Sri
Lanka Kandyan Sinhalese Family
Genealogy
RATWATTE
BASNAYAKE - Family
#3060
1 Wijayawardena
Senevirat
Panditha Wahala Mudiyanse
2 Panditha Wahala Mudiyanse Ralahamy Ratwatte + Loku Kumarihamy Ratwatte
3 Loku Nilame Adikaram Ratwatte + Meegastenne Amunugama Medduma Kumarihamy
4 Seneviratne Nilame Ratwatte b:1827 + Amunugama Meegastenne Medduma Kumarihamy
5 Punchi Menika Ratwatte Kumarihamy of Gunnepana in Patha Dumbara + Paranagama Loku Mudiyanse (3100)
6 Julia
Nuwera Wewa Paranagama Kumarihamy + L B
Aluwihare (son of
U L B Aluwihare Dissawe & Ms Maralande, and brother of Sir
Richard
Aluwihare, see pic on flickr at http://www.flickr.com/photos/wgt_sanjeewa/756190230/
of Panabokke Dissawe and family, wife,
Halangoda Kumarihamy,
the daughter standing in the middle of the couple is Sir
Richard
Aluwihare's mother, and the younger daughter seated on the
left is W. A.
Ratwatte's mother.
According to Lawries' Gazeteer of
The Central Province - Tikiri Banda Panabokke, born
1848, Fourth son of
Loku Nilame, was educated at St. Thomas' College. His
First Marriage was to - Dambawinne
Kumarihamy, d/o Dambawinne Rate Mahattaya by whom he
has two daughters as
depicted in the photo. Died young. The Lady in photo,
is second wife
Halangoda Kumarihamy, d/o Halnagoda RM, by whom he had two
sons and six
daughters.) (3047)
7 Sudharma Aluwihare + HC Guneratne Mudaliyar of
Matara
8
Loyd
Guneratne
8 Leslie Guneratne
7 Sita Aluwihare + Colbert Abraham
7 Christy Aluwihare + Nancy Sirimane
8 Stephnie Aluwihare
8 Noel Aluwihare
7 Edwin Aluwihare + Miss Helen Prince
8 Dhelia Aluwihare
8 Meryl Aluwihare
8 Malini Aluwihare
8 Ingrid Aluwihare
8 Chryshanthie Aluwihare
7 Gladys Aluwihare + Richard
Dunuwila (3102)
8 Damayanthi Dunuwila (Musician, who sailed on a yacht from Colombo to Lisbon, the famous baila "Kandy Lamissi" was composed based on her many antics during her early years at kandy) + Sven (Sweden)
8 Sita Dunuwila + Cedric de Silva
8 Iris Dunuwila (decd) + Lloyd Gooneratne
9 Charitha Gooneratne
8 Manel Dunuwila + Shelton Weerasinghe (ex Principal Wesley College)
8 Shanthie Dunuwila (decd) + Charles Pathirane
8 Charitha Dunuwila
7 Olive Aluwihare + Frank De Alwis
8 Alan De Alwis
8 Micheal De Alwis
8 Leonard De Alwis
7 Evelyn Aluwihare + Aelien Gunewardene
8 Indrani Gunewardene
8 Amara Gunewardene
7 Jullia
Aluwihare,
presently resident in Canberra, Australia, b:Dec-5-1915 at Pahala Walauwa Aluwihare, Matale, d:26
Oct 2008 in
Canberra, Australia + Rudolph
De
Silva Jayasundera, b: 2nd of september
1910, m: 10th of April 1944 (s/o
Jonathan, lawyer of the NWP, & Maud De Silva Jayasundera
of Kurunegala,
Jonathans grandmother was known as Denagomuwe Kumarihamy, whose
ancestors
were Guptas, who accompanied the Bo sapling from IndiaTheir
waluwa
still exist in Denagomuwa Polghawella, and her temple in
Denagomuwa still
stands,Ref 20th Century impressions
of Ceylon) (3101)
8 Nihal De Silva
Jayasundera,
b:24-Dec-1945 + Nelum Welikella
9 Radhika Nelufer
De Silva Jayasundera
8 Rohan De Silva
Jayasundera,
b:20-Oct-1947 + Indhira Samarasinghe
9 Zonelle
Avanthie De Silva Jayasundera
+ L:eonard D'Costa
10 Chanaiya Tyra
D'Costa
9 Shahiliya De
Silva Jayasundera
7 Iranganie Aluwihare + Dr Wilfred Wickremasinghe
8 Gamani Wickremasinghe
8 Asoka Wickremasinghe
8 Malika Wickremasinghe
8 Sunethra Wickremasinghe
8 Chitra Wickremasinghe + Sanjeeva Wijesinghe
8 Chulani Wickremasinghe
8
Krishnie Wickremasinghe
7 Derrick Aluwihare d:12 Oct 2008 in Auckland New Zealand + Ranee Perera (d/o Dr & Mrs JP Perera of Gampaha)
8 Neila Aluwihare + Lakshman Abeynaike (s/o Rev Cyril Abeynaike, Bishop, & Mrs Abeynaike)
9 Chantal Abeynaike
9 Arjan Abeynaike
6 A E Paranagama + Kumarihamy from the Suriya Kumara Clan of Nuwarawewa in Anuradhapura
6 J R Paranagama, Paranagama Walauwa Udapalatha Korale Tumpanna, Hon Dissawa of Uva and later interpreter Mudaliyar at the Kandy Kachcheri + Katugaha Punchi Kumarihamy (only daughter of Katugaha Bandaranayake Herath Mudiyanse Kuda Bandara, Basnayake Nilame Horagune (Soragune) Devale of Kandapalle Korale in Lower Uva, 1826-1838) (3115)
7 Esmond Paranagama + Nugawela family of Harispattuwa
7 Robert Paranagama + Leelawathie Rambukpotha Kumarihamy (3117)
6 2nd spouse of J R Paranagama + Dodanwela Tikiri Kumarihamy
7 Charles Paranagama + Nanda Katugaha Kumarihamy (3115)
8
Gilbert Paranagama, b:1923, d:Feb 14, 2010 + Chrishnie Divitotawela
9 Laleenie
Paranagama
9 Thusitha
Paranagama
9
Nandanie Paranagama
PARANAGAMA - GILBERT - Beloved husband of
Chrishnie Divitotawela,
loving father of Laleenie, Thusitha & Nandanie,
father-in-law of Ranjan
Hulangamuwa, Rasitha & late Ravi Divitotawela, loving
grandfather of
Lalindri, Ravindri, Suhanya & Wiranya, brother of late
Noel and Reggie,
brother-in-law of late Alick, Hector, Lyn and Gaminie
Divitotawela and of late
Chandra Ratwatte. Cortege leaves residence No.09, Havelock
Place, Colombo 05,
on Wednesday 17th February 2010 for Cremation at General
Cemetery Kanatte
(Buddhist Section) at 3.30 p.m.
8 A Reggie Paranagama + Bandaranaike Herath Mudiyanselage Prabhawathie Manel Katugaha Paranagama Kumarihamy, b:17-May-1930 at Giriyagama Walauwa at Yatinuwara, residence of her maternal uncle Tikiri Bandara Mampitiya Disava, d:5-Sep-1957 died of childbirth at the age of 26. Kindergarten education at St Ursula's Convent Badulla up to 1938, the Covent of Child Jesus Ratnapura up to 1942, and then schooled at Visakha Vidyalaya Bandarawela up to Junior School Certificate Class, and then joined St Bridgets College, Colombo toi complete her SSC in 1950. Lived on Brandenburgh Estate, Bandarawela (3115)
9 Rohan Salinda Paranagama
9 Thissila Jayaliya Paranagama
6 Abeyratne
Banda
Ratwatte Basnayake of Mahaiyyawatta Walauwa, Kandy
7
W A Ratwatte + Panabokke Tikiri Kumarihamy
8
Wilfred A Ratwatte + Hema Samarakoon
9
[1] Chulanee Nelunkanthi Ratwatte, b:1949 + [2] Jayampathy
Charitha Ratwatte III, b:1948
10
[3] Prashanthi Tehanee Ratwatte
10
[4]
