Charles Henry de Soysa

Sir Charles Henry de Soysa
Born 3rd March 1836
Ceylon, Moratuwa
Resting place
 Holy Emmanuel Church
Nationality Ceylonese
Education Colombo Academy,
S. Thomas' College, Mutwal
Occupation Tea Planter and Industialist
Known for Philanthropy and Entrepreneurship
Religion Anglican
Spouse(s) Lady Caterine De Soysa
Parent(s) Mudliyar Jeronis de Soysa Dissanayake and Francesca de Soysa Lamaetenie
Relatives Bishop Harold de Soysa
Sir Wilfred de Soysa
Sir Bennet Soysa
A. H. T. de Soysa

Sir Charles Henry de Soysa (3 March 1836 – 29 September 1890) was a Ceylonese entrepreneur and philanthropist. He was a pioneering planter, industrialist and was the wealthiest Ceylonese of the 19th century.[1] He was instrumental in the establishment of the first Ceylonese bank, the Moratuwa carpenters guild, the Ceylon Agricultural and National Associations. He is widely considered as the greatest philanthropist of the island for contributions which includes the De Soysa Maternity Hospital, the Prince and Princess of Wales Colleges, St. Matthias Church, the Model Farm Agriculture School and many other institutions and acts of charity.[2][3] He was the country's first Knight Bachelor (posthumous).[4]

Early life and education

Charles de Soysa was born at the humble abode of his maternal grandfather in Moratuwa on the 3rd of March 1836.[5] He was the only son of Mudliyar Jeronis de Soysa Dissanayake and Francesca de Soysa Lamaetenie (née Cooray). Jeronis de Soysa, an Ayurveda physician, was one of the most successful merchants in Ceylon and established the largest native commercial enterprise of the era.[6][7][8] His grandfather Warusahennadige Joseph Soysa (Josrala), an Ayurveda practitioner and great grandfather Bastian Soysa were also reputed merchants engaged in transportation, boat building, dairy and paddy farming.[5][9][10] Their ancestor was the lay custodian of the Devinuwara Maha Vihnu Devalaya, Matara at the time of its destruction in 1587.[4][11] Having his primary education at the Palliyagodella Buddhist Temple in Moratuwa, de Soysa went on to gain his secondary education at the Colombo Academy and then became one of the first students of S. Thomas' College, Mutwal before completing his education at home with a tutor. He became an apprentice under his father and uncle Susew de Soysa in managing the large estates and trading network of the family, starting at Hanguranketa. From a young age De Soysa had displayed a benevolent nature.[6][8]

Marriage

Charles, a devout Anglican, sought the hand of Catherine, the daughter of Chevaliar Jusey de Silva and Weerahennadige Weerabala Jayasuriya Patabendige Anna Fernando who were staunch Catholics. De Silva hailed from the traditional nindagam land holders of Moratuwa during the Kotte Kingdom.[12][13][14][15] and was a successful wholesaler of arrack.[16][17] A compromise was made to solemnise the marriage according to the rites of the Roman Catholic Church and the wedding was held on the 4th February 1863 at the Chevalier walauwa, Moratuwa [18]

Planting & Industry

De Soysa was a pioneering tea planter which was usually the preserve of Europeans.[19][20][21] When the coffee crash occurred in 1869 many European planters went back home. However, De Soysas' investments were not only in coffee, which enabled him to survive the coffee crisis and expand his plantations further. De Soysa planted tea in the former coffee estates and it fetched record prices at the Colombo and London auctions.[6] Guru Oya, Marigold, Hapugasmulle and others, established in 1870, were among the earliest tea plantations of the country.[22][23][24]

De Soysa also cultivated citronella, coconut, cinnamon, rice, rubber, cocoa and cotton in seven of the nine provinces of the island.[8] His other investments included transportation, graphite mining, coir and oil mills, tea factories and the import-export trade.[25][26][27] He constructed six commercial buildings at Galle Face, Colpetty and the De Soysa building in Slave Island, Colombo.[28][29] The residential property he owned became the most sought after residential areas in latter times.[30][31]

