Karava of Sri Lanka
Karava Mansions, homes and people IV
Whilst the Karavas in provincial capitals and the interior called their residences 'Walauva', the avant-garde Karava’s in Colombo and the western coast preferred to give fashionable English names to their homes, or just call them their 'Residence' or 'Bungalow'.
However despite the reluctance of the owners to use the old fashioned term ‘Walauwa’ to describe their residences, these residences were invariably referred to by the general public as ‘Walauvas’.
Ponnahennedige Arnold Dias (1849-1900, son of Haramanis Dias, married Appolonia Soysa; father of Charles Edward Arnold) of Panadura & his tomb
P. Harmanis Dias (father of Arnold Dias) of Panadura & his tomb. He established the public dispensary at Bandaragama, the public baths at Panadura and endowed the Rankoth Vihara among his many benevolent projects
Muhaniram David Martin Samaraweera (born 1855 in Ahangama, son of landed proprietor and Notary Public Samarawera Patabendige Don Theodoris de Silva and Donna Carolina nee Abeywickreme) wife Vidanage Donna Gimara (married 1882, daughter of landed proprietor Vidanage Don Danister de Silva of Malalagama) and son John Martin. Daughter Lydia Margaret married Proctor Walter Jayawickrama of Galle. Her sons were Errol and Montague the veteran politician. Mohandiram Samaraweera's "Siri Medura" Walauwwa in Weligama and his Motor Car early 1900s. He owned the 1,000 acre Charley Mount in Weligam Korale, 700 acre Hulandawa in Morawak Korale, 300 acre Miriswatte in Tangalle, Johnny Dale and several other plantations.
P. William Dias, wife Cecilia Violet (daughter of Francisco Fernando of Panadura) and family of Panadura and their P .W. Dias & Co store in Ratnapura circa 1901.
W. J. Fernando (born 1842 in Moratuwa) and his Graphite yard in Hunupitiya Colombo.
Another de Mel residence, "Mel Ville", Koralawella Road, Moratuwa. Once occupied by Leonard de Mel it was inherited by the wife of Rev. Chrisantha Fernando. They gifted it to the Catholic Church to run an orphanage.
The abandoned Jayewickrema Walauwa, Galle Road, Mirissa , just days before it was razed to the ground.
Dilapidated servants quarters at the rear
"Meth Medura" Panadura
Gate Mudaliya Jeronis de Soysa (b.19/04/1797 d.28/05/1862) and his wife Fransisca Coorey Lama Ethani (d.16/05/1882)
Holy Emmuel Church Moratuwa built by the de Soysa. St. Stephen's Marawila & St. John's Panadura are some of the other churches built by them. They also helped build many Buddhist temples.
The "Moratu Walauwa" of the Karava de Soysa family
Dr. W. A. de Silva and his wife Catherine (nee Sri Chandrasekera, founder of Mahila Samiti movement) of "Sravasti" near the Colombo Museum. Dr de Silva sold Sravasti to save the YMBA which had been run into bankruptcy by D. B. Jayatilleke and others. However Dr. de Silva's name is not even mentioned now. But the YMBA has named their library after Jayatilleke and commemorates him often.
The philanthropist, Mrs Jeramias Dias (Pattini Hennedige Warnadeeptya Kurukulasuriya Selestina Rodrigo), founder of Visaka Vidyalaya and Vajirarama in Bambalapitiya
Mr. C. H. de Soysa's handwriting
Sir Marcus Fernando
MP for Moratuwa M. Ruskin Fernando of Velona Group Moratuwa. The pioneer of Sri Lanka's garment industry
Mr & Mrs David Weerasooriya and their 7 daughters. (web site of the Dodanduwa Weerasooriya family). Standing L to R: Justina Sophia (Mrs. Wijesekera), Agnes (Mrs. Arthur Paynter), Mary (Mrs Mendis Jayawardena) Seated: Mico (Mrs. Fernando), Caroline Meraya (Mrs. Goonewardene),Martha Catherine - Maggie (Mrs. Kodippily), Alice Rebecca (Mrs. Soysa).