Jayampathy Charitha Ratwatte IV
6
2nd spouse of Abeyratne
Banda Ratwatte
Basnayake + Thalgahagoda Lewke Punchi
Kumarihamy**
7 Adigar Sir J Cuda Ratwatte+ Chitravo Katugaha Kumarihamy (3115)
8
AC Lennie Ratwatte
8
Stanley
Ratwatte
8
J
C Ratwatte II + Phyllis Sita Aluvihare
9 Rajitha Ratwatte, b:1936 + Krishanti
10 Chanidu Ratwatte
10 Nandika Ratwatte
10 Nulara Ratwatte
9 Suren Ratwatte + Dharini
10 Rahul Ratwatte
10
Anuja Ratwatte
9
[2] Jayampathy Charitha Ratwatte III, b:1948 + [1] Chulanee
Nelunkanthi
Ratwatte, b:1949
10
[3] Prashanthi Tehanee Ratwatte
10 [4] Jayampathy Charitha Ratwatte IV
8
Keneth
Ratwatte
8
Pearlie
Ratwatte
8
Anton
Ratwatte
8
Brindley
Ratwatte
8
Amara
Ratwatte
8
Dolly
Ratwatte
8 Inda Ratwatte
7 Bandura (Loku Nanda) Ratwatte Kumarihamy + Henry Robert Dullewa (rate Mahattaya)
8 Sujatha Dullewe (Mrs Keppetipola Dullewa)
8 Tinnie Dullewe + Mallika Tennekoon of Meeduma Walauwa, Rambukkana - Nita (only child)
9 Nita Dullewe + Dr. Nissanka Wijeyeratne (3147) Ex Diyawadana Nilame of Sri Dalada Maligawa, Kandy.
10 Neranjan Wijeyeratne + Devika Mediwake (3004)
11 Mokshana Wijeyeratne
11 Navindra Wijeyeratne
10 Mano Wijeyeratne + Dushyanthi Wegodapola (first marriage) of Ratwatte Walauwa,Ukuwela
11 Subodhana Wijeyeratne
11 Varnusha Wijeyeratne
11 Hasitha Wijeyeratne
10 2nd spouse of Mano Wijeyeratne + Barathi Wijeratne (Present wife of Mano)
10 Anuradha Dullewe Wijeyeratne + Dayanganie Gunasekara
11 Dr. Yanushi Dullewe Wijeyeratne
10 Lankesh Wijeyeratne + Shivanthi Nugawala
11 Shalindrika Wijeyeratne
11 Bodhakshi Wijeyeratne
11 Chirani Wijeyeratne
10 Nishangani Wijeyeratne + Bandula Hulangamuwa
11 Nirvan Hulangamuwa
8
Dudley
Dullewa
8
Dharmakerthi
(Seema) Dullewa
8
Azlyn
Dullewa ,
d:Dec 2007
DULLEWA - AZLYN Beloved daughter of late Henry Robert Dullewa (Rate Mahattaya) and Bandura Ratwatte Kumarihamy, sister of late Sujatha, late Tiny, late Dudly, late Seema, late Sunny and late Joyce. Cortege leaves residence at No. 52, Damunupola Mw, Bahirawakanda, Kandy for Cremation at 6.45 p.m. Mahaiyawa Cemetery 12.12.2007. DN Wed Dec 12 2007
8
Joyce
Dullewa
8 Sonny Dullewa + Sylvia, d:Dec 20 2007
9 Dennis Dullewe + Anoma (Australia)
9 Henry Dullewe + Rajini (Canada)
9 Daphne Dullewe + Robert (Sweden)
9 Shane Dullewe + Ashanee
DULLEWE - SYLVIA It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Sylvia on the 20th December 2007. Beloved wife of the late Sunny Dullewe, loving and devoted mother of Dennis (Australia), Henry (Canada), Daphne (Sweden) and Shane (Sri Lanka), mother-in-law of Anoma, Rajini, Robert and Ashanee, adored grandmother of Shehan, Shehara, Shane, Shalin, Shamara, Shenali, Henry, Caroline, Ashanga, Shishanee and Shashinee. Cremation on December 22nd 2007. 8, Lachal Drive, Ajax Ontario L1T 1P1, Canada. 189, Kalapaluwawa, Koswatta, Battaramulla. DN Mon Dec 24 2007
DUMBUKOLA - JAYATILLEKE TIKIRI DULLEWE Beloved husband of Beryl, loving father of Dharshani and Buvaneka, father-in-law of Umanga, much loved grandfather of Amrita and Anish, expired. Cremation took place on Wednesday 6th at Borella Kanatte at 2 p.m. 18/2, Anderson Road, Dehiwela. Thu Aug 7 2008
7
Barnes Ratwatte Dissawe, b:1883, d:20-Sep-1957 +
Rosalind
Mahawelatenne
Kumarihamy (3061)
8
Sirimavo Ratwatte + 16-Apr-1916, d:2000, (First
woman Prime Minister
in the World, Prime Minister, 1974, 1998) + Solomon
West Ridgeway
Dias Bandaranaike (Prime
Minister of Sri Lanka in 1958, Assassinated by a Buddhist Monk
in 1957 (1001)
m:2-Oct-1940
9
Sunethra Bandaranaike, b:circa 1943, CEO
SUNERA
Foundation + Kumar Rupasinghe (div)
9 Chandrika Bandaranaike, b:Jun 29 1945 (President of Sri Lanka 1998) + Vijaya Kumaratunga, assassinated by a political enemy
10 Yasodhara Kumaratunga, b:1981
10
Vimukthi Kumaratunga, b:1983
9 Anura Bandaranaike b: Feb 15 1949, d:Mar 15 2008 (Member of Parliament 1998, Speaker of the House 2000)
8 Patsy Ratwatte d:2001, + Col EJ Divitotawela
9 Hiran Divitotawela
9 Name Not Known
9 Ravi Divitotawela d:Jun-2003 under tragic circumstances + Nandani Paranagama
8 Barnes Ratwatte + Iranganie Dunuwille
9 Anil Ratwatte + Tamara
9 Sarath Ratwatte + Sharmini
9 Anoma Ratwatte
Obituary:
RATWATTE - BARNES SC - Beloved husband of Iranganie Dunuwille, loving father of Anil, Sarath and Anoma,
father-in-law of Tamara and Sharmini, much loved grandfather of Viren and Arjun, expired Cortege leaves residence
at 215 pm for Cremation at General Cemetery Kanatte at 300 pm on 11th January 11, Malalasekera Pedesa,
Colombo 6 Daily News Sat Jan 10 2004
8 Dr Seevali Ratwatte
8 Dr Mackie Ratwatte
8 Clifford Ratwatte d:Feb 2009 + Mallika
9 Kamal Ratwatte + Kamalini
9 Heshani Ratwatte (UK) + Dr Sanjay Arampatta
RATWATTE - CLIFFORD SENAKA (former Chairman Sri Lanka Tea Board), dearly beloved husband of Mallika, much loved father of Kamal & Heshani (UK), brother of late Sirimawo Bandaranaike Barnes, Patrician Divitotewela, Dr Mackie and of Dr Sivali, father-in-law of Kamalini & Dr Sanjay Arampatta, much loved grandfather of Kamilka, Kasun, Neil & Kavishka, expired. Funeral arrangements will be notified later. 424/32, 1st Lane, Samagi Mawatha, Hokandara South. DN Thu Feb 12 2009
Clifford Ratwatte dead
Clifford Ratwatte, former Member of Parliament for Balangoda and former Chairman of the State Plantations and Sri Lanka Tea Board passed away on 10th February after a brief illness.
He was the husband of Mallika and father of Kamal and Rosie. He was the brother of the late Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike, the late Mr. Barnes Ratwatte, the late Mrs. Patricia Divitotawela, the late Dr. Mackie Ratwatte and Dr. Seevali Ratwatte and uncle of Mrs. Chandrika Kumaratunge, Ms Sunethra Bandaranaike and the late Mr. Anura Bandaranaike.
His remains will lie at 1st Lane, Samagi Mawatha, Hokandara South.
Daily Mirror Thu Feb 12 2009
7 Mallika Jubilee Ratwatte+ Dunuvila
8
Kingsley Dunuvila
8
Padma Dunuvila
8
Abey Dunuvila
8
Swarna Dunuvila
8
Leslie Dunuvila
8
Elanda Dunuvila
8
Iris Dunuvila
8
Michael Dunuvila
8
Dulip Dunuvila
8
Thelma Dunuvila
7 Leela Ratwatte + Robert Divitotawela
8
Alec Divitotawela
8
Chandra Divitotawela
8
Hector Divitotawela
8
Lynn Divitotawela
8
Krishnie Divitotawela
8
Gamini Divitotawela
7 Clarence Ratwatte + Damayantha Panabokke
8 Beatrice Ratwatte
9 Dayanitha Kamini Udalagama + Wichinta Wegodapola
9 Jayampathy Udalagama + Savithri
9 Sunanda Udalagama (Attorney-at-Law) + Dayani
BEATRICE RATWATTE UDALAGAMA Dearly beloved wife of late J.W.B. Udalagama daughter of late Clarence and Damayantha Ratwatte sister of Gordon late Carl, Eardly, Brian, Asanka, Sarojini and Irangani, ever loving mother of Dayanitha Kamini, Jayampathy and Sunanda (Attorney-at-Law), mother-in-law of Wichinta Wegodapola, Savithri and Dayani, grandmother of Ashani, Sumalka, Dilantha, Charini and Dilini, expired. Cortege leaves residence 1, Wewelpitiya Road, Kandy at 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday 11th July for Cremation at General Cemetery Mahaiyawa Kandy at 3.30 p.m. DN July 10 2007
8
Asanka Ratwatte
8
Carl Ratwatte
8
Sarojini Ratwatte
9 Dr Hemamala Vajira Ratwatte (OUSL) + Mano Tittawella
RATWATTE - HEMA (nee MADAWALA) Beloved wife of Gordon Ratwatte, loving mother of Dr Hemamala Vajira (OUSL), mother-in-law of Mano Tittawella, beloved sister of Kamala Ratwatte and late Leelananda Madawala, loving aunt of Savi Wijekoon, Indira Palipane and Sriyantha Ratwatte. A private funeral was held on Sunday 20th July 2008. 3/1, Gangadara Mawatha, Templars Road, Mount Lavinia. DN Mon July 21 2008
8
Eardley Ratwatte
8
Iranganie Ratwatte
7
Artie Ratwatte + Nugawela
8
Newel Ratwatte
8