De Soysa was also the first Ceylonese banker and he was instrumental in establishing the Bank of Kandy in 1860.[4][10][32] De Soysa undertook measures to improve and diversify agricultural productivity and the dairy industry in the country. He curtailed the production and retail of arrack and the distillery industry he inherited.[33]

Royal Banquet

De Soysa had the unique privilege of according a reception on behalf of the people of Ceylon to Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh who was the first member of British Royalty to visit the island. This he did in royal style at his palatial mansion in Colombo Bagatelle walauwa, which had been specially reconstructed for the occasion in a sprawling park of 120 acres.[34] De Soysa entertained the Prince where the crockery and cutlery of the banquet was made of gold; studded with gems and pearls.[7][35] De Soysa extended the invitation to elites as well as commoners from all communities [6] Consequent to this event H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh hosted a reception to the De Soysas (at Queen's House, Colombo) and conferred the title of Gate (Wasala) Mudaliyar on Susew de Soysa and of Justice of the Peace for the Island on Charles Hendry de Soysa (the latter had declined the title of Mudaliyar).[5][7][30]

Philanthropy

Health

Charles Henry de Soysa initiated measures to reduce the infant mortality rate by creating a supply of trained Sinhalese midwives.[8] He later built and donated the island's first maternity hospital; the De Soysa Lying-In-Home at Borella. It was declared open by the Governor Sir James Robert Longden on 9 December 1879. The original buildings of the Ceylon Medical College gifted by him and his uncle Mudliyar Susew de Soysa were also declared open on the same day.[3][36][37]

The Lunawa Hospital Moratuwa, the Panadura hospital, Marawila hospital, the Ingiriya hospital and the Bacteriological Institute (Medical Research Institute) headed by the erudite Dr Aldo Castellani were also gifted by the de Soysa family.[38][39][40][41][42] The Victoria Memorial Eye Hospital, the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children and the Ophthalmology Departments of the Kandy and Galle hospitals also benefited from the de Soysa generosity.[25][43][44] On a visit to Great Britain in 1886, De Soysa gave liberally to 20 major hospitals including the Guys Hospital London, Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital, Seamen’s Hospital and the Royal Free Hospital.[45]

Education

De Soysa introduced a system of free education and scholarships in the schools he founded in his home-town; the Prince & Princes of Wales Colleges . De Soysa lavished the then princely sum of Rs. 300,000 on the buildings alone, on a beautiful site of 15 acres bordering the Lunawa Lagoon. The school catered to both genders of all walks of life as the mediums of instruction were English, the language of the elite as well as the vernacular (Sinhala), the native language of the masses. Two plantations were also endowed for it's maintenance. The ceremonial opening was performed by Sir William Gregory, the Governor of Ceylon, on 14 September 1876 (along with the ceremonial opening of the St. John's Church and endowments to St. John's College Panadura by Mudliyar Susew De Soysa).[46][47][48][49][50]

De Soysa gifted the first buildings of the Ceylon Medical College.[3][51][52][53] His earliest contribution to education was the establishment of the Alfred Model Farm Agriculture School in 1871 and a lavish grant to S. Thomas' College even earlier. He also fecilitated his alma mater with the impetus for the teaching of science.[6][8] The family also gifted land to Royal College, Colombo, now the University grounds (playing fields)[25] and for the inauguration of the Ceylon School for the Deaf and Blind, Ratmalana.[54][55] as well as financing several building projects of Trinity College, Kandy.[56] He gave liberally to the National Museum of Colombo and other institutions throughout the island, including Jaffna, scholarships to individuals and also endowed several rural schools.[5][7][8][57] De Soysa is considered a grandfather of free education.[33]

De Soysa also extended his patronage to literary projects. At his own expense he arranged for the printing and publication of Hitopadesha, work by the poet Kumaradasa and the Ven. Weligama Sri Sumangala Thero, including the publication of the 3rd standard reader. De Soysa also arranged educational charities through the Ven. Ratmalane Sri Dharmarama Nayake Thero, the Chief Incumbent of the Vidyalankara Pirivena.[5][6]

