Charles Henry de Soysa

Charles Henry de Soysa
Born	Moratuwa, Ceylon
Died	September 29, 1890(1890-09-29) (aged 54)
Occupation(s)	Businessman, Philanthropist
Known for	Pioneer in tea cultivation; founder of first indigenous bank in Ceylon; philanthropist establishing hospitals and schools

Charles Henry de Soysa Dharmagunawardana Vipula Jayasuriya Karunaratna Disanayaka, widely recognized as Charles Henry de Soysa JP (3 March 1836 – 29 September 1890), was a prominent Ceylonese businessman and benefactor. He emerged as a trailblazer in tea cultivation and industrial ventures, becoming the wealthiest native entrepreneur in 19th-century Ceylon. His instrumental efforts contributed to the founding of the first indigenous bank in Ceylon, the Moratuwa carpenters guild, as well as the Ceylon Agricultural and National Associations.

De Soysa is celebrated among Sri Lanka’s foremost philanthropists, having established key institutions such as the De Soysa Maternity Hospital, Prince and Princess of Wales Colleges, and the Model Farm Experimental Station. His initiatives markedly advanced maternal and infant healthcare alongside secular education for girls throughout the country.

Although he was slated to become the island’s inaugural Knight Bachelor, his death preceded the formal conferment; however, his widow was accorded the exceptional honor of bearing the title associated with a knight’s spouse, thereafter known as Catherine, Lady de Soysa.

Early life and education

Born on 3 March 1836 in Moratuwa, Charles de Soysa was the sole male heir of Mudliyar Jeronis de Soysa Dissanayake and Francesca de Soysa Lamaethani (née Cooray). His father, an Ayurveda practitioner, stood among Ceylon’s most prosperous merchants and established the largest indigenous commercial enterprise of that period. The family’s business operations encompassed salt, grain trading, transportation services, boat construction, and agriculture. Their lineage included notable regional positions such as custodianship of the Devinuwara Temple Matara.

De Soysa began his education at the Palliyagodella Buddhist Temple in Moratuwa before attending the Colombo Academy. He was among the earliest enrollees at S. Thomas' College, Mutwal. Completing his studies privately, he subsequently apprenticed under his father and uncle Susew de Soysa (1809–1881), overseeing the family’s vast estates and commercial ventures centered at Hanguranketha. From a young age, he exhibited a pronounced commitment to philanthropy.

Marriage

A committed Anglican, De Soysa married Catherine (1845–1914), daughter of Chevalier Jusey de Silva Deva Aditya (1816–1889) and Weerahennadige Weerabala Jayasuriya Patabendi Anna Fernando (1825–1877), who were devout Catholics. The De Silva family descended from traditional nindagam landowners of Moratuwa during the Kotte Kingdom era and had established prominence as wholesalers and exporters of arrack. Their marriage was conducted in the Roman Catholic Church on 4 February 1863 at the Chevalier walauwa, Moratuwa, reflecting a compromise between their differing religious backgrounds.

Trade and Industry

As a pioneering figure in tea cultivation, De Soysa challenged European dominance within this sector. After the collapse of coffee prices in 1869 prompted many European planters to exit, his diversified portfolio—including tea—allowed him not only to endure but also to expand his holdings. He transformed former coffee plantations into some of Sri Lanka’s earliest tea estates such as Guru Oya, Marigold, and Hantana.

In addition to tea, De Soysa cultivated citronella, coconut, cinnamon, rice, rubber, cocoa, and cotton across seven provinces. His business interests extended into transportation services, graphite mining operations, coir and oil mills, tea processing factories, and import-export commerce. Notably, his Wolfendhal and Diyatalawa mills—established in 1870—rank among Ceylon’s first steam-powered mills. His fibre mill once held distinction as the world’s largest. C. H. de Soysa Exports holds the distinction of being the first company registered by a native Ceylonese entrepreneur.

He also developed valuable commercial real estate in prime areas of Colombo including Galle Face, Colpetty, Fort, and Pettah. Among these properties was the De Soysa building located in Slave Island, enhancing his portfolio with highly desirable residential districts.

De Soysa holds recognition as Sri Lanka’s first indigenous banker through his role in founding the Bank of Kandy, which operated branches on Dalada Veediya and Pettah starting in 1860. He became the earliest Ceylonese member of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce. Advocating for agricultural innovation and diversification to increase efficiency and global competitiveness, he also introduced cutting-edge technologies within his enterprises. Furthermore, he was an early adopter of employee welfare programs such as pensions well ahead of their wider institutional acceptance.

