Don Davit Family of Gintota

  Theodore Gunaratne, Grace Gunaratne & Lena Grace Gunaratne family 1. A. W. P. Don Davit de Silva & .............? sister of K. C. Juanis de Silva, also of Gintota. 2. Grace de Silva + Theodore Gunaratne of  Weligama 3. Leena Gunaratne + W. P. de Silva of Beruwela 4 No children 3. Muriel Gunaratne + R. D. Perera of Galle                             4. Drupa 4. Rukmani Leonard around 1930 3. Leonard Gunaratne + Nellie ...................- Badulla 4. Amara 4. Senath 4. Srinath 3. Sylvester Gunaratne + Sita …………. of .......... 4. Seelava Richard around 1930 3. Richard Gunaratne, + Isla de Silva of Matara 4. Malinga Herman 4. Indralal 4. Malinga Herman https://www.facebook.com/100068296553005/posts/pfbid023QZMA23YYFut4eTmph1w5Pd6FPFpT35zcYFbFn9txQtb5oxMJfHuo6qGRwMCv6LZl / Extract from Karava Sri Lanka Herman Gunaratne (b. 9th February 1944), veteran Planter and popular a...

 Pix not available 1. A. W. P. Don Davit de Silva & .............? , sister of K. C. Juanis de Silva , also of Gintota. 2.      Baron de Silva remained a bachelor. Baron de Silva  played an active & key role in the firm of Don Davit & Sons as General Manager for India . He was in charge of the firm's branches at Lower Chitpore Rd. Calcutta, and  at Cocanada. The firm imported rice from Calcutta & later from all Indian ports. The success of the firm in the import/export trade from &  to India  could be largely attributed to him. He passed away prematurely. Lower Chitpore Rd,  Calcutta, where Don Davit & Sons had a branch

Charles de Silva  & his father Don Davit  1. A. W. P. Don Davit de Silva & .............? , sister of K. C. Juanis de Silva , also of Gintota. 2. Charles de Silva remained a bachelor Charles de Silva was  perhaps the most intelligent child of Don Davit. He was sent to England to pursue medical studies & was registered as a medical student there. However, he suffered a nervous breakdown whilst in England & returned to Ceylon, without completing his medical studies. On his return to Ceylon he lived at the ancestral house in Gintota till the mid 1940s. When the house was sold after the death of the second Mrs. Don Davit , he was accommodated in an Elders' Home for sometime & later at his sister, Muriel Salgado's home. He passed away in the early 1960s. He was extremely fluent in English & very knowledgeable about world affairs of his time. He lived almost a normal life, able to travel about on his own & converse as a normal person.

  Henry de Silva around 1905 Henry de Silva/Don David with wife, Norah Peiris   1. Abeydeera Wijewickrema Punchihewage Don Davit de Silva of Ahangama / Gintota   +  Ms. Ratnaweera of Wackwella, Galle (Second Wife) 2. Henry de Silva was the eldest son from Don Davit's second  marriage. He later changed his name to Henry Don David & did not follow his brothers, Simon & Alfred, who opted to use the surname Abeydeera. He assisted Don Davit at the Head Office of Don Davit & Sons at Galle. Don Davit & Henry Don David with Office Staff in Galle He assumed full responsibility after the death of his father around 1923 & functioned in this capacity until around 1945 when the business was wound up. 2.      Henry de Silva /Don David + Nora  Peiris - Panadura 3.      Indrani Abeydeera + Sena Wijeweera – Colombo 4.      Ravisha. 4.      ...

  Louisa de Silva 1. Abeydeera Wijewickrema Punchihewage Don Davit de Silva of Ahangama / Gintota   +  Ms. Ratnaweera of Wackwella, Galle (Second Wife) 2.      Louisa  Abeydeera  +  M. W. Martin de Silva of Galle               3       M. W. Graham de Silva + Lucy ........ - Singapore 4.      Allen 4.      .......... 3.      M. W. Hector de Silva + Wimala de Silva - Colombo 4.      No children Roland de Silva around 1905 3.      M. W. Roland de Silva + ............ - Colombo 4.      Gamini 4.      Anura 4.      .......... 4.      ..........

