PROMINENT CHETTIES
The Chetty community includes remarkable individuals, among whom numerous notable figures have achieved significant success in their respective fields, showcasing exceptional talent, determination, and accomplishment. These prominent Chetties serve as inspiring examples of achievement within the community.
MICHAEL JURIE ONDACHE (ONDAATJE)
1635 ∼ 1714
Michael Jurie Ondache is recollected as a renowned physician at the Palace of Tanjore where he was invited by the First Dutch Governor of Ceylon to cure his lady of a grave affliction. Upon the success of this task Michael Jurie Ondache was appointed the First Doctor in the town of Colombo. He later converted to a Christian and as a result became the founder of the family that bears his name. He died in the year 1714.
REV. PHILIP DE MELHO
1723 ∼ 1790
A celebrated bible translator, linguist and poet, Rev. Philip de Melho was the first Ceylonese to be admitted to the Christian Ministry. His great learning and diligent work in the cause of religious education and civilization earned him the title ‘Rabbi de Melho’. Rev. Philip de Melho was licensed to preach before the age of 21 and officiated in Dutch, Portuguese and Tamil languages. He was also an author of numerous books.
PETER PHILIP QUINT JURGEN ONDAATJE
Jun. 18, 1758 ∼ Apr. 18, 1818
Son of Protestant Rev. William Jurian Ondaatje of Ceylon and Hermina Quint of Amsterdam, Peter Philip Quint Jurgen Ondaatje was born in Sri Lanka. Educated in Holland, Mr. Peter Ondaatje was a distinguished scholar who went on to obtain a Ph.D. and J.U.D. from Leyden and Utrecht. It was at Utrecht that he came to the fore in European politics. Peter Philip Quint Jurgen Ondaatje is known to be first prominent Asian figure in modern European history who spoke against the violations of the common man. In 1811 he was nominated to the Imperial Council of Prizes by Napoleon I. Mr. Ondaatje was appointed as the High Court justice of Netherlands in the year 1814. Mr. Ondaatje passed away on his way to take up Civil Service Office in Batavia in 1818. Peter Philip Quint Jurgen Ondaatje was known to have written on a wide range of subjects from Physics to Political philosophy and history.
REV. CHRISTIAN DAVID
1771 ∼ 1852
A disciple of Frederick Schwartsz, Rev. Christian David was celebrated preacher who ordained as an Anglican Minister. The first Colonial Chaplain in the district of Jaffna, Rev. Christian David served as Superintendent in over 47 schools is the Northern Province. It is stated that he rendered valuable services to the Government during the rebellion of 1848.
SIMON CASIE CHETTY C.C.S.
Mar. 21, 1807 ∼ Nov. 05, 1860
Born in Calpentyn (modern day Kalpitya) to Gabriel Casie Chetty, the Mudaliyar of Calpentyn and Marie de Rosario, Simon Casie Chetty is a scholar, judge, Member of the Legislative Council and a prolific author who is referred to as Ceylon’s first Civil Servant.
Simon Casie Chetty attended the Calpentyn Tamil School and was later tutored by Lt. Smith, the Commandant of the Puttalam Station. At the age of 17 Simon Casie Chetty was appointed the interpreter to the sitting Magistrate’s Court in Calpentyn. By the age 19 he was the interpreter to the Assistant Collector of Puttalam Station. In the year 1828 he was appointed the Collector of Puttalam and Chilaw. 10 years later Simon Casie Chetty succeeded to the Mudaliyarship that was previously held by his father, Gabriel Casie Chetty. After a petition to the governor by the Tamils and Moors of Colombo, he was appointed a Member of the Legislative Council after the death of Mudaliyar Coomaraswamy. He resigned from this position in 1845 as heavy expenses were involved.
Simon Casie Chetty was appointed to the Civil Service and served as a District Judge in Chilaw. A position he held till his early demise in 1860.
A distinguished man of letters, Simon Casie Chetty was a self-educated linguist who read in 10 languages, namely, Tamil, English, Sinhalese, Sanskrit, Hebrew, Arabic Portuguese, Dutch, Latin and Greek.
