The Stories, the places and the events
 Articles and photo documentaries relating to the families
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Remains of the day . . . . . . . . . the treasured possessions, the achievements, and the stories behind them all .......

These Photo essays takes us to the very times and places covered in the preceding sections and brings it to it's present day.
Further down we also follow up with historical documentaries, necessary to understand the times frame of the historical narrations.

 

 Island in the Stream :
This island (extreme left) known as 'Diyambetalawa' between the two bridges at Kalutara, was granted to Pedro de Fonseka by the Dutch Government. The British acquired part of it to build the bridge and the roadway. What happened to the rest is not known. Picture shows the Kalutara Temple and the bridge at sunset.

E. C. de Fonseka and the Royal Star & Garter Home :
In 1922, the Star and Garter Home in the Borough of Richmond-Upon-Thames, UK, was the beneficiary of a substantial donation from a Sri Lankan philanthropist, Edmund Clarke de Fonseka M.B.E.

ASCOT AVENUE - The Racing Legend continues :
This posh residential area down Thimbirigasyaya Road, owes its name to Major Edmund Clarence de Fonseka and his Racing Interests.

ARCADIA - The home that lent its name to Arcadia Gardens : 
This beautiful house that was once home to E. C. de Fonseka and his family, today lends its name to Arcadia Gardens, on top of Rosmead Place.
De 'Fonseka' Products
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 essentially de Fonseka.
The Gulf of Fonseca
Yes ! you have a Gulf named after you too. The 'Golfo de Fonseca' in the Pacific borders three Central American Countries.
Mahawatte - The Dutch Land Grant : 
This plot of land 58 acres in extent, granted to Reynoldus D'andrado over 200 years ago in 1785, is traced thru the ages, including its partitioning in 1877 to 61 allotments to its present day.

A Cigar called Fonseka: 
Connoisseurs who appreciate the finer things in life like the the flavor, body and aroma of a good cigar would rank the name 'Fonseca' on top of the list.

Gold Medal of Johannes De Fonseka:  
Among the treasured possession of Mudaliyar S. R. De Fonseka was this gold medal given to Mudaliyar Johannes de Fonseka by Governor Brownrigg on the 21st of November, 1819. 

 

De Fonseka Road / De Fonseka Place : 
De Fonseka road which connects Dickman's Road and Vajira Road is named after Mudaliyar S. R De Fonseka, and to date some of his descendents live down this road.
Henry Fredrick Walauwa:
 Mudaliyar Henry Fredrick's walauwwa down Horton Place is now no more. We capture this magnificent house when partially demolished.
Telford Lodge : 
‘Telford Lodge’ was the home of John Henry de Fonseka. His children E.C de Fonseka and Frank de Fonseka and others spent their early lives in this house. Picture shows the present occupants of the property.

St John the Baptist Church:
This church in Kalutara North was the place of worship of the de Fonseka families. The wife of Frank de Fonseka lay buried beneath the tabernacle of this church.

Kalutara North and Madampitiya Cemeteries:  
The Kalutara North Cemetery and the Madampitiya Cemetary is the final resting place for many de Fonseka’s.
 Picture shows the tombstone of Carolis de Fonseka.

Jawatta Kalutara :
This property and the adjoining eleven acres known as Gambiriswatte, at Jawatte in Kalutara, once belonged to Peter Gooneratne and Beatrice de Fonseka. Their only son Pat who inherited the property, sold most of it for his existence.

 

 James Place :
‘James Place’ was the property of James Fretz de Fonseka, and was named after him. This was subsequently gifted to his eldest son Francis Simon and was sold by his sons in the 70s. Only the well remains from the old property. Picture shows the view of the property from the old ferry road.

Kalutara North Football Team (1939):
 This photograph of a football team that played in a minor league, has a great period feel to it. Two De Fonsekas appear in it. 

St Kevin's Bungalow:
St Kevin' which is featured as Mudaliyar S. R de Fonseka’s home in the book '20th Century Impressions' still exists and retains it's old world charm.

Alvinu Lowe:
The headstone of Alvinu Lowe's grave still exists in a graveyard in Marawila. Alvinu married Michella de Fonseka, the daughter of Manuel de Fonseka, Mudaliyar of Kalutara.

Kalutara Town Club :
Francis Simon de Fonseka was a stalwart of The Kalutara Town Club (KTC)  and played Cricket for the club. His photo was ceremoniously unveiled in the 60’s and hangs in the lobby to date.
Picture shows the front of the club premises.
 

History

History is given a new meaning; a different perspective, within these pages as we take you on a trip back in time, visiting some of the vary places mentioned elsewhere in this website. This page also covers significant events of that era, pluck their background stories  to gives us a broader understanding of our past.

In keeping within the timeframe of the genealogical data presented elsewhere in this web site, we limit the scope of the study to a period beginning with the Kotte period and ending up in the British Period in the later part of the 20th Century.

Kotte and the Portuguese Era:
        Jayawardhanapura: The Capital of the kingdom of Sri Lanka.
        The remains of the day.
        Kotte as it is today; A virtual tour.

The Dutch Period:
        Diyambetalawa; The Islet in the River.
        Early Prints of Kalutara and it's Fort.
        Mahawatta - The Dutch land grant.

The British Period:
         The Whist Bungalow
        Donald Friend and 'The City of Galle'.
        Closenberg; The Cliff Citadel.
        Early Postal History of Ceylon and the P & O Steam Navigation Company.
     Mackinnon Mackenzie Company Ceylon and the P&O.

Reference :
 
  History of Ceylon - The Portuguese Period.
A brief history of Ceylon covering the Portuguese period. This study has been included here as it places and corroborates the events mentioned in the Karava history page.
  History of Ceylon - The Dutch Period.
A brief history of Ceylon covering the Dutch period. This study has been included here as it places and corroborates the events mentioned in the Karava history page.
  History of Ceylon - The British Period.
A brief history of Ceylon covering the British period. This study has been included here as it places and relates to the events mentioned in the Karava history page.