Royal Banquet

De Soysa uniquely arranged a grand reception for Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, marking the inaugural visit of a British Royal to Ceylon. This distinguished occasion was held at his magnificent Colombo Bagatelle walauwa—later known as Alfred House—renovated specifically for the event on an expansive 120-acre property. The feast was distinguished by the use of gold tableware adorned with precious gems and pearls. De Soysa extended invitations to prominent figures and ordinary citizens from diverse communities alike. Subsequently, H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh hosted a gathering for the De Soysa family at Queen's House, Colombo, where he bestowed the title of Gate Mudaliyar upon Susew de Soysa and offered the position of Justice of the Peace to Charles Henry de Soysa, who declined the Mudaliyar honor.

Health

De Soysa was a trailblazer in lowering infant mortality rates by initiating training programs for Sinhalese midwives. He became Asia’s earliest patron of a dedicated maternity facility—the De Soysa Lying-In-Home located in Borella, his childhood residence. Additionally, he donated the original premises for the Ceylon Medical College, which was inaugurated in 1879 by Governor Sir James Robert Longden.

The de Soysa family contributed extensively to healthcare infrastructure, including Lunawa Hospital in Moratuwa, Panadura Hospital, Marawila Hospital, Hanguranketha Dispensary, Ingiriya Hospital, and the Bacteriological Institute (now Medical Research Institute) under Dr Aldo Castellani. Their generosity extended to institutions such as Victoria Memorial Eye Hospital, Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children, and ophthalmology units within Kandy and Galle hospitals. During an 1886 visit to Great Britain, De Soysa made substantial donations to 20 prominent hospitals including Guy's Hospital in London and Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital. Moreover, he maintained a convalescent retreat for Buddhist monks at Alfred House.

Education

De Soysa was a pioneer of free education and scholarship programs at the Prince & Princes of Wales Colleges in Moratuwa, investing Rs. 300,000 in constructing facilities on a 15-acre tract adjacent to the Lunawa lagoon. These secular institutions offered instruction in both English and Sinhala to boys and girls alike and were financially sustained by two plantations. The formal inauguration by Governor Sir William Gregory took place on 14 September 1876, aligning with other educational and religious dedications in the area. The Princess of Wales' College represented an important early initiative toward providing secular education for girls.

His initial educational endeavor involved establishing the Alfred Model Farm Agriculture School in 1871 along with supporting S. Thomas' College at Mutwal. The family donated land now used as sports grounds for Royal College (currently University of Colombo) and financed the Ceylon School for the Deaf and Blind in Ratmalana. They also funded construction projects at Trinity College, Kandy. De Soysa provided financial backing for the original buildings of Ceylon Medical College and contributed to institutions such as the National Museum of Colombo as well as numerous island-wide initiatives including scholarships and rural school endowments. He is often recognized as a foundational figure in advancing free education. Lady De Soysa additionally supported St. Sebastian's College and the Convent of Our Lady of Victories.

Beyond formal schooling, De Soysa sponsored literary ventures that enabled translation, printing, and publication of classical texts like the Hitopadesha and works by Kumaradasa and Ven. Weligama Sri Sumangala Thero. He also facilitated educational charitable activities through Ven. Ratmalane Sri Dharmarama Thero from Vidyalankara Pirivena.

Spiritual

Responding to the wishes of the Lakshapathiya community, De Soysa commissioned the St. Mathias Church in Lakshapathiya. Its foundation stone was laid by Rt. Revd. Hugh Willoughby Jermyn, the third Bishop of Colombo, on 24 February 1872, and the church was consecrated on St. Matthias’ Day, 24 February 1876, by Rt. Revd. Dr. Reginald Stephen Copleston, the fourth Bishop of Colombo.

De Soysa held the position of Life Warden at Holy Emmanuel Church in Moratuwa, which had been established by his father. He was also closely linked to other churches founded by his family, such as St. John's Church in Panadura and Saint Stephen's Church in Marawila. Additionally, he acted as a patron for St. Sebastian’s Church in Moratuwa, founded by his father-in-law Chevalier Jusey de Silva, who was a significant benefactor of St. Lucia's Cathedral in Colombo.

His religious patronage spanned multiple faiths; he supported Buddhist temples including Marawila’s Soysaramaya and Pothgul Viharaya in Hanguranketh, alongside Hindu and Islamic places of worship. Demonstrating inclusive religious philanthropy, he also maintained a convalescent facility for Buddhist monks at his Alfred House estate.

Other welfare activities

In 1871, De Soysa initiated advancements in agriculture and dairy farming by establishing the Alfred Model Farm Experimental Station and Agricultural School located in Borella and Narahenpita. The project was backed by a £10,000 investment and encompassed 160 acres dedicated to experimenting with new cultivation techniques and introducing diverse crops and livestock breeds under the guidance of a board that included George Henry Kendrick Thwaites. Although the initiative did not achieve all its ambitions, much of the land was subsequently repurposed for public amenities such as the Royal Colombo Golf Course. The De Soysa family also donated the De Soysa Stadium.