Simon Casie Chetty was an ingenious writer who wrote under the name ‘Native’. He had a deep concern to improve opportunities for the educated Sri Lankans to be employed in public service positions of trust and responsibility that were then reserved for the Europeans. He published a Tamil Newspaper named “Udayaditiya” meaning the Rising Sun. He published works include the Ceylon Gazetteer, the Tamil Plutarch and an Anthology of Tamil Poetry.
Simon Casie Chetty stands amongst the earliest prolific figures connect with the law in Sri Lanka to achieve eminence both within and outside shores. He served the government for 36 years.
HENRY FRANCIS MUTTUKISTNA
Known to be a brilliant lawyer, orator and scholar Mr. Henry Francis Muttukistna became the first Tamil Barrister in the year 1849. He completed his primary education in Ceylon (as Sri Lanka was then known) and Calcutta and moved to England in order to complete his secondary education at the Oriel College, Oxford. Mr. Henry Muttukistna was apprenticed under the Chief Justice, Sir Anthony Oliphant and went on to become a Member of the Legislative Council in England. Known to serve as the Deputy Queen’s advocate at various occasions, Mr. Muttukistna was presented to His Majesty the King of England on retirement. Together with his wife, Henry Francis Muttukistna resided in England until his demise.
CHEVALIER L. A. PERUMAL
Lawrence A. Perumal was granted the Insignia of Chevalier of the Order of Leopold II in recognition of valuable services rendered by him as the Secretary to the Belgium Consulate. He was personally known to the King of Belgium and had the privilege of accompanying the Monarch in his visit to Ceylon. L. A. Perumal was also a companion of the Duke of Brabant who later ascended the throne as King Leopold II.
DR. PHILIP SEBASTIAN BRITO
Apr. 07, 1856 ∼ Apr. 09, 1906
Philip Sebastian Brito was a pioneer in medicine known to harmonize the systems of Eastern and Western Medicine. A Varsity honors man who studied medicine at Aberdeen University. Dr. Brito filled in the post of Emeritus Lecturer and Demonstrator in practical anatomy and Regius Professor of the Institute of Medicine.
Philip Sebastian Brito worked in conjunction with an eminent British doctor on an original desertion dealing with the digestion of blood by the common leech and on the formation of hemoglobin crystals. After obtaining the M. R. C. P. (London) he had to return home before completing the F. R. C. P. due to ill health.
He served as a lecturer in Physiology, Biology and Histology at the Ceylon Medical College on his return to Ceylon. He was later the Assistant Colonial Surgeon in Puttalam.
LAWRIE MUTTUKRISHNA
1860
Son of Henry Muttukrishna, a prominent Ceylon delegate to India, Lawrie Muttukrishna stands amongst the first journalists who became famous in the country in the second decade of the century. Lawrie Muttukrishna was the editor of the “Ceylonese”, a leading newspaper of that era, who gave up this post in order to edit his own newspapers “The People” and “The Citizen”.
In his later life Mr. Muttukrishna began scientific studies of questioned documents. He was even summoned by Indian High Courts to express expert opinion on certain cases.
Lawrie Muttukrishna along with his sister Violet founded Polytechnic Institute in 1901 to teach stenography and typewriting during the time it was first introduced to Sri Lanka
EMMANUEL CAJITAN ALLES
Was the first Colombo Chetty to obtain the F.R.C.S (England). He also obtained a Diploma in Opthalmology from Vienna. He served as President of the Ceylon Medical Association. Two of his sons, Eric and Terrance Alles were also members of the medical profession.
DOMINIC MARY JOHN COREA
May 11, 1890 ∼ Jun. 07, 1959
D. M. J. Corea (11th May 1890 – 7th June 1959) was the head of Dodwell and Company in Colombo. Dodwell’s, was one of the leading British merchant firms, or hongs, active in China and Japan during the 19th and 20th century. It was a direct rival to Jardine, Matheson & Co. DMJ as he was affectionately known was a former President of the Colombo Chetty Association. He was also a philanthropist together with his wife Edith (1st Mar 1891 – 25th Nov 1988). Among their charitable donations is the premises of Maw Sevana at Mattakkuliya – a home for destitute boys.
ABRAHAM PETER CASIE CHETTY
Abraham Peter Casie Chetty was a pioneer of the business community in the 1st half of the 20th century and the President of the Ceylon Merchant’s Chamber in 1941. A man of vision, Mr. Abraham Peter Casie Chetty’s interest did not only limit to Ceylon but extended to India and Burma. His name is mostly associated with important Foreign Liquor and Rubber Milling Industry.