Minnette Ratwatte
8 Col Vernon Ratwatte, d:Nov 2005 + Indrani
9 Ajit Ratwatte
9 Mimi Ratwatte
RATWATTE - COL. VERNON. At rest with Jesus. Beloved husband of Indrani, loving father of Ajit and Mimi, much loved grandfather of Ishanth, Chayami and Afsar. Cortege leaves residence at 2 p.m. on Tuesday 8th November. Cremation at General Cemetery, Kanatte at 3 p.m. 16/1, Park Road, Colombo 5. DN Tue Nov 8 2005
8
Katie Ratwatte
8
Olga Ratwatte
8
Ramsay Ratwatte
8
Erwine Ratwatte
8
Thelma Ratwatte
7 Harris Leuke Ratwatte, 1900-1964, 11th Diyawadana Nilame of the Sri Dalada Maligawa + Mallika Katugaha Kumarihamy (3115)
8
Ryan Ratwatte
8
Ivy Ratwatte
8
Dennis Ratwatte
8
Chintha Ratwatte
8
Preeni Ratwatte
8
Col Anuruddha Ratwatte
8
Ranji Ratwatte
8
Samudhra Ratwatte
8
Mangalika Ratwatte
7
Sene Ratwatte + Chithra Weragama
8
Neeliya Ratwatte
8
Doreen Ratwatte
8
Priya Ratwatte
8
Ashmore Ratwatte
8
Sunitha Ratwatte
7
Victor Ratwatte+ Bulankulama
8
Claude Ratwatte
8
Tissa Ratwatte
8
Ruby Ratwatte
8 Merle Ratwatte + Kenneth
9 Manel + Jayantissa
9 Lali + Denzil (deceased)
RATWATTE - MERLE Beloved wife of the late Kenneth, precious mother of Manel and Lali, mother-in-law of Jayantissa and the late Denzil. Cortege leaves residence 52/1, Rosmead Place, Colombo 7 at 2.30 p.m. on Saturday 22nd November, cremation at the General Cemetery, Kanatte at 3.00 p.m. No flowers by request. DN Nov 22 2008
8
Lakshman Ratwatte
7
Ananda Ratwatte
RATWATTE BASNAYAKE - Family #3060
First Generation
1. Wijayawardena Senevirat Panditha Wahala Mudiyanse
He had the following children:
+ 2 M i. Panditha Wahala Mudiyanse Ralahamy Ratwatte
Second Generation
2. Panditha Wahala Mudiyanse Ralahamy Ratwatte
He had the following children:
+ 3 M i. Loku Nilame Adikaram Ratwatte
Third Generation
3. Loku Nilame Adikaram Ratwatte
Loku married Meegastenne Amunugama Medduma Kumarihamy
They had the following children:
+ 4 F i. Seneviratne Nilame Ratwatte was born 1827
Fourth Generation
4. Seneviratne Nilame Ratwatte was born 1827 married Amunugama Meegastenne Medduma Kumarihamy
They had the following children:
+ 5 F i. Punchi Menika Kumarihamy Ratwatta
Fifth Generation
5. Punchi Menika Kumarihamy Ratwatta of Gunnepana in Patha Dumbara married Loku Mudiyanse Paranagama Paranagama Loku Mudiyanse (3100)
They had the following children:
+ 6 F i. Julia Nuwera Wewa Paranagama
7 M ii. A E Paranagama + Kumarihamy from the Suriya Kumara Clan of Nuwarawewa in Anuradhapura
+ 8 M iii. J R Paranagama
+ 9 M iv. Abeyratne Banda Ratwatte Basnayake Kumarihamy
Sixth Generation
6. Julia Nuwera Wewa Paranagama married L B Aluwihare (son of U L B Aluwihare Dissawe & Ms Maralande, and brother of Sir Richard Aluwihare, see pic on flickr at http://www.flickr.com/photos/wgt_sanjeewa/756190230/ of Panabokke Dissawe and family, wife, Halangoda Kumarihamy, the daughter standing in the middle of the couple is Sir Richard Aluwihare's mother, and the younger daughter seated on the left is W. A. Ratwatte's mother. According to Lawries' Gazeteer of The Central Province - Tikiri Banda Panabokke, born 1848, Fourth son of Loku Nilame, was educated at St. Thomas' College. His First Marriage was to - Dambawinne Kumarihamy, d/o Dambawinne Rate Mahattaya by whom he has two daughters as depicted in the photo. Died young. The Lady in photo, is second wife Halangoda Kumarihamy, d/o Halnagoda RM, by whom he had two sons and six daughters.) (3047)
They had the following children:
+ 10 F i. Sudharma Aluwihare
11 F ii. Sita Aluwihare married Colbert Abraham
+ 12 M iii. Christy Aluwihare
+ 13 M iv. Edwin Aluwihare
+ 14 M v. Gladys Aluwihare
+ 15 F vi. Olive Aluwihare
+ 16 F vii. Evelyn Aluwihare
+ 17 F viii. Julia Aluwihare was born 5 Dec 1915
+ 18 F ix. Iranganie Aluwihare
+ 19 M x. Derrick Aluwihare
8. J R Paranagama Paranagama Walauwa Udapalatha Korale Tumpanna, Hon Dissawa of Uva and later interpreter Mudaliyar at the Kandy Kachcheri married Katugaha Punchi Kumarihamy (only daughter of Katugaha Bandaranayake Herath Mudiyanse Kuda Bandara, Basnayake Nilame Horagune (Soragune) Devale of Kandapalle Korale in Lower Uva, 1826-1838) (3115)
They had the following children:
20 M i. Esmond Paranagama + Nugawela family of Harispattuwa
21 M ii. Robert Paranagama married + Leelawathie Rambukpotha Kumarihamy (3117)
J R Paranagama also married Dodanwela Tikiri Kumarihamy
They had the following children:
+ 22 M iii. Charles Paranagama Paranagama
9.
Abeyratne Banda Ratwatte Basnayake born in Mahaiyyawatta Walauwa, Kandy married Thalgahagoda Lewke Punchi Kumarihamy
They had the following children:
+ 23 M i. Adigar Sir J Cuda Ratwatte
+ 24 F ii. Bandura (Loku Nanda) Ratwatte
+ 25 M iii. Barnes Ratwatte was born 1883 and died 20 Sep 1957
+ 26 F iv. Mallika Jubilee Ratwatte
+ 27 F v. Leela Ratwatta
+ 28 M vi. Clarence Ratwatta
+ 29 M vii. Artie Ratwatte
+ 30 M viii. Harris Leuke Ratwatta was born 1900 and died 1964
+ 31 M ix. Sene Ratwatta
+ 32 M x. Victor Ratwatta
33 F xi. Amanda Kumarihamy
Abeyratne also married Thalgahagoda Lewke Loku Kumarihamy
They had the following children:
+ 34 M xii. W A Ratwatte
Seventh Generation
10. Sudharma Aluwihare married HC Guneratne.
They had the following children:
35 M i. Loyd Guneratne
36 M ii. Leslie Guneratne
12. Christy Aluwihare married Nancy Sirimane
They had the following children:
37 F i. Staphnie Aluwihare
38 M ii. Noel Aluwihare
13. Edwin Aluwihare married Helen Prince
They had the following children:
39 F i. Dhelia Aluwihare
40 M ii. Meryl Aluwihare
41 F iii. Malini Aluwihare
42 F iv. Ingrid Aluwihare
43 F v. Chryshanthie Aluwihare
14. Gladys Aluwihare married + Richard Dunuwila (3102)
They had the following children:
44 F i. Damayanthi Dunuwila
(Musician, who sailed on a yacht from Colombo to Lisbon, the famous baila "Kandy Lamissi" was composed based on her many antics during her early years at kandy)
Damayanthi married Sven. Sven was born in Sweden.
45 F ii. Sita Dunuwila married Cedric De Silva
+ 46 F iii. Iris Dunuwila
47 F iv. Manel Dunuwila married Shelton Weerasinghe (ex Principal Wesley College)
48 F v. Shanthie Dunuwila married Charles Pathirane
49 M vi. Charitha Dunuwila
Seventh Generation
15. Olive Aluwihare married Frank De Alwis
They had the following children:
50 M i. Alan De Alwis.
51 M ii. Michael De Alwis
52 M iii. Leonard De Alwis
16. Evelyn Aluwihare married Aelien Gunewardene
They had the following children:
53 F i. Indrani Gunewardene
54 F ii. Amara Gunewardene
17. Julia Aluwihare born 5 Dec 1915 in Pahala Walauwa Aluwihare, Matale presently resident in Canberra, Australia married Rudolph De Silva Jayasundera, on 10 Apr 1944. Rudolph was born 2 Sep 1910 (s/o Jonathan, lawyer of the NWP, & Maud De Silva Jayasundera of Kurunegala, Jonathans grandmother was known as Denagomuwe Kumarihamy, whose ancestors were Guptas, who accompanied the Bo sapling from India Their waluwa still exist in Denagomuwa Polghawella, and her temple in Denagomuwa still stands, Ref 20th Century impressions of Ceylon) (3101)
They had the following children:
+ 55 M i. Nihal De Silva Jayasundera was born 24 Dec 1945
+ 56 M ii. Rohan De Silva Jayasundera was born 20 Oct 1947
18. Iranganie Aluwihare married (Dr Wilfred Wickremasinghe
They had the following children:
57 M i. Gamani Wickremasinghe
58 M ii. Asoka Wickremasinghe
59 F iii. Malika Wickremasinghe
60 F iv. Sunethra Wickremasinghe
61 F v. Chitra Wickremasinghe married Sanjeeva Wijesinghe
62 M vi. Chulani Wickremasinghe
63 F vii. Krishnie Wickremasinghe
19. Derrick Aluwihare (lives in Auckland New Zealand) married Ranee Perera
They had the following children:
+ 64 F i. Neila Aluwihare.