The five daughters of Mudaliyar Sri Chandrasekera. Click for names
Family of Kalutaravedage Clarence Pedru de Fonseka & Muthutanterige Leonora Fernando Sri Chandrasekara. Click for names
"Bethesda", Galle Rd, Idama Moratuwa, built by Dr H I Fernando MBE and Grace, eldest daughter of Johannes & Wilhelmina de Mel
Descendants of Johannes de Mel at the family reunion in February 2008. Click for Family Tree of the de Mel family
"St Catherine" bungalow, Colombo. A mansion of the Karava Mendis Jayewardene family.
Mudaliyar A de S Guardiya Punchi Hewa (b 1882 d 1954) founder of the Kathaluwa Gardiya Punchi Hewa Gnati Samajaya, family association which is still very active.
Former residence of Mihindukulasuriya J. Martin. Now 'Bishop's palace' Chilaw.
Mihindukulasuriya Joseph Peter Frenando- Coronor, J. P., M. L. B. His youngest daughter Rita married Mihindukulasurya Robert Emmanuel (M. R. E. Fernando).
M. R. E. Fernando and a brand new Dodge bus from his C. M. T. S. Bus Company.
"Kethumathie", Panadura, the 100 roomed mansion of N. Q. (Neil Quintus) Dias, son of Mr & Mrs. Jeremias Dias. He gifted the mansion to the government to be used as a hospital.
Kaluappuwa Hennedige Bastian de Silva, S.K. Pintho Hami (Lensinona) and the Kirtisinghe family of “Siri Nivasa” Hikkaduwa.A pioneer National dress wedding from June 1944
The Kirtisinghe family's “Siri Nivasa” , Galle Raod, Hikkaduwa before and after the 2004 Tsunami. Copyright Hikkaduwa Chronicles
Merennage John Charles (M.J.C.) Fernando (b. 27 March 1885, d. 24 August 1939), founder of Moratu Maha Vidyalaya, son of Abraham Fernando & L. Celestina Silva of Horetuduiwa , Moratuwa. Married Nellie Margaret daughter of W. Johannes de Mel. His daughter Lucille Gwendolyn married Thomas Amarasuriya in 1932
Staff and students of of Moratu Maha Vidyalaya
Members of first board of Management of Moratu Maha Vidyalaya. M.J.C. Fernando (Chairman) & P.de.S. Kularatne (Manager)
Muhandiram B. P. de Silva of Magale and Singapore
Martin Wickramasinghe the 'Sage of Koggala' and the 8 acre Folk Art Museum at his birth place in Koggala
Kaurava Adithya Piyadasa Jayaratne pf "Karavanti" Kurunegala. He researched jointly with Kurukula Vendar S. F. Weerasuriya and published volumes I & II of Kurukula Charithaya at his own expense.
Mrs. F. B. de Mel, daughter of Francis Perera Abeywardene of Closenberg Galle. She was a founder member of the Mahila samithi and an active member of the YWCA, daughters of Lanka and many other women's organisations.
Gate Mudaliar Manuel Tamby St. John Puvirajasinghe (1812 - 1888) and Mrs. M. J. (Bibianna )Puvirajasinghe nee Puvimannasinghe. See Karava Singhe Dynasty of Jaffna for more images and information.
Sella.Kapu Isaac de Silva Kularatne( 1849 – 1926) & family of “Siri Bhavana” Degoda, Ambalangoda circa 1915 and the family of his daughter Ranso Hamy.
Tombstone of Gate Mudaliya Jeronis de Soysa (b..19/04/1797 d.28/05/1862) at Holy Emmuel Church Moratuwa founded by him. The grave of his wife Fransisca Coorey Lama Eteni (d. 16/05/1882) is located near the Chancel Steps. Tombs of C. H. De Soysa & Lady de Soysa , at the Holy Emmanuel church Moratuwa.
Caroline (Mrs. Henry Amarasuriya) from a photograph now discarded and left to perish by the Galle YMBA. The land and buildings of the YMBA were gifted by the Amarasuriyas and Caroline herself gave much to the YMBA during her lifetime. One of the many wings of The Amarasuriya Walauwwa Galle, It now houses a teacher training school after the family gifted it to the government. More