JUSTICE M. F. S. PULLE
1898 ∼ 1975
Born on the 30th of October 1898 Justice M. F. S. Pulle was called to the Bar in the year 1925. Later on the 25th of October 1993 he was appointed the Crown Counsel. Justice Pulle served as a Solicitor General before being appointed as the judge of the Supreme Court. In 1948 he was presented the Dignity of Silk. Justice Pulle also served as a member of the Judicial Service Commission.
On retirement of he assumed duties as the Principle of Law College in 1962. He son Stanislaus followed his footsteps and took to law. He is now a Professor of Law in the United States of America.
VENERABLE SOMA THERO
Dec. 23, 1898 ∼ Feb. 23, 1960
Venerable Soma Thero of the Vajirarama Temple in Bambalapitiya (not to be confused with Venerable Gangodawila Soma Thero of Vajiraramaya Maharagama) was born in 1898 under the name Victor Pulle. He led the “Fort Study Circle” which he formed with Mr. J. Thiyagarajah and Mr. R. Nadarajah in the 1930’s. This band, directed towards cultural and literary formation had weekly classes in Pali, Hindi, Laymen’s law, History, Economics and Politics. In ‘quest for truth’ Victor Pulle studied Comparative Religion, Logic and Philosophy. He had a great interest in Art, Sculpture, Archaeology, History, Music and even Astrology.
Joining the Sangha made a vast impact in Venerable Soma Thero’s life, transforming him from the vibrant debater to a sedate and friendly teacher and advisor. In 1934, he was ordained in Burma.
Soma Thero was known to travel by foot, bus, river boat, train and ship all the way to Japan and China to propagate the Dhamma. He delivered sermons and lectures in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. Ven. Soma Thero was the first monk to carry the Dhamma to Germany and founded the German Dharmaduta Society to spread the Dhamma. The life of Venerable Soma Thero was an enlightening example to Bikkus and lay folk alike.
GEORGE CHITTY (QC)
Jan. 01, 1909 ∼ Dec. 23, 1974
Chosen by the state as the prosecuting counsel in the Bandaranaike Assassination trial, George Edmund Chitty stood amongst the most distinguished lawyers the country has ever produced. He had a profound knowledge of the Christian Religion and led a virtuous and exemplary life. Much loved by many the sudden death of George Chitty was a loss not only to the Bar but to the many that loved and cherished him.
He was known to be an outstanding legal luminary and a man of many talents who excelled in photography, music, art, forensic science, motoring, ballistics medicine, surgery and many others.
JUSTICE CHRISTIE ALLES
1911 ∼ 2003
A man of great determination and passion, Justice Christy Alles was born on the 9th of July 1911. He completed his secondary education at St. Aloysius College Galle with flying colors. Being an excellent athlete, Christie Alles captained his college cricket team and is said to have played soccer in school. At University, Justice Alles, passed his Final Examination for the admission of Advocates in 1939 with First Class Honors and was placed first in order of Merit.
Justice Christie Alles was appointed Crown Counsel on the 1st of May 1955 and later appointed the Solicitor General on the 14th July 1968. He retired from his assumed positions while he was serving as the Acting Chief Justice. His famous trials are published in 9 volumes.
R. I. FERNANDOPULLE
1913
Born on the 1st of February 1913 in Dankotuwa, Mr. R. I. Fernandopulle began his education at Marist Stella College in Negombo and completed it at St. Joseph’s College, Colombo 10. He excelled in his academic and sporting endeavors.
R. I. Fernandopulle, who had a keen interest in Coconut Cultivation, was responsible for numerous Coconut Plantations, D/C, Oil and Fibre Mills throughout the Wayamba Province in Sri Lanka. In addition to being the first Chairman of the Ceylon Coconut Fibre Board, he also served as the Chairman of the Coconut Research Institute, Coconut Cultivation Board and the Coconut Development Board. In the year 1986, Mr. R. I. Fernandopulle was awarded the “Best Coconut Cultivator Award” by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations at its Annual Conference in Bangkok.
An esteemed member of the Colombo Chetty Association of Sri Lanka, Mr. R. I. Fernandopulle served as the President of the Sri Lanka Chetty Association and played a crucial role in introducing the Chetties as a separate community in the Constitution of Sri Lanka.