Spiritual

At the request of the people of Lakshapathiya, De Soysa built the St. Mathias Church in Lakshapathiya. The foundation for this church was laid by the Rt. Revd. Hugh Willoughby Jermyn (3rd Bishop of Colombo) on 24 February 1872. The church was consecrated on St. Matthias’ Day, 24 February 1876 by the Rt. Revd. Dr. Reginald Stephen Copleston (4th Bishop of Colombo).[58]

De Soysa was a Life Warden of the Holy Emmanuel Church Moratuwa, built by his father, St. John’s Church Panadura , built by his uncle, St. Stephan's Church Marawila and the Holy Emmanuel Church Hanguranketha, built by him and his uncle.[5][59] He was also a patron of the St. Sebastians Church Moratuwa, built by his father-in-law Chevalier Jusey de Silva who was also a chief contributor to St. Lucia's Cathedral, Colombo.[60]

The Marawila Buddhist temple, Soysaramaya Moratuwa, Pothgul Viharaya Hanguranketa and grants to charities through the Ven. Ratmalane Sri Dharmarama Nayake Thero, the Chief Incumbent of the Vidyalankara Pirivena and the Ven. Weligama Sri Sumangala Mahanayake Thero are examples of the patronage extended to Buddhism. Hindu and Islamic institutions also benefited from this generousity, a testimony to the broad-minded religious outlook.[3][5][6][61]

Agriculture, Infrastructure & other welfare activities

De Soysa set up measures to improve agricultural productivity and the diary industry in the country. In 1871 he inaugurated the Alfred Model Farm and Agricultural School at Borella and Narahenpita to conduct research into farming methods and to promote agricultural innovations. He also introduced new species of crops and livestock and provided teaching and residential facilities. The sum of 10,000 Pound Sterling and 160 acres (0.65 km2) of land was set apart for this project. It was declared open on 31 December 1871 by Governor Sir Hercules Robinson.[3][6] However, as the project was less than successful the land was later utilized for the Royal Colombo Golf Course.[62]

De Soysa presented the Royal Institution and museums with archaeological antiquities purchased at the Colonial and Indian Exhibition including a facsimile of the Yapahuwa gate. He constructed the Lunawa road from Galle road to Lunawa and the bridge across the lagoon. He also had the Katubedda road (Moratuwa) constructed and donated land and money to build the Lunawa Railway Station. He established a Co-operative Society for carpenters and craftsmen in Moratuwa and gave land for resettlement to over a hundred displaced families of Walapane. When the colonial authorities introduced the Poll Tax (which could not be paid by the many thousands of poor people in Moratuwa and risking their properties being seized), De Soysa paid the sums involved on behalf of all the townfolk.[46][63] De Soysa is reputed to have given far more in private benefactions than his public benefactions.[5][8]

The family also gifted the De Soysa Stadium.

Socio-Political Activity

Charles Henry de Soysa had no political ambitions, but was ever conscious of his duty to his less fortunate citizens. On 11 November 1871, Ceylon’s first mass political meeting was held on the grounds of the de Soysa walauwa in Moratuwa, to protest against certain provisions of the Village Council’s Ordinance. Subsequently a petition signed by 1000 persons from Moratuwa and Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia with Mr. De Soysa’s name heading the list was handed over to the Governor. Among other things the petitioners asked that "the Ordinance might be printed in the native language (Sinhala) and circulated among the people and that evidence be taken as to its demerits".