Porolis de Silva with father Don Davit around 1905 1. Abeydeera Wijewickrema Punchihewage Don Davit de Silva of Ahangama / Gintota   + ................. , sister of K. C. Juanis de Silva of Gintota (First Wife) 2.      Porolis  de Silva - Died in his teens  

  Alfred de Silva with mother, Mrs. Don Davit around 1905 Alfred de Silva/Abeydeera with mother, Mrs. Don Davit, around 1930 1. Abeydeera Wijewickrema Punchihewage Don Davit de Silva of Ahangama / Gintota   +  Ms. Ratnaweera of Wackwella, Galle (Second Wife) 2.  Abeydeera Wijewickrema Punchihewage Alfred de Silva, b. 1.5.1902 d. 16.8.1966,   later (1927 ) known as Alfred Abeydeera, was the youngest son of A. W. P. Don Davit de Silva of Gintota, Galle  &  ? Ranaweera of Wackwella Galle. Read about Don Davit' family & business empire here: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=458825962119451&id=108823527119698&refid=52&__tn__=%2As-R The firm of Don Davit & Sons , which had branches in Galle, Colombo & India was managed by Don Davit & three of his sons. The eldest son was sent to the UK for medical studies, & one son died in his teens. On completion of his studies, instead of joining the family busines...

Simon de Silva around 1905 Simon de Silva, his first wife & daughter Regina around 1905 Simon de Silva / Abeydeera  1. Abeydeera Wijewickrema Punchihewage Don Davit de Silva of Ahangama / Gintota   +  .................., sister of K. C. Juanis de Silva of Gintota. (First Wife) 2. Simon de Silva  was the eldest son of A. W. P. Don Davit de Silva & ......... , sister of K. C. Juanis de Silva of Gintota. Two of the male children of Don Davit adopted the local name  of Abeydeera , which was part of Don Davit's name, & Simon de Silva was thereafter known as Simon Abeydeera. He was placed in charge of the Colombo Branch of the firm of Don Davit & Sons which commenced operations in 1875 & was its Manager until around 1945 when the business was wound up. The Colombo branch was situated at 49, 51 & 69, Fourth Cross St. Colombo. Simon de Silva/Abeydeera with Colombo Office Staff Don Davit passed away around 1924 & thereafter Simon Ab...

 Muriel de Silva as a child with her mother, Mrs. Don Davit around 1905.  Muriel de Silva with husband, M. Simon Salgado, around 1930 Muriel de Silva / Salgado was the youngest daughter of Don Davit. In her teens she would have observed at first hand the many charitable & religious activities undertaken by her father & mother. It was therefore not surprising that she was imbued with the same religious fervour & she together with her husband became one of the chief benefactors of the Mettarama Temple on Lauries Rd. Bambalapitiya. Their children too followed the  example set by their own parents.. She also took a keen interest in the affairs of the German Dharmaduta Society .  Muriel Salgado Family 1. Abeydeera Wijewickrema Punchihewage Don Davit de Silva of Ahangama / Gintota   +  Ms. Ratnaweera of Wackwella, Galle (Second Wife) 2. Muriel was the youngest daughter of Don Davit. 2. Muriel  de Silva +  M. Simon Salgado - Panadu...

Don Davit Don Davit  was known as Davit Mudalali.  Don Davit built his house, Siri Nivasa at 264, Galle Rd. Gintota. The property was located between the Gintota Station Road & Galle Rd. & occupied a major area of that space. He married twice.  His first wife was the sister of a close neighbour, K. C. Juanis de Silva, known as Juanis Mudalali, who lived at 255, Galle Rd, Gintota & was a prosperous businessman.  She bore him one daughter & three sons. They were : Grace, Charles, Baron & Simon. On the death of his first wife, he married Ms. Ratnaweera from Wackwella. Details about her are not known. She bore him three daughters & three sons.  They were : Louisa, Maggie, Muriel, Henry, Porolis & Alfred. Second wife of Don Davit around 1905 There is some uncertainty about the year in which Don Davit passed away. Some sources record that he passed away in 1915/1918. However, the Register of Voters for 1923 contain the following entries : S...