22. Charles Paranagama Paranagama married + Nanda Katugaha Kumarihamy (3115)
Bandaranaike Herath Mudiyanselage Prabhawathie Manel Katugaha Paranagama Kumarihamy, b:17-May-1930 at Giriyagama Walauwa at Yatinuwara, residence of her maternal uncle Tikiri Bandara Mampitiya Disava, d:5-Sep-1957 died of childbirth at the age of 26. Kindergarten education at St Ursula's Convent Badulla up to 1938, the Covent of Child Jesus Ratnapura up to 1942, and then schooled at Visakha Vidyalaya Bandarawela up to Junior School Certificate Class, and then joined St Bridgets College, Colombo to complete her SSC in 1950. Lived on Brandenburgh Estate, Bandarawela (3115)
They had the following children:
65 M i. Son Kumarihamy
+ 66 M ii. A Reggie Paranagama Kumarihamy
23. Adigar Sir J Cuda Ratwatte married Chitravo Katugaha Kumarihamy (3115)
They had the following children:
67 M i. AC Lennie Ratwatte
68 M ii. Stanley Ratwatte
+ 69 M iii. Jayampathy Charitha Ratwatte
70 M iv. Keneth Ratwatte
71 F v. Pearlie Ratwatte
72 M vi. Anton Ratwatte
73 F vii. Brindley Ratwatte
74 F viii. Dolly Ratwatte
75 F ix. Inda Ratwatte
24. Bandura (Loku Nanda) Ratwatte married Henry Robert Dullewa
They had the following children:
76 F i. Sujatha Dullewa. (Mrs Keppetipola Dullewa)
77 M ii. Tinnie Dullewa married Mallika Tennekoon - Nita (only child)
F i. Nita Dullewe married Dr. Nissanka Wijeyeratne They had the following children
M i. Neranjan Wijeyeratne married Devika Mediwake They had the following children
F i. Mokshana Wijeyeratne
M ii. Navindra Wijeyeratne
M ii. Mano Wijeyeratne married Dushyanthi Wegodapola (first marriage) They had the following children
M i. Subodhana Wijeyeratne
F ii. Varnusha Wijeyeratne
M iii. Hasitha Wijeyeratne
M iii. Anuradha Dullewe Wijeyeratne married Dayanganie Gunasekara
F i. Dr. Yanushi Dullewe Wijeyeratne (only child)
M iv. Lankesh Wijeyeratne married Shivanthi Nugawala They had the following children
M i. Shalindrika Wijeyeratne
F ii. Bodhakshi Wijeyeratne
F iii. Chirani Wijeyeratne
F v. Nishangani Wijeyeratne married Bandula Hulangamuwa
M i. Nirvan Hulangamuwa (only child)
78 M iii. Dudley Dullewa
79 M iv. Dharmakerthi Dullewa
80 F v. Azlyn Dullewa died Dec 2007
DULLEWA - AZLYN Beloved daughter of late Henry Robert Dullewa (Rate Mahattaya) and Bandura Ratwatte Kumarihamy, sister of late Sujatha, late Tiny, late Dudly, late Seema, late Sunny and late Joyce. Cortege leaves residence at No. 52, Damunupola Mw, Bahirawakanda, Kandy for Cremation at 6.45 p.m. Mahaiyawa Cemetery 12.12.2007. DN Wed Dec 12 2007
81 F vi. Joyce Dullewa
+ 82 M vii. Sunny Dullewa
25. Barnes Ratwatte born 1883. He died 20 Sep 1957.Dissawe married Rosalind Mahawelatenne Kumarihamy (3061)
They had the following children:
+ 83 F i. Sirimavo Ratwatte was born 17 Apr 1916 and died 10 Oct 2000
+ 84 F ii. Patsy Ratwatte died 2001
+ 85 M iii. Barnes Ratwatte
86 M iv. Dr Seevali Ratwatta
87 M v. Mackie Ratwatta
88 M vi. Clifford Ratwatta
26. Mallika Jubilee Ratwatte married Dunuvila.
They had the following children:
89 M i. Kingsley Dunuvila
90 M ii. Padma Dunuvila
91 M iii. Abey Dunuvila
92 M iv. Swarna Dunuvila
93 M v. Leslie Dunuvila
94 F vi. Elanda Dunuvila
95 F vii. Iris Dunuvila
96 M viii. Michael Dunuvila
97 F ix. Dulip Dunuvila
98 F x. Thelma Dunuvila
27. Leela Ratwatta married Robert Divitotawela.
They had the following children:
99 M i. Alec Divitotawela
100 M ii. Chandra Divitotawela
101 M iii. Hector Divitotawela
102 F iv. Lynn Divitotawela
103 F v. Krishnie Divitotawela
104 M vi. Gamini Divitotawela
28. Clarence Ratwatta married Damayantha Panabokke
They had the following children:
+ 105 F i. Beatrice Ratwatta
106 M ii. Asanka Ratwatta
107 M iii. Carl Ratwatta
108 F iv. Sarojini Ratwatta
109 M v. Gordon Ratwatta
110 M vi. Eardley Ratwatta
111 M vii. Brian Ratwatta
112 F viii. Iranganie Ratwatta
29. Artie Ratwatte married Nugawela.
They had the following children:
113 M i. Newel Ratwatte.
114 F ii. Minnette Ratwatte.
+ 115 M iii. Col Vernon Ratwatte died Nov 2005.
116 F iv. Katie Ratwatte.
117 F v. Olga Ratwatte.
118 M vi. Ramsay Ratwatte.
119 M vii. Erwine Ratwatte.
120 F viii. Thelma Ratwatte
30. Harris Leuke Ratwatta born 1900. He died 1964.11th Diyawadana Nilame of the Sri Dalada Maligawa married Mallika Katugaha Kumarihamy (3115)
They had the following children:
121 M i. Ryan Ratwatta
122 F ii. Ivy Ratwatta
123 M iii. Dennis Ratwatta
124 F iv. Chintha Ratwatta
125 M v. Preeni Ratwatta
126 M vi. Anuruddha Ratwatta "Col"
127 M vii. Ranji Ratwatta
128 F viii. Samudhra Ratwatta
129 F ix. Mangalika Ratwatta
31. Sene Ratwatta married Chithra Weragama
They had the following children:
130 M i. Neeliya Ratwatta
131 F ii. Doreen Ratwatta
132 M iii. Priya Ratwatta
133 M iv. Ashmore Ratwatta
134 M v. Sunitha Ratwatta
32. Victor Ratwatta married Bulankulama
They had the following children:
135 M i. Claude Ratwatta.
136 M ii. Tissa Ratwatta.
137 F iii. Ruby Ratwatta.
138 M iv. Merle Ratwatta.
139 M v. Lakshman Ratwatta
34. W A Ratwatte married Panabokke Tikiri Kumarihamy
They had the following children:
+ 140 M i. Wilfred A Ratwatte
Eighth Generation
46. Iris Dunuwila married (MRIN:17) Lloyd Gooneratne
They had the following children:
141 F i. Charitha Gooneratne
55. Nihal De Silva Jayasundera born 24 Dec 1945 married Nelum Welikella.
They had the following children:
142 F i. Radhika Nelufer De Silva Jayasundera
56. Rohan De Silva Jayasundera born 20 Oct 1947married (MRIN:24) Indhira Samarasinghe
They had the following children:
+ 143 F i. Zonelle Avanthie De Silva Jayasundera
144 M ii. Shahiliya De Silva Jayasundera
64. Neila Aluwihare married Lakshman Abeynaike.
They had the following children:
145 F i. Chantal Abeynaike.
146 M ii. Arjan Abeynaike.
66. A Reggie Paranagama Kumarihamy Married Bandaranaike Herath Mudiyanselage Prabhawathie Manel Katugaha Paranagama Kumarihamy, b:17-May-1930 at Giriyagama Walauwa at Yatinuwara, residence of her maternal uncle Tikiri Bandara Mampitiya Disava, d:5-Sep-1957 died of childbirth at the age of 26. Kindergarten education at St Ursula's Convent Badulla up to 1938, the Covent of Child Jesus Ratnapura up to 1942, and then schooled at Visakha Vidyalaya Bandarawela up to Junior School Certificate Class, and then joined St Bridgets College, Colombo to complete her SSC in 1950. Lived on Brandenburgh Estate, Bandarawela (3115)
They had the following children:
147 M i. Rohan Salinda Paranagama Kumarihamy.
148 M ii. Thissila Jayaliya Paranagama Kumarihamy
69. Jayampathy Charitha Ratwatte married Phyllis Sita Aluvihare.
They had the following children:
+ 149 M i. Jayampathy Charitha Ratwatte was born 1948
82. Sunny Dullewa married Sylvia. Sylvia was born in 29 Dec 2007
DULLEWE - SYLVIA It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Sylvia on the 20th December 2007. Beloved wife of the late Sunny Dullewe, loving and devoted mother of Dennis (Australia), Henry (Canada), Daphne (Sweden) and Shane (Sri Lanka), mother-in-law of Anoma, Rajini, Robert and Ashanee, adored grandmother of Shehan, Shehara, Shane, Shalin, Shamara, Shenali, Henry, Caroline, Ashanga, Shishanee and Shashinee. Cremation on December 22nd 2007. 8, Lachal Drive, Ajax Ontario L1T 1P1, Canada. 189, Kalapaluwawa, Koswatta, Battaramulla. DN Mon Dec 24 2007
They had the following children:
150 M i. Dennis Dullewa.married Anoma
151 M ii. Henry Dullewa married Rajini
152 F iii. Daphne Dullewa married Robert
153 M iv. Shane Dullewa married Ashanee
83. Sirimavo Ratwatte born 17 Apr 1916. She died 10 Oct 2000 First woman Prime Minister in the world, Prime Minister, 1960 - 1965, 1970 - 1977 , 1994 - 2000 married + Solomon West Ridgeway Dias Bandaranaike on 2 Oct 1940. Solomon was born 8 Jan 1899. He died 26 Sep 1959.( Prime Minister of Sri Lanka.. 1956 - 1959, Assassinated by a Buddhist Monk on September 25, 1959) St Thomas' College educated as a lawyer in U.K, University of Oxford> Became Secretary of Oxford Union in 1923, called to the bar in 1925, Member of the State Council in 1931, Formed the Sinhala Maha Sabha in 1937, Active in the U.N.P 1945 - 51 and established the SLFP after 1951, Prime Minister 1956 - 1959 . To Solve the ethnic issue he signed the Bandaranaike - Chelvanaygam pact, which was repudiated due to a campaign led by the Buddhist Clergy. Made Sinhala the official Language. More About SOLOMON WEST RIDGEWAY DIAS BANDARANAIKE:
Cause of Death: Assassination by gunshot
Cause of death (Facts Pg): 1958, Assassinated by a Buddhist Monk in Colombo
Occupation: Prime Minister of Sri Lanka
More About SIRIMAVO RATWATTE:
Occupation: Bet. 1974 - 1998, First woman Prime Minister in the World
They had the following children:
