Charles Ambrose Lorensz
Encyclopedia
Charles Ambrose Lorensz, (1829-1871) was a lawyer, journalist and a prominent colonial
era legislator from Ceylon. He was a member of the Legislative Council
. He is credited for initiating Sri Lankan journalism and was the founder and editor of the island's first local news paper the Ceylon Examiner. He was a District Judge and was an Acting Queen’s Advocat.
Born to a Burger
family, Lorensz was educated at the prestigious Colombo Academy, wining the Turnour Prize
in 1946. Beginning his legal practice in 1949, he became a barrister
at the Lincoln's Inn
in 1955. He was a member of the Royal Asiatic Society
, Ceylon Branch
in 1930.
After serving as the District Judge of Chilaw in 1855, he went back to become a practicing lawyer. He was appointed as a Burger non official member Legislative Council of Ceylon
from 1856 to 1864, as opposed to the official members who held there seat in the council by virtue of there office in government. He was the first non official member to claim and receive the right of introducing a private bill. A advocate for local government, he played a major role in the establishment of the Colombo Municipal Council
, the first municipality of which he was one of the first elected members from 1860 to 1870. He resigned from the Legislative Council in 1864.
Lorensz was credited with being the architect of the currency ordinance which enacted that Ceylon should switch from the British currency to its own of rupees and for coining the term Ceylonese. He played a major role in the reform and development of education, the amendment and codification of the law, the inauguration of the Ceylon Government Railway.
Lorensz and a syndicate purchased the Examiner in 1859, which was renamed as the Ceylon Examiner thus becoming the first Ceylonese newspaper, of which he was the managing editor
.
The Lorensz Scholarship
is awarded at Royal College Colombo
his old alma mater in his memory since 1876.
British Ceylon
British Ceylon refers to British rule prior to 1948 of the island territory now known as Sri Lanka.-From the Dutch to the British:Before the beginning of the Dutch governance, the island of Ceylon was divided between the Portuguese Empire and the Kingdom of Kandy, who were in the midst of a war for...
era legislator from Ceylon. He was a member of the Legislative Council
Legislative Council of Ceylon
The Legislative Council of Ceylon was the legislative body of Ceylon established in 1833, along with the Executive Council of Ceylon, on the recommendations of the Colebrooke-Cameron Commission. It was the first form of representative government in the island...
. He is credited for initiating Sri Lankan journalism and was the founder and editor of the island's first local news paper the Ceylon Examiner. He was a District Judge and was an Acting Queen’s Advocat.
Born to a Burger
Bourgeoisie
In sociology and political science, bourgeoisie describes a range of groups across history. In the Western world, between the late 18th century and the present day, the bourgeoisie is a social class "characterized by their ownership of capital and their related culture." A member of the...
family, Lorensz was educated at the prestigious Colombo Academy, wining the Turnour Prize
Turnour Prize
The Turnour Prize is the oldest of the panel prizes at Royal College Colombo. It is one of the most prestigious prizes and honour awarded to a student of Royal College, the oldest public school in the country. Awarded annually to the best student in performance in academics. First awarded in 1846...
in 1946. Beginning his legal practice in 1949, he became a barrister
Barrister
A barrister is a member of one of the two classes of lawyer found in many common law jurisdictions with split legal professions. Barristers specialise in courtroom advocacy, drafting legal pleadings and giving expert legal opinions...
at the Lincoln's Inn
Lincoln's Inn
The Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn is one of four Inns of Court in London to which barristers of England and Wales belong and where they are called to the Bar. The other three are Middle Temple, Inner Temple and Gray's Inn. Although Lincoln's Inn is able to trace its official records beyond...
in 1955. He was a member of the Royal Asiatic Society
Royal Asiatic Society
The Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland was established, according to its Royal Charter of 11 August 1824, to further "the investigation of subjects connected with and for the encouragement of science, literature and the arts in relation to Asia." From its incorporation the Society...
, Ceylon Branch
Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka
The Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka is based in Colombo, Sri Lanka. One of the oldest learned societies in Sri Lanka with a history of over 160 years. Established on the 7th February, 1845, based on lines similar to the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland to further oriental...
in 1930.
After serving as the District Judge of Chilaw in 1855, he went back to become a practicing lawyer. He was appointed as a Burger non official member Legislative Council of Ceylon
Legislative Council of Ceylon
The Legislative Council of Ceylon was the legislative body of Ceylon established in 1833, along with the Executive Council of Ceylon, on the recommendations of the Colebrooke-Cameron Commission. It was the first form of representative government in the island...
from 1856 to 1864, as opposed to the official members who held there seat in the council by virtue of there office in government. He was the first non official member to claim and receive the right of introducing a private bill. A advocate for local government, he played a major role in the establishment of the Colombo Municipal Council
Colombo Municipal Council
The Colombo Municipal Council is the local council for Colombo, the largest city and financial centre in Sri Lanka. The council was formed in 1865 and first met in 1866. The municipal council is the oldest and the largest local government authority in Sri Lanka and, as of 2001, covers a resident...
, the first municipality of which he was one of the first elected members from 1860 to 1870. He resigned from the Legislative Council in 1864.
Lorensz was credited with being the architect of the currency ordinance which enacted that Ceylon should switch from the British currency to its own of rupees and for coining the term Ceylonese. He played a major role in the reform and development of education, the amendment and codification of the law, the inauguration of the Ceylon Government Railway.
Lorensz and a syndicate purchased the Examiner in 1859, which was renamed as the Ceylon Examiner thus becoming the first Ceylonese newspaper, of which he was the managing editor
Managing editor
A managing editor is a senior member of a publication's management team.In the United States, a managing editor oversees and coordinates the publication's editorial activities...
.
The Lorensz Scholarship
Lorensz Scholarship
The Lorensz Scholarship is one of the oldest of the panel prizes at Royal College Colombo. It is the second oldest panel prize at is being currently awarded to students of Royal College, the oldest public school in the country. Awarded annually to the best all rounder with best in performance in...
is awarded at Royal College Colombo
Royal College Colombo
The Royal College of Colombo was founded in January 1835 in Colombo. It is considered to be the leading Public School in Sri Lanka...
his old alma mater in his memory since 1876.