People,
Places and Events
Have you ever wondered what the name mean and how it came into use as a surname?
Ever wondered why there is a 'De' in front of the name? Here is a clue.
An analysis of the various Fonseka families from the book 'Kurukula Charithaya'.
Michael de Fonseka, the earliest recorded ‘de Fonseka’ raised a most acute question ever asked by anyone from the Dutch Priest by the name of Baldaeus, who accompanied the Dutch expedition to Jaffna in 1658. The answer to this is as perplexing as the question itself.
Many products and brand names carry the 'Fonseca' name throughout the world. From Italian footwear to wine from Portugal, they all share some rare qualities.
Yes ! you have a Gulf named after you too. The 'Golfo de Fonseca' in the Pacific borders three Central American Countries.
The story of Sir Susantha de Fonseka; the only 'De Fonseka' ever to receive a K. B. E.
Don Louys D'andrado was part of the Dutch expedition which lay siege to Cochin in 1663.
A quiz published in the Dallas Morning News, Texas USA in recent times, highlights an amazing theory proposed by J.P. de Fonseka to the literary world in 1938. This contribution by J.P to a world famous authorship debate, is one of the lesser known things about J.P.
A simplified addressing system invented by J. P. De Fonseka in the 1940’s may have been the precursor to the email addressing protocols used today.
This magnificent and rare book, written entirely in French by Lionel de Fonseka in 1953, discusses the appearances of Virgin Mary in Fatima, Portugal and the Eastern and Western views on religious matters.
This book, again written entirely in French by Lionel was translated and published as 'The Truth of Decorative Art' and discusses the western influence on the arts and people of Ceylon
In his autobiography ,"Of Sri Lanka I Sing", Devar Suraya Sena recalls his connections to the De Fonseka families of Kalutara.
When Manuel D'Andrado accompanied the Dutch to capture Jaffna from the Portuguese, he got involved with the wife of a Tamil Mudaliyar, with disastrous consequences for both.
Ladies College honours Bertha de Fonseka at its centennial celebration. (includes some interesting insights in to the racing career of Edmund Clarence de Fonseka.)
Judging by some of the evidence collected, it is quite possible that the de Fonseka clans may have owned Slaves in their properties, at one time or the other.
Patrick Gooneratna was born the only child into the wealthy family of Peter Gooneratna and Beatrice de Fonseka (Panwila Aunty), but he died almost like a pauper in 1999, a sad death for many who really knew him.
In his book 'Running in the Family', Booker Prize winning author Michael Ondaatje writes about the evergreen E. C. de Fonseka Jnr.
Personality of the Week; by Ilika Karunaratne. From the Daily News of 15th March 2003.
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