who played for the first X1 team of Richmond College in the 1940s. Having left school Justin was employed at Ports Authority in Galle and he married his childhood sweetheart and cousin Soma Rambukpotha. They were parents to two sons and a daughter but tragically Jehan and Gamini, his two sons predeceased him; Jehan as a toddler and Gamini at the age of 42 leaving his wife and two young children and an infant born soon after his demise.

There were many happy occasions too that I reminisce at the Kathaluwa Maha Walauwa especially the weddings of two younger daughters of Mudaliyar Ricky Jayawardene; Jasmine to Chandra Rambukpotha and Enid to Patrick Panebokke according to Kandyan traditions perhaps the first of its kind that I remember as a child. Similarly were the annual pirith ceremonies in exquisitely hand crafted ornate mandapayas and alms for one hundred bikkhus at a time at the Walauwa to mark the death anniversaries of Mudaliyar Ricky Jayawardene who died in 1971 and his wife Lilian in 1960 at the age of 55 years.

Through all the changing scenes of life however, the opulence and grandeur of Kathaluwa Maha Waluwwa believed to be the oldest Walauwa in Sri Lanka gradually faded away and fell into disrepair due to the lack of much needed colossal funds for the upkeep and maintenance of this heritage site. Although this ancient Walauwa was declared a historical archaeological monument by the Department of Archaeology its resources were limited for these historical sites to be protected and preserved as a national treasure. Against all odds however, Justin Jayawardene and his wife lived at the premises until 2015 when a decision was made by the surviving children of Mudaliyar F.O.A.K. Jayawardene (Ricky) and their heirs to sell the property for the purpose of salvaging it from further decay.

The owners of Laugf Gas fame (STAY Holdings Pvt Ltd) who are the new owners since 2015 have within a period of five years restored the Manor house sympathetically to its former glory at an astronomical sum of 450 million rupees, it is claimed. This national treasure has not only been salvaged, restored and upgraded as a modern villa with all amenities and is now marketed as a top end luxury boutique villa retaining its historical name as Kathaluwa Maha Walauwa.

Don Owen Ferdinandez Obeysekera its visionary and architect must breathe a sigh of relief!

STAY Holdings opens ‘Kathaluwa Mahawalawwa’ in Koggala

Monday, February 17, 2020 - 01:00

Print Edition

Finance

Resurrecting a 400 year old historic mansion, STAY Holdings (Private) Limited, restored, refurbished and opened Kathaluwa Mahawalawwa, near Koggala last week with an investment of Rs. 450 million.

Chairman, STAY Holdings (Private) Limited U. K. Thilak De Silva, said he wanted to add a niche product to the Southern Tourism catalogue and invested in this property. “This is our third investment and have refurbished and opened two other similar hotels in the area, targeting high end markest.”

“During refurbishment, which took six years, we took care to ensure that all ancient architectural elements of the 400-year-old mansion were retained. The Department of Archaeology has deemed this villa a national monument and restoration has done justice to the rich history of the property.”

“An official from the department was also stationed at the site during the restoration.”

Director, STAY Holdings Shalinda De Silva said that it took them six years to complete the project due to this factor. We have several 400 year old land marks that still reflects the colonial past, used today at the Kathaluwa Mahawalawwa.”

The family owned property offers four luxury rooms with all modern amenities, a swimming pool, Jacuzzi along with outdoor and indoor dining options an in an large 5 acre garden. The mansion was built in an area called ‘8000 Watta’ as there were 8,000 coconut trees planted in it. “When we purchased it there were 150 trees and none were felled to build the ‘Kathaluwa Mahawalawwa.’

Recalling history, he said that the manor (house) was first constructed by a Portuguese sailor in 1625, who then decided to stay on in Sri Lanka and even changed his name to Obeyesekera. After changing ownership with several of their families, STAY Holdings acquired the property and rebuilt it, maintaining architectural styles of the Portuguese, Dutch and the British in the property.

“There was also an Old Court complex which is now used as the fine dining area, while an ancient labour room, library, study area, historical paintings too have been restored along with the Mada Midula.”

He said that they hoped to market the property for over US$ 280 and have positive forward bookings from both local and Europe and UK clientele.

International award winning Chef Dinesh de Silva, has been appointed Manger of the hotel.

(SS)

Prepared by: Mr Manjula de Livera

email : manjuladelivera@yahoo.com.au

Date : 16th January 2022