On the 24th of June 1881 the Ceylon Agricultural Association was formed to safeguard the interests of the native enterprises facing stiff competition from the Europeans and to limit their control of the economic activities of the country. De Soysa was the Founder-President of the Ceylon Agricultural Association which transformed itself into the Ceylon National Association in 1888 and later played a significant role in the struggles for constitutional reforms in the early part of the twentieth century with such celebrities as Sir James Peiris as President and D. R. Wijewardena as Secretary. The Ceylon National Association paved the way for the rise of the Ceylon National Congress, which in turn played a decisive role along with the Lanka Sama Samaja Party in the penultimate lap on the road to independence.[3][7][16][20][33] The Ceylon Standard and the Morning Leader newspapers, owened by the de Soysa family powerfully moulded the public opinion when it was under the editorship of Armand de Souza.[64]

Death

De Soysa was bitten by a rabid dog that strayed into Alfred House on 2 August 1890. It was originally decided to remove him to Paris for treatment, but Charles opted to remain in Ceylon and obtain native treatment. As per his wishes, he was buried outside the Holy Emmanuel Church in the graveyard next to his son who had died in his infancy. His mortal remains were laid to rest amidst a gathering described as the largest in the nineteenth century.[17]

He was made a Knight Bachelor posthumously, a first in Ceylon; the rank title of Widow of Knight Bachelor was conferred on Lady Catherine de Soysa.[3][4]

Legacy

De Soysa, the pioneer native entrepreneur and philanthropist played the role of a path-finder and a social reformer. He was the first Ceylonese since the days of the Sinhalese kings to build and equip a complete hospital. He introduced a system of free education long before the state took on that responsibility. The example he set in philanthropy is unique in our annals; he catered from the womb to the tomb. In contrast to the latter day culture where institutions built by public funds, foreign gifts or collected through charities are named after individuals, most institutions pioneered by de Soysa's personal wealth and foresight were in fact not named after himself. He was a public man of the first degree. The first steps towards a formation of a political process which later opened up the possibility of negotiating legislative reforms, self governance and indipendace were initiated with the stand taken by Mr. De Soysa and others. He was far ahead of his times in understanding the importance of the economic, social and moral wefare in the process of nation building.[3][4][6][7][16][33]

Family

De Soysa had eight sons and seven daughters;[65] Mudliyar J. W. C de Soysa,[38][40][66] Hon. A. J. R. de Soysa of Lakshmigiri,[55] E. L. F. de Soysa,[67][68] T. H. A. de Soysa of Regina Walauwa,[53][35] J. S. W. de Soysa,[43] Sir Wilfred de Soysa and R. E. S. de Soysa[61] who were phillanthrophists in their own right. Famous sons-in law include Sir Marcus Fernando, Dr. Solomon Fernando,[69][70] Dr. W. H. de Silva,[71] Francis Perera-Abeywardena[72][73] and Louis H. S. Pieris.[32][74] Famous grandsons include Bishop Harold de Soysa, Harold Peiris and cricketer Ryle de Soysa.[75][76] Other relatives include Wilmot A. Perera, J. L. D. Peiris,[77][78] Apollonia de Soysa,[79][80] Professor Indra de Soysa,[81][82] Flying Officer Chinthaka de Soysa[83] and golfer Amrith de Soysa,[84][85]