154 F i. Sunethra Dias Bandaranaike was born 1943 married Kumar Rupasingh.
Sunethra also married Udaya Nanayakkara
+ 155 F ii. Chandrika Dias Bandaranaike was born 29 Jun 1945
156 M iii. Anura Dias Bandaranaike was born 15 Feb 1949. He died 15 Mar 2008
Educated at Royal College, Mamber Of Parliament 1977 to 2007, Minister Higher Education 1993, Foreign Minister 2005, Leader of the opposition, Speaker of the Occupation: Member of Parliament, Sri Lanka
84. Patsy Ratwatte married Col EJ Divitotawela.
They had the following children:
157 M i. Hiran Divitotawela.
158 M ii. Ravi Divitotawela died 2003. died under tragic circumstances married Nandani Paranagama
85. Barnes Ratwatte married Iranganie Dunuwille
They had the following children:
159 M i. Anil Ratwatte.married Tamara
160 M ii. Sarath Ratwatte married Sharmini
161 M iii. Anoma Ratwatte
RATWATTE - BARNES SC - Beloved husband of Iranganie Dunuwille, loving father of Anil, Sarath and Anoma, father-in-law of Tamara and Sharmini, much loved grandfather of Viren and Arjun, expired Cortege leaves residence at 215 pm for Cremation at General Cemetery Kanatte at 300 pm on 11th January 11, Malalasekera Pedesa, Colombo 7 Daily News Sat Jan 10 2004
105. Beatrice Ratwatta married J W B Udalagama.
They had the following children:
162 F i. Dayanitha Kamini Udalagama. married Wichinta Wegodapola
163 M ii. Jayampathy Udalagama. married Savithri
164 M iii. Sunanda Udalagama.Attorney-at-Law married Dayani
RAYWATTE – BEATRICE - Dearly beloved wife of late J.W.B. Udalagama daughter of late Clarence and Damayantha Ratwatte sister of Gordon late Carl, Eardly, Brian, Asanka, Sarojini and Irangani, everloving mother of Dayanitha Kamini, Jayampathy and Sunanda (Attorney-at-Law), mother-in-law of Wichinta Wegodapola, Savithri and Dayani, grandmother of Ashani, Sumalka, Dilantha, Charini and Dilini, expired. Cortege leaves residence 1, Wewelpitiya Road, Kandy at 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday 11th July for Cremation at General Cemetery Mahaiyawa Kandy at 3.30 p.m. DN July 10 2007
115. Col Vernon Ratwatte died Nov 2005 married Indrani
They had the following children:
165 M i. Adjit Ratwatte
166 F ii. Mimi Ratwatte
COL. VERNON. At rest with Jesus. Beloved husband of Indrani, loving father of Ajit and Mimi, much loved grandfather of Ishanth, Chayami and Afsar. Cortege leaves residence at 2 p.m. on Tuesday 8th November. Cremation at General Cemetery, Kanatte at 3 p.m. 16/1, Park Road, Colombo 5. DN Tue Nov 8 2005
140. Wilfred A Ratwatte married Hema Samarakoon
They had the following children:
+ 167 F i. Chulanee Nelunkanthi Ratwatte was born 1949
Ninth Generation
143. Zonelle Avanthie De Silva Jayasundera married Leonard D'Costa
They had the following children:
168 F i. Chanaiya Tyra D'Costa
149. Jayampathy Charitha Ratwatte married (MRIN:72) Chulanee Nelunkanthi Ratwatte, daughter of Wilfred A Ratwatte and Hema Samarakoon Chulanee was born 1949.
They had the following children:
169 F i. Prashanthi Tehanee Ratwatte
170 M ii. Jayampathy Charitha Ratwatte
155. Chandrika Dias Bandaranaike born 29 Jun 1945 Early educated at st Bridgets Convent Colombo, and graduated in Political Science at Sorbonne University in Paris, Formed the Peoples Alliance (PA) Party ..President of Sri Lanka 1994 - 2005 married Vijaya Kumaranatunga. Film Actor Assassinated 1988
They had the following children:
171 F i. Yasodhara Kumaranatunga was born 1981
172 M ii. Vimukthi Kumaranatunga was born 1983
167. Chulanee Nelunkanthi Ratwatte born 1949 married Jayampathy Charitha Ratwatte, son of Jayampathy Charitha Ratwatte and Phyllis Sita Aluvihare Jayampathy was born 1948.
They had the following children:
173 F i. Prashanthi Tehanee Ratwatte is printed as #169.
174 M ii. Jayampathy Charitha Ratwatte is printed as #170.
Anurudha Ratwatte Sirimavo Ratwatte
Sunday Observer: Jan 11 2004:
Justice Ratwatte dies
Justice Barnes SC Ratwatte (88) brother of late Prime Minister Ms Sirimavo Bandaranaike expired on Friday, January 9 after a brief illness
Justice
Ratwatte was also the brother of Dr Seevali Ratwatte, late
Dr Mackie Ratwatte
and Clifford Ratwatte, was an old boy of Trinity College,
Kandy and the Law
College, Colombo
After passing
out as an advocate he was appointed as a Magistrate in 1960
and was later
appointed as the Pubic Trustee In 1974 he was appointed the
President of the
Appeal Court He was a distinguished judge who upheld the
rule of law and a
steward of the independence of judiciary
Justice
Ratwatte retired in 1983 as a judge of the Supreme Court,
which year there was
a demonstration against judges after a court ruling which
embarrassed the then
ruling UNP Government
Daily News
Obituary Monday Oct 18
-
2004
RATWATTE - SEEDEVI (nee MADUGALLE) Wife of the late Clement, precious
mother of Indrani, Nalini,
Jayantissa and Nihal, beloved mother-in-law of the late
Mahinda Kehelpannala
and of Manel and Mangalika, sister of the late Percy and of
Enid, TB and
Dharmasiri Cortege leaves residence, 18/29, Muhandiram E D
Dabare Mawatha,
Narahenpita at 230 pm on Wednesday, October 20th for
Cremation at General
Cemetery, Borella at 300 pm
** sisters
Daily News Obituary, Sat Sep 13 2008
RATWATTE - HEMAMALA DELPITIYA - Dearly beloved wife of late Priya Ratwatte, darling mother of Chula and late Chiranjeeva, passed away. Cremation will take place at the family burial ground Nittawela on Saturday 13th September at 3.00 p.m. No. 40, Wattarantenna Road, Kandy.
Daily News Obituary, Thu Sep 11 2008
RAMBUKWELLA - DINUSHA KUMARI nee DISSANAYAKA (Tandon Lanka) of 27/9, Haragama Road, Gurudeniya. Beloved wife of Sanjeeva, daughter of Sheila and late Mahinda Dissanayake, sister of Sudarshani and Sudeva, daughter-in-law of Patricia and Kalinga Rambukwella, sister-in-law of Sassanka, Harshana and Prashani and Kumudu (Nuwaraeliya), died under tragic circumstances. Cortege leaves residence at 2.30 p.m. on the 11th for Cremation at Mahaiyawa Cemetery at 4.00 p.m.
DE SILVA - TILAKA KARALLIADDE Wife of late Ananda J.R. de Silva (Sergeant -At-Arms), daughter of late A.B. Karalliadde and Gunaseeli Lankatilleke Kumarihamy, mother of Nimal (Captain Sri Lankan Airlines) and Mahinda Rambukwelle, sister of Ranee, Lalitha, Swarna, Nihal and late Dinali, Seetha, Manil and Lakshman, mother-in-law of Melly, grandmother of Anushka, Dharshani, Manil and Melissa, expired. Cortege leaves 14, Elvin Place, Nugegoda on Thursday 24th January, 2008 at 3 p.m. Cremation at General Cemetery, Kanatte at 4 p.m. Daily News
The
late A.C.L. Ratwatte - a
man of varied interests
DN Fri Mar 4 2005
IN MY YOUTH, I heard so many wonderful things being spoken about a man that I would have liked to meet. However, our lives and our paths never crossed and I never did meet him.
He was none other than my grandfather.
Some of those wonderful things I have heard about him, I would like to share with the readers in appreciation of his life.
He was born the eldest son of Sir Cuda Ratwatte and Lady Ratwatte in January 1909 and was the eldest sibling amongst six brothers and four sisters.
Often, more affectionately referred to by his friends and peers as "Lennie" or "ACLR", my grandfather successfully completed his education at Trinity College, Kandy, where he also excelled in sports and was awarded colours for Rugby.
Thereafter, he pursued a career in Banking, by joining the then Mercantile Bank of Kandy as Deputy Shroff, where his father was the Chief Shroff (modern day equivalent of a Managing Director).
He soon succeeded his father and became Chief Shroff, which led to the unusual situation where his grandfather, father and himself, all became successive Chief Shroffs of the same Bank. Sometime later, he was also appointed a Director of the Insurance Corporation.
His imposing stature and charming personality drew admiration and respect from all those who associated with him. He ventured to bring himself into close contact with people from varied walks of life, particularly in Kandy, and this progressively led him into the political arena.
Although his father was also involved in politics, he branched out into politics not out of obligation to follow his father's footsteps, but because he was aware that he possessed the natural ability to communicate with people and transcend human barriers such as religion, race, and creed, which made him a leader who was, above all, easy to approach. Many say that he was a 'born leader' and that leadership was an inextricable part of his character.
He entered politics not with the motive of seeking fame, fortune or power, as he was a man who was already blessed with such attributes or had already achieved them.
Driven by his untiring desire to genuinely serve the community he was so fond of, he initially, joined the Municipal Council of Kandy (KMC) as a member and subsequently served as its Deputy Mayor (thrice) and in 1947 he contested the Municipal elections and was appointed to the highest office of the KMC, as its Mayor, a position his father too held, which led to another exceptional situation where not only were the father and son Mayors of the same Municipal Council but, sat together as Council Member and Mayor at council meetings of the KMC. He served the KMC for 27 years.
His ability and unwavering loyalty to the United National Party (UNP) was acknowledged by the party on many occasions and consequently, he served on the Working Committee of the UNP and was appointed President of the UNP's Youth League in Kandy.
His simplicity and charm in dealing with people of varied backgrounds and his interests in local and national politics led him to develop close ties with local and international leaders, which fuelled his great desire to enter the diplomatic arena.
