Attendees gathered at C. H. de Soysa’s statue (Seen in the background) to pay their respects by offering floral tributes in his reverence at the occasion when his 189th birth anniversary was marked in Colombo.
(Pics by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe)

Students and teachers of Prince and Princess of Wales’ Colleges, family members of C. H. de Soysa and well-wishers in the audience

On March 3, the 189th birth anniversary of Charles Henry de Soysa was commemorated, honouring the legacy of a man, who dedicated his life to philanthropy. The two principals of the Prince and Princess of Wales’ Colleges, descendants of C. H. de Soysa, students and well-wishers gathered at his statue which stands tall at the centre of De Soysa circus to pay their respects by offering floral tributes in his reverence.

Not only was C. H. de Soysa a successful entrepreneur, but he is also regarded as Sri Lanka’s greatest visionary philanthropist of the 19th century. C. H. de Soysa’s legacy endures through his significant contributions to the country’s education, healthcare and agriculture sectors. His belief in the power of education to empower the youth led him to establish the Prince and Princess of Wales’ Colleges, where his philosophies continue to inspire generations.

A meeting was held at the Baptist Church hall. During the welcome speech, Suhada Gamlath, co-chair of C.H. de Soysa Commemoration Committee, said, “This commemoration ceremony has been a tradition since 1919, and even amidst the second world war, this event continued to honour C.H. de Soysa and his devotion to service.”
Representing the descendants of C. H. de Soysa, Kishan Karunaratne remarked “It is a great honour to stand before you on this significant occasion as the great-great grandson of C. H. de Soysa. This event is a testament to his enduring legacy and contributions to the development of our nation. He was a pioneer, a man ahead of his time whose generosity laid the foundation for the institutions that shape countless lives. Among them, Prince and Princess of Wales’ Colleges founded by him stands as a beacon of empowerment and education.” Karunaratne further stated that the Chief Guest who graced the occasion, Chief Justice, Murdu Fernando, is a distinguished past pupil of Princess of Wales’ College and that her presence is a powerful reminder of how C. H. de Soysa’s vision has enabled generations to reach the highest levels of service and leadership.

The keynote address and memorial oration were delivered by the Chief Guest, Chief Justice Murdu Fernando, who expressed her gratitude for the invitation and said that she accepted it for two main reasons. “First, to honour an inspiring gentleman, a benefactor and above all, an exemplary human being. Secondly, a man who I never met but visualized, he was an icon in my childhood. If I be nostalgic, I first attended the garlanding of the statue at De Soysa Circus almost half a century ago with my father, who was the principal at the time. It was during the tenure of my father, that the statue of C. H. de Soysa was erected at the College premises for the school children to revere and be inspired by the life and values of this individual who could move with kings but never lost the common touch,” said Fernando. She further spoke of a few important philanthropic efforts by C. H. de Soysa, which includes the Victoria Memorial Eye and Ear Hospital, the De Soysa Hospital for women, and the Prince and Princess of Wales’ Colleges. His farsightedness in providing maternal healthcare and equal opportunity for women to access education is considered to be one of his greatest virtues. Moreover, C. H. de Soysa’s generosity extended to infrastructure – roads, bridges, tanks and irrigation channels while also advancing the agricultural sector of Sri Lanka.

“It is no secret that he was the beneficiary of three large inheritances, and with the best possible education and his entrepreneurial skills, he amassed a massive fortune. History records that never since the times of the Sinhalese kings has such wealth come into the hands of a single person. I view C. H. de Soysa as an individual who looked upon his wealth as a legacy meant to improve the well-being of those around him irrespective of race, ethnicity, or social class. Public welfare was the motive of his actions and ‘self-interest’ had no place in his vocabulary. I believe that the greatness of C. H. de Soysa lies in the social responsibility, justice and the love for people. Philanthropy, in the present context is not wealth alone, it’s about kindness, empathy and taking action in any possible way to uplift those in need. We all play a role in ensuring that the legacy and vision of C. H. de Soysa lives on, not just in the institutions he built, but in the way we serve society,” Fernando concluded her speech with words of inspiration to the young audience from the Prince and Princess of Wales’ Colleges.

It was during the tenure of my father, that the statue of C. H. de Soysa was erected at the College premises for the school children to revere and be inspired by the life and values of this individual who could move with kings but never lost the common touch.
– Chief Justice Murdu Fernando (Chief Guest)

• This commemoration ceremony has been a tradition since 1919, and even amidst the second world war, this event continued to honour C.H. de Soysa and his devotion to service.-

Suhada Gamlath, Co-chair of C.H. de Soysa Commemoration Committee

• “He was a pioneer, a man ahead of his time whose generosity laid the foundation for the institutions that shape countless lives. Among them, Prince and Princess of Wales’ Colleges founded by him stands as a beacon of empowerment and education”

– Kishan Karunaratne, Great-great grandson of C. H. de Soysa