His contributions extended to cultural preservation through donations of archaeological artifacts to institutions like the Royal Institution and various museums; among these was a replica of the Yapahuwa gate. Infrastructure improvements included building Lunawa road and bridge, Katubedda road in Moratuwa, and providing land for Lunawa Railway Station. De Soysa also founded a cooperative society to support carpenters and artisans in Moratuwa and allocated land to resettle over 100 families displaced from Walapane.

During periods of famine, he was a significant benefactor to relief efforts in both India and Ireland. When colonial authorities imposed an unaffordable Poll Tax on Moratuwa’s residents—then Ceylon’s third largest town—De Soysa covered these payments on their behalf. It is noted that his private charitable contributions far exceeded those made publicly.

Socio-political activity

On 11 November 1871, Ceylon witnessed its first large-scale political gathering at the De Soysa walauwa in Moratuwa. This assembly protested against the discriminatory Village Councils Ordinance of 1871 and challenged the colonial government's divide and rule strategy. De Soysa spearheaded a petition signed by 1,000 inhabitants from Moratuwa and Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia, urging the Governor to revise the Ordinance and ensure its publication in local languages.

De Soysa established the Ceylon Agricultural Association on 24 June 1881 with the objective of safeguarding indigenous businesses from European competition and campaigning for the removal of the paddy tax. This organization transformed into the Ceylon National Association in 1888, which played a pivotal role in constitutional reform efforts during the early twentieth century. Prominent figures such as Sir James Peiris served as President while D. R. Wijewardena held the role of Secretary. The association laid important foundations for the Ceylon National Congress, which together with the Lanka Sama Samaja Party, became instrumental in advancing Ceylon’s struggle for independence. The de Soysa family’s ownership of newspapers like the Ceylon Standard and Ceylon Morning Leader, edited by Armand de Souza, significantly influenced public discourse during this era.

Death

On 2 August 1890, De Soysa sustained a bite from a rabid dog at Alfred House. Although there was an initial intention to travel to Paris for medical care, he ultimately decided to stay in Ceylon and rely on traditional remedies. He succumbed to rabies on 29 September 1890 and was interred alongside his infant son near Holy Emmanuel Church. His funeral attracted one of the most significant assemblies of the nineteenth century.

Honors

De Soysa was designated a Justice of the peace by the Duke of Edinburgh. Following his unexpected passing, his widow became the first Sinhalese woman to receive the courtesy title Lady as the widow of a Knight Bachelor, styled Lady de Soysa, with official precedence granted in February 1892.

Legacy

As a pioneering native entrepreneur and benefactor, De Soysa played an essential role in nineteenth-century Ceylon. He was the first local since the era of the Sinhalese monarchs to establish and fully equip a hospital and was instrumental in introducing free education prior to its adoption as state policy. His philanthropic efforts spanned all stages of life, offering support from birth to death. Contrary to contemporary practices where public or foreign-funded institutions often carry individual or political names, many establishments he founded with personal funds were not named after him. De Soysa also contributed to early political initiatives that facilitated legislative reforms, self-rule, and eventual independence. Most major political parties in Sri Lanka—excluding Marxist and communalist factions—trace part of their origins to the Ceylon Agricultural Association, which he supported. He recognized early on that economic, social, and ethical advancement were vital for nation-building.

Family

On 4 February 1863, he married Catherine de Silva (1845–1914), daughter of Chevalier Lindamulage Jusey de Silva, KSG, and Weerahennadi Weerabala Jayasuriya Patabendige Anna Fernando. Together they had eight sons and seven daughters: J. W. C de Soysa; Hon. A. J. R. de Soysa of Lakshmigiri; E. L. F. de Soysa; T. H. A. de Soysa of Regina Walauwa; J. S. W. de Soysa; Sir Wilfred de Soysa; and R. E. S. de Soysa—all recognized for their philanthropic contributions. Distinguished sons-in-law included Sir Marcus Fernando, Charles Matthew Fernando, Dr Solomon Fernando, Dr W. H. de Silva, Francis Perera-Abeywardena of Closenberg Hotel, and Louis H. S. Pieris of Whist Bungalow. Among notable grandchildren were Bishop Harold de Soysa, cricketer Ryle de Soysa, trade unionist Chevalier C.H.Z. Fernando, and Sri Lanka’s first female ambassador Loranee Senaratne.

Other prominent relatives encompassed Metropolitan Bishop Lakdasa De Mel, Sir Henry De Mel, J. L. D. Peiris, Sir James Peiris, Apollonia de Soysa, Professor Indra de Soysa, Flying Officer Chinthaka de Soysa, and golfer Amrith de Soysa—individuals who have made significant impacts across Sri Lanka’s political, religious, academic, military, and sporting arenas.

External links

• De Soysa Maternity Hospital - 125 Anniversary
• Prince of Wales' College - 135 Anniversary
• School for the Deaf and Blind - 100 Anniversary
• Holy Emmanuel Church
• Royal Colombo Golf Club
• Medical Research Institute
• Tea production in Sri Lanka