Sri Lankan Sinhalese
Family Genealogy
De SILVA, Jiris - Family #3065
1 Jiris de Silva + Gardiyawasam Punchi Hewage Misohamy
2 Mahendrapala Thomas de Silva Amarasuriya 1847-1907+ Dona Christina Lokubadusuriya of Weligama in 1869 b:Oct-22-1847 at Unawatuna, Galle. educated at Buona Vista School, left school in 1863. Was employed on a postal ship in the East, 1863-1866. Returned to Ceylon and joined J.J. Vanarspar Company, Galle as a Book Keeper. Conferred a Muhandiram title in 1906. Left employment and started his own firm in 1877. Secretary Galle BTS. Started Buddhist Schools at Unawatuna, Gintota, Meepawala. Planted 1,000 King Coconut Trees at Adyar, Madras BTS. Presdient Galle BTS, 1890-1907. Member BTS London. Re-inaugurated Mahinda College, Galle with Dr. Daly in 1892. Principal Arrack Renter, Colombo, Kandy, Matara. D:14-May-1907
3 Henry Mahendrapala Amarasuriya 1872-1916 + Caroline de Silva (eldest daughter of GKC Junanis of Galle) in 1901 b:19-Nov-1872.Educated at Mahinda College, Galle, Royal College, Colombo. Planter, Manager Buddhist Schools. JP, SP 1913. Helped the development of Ayurveda. Invited Piyadasa Sirisena to Galle and established a printing press and printed Sinhala Jatiya Newspaper. Jailed during 1915 riots. House arrest in Galle, Oriental Hotel. D:25-Sep-1916.
4 Henry Woodward Amarasuriya 1904-1981 + Irene Reval Perera (eldest daughter of MC Perera of Panadura) in 1928 b:Oct-14-1904.Educated at Mahinda College, Galle. Studied up to Matric and left school in 1919. Excelled in both studies and sports. Captained Cricket XI and played for the football team. Member for Udugama SC 1931-1936, Galle 1936-1947. General Manager Buddhist Schools 1923. Member Executive Committee of Education. Founder member UNP, Deputy Speaker, SC. Secretary and later VP, UNP. Member Education Society, Chairman SP, Planters Association 1923-1961. Executive Committee CNC 1932. President CNC 1935-1938, MP Baddegama 1948. Deputy Speaker. Led a delegation to London to agitate for constitutional reforms. Responsible for the appointment of a Headmans Committee. Founded Henry Woodward Amarasuriya Charitable Trust. Gifted a library building to Visakha Vidyalaya in memory of his daughter Gitanjali. Donated ancestral home Amaragiri Walawwa in Unawatenna for a Teacher Training College. President BTS, YMBA, ACBC. VP, World Fellowship of Buddhists. Tea Planter. President Lanka Mahajana Sabha for 44 years. D:6-Mar-1981.
4 Thomas Amarasuriya, OBA 1907-1979 + Ms. Fernando (d/o JC Fernando of Moratuwa) in 1952. B:17-Jun-1907 at Unawatuna Galle. Educated at Mahinda College, Galle, Wye Kent. Member galle MC 1932-1942. Member Moratuwa Mahajana Sabha, contested Moratuwa seat at a bye election and won in 1942. Failed to retain Moratuwa seat in 1947. Retired from politics on 10-Apr-1949. Appointed to the Senate in 1954. Chairman of the Senate on 5-Nov-1963. Resigned from the UNP on 10-Mar-1959 and joined SLFP in 1959. Chairman SP Planters Association 1949-1953. Chairman LCPA 1949-1979. Chairman Ceylon Tea Propaganda Board. Chairman Board of Prisoners Welfare Association. Member State Services Disciplinary Board. Chairman Board of Prison Visitors. Member, Senator, Vidyodya University. President BTS 1970-1974. d:5-May-1979.