References

  1. ↑ The Story of Ceylon Tea, by Maxwell Fernando (book review), Retrieved 05 December 2014
  2. ↑ Gunawardena, Charles A. (2005). Encyclopedia Of Sri Lanka. Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd. p. 254.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 Charles Henry de Soysa’s 176th birth anniversary: Philanthropist par excellence, Daily News (Sri Lanka), 01 December 2014
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 112th death anniversary of C. H. de Soysa – philanthropist unequalled, Dr. K. N. M. D. Cooray Daily News (Sri Lanka) Retrieved 23 December 2014
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 The De Soysa Charitaya, by C. Don Bastian Jayaweera Bandara and V. S. M. De Mel, pp.iii, 1, 14, 17, 75-6, 93-102, 109 (University of California) ASIN B00H1CYGL4
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 6.8 Charles Henry De Soysa; The Anepindu Sitano of Lanka, by Buddhika Kurukularatne The Island (Sri Lanka) Retrieved 01 December
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 Philanthropist and Patriot: Charles Henry de Soysa, by Wimalasiri A. Fernando The Island (Sri Lanka) Retrieved 05 December 2014
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 Twentieth Century Impressions of Ceylon, by Arnold Wright, pp.538-54 (Lloyd's Greater Britain Publishing Company) ISBN 978-8120613355
  9. ↑ THE GREATEST VISIONARY AND PHILANTHROPIST OF MORATUWA, Tribute to Jeronis de Soysa, by B. R. Oclen. Fernando The Island (Sri Lanka) Retrieved 23 December 2014
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 A great philanthropist and businessman by – Eng. B.R.Oclen Fernando Ceylon Today Retrieved 23 December 2014
  11. ↑ The Buddhist Visnu: Religious Transformation, Politics, and Culture, By John C. Holt, p. 99 (Columbia University Press) ISBN 978-0231133234
  12. ↑ Twentieth Century Impressions of Ceylon, by Arnold Wright, pp. 650, 667-9 (Lloyd's Greater Britain Publishing Company) ISBN 978-8120613355
  13. ↑ The Date of Buddha's Death and Ceylon Chronology, By John M. Senaveratna, p.193 (Asian Educational Services,India) ISBN 9788120614987
  14. ↑ A Tribute to my Father : DR. KINGSLEY DE SILVA DEVA ADITYA on his 100th BIRTH ANNIVERSARY, By Niranjan de Silva Deva Aditya (MEP) The Island (Sri Lanka)Retrieved 15 December 2014
  15. ↑ NIRANJAN WINS AGAIN MAKING HISTORY WITH AN INCREASED SHARE OF THE VOTE WHILE THE TORY PARTY COLLAPSES COMING THIRD (LankaWeb) Retrieved 15 December 2014
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 Extracts from 'Nobodies to Somebodies - The Rise of the Colonial Bourgeoisie in Sri Lanka', Kumari Jayawardena, (Social Scientists' Association and Sanjiva Books). ISBN 955-9102-26-5
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Life and times of Charles Henry de Soysa, by Surath Peiris. Retrieved on 01 December 2014
  18. ↑ Save oldest mansion in Moratuwa from the Police, Ravi Perera The Island (Sri Lanka) Retrieved 23 December 2014
  19. ↑ 145 YEARS OF CEYLON TEA: Ceylonese take to Coffee Cultivation, Colombo International Tea Convention Website, Retrieved 05 December 2014
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Ceylonese Participation in Tea Cultivation, by Maxwell Fernando: History of Ceylon Tea Website, Retrieved 05 December 2014
  21. ↑ In the Shadows of the Tropics: Climate, Race and Biopower in Nineteenth Century Ceylon, by James S Duncan, p.38 (Ashgate) ISBN 9780754672265
  22. ↑ Guru Oya, Dumbara-Teldeniya: History of Ceylon Tea Website, Retrieved 05 December 2014
  23. ↑ Marigold, Maturatta: History of Ceylon Tea Website, Retrieved 05 December 2014
  24. ↑ Hapugasmulle, Dumbara-Teldeniya: History of Ceylon Tea Website, Retrieved 05 December 2014
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 Architecture and Nationalism in Sri Lanka: The Trouser Under the Cloth By Anoma Pieris, p.65-81 & 83 (Routledge) ISBN 978-0415630023
