Karava of Sri Lanka

This is a random selection of Karavas and their homes. As such they are not presented here in any particular order of antiquity or importance.

 Click here to go to Part I , Part III or Part IV of Karava Mansions

 Click here to go to Part I , Part III or Part IV of Karava Mansions. 

This is a labour of love, a random selection of Karava homes. As such the homes are not presented here in any particular order of antiquity or importance. Preparing a comprehensive album of all Karava mansions is a near impossible task due to the vastness of the subject. Therefore, undoubtedly many Karava mansions would not be included here. Therefore if your ancestral home does not appear here and you have old photographs, please send them to the webmaster for inclusion.  

A few Karava caste (Karawa / Karawe / Karave ) Residences from past centuries are illustrated here. Only a handful of these homes survived the string of  reform legislation introduced by post independence Govigama dominated governments.

Mudaliyar Simon Richard  de Fonseka Warnasuriya Wijeyatunga Samaranayake(born 1854 to a family of Adigars and Mudaliyars) , his wife Luisa, children & their "St Kevin" bungalow (See Web site of the De Fonseka family)

"Alfred House" Colpetty, the venu of royal banquets and society functions in the 1870s, an interior view of  "Alfred House", (The house was demolished to make way for the Duplication Road charted right through this house.) 

The de Soysas (Mudaliyar Susew de Soysa, Mudaliyar Jeronis de Soysa, C. H. de Soysa, Lady Catherine de Soysa, nee de Silva, Ernst de Soysa and J. W. C. de Soysa  - see family tree I & family tree II ) and Prince of Wales College Moratuwa built and gifted by them.

The Colombo Cinnamon stores of J. W. C. de Soysa and the Bacteriological Institute, Colombo built and gifted by him

 "Brodie House" Bambalapitiya of Mr.  A. J. R. de Soysa (born  on Feb 15, 1869, married Feb 4, 1892), Mary Margaret (daughter of L David de Silva of "Henley House" Cinnamon Gardens) and family, their carriage and "Glen Aber" Bambalapitiya.

Mr.  E. L. F. de Soysa, his wife Caroline nee Pieris of "Elscourt" Cinnamon Gardens and their residence "Rheinlands" Colpetty. He was the first Sri Lankan to own a motor car.

Dr. Solomon Fernando (1850 -1915), Son of Sylvester Fernando Karuneratne, wife Fanny Georgina Catherina nee de Soysa & family. Their residence "Sigiriya" on Bagatalle Road, Colombo. He died while addressing a rally against the British government's arrest of Buddhist leaders.

Crown Counsel CM Fernando (born 1866, grandson of Andrew Fernando Mudaliyar of Colombo) with wife Jane Maria, (daughter of C. H. de Soysa) &  children. Their residence "Netherton" and an interior view below

Mr. Francis Perera  (born in Galle  1875. son of Mr. Simon Perera MMC his Mother was a daughter of Mudaliyar Wijesekera of the Southern province), his wife (a daughter of C. H. de Soysa), children and their residence "Closenberg" Galle and the Fernary within the house.  

Mr. Hilarion Marcus Fernando, wife Mary Frances, children and their town residence "The Priory" Union Place, Colombo.

William Henry de Silva (born 1868 son of Mr. Lindamulage Andris de Silva and Warnekulasuriya Maha Patabendige Lindamulage Bastiana de Silva) and his residence "Nellidith" Bambalapitiya

Louis H. S. Pieris Barrister (born at "Caldecott" Colpetty on June 4, 1879, son of Louis Pieris and Cecilia Elizabeth de Fonseka) , wife Selina, children, their "Whist Bungalow" Mutwal a center of the social scene and two interior views of the Bungalow.

Sir James Peiris (born 1856 in Colombo. Son of T. Martinus Peiris and Apolonia nee de Soysa - see family tree), wife Grace daughter of Jacob de Mel, their residence "Rippleworth" Turret Road Colombo and an interior view of the home. His country seat is "Ellawatte Bungalow" Haputale.

Wedding of Mr F. J. de Mel (Son of Vidanelage Johannes de Mel), wife Cicilia (Cissy , daughter of Louis Peiris of "Whist Bungalow"),  See de Mel family tree

Mrs. de Mel pioneering the Sari dress in Ceylon

Proctor of the Supreme Court Charles Peiris (born 1860 in Colombo) with wife Maude (daughter of Mr & Mrs Jacob de Mel) their "Carlsholme" residence in Cinnamon Gardens  and "High Cross" Bungalow.

 E. A.  Amadoru Jayasuriya Jayewickreme (born May 4, 1872 in Hambantota. Son of Mudaliyar Jayewickreme of Kurunegala and Caroline Sophia, daughter of Christian Samaraweera Jayesuriya Mudaliyar  of Magam Pattu), their residence "The Firs" on Gregory's Road, Colombo and a family photograph with wife Helena Margeret (married May 7, 1903, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Jacob de Mel) and daughterHelena Majorie de Mel Jayewickreme (born April 10, 1904)

Lambert L Pieris (born 1867 in Colombo, married daughter of Gate Mudaliyar J. A. Mendis Jayawardene of Moratuwa in 1900), their  "Fern Bank" residence on Park Street Colombo (another of their residences was "St. Cuthbert's on Dickmon's Road), a Estate Bungalow (probably the one on Danawkande plantation in Heneratgoda) and a family photograph.

E. C. de Fonseka family and "Arcadia " Colombo (See Web site of the De Fonseka family of Kalutara)

Richard Steuart Pieris (born 1858 Moratuwa, son of Mr. Jeronis Pieris of "The Firs" Cinnamon Gardens) and his  “ Broomhill”  residence on Green Path. He married Adeline Winifred, daughter of Proctor Simond Reynold de Fonseka of Kalutara south in 1886.Sons: Richard Lois de Fonseka Pieris and Lionel Fonseka.

Wedding of H de S. Kularatne and Laura Elsie at her Father's residence "Siri Bhavana" Bandarawatte,  Ambalangoda-February 1918. Frederic de Silva Jayewardene with his daughter Laura, Son-in-law  Heron &  family circa 1929. Prajapathi Gothami school was started by Laura on the property and the house was later gifted to it.

Mr. Henry A. Pieris's bungalows: An Estate Bungalow, "Fairlight" in  Colpetty. He also owned  sea view  Bungalow "

Mr. Henry A. Pieris's "Fincastle" Cinnamon Gardens and  one of his Estate Bungalows.

Mr. Henry A. Pieris's "Rosebank" Cinnamon Gardens and "The Uplands " estate bungalow. He resided at "Elscourt" Turret Road. He was also the owner of "The Firs" later St Briget's Convent and "The Tent" later the Girls Friendly Society.