The seven sisters
The de Fonseka family connection with the de Silva family begins with Susannah, who married S. R. de Fonseka Senior. Susannah was the eldest daughter of Lindon Jussey de Silva, an immensely wealthy entrepreneur. She had six other sisters in her family (and no brothers) and hence they became popularly known as the ‘Seven Sisters’.
Mudaliyar S. R. de Fonseka was first married to Louisa de Silva Jayasinghe (pictured left). Louisa was the eldest daughter of Juan de Silva Jayasinghe and married Mudaliyar S. R. de Fonseka in 1883. This fact is recorded in the book 20th Century Impressions. They had six children, viz. Simon Richard Junior, Lydia Florence, Lionel Stanley, Muriel Leticia, Louisa Bridget, and May Elaine. Louisa died in 1902 and the time the book was produced in 1903, the family is shown standing around a photograph of Louisa. However with as per detailed family tree of the Jussey de Silva family reproduced below, it is assumed that S. R. de Fonseka married for a second time, and that this marriage was to Susannah.
This page traces the family trees of all the seven sisters. Their descendents in later days made up a large number of interconnected and influential families in the country.
Lindon Jussey de Silva married Issabella Maria de Silva.
(Issabella was the brother of Chevalier Jussey de Silva and the daughter of Pedro de Silva.)
- Susannah de Silva married Simon Richard de Fonseka Snr. (Mudaliyar)
( click for full Family Tree ) - Alice de Silva married Charles A. Guneratna (Proctor) from Matara.
- Aelian Guneratna md Indian Girl (No Descendents)
- Pearl Guneratna md Dr. Merl Perera
- Maureen Perera md Dr Tibi Jayawardena
- Irene Jayawardena md Everard Ratnayake.
- Vinnie Ratnayake.
- Jinendre Ratnayake.
- Amintha Ratnayake.
- Moin Jayawardena md Avril.
- Alresch Jayawardena.
- Melik Jayawardena.
- Prasad Jayawardena.
- Gihan Jayawardena md Annika Nordin.
- Irene Jayawardena md Everard Ratnayake.
- Celine Perera md Dr. Vernon Fernando.
- Rohan Fernando md Pat Gunesekera.
- Michael Fernando.
- Johann Fernando.
- Krister Fernando.
- Davino Fernando.
- Nivanka Fernando md Sunil Peiris.
- Heshan Peiris.
- Ruwani Fernando md Suresh Weerasuriya.
- Rohan Fernando md Pat Gunesekera.
- Maureen Perera md Dr Tibi Jayawardena
- Mervyn Guneratne (Crown Proctor) from Gampola md Doris Vethakan
- Eileen Guneratne md Annesley de Mel.
- Malintha de Mel.
- Suresh de Mel md Dilini.
- Lovenya.
- Yvonne Guneratne md Ainsley Peiris.
- Hiranthi Peiris md Franklin.
- Suggine.
- Harin.
- Shireen.
- Michael Peiris md Anoma.
- Shawn Peiris.
- Stephan Peiris.
- Hiranthi Peiris md Franklin.
- Anton Guneratne md Anne Benzie.
- Jimmy Guneratne md Kishani.
- Moneka.
- Akeshni.
- Jimmy Guneratne md Janice (2nd Marriage)
- Mark.
- Marion.
- Jimmy Guneratne md Kishani.
- Eileen Guneratne md Annesley de Mel.
- Mary de Silva (twin with Emily) married Domingo de Silva.
- Dennis de Silva.
- Dodwell de Silva md Rita Arsekularatne.
- Kevin de Silva md Kanthi.
- Sonali de Silva md Harin.
- Kevin de Silva md Pat Wijeysekera (2nd Marriage)
- Rukmali de SIlva.
- Ranmal de Silva.
- Kevin de Silva md Kanthi.
- Florence de Silva md Michael Fernando (Judge).
- Joseph Leslie Michael Fernando md Edith Fernando.
- Lalin Fernando md Carmen.
- Dayanthi Fernando md Mark Bernadus.
- Nalhan.
- Javed.
- Brittany.
- Sherine.
- Lysandra.
- Shamin Fernando.
- Dayanthi Fernando md Mark Bernadus.
- Kamalika Fernando md Don Bernard.
- Lallith Fernando md Bernadette.
- Joseph Fernando.
- Sharmila Fernando md Joseph.Francklyn.
- Lalin Fernando md Carmen.
- Hugh N. G. Fernando md Doris.
- Michael Fernando.
- Paul Fernando md Priya.
- Marissa Fernando.
- Carinne fernando.
- Mark Fernando md Pam.
- Tanya Fernando md Roshen Ferdinands.
- Sahan Fernando.
- Suresh Fernando.
- John Fernando md Marie.
- Sonali.
- Dinali.
- Joseph Leslie Michael Fernando md Edith Fernando.
- Janet de Silva md Tom Weeraratne.
- Marie Weeraratne.
- Doreen Weeraratne md Percy Peries.
- Sherine Piries md Moritz Fernando.
- Sharmira Fernando.
- Shehani Fernando.