  26. ↑ A Bean Two Leaves and a Bud, Chapter 12 - The de Soysa Family by Ed Rowlands. Retrieved 05 December 2014
  27. ↑ A RICH UNICOM FAMILY HISTORY COMES AS NO SURPRISE, Unicom Tea Website. Retrieved 05 December 2014
  28. ↑ Extract from Seaports of India and Ceylon, edited by Allister Macmillan, p. 437 (Asian Educational Services). ISBN 978-8120619951
  29. ↑ YMCA: Down memory lane, Daily FT, Retrieved 05 December
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 Now a showcase of fabulous mansions by Padma Edirisinghe, Sunday Observer (Sri Lanka), Retrieved 10 December 2014
  31. ↑ Mansions of Kolluptiya, Colombo in the early twentieth century Retrieved 10 December 2014
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 Engeltine Cottage in Kandy: The Intertwining of Three Families — Pieris, Sangakkara and Krishnapillai, by Michael Roberts. Retrieved 05 December 2014
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 33.2 33.3 When the 'nobodies' made their mark Sunday Times Retrieved 10 December 2014
  34. ↑ Bagatelle Road – will it be gone with the wind? by Dr. A.R.B. Amerasinghe Sunday Times Retrieved 10 December 2014
  35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 The day the Queen came to Queen’s Road, recalls Stephen Prins Sunday Times Plus. Retrieved 10 December 2014
  36. ↑ De Soysa Maternity Hospital (Official Website) Retrieved 22 December 2014
  37. ↑ Ceylon in 1893: Describing the Progress of the Island Since 1803, by John Ferguson p.30 (Observer Press) ISBN 940024209493
  38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 Sri Lanka’s first medical museum By Nilma DOLE, The Sunday Observer (Sri Lanka), Retrieved 18 December
  39. ↑ Sri Lanka's Development Since Independence: Socio-economic Perspectives and Analyses By W. D. Lakshman and Clement Allan Tisdell, p.226 (Nova Biomedical) ISBN 978-1560727842
  40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 Saga of Lunawa Hospital: A century gone, names changed, what remains are only a few original edifices By Dhanesh Wisumperuma The Nation (Sri Lanka) Retrieved 22 December 2014
  41. ↑ Ingiriya Official Website
  42. ↑ Medical Research institute, Sri Lanka: History (Official Website) Retrieved 18 December 2014
  43. ↑ 43.0 43.1 Galle as quiet as asleep, by Norah Roberts, p.201 (N. Roberts/Vijitha Yapa) ISBN 9559557904
  44. ↑ The splendour of an Italian villa by Shabna Cader (Ceylon Today Features)
  45. ↑ He was and still is an inspiration to one and all: Remembering Charles Henry de Soysa, by Ilica Malkanthi Karunaratne Sunday Times (Sri Lanka) Retrieved 18 December 2014
  46. ↑ 46.0 46.1 Remembering Sir Charles Henry de Soysa by Dilwin Mendis The Island (Sri Lanka) Retrieved 05 December 2014
  47. ↑ The Prince and Princess of Wales Colleges - Moratuwa: The seeming endlessness of the Soysa legacy by Malathi Perera, Daily News (Sri Lanka), Retrieved 05 December 2014
  48. ↑ A century and quarter of St. John's College... : Its great contribution for the development of education in Sri Lanka, by L. Panditharathna Daily News (Sri Lanka), Retrieved 05 December 2014
  49. ↑ The Prince of Wales College: History (Official Website) Retrieved 05 December 2014
  50. ↑ The Princes of Wales College: History (Official Website) Retrieved 05 December 2014
  51. ↑ Ferguson, John (1994). Ceylon in the Jubilee Year. Asian Educational Services. p. 29. ISBN 81-206-0963-8.
  52. ↑ "University History: A Glimpse into the History of the Oldest Medical School in Sri Lanka" (PDF). University of Colombo Newsletter (University of Colombo) 1 (2): 2. September 2008.
  53. ↑ 53.0 53.1 Regina Walauwe: A College House of 100 Years Serendib magazine, Srilankan Airlines Web (Heritage) Retrieved 05 December 2014