Consequently, in 1965, he was appointed Ceylon's High Commissioner in Ghana and under his auspices Buddhism was, for the first time, introduced to Ghana and the African Continent. Subsequently, he was appointed as Ceylon's Ambassador in Malaysia and there too his contribution to propagating Buddhism was legendary.
The Ven. Dr. K.C. Dhammananda; an erudite monk who wrote many books on Buddhism in English, for the dissemination of the Dhamma throughout the world, benefited greatly from the efforts my grandfather put into popularizing Buddhism in foreign countries and the venerable monk has, in some of his writings, expressed his gratitude to my grandfather.
He was a man of many varied interests, which ranged from growing Orchids to raring Elephants and promoting scouting to his avid interest in special types of automobiles. His remarkable sense of discipline helped him engage in all these activities yet, devote time to his family as well. He was a naturalist by nature; well-versed in elephant lore, plant life and exotic flowers.
In the jungles of Ratnapura, he discovered an orchid, which was later named "Den Drobium Mac Carthae" ('Wesak Mal') and subsequently the Orchid Circle of Ceylon adopted this Orchid as its official emblem. His love for orchids and his vast collection of them was recognized and acknowledged by orchid lovers and after he passed away, a hybrid orchid was named "Van de Memoria Lennie", in his memory.
His great appreciation for the arts and culture of Sri Lanka resulted in his taking a personal role to nurture the ancient art forms of Kandy. Music was yet another source of great interest for him.
His leadership qualities were also evident in his social life, which was just as colourful and varied as his interests. Apart from being the President of the Rotary Club, he was a Director of the Ceylon Red Cross Society, President of the Kandy Co-operative Establishment, Vice President of the Trinity College Old Boys Association, and the Kandy District Commandant of the St. John's Ambulance Brigade.
His zeal for sports resulted in many popular sporting events being organized in Kandy, at his behest. In 1951, he helped the Ceylon Motor Cycle Club to make its first Kandy Road Race a successful reality.
He also functioned as the President of the Kandy District Cricket Association and the President of the Kandy District Football Association.
Amongst his countless accomplishments, he was bestowed the prestigious Member of the British Empire (MBE) accreditation and during the 2nd World War, he was chosen as the first citizen to aid Lord Louis Mountbatten in his operations in Sri Lanka.
Despite his achievements in diverse spheres, through his unfailing modesty, unpretentious demeanour and endearing ways, he won the hearts of the masses and never failed to address their grievances and assist them in alleviating their poverty and hardships, often sacrificing his own time and finances.
Many who knew him say that it is apt to refer to him as a man who could 'walk with kings but not lose the common touch'. His benevolence and generosity were rumoured to be as large as his heart.
My grandmother, the adorable, mild and gentle mannered, late Chandra Divitotawela Ratwatte, was always a pillar of strength to him and contributed greatly to his success. They leave behind their two daughters Lilamanie and Areenie and three grandchildren.
My grandfather passed away in July 1971, after a brief illness. Therefore, I was never a beneficiary of the love and kindness he was so famous for bestowing on little children.
They say that the void created by his death has not been filled ever since. I never knew him personally, but I have been in awe of his exemplary life, undaunted spirit, and his wonderful qualities, which have provided valuable illustrations to help shape my own life.
As Oscar Wilde said, "Life cannot be written, life can only be lived". My grandfather lived all the days of his life to the fullest and through what people tell me about him and by the fondness an admiration through which they remember him, his memory will always remain immortal.
I wish some day that I could, at least, be half the man he was!
A proud grandson
Sunday Times Sep 11 2005
Venerated post
for dignified man
Harris Leuke Ratwatte
“A venerated post, held by a man of character and dignity of a
bygone era,”
this is how I would describe my grandfather the late Harris
Leuke Ratwatte
Disawa who was the 11th Diyawadana Nilame of the Sri Dalada
Maligawa. His
election to this high office was a tribute to his integrity,
honesty and
dignity. Hence his appointment to the post was uncontested,
the first and the
only time this has happened thus far. He held this most
honorable post of the
Buddhist world, with great dignity and veneration.
My childhood memories of this very busy but loving grandfather are vivid. I used to play outside the Maligawa office and watch the pilgrims coming in, till he finished his work. Then the regular drive to Cargills where I was treated to a bag of toffees.
Home to me was that beautiful house he built in Mahayaya which still stands in all its grandeur. A house full of laughter and warmth and elephants, his great passion. The famous Raja and Skandha of the Maligawa herd were also cared for and pampered along with his own Raja, Kadira and Esala.
I vividly remember the sounds of a happy and loving family held together by a gentle, soft-spoken and pious lady my grandmother, Mallika Katugaha Ratwatte. There the family has met once a year in August for the last 41 years for a religious ceremony in memory of the two of them.
Beginning his political life under the leadership of Prime Minister D.S. Senanayake as a member of the State Council from 1936 to 1947, he was a member of the Municipal Council in 1940-1942 and then during the final years of his political life he represented the Mawanella seat in the House of Representatives from 1948 to 1952 and was later elected a Senator in 1955.
In1933 he was elected Basnayake Nilame of the Kataragama Devale and also the Maha Vishnu Devale of Kandy. In 1961 he was elected to the highest post in the Buddhist world - the office of Diyawadana Nilame of the Sri Dalada Maligawa until his death in1964.
He was then 64 years old. Subsequently his sons, my mother’s brothers, Dennis Ratwatte Basnayake Nilame of the Mahavishnu Devale, and General Anuruddha Ratwatte, as Basnayake Nilame of Natha Devale and Minister, carried on his religious traditions with the help of the other members of the family.
Manique
Obituaries:
BALALLE - ESME RATWATTE, Beloved wife of late R B Balalle, mother of Percy, Tissa and Padmini, daughter of late P B Ratwatte and Palmawathie Bulankulama Kumarihamy, mother-inlaw of Iranganie, Chintha and P B Wettewa, expired. Cortege leaves residence No. 78/3, Perakum Mawatha, Lake Road, Kurunegala on Saturday 20th July at 3.00 p.m. for Cremation at the Kurunegala General Cemetery. DN Fri 19 Jul 2002
BULANKULAME - KEERTHI. Beloved husband of Renuka, loving father of Basura - (S. Thomas' College, Mt. Lavinia), Navanjana - (Lyndsay Balika), son of late Walter and of Nanda (Seitha), brother of Seetha Ratwatte, Sujatha Molligoda, Gamini, Mahinda, Rahula Lakshamana, son-in-law of S.P. Ratnapala, Karuna Senadeera, expired. Cortege leaves residence at 4.00 p.m. on Wednesday 20th for Cremation at General Cemetery, Mt. Lavinia, at 5 p.m. 72/3, off Rawathawatta Junction, Lunawa, Moratuwa. DN Tue Aug 19 2003
DIVITOTAWELA
GAMINI VANSADARA.
Beloved husband of Preenie (nee Ratwatte),
loving father of Romila and Arundani, fatherinlaw of Mahen
Madugalle and
Manil Galagoda, brother of late Alick, late Chandra, late
Hector, late Lyn and
of Mrs Chrishnie Paranagama, darling grandfather of Dilan,
Praveen, Emandhri
and Emara, expired. Cortege leaves residence 168/5, Inner
Flower Road,
Colombo 3 at 3.30 p.m. on Saturday May 17th for
Cremation at General
Cemetery, Borella at 4 p.m. DN Fri May 16 2003
Hubert the oldest living rugby ‘Lion’
Trinity
College is one of the oldest rugby playing schools. They
celebrated their
centenary rugby match against Kingswood, Kandy on July 8, at
the historic
Bogambara grounds. In 1906, the two schools for the first time
scrummed down in
the one-time marsh land, overlooking the hills. It dawned a
new era for sports
– rugby. Both institutions, emerged pioneers of rugby. In the
100th contest was
won by the Randles Hill school. It brought forth nostalgic
memories.
|
|
|
Hubert Ratwatte |
There were Golden Oldies and the players of yester-year to witness this game. Among them who was to have been one of the chief guests was Hubert Ratwatte, the first Trinity rugby ‘lion’ Awarded in 1936. He flourished and grew to stardom, with sheer hardwork. Left an indelible mark on and off the field. Today he’s 89, the oldest ‘lion’. His memory is good. Could indulge in a meaningful dialogue for all to enjoy. Says Sharm de Alwis, the rugby lexion of Trinity. Besides rugby, Hubert had played cricket. Also a member of the athletic team. Contributed much for its success. He led his Ryde House in all thee disciplines. Also took to the ring (boxing). Trinity had the likes of Leslie Handunge – a Sri Lanka boxer.
Just five feet tall, but had the energy, strength and stamina to match any strong opponent, with a firm tackle.
Ironically due to illness Hubert couldn’t make it to the Centenary Game. But, he will be among the special invitees for the Bradby Shield second – leg at Bogambara on September 23, against Royal. This leg is a friendly match. Trinity is leading 33-27. In this Rugby Blue Riband, in the local schools circuit. His handshake is still strong as steel. Before long he will be joining the prestigious 90 club.
Barnes Ratwatte
On April 16, 1916, Barnes Ratwatte Dissawe & Rosalind Mahawelatenne Kumarihamy, were blessed with the birth of a daughter. She was named Sirimavo. The family had been members of the Ceylonese upper class for generations, and, as a result of this had a rich Buddhist & Christian heritage. The family's ancestral seat was in Balangoda, where Sirimavo spent most of her childhood. Barnes was a stickler for tradition: and insisted that his home and his family were the same. Sirimavo was the second eldest of five children, having one sister Patsy, and three brothers, Mackie, Seevalie, & Clifford. Barnes was a strict but fair disciplinarian, and instilled a sense of responsibility in his children.