- Anil Peries md Roshan.
- Shanela Peries.
- Sherine Piries md Moritz Fernando.
- Joe Weeraratne (Judge) md Dinoo.
Joe Weeraratne md Rosemary (2nd marraiage).- Aruni Weeraratne.
- Kumudini Weeraratne.
- Evan Weeraratne md Dion de Fonseka.
(see the James Fretz family tree for details)- Nilanthi de Fonseka md Asoka
- Ranil
- Sharmini de Fonseka md Druvanan (Druvi) de Saram.
- Mandira de Saram.
- Radika de Saram.
- Rohan de Fonseka md Diloo.
- Ravin de Fonseka.
- Nishani de Fonseka.
- Gihan de Fonseka.
- Nilanthi de Fonseka md Asoka
- Marion Weeraratne md Shelton Abeysuriya.
- Niloufer Abeysuriya md Ranjith.
- Suren ABeysuriya md Sharmila.
- Srian Abeysuriya md Kumudini.
- Romesh Abeysuriya.
- Nishan Abeysuriya.
- Sherinee Abeysuriya.
- Frank Weeraratne md Lilamani.
- Hiran Weeraratne md Sherica.
- Jehan Weeraratne.
- Sheanna Weeraratne md Andy Witchcoch.
- Suresh.
- Hiran Weeraratne md Sherica.
- May de Silva md Martin Fernando.
- Derrick Fernando md Manel.
- Mahen Fernando.
- Sharmalie Fernando.
- Nihal Fernando md Dodo.
- Anu Fernando md Christopher de Silva.
- Derrick Fernando md Manel.
- Lena de Silva md Noel Mendis.
- Ricky Mendis md Shiranee.
- Charmil md Sharmini.
- Niranjan md Dulani
- ——- do ——- md Charmaine (2nd marraige).
- Sanjeeve.
- Nikita.
- Mary Mendis md Vimal de Mel.
- ——- do —— md Hugh Jayasuriya (2nd Mrg).
- ——- do —— md Varma (3rd Mrg).
- Niluka.
- Sriani Mendis md Dr. Quintus Nonis.
- Ksharma md Harsha Soza.
- Nirmala md Nissanka Samarasinghe.
- Nishika.
- Nikita.
- Dr Chrysantha.
- Shelendra (Shelly)
- Ricky Mendis md Shiranee.
- Annesley de Silva md Anette.
- Vinitha.
- Haren de Silva md Indi.
- Ayesha.
- Nihal.
- Annesley de Silva md Phyllis Fernando (2nd marraige)
- Felix de Silva md Claribelle.
- Rukmani de Silva md Terrance.
- Rohan.
- Carmini.
- Manel de Silva md Thambapillai.
- Lilamani de Silva md Frank Weeraratne.
- Rukmani de Silva md Terrance.
- Winifred md Aloysius Fernando.
- Elsie Fernando.
- Margie Fernando md Everard Fernando.
- Bertie Fernando md Elaine.
- Nilanee Fernando md Dr. Lallith Peiris.
- Rowendra Peiris.
- Niluka Peiris.
- Ayoli Fernando md Dr. Romesh Chandraratne
- Priyan.
- Shahini.
- Nilanee Fernando md Dr. Lallith Peiris.
- Marius Fernando md Amy.
- Percivel Fernando md Ivy Pieris.
- Ranjan Fernando.
- Ranjan Fernando.
- Emily de Silva (twin with Mary) married Lucas Fernando.
- Stella de Silva.
- Beta de Silva md Dr Duncan Constantine de Fonseka.
(see James Fretz de Fonseka family tree for details) - Grace de Silva md James P. Fernando.
- Daisybelle Fernando md P. O. Fernando.
- Trevor md Shiranee.
- Ivor md Nilu Perera.
- Desmond md Suriya.
- Cedrick Fernando md Rita Livera.
- Ivor Fernando md Nellie Perera.
- Joseph Perera.
- Neil Perera.
- Lohan Perera.
- Derrick Fernando md Penny.
- md Ranee Sitlani (2nd marraige)
- Robert Fernando md Melanie.
- Gerald.
- Gail.
- Daisybelle Fernando md P. O. Fernando.
- Violet Amybelle de Silva md Joseph Bernard de Fonseka.
(see Frank Simon de Fonseka family tree for details) - Mara de Silva md E. R. F. Wijeyratne.
- Eileen De Silva Wijeratne (Dolly) md Edmund Cooray (Late Chairman Browns Group and Hatton National Bank).
- Lester Cooray md Malkanthi.
- Ramesh Cooray md Tara
- Shehan Cooray.
- Randev Cooray.
- Ramesh Cooray md Tara
- Marlene Cooray md Maurice Silva.
- Shanez Silva md Capt. Lallin de Silva.
- Pasan de SIlva.
- Indrajith Silva md Judith Paternott.
- Simran Silva
- Shanez Silva md Capt. Lallin de Silva.
- Priyani md Sunil Goonewardene (of Earlecliff, see S. R. de Fonseka family tree)
- Chrysantha Cooray (Chairman, Browns Group) md Pam Alles
- Gihan Cooray (Deputy Chairman/Group Finance Director John Keells Holdings).