  54. ↑ Mary Chapman’s mission to give vision in its 100th Year By Nimal Bhareti The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka) Retrieved 23 December 2014
  55. ↑ 55.0 55.1 100 Years of The Ceylon School for the Deaf and Blind - Rathmalana (srilankastamps.lk) Retrieved 23 December 2014
  56. ↑ The evolution of Trinity college Kandy (Official Website), Retrieved 03 December 2014
  57. ↑ Visit to the Historical Rajamaha viharayas in and around Raigam Koralaya (Bandaragama) And Kodigaha Kanda forest sanctuary, Lakdasun Trips
  58. ↑ St. Matthias’ Church, Lakshapathiya, Moratuwa – 125th Anniversary, by N. T. B. Fernando The Island (Sri Lanka) Retrieved 22 December 2014
  59. ↑ Holy Emmanuel Church Moratuwa: History (Official Website) Retrieved 22 December 2014
  60. ↑ Chevalier Jusey de Silva, Knight of St. Gregory - Dr. K.N.M.D.Fernando Cooray Sunday Times (Sri Lanka) Retrieved 22 December 2014
  61. ↑ 61.0 61.1 Moratuwa De Soyza MV’s rise has not been an easy path - Sujitha Miranda Sunday Times (Sri Lanka) Retrieved 05 December 2014
  62. ↑ Royal Colombo Golf Club: History (Official website) Retrieved 16 December 2014
  63. ↑ 112th death anniversary of C. H. de Soysa, patriot and philanthropist unequalled, by Dr. K. N. M. D. Cooray, Infolanka Features (Sri Lanka), Retrieved on 22 December 2014
  64. ↑ The History of Newspapers in Ceylon (rootsweb) Retrieved 23 December 2014
  65. ↑ The cascade of the Soysa family by PADMA EDIRISINGHE Sunday Observer (Sri Lanka) Retrieved 23 January 2015
  66. ↑ A vignette of British Justice in Colonial Ceylon The Island (Sri Lanka) Retrieved 23 December 2014
  67. ↑ Motoring down the ages: 105th anniversary of the Automobile Association of Ceylon Daily News (Sri Lanka) Retrieved 23 December 2014
  68. ↑ The Calcutta Races, The Straits Times (1913) Retrieved 23 December 2014
  69. ↑ Creating an elite by Haris Hulugalle Daily News (Sri Lanka) Retrieved 23 January 2015
  70. ↑ News 100 years ago: Keenly contested election. The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka) Retrieved 23 December 2014
  71. ↑ The History of Otorhinolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery in Sri Lanka from 1895 to 1972 CORLHNS - ENTSriLanka.ORG Retrieved 23 January 2015
  72. ↑ The Sinhala Marriage which joined the South and Colombo By Chandrabhanu Samaraweera. The Island (Sri Lanka) Retrieved 23 January 2015
  73. ↑ The Family Tree of the Perera Abeywardena family De Fonseka.com Retrieved 23 January 2015
  74. ↑ The Whist Bungalow De Fonseka.com Retrieved 23 January 2015
  75. ↑ Player Profile ESPN Cricinfo.com Retrieved 23 January 2015
  76. ↑ Diplomatic Moves: Life in the Foreign Service, by Sally James, pp.42,47,49-50. (I. B. Tauris) ISBN 9781850439240
  77. ↑ The passing away of a many faceted man Daily News (Sri Lanka) Retrieved 23 January 2015
  78. ↑ "The Cathedral of the Diocese of Colombo". Sunday Observer. 2002. Retrieved 4 January 2015.
  79. ↑ Keyt's classics at Gothami Vihara, Sunday Observer (Sri Lanka) Retrieved 23 January 2015
  80. ↑ Yasodara in black, by Sugath Perera Ceylon Today Retrieved 23 January 2015
  81. ↑ Professor Indra De Soysa: 18th Warden of S. Thomas' College STC Centenary Group: Profiles Retrieved 23 January 2015
  82. ↑ BRAINS FROM ABROAD: Outlining the big picture From his Dragvoll office, Indra de Soysa gives advice to decision-makers worldwide, by Kenneth Stoltz, Norwegian University of Science and Technology Web. Retrieved 23 January 2015
  83. ↑ Salvage operation under enemy fire - Sajitha Prematunge Sunday Observer (Sri Lanka) Retrieved 23 January 2015
  84. ↑ Amrith 11th at Junior World Golf C'ships by Lal Gunesekera Sunday Observer (Sri Lanka) Retrieved 23 January 2015
  85. ↑ Amrith braves the weather and wins the course By Naushad Amit Sunday Times (Sri Lanka) Retrieved 23 January 2015

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