Sirimavo was a bright child, described as being full of fun but with a serious contemplative side. Her education prepared her for the limited opportunities that society then dictated as a norm - effectively tending a home and raising a family. In the large conservative Ceylonese Buddhist society in which she lived, this was how women were viewed. It was their pre-ordained role and there were precious few examples otherwise, until later in Sirimavo's own life. Through her actions she would set a new example and shatter the glass ceiling that existed for the women of her country and even the world at large.
Sirimavo took her first steps during her childhood education at Ferguson High School in Ratnapura, and later, at St Bridget's Convent in Colombo. She was always one of the brightest in her class and came away with "A" Grades, as quoted by one of her family friends. She buried herself in books, in the absence of TV and very little in the way of stimulative radio. St Bridget's Convent had an excellent library which she utilized to fulfill her thirst for reading.
"World history was her passion", says her son Anura. "She always had a fascination for history and current affairs. I am told that as a child of even 8 or 9 she would read my grandfathers' newspapers and in her early teens her book reading drove the family to distraction as my grandfather would buy her a book and she would finish it one night". Her fathers book buying may have looked like poor value for money at that time, but her vociferous appetite for literature was, in the longer term, helping to develop a keen mind. "She particularly enjoyed biographies", says Anura, retelling how she read and re-read biographies of world leaders on a handful of occasions.
From being nodding acquaintances, initially, a relationship suddenly sparked between Sirimavo and SWRD Bandaranaike, in 1939. The intensity of this union shocked their respective families but they still approved of what was obviously an excellent match. SWRD found his intellectual equal in Sirimavo. She challenged him, and to be honest there were not that many people of any gender, at that time, who could do that. They spent a vast amount of their time, together, socially since their initial meeting.
Sirimavo was not a political animal. SWRD's State Council work and his politics were of little interest to her directly, although she found herself absorbed by the political process by way of her beau's complete immersion in it. Her involvement was mainly confined to the emancipation and advancement of women in society, in general, and to encourage more active consideration for those women and their families trapped in poverty.
In 1940 SWRD visited Barnes Ratwatte at Balangoda to ask for his daughter's hand in marriage. His proposal was immediately accepted. Sirimavo was 24 while SWRD was 41. The age gap seemed to make very little difference to either of them. The Minister of Local Administration had met his match and that was all that mattered. Sir Solomon ensured that the nuptials were attended by all pomp and pageantry that one would expect for nobility and that the event befitted his sons status as one of Ceylon's leading political figures. For 24 year old Sirimavo, it was the beginning of eighteen years of wedded bliss, which at its tragic end would dispatch her on an extraordinary political journey of her own.
The marriage of Sirimavo to SWRD laid the foundation for a political dynasty of remarkable proportions. Elsewhere in the region the Nehru-Ghandi dynasty dominated India, while the Bhutto's, periodically, did the same in Pakistan. They settled into married life on the Bandaranaike Estate at Horagolla. In addition they also occupied homes in Colombo at Broomfield and Tintagel. Horagolla, with its picturesque landscape and countrified atmosphere was always a place that Sirimavo loved. The opportunity to escape into the interior away from the pressure cooker of political life in Colombo was something that always appealed to both the politician and his wife. However, the business of nation building was never far away and was a duty that Sirimavo had known when marrying SWRD and she occupied her energies by focusing on becoming a noted hostess.
The first child born to the couple was Sunethra who became extremely attached to her father during his lifetime. Sir Solomon, SWRD's father, passed away 11 months after the birth of Chandrika (CBK) Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, Sirimavo's second child. The last child, Anura, arrived on 15 Feb 1949. Of the three children Chandrika was most like her father, even from an early age. She was more rounded than her sister but with the same handsome bone structure. Chandrika learned to read quickly and became a dedicated bookworm like her mother and father. She was more serious than her siblings brooding over whatever was on her mind. Her hobbies centered around dancing and her parents enrolled her in lessons in a variety of different styles of dance forms. Her favorite was always the Kandyan style which she perfected at the Chitrasena Kalayatnaya School for Cultural Arts in Kollupitiya, joining the school at the age of ten.
CBK joined her older sister at Vijiarama Dhamma School. Religious instructions were very important in a society that plays great significance on traditions. Her parents made it a point to ensure that the children were all strongly grounded in religion. The girls attended St Bridget's Convent (SBC) School at Cinnamon Gardens while Anura gained admission to the prestigious Royal College in Colombo. In addition to her academic pursuits, CBK, threw herself into several extra curricular activities, at various times being an active member in the SBC Chess Club, Girl Guides Association, Sinhala Literary Association, Arts Society & Science Society. She continued her oratory tradition in the school's debating society following in the footsteps of her father who had excelled in debating at the Oxford Union in the UK. A member rof the SBC English Debating team she competed all over Colombo and its surrounds against many other schools.
CBK was also very keen on sports, dabbling in Badminton, Netball, Swimming, Table Tennis and Tennis, which was her true passion. On one occasion she fought her way to the finals of a school tennis tournament. Both her parents attended the final match and although she lost she still recalls the simple happiness of participating in such an occasion. Tennis was eventually superseded by a passion for gymnastics.
The subsequent tragic loss of their father has had an important bearing on the lives of all three children. One recollection, in particular by CBK, reveals a glimpse of the emotional and physical void that was created by his passing. "..... Our Mother liked cooking and she made delicious cakes and puddings. But unlike present dayh mothers she did not cuddle us on her lap and pet us. But my father was different. When we woke up in the morning he used to cuddle us ..." . Just as he stood like a political and intellectual giant over the island as a whole, SWRD's physical and emotional influence was the glue that bound his family together. Until the age of 14, CBK, along with her siblings, Sunethra and Anura, would have precious little time to bask in that influence. Sirimavo, then went on to become Sri Lanka's Prime Minister, reaping the honor of being the Worlds first woman PM. CBK later went on to the Sorbonne in Paris to complete her higher education and was recalled by her mother to take over as a Minister in the Sri Lanka Government during her mothers Premiership.
CBK and Giraj Rajapakse, the nephew of Stanley de Zoysa, were sweethearts since their early teens and planned to be married in early 1976. Having schooled at St Thomas' College, he entered into business management education. On 15 Oct 1975, after dropping a fried n of his at Mt Lavinia, driving on his way home he fell asleep at the wheel of his vehicle and met with a tragic automobile accident that killed him instantly. Giraj was just 31 years old. She was devastated. It was a year before she could recover form this second loss in her family life.
CBK had met Vijaya Kumaratunga on several occasions at numerous party political circles. Although he was Sri Lanka's most celebrated male star of the silver screen, the dashing movie idol also held strong political views and was a member of the SLFP. He had mesmerized Sri Lankan movie audiences for two decades starting his film career in "Hantane Kathawa" in he late 1960's. He went on to play the lead male role in almost 25 films and starred in a total of 114 movies. His most acclaimed performances were in Lester James Pieris' "Village in the Jungle" based on Leonard Wolfe's celebrated novel, as the failed aristocrat in Tissa Abeysekera's, "Mahagedera", and as Jesus Christ in "The Life of Christ". He was voted the most popular actor for a record six consecutive years. He also appeared in one English film, "The God King" and one Tamil Movie, "Nanguran" during his film career.
In the year 1977 Vijaya Kumaratunga broke the hearts of many of his legion of female fans when he announced his marriage to CBK. They fed off each other intellectually. At home they were forever discussing political issues and it was a bright and lively household. They have two children, Yasodhara, born 1981 and Vimukthi born in 1983. Vijaya was tragically gunned down, while seated in his vehicle by an assailant outside his home, in 1988 in the midst of a successful political campaign in seeking a peace with the LTTE in the North who were demanding a separate state for the Tamils of Sri Lanka. He was cremated on Feb 21 1988.
CBK, later went on to become Chief Minister of the Western Province in May 1993 and then was elected as the Prime Minister on June 27, 1994 under her mothers Presidency and then went on to be elected President of Sri Lanka, on Aug 17, 1994. She stepped down from politics in 2005 after handing over the Presidency to Mahinda Rajapakse, who served as Prime Minister under her leadership.
Sunethra married Kumar Rupasinghe and has since divorced and now runs the NGO SUNERA FOUNDATION that aspires to alleviate the sufferings of the poor and destitute.
Anura took to politics and is currently (2006) the Minister of Tourism under the Presidency and Government of Mahinda Rajapakse. He was the Speaker of the House in 2000 under the UNP Government which survived a rough ride under the Presidency of his sister CBK. He has chosen to be a bachelor to date (2006).
Four Kandyan Families - by Sunil Madugalle
A Celebration of a life - Julia Aluwihare Jayasundera
It is with a sense of admiration and sadness that I received the news of the death of Julie De Silva Jayasundera, nee Aluwihare.
Julie was the seventh daughter of the late Loku Bandara Maralande Aluwihare and of the late Mrs. Julia Nuwerawewa Paranagama Aluwihare Kumarihamy of Matale. Her Paternal Grand father was the Disawa for the matale district during the British occupation of Sri Lanka.
Julie received her education at Hill Wood College Kandy., and has had the honor of being the first Kandyan Girl in the whole of Sri Lanka to be awarded a fully funded scholarship to the London Schools of Music, unfortunately at that time her very conservative parents did not permit her to take up this Scholarship. However Julie learnt the Piano under Mrs. Marion Stanton in Kandy. She married Rudolph De Silva Jayasundera, who hailed from Denagomuwa Polghawela in the Kurunegala district. Rudy and Julie settled in their cozy home at Woodlands Ranawana Kurunegala, Julie raised a family of two sons, gave music lessons, and played at concerts, and was the organist at the Kurunegala cathedral. When Rudolph died she moved out of Woodlands and settled in Kurunegala town, but later moved to her elder son’s home, in Talangama. Julie wished to live with her second son in Canberra and in 1997 at the age of eighty years she moved to Canberra, Australia, the ever so independent Julie moved into her flat in Canberra and with her piano playing, Bach Beethoven Chopin Schubert, Mortzart she made a very wide circle of friends. Her impeccable English had the admiration of many an Australian.