- Roshni Cooray.
- Thusitha Cooray.
- Lester Cooray md Malkanthi.
- Loise Wijeratne md Clinton de Mel.
- Charmaine md Dr Yves Fernando.
- Rohith md Nilani Vaz.
- Ruan.
- Tarini.
- Daniella md Rukmal.
- Ruashe.
- Nirasha.
- Yehan md Armilla.
- Swasha.
- Ashan.
- Chenali.
- Rohith md Nilani Vaz.
- Lallith de Mel (Chairman Rekitts, SLT)
- Charmaine md Dr Yves Fernando.
- Festus Wijeratne md Sita Dias.
- Sriyani Wijeratne md Kumar.
- Krushenka md Shiran.
- Romany.
- Roshini Wijeratne md Dr. Gerry Jayasekera.
- Sriyani Wijeratne md Kumar.
- Eileen De Silva Wijeratne (Dolly) md Edmund Cooray (Late Chairman Browns Group and Hatton National Bank).
- Lucas Fernando md Phoebe.
- Ula Fernando md Fonseka.
- Jayantha Fernando (Cricketer) md Kanthika.
- Brian Fernando.
- Lancelot Fernando.
- Ula Fernando md Fonseka.
- Annie de Silva married Emmanuel de Silva.
- Doris de Silva md Wilfred Pieris (brother of Dr. Leo Pieris)
- Marie Pieris md Prema Fernando.
- Nirmalie Fernando md Malalasekera.
- Thaire Fernando md Nanayakkara.
- Sadia Fernando md Jeremy.
- Pravith.
- Revantha.
- Anne Pieris md Dr Tony Don Michael.
- Shan Don Michael md Abeysundere.
- Rohays Don Michael md Dr Bertrand de Silva.
- Mathew de Silva.
- Sabrina de Silva.
- Ceri Don Michael md Hulugalle.
- Tony Pieris md Srinie.
- Marie Pieris md Prema Fernando.
- Gladys de Silva md Dr. Kelvin Pieris.
- Daphne Pieris md Giom Fernando.
- Jayantha Fernando.
- Johnny Fernando.
- Lasantha Fernando.
- Manthri Fernando.
- Christopher Pieris.
- Daphne Pieris md Giom Fernando.
- Doris de Silva md Wilfred Pieris (brother of Dr. Leo Pieris)
- Jossie de Silva married L. B. Fernando.
- Daisy Fernando md Dr. E. L. F (Earnest) de Mel (Brother of Reginald (R A) de Mel and R F S de Mel).
- Manel de Mel md Dr. Russel Fernando.
- Rohantha Fernando md Nilanthi.
- Rashantha Fernando.
- Randeera Fernando.
- Randinie Fernando.
- Prashani Fernando.
- Malathi Fernando md Jayakantha de Mel
- Malkanthi de Mel.
- Manilal Fernando md Nilmini.
- Tania Fernando.
- Shenal Fernando.
- Rohantha Fernando md Nilanthi.
- Gamini de Mel md Unknown
- Amanda de Mel
- Manel de Mel md Dr. Russel Fernando.
- Fanny Fernando md Dr. Louis Gunesekera.
- Shiranee Gunasekera md Yasmin Amaratunge.
- Lallith Gunasekera md Ingrid.
- Tehani Gunasekera.
- Navin Gunasekera.
- Sherala Gunasekera.
- Leslie Fernando md Anula.
- Ramya Fernando md Thiyagarajah.
- Janaka Thiyagarajah.
- Laksiri Fernando.
- Sharain Fernando.
- Chamanth Fernando.
- Ramya Fernando md Thiyagarajah.
- Laddie Fernando.
- Stanislaus Fernando.
- Daisy Fernando md Dr. E. L. F (Earnest) de Mel (Brother of Reginald (R A) de Mel and R F S de Mel).
- Aggie de Silva married Dodwell Arsecularatne.
- Carl Arsecularatne md Nelia.
- Shiranee Arsecularatne md Ricky.
- md Trevor.
- Victor Arsecularatne md Laticia.
- Victra Arsecularatne md
- Sriyantha Arsecularatne md
- Rita Arsecularatne md Dodwell de Silva.
- Kevin de Silva md Kanthi.
- Sonali de Silva md Patrick.
- Marlene md Lucian.
- Rukmani md Raminal.
- Rehan md Rapthi.
- Marlene md Lucian.
- Sonali de Silva md Patrick.
- Kevin de Silva md Kanthi.
- Cecil Arsecularatne md Coney Wijeyratne.
- Mohan Arsecularatne.
- Carl Arsecularatne md Nelia.
The family tree details published in this page was provided by Jith de Fonseka, who sadly passed away in year 2010. Some of the entries may be incorrect and/or incomplete, as the charts were drawn mainly from memory and from personal notes. Any additional details and corrections are most welcome from any of the family members.
20201-August: Part of the family tree updated with information published in the Karava People of Sri Lanka Facebook page with information provided by Sharmaline Perera, Manilal Fernando.