These photo essays entwines the people with the very times, places and events covered in the preceding sections, and has been compiled after carefully researching the information. Where relevant the information has been updated to bring it to the present day.
The articles capture memories of people and events, stories that has come down over the generations or has lain buried in memories or publications. The articles have been researched, based on stories or documents handed down from generations. Most of the people who gave the source/s of the leads, and shared these interesting stories, are now no longer with us. Thankfully, the verified and documented story remains here, for generations to come.
Family Coat of Arms
Reference: Pembley’s Dictionary of Hereldry Illustrations provided by Jorge Arez Da Silva of Portugal. (My thanks to
Mudaliyars Explained
These pages examines the life and times of the Mudaliyars, their background, the social and administrative function performed by them, their status
E. C. de Fonseka and the Royal Star & Garter Home
In 1922, the Star and Garter Home in Richmond-Upon-Thames, UK, was the beneficiary of a substantial donation from a Sri Lankan philanthropist, Edmund
Island in the Stream
If you travel to the south of the island on the Galle Road, you will travel across the Kalutara Bridge and past
Ascot Avenue
This posh residential area in Colombo owes its name to race horse owner, Major Edmund Clarence de Fonseka. During the early part
ARCADIA – The home that lent it’s name to Arcadia Gardens.
Arcadia as painted in the early 1930’s by Otto Scheinhammer (see footnote 2) ARCADIA(1) ; A search of an Encyclopedia may describe
Fonseka/Fonseca – Brands from around the world
de Fonseca of Italy : Check out this famous Italian fashion house, renowned for their slippers. The company founded over 30 years
The Gulf of Fonseca
The Fonseca Gulf or the ‘Golfo de Fonseca’ is located on the Pacific Ocean of Central America. It is an inlet of
The Brownrigg Gold Medal (1819)
Among the most cherished possessions in the collection of S. R. De Fonseka , (Mudaliyar) was a gold medal presented by Governor
Mahawatta – The Dutch Grant
Mahawatta, in the Grandpass area of Colombo, is a property steeped in history. It has been identified with the D’andrado families for
De Fonseka Road
De Fonseka Road, which connects Dickman’s Road and Vajira Road in the prestige residential area of Havelock Town in Colombo, was named
The Henry Frederick Walauwa:
The old ‘Walawwa’ of Henry Fredrick de Fonseka still exists at 116/1 Horton Place, and is used by it’s present owners, Tudawe
Kalutara De Fonseka Places
Telford Lodge, Kalutara ‘Telford Lodge’ was the home of John Henry de Fonseka. His children Henry Frederick, E.C, Frank, Luke, Emmy and
St. Kevin’s Bungalow – Then and Now
St. Kevin’s bungalow was at one time the home of Mudaliyar S. R. De Fonseka, and appears in the book ’20th Century
Alvinu Lowe Headstone
This photograph shows the headstone of Alvinu Lowe’s grave. Alvinu lowe was the Mudaliyar of Kammala Pattu (Ceylon Almanac 1839), Mudaliyar of
The McCullum Gold Medal of S. R. de Fonseka
Another medal in the possession of the De Fonseka family is the gold medal received by S. R. De Fonseka (Mudaliyar), commemorating
Family Heirlooms – Artefacts from the past
Decorative Comb – (Bastian de Fonseka 1770) Head ornaments were part of the attire of men of high position such as Mudaliyar,
The Forgotten Classic
Social media platforms bring out many interesting things. In this case, my interest in classic cars, drew me to a recent conversation
Winzer artwork of the De Fonseka Family
The De Fonseka family has been closely involved with the modern art movement in Ceylon from the early years. In 1927, E.