I think Julie was a remarkable person, who had a great sense of humor, loved people was totally unselfish, never went for cheap fame even though she was connected to the late Srimavo Bandaranayake, and knew the Late Mr Dudley Senanayake,she never asked for favors. Julie would entertain both the rich and poor with the same generosity, and kindness. Her giving sprit had no limits
Julie was converted to Christianity at Hill wood college, one wonders to this day if it was by faith or fear, however when her nephew came to the Buddhist Vihare in Canberra as its chief priest, she asked him over and had long discussions about her faith and beliefs in the Teachings of the Buddhist Philosophies.
Truly she was a wonderful woman, whose forgiving sprit made her a loving kind generous person who truly had a great circle of both Australian and Sri Lankan friends. This was evident at her cremation.
She died peacefully on the 26thof October, and the Buddhist rites were performed by the ven Saranakaraa Aluwihre maha thera, and on the 28th of October the Rev Ian Wright and the Rev Ian Hopkins conducted the Anglican service.
Julie had planned all the hymns for her funeral, and they were all the Hymns sung at her wedding, she wanted people to celebrate her life, the casket was white with gold trimmings, in laid in south sea mother of pearls, and it had 50 red roses displayed over the lid, in a lateral arrangement. As the Casket was lowered to the crematorium, her favorite piece of music by Chopin was played; it was Fantasy Impromptu in c major The Organ was played by one of Canberra’s famous Organists Mrs. Susan Reed, and Mr. Ronald Hoskin sang amazing grace.
In their eulogy her grand daughters spoke of the loving grand mother they had, who was unselfish, loving, and humorous, had the ability to laugh at her self, and had a giving sprit, she readily forgave anyone who might have wronged her, and this is the loving kindness that is taught in all faiths, Julie had a full measure of this.
It was a celebration of a life.
I assure to all who read this that this was Julie for I should know her well, as I am her son.
Rohan de Silva Jayasundera
Training Centre Manager / Directeur
Hospitality, Tourism & Leisure Training Centre
Centre de Formation en Hôtellerie, Tourisme et Loisirs
P.O. Box 5106, Port Vila, VANUATU
Tel. (678) 26830 / 26044 / 67189
Fax (678) 26832
Hospitality, Tourism & Leisure Training Centre
Centre de Formation en Hôtellerie, Tourisme et Loisirs
Vanuatu Institute of Technology
Uncle Deryck
It is with sadness I received the news of the death of uncle Deryck. I have known him all my life and to me he was, Uncle, Friend, Mentor and Hero. His values in life and his impeccable honesty is something that most people today sadly lack.
He was born at Pahala Waluwa Matale to Mr L. B Aluwiahre and Mrs Julia Nuwerawewa Parangama Aluwhare Kumarihamy. Deryck was their youngest Son
His Grand Father was the Disawa for the Matale district during the British occupation of our Island.
Deryck was educated at Trinity College where he excelled in his studies and later graduated with Honors from the University of Colombo.
He Joined the Ceylon civil service and he held very high offices, in the public service of Sri Lanka.
Aunty Rani his wife was kindness in its self, and during the time I was attached to the Ceylon Hotel School, I was with them and it was home away from home. The values and principles that Uncle Deryck has instilled in me, has enabled me to face life, with a philosophy that is practiced in both Buddhism and Christianity.
To have courage Love and compassion on all things
.To be honorable in ones dealings, have a practical approach to life, are some of the many traits that I have tried to emulate from him.
Uncle Dep was not a good driving instructor, I remember the time he decided to check my driving skills, and he was so nervous at my driving that I too forgot all what I had to do on the what at that time was busy Galle Road.
Uncle Deryck held many very high positions in the Civil Service, but never a political cringer, and as such enjoyed the respect of all ruling parties of the time, but not their favored Son status.
One of the greatest acts of bravery displayed by this Son of the Soil was in Anuradhapura. It was 1958 and he was the government agent of the Anuradhapura district, there was rioting, to maintain law and order that night he walked the main street of this ancient city holding only a stick for protection.
Many a Tamil family owed their lives to this man who had no racial preferences, all he had was what was right and what was wrong.
I have seen this stick which has a silver plaque and the words to a brave person who saved many lives, presented by the Ceylon Army. He is mentioned in the book emergency 58 by Tarzie Vittachie.
Uncle Deryck was never popular with people who bent the laws of the land to line their pockets.
I remember many a time Uncle Deryck relating his early childhood in Aluwihare, Today these stories would have made the charts in a movie or a novel .He was a great story teller, and loved to relate war stories.
He knew so many branches of this very old Kandyan family. My Mother Julie is the only surviving member of his family of three boys and seven girls. Uncle Deryck retired and followed his daughter Neila to settle down in Auckland New Zealand, where he spent a useful retired life, delivering talks to social groups on Sri Lanka.\
Having been born to a very staunch Buddhist Family, but having been converted to Christianity at Trinity he had a unique blend of two religions and he lived by their teachings.
I used to visit him in Auckland, and their home was warm, filled with goodness and Love.
To Aunty Ri, Neila, Lucky, Chantal and Arjan, I mourn with you the loss,
I celebrate with you his life, and I strive to live by his principles.
It’s Hard to break the chords of Love that bind our hearts.
Rohan de Silva Jayasundera
Port Vila
Vanuatu.
Sunday
Times Feb 28 2010-02-28
|
Honoured
Trinity student was a true gentleman and genuine son
of Lanka |
|
|
Gilbert
Paranagama |
|
|
February 14, 2010, saw
the passing of someone who was a gentleman in the
fullest sense of the word. That date also marked a
milestone, signalling the end of an era when people
who stood for what is right and decent, brooked no
mediocrity or malpractice, reached the highest
positions, and never lost their touch with the earth
and the common people. G. B. Paranagama, better
known as Gilbert, stood tall among his peers, winning
their respect and affection. Above all, he was loved
and admired for the values he stood for. Gilbert was
born in 1923 to an aristocratic Kandyan family, and
like many in his family, he was nurtured at Trinity
College, which he joined at the age of six. He always
credited his teachers at Trinity for moulding him and
preparing him for life’s challenges.
He was a senior prefect
and a sportsman, excelling at boxing and rugby. He was
also captain of the University of Colombo rugby team. But Gilbert will be most
remembered for winning Trinity’s much coveted Ryde
Gold Medal, which he received in 1942. The medal is
given for outstanding scholastic achievement and
all-round development. Donated by the Trinity Old
Boys’ Association in memory of former principal Rev.
R. M. Ryde (1900-1902), this award has very strict
criteria and allows no campaigning on behalf of a
candidate. There are only three votes: one from the
student body, one from the staff, and one from the
principal. The awardee is unanimously approved by all
constituent voters. Years later, Gilbert
donated his Ryde Gold Medal to the school that had
formed him. The medal is kept in the College Museum.
Gilbert served on the College Board of Governors in
the 1980s, and was an active member of the OBA Colombo
branch, holding office as president for a term. He graduated from
university with a BA in Economics and joined the
Central Bank, where he was Assistant Controller of
Exchange, and also Assistant Controller of Food. Gilbert Paranagama will
also be remembered as being among the first Ceylonese
to enter the British-dominated mercantile sector. He
was welcomed as an executive trainee at Whittal
Bousteads and Bosanquet & Skrine, organisations
that reeked of typically British “old Ceylon”. He
retired as managing director of Whittal Boustead and
Company. During those years, he
was also director of a number of sterling tea
companies. He followed Mr. Mallory Wijesinghe as
chairman of Ceylon Cold Stores. During his tenure
there, he was instrumental in opening a new
bottling-plant at Kaduwela. He was also a director of
Ceylon Nutritional Foods, now known as Nestle Lanka. Gilbert played a
pioneering role in Sri Lanka’s then burgeoning
hospitality industry. As managing director of Ceylon
Holiday Resorts, he converted the Bentota Resthouse
into the resplendent Bentota Beach Hotel, with expert
creative input from the late Geoffrey Bawa. Gilbert
did the same in Hikkaduwa. The Coral Gardens Hotel is
a legacy of his vision. He was also a director of
the Mount Lavinia Hotel, and was behind the setting up
of Sri Lanka’s first beach restaurant, La
Langousterie. He was duly elected chairman of the
Ceylon Tourist Hotels Association during its early
years. Gilbert helped secure
valuable land in Trincomalee for his company. These
are the same properties hoteliers are considering as
part of a grand plan to expand the country’s tourism
infrastructure. During the 1971 JVP
insurrection, Gilbert Paranagama left his comfort zone
in the mercantile establishment to serve as a
volunteer Army officer. He helped set up the National
Service Regiment (NSR), with headquarters at the
former Eighty Club. He later served as aide de camp
(ADC) to the former Governor General of Ceylon,
William Gopallawa MBE. Gilbert Paranagama’s life
was based on simplicity and that indefinable quality
we call “genuineness”. He cared and shared. People
turned to him for counsel and guidance. He never
feared to speak the truth, and yet remained dignified
and courteous at all times. We have learned much from
Gilbert Paranagama. Knowing him has made us richer
human beings. Gilbert is survived by
his wife Krishnie (nee Divitotawela), son Thusitha,
daughters Laleenie and Nandanie, and grandchildren
Lalindri, Ravindri, Suhanya and Wiranya. Arun Dias Bandaranaike PARANAGAMA
- GILBERT - Beloved husband of Chrishnie
Divitotawela, loving father of Laleenie, Thusitha
& Nandanie, father-in-law of Ranjan Hulangamuwa,
Rasitha & late Ravi Divitotawela, loving
grandfather of Lalindri, Ravindri, Suhanya &
Wiranya, brother of late Noel and Reggie,
brother-in-law of late Alick, Hector, Lyn and
Gaminie Divitotawela and of late Chandra Ratwatte.
Cortege leaves residence No.09, Havelock Place,
Colombo 05, on Wednesday 17th February 2010 for
Cremation at General Cemetery Kanatte (Buddhist
Section) at 3.30 p.m. |