A gentleman with a great passion for politics, Mr. R. I. Fernandopulle stands amongst the founding members of the United National Party and has served on various boards and executive committees during the tenures of Hon. D.S. Senanayake, Hon. Dudley Senanayake, Sir John Kotelawala, Hon. J. R. Jayawardena and Hon. R. Premadasa. Actively involved in many activities in the Western and Wayamba Provinces of Sri Lanka, his political service extends to the Wennappuwa, Nattandiya, Katana, Negombo and Dankotuwa Electorates.
MERVYN CASIE CHETTY
Oct. 09, 1913 ∼ Nov. 07, 1999
A member of a well-known family of the Colombo Chetty Community, Mervyn Casie Chetty was the great grandson of the celebrated linguist, judge and author Simon Casie Chetty.
A celebrated lawyer and poet, Mr. Mervyn Casie Chetty served the Bar for over 62 years. He represented the country at Law Asia conferences, served as the Vice Chairman of the Compensation Tribunal and as a member of the World Peace Council.
It was at his school by the sea, S. Thomas College Mt. Lavinia that he truly discovered his love for literature. He wrote poetry that was humorous and somewhat satirical. Mervyn Casie Chetty can best described by the words of Professor Ediriwira Saratchandra when he said, “Casie Chetty is the conceived poet. He is always on the side of the down trodden, those the ruthless march of history passes by. He is the man who thinks of the turkey’s point of view in the midst of Christmas festivities. And this is symbolic of Casie Chetty’s philosophy…he puts things in a way that never fails to strike us and stir our imagination.”
GEORGE CANDAPPA
A celebrated lawyer, George Candappa took his oaths as a lawyer in 1953. He was apprenticed under Mr. S. J. V. Chelvanayagama (Q.C.), Mr. George Edmund Chitty (Q.C.), and Mr. R. G. C. Perera. He then served at the Attorney General Department for over four years and took to Silk in November 1983.
George Candappa served as Deputy President of the Bar Association and was an active member of the Overseas Committee and Disciplinary Committee of Bar Association for several years. He also served on the Executive Committee of Lawasia Energy Section. From January 1985 to February 1989 George Candappa held the position of the Vice Chairman of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation. He was also a member of the Board of management of the Post Graduate Institute of Medicine.
George Candappa stands a founder and a Vice Patron of the Colombo Chetty Association of Sri Lanka.
MANO MUTHUKRISHNA CANDAPPA
A remarkable woman who was actively involved in a number of clubs and societies, Ms. Mano Muthukrishna Candappa was the Managing Director of Polytechnic Sri Lanka, founded in 1901 for Tertiary and Vocational Education. She also served as the Chairman of the Jeeva Sanwardhana Ayathanaya (Guarantee) Ltd. which provided financial assistance to viable micro enterprises. She was a Founding Member and a Vice Chariman of Sri Lanka Women’s Chamber Industry and Commerce and a Core Member of the Communication Center for Mental Health in Sri Lanka.
An active member of the Zonta Club, Mano Muthkrishna – Candappa was a Founding Secretary and a Past President of the Zonta Club of Colombo. She was also a Past Area Director of Zonta International and a Governor of District 25, which covers clubs in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. This was the first time a Sri Lankan Zontian had been elected to this high office.
Mano Muthukrishna was an honorary member and Sri Lankan representative for the Trinity College of Music, London. She was a member of the Committee of Management in the Arts Council of Sri Lanka on Western Music Panel.
DESHABANDU REGGIE CANDAPPA
May 14, 1919 ∼ Dec. 06, 2003
Reginald Sebastian Rodrigo Candappa was often referred to as the father of Sri Lanka’s advertising industry. He was Chairman of Grant McCann Erickson’s Sri Lankan operation.
He was the President of the Colombo Chetty Association for many years and it was during his tenure that the Chetty Community was able to firmly establish itself with the relevant authorities as a distinct community. He also compiled a book on the history of the Colombo Chetties. It is a very valuable record of the community and its contribution to the country.
