Lady Evadne De Silva
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Senator Lady Evadne de Silva was the first female Senator in Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and a prominent Philanthrophist.
She was married to the Cambridge-educated philantrophist and former Chairman of the Senate of Ceylon Sir Ernest de Silva. She, together with her husband Sir Ernest, considered to be the wealthiest man in Ceylon, constructed a temple and two major schools in Sri Lanka.
She also founded many orphanages such as the Parakrama Home and Angela Children's Home. Along with Mrs. H.M. Gunasekera, she started the inaugural orphanage in Sri Lanka: 'The Gamini Matha'. Lady Evadne was the inaugural President of the All Ceylon Women's Buddhist Congress.
Such was the great philanthrophy of her husband, regarded as Sri Lanka's greatest philanthrophist of the 20th Century, that 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". He was knighted in 1947 by King George VI for services to Ceylon even though he declined the offer of being appointed the Governor-General (Head of State) of Ceylon.
Her daughter, Sita, married Multi-Millionaire Construction Magnate Mr. U.N. Gunasekera.
[edit] References
^ Shanika Ratnayake, "He owned much but gave away even more: Remembering Sir Ernest de Silva (1887 - 1957)", The Sunday Times Online, v. 41 no. 51 (May 20, 2007).
