Sri Lanka Sinhala Family Genealo

1 A E de Silva Snr + Ms Gunasekera, d/o S D S Gunasekera (businessman), grand daughter of Emans de Silva Gunasekera (businessman

3 daughter + U N Gunasekera (3124) See Reference here grandson of Gate Mudaliyar Abraham Mendis Gunasekera Wijaya Sri Wardana (Founder of the Sinhala-English Dictionary) and Great-Grandson of: Mudaliyar Bastian Mendis Gunasekera and his wife Asesa de Zoysa

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Sir Ernest de Silva (1887-1957), considered to be the Greatest Philatelist in Sri Lanka's History, was a Cambridge-educated Sri Lankan philanthropist, business magnate and public figure. A wealthy and powerful polymath, Sir Ernest was the Chairman of the Senate of Sri Lanka and Founding Chairman of the Bank of Ceylon, and made many contributions to Sri Lankan society, including vast amounts of philanthropy. He was to be named the first Sri Lankan Governor General (Head of Government, Armed Forces and Representative of the King in Ceylon, i.e. Head of State). Sir Ernest was among the pinnacle of Sri Lankan society and one of its richest and most respected men. He was renowned for his integrity and honesty.

Sir Ernest was one of Sri Lanka's Greatest Philanthropists of the Twentieth Century funding a vast number of projects. Among his various projects were the building of two major schools (Devapathiraja Vidyalaya and Lakshmi College) and providing free education as well as scholarships to its students. Sir Ernest and his wife Lady Evadne funded the inaugural orphanage in Ceylon; in the form of a donation of 9 acres in Katunayake. He also built a temple; The 'Veluvanaramaya'. He gave away lands, buildings and funds to numerous orphanages, hospitals, schools, social service bodies, temples and hermitages without fanfare or publicity.

Sir Ernest was a strong Buddhist who contributed much to the advancement of Buddhism. One such instance was when he purchased an island in 1905 and offered it to Ven. Nanatiloke, the Famous German Monk, to start a hermitage (Polgasduwa) for Buddhist monks. Sir Ernest was thus instrumental in putting Sri Lanka on the map of the world of philosophy and religion. He was the President of the YMBA (Young Men's Buddhist Association) and the President of the Kalutara Bodhi Trust. The Former President of Sri Lanka, The Late Hon.R.Premadasa, stated that 'if there was a Buddhist Temple or school that he [Sir Ernest] did not help, it was not in Sri Lanka'.

Sir Ernest was one of the richest South-East Asians of the Twentieth Century. He inherited and purchased vast areas of tea, rubber and coconut estates as well as vast amounts of land in the prominent areas of Colombo. He owned 46 Acres (7360 Perches) of land in prominent areas of Colombo, worth an approximate Rs.40 Billion today, mainly in the Colpetty area which is now regarded as the most expensive area in Sri Lanka. One such estate was the famed 1000 acre (4 km²) Salawa estate which was used as a rubber plantation. He resided in one of the most exclusive properties in Sri Lanka: the 'Sirimathipaya' Mansion; equipped with horse stables and tennis courts.

Sir Ernest was knighted in 1946 by King George VI for his services to Ceylon. In recognition of his services, Flower Road (where he resided) was renamed Sir Ernest de Silva Mawatha and a stamp was published in his honour. As he was perhaps the most respected and wealthiest Sri Lankan of his generation, Sir Ernest was asked to be the first Sri Lankan Governor General, equivalent to the Head of State (President), which he declined due to personal reasons. He was one of the first Asians to own a Rolls Royce. His former residence, the mansion 'Sirimathipaya', is now being used as the Office of the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka.

U N Gunasekera (B.Sc. Eng. London, MI.Struct. UK, F.I.E.) is considered to be Sri Lanka's Greatest Construction Engineer of the 20th Century. Mr.Gunasekera revolutionized engineering in Sri Lanka through his construction of High-rise buildings including Sri Lanka's First five star hotel (the Ceylon Inter-Continental) and Sri Lanka's Largest five star hotel (Lanka Oberoi) among other various projects.

He was the President of the Institute of Engineers in Sri Lanka for an unprecedented five years.

He developed many influential friendships including that of the First Woman Prime Minister of the world, Sirimavo Bandaranaike, Former President Hon. R. Premadasa, (Both of whom considered him their closest ally) Ministers, Heads of Armed Forces, Police Force and many of the Leading Businessmen. He was considered to be one of the most well-connected and Powerful Businessmen in Sri Lanka prior to his retirement.

U.N.Gunasekera is a strong Buddhist and one of the largest contributors to charities in Sri Lanka, though in a silent manner, and is famed to contributing to a vast number of temples, hospitals, schools and charities.

U.N.Gunasekera was educated at the prominent Royal College where he was the Captain of the Rugby team, winning the coveted Bradby shield, a member of the Cricket team and Athletics team. He obtained his degree in Engineering from the University of London after completing the University of Cambridge Higher Diploma.

He also has many other businesses, such as the [[Glass House]] Health Center and Diagnostic Laboratory and was known to be a prominent [[real estate mogul]], having invested in famed Billion-Rupee Multi-Acre property in Sri Lanka's capital, and accumulated vast wealth placing him among Sri Lanka's richest people for many years prior to his retirement.

He owned much but gave away even more

Exactly half a century has passed since the death of the man, considered the greatest Philatelist in Sri Lanka’s history. Sir Ernest de Silva was a Cambridge-educated 20th century philanthropist, business magnate and public figure renowned for his integrity and honesty.

Having served as the Chairman of the Senate of Sri Lanka, Mr. de Silva was a wealthy and powerful polymath, who made many a contribution to Sri Lankan society. He served as the first Chairman of the Central Bank as well as its Governor.

In fact, it would not be an exaggeration to state that Mr. de Silva was one of the richest South-East Asians of the Twentieth Century. He inherited and purchased vast areas of tea, rubber and coconut estates as well as large amounts of land, in the prominent areas of Colombo. He owned 46 acres (7360 perches) of land in Colombo, mainly in the Colpetty area. He also owned the 1000-acre Salawa estate, a rubber plantation. He resided in one of the most exclusive properties in Sri Lanka, the Sirimathipaya Mansion, which had stables and tennis courts.

Born in 1887 at the 'Royal Palace', to one of the most affluent families of Ceylon, de Silva’s parents and grandparents were hugely wealthy landowners. Young de Silva married Lady Evadne De Silva, a philanthropist herself, who later became the first female member of Senate. One of his daughters married construction magnate U.N. Gunasekera, whose philanthropy rivalled his own making the lineage one of the most prominent traditionally rich families in South-East Asia.

Among his various projects were the building of two major schools, the Devapathiraja Vidyalaya in Rathgama and Lakshmi College. Sir Ernest and Lady Evadne funded the first orphanage in Ceylon with a donation of nine acres in Katunayake. The temple 'Veluvanaramaya,’ was also his brainchild.

He also gave away lands, buildings and funds to numerous orphanages, hospitals, schools, social service bodies, temples and hermitages without fanfare or publicity.

A devout Buddhist, Mr. de Silva contributed much to the advancement of Buddhism. One such instance was when he purchased an island in 1905 and offered it to Ven. Nanatiloke Thera, the famous German monk to start a hermitage, named Polgasduwa purely for Buddhist monks.

He also served as President of the Young Men's Buddhist Association (YMBA) and the President of the Kalutara Bodhi Trust. Former President, the late Ranasinghe Premadasa, stated that 'if there was a Buddhist temple or school that Sir Ernest did not help, it was not in Sri Lanka'.

Apart from his highly charitable and sociable lifestyle, de Silva had a passion for stamp collecting. His Sri Lankan collection is said to have been world-class, second only to the collection of King George V. He gained fame for owning the ‘Penny Black’, the world's first stamp.

In keeping with his charitable ways, he donated the money gained from the sale of the Mauritius One Penny, (1847) stamp, considered to be the most expensive stamp in the world, (valued at $3.8 million in 1993) towards the construction of the YMBA Headquarters’ building to his relative Sir Cyril de Zoysa.

De Silva also gained recognition by being one of the best Sri Lankan billiards players of his time. He had played rounds with the then world champions in his mansion and club. He also served as the President of the Ceylon Turf Club.

Having been knighted in 1946 by King George VI for his services to Ceylon, Flower Road, where he resided, was renamed Sir Ernest de Silva Mawatha and a stamp was also issued in his honour.

Ernest de Silva was asked to be the first Sri Lankan Governor General, equivalent to the Head of State (President), which he declined due to personal reasons. He was one of the first Asians to have owned a Rolls Royce.

Ernest de Silva was also a close friend of the late Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, who was his batch mate at Cambridge. Nehru also visited his friend in Sri Lanka in 1930.

Sir Ernest de Silva died on May 9, 1957, almost ten years after Sri Lanka gained independence, a cause he strived for. His funeral was attended by many state officials as well as leaders. Premier S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike, at de Silva’s funeral thanked the late philanthropist for his services to Sri Lanka, saying that he was a 'true gentleman in every sense of the word'.

May he attain the supreme bliss of Nirvana.

The business of A E de Silva & Company was started in 1877 under the name of U D S Gunasekera, the offices being located in The Pettah in Colombo. In 1887, Mr A E de Silva joined Mr Gunasekera in a partnership. On the death of the latter Mr de Silva continued the business under its old name. The alteration to its present title was made in recent years.

The firm deals in all types of Ceylon produce, principally, plumbago, desiccated coconut, fibre, cinnamon and tea. The main exports are done to the United Kingdom and the Continent through the firms agents in London, Hamburg, and other European Ports. The stores are located at castle Street in Borella, Coiombo, where plumbago is largely handled for shipment overseas.

Mr de Silva, who is the sole proprietor of the Company, is also the owner of many large estates and town properties. In coconuts alone he wons oer 1,500 acres, the more important estate under this being Delgolla (650 acres) and Kiravaulu (325 acres) in the Kurunegala District, and, Koshena (340 acres) in the Chilaw District. He owns about 400 acres in Cinnamon and in rubber about 1,000 acres in the Kalutara District. He also owns about 200 acres bearing cacao. Mr de Sila is also erecting mills for the manufacture of brush and mattress fibres.

A E de Silva is a member of the Ceylon Turf Club and a Committee Member of the Colombo Orient Club. He is also a member of the Plumbago Merchant's Union and of the Agricultural Society. His Colombo residence is "Stephanotis" at Flower Road (now renamed to Sir Ernest de Sila Mawatha), in Colombo, and his country seat is Aniakande near Ragama on the mail railway line in the Western Province. [pp 482 XXth Century Impressions of Ceylon]

He married the daughter of U.D.S. Gunasekera who was a successful businessman engaged in exporting. He was the father of the Powerful Philantrophist Sir Ernest de Silva and therefore the Grandfather-in-law of Construction Magnate Mr. U.N.Gunasekera making the lineage one of the oldest traditionally wealthy families in the country.