DR. NICHOLAS CANDAPPA PHD (LITT)
A Fleet Street trained Journalist, Dr. Nicholas Candappa served as the Senior Deputy Editor of the Sunday Observer, the English newspaper with the largest circulation in Sri Lanka, and the Daily Observer the oldest English newspaper in Asia. Dr. Candappa completed his education at St. Joseph’s College and Aquinas University where he obtained a Diploma in Business Management. He then joined the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd as a junior reporter. At the age of 36 Nicholas Candappa was appointed the News Editor. He was then the youngest News Editor to hold this position which he served for the next 14 years. In 1994 he qualified for the degree, Doctor of Philosophy (Literature) conferred by the International Open University.
CHRISTOPHER ONDAATJE
Feb. 22, 1933 ∼
Christopher Ondaatje is a reputed financier, philanthropist, adventurer and writer. Probably the best known Sri Lankan born to achieve success in the financial world, Ondaatje achieved his success after undergoing many hardships. After losing the family fortune due to an alcoholic father, Christopher Ondaatje had to leave school a year from graduation. In 1956 he migrated to Canada with virtually no money. There with much persuasion and determination, he became a wealthy stockbroker. Christopher Ondaatje founded the Pagurian Press and became a multi-millionaire in the publishing industry.
The National Portrait Gallery, The Royal Geographical Society, Somerset County Cricket Club, Blundell’s School, The Sir Christopher Ondaatje Devon Cricket Centre at Exeter University, Lakefield College School, Dalhousie University, the National Ballet School, the Royal Ontario Museum, Massey College in the University of Toronto, Lester B. Pearson College of the Pacific, the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia and the Chester Playhouse are amongst the institutions that Mr. Christopher Ondaatje has helped.
At one time ranked amongst the top 10 business names in Canada, Mr. Christopher Ondaatje left the business world in 1995 and began a career as a philanthropist and adventurer. Travelling through India and Africa, he also became an author, following in the footsteps of his younger brother Michael Ondaatje, a world-renowned novelist.
MICHAEL ONDAATJE
Sep. 12, 1943 ∼
A celebrated award winning novelist and poet, Michael Ondaatje’s works includes fiction, autobiography, poetry and film. Of his 13 published books of poetry, ‘The Collected Works of Billy the Kid’ and ‘There’s A Trick with a Knife I’m Learning to Do’ won the Governor General’s Award. His novel ‘Anil’s Ghost’ was the winner of the 2000 Giller Prize, the Prix Médicis, the 2001 Irish Times International Fiction Prize and Canada’s Governor General’s Award. Michael Ondaatje is perhaps best known for his novel ‘The English Patient’ which won the much coveted Booker Prize, The Canada Australia Prize and the Governor General’s Award. This novel was later made into a motion picture which won the Academy Award for Best Picture.
Michael Ondaatje is involved with Toronto’s Coach House Books and supports this independent small press as the poetry editor. He was made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1998 and two years later he became a Foreign Honorary Member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters. He now serves on the board of Trustees of the Griffin Trust of Excellence in Poetry.
HON. JEYARAJ FERNANDOPULLE
Jan. 11, 1953 ∼ Apr. 06, 2008
An outstanding member of the community, Jeyaraj Fernandopulle completed his primary and secondary education at Maris Stella College, Negombo. He commenced his political career in 1970 as a candidate for Sri Lanka Freedom Party. Hon Jeyaraj Fernandopulle was elected to the parliament five terms consecutively and held several Ministerial posts since 1994. His Ministerial positions includes, the Minister of Catholic Affairs, the Minister of Ethnic Concessions and National Unity, the Minister of Port and Aviation, the Minister of Road Development, the Minister of Highways and Road Development.
Jeyeraj Fernadopulle was killed on the 6th of April, 2008 along with 14 others by an alleged suicide bomber at a Sinhala and Tamil New Year celebration in Weliveriya town.
RICHIE FERNANDOPULLE
The Chairman of the North Western Provincial Council from 1988 – 1993 Richie Fernandopulle had a keen interest in fisheries organizations in Sri Lanka and worked towards uplifting this Industry. He served as the Chairman of Ceylon Fisheries Corporation, Chairman of Lanhua Fisheries Co. (Pvt) Ltd and Director of Ceylon Fisheries Harbor Corp. Mr. Richie Fernandopulle was also the Director of the Galle Slipways and Engineering (Pvt) Ltd. and served the Vice President and Vice Patron of the Colombo Chetties Association of